Tag Archives: Hudson McLeroy

June 19, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Rocco Makes a Call, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, From Superdog To Bacon, Not Quite a Dozen Quotes & Pink

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

Emma found Gio with Phoebe outside the boathouse.

Cody and Molly were going for a hike, and Alexis asked if she could talk to them, but it had to wait until Molly’s father got there.

Laura met Lulu at the MetroCourt Gardens, and Lulu put her phone on record. She asked about Sidwell, and Laura said she was grateful that his intended victim survived and looked forward to him being brought to justice, but Lulu said, that was a very political answer. She turned off the recorder, and Laura said she hated Sidwell and was glad people were seeing him for the thug he was. Nathan watched from another table, when Nina joined him. She asked when he’d last heard from their mother.

Valentin and Carly came back to Sonny’s old kitchen after taking a boat around Spoon Island. Valentin said it was it was teeming with agents, but Carly said she didn’t care. She had to get her daughter out of there.

Brook and Michael came in to find Yuri tending to Willow, and Yuri told them that Tracy had been arrested.

At the station, Dante asked what Tracy had done now, but Tracy said she was the victim. He said Chase had accused her of assaulting Congresswoman Cain, when Turner came in and asked what Tracy was doing there. Chase said she’d accosted Willow, but Tracy said Willow had thrown herself into the lake and this fool (i.e. Chase) fell for it.

Gio told Emma that he’d wanted to spend time with his baby sister and was babysitting. She was going to be hungry, but he’d forgotten to bring a bottle. He asked Emma to watch her, handed Phoebe off, and left.

Tracy asked why Willow was Chase’s blind spot, and Dante suggested they go into the interrogation room to wait for her lawyer. Turner said she wanted a word with Chase.

Dante took off the handcuffs, and Tracy said if Willow thought she’d let her get away with this, Willow was sadly mistaken.

Turner asked what Chase was thinking, and he said Willow was in the water and injured. He’d helped her and she’d stated that Tracy pushed her. She asked if he’d witnessed it, and he said, no, but he’d heard Willow saying Tracy was hurting her. Why would she do that if she wasn’t in distress? Turner asked if he’d been on duty, and he said, no. He’d been headed there to swim. She said he’d made a nuisance arrest and left them open to a lawsuit.

Willow said she knew Tracy didn’t like her, but hadn’t expected this, and Michael said Tracy did have a temper. Brook said Tracy wouldn’t shove someone unless she was provoked, but Willow said Tracy has set up the entire thing by texting her from Wiley’s phone. Michael asked, who called the cops? and Willow said luckily, Chase was there to help her.

Nathan told Nina that he and their mother had breakfast a couple days ago, the day Rocco had disappeared. Nina said Obrecht wasn’t returning her calls or texts and all of her stuff was still at her room in the MetroCourt. Nothing had been touched and the manager told her that the housekeeper said Obrecht’s bed hadn’t been slept in. Nathan thought it was clear that their mother had gone after Britt.

Laura asked how Lulu was holding, and Lulu said she was keeping busy with work. Britt had exploited Rocco’s curiosity about her, so he trusted her enough to run away with her. Laura said nothing was worse than not knowing where your child was, especially after Lulu’s experience with Charlotte. She asked how Dante was handling it, and Lulu said Dante was also throwing himself into work. They were on the same page and working together to find Rocco, but she didn’t think Dante would ever forgive her about the passports, or that she could forgive herself.

Carly said the ring was definitely Josslyn’s, but Valentin said they didn’t know for sure that she was at Windymere. Carly insisted she was, and he said, if they got caught, Cullum would take Josslyn elsewhere or decide she wasn’t worth keeping. She said, then she needed to go to Sonny.

Alexis promised it was nothing bad, when Ric arrived. Molly said, start talking, and Ric said he and her mother were throwing her a book launch party.

Willow said she was lucky Chase had been there to rescue her, and Brook asked if she was wearing Chase’s jacket. Willow said, the water was freezing, and Brook said she had to get to the station. She left, and Michael asked if Willow wanted some tea to warm her up. Willow said she’d love one, and Yuri said he’d find the tea Olivia used on stressful days, and left. Willow said Michael clearly wanted to talk alone, and he said he was glad she wasn’t seriously hurt. Had she thought about her next steps? She said she was going to give her statement to the police and bring charges against Tracy.

Dante said, Willow threw herself into the lake? and Tracy said he should have seen her performance. Chase bought every word. Meryl Streep needed to watch her back. Dante said people had gone to prison for less.

Turner said Chase was walking a thin line. Willow was his ex-wife and he’d lost his badge defending her. He’d been accused of tampering with evidence and it wasn’t a good look. Chase said he’d been following the law. Congresswoman Cain had been assaulted. Maybe Turner should consider her own bias and recuse herself from the case. She told him he’d better hurry and write his report.

Nina said she knew Obrecht was upset about Britt leaving, but why not tell them? Nathan could have helped and she had resources as well. Nathan said he didn’t think their mother wanted to put him in that position since Britt had run off with a minor. The more scrutiny Britt received, the more likely it was to go sideways for her and Rocco, and he thought that’s why their mom left under the radar.

Laura asked where Lulu got the passports… Wait. It was best she didn’t know. Lulu made the best possible choice for her son and had no idea what would happen. Lulu said she should have told Dante. She was desperate to protect Rocco and now saw her actions had made Rocco feel like only Britt could save him.

Valentin said involving Sonny was a bad idea, but Carly said Sonny had resources to help go up against Cullum. She wanted him to cause a distraction so they could slip into the tunnels. Valentin said, that would be a mistake. Things could get violent, spiral, and Josslyn could get hurt. With tears in her eyes, Carly asked him what to do, and he took her hand. He said, don’t use Sonny. Use me.

Emma wheeled a crying Phoebe around in a carriage, then sang to her, but she continued to cry. Gio returned, and she said Phoebe started screaming out of nowhere. She gave Phoebe a pacifier, but she spit it out. Gio said it was all good, and Emma said she thought the carriage would make Phoebe more secure, but it just made her more mad.

Alexis said they were proud of Molly’s accomplishments and wanted to celebrate with their family and friends. Cody said Molly deserved it and he’d help in any way he could. Ric said he’d skipped a few scenes, but loved the book, and Molly told Alexis not to go to any trouble. Alexis said it had been Ric’s idea, and Ric said he wanted to celebrate Molly’s big moment. Molly said, Ric wanted to throw a party with Alexis? And Ric said he wanted to celebrate Molly’s big moment, but make sure Alexis had a say.

Nathan told Nina that their mother always landed on her feet, when hotel manager Mira came by. Nina said no one had heard from her mom for some time and she wanted to look at the security footage, but Mira said she couldn’t share it without permission from Olivia or Carly. Nina introduced Nathan as her detective brother, but Mira said he’d still need a warrant. Nathan said Mira was right, and Nina said there was no time, but she may have a short cut, and she dashed out.

Laura said Rocco knew Lulu loved him and he loved her too. That’s why he sent the video. Lulu said if she had the chance, she’d do things differently, when Nathan approached their table. He said he was sorry to interrupt, but it was important.

Brook arrived at the station, and Chase said he could explain. He’d had no choice. Tracy had physically assaulted Willow by grabbing her arm and shoving her into the lake. Tracy was entitled to her argument, but she’d clearly stated that she’d intended to harm Willow. Brook said she needed to talk to Tracy and went into the interrogation room.

Tracy said Willow was lying and trying to frame her, and Dante said he was going to talk to the ADA. He asked Brook to try and get Tracy to make peace, and left. Tracy said she didn’t deserve Brook’s stink eye, and Brook asked if Tracy didn’t lure Willow to the boathouse.  

Dante said he knew Turner didn’t like Chase, but Willow was a sitting congresswoman and they couldn’t let it slide. Turner said there were no witnesses and it would blow up in their faces, and he said, if Willow was telling the truth, they had a problem. She told him that Tracy always found a way out, but she wanted no part of it, and she left.  

Willow told Michael that she knew how inconvenient it was for Quartermaines to face consequences, but Tracy needed to be held accountable. She assaulted a US congresswoman. He said she was right. He wasn’t right not trying dissuade her, but was she really sure she was the right person to go up against Tracy?

Emma was worried that Phoebe was scarred for life, but Gio said she was fine. Emma said she wasn’t good with babies, and he said he was surprised, since she was good with animals. She said, puppies weren’t like babies. They were sturdy and you could train them. He said, a baby trains you, and she said, exactly. She liked watching him with Phoebe. He was good with her. He said he grew up in a big Italian family and had a little bit of experience, but he didn’t think it would feel so different with his own baby sister.

Valentin told Carly that he was the perfect distraction. He was a wanted fugitive. The WSB had wanted to recapture him for months, and he knew he could distract them while she snuck in and searched the tunnels. She said if Cullum caught Valentin, he’d kill him, and he told her to be quick about it. She’d been trusting him for months and he hadn’t disappointed her. There was a knock at the door and Valentin hid. Nina peeked in.  

Laura left to check in at her office, and Nathan told Lulu that he didn’t mean to scare her off. He just wanted to apologize. It never occurred to him that Rocco would run off with Britt. Lulu said that wasn’t on him. She’d been unfair to him and taken her fear out on him.

Brook said, Tracy sent Willow a text from Wiley’s phone? and Tracy told her, all it said was that Wiley was at the boathouse with Chase. She wanted to prove Willow was after Chase and she was right. She did it for Brook.

Dante said he was backing Chase up on the arrest, and Chase said he appreciated it and had no doubt he did the right thing. Dante said he didn’t disagree, but Chase had the opportunity to fix it now. If Tracy did assault Willow, he’d arrest her and she’d stand trial. If it was just a Quartermaine squabble that got out of hand, for the benefit of everyone, let cooler heads prevail.

Yuri brought Willow’s tea and left, and Michael said a trial would just bring up them being accused of shooting Drew. The kids didn’t deserve that. Tracy would fight tooth and nail, bring in an impressive squad of lawyers, and they’d both be attacked in the press. Willow said it was the last thing she wanted, and he said the kids loved Tracy and spent more time with her now that Monica was gone. Wiley needed stability and if Willow pressed charges, she would upend that. Willow said she had a lot to think about. Her kids were her priority. What kind of message would she send if Tracy got away with attacking their mother? She left.

Emma said she thought Phoebe was lucky to have Gio as an older brother. Every girl wanted an older to protect and defend them. To show them cool music to listen to and give them rides to friend houses. That was essential. He asked if she did that for her younger brother, and she said when her parents made her. She loved Noah, but he was the worst. He’d sprayed grape soda on her and her high school boyfriend while they were watching a horror movie. She was furious, but he still thought it was funny. Gio said she never mentioned a high school boyfriend. Who was this jerk?

Molly thought the MetroCourt pool was perfect, and Cody agreed, asking if she wanted to skydive in. Ric said he’d prefer staying on the ground, but he was thinking big and spectacular. Alexis said, and of course (🍷) tasteful, and Ric suggested a western theme, but Alexis said it wasn’t Molly’s 8th birthday party.

Nina told Carly, Valentin, and the moss bowl🎍that Obrecht was missing and she’d like to see the security footage from the hotel. She’d like to find out if Obrecht left the hotel on her own. Nathan thought she went after Britt, but needed evidence. If she couldn’t find Obrecht, she’d start believing the worst – that she’d been taken by someone.

Brook said Tracy’s plan backfired. She knew Willow was after Chase and was handling it in her own way. Focus on getting the charges dropped. Tracy said she could take care of herself. Brook said she and Chase were trying to adopt and didn’t need extra scrutiny. Apologize to Willow whether she pushed her or not. Dante came in and said someone wanted to speak to Tracy. Willow and Chase stood behind him.

As Ric and Alexis argued over taquitos versus vegetable crudités, Molly and Cody slipped outside. Cody said it was nice of them, and Molly said it was shocking. She never thought they could agree on anything, let alone organize a big event. Cody wondered if they were rekindling their old flame, but she said, they’d better not be.

Emma told Gio, it was a long time ago. It didn’t work out and he broke her heart. Gio said that made no sense, but she said she was glad it didn’t work out. He wasn’t the guy for her. She thought it was good to go through the love and heartbreak thing, so you knew when the real thing came along. Gio agreed, and they kissed.

Lulu told Nathan that maybe Rocco would have been better off if she’d sent him away, but Nathan said he didn’t know. He did know that not telling Rocco everything was one of his biggest regrets. Lulu said all they could do now was pray that Rocco was okay and Britt took care of him, and he said he knew Lulu wasn’t a fan, but Rocco meant a lot to Britt She’d make sure he was safe, and so would he. Laura came back, and Nathan had to leave. Lulu said Nathan felt bad about Rocco and would do what he could to help. What they needed was a lead on Britt and Rocco’s location. When she had it, she and Dante would be the only ones to find their so.

Michael thanked Yuri for helping, and Yuri said he hoped he wasn’t overstepping, but it was better for Wiley and Amelia when Michael and Willow weren’t fighting. Michael said Yuri was right. He was trying to be more strategic. Fighting got him nothing.

Tracy said she had something… and Willow said she’d make it easier. She wasn’t pressing charges. She regretted that their disagreement got out of control and Tracy felt the need to resort to physical violence, but this was best for the children. They were also Quartermaines and this was necessary to keep the peace. Chase thanked her for being the bigger person.

On the phone, Carly thanked Mira and told Nina that they were pulling the footage. She wanted Nina to find her aunt. She knew how devastating it was when a family member was missing. (Ooh, a reference to Nina keeping Sonny in Nixon Falls perhaps?) Nina said she felt like something bad was going to happen, thanked Carly, and left. Valentin said they’d found their scientist. They were out of time. He was going to do what Jack asked and turn himself into the WSB.

Tuesday:

Carly said the WSB wasn’t an option. Let her go on his behalf. Spinelli could create a false ID. He said they’d only believe what they heard in person from a trusted source. She said he was a fugitive and had a target on his back.

Jacinda found Michael at the boathouse, and they kissed. She asked why she was there, and he said celebrating that he convinced Willow not to press charges against Tracy.

Back home, Tracy said she wanted to wipe that smug smile of Willow’s off her face. It was like she was bestowing a royal pardon. She was a viper. Chase started to say something, and she told him not to defend Willow. Brook said they should be glad there would be no tabloid coverage, and Chase said Tracy had shoved a sitting congresswoman into the lake and she’d been injured. Tracy said, Willow got a booboo on her knee, but he said it was still assault. She said, and Willow was still his ex-wife preying on him, and he said Tracy had used Wiley’s phone to send a phony text to her. She said, it was a test and Willow failed. And he was on the way to failing his.

Jack was moving his arm, when Willow came in. She said they had a serious problem. Sidwell was a fugitive.

Fitzpatrick said he’d had no luck with the passport, and Dante said they’d had no luck with Britt’s room search. He asked if the information on the prints had come back, but Fitzpatrick said, not yet. Nathan joined them and asked if there had been any word on Rocco.

Cullum told Agent Harker (random new guy) that Sidwell jeopardized everything when he allowed Dr. Jones and the PCPD to set him up. Proving again that grief makes you stupid. Harker said Sidwell wasn’t using resources that the WSB was aware of, and Cullum said that Carly hid a lot from him, especially her involvement with Valentin.  

Valentin told Carly that he’d be taken alive. He knew Geneva and could bypass security and get to Z directly. She said, then what? Steinmauer for the rest of his life? She wasn’t letting him sacrifice himself like that.  

Chase said, what test? Who was Tracy to test him? She said if he didn’t know the answer, it didn’t bode well, and it wasn’t a good look to a judge. He said he was an officer of the law and had no choice, but she said he could have chosen not to buy Willow’s victim act – again. He asked Brook to tell him that she saw what Tracy did wrong, and Brook said she wished Tracy hadn’t sent the text, but Tracy told her, all it said was that Chase and Wiley were fishing. Willow took it upon herself to get dressed up for a hoedown, the operative word… Chase said Willow came to see her son, and Tracy said she had no time to deprogram him. She didn’t push Willow. Willow saw him coming and jumped in the water. Chase said that was ridiculous. History spoke for itself. He asked Brook who was more likely to lie – Tracy or Willow?  

Fitzpatrick said they were waiting on the lab results, and Nathan said Britt was his sister, but Dante said Fitzpatrick was the one who needed information. He was going to talk to Turner. Turner came in and said, Nathan and Dante were just who she was looking for. She wanted Nathan to explain how Sidwell managed to escape on his watch, and Dante to tell her what the PCPD was doing to find him.

Willow told Jack that Sidwell was gone and he was the source of the paralytic drug she was using on Drew. The first thing Drew would do when he recovered was send her and Nina to prison. Nina joined them and told Willow that her Aunt Liesl had vanished.

Cullum told Harker that Ava said she’d run into Valentin at Windymere in January, and he’d told her that Sidwell was letting him hide there. She suspected Sidwell was unaware of his presence, but admitted she could be wrong. If Valentin was telling the truth, that meant Sidwell had been working with him all along. Harker said Valentin had contacted Charlotte since his escape, but he thought Valentin had moved on. Cullum said he bet Valentin was still in Port Charles.  

Carly said she didn’t trust the WSB, and Valentin said he didn’t either. Cullum and Sidwell had been working on the project for decades, and were thisclose to bringing it online. He thought Britt ran to stop their progress, but now they had Liesl and Josslyn. They were out of time. Carly asked what happened if they finished with the cold fusion thing, and he said he didn’t know. No one really knew, but he expected it was dangerous. But if they’d made a miscalculation and couldn’t contain the cold fusion reaction, then it was worse. He had to do anything he could to stop Cullum from taking the device online.

Dante said he and Nathan were going over Nathan’s statement, and Turner said, then her timing was perfect. She was all ears. Nathan said he’d been transporting Sidwell, when an unmarked black SUV cut him off. Three armed men got out and demanded his weapon. He grabbed one, but another overpowered him and he was pistol whipped and knocked out. When he came to, they were all gone along with the car. Dante said it sounded like a professional extraction, and Turner said it sounded like Nathan didn’t put up much of a fight.

Valentin told Carly that it wasn’t just what the weapon could do, but what it could force others to do if it was in the wrong hands, and she asked how they stopped it if he was in Geneva. He said he’d only talk to the highest ranking person. If he talked to anyone else, Cullum could hear about it, intercept him, and cover things up. She asked why he had to go in person, and he said, AI and deepfakes ran rampant. She suggested they send Jack, since he was still Chief, and he said Jack would be perfect, but was laid up. She suggested they go over to Windymere and handle it themselves, and he said they were a great team, but Cullum held all the cards. He had control of Spoon Island, which was swarming with WSB agents who were loyal to him. And he had resources they didn’t have. They needed the WSB. She asked, what happened when he turned himself in to the same people who were hunting him?  

Dante told Nathan that he’d like to have a word with the acting DA, and Nathan left. Fitzpatrick said he could use Nathan’s input. They found a used syringe in his sister’s room. Was she on any meds? Nathan said none that he was aware of, and Fitzpatrick said Nathan had mentioned she had Huntington’s. Could it be related?

Dante asked, what the hell was that? It sounded like Turner was accusing Nathan of letting Sidwell go. Turner said all eyes were on them and it was a huge screw up, and Dante agreed, but said she’d also come down hard on Chase. She said, for good reason, but Dante said it felt like she had a problem with Sonny being his father. If she did, come after him, not his department.  

Nina told Willow that the security footage at the MetroCourt showed an image of their Aunt Liesl on June 5th, the same day she’d asked if they’d helped Britt disappear, and Willow said Obrecht was probably looking for Britt. Nina gave her a change of dry clothes and asked, what happened? Willow said Tracy Quartermaine tried to intimidate her and it blew up in Tracy’s face.

Michael told Jacinda about Willow and Tracy’s altercation, and Jacinda wondered if Willow saw Chase coming and jumped in to frame Tracy. He said he didn’t see Tracy physically endangering Wiley and Amelia’s mother, but he’d only heard Willow’s side, and she said he did convince Willow to drop the charges. Michael said public conflicts with the family weren’t good for the kids, and she asked if Chase saw Willow as the wronged party and the benevolent angel of mercy. He said Chase saw her as all tragedy and no flaws. He saw what he wanted to see and it brought him and Willow closer.

Chase asked Brook why Willow would jump in the water. Tracy must have pushed her. Tracy asked what Brook thought, and Brook said she thought Chase was right to take Willow at her word. Tracy said, unbelievable, but Brook said Tracy went too far. She should be grateful, but she was still trying to slander Willow. Tracy told her that if anybody else had said that, she’d evict them, but she refused to lose her granddaughter and hoped she came to her senses.

Willow told Nina what had happened, and Nina said, Wiley and Chase fishing didn’t sound like an invitation. Willow said she didn’t want to miss visiting Wiley and Chase didn’t mind. Wiley loved living at the Quartermaines’, but knew she wasn’t welcome. She wanted to ease his mind, but instead, Tracy accused her of trying to seduce Chase.  

Michael said Brook would be better off in the long run, and Jacinda said she knew he believed that, but Brook didn’t. Don’t expect her to thank him. He said it took him too long to realize he and Willow weren’t working out. He was so invested in who he thought she was and who he wanted her to be, when she turned out to be a different person, everything crumbled. Now the kids stuck them together forever in a toxic relationship. He wanted to spare Brook the pain. Better it happened now. Brook could adopt Phoebe as a single mother. He hated that she’d be hurt, but the sooner she embraced the inevitable, the better off she’d be.  

Brook said, family was Tracy’s Achilles’ heel, and Chase said he was sorry she got dragged into it. When Tracy was stuck on something, nobody could move her. She didn’t consider him a real Quartermaine and had been angry with him since he’d accused Michael of setting up Willow. It was all in her head and he’d thought he set her straight when she caught him and Willow in the boathouse. But the next thing he knew, she used Wiley to bring Willow to the boathouse under false pretenses. It was fraud and harassment and he couldn’t let it continue. Please tell him that she understood why he had to arrest Tracy.  

Nathan said there was no cure for Huntington’s, but Fitzpatrick said, the symptoms could be managed. Nathan said Britt was very private about her illness.

Turner said none of this had to do with Dante’s father. She was convinced Offer Chase had sabotaged Willow’s case, but it wasn’t her call to keep him on the force. Dante said, IA cleared Chase, and she said she trusted and respected Danta. He’d inherited the department and was still making it his own. He wondered if she had a problem with Anna, and she said she thought Anna let her personal feelings get in the way when she reinstated Nathan. He had a seven year gap and ties to Faison. Dante said, Faison shot him. That was the only time Nathan dealt with his father and his track record since was nearly perfect. She said she knew Nathan had problems, but Dante said they were personal, not professional.

Carly said their idea had been to frame Jack. He’d be in prison and Valentin would be a free man. Valentin said he didn’t have anything to put Jack away. Now he needed Jack to back him up, so they couldn’t discredit him. She asked what his chances were of walking away a free man if he went to Geneva, and he said, less than 1000 to one.

Dante told Turner that Nathan’s statement lined up with what they knew about Sidwell. He’d had security trained in combat for his illegal operation in East Africa. It made sense to have people here should he be taken into custody. Turner said, Sidwell didn’t need Nathan’s help to escape. It would have been good for them to anticipate that. Dante said now she was blaming him, and she said, if it was an isolated incident, she’d let it go, but if Detective West turned out to be like the Chase situation… Dante said she had no proof, and she said they both knew lack of proof didn’t equal innocence. Chase was a bad cop. Dante said he’d prove her wrong, and she said she hoped so, but wasn’t betting on it. She admired his loyalty to people. He’d stuck his neck out for Chase, but if Detective West was also a problem, it would reflect poorly on him. She left.

Jack said, Willow saw Chase coming and jumped in the water to frame Tracy, and Nina said, she did no such thing, but Willow said she had to do something. She knew Chase would believe her over Tracy. Nina said the press would be all over this, but Willow said it never occurred to her that Chase would take it that far. He lived in the Quartermaine house and Tracy was his wife’s grandmother. She wasn’t pressing charges. Jack said she got credit for graciously letting Tracy off the hook, and Willow said, all they saw, was her as a generous, forgiving person, and Tracy being the bully everyone knew she was. Jack said, well played.

Tracy interrupted Jacinda and Michael and asked if Jacinda would mind if she had a moment alone with Michael. Jacinda said, of course (🍷), and left. Michael said Yuri told him that she’d been arrested, but she wasn’t in jail, and she said, Saint Willow decided not to press charges. Chase was convinced Willow was only goodness and light. He asked if Tracy pushed her, but she said she did not. Willow threw herself in and lied to Chase. He asked why she sent the text. He thought they’d agreed to let Brook figure it out for herself. She said they had, but Chase was too thick to see the truth. She thought she could scare Willow off. It was a tactical error and she played into Willow’s hands. When she heard Brook tell Chase that she believed Willow, she knew it had to end.  

Carly asked if she was supposed to sit there while her daughter was stuck at Windymere, and Valentin said he knew how Cullum thought and Josslyn was worth more alive than dead. She said, what if that changed? and he said, everything changed if the device went online. The WSB could stop it and save Josslyn. If she had a choice between him going to prison or Josslyn dying, which one would she choose?  

Michael asked if Brook bought Willow’s story, and Tracy said, she told Chase that she did. Michael said Brook was telling Chase what he wanted to hear, and Tracy said she was afraid Brook believed the only way to make her marriage work was by lying, but when the lying started, it didn’t stop.

Brook said, of course (🍷), she understood. Chase was just doing his duty as a cop. She was sorry that Tracy was suspicious and put him in this awkward position. He said, her too. And of course (🍷), Willow.

Willow went to change, and Nina said she didn’t want Willow encouraged to play chicken with the Quartermaines, especially Tracy, but Jack said, it was smart. Nina said Willow needed to stay away from the Quartermaines and focus on being a congresswoman, when Willow returned. Nina asked why she’d wanted to meet, and Willow said she was running out of the paralytic drug and needed to know her options. Jack said he thought Cullum provided the drug, but Willow didn’t know if Sidwell told Cullum about their arrangement. Jack said approaching Cullum would be an admission of guilt, and she said he could send her to prison. Nina said their only option was to accept the fact Drew was going to recover. Jack said he had proof of Drew’s misappropriation of funds and they needed to get their hands on it right now.

Dante said, one more screw up, and it would go to IA, and Nathan said he understood. He knew not telling Dante that Rocco shot Cullum wrecked their friendship and wanted Dante to know that he regretted it. Clearly, they didn’t agree on a plan, but he’d had the best intentions. His only goal was to protect Dante’s son.

Cullum asked Harker for the latest on Britt and Rocco, and Harker said they were still monitoring Lulu and Dante, but their son hadn’t made contact. Cullum said he wanted to have it reclassified as a kidnapping and told Harker to call legal. In the meantime, discreetly encourage the FBI to get involved. They’d find the trail that led him to Britt and Rocco’s door and he’d kill them both. Harker said he’d speak to legal and let him know how to proceed, and Cullum said their only other threat was Anna. He asked if there had been any development with her, and Harker said, she was still being contained. Cullum said, someone claiming to be Dr. Collins called to check on Anna. It could have been Valentin. It had been traced back to Port Charles. Find out the exact location. Harker left.

Carly said she didn’t want to let Valentin go, and he said he knew, but she had to.  

Tracy said she didn’t understand why Chase couldn’t see that Brook was lying, and Michael said Chase was convinced he was right and Brook was a compelling liar. She said, as they all were. It was a Quartermaine trait. He said Chase would never understand or appreciate the real Brook. He should love her because of who she was, not in spite of it. Tracy said Brook would be better off without him.  

Brook asked Chase not to be hard on Tracy. She’d been taught to be cynical about life, love, and marriage. Luke couldn’t fully heal her and her grandmother couldn’t understand the kind of love and commitment they had. She never had any doubts about him. They kissed, and she said she loved him and knew they were going to get through this. What they had was precious, and she’d do anything to protect it.

Nathan told Dante that the Rocco situation was complicated and escalated quickly. Dante said Nathan overstepped, but he was also grateful that Nathan was on the pier with Rocco that night, and he thanked him for that.  

On the phone, Fitzpatrick said he wanted the contents of the syringe found in Britt’s room analyzed. He needed to know exactly what drugs she was taking.

Jack told Nina and Willow that he was the only one who could access the proof. It was the private safe in his office. Their only recourse was to get him on his feet faster, before Drew exposed them and blew their lives apart.

Carly said she hated it, and Valentin said he did too. She said she hated the idea of him going to prison. What if they did to him what they’d done to Jason? She understood that it was what he had to do to save her daughter and thanked him. He said she could do something for him, and she said, anything. He asked her to bring Charlotte there to say goodbye, and she said, of course (🍷). She’d call now. He said, wait, and pulled her to him. He said, one more thing, and they kissed.

Harker gave Cullum to results of the trace, and Cullum said the call was routed through ten different cities, but it was from a cell on Shoreline Road. He’d been on that road when he’d paid a visit to Carly Spencer. She was Jack’s girlfriend then, but it was time for him to look at her in a whole new light.

Carly went to change and Valentin lit candles in the bedroom. She came in wearing lingerie and he poured two glasses of wine. They clinked glasses, and got busy.

Wednesday:

Dante found Chase at the boathouse and asked, what the hell was he thinking arresting Tracy?

Tracy said Brook had taken Willow’s side for Chase’s benefit.

Willow brought Drew to the hospital for a check-up, and Elizabeth wondered what had his attention. She turned around and Danny was there with Scout.

Danny put ice on Scout’s ankle, when Molly came into the hospital.  

Harker told Cullum that his guests were on their way, and Cullum said he should have made Carly a suspect sooner. She’d been jumpy when he’d visited her, she’d turned up at Windymere claiming it was for her brother, and he’d caught her with Valentin’s daughter. There were too many coincidences.

As they spooned in bed, Carly asked what Valentin was thinking, and he said he wanted to remember everything about this moment. She said she didn’t see this particular journey happening, and he said he didn’t want it to be their last night. It had been surprisingly great, incredible, and special. They kissed.

Brook said what Tracy did was indefensible, but Tracy said, it was a complete fabrication. Brook said Tracy admitted luring Willow there, but Tracy said, it was information, not an invitation. Willow seized the opportunity on her own to spend time with Chase. Brook said it was entrapment, and Tracy said Brook needed to open her eyes. She’d caught them together a couple nights ago. Brook said she trusted her husband and this wasn’t about Chase. Tracy said she was right. It was about Brook. She was subjugating herself for her husband, which was not a good sign.

Dante asked if Chase hadn’t learned from past mistakes with Willow and the law, but Chase said he was on the side of justice. Dante said what happened was child’s play for the Quartermaines and he didn’t need to arrest Tracy. Chase said, Willow had an injury, but Dante said, it was a scrape. He wasn’t saying Tracy was right, but was it what the law required or what Willow wanted him to do?

In the exam room, Danny told Molly that Scout fell out of a tree, and Molly wondered why she was climbing a tree at night. Scout said she snuck out the window. She thought it would be funny to ring the doorbell and prank Danny. Don’t tell grandma. Molly said she got a pass for now, and Elizabeth said it might just be a bad twist or sprain, but they’d get x-rays to confirm. Willow joined them, wheeling Drew in ahead of her.

Cullum told Harker that he wanted a warrant to search Carly’s home, when another agent popped in and said his guests had arrived. Lulu came in and said when she’d gotten his invitation, as a journalist, she was curious. Ethan followed her in, and Cullum said he didn’t ask to see her brother, but Ethan said there was security in numbers. There had been more than one visitor there who was never seen again and that wasn’t going to happen to his sister.

Valentin told Carly to keep her fingers crossed that he wasn’t shot on sight. He had the information they wanted and a better than even chance. They had no other option. The WSB would dispense a team to Port Charles, find Cullum and Sidwell, and Josslyn would be safe and sound. Carly said she’d make sure he got to say goodbye to his daughter.

Scout told Drew and Willow that she was good, and Elizabeth asked if they’d like to share an elevator.  They left, and Danny told Molly, this is bad, isn’t it?

Chase said he couldn’t believe Dante was siding with Turner, but Dante said they were talking about options. A good cop didn’t throw his authority around. It was about de-escalating the situation. Chase said, Tracy assaulted Willow, and Dante said, technically, Chase was right, but the worst cop was the kind who weaponized his badge because he was offended personally. When Chase was first at the PCPD, he never wavered in his honesty. Chase asked if Dante didn’t think he was honest now, and Dante said he felt like Chase didn’t do right by everyone, his wife in particular.

Brook told Tracy that Chase would never see the bad in Willow. It bothered her, but she didn’t want to keep trying to change his mind. She wasn’t insane and it was exhausting. She kept the peace. Tracy said she shouldn’t keep the peace at the expense of those were stifling what made her her. She’d never fit in the mold of Chase’s perfect wife. Strong, independent women were her legacy. They’d never produced a woman who made herself small to keep a man. Don’t be the first.

Cullum said he couldn’t speak for the way Sidwell conducted things, but Lulu and Ethan were safe. The agents left, and Cullum smiled, which was creepier than him not smiling since he never smiles. He told Lulu that he’d like to talk about Rocco.

Carly brought Charlotte back to Sonny’s old kitchen, where Valentin was wearing a suit. Charlotte asked why he didn’t tell her that they were leaving. She didn’t have her bag. He said she wasn’t leaving. He was.  

Cullum said Rocco was impressive. They’d crossed paths at the hospital and Rocco was a natural. Lulu said Rocco was considering becoming a doctor, and Cullum said, the world needed more people saving it. He hadn’t seen Rocco around and would love to thank him personally. Where had he been?

Charlotte said she was going with Valentin. She was older now and wouldn’t slow him down or contact Rocco. Valentin said he wasn’t running. He was going to the WSB headquarters. He needed to tell them about Cullum and Sidwell’s project. She did the right thing coming forward and he was going to follow her lead. She asked why he was giving himself up, and he said, if he didn’t, they might not take him seriously. Cullum was too high up. She said it would work in his favor. He’d be saving the world and they’d be grateful and not lock him up again. He said that wasn’t how the WSB operated. He didn’t know if they’d see each other again.

Willow told Felicia about Scout, while they had coffee overlooking the first floor of the hospital. She said she thought Drew was frustrated because he couldn’t talk, and Felicia said she knew how hard this was from seeing patients watch the people they loved struggle and not be able to communicate. She’d made arrangements for Drew to start.

Chase asked if Dante was suggesting he was a bad husband. He was never not thinking about Brook and what she needed. Willow was instrumental in securing their adoption. Dante said he was reaching out to them as friends. He’d known Brook since they were kids. He’d watched them fall in love, and Chase was his son’s stepfather. Chase was family. He wasn’t talking as the acting Commissioner, but as someone who cared. Chase had hurt his wife and her family. Chase said, Tracy hurt someone first, and Dante said one of them had to budge and it couldn’t always be Chase’s wife.

Brook said Tracy made her sound weak and pathetic. She’d never questioned Tracy’s judgement or decisions, but always believed Tracy knew what was best for her own life. Couldn’t Tracy extend the same courtesy? She was raised to fight for what mattered and that’s what she was doing. Tracy told her, stop performing. Did she believe Willow or her? Brook said she believed in herself, and Tracy said she was sorry. She loved Brook and shouldn’t have inserted herself in Brook’s marriage. Could Brook forgive her? Brook said it was okay, and Tracy said she was there if Brook needed her for anything. Just promise that she’d stay true to herself and do whatever that required. Tracy left, and Brook said she planned on it.

Carly stepped out to give Charlotte and Valentin privacy, and Charlotte asked, what’s the real plan? Valentin said he told her the truth. There was no other way. She said, what if she and Danny told them everything? It was the same information. He said he didn’t want her involved any further now. It would only work if the information was received from him. He had a history there and his willingness to turn himself in was his currency. She said, if he loved her, forget the plan and go on the run. It was them against the world. He said he loved her more than anything, but running wasn’t the answer this time. They hugged.

Lulu said Rocco was out of town, and Cullum said, a summer trip. She said Rocco was visiting family, but she’d be sure to pass along his kind words, and Ethan said they should get going. Lulu said, it was a pleasure, and she and Cullum shook hands, but he held on a little too long. Lulu and Ethan left, and gave each other a look outside the door.

Elizabeth confirmed it was just a sprain, and told Molly that with elevation and rest, Scout would be good as new. Molly said she was sorry she’d been short with Danny, but Elizabeth said she was raising three boys and she’d heard better. Danny knew Molly loved him. Molly said she would have told Willow and Drew, but seeing Danny and Scout in the ER, Drew must have imagined the worst. The restraining order hadn’t officially been lifted, but Willow didn’t enforce it. What if she reconsidered?

Felicia said she knew how busy Willow was, so she took care of it for her, and Willow said it was so kind. Felicia said it was her way of saying thank you for all the strings Willow pulled for Anna, and Willow said she was happy to do it. Felicia said she was happy to reach out to someone who specialized in communication services. There was a short wait list, but the time would fly by. Willow said she was appreciative, and parked down below, Drew stared at Willow.

Scout said she was sorry she got Danny in trouble, but Danny said it wasn’t her. He should have set a better example. As a big brother, he was supposed to look out for her. She said he did. So did Rocco. She hated when they couldn’t see each other wand wouldn’t let it happen again. They hugged.

Willow and Felicia went downstairs, and Willow asked the nurse how it went. The nurse said, great, and she’d be in touch with the results. Felicia told Drew that he’d have the resources to communicate soon, and he’d be able to say more than yes and no. Wasn’t that great news? Drew blinked once.

At the hospital, Ethan hugged Elizabeth and she said, good to see him. He was her next appointment, so she’d help settle him in a room. He flashed back to stealing an evidence bag.

Chase came home, and Brook said she told granny to mind her own business and stay out of their marriage. Chase said he’d been receiving some advice of his own from Dante. He had a lot to say, mainly about how he should have de-escalated the situation with Tracy. Brook said, instead, he arrested Tracy.

Scout asked how her dad was, and Willow said, great. He was in PT now. How was her ankle? Molly said, luckily, it was just a twist, and asked Danny to help her track down Scout’s discharge papers. At the desk, Danny said, not so subtle, and Molly said she wanted to apologize. She shouldn’t have snapped at him. He said she should have, but she said, he didn’t tell Scout to climb out the window. She may have gotten the idea from him, but she did it on her own. He said, Drew kept him away from Scout for no reason. Now he had a reason. She said she’d been thinking the same thing, and he said Willow was probably making sure Scout would go home with her and Drew.

Lulu told Dante about Cullum’s invite to Windymere and why she’d brought Nathan, and he said, it wasn’t a bad call. What did Cullum want? She said, what she was afraid of. He knew about Rocco.  

Valentin told Charlotte that what was happening at Windymere could hurt a lot of people, but he could do something about it. If he didn’t, it would be selfish and cowardly, not the father she deserved. She said she understood, and he said she was extraordinary. Keep living an amazing life. He was proud of her and the woman she’d grow into. Keep doing the things she loved. Be true to love, stay and curious. Promise. She said she promised, and he said he didn’t always get it right, but she said she wouldn’t change anything. He said he was sorry, but he had to go. He hugged her and said she’d forever be his petite. She said he’d forever be her papa, when Carly came back.

Lulu said that was pretty much the whole reason she was there, and Dante asked if Cullum knew Rocco was with Britt. She said he had no clue where they were. They needed to have Brick find them. Dante said they had no direct leads and wondered why Cullum would want information from her. He thanked her for being upfront, but next time tell him before something happened. They were together in this… for Rocco. She said she could do that.

Cullum, Harker, and some other agents snuck around outside Carly’s house, then walked in, startling the moss bowl🎍. Carly asked what the hell he thought he was doing, and Cullum said he had reason to believe Valentin was on the premises. A call to France for Anna had pinged off a tower nearby. Agents had surrounded the house. If there was a trace of Valentin there, they’d find it.

In the exam room, Elizabeth swabbed the inside of Ethan’s mouth, then put the swab in a plastic bag. A nurse told Elizabeth that Dr. Stevenson needed to see her, and she said she’d be right back. When she left, Ethan swapped out the swab for the one he’d stolen from the evidence room.  

Chase said Brook’s grandmother was wrong on every level, but Dante said the arrest was unnecessary and he should have calmed everyone down. Willow stepped in and dropped the charges. They were lucky she’d done that and that she was helping with the adoption. Brook said, the luckiest, and he said they were about to have the family of their dreams. She said, and she’d do anything to protect it, and they hugged.

Willow asked if Scout was in pain, but Scout said it was better now. Willow said, what about everything else? Scout could talk to her about anything. Was she scared she got Danny in trouble? Scout said she was excited about the sleepover at grandma’s and hoped she didn’t ruin it, but Willow said when life felt hard, one good thing was Scout and Danny together with her aunts and grandmother. Scout said she loved being with them, and Willow said she felt safe and happy. She thought Danny was a huge part of that. Scout said her dad… and Willow said he had concerns, but the most important thing was that Scout be surrounded by love. That was all that mattered.

Molly said Willow being grateful to her mom might affect how she responded, and Danny said he hoped so. She said it was important that he model good behavior, and he said he’d never do something like that again. They hugged.

Cullum said, nothing. No trace of Valentin. Carly said, of course (🍷) not. Why would he be there? Cullum told Charlotte, good to see her again, and left. Charlotte asked if it was over, and Carly said she wished, but she guessed it wasn’t even close.   

Thursday:

Elizabeth found Lucas and asked him to explain why he put himself in a situation where he got shot. Was he okay? He said he was fine, but being an action hero wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Dante came by and suggested he come over to the PCPD.

Sonny asked to join Laura at the MetroCourt Gardens, and she said, of course (🍷). He asked if Sidwell had been found, and she said, no, but part of her just wanted him to be gone and let him be the WSB’s problem.

Nina told Jacinda to pick up a bunch of Cartullo stuff at the office, when Nathan came by. Nina told Jacinda to also follow up with her contacts in New Zealand where Obrecht had attended a medical conference, and Nathan asked if she was still looking for his mother.

Charlotte was about to burn her passport near the boathouse, when Danny came along. She told him that her dad had left her.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Britt and Rocco walked into a room, carrying bags of mangos. Britt said he needed his vitamin C.

Elizabeth said, sorry, but Dante couldn’t have Lucas. Dante asked if they’d seen Fitzpatrick who’d been in an ambulance with a suspect, and Elizabeth pointed him in the right direction. Lucas asked if there was an update on Sidwell, and Dante said, no, but he’d update Lucas if there was news.

Sonny told Laura that he was confident Sidwell would be handled, but saw Ric and said they’d talk later. Jordan joined Laura and said she’d heard Laura and Sonny set up a sting operation to get Sidwell. Laura said it had been a last resort, but she wanted to hear about Jordan. Jordan said going out in public had been difficult, but she was optimistic her face would heal in time. She refused to be a hermit. Laura said Jordan put herself on the line working for Sidwell and she owed Jordan an apology for not being transparent. The truth was, Sidwell was blackmailing her.

Nina said she wanted to see if any of Aunt Liesl’s colleagues had heard from her, and Jacinda left. Nina said she was sure Nathan was right that Obrecht went after Britt, but she wanted to cover all their bases. She was sure Lulu was in the same position wondering about Rocco and wondered if Lulu had confided in him about the situation.

Britt said Rocco must miss his family and he said he did. What about her? She said, not like him, but he said he had no regrets. She said she thought maybe the situation would be easier on him if he could check on his loved ones.

Laden with bags, Jacinda strode through the Gardens, when she ran into Boyle. He tried to engage her, but she said duty called, and kept going. He sat down at Laura’s table and asked if they were celebrating getting out from under Sidwell’s thumb without him.

Sonny told Ric that Brick managed to track down Britt and Rocco on a flight to San Juan, but was still trying to figure out where they ended up after taking a ferry off the island. Ric was concerned about him and Sonny because of Sonny leaving him out of the loop when it came to Sidwell.

Danny said Charlotte was going to attract the attention of the Quartermaines, but she said she could handle his family. Her dad was gone. He asked if Valentin had taken off without her, but she said, way worse. He was turning himself in to the WSB.

Nina said she was guessing Nathan was trying to be there for Lulu, but he said they didn’t really talk anymore. He thought they couldn’t see eye to eye on some important stuff and being with him was something she regretted.

Britt said she had installed a VPN on her table, so online activity couldn’t be tracked and she’d also gotten a burner phone. Must-haves for any girl who wants to be prepared while on the run. He could get news from Port Charles and updates from his friends’ social media. Just don’t like or comment or log into his account or post anything. The peace of mind it would give him outweighed the risk.

Boyle asked what the 411 was on Jordan’s plans, suggesting Laura would love to have her back as Deputy Mayor. He got a text from Jacinda asking him to meet in a hotel room to catch up and told them that an urgent matter had come up. He dashed out, and Laura apologized. Jordan said Boyle was something, and Laura agreed, but she just didn’t know what. Jordan asked what Sidwell had on Laura, and Laura said, nothing, of course (🍷). It had been a set-up, but would have been damning had the PCPD gotten ahold of it. Jordan asked if Sonny was involved, but Laura said, it was through no fault of his own. The good news was, they were able to neutralize Sidwell and reclaim the false evidence. Jordan asked why she didn’t reach out, but Laura said Jordan had helped by being willing to try getting dirt on Sidwell.

Sonny said it had come together quickly and Lucas took all the risks, and Ric said Lucas wanted nothing to do with him. Sonny said Lucas may not trust Ric, but he did. He had to accept that there were situations Sonny couldn’t involve him in and trust when he said no. Ric said he’d keep it in mind, but they had a huge problem on their hands. Sidwell was running around loose. Sonny wondered why it was a problem.

Fitzpatrick told Dante that the suspect was being treated, but was on a list of Sidwell’s known associates and not thrilled. He doubted Sidwell left a forwarding address, but Dante said maybe the guy would slip and start bragging about how they’d freed Sidwell. Fitzpatrick thought Sidwell must have had someone at the scene of the shooting, but Dante said he could pretty much account for everyone who was there. Fitzpatrick said maybe Sidwell had someone on the inside.

Nina said Nathan and Lulu were up against a lot of history, but he was a wonderful man. He said, not always. She saw a better version of him from a long time ago. He was more than capable of making mistakes. Just ask Lulu or Britt. She asked what mistakes he’d made with Britt, and he said maybe he could have kept her from running off with Rocco.

Rocco told Britt that maybe he could find out how his parents were. He was sure they were worried about him. Britt said she was sure they were invested in his safety and bringing Cullum down. When that happened, it would be safe for him to go home. And he should. She wanted him to. He said they didn’t know when that would be and didn’t know how long she could last. She said now that she was off her meds, she didn’t know how long before her symptoms started. That’s why they should make the most of their time in paradise. Rocco looked at the tablet and said Sidwell had shot Lucas, when Britt noticed her hand shaking.

Charlotte filled Danny in on Valentin’s plan to turn himself in and said he had to speak to the head of the WSB alone, face to face. Danny said her dad would be a hero. Maybe his dad would go free too.

Nina told Nathan that Britt must have been more involved than they knew and she always did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. She wanted to leave with Rocco and for all they knew, he wanted to leave with her. Nathan said, Rocco was hurting and confused. What if he was setting James up to feel the exact same way?

Fitzpatrick asked how soon he could talk to the suspect, and Lucas said that depended on how much he had to do with the suspect’s injuries.

Elizabeth asked if there was any word on Rocco, and Dante said his father’s associate had tracked him and Britt to the Virgin Islands. He was going to pinpoint the location. She said he must be relieved, and he said he was, but realized he couldn’t just hop on a plane to get him. If he and Lulu went down there, Cullum would follow them and they had to get him out of Cullum’s reach as soon as possible.

Freshly showered and in a robe, Boyle got champagne ready and unlocked the door.

Britt told Rocco, Lucas was okay, but it looked like Sidwell escaped on the way to the PCPD. Sidwell and Cullum must be desperate, which was why it was good they were there. Why didn’t he get ready to go to the beach and they could talk about place to go for pre-lunch, lunch, and post lunch snacks? He left the room, and Britt felt her forehead and said, oh no.

Boyle heard the door open and said it was the best text he’d gotten in a long time. He couldn’t tell her how much he missed her. He turned around with two glasses of champagne, and Sidwell said, not as much as he’d missed Boyle.

Laura said she and Sonny came out relatively unscathed, but Jordan had given up a lot. Jordan said she didn’t feel that way. She’d invested her exorbitant salary wisely. She’d developed new skills and expanded her network domestically and internationally. Now she could devote her time and energy to healing and figuring out what she wanted to tackle next. It was time for a fresh start. She just had to figure out what it was. Laura said she was excited about Jordan starting her next chapter, and Jordan said she wished she could believe Laura was ready to put her chapter with Sidwell behind her too.

Ric asked if Sonny wasn’t concerned about Sidwell, but Sonny said he had people protecting his family. He had all the power. Sidwell didn’t know who killed his son, but he did. He was going to use that information to get Sidwell out of hiding and bring him to his knees.

Boyle asked what Sidwell did with Jacinda, but Sidwell told him, no need to stress. When it came out during Willow’s trial that Boyle was fond of Jacinda, he took the precaution of mirroring her phone. She was absolutely okay. Boyle had his word. Boyle said he could have reached out, but Sidwell said Boyle would have wasted time ignoring his calls. He knew Boyle wouldn’t pass on a message from Jacinda. He took one of the glasses of champagne from Boyle’s hand and said he wanted to make sure he inspired as much loyalty as Jacinda did. There was the chance Boyle had been coopted by the mayor or felt struck by the desire to turn him in to the PCPD, which would be very unwise.

Nina said Nathan was an amazing father to James, but he said James already had an amazing father in Spinelli and Cody. He finally had his mother back and didn’t need him. He felt like he’d only made James’s life worse, but Nina said James adored him. He said he felt like he was setting James up for disappointment like he had Lulu and Britt, and she said one of the happiest moments of her life was when she got to see him again. She couldn’t believe it could possibly be him, but it was. Sometimes miracles happened and he was living proof. He said when he saw her sitting there, he knew he was home, and they hugged.

Charlotte told Danny that the WSB wouldn’t feel like they owed her father anything. That wasn’t how they worked. He asked how they worked, and she said, by exerting their power over people. Her dad was only useful if they could control him, which was easier if they threw him in a supermax prison. He knows he’s never getting out of Steinmauer again.

Rocco came back to find Britt unconscious on the floor, and when she came to, she asked what happened. He said she’d passed out and they needed to get her to a doctor, but she said, just take her to the couch, and he helped her up.

Elizabeth said it was a good thing that Dante and Lulu were on the same page, and he said their animosity was probably a big reason why he took off with Britt in the first place. They’d been at each other’s throats and he was pretty sure Rocco heard them arguing. He left town with the woman who stole him when he was a baby just to get away from them. Elizabeth said he had a right to be upset. Lulu kept a big secret from him. He wondered how they were going to trust each other after this. Even right now, he was confiding in her.

Fitzpatrick told Lucas that the suspect ran when he was questioning him. He tried to pull a gun, lost his footing, and fell face first down a flight of stairs. Any injuries the suspect sustained were from the fall. He did nothing wrong. Lucas said it was standard procedure to ask and what Fitzpatrick told him aligned with the injuries the patient sustained. He’d be able to question him shortly. Fitzpatrick apologized and said he thought Lucas was questioning him because Lucas didn’t like the way he’d handled the Marco Rios case. Lucas said Fitzpatrick and the PCPD did what they could with Pascal and Sidwell, and Fitzpatrick said, now they were both missing. That’s why he was anxious to question the suspect. He was one of the guys who helped Sidwell escape. Lucas said he hoped Fitzpatrick got his answers, and Fitzpatrick said he had one more question for Lucas. Lucas said, about Sidwell? but Fitzpatrick said, about saline.

Rocco said he’d get Britt water, and she told him to remember she was a brilliant doctor and knew what to do. He left, and she looked miserable.

Nina suggested that Nathan was being hard on himself because he hated the idea of something that he did negatively affecting others. Sometimes romance didn’t work out and it was no one’s fault. It sounded like he and Lulu could still be friends, so no damage done. As far as James went, he was his son’s hero and always would be. Jacinda came back and said the only thing left to do was call New Zealand, but Nina said they’d take care of that when they got to the office. She thought Nathan was the best brother in the entire world and loved him so much. She left with Jacinda and he said he loved her too.

Jordan told Laura that the smart thing for Sidwell to do was disappear, but he didn’t like losing and would do anything to win. Please don’t lower her guard. He wasn’t done with her or Lucas, and especially Sonny.

Sonny told Ric that he respected Laura. That’s why he said he’d do it her way with the PCPD. They screwed up and now Sidwell was gone. Ric said, so now Sonny was going to do things his way, and Sonny said Sidwell didn’t realize he was safest in custody. All bets were off. His hands weren’t tied anymore. He was going to find Sidwell and he was going to kill him. How was that for trust?

Boyle said Sidwell shot a man point blank in front of the police. No amount of charitable giving would make that go away. He thought Sidwell’s best bet was to get out of Dodge and go somewhere with nice beaches and no extradition treaty. He couldn’t help him. Sidwell told him not to sell himself short. Of course (🍷) Boyle could help him, and he had enough leverage to incentivize him. He’d risked everything for the project and lost his son in the process. He wouldn’t leave empty handed. He had scores to settle – Sonny Corinthos, Lucas Jones, Mayor Collins, Director Cullum, the WSB – and Boyle would help him do that.

Elizabeth told Dante that anything not about Rocco should take a backseat, including his co-parenting relationship with Lulu. He asked if they taught her that in nursing school, reassuring patients and getting them to think it was going to be okay. She said he wasn’t her patient, just someone she cared about. She’d always be honest with him.

Lucas asked why Fitzpatrick wanted to know about saline, and Fitzpatrick said it was part of an ongoing investigation. He found a used syringe in a suspect’s home and forensics said there was nothing but saline residue in it. Was there a medical reason someone would inject themselves with it? Lucas said saline was used for rehydration and fluid replacement, and to help deliver medication, but on its own, it wouldn’t do anything.

Charlotte told Danny that she and her dad should have gone on the run again. Why was Cullum and stopping this stupid project more important than her? Danny said he didn’t know, but her dad loved her. If he left her, it had to be because he thought it was what was best for her. She said neither one of them knew if they’d ever see their dads again, but they were just supposed to accept the choices their dads made for them before they left? Screw that. She was done doing what she was told. Her dad was wrong. He wasn’t the only one who could stop Cullum. They could too. Her phone rang and she said she didn’t recognize the number, but it could be her dad. She answered, and Rocco said he needed her help.

🌞 Summer Friday…

Curtis went to see Portia and asked where she put his favorite chair. She said she donated it to charity and asked why he was there. He said, to talk about Trina. The fight they’d had upset her and they had to do something about the antagonism between them for Trina’s sake.

Trina went to the gallery, and Ava said Trina must be exhausted from the shower. She’d won two of the party games. It seemed like everybody had a great time. Trina said, at first, but once Ava left, all hell just broke loose.

Carly woke Jack and told him that Valentin did as he asked and went to meet with the head of the WSB. He said, finally. Why? She said it seemed Cullum recruited Obrecht to finish the prototype which could be up and running any day.

Felicia dropped by Nina’s, and Nathan answered the door. He asked if James was okay, and she said James was fine. The person she was worried about was him.

Ethan ate chips while Lulu worked on an article about Sidwell’s escape from police custody. There was a knock at the door and Ethan opened it to Dante. Dante said it was about Rocco.

Charlotte put Rocco on speaker, and Danny asked if he was okay. Rocco said he was fine, but Britt was really sick. They had to help him save her. Charlotte asked what he needed them to do, and Rocco said he thought Britt’s Huntington’s was getting worse. She’d been taking a special medication she could only get in Port Charles and didn’t have any more. Danny asked where they could get it, and Rocco said, find her brother. He may be able to get her some more if they told him what was happening. Charlotte asked if Rocco had an address. He had to tell them where he was.

Lulu asked if Rocco was okay, and Dante asked if they could speak alone, but Lulu said he could tell her in front of her brother. Dante said Rocco was their son, not Ethan’s, and he preferred it be kept between them, and Ethan wondered if Dante had beef with him. Dante said he knew Ethan was the one who’d gotten Lulu and Rocco the fake passports. If it wasn’t for him, Rocco wouldn’t have been able to disappear so easily. So yeah, he was holding onto a grudge. Lulu said it had been her idea, so be mad at her, but Dante said she couldn’t have done it without Ethan’s resources. He’d enabled her. Lulu said he did her a favor, and Ethan said he was sure he could handle what Dante had to say. But for the record, he didn’t think she did anything wrong. Dante said, of course (🍷) he didn’t, because he wasn’t a father and wouldn’t understand, but Ethan said Lulu was Rocco’s mother and had the right to do what she thought was best for him.

Jack said Nina said her aunt was searching for Britt, and Carly supposed that was possible, but the time of her departure was suspicious. It wasn’t like her not to tell Nina where she was going. He said Cullum using Obrecht made sense. She was one of the very few who could finish Britt’s work. Valentin did good going to Geneva. Carly asked how long it would take the WSB to shut down Cullum and his entire operation, but Jack didn’t know. He said, Z may not see him, and she said Valentin had important information and now he was telling her the great and powerful Oz was too busy too see him? He said Z didn’t know what Valentin had and Valentin could only tell Z, and she said, because they didn’t know who was working for Cullum. Did he really think Cullum had a mole in every corner of the agency? Jack said he knew Cullum did, and she asked if Z wouldn’t be curious as to why a high-profile fugitive turned himself in. He said there were no guarantees, and she said she didn’t understand. Valentin had been the WSB’s main mission for months and now he was telling her the head of the WSB didn’t care or have time? He said Valentin wasn’t the Bureau’s only priority or only fugitive, and she said they had to stop Cullum before he made her daughter disappear. He said they didn’t know for sure if Josslyn was there, but she said she had proof.

Nathan invited Felicia in and said she didn’t have to worry about him getting knocked out. Hard head. She said she was glad he’d recovered, but that wasn’t why she was concerned. She’d noticed he hadn’t been spending as much time with James lately. He said work had been chaotic and she said she knew a lot was going on and that long days and nights came with the territory, but she wanted to make sure there wasn’t another reason. Had she screwed up his relationship with Maxie? He said she had nothing to do with that. If anyone messed it up, it was him dating her best friend. She said she’d taken the news very poorly and was worried an unintended consequence was him taking a step back from his son, but he said it wasn’t that at all. He’d taken a slight step back, mostly because of work, but had come to realize James’s real home was with Maxie and Spinelli.

Charlotte said, got it, and Rocco asked her not to give the address to anyone else. Danny told him not to worry. They’d tell Nathan and that was it. Rocco thanked them and asked them to hurry. It’s bad. Danny said they were on it, and Charlotte asked if they could reach him at this number, but Rocco said they couldn’t call him. Britt didn’t know about it and he needed to keep it that way. He had to go. He’d be in touch.

Rocco asked how Britt was feeling and she said, not great. She was going to need his help.

Lulu appreciated Ethan defending her, but said she realized she’d made a mistake. Rocco wasn’t just her kid, he was Dante’s. She should have consulted him first. Ethan said, agree to disagree, but he got it and would step out. Dante said he appreciated it, and Ethan left. Dante told Lulu that Brick had a lead on Rocco.

Felicia said she was grateful that Nathan hadn’t insisted on custody of James while Maxie was… away (sounds like she was in prison), but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be a part of James’s life. Nathan said James already had a wonderful family with Maxie, Spinelli, and his sisters, not to mention her and Mac and Cody. He didn’t want to intrude or steal their time and that’s what he felt like he was doing. She said he wasn’t intruding, but he said he was taking James away from the people who cared about him the most just so he could feel important in James’s life. It wasn’t right or fair to them. She said it didn’t have to be either/or. It could be both. James admired him so much. He said, that may not always be the case, but she said, regardless, he’d always be James’s father and nothing would ever change that.

Trina told Ava that her mom told her dad that she was glad she’d kept him from raising her. She could tell he was hurt and angry, but all that came out was anger, and he let her mom have it. She started to argue back, then Isaiah jumped in to defend her, which led to her dad threatening to hit him again. Thankfully, Jordan stepped in to talk him down before anything could escalate. The only thing she kept thinking about was, don’t rush, baby. Stay where you are for as long as you can. Ava asked how things ended, and Trina said she didn’t know. She couldn’t take any more, so she just left. The whole argument was awful, but her parents made it worse by putting her in the middle – again. Like she was a handy tool they could use to hurt each other even more. Ava said, first rule of divorce, do not put the children in the middle, but Trina said, it was good in a weird way. She finally saw what Kai had been talking about for months. That her relationship with her parents was unhealthy.

Curtis asked if Portia had heard from Trina, but Portia said, no. She’d left messages, but Trina hadn’t responded. He said, same here. It seemed their daughter was giving them the silent treatment. Portia said she couldn’t blame Trina, and he said, she should have never seen her parents like that. Portia said, her parents should have never behaved like that, especially when it was supposed to be such a joyous event that Trina worked so hard to make perfect for them. He said, Aunt Stella was right. They let their animosity toward each other take precedence over Trina and the baby. That had to change. She said, the problem was, they fundamentally disagreed about Jordan’s accident. He was convinced Isaiah was involved, while she knew otherwise. And since Curtis attacked him, potentially ruining his career because of his injury, there was no compromise. Curtis agreed and asked how the hell they co-parented their baby while keeping the peace around Trina.

Trina said she was devastated after Spencer died, and Ava said, she’d survived a nightmare that turned into a tragedy. Trina said she wouldn’t have gotten through it without her parents. They got so close and she found comfort in that. Ava said Trina’s parents loved her and helping her brought out the best in them, but Trina said, somewhere along the way, things got so dysfunctional. She started taking on her parents’ problems as if they were her own. Ava said the term for that was an enmeshed family, when the child and parents’ roles got mixed up and the child lost autonomy. She was so sorry. She knew it had been tough for Trina playing peacemaker for her parents. Trina said, things got so much worse when her mom had to admit in court that she’d had an affair with Isaiah. Since then, she’d been in the middle of all of it. She’d put so much energy into trying to fix things, she had no time to focus on her own life. Now she had to just walk away.

Portia said they were beyond mending fences, but thought there was a way they could strive for civility, and Curtis wondered if it was even possible. She said she had her doubts, but thought they had to try for Trina and the baby. He said they’d heard from Trina and the baby would pick up on the tension between them, and she said they had to make sure they didn’t fight in front of them. They had to be on their best behavior so they could be good parents to their children. He asked if that’s what she really wanted. She’d made it clear she was glad he didn’t raise Trina. Did she still feel that way?

Nathan said he just wanted to do what was best for James, and Felicia said James needed him and loved him so much. He said he loved James too and couldn’t imagine his life without him. He had no idea they’d make such a strong bond in such a short amount of time. Felicia said that’s because Nathan was so good with him, but he said it was all James. He didn’t know how to be a father, but it came easy with James. He was loveable and excitable, this little ball of energy. She said James was a special little boy, and Nathan agreed. James made him want to be a better man, the man that James thought he was. She said, don’t shy away from him. Be his dad. Build a lifetime of wonderful memories with his son. Maybe when the time came he fell short of James’s image of him, James would look back and remember how much Nathan loved him. He asked if she thought James would have time to go to the batting cages next week, and she said she thought James would love it. How about Tuesday? He said, Tuesday would be great, and she said he was a good dad and her grandson’s father. They’d always be connected. They hugged.

Jack asked if Carly was sure it was Josslyn’s ring, and she said she was. She didn’t give it away that she knew. Cullum didn’t notice she recognized the ring and didn’t seem to know it was Josslyn’s. He said Josslyn was smart and dropped it on purpose, and she said the maid had found it recently, which meant Josslyn was alive and at Windymere. It took everything for her not to search the whole place. He said, too many agents? and she said, yes, so many. The WSB was everywhere. He said, Cullum loyalists. She did the right thing. She said she knew, but it was so hard knowing her daughter was right across the harbor and in danger. She could come up with another excuse to go see her. Jack said, no. Too suspicious. She said, especially now that Cullum suspected she’d been working with Valentin, and he said, what?

Britt told Rocco that she needed ibuprofen for the muscle aches and fever. Dimenhydrinate for nausea. Some electrolyte powder. He should be able to get all that at the bodega down the street. He said, but what she really needed were her injections, and she said there was no way to get them. She knew that when they left Port Charles. She was just hoping her symptoms wouldn’t be an issue this soon. He asked if they were going to get worse, but she said she didn’t even know if they were related to Huntington’s. Even if they were, the over-the-counter drugs should get her back on her feet. He said he’d be back as soon as he could, she promised not to move until he got back, and he left.

Dante told Lulu, according to Brick, Rocco and Britt took a flight to San Juan. From Puerto Rico, they took a ferry to the British Virgin Islands, but he wasn’t aware of their final destination. He’s still working on getting an exact location, but there are four large islands, main islands, and over 50 smaller ones. It was going to take some time. She asked what they were waiting for.

Trina told Ava that her parents thought she was distancing herself to punish them, but it wasn’t that. She loved her mom and dad, but needed to create a space for herself or she’d never have a life built on her own choices. Ava said she understood. Her Kiki did the same thing. In the beginning, she thought Kiki was just trying to hurt her, then realized that Kiki was responding to choices that she’d made that deeply wounded her. Looking back, she could see Kiki was justified in setting those boundaries. Maybe it would help Trina’s parents if she didn’t just completely cut them off. Stick to her decision, but let them know why she was making it.

Portia said she let her temper get the best of her and wished she would have handled things differently, and Curtis told her, yet she wasn’t taking back what she said. She said she couldn’t honestly do that, but was hoping that it had been their rock bottom. They couldn’t always be this angry with each other. It was no way to live. Curtis agreed and said he hated that it had gotten to this point because they’d worked hard at not being the type of exes that couldn’t stand being in the same room together. She said it seemed they’d failed on that front, but she had some ideas on how they could try to do better.

Carly told Jack that Cullum showed up at her house last night with a WSB warrant. He said he was looking for Valentin, or traces of Valentin. Jack asked why he would think to look there, and she said, on two separate occasions, Valentin called Anna’s clinic in France to check on her. The first time, pretending to be family; the second, her psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Collins. Jack said Valentin was obsessed with Anna. Always has been, always will be. Carly disagreed, and he said she was great and all, but Anna was it for Valentin. His actions proved it.

Lulu said she’d book them seats on the next flight to the Virgin Islands, but Dante thought they should wait. Based on her conversation with Cullum, he thought it was safe to assume Cullum knew that Rocco was the one who shot him. She said that’s why they had to find Rocco quickly. As long as he was on the run with Britt, they couldn’t protect him. He said they had to play this smart though. They didn’t want to lead Cullum to their son. He thought they should stay put and wait for Brick to come back with the exact location. It seemed like the safest option. She said she guessed they couldn’t blindly canvas 54 islands. It would take time and Cullum could get to Rocco first. He said, so they were agreed? and she said, for now. She was just worried if they waited too long, Britt and Rocco could disappear again.

On the phone, Nathan set up a time with the batting cages, when the doorbell rang. He opened the door to Charlotte and Danny, and he asked if they were looking for Nina, but Charlotte said they came to see him. He asked what was wrong, and Charlotte asked if anyone else was there, but he said, no. Why? Danny said, Rocco called them and Britt needed his help.

Portia said it was also important that they didn’t badmouth each other in front of Trina, and Curtis said their issues had nothing to do with Trina, but he wouldn’t do that just on principle. She said, not directly, but when he ran down Isaiah to Trina, it affected her. Like when he said Isaiah left him and Jordan to die on the side of the road. Trina came straight to her, trying to broker peace between them. They needed to be careful what they said around her and neither one of them should try to sway her to their side. He said their problems were theirs and they couldn’t keep involving Trina. It wasn’t fair to her. Portia said she also thought they needed to stop trying to blend their families. For now. No more painting nurseries, no more parties. It was a noble idea, but far too hard. He said good, because he couldn’t stand the idea of being in the same room as Isaiah anyway, and she said she didn’t want to put either one of them in that position. And she was expecting the same courtesy when it came to Jordan. He said, okay. When they had to be together, significant others weren’t included. She thanked him and said she wished it didn’t have to be this way, and he said him too, but it was the way it had to be.

Dante said he knew they were taking a risk by waiting, but they just had to hope Brick got back to them as soon as possible with the exact location. Lulu said, assuming this all panned out, had he thought about what they were going to do when they actually found their son? They couldn’t just bring him home. They’d be delivering him right into Cullum’s hands. He said they’d go with the original plan and the three of them would go into hiding. If she was still up for that. She said, if it kept Rocco safe, she’d hide under a literal rock. She’d talk to her mom about looking after Charlotte while she was gone. Charlotte understood more than anyone about the need to run and hide. She had more experience than the two of them combined. He said that was on Valentin. They were coming back. She said he was right. Charlotte would be upset, but would want them to do whatever it took to protect Rocco. He said, as for Britt, they’d make sure she faced charges for taking off with their son, and she said, even if Rocco claimed he went willingly? but he said it didn’t matter. Britt left the country with a minor without getting his parents’ permission. She said she was hoping he’d feel the same way about that. It was going to take every ounce of her self-control not to throttle that woman.

Rocco came back and handed Britt the stuff from the store. He said it should be everything on her list, and she thanked him. He said he also made a second stop at a sketchy looking pharmacy and convinced the guy to sell him some muscle relaxers. He figured she could use them. She asked how he got them without a prescription, and he said he suggested the guy add on a no prescription surcharge. She said, bribery. Nice. She was impressed with his resourcefulness. He said he came from a resourceful family and he’d do anything to help. He wanted her to be okay. She said she was so sorry to do this to him. He shouldn’t have to take care of her. He said they were taking care of each other.

Nathan asked where Britt and Rocco were, and Charlotte said she had their address and the number to Rocco’s burner phone. She air dropped it to him, and he asked if Rocco said anything about Britt’s condition. Charlotte said, just that it was bad, and Danny said Britt needed some special medication and Rocco said Nathan might be able to get it for her. Nathan said he’d do his best. Did they tell anybody about this? Danny said, no. They came straight to him. Nathan said, except they didn’t come to see him. They came to see Nina. If anybody asked, Charlotte was delivering something to her boss for work. Her boss wasn’t there, so she left it with him. He knew it seemed like he was being overly cautious, but Britt running off with Rocco was technically kidnapping and he didn’t want them involved. They promised not to say anything, and Nathan said, and do not, under any circumstances, call Rocco. Leave this to him.

Jack said, the WSB traced Valentin’s calls to Anna, and Carly told him, that’s what Cullum said. She guessed Valentin’s phone pinged off one of the towers in the vicinity of her house. He asked what they found, and she said, absolutely nothing. Valentin had already left for Geneva. There was no trace left behind. Except Charlotte was at her house when they showed up and Cullum definitely took notice. Jack said, of course (🍷) he did. Cullum makes connections no one else will. She was in the same danger as Valentin now.

Portia said she had an ultrasound appointment on Wednesday and would text Curtis the details. He thanked her and was about to leave, but Trina was on the porch. She said she didn’t expect to find Curtis there. Curtis started to say something, but she said she didn’t need an explanation. What she needed was for both of them to listen to her. Things couldn’t keep going this way and she was making a change – starting now.

Ethan went to the gallery, and Ava said, if it isn’t the baby daddy. He said she agreed to keep quiet about that, but she said, relax. There was no one else there. But if he came by to renegotiate the terms of their agreement, he was wasting his time. He said he was actually there to give her a ride. They were going to pay a visit to her baby daddy. Sonny needed to see her right away.

Carly said Cullum had no proof she’d been working with Valentin, but Jack said, the WSB and Cullum didn’t need proof. Think of Jason. She said she guessed they could snatch her up anytime anywhere, but they hadn’t yet. She was baking cookies with Charlotte and the moss bowl 🎍in Sonny’s old kitchen, when Cullum blew in with his warrant. Did he really think that put her in danger? He said, yes. Leave Port Charles. Go on a vacation. Just until Cullum is neutralized. She said, what about Josslyn? And Charlotte? She was devastated when her father left. He said Carly wouldn’t be any good to them if she was dead.

Back at the boathouse, Charlotte wondered if they did the right thing, and Danny said they did what Rocco wanted. She said she knew, but her mom and Dante were worried about him. She felt bad not telling them where he was. Danny said Rocco asked them not to. They’d already let him down before. They couldn’t do it again. Her phone rang, and she said it was Rocco. Rocco asked if they’d talked to Nathan, and she said, yes. He said he’d take care of it. He thanked them and said he appreciated it, when Britt called to him. He said he had to go, put the phone in his pocket, and went back inside. He asked if Britt was okay, and she asked him to get her a blanket from the bedroom. She would go, but she was still feeling a little dizzy. He said, no problem, and she said she heard him talking to someone outside. Who was it? He said, the lady next door, the one with the Jack Russell Terrier, and Britt told him to try and avoid her if he could. They couldn’t afford for anyone to find them.

Nathan went to Lulu’s place and said he was glad both she and Dante were there. He had information about Britt and Rocco. He knew where they were. Dante said, where?

On Monday, Chase tells Brook, this is where she gets to say, I told you so; Trina says she would like a lot less attention from both of them; Ava says she has no intention of cooperating with Ethan unless he makes it worth her while; and Nathan tells Lulu and Dante that they have to make a decision now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

They’ve dropped breadcrumbs before and I’ve wondered a few times if she really had Huntington’s.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-does-britt-really-have-huntingtons-disease

I’m surprised Drew hasn’t unlocked yet since it didn’t take Jack very long.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-katelyn-macmullen-on-willows-race-against-the-clock-to-silence-drew-excl

Q: How many Scouts does it take to screw in a lightbulb? A: None. Danny will do it for her.   

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-another-temporary-recast-steps-in

It’s about time Jason and Anna got back to Port Charles. Spring break over. Anna will be back on the canvas June 24th.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-anna-devane-returns-finola-hughes-first-airdate-revealed

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-summer-preview-jason-returns-secrets-explode-and-new-romances-ignite-exclusive

I was watching Gates and just kept thinking I knew her from somewhere. I finally googled her and I was like, oh yeah. Kristina’s first unrequited love. I was pissed off about that one too.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/beyond-the-gates-ashley-jones-debuts-in-surprising-new-role

I watch this over the weekend and will sometimes skip episodes, but this whole thing was too good to miss.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-young-and-the-restless-and-beyond-the-gates-stars-preview-the-big-crossover-event

I would have liked a little more of Victor though. He did this grandiose helicopter entrance, and then just disappeared from the party/tragedy without a word. I’d also like to know how the hell he got back to Genoa City during the aftermath of a tornado.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/young-and-the-restless-and-beyond-the-gates-crossover-kicks-off-june-8-with-tornado-chaos

And to round it out.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-young-and-the-restless-eric-braeden-on-victors-suspicions-of-nikki-and-jack-beyond-the-gates-crossover

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Nathan wanted to choose Luke over Eyebrows Joe as lead deckhand, but Captain Sandy asked him to wait until after the next charter. Aesha was happy with her interior team and said she felt like Seabiscuit, but she wasn’t thrilled with Gen acting like she was in charge. In Kat’s interview, she said Gen was giving mean girl energy. There was a beach excursion and a showgirl themed dinner where the guests wore costumes complete with headdresses. After Luke crashed the tender, in Nathan’s interview, he said Luke couldn’t drive the tender and Cooper was Cooper, so he was left with Joe. In the captain’s interview, she said the docking was going to be difficult, since the crosswind at the marina pushed the boat starboard. She wanted Aesha on deck for the docking after the previous week’s hit. Nathan felt that Joe was judgmental, and in Joe’s interview, he wondered if Nathan was fit for the bosun position. Oh yeah, here’s just the guy who should be judging anyone. The tip was $25K, or $1900 each. Gael paid a visit to the yacht, bringing along Baby Kayden. No surprise, everyone fussed over the baby and was happy to see Gael, except for Joe who seemed to think they just shouldn’t exist in his world. Joe’s mom called to tell him that she had breast cancer, which I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but I had hopes it would give Joe some perspective. Not to mention, Captain Sandy put Joe’s mom in contact with an oncologist friend who was pretty high level. The captain knows everyone, and one of the things I love about her is that she truly wants to help her crew, both professionally and personally. My hopes for Joe’s renaissance were dashed when it didn’t take long for him to talk smack about Gael to Nathan, who told him to keep Gael’s name out of his f***ing mouth.

The Valley

The gang took a trip to Mexico where they’d be celebrating Schwartz, Zack, and Danny’s birthdays. Schwartz shared a room with Zack and Benji, and in his interview, he said if he wanted to be a third wheel, he wanted it to be with them. His plan was to stage a Schwartzapalooza, which was Coachella adjacent. Brittany was ready to find boys, and Kristen said her job was to regulate her baby’s nervous system. Brittany couldn’t believe she’d left her kids at home only to be surrounded by several babies. It literally rained on Schwartz’s parade, and the party had to be taken indoors. Since she’d just had Baby Kaia, Kristen was having emotional difficulties, and fluctuated between taking it out on Luke and herself. Luke said he was losing his mind, since he clearly had no concept of postpartum, and whined that he couldn’t do it forever. In Brittany’s interview, she said it wouldn’t be a forever thing. It was just what Kristen’s body was going through right now. She tried to explain it to him, but he was all up in his man feelings.  

Summer House – The Aftermath

In the extra episode that no one asked for or needed, Amanda met with Lindsay, West met with Kyle, and Ciara met with Meija. Since none of it was actually in the Hamptons, I don’t know why they didn’t just incorporate it with In the City, but who knows what goes into the machinations of that man behind the Bravo curtain. Lindsay said she didn’t excuse going after the guy who broke Ciara’s heart – multiple times. Amanda and West were both saying the other one started the pursuit. Lindsay pointed out that Amanda got her self-worth from men, which I always find a shame, and said that Amanda blew up her own life when she was winning. West and Kyle talked a bunch of bullsh*t about friendship, and West babbled about there being so many layers. He said he got why his word was discredited and said he wanted to have an honest conversation. Right away, he lowkey threw Amanda under the bus, by claiming he’d asked repeatedly if she shouldn’t be single for a while. Meija and Ciara commiserated about West, and West admitted to Kyle that he hadn’t been faithful to Meija even though she’d thought they were exclusive. Kyle said it was everything he’d wanted to hear at the Reunion. If a scandal can be made boring, they did it.

I guess this guy confused being on the D- list with being an actual celebrity. Apparently, he’d also broached the suggestion that everyone be let go except for him and Amanda, and they hire a bunch of his friends to round out the cast. Oops.

In the City

Another reason they shouldn’t have made an additional Summer House episode was that it was confusing, seeing that first, and then seeing Kyle and Amanda supposedly working on their relationship here. Kyle said he and Amanda were more like roommates who annoyed each other and this was a last ditch effort. But instead of fixing things, he dug a ditch for himself, staying out late on their last night together in their shared apartment before Amanda moved to her own place. Supposedly, the plan was for them to work on things, but Amanda also accused him of bringing a stranger home while she was sleeping. It was cryptic and I would have liked to get the whole story there. Kyle rented a trolley in another last ditch effort – to save Loverboy. I actually had a can of this once and it was pretty good. I’m guessing it’s not the product that’s the problem. The group showed up to be supportive, and in Amanda’s interview, she said she was doing her usual half-assed, but present method of support. There was a big discussion about the timeline od Danielle and her boyfriend Eoin and whether they’d started dating when he was still with his wife. At present, they were still legally married, but separated. Danielle said everyone was picking on her, and Amanda asked if the homewrecker allegations were true. Danielle said she was done. New guy Ken also tracked down his biological father, which was kind of interesting. I always forget this guy is even on the show.  

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island

Once again, I admit defeat in chasing this show around, since Sunday night isn’t ideal. I didn’t personally watch it this week, but I got a few takeaways from the recap. Billy reproposed to Alicia, since apparently, it hadn’t gone well the first time. Rulla continued to ignore Brian being one big red flag and still refused to watch the video when Jo-Ellen tried to show it to her. But then in a major plot twist, Brian was arrested for domestic violence because he’d put a tracker on Rulla’s car. His mistress paid his bail and picked him up. If like me, you went, domestic violence, WTF? see below.

https://www.realitytea.com/2026/06/14/real-housewives-of-rhode-island-rhori-ep isode-12-recap-the-ferry-tale-is-over

I have never heard of this before and it doesn’t seem very practical, especially if it’s not related to domestic couples.

Random Reality Items

Hopefully, less toxic doesn’t mean boring, but the jury is out until it airs. Interesting how Melissa and Teresa spontaneously made up. I know someone who knows Melissa and I’ll have to see if she has any intel.

Their split made me sad, but then again, they’re kind of young for a forever relationship.

And while we’re on the subject…

I have to admit, I didn’t really miss her last season.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Apex aka Apex Predator. Shudder. In a futuristic world, a company called the Apex Corporation sets up a hunting excursion for the very wealthy, except they’ll be hunting a human being. An ex-cop is offered his freedom for being their game. All he has to do is survive the hunt. The reviews weren’t great, but I didn’t hate it, especially since the main characters were played by Neal McDonough (a hunter) and Bruce Willis (the hunted), two of my favorites. The reviewer from Nerdly isn’t wrong when he says, It’s just a bunch of unlikable assholes scheming and killing each other, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While the plot wasn’t exactly original, I found this film entertaining and kind of fun, especially when the hunters turned on each other. Hey, everything can’t be Squid Game.

They Will Kill You. HBO/Max. Much like Sucker Punch, this film opens with two sisters running from an abusive father. In protecting her sibling, the older sister tries to kill their father, but instead ends up in prison while her sister is returned to the abuser. After her prison stint, older sister Asia takes a job as a housekeeper for a community for the wealthy housed in a New York City building. However, things are not all they seem – not with the community, who are actually a demonic cult, or Asia, who can kick ass like a superhero. The action sequences are superb, the special effects are inspired, there’s a satisfying amount of gore, and it’s actually pretty funny.

https://www.polygon.com/they-will-kill-you-hbo-streaming

https://movieweb.com/they-will-kill-you-hbo-max-stream-release-date

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

🐦‍🔥 Fur, Fins, Very Tiny Ears, and… Beans…

🐕 I was hesitant about this film, but after reading this, I’m definitely here for it.

https://people.com/krypto-the-superdog-supergirl-sneak-peek-exclusive-12003175

🐶 Pets, the great equalizer, since they don’t care what you do, how much you have, or who you are. They will still make weewee on your floor.  

https://people.com/photographers-share-hundreds-of-celebrities-posing-with-pets-photos-12002002

🦈 Beginning July 26th with K-Pop Shark Heroes. Sounds K-intriguing.

https://people.com/shark-week-returns-for-summer-2026-on-discovery-12001531

🦛 Life is just better with a pygmy hippo.

https://people.com/baby-pygmy-hippo-named-after-a-bread-roll-at-berlin-zoo-12000812

🫘 If it weren’t for hamburgers and sushi, I could totally be a vegetarian.

https://people.com/kevin-bacon-becomes-kevin-bean-for-humane-world-for-animals-beansday-11996409

🦪 Quotes of the Week

The road to success is always under construction. – Lily Tomlin

In life, as in chess, forethought wins. – Charles Buxton

Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.John C. Maxwell

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. – Annette Funicello

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. – Ralph Waldo Emerson (Uh-oh.)

Take one clear step; momentum will carry you to the next. – Marcus Hale

Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson

Excellence is not a skill. It’s an attitude. – Ralph Marston

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

Every time I drink, my brain has another plan for me.Catie Norboe, 90 Day Fiancé

🌱 The Best Of What Might Be…

Until next time, stay safe; stay monitoring your volume and respecting others’ personal space in public forums; and stay never making yourself small to keep a significant other.

Video > Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club (Official Music Video)

April 25, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Making Magic In the City, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Tales From the Fluff Side, One Less Than 8 Quotes & Sun

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🍕 Weekday Slices…                                                                          

Monday: 

Molly went for her follow-up and Cody waited for her, even though she said he didn’t have to.

Ethan went to Sonny’s and a surprised Kristina answered the door. She said Sonny would be there soon and she was there keeping an eye on Donna. She said she’d missed him.

Valentin came into Sonny’s old kitchen and Carly asked where he’d been. The moss bowl  listened in.

Ric went to Nina’s and she said she wanted to hire him.

Alexis went to Pozzulo’s to see Sonny and she asked why Ric was the one who told her about Danny wanting to join the mob.

Michael asked what Willow was doing, and she pointed at Jacinda and said, keep this person away from her children from now on.

Kristina said Eithan was her hero, standing up for her and standing by her when she’d blamed him for something he didn’t do. He said it was behind them, and she reminded him of her having a crush on him when she was young. He said he’d wished she were about five years older, and she said her type had changed. He said he’d seen it on social media and the tabloids, but she said now she was deeply single. He said, just his luck, but she said she was interested in being friends.

Sonny said it was better coming from Ric, since they butted heads anyway, but Alexis said they would have only fought if Sonny had taken Danny into his organization. Sonny said she knew he would never do that.

Valentin told Carly that he’d gone to see Nina.

Ric told Nina that Sonny had him on retainer, but if there was no conflict, it was fine. Reminding her of how she didn’t respond well to his disappearance during Willow’s trial, he said he felt bad, but there were extenuating circumstances he hadn’t anticipated. She said he was treacherous and devious and she wanted to hire him. He asked what trouble she was in, but she said it wasn’t her.

Jacinda said Willow didn’t like that she helped Wiley with his project, and Michael wondered what the big deal was. Willow said the concept of keeping harmful people away from their children should be familiar to him since he’d used it against her.

Molly told Cody that her publisher approved the galley changes and approved the manuscript. She went in to see Dr. Navarro.

The doctor said Molly’s follow-up tests were all good and now she’d do a pelvic exam.

Kristina told Ethan about buying Charlie’s and how happy it made her. They’d just reopened and his timing was amazing. She told him about the fire and said it had been a Molotov cocktail and she’d been trapped inside.

Alexis said Danny probably thought Sonny would bring him in like Jason, but he said he did things differently now and would never bring in any of the kids. She was worried that saying no wouldn’t be enough and Danny would find another avenue to avenge his dad. Sonny agreed.

Nina said it didn’t concern Sonny, and Ric told her to continue. She asked about a battered woman’s defense and he realized she was talking about Willow. She said she wanted him to examine the possibility that because of the trauma Willow suffered, she wasn’t legally responsible for her actions. She’d had a terrible time in Dawn of Day and it could factor into the battered woman’s defense. Ric said Alexis could have used that, but created reasonable doubt with Michael. Anyway, the point was moot now since Willow had been exonerated. Double jeopardy applied to the murder, but if she’d done anything to Drew since the trial, those charges could be used to show a pattern.

Willow reminded Michael of withholding the kids because of Drew. Jacinda was a sex worker and it was a double standard. He said he didn’t care. She was honest with him and he didn’t remember the last time Willow was honest. She’d lied under oath and made everyone think he’d shot Drew. She warned him to keep that away from her children or he’d regret it.

Dr. Navarro said Molly was healing well. Consider herself cleared. Molly asked if she could have sex, and the doctor said she was good to go.

Kristina told Ethan about Marco saving her. The original assessment said it had to be torn down, but she found a structural engineer who said it could be rebuilt, and with her father’s help, it was. She asked why he was in Port Charles, and he said flying solo got lonely. He could also use steady work and that’s why he wanted to see her dad. She said Jason was gone, and he said he knew. He’d read it in the paper. It sounded abrupt and messy.

Sonny understood where Danny was coming from. He was angry and looking for something to go up against. Alexis said he’d promised he wouldn’t get into any more trouble after the fight at school, but she was worried he’d do something so reckless, she couldn’t protect him. Sonny said he had an idea.

Carly said Valentin had asked why he risked seeing Nina, and he said he’d gotten tired of wandering the grounds while she was upstairs in bed with Jack. She said he knew why, but he said it didn’t make it easier. She needed to take action and Nina could help. She said he couldn’t trust Nina.

Michael apologized, but Jacinda said it was fine. Michael said it wasn’t, but Jacinda said she hadn’t helped the situation in the café or when Willow went off on her. She wished she’d handled it differently. He said he didn’t.

Nina told Ric that he should have multiple defenses, should Willow need one, but she was hoping that didn’t happen. Ric said if it was hypothetical, fine, but if she had reason to believe Willow would commit a violent act, she could be charged as an accessory. She said as far as she knew, Willow wasn’t harming anyone, and he said he wouldn’t defend her doing anything to Michael. He wouldn’t do that to his brother. She was surprised to hear him call Sonny his brother, and he said people could change. She told him not to worry. Willow and Michael made peace. Willow stormed in and told Ric to tell Michael that she was coming for him and his rent-by-the-hour hooker girlfriend.

Kristina told Ethan that Sonny had to be surrounded by people he trusted. He was most like Luke and fit the bill.

Sonny said Alexis had to convince Danny not to get arrested or go after the WSB. Otherwise, he’d never see his sister. Alexis said Danny didn’t want to lose Scout and knew she needed him. Next time, come to her directly and don’t send Ric. She wondered why Ric was working for Sonny when he had Diane, and Ric walked in.

Valentin said he’d left Carly’s name out of it, but she needed to accept they needed Nina. Jack thought he succeeded in making Nina his informant and she’d be feeding him information. She said information he wanted Jack to have or misinformation?

Molly told Cody that she had a clean bill of health and they left to celebrate the future.

Michael told Jacinda that he was glad Wiley knew her. Wiley adored her and he thought that was why Willow was angry. She had the right to stand up for herself. He wished he could say he hadn’t messed up tonight, but he had. He’d lost his cool with Willow and needed to play the long game.

Willow told Nina about Wiley and Jacinda. She would have put a stop to it had she known. She told Jacinda to stay away and Michael defended her. She had no idea what Jacinda was capable of and wouldn’t expose her kids to the kind of depravity she had to deal with at Dawn of Day.

Cody and Molly went out to dinner, and Molly said she’d prepared herself for the worst, but she felt like a brand new woman.

Alexis said Ric wouldn’t handle things as honestly as Diane, and Ric said he could handle himself. She said she was concerned about her daughter when he got caught as Sonny’s accomplice, but Sonny said their daughter’s reputation wouldn’t suffer, and Alexis left.

Valentin said he wasn’t going to kill Jack, but to implicate him in Sidwell and Cullum’s project. That’s where Nina came in. They needed Jack to believe Nina’s intel. She’d tell him that he and Charlotte had a regular meeting place. He’d make Jack think he almost caught him. Carly said it was a terrible plan. What if Jack caught him? What about their agreement that Cullum was the priority? He said they had a golden opportunity to take Jack down for good and couldn’t pass it up.

Jacinda said Michael couldn’t just stand there, but he said he had to give Willow a false sense of security until he got leverage against her. If they went back to court now, Willow would be a respected member of congress and he’d be the guy who shot Drew and got away with it. Jacinda said she may have something for Michael to use against Willow.

Nina believed Jacinda was fond of the kids. The situation was different. Jacinda would never do anything to hurt her children. Willow said she’d go back to family court and watch Michael defend his choice of girlfriend in front of a judge, but Nina said Willow couldn’t go back into court. She’d lose everything.

Cody and Molly toasted to the future. Cody suggested oysters and lobster and shrimp cocktail and desserts, but Molly said she had a counter offer. What if they finished the champagne and went back to his place where they’d celebrate?

Sonny came home, and Kristina said someone had shown up. Ethan came out and said it had been a minute.

Valentin said he bet he wouldn’t get caught, but Carly said, the last time, he did. He said he’d been distracted by Anna. He had to make this work. Carly said, in the meantime, he had to go back to the attic. It was too risky for him to be downstairs. She gave him a game or puzzle or something and he left for the attic.

Jacinda told Michael that Jack had been there twice and met with Nina behind closed doors. The last time, Nina had seemed upset and stormed out, then Jack came back to talk to her. He thought Charlotte knew where Valentin was and wanted her to get the information. He said if she gave him information on Valentin, he’d give her something that would be very useful to Michael in dealing with Willow.

Nina said someone had witnessed Willow shooting Drew. She was being pressured by Sidwell and Drew was paralyzed because she was drugging him. If any of that came out, she’d lose, and so would her children. Willow said she was right. She’d just have to find another way to deal with this.

Tuesday:

On the phone in the hospital courtyard, Curtis said, morning was fine.

Isaiah felt Portia’s bump, when Curtis came back in.

Felicia went over medical stuff with Jordan and gave her a pamphlet for a trauma support group.

Dante, Rocco, and Lulu went to the Bad Jen Café, and Dante said he was done pretending everything was normal. He asked what going on with Rocco and Danny.

At the hospital, Britt went to see Lucas and told him that she was grateful for his help, but she’d handle Cullum and Sidwell by herself.

Cody and Molly started to get busy, but Cody put on the breaks. Molly said it was cool and she was ready, but he said he wasn’t.

Sonny introduced Ethan to Ric and asked what brought Ethan to town. Ethan could be straight with him. What did he need? Ethan said, a job.

Portia asked how Curtis was doing, and he said his injuries had been minor, but he wished he could say the same for Jordan. Portia said she had good news, the baby was the picture of perfect health. She gave him a copy of her latest sono.

Cody said he was sorry he’d ruined the mood, and Molly said it felt like he didn’t want to have sex with her. He said he wanted nothing more, but didn’t want to hurt her. Just because she was cleared, didn’t mean she needed to take off right away. He could wait. She said she didn’t want to, and he asked if sex had ever been painful with him and she hadn’t said anything.

Lucas told Britt that he was doing it for Marco. Sidwell and Cullum were going to up their scrutiny, and like it or not, she needed his help. She said she didn’t. She’d rather succumb to Huntington’s than help those monsters build their weapon.

Rocco told Dante and Lulu that he wanted to help Danny, but couldn’t. Danny had lost his mom, then he couldn’t see Scout, and now his dad was gone. Dante thought Rocco felt guilty, and Rocco said he didn’t want to feel this way anymore.

Sonny asked if Ethan was staying in town, and Ethan said he was considering it, especially if Sonny had a gig for him. Ric asked if he was a coffee importer, and Ethan said he was a poker player. Ric said they had little use for that, and Sonny said if someone was after Ethan, he could take care of it, but Eithan said he wasn’t in trouble. Sonny asked what he’d been up to, and Ethan said he’d visited Robert, Sasha, and Daisy in France. But Port Charles was more his speed and he’d heard Sonny had an opening. Jason’s absence must be a huge loss. Ric said he thought Ethan was angling to take Jason’s place.

Britt said maybe she was tired of fighting, but Lucas said she started a fight for fun and he knew she didn’t want to be dependent on anyone. She said she was already dependent on Cullum. She was being forced into protecting the man who killed Marco, almost killed her, and who’d stripped Jason of his freedom. Cullum was the only one who could provide her life, but what kind of life was it? She wouldn’t do it anymore

Dante suggested Rocco talk to Danny, and Lulu reminded him that he had to finish his community service. Rocco said he’d walk, and Lulu was hesitant, but outnumbered. Rocco left, and Dante asked what she wasn’t telling him.

Jordan told Felicia that she was more comfortable handling things herself. She had great insurance and a great back-up system. She was trained in law enforcement and knew how to deal with trauma. It had just been an accident and she’d be fine. Felicia left the pamphlet for her in case she changed her mind.

Portia told Curtis that the appointment had been last minute, and Isaiah made himself scarce. Portia said Isaiah went to the appointment with her. She’d thought Curtis would be with Jordan.

Molly said Cody had never hurt her. There had been uncomfortable sex in the past, just not with him. He said the day she’d passed out, she’d been in pain and not said anything. If she hadn’t passed out, would she have told him? She said, probably not, because it was what she’d trained herself to do. There was more to sex than the physical act and all of that made the potential discomfort worth it. He said that wasn’t good enough.

Ethan said he knew no one could take Jason’s place and also knew he’d have to prove himself. Sonny said he needed someone he could trust. A son of Luke’s would be loyal, quick thinking, and take care of himself. Ric objected and asked how Sonny knew Robert didn’t send Ethan to infiltrate Sonny’s organization. (Maybe because he’s dead, but we’ll let that pass.)

Lulu told Dante that she didn’t think forcing Rocco to spend time with Danny was the answer. They could make bad choices together. She had no solution, but thought Rocco and Danny should spend time apart. Danny could get used to living with Alexis and spend some time with Scout. Rocco couldn’t fix it for Danny, and she didn’t want him making it worse in a misguided attempt to try. Dante said she was being overprotective and sounded like him.

Portia said she wasn’t trying to exclude Curtis, but thought he’d want to be with Jordan. He said he would have liked to be in on the choice and wanted to be there for as many appointments as he could. She said everything was moving smoothly, but she wished the baby would stop growing so fast. They looked at the sono and agreed it was amazing. Curtis said the car accident was sudden and everything had changed in an instant. This was a reminder that there was so much to be hopeful for.

Isaiah asked if Jordan needed help, but she said she had to wait to fix the damage. He said Dr. Farrell was a legend, but she said Dr. Caldwell warned her that she could be scarred forever.

Lucas said Marco died helping Britt and if she stopped now, it would all be for nothing. She asked if he didn’t want to see Cullum pay for what he did, and he said yes, but if Sidwell murdered Cullum, her meds would be gone and Sidwell would walk. Sidwell had pulled Marco into that world and gotten him involved. He’d asked Marco to choose between him and his father, and in the end, the choice cost him his life. It couldn’t be in vain. They had the best chance to take Sidwell down, but needed time. Britt said she wanted to take them down, but didn’t know how much more she could take.

Eithan said Robert had zero interest in Sonny, but Ric wasn’t convinced. Ethan said he was no rat. A man’s word was his bond. His father taught him that. Sonny believed him, but said he still had to be interviewed and Ric would do the interviewing. Ethan said, no problem, and Sonny told Ric, ask away.

Rocco took a pillow from a nurse who was juggling too many things, and she told him to give it to the patient in the room ahead. When he opened the patient’s door, he discovered it was for Cullum.

Isaiah said Jordan’s case was promising. She wouldn’t need invasive surgeries. She said it could take years and it affected how people saw her. Right now she didn’t recognize herself. He said he didn’t mean to minimize her experience, and she told him to get the hell out of her room, when Curtis came in. (I gotta say, her reaction here is surprising me and it’s not like it’s her whole face – it’s one cheek. Children would not be running from her like she was Frankenstein.)

Molly told Cody that she wanted to find out and felt her best when she was with him. He said, same, but was worried about her being in pain. She said she didn’t want to force him, so they’d wait. He said they could compromise and asked her to promise they’d stop if she felt discomfort. She said she’d always be honest with him, and he wondered if they could recapture the mood. They began to kiss, then got busy, and there was a song part.

Rocco gave Cullum his pillow and asked if he was in pain. Cullum said it was better now. Did Rocco want some advice? Don’t get shot. Britt noticed Rocco in Cullum’s room.

Lulu told Dante that she couldn’t help it. All she did was worry about Danny, Rocco, and Jason, and don’t get her started on Charlotte. Now Ethan was in the mix. Dante asked how long Ethan was sticking around, but she wasn’t sure.

Cullum asked if it wasn’t late for community service, and Rocco said he was making up some hours. Britt came in and said Cullum needed to rest and Rocco was needed in pediatrics for Storytime. Rocco said he’d forgotten, and Britt took him outside and told him to come with her.

Ric asked if Ethan had any warrants out on him, but Ethan said, no. Ric asked about a current address, and Ethan said he used Lucky’s last known address in Ireland. Sonny wanted to move things along, and Ric asked why Ethan was qualified. Ethan said Jason had dealt with shipments from all over the world with no interference from the authorities or Sonny’s competition. He’d learned a lot from his parents and could stay cool in tense situations. He also had a concealed carry permit, was discreet, and familiar with the area. His father’s name still carried weight there and he could use that goodwill to Sonny’s advantage. Sonny said he’d heard enough, and Ric said Ethan was too big a risk.

Curtis said it was time for Isaiah to go, and Isaiah apologized and left. Curtis asked what Isaiah did, but Jordan said, nothing. He was trying to help and she bit his head off. It was all too much. Curtis said he got it. He remembered people trying to cheer him up and how he’d pretended to be fine to make them feel better. It wasn’t sustainable. She didn’t have to pretend with him. She said she felt suffocated and needed room to breathe, so he said he’d give her some space, but he wasn’t going anywhere. He loved her. She said she loved him too and he left.

Dante said he’d been going over the report on Cullum’s shooting, and Lulu asked if that wasn’t on the WSB. He said it didn’t make sense. It was chaotic and sloppy, the opposite of Jason’s M.O. He was missing something, but didn’t know what it was. She said he may never find out, but he said he thought she’d want to get to the bottom of it too. She said she wanted to focus on Rocco and Danny and make sure they moved on. Everything else was just noise.

Britt took Rocco to the chapel and told him, stay away from Cullum. He said he hadn’t known the pillow was for Cullum, and she said, don’t go near Cullum again. If he saw Cullum, walk the other way. He had no idea how evil Cullum was. Rocco said he knew Cullum was a killer.

Ric said Luke’s reputation made Ethan a target and what was to stop him from taking off in a month? Ethan said Sonny had his word, and Sonny said hiring him was a bad idea logically, but sometimes friendship trumped logic. He was going to take Ethan on. Ethan thanked him, but Sonny said he was doing it for Luke and not to abuse his trust. Ethan said he wouldn’t, and they shook hands.

Molly and Cody basked in the afterglow, and she said she felt so happy.

Curtis found Isaiah, who said he’d been trying to help, but did the opposite. Curtis asked why Isaiah was in Jordan’s room, and Isaiah said Jordan was a friend. Curtis said if Isaiah couldn’t see her pain, he didn’t know her. Stay away from her.

Jordan walked the hall with her IV and sat down in the atrium. Portia saw her and asked if she could get Jordan anything or get an orderly to assist her, but Jordan said she could get back on her own. Portia said she’d call Curtis, and Jordan said this is what it took for Portia to be civil to her. Portia hated that she and Curtis were together and now Portia was calling him for her. Was she that pathetic? She didn’t want Portia to be nice to her now just because she pitied her.

Ethan asked to crash at Lulu’s, and she said, of course (🍷). He said he had some stops to make first. He’d landed a job. Sonny had hired him. She wondered if it was the best idea, but he said he was exactly where he needed to be.

Ric said he thought Sonny was making a mistake, but Sonny said, don’t worry about it. Being Luke’s son got Ethan through the door, but he wasn’t taking Ethan at face value. Ethan was like his dad. They always had an angle they were working on. Ric was worried Ethan was working for Robert, but Sonny said there was no way Ethan would use Luke’s memory to betray him. He did feel like Ethan was hiding something, but the only way he’d find out what angle Ethan was working was to keep him close. He was doing this for Luke.

Dante went to see Cullum, and said he wanted to make sure his reports accurate. Was the baton they found Cullum’s? Cullum said, yes, and Dante asked when the gun came into play. Cullum said, when Jason resisted, and Dante asked how Jason got his hands on it. Cullum said Dante had the facts he needed, and Dante left.

Britt told Rocco that Cullum probably killed people since he was in the WSB. He was the reason Jason had been taken away. Rocco said he’d followed Britt to the pier that day, and she said Cullum couldn’t find out he was a witness. Rocco said he was more than a witness. Jason didn’t shoot Cullum. He did.

Wednesday:

Gio found Emma in the Bad Jen Café and told her, whatever she was doing tomorrow, cancel it. They were going to New York City.

At Bobbie’s, Josslyn flashed back to seeing Nathan at the hospital and dropped a tray. Lulu helped her pick everything up and said it seemed like Josslyn had a lot on her mind. Spill.

Nathan told Dante that he had a lead on the other vehicle in Jordan’s accident.

Jordan said she’d prefer if Portia be honest with her for once, and Portia said they didn’t like each other and would never be friends. Jordan said she was glad it was out there now, and Portia said, but her sympathy was real. Whether Jordan wanted to admit it or not, she’d need help now and for the foreseeable future. She needed someone. Let it be Curtis.

Isaiah said Curtis was looking for someone to blame, but picking a fight wasn’t helping, and Curtis said he needed Isaiah’s word that he’d leave Jordan the hell alone.

Rocco insisted he’d pulled the trigger, and Britt asked why he was on the pier. He said he’d followed her to make sure she was okay, and she said, he was there because of her?

Gio said he got a call from his friend Michael who was in Aladdin, and Emma asked if it was Michael James Scott. (We’ll refer to him as Michael JS to avoid confusion.) He said, it was, and she said she was obsessed with the show. How did Gio know him? He said he’d filled in for a violinist in the pit orchestra for two months and he and Michael had kept in touch ever since. He had two VIP tickets, along with a personal backstage tour. She asked when they were leaving.

Josslyn said she was just tired, and Lulu wondered if there were still any brownies left. Josslyn said she’d check. She was also sore from trying to impress Nathan at the gym. He’d been kind enough to fill in for her partner, but she’d made it awkward by bringing up Cesar Faison.

Nathan told Dante that he’d seen fresh scrapes on the guardrail and the position of the paint lined up with Curtis’s statement. He’d already requested a sample. Dante said Turner wanted the other driver found and prosecuted.

Jordan said she was fine, and Portia they were kind of stuck together. They were both part of the baby’s life and she’d prefer it if they tried to get along for Curtis, the baby, and their families. And maybe each other’s sanity. It had nothing to do with pity.

Isaiah asked if Jordan needed Curtis to cause a scene, and Curtis said Jordan had no privacy. Isaiah said it wasn’t fair and he was deeply sorry for upsetting her, but this wasn’t about her. It was about Curtis. Curtis didn’t get to choose who she leaned on. Curtis said he could keep Isaiah from bothering her if she didn’t want to see him. Why didn’t Isaiah do the right thing and respect Jordan’s wishes?

Rocco said he’d been worried about Britt. He’d seen her face when she’d read the texts and she looked scared. He’d figured she was in trouble and he was right. Britt said she hadn’t seen him, and he said he was hiding. She asked him to tell her exactly what he’d seen, and he said he saw her meet Lucas, which was weird. She asked if he’d heard what they were talking about, but he said he’d been too far away. When Lucas left, she’d seemed better and he was going to head out, but then Agent Cullum showed up. That’s when everything went wrong.

Curtis found Jordan in the atrium and said he knew she wanted to be alone. He didn’t want to hover, but he wanted her to know she was special to him and wanted to make sure there wasn’t something she needed. She said she did need something. She needed him. Please stay.

Nathan said he’d looked into Marco’s clients, but there was nothing to indicate any of them wanted him dead. Dante asked about the cellphone, and Nathan said Marco’s phone records showed that he didn’t make or receive any calls. Dante said, what about texts? and Nathan said they were encrypted. Dante said, whoever killed Marco took his phone because they were worried a text might identify them, and Nathan said the killer could have texted and arranged a meeting at the office. Dante said, another indication that Marco knew who his killer was.

Lulu wondered how Faison came up, and Josslyn told her about finding The Crystalline Conspiracy and how the cover looked like Anna. She’d been thinking about Anna and how she was convinced Faison was still alive. Lulu said, the world was better off with him dead, especially Nathan and probably Britt. She’d been raised by Faison and Obrecht and was a chip off the old block, desperate for daddy’s approval. Josslyn wondered if seeing Nathan was awkward because of Britt, but Lulu said she and Britt hated each other, but the problem wasn’t Britt and Nathan. The problem was Britt and Rocco.

Britt asked if Cullum saw Rocco, but Rocco said Cullum would have told the police. Cullum pointed his gun at her and she gave him something. He didn’t see what it was, but Cullum smashed it, and then she tried to get his gun. They fought for it and she went down. He didn’t know what to do and he froze. Cullum was going to shoot her, when Jason showed up. He and Cullum started fighting and Cullum knocked Jason down. He pulled out a baton, and that’s when he knew Cullum was going to kill Jason and then her. He saw the gun on the ground not far from him and grabbed it. He’d never held a gun before. It was so heavy. Britt asked if he was sure Cullum didn’t see him pick up the gun, but he said Cullum’s back was to him the whole time. Cullum was about to smash Jason with the baton, when he shot him. That’s how he hurt his hand, holding the gun wrong. She said, that’s why Jason told her to say he shot Cullum. He was protecting Rocco.

Gio and Emma planned transportation to the city, and Gio said they could spend the day exploring, then see the show in the evening. He had a friend who could put them up. Emma wondered where they were going to go, but he said it was a surprise. She said she wanted to see the city through his eyes, the eyes of a native New Yorker, and he said he couldn’t wait to show her the real New York. She asked if that included seeing his family.

Isaiah asked Portia if Curtis said something about him going to the appointment, but she said Curtis wasn’t making it a thing. He said he was glad Curtis was fine with her. He didn’t know how long the peace would last, since he’d had a run-in with Curtis. She said, how bad was it?

Dante asked what the forensic timeline was, and Nathan said he’d get it sometime tonight. He could stay since he had no plans with… Dante said Nathan could say Lulu’s name, but Nathan said he’d realized how much of a betrayal it was that he was seeing Dante’s ex-wife.

Lulu said Rocco wouldn’t stay away from Britt, and Josslyn assumed Britt was pushing for a relationship with Rocco. Lulu flashed back to Rocco saying he’d been following Britt, and said, actually, no. It was Rocco. He wanted a relationship with Britt and it scared her. Anyone who got close to Britt inevitably got hurt. Jason was living proof.

Rocco told Britt that his ears were ringing from the gun blast. Everything happened so fast. Britt said, take a breath. She was sorry he had to do that. It must have been terrifying. Rocco said he’d never been so scared. After Cullum went down, he was paralyzed and just stood there. She said he was in shock. It must be terrible to carry that secret alone. He said he wasn’t alone, and she asked who else knew. He said his mom and Nathan.

Isaiah said it had been a mistake to drop in on Jordan, but Portia told him, don’t take it personally. Jordan wasn’t in a place to hear about their support. She ran into Jordan in the atrium and offered to help. She offered to call Curtis and Jordan went off. She tried not to escalate the situation. She could understand why Jordan was angry and mad at the entire world. Isaiah said he felt for Curtis too. It wasn’t easy to watch a loved one struggle, especially when you knew it wouldn’t end soon.

Curtis said Jordan was at the beginning of a long recovery and staring it down, unflinching. She wasn’t going to give up. Over time, the scars could improve or fade. Jordan said, when? Months? Years? How many surgeries would she need and how successful would they be? She hated being a patient and waiting passively for other people to fix her. She’d come to terms about living with her kidney transplant and now she was looking at countless consultations ahead. All people would talk about was her face and there were no guarantees she’d ever look like herself again.

Dante said they were all adults and Nathan didn’t owe him an explanation or need his permission. Nathan said that’s what he wanted to believe, but Lulu and Dante had Rocco and would always be connected. Dante said, so would Nathan and Maxie with James, and Nathan said, what if it wasn’t that easy? Dante was his partner and was still his friend. Dante said Lulu had been his ex for a lot of years and it didn’t matter how he felt, but Nathan said it mattered to him. Dante said he was fine, and Nathan said he wanted to believe that, but he remembered how Dante talked about him and Lulu being a couple. That didn’t disappear. Dante said it didn’t. He’d always be connected to the girl he fell in love with at the jukebox, but none of that mattered.

Josslyn asked if Lulu blamed Britt for Jason getting shot by the WSB agent, and Lulu said Britt was there. She was sure Jason had been protecting her. He took the fall while Britt walked away. She was sure Carly felt the same. Josslyn said her mom was grateful Britt saved her life, but wasn’t a fan, and Lulu said Britt was nothing but trouble. Jason was a grown man and could make his own decisions, but Rocco… Josslyn said he was a teenager, and Lulu said, the kind that saw the best in people. He refused to see anything but the best in Britt and nothing she said made a difference.

Rocco told Britt that Nathan took him away and brought him home, and told him, never say anything, but he had to tell his mom. Britt asked what she said, and he said she agreed with Nathan and told him to never say anything to anyone. Britt said he couldn’t, and Rocco said Cullum would have killed Jason. Why don’t they turn him in? She said Cullum didn’t care about the law. It didn’t affect him. Rocco said, no one was above the law, but she said, Cullum was. If he found out Rocco shot him, they were dead.

Gio told Emma that he’d thought about seeing his family. It was a kneejerk reaction until he realized he still wasn’t ready. The Cerullos were all or nothing and they’d never make the show on time. She couldn’t post about it on social media – ever. If they ever found out he was in the city and didn’t tell them, they’d hunt him down. Emma promised to be discreet. Nothing was going to stop her from seeing Aladdin.

Portia told Isaiah that they were making progress and coming together as a family. She hoped this didn’t set them back. Isaiah said there was no way Aunt Stella would stand for it. Sooner or later, it would be good. She said she wanted to respect what Curtis and Jordan were going though. If that meant keeping her distance from Jordan, she’d do that. He said Portia needed to change the focus to herself. Come back to the cabin with him and he’d show her how.

Jordan told Curtis that she knew she should be grateful to be alive, and she was, but to be scarred like this… How you looked affected how people treated you. She knew how to make a good impression and project confidence. Now she felt self-conscious and damaged, less than, and she couldn’t stand that. Curtis took her hand and said he loved her and promised to be with her every step of the way, and she said she knew he meant that. But if things didn’t get better, her scars didn’t go away or got worse… If his feelings changed… He said nothing was going to change how he felt. There was nothing worse than her being trapped in the car and thinking he might not get her out before… She said, but he did, and he said that proved they could do anything. She asked if he could hold her, and he did.

Dante told Nathan that he and Lulu would always be connected through Rocco and their past. It didn’t go away, but he’d moved on after they split up. The last thing he wanted was for them to deny their feelings because of him. He was a big boy and could handle it. Nathan said he never meant to come between Dante and Lulu, and Dante said he knew that. Nathan was a good guy. He wanted Lulu to be happy and wished them nothing but the best. There was no need to talk about it anymore.

Lulu told Josslyn that when she tied to warn Rocco that Britt was dangerous, he dismissed it and chalked it up to her still being angry with Britt. Britt’s whole life was a series of toxic situations. She knew it wasn’t entirely Britt’s fault. She’d been raised by Faison and Obrecht. It wasn’t a good start, but Faison was dead, yet Britt kept chasing trouble. Rocco would eventually discover that Britt didn’t look out for anyone but herself.

Rocco asked if Britt was saying Cullum would kill him, but she said that wasn’t going to happen. Cullum would never find out. She didn’t mean to scare him, but he needed to understand it was important to stay quiet. He said, what about her? Was she still in danger? How did they stop Cullum? Britt said she was handling it. Cullum needed her and wouldn’t hurt her as long as she did what he wanted. Rocco asked what she had to do for him, but she said he didn’t need to know. He was too involved already. Please promise he won’t tell anyone else. It would kill her if anything happened to him because of her. He said he promised, and they hugged. She said it was going to be okay. She’d protect him. She was going to fix this.

Emma said she couldn’t believe Gio never told her about playing for a Broadway show. She was not going to happy if he was keeping something bigger from her. He said she’d have to wait and see, and she said he wasn’t as nice as he looked. She thought she liked it. They needed to pack. They had an early flight to catch. Gio said, Princess, I am about to show you a whole new world, and spun her around.

Josslyn wondered if Nathan could help with Britt and make her see that Rocco would be better off if she kept her distance, but Lulu doubted it would do any good. Britt and Nathan were just getting to know each other when Faison shot Nathan, and neither one of them seemed interested in hanging out. Josslyn said they were very different. Lulu said, Nathan was warm and good natured, and Britt… Josslyn said, isn’t. It was amazing how well-adjusted Nathan was after a seven year gap. Lulu said, four was bad enough, and Josslyn said she was sorry, but Lulu said it was okay. It wasn’t like she didn’t remember anything. She was in a hospital bed. Nathan had a mystery to solve. Josslyn asked if he remembered anything, but Lulu said, nothing yet. He was focused on moving forward and didn’t want to waste time looking back. She could count on Nathan. Josslyn said she was happy for Lulu. It really was a miracle for Nathan to pick up his past life so soon.

Nathan told Dante to go home, when his phone rang. He said, speak of the devil. He answered and said, yeah… Yeah. He’d let the Commissioner know. He told Dante that forensics got something from the paint on the guardrail.  

Britt asked if Rocco had a ride home, and he said he’d call his mom. How about her? She said she had her car. He said, no. He meant, was she going to be okay? If Cullum was that dangerous, maybe she should stay away from him too. She said she’d dealt with a lot of men like Cullum. She could handle herself. He didn’t need to worry. He said, but he did, and she said she appreciated that. Have a good night. Rocco left, and Britt made a call. She said she needed the launch waiting. She was going to Windymere… Yes, tonight. She had work to do.

Portia said the cabin sounded so good, but what about Isaiah’s private patient? Was there any chance he’d have to make a house call again? Isaiah said his patient was well on the mend.

Jordan said at least that hadn’t changed. The one place she felt safe was in Curtis’s arms. His phone rang, and Curtis said he was going to ignore it, but Jordan said, it’s fine. Curtis asked Dante what was going on, and Dante said they had a possible lead on the vehicle that fled the scene. A sample of the paint matched a black, German made car. Curtis said he thought Isaiah Gannon drove a black SUV.

Thursday:

Emma and Gio arrived at his friend’s place, but their flight was delayed and Gio was disappointed not to make it the perfect day. Emma said it still was because they were together and they still had time. He said he’d give her a day she’d never forget, and they kissed.

Michael and Jacinda got a room at the MetroCourt and got busy.

Kristina and Sonny met at the MetroCourt Gardens, and Kristina asked what happened with Ethan after she left.

Ric stopped by Alexis’s office and asked what she knew about Ethan.

Tracy was supposed to meet Lulu at the MetroCourt, but Ethan showed up instead. He asked for a hug, but she said, not with all these valuables on, and they laughed.

Nina was miffed that Willow left her alone with Drew. He was unsettling. He kept blinking and she said she knew what he was trying to tell her. She knew everything. Willow shot him and put him in that chair. She wasn’t going to save him. Nobody was.

Willow told Kai that he was invaluable in the office and with Wiley and Scout. The kids adored him. It was nice having them with her. Jack knocked at her office door.

Tracy said she hadn’t received any ransom requests lately, and Ethan said she was always reimbursed. She asked what he was doing for money, and he said, this and that. Right now, he was doing a little work for Sonny.

Sonny said he’d had Ric interview Ethan, and Kristina asked if Sonny hired him. He said, on a trial basis, and she said he needed someone loyal around him with Jason gone. He said he had Ric. He knew she didn’t like him, but he was Molly’s father and his brother. She said he couldn’t trust Ric after what he’d done to her and her mom.

Ric told Alexis that Ethan was looking for a job with Sonny and Kristina had advocated for it. Alexis said they had a history, and Ric said Sonny wanted him to vet Ethan and Alexis was never short on opinions. She said she liked Ethan and he was more trustworthy than Ric.

Emma wanted the full Gio experience of the city.

Nina said Drew did this to himself. She wished they could let him go, but he’d use what Willow had done to his advantage. They all knew him. Making Willow pay would be his first move. They had to wait until he couldn’t retaliate against them. Then they’d let him go. No one would be more thrilled than her to have him out of their lives forever, aside from Willow. Elizabeth came to check on Drew.

Willow asked Kai to help look after Drew since his caregiver had the day off and Nina needed to get to a meeting. He said he would and left. Jack wondered why he was there, and Willow said they were in a position to help one another – or they could cause each other irreparable harm.

Michael said Jacinda was incredible. She’d been through a lot with him and was still there. She asked where else she would be, and they kissed. She said she should probably get dressed and go to work.

Outside the theatre, Gio and Emma had problems taking a selfie that included the marquee, and a passerby took it for them. (Geez, I don’t know if I’d hand a stranger my phone in the city.)

Alexis told Ric about Kristina being in an abusive relationship with Kiefer Bower and how he’d beat her up. Ethan found her and brought her to the hospital, but she was worried about Kiefer retaliating and said Ethan had done it. He was arrested, then the truth came out, but Ethan didn’t hate Kristina. He was like Luke, fiercely loyal and the kind of guy you’d want on your side. Later, Kiefer’s father went on a shooting spree and shot Ethan, who almost died. After all of this, he still forgave Kristina. He was the kind of guy who could be counted on.

Sonny asked what Ric had done to Kristina and Alexis, and Kristina said it was stuff from the past. She saw the pain and stress Ric caused Alexis during their divorce, plus he’d been Ava’s lawyer in the trial against her and got Ava off. She’d never forgive him. Sonny said he understood, but it was just Ric being a good lawyer. He knew she wanted him to hire Ethan, but being Luke’s son was what got him in the door and he’d have to prove he was reliable. He had to earn it.

Tracy said Ethan was his father’s son. Luke was one of a kind and lived every moment to the fullest. Ethan said they should too.

Sidwell and Ava walked in and Ava wondered who Ethan was. Sidwell said he believed he recognized him.

Elizabeth said she’d brought over some medical supplies and was more than happy to give Nina a break, and Nina said she had a call she needed to be on. She’d be in the other room. She left, and Elizabeth said she heard Scout had an amazing swim meet. Drew must be proud of both her and Willow. He blinked like crazy, and she asked if he was trying to tell her something.

Willow said she knew Jack had the traffic cam footage and was blackmailing Nina to do his bidding or he’d release it, but Nina told her that she’d disarmed him. Jack said Nina gave him a compelling reason not to let it go, but Willow said she didn’t share Nina’s confidence that he would just forget about it. Even if the footage was released, she couldn’t be tried again. He said that was true, but she’d lose her seat in congress and her children. She said he should care about her losing the office. Having her in the seat served his interests.

Doorman Jerry greeted Gio and Gio introduced Jerry to Emma. He said Michael JS was waiting for them, and Gio said, welcome to a whole new world, as they went inside.

Sidwell told Ava that Ethan was the son of his former associate, Holly Sutton, and Luke Spencer. Holly had swindled him. Ava said it sounded like there was unfinished business, and he said when someone crossed him, there was no going back. They became his enemy to the grave and beyond. She said she had no intention of crossing him. Like him, loyalty meant everything to her. He suggested they send over a drink, and she agreed.

Ric told Alexis that Ethan was also Holly’s son and she was an infamous conwoman. She’d trained Ethan and ran cons with him. Alexis said Ethan’s talents could be used to Sonny’s advantage, but he said Ethan was a wild card. What if he was there on behalf of one of Sonny’s enemies?

Jacinda told Michael that she’d been thinking about Jack’s offer. If she came through for Jack, he’d come through for her. Michael didn’t think it was a good idea, but she said she could make up for what she’d said on the stand that made him look guilty. He said all that mattered was having her by his side. The best revenge against Willow was living his life and living it well. With her and his kids, he was doing it.

Elizabeth didn’t know what Drew meant with his blinks and asked if he was trying to tell her something specific. He blinked once, and she wondered what it could be. He blinked an SOS, and she wondered if he was asking for help. He blinked once, and she asked, what kind of help? What was wrong?

Willow told Jack that she sat on the International Law Enforcement Appropriations Committee, which oversaw funding for the WSB. She could expedite or expand it, or make sure they received nothing. She’d tell his superiors it was because of him and his harassment. He could be relocated away from Carly or they could kick him to the curb. Or she could sing his praises. He asked if all he had to do was make sure the footage never saw the light of day, and she said, that, and one more thing. She needed evidence against Drew.

Gio showed Emma the backstage area. He said the theatre was the oldest working theatre in NYC and a landmark. She was dazzled, and he said it was also supposed to be haunted.

Alexis told Ric that she found the simplest explanation was usually the one that made the most sense. Sonny and Luke had been partners and friends, and that’s why Ethan was there. Ric didn’t buy it. He thought Ethan was running an angle. Alexis said she didn’t think it was about Ethan or Sonny. It was about Ric.

Michael and Jacinda ran into Kristina and Sonny in the restaurant, and Kristina said she’d been talking to Sonny about her old friend Ethan. He was back in town and was going to be working for Sonny.

The waitress served the drinks, and Sidwell waved at Tracy and Ethan. Tracy said Sidwell was a pestilence, and Ethan said he knew who Sidwell was. He’d nearly killed Ethan’s mother, Sasha, and Lucky. He was going over to talk to him. Tracy offered to help.

Gio and Emma walked around among the costumes and sets. Gio looked around for Michael JS, who suddenly appeared, twirling up through an opening in the floor. They hugged, and Gio introduced him to Emma. Michael JS told them, come this way.

Elizabeth told Drew that there were other tools he could use besides blinking. She thought he was ready for them. She’d talk to Willow. Nina came back and asked what she needed to talk to Willow about.

Jack asked what kind of evidence Willow was looking for, but she said she wasn’t picky. Whatever he could find. If she knew Drew, he was probably mixed up in all sorts of illegal things. She needed everything he could find. At the very least, she needed to know if he had any connection to Judge Haran’s death. He said, it wasn’t enough that she shot him?

Michael JS gave Gio and Emma some sparkle, when he was given a 15 minute call, and had to go get his genie makeup on.  

Kristina asked Jacinda to sing at the next open mic night, and Jacinda said maybe she would. It was a lot of fun.

Sitting with Sonny, Michael said Kristina was convinced Ethan could fill in for Jason, but something told him Sonny wasn’t. Sonny said he needed someone he could trust until Jason came back. Ethan’s track record was erratic and he’d have to prove himself reliable.

Ethan returned the drinks to Sidwell and said he couldn’t accept them from someone who’d repeatedly tried to harm his family. Sidwell said it was water under the bridge. Besides, Holly and Sasha were in France. Ethan said peace was better than the alternative, and Ava said there was no need for threats. Tracy said she saw that Sidwell was Ava’s latest mark, but Sidwell said their arrangement was mutually beneficial. Tracy said the conversation was making her miss Lucy Coe – words she never thought she’d say. She and Ethan went back to their lunch.

Emma was impressed by Michael JS, and Gio said, he’s like a supernova in human form. He’d never seen the whole show before because he was in the orchestra pit. Emma asked if they could go there before the show. She wanted to see what it was like to be a Broadway musician. He said, your wish is my command, princess.   

Willow said she saw no point in rehashing the past and called Jack Chief Brennan. She said, but it might be Director Brennan depending on how he played this.

Elizabeth told Nina about Drew blinking an SOS, and Nina said he’d never done that. Maybe it was a reflexive movement. Kai arrived and said Willow had sent him to relieve Nina, but Nina said she was canceling her meeting. Elizabeth told Kai that Drew was trying to tell them something, but they didn’t know what.

Gio showed Emma the orchestra pit and where he used to sit. She said it made her volunteering at the animal shelter look less than, but he said that wasn’t true. She’d made the world a better place for the animals in the shelter for a while. He told her about his family coming and filling up the orchestra section, and she asked if he got nervous, but he said he got this huge rush of adrenaline. Then it was off to the races and didn’t stop for two hours. She asked if he missed it, but he said nothing beat seeing the show with her. It was time for them to get to their seats.

 Ava told Sidwell not to give Ethan another thought. He was grieving a tremendous loss right now. He said she was right. He had too much going on to be distracted by Holly’s spawn.

Tracy told Ethan that she detested Sidwell. On top of everything else, he’d wormed his way into Deception. Ethan suggested buying it back, but she said it was more complicated than that. He offered to get rid of Sidwell, but she said Sidwell was out of his league. He told her not to be so sure. He’d learned a thing or two in his time away. She said she loved his father very much and one of the hardest things she had to do was grieve him. Don’t make her grieve him too. He said he made no promises, and she said his father never did either, and they hugged.

Alexis said Ric had sabotaged every relationship he ever had, because deep down, he didn’t think he was good enough. He would try to control everything, but couldn’t, and he couldn’t control Sonny, so just stop. Let something be enough. Ric said she really did know him.

Jacinda said Kristina seemed excited about Ethan being back, and Michael said Ethan had come through for her and she’d been sad when he left town. Jacinda said maybe things were turning around for the both of them, and he said things were already pretty great. Jacinda agreed and said she’d give Jack what he wanted, then he’d give her what he had on Willow, but Michael said Willow was his problem. It was on him to deal with her.

Sonny asked Kristina about Michael and Jacinda, and she said she and Molly were skeptical at first, but she’d gotten to know Jacinda. She was smart, funny, and really cared about Michael. What you see is what you get, unlike Willow.

Jack said he’d see what he could find on Drew, but wondered why Willow wanted leverage on a man who couldn’t move or speak and probably wouldn’t again. Willow said that was her business.

Elizabeth told Nina that Drew trying to communicate with them was a good thing. She thought it was time to explore alternative methods of communication. Kai said, like what? and Elizabeth said there were eye tracking devices and letterboards. Given the right tools, Drew would be communicating with them sooner than they thought. Nina said Willow would be so excited to hear about that, and Kai looked at Drew.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Emma tells Michael JS, it was amazing. The singing and the choreography and the special effects… and he was amazing. Michael JS says, stop. He’s glad they enjoyed it. Emma says she loved it. She loved every single thing about it. And before she forgets, she also loved the wardrobe and the sets and… Oh my God. He tells her that they have the best designers and crew in the business. The last set is up for a few more minutes if she wants to take a closer look. Emma says, could she? and he says, of course (🍷). Don’t touch anything or they’ll put you in Broadway jail. She says, noted. She’ll be right back. She leaves, and Michael JS says, she’s a keeper. Gio says he knows. He got lucky. Michael JS says he’s happy that Port Charles has been so good to Gio. But wait, how’s the music scene there? Gio says, it’s very happening. His friend Trina’s dad owns a club, The Savoy. They bring in really great shows. He knows they’d love to have Michael JS perform there. Michael JS says he’s heard of The Savoy and he loves to perform, and Gio says, obviously. He’ll set up a gig with Trina’s father. He’ll contact Michael JS’s people. Port Charles isn’t going to know what hit it. Michael JS says, come on. That’s good. Gio says, that’s what he’s talking about. They’re going to love him.

At the MetroCourt, Lulu tells Laura that she’s delighted their schedules aligned and they were able to meet for dinner. Laura says her too, but just for the sake of clarity, they are both too young to make the early bird special a regular date, right? Lulu says, today’s meal time is purely a function of timing, and Laura says, thank you so much. She sees Boyle at the bar and says there’s something she has to take care of. She’ll be right back. She goes to the bar and Boyle says, a pleasure as always. Is she here to save him from himself yet again? She says, well, that depends. Does he need saving?

Josslyn goes to Carly’s attic and says she needs to ask Valentin some questions. He says, oh, in that case definitely come by anytime she wants to unannounced, and she says she already does, but it’s sweet to hear him say it out loud. He asks if her mother knows she’s here, and she says, the quid pro quo of her mother risking everything to protect him is, she gets to show up here and get all the information from him that she wants. He says, so she’s a glass half full person, and she says, which is why she’s so sure he’s going to tell her everything she wants to know about Anna Devane and Cesar Faison.

At the bistro, Felicia asks Obrecht, how was her trip? and Obrecht says, it was fine, but she barely had a chance to unpack before Felicia texted and insisted she meet her there immediately. Felicia says she really appreciates Obrecht coming, and Obrecht says, so let’s get to it. She has a small window before jetlag takes her. What’s the trouble? Is it James? Felicia says, oh no, no. James is great. He’s taken up karate and he’s mildly obsessed with it. Obrecht says, God help the sensei. If not James, then… Felicia says, it’s Anna, and Obrecht says she’s assuming Anna’s progress has been minimal. Felicia says she heard from Robin and not only is Anna not making progress, she’s getting worse.

Britt sips a glass of wine in her room, when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it and says, finally. What took him so long? Nathan says, you know. His job, working on a case, her texting him every hour on the hour. She says, it’s important, and he says he’s sure it is. With her it usually is. She realizes he doesn’t answer to her, right? So he doesn’t care if Sidwell hurt her feelings or Pascal didn’t make her tea the way she likes it or she doesn’t feel like working on the prototype. She can’t keep crying to him. She says she knows Rocco shot Cullum.

Boyle says, nothing to see here, he promises, and the bartender asks if he’d like another Shirley Temple. Boyle says, with extra cherries. Please take it easy on the grenadine this time. Thank you. He laughs and tells Laura, surprise. As she can see, he’s still young at heart, so perfectly capable of changing his less than desirable ways. At least some of them. She says she’s really glad to hear that, but remember what they talked about though. He can call her if the pressure becomes too great for him and his Shirley Temple to handle. He says, if he has to, he will. Promise. She says, good. Enjoy his drink.

Laura goes back to the table, and Lulu says, what was that all about? And why is Ezra drinking something that looks like Hello Kitty made it? Laura says, because he’s drinking a Shirley Temple. She knows. It’s just that he had a few too many the other day at the Brown Dog, and almost got himself thrown out as a matter of fact. Lulu says, were there complaints filed? Were the police involved? Laura says she assures Lulu, this is not a story, and Lulu says, no? A city councilman is publicly intoxicated. Sounds like a story to her, a potentially important one. Laura says, or perhaps it’s just a man who made one bad choice after another. No one was hurt, except of course (🍷) for him, and she thinks that maybe the hangover was punishment enough. Lulu says she doesn’t get it. That man has been nothing but a huge thorn in Laura’s side. Why is she suddenly protecting him?

Felicia says, the doctors at the clinic were confident that rest and distance from her regular life would free Anna of her delusions. But unfortunately, that course of treatment seems to be having the opposite effect. Obrecht says, meaning she’s still convinced Cesar is alive and holding her captive? and Felicia says, yes. Her paranoia has gotten worse. She now thinks that her doctors are working for Faison and doing his bidding. She keeps trying to escape and she’s almost succeeded more than once. Obrecht says, they’d be well-advised to double the guard. Anna will try again, and given her training and experience, someone may end up getting hurt. Felicia says that’s why she wanted Obrecht to come meet her here. She was hoping Obrecht could help her prevent that from happening. Obrecht says she’s sorry for Anna’s troubles, but what can she possibly do? She’s already told Felicia everything she knows about Cesar. Felicia says, one of Anna’s delusions is that Obrecht is part of Faison’s scheme. She believes he brought Obrecht in to give her a phlebotomy treatment and she’s still loyal to him. So she was hoping that she and Obrecht could go to France and Obrecht could explain to Anna, face to face, that she’s not Faison’s co-conspirator and that it’s all in her mind. Obrecht says, that she cannot do.

Valentin says, any word on Anna? and Josslyn says, as far as she knows, Anna is still in the hospital in France. No change in her condition, and there’s still charges pending from her assault on that officer. He asks what she wants to know about Anna and Faison, and she shows him the book. He says, a little light reading, and she says, just something she picked up after discovering Cullum carrying it around the night of the storm at Windymere. And inside it there was an inscription that said, for my muse, C. He was also carrying around a box of cigarillos. Valentin says, cigarillos. Faison used to smoke those. She says, so any idea why Cullum would be carrying around two items so closely associated with Faison?

Nathan asks what Britt is talking about. Rocco didn’t shoot Cullum. Jason shot Cullum. She’s the one who told Dante that. She says, as good as he is at lying, it’s too late. Rocco told her everything. He says, that was a mistake. He wasn’t supposed to tell anybody. She says, he needed to tell someone. He’s drowning in guilt. Nathan says, well, if he doesn’t keep his mouth shut, then feeling guilty is going to be the least of his problems, and she says, he’s a kid and he shot someone. Yes, he did it to save Jason’s life and probably hers, but now Jason is paying the price and it’s a lot for him to handle. Nathan says, stop it. She’s not his therapist. Let him worry about Rocco. She asks what that means, and he says he’ll protect Rocco. He’s already doing everything he can to make sure nobody finds out what happened on the pier. She says, yeah, for now. But what happens when he needs to score points with Cullum? How does she know he isn’t going to just hand Rocco over on a silver platter? He says, she really thinks that’s something he would do to a 15-year-old, to Lulu’s 15-year-old? She says, well, it’s exactly what their father would do.

Emma walks out onto the stage and marvels at the set. She starts to dance, and Gio applauds. He joins her and asks if she has a secret career as a Broadway dancer, and she says, yeah. Only in her dreams. This trip, it’s been a dream. Only, he made it real. He says, she knows he’d do anything for her, and they sit down. She says, he knows she’s been so worried about her grandma that she really hasn’t had time for anything else, and he took her mind off that for a while. She doesn’t know how she’s ever going to thank him for such a magical night. He says he’ll think of something, and they kiss.

Gio says, there’s like a million people waiting out there for Michael JS, and Emma thanks him again for the tickets and the backstage tour. Michael JS says he loved meeting her, and Gio says he’s going to get Curtis to book Michael JS at The Savoy. Emma says, no way. That’s so fun. They’ll see him in Port Charles then. Michael JS says he can’t wait.

Felicia says she knows Obrecht and Anna have a complicated history, but Anna deserves every chance to come out of this with her sanity intact. Obrecht says, she misunderstands. It’s not that she doesn’t want to help Anna. It’s that she’s not capable of it. If she goes to France with Felicia, her presence would only reenforce Anna’s delusions and cause her harm. Felicia says, Obrecht would be with her, but Obrecht says, Anna would believe Felicia had been co-opted by Cesar’s network. Felicia says, what? and Obrecht says, Felicia told her that Anna claims she’s working with her captors and gave her medical attention. In her mind, the only reason she’d do that is because she’s still married to Cesar. Felicia says, but she could find a way to prove to Anna that she’s not, couldn’t she? and Obrecht says, from what Felicia described, Anna believes she’s still working for a man who so disgusted her, who she refuted years ago. How can she convince Anna of anything when Anna won’t believe a word she says? Felicia says, isn’t it at least worth a try? and Obrecht says she realizes she’s the latest straw Felicia is grasping in an attempt to save her friend, and she commends Felicia for her effort. But if she was thinking more rationally, she’d realize that Anna would interpret a visit from her as another one of Cesar’s manipulative tactics. She’s sorry, but she cannot save Anna.

Josslyn asks why Cullum would be carrying a copy of this book with a pack of cigarillos, and Valentin says, Cullum is the WSB Faison expert. Maybe he’s using them as an opportunity to get back in the man’s head. She says, okay, but what’s the end game? and he says, it’s no secret that Anna was haunted by Faison’s obsession with her. Cullum would have known that she was emotionally vulnerable when it came to him. She says, okay. So what? He thinks Cullum was using these items as props to help set Anna up? He says, yes, but the timeline does not work because Cullum was in town when Anna was picked up in France. There is a connection, but he’s not seeing it. What the hell is it? He throws the book and it hits a lamp, then falls to the floor.

Britt says, their father wouldn’t see Rocco as a person. He’d see him as leverage. He wouldn’t hesitate to use Rocco if it helped him achieve his desired outcome. Nathan says he’s not their father. Everything he’s done since he showed up on that pier has been to shield Rocco. He’s the one that took Rocco out of the crime scene and brought him back to Lulu. He’s the one who made sure both of them knew, in no uncertain terms, that no one was to know that Rocco picked up the gun and pulled the trigger. She asks if that isn’t exactly what he’d do if he wanted to use Rocco for leverage himself. Get Rocco to trust him. Act like he’s helping Rocco keep a secret. Until the time comes when he can use that information to his own advantage. He says, look, he gets that he doesn’t hold a candle to Saint Nathan, all right? But does she really believe he wants Cullum to know Rocco shot him? Because then Cullum knows Rocco knows that he’s a double agent and he will kill Rocco just like he killed Marco. He doesn’t need her gratitude for what happened on the pier or for saving her life, but she needs to get something in her head. He will protect Rocco. Nothing bad will happen to him. That is a promise.

Josslyn tells Valentin, please. What if someone was downstairs and heard him? He says, if Cullum has driven Anna insane by playing on her worst fear, he will not stop until he’s destroyed him. He will put Cullum in a padded room, screaming to an audience of no one. She says, hey… hey. Can they press pause on his revenge plan really quick? Because it doesn’t matter why he wants to bring Cullum down. All she cares about is that he gets it done. And in order for him to do that, he needs to get a grip, okay? So can they start by remembering nobody can know he’s here? He asks what else she wants from him, and she says she wants information, and not just on Cullum. On everybody he’s working with. He says, so Sidwell too, and Marco before he was killed? and she says, what about Nathan West? Is there any possibility he’s involved in this?

Britt tells Nathan, okay. Let’s say I believe you’re going to protect Rocco. My next question is, how are we going to make sure he stays safe? He says, we aren’t going to do anything. I will handle this. She says, he’s not keeping her out of this, but he says, she’s going to keep herself out of this. Because the best thing she can do for the kid is make sure Sidwell and Cullum are happy. She says she’s already doing that. She’s working every chance she gets. She just spent the whole night in the lab at Windymere. And as far as Rocco goes, he’s going to need her help. He asks what he’s going to need her for, and she says, because she found Rocco in Cullum’s hospital room. He says, what? What was he doing in Cullum’s hospital room? She says, his community service. He didn’t realize it was Cullum’s room when he was sent in there. By the time she went in, they were already talking. He says, about what? and she says, nothing. She got Rocco out before Cullum could suspect anything. But if she hadn’t shown up, who knows what would have come up? He says, so she finds Rocco in Cullum’s hospital room and just yanks him out of there. Doesn’t she think Cullum is going to find that the least bit strange? She says she’s not going to leave Rocco fend for himself, and he says, Rocco knows he’s not supposed to tell anybody what he did. She says, so why did he tell her? and Nathan says he doesn’t know. She says, well, she does. Because Rocco is scared and traumatized and feels guilty. He told her because he needs her help. Nathan says, Rocco doesn’t need her help. He needs his mother and that ain’t her.

Lulu says, maybe a better place to start is, how did Laura even know about Ezra’s bender at the Brown Dog? and Laura says, Dante. He stopped by her office to let her know Boyle was at the Brown Dog on his way to making a spectacle of himself. Lulu says, Dante did? Why? Laura says, because Dante knows how many times Ezra has exploited her. He thought maybe she would want to use Ezra’s bad night out to her own advantage somehow. Lulu says, but instead of giving as good as she got, Laura went to the Brown Dog to help the city’s most obnoxious councilman, and Laura says, okay. Well, she’s not the type of politician to tear down her political opponents. Besides, this time, much to her surprise, she found herself feeling kind of badly for him. (I thank the writers for using the adverb badly correctly, instead of using the grammatically incorrect bad.) Lulu says, that has got to stop. Laura’s compassion has been a constant her entire life, and she’s been its beneficiary in a million different ways, but Ezra Boyle is a public servant and she could argue that the people of Port Charles deserve to know that a member of their town council is going off the rails. Laura says she knows Lulu can, and Lulu says, Laura doesn’t even have to get involved. She could follow up with the bartender and get the story out that way. Laura says she knows Lulu can, but really hopes she won’t, when Boyle approaches the table. He says, pardon the interruption, but if they’d allow him, he would love to pick up their tab as a small token of his thanks. Lulu says, as thanks for what, councilman? and he says, her mother did him a kindness. Lulu says, that’s one way of putting it, she guesses. Keeping him off the hook for public intoxication is another. She was thinking about writing the story herself, to highlight her mother’s good deed of course (🍷), but her mother convinced her that there wasn’t a story there. So she’s going to let it go. Just another reason he should be grateful to Laura. He says he sees, and sits down. He tells Laura that he does his best to lead by example, but when will she learn? She has him right where she wants him. She has the advantage. Why is she not using it? She tells him, who says she’s not?

Gio and Emma come out to the lobby with Michael JS, and he says, so his publicist, also Michael (!), got them reservations at his favorite after theatre spot. Other Michael will meet them in the front and he’ll see them at The Savoy. Gio thanks him again and says he’s the best. They forearm bump, and Emma says, seriously. This is a special night she’s never going to forget. Michael JS says, she’d better not, and leaves. Gio holds out his hand and says, dinner awaits, and they kiss.

Boyle says, so Laura does have something up her sleeve. Care to share? She says, just following his example. And he’s the one who told her that politics is all about trading favors. He says he’s surprised she’d be willing to take a page from the old Ezra Boyle playbook, and she says she’s happy to learn from anyone. Lulu says, even him, and he asks how he’ll be repaying Laura for this favor. Laura says, he’s going to give her 100% of his support when she announces her next initiative – universal pre-K for Port Charles – and he says, and if he doesn’t support her? Lulu says she may suddenly feel the urge to do a deep dive into his patronage at the Brown Dog Bar and his habit of spending time with escorts, but he says, no need. Just tell him when and where and he’ll be there, nodding and smiling. He can even match his tie to whatever outfit she plans on wearing that day. Laura says, no, don’t do that, and Lulu says, ever. He says, it’s not really a favor because her initiatives are always so sensible and popular with the voters. He supports her and he comes out smelling like a rose. Win-win. He tells them to have a fun evening and leaves, and Lulu says, well played, mom. Laura says, right back at you, daughter, and they high-five.

Valentin says, Nathan’s an Eagle Scout who has all his badges, and Josslyn says, Nathan’s an Eagle Scout who’s been missing for seven years. And then all of a sudden he turns up out of the blue unable to remember anything that happened to him, yet somehow manages to pick up his life right where he left off. He asks if she thinks Cullum made that happen, and she says, it’s not an impossible leap, right? Look at Britt. They know what happened to her and that Faison’s people were behind it. Why shouldn’t Faison be behind Nathan’s disappearance? He says, more likely than not, and she says, so he agrees Nathan’s hiding something. He says, not necessarily. It could be that he has no memory of what happened to him. There are ways to manipulate the human mind, and he would imagine Faison’s disciples know some, if not all of them. She says, so either an innocent man has been returned to live his life, which would make Nathan the one exception to the all-Faisons-are-criminals rule… He says, or Nathan is just as dangerous as the rest of them, and she should leave him alone.

Obrecht tells Felicia, it’s tragic what’s happened to Anna. Such a strong, vital woman incapacitated because of a delusion. But she understands how it could have taken hold. If anyone could return from the dead, it would be Cesar. Felicia asks if she knows something, and Obrecht says she knows her children have come back to her, and it gives her pause that Anna, the object of Cesar’s obsession, is the one insisting she has seen him. Felicia asks if there’s any chance Anna’s assertions are grounded in fact and that he’s somehow alive, and Obrecht says she could see how Felicia would want that to be true, because it would mean that her friend is sane. However, for the sake of her children, she’s praying Anna is wrong and that Cesar is long dead.

Nathan says, Cullum knows Britt cares about Rocco, which means he can use that against her. So maybe she could try not making things worse for the kid. Britt says, Rocco opened up to her. It’s obvious he needs someone to talk to, someone he can trust, and she promised him that she’d fix this. He says, Rocco doesn’t need her to do that. He has Lulu. Rocco has him. Together, they’ll get him through this. Britt says, oh my God. How dense is he? There is no him and Lulu. There can’t be.

Back at the apartment, Gio and Emma flop on the couch, and Gio says he may have eaten too much. Emma says she definitely did and she blames Michael James Scott, and he says, why? She says, he’s the one who made that reservation, and he says, but everything on the menu was incredible. It’s not like they could stop eating. They’re not robots. She says, merely humans, and he says, as soon as he gets up the energy, he’s going to call Michael JS and he’s going to thank him. That was incredible. He sits up and opens a paper bag, and she says she thought he said he was stuffed. He says, it’s their dessert, and she says she wasn’t judging him. He says, good, and she says, so is he going to share? He says, for sure, and hands her a covered cup and a spoon. He says, if they’re not planning to annihilate themselves at every meal, maybe the next time they’re in the city, they should eat at the bus station, and she says, first of all, blech. Second of all, there’s going to be a next time? He says, yeah. He hopes so. He doesn’t know if he can top this adventure, but… She says, he doesn’t have to top anything. He’s the adventure. He says he doesn’t know about that, but she says she does. When she’s with him, she sees the world with new eyes. Well, new ears, but… He asks what she means, and she says, he sees the world through new ears. Music and sound. That’s a part of his soul. Walking down the street, when he hears the garbage trucks and the subway, she can see him taking that in. Trust her. It’s not the way that she does. He says, well, yeah. The subway, it’s like a tiny orchestra. She says, right, and he says, it really is. The subway rumble, it’s like the bass, and the subway horn, it’s like a French horn, obviously. She says, naturally, and he says, and the subway breaks, it’s like a piccolo, or maybe like a clarinet. She says, what about the people? and he says, yeah, the throng. It’s like muted violin strings and maybe a bassoon. It’s a cymbal roll for sure. She says, like at Bobbie’s, and he says, oh man. It’s like the whole percussion section, including the triangle. Ding-ding. She says, and him opening the dessert bag, and he says, angels singing from up above. She puts her arms around him and says, it doesn’t matter where they go or what they do, he is her whole world. They kiss.

Laura asks, how is Rocco’s hand? and Lulu says, it’s healing. Not as fast as he or anyone would like, but it’s getting there. Laura says she guesses you can’t really call yourself a cook unless you’ve got a scar or two to show for your time spent in the kitchen, right? and Lulu says, Rocco’s more of a microwaver and occasional vegetable slicer. Retired now. Laura says, oh, he’ll be back, and Lulu says she hopes so. Laura asks why she thinks he won’t be, and Lulu says, it’s not just his hand. Rocco’s been distant lately. She knows he’s upset about Danny’s situation and what happened to Jason. Laura says, he’s not the only one. And Rocco feels things so deeply, especially about people who he really cares about, like Danny. Lulu says, and it’s a really wonderful quality, but in this case, it’s just taking it’s toll, and Laura says, it’s an awful situation. At least both boys can lean on family. Lulu says she’s trying to be patient and just give him some time. And she’s trying her best not to hover. Laura says, trying, and Lulu says, it turns out that hovering is her default setting. Laura says, one of the hardest things to do as a mother is to know when to take a step back, and then to actually do it, and Lulu says she knows. And she doesn’t think she could do it at all if it weren’t for Nathan.

Britt tells Nathan that he knows it isn’t right. Lulu thinks she’s sleeping with courageous, honest, loyal Nathan West, and not… He says he knows, he knows. Not treacherous, lying Cassius. She says, well, yeah. Most of the time, she’s not in a position to judge… He says, it’s a first, he’s sure, and she says, but she’s not in a relationship pretending to be someone else. He needs to put distance between him and Lulu. He says, what about James? Is he supposed to distance himself from James because he’s not his real dad? She says, in a perfect world, yes, but it’s too late with James. He’s already in his life as James’s father. He made that little boy love him. If he were to pull away from him now, it would break his heart. But Lulu is an adult… most of the time. He can still back away. Say he decided he couldn’t betray Maxie or mess up his friendship with Dante, who is also his boss. Take his pick. Lulu will survive. But he needs to do it now before she really falls for him. Do it for Rocco’s sake.

Josslyn says, Valentin’s concern is touching, but she doesn’t answer to him, and he asks if she’s answering to anyone right now. She takes the book from him, and he says he recognizes her professional competence. He’s not arguing with her right now as a colleague. He’s arguing as a friend of her mother’s. He’s seen it firsthand. She’s agonizing over Josslyn every minute of every day. She says, doesn’t every parent feel that way? and he says he supposes that’s true, but this is an extreme circumstance. She’s in a lot of trouble. He doesn’t think she should go looking for more. Her phone rings, and she answers. She says, that’s right… Great. Thank you. She tells Valentin that she’s got to go, and he says, please tell him that she heard him. She says she heard him, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to listen, and she leaves.

Josslyn sees Obrecht about to leave the restaurant and calls out, wait. She’s so happy to see her. Does she have a minute to chat? Obrecht says she’s afraid she was just leaving. She recently returned to Port Charles after a very long journey, and she’s ready to go home. Josslyn says, this will only take a minute, and Obrecht says, perhaps they can catch up some other time. Josslyn says, the last time they spoke, she thought it was possible that someone was impersonating her ex-husband. Does she still believe that? Obrecht wonders why she asks, and Josslyn says, because she thinks Obrecht is right. Does she think that someone could be her son?

Talking on the phone in French, Valentin says he’s Dr. Kevin Collins… He’s doing well, thank you… He needs some information concerning a patient, please. Anna Devane.

Laura says, sounds like things are going well with Lulu and Nathan, and Lulu says, they are. As tough as things have been with Rocco, Nathan’s been a consistent bright spot. Laura says, good. So she feels supported by him. Lulu says, completely, and Laura says, good. Lulu says, it’s really easy to lean on him, and Laura says, well, that’s a relief, because she had misgivings about Lulu getting involved with him initially. Lulu says she did. She thinks part of the reason she was able to get over them is because she knows exactly who Nathan is and he’s always honest with her. She thinks he might be the best thing that’s happened to her in a really long time. Laura says, oh, sweetheart.

Britt tells Nathan that when Lulu finds out who he really is, it’s going to break her. Maybe she will put herself back together again. Maybe not. But either way, Rocco is going to suffer. He says he hears her, but that’s not going to happen because he’s in love with Lulu, and she says, that was fast. He says, yeah, and he’s going to keep being Nathan for as long as it takes to hold onto her. She says, and then what? What’s his long term plan?… That’s what she thought. One way or another, the truth will come out. It always does. So if he really loves Lulu, he needs to end it now.

Gio and Emma start to get busy, but he stops and says, probably not the best idea. She says, yeah. His friend is already doing them a big favor y letting them stay there. He says, yeah. They should probably leave this couch alone. She says, yeah. And you know what they say, friends don’t canoodle on other friend’s couches. Gio did buy him some really nice olive oil though. Gio says, yeah. It’s the least he could do for him letting them stay there. She says, and he bought Olivia some because… He says, because he loves her and he wants to make her happy. Cooking makes her happy and he thought she could use it when she cooks. Emma says, and maybe if she cooks something with it, she might let him try it? and he says he was planning on cutting Emma in on whatever Olivia made. She says, well then it’s the perfect gift. Tell her the truth. No regrets about not seeing his family on this trip? He says, no. They’ll see them next time and that will be an adventure. She says she’ll start preparing now. And it was great meeting Michael JS. Gio says, Michael JS is a great friend and he missed him a lot, and she says, and Gio didn’t really miss out on glamor and excitement of the theatre when he saw him? He says he’s got all the excitement he can handle right here, and he stares at her. She says, what is it? and he says she has glitter on her from hugging Michael JS earlier. She says she does? and he moves closer. He says, no. His bad. He thought she did, but it’s just her. She just sparkles.

On Monday, Sonny asks if Ethan would eliminate Sidwell for the right price; Sidwell says, James learned that lethal move from his father; and Valentin tells Carly that he thinks Cullum played a direct role in Anna’s breakdown

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Too bad there aren’t more photos. It was pretty impressive.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-behind-the-scenes-of-gio-and-emmas-really-special-trip-to-nyc/

Everybody’s got an opinion on their storyline.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-dominic-zamprogna-on-dante-lulu-and-the-looming-fake-nathan-reveal/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-finn-carr-breaks-down-roccos-shocking-confession-to-britt/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-cynthia-watros-on-how-far-nina-will-go-to-protect-willow/

Glad she’s on the coming back side.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-kathleen-gati-returns-as-liesl-obrecht-excl/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Before leaving, primary Tyler offered $1000 to whoever would jump in the water naked, and Mike was there for it. The guests left a $22K tip ($1600 each, plus the grand Mike put in the kitty). They also left Captain Jason a gift of fake boobs, which he immediately tried on, then took a photo of himself wearing them along with the disco helmet. I couldn’t find this online, but no doubt it will haunt him at an inopportune moment. At the tip meeting, Ellie ended up with the helmet for putting soap in the guests’ eggs, and in her interview, she agreed that no one was more deserving. Mike told Ellie that João wanted nothing to do with her, which wasn’t what he said, although what he said wasn’t what Ellie originally thought he’d said either. The crew had a day off where they got to relax at a villa and take a trip on a catamaran, courtesy of the yacht owner. Daisy was done with the animosity between Alysia and Mike, and there was a big to-do on the beach, along with João once again trying to explain himself to Ellie. The birthday cake was back on! Eddy asked Jenna on a date, and she gave it a go, but she was more into Ben. I wondered since when did Ben give out romance advice until I realized he was into Jenna and he was steering her away from Eddy. (Anyone remember Ben and Emily from the original Below Deck? Yeah, a disaster then, and a disaster in the making now.) Best quote: Alcohol is not your friend, especially vodkaBetul Yazici.

Summer House

A medium paid a visit to the house and hoping to hear from their mom, Mia invited her brother over. The medium told Mia that her mother and grandmother were there and was spot-on with their messages. West apologized to Ciara and it was painful to watch. In West’s interview, he said his main objective was to not step on Ciara’s feelings. WTF? over and over. Ciara blamed the cameras and fans, thinking things would be simpler for her and West without them, and West said the noise was the problem. Now that we know they hooked up, there were lots of clues pointing to West and Amanda’s budding romance. It also made West look even worse for leading Ciara on. Even after Kyle and Amanda agreed to go to couples’ counseling, Amanda skipped out on a weekend, and in her interview, she said she couldn’t power through anymore. She needed alone time.

The Valley

Danny purchased a – wait for it – Mr. Milker male breastfeeding device. He strapped it on, put a headshot of Nia over his face, and fed the baby. I thought the baby was weirded out, as we all would be and were. Schwartz and the other singles made a plan to go out, while the not single guys had a guys’ night. Not getting the memo that summer should be fun, Danny and Jason got into it. Luke whined about his needs, while Kristen felt like a weird new Kristen in somebody else’s body. Jasmine said Brittany’s new man had several baby mamas, but the Kentucky Muffin insisted he was a good guy. Even though he claimed to have no game, Schwartz got the attention of both Michelle’s friend Natalie and random nail salon girl Summer, who he’d invited to the bar when getting a mani/pedi with Jesse, much to Lala’s dismay. But sorry ladies, he’s now taken by his crush Kiana. Can you imagine if he did have game? Kristen and Luke had a date night where Luke grumbled that it wasn’t allowed to be difficult for him. Wah-wah-wah.  

Southern Hospitality

Michols was moving forward in his modeling career, and Maddi spoke to Joe again about his issues with alcohol. Joe said in his position. he was expected to be social and it helped him to be perceived that way. Sober living Maddi said she’d help him through it. For Joe’s 30th birthday, he threw an Emo Night, where everyone dressed like their favorite emo celeb. Julia lambasted Emmy about saying Brad was unsafe, and I guess we’ll be discussing this for as long as the series is aired. Like Pantygate on RHOBH. Brad seemed to think Emmy was being influenced by… someone. Even though Joe had invited Leva in order to impress her, Leva wondered why Joe didn’t put the same effort into Republic. Next week looks like it has possibilities, since Salley and Charley from Southern Charm make an appearance, and Justin shows an interest in Charley.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills – Reunion Part 1

The outfits were fire and I couldn’t fault anyone. Rachel was my favorite, all black and silver sparkle. Boz asked Erika to DJ her Beverly Hills wedding, and Erika told her, consider it done. Kyle said she was still standing after all these years, so kudos. Andy hoped to end in a positive spot. Good luck with that. Erika’s abusive dating situation was discussed, as well as Tom’s mistreatment of her. On the flipside, she’s happy in her new relationship and her son approves. Dorit was her usual insufferable self. I was never a fan to begin with, but now her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. She speaks like she’s the authority over a room full of six-year-olds, talking down to everyone sternly. And she wants all to know that she knows what she’s doing. It’s hard not to hope PK leaves her high and dry, but there are the kids to consider. Newbie Amanda was given the once-over, but it wasn’t all that interesting. Nothing to see there that we haven’t seen before.

Ladies Of London: The New Reign

After Mark Francis ran away from what he perceived as Margo confronting him when she dared ask for a chat, and Kimi followed him out while hurling insults at Margo, Margo didn’t give up. She tried to get him to talk to her, but he continued to hide behind his pseudo humor. She said he was being weird and creepy, which he later translated into her calling him a freak. More on that in a minute. He ditched her by going into a garden maze and ended up getting stuck, which was highly amusing. Hopefully, he got the humor. Part of the Longleat estate included Cheddar, where they made – no surprise – cheese. Half the group went to see cheesemaking and the other to investigate the caves where the cheese was originally housed in the 1100s since there was no refrigeration. There was also a giraffe preserve, but no indication as to whether or not giraffes like cheese. On the way there, Mark Francis played both the gay card and the friend-of-Emma card, getting more emo than everyone put together at Emo Night, and saying he refused to be called a freak. Let me say first that I’m not discounting his struggles. I’ve been an ally since came out of the womb, but he didn’t need to put words in Margo’s mouth to get the sympathy he claims not to want. In the other car, Missè harangued Margo until Margo had a panic attack. Maybe. On Watch What Happens Live, Mark Francis hinted at it being called an Oscar worthy performance in a subsequent text from Margo. Margo decided to go back to London, which probably wasn’t a bad decision, but even the least couth of us would think it impolite that she left without informing the hostess. Back in London, Myka convinced Margo to text Mark Francis about meeting to bury the hatchet, but from the clip we saw, it didn’t look like there was a good result. Meanwhile, Martha had a video chat with Kimi while Hecate perched on her head like it was normal, which it probably was for her. I love Martha.

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island

Okay, I admit I forgot to watch this. Sunday nights are tough between streaming and 90 Day Fiancé.

Random Reality Items

Aww. I’m glad. They’re cute together.

Apparently, she’s hopeful the series will come back.

Get those Oscar speeches ready, girls.

Wow. This is not how I pictured Big Poppa at all. Not even close.

https://ew.com/rhoa-kim-zolciak-ex-big-poppa-lee-najjar-dead-11956394

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Beef. Netflix. – Some reviews of this 8-part series said it wasn’t as good as the first one, but I think it was just different. Maybe they’d expected more road rage, but this was a beef of a different kind. An uber rich couple manages a country club and are revered for having the perfect marriage, but behind closed doors, it’s a different story. When an uber broke couple witnesses and films a knockdown drag-out fight between them, the beef and the blackmail is on. In a good story, the main characters change/learn something by the end and this fits the mold.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/beef-season-2-review-oscar-isaac-carey-mulligan-netflix-1236565867/

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/beef-season-2-review-netflix-series-1235188904/

Dust Bunny. HBO/MAX. – A little girl named Aurora is convinced a monster lives in the floor under her bed and has killed not only her parents, but her adoptive parents. She finds a man she believes to be a monster killer, and even though he tells her that he’s a killer of monsters who are men, she hires him, but all is not what it seems. He tells her that your brain shows you what you want to see, yet takes on the task, and he and Aurora develop a sort of father/daughter relationship. The special effects are spot-on, the monster somewhat cartoonish, but still menacing, and a good translation of what a child might make up. I thought it was a clever concept, although we’re left to determine what it was really about. Imagination? Childhood fears? Children’s dreams? A cautionary tale about not cleaning under the bed? Who knows? It’s fun, gory, has a sense of humor, is intense in its own way, and the cast is top-notch. Even just Sigourney Weaver as a boss lady with stilettos that shoot bullets makes it worth watching.  

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/dust-bunny-review-bryan-fuller-mads-mikkelsen-1235150136/

Upgrade. Netflix. – In yet another dreary future, a computer chip named Stem is inserted into quadriplegic Grey’s body and he’s not only functional again, but super functional. Grey is on a mission to find out who caused the accident that crippled him and killed his wife, but Stem has a mind of his own. I couldn’t help but compare him to HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, although he’s a little more helpful in the long run and has a better personality. As Stem and Grey develop their own, albeit odd, relationship, I could see them in a buddy series, something like, Stem & Me. The fight scenes were epic, the acting excellent, the story original, and the ending bittersweet.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/upgrade-2018

From. MGM+. Season 4 has begun and my only complaint is them doling out episodes once a week like methadone. I don’t want to give anything away, so let it suffice to say that it did not disappoint. There are new characters, new reveals, and no one is safe, even in the daytime. And don’t forget to check out YouTube’s weekly review/ discussion from Emmanuel E-Man Noisette. He’s the best.

https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/mgm-from-season-4-tv-review-2026

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

I have to admit, I dipped out of Interview with the Vampire. That’s the downside of streaming. When you know you can watch what you want when you want, sometimes you don’t.

https://nerdist.com/article/everything-we-know-about-interview-with-the-vampire-season-3-vampire-lestat/

🐣 Surprises In Fur and Feathers…

🦆 Sometimes our feathered friends need a hand.

https://people.com/ohio-deputy-shows-compassion-helping-ducklings-cross-bridge-11958205

https://people.com/family-of-week-old-ducklings-rescued-from-storm-drain-11956888

🐼 Someone alert Craig (Southern Charm) – pandas are real! I actually saw them when they were at the Bronx Zoo and they were adorable. I highly recommend going if you’re able.

https://people.com/china-to-send-two-new-giant-pandas-to-us-zoo-11958068

🪱 Yikes!

https://people.com/invasive-pest-alert-issued-jumping-worms-11956920

🐕 Okay, this is no surprise, but because, Pilaf!

https://people.com/celebrity-women-and-their-pets-2026-photos-11957357

🐄 Quotes of the Week

If my answers frighten you, Vincent, then you should cease asking scary questions. – Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), Pulp Fiction

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. – Richard David Bach

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. – Heraclitus

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. – Albert Einstein

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. – Amelia Earhart

She took his eye out with a screwdriver… She had her reasons. – Donna (Elizabeth Saunders), From

🌾 An Ever-Renewing Cycle…

Until next time, stay safe; stay practicing good sportsmanship when playing games, whether indoors or out; and stay never canoodling on a friend’s couch. Unless it’s with the friend.

Video > April Sun in Cuba (Remastered 2006)

October 17, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Willow Has No Alibi, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, To Watch Later, Delayed Wind, Kiss Goodbye, Cosplay This, Pet Regalia, Unlucky Number Of Quotes & This

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…                                                                        

Monday:

Brook packaged Tracy’s tea set so she wouldn’t blow a gasket if Ronnie made same mistake again and the world came to an end. Chase helped since he wasn’t working, having been told that he couldn’t be objective about one of the suspects.

At the hospital, Drew suggested Willow move in with him when he went home today.

Trina and Kai went into Drew’s house to walk through what happened the night Drew was shot. Kai said it was their last chance to cover their tracks.

Curtis told Portia that he thought they should hold off on the divorce.

Anna told Dante that they had to execute the warrants quickly, when she got a call on the desk phone. She said, send him in, and Nathan came in. He and Dante hugged.

Nina went to Bobbie’s and told Carly that she was pleased Michael was finally being reasonable.

Michael met Sonny at Diane’s office and said Michael was going to need a lawyer.

Kai said Drew wanted him to get the house ready, so if anyone asked, he’d say he’d needed Trina’s help. They began to go through everything they remembered from the night Drew was shot and flashed back to all that.

Curtis told Portia that a divorce was risky because he wasn’t certain they would be cleared. Drew strongly suspected both of them.

Nathan said he’d gotten a clean bill of health, but it was a bit of an adjustment, and Dante said he identified. Nathan thanked Anna for breaking the news to his family that he was still alive, and Anna said Felicia told her that he met his son. Nathan said James was smart, funny, and constantly surprising. James reminded him so much of Maxie.

Willow said she didn’t want to rock the boat with Michael, but Drew said Michael was just trying to keep them apart. She should show him that she was moving on, and moving in was the best way to do that. Willow said she didn’t want Michael to change his mind, but Drew said, then it would be proof he was using the kids to keep them apart. It would make her custody case stronger.

For the 5034th time, Carly brought up Nina not telling Willow that she’d slept with Drew, but Nina said a lot had changed since then. Maybe Michael and Willow could reach a custody compromise. Carly said Willow was seeing the children only under supervision of a health professional, and Nina suggested Michael paid them off, but Carly said he didn’t have to because he wasn’t worried about maintaining full custody. Nina said, from what she read in the papers, Michael wouldn’t be free for long.

Sonny told Michael to hope for the best and prepare for the worst and have a defense in place. The police were already tightening the noose. Before he brought in Alexis and Diane, he had to ask, was it him? Michael said he didn’t shoot Drew, and Sonny said he needed 100% of the truth and Michael’s mom wasn’t there. He asked again.

Dante left and Nathan said it was nice to see Anna back as Commissioner. He was lucky. He’d been gone so long and got his friends and family back… mostly. She said she was sorry about Maxie, and he said he needed his badge back.

Brook told Chase that she could understand how Chase could hurt the case, and he said he was worried that he’d put Willow in Anna’s crosshairs by suggesting Drew had the judge killed. He’d had no proof, and it showed Willow had motive. He’d turned her into a suspect.

Kai and Trina continued to flash back to the night Drew was shot.

Carly said Nina was at the top of the list of people who’d line up to shoot Drew, but Nina said she’d been using Drew. She’d never wanted him. When it was clear she wasn’t going to receive the desired result, she moved on. Carly said Nina was angry that Drew ruined her daughter’s life, and Nina said she’d been on a walk with her daughter at the time and wasn’t a suspect. Unlike Carly’s son whose only alibi was an escort who would do anything for money, including giving her son a phony alibi.

Willow said she wasn’t gambling with her children, and Drew said Michael would be arrested any minute. She said she couldn’t take chances based on headlines, but Drew said Michael had a history of violence and had motive. When he was convicted, she’d get her kids back. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.

Michael told Sonny that he hated Drew and was mad that he and Willow got back together. He’d gone to the Port Charles Grill, and a beautiful woman sat down next to him. They got to talking and he went to her room. Sonny told him to be ready to be arrested. Diane would defend him, but Drew handed him a motive. Michael said Drew handed a motive to half the town, but Sonny said Michael’s alibi wouldn’t stick. He was sure Drew would remember something that would lead the cops straight to Michael. Who was the woman he met? Michael said, Jacinda Bracken, and Sonny asked if she could stand up to questioning. Would she hang out in Port Charles long enough to testify? Michael said he wouldn’t be the one who was charged, and Sonny asked if Michael knew something he didn’t.

Brook said Anna would find the person responsible based on the evidence, and Chase said when Drew got his hooks in Willow, he’d pulled her down. She said he kept acting like he was still responsible for Willow, but he wasn’t, and he said he kept wondering how he’d gotten so lucky with Brook, when things went so wrong for Willow.

Nathan told Anna that he knew he couldn’t pick up where he left off, but had no memory loss when it came to the law. He’d do what it took to be a detective again. She said she wasn’t sure it was going to be that easy, and he said there had to be something she could do. He had a son to support. She said James had Mac, Felicia, and Spinelli, and Lulu and Brook set aside their differences to help. Nathan said, Brook Lynn? And Anna said it was a long story. What was important was his recovery. He said he was recovered. He was glad everyone pitched in, but as great as Spinelli had been, he was James’s father and wanted to take care of him. Anna said she’d look into the feasibility of his return, but thought he had to be realistic and face the possibility he might never be cleared to rejoin the force.

Portia told Curtis that there was no longer proof. No proof, no motive. She didn’t shoot Drew. She had the chance to kill him in the operating room and thought about it, but didn’t do it and never would. He said, to be safe, he thought they should hold off, but she said she didn’t need his protection. Did he need her help? If that was the case, they could wait. He said if she was asking if he shot Drew, he would never have shot him in the back. He’d want Drew to see it coming. He wouldn’t throw his life away for Drew, especially since it would devastate Trina.

Kai said, then they heard the ringtone, and Trina wondered if the shooter was scared off by the call. He said, Scout might have saved her father’s life.

Drew said he was asking Willow to believe in him, in them. He knew they could have a good life together like they’d planned and be a family. She said it was all she wanted. She’d move back in. He said everything had fallen back into place, and kissed her. She said she had to go, and he said he’d see her later at home.

Michael told Sonny that he didn’t know anything. They weren’t railroading him, but following the evidence. It wasn’t him. Sonny said he had to do everything to prove his innocence, but Michael said he was focused on his kids. He needed to protect them. Sonny said if Michael hadn’t gotten hurt, they wouldn’t be here, and Michael said his marriage was over when he found out Willow had feelings for Drew. The fire didn’t tear his family apart – Drew did, and Willow let him. What broke his heart the most was that he couldn’t trust the woman he’d loved unsupervised around their kids. He was going to do what he could to make sure she didn’t get them back.

Anna said Nathan was a great officer and she’d do everything she could to bring him back, but he’d been gone seven years and missed a great deal. He said he’d do what he could to get back up to speed. Name it and he’d do it. She said what she needed to know was what he’d been doing all that time and who he associated with, and he said he swore if he knew, he’d tell her. She said he didn’t look like he’d been asleep for seven years. When she had an account of where he’d been, they’d go from there. He thanked her, they hugged. and he left. Again with the strange, grim Nathan face when he was hugging her.

Kai said he’d grabbed the bat for protection, and Trina said she’d wanted to call 911, but before she could, they saw the car. Kai said he made a point of not touching the door handle, but left the bat near Drew. It was covered with his fingerprints, and he was afraid if the police found it, it would point to the safe. Trina said, and put a target on her parents.

Dante met Sonny and Dante said he was sorry, but as a father he needed to ask Dante something. Were the police going to arrest Michael?

Nina told Carly that she didn’t blame Michael. Drew ripped his life apart, but she was willing to admit Willow made mistakes and had the opportunity to stop it. Carly said they’d tried to convince the judge that Michael had abandoned his children, and Nina said, if Michael had compromised, they wouldn’t be where they were. Carly said Nina didn’t know that, but Nina said Carly told him to take the hard line and pushed the fight to the extreme. Drew was waiting in the wings to play hero. Maybe Michael wasn’t the one who tried to end Drew. Maybe it was Carly.

Kai told Trina that there was no reason his prints shouldn’t be on the bat. He was Drew’s loyal intern and an athlete, so he’d swung the bat. Trina said, who knew how many other people had? Her dad needed to see her, and she didn’t want to keep him waiting, but Kai said, one more thing. He checked the safe, saw it was open, found the evidence on her mom, and took it. She thanked him again and said she wished she could tell her parents so they wouldn’t worry, but he said, then her parents would know they were there. She said they couldn’t. No one could ever know what they heard. He said they didn’t know who pulled the trigger, and she said she was glad they didn’t see who it was. He said, from now on, they had to forget it ever happened.

Curtis said if they couldn’t get Michael, pressure would be exerted on the PCPD to come after them, but Portia said they weren’t interested in Michael and she was pretty sure they were in the clear. She was at Elizabeth’s when the PCPD showed up with a warrant to search the premises. He asked if Elizabeth was a suspect, and she said, no, but her houseguest was – Willow.

Sonny said he was just asking so Michael could have the best possible defense, and Dante said, Michael actually had a motive, more than one. But he was a grown man, and Sonny couldn’t shield him from the consequences of his actions. Sonny said Michael told him that they’d follow the evidence… It sounded like they’d made up their mind. Dante said they had a few warrants out, but none of them were for Michael, and Sonny breathed a sigh of relief. Dante said, but he didn’t think Sonny would like who they were bringing in, and he left.

Brook said now Chase had to deal with her and her crazy family, and he said he loved her crazy family, who were his family now. She said he had to bring a search warrant to his own home, and he said, technically, it was Ronnie’s home. Monica gave it to her. (Ha-ha-ha! I love that and hope it’s a thing now.) He knew life wasn’t perfect, but they had each other, and he couldn’t remember the last time he was bored. He had more than he ever dreamed he would. He had a wife who he could be completely honest with, who had compassion and a willingness to see the good in people, which made him love her more. His phone chimed and he said it was the station. They wanted him to pick up a warrant and make an arrest.

Carly said, between them, Nina had so many reasons to shoot Drew, and Nina said, Carly would do anything for her son and they both had a violent temper. Carly said she’d never killed anyone, but Nina said she thought Nelle would have something to say about that. Carly said Nelle was a baby thieving psycho like her mom and psycho sister, when Nathan came to the counter and asked if everything was okay.

Trina went to Curtis’s office and saw Portia was there. She asked, what’s going on? and Curtis said they didn’t want to make it public yet, but thought she should know. They were sorry. They’d tried hard, but… Portia said they were getting a divorce.

Kai told Drew, welcome home. He tried to make everything perfect for his return. Drew said he appreciated that, and Kai said it had to be hard for him. Drew said he wasn’t going to let that night define the house for him. He was committed to moving on. He brought big news. Willow agreed to move back in.

Nathan and Nina clinked BLT sandwiches and said, cheers. Sonny came in and told Carly that the jet was on the tarmac. The cops were pulling a warrant. She asked if it was Michael, but he said, no, and that left her. Chase came in the door, and Sonny told her, don’t say anything unless her lawyer was by her side. Nina told Nathan that Carly was going down, but Chase came over to her. She asked, what’s going on? and Chase said she was under arrest. She asked, what are the charges? and he said, conspiracy to commit murder.

Willow was with the kids, playing with building blocks, when there was a knock at the door. The therapist answered and said they were in a session, but Anna said it was official business and couldn’t wait. Dante asked Willow to stand up, and she said she was with her children. Michael took them onto the couch, and Willow got up. She asked, what’s going on? and Anna said she was under arrest for the attempted murder of Congressman Drew Cain.

Tuesday:

Elizabeth found Outback sniffing at Alexis’s outside basement door. She opened the door, went down the stairs, found Ric, and released him.

Cody saw Molly at Bobbie’s, and she asked about Outback, since he’d done the right thing and got the girl. He said Outback was good, and Molly asked if he’d ever used a lariat.

Martin went to Drew’s house with news of an arrest in his case. Drew assumed it was Michael, but Martin said they’d arrested Willow.

Carly and Sonny told Michael about Nina being arrested, and Michael said Willow was arrested too. Sonny asked if he’d known it was going to happen.

Ava was at Alexis’s office when Nina called and said she needed help, and Ava said she’d take care of it. Alexis asked Ava what the charges were, and she said, conspiracy to commit murder. Alexis asked who Nina was supposedly conspiring with, when Willow was brought into the station.

Ava said she couldn’t picture Willow shooting Drew, when Marco came in. Alexis told him that Ava needed a favor, and Ava said Nina’s regular lawyer was tied up at the moment (BA-DUM-CHH!). Marco agreed to help, Alexis said Nina was at the station, and he left.

Cody told Molly that a lariat was a rope used for trick roping, and he did his fair share back in the day. Molly asked what it looked like, and he described it. He asked if she was giving up law for the rodeo.

Kristina saw the basement door ajar and heard Elizabeth inside. Ric hugged Elizabeth and was about to kiss her, when she said, Ric… wake up. He saw it was Kristina, and he was still tied to the bed. She told him that it was time for lunch.

As Willow passed Nina, she said, do something. Willow had been arrested in front of her children. Willow was taken to the interrogation room and Nina demanded to speak to her, but Turner said she was in no position to demand anything.

Drew was incredulous and said Martin had to get Willow out. Martin said she was unlikely to get bail, but he’d try. Drew told him to pull strings and pay whatever, but get her out, and Martin said it wasn’t that easy. They must have evidence, and Drew and Willow’s public break-up and the reason for it could be seen as a compelling motive. Drew said she was innocent and that was all that mattered, and Martin said he was on his way. He left, and Drew made a call. He said it had been a while, but he needed to see them now.

Michael said Willow had been handcuffed in front of the kids. Did Sonny think he would have planned something like that? Carly asked how the kids were, and Michael said they’d been upset, but calmed down once they got home. Sonny said Anna wouldn’t make an arrest without evidence. Did Michael find out what they had? Michael said he hadn’t.

Molly said she was doing research and asked how long Cody had done rodeos. He said, a few years, when she got a call and he stepped away.

Ric wondered, why no pill? and Kristina said, the prescription ran out. But this time tomorrow, the money would be back in Ace’s trust, and he’d be free as a bird. He said, not only was she getting away with attempted murder and kidnapping, she got Ava to help. Kristina said, the enemy of my enemy is also my friend, and Ric said she’d been quick to judge him, but look at her now. How did it feel knowing she was no better than he was?

Michael said the case had nothing to do with him or Sonny and Carly. He was surprised to hear Nina was involved, but his focus was on the kids. They were his main priority, and he was staying out of the investigation. He hoped they would too, but Sonny said it was too late.

Willow asked if Dante thought she was capable of shooting Drew. She loved him. What evidence did they have against her? She was with her mom that night. Dante suggested she call her lawyer, but she said Ric was her lawyer and no one knew where he was. She had no one and was with her children for the first time when she was ripped away from them and they were made to watch. Why were they doing this to her?

Nina said Turner was Sonny and the Quartermaines’ own private legal system, and Turner said she wasn’t helping herself or Willow. Nina said Michael was the obvious suspect and should be sitting there, not Willow, but Turner said Nina should be worried about herself. She was facing serious charges. Marco came in and said he was representing Nina and would like a moment alone with his client. He told Nina that Ava sent him, but he had no details. Nina said her daughter was in the interrogation room being railroaded by the police.

Alexis told Ava that it was almost over. The whole ordeal would be done tomorrow morning, and the money would be back in the trust. Ava said minus her divorce settlement. Then she and Kristina could destroy Ric’s car and the evidence that Kristina cut the brakes. Alexis said she’d told Anna that Ava was at the house because they were brokering peace and it would be great if they could get some peace out of the whole mess. Ava said she thought it had helped them come to an understanding, and Alexis agreed. It would be good if they could get the past in the past. They’d all learned that holding a grudge made them do desperate things and she apologized for fueling the resentment. When they let Ric go, it would be a good idea to let go of their remaining animosity.

Marco said he couldn’t represent both Nina and Willow, and Nina told him to take care of Willow. Make sure she didn’t say anything they could use against her. Martin came in and said he was looking for his client Willow. He was trying to understand the basis of these outrageous charges.

Diane said Willow and Nina shared an alibi that fell apart. The gun was found during a search of the room Willow was using while she was staying at Elizabeth Baldwin’s. She asked Michael if he had any idea how Willow got her hands on Edward’s gun, and he said, who knew how long she had it? No one used Edward’s study anymore. She’d lived there and knew where the cameras were and the blind spots. Diane said Martin was representing Willow, and Sonny asked if Drew thought Willow shot him, but Carly said, of course (🍷) not. His ego couldn’t entertain the idea. Sonny asked if anybody had been in Elizabeth’s house in the last few days, and looked at Carly. Carly said if he wanted the answer, he’d have to marry her.

Drew opened the door to Sidwell, who said he’d been abruptly summoned. Drew said Willow had been arrested. Michael should have been hauled in, but he was walking free. The police needed to shift their focus. Sidwell said, and his role in this…? and Drew said he knew Sidwell bribed Judge Haran to implicate Sonny and make it look like Michael bribed her, then killed her when she came after him. Sidwell said it was too late. Drew became suspect number one in the judge’s murder when the police found the wire transfer receipt from the bribe in his safe. Drew said he didn’t bribe the judge or put the receipt in his safe, and Sidwell said, regardless. Unfortunately, the person who killed the judge was probably long gone and there was nothing he could do to counter the damage done. Drew said, it was Sonny. Sonny put the receipt in his safe. Sidwell said he wouldn’t know, and Drew said it was another reason for Michael to shoot him. Michael knew they’d find the receipt during the search and Sonny would be in the clear.

Martin told Willow that Drew had hired him and asked Dante to give them a minute. Dante left, and Martin promised it would be all right. Tell him that she hadn’t said anything to them.

Chase asked how Willow was doing, and Dante said she was in a tough spot. Chase said she’d been arrested in front of the kids, but Dante said they had no choice. She and Nina had to be arrested at the same time and Michael had been with the kids. Chase had to be careful and treat Willow like a suspect. Chase said he couldn’t believe Willow would shoot anyone, and Dante said maybe Chase should keep his distance or he might be considered biased and compromise the case.

Martin told Willow that Anna showed up at Elizabeth’s place with a search warrant. The two bullets from Drew matched a gun registered to Edward Quartermaine. Willow asked why she was here and not Michael, and Martin said they found the gun in Elizabeth’s guest room, but Willow said that was impossible.

Kristina told Ric that she’d never forgive herself for cutting the brake lines, but she’d never be that desperate or that broken again. Ric said life was long and she was young to have sunk that low. Who knew what the future held? He wondered how she could look Molly in the eye. She said she’d always be sorry that he was hurt as a result of her actions, but in this situation, he got greedy and blackmailed her mother – Molly’s mother. Maybe he should think about that the next time he talked to his daughter. She put his gag back in and left.

Elizabeth came into Bobbie’s and Molly asked what was going on. Elizabeth said Willow had been arrested and asked if Molly knew it was going to happen. Molly said she didn’t, and Elizabeth said it was during a supervised play session with the kids at the hospital. Molly said she wasn’t involved. Turner was handling the case. Elizabeth said Molly’s dad was the best and Willow needed an attorney. Had she heard from him? Molly said, no, and Elizabeth asked if she knew the name of the spa Ric went to for his digital detox. Molly said, the first she’d heard of him going was in the email he sent and there weren’t a lot of specifics. Elizabeth said she got the same, but the more she thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense.

Turner said they’d gotten a warrant for the security footage, and Nina went to her apartment at 9 pm. There was only one entrance and exit, and she didn’t leave until 10:33 pm, after Tracy Quartermaine found Drew Cain and called 911. That meant Nina gave a false statement. Marco said the footage was clear, but Nina didn’t shoot Drew, but Turner said, she was being charged with conspiracy to commit murder. She believed they planned it ahead of time. Nina recently had an affair with Drew, who ended it to be with Miss Tate. According to reports, she’d been vocal about Drew’s behavior being responsible for Willow’s loss of custody and the false alibi proved they were in it together. Marco said that was quite a leap, and Turner asked how well he knew his client. For a woman who was in a coma for 23 years, she had an extensive history of violence. She’d induced Ava’s labor and stolen her newborn baby. That took planning and forethought. Nina said this wasn’t about her. Willow wasn’t a killer. Turner said, from her experience, some mothers would do anything to protect their children.

Sonny told Carly that the cops would ask the same thing, and Diane said, so will Martin. So with all due respect, she was going to ask before Martin did. Did any of them have the opportunity to plant the gun? Carly said she’d been in Elizabeth’s house, and Sonny asked what she was doing there. Carly said Elizabeth heard her threaten Drew, and she asked Elizabeth if the police followed up, but they hadn’t. She didn’t plant the gun. Diane asked if Elizabeth was with her the entire time Carly was in her home, and Carly flashed back to Elizabeth getting the call from her plumber. She told Diane that Elizabeth left to take a call, but she didn’t plant the gun. Diane said even she knew when Carly was lying. It was Michael’s turn. Had he spent any time with Elizabeth lately?

Alexis said there was no transfer confirmation yet, and Ava said she thought she had to do some light blackmail in the beginning, but they should have never taken her divorce settlement back. Alexis said, refresh… refresh… and Ava said she earned that money after what Nikolas put her through, but holding onto the sense she’d been wronged didn’t get her anyplace. Her mistake was letting Ric in on it, but she supposed she did get a little greedy. Tomorrow, it would all be over and she was getting on with her life and not looking back.

Molly told Elizabeth that Ric never had the best track record for showing up when people needed him, but it was strange for him to be gone this long. She couldn’t imagine he was that invested in his relationship with Ava to be that upset. Elizabeth said she knew Molly and Ric had gotten close and he was good in a crisis. Willow was going to need him.

Sidwell said the judge’s murder was unsolved and Drew would be under suspicion. Drew said, Sidwell killed her, and Sidwell laughed. He said anything he did to the judge, Drew did too. There was evidence tying Drew to all manner of crimes. He’d sought Sidwell out to help drive Sonny out of Port Charles. Drew said he never agreed to murder, and this was where Sidwell needed to leave.

Willow asked if Drew thought she shot him, but Martin said, of course (🍷) not, and she asked why he was there. He said he thought getting the charges dropped was sort of unrealistic, but he could put in for a speedy arraignment and bail hearing. Drew made it clear that he’d pay any price to keep her out of prison. He’d do what he could. Sit tight and say nothing to anyone. He told her that he’d be back soon and left.

Chase said he had an update on Wiley and Amelia and asked Turner if he could see Willow. She’d been worried about her kids, and he spoke to the nanny. He wanted to let Willow know her kids were all right.

Michael said he went to Elizabeth’s yesterday to offer Willow supervised visits with the kids. Elizabeth did leave him alone for a few minutes. Diane asked if it was before or after Anna came with the search warrant, and he said, after the one with the wrong address. Diane said he suddenly decided to talk to Willow? and he said there was no reason for him to stick around. He’d been thinking about it since he’d been told the hearing was pushed back to January. He didn’t want the kids to go that long not seeing their mom. Diane asked if he thought any jury on earth was going to believe either one of them.

Ava said Kristina gave Ric lunch, but no sedative? and Kristina said they were out of them. Ava handed her a key, and Kristina asked if the money went through, but Ava said, not yet, but soon. She had no need to hold on to that any longer. As far as she was concerned, their vendetta was over. Go live her life. Kristina said, for what it was worth (🍷), she was sorry. Ava said her too. They weren’t going to hug… Kristina said she didn’t think so, and they shook hands.

Molly did an online search for the detox spa and told Elizabeth, who knew there would be so many results? Elizabeth said she imagined they were protective of their clients’ privacy, and Molly said her father had been gone for so long, she was getting scared. If she had to, she’d use her pull at the DA’s office. She’d do whatever it took to find her dad.

Cody found Outback digging at Alexis’s outside basement door and called her his nosy little princess pie. He had something to give to Molly and then they were getting out. Outback barked, and he asked her, what’s wrong? Is it an eat it, drink it, or roll around in it situation? Even with the gag in his mouth, Ric started yelling, help me! I’m down here!

Drew said Sidwell set him up, and Sidwell said he needed a politician at his beck and call. Don’t fret. As long as Drew did exactly what he said, Drew would reap the benefits. He assured Drew that it didn’t mean they were allies. Drew wouldn’t be demanding his presence like he just did. Drew would come when Sidwell called him. Because from now on, Drew worked for him. Step out of line, and watch as his life went to hell. Sidwell walked out.

Turner said she thought it would help Willow to tell her that the kids were all right, and Chase thanked her. He went into the interrogation room, and Dante said he didn’t think Turner would let it happen. Turner said she hated that Willow was arrested in front of her children, but she and Chase seemed close. Dante said they were, and she said, if Willow confessed to anyone, it would be someone close. If she was guilty, the sooner she started to cooperate, the better it would be for her.

Chase and Willow hugged, and she said, this can’t be happening. She was arrested in front of Wiley and Amelia.

Turner asked if Dante’s partner could be trusted to tell them if Willow admitted anything, and Dante said Chase was a good cop. He was a good person and would tell the truth if Willow did that.

Chase said the kids were all right. She had to hang in there.

Marco said, Ava admitted Nina was lying about being with Willow. How would it look to a jury if Willow’s mother thought she was capable of shooting Drew. Admit it or not, there was footage. Nina said, maybe it was altered or a deepfake. Help her daughter. He said, if she wanted to save her daughter and herself, she’d have to tell him the truth.

Carly said it didn’t matter because they weren’t on trial, but Diane said it absolutely mattered. If Martin could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they showed motive to shoot Drew and they both had the opportunity to frame Willow. Sonny asked, what’s the plan? but Diane said she didn’t know right now. Not yet. But she knew this for certain. Willow might be under arrest, but Michael and Carly’s problems were just beginning.

Chase told Willow that he spoke to Melanie. The kids were confused at first, but were fine now. Willow thanked him and said she’d been going over it in her head. She knew what happened. Chase said he knew she was scared, but he promised the best thing was to tell the truth. She said Michael set her up. He planted that gun.

Wednesday:

At Steinmauer, Lulu sat across from Valentin, who said Jack assured him that he’d see Charlotte. Lulu said if he wanted to see his daughter, he’d have to deal with her.

Britt sat near Vaughn at the MetroCourt bar and Vaughn told the bartender that Britt would have a negroni. She said, if it isn’t the Five Poppies gym pro… or rather WSB agent Vaughn.

Lucas met Marco for lunch at the MetroCourt, when Tracy inserted herself between them and said she needed a lawyer. Lucas told Marco that what she meant to say was forgive me for interrupting, but Tracy told him, if she’d wanted to say that, she would have. Marco asked her to make an appointment, and she said, thanks to Drew Cain getting himself shot, Diane and Alexis were unavailable. Marco said, as was he, and Tracy told Lucas, get lost. Lucas said it was fine. Once she started, you couldn’t stop her. Just close your eyes and wait until it’s over. He left and Tracy sat down. She told Marco that there was a squatter in her house, and they were going to throw her out on her down-home rear.

Gio was behind the counter at Bobbie’s and Ronnie ordered a BLT and an iced tea. She said she was new to Port Charles and Bobbie’s was already her go-to because of that sandwich. He asked what brought her to town, and she said she came there for a funeral and wound up with a mansion. He said she was Ronnie Bard. He was Gio and used to live at the Quartermaine’s. Now it was her place, her house. She asked what made him move out?

Brook was unwrapping the tea set, and Chase said he thought they’d boxed it up so Tracy wouldn’t punch Ronnie in the face. Brook said she had a great plan for improving the Ronnie and Tracy situation.

Molly found Dante at the station and said she was worried something had happened to her dad.

Ric heard Cody open the door, when Alexis came home with Ava. They wondered why the transfer hadn’t gone through yet, and Alexis said maybe it wouldn’t be initiated until midnight. Ava said, by tomorrow, the money would be theirs and they could bid good riddance to their special houseguest.

Cody went downstairs, saw Ric, and said, what the hell…?

Brook said it was Ronnie’s house now and she could do what she wanted. Maybe she’d decide to move back to Durham, or maybe she’d move there permanently. Chase said, Tracy’s head would explode, and Brook said, or Ronnie could send them all packing. He said, she could sell it and they could buy it back, and she said, Ronnie may own the Quartermaine home, but the way she saw it, if they wanted to keep it in the family, they had to make Ronnie part of the family.

Ronnie asked for a straw, and Gio said it was his first shift. She said he was doing great and she’d been waiting tables her whole life. If it wasn’t too much trouble, would he mind if they continued their chat? The Quartermaine family tree was new to her and now she was living in her sister’s house. He said, she meant, her house, and she said it was going to be tough getting used to. He said it was a long story, but he was new to the family, and she said, good. They had something else in common.

Marco said, Tracy wanted to contest Monica Quartermaine’s will? and Tracy said, supposedly, her sister-in-law left the family home to a virtual stranger – a sister she hadn’t said a word to in 50 years. It made no sense. Marco said it wouldn’t be the first time that happened. Maybe she had a claim. He’d look into existing cases that supported her position. But he warned her that she wouldn’t evict anyone anytime soon. It would most likely take years.

Vaughn said he was no longer active in the field and had been promoted to Department Station Chief. He wanted Britt to answer some questions and debriefing over a drink at the bar was preferable to sweating it out at one of the Bureaus black sites. Britt said she was out of his league, when she saw Lucas. She said Lucas could stop pretending she didn’t exist and talk to her now.

Charlotte said it was taking forever, and Jack said there was a strict protocol. She said she thought her mom was laying the ground rules, and he said her mom cared about her a great deal. She said, unlike him. She knew people would use her to get to her father, but never thought it would be the government. He had her father arrested and put in prison. If her father deserved to be there, Jack did too.

Valentin said he wasn’t aware that he and Lulu had business, and she said his daughter was becoming a normal teen. She had a great life – friends, school, a brother. She had stability and a life free from fear. Valentin said she didn’t have a father, and Lulu said Charlotte missed him. That’s why she was there today. That’s why Charlotte was there too, but before she let him see her, she needed to know he wasn’t going to make her feel guilty about starting over. She needed to understand it was okay to live her life without him physically in it. She needed to know he’d put Charlotte first. He said, always. That’s why he let himself be caught and let her go. Don’t think Charlotte would be with her if he didn’t want her to be.

Molly explained to Dante that she didn’t know where Ric was doing his digital detox, and neither she nor Elizabeth had heard from her dad even though they’d reached out. Dante said they were probably not supposed to be on a device, but Molly said he had to know Willow was in trouble by now, and it wasn’t like him to abandon a client mid case or be out of touch for so long. She asked if Dante would ping Ric’s phone help her try to figure out where he was.

Alexis said Ava turned the car over to Kristina in good faith and she appreciated that. Ava said she didn’t feel threatened anymore. They would have never gotten through all this without each other. If she’d learned one thing, aside from making sure her captive swallows his meds, it was that Alexis was a good mother. Alexis said she thought they had that in common.

Cody took the gag out of Ric’s mouth and asked if he was okay. Ric asked if he looked okay, and Cody said he didn’t know what Ric and Alexis were into or who forgot the safe word. Ric said he was being held captive and needed to get out. He heard noise from upstairs and said they were home. Cody asked what the hell was going on, and Ric said, free him before those psychos killed them both.

Ava was about to check on Ric when Kristina came in. She asked if Cody was there. His truck was parked outside. Alexis suggested he and Molly went for a walk, but Kristina said Molly was at work. Ava said she was just going to check on Ric, Kristina said she’d go as back-up, and Alexis said she’d call Molly.

Cody cut Ric loose and helped him up. He said he had to get Ric to a hospital, but Ric said, wait. He had something else in mind first.

Lucas said he wasn’t ignoring Britt, but she said when she saw him at GH, he didn’t seem to see her. He said they were working, and he was keeping it professional, and she asked if that was how he categorized his recent behavior toward Brad. She knew Brad came back to GH, then left. His number wasn’t working, and his socials had evaporated. What did Lucas do to drive him away?

Tracy said she couldn’t wait days, much less years, and Marco said there were other downsides. The probate court was painfully slow, and Monica’s lawyer was very good. She wouldn’t get anywhere alleging malpractice unless he broke the law. And it could be costly. Tracy said it wasn’t about money. It was about exposing Ronnie Bard for the con artist she was.

Ronnie said Yuri was an interesting fellow, and Gio said, one of many, starting with Tracy. She probably wasn’t Ronnie’s favorite person. Ronnie said she wasn’t in Tracy’s top five either, and Gio said, what about Jason? She said he didn’t talk much. She liked him. He said, and his grandparents, Ned and Olivia, and she said, good hair and accent. He said, last but not least, Brook, Chase, and Dante. Brook was married to Chase and she and Dante were his parents. He just found out the mom who raised him wasn’t his real mom. Ronnie asked where she was now, and he said, she passed away when he was younger. Ronnie said she was so sorry, and he said he went to Monica’s funeral, and it felt different. Now that he was family, he wasn’t sure if they were welcoming him because they liked him or because he had their name. She said she could see why he moved out. As a new friend reminded her, it’s her house now and he was welcome anytime.

Jack said he wasn’t surprised that Valentin blamed him for his crimes, but he was surprised Charlotte believed him. He thought she was smarter than that. She said she knew who her father was. He wasn’t innocent, but never pretended to be… unlike some people.

Lulu said she appreciated Valentin sending Charlotte back. She’d searched a long time. She was just asking him to be selfless again and support Charlotte in her new life. Valentin said he wanted Charlotte to be happy, and she said she knew how important the relationship between a father and daughter was. She wanted to protect Charlotte, but didn’t want to come between them. He thanked her and she left. Charlotte came in and she and Valentin hugged.

Brook told Chase that they had to make room for Ronnie. If she had her own connections and friends in Port Charles, the less vulnerable she’d be to granny’s digs and she’d think twice about offloading the house. Chase wondered if tea was Ronnie’s cup of tea, but Brook said it was about the guests. She was inviting the best and brightest Port Charles had to offer. And she’d do it here, surrounded by memories of Monica. It was the perfect plan. Chase said, if the tea party was there, where would Tracy be? and Brook said she picked a date where Tracy had a prior engagement. The less contact, the better.

Ronnie thanked Gio for the wonderful food and even better service. She told him, keep the change, and gave him a $50 bill, but he said, no. It was too much. She said, never turn down a good tip. May she give him another one? He said, sure, and she said she was a lot younger than him when she saw her sister for the last time. They had a pretty nasty fight. She asked Monica for something she hadn’t earned, and Monica made it clear… Ronnie got so angry and pulled away. She cut her sister out of her life, and it ended up being the last time she saw her sister. She’d pick up the phone to call and halfway through dialing, she’d hang up. Her point was, she should never have let one fight define everything. Now her sister was gone. He asked if Ronnie missed her, and she said she’d been missing her for a long time. He didn’t want to miss anyone that long. If he ever felt he wanted to reach out and forgive and forget, do it. We always thought we had more time, but he was a wonderful young man and his family deserved to know him… even Tracy. She left.

Lucas said he had no idea where Brad was. He knew the truth was a foreign concept to Britt, but it was all he’d wanted from Brad. They were getting closer and the idea of getting back together seemed possible. Then Brad revealed more dishonesty and lies. Britt said what she was hearing was that Brad was vulnerable and confessed, but instead of giving him credit, Lucas punished him. He said, Britt stole an embryo to trap a man and didn’t get to lecture him on decency, and Britt said she fought for love. He let it walk away. He said he came over there to deal with the guy next to her, and Vaughn said, excuse me? Lucas said they had things to clear up.

Jack asked if Valentin said anything of note, and Lulu said he confirmed Jack was using their daughter as a bargaining chip. She hoped he got what he needed because she was never going through this again.

Valentin said, how grown up Charlotte looked, and she said she missed him so much. She called him dad, and he said he knew one day she’d be too grown up to call him papa, but he loved dad. Tell him everything. She said she was still riding. She’d improved and was doing competitions. He asked about school, and she said it was fine. She was acing Mandarin and Frenc. He said it was a benefit of traveling the world with her father. She was thriving and it was all he wanted. She said she wasn’t thriving, but he insisted she was and it was good. It was all he wanted for her. She said it was hard at first. It hurt not to see him. He said he missed her too, but being together again made all that a distant memory.

Dante said he was tracking Ric’s phone, and Molly said she hoped she was just an overly concerned daughter. Dante said he didn’t know she and Ric were close, and she said it was a new development. He’d come back for Irene’s funeral and become a constant in her life. They reconnected and it made her realize how much she needed him in her life. She couldn’t lose him.

As Alexis was leaving Molly a message, Cody walked in with Ric. Alexis said she’d call Molly back, and Ric said she didn’t want to put him on the phone? Call Molly back. He had so much to tell her.

Brook said she had a fun idea that she wanted to run by Ronnie. There were so many people in Port Charles she’d like to introduce her to. What if they had everyone over for a tea party? Ronnie said it wasn’t really her style, but Brook said it would be super casual and low key. She just wanted to use the tea set. She wanted to introduce Ronnie to some great people to help her feel more at home. Chase said, please say yes. It would mean a lot to both of them. Ronnie said she appreciated the thought and thanked them, but she was going to pass.  

Marco asked if he should start researching old probate cases, and Tracy said it taking years was concerning. Was there no other option? He said, if Ronnie was really problematic, find a way to get others to see it. It would help expediate the process.

Lucas said he knew Vaughn broke his niece’s heart. If he hurt Josslyn again, Vaughn would have to answer to him. He left, and Britt said, instead of threatening her, it sounded like his time would be better spent talking to Mrs. Nash.

Ava and Kristina saw that Ric was gone.

Ric asked, what’s wrong? when Ava and Kristina came in the back. Kristina said, Ric escaped… She saw Ric and Cody, and Cody said, would someone please tell him what the hell was going on? Ric said, sure. Would the three lunatics like to tell Cody how they kidnapped and drugged him, or shall he?  

Brook asked if Ronnie was sure there was nothing that could convince her, and Ronnie said she was sure. Brook said she knew it was something Monica would want her to do to honor her. Monica wasn’t just the head of the hospital. She gave so much to the town – committees, boards, fundraisers. The party would be about Ronnie continuing her legacy, being an integral part of the community. Ronnie said Brook was good. She had to play the sister card. Brook asked if it worked, and Ronnie said, yeah. She accepted Brook’s invitation. Tracy came in and said, accept what? What was Ronnie taking from her family now?

Valentin said the best part was that Charlotte was living with her mom and brother. She deserved to be happy. He knew Britt Westbourne had come to town, the woman who gave birth to Rocco. Charlotte couldn’t trust her and needed to make sure Rocco knew.

Jack assured Lulu that it wasn’t for nothing. The information he got from Valentin would be used for the greater good and could benefit everyone. Lulu said, all it would do was show Valentin’s enemies that they could get to him through Charlotte. Jack put a target on her back. He said there were eyes on Charlotte all the time and he’d protect her. The danger Charlotte faced wasn’t the result of his actions or the WSB. It was who she was, the daughter of a brilliant, but very dangerous man.

Dante told Molly that the last time her dad used his phone was today and he was in the state. If he called, he could pinpoint it within a five-mile radius… No. That can’t be right.

Alexis said it wasn’t what it looked like, but Ric said it was exactly what it looked like. These harpies held him hostage in the basement. What day was it? Alexis said it seemed a little crazy, but Cody said a little crazy didn’t cover it. Alexis said there was a rational reason why they did what they did, and Kristina said Ric was blackmailing her mother and extorting Ava. Ric said they stole the money from a child, but Alexis said that wasn’t true. Ric was blackmailing her for months, and it wasn’t not like they hurt him. They fed him and played cards. She played his hand. They were just keeping him until they fixed what he did. Ric asked if Cody remembered when he brought Molly to the hospital after his car accident. It was because that little psycho cut his brakes to kill him… Sorry. He had the details wrong. She was trying to kill Ava. Ava said it was ancient history, and Alexis said she was telling the truth. Give them one more hour to make sure the money they stole was transferred back to Ace. Ava said she’d compensate Cody, and Ric said, if money was important, he’d gladly offer a legitimate finder’s fee and give him a better deal. Kristina said, just one hour, and Cody headed for the door. Ric said he couldn’t be serious, leaving him with them. Do the right thing.

Dante went into Bobbie’s and said he was grabbing a cup of coffee if it was cool with Gio. Gio poured the coffee and said, on the house. He smiled and went in the back.

Brook said she was having a tea party to introduce Ronnie to some people in Port Charles, and Tracy said she was looking forward to it. Brook said, unfortunately, it was the same day as Tracy’s fundraiser in the city, but Tracy said she’d send a check with regrets. There was no place she’d rather be tan here to welcome Ronnie to Port Charles.

Britt said Vaughn could have shut Lucas up by outing Josslyn, but he said he couldn’t do that. Britt said she could. She just might, unless the WSB made it worth her while to keep the secret. Vaughn said nothing positive would come from it. Britt had no friends, and the walls were closing in on her. She had to be extremely careful in how she proceeded. He told the bartender that the drinks were on him and left.

Lucas asked how much Marco ordered on Tracy’s tab, and Marco said they’d have leftovers for the rest of the week. Britt came over and introduced herself. She said Marco was Lucas’s new boyfriend, so he knew Lucas’s ex was her best friend. He should know he’d never live up to Lucas’s high standards. Lucas said, forgive her. She was a sociopath. Britt left, and Lucas said all he wanted was honest and Brad never gave it to him. Ignore everything Britt said. He knew Marco wouldn’t lie like Brad.

Kristina said if Cody knew who Ric was, he wouldn’t think of helping him, and Ric said if Cody didn’t side with him, he’d go to jail like them. Cody said they were all nuts. He had no idea how they were related to Molly. He was going to grab his dog and get out of here. He opened the door, and Molly was there.

Valentin asked who Charlotte was hanging out with, and she wondered if she was asking if she liked anyone. Jack came in and said, time’s up, and Charlotte and Valentin hugged and exchanged I love yous. Lulu came in and Charlotte hugged her, and they left. Jack said, all right. He did his part. Now it was Valentin’s turn. Valentin was going to tell him everything he knew about the final project of Cesar Faison.

Thursday:

Carly looked at roses she got from Jack, the moss bowl🎍shrugging it off, when Jason came into Sonny’s old kitchen. She said he was going to be mad, and he asked what she did. He said it wasn’t her; it was Jack.

At Steinmauer, Jack wanted Valentin to tell him everything he knew about Cesar Faison’s last project, but Valentin had another condition. He wanted Anna.

Dante told Anna that forensics found nothing at Nina’s apartment, but he did have an update on something else – Valentin Cassadine.

On a private jet, Lulu said she was sure Charlotte was still processing, and Charlotte said, it was a lot. Lulu was afraid she’d made the wrong call, but Charlotte said she was glad she saw him. When could she see him again?

Felicia told Elizabeth that James was good, but she was worried about Nathan deciding James should live with him.

Nathan and Obrecht walked into the MetroCourt restaurant and saw Britt. Nathan said Obrecht couldn’t avoid being in the same room with her forever, but Obrecht said she could try. Nathan went over to Britt and asked her to join them.  

Cody said they were all nuts, and he couldn’t believe they were related to Molly. He was getting his dog and getting out. When he opened the door, Molly was there. She saw Ric and ran to him. She said she was so worried. What happened? Ric looked at Alexis.

Britt said Obrecht clearly didn’t want to see her and the feeling was mutual, but as she was leaving, Obrecht said, if Britt’s brother wanted to include her, she was welcome to join them. Britt said she was going to pass and went to the elevator. The doors opened and Rocco was there.

Elizabeth asked if Nathan said something, and Felicia said, no, but they were walking on eggshells at home and it was weighing on Spinelli. Elizabeth said, of course (🍷), and Felicia said, with Maxie gone, James needed the security and familiarity. Natan was wonderful, but he was a stranger to James and didn’t know where he’d been for the last seven years. Elizabeth asked if Nathan wanted to be James’s father, and Felicia said he did. And if he wanted to take James legally, he had every right to.

Molly asked if Ric was okay. He looked terrible. She was happy he was there. They’d all been getting along and she’d been missing him to complete the family. Where had he been? Ric seemed flustered and said he knew the digital detox would be extreme, but he’d been in hell for the last 30 days. Cody saved his sanity and maybe even his life. He glanced at the laptop and closed it. He said the digital detox was the worst mistake he ever made. He joined a cult. (I literally lol’d.)

Charlotte said she was sorry. She shouldn’t ask for more. She knew what a big deal it was. Lulu said, so were Charlotte’s feelings. She was allowed to miss her dad and want to see him. Charlotte said she was surprised he sounded and looked the same. Deep down, she was afraid he’d be different. Lulu said Valentin loved her. Knowing she was safe and happy gave him comfort and the strength he needed to get through this. Charlotte said she knew Lulu hadn’t wanted to do this and did it for her. She thanked Lulu.  

Anna said Valentin was in Steinmauer, and Dante said he’d had visitors, Lulu and Charlotte, courtesy of Jack. Anna said she was all for Charlotte seeing her dad, but couldn’t believe her mother agreed. She must have realized Jack didn’t arrange it out of the goodness of his heart. He did this because he wanted something from Valentin, something big.

Jack said Anna wanted nothing to do with Valentin. What they’d had was over. He was lucky to be alive after what he’d done to Carly, but that could change. Anna was dealing with the murder of a judge and the attempted murder of Congressman Drew Cain. Valentin said if anyone could multitask, it was Anna, and Jack said tell him about Faison. Valentin said he couldn’t help but wonder why Jack was so intent about a dead man.

Carly told Jason that the guy Josslyn had been spending time with, Vaughn, who worked at PCU was a WSB agent, and Jason asked how she heard that. She said Josslyn told her. She confronted Jack and he confirmed it. She felt betrayed. It was the first guy Josslyn had a connection with since Dex’s death, and Jack had been lying. She was furious, but when she calmed down, she realized he couldn’t tell her because it was classified. Jason asked if she was okay, and she said she didn’t love it, but Jack assured her Josslyn had been safe. Jason said Jack was lying to her and had lied about everything.

Ric said it was hazy, but he gave them his phone, then drank tea, and Molly said, he literally drank the Kool-Aid? He said he was told it was part of the detox process, but it wasn’t tea. It was aya… Alexis said, an ayahuasca trip? and he said, an extended one. When he came to and had some wherewithal, he grabbed his phone and got out. That’s when Cody found him.

Rocco told Britt that he was meeting Obrecht and Nathan, and went over to them. He hugged Obrecht and she introduced him to his Uncle Nathan. Britt said Nathan didn’t tell her it was dinner with the whole family. Count her in if it was okay with Rocco.

Jack said Faison’s daughter and son had resurfaced in Port Charles, and Valentin asked if he was worried that Faison’s work was continuing from beyond the grave.

Carly said Jason always assumed the worst about Jack, and Jason said she needed to know that Josslyn was in the WSB.

Ellizabeth suggested Felicia talk to Nathan and tell him about her concerns, and Felicia said she believed he cared about James’s welfare. Elizabeth said, encourage him to be part of the family. Nathan couldn’t know her concerns unless she voiced them.

Obrecht said Rocco was lovely company, and Nathan asked to talk to her privately. When they left, Rocco asked if Obrecht was mad at Britt.

Molly said Cody rescued her dad, but Cody said he didn’t know about all that, and Ric said Cody’s dog found him lost and wandering in the woods. He thought he was coming down and was convinced the cult was going to sacrifice him to their pagan god. His brain wasn’t making sense, so he got out and tore into the woods. When his head cleared, he was lost and in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception. Then that four-legged miracle showed up when Cody was out on a hike. Cody saw what bad shape he was in and helped him. Kristina said Cody came through for Molly’s dad. That meant everything to her. Cody said he didn’t do that, but Ava said, don’t be modest. He saved the man from a cult and brought him home safe to his family. Everything was back to normal. Alexis said Ric should get some rest, but Molly wanted to take him to the hospital. Ric said there was no need, but Cody said he’d drive and asked Kristina to watch Outback. They left, and Ava said, the money. They all dove for the laptop.

Lulu said seeing Charlotte’s father came with a certain level of risk and as a mom, it was her job to access the risk and mitigate it to keep her safe. He had enemies and being his daughter made Charlotte vulnerable. Charlotte said her dad gave her that speech more than once and she couldn’t change who she was. Lulu said she didn’t want Charlotte to change, but her father’s world had no rules or limits and people looked for leverage. That was why it was so important they told each other the truth. If Charlotte was honest, Lulu could protect her and their family.

Dante said Brennan was using Charlotte as a bargaining chip, but Lulu got it, and Anna said Lulu was smart. So was Charlotte. Charlotte was also committed to Valentin and would have gone behind Lulu’s back, It was good Lulu was making herself the person Charlotte could trust. She hoped Lulu could keep her daughter safe. Dante said he wanted eyes on Charlotte and Roco, and Anna said she didn’t like the timing of any of this.

Carly said, Josslyn was not WSB, Vaughn was, and Jason said, so was Josslyn. Carly said Josslyn went to college and was living at the Quartermaines, but he said he saw her on assignment at the resort in Croatia. He found Britt and Josslyn was there undercover with Vaughn on a recon mission. They were posing as newlyweds under Jack’s orders.

Britt said her mother was mad at her and to be honest, she deserved it. They didn’t agree on her reasons and how she left before. She’d hurt Obrecht and didn’t think Obrecht could forgive her. Rocco said Obrecht might just need time. When he found her, he freaked out, but then he wanted to know more. He found Obrecht’s email, wrote, and told her who he was and that he had questions about Britt. He didn’t expect her to fly to Port Charles to give him answers, but she did. Britt said her mother was unpredictable, and Rocco said Obrecht wanted to talk about her and obviously loved her.

Nathan said Obrecht’s anger was blinding her to what was important. She had both of her children back. Obrecht said it wasn’t the same. Nathan was taken and had no choice, but Britt faked her own death. She’d grieved deeply and was still grieving when Britt strolled into the hospital. She was selfish. Nathan said Britt made a mistake. He’d made them and Obrecht had made them. Instead of holding a grudge, she should be grateful they were there alive and together.

Cody and Molly brought Ric to the hospital, and Elizabeth asked, what the hell happened? He said it was a long story, and Molly said he was lost in the woods and had exposure and was dehydrated. Elizabeth said they’d take care of him, but Ric said it wasn’t serious. He was wheeled away, and Molly thanked Cody. She was going to stay in case Ric had to be there overnight, but he didn’t need to wait.

Carly said it made no sense. Jason was wrong somehow. Josslyn had been in Australia while he was gone. Jason said she was lying, and Australia was her cover, and Carly asked him to tell her what he thought he knew and how he found out. Jason said, through Anna’s connections at the WSB and Brennan, she found out Josslyn was on a mission in Croatia. She couldn’t tell him, so she pointed him to Britt in Croatia and that’s how he found Josslyn.

Anna told Dante that Jack wouldn’t play the Charlotte card if he didn’t need information. She wondered why he’d need information at the exact same time Faison’s two children resurfaced. Dante asked if she thought it had something to do with Faison, whose brain was in a jar, and she said she knew he was dead. They did an autopsy on his brain. But she also knew who he worked and knew what his work looked like. And more than anyone, she knew she could never assume anything, no matter what the facts were.

Jack said Britt was conducting research at a luxury resort called the Five Poppies, and Valentin said if she was working on anything that had a connection to Faison, she was just a cog in the wheel. Faison would never have trusted her to lead. Jack asked who he did trust, and Valentin said he couldn’t tell Jack, but could tell him on thing. Faison was not working alone.

Alexis said, the transfer went through, and Ava said her divorce settlement was back where it belonged. Kristina said Ric’s car was really destroyed this time, and Ava said, Ric’s power over them was gone. Kristina said she thought he was going to tell Molly everything, but Alexis said he couldn’t expose them without exposing himself, and Molly’s opinion was more important than money. Ava said Alexis should be happy, but Alexis said, even though Ric was out of the woods, they weren’t.  Laura would want an explanation and Ric had to answer for the emails they sent in his name. And she knew he’d want revenge.

Elizabeth said once Ric was hydrated, he could probably go home, and he said he couldn’t wait to sleep in his own bed. Elizabeth said he probably had a million messages just from her. She was worried. He needed to rest up. He had a lot of work ahead. Willow was in a mess. Ric said he had to come clean about something. He couldn’t let her go on thinking something about him that wasn’t true.

Molly said, if not for Cody, her dad could still be out there. He could have gotten hurt or gotten hypothermia. Cody said Ric was resourceful, but Molly said he wasn’t outdoorsy. He could have died, and she couldn’t imagine losing anyone else she cared about.

Anna told Dante, Valentin wasn’t part of Faison’s inner circle or a true believer like Obrecht, but Faison valued him enough to work with him more than once. He respected Valentin’s intellect and ability to facilitate operations. Dante said Valentin had been close to Faison’s other son, Peter August, and Anna said it couldn’t be a coincidence that Jack arranged for Charlotte to see her father when Britt and Nathan just got back. Dante asked if Britt and Faison didn’t go on the run together, and she said she didn’t know how close they were, but Faison’s interest was always with Nathan. Faison was fixated on him.

Obrecht apologized for snapping at Britt. Nathan had wisely pointed out what mattered most was that they were there together. She thought they should document it with a photo, and Rocco said he’d get it. Obrecht told him to make it a selfie, and Nathan said Rocco was mixed up in a crazy family. Rocco said all families were crazy, and Britt said theirs was extreme. Rocco said he’d like to hear more, and Obrecht said they were an open book. Rocco asked why Britt grew up with her and Nathan grew up in Nina’s family, and Obrecht said she thought it best to hide Nathan from his father Cesar.

Charlotte said she knew what protected her was to make smart choices, but what if they disagreed? and Lulu said it was allowed and she might surprise Charlotte. She admired Charlotte’s loyalty to people she cared about, even though it wasn’t easy and people didn’t understand why. Charlotte said people thought they knew who her dad was, but they didn’t. As long as they got it, that was all that mattered.

Carly said, Jack knew Josslyn had been there, and Jason said he guessed that her trip to Easter Island was when she had training. Carly asked, what the hell is happening? Why did Jack bring her daughter into the WSB? Jason said, because of the assignment. Jack needed something or someone and used Josslyn to get it. She said Britt had been back for a month, which meant Jason had known that long. Why didn’t he tell her? He said Josslyn asked him not to. Before she went off on Jack, remember that Josslyn was undercover, which protected her. She said she wasn’t letting Jack put somebody she loved in danger.

Alexis said Ric wouldn’t talk. He had as much to lose they did. Ava said, what about Cody? He had nothing to lose. Kristina said he did – Molly. If he came forward, Ric would land in prison. Alexis said with them behind him, and Ava asked if Kristina was sure playing Molly’s hero wasn’t tempting. Kristina said it wasn’t going to happen. He knew Molly loved her family and didn’t want to be the reason she lost them.

Ric said Elizabeth gave him credit for doing the work for Willow pro bono, but he wasn’t. Nina was paying him, but Willow wouldn’t have accepted the help if she thought Nina was involved. What was the point in believing in him if he lied? She said, before this nightmare, he wouldn’t have volunteered that information. As bad as it was, something good came out of it or the ayahuasca. He said, no, her. She saw the best in him, the little there was. She said she was just glad he was safe.

Molly said there was something she meant to tell Cody that night at the stable. He said, the Ava night, and she said she didn’t love his methods, but she knew he was trying to help her. She didn’t get to tell him what she’d been hoping to say. He said he had the time. Tell him now. She said it would be easier if she showed him, and was about to kiss him, when Elizabeth said, sorry. Her dad was asking for her.

Rocco sent Charlotte the selfie, and she flashed back to Valentin telling her not to trust Britt and to let Rocco know.

Rocco asked what Faison was like. Terrible things had been said about him, but the bad stuff about Obrecht and Britt wasn’t entirely true. Britt said there was nothing redeemable about her father. All Rocco needed to know was that Faison was an awful man and thankfully dead.

Dante said they didn’t know what happened to Nathan or where he’s been this whole time. But he did know that Nathan would never have anything to do with Cesar Faison. Anna said, maybe that’s why Nathan didn’t remember. That was exactly how it started, a stream of coincidences that weren’t coincidences and led somewhere that trapped everyone and involved a connection somehow to him. They didn’t know what happened to Nathan, but they did know Britt faked her death. If anyone could convince them of a fake death and lull them into a sense of thinking for one moment they were safe, it was Cesar Faison.

Jack said if Faison had a partner, he needed a name, but Valentin said he didn’t have one. The project they were running was huge. Jack said it was a huge risk. It was cold fusion, and they were running it out of Port Charles. Port Charles was Charlotte’s home, and she was at risk. It would behoove Valentin to tell him everything he knew to protect his daughter. Valentin said he already told Jack everything. Whoever was running it, didn’t give a damn about the risk and wouldn’t quit until they reached their goal. They were just as dedicated as Faison himself.  

Carly said she had to get Josslyn out, but Jason said she couldn’t. Josslyn had a cover and she couldn’t burn it down and get her out. She said, the hell she couldn’t, and he said she’d put Josslyn in danger, but she said, Jack put Josslyn in danger. She had to get her out. He said, even if it killed her? and Carly threw the vase of roses at the wall and smashed it. The moss bowl🎍said, phew!

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Nathan thanks Dante for meeting him at Bobbie’s, and Dante says, of course (🍷), of course (🍷). So what’s going on? Does he want to catch up or is there something on his mind? Nathan says, back at the station, he asked if there was anything he could do about what was going on and put Dante on the spot, but he needs to know. Tell him, what are the charges against his sister?

Turner told Nina that the clock was ticking. Did she want to be arraigned for accessory to attempted murder or work with the DA’s office against her daughter? The choice was hers.

Willow says, Martin has to make the judge see that somebody set her up, but he says, that’s an argument she can present at trial. Right now is the arraignment. All they have to do is convince the judge to grant bail. She says, that’s not enough. She has to do more than prove her innocence. He says he’s not sure he wants to know what she means. It’s just the arraignment. The magic words they’re looking for are, not guilty and bail granted. Drew will pay whatever it is. Willow says, they have to shift the blame to the person who really tried to kill Drew and that person is Michael.

Brook says she knows her reasons for the tea party aren’t entirely selfless, but she doesn’t want to make Ronnie more comfortable. Michael says him too, but a tea party? Ronnie strikes him as more of a shots and beers kinda gal. She says, after this, they might all need a couple, but seriously, she wants Ronnie to fall in love with the house and maybe a couple of people in it. That way, if she decides not to live here, she won’t try to sell it out from under them. He says they can just outbid whoever she wants to sell it to, and Brook says, if she’ll sell it to them. He says, honestly, he hopes Ronnie keeps the house because he likes her, but also because the kids already lost their mother. He doesn’t want them to lose their home too.

Drew hobbles into the station on his crutches and says he needs to see Willow, but Chase says, congressman, you need to stop right there. Drew says he won’t, because as Chase said, he’s a congressman, and Chase says, he’s also the victim and Willow is the accused. That means he has to keep his distance.

Britt sees Jason sitting outside Bobbie’s and says, he just can’t stay away, can he?

Josslyn says, Donna is off to school, and Carly says, great. Thanks for getting her out the door. She’s happy to spend time with her big sister. Josslyn says, she got so big. Was she really gone that long? Carly says, yeah, but she’s Josslyn’s mom so she’s biased, and Josslyn says she’s back now and can make up for lost time. Carly says that’s great for the both of them, but try not to make promises she can’t keep, and Josslyn says she would never. Carly says she knows it’s not on purpose, and Josslyn asks why she said that. Because she’s been so busy? Carly says, so busy with school, work, and travel, it just doesn’t seem like she’s given herself enough time to just be still. Josslyn says, since when? and Carly says, since she lost Dex.

Anna goes to see Jack in his office, and he says he’s surprised to see her. She’s arrested not one, but two suspects in the congressman’s shooting. He thought she’d be up to her ears in interrogations. She says, yes, she seems to have even more on her plate, thanks in part to him, and he asks how he’s added to her load. She laughs and says, he went to Switzerland so Charlotte could have a visit with her father in Steinmauer. He says, did he? and she says, not out of the goodness of his heart either. He was using Charlotte as leverage to get Valentin to give him information on Cesar Faison, right? And she needs to know what he found out.

Jason says, Britt told him to come get his stuff and she wasn’t home, and she says he doesn’t have much. He could have been in and out in five minutes. He says, she made him give her the key, and she says, right. Sorry. She forgot. Couldn’t Carly give him the key? He says he didn’t want to invade her privacy, so he waited, and Britt looks in her bag. She flashes back to taking out her medication along with the note from C, and says, actually, on second thought, she’s coming in with him. She doesn’t want him to rummage through her stuff. They go inside.

Carly says she knows how difficult it was for Josslyn, especially when she found out Cyrus was the one who killed Dex. Josslyn flashes back to shooting Cyrus, and says, you’re right. She was very, very lost after Dex died and didn’t know if she was going to move on, let alone how she was going to live her life. Carly says, somehow, she did, right? She got her life back. Josslyn says, yeah, but she thinks she was just going through the motions. When the opportunity to go to Easter Island came up, she took the chance to run away. Carly says, she’d hardly call it running away. It was a great opportunity, right? Once in a lifetime. Josslyn says, no. She’d call that running away, but she’s glad she did, because it ended up being the best decision she ever made.

In Turner’s office, Marco says, the charges are a classic example of prosecutorial overreach. When they get to the arraignment, he’s filing to have the charges dropped for lack of evidence. Turner says, good luck with that. They have proof Nina lied to the police. Even if she dropped the conspiracy charges, they’d still have obstruction and providing false information. Marco says, both misdemeanors. They’ll take their chances. Turner says, Miss Reeves signed a statement saying she was taking a walk with her daughter at the time Drew Cain was shot. Unfortunately for his client, they have footage from multiple angles of Miss Reeves entering her apartment building in question and with that, perjuring herself. Nina says, it was a deepfake. It has to be. She was with her daughter. She didn’t shoot Drew and neither did Willow.

Dante says, Nathan knows he can’t discuss an ongoing investigation, even though he’s not directly involved in the case, and Nathan says, not normally. Dante says, when his sister was questioned about the night of the shooting, she said she was with her daughter Willow. The alibi was flimsy to begin with and has since been proven false. Nathan says, that’s all they have on Nina? and Dante says, yeah. Willow is the prime suspect and was in possession of the weapon. Nina says, so Nina panicked and gave her daughter a false alibi. It’s not great, but it hardly proves conspiracy. Dante says, if she doesn’t recant and sticks to her story, they can build a case against Nina for conspiring to murder Drew, and Nathan says, it sounds like she was protecting her daughter. Dante tells him that he says it sounds like a case of how far Nina would go. Would she take the fall for Willow if it came to that?

Brook tells Michael that she’s been spending time with Wiley and Amelia. Watching their mother get arrested hit them hard. Michael says he tried to shield them, but couldn’t stop it from happening, and she says, none of this is his fault. What were Anna and Dante thinking, barging in on a playdate with their mother? He says, Chase told her, and she says she knows why they had to do it that way, but it was traumatic for the kids. He says, that’s not what he had in mind when he set the whole thing up. Even so, it got the desired result. She says she thought the supervised therapy thing was so the kids could spend time with their mother, and he says, that’s what it was supposed to be, but it served his purpose well. Now Willow will never be able to see the kids without supervision.

Martin tells Willow, right now, they need to focus on the arraignment. He has to argue about getting her bail and pray it’s granted. Willow asks where Drew is. She needs to see him.

Drew says he and Chase both know Willow is innocent. She needs all of her friends behind her, so please, can they put their differences behind them? Chase says they need to trust the legal system will exonerate Willow, and Drew says he’s going to see her. Chase asks if Drew heard what he just said. Drew is the victim. He can’t just… Drew says he’s not her victim. If there’s a problem with his actions, send a letter to his office.

Martin says, if Willow gets bail, they have to work on… Drew comes in and Willow runs to him and hugs him. She says, it wasn’t her, she swears, and he says he knows. They hug again and even though her face is half hidden in his shoulder, it looks like Willow is smiling.

Carly says she knew Josslyn loved her time on Easter Island, but didn’t realize it was life changing, and Josslyn says she didn’t realize it would be either. She thought she was going to a place she’d always wanted to check out, someplace not Port Charles, where she’d learn where learn new things. Carly says, it sounds like she did, and Josslyn says she did. She just didn’t learn what she thought she would. It definitely lit a fire under her. Carly asks, how? and Josslyn says she just felt so helpless after Dex passed, and the trip gave her a new sense of purpose. It gave her a new direction. So she guesses she got what she needed out of those giant stone heads. Carly says, that’s great. She remembers when Josslyn came back, she had a different energy. She was more focused, which makes sense since she’s getting ready to graduate. Josslyn says, better late than never, right? and Carly says, it’s just – and this might be all I her head – since Josslyn came back, she’s had the feeling there’s a distance between them. Josslyn says, really? She knows she’s been so busy, but she promises nothing between them has changed. She’s here and they talk all time. Carly says they don’t. It’s not the same. She doesn’t know. Maybe it’s because Josslyn is grown up and moving out because something’s going on. If it’s grief or just life, she’s here. Josslyn can tell her anything, no matter what.

Jack says, Charlotte was eager to see her father, so he pulled some strings, and Anna says, he traded the visit for Valentin’s knowledge of Faison. So she needs to know what Valentin told him. He says, she knows that’s classified, and she says she understands why, but if Faison orchestrated something before he died that is going to come down on Port Charles, they need to work together to stop it

Nina tells Turner, it must have been a deepfake. They took footage from another date and altered the time stamp. Turner says she assures Nina that it’s authentic, and Marco says, it’s clear she wants their cooperation. What’s on the table if they give it to her? Turner says, if Miss Reeves recants her alibi, they can plead her down to making a false statement. Like he said, it’s a misdemeanor. Nina asks what that means, and Turner says, probation for a year and a fine. Marco says, then all this will be over, and Turner says, yes. Nina says, over for her maybe, but what about her daughter? and Turner says she’ll give them a minute to confer, and she leaves.

Nathan thanks Dante for the update, and says, it’s strange being so out of the loop with the PCPD and his family. Dante says he imagines it’s got to be hard, and Nathan says, Nina’s got a daughter she’d sacrifice everything for. Dante says, Nathan told him that Nina was a protective older sister. Imagine her as a mother. Nathan says, good point, and Dante says, no one wants to go down for something they didn’t do… except maybe Nina. If Nathan thinks of anything, let him know. Nathan says, will do. Now that Dante’s filled him in from the department standpoint, what does he think? Did Willow do it? Dante says he can’t discuss something officially, and Nathan says, so unofficially? Dante says, very unofficial. He doesn’t know if she did it or not.

Nina says that woman believes she’d sell out her own daughter, so she didn’t go to trial, and Marco says, it’s a good deal. The evidence is rock solid and strong. He recommends they take it.

Josslyn says, if there was something she needed to tell Carly, she would tell her, even if it was something bad. She knows they’d find a way of working through it. Carly promises they would, and Josslyn says, if they are distant, it’s because she’s focusing on graduating. After that, it’s adulting. Does anybody actually prepare for that? Carly says she doesn’t know. She hasn’t tried. Josslyn says they’re fine, and no matter what, they always will be. Carly says, okay, and they hug. She says she was worried that she’d gotten caught up with so much going on – Michael, Willow, the kids – that she wasn’t giving Josslyn the attention she needed. Josslyn says she’s so happy about Carly’s relationship in Michael’s life. Wiley and Amelia need their grandma. Carly thanks her and says she knows Josslyn doesn’t approve of her seeing Jack. So is that why there’s distance between them?

Jack says he and Valentin had a great deal to discuss. What gives Anna the idea it was about Faison? Anna says, Faison’s two children, both presumed dead, resurface under mysterious circumstances. All in the span of a few months. It’s got to strike even him as something that can’t be played off as coincidence. Jack says, it’s certainly noteworthy, and she laughs. She says, and then, Valentin used to work for Faison and Jack goes out of his way for a face to face now. She finds the timing noteworthy. Jack says he and Valentin have unfinished business, and she says, what business? What’s so important he’d risk the wrath of Lulu setting up a family reunion so he can have a chat with the man he set up to take the fall? Jack says, if he needed her help, he would have asked for it. This has nothing to do with her.

Nina tells Marco that she’s not changing her story because it’s not a story, when there’s a knock at the door. Nathan comes in and Nina hugs him. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he heard she was in trouble. He and Marco introduce themselves, and Nathan says he wanted to catch Nina before the arraignment. Dante brought him up to speed on the case. He takes it the DA offered a deal. Nina says, yeah. Community service and a fine. All she has to do is sell out her own daughter. Marco says, it’s pointless to stick by her story when everyone knows it’s not true, and Nathan says, please. He’s afraid he agrees with her attorney. She needs to tell the truth.

Martin asks if Willow is standing by her alibi that she was with her mother, and Willow says, the truth is, she doesn’t have an alibi. She went out for a walk by herself. She would never lie, but Nina blurted out that they were together. Drew says, why not tell the truth from the beginning? and Willow says she thought Nina needed her to protect herself. Drew says, so she thought Nina shot him? and Willow asks if she should tell that to the judge, but Martin says, no. Not at this point. She’s going to have to discuss all of this with her defense attorney. She asks if it isn’t him, But he says, absolutely not. He’ll guide her through the arraignment process, but that’s it. He’s representing the victim and it’s a huge conflict of interest. A judge would never allow it past this point and in good conscience, neither would he. She needs a criminal defense lawyer and he means the best she can find.

At the station, Dante asks what he missed, and Chase says, in less than an hour, Willow would be arraigned for attempted murder. Anna was making a huge mistake. Obviously, Michael planted the gun to frame Willow. Dante says, okay, but that’s a bit of a leap, and Chase says, not really. He had plenty of time between warrants to move the gun. Dante says, there’s no evidence tying Michael to the gun, and Chase says, Michael also stated that he was at Elizabeth’s home waiting for Willow, alone. He had plenty of time to plant the gun. Dante says, forensics went over the gun and there were no prints, but Chase says, it was from the Quartermaine collection. Dante says, Willow had access to it, and Chase says, so Michael left the house before it was searched, and the gun ended up where they found it. What was wrong with him? Dante says he gets what Chase is saying, and it tracks, but it’s all circumstantial at best. Chase says, people got convicted on way less, and Dante says, Chase doesn’t sound impartial or sound like he wants to solve the case. It sounded like he was trying to find a way for Willow to be innocent.

Michael said he proposed supervised therapist visits when the visitation hearing was pushed back until after the new year. If the kids waited that long to see their mother, it would feel like they were seeing a stranger. Brook says, that’s not good for anyone, especially not the kids, and he says, that’s why he allowed her to see them in a controlled environment with an impartial person from outside who could intervene if she made them feel uncomfortable. Brook says, after everything Willow has done, she wouldn’t trust her with the kids, but Michael says he realized if he played his cards right, he could ruin Willows advantage and completely box her in.

Following Jason downstairs, Britt says, one more thing, and he says he double-checked. Everything in the closet is hers. She says she needs a car, and he says, she wants him to buy her a car? She says, no. She just needs him to co-sign a loan. She wouldn’t ask, but she’s desperate and needs something to get her from point A to point B and to practice. He says he’ll loan her the money, but she says she didn’t want to ask this much. She doesn’t have much choice. Nina’s been arrested, things with her mother are complicated, and Nathan’s credit is probably just as bad as hers, so… Forget it. He says, hold on. Give him the papers. She hands the papers to him.  

Josslyn says, is Jack her favorite person? No, not really, but if he makes Carly happy, then she’s happy for her. Carly says, Josslyn’s just saying that to be nice, and Josslyn says, because she’s very shy about expressing her disappointment. Carly says, they have that in common, and Josslyn says, if Jack makes Carly happy, she’s happy. She doesn’t have to worry. Carly says she’s a mom. She’ll always worry. Josslyn says she appreciates that, and Carly says, really? Josslyn says, yes, really. After Dex died, she felt disconnected and her instinct was to isolate herself. Then she went east and realized the only way to make Dex’s death worth anything was to do something useful with her life, something that helps Carly and Donna and Michael. To make a difference. Carly asks, how is she going to save them all? and Josslyn says, environmental science, her major. She wants to make the world a better place and thinks she can. Carly says, of course (🍷) she can. She thinks Josslyn can do anything she sets her mind to. They hug, and Josslyn says, they have that in common. Carly says they do.

Jack says, as he told Anna, what he said in his conversation with Valentin is classified. Is there anything else he can do for her? She says, yes. She’d like him to reconsider refusing to read her in. Everything that’s happening – Britt and Nathan reappearing like this – that’s straight out of Faison’s playbook. Jack says, she’s obsessed with Faison. He understands. He knows what Faison did to her and her family, but the man is dead. Anna says she knows. She saw them put his brain in a jar. It was the best day of her life. He says, then she knows he can’t harm her, yet she’s still fixated on him. He can’t help thinking she should see somebody about that. She says, go to hell, and he says he’s already been there, same as her. He hates seeing her take all this so personally. She says she knows Faison better than anyone and she’s trying to get Jack to let her help him. He’s in way over his head. He thinks he’s in control, but he’s he not, and that overconfidence it what gets people killed. She leaves.

Nina tells Nathan that she deeply regrets giving that alibi to the police. She was trying to protect her daughter and just made her look more guilty. Willow didn’t get the opportunity to give her own account that night and it’s her fault. Nathan says he understands, but she still needs to recant, but she says, no. She has a responsibility to her daughter to see this through. She tells Marco that she’s sorry, but she’s not taking the deal. Marco says, fine, but the best he can do is argue that they didn’t have an independent test done on the footage to make sure it’s not being manipulated. Nina thanks him, and he says, it’s also his duty to inform her that he doesn’t believe it’s a good start for her and Willow. Nathana says, the longer she sticks with the alibi, the harder she’ll make it on Willow.  

Martin said representing both Drew and Willow would be malpractice. The answer is no. Drew says, fine. If he can’t help, get out. They don’t need him. Martin says he knows something they do need. They want Willow to get bail. He’ll see himself out and see them at the arraignment. He leaves and Willow says she’s so sorry. He was right about Michael, and she should have listened.

Dante says, Chase doesn’t sound like a cop. He sounds like a defense attorney. They talked about this. The evidence is clear. Willow is a suspect and doesn’t have an alibi. Chase asks if Dante believes Michael was with an escort, and Dante says he thinks the alibi is terrible, but Jacinda backed it up. Chase says, Michael paid her to, but Dante says, the point is, it hasn’t been proven Michael’s alibi is false. Willow’s, on the other hand, has. Chase says, okay. For a second, put Michael and Willow side by side. Who does he think is more capable and willing to plan and commit this crime?

Michael says he knew Willow wouldn’t refuse, and Brook says, why would she want to? If all went well, they could keep going. He says, that would mean all visits had a watchdog and Willow wouldn’t want that, and Brook says, but if Willow said no, he’d could say she turned down an opportunity to see her kids. Didn’t part of him think the therapy sessions would be good for Willow? He says, there was no way of knowing if it would help, and Willow was the last thing he cared about. The only real reservation he had was him and the kids continuing with therapy sessions. Now he didn’t have to worry. Willow had been arrested for shooting Drew and was out of the way now.

Jason says, a Mercedes? Britt said she wanted to practice. Britt says, that’s what she was driving at the Five Poppies until… He says, until what? and she says, there was an incident with a donkey. (Ha-ha-ha! The donkey!) He says, she hit a donkey with a Mercedes? and she says, it was fine. It had a little limp, but it healed. He asks how she knows it healed, and she says she’s a doctor. That donkey had a death wish. He asks if she can afford the car payments, and she says, if she has to live in a rented room above a diner, at least she can drive a nice car. He says, her insurance payments will go through the roof, and she says, why? He says he’s seen her drive, and she says, is he going to sign or walk her through driver’s ed? He signs the papers.

Nathan says, if Willow shot Drew in a rage, it was a crime of passion. She’ll do time, but any attorney can build a defense. Marco says, considering Drew’s reputation, it wouldn’t be hard to convince a judge that she was pushed to the brink. Nina could testify on her behalf and Willow could get a light sentence. If it goes to trial, she could be convicted of conspiracy, coldly ambushing a sitting congressman. Willow needed to construct an alibi. Nina covering for her proved it was premeditated. They were both looking at life sentences in federal prison. Nina said, if she recanted, it left Willow without an alibi, but Marco said, her daughter was without an alibi already. It was gone. It had been disproven. Nathan asked if Nina was absolutely sure Willow was innocent. There was a big difference between not wanting her to be guilty and her actually being innocent. If she wanted to help, she really needed to tell the truth.

Chase tells Dante, Willow is a nurse and a good mom. She’s made mistakes, but has no history of violence. Michael, on the other hand, is a person who brutally murdered a woman. Dante says, the circumstances were way different, and Chase says, Michael was practically raised in the mob. Dante says, if he follows the evidence, right now it points to Willow, and Chase says Dante keeps telling him that he’s biased, but Dante can’t see the possibility of his brother being a suspect, even if it means an innocent woman goes down for the crime. Chase walks out.

Willow says she never imagined that during the session Michael set up, she’d be arrested in front of her children, and Drew says, he’s a vindictive bastard. Willow says, more than that. He’s framing her. That means the father of her children broke into Drew’s home and shot him.

Brook tells Michael that Willow’s judgement was awful, especially when it came to Drew, but Wiley and Amelia loved their mom. And no matter what she’d done, Willow adored them and was capable of being a good mother. Michael says he’s not interested in saving Willow from herself. Not anymore. He was trying to stop her from doing more harm than she’d already done. Now, by the time the visitation hearing came around, Willow would be serving a life sentence for trying to kill Drew and would be out of the kids’ lives completely.

Britt thanks Jason, when Josslyn arrives. Jason asks if she’s seen her mom, and she says, yeah. She just came from her place. They had a great conversation. He says, anything in particular? and she says, no. Her mom just told her how much she’d missed her. She thought her mom missed her more than she realized. Britt says she wonders if Carly would have missed her as much if she knew Josslyn was lying to her face the whole time, and Josslyn says she’s very grateful that Britt saved her life, but she’s done doing this. And if Britt even thinks about telling her mom that she’s WSB, she will burn Britt’s life down because she can do it.

Carly is alone with the moss bowl🎍, and flashes back to Jason saying that Josslyn is in the WSB. She leans back on the sink and remembers asking Jason, why is her daughter in the WSB? Jason says, the assignment. Jack needed someone to get something and used Josslyn to get it. She flashes back to telling Jason that Jack put her daughter in danger and she had to get her out. There was a knock at the door, and Jack came in. He asks, did you miss me? (Aww. I feel sorry for Jack.)

Michael tells Brook, as a father, he’s responsible for keeping his children safe. That means keeping them away from Drew any way he can. The doorbell rings, and Brook says, her first guests. Does he want to come to her tea party? He says he just had one with Amelia. He’s good. She says, his loss, and leaves to answer the door.

Nina tells Nathan that she needs back-up. Please help save her daughter. Nathan says he is trying help, but if she sticks to her story, she and Willow will both end up in prison. Marco says, her brother is right. It won’t help giving an alibi that everyone knows is false. Instead, it will look more like Willow is a cold-blooded killer. Nina says she needs to do something, and Nathan says, drop the alibi. Do that, and it will give Willow a fighting chance. Turner came back and asked if they’d reached a decision.

Willow tells Drew that they have to get Wiley and Amelia away from Michael. It’s not safe. Michael is a dangerous man. Drew says, she has to prove she’s innocent first. Then they’ll get the kids away from Michael and back with her. She says he told her that he was willing to tell the police that he remembered Michael being the one who shot him. Would he really do that for her and her kids?

Dante walks into the nook and says, good. Michael is here. Michael says he is. What’s going on? Dante says he’s here as a brother – he puts his badge on the table – not as a cop. Convince him that he did not frame his ex-wife for attempted murder.

On Monday, Stella says Tracy might have some trouble on her hands anyway; Ronnie says, things are gonna get fun now; Dante tells Michael that he has to come forward and turn himself in; and Carly asks how Jack could keep her in the dark about her daughter.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

A little scary, and not in a Halloween way. Here’s praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery. Maxie’s family needs her back and so do we.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-star-kirsten-storms-addresses-reason-for-show-break-11829923

I love how she looks at growing up on the show.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-eden-mccoy-marks-10-years-as-josslyn-what-a-special-thing-to-be-able-to-celebrate/

The Daytime Emmy noms. I’m rooting extra for Gregory Harrison.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-nancy-lee-grahn-alexis-dishes-ric-hostage-story-and-daytime-emmy-nom-excl/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-laura-wright-on-daytime-emmy-nomination-i-was-really-proud-exclusive/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-jonathan-jackson-going-for-sixth-daytime-emmy-is-a-very-surreal-thing-exclusive/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/gregory-harrison-reflects-on-general-hospital-run-and-earning-a-daytime-emmy-nomination-at-75-excl/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

The crew had a night out, and Christian and Max were at odds throughout the whole episode. The primary was a repeat of someone Aesha served during her stint in Australia. She said he was very specific and she wasn’t wrong, although he wasn’t overly demanding. He did want truffles though, and a-hole Max decided to chow down on the remainder of them sitting in the galley – during the dinner service. Luckily, there were spares. Christian floated away on a jet ski with no way to get back, and in Nathan’s interview, he said he tried to motivate Max and Christian, but they were dead weight.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

The best moment ever was when Mary turned down caviar because she might end up with salmon babies in her belly. I have to admit to not paying much attention except for hearing Brittani tell the group how Jared was whining about how much he’d paid for things. There was also a beautiful lunch at a winery that degenerated into some argument about soup where they all tried to recall the line from Seinfeld – no soup for you! – but failed miserably.

Real Housewives Of Orange County

The group went to Amsterdam. One of those trips none of us will ever get to take and that they never really enjoy since there’s always a fight or six. Fancy Pants Heather was going to spread some of her father’s ashes there as her parents lived in Amsterdam while she was in college. They split into two groups – Gretchen, Fancy Pants, Gina, and Shannon went for space cakes, while Tamra, Emily, and Jenn decorated d*cks. Not real ones. They all met for dinner, which was hysterical to watch with a high Shannon and Fancy Pants looking at each other through their water glasses. After that was the Red-Light District, and in Jenn’s interview, she said maybe they would get through the trip alive. But then we saw next week’s promo. No such luck.

Real Housewives Of Miami – Reunion Part 3

We revisited Kiki spitting out an oyster and the ratchet/wretched controversy. Marysol said she was getting a procedure done on her knees after Adriana’s comment, which was just sad. Larsa apologized to Jody backstage, and Lisa and Larsa made up. Until next season. Thank God this one is over. I hate Reunions and this was one of the worst.

Random Reality Items

In case you were wondering. I find it difficult to feel bad for him though.

Giving you Lala.

I actually remember her. God forbid they cast someone a little out of the Beverly Hills norm.

Aww. This made me feel sad. They were so cute together.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

The Substance. HBO/MAX. A phenomenal film. Demi Moore deserved the Oscar for making body horror poignant, but even more so for making a statement about a real life horror – the dismissal of a woman as she ages. It’s sad that even today, women are judged by their appearance, while men are judged by their accomplishments. Moore plays a famous fitness instructor whose boss is looking for the next new shiny young thing. She ingests something called The Substance and births out a younger, prettier self. What happens next contains a million messages all pointing to how messed up society still is. The ending broke my heart.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1996873/the-substance-oscar-winning-horror-movie-hbo-max-streaming-charts/

This was the stupidest theory ever. It wasn’t Dallas.

https://screenrant.com/the-substance-elizabeth-mind-fan-theory/

Victoria Beckham. Netflix. I’ve always loved The Spice Girls (don’t judge) and loved Posh when she did her reality shows back in the early 2000s. I thought she was smart and had a wicked sense of humor. This documentary focuses on her pivot from pop culture celebrity to designer of couture. While her clothing mostly isn’t for my body type, I admit to owning a pair of her jeans. What struck me most was how mean people have been to her and the horrific things people have said, hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Yet, she stuck it out and achieved her dream. Okay, it didn’t hurt to have David by her side.

https://people.com/victoria-beckham-docuseries-reveals-business-debt-including-shocking-cost-of-office-plants-11828928

You, too, can channel her fashion.

https://people.com/victoria-beckham-netflix-outfits-october-2025-11830679

The Woman in Cabin 10. Netflix. A step up from a Lifetime movie – it has Guy Pearce! – a journalist is invited to cover a fundraiser and travels there with other guests on a yacht. She believes she’s witnessed someone falling or being pushed overboard, but all the evidence points to it never having happened.

https://www.thereviewgeek.com/thewomanincabin10-moviereview/

I was glad to read about the changes from the book. I was sure I’d read it, then started to doubt myself as I was watching the film.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/the-woman-in-cabin-10-netflix-review-movie-vs-book

It’s bigger than the one on Below Deck, but with the same rules.

https://people.com/all-about-the-woman-in-cabin-10-filming-locations-11830042

Sinners (again). HBO/MAX. I started watching this just to watch a specific scene again and got sucked in to the whole thing. It’s not just a horror masterpiece, it’s a masterpiece on every level. The cinematography, the acting, the soundtrack, and story are all brilliant. I loved the real life horror parallel and how multi-dimensional it was. If it doesn’t win all the Oscars, something is very wrong.

https://www.meer.com/en/93659-sinners-a-masterpiece-of-cinema

🔮 Watches Of the Future…

Premieres on October 26th and I can’t wait.

https://ew.com/when-does-welcome-to-derry-come-out-cast-trailers-11827313

https://ew.com/welcome-to-derry-on-set-it-prequel-tracing-pennywise-origins-exclusive-11830263

This looks interesting and kind of weird. And I didn’t hate WandaVision.

https://ew.com/visionquest-closes-wandavision-trilogy-billys-brother-tommy-11828643

🐉 Write Faster, George…

Yeah, no one wants to die, but people do, so get writing.

https://ew.com/george-rr-martin-winds-of-winter-delay-controversy-11828778

🎸 He Loved It Loud…

I was sad to hear this. IMO, Ace had the best of the KISS solo albums. New York Groove is a gem.

https://people.com/kiss-cofounder-ace-frehley-dead-at-74-11831585

🧌 Where the Rubber Suit Meets the Road…

Where else could a K-Pop Demon Hunter literally walk into a bar with Deadpool and Monkey D. Luffy?

https://nypost.com/2025/10/11/us-news/celebrities-and-cosplayers-take-part-in-new-york-comic-con-2025/

👻 All Dressed Up and Everywhere To Go…

🐩 Costumes on celebrity pets.

https://www.tmz.com/2021/10/29/celebrity-pets-all-dressed-up-for-halloween/

🦖 Costumes for ambitious pet parents.

https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/holidays/15-diy-pet-costumes-for-halloween-pictures

🦎 And costumes for not-so ambitious pet parents.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/pets-animals/2025/10/13/top-2025-halloween-pet-costumes-for-cats-dogs-and-more/86676756007/

🕷 Quotes of the Week

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

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

Many things—such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly—are done worst when we try hardest to do them. – C.S. Lewis, from Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, compiled in Words to Live By

I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest. – Venus Williams

The meaning of life is that it stops. – Franz Kafka

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

The opportunity of a lifetime is to pick yourself. Quit waiting to get picked; quit waiting for someone to give you permission; quit waiting for someone to say you are officially qualified… and pick yourself. – Seth Godin

We can have peace if we let go of wanting to change the past and wanting to control the future. – Lester Levinson

Healing comes from taking responsibility: to realize that it is you – and no one else – that creates your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions. – Peter Shepherd

If you want change, get out there and live it. – Steve Maraboli

We work to become, not to acquire. – Elbert Hubbard

We remember autumn to best advantage in the spring; the finest aroma of it reaches us then. – Henry David Thoreau

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

🐦‍⬛ On a Midnight Dreary…

Until next week, stay safe; stay making sure your porch has secure/easy child access if you’re passing out treats on Halloween; and stay not throwing a tea party for a shots and beers kinda gal.