What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

At the WSB Facility in Geneva, Dante does pushups. He flashes back to Dr. Kirk telling him that he wasn’t fully briefed on the operative, but it involves someone Dante knows, maybe family. Dante tells him, go to hell. He remembers asking Dr. Kirk, now that he’s willing to do the work, how long will it take? He doesn’t know how much of his family is still waiting for him. He throws a chair across the room. FYI, it’s a nicer room than the one he had.

Robert comes into the facility with Olivia, and the agent at the desk asks him to sign in. Olivia asks if the agent knows who he’s talking to. This is Robert Scorpio, the greatest agent in the history of the WSB. Robert says he’s sure the agent is too young to remember stuff like that, and the guy says he’ll notify Agent Wagner of their arrival. Olivia is nervous, as she pins on her ID tag. She thanks Robert for getting her in, and he says he hopes it works. She says, it’s got to. They need to remember what they said on the plane; think positive.

Lulu delivers some chicken parmigiana to Doc at the hospital. She says, she’s no chef, but it’s the recipe Olivia gave her when… Anyway, Dustin was supposed to come over, but got held up, and her mom was worried about how much Doc is working. He wonders if she’s campaigning for the world’s greatest stepdaughter, and she says she does have an ulterior motive. She’s wondering how long her mother is going to be staying in DC. Cyrus – who must sleep at the hospital now – comes by, and says he was wondering that himself.

Brando thanks Jason for finally believing he didn’t sabotage the motorcycle, even though it took a beating to convince him. Sam says, unless it was staged, and Brando asks if that’s what she thinks happened. She says, no. She thinks it happened like he said. Cyrus asked to help him, he refused, and Cyrus retaliated. Brando asks if he was that convincing, or is there something else behind her change of heart? Jason admits they were watching the garage, and Brando wonders if they were watching him. Jason says Brando told them Cyrus had come by, and it’s why they got there so fast. Brando supposes he should be grateful their surveillance worked.

At the MetroCourt, Valentin asks why Julian needs Martin so fast, and Julian says he wants to end his marriage to Nelle. Valentin is sure Julian isn’t the only one who wants to see the last of Nelle. Peter watches them from the doorway.

Alexis says, Neil died of a drug overdose? and Jordan says they’re not positive. She’s sure it’s a shock. The autopsy report… Alexis says, is wrong. Unless it was a fatal interaction between two medications Neil was taking. Jordan says, the drug in question is an opioid. Alexis asks if Jordan is telling her that Neil OD’d on opioids.

Valentin says, Nelle kidnapped Michael’s son, and Julian says, everyone is looking for her; he wants to separate himself as soon as possible. Valentin says, as her husband, he can’t be compelled to testify against Nelle, unless he’s charged as an accessory. Julian says he has no idea where Nelle is, and Valentin assumes the police and Sonny believe him, since he’s not in jail or worse. Julian says the sooner he gets ahold of Martin, the happier he’ll be. Valentin asks if he’s worried that Nelle is coming back, or that she’s not coming back.

Alexis tells Jordan, the medical examiner is wrong. She knows Neil wasn’t a drug addict. Jordan says it was just the preliminary report, and she’s sure they’ll know more when they get the final report. Dr. Meyer might change her conclusion, but if not, and they put it in context, they might figure out why it happened. Hadn’t Neil recently lost his medical license and position at the hospital? Alexis wonders if Jordan is asking if Neil was depressed. Of course (🍷) he was; who wouldn’t be? But he was able to process it. They’d been joking, and talking about the future. Jordan says she’s sorry she has to ask, but was it possible Neil was covering up his true feelings? Maybe the challenge of starting over was too much, and he took his own life.

Olivia repeats, positive, positive, to herself, and says, it’s not going to be easy. Robert says, it’s been months since Dante sent back a letter. He’s had time to reconsider. He’s there for a reason; to get better. She tells him, try explaining that to Ned. He just thinks she’s setting herself up for disappointment. He tells her not to buy into Ned’s concern, and she says he’s afraid she’ll get hurt again by being too vulnerable. He says, of course (🍷) she is. She’s a parent. When Robin was young, a tear or a smile would turn him into a mushy puss. He’s been that way since she was little. Olivia says he wouldn’t have it any other way, and Robert says, better to be vulnerable and feel something. It’s better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. She says Tennyson, and Robert says he learned it in school. It’s the only part he remembers. She says if she could pick one line, that would be the one to remember. He says, whatever Dante’s reaction, she’s not there to save the world. She says, just a tiny slice in Port Charles. The agent brings a man in, and says he’s Robert’s former colleague, Bryan Wagner. Robert says, and a great agent. Robert thanks him, and tells Olivia that Bryan is the interim head in Geneva, and the one who’s getting her in to see Dante. In the meantime, he has paperwork to do. He leaves, and Olivia says she can’t thank Bryan enough. He tells her, thank Robert. He must love her very much.

Cyrus tells Doc and Lulu that he has big plans for the hospital, and it would help to have the mayor’s input. When is she expected back? Doc says, she’s extended her trip, and he’s not sure when she’ll be back. Cyrus asks Doc to give her his regards when he speaks to her, and tells Lulu, always a pleasure. Is she there for a story? She says she’s there to drop off dinner to her stepfather, and Cyrus bets Doc wants him to improve the food in the cafeteria, but Doc says Cyrus would only try to poison him. Cyrus says, then Doc would have a reason to commit him, which he tried the last time they met. Doc says, if Cyrus fired him, he wouldn’t be the first. Lulu asks what Doc means, and Doc says, sorry. Cyrus made a staffing change and fired Monica and Bobbie. Lulu says, he did what? and Cyrus smiles.

Jason tells Brando, Sonny will worry about what happens next. While they can assume it was Cyrus who had Brando beat up, they have no proof, and there’s no proof Cyrus tampered with his motorcycle. Sonny will handle it when he’s ready. Until then, Brando will be protected. Brando says, good to know. Jason gets a text from Spinelli that says: Must talk, Your abode. Sam tells Brando to do what the doctor said, and don’t get up. Brando thanks them for scraping him up off the floor, and Jason says he owes Brando for saving Carly. Outside Brando’s room, Sam wonders if they should tell Sonny, but Jason says Sonny is with Mike. That’s more important, and Jason can fill him in later; it’s not urgent. If Cyrus wanted to break the truce, Brando would be dead. Sam says, Jason almost was, but he says, it was low risk operation, and Cyrus has deniability. Look how easily he took over GH. If they overreact, they’re playing his game. Sam says she’ll join him later. She has things to take care of first. They go their separate ways.

Julian says the cops think he might be helping Nelle, and Valentin says, is he? Julian says, no, and Valentin says he doesn’t see how seeing Martin quickly will help. He thinks Julian should stay married for now. Julian leaves, and Peter asks Valentin what Julian wanted. Valentin says, he was worried about Nelle. There seems to be a lot of that going around.

Alexis tells Jordan, Neil enjoyed his life. He enjoyed the opera, good food, good books, and even drag queen bingo karaoke. Last night they were talking about how much they were looking forward to the future. Does that sound depressed? Jordan says she’s just trying to understand, and Alexis says, so is she. Jordan asks if there’s a family history. Alexis says, Neil’s daughter took her own life, but before Jordan says ah-ha, while Neil was devastated, he used his experience to help other parents. Jordan thinks you never get over losing a child. Maybe Alexis was unaware of how much pain he was in. Was that possible? Alexis says, there was no sign that Neil would do anything drastic. There must be some other explanation. Jordan asks if it’s possible Alexis didn’t know Neil as well as she thought. When it’s something as insidious as drug use, those closest to the person sometimes don’t know anything.

Robert comes back, and says, the Bureau will never change. They could arrest three times as many people if not for the paperwork. Olivia says she’s deeply grateful, but also embarrassed. Robert’s friend seems to think Robert is in love with her. He laughs, and asks if Bryan said that. She asks if it’s so crazy, and he says any guy would find her irresistible. She says, nice save, Scorpio. Or should she say, James Bond? Dr. Kirk comes back in with Bryan, who says they have a problem, and introduces Dr. Kirk as Dante’s psychologist. Dr. Kirk says it’s not possible for them to see his patient.

Lulu tells Cyrus, Monica Quartermaine and Bobbie Spencer are vital to the hospital. He says, their actions left the hospital open to a malpractice suit, and it was the appropriate response to terminate their employment. His job isn’t to risk the head psychologist, one of his most valued assets, and the husband of their city’s most illustrious mayor. Doc asks if Cyrus is keeping him on as a favor to his wife, and Cyrus says he’d do anything to keep her happy. Doc’s phone rings, and he steps away. Lulu tells Cyrus that he’s too focused on her mother, and he says he has high hopes for a better relationship with her mother, and the rest of the family. I get a minute movie in my head of Laura saying she’s tired of her boring life, and wants to get back to her adventurous roots, then running off with Cyrus.

Jason goes to the apartment, and asks Spinelli, what’s going on? Spinelli says he has the vital evidence they need. Jason asks if he’s talking about the attack on Brando, but Spinelli says, it’s information incriminating Peter. Jason said they’d have to find proof even Maxie and Anna couldn’t deny, and they have it. From Peter, in his own words.

Brando tries to get up, but Sam comes back in, and tells him to lie down. He’s supposed to stay in bed. What was he thinking?

Julian sees Alexis at the hospital, and says she looks like she lost her best friend. Are the girls okay? She says, they’re fine, and he asks, who then?

Valentin asks Peter what the urgent phone call was about. Does he need help blowing up the world? Peter says, before Nelle took off, she disclosed private information, which, if it got to the wrong person, he could be a dead man. Valentin says, the wrong person being Jason.

Spinelli tells Jason, he encountered Nelle in the hours before she abducted Wiley. In retrospect, it was probably to divert his attention at the time, but he’s grateful for the information. Jason says, what information? and Spinelli says Shiloh confided to Nelle that Peter was involved in Drew’s abduction in Afghanistan, and leveraged the information. Jason says, that’s why Peter was on the pier with a bag of cash. Anything else? Spinelli says if Peter was willing to break Shiloh out, he could have sabotaged Drew’s plane, and engineered Franco and Andre’s attack. Jason asks, what about evidence? Spinelli says Maxie believes Peter is sincerely reformed, but what Nelle told him confirms they’re on the right path to proving he’s a liar. Jason asks if he has proof in Peter’s own words, and Spinelli says, exactamundo. Before he could complete the task of removing the camera in the garage, Maxie and Peter came in. Maxie had to leave, and he confronted Peter. Peter refuted his accusations, and he pretended to be cowed and slunk away, leaving Peter with the camera on. Peter obligingly incriminated himself, and Spinelli has the footage. They look at Peter on the phone.

Sam says, next time, she’ll let Brando fall on his face. He asks if she came back to lecture him, and she says she came to apologize. She’s sorry for accusing him of sabotaging Jason’s bike. He says he understands her suspicions, but wishes she’d taken the time to get to know him better. She says, it’s easy; he’s so transparent. He says if he’d lived his life like her, he’d be warm and cuddly too, and she asks, what makes him think he knows what kind of life she’s lived? He says, tell him.

Robert tells Dr. Kirk that he arranged for clearance, but the doctor says, right now, it’s not safe for Dante to have visitors. Olivia says she’s not a visitor; she’s his mother. Dr. Kirk says Dante feels he can’t control his actions, and would be a danger to family and friends; they could be a huge trigger. Olivia says she understands Dante wanting to protect her, but he’s wrong. He could never hurt her, but she can’t prove it unless she sees him face to face. Robert says, she has a point, and Dr. Kirk says, since she has clearance, he’ll allow access, but it’s up to Dante if he wants to see her. Olivia says she understands, and the doctor says, this way, and leads them to Dante’s room.

Lulu says Cyrus doesn’t know a damn thing about her family, but he says, on the contrary. He’s done his research, and Lulu and her mother have a lot of similarities. They were both impulsive in their youth, and couldn’t be contained. They were attracted to men with a thirst for danger, and tagged along on one adventure to the next, until the adventures stopped. Then they settled down. Lulu says she grew up. What’s his point? He says he’s fascinated with people who transform their lives and run away from their past. Tell him. Does she ever miss her old life?

Olivia tells the doctor, it’s not the first time Dante has tried to protect her. She tells him about Dante being undercover, and Dante hears them outside the door. Dr. Kirk tells her to wait. He’ll see if Dante will accept a visit.

Dr. Kirk goes into Dante’s room, and says his mother is out there. Dante says he heard her voice, and the doctor says she wants to see him. Dante wonders how she got access, and Dr. Kirk says, she knows living legend Robert Scorpio. Dante says, that’s his mother, and the doctor asks if he wants to see her. Does he feel like he’s sufficiently in control? Dante hears, complete the mission… complete the mission, in his head.

Lulu tells Cyrus that he got his details scrambled regarding her and her mother’s adventures. They didn’t tag along; certainly not her mother. Her mother was the dangerous one, which he’d do well to remember. Doc comes back, and says one of his colleagues has passed away. Cyrus asks if it was someone on the hospital staff, and Doc says, not since Cyrus took over. Cyrus gives Doc his condolences, and says he’ll give them privacy. He tells Lulu, if she’s ever so inclined, he wouldn’t say no to a home cooked meal. Cyrus reminds me of Richard III, and how he tries to romance Lady Anne right after he’s murdered her husband and father-in-law.

Sam tells Brando, before she was a P.I. and before she met Jason and became a mom, she chose a different lifestyle. He asks if she was a circus juggler or a game show host, and she says she was a con artist. He laughs, and says that’s better than what he could come up with. She says she’s serious, and he asks how she got into that. She says she had her reasons, and convinced herself they were good ones. They’re decent people, but their past is still a part of them. She says she’s bad at this, but she’s saying she’s sorry. She didn’t mean to judge him about trying to sabotage Jason’s bike, or what went down with Molly. He accepts her apology, and she thanks him, but she needs him to stay in bed. He has to get better fast. He’s Sonny’s investment, and they don’t want to disappoint him. He thanks her again.

Julian wonders if Neil turned to drugs because of his interference, and Alexis says it figures Julian would make it about him. He suggests she didn’t know Neil as well as she thought, but she says, Neil wasn’t battling any demons. Jordan comes out with the medical examiner, and says she’ll let Julian know when there’s any news about Nelle. Alexis says she’d like to know if Dr. Meyer still believes Neil died of an OD, and the doctor says she found the puncture wound where Neil was injected.

Olivia wonders what’s taking so long. What’s the doctor saying? Dr. Kirk comes out, and says he’s sorry, but Dante refuses to let her visit. He doesn’t think it’s safe. Olivia says, he’s wrong, but he says, Dante is the best judge of his own feelings. He’s made the decision; sorry. He’ll show them out. She says, the hell he will. She storms to the door, and tries to open it, but it’s locked. She says, this is his mother. Open this door. Dante Angelo Falconari, open the door. She knows he’s trying to protect her; that’s the kind of person he is. Concerned about other people, and always trying to do the right thing. Dante goes to the door, and she says she wishes she could say she taught him that, but it came from inside of him. It was there on the day he was born. She was just blown away at this perfect person she brought into this world, and he is. She cries, and says he’s perfect, and she loves him the way he is. Dante sits against the door on the other side, and she says, love is stronger than fear, and stronger than PTSD; stronger than this door. She bangs on it, and says, sweetheart, just listen. He’s got to trust her. Just open the door. Let her see his face. Let her tell him how much she loves him. She cries, and slides down the door, and Dante looks like he has a headache, sitting with his head in his hands.

Alexis asks Dr. Meyer if the injection was voluntary. Was it self-administered, or could it have been an attack? The medical examiner says, there were no defensive injuries, but Alexis doesn’t believe it. She says no way the man she knew took his own life. Not in her house, and in her bed. They’ve made a mistake, and she’s going to prove it. Julian says he’ll take her home, and follows her out.

Doc tells Lulu that Neil was a respected colleague. Neil turned over his patient files to him just last night. That’s another reason he wants to stay at GH, although a side of him wishes Cyrus would fire him like Monica and Bobbie. Sam comes by, and asks what they’re talking about. Lulu says they were talking about how Cyrus’s first order of business was to fire the Chief of Staff and the Head Nursing Administrator. Sam says, that’s… Lulu says, awful? Despicable? All of the above? Sam says she’s sorry, and jets.

After presumably looking at the video, Jason tells Spinelli, he doesn’t think it’s enough, but it’s a start. They need to track down the person on the other end of the call; either a confident or an accomplice. He knows Spinelli is worried about Maxie, but they can’t rush it. Their goal is to get hard evidence. He tells Spinelli, once they have it, they can move, and Spinelli leaves.

Valentin tells Peter, Jason is a dangerous man, and Peter says he knows that. Valentin says Jason shot Peter’s father, and holds a grudge. Peter held him hostage for five years. Peter says he saved Jason’s life, and Valentin says, and Anna saved Peter’s life. He’d be dead if she hadn’t intervened. Peter says, the point is, Nelle made incriminating allegations to Spinelli. He asks if Valentin will help him, and Valentin says, of course (🍷). It’s the least he can do after delivering Peter to his father to raise, and it’s the better option, being essential to Maxie and Anna’s happiness. But how do they do it? Bridge the gap from a past as dark as Peter’s, with the man who sits before him.

Olivia sits on the floor, and cries. Robert says, let’s go, and helps her up. She tells Dante, sweetheart, I love you, and know you’re going to get better. I know you’re coming home, and we’ll all be waiting. Take it easy. They leave, and Dante is super bummed.

Olivia tells Robert, her son doesn’t want her because he thinks he’s a danger, but he knows that when he’s ready to come home, there will be someone waiting who trusts him. One of these days he’ll be ready. It’s better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all. Robert says he’ll book a flight back, but she says, no. They have Holly’s memorial; that’s more important. They made a pact. He supported her with Dante, and she’s going to support him with Holly. End of story. They made a bargain, and now it’s her turn. She couldn’t help her son, but she can help him with Holly. They’ll put one foot in front of the other, and the next step is going to Holly’s memorial together.

Dr. Kirk goes into Dante’s room, and Dante asks if his mother is gone. The doctor says, it couldn’t have been easy, but Dante says, it’s not safe for him to see her. He has to do the work first before he faces his family. The doctor says he admires that Dante wants to do the work, instead of taking the operative that would have been his shortcut home.

Doc tells Lulu, the more he experiences Cyrus, the more he needs a shower. She says she’s glad her mom’s not there to see Cyrus do his victory lap, and Doc says Cyrus has an odd affinity for his wife. Lulu says, and their family.

Valentin says Peter has to prove to Maxie and Anna that he’s worth loving. Be the man they think he is, and keep them close. Peter says, and Jason? Valentin says he won’t know about their conversation. They’ll go their separate ways, and he’ll do what he can to keep Jason from destroying Peter.

Sam gets back home, and asks Jason where Spinelli is. Jason says he sent Spinelli home, and she asks if he had anything they can use against Cyrus. He says, not yet, but they’re closer to a link between Peter and Shiloh. She asks what that means, and he says, nothing much yet. What about her unfinished business? She says she thought she owed Brando an apology for accusing him of sabotaging Jason’s bike. While she was at the hospital, she ran into Lulu and Doc. They told her that Cyrus fired Bobbie and his mother. This wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t been able to take over GH. Go ahead and say it. He thinks it’s her fault.

A nurse brings flowers into Brando’s room, and he says, that’s a first. No one ever sent him flowers before. The nurse gives him the card, and says, enjoy. He reads, Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Let me know if I can be of assistance. Cyrus.

Julian helps Alexis look through the bedroom. She says, no evidence of self-injection. He looks under the bed, and finds a syringe. He tells Alexis, sorry.

Cyrus is reading at home, when there’s a knock at the door. It’s Jordan, who asks why he murdered Neil.

Next time, Alexis says she fell for a better liar than Julian, Sam says Bobbie and Monica are paying the price for her actions, Jordan asks Cyrus if her services are no longer needed, and Brick wonders if Carly is asking him to stop. She says, not a chance.

The Haves and The Have Nots

At the Cryer residence, a cop asks if Hanna recognizes Derrick. He said he works there. She says she doesn’t want to talk to him, and Derrick says, tell them… The cop says, sir… and Derrick insists he works there. He’s supposed to be there. Jim asked him to come and board up the door. He has the materials in the trunk. He asks Hanna to tell them, and she says she doesn’t know if he talked to Jim. He asks if she thinks he’s a liar, and she asks if he really wants her to talk about who he is. He asks the cop to please call Jim, but another cop says, there’s no need. They just confirmed it; uncuff him. He says Derrick can board up the door now, but Derrick says he doesn’t need to. He’ll just fix the locks and door jamb. The first cop asks if Hanna can show them what’s missing, which makes no sense, since she can’t show them anything if it’s missing. He says, the bedroom and master seem to be the only places, and they go upstairs.

They go into Kathryn’s closet, and Hanna says Kathryn had way more jewelry. Everything is gone. Kathryn’s car keys are gone, and she didn’t see one of the cars out front. The cop asks if she knows the make and model, but all she knows is that it’s a Mercedes. He asks if she can get the information and make a report, and she says, absolutely, jotting down some notes.

Candace calls Benny, and says Hanna is gone. She’s sitting outside, and wants to be gone before Hanna gets back. Benny says he’s supposed to meet Mitch, but he’ll come. She tells him, hurry up please.

Hanna gives the officer what she’s written down, and says, it’s all she knows. She asks if he’d mind walking her to her car. Outside, David sees Hanna, but she keeps walking. He asks if she doesn’t hear him, and she says she’s ignoring him. He says he’s just trying to find out what happened, and she says, it’s none of his business, but he says the Cryers are friends of his; it is his business. Jim asked him to come. She says she doesn’t answer to Jim or David, and he says if she thinks she’s working for Kathryn, and not working for Jim, she’s wrong. The two of them will always be together. Be careful about taking sides. She tells him, leave her alone, and he says just tell him what’s missing. She says, ask the police, but he says they won’t tell him. He tells her, she needs to call Jim; it’s his house. She says she doesn’t owe Jim a damn thing. She gets in her car and drives off, and David goes inside.

At the station, Officer Miller is taken out on a stretcher. Vinny tries to chat up the desk sergeant, and she asks him to show some respect. He doesn’t think she gets it, and asks if she’s suicidal. Another officer comes out and says she’s not. Vinny says cops around there are under pressure, but the officer says she’s fine, and takes her place at the desk. Vinny asks where his mother is, and the officer asks if he can take Vinny back, but Vinny says, no; bring her out. The officer says he has to call the chief, but Vinny says, just bring her out. Hurry up, and don’t make her nervous. He says, one more thing. If his mother has one hair out of place… The officer says, she’s fine. They got her a nice chair. Vinny says, a nice chair in prison. All right. Tell her Vinny is there. The officer goes in the back.

He unlocks Rose’s cell, saying, Miss Malone? and she says, call her Mama Rose. He says her sons are out there, and she says she thought so. He says he’s working as fast as he can to get her out. Is there anything else he can get her? She asks what happened to the officer who arrested her? Tell Mamma Rose. He says, the officer attempted to commit suicide, and she says, how sad. He says, it is, and she tells him, keep her posted. He says he will, adding that he has to call the chief and ell him. She says, he didn’t tell the chief she’s there? and he says, sorry. She asks, why not? and he says, the chief gets pissed if they call after hours. She says, if he knew it was about her, he wouldn’t get pissed. Call and tell him that she asked about Ashley, and how she’s doing in college. He says he will, and she says, do it now. As he starts to leave, she says, and son, relax… but not too much. He closes the cell door.

Kathryn asks if that’s what Mama Rose does; threaten and bully. Rose says, yes, but she’s so much better at it than Kathryn. Kathryn laughs, and says, is that right? Okay. Rose asks what Kathryn means, and Kathryn says, when she gets out, she’ll show her. Rose says Kathryn will never get out, but Kathryn says, darling, you have no idea how resourceful I am. Rose asks how Kathryn’s daughter is, and Kathryn says, say what? Rose says, her daughter. She’s the one who committed suicide, isn’t she? Why doesn’t Kathryn do the same? Kathryn says she’s waiting for Rose. Rose says, Kathryn’s bastard son caused her heartache when he killed that little girl. She was just wondering what it would be like for Kathryn to be in the same cell with one of the girl’s family members. Kathryn says, don’t threaten her, but Rose says she’s not threatening, just wondering… Kathryn says she’s just telling Rose not to threaten her. Rose says, yes, ma’am. Kathryn says she might be behind bars, but she has a far reach. Rose says, why not reach for the keys? Kathryn wanted to know how her son was. He’s dead. Kathryn says if she finds out anything happened to her son, that will be the end of her reign, and Rose says, at least Kathryn knows she reigns. Kathryn says, don’t forget who’s queen, and Rose asks if Kathryn is the one tilting the throne. Kathryn says, is that what Rose calls it? Okay. She lies down, and laughs.

At the Iron Bone, Mitch’s phone rings. Benny tells him, Candace is locked out. He’s going to open the door for her, then he’ll be there. Sandy comes in, and asks for a double whiskey, neat. Mitch asks what the hell is wrong with him? and Sandy says, Uncle Vinny shot him. Mitch asks, who? and Sandy says, the officer who arrested Mama Rose. He was going off, and Vinny took out a gun and shot him in the police station. Mitch asks if Vinny was arrested, but Sandy says, no; it was crazy. Mitch wonders how they could not arrest Vinny, and Sandy says, another cop was there. He was scared to death, and Vinny told him the cop shot himself. Mitch asks if Vinny killed him, but Sandy doesn’t know. Mitch says, son of a bitch Vinny. Sandy says he’s going to be sick, and Mitch asks, what for? Sandy says he’s never seen that, and Mitch says Sandy acts like a big man, always wanting to run the family. Sandy says, that was insane, and Mitch says, call it what he wants. Does he think Vinny is going to jail? Mitch says, he probably should, and Sandy says he didn’t pull the trigger, but he was there. He’ll get through this, right? Mitch says he doesn’t get involved in the family business, but Sandy is going to have to handle it. Stuff like that happens all the time. Sandy wants another drink, and takes the bottle from the bartender. He tells Mitch, the kid was young, like 22. Mitch says, it’s a shame, but that stuff happens; it’s part of the game. Sandy drinks another shot, and walks away.

Jeffrey sees Justin waiting outside Madison’s apartment, and Justin asks what the hell Jeffrey is doing there. Jeffrey says Madison called him; what the hell is Justin doing there? He tells Justin, he’s there to see his man, and Justin says, Jeffrey and Madison are seeing each other now? Jeffrey says, stop this, and Justin asks if Jeffrey is just going to leave him like this, but Jeffrey says he was never with Justin. Justin says he can be better, and Jeffrey tells him, leave now. Justin says his brother came to see him, and threatened him. Jeffrey shakes his head, and Justin says he doesn’t know if he’s going to make it, between his family and Jeffrey’s mother. He doesn’t have anything. Jeffrey knocks on Madison’s door, and Justin says he’s just going in there with Madison? Seriously, what is up with Justin that he can’t take a hint? Madison comes out, and Jeffrey puts his arm around him. Madison says, Justin is still there, and asks Jeffrey if he wants to come in. Jeffrey starts to follow Madison, when Justin grabs his arm, saying, please, don’t. Jeffrey shakes him off, and says, stop it. Madison waves, and says, byieeee!

Inside, Madison asks if Jeffrey feels sorry for Justin. Jeffrey says he does, and Madison says, that’s because Jeffrey is a good person. Justin is something bad waiting to happen. Jeffrey wonder how long Justin has been out there, and says he’s spending the night. Madison says, the morning, and Jeffrey realizes it’s 2 am. He says he’ll sleep on the couch in case Madison needs protection. Madison asks if Jeffrey can’t protect him from his bed. He has to be at work in a few hours though, so let him rest. Jeffrey says he’ll try, and asks if Madison is really leaving Justin out there. Madison says, you can’t help everybody. Jeffrey says he knows, and they go into the bedroom.

David calls Jim and asks what Jim would like him to do. Jim thanks him, saying he knows it’s late. David says they’ve been praying for this for a long time, and Jim says he doesn’t know why David puts up with her. David says he asks himself that at least once a month. Jim says, is that all? Sorry. He knows he’s an ass. David says he knows too, and Jim says, very funny. David tells Jim that Hanna was there, and Jim says, Kathryn has her on the alarm call list. He asks what Hanna said, but David says she wouldn’t tell him a thing. She can be a bit of a bitch. She’s a nice woman and all, until she’s pushed. Jim says he’ll need David’s help later to find his son before he does something stupid again. David says he’ll try now, but Jim says, get some rest. Wyatt stole his car, and he’ll have it tracked in a few hours. Wyatt won’t be able to pawn anything until 10. He thanks David again.

Benny pulls up to Hanna’s house, where Candace sits on the stoop. She says, finally, and Benny asks if Hanna is there. Candace says, she’s gone, and Benny lets her in. She thanks him, and he asks where she’s going this late. She tells him, a hotel, and he says he’s meeting Mitch to talk about Derrick. She asks, why not wait until morning? but Benny tells her, the internet said he killed a man. She says she told him that she doesn’t think it’s the same guy, but what if Mitch gets more information? Benny asks if Mitch can do that, and she says, the Malones can do anything. Candace says she’s going to get her stuff, and he asks what if Hanna comes back. Hanna appears, and says she’s already back. Why are they there? She told them to get out. Benny tries to show her the picture from the internet, but she won’t look. She says they just steal that man’s money after everything Kathryn has done. She’s been good to them. Benny says Kathryn’s son hit him, and Hanna asks if he’s stealing his payday. He says he’s not going unless they talk, but Hanna says she’ll have his ass dragged out of there, like they did to her in that damn bar. Benny says it was for her own good, and she asks what he knows about anyone’s own good. He sounds like his sister. He says he just wants to ask her a question, and she says, keep disrespecting and disregarding her request. She gets out her phone, and says she needs the police. Benny asks if Derrick raped her, and she says, this is what he’s going to do? Candace says she told him that wasn’t the guy, and Hanna asks why he thinks that. Candace says her generation uses this thing called the internet, and Benny asks what he did to her. He looked it up, and the dude raped her. He tries to show her the picture again, and she says she didn’t say that. Benny says he’ll find out, and Hanna asks where he’s going. He says she wants him out of there; what does it matter? He leaves, and Hanna tells Candace, see? All this is her fault. Get her things and get out. After everything they’ve been through, Hanna thought Candace would do the right thing. All her hopes and prayers… Candace says, it’s millions, but Hanna says, it’s not hers. Candace says, it is now, but Hanna says she’s never going to get it. Her brother is going to get hurt. Candace says Mitch will take care of it, and Hanna asks, how? Candace says, he’ll throw Benny off. Make him take a look at someone else, not Derrick. Hanna tells her to get her stuff and get out.

In bed with a guy, Veronica says, it’s what she’s been missing. We see it’s David, and he says he’s missed her; he loves her so much. She says she loves him too. Why are they going through all this? He says he’s sorry he hit her, and she says she’s sorry for what she did to hm. She loves him, and he says he wants to stay with her forever. She asks if he promises, and tells him to hold her like he used to all night. They spoon, and he asks if he told her that he was in love with Hanna. Suddenly David is gone, and Veronica cries. I don’t think we’ve ever seen her cry in all these years. I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.

Sandy tells Mitch, it was insane. Benny comes in, and Sandy says, you’ve got to be kidding. Vinny is coming back; Benny can’t be there. Mitch tells Sandy, shut up. Benny asks, what’s going on? and Mitch says he did some research. He has a cousin Louise who works in county records, and she got access somehow. Benny asks what Mitch found, and Mitch says the records were mixed up. It’s not Derrick; they’re two different guys. He shows Benny a picture, and Benny says, good. He was about to kill Derrick. Mitch says he’s got to let it go. Benny asks why all that’s on the internet, and Mitch says, Benny knows how it is. This is the most real government issued background check. He says Benny’s got the wrong dude, and Benny thanks him. Mitch says he should lay off; pick his battles. Mitch wants to keep Hanna out of there. Mama Rose walks in with her boys, and Benny leaves.

Sandy says, what the hell? He told Mitch. Mitch says, shut up, and Rose tells them all to shut up. Mitch asks how she is, and she says, tired. He says it’s good to see her, and she says, same here, and hugs him. He says he loves her, and she says she loves him too. He asks if he can do anything for her, and she asks if he’s coming in. He looks at Vinny, and he says, nah; he can’t. She says, okay, then do something for her – leave. They have family business to discuss. He says, yes, mama, and Sandy says, don’t bring the Black back here. Mitch tells Sandy, watch his mouth in front of grandma, calling him a racist POS. Vinny tells Mitch, go, and Sandy asks how Mama Rose is doing. She says, she’s okay, and asks why he left the station. He says he had to get back to the bar. Rose says she heard he couldn’t handle it, and folded. Vinny says he did what he had to do. They can’t be disrespected in this town. He needs thicker skin. Rose says, two things. She’s tired, and thinks it’s time she joined their uncle in Florida. Tonight, Vinny proved he can run the business. It’s in his hands now. He thanks her, and she says, keep it going; keep the pressure on. He says he will, and she tells him, take her home. She needs to sleep. She stinks of jail. They’re about to leave, and she says, wait; she almost forgot. Kathryn Cryer was in the cell next to her. They paid to keep their son alive? Vinny says, true, and she says, $75,000? Vinny says, no; $50,000. She says, Kathryn said 75, but Rose said she wanted a million. Vinny laughs, and Rose says, that bitch wants to go to war with her? Find him and keep him until she gets her money. She gave Kathryn 24 hours.

Wyatt pulls up in front of a house, and a dude says, bro, what you need? Another asks if he’s a cop, and Wyatt says, with a car like this? Dude tells him, he says, it ain’t like cops don’t drive a nice car. Wyatt asks what he’s got, and dude asks if he has money Wyatt says he’s got jewelry; a nice watch. Dude says he’s not going shopping, and calls his friend over to check it out. Wyatt hands over the watch, and the second guy says, it’s cheap, but Wyatt says, it’s worth $45K. Dude pockets the watch, and says the only place they take jewelry in the middle of the night is the Iron Bone. Wyatt says he can’t go there, and asks dude to give him something. Dude says he can’t do that here. He tells his friend, that man says he wants drugs, and he’s got nothing but jewelry. A girl comes up to the car, and says, hey. Wyatt asks what she’s got, and she says she’s got what he needs. She asks to see the ring he’s holding, and says, damn. She gives him something, but he says, it’s not enough. She says she can get the rest. Let’s go for a drive. Wyatt gets out, and lets her get in the driver’s seat.

Candace brings down her suitcase, and tells Benny, this is it. Benny says, packed and ready to go. He asks where she’s going, and she thinks Atlanta. She’ll let him know when she’s settled. He says he’ll miss her, and she says she’ll miss him too. It’s a helluva start. He thanks her, and she thanks him, saying she means it. They’ve been through crap, and he feels her. He says she’s been there for him, and he appreciates it. She tells him that she loves him, and says, it’s not going sit well with mama. He says he knows. She asks where he’s going, and he says, a little place. Maybe he’ll buy it outright, in his name. He’ll get a tow truck, and get back in the grind with Mitch. She says, if Jim bothers him, let her know; he’s scared to death of the Malones. Be safe.

They walk out, and Derrick is waiting. Benny asks what the hell he’s doing there, and Derrick says he came by to talk to Hanna. Benny says, she’s not there, and asks what the hell Derrick did to her. He says that’s between him and Hanna. Candace says, and her apparently, and Derrick says, and her. Benny asks what they’re talking about, and Derrick asks to speak to Candace. Benny asks, what’s going on? but Candace says she doesn’t know. Derrick says, please, and she asks Benny to give them a second. He heads for his truck, and says, five minutes. Candace says she’ll give Derrick three. Derrick tells her that he had a drug problem as a teenager… when he did that to her mother. He’s regretted it every day since. He didn’t know anything about Candace, and he’s so sorry. He’s a much better man now. He’s not that little boy anymore. He’s so sorry, and he wanted her to know that. She says, okay, and he asks if there’s anything she wants to say to him. She says, yes, and he readies himself. She says, goodbye, and he says, okay. Sorry. She walks over to Benny.

Benny asks what that was about, and Candace says she hopes she can get a flight. She gets in the truck.

Vinny tells Sandy that he knows it was a lot for him to see. He got to know how the business rolls. Sandy says he gets it now, and Vinny says he’s is in charge. He’ll be doing things different. He needs to turn up the heat. Sandy asks what he’s thinking about, and Vinny says, the Cryer kid. He paid $50K. There’s something about that… Mama Rose said she thought it was $75K, but he got $50K. Mama wants her money, and they’ve got to get it. She also wants someone in a cell; a family member of the Castille kid. They see Wyatt come in, and Sandy says, you’ve got to be kidding. He wonders if he’s seeing things, but Vinny says he’s not. They just got a gift.

Next time, Vinny talks to Wyatt, Jim wants to know where his son is, Kathryn says no one is more ruthless than her, Jeffrey tells Justin to just leave him alone (for the five millionth time), and Vinny tells Sandy to kill Wyatt.

🌃 Another Late Night…

Saving the tea, and saying goodnight. May you stay safe, stay dazzling, and stay in Mama Rose’s good graces.