Tag Archives: I Put a Spell On You

October 22, 2024 – Marshall Gets a Big Sendoff, Circling the City Drain, Pavlova, Best Parade Ever & Spell

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At The Savoy, Curtis tells the crowd about their family relying on each other’s love and tenacity. By the grace of God, they come through and they soar. There’s no finer example than his father, his dad, his pop. All Marshall’s life, he practiced his art in the shadows, and in the studio sessions, cruises, and dive bars, he was working on his craft while working on developing a reputation of respect from his fellow musicians. Today is a long overdue and very well-earned time for him to step into the spotlight and show the world what he does. Everyone toasts to Marshall.

Dante goes to see Sonny in his office and says, for the first time in a long time, everything is okay. They found a donor for Lulu. It’s Sam.

Elizabeth says she scored an extra pillow for Sam and asks if she can get her anything else. Sam says she’s okay, and thanks Elizabeth for taking good care of her. Elizabeth says she’s happy to, and leaves. Felicia comes in and says she’s here as Sam’s patient advocate and friend. How is she doing? Sam says, good, and Felicia says, things are moving fast because of Lulu’s condition. She wants to make sure Sam’s not feeling rushed and see if she has any questions or concerns. Sam tells her that Lucas is stopping by to go over everything, and Felicia tells her to try and get some rest. Maxie and Spinelli come in with balloons, and Maxie thanks Sam so much for doing this.

At (I think) the Bistro, Ava says, Ric rehearsed her for hours, grilling her on what to say and how to say it. He says he wants her to feel comfortable taking the stand. How does she feel? Ava says, good… confident… ready… What? Ric says, usually defendants testifying is risky. It makes it easy for the prosecution to score points cross examining. Ava asks if he’s saying she wasted her time rehearsing and he’s not letting her take the stand.

Holly goes to Anna’s office and Anna thanks her for coming. Holly says she’d have come even if Anna hadn’t reached out. Anna says, there are developments with Sidwell… and Holly says she and Robert have a daughter.

Spinelli says he’s speechless, and Sam says she’s glad to help Lulu. Maxie asks where Molly and Kristina are, and Sam says, somewhere. Felicia says, Sam has revelers a-plenty, even though she’s supposed to be getting some rest, and Maxie says, organ donation is a beautiful thing and so is Sam. Sam thanks her.

Josslyn tells Dex that they owe Trina for the invitation, since they never get a night out. There aren’t enough hours in the day. He says, they have a night out here now, and kisses her.

At one of the tables, Molly’s phone rings, and TJ asks if she’s not going to answer. She says, it’s just her mom, letting her know what time Sam’s surgery is tomorrow, and he asks if she wants to see Sam. She says she’s not sure Sam wants to see her. Besides, she wants to be here for him and his family.

Gio thanks Trina for inviting him and asks if she thinks her grandfather is going to play. Trina says she doesn’t know, but she has recordings if he wants to hear them. She wanted him to meet Marshall before he takes off.

Marshall says he hopes he can live up to Curtis’s words, but Curtis says, he already has. Portia says, they’re proud of him, and Curtis says he’s been checking the tour dates so they can get tickets. Stella asks if Marhsall would mind if she tagged along, and Marshall says he would love that.

Ric says, if Ava can keep her composure the way they practiced, he thinks she can convince the jury. She’s compelling when she wants to be. She asks if he finds her compelling, and he says, at times, very. He’s going to do best do his best to make sure she doesn’t go to prison, and Ava says, that’s his job. Ric says he’s good at it, and she asks if he thinks she’s guilty or does he believe Kristina’s fall was an accident.

Holly repeats that she and Robert have a daughter, but Anna says, that’s not possible. She never said anything all these years. Holly says she’s sure Anna understands not telling the father, and Anna asks if Robert knows. Holly says, this morning history repeated itself, and Anna is in no position to throw stones. Anna says, Robin was five, and Holly has been sitting on this since when? Holly says, since the WSB tried to kill Robert, and they all believed they’d succeeded. Anna asks if she knows where her daughter is, and Holly says, she’s in Port Charles. Sasha Corbin is their daughter. Anna says, this is low, even for Holly.

Sonny says, so Sam is the donor, and asks Dante, how are the kids? Dante says, Rocco is excited. Scout and Danny are happy. They’re scared for their mom, but there’s been so much bonding of the family, they feel closer together. Sonny says, it’s great the way Dante and Sam co-parent, and Dante says, the families blended better than he’d hoped. Sonny says, Dante has a great family, but Dante gives Sam all the credit. She did the heavy lifting.

Ava says she swears Kristina’s fall was a terrible accident, and Ric says he wouldn’t have taken the case if he’d thought otherwise. She asks how Molly is reacting, and he says, rough. Molly can’t see it yet, but he took the case for her sake. The only way for her to get past her anger and drive for revenge is if she accepts Kristina’s fall was an accident. Hopefully, then she can move on. She says, he’s a good father, and he says, few people would agree. She says, that doesn’t make it any less true. People say the same things about her, but she loves her daughter with her whole heart. His phone rings and he says he has to take it, and steps away.

Anna says she’s not sure anyone has hurt Robert as much as Holly. Now she’s kept this information for 20 plus years. Holly says, glass houses and all that, and Anna asks if Sasha knows. Holly says, she just found out, and Anna says, it’s shameful. Sasha has been through so much, and now she’s dating Cody, Mac’s son. Holly asks why Anna thinks she told Sasha, and Anna says, she gets no points for that. Holly says she doesn’t care what Anna thinks. She just lost her daughter and the man… Robert and Sasha will never speak to her again. Anna asks if Holly can think of a reason they should.

Gio says, Marshall has played with the greats, and Trina says, so will he. She introduces him to Marshall, and Dex tells Josslyn that it’s good to see her enjoying herself. She says, Alexis was exonerated and now her mom can concentrate less on Sonny, and Dex says, there have been a lot of coincidences lately.

Stella asks how Portia is doing, and Portia says, stressed. The fact that a judge is even entertaining Heather’s case makes her nervous. Stella says, they can’t do anything to change that, not tonight. Don’t let something out of their control make her miss good times with family and friends.

Ric comes back and tells Ava that he took care of the bill. He says he has to go, and jets.

Sam asks Maxie to run interference if her sisters show up, and Maxie says she’s on it. She knows about sister drama… and every other kind of drama. Spinelli tells Sam to focus on being the courageous heroine of her own story, when Lucas joins them. He wonders if he missed his invitation to the party, and Sam says she’s glad he’s here. They hug, and Felicia says, they need to let Sam get some rest. They say their goodbyes, and Sam tells Spinelli, don’t break into any databases without her. Lucas says, she’s the popular one. He stopped in to see if she had any questions or needed anything. Sam says she’s good on both, and Lucas says, Dr. Comstock will be by to discuss her surgery. He’s a great surgeon… Sam says she thought Lucas was doing her surgery, but he says he thought she knew he can’t do that.

Ric goes into the hospital and tells Elizabeth that he needs to speak with her. It’s important. She says, what has he done now?

Jordan picks up an order at Bobbie’s and sees Isaiah at a table, pouring over papers, an untouched burger in front of him. She says she sees he’s absorbed, and he asks if she’s coming from a run. She says she missed her morning one, and he says he admires her dedication. She says, back at him. Laura told her that he’s doing Lulu’s surgery. He says he was grabbing dinner before he went to the hospital, and she says she thinks he should do more than grab it. He might want to eat it too. He says, busted. But if she sits, he might have a better chance. She sits down and asks, what changed his mind? She thought he was done performing miracles. He says, Lucky asked for his help. His sister pulled him out of trouble more than once. Jordan says she hopes he has one more miracle left in him.

Marshall says, it’s good to see TJ and Molly. They made it through a terrible time. Molly says, each day is better, and he says, have faith that in the future they’ll have a family. Don’t be afraid to try again. TJ says, when the time is right, and Marhsall says, they’re going to make spectacular parents one day. Molly excuses herself.  

Josslyn tells Dex that she doesn’t think about Cates’s murder or Sonny. She realized it’s not her job to make Sonny face justice or his conscience. She’s going to stay as far away from Sonny as possible. Dex says, wise move.

TJ finds Molly at the bar, looking at her phone. She says, her dad said he was going to stop by, but she hasn’t seen him. TJ says he just came to get a drink. (Or five.)  

Ric says, Judge Orvis ruled in favor of Heather. He agreed that there was cobalt poisoning, and therefore, Heather was not in her right mind. He was hoping she’d be transferred to minimum security or something. Elizabeth says, that’s not what’s happening, and Ric says, Orvis vacated Heather’s sentence. She’s being released.

Anna says, Robert must be in shock, and Holly says, he definitely is, but Sasha’s reaction is the most troubling. She’s in complete denial. She’d told Sasha that her father was dead, and Sasha thinks this is another lie. Anna says, clearly, Sasha knows her, and Holly says she doesn’t know what to do. Anna says, leave. If she ever loved Robert, then she should leave town and maybe never come back. Her being here is destructive and she thinks it’s hurting Robert and their daughter. Holly says she’s Sasha’s mother, and Anna says, then put the welfare of her child first above her own. Holly says, Anna thinks she deserves this pain, but Anna says she doesn’t know. Holly asked her what she thought she should do and she’s telling her. The best way to help the situation is if she goes. Holly walks out.

Dante tells Sonny that he keeps worrying Lulu won’t make it through surgery. He’s scared. Sonny says, he’s probably preparing for the worst, but he should hope for the best, and Dante says, Lulu is a fighter. Sonny says, there’s still a chance because of Sam. Don’t count her out.

Lucas says, it’s against policy to perform surgery on family members, and Sam asks if Dr. Comstock is a better surgeon. Lucas says, he has stellar credentials, and Sam asks again, is he a better surgeon? Lucas says, no, and she says she shouldn’t be penalized just because she’s family. Lucas says, she’s not being penalized. That’s the way it’s done. She asks if he thinks he can perform surgery on her or not.

Isaiah says he can’t discuss Lulu’s surgery with Jordan, but the odds of rejection in a transplant are high already. Jordan says, her odds weren’t great and here she is. He says, she’s a recipient? and she says she received a kidney a few years ago from an unlikely donor. Her situation was dire, and her family was losing hope, but look at her now. He says he is, and she says, figuratively. She just ran six miles. He asks if that’s why she looks so good.

Ava thanks Nina for coming. Ric was called away and she’s not ready to call it a night. Nina asks if they were having dinner, but Ava says, a strategy session. She thanks Nina again for the referral and says she feels good. Ric is a tenacious lawyer and he’s in her corner. Nina says, unscrupulous is a better word. All he cares about is Ric. If her well-being aligns with his love of money, Ava is golden. Ric married her when she was in a fragile state of mind, tried to steal her money, and put her in the looney bin. Ava says, people can change. She sees how much he loves his daughter and he’s passionate about the law. He’s working hard to defend her. Nina asks if Ava is interested in Ric, but Ava says, no.

Elizabeth asks when Heather is being released, and Ric says, tomorrow. He never thought she’d be freed. He doesn’t believe she’s a threat to society… She says she’s sure the families Heather terrorized don’t feel that way. Why come to her? He says, the Ashfords are having a going away party for Marshall and Molly is there. She says, all the people he needs to tell in one room, but he says he doesn’t want to spoil the celebration. She asks if he doesn’t think they should know before they see it on the news, and he asks if she’ll go with him. She says, it’s all him. He needs to take responsibility for just doing his job. (I love when Elizabeth gets snippy.)

Portia tells Curtis, it was a wonderful speech, and Marshall says he was incredibly touched. The party is beautiful. Curtis says he’s glad to see Portia smiling again. She says, it’s a good party with a good turnout. It’s a good day.

Trina introduces Gio to Marshall, and Gio says, Wynton Marsalis is one of his favorites. Marshall says his too, and Gio says he’s sorry he won’t get to hear Marshall play. Trina says she’s going to miss him, and Marshall says he’ll miss her too. She should pursue her own music. She has the voice of an angel, and it would be something if she trained.

Stella tells Molly that it’s good to see her and TJ making an effort, and Molly says, they’re still healing. Stella says, it takes time, and Molly says, sometimes it’s so hard, she can barely breathe. Stella asks if she’s shared that with TJ, but Molly says, he has his own grief. She doesn’t want to put it on him. Stella says, after she says this, she’ll butt out… for a minute. Right now, she just sees them going through the motions. She understands that sometimes all you can do is go through to get through, but the words they don’t say are building a wall between them Tell TJ how she feels and listen to how he’s feeling. It’s the only way they’ll have a future together.

Curtis asks if Stella is sure that she wants to drive Marhsall to the airport, and she says, they’ll be fine. (Hmm… At this point, I trust nothing.)

Marshall tells Trina, be happy, and she says she loves him. He says he loves her more. She’ll be just fine. Stella says he doesn’t want to miss his plane, and he says, she loves bossing him. There are hugs and goodbyes, and Marshall says, y’all be kind to each other. Much love. He throws them a kiss, and leaves amid applause.

Nina says, Ric is not relationship material, and Ava says she can take care of herself. She’s not helpless and naïve. Nina says, she’s vulnerable and it’s worked against her in the past. Ava says, if Nina is referring to the late, lamented Cates, he was using her, and she was using him. Nina says she was talking about Nikolas.

Felicia tells Maxie and Spinelli to get some rest, and leaves. Spinelli asks, what’s on Maxie’s mind? and she says, it’s so strange that Sam ends up being the one to save Lulu. If Lulu wasn’t in a coma, she and Dante would be together. Spinelli says, they were divorced, and Lulu was engaged to Dustin, but Maxie says, Lulu confided in her after the explosion that she still loved Dante, but she didn’t get the chance to tell him. Maybe she should have told Dante. Maybe she still should. Spinelli asks, to what end? Wouldn’t Lulu want Dante and Sam to be happy? Maxie says she wouldn’t, and Spinelli says, just leave it alone and let fate decide. Maxie says, she and fate have never been besties.

Sonny says, letting go is hard, but sometimes moving on is harder, and Dante says he thought Lulu was it and it’s his fault he lost her. He never had the chance to tell her how he felt. Sonny says, thanks to Julian, and Dante says, Sam came out of nowhere. She snuck up on him and became everything. She put him and Rocco back together, and now she’s going to save Lulu’s life. He loves her more than he thought possible.

Sam asks if Lucas is worried his emotions will be involved, and Lucas says, it’s an important question and the answer is of course (🍷) he’ll be effected, but Lulu is the more serious risk. She asks how many times he’s done this surgery, and he says, dozens. She asks if she has to call her advocate, and he says he’s sure the lawyers have a waiver she could sign. She says, as long as he does the surgery. There’s no one she trusts more than her brother. He says, she wins again, and they hug.

Molly says she’s going to miss Marshall, and TJ says, there are lots of goodbyes these days. They hug, and Ric walks in. Molly asks where he’s been, and he says he needs to speak to Curtis and Portia.

Portia says, there’s something she’s been meaning to tell Curtis, when Ric joins them. He says he’d like to speak with them in private. It’s important. Curtis says, they can use his office, but Portia says she’s not going anywhere with Ric.

Isaiah says, a Deputy Mayor’s work is never done? and Jordan says she loves it on a good day. She hopes he has one tomorrow. Good luck. He says he doesn’t need luck, just skill, and she says, his ego is still intact. He says, you have to think you’ll be the best to be the best, and she says, that’s just what Lulu needs.

Dante kisses Sam and asks how she’s doing. She says, better. She got Lucas to agree to do the surgery. He says, as long as she’s comfortable. He wishes he could find the words to tell her how grateful he is. She says, just hold her, and he says, it would be his absolute pleasure.

Cricket sounds come from Anna’s computer, and she sees it says, ALERT! She says, Interpol? and sees a headline: Wanted Suspect At Large. Sidwell Spotted in Miami. There’s a photo of Sidwell at the airport, and Anna says, what are you coming for, Sidwell?

There’s a knock at Sonny’s door, and Frank says, his appointment is here. Sonny says, show her in, and tells Holly, we meet again. She says, good to see you, Mr. Corinthos, and he tells her to call him Sonny. She thanks him for meeting her, and he asks her to have a seat. What can he do for her? She says she hears he’s a man of many resources. Someone who can make things happen. He says, depends on the things, and she puts her tote bag on his desk. She says, in that case, she has a business proposition for him.

Ava says she and Nikolas are over, and Nina says, that doesn’t make being alone easier. Don’t be so quick to get involved with something new and shiny. Ava says she’ll take it under advisement, and Nina says she hopes Ava does. Underneath that charming exterior is a man who loves two things, himself and money. Expect anything more, and she’s courting disaster.

Elizabeth tells Terry, heads up. They’re going to need to support Portia. She’s about to get very bad news.

Portia says, this can only be about one thing – Heather Webber. Ric says, yes, and she says, what is it? Everyone! Listen to the news about Heather. Curtis tells Ric to say what he came to say, and Ric says he received a call from Judge Orvis. He ruled in Heather’s favor and vacated her conviction. Trina asks what that means, and he says, as of tomorrow, Heather is a free woman. There’s shock all around.

Tomorrow, Isaiah tells Lucas that if Lucky’s sister has a shot in hell of making it through this, she’s going to need him; Ric tells Molly, that’s why he can’t drop the case; Anna tells Holly, stop lying for once; and Sonny says someone must be in some kind of trouble.

🗽 No Sleeping In the City…

I wasn’t totally paying attention, but zoned in when Erinn had the women over for Shabat. In her interview, she wondered how anyone could be a Jew and a Scientologist. I assumed she was talking about Rebecca and rolled that over in my mind. I can actually see it meshing, although I’m sure it’s uncommon. It was story time, and Jenna told an interesting tale about dating a writer who was writing about sex clubs in NYC and going with him to one. She thought it was disgusting, and it sounded disgusting. Then they played Never Have I Ever with, no surprise, sex questions. I’m not a prude by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m tired of the Housewives version of this game only involving one subject. Especially when it’s people whose freak number I do not want to know.

Brynn and Erin thought it would be amusing to put fake cockroaches in the beyond fabulous pavlova dessert, which made Sai literally run to the bathroom to throw up. I’m not sure what Brynn was wearing, but it looked like something stolen from a circus clown. Again, wrong people with the money. Ubah told the groups that whenever she was out of alignment, it was because of Brynn. Brynn told Ubah not to come off angry, and Ubah begged Brynn not to be condescending, which only stoked her anger. Brynn said she didn’t like and wouldn’t take anyone calling her names, and Ubah said if Brynn acted condescending again, she would call her a snake again. A snake? I’m pretty sure Brynn has been called worse. I know I have. In Brynn’s interview, she said she didn’t want Ubah to be a stereotype. And so we circled that drain again.

Next time, Sai’s birthday; and Erinn doesn’t want to be close to Jenna.

Here’s the full story outlined, if you crave more.

🩰 Not Just a Dancer Anymore…

That pavlova looked so good, I googled it.

🐕 Taking It To the Streets…

The best parade of the year.

https://people.com/2024-nyc-halloween-dog-parade-photos-8730799

Best in Show? I vote for Bob.

https://nypost.com/2024/10/20/us-news/nyc-tompkins-square-halloween-dog-parade-pups-take-to-streets-for-34th-annual-costume-event/

🐦‍⬛ Quoth the Raven…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a shaker of Salt. Until then, stay safe, stay not giving out boxes of raisins on Halloween (no one wants raisins, no one); and stay focused on being the courageous hero/heroine/human of your own story.

October 27, 2023 – Mason’s Taking Austin Down With Him, Finn’s Cut, Spending 5 Nights, Dead Stuff, Witchy Sisters, Fearless In Fear, Ushering In a Scare, Pups Of Halloween, Quotes Numbering 9 & Spell

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Brattleboro, Vermont. Elizabeth and Finn walk into the cabin, and Elizabeth says she’s impressed. Finn says he really loves it up here. He and Dan interned together. He’s a good guy. Make herself at home; put her stuff anywhere. She flops on the couch and says, this is comfy and perfect. Finn looks around and says, Dan said it would be here somewhere, he just didn’t say where, and she asks what he’s looking for. If he told her, she could help him look for it. He looks under the sink and says, found it, holding up a hammer. She says she never would have guessed that was what he was looking for. What are they doing, hunting vampires? Viewers who watched Port Charles are collectively laughing at the reference.

Esme asks if Alexis has time to talk to Mayor Collins. She’s here to see her. Alexis says she always has time for Laura; send her in. Laura thanks Esme and says, she’s really settled into her role as a receptionist. Alexis says, she’s actually doing a very good job. In fact, Esme caught a mistake she made and saved her a lot of trouble a few weeks ago. Esme says, it’s all part of her job. Let her know if they need anything. She leaves, and Alexis says, welcome home. She hugs Laura and says, it’s good to see her. Laura says, her too, and Alexis asks what she found out about Nikolas. Laura says, before she gets into all of that, she wants to thank Alexis for keeping an eye on Esme while she was out of town with Doc. Esme listens outside the door.

Austin watches as TJ goes into Mason’s room. TJ tells Mason that he needs to check his incision site to make sure it’s healing properly and there’s no sign of infection. He needs Mason to roll over on his side. Mason says, and he needs TJ to make himself useful. He needs some painkillers.

Josslyn calls Trina at the gallery and asks why she left so early this morning. She woke up and Trina was gone. Trina says she’s at the gallery covering for Ava. After everything that’s happened in the last couple days, she wanted to spend the morning with Avery. Josslyn says, that’s sweet of her, and Trina asks if Josslyn can do her a favor. Josslyn says, anything, and Trina says, somebody is supposed to drop off an art book at the dorm for her. Has it come yet? Josslyn says, it hasn’t, and she’s been at the dorm all morning, studying with Adam for Organic Chem. Trina asks if Josslyn can just leave it on her bed when it comes, and Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Trina thanks her and says, somebody’s here; she has to go. Cyrus walks in.

Elizabeth and Finn carry metal buckets through the woods, and she asks if he’s done this before. He says, once, but he has to warn her, it can get pretty messy, and she says she’s not the one who’s afraid to get messy.

Esme continues to listen in, and Laura says she can’t tell Alexis what a relief it was to her that Esme was here working with her and her baby was just down the hall in the daycare center. Alexis says she wasn’t kidding. Esme is actually doing a good job. Who’d-a thunk it? And she loves having that cute little boy down the hall; he’s darling. Has Laura seen how big he’s gotten? Laura says she has. She just wishes Nikolas could see him.

TJ says he’ll let Mason’s surgeon know he’s still in pain, but right now, he is receiving the correct dosage of pain medicine. Mason says he’s really hurting here and needs something stronger. Does TJ think he’s lying? TJ says he believes Mason is telling the truth, but according to his chart, he just received his pain meds. Just relax and let the medicine take effect. Mason tells him to get another doctor in here, but TJ says, any other doctor will come to the same conclusion. They can’t endanger his health by giving him additional pain medicine. Mason asks if TJ needs his ears checked, because obviously he does if he didn’t hear Mason the first time. He needs more drugs – now! TJ says he needs Mason to take a better tone, and Mason tells him to go now. TJ says he needs Mason to calm down, and Mason says, TJ’s ego is running his mouth. He can’t listen to TJ’s whining anymore. He can’t wait for this to be over so he never has to hear TJ speak again. He never used to shut up down there either. TJ says, wait. He knows who Mason is. Mason says, he’s TJ’s patient. Now get him more drugs. TJ says, Mason’s one of the men who was holding him when he was abducted. Mason kept him a prisoner for days. Mason says, then cry him a river. So is that it? The roles are reversed, and now he’s TJ’s prisoner?… He guesses he doesn’t know what he’s saying. He must really be stoned. TJ says, Mason knows what he did to him, doesn’t he? And you’re going to pay for it, you sick son of a bitch. He leaves, and Austin watches him stride down the hall.

Adam tells Josslyn, that’s so old school, handwritten notes. He doesn’t know how she can keep up with what the professor’s saying and write everything down fast enough. She says she doesn’t. She actually records the lecture and then later transcribes it in her own handwriting. Apparently, there’s a lot of research on this. If you actually (WOTD) write things down in your own handwriting, you remember them better instead of like, typing it. (I have actually found this to be true.) He says she’s full of surprises, and she suggests he try it sometime. He says, it seems like a waste of time, and she says she gets it. His grades are already perfect. But it helps a lot with memory retention. It’s the easiest way for her to remember all the details.

Cyrus tells Trina, what a nice surprise. Forgive him for startling her. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says, right down to business. He likes that. He’s not sure if she heard, but he was released from Pentenville. God bless our justice system. She asks what he wants, and he says he’s here to find some artwork for his new place. He thought Ava would be here. This is just a fortuitous accident finding Trina here. She says, there’s no such thing as an accident when it comes to him, and he says he stopped by General Hospital to apologize to Dr. Robinson, and she gave him a stern warning not to seek Trina out, and of course (🍷) he would abide by her mother’s wishes. She says, then leave, and he says, she’s right; he should go. But before he does, he’d like to apologize to her for his past actions, for what he put her and her mother through. She says, for what he put them through? She can’t believe this BS she’s hearing. He held them hostage at gunpoint, and he wants her to forgive him? He’s more of a psychopath than she thought he was. Now get out! Now! She points to the door, and Spencer says, what’s going on? He comes in and asks what Cyrus is doing here. Cyrus says, Spencer, my boy. He really would like Spencer to call him uncle.

Alexis gives Laura some coffee and says, lay it on her. What does she know about Nikolas? Laura says, everyone who told her Chechnya would be a dead end was right. Alexis says, he wasn’t there, and Laura says, right, and no sign that he’d ever been there. The same with Cassadine Island. There was no trace of him. So then she and Doc went to Italy to the Cassadine mansion on Lake Como. Alexis says she knows it well, and Laura says, that was also a dead end. Then she got this gut feeling that maybe she should check in with his banker in Geneva, because eventually he’s going to need money and that’s where his biggest holdings are. Alexis asks if he was there, and Laura says, no, but they just missed him. And she got confirmation that he had been there several times, and one time, he moved a very large sum of money. She couldn’t get the details on it, but the good news is, she walked away from there knowing her son is alive. Alexis says, great. Thank God, right? Laura says, yes, but the bad news is that he doesn’t want to be found.

TJ storms into Jordan’s office, and she asks, what’s wrong? He says he just found out who abducted him and held him prisoner. She says, what? Who? He says, Mason Gatlin, and she says, the man who abducted Ava Jerome? And he’s sure of this? He says he’s never been more certain of anything in his life. It is him.

Austin goes into Mason’s room, and Mason says, if it isn’t the doctor in the family. Austin tells him, says the felon in the family, and Mason asks if Austin missed him. Austin says, not at all, and Mason asks if Austin at least brought him better drugs. Austin says, he’s had enough drugs. What did he tell the cops? Mason asks what Austin thinks he told the cops, but Austin says he’s not messing around here. What did Mason tell them? Mason says he told them that he kidnapped Ava… for Austin.

Spencer says, Cyrus is out of prison, and Cyrus says he is. Miracles do happen if you believe. Trina says she thought Spencer knew he was released, but Spencer says, no. Trina says, he went to GH and harassed her mother yesterday. She called Trina yesterday and said she’s getting a restraining order so Cyrus stays away from them, but here he is, bothering her. Cyrus says he explained this to Trina already. He had no idea she would be here. He stopped in to patronize Ava’s gallery. Trina says, if Ava wants to sell him something, that’s on her, but she refuses to wait on him. He says he doesn’t blame her, and she stamps her foot and says, stop with this disgusting act. She doesn’t buy it. Cyrus says, she’s angry at him and he understands. He did a terrible thing to her and her mother – she says, he’s damn right – and he regrets it deeply. But since finding the Lord, he’s tried to make almonds amends. Spencer knows this; he witnessed it at Pentenville. He did everything he could to make sure no harm came to Spencer while he was there. He did everything to protect Spencer.

Finn says, they have to pick one carefully, and Elizabeth asks, why? He says, sometimes it doesn’t work. She asks if there’s a trick to hitting a vein, but he says, no. A little luck, a little skill. Usually, you don’t get one on the first try, but maybe they will. Let’s see. He checks out a tree and says, this one looks good. He helps her hold the spigot up to the tree and tells her to watch her fingers. She says she’s going to need to watch both their fingers. She’s got it. Let go. She raises the hammer.

Spencer says, Cyrus did look after him while he was in Pentenville. But what Cyrus did to Trina and Dr. Robinson and to his grandmother is unforgiveable. Someone could have been killed that night. Cyrus says he realizes that, and he’s trying to make amends with everyone he’s wronged, and Trina asks if Spencer is buying this. Cyrus sees her desk, and says, look at that, the turtle dove. He gave those to Spencer before Christmas last year in the hope he would share them with her, and he did. That warms his heart. Trina says, he doesn’t have a heart, and Cyrus says he hopes Spencer kept the other one. Spencer says he did, and Cyrus says, good. He reaches for it, saying, may I? but Trina snatches it off the desk and says, no. She’s not going to stand here and make pleasant conversation with somebody who held her and her mother at gunpoint.

Mason laughs and says, Austin should see his face. Oh no, I’m going to prison. He’s an idiot. If he’d given Austin up to the almighty PCPD, he’d be in custody, not walking the halls of a hospital. He’s a joke. Austin says, Mason is certifiably insane. What did he tell them? Mason says he came in with two bullet holes in his back. He didn’t really have time for a sit-down and chit chat. But worry not. He’ll do a tell all when the cops make him a deal. Austin says, they’re not going to offer Mason a deal, but Mason says, if he surrenders up enough details, he’s pretty sure they will. He plans to tell the police that it was him and Austin together in on the Ava kidnapping. Austin says, there’s no proof he had anything to do with it, and they are never going to believe a word out of Mason’s mouth. Mason says he thinks they will.

Jordan asks TJ to tell her why he thinks Mason Gatlin is the one who abducted him, and TJ says he kept running into Mason in his cousin’s office, Dr. Gatlin Holt. And he had this feeling he knew Mason from somewhere. He just couldn’t put his finger on how or where. Today… She tells him, take a deep breath, and he does. He says, today it finally clicked. He was treating Gatlin and it was something Gatlin said to him that made him recognize his voice. It was distinctive. He was the leader of those men who held him captive. It was him. She says, he was abducted to force her cooperation, and he says, now they can both get justice. They can make sure Mason Gatlin is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. She says, no, they can’t, and he asks, why not?

Alexis says she really feels bad for Nikolas, and Laura says, the decisions he’s been making now are affecting every single relationship in his life, and she just wishes she could get him to see that. But out of her three children, he’s the hardest to get through to. Alexis says, the brooding and the stubborn side of him, that’s Cassadine. The light and loving side of him is Laura. But the bottom line is, he did a lot of bad things. He made bad choices in the past year, and they just compounded to the point where he felt the only alternative was for him to run and hide, which is exactly what he did. Even if it meant leaving Spencer and Ace. Laura says, from a legal standpoint, if Nikolas were to come back to Port Charles today, how severe would the charges be against him for holding Esme hostage? Alexis says, Esme doesn’t remember being held hostage, so at the moment, that would work in his favor. As far as the rest of it, that’s up to Robert Scorpio the DA to decide whether he wants to prosecute or not. She knows the only thing they have right now is the statement from Elizabeth Baldwin. Laura says, she’s a very credible witness, but Alexis says, they still need corroborating evidence, and they need Esme’s testimony. Without that, she doesn’t think he’ll face criminal charges. Laura says she wishes Nikolas knew that, and Alexis says, the truth is, even if he did, it wouldn’t matter.

Elizabeth gets sap out of the tree, and Finn says, wow. She asks what he said about not getting it on the first time, and he says, beginner’s luck. She tastes it, and he asks how it is. She sticks her finger in the bucket, and says, see for himself. He puts her finger in his mouth to taste it and says, amazing, and they kiss.

Laura tells Alexis that she wishes there was a way for her to get ahold of Nikolas. Although she knows when he makes up his mind, there’s usually no changing it. Alexis says, Nikolas prides himself on being the good son, the good father, and he was all those things, until he wasn’t. He blew it and he knows that, which is why he ran. He doesn’t want to face the people he disappointed. Laura says, that’s why she feels it’s so important for her to reach out to him, to let him know she loves and supports him, even though he made some bad decisions. Alexis tells Laura that she’s sorry to say this, but Nikolas has resources the rest of them don’t have. And when a Cassadine wants to disappear without a trace, they do. She thinks the only choice they have is to let him figure this out and come back on his own time. Laura says, but he’s got a beautiful little boy he’s never even met, and he’s missing moments in the baby’s life he’ll never be able to get back again. She just wishes he’d come to his senses and come back. Alexis says she wishes that too, for Ace’s sake. Spencer believes he’s very independent, but he needs his father. Laura says, it’s so ironic that she can’t bring her son home, but her brother’s back, whether she wants him or not.

Josslyn asks Adam a question about alkanes, and he says, is that the best she can do? She moves his phone out of his hand with her foot, and says, no cheating. He answers her question with a bunch of science stuff (not my forte), and she says, it’s official; he’s a genius. That’s why he gets such great grades. He says he has to. The competition is fierce to get into any med school, let alone the ones his parents have on their approved list. ( I get confused for a moment, because Sonny is his father IRL.) She says, his parents have a list of medical schools? and he says, they want him to either go to Harvard, Stanford, or Johns Hopkins. He’s leaning toward Harvard. He really loves Boston. She says, Boston’s beautiful in the fall, and he says, what about her? What medical school is she leaning toward? She says she doesn’t know. She hasn’t really thought that far ahead. Her goal right now is to just do well in undergrad and then move on to the next thing; take it in manageable steps. He says, her parents are okay with that approach? and she says her parents are okay with anything as long as it’s reasonably productive and she’s happy doing it. He wonders what that’s like.

TJ asks what Jordan means that Gatlin can’t be prosecuted for what he did to him, and she says, yes, he was a victim of abduction. But let’s look at this the way DA Scorpio would. He was blindfolded, correct? He says, yes, and she says, disoriented? He says, yeah, and she says, his account of the situation and the details around it are unreliable at best. And they have no supporting evidence to corroborate his statement. They don’t even know where he was held. He says, this is ridiculous, and she says, he’s right. It is. But with her experience in law enforcement, this isn’t a case she’d ever bring to the prosecutors. TJ says, Mason did this to him. He knows this. He knows it was him. That voice. He has no doubt about this. She says she believes him, but it’s not up to her. She hates that this happened to him, but if there’s any consolation in this, it’s that Mason Gatlin is going to be charged with abduction and attempted murder for what he did to Ava Jerome. He says, that’s so great for Ava. He’s happy she’s getting her justice, but what about him? Where’s his justice? He throws up his hands and walks out.

Trina says she’s not going to allow Cyrus to waltz in here and pretend he didn’t hold her hostage at gunpoint. He threatened to shoot her if her mother didn’t tend to his gunshot wound. And if Laura hadn’t offered to take their places as his hostage, he would have killed them. Those words came out of his mouth. So he just wants her to forget all that? He says he never asked anyone to forget what he did. He asked them to forgive, like the Good Book says. She says, so let bygones be bygones? He expects her to accept his pathetic, meaningless apology just because he’s Spencer’s uncle? But guess what? She doesn’t forgive him. And she doesn’t care if he did protect Spencer in Pentenville. If he comes near her again, she’ll call the cops.

Mason says, come on, cuz. He and Austin have been seen together plenty of times in plenty of places by plenty of people, especially his co-workers here at General Hospital. Face it. When it comes to masterminding an abduction, who’s better at being the boss? Who’s better to play the henchman? He can play dumb. He’s going to tell the cops that he was just doing what his big, smart doctor cousin told him to do. Austin asks, why? Really. Why? Implicating him isn’t going to make Mason less guilty. He’s already going to go down for this, he knows that. Mason says, yeah, he knows, but he’s going to take Austin down with him. Austin’s been a pain in his ass for years. Always being so high and mighty, thinking he’s better than Mason because he has a piece of paper from a college? He wants to see how high and mighty Austin is when they’re sharing a prison cell. Austin says nothing and walks out.

Finn starts to tap another tree and asks Elizabeth, how many tries is this? She says, there was that time he hit his finger and then he hit the tree. And the other time… She doesn’t know what he was aiming for. He says, let’s just call it four times, and she says, good luck. He says, what? and she says, ten times is the charm. She watches him, and he says he thinks hunting vampires would have been easier. I get this, since sometimes I think a real zombie apocalypse would be easier. She says she has enough for both of them and takes down her bucket. He says, beginner’s luck, and she says, they can put this on their pancakes tomorrow morning. He says, speaking of which, is she hungry? She says, starving, and he says, let’s go make some dinner. They walk back hand in hand.

Back at the cabin, Elizabeth says, this was so much fun, and thanks Finn. He says, it’s nice to be out of the city. It’s nice to be out of the hospital. It’s nice to be out here in nature with her. She says she couldn’t agree more. Her fingers are so sticky. She runs the water and asks if there’s any soap. He finds some and puts a blob in her hand, and then in his own. He asks if she minds if he joins her, and she says, of course (🍷). He gets closer, and they wash each other’s hands. I guess that’s romantic, but it’s weirding me out a little. They gaze into each other’s eyes, and he kisses her. Better now.

Adam asks Josslyn for an example of a functional group, and she asks if she can use her notes. He says, no, she may not. By memory only. She says, a functional group is a specific structural arrangement of atoms or bonds that forms a… I give up at this point because now it’s getting too complicated, but she gives him the answer. It has something to do with molecules, and he says he knew she’d get it. She says she feels like she just ran a marathon – me too – and now she needs a break. They should maybe go down and get some food… There’s a knock at the door, and she says, that’s probably the art book getting delivered, but as we’ve all guessed, it’s Dex. She throws her arms around him and says, he’s just in time to save her. Adam looks disappointed. Aww.

Esme is still listening. Doesn’t she have work to do? Alexis says she wasn’t going to bring Cyrus up, but Laura says, that’s okay; she’s fine. Alexis says, it’s baffling to her that a miscarriage of justice, to that extent, could happen and Laura agrees. She says, leave it to Cyrus to finagle a hardship release. Alexis says, it’s really unbelievable. She doesn’t know how Laura deals with it. He is Laura’s brother, but still… Laura says she’s very, very conflicted. She does believe in rehabilitation, but that would mean restoring somebody to a normal state that’s acceptable to society. She doesn’t know that that’s possible with Cyrus, and after all the things that he’s done, does he even deserve that? Alexis says, the judge felt he did, and Laura sighs. She says, then she guesses she’ll do her best to believe that the judge is right, and Cyrus can become a productive member of society. But between her and Alexis, it’s going to be a really long time before she trusts her brother.

Cyrus says he can understand why Trina doesn’t trust in him, and Spencer puts his arm around Cyrus and says, it’s time for him to go. Now. Cyrus says, okay. Spencer follows him to the doorway, where Cyrus turns around and says he owes Trina a great debt. If she ever needs his help for any reason, she only needs to ask. She says she will never ask him for anything. Does he hear her? Never! Now get the hell out! Cyrus leaves, and when he’s gone, Spencer comes back to Trina. He tells her, it’s okay, he’s here, and holds her.

Elizabeth says, she and Finn should wash their hands together more often (please don’t), and he says, definitely. He’s filthy all the time. They kiss again, and he says, maybe dinner can wait, but she says she doesn’t know… He kisses her, and she says, okay. Dinner can definitely wait. There’s more kissing.

Dex asks what he’s saving Josslyn from, and she says, organic chem. She was just telling Adam that she was going stir crazy in here. Dex asks how long they’ve been studying, and she says, a few hours. Adam says, with their midterms coming up, they could probably use a few more hours, but Josslyn says, oh God no. She’s done. Adam says, they didn’t go over the identification of hydrocarbons though, and Dex says, if she needs to stay, he can come back, but she says she needs fresh air. He says, that he can do. He has to take Sonny’s speedboat upriver to drydock it for the winter if she wants to come. She says, okay, and gets her jacket. She tells Adam, it looks like hydrocarbon structures are going to have to wait, but if she aces this midterm, it’s thanks to him. He says, pick up later this evening? but she says she can’t. Thursday? Adam says, perfect. Their midterm is Friday. Josslyn says, cool, and Adam gets his stuff together. He says, what about Trina’s art book? Does she want him to stick around here and wait for it? She says, that’s really sweet of him, but it’s no big deal. She’s sure the delivery person will leave it outside the door. He says he doesn’t mind, but she says, it’s totally fine. He leaves, and Dex tells Josslyn, if there’s time after, they could get lunch at Kelly’s. He knows the owner. They leave, and Adam comes out from around the corner and watches them.

Alexis tells Laura, they say that trust is built over time. See if Cyrus can earn her trust. Does she believe his religious conversion is sincere? Laura says, to be perfectly honest, she’s not sure. She wants to sit down with her brother Martin and compare notes with him and get his take on it. There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says, come in. Esme says, sorry to interrupt, but Alexis has a video conference call in fifteen minutes. Does Alexis want her to reschedule it? Laura says, absolutely not, not on her account. She’s going to let Alexis get on with her business day. Alexis thanks Laura for coming by and catching her up, and they hug. Alexis says, before Laura goes, she has a question. Does Laura know Judge Kim, the judge that sentenced Drew Cain? Laura says she doesn’t know him. She’s sorry. Alexis says, thanks anyway. It’s good to see her. Laura says, her too, and says she’ll see Esme at home tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning they can all wake up and have family breakfast together? Esme says, okay, she’d like that, and Laura leaves. Esme says she knows Alexis has a video conference call to prep for, but she has a quick question if Alexis doesn’t mind. Alexis tells her, go ahead, and Esme says she doesn’t really know how to ask this. Alexis says, just ask, and Esme asks if she can have a raise. Alexis says, she wants a raise? and Esme says, yes. She wants to move out of Laura and Doc’s apartment. With them back, it’s just all so crowded. Alexis asks if that’s the real reason, and Esme says, yeah. Alexis says, Esme… and Esme says, okay. She’s starting to… have feelings for Spencer.

Spencer brings Trina some water, and she says she shouldn’t have given Cyrus that much power over her. Nobody should have that much power over anybody. She’s not going to let him make her a victim again. Spencer says, she did really good. She practically kicked him out all by herself. She asks if he can promise her something, and he says he’s never going to let Cyrus come near her, but she says, that’s not what she means. She knows Spencer would never let Cyrus do anything to her. She needs him to promise he’ll never tell anyone she lost it like that with Cyrus, especially her mom and Curtis. Because her mom is already angry and terrified that he’s been released. She doesn’t want to add fuel to the fire. Curtis is in a wheelchair and feels he can’t protect them from Cyrus. He says he promises. He’s not going to tell anyone. Clearly, she can take care of herself, but know if she ever needs back-up, he’s here. She says she knows he is, and hugs him.

Austin goes back into Mason’s room, closes the door, and shuts the blinds. Mason says, if Austin is here to beg and plead, save his breath. He’s going to take Austin down with him. Austin says he’s done begging for things in his life. Besides, how would he be begging? There’s no one in this shell of Mason that’s remotely human. He puts on surgical gloves, and says, there’s no reason. Mason wouldn’t help him, would he? Mason says, not on your life, and Austin says, then he guesses it’s time to help himself. He pats Mason’s shoulder, turns off the machine Mason is hooked up to, and takes a pillow from the chair. He slowly walks over to Mason, and Mason says, he doesn’t have the guts. Austin smiles.

TJ walks past Mason’s room, and peeks through the window. The slats are open enough that he sees Austin smothering Mason.

On Monday, Brook tells Kristina that she needs a clear head for what she’s about to do; Sasha says, count her in too; Lucy tells Martin that she needs to show Tracy exactly who she’s dealing with; and Eddie/Ned asks why Tracy can’t take no for an answer.

✂️ Feeling Trim…

I had the feeling it was a crew member. And if you notice, usually when one of the cast gets a new hairdo, many of them do. It’s like picture day in school.

🧸 Loves a Good Scare…

I’m actually looking forward to seeing this one.

⚰️ News Of the Dead…

The latest in Fear.

https://screenrant.com/madison-not-rick-grimes-fear-walking-dead-season-8/

What the live ones are about.

For those who prefer the game.

🧹 Hocus That Pocus…

About yet another Sanderson sequel.

https://people.com/hocus-pocus-3-writer-anythings-on-the-table-for-sequel-8383552

It was cool until it wasn’t.

https://ew.com/movies/hocus-pocus-stars-stuck-in-air-flying-scenes/

👠 Ladies of Horror…

They could have spent a little more time on Kiki Palmer and Jurnee Smollett. And while more sci/fi than horror, Octavia Spencer was amazing in Snowpiercer.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/14-black-women-horror-movie-roles/

🔥 Falling For Usher…

If you haven’t seen this yet, stream, don’t wait. It’s incredible.

https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher-review-netflix-mike-flanagan/

🐕 Uncanceled Pups…

Dogs and Halloween. There’s nothing better.

https://people.com/dogs-costumes-2023-nyc-halloween-dog-parade-photos-8374321

🐘 Quotes of the Week

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. – Dalai Lama

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu

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

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

The first to cry is the first to fry. – Omarosa, House of Villains

Happiness can exist only in acceptance. – George Orwell

Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults. – Benjamin Franklin

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

A mask tells us more than a face. – Oscar Wilde

🎭 Masking My Mask…

Stop by on Sunday for a little Fear. Until then, stay safe, stay springing for the good candy, and stay forgiving, but not forgetting. Especially if they’ve held you hostage.

October 9, 2022 – Chaos At The Commonwealth, Dead Ending & Spell

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

When we last left, Daryl had a knife to Lance’s throat. In the meantime, Carol was trying to make a deal with Pamela, saying, if her son didn’t do what he’s accused of, someone did.

In a voiceover, Judith says, they’ve come too far; they’ve lost so much. We flash back over the last 10+ years, and she says, it’s hard to trust people when they can go at any time, but the people who go, the people who die, aren’t lost forever. She has to believe that. Remembering their voices is how we keep them alive.

In the tunnel, Mercer tells says, everyone, stand down. He comes forward past the troopers with Carol and Pamela. Daryl backs Lance up against a wall, the knife still to Lance’s throat. Pamela says, he heard Mercer; lower his weapon. It’s not just about him. She needs Lance alive. Mercer tells him, not here, not like this, and Daryl says, he’s choosing this POS? but Mercer says, if he was, Daryl would be down already. Daryl asks Carol what she’s done, and Carol says she made a deal for them. Daryl stares at Lance, making him unsure for a hot minute, then takes the knife away. But in a surprise move, Daryl stabs Lance’s hand through to the wall. Lance screams, and Daryl removes the knife, making him scream even louder. Daryl tells Pamela, don’t worry, he’ll live, and throws the bloody knife down.

Back at the Commonwealth, Carol tells Daryl, Maggie, and Gabriel that all slates will be wiped clean on both sides. They’ll be given supplies, water, and weapons; anything they need to rebuild. Then they’re free and clear. Gabriel says, they can just go home? and Maggie asks what Pamela is going to get. Carol says, Hornsby. He’s going to tell the people that he’s responsible for the people who died. He takes the fall. Annie says, they’ll have to talk to their people. It’s a lot to think about. Negan says, like how Lance killed most of their people, and Carol says, anybody else? Maggie says, the most important thing is that they’re together. She doesn’t want to go it alone anymore. She doesn’t trust them, but thinks it’s worth the risk. Daryl says, all right, and walks off.

Mercer guards Lance on a hill somewhere, Lance’s hands tied behind his back. Lance whines, but Mercer tells him, get used to it. Lance says, he thought they got along well, and Mercer asks, how many of his men has Lance gotten killed? Lance says he thought Mercer realized by now, they’re not his men. A couple of growling zombies toddle toward Lance, as Pamela watches, and Lance tells Mercer, hop to it. Mercer flips out an ax like a switchblade, and chops their heads off. Pamela tells Lance that he’s being transported to the Commonwealth where he’ll be put on trial, and he tells her, it’s just the two of them; she can drop the act. She tells him, it’s no act. He’s gone too far. He laughs, and says, it’s never been a problem before how he got the job done, but Pamela says, they’re not talking about the past; they’re talking about now. He can survive if he plays his cards right, but his life at the Commonwealth is over. Lance says, after all he’s done, his service to her, but she says, he served himself above anything or anyone else, trying hard to prove the world wrong. Lance says, she’s refusing to see that he’s made something of himself, and she says, he’s an angry, delusional little boy, trying to win a game he’s too foolish to realize he’s never actually been a player in. She starts to walk away, and Lance says, she still needs him. She stops, and he says, if something happens to him, certain alliances with stabilizing factors are likely to become a problem, but she doesn’t respond, and keeps walking. He says, whatever game she’s playing, he’s very much in it.

Pamela addresses the public, saying, Lance abused his position, and caused untold suffering, but their friends, allies, and dedicated armed forces made sure he was unable to escape. She promises justice will be served. The crowd applauds, and Stephanie tells Eugene that Lance is taking the fall. Pamela says, they’re going to be celebrating what makes the Commonwealth great – its people. They’ll rise above because they’re the Commonwealth. Eugene wonders if there’s nothing more they can do, and Stephanie says, he’ll be leaving; it’s not his problem. He says he’s still here, and she thanks him for everything he’s done. He says, if she ever considers a change of scenery, she can visit him. She’s shown him her home, now he can show her his home. She looks up to see Sebastian on a balcony, and says, maybe someday, but not yet.

Aaron tells Maggie, they’re going to make sure Oceanside is okay, and Maggie says, it’s going to take them a while to get everyone ready and get the supplies together. They’re headed for Alexandria  first. Aaron says he’ll see her there, and they hug. Carol asks if Lydia is sure she wants to go with Aaron and not go home, but Lydia says, it’s just a few more weeks on the road. Elijah comes over and talks to Lydia, putting his arm around her. When he leaves, Carol says, a few more weeks? and Lydia says,  sorry… She hasn’t forgotten Henry, Carol hugs her, and tells her, take happiness where she can get it, and never be sorry for it. Carol leaves, and Daryl asks Lydia if she’s okay. She says, she thinks so, and he says he never thanked her for saving Carol. Lydia says, she never thanked him for saving her, and they hug. Daryl tells her, be safe, and she says, him too. Daryl hands Judith a Rick’s gun, but she says she doesn’t want it, and hands it back. She says, her mom talked about the day she would hang up her sword for good; not because it was completely safe, but she wouldn’t need it. Things should be getting better now. Daryl says, they will be when they get home, but Judith wonders, how, when things are still broken? Shouldn’t they help the people here, like they did in Alexandria? He says, what they did in Alexandria was different, but Judith says, that’s just because he wants to run away. He tells her to stop, and Aaron, Jerry, Lydia, and Elijah head out in a wagon.  

Ezekiel is hauling some animals to the zoo in a wagon, and Carol says he doesn’t have to lug those anymore. He says he can’t disappoint the kids, but she says, someone else will do it. He tells her, maybe he enjoys the exercise. She says, he’s not coming. They’ve got plenty of medicine. He says, it’s not that. His place is here. They were all desperate for help, and he was desperate to make a difference. One last time. This place, these people, Carol, gave him a second chance to do more. So that’s what he’s going  to do. She takes his hand, and he says he’s helping the people of another kingdom before it falls apart. He lets some kids in, and tells her, we can all do that, then follows them.

In her office, Pamela listens to a tape from President Milton, reenforcing the Commonwealth’s mission statement, and Sebastian wonders why he has to hear this. Pamela says, there are certain things he needs to do if he’s ever going to lead. Stephanie/Max gives him a speech to read, and he says, it’s a privilege to be here, honoring the founding power of their great home. He crumples it up, and says, it’s crap, but Pamela isn’t having it. She tells him that he’s jeopardized their home enough with his stupidity. The public will see he has nothing to hide, and be reminded whose grandson he is. Show her. He picks the paper back up, and uncrumples it. He says he will, and she says she knows he will. Politics wasn’t her first choice either. He was born to lead this place. Stephanie/Max jets.

In an OB/GYN exam room, Annie gets a sonogram, and the doctor tells her that her amniotic fluid is high, but she’s in the right place. They caught it in time. She leaves, and Annie tells Negan, it’s going to be fine. Staying isn’t an option. There are people looking to them, and she can’t risk them; she won’t. Negan says he keeps hearing his dad’s voice saying, your life is not your own once you have kids. He always wanted to know what that meant. Now he finally gets to. Annie says, she hears Ian and Jesse, and the people they killed. They don’t need this place. It’s us now. Negan kisses her, and smiles.

Daryl packs, putting his gun in its holster, and picking up a HUGE knife. He grabs his angel wing vest, and puts it on. He’s ready to rumble. He asks RJ where Judith is, and RJ tells Daryl, he’s not supposed to say. Daryl checks Judith’s backpack, and sees it’s empty. RJ tells him, she said she wasn’t coming, and Daryl asks, where’d she go? RJ says he doesn’t know, and Daryl leaves.

We see a commercial for the 47 Walking Dead spin-offs that are coming up.

The Founder’s Day Celebration begins, and Daryl tells Carol, about this parenting thing, what would Rick do? She says, Daryl is the one who’s here, and he says, it’s weird being a parent. She says, when Sophia was born, she had no idea what to do. She just knew she loved her. She was so tiny, and looked to her for everything. He’ll figure it out. He says, yeah, but doesn’t seem so sure.  

Eugene follows Stephanie down a hallway, and says he’s not sure this is the best idea, but she says, there’s no choice. She has to do something. All the years she’s worked in this office, and she just went along with it, went along with Sebastian. He doesn’t know what it’s like to feel guilt like that. He says he’s fairly familiar with the burden of that kind of guilt, and she says she was proud of what they did. She thought they were trapped in the old world, so why shouldn’t they try something better? Thinking like that made her feel good, like they could change things. Now it’s all being erased. They have to try, no matter what, but he doesn’t have to be involved. He says he wants them to be safe. He can’t trust this man, but if she believes there’s an outside chance he can help them, Eugene will suck it up, and do his best.

They go to Lance’s cell, but Stephanie stays out of sight while Eugene does the talking. Lance says he thought Eugene would be gone, but Eugene says, not quite, and drops a bag through the cell door slot, saying, sustenance for conversation. Lance brings a candy apple out of the bag, and asks if it’s for all the times he got Eugene out of a cell. Eugene says he’s surprised Lance hasn’t gotten himself out, but Lance asks, what makes Eugene think he wants to? Eugene asks if there’s any assistance he can offer, and Lance says, weak play. If he wants something, ask for it. Stephanie listens as Eugene says, he’s looking for any damaging information on Pamela and her progeny, and Lance says, that’s a tough one. He’d love to help, but the irony is, Pamela is probably the only reason he’s alive. Some friendly advice. If they go after go after the Miltons, the Miltons will crush them. Things are just getting better for Pamela. They wanted her head, and now they’re dancing in the streets at the Founders Celebration. Eugene is better off making nice with Pamela and her sadistic sh*t of a son. He adds for Eugene to make sure he tells his girlfriend too. She’s great at hiding in plain sight, sitting next to Pamela. The last thing they want is to end up in a cell like his. They have to live with it unless they’re willing to burn the whole thing down.

Gabriel stands at the pulpit, and says, be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you. We see the pews are empty, and someone comes in. Gabriel says, He will not leave or forsake you. My last sermon. Rosita walks up the aisle with baby Coco, and says, not his last. He asks if she’s packed, and she nods. He says, the parishioners brought him food. They can enjoy Mrs. Brennan’s ambrosia on the road. She says, it’s all his, and he says he didn’t think he could come back to this, to Him, but he did. The people in the pews gave that to him. Rosita says, he gave them something too, and what he gave them will be here long after he will. He says he wishes they’d brought cotton candy instead, and they hear a sound from the back. They go into the sacristy, and Judith stands next to an open window.

A work crew goes into an enclosed lot, and a woman says, it’s the same every year. They set it up just to take it down, and don’t even see the event. A man says, as long as he hears the lottery numbers, he doesn’t care. He promises not to forget her when he wins. Shira and Calhoun, the couple who were hunting Jerry and the kids, come in, shoot everyone, and leave.

Daryl goes to the church, and finds Judith sitting on the floor. She says she wasn’t trying to worry him, and he says he knows. She says, she just… He says, wanted to be alone? He gets it. He had a spot like this when he wanted to hide and not go home. She asks where it was, and he says, he’d go to a river behind his house. He’d go there and wait until his dad went to sleep. She asks if he was alone a lot, and he says, yeah. She says she doesn’t mind being alone; sometimes she likes it better. He says, you have time to think, and she says, and figure things out. He sits next to her on the floor, and says, sorry about earlier. She says, it’s okay, and he says he doesn’t know what he’s doing, but he’s trying really hard. He wishes things were like how she wants them to be. That’s the way they should be, but they aren’t. He has to keep her safe. He’ll hold onto the gun for a while, until she wants it, or not. Either way, she’s stuck with him. He asks if they’re good, and she says, they’re good. She asks if she gets to say bye to her friends, and he tells her to help him up.

Sebastian practices his speech, and says he sounds like a d-bag. Why he thinks that’s different from how he always sounds, I’m not sure. Pamela says, he’ll be great, and gives Stephanie/Max a tape recorder, for later. Pamela leaves, and Sebastian says, this is bullsh*t. She puts the recorder down on a credenza, quietly turning it on, and pours them both a drink. He mutters his speech to himself, and she gives him one of the glasses. She asks if he’s going to do it, and he says he doesn’t think he has a choice, but she says, they all do. He tells her, not according to his mom. This should be his brother; he’s the one she wanted. Sebastian is just the one who’s still here. She says, he could be more than that, and he accuses her of just being a lackey who’s getting him to do what his mother wants. She says she doesn’t just work for his mom; she’s a citizen. He shouldn’t just tell people words. They respect the truth. He says, the people don’t want honesty. They want to be told everything is going to be okay, so they can ignore what a mess this world really is. The Commonwealth is built on buying into bulls*t, and the desperate need to believe the American dream is still real; that they can rise above their station. It’s a friggin’ joke. The reality is, the poor will stay poor so the rich can do whatever the hell they want. There are no bootstraps to pull themselves up on. His mother even hand picks the lottery numbers. The people who Max thinks want honesty are just too stupid to see it. They’re pathetic. She says, it sounded like he believed that. Maybe he just chooses to be a spoiled a-hole. If everyone expects it, who’s left to disappoint? She picks up the recorder, and leaves.

Daryl, Judith, and Carol walk around the fair, and Daryl tells Judith to go have fun. She runs off to be with her friends, and Carol tells Daryl, nice work. Eugene is working a booth that sells lottery tickets, and Stephanie gives him the recorder. She tells him that she’s all right, and an announcer tells everyone to take their seats. The main event is about to begin. Everyone cheers and shouts, and Mercer precedes Pamela and Lance to the dais. Pamela waves to the crowd, and a wrestling bell dings. The announcer asks if they’re ready to witness a battle for the ages. We see a ring, and some wrestlers give the audience some WWE action. The winner (who was in the WWE IRL) starts to chant, Commonwealth, and the crowd chants with him. Pamela comes into the ring, and thanks the combatants. She says, to continue this wonderful day, her son Sebastian has prepared a few words. She gives Sebastian the mic, and he says, it’s an honor and privilege to be here to celebrate the… He lowers his notes, and says he knows a lot of them don’t think well of him, and knows he probably deserves it. It’s going to take a long road to earn their trust, and live up to his legacy. He doesn’t have the words to describe what this place means to him, but his grandfather did. So he humbly asks them to join in listening to the wise words of President Milton, the founder of the Commonwealth. The audience applauds, and Pamela nods to Eugene. So does Stephanie, and we hear Sebastian say, the Commonwealth is built on buying into bulls*t, and the desperate need to believe the American dream is still real; that they can rise above their station. It’s a friggin’ joke. The reality is, the poor will stay poor so the rich can do whatever the hell they want. There are no bootstraps to pull themselves up on. His mother even hand picks the lottery numbers. The people who Max thinks want honesty are just too stupid to see it. They’re pathetic. Sebastian launches himself toward Stephanie, who takes off. The crowd starts throwing things at Pamela and the troopers, some of them attacking the troopers. Pamela yells for everyone to remain calm, and Mercer tells the troopers, no firing weapons. Stephanie runs through the crowd, with Sebastian after her.

In his cell, Lance hears a whistle. He looks out, and Shira and Calhoun give him a hand signal. He takes a bite of the candy apple.

Mercer tells the crowd to back up, but it’s just getting worse. Bottles are being thrown, people are jostling toward them, and tons of people are running. By now the work crew has reanimated, and come onto the scene, and everyone changes course. A few are caught unaware by the zombies, and are feasted on. Sebastian grabs Stephanie, and Mercer looks out from the ring, and sees what’s going on. He radios, tango, tango, tango; all units to the square. He tells Pamela that he’s going to make sure the inside walls are secure, but she says she’s the governor; he’s supposed to protect her. He says, his job is to protect the Commonwealth, and he leaves.

Everything is chaos, and from where I’m sitting, it’s pretty exciting. Ezekiel grabs (I think) RJ. Daryl takes Judith’s hand, and they move quickly through the crowd, but get separated. Daryl is as panicked as I’ve ever seen him, as the crowd moves her along, and away from him. She gets to the side, and sees a zombie coming toward her. She freezes, and someone shoots the zombie from behind. Daryl grabs her, and says, let’s go. She tells him to give her the gun, and he does, saying, they’ll do this together, okay? They run, as Mercer walks against the crowd. He shoots a couple of zombies, and Judith shoots one. Stephanie is looking around for Eugene, when Sebastian surprises her. He says, she’s nothing, and pushes her into a zombie. The zombie grabs her, but she manages to keep it at bay, while Sebastian stands there acting like it’s a laugh riot.  Too bad for him, Eugene arrives, and doesn’t find it funny, pulling the zombie away from Stephanie, and shoving it onto Sebastian. Sebastian yells for help, and no surprise, the best he gets are looks of amusement. Eugene tells Stephanie, they need to go, and the zombie finally locks on to Sebastian’s neck, ripping it open. He dies a gruesome death, and we all relish the moment. Judith shoots the zombie, and Sebastian gurgles blood as we hear, they’re just to stupid to see it. The Commonwealth is built on buying into bulls*t, and the desperate need to believe the American dream is still real; that they can rise above their station. It’s a friggin’ joke. The reality is, the poor will stay poor so the rich can do whatever the hell they want.

Way to make a point.

Next time, Pamela says, they need to make someone an example to remind the people that actions have consequences; and an elite group of zombies has learned to open doors and climb walls.

⚰️ Built On Bullsh*t…

The actor’s feels about how Jerky McJerkface met his end. He was on Talking Dead tonight as well, and is, of course, the nicest guy. The bad ones usually are.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-sebastian-milton-death-teo-rapp-olsson/

🤸 Back Through My Lookingglass…

Visit again tomorrow for some soap and yachting on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay leaving it looking better than you found it, and stay being desperate to make a difference. We can all do that.

March 14, 2021 – Gabriel and Aaron Follow Maggie’s Map, Fun With the Dead, Nervous Norman & Spell

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What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

We hear Gabriel in a voiceover saying, the Whisperers took their toll, and they saw darkness, but they kept the faith. The righteous enter and are safe. They had moments of despair, but a miracle happened, and by the grace of their friends, they were saved. But they still have more work to do to rebuild their community, provide for their families, and save their souls.

Gabriel and Aaron are surrounded by zombies in a clearing. They hack away, covering the surrounding wildflowers in blood. They walk through the woods and come across some ruins. Gabriel looks at his map of possible food sources. I guess not this one anymore. Aaron sees several burned bodies that are nothing but charred bones now, and asks, what happened here? Gabriel says they’ll never know, and they keep walking. The see a decrepit zombie sitting up against a tree, and it pulls away, part of it staying on the tree. It doesn’t get far, since Gabriel slices it through the top of the head. Gabriel sets a timer, and throws it into a field area. When it goes off, a bunch of zombies rise out of the grass, and head off to who knows where. Gabriel looks at Aaron, and they follow at a distance.    

Near a road, they see more skeletons, and a line of cars. Aaron looks at a zombie in a van, and Gabriel opens another car. Aaron asks what he’s doing, and he says, he’s searching; there could be something there. Aaron slides open the van he’s been looking in, and they go through all the cars. Gabriel opens a trunk, and finds some cans of food, but he turns it over to see what looks like a bullet hole in it. He tells Aaron, two more.   

They try to smash into an old, boarded up casino, and zombie arms pop out. Gabriel hacks off an arm. Aaron motions for him to remove a board, and when the zombie emerges, Aaron stabs it in the head. They each take an arm to pull it out, but the skin comes off, and they fall back with skin arms in their hands. When they realize what happened, they quickly rid themselves of the skin arms, and I laugh my head off. Aaron sees a shopping cart hanging off the roof, and Gabriel climbs up. He sees a near-skeleton lying down, and another with a little more flesh on it, tied to post, moving around a little. He sees a skeletal couple lying on mattress. Aaron asks if he sees anything, and Gabriel looks at the couple and says, just a ladder. The camera pans out, and we see SAVE US written on the roof.

Zombie arms reach for Aaron, and he hears Gabriel hacking away inside. Gabriel opens the door, and comes out. Aaron says, anything? and Gabriel shakes his head. He sheaths his machete, and looks at his map again. He says, one more, and Aaron says they’ve been at this two weeks, and what do they have to show for it? He can’t. Gabriel says they have to see this through. Aaron says they can go back to the hunting ground, but Gabriel says, it’s spent; there’s nothing there. Aaron says, so is every other place on Maggie’s goddam map. He misses his daughter, and he knows Gabriel misses his too. Gabriel says, one more, and starts to walk. Aaron follows.

They walk through some mud, and Gabriel slips, tripped up by a hidden zombie. It rises, covered with mud, but Gabriel holds his machete point up, and Aaron pushes the zombie onto it. Aaron laughs, and Gabriel says, a little help? Aaron helps get the zombie off of Gabriel, and helps him up. The map is officially screwed, covered in mud like Gabriel. Gabriel says there was a water tower by their last location. They just need to head north until they see it. Aaron says he’s not doing this without a map, and Gabriel says, it’s only an hour. Aaron says he doesn’t care, it begins to rain, and Gabriel says, fine. They’ll follow their tracks back. It starts to pour.

They come out of the woods, and Aaron asks, is this on the map? We see a warehouse, and Gabriel says, no

They shine flashlights around inside the warehouse. Aaron bangs on something, but there’s no response. Gabriel closes the door, and they split up. Gabriel finds a pile of Bibles, and picks one up, finding a bunch of pages torn out. Aaron hears something from behind a door, and says hello? Gabriel looks in a file cabinet. Aaron says, hello? again. He says his name is Aaron. He’s a friend. Please don’t be afraid. Hello? He opens the door, and Gabriel hears yelling, and takes off. He runs to where Aaron is, and finds Aaron standing over a wild boar. He says, it came at him, and Gabriel smiles. I say, food! Aaron says, what? and Gabriel says, nothing. That was quite the scream. Aaron says, these things are vicious, and Gabriel says, clearly… hence the scream. Gabriel starts to laugh, and says, sorry, but doubles over. Aaron says, all right. Let it all out. Is he through? Gabriel shakes his head, and keeps laughing, saying, oh Lord! Aaron smiles, and Gabriel says, know what he feels like? Aaron says, what? and Gabriel says, dinner. And drink. He holds up a bottle of whiskey.

Aaron shows Gabriel a toy, and says, remember these? Gabriel says he remembers news footage of people trampling each other at toy stores to get them. Aaron says, Grace will go nuts. They sit to eat, and Gabriel pours them each a tiny bit of whiskey. Aaron says, that’s it? That’s all they get? Why? It’s just whiskey. Gabriel says, no; it’s not just whiskey. It’s perfection. It’s rare. This bottle is easily over $2000. Aaron says, the fact people would pay that much to get drunk was a huge part of what was wrong with the world. Gabriel says, it’s not to get drunk. Smell it. Aaron does, and Gabriel asks what he’s getting. What does it remind him of? Aaron says, maple syrup… vanilla… breakfast as kid. Gabriel says, take a sip. Let it sit. Pay attention to the finish, and how the flavor evolves. Aaron says, wow, and Gabriel says, exactly. Now eat, and the meat will taste even better. Aaron says, look, he gets that it’s rare and all, but they had a rough day. He holds out his cup, and Gabriel pours some more, but Aaron continues to hold it out.  

They play poker for bottlecaps, and Aaron says he’s out. Gabriel says, he has the whiskey. Aaron considers putting his cup in the pot, but folds. Gabriel says, many thanks, but Aaron wants to see the cards. Gabriel shows him what I assume is a really poor hand, and Aaron rolls his eyes.

Aaron asks Gabriel what God would think about him gambling, and Gabriel says, He’d probably okay it. Aaron says, a card shark priest. Did he get training in whiskey class at the seminary? Gabriel says, Reverend George was his mentor. He was a good friend, and a great teacher. His first class was at a boy’s funeral; Tony Franklin. He died of cancer. He was in his freshman year of college and he died. Everyone in town came, and Reverend George performed the service. He spoke, and said all the right things without trying; it didn’t look like he was anyway. They got in the car to go to the wake, and he just took off. He floored it the whole way, saying they had to get there before the others. He was running stop signs, saying a prayer each time, and Gabriel had his eyes closed the whole way. They got there and the Reverend headed for the liquor cabinet. He asked what the Reverend was doing, and was told to shut up. The Reverend snatched off Gabriel’s collar, pulled off his own, and started pouring. The boy’s father walked in, and the Reverend walked over to him with two drinks in hand, and just started talking. He talked to everyone; put them at ease, smiling and laughing. He told Gabriel, just be with them in the moment. Speak from the heart, and don’t worry what you think they want to hear. He tried, but he’s not as good as Reverend George. Later, the Reverend told him, real ministering isn’t preaching from a pulpit. It’s talking to people one on one, on their own terms, relating to them. He smiles, and says, that’s how he knows about whiskey. That’s how he knows about a lot of things. Aaron says Gabriel needs to start preaching again. He’ll be mad if Gabriel doesn’t. When he was out there, finding people to bring to Alexandria, it felt right. Helping people was right. They haven’t done that in a long time, and they’ve got to get back to it. Gabriel says he doesn’t want to preach anymore, and Aaron asks, why? Gabriel says, does Aaron really think things will go back the way they were? Aaron says he does, and Gabriel says, they won’t. The world isn’t built for the way they used to be. Aaron says Gabriel’s head is full of Whisperers, who and what they were, and it’s not most people. Gabriel says, evil people are not the exception to the rule; they are the rule. Aaron says he’s getting sober. After the next round, he’s going to climb up on the roof and jump off head first. Gabriel says he wants to perform last rights, and Aaron says, they’re back to him again.  

Gabriel snores, and an obviously hung over and/or still drunk Aaron gets up. Gabriel asks where he’s going, and Aaron says, to piss. Gabriel goes back to sleep.

Light comes in through a dirty window, and Gabriel wakes up. He doesn’t see Aaron, and walks around the warehouse, his machete drawn. He sees a man by the entrance, and the man asks what he was cooking. Gabriel says, boar, and the man asks, how was it? Gabriel says, it was good, and the man walks into the light. He removes his hood, and we see his face is scarred. He says he’d like a bite.

The man eats, and Gabriel introduces himself, asking the man’s name. The man says Gabriel came there with a friend, and Gabriel asks if he’s seen Aaron, but the man says nothing. Gabriel asks what he wants, and the man says it seems like Gabriel is the one who wants something. They broke into his place, ate his boar, and drank his whiskey. Gabriel says it didn’t look like anyone lived there, and he asks if Gabriel thinks the boar got in there by itself. Gabriel says they were looking for food. They didn’t mean any harm. The man takes out Aaron’s metal spiked ball hand, and tosses it on the table, saying, does this say no harm to you? Gabriel says they’re part of a larger group, more than twenty armed fighters. They’ll be coming if he and Aaron don’t get back. The man wonders if they’re joining the card game. He sits back, his automatic rifle in his lap, and asks if Gabriel thinks it’s loaded. Gabriel says, there aren’t a lot of bullets left, and the man lets a load of shots fly. He asks Gabriel if he thinks he made it. Gabriel doesn’t understand, and the man says his friend is in there, pointing to the wall he shot at. He gets up, tells Gabriel, easy, and opens the door. He says, still breathing… he thinks. Gabriel says he wants to see Aaron, and the man asks why he’s still wearing his collar. Gabriel says, probably for the same reason the man keeps the Bibles. Because the Word of God still matters. It’s a light in an otherwise dark world; a reminder that light is still in them… love, mercy, forgiveness. The man says, toilet paper, and Gabriel says, what? The man says, the Bible. He like the bent pages. Gabriel suggests that he read it instead of wiping his ass with it, and the man says he read it, cover to cover. That’s why he wipes his ass with it. He says, it must be hard preaching about something Gabriel doesn’t believe in, and Gabriel says he does believe. The man says, evil people aren’t the exception to the rule, and Gabriel says he was drunk. The man says, drunk is honest. There’s nothing left but thieves and murderers. Gabriel says, there’s still goodness, but you have to look for it, and he man asks who Gabriel is trying to convince, him or himself? He’s so close. Gabriel says, close to what? and the man gets up, keeping the gun on Gabriel. He kicks he door open, and drags Aaron out, tied to a chair and gagged. He puts Aaron at the table, and takes the gag off. He unties one of Aaron’s wrists, and knocks all the bullets out of a handgun. He puts one back in, and says, one round. One in six chances. He spins it, and shuts it, and says they’ve got a choice. Each time, they can aim it at themselves, or the man sitting across from them. The winner goes home.

Gabriel says, they’re not doing this, and the man says, then they both die. Aaron asks how they know he won’t kill them both anyway? and the man says, they don’t. Aaron says, they’ll make it right. They’ll get him a new boar. The man says, it’s not about the boar, and Gabriel asks what it is about. The man says, enlightenment. Go ahead. Gabriel looks at Aaron, and picks up the gun. He puts it to his own head, and pulls the trigger, but it just clicks. Aaron looks freaked out, and the man slides the gun over to him, saying, now you. Aaron follows Gabriel’s example, and asks why the man is doing this. The man asks what happened to Aaron’s arm, and Aaron says, it was crushed in a construction accident. The man asks who blinded Gabriel, and Gabriel says, no one. It was an infection. He wanted to hear someone plucked out Gabriel’s eye or chopped off Aaron’s arm? Why? To prove how evil man is? Does the man think he or Aaron will shoot each other? The man tells Gabriel, pick it up now, and Gabriel repeats what he did the first time, and the gun only clicks. Aaron takes the gun and cocks it, and the man asks if Aaron heard that. It makes a different sound when the chamber loads. It’s his choice to make.

Aaron says, they’re not thieves or murderers. They don’t kill each other; they protect each other like family. The man asks if family is supposed to mean something. He knows about family. When he was with his brother and his brother’s family on the road, he saved their lives more times than he could count. One day, he woke up to find his brother stealing the last of his food. His brother just stared at him, then came at him with a knife. Aaron asks, what happened? and the man says he handled it. He didn’t blame his brother, because his brother gave him something valuable that day. Gabriel says, his brother didn’t give him anything. He’s just trying to make sense of what happened. He walled himself off, believing everyone left out there was evil. It was easier to accept than the truth – that he meant less to his brother than a scrap of food. Aaron says, Gabriel… but Gabriel says the man needs to hear it. He knows about looking for meaning. Most times, there is no answer, no grand design, no enlightenment. The man’s brother ripped up his face, and he’s so hate filled, he can’t see. So he murders good people for what? To prove what? The man tells Aaron, pull the trigger. Him or you? Who’s it gonna be?

Aaron starts to point the gun at his own head, and  the man says, what about Gracie. Aaron wants to see her. He knows what he’s got to do. Aaron looks like he’s going to cry, or maybe throw up, and the man says, does he want to see his daughter again or not? Aaron says he does and the man says, then what is he waiting for. Three…  two… one… Aaron starts to put the gun to his own head again, the man says, stop. That’s who people are. Gabriel says, he was wrong. People are capable of more than killing each other. They still love and sacrifice for their brothers. His brother didn’t give him truth; his brother only betrayed him. If he punishes them for his brother’s sins, he’s no better than his brother. He wasn’t always like this; none of them were. But they have to remember who they were, and know who they are. The man says he knows who he is, and Gabriel says he does too. He knows people like the man, good people who’ve been broken by the world. He doesn’t have to be; there’s another way. They have a community of real people, people who were lost and found their way back. He can too. They can help if he lets them. The man says he doesn’t believe Gabriel, but Aaron says, it’s true, and puts the gun down. He says the man should believe Gabriel because that’s who they are. The man thinks about it, sighs, and picks up the gun. He sticks it in his waistband, and cuts Aaron free.

The man says, Mays. His name is Mays. Then, stunning all of us, but mostly Mays, Gabriel takes Aaron’s metal hand, and whacks Mays with it, presumably killing him, and spattering Aaron’s face with his blood. He tells Aaron, it’s okay. They’re good. Aaron says, are they? and Gabriel says they couldn’t take him with them. He killed his brother’s family. Aaron says, let’s just go.    

Wow. I’m so disappointed. Can we not have one episode where everyone plays nice? I want Z Nation back.

Gabriel says Mays heard everything they said. Where was he hiding? Gabriel opens a hatch, and sees a lantern. They walk through the space, which is flanked by steel shelving holding all kinds of supplies. The see a restrained man, who looks like your classic hermit, cowering in the corner. Aaron says, it’s his brother. They see the brother’s wife and child dead on the floor, and Gabriel says they’re not going to hurt him. The brother is obviously scared out of his wits, and Gabriel moves forward. He undoes the restraints, but the brother suddenly has a gun. Aaron tells him, drop it, and Gabriel says they just want to help him. The brother says, help? and Gabriel says, yes; get him out of there. Aaron asks if he wants to come with them, and Gabriel says, just put the gun down. The brother sees his dead family, and in possibly the saddest moment ever, puts the gun to his own head. Gabriel and I both say, no! but he shoots himself, falling next to his wife and child. I almost want to cry.

Gabriel takes the gun, and grabs some cans of food and other supplies. Aaron looks at pictures of Mays, his brother, and his brother’s family in happier times.

Gabriel and Aaron continue to walk. We see a water tower in the distance, and Gabriel says, the water tower. It’s the last place on the map. What does Aaron think? Aaron looks sad, as he has through a lot of this episode, and he nods. He says, one more, and they walk toward the tower.  

Next time, Aaron’s nervous breakdown (just kidding). Princess and the others are captured by stormtroopers, and plan an escape. Ezekiel says they don’t know these people, and they can’t trust what they don’t know.

⚰️ On the flipside, Talking Dead was one of the funniest ever. Seth Gilliam (Gabriel), Ross Marquand (Aaron), Robert Patrick (Mays/Mays’s brother), and writer & co-executive producer Jim Barnes were guests. The lot of them were hysterically funny, with Ross doing a spot-on imitation of Sly Stallone. Robert said Ross had entertained them throughout filming with impressions, and ragged on Seth for being a lousy priest through the entire episode. We also got some nice insight into Robert’s acting technique. He said when playing the brother, he didn’t have much to work with as far as character development went, but tried to incorporate what a rescue dog would have felt like; one that’s been abused, and was afraid of strangers. I thought it was a brilliant choice. Another tidbit we got was that the whiskey brand was named after Duane Jones, who played Ben in the original Night of the Living Dead. This was probably one of the best TD episodes of all time IMO.

🏍 Not So Smooth Daryl…

I’m not sure why he was so nervous. It’s not like there was human contact.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-norman-reedus-daryl-leah-find-me-interview/

🖇 Next…

Time to move on to my other job, and hopefully making up for that lost hour this weekend. Until we meet once again at the Hospital and/or on Deck, stay safe, stay looking forward to spring, and stay on Gabriel’s good side.

October 16, 2019 – Nina Stands Firm, Girls and Gays Bachelorette, Big Wedding, Another Loss, LuAnn Redo, New Black & a Spell

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

On the phone, Chase asks Jordan if she’s sure about that, and says he can do it.

Alexis sits at Charlie’s bar, and tells Julian that her life coach is trying to kill her. She thinks it’s a conspiracy far and wide, since all the trainers at the gym are part of the cabal. He asks what he can get her, and she says it’s her cheat day. She orders a breakfast the size of what The Rock eats on his cheat day. Julian says before he gets it, did she get Olivia to back off? Alexis adds some more food to her order. Julian says, this is Olivia’s latest masterpiece, and shows her a flyer. Last year a dead body; this year, who knows? Alexis says, Olivia isn’t behind it. Does he have any enemies that want revenge. He says not that he knows of.

Brad goes to Nelle’s parole hearing. She says he came, and he says she didn’t give him much choice. She says, it’s going to be the best parole hearing ever. Michael shows up, and wonders why Brad is there. Nelle says they have a big surprise. Brad says, don’t, but she says now that she’s getting out of prison, it’s time Michael knows the truth about his son. Jonah didn’t die; he’s alive. She gave him to Brad and Lucas. Michael says, Wiley is his son? He gets angry, and Nelle thanks Brad for looking after their son. Now that she’s getting out, she and Michael can finally be a family with their son. Michael says, over his dead body, and pushes Brad. He walks toward the door, and Brad asks where he’s going. Michael says, to get his son. Brad wakes up, yelling, don’t go! and Lucas asks, who’s Michael, and why doesn’t Brad want him to go?

Sasha and Michael go to Kelly’s. She wonders if it bothers him to be seen with her in public, and he says he doesn’t want to hurt her feelings, but compared to the scandals in his family, hers hardly rates. Lulu is there with Maxie, and asks, what is Michael thinking? He knew Sasha was an imposter, and didn’t say anything. Maxie says, he’s non-judgmental. Maybe because he’s both a Corinthos and a Quartermaine. Michael tells Sasha, not implicating Valentin was a noble gesture. She says she couldn’t do that to Charlotte, or cause Nina any more pain. Michael says, Valentin was the mastermind, but Sasha tells him, she said yes. Michael says, so did Valentin. It’s not fair that he should skate with zero consequences. Lulu asks if Maxie has seen Nina since the wedding, and Maxie says she did. Nina was on the fence about… correction was on the fence. It looks like she climbed over, and jumped in. Nina and Valentin walk in holding hands.

Martin asks if Nelle read the notes he gave her. Nelle says she did, and thanks him, but she doesn’t need them. He asks if she thinks she can handle her first parole hearing on her own. Nelle says, first and last. Trust her; she’s got this. She’s going to be out of Pentenville by tonight.

Lucas says, Brad sounded freaked out that someone named Michael was leaving. What was he dreaming about? Brad says he doesn’t remember. Lucas says, it seemed intense, and Brad says he feels that, but as far as details, he can’t tell Lucas any more than that. Lucas says he’s been restless at night, and Brad says, sorry. Lucas says, don’t be. Just talk to him. Shiloh is dead, and Wiley is safe. No one is coming after Wiley, but Brad seems more stressed than ever. Brad says he’s trying an anti-anxiety medication, and shows Lucas the bottle. Lucas wonders why Brad didn’t tell him that he was seeing a therapist. Wiley cries, and Lucas goes to check on him. Brad calls Julian.

Julian ignores Brads call. He tells Alexis, if it’s not Olivia, he can’t think anyone else who would want to run him out of business. She tells him, think harder. Kendra walks in, and Alexis says, there she is. The woman who’s making her a better person. Julian says, even if it kills her? Alexis tells Kendra, she just had a workout, and is going to have a whole grain bowl. She leaves out the entire pig of bacon and six dozen eggs she just ordered. Kendra asks if she’s keeping up with her supplement, and Alexis says, about that. She was skeptical, so she had her GPA look at the ingredients. Kendra asks what her doctor said.

Martin didn’t think he’d have to remind Nelle that she pleaded nolo contendere to murder, attempted murder, and a host of other crimes. Even having a hearing this early is tantamount to a miracle. She asks if she should change her plea, but he says, it’s too late for that. Nelle says, it was clearly entrapment, but he says, it wasn’t. Legal terms don’t change because she wants them to. She says she was about to give birth, and was trapped. He says he has two expert’s statements on hormone disorder, as well as an OB/GYN statement on the effect of pregnancy on behavior. It’s doubtless that’s what led to her confession. He says she admitted she was the cause of her ex-fiancé’s death, and conspired to murder. She asks if he submitted it to the parole board, and he says, of course (🍷) not. All they care about is that she’s taking responsibility for her crimes. She says she pleaded nolo contendere, she’s had success in rehab, and has an impeccable record there. If that’s all that matters, she’s walking. He says, there’s no guarantee. Even if the board is inclined to rule in her favor, it can take weeks, sometime months, to get released.

Lulu says, don’t tell her Valentin and Nina are back together, and Maxie says she didn’t think it would be this fast. Lulu says, she thought they would? and Maxie tells her, Obrecht said Sasha acted alone. Sasha confirmed it, and apparently, Nina believes it. Lulu says, Obrecht was in on it, and possibly Valentin too, but Nina won’t listen to her. She tells Maxie to go to Nina, but  Maxie says, no. Lulu says Maxie knows as well as she does that Valentin is behind this. Maxie says, all she knows is, Lulu made huge mess of things.

Sasha tells Michael, she knows it must seem hypocritical to tell a lie to repair the damage, but she couldn’t bear to see Nina left alone. Michael says Valentin knows what he knows. Sasha says she doesn’t expect a thank you, but she might get Valentin to convince Nina to forgive her. He says he wouldn’t hold his breath.

Nina tells Valentin about a play she wants to take Charlotte to, and says he’s staring. He says she’s too damn beautiful. It was the greatest night of his life when she showed up. Better than when she showed up with Jax. She says she’s not with Jax. She didn’t come back so he could be a jealous idiot. He’s just glad she did. Nina says, even if the reason she left is sitting there? Lulu is there too; they’re surrounded. Valentin tells her, forget them, and focus on us. He suggests they go to city hall, and she can marry him right now. Chase walks in, and Michael says he thought he was meeting Chase at Pentenville. Chase says, the plans have changed. He asks Sasha to get up, and Michael asks, what’s going on? Nina tells Valentin that she knows what Chase is about to do; his job. Chase says Sasha is being charged with identity theft, and burglary in the second degree He reads her rights, and she looks panicked.

Alexis tells Kendra that she got the all clear from her doctor. Kendra asks if it’s helping her sleep, and Alexis says, it’s a miracle. She falls asleep, and stays asleep, and she has more energy. She’s going to need a refill. Kendra says, next time they meet. Alexis’s phone dings, and she says she’s got to go. Kendra says, so much for lightening the work load, but Alexis says it’s a family issue, and leaves.

Valentin tells Nina that Jordan wasn’t going to take action unless Nina wanted to. He wishes she hadn’t, and Nina asks why he doesn’t want to see Sasha punished.

Maxie can’t believe Chase is arresting Sasha, and Lulu says, it makes no sense to be putting Sasha in handcuffs while Valentin is in the clear. Maxie says it’s all about Valentin for Lulu. She hates him because he murdered her brother. What better way to pay him back? Lulu says she’d rather him go to prison than just have a bad wedding day, but what it’s really about is Charlotte and Rocco. How can she teach them to be honest if she’s not honest herself? Maxie says, however ethical, all Lulu did was kill Nina’s dreams and have Sasha arrested.

At the station, Michael asks Chase, what’s happening? Chase says, Nina made a statement, and Jordan witnessed Sasha’s confession at the wedding. Michael says, Sasha’s grandmother was sick, and Chase asks if he knows how many times they’ve heard that, and the grandmother is fine. Michael says he checked, and Sasha’s story is true. Chase says he’ll share the information, but Sasha told Nina that she acted alone. Michael says Chase doesn’t believe that, does he? Chase says, the complaint was made, and charges have been filed. He has to do his job. Michael asks, what about Nelle’s parole hearing? and Chase says he’ll take care of it. He tells Michael to stay there. If all goes well, he’ll keep Sasha out of prison, and Chase will do his best to see that Nelle stays behind bars.

Brad texts Julian that Nelle’s parole hearing is today. Michael will be there. What if she tells him? Lucas comes in, and asks Brad to tell him more about therapy. Brad says Neil wants to see the both of them. He’ll just tell him no. Lucas says he’d be happy to go. He wants Brad to feel better, and to stop calling another man’s name in his sleep.

Nelle says Martin has been nothing but negative, and wonders why she bothered hiring him. He says she didn’t. He took the case pro bono. She asks why take it if he thinks she’s going to lose? but he says he doesn’t. He only cautioned her that she may not win today. She asks what she’s supposed to do, and he says the Nelle he met was charming and sweet. Be that Nelle today, not the one she is now.

Lulu admits it wasn’t the outcome she expected, but her conscience is clear. Maxie says, good. Sasha is on her way to jail, and Nina is with Valentin, but Lulu can sleep at night. Lulu suggests Maxie get off her high horse. She had an illegal DNA test done. Maxie says she wanted to keep Nina from being exploited, but she stopped wanting to be right. She saw how Nina would light up when Sasha was in the room. Lulu says, Nina sat by Sasha’s bedside when she was sick. She was terrified to lose a daughter that wasn’t hers in the first place. Maxie says Lulu should have left well enough alone. Lulu says Nina is James’s aunt. If this had fallen in her lap, don’t say she wouldn’t have told the truth.

Nina tells Valentin, Sasha committed fraud, and broke her heart. She doesn’t understand why he’d want to let her go. Valentin thinks holding onto anger and chasing revenge might send Nina into a negative spiral. She asks, who is he? Next, he’ll be telling her to trust karma. Valentin says Sasha hurt her, and he wants her to be whole, and choose to heal, so she can be happy with him and Charlotte. He wonders if that’s enough for her.

In the interrogation room, Michael tells Sasha that he was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. She says, her too, but Nina wants justice, and she should have it. He asks if she’s thinking of pleading guilty, and she says, maybe, but she’s just saying she doesn’t blame Nina. Michael says before Alexis gets there, she should consider making a deal. Sasha doesn’t know what she’d have to offer, and Michael says, tell her that Valentin masterminded the scheme. He had three DNA tests falsified, and is a bigger fish than she is. Robert will jump at the opportunity, so would Laura and the rest of Nikolas’s family. Alexis comes in, and says she has a copy of the charges. Sasha perpetrated fraud and pretended to be Nina’s daughter? Sasha says, it’s true, and Michael asks if Alexis can help her.

Julian tears up the flyer. Lucas comes in, and Julian asks if everything is okay. Lucas says he was hoping Julian would talk him down. Shiloh is dead, and there’s no more threat to Wiley, but Brad is still tense and anxious. He’s was talking in his sleep. He kept saying, Michael.

Chase comes into the parole hearing room, and Nelle asks where Michael is. Chase says, he had a family emergency. Lucky her, right? The board comes in and sits down. A woman says they have an initial application for parole. She thanks Chase for being there, and says they’ve read impact statements from Michael, Carly, and other members of the Corinthos family. Nelle has requested an attorney be present, which isn’t necessary, but allowed. She says they’ll hear from Chase first, and then Nelle.

Julian asks if Lucas thinks Brad is cheating. Lucas says, of course (🍷) not, but since Wiley has been in their lives, he’s been different. He’s hard to read. Lucas wishes he knew what was going on in Brad’s head. Julian doesn’t think that’s going to happen, but Lucas says, it might. Brad’s therapist wants to see them both. He’s glad Brad found a safe space to talk about what’s bothering him.

Martin says Nelle has been a model prisoner. The warden said – and he quotes – he’s never seen a prisoner turn their life around as thoroughly as Nelle, and thinks she would be an asset to the world outside these walls. The woman asks if Nelle has taken responsibility for her crimes, and Nelle says, she has now. Although her hormones were raging because of her sweet little Jonah, she can’t blame her crimes on what was going on inside her. She takes full responsibility for the heinous actions that hurt so many. When she realized what she’d done, she had a breakdown, and was sent to Ferncliff. When she returned, she had the drive and determination to make amends to so many people she’s hurt. No matter what, she’ll never stop trying.

Alexis says, Sasha entered Nina’s home with the intent to commit fraud, but Sasha says that’s not why she went to Windymere, but okay. Alexis says there’s criminal impersonation in the second degree. She pretended to be Nina’s daughter in order to benefit herself or harm someone else. Sasha says she never meant any harm, but it was about money in the beginning. Alexis says, that’s a class A demeanor, and knocks out second degree burglary. She says she needs Michael to leave now; it will compromise the case if he stays. Does he want that? He says, of course (🍷) not. He’ll see what he can do on his end. Sasha asks what he means, but he tells her, good luck, kisses her head, and jets. Alexis says now she wants the whole truth. What part did Valentin play in this?

Nina can’t see why Valentin wouldn’t want Sasha to pay, but he says, of course (🍷) he would. He’s worried about the toll it’s going to take on Nina. She’s going to have to rehash this over and over in court. Nina says, that makes it less appealing, and Valentin says she should focus on what makes her happy, like Charlotte. She says, and him. Valentin says he loves making her happy. Nina starts to say, it’s a consolation, but then says he’s so much more than that. She can’t wait to see where this unexpected new beginning takes them. Valentin says, how about city hall? They can get married today. Her phone dings, and she says, it’s Jax with his own marriage proposal. She laughs, and says she thought it was funny. Alexis is representing Sasha, and needs to speak with her. Valentin says he’ll go with her, but she says, no; stay here. It’s something she needs to take care of on her own.

Maxie tells Lulu when she sees how much the truth hurt Nina and caused her to spiral, no. She wouldn’t have dashed Nina’s hopes. Lulu says, that’s not the question. If she’d known Sasha was lying, but didn’t know how it would play out, would she have told the truth? Maxie says, no. She thinks it would be better to keep the secret. Lulu says, like Maxie did when she was her surrogate? Maxie says, oh my God. I say, I’m not surprised she brought that up. I think Lulu is kidding herself all over the place.

Nelle tells the board, because of her good behavior, she got the privilege of training a support dog, and her sweet mutt Scrapple is going to a loving person. It breaks her heart, but knowing he’s going to a good home makes it less painful to say goodbye. Nothing will ever be as painful as letting go of the child she lost. Beautiful Jonah’s lifeless body was in her arms as she was saying goodbye. The only way for her to heal is to do good for others. She’s also been working at the hospice center, helping ease their pain. As hard as it will be to let them go as well, giving them comfort gives her comfort. If the board sees fit to release her, she intends to work in a hospice. Chase says, give him a break. It sounds pretty loud, but I assume the board doesn’t hear. She says she intends to be a productive member of society, and correct her mistakes. Being in prison gave her the opportunity to fix herself, and she thinks she’s a better person. She thanks them for hearing her case, and dabs at her eyes, looking at Brad. The woman says the board is ready to make a decision.

We see flowers on a grave. Kendra says, nine and a half years, his death went unpunished. We see it’s Kiefer’s grave, and she says, everything has changed. Shiloh told her that Kristina confessed that her mother ran him down. Alexis murdered him. Now it’s time to pay her back.

Alexis tells Sasha that she spoke to Robert. He’s willing to reduce the charges, and there will be no prison time. Sasha asks, what’s the catch? and Alexis says, no doubt Valentin had something to do with the fake DNA tests. Sasha says, she has a friend, but Alexis thinks it’s more than that. She thinks Sasha is covering for him. She asks if he’s threatening her, or if she’s doing this for Nina. Sasha says she never meant to hurt Nina, even though Nina wants to hurt her now. Nina comes in, and says, Alexis wanted to speak to her. Alexis says she has a proposal, and Nina says she’s not interested. Alexis says, hear her out. She’s not undermining Nina’s pain, but doesn’t think putting Sasha in prison will lighten the load. Nina asks if Alexis wants her to drop it, but Alexis says, not at all. She can sue Sasha in civil court. Nina says, Sasha has no money, but Alexis says they can hammer it out. Sasha is prepared to pay back every penny Nina spent; whatever she thinks is appropriate. What does Nina say?

Lulu says Maxie didn’t tell them that the child was hers and Spinelli’s, not Lulu and Dante’s. Maxie can’t believe Lulu is throwing that in her face. She thought they were past that. Lulu says, they are. She’s making a point. By the time the truth came out, she and Dante were deliriously in love with Connie, but it wasn’t Connie; it was Georgie. Maxie says the truth hurt everyone, and Lulu asks if she regrets telling the truth. Maxie says, of course (🍷) not. Lulu knows the truth can tear your guts out, but sooner or later every lie comes to light. The longer you wait, the deeper the pain. Does Maxie get it?

Valentin leaves Kelly’s, and Michael is waiting. He blocks Valentin, telling him, shut up and listen. He doesn’t know if Valentin had a hand in Sasha’s arrest, but he cares about Sasha. She did the noble thing by not implicating him. Valentin says that’s because he had nothing to do with it. Michael says they both know that’s not true, and he’s a lot less charitable than Sasha is.

The board tells Nelle that they can’t recommend parole at this time. Nelle says they can’t be serious.

Brad texts Lucas about Nelle’s parole hearing, and Julian asks if she made parole. Lucas says, she’s still safe behind bars. Julian says, at least until her next hearing.

Brad tells Nelle that he’s sorry. Martin says they only need two votes. She should be disappointed, but not defeated. For the next two years, she needs to keep her eyes on the prize. Nelle balks at two years, but he says it could be sooner. She says she’s trying, but she misses Wiley. Brad says he’ll send her pictures, and she says that will ease the pain until she’s finally free.

Michael says he knows everything Valentin did. Sasha told him everything. Valentin says then she’ll be hearing from his attorney; that’s slander. Michael says, time’s up, and Valentin says, just hers. She was hoping to save herself. Michael says if Sasha doesn’t tell the DA, he will.

Alexis asks if Nina thinks it’s possible to keep this out of criminal court, but Nina says, no. Sasha knew what she was doing was wrong. She could have come clean at any time. Instead, she lied to Nina’s face. Nina mothered her. Sasha allowed Nina to love her, and all that time, Sasha pretended to love her back. Sasha says she does love Nina. Nina says if that’s how she loves someone, God help her enemies. Take her love and take her deal, and the both of them can go to hell. She leaves, and Sasha says she didn’t expect Nina to agree. Alexis says neither did she, but it was worth a try. Sasha asks, what happens next?

Kendra tells Kiefer that she’ll always miss him, but justice for his death will lighten the load. She takes a container of the supplement out of her backpack, and says, Alexis said she needs a refill. She puts something into it, and says she’ll make sure Alexis gets it.

Lulu tells Maxie, Michael better be careful. Valentin is dangerous. Maxie says, Michael has Sonny and Jason. Valentin can’t touch Michael, and they both know that.

Valentin tells Michael to do himself a favor, and stay out of it. Sasha is playing him like she did Valentin. She lied to everyone. Michael says she did lie because she didn’t implicate Valentin. She was willing to save Valentin, but if Valentin doesn’t get Nina to back off, and Sasha goes to prison, he’ll make sure Valentin goes down with her. He walks away.

Tomorrow, Lucas asks Brad what else he’s hiding, Doc says he has to determine if Franco is in his right mind, and Jason visits someone in prison.

The Real Housewives of Dallas

Brandi brings Brooklyn to cheerleading practice. In Brandi’s interview, she says when she was Brooklyn’s age, she wanted to be a Dallas Cowboy’s cheerleader, but she never pushed it on her girls. When Brooklyn came to her, she was secretly glad. Everything is a struggle in their relationship, and she has high hopes this might be a bonding experience. Brooklyn tells Brandi that her form is terrible, and Brandi says it’s been twenty years. Brandi stands at the top of a pyramid. She tells Brooklyn that she didn’t have the proper training, and it was hard. In her interview, she says, growing up, her parents couldn’t afford private lessons. She just taught herself. She tells Brooklyn, it’s all about her core.

Kameron meets Stephanie at a coffee shop. She asks how Stephanie’s weekend is going, and Stephanie says, good. She tells Kameron that they had their differences at LeeAnne’s shower, but she’d love to close that chapter and figure it out. She feels like they’re past it. She knows Kameron hasn’t felt accepted in the past, and they’ve both felt judged. She’s sorry. Kameron says she felt like their issues began when she and Brandi tangled. Brandi was screaming in her face, and saying the eff word, and Stephanie just sat there not saying anything. When someone is attacked, it’s appropriate to stick up for them. Stephanie says she’s not Jesus, but Kameron thinks Stephanie feels afraid about what Brandi will think. Stephanie says she’ll defend someone when she sees a clear-cut right and wrong. In Stephanie’s interview, she says if Kameron had just walked away, she would have stepped in, but what Kameron did was ten times worse. Kameron says, a good friend would say, sit down and don’t yell in people’s faces. Stephanie says she was having a hard time during the trip, and Kameron says Stephanie talked to Kary, who she just met, when Kameron has known her for two years. Stephanie says she didn’t feel that Kameron was the person she wanted to go to in that moment. She’d love to have the kind of relationship where they can lean on one another, and be more than surface friends. She doesn’t tell Kameron deep things. Kameron says she thought they had the kind of friendship where they could call one another about anything, and Stephanie thinks Kameron is minimizing what she’s saying. Kameron says Stephanie is telling her the friendship is just surface level. In Kameron’s interview, she says she put effort in to being friends with Stephanie. She reached out, and thought she’d worked it out with her. Now she’s saying Kameron is a surface friend? What the eff?  Kameron tells Stephanie, she can’t. She was attacked, and thought her friend would be there. Now Stephanie is telling her that she’s a bad friend, when she should have been defending her friend about getting attacked. In Stephanie’s interview, she says when she’s fighting with Kameron, she feels like a hamster in a wheel. When it’s over, you feel like you got the sh*t kicked out of you. Kameron says she’s all about being a good person, and apologizes if Stephanie felt it wasn’t there. Stephanie understands that Kameron felt alone, and she’s trying honor those feelings and move on. Kameron wants to move on too. She wants Stephanie to feel comfortable, and she’s glad they talked. In her interview, Stephanie says it’s the most exhausting day of her life. She feels like she’s given birth to a six-foot blonde baby. She tells Kameron that they’ll work together to work it out, and thanks Kameron for meeting her.

Brandi and Stephanie meet for lunch. Brandi tells Stephanie that she knows Brandi is open to the spiritual realm, and thinks it would be fun if they did a haunted house. Stephanie thinks they should get a medium too. In Brandi’s interview, she says she always wanted to go to a haunted house she’s been hearing about for years. They can exorcise their demons. Stephanie tells her about meeting Kameron for coffee. It took a long time, but she thinks Kameron got it. In Stephanie’s interview, she says it’s hard for her. She’s been working with a coach on her self-esteem. She told Kameron how she felt and didn’t die doing it. It’s one small She tells Brandi that she never says how she feels. She doesn’t want to feel fake when she sees Kameron. Brandi says she wasn’t invited to LeeAnne’s bachelorette party, so she’s having a cheer party. Stephanie doesn’t think D’Andra was invited to anything, Brandi doesn’t think she was either, and Stephanie says, LeeAnne is celebrating every moment; there’s a ton of events. Everyone says what they’re invited to in their interviews, ending with D’Andra saying she didn’t get invited to anything, like Charlie Brown getting a bag of rocks. Stephanie says, LeeAnne might as well go all the way.

The bachelorette party is packed with guests. When LeeAnne arrives, everyone cheers. Steve puts a crown with a veil on her head. The veil has Rich’s face all over it. She tells the women that she got her hands filled (meaning, with fillers, not that she has stuff in her hands). She says they’re still swollen, and she slept with ice packs. In her interview, she says, they go between the knuckles with the needle. Ouch. In Kameron’s interview, she says they all know LeeAnne’s hands are not knives. LeeAnne finishes, they’re just hands. Kameron says it’s LeeAnne’s night to do whatever she wants. In her interview, Kameron says, LeeAnne is a true Texas woman, and it’s a total Texas thing to celebrate many, many times before your wedding. They all love it. Cary asks Stephanie if she and Kameron are good, and Stephanie says, peace above everything. Cary tells Kameron that she heard she and Stephanie had a good conversation, and Kameron says they’re good. Cary says she feels like Kameron is lying, and Kameron says she feels like some people are faking something. Cary tells her, go with her gut. In Kameron’s interview, she says she thinks Stephanie belittled her friendship. Kameron agreed to move forward, but she’s not moving any further forward. Steve welcomes the guests to Girls and Gays; LeeAnne’s bachelorette party. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says a tremendous amount of her friends are gay men. Drag queen Jenni P. dances for LeeAnne. In her interview, LeeAnne says she’s a drag queen trapped in an old white bitch’s body. In Kameron’s interview, she says, drag queens are better than strippers. Strippers are all sweaty, and they grab you, but you don’t know who they touched. LeeAnne gets a lap dance. The cake is brought out, and Steve says, it’s LeeAnne riding a wiener – i.e. a dark haired Barbie sitting on a penis cake. LeeAnne thanks them for coming, and there’s lots of hugging. In Kary’s interview, she says she feels guilty that D’Andra isn’t there. D’Andra introduced her to everyone, and they should both be there. She tells LeeAnne that she wasn’t invited to the wedding, and LeeAnne says she was. Her invitation must have gotten lost in the mail; 30% of mail gets lost. In Kary’s interview, she wonders why the credit card bills are always there, and jury duty notices never get lost. She asks LeeAnne why D’Andra isn’t there. Like it’s her freaking business. True story. When I was getting married, a good friend called, saying they hadn’t gotten an invitation. I sent another one, and both arrived on the same day.

LeeAnne says she’s waiting for D’Andra to reach out, and Kary says D’Andra already apologized. LeeAnne asks what if she told Kary that Eduardo was screwing other women, and she should own up to it because she owes LeeAnne that. Kary says she can’t keep bringing it up if she’s over it. LeeAnne says D’Andra committed the sin, but she should be the one that rises higher? Kary says she should be the bigger person, and LeeAnne says she always has been with D’Andra. D’Andra has the courage to talk sh*t about Rich when he’s faithful. She has the courage to trash Rich’s name, and destroy his reputation. Kary says, that’s not moving forward, and LeeAnne says Kary isn’t letting her finish. The one thing D’Andra has no courage for, is to come to her and say she misses LeeAnne as a friend. Kary says D’Andra invited LeeAnne to her party, and LeeAnne said she forgave D’Andra and wanted to move forward. We flash back to LeeAnne announcing that all she cared about was her and D’Andra taking steps to move forward. LeeAnne tells Kary, D’Andra hasn’t taken any steps to do that, and asks if Kary wants to see her phone. Actions speak louder than words. In Kary’s interview, she thinks LeeAnne is a hypocrite when she says she wants to move forward. LeeAnne says she reached out to D’Andra; now it’s D’Andra’s turn to step up and grow up. Everyone else gets it. Kary says she’ll ask them. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says Kary told her that she was the negative one, and now Kary comes to her bachelorette party and acts negative. Kary asks Kameron and Stephanie if they think it’s weird that D’Andra wasn’t invited. Kameron doesn’t think D’Andra is really making an effort, and Stephanie thinks LeeAnne and D’Andra should mend things one-on-one. Kary says, D’Andra apologized, but LeeAnne says, so did she. She’s waited 51 years to get married. She’s screwed a lot of frogs. Kary says, that’s not the point, but LeeAnne says, it is. It’s about her; it’s her wedding, and is only happening once in her life. Kary says, D’Andra’s 50th birthday was important, but LeeAnne says, so is a wedding for a woman who’s waited this long to get married. In Kameron’s interview, she says, this isn’t cool. It’s LeeAnne’s time to have fun. LeeAnne asks if Kary thinks she should invite D’Andra even though she talked sh*t about Rich. Kary says she thought LeeAnne was forgiving D’Andra, and LeeAnne says, Rich hasn’t. We flash back to him saying forgiving is the Christian thing to do. D’oh! LeeAnne says she’s not making her party about someone who’s not there. These are the people who love and want to celebrate her. Kary says, D’Andra is that person, but LeeAnne says, she’s not. Kameron says D’Andra hasn’t come to LeeAnne, and Kary says, D’Andra apologized. LeeAnne says, that’s different. In Stephanie’s interview, she thinks LeeAnne and D’Andra should just move forward, or leave each other alone. LeeAnne is sorry Kary doesn’t understand. The people there have shown her via their actions how much they love her. So when D’Andra gives her action, she’ll get an invite. Until then, she can stand in the vasectomy line. Cary is like, what? and LeeAnne says, it sounds good. LeeAnne goes to Steve, and says she’s getting flack because the great almighty fat cow isn’t there to be worshiped. Meow!

Brandi checks out the haunted house. Hill House Manor owner Linda thanks her for coming. In Brandi’s interview, she says the house is outside Dallas. You can rent it and go ghost hunting. Linda says it was purchased as an investment property, but they couldn’t keep it rented because of the tenants having experiences. She personally had a conversation with someone on the other side of the shower curtain. She thought it was her husband. She tells Brandi, they have ghost hunters there frequently, and they have all kinds of events. In her interview, Brandi says she’s been able to see into the spiritual realm since she was little. As a child, she saw her grandmother. It’s hard to open up about it without looking like she’s crazy. Linda says Brandi has her number, and if there are any problems, text her.

Kary has everyone meet at her place. D’Andra asks Kary if she’s ready. Kary says she’s just going along for the ride. She’s had no personal experiences, but she’s open to it. She explains Mexico’s Day of the Dead. (I love a sugar skull!) She asks if D’Andra has heard from LeeAnne. We see a clip of D’Andra telling Kary that she’ll send a text, but that’s it. D’Andra says LeeAnne texted back, thanking her for reaching out, and saying she thought D’Andra was upset about something that happened in Mexico, and it made her sad. She added that all weddings should be elopements, because it’s too much work. Kary asks if something happened in Mexico, but D’Andra says nothing happened. In her interview, she says she and LeeAnne got along fantastically. LeeAnne doesn’t want to see or include her, and is putting it on her. It’s complete bullsh*t. Kameron joins them, and Kary asks if she’s ready for ghosts. Kameron says she’s afraid.

Stephanie meets Brandi at the house. In Stephanie’s interview, she says she’s never encountered a ghost, but how bad could a ghost be? She thinks Southern ghosts would display good hospitality. She tells Brandi that she’s scared she’ll need an exorcism. Brandi suggests they pray, and asks God, if it’s His will, to open their eyes to things they don’t know. She asks if they should pray for the others, but Stephanie says, they can pray for themselves. Brandi says she’s so bad. I guess we’ll let it slide that this is contrary to any Christian belief.

Kary thinks some people see ghosts. D’Andra says they lived in a haunted house, but her dad always had the ghost visits. Kary asks if LeeAnne believes in ghosts, and LeeAnne says she prays there’s an afterlife. Kary tells her, Brandi says she can see ghosts. In LeeAnne’s interview, she’s not happy with Kary, so she’s ghosting her.

As they pull up to the house, Brandi flashes the lights from inside, and the women get all weird. Brandi tells them to hurry in; she saw something. Kameron says, that’s not funny, and Brandi leads them to the murder room. Kameron screams, and something moves. Kary calls Brandi a stinker, and Brandi suggests they have drinks. Kameron says she needs a lot of drinks, and LeeAnne wonders if ghosts have bars. In her interview, LeeAnne says she thinks ghosts are bullsh*t. Mostly because she grew up in a carnival, where they convinced people to believe that bullsh*t, and took their money. She had a deeply religious upbringing, and was told it was witchery. It’s anti-religious, and against Christian beliefs. What I said, but longer. Brandi says, a medium is coming, and boo! there’s a knock at the door. Medium Lisa introduces herself. Kameron says she’s not a fan. A friend once got in contact with Kameron’s dog using a Ouija board. She felt her dog’s tail brush against her, and freaked out. It’s scary for her. Lisa says on any property, there’s some sort of spirit or ghost activity. She gives each of them a pendulum, and says, it can only answer yes or no questions.  

They go to a room that has toys in it, and Lisa thinks it’s a home for kids who have passed, and come back to play. Kary wants to sit on the floor, and Lisa tells her to roll the ball and see if they’ll play. Stephanie rolls the ball, and says she’d love to play, but nothing happens. Brandi says, they don’t want to play with the ball anymore, and it’s sad. The ball rolls back, and they freak out. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says, you know what balls do? They roll. Unless they’re attached to a scrotum. They go back downstairs, and Kary asks if Lisa does readings. Lisa says she’d rather do that in private, and they go out on the porch. In Kary’s interview, she says she knows mediums are intuitive, and if Lisa is the real deal and can give her insight, why not take advantage of that? Lisa tells Kary that she had a rough start in life, but good things have happened over the years. Kary may have felt… Kary says, it’s not fair. Lisa says Kary made her way through, and is stronger. Kary asks about her husband, and Lisa says, it’s a good relationship. She sees nothing wrong. They hug. Most. Boring. Reading. Ever. And nothing I didn’t know, so I assume nothing Kary didn’t know either.

D’Andra asks the pendulum if she should have more tequila, and answers, yes. Kary comes back in, and LeeAnne asks if Lisa saw ghosts around her. Kary says Lisa told her that she had a rough start, but she’s been lucky. LeeAnne asks what was difficult about Kary’s childhood, and Kary says her parents were alcoholics. Her dad said he couldn’t live with her mom, but he was keeping Kary. Her mom had to kidnap her, and took her to Mexico, where she grew up. Since her mom was an alcoholic, she had to parent herself. LeeAnne asks how young she was when she started going to clubs, and Kary says, fourteen. LeeAnne says she was thirteen when she started having sex. Kary says she was nineteen, and LeeAnne says, people who have been sexually abused, use sex. I Kary’s interview, she says, LeeAnne thinks she’s the only one who had a tough life, and her childhood experiences are more important, but it’s not a competition. Wow. She got all that from one sentence? Kary thinks she could have made excuses, but chose to be positive and enjoy life. LeeAnne asks if that was directed at her, but Kary says, no. I say, yeah, right, and LeeAnne says people have said she uses her childhood as an excuse. Kary says, does she?

LeeAnne says she doesn’t think so, but it can be a catalyst for how she behaves. Kary says maybe people say that because she talks about it a lot. Brandi and D’Andra decide to check out the murder room. In Brandi’s interview, she says she’d rather hang out with a ghost, or the wall, than hear LeeAnne talk about this bullsh*t again. Kameron thinks it’s an explanation for some of LeeAnne’s actions. Kary says they all grew up a certain way, but that doesn’t excuse how they act. LeeAnne says how they live doesn’t have to be the same. In LeeAnne’s interview, she says comparing their childhoods is a joke. Kary needs to reserve her condescending judgement. Kary doesn’t think LeeAnne has gotten over it, and LeeAnne says she doesn’t think you ever do. Kary says, you have to forgive. When she did, she felt lucky to have what does now. There are screams from upstairs, and LeeAnne is 100% sure they’re scaring the sh*t out of each other. Kameron asks if they should get going, and LeeAnne says, she’s convinced nothing good happens after eleven.

D’Andra and Brandi come back downstairs, and D’Andra says they were trying to talk to the people in the rooms. She asks LeeAnne if she wants to go somewhere to talk, but LeeAnne says she’s fine with right there. Kameron looks like she wants to disappear. D’Andra says she sent LeeAnne a text because she was thinking about her. She doesn’t know what happened n Mexico; she thought they were fine. LeeAnne says he did too, but when she didn’t her from D’Andra, she thought maybe she said or did something. D’Andra says she knows weddings are crazy, and didn’t want to invade LeeAnne’s space. LeeAnne says she was trying to start a dialogue. In D’Andra’s interview, she says whatever LeeAnne wants from her, apparently she’s not giving it. LeeAnne is making it difficult to communicate, but maybe LeeAnne feels the same way about her. Kary says she told D’Andra about their talk, and thought she should send a text. She felt guilty about D’Andra not being at the bachelorette party. D’Andra wonders why invite Kary, who LeeAnne barely knows, and LeeAnne isn’t sure she did. Kary says Steve did, and reads his text and invite. LeeAnne says she didn’t give him Kary’s contact information, but thinks he knew she was on the list. In Kary’s interview, she says LeeAnne is trying to pretend she didn’t know Kary was invited, but she made up the list. Brandy asks if everyone is ready for night-night, because she’s used to talking to toddlers. She says, it’s been a spooktacular evening.

Next time, bunny Playboy Bun-Bun Redmond’s funeral, D’Andra thinks about taking out a loan, and Kameron suggests crashing Kary’s happy hour.

🐮 Doin’ It Big In Dallas…

Some snippets of LeeAnne’s wedding. Hint: it’s fabulous.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-dallas/home-design/leeanne-locken-rich-emberlin-wedding-decor-entertainment-details

✨ Another Star Goes To the Sky…

He was Cherry.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/robert-forster-oscar-nominated-actor-in-jackie-brown-dies-at-78/2019/10/13/dde37bf8-edc3-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html

At least Tarantino didn’t cut him out.

https://www.cbr.com/breaking-bad-el-camino-deleted-scene-robert-forster/

🎤 But Does He Love Cabaret…?

LuAnn rebounds in more ways than one.

https://pagesix.com/2019/10/07/luann-de-lesseps-and-ex-rich-super-appear-to-be-back-together/

💡 A Thought…

Black is the new black.

🔮 It’s Not Halloween Without It…

A classic from a classic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwpaA5HGo9k