Tag Archives: James Brown

Jan24

January 23, 2024 – Curtis Is Tested After Surgery, New Ones, Last Bow, Salty Talk, No Surprise, Farewell, The Big One, Halftime, Puppy (!) Bowl & Do It

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the ax throwing place, Chase asks how Brook got so good at this, and she says, visualization. He asks what exactly she’s visualizing, and she says, not what, who. Lucy Coe. Brook nearly gets a bullseye.

At the hospital, Finn says, maybe this was a bad idea, but Elizabeth asks, since when is going to a meeting a bad idea? He says, maybe his time would be better spent going over his defense with his attorney, but she says, honestly, until they get more information about what Muldoon was up to before seeing Finn, she doesn’t think he and Martin have a lot to talk about. He says, maybe she’s right, and she says, something told him he needed this meeting today. She thinks he should trust his instincts. He says, who needs instincts when he’s got her?

Jesse pops the cork on a bottle of champagne, and Tracy asks if there’s ever been a more satisfying sound. Scotty says, if there is, he hasn’t heard it. Gregory comes over to the table and asks, what’s the occasion? but Scotty says he doesn’t think they need an occasion. Does Tracy? She says, they definitely don’t.

Lucy tells Martin that there’s nothing going on with her and Scotty. Look at the guy. He is clearly otherwise engaged. He asks, then why does she keep looking over there? What is so captivating about Scott Baldwin?

At the hospital, Portia tells Stella and Trina, so good of them to come, and Stella asks, where else would they be? Trina says, Curtis needs them, and Stella says, whatever happens today, good or bad – Portia says, please let it be good – Curtis will know he still has his family behind him. Portia asks if Trina is okay, and Trina says, she just wants this to work. Portia says, they all do. Trina asks if they should go in, and Stella says, Curtis shouldn’t be alone right now, but Portia says, don’t worry. He’s not alone.

Marshall says, the doctor should have been here by now, but Curtis says, Dr. Martel got pulled into emergency surgery. He’ll be here as soon as he can. Marshall says, isn’t that fitting, and Curtis says, what? Marshall says, Curtis reassuring him, on today of all days, and Curtis says, it beats the alternative. Marshall says, which is? and Curtis says, this endless loop going on in his head. Did the surgery work or didn’t it? Marshall says, a question only the doctor can answer.

Anna goes to the hospital reception desk, and TJ asks how he can help her. She says she was supposed to meet his mother for drinks last night, but she never showed up at the restaurant. He says, it’s not like his mother to be a no-show, and she says she knows. It’s not like her to leave messages unanswered either. So she wondered if TJ knew where she was or if he’s heard from her. He says, no, but he wonders… She says, what? and he comes around the desk. He says, she’s been conducting her own investigation into his uncle’s shooting, and Anna says, of course (🍷) she has. He says he was with her yesterday when she got her first lead, her first solid one anyway. He asked her if she would be safe, and she said she would be. She says, but now he’s concerned. So is she. He asks if Anna thinks his mom is in trouble.

Anna tells TJ that his mom knows better than to go it alone. The nature of the lead suggested back-up was warranted. He says, maybe under normal circumstances, and she says, these are anything but? He says his mom is tracing the gun that shot Uncle Curtis. What if she took a calculated risk and got in over her head? Anna says, it’s possible, and he says he’s calling the PCPD, when Jordan walks in. Anna says, there she is. They were getting worried. TJ asks if she’s okay, and Jordan says, yeah. She’s fine. He says, she’s wearing the same clothes as she did last night. Where has she been all this time? (Speaking of which, whatever happened to Zeke?)

The meeting leader recites the Serenity Prayer and asks if anyone would like to share. Finn raises his hand and says he’s Hamilton. He’s an addict. And he’s also a doctor.

Marshall says, Curtis has to stay positive, and Curtis says, he’s being positive, but he’s also being realistic. He wants with every fiber in him for this procedure to be a success, but if it weren’t… Marshall says, then they’ll deal with that. They’ll deal with that together. Curtis thanks him, and Marshall says, better late than never, right? He spent most of his life running away, and left Irene to raise Curtis and his brother. He was so terrified he’d hurt them. Curtis says, that’s most of his life. He’s here now. Marshall says, that’s because of Curtis. Curtis taught him to overcome that fear. Curtis says he has no fear of a setback. If those doctors walked in right now and said, we’ve done all that we can do. We’ve gone as far as we can and this is as good as it gets, he could handle that. But when he thinks about having to look Portia in the face, and Trina, and Aunt Stella, he sees that disappointment in their eyes. That would gut him. Marshall says, but it won’t break him.

Stella says she thinks she’ll go to the chapel and light a candle, and Portia says, it couldn’t hurt. Trina says, light one for her, and Stella says, she’s got it. She leaves, and Portia says, now Trina can talk to her. Trina says, how can she fly to Paris when they don’t know what’s happening with Curtis? Portia says, she’s going. She and Trina’s father both want her to go. Trina says, even if it’s with Spencer? and Portia says, is he her first choice for a travel companion? No. Trina knows he’s not, but he makes her happy. She can see that. And if Trina ever has children, she’ll realize that all you ever want for them is just to be happy. When she thinks about herself in Paris does it make her feel all warm, kind of good inside? Trina says, yeah, and Portia says, Curtis wouldn’t want to deprive her of that feeling. So she’s going to go, and she’s going to experience life, and it’s going to be amazing. She’s going to live, laugh, love, all the things. And what she’s going to do for sure is send Portia pictures and text her constantly. Trina laughs and says, okay, when her phone rings. Portia asks if that’s Spencer, and Trina says, she’s going to call him later, but Portia says she thinks Trina should take it. They need all the support they can get today, right? Trina leaves to take the call, and Elizabeth sits down. She asks if Portia needs a shoulder and puts her arm around Portia. She says she’s got two of them, but Portia says, one should suffice.

Lucy says, there’s really no reason for Martin to be jealous, and Martin says, except for her seeming inability to take her eyes off the man. Lucy says, did she and Scotty have a moment once upon a time? Yeah, but it was a long, long time ago. She barely remembers it. Why dwell on it? He says, because from what he understands, that moment has a habit of reoccurring. But if her history with Scotty is just that – she says, it is – why does the prospect of discussing it get her all scrunched up? She says she’s not scrunched up, but he says he sees scrunches. She says, then she sees insecurity…ness, and it’s not a good look. She gets up and he asks where she’s going. She says she’s sorry. Does she need his permission to go to the ladies room? He says, no. By all means. She thanks him and stomps off.

Tracy asks if Gregory would care to join them, and he thanks her, but says he’s well-aware three is a crowd. She says, no. The more, the merrier. Right, Scott? Scotty says, huh? and she asks if she’s keeping him.

Lucy slams her purse onto the vanity and looks in the mirror. She says she’s not scrunched. She’s not scrunched up at all. Scotty better not be laying it on too thick with Tracy. She digs in her bag for a nail file, and hears someone come in. She asks if they’d happen to have an emery board. She snagged her nail. Martin says he’s fresh out, and glances under the stalls. He asks if the coast is clear, and she says she’s in here by herself. What is he doing in here? He says, Scott Baldwin. He wants the truth, the whole truth, and he wants it now.

Chase asks when Brook turned on Lucy, and she says she was never a huge fan of hers. She’s a lot. He says, no question. Did he ever tell her about the time Lucy came into the PCPD locker room when he was coming out of the shower? She checked him out, then demanded he sing at the Nurses Ball. She says she remembers hearing something about that. She tried to block it out, but now that he reminded her, it’s just another reason to visualize. She throws the ax, still not quite getting a bullseye, and he says he doesn’t buy it. She’s been co-existing with Lucy for years, at work and outside of it. They’re not personal friends, but they’ve always been cordial with each other. What changed? Brook says, Lucy crossed the line with her grandmother.

Lucy says, this is inappropriate. Martin is in the lady’s room. He says, when another lady shows up, he’ll make himself scarce. Dammit. He thought she was different. She says she is different… and he says, she knows all about his history with women, his exes. One emotional bloodbath after another, and she said she understood, that she loved him for him. She says she did… She does, present tense. He walks to the door, and she says she loves him now, but he walks out. She looks in the mirror and says, that went well.

Scotty tells Tracy that there’s no place he’d rather be and no one he’d rather be with. He sees Martin come out and says, but he does have to use the little boy’s room. He asks if Gregory would mind keeping his lovely companion company while he’s gone, and Tracy says, take his time. They’ll pick up right where they left off when he gets back. He leaves, and Tracy tells Gregory, don’t. He says he didn’t say anything, and she says, he doesn’t have to say a thing. Just believe her when she tells him, it’s not what it appears. He says, she doesn’t owe him an explanation, and rubs his chest. She asks, what’s the matter? and he says, heartburn. You’d think he would have learned by now; citrus is not his friend. She says, they call it antacids for a reason, and he says, touché. He should probably get going. Does she think Scotty will forgive him if he leaves his lovely companion unattended? She says, uh-huh. Backgammon rematch, soon. He says, she’s on, and walks to the elevator.

Portia asks Elizabeth, how’s Finn? And her? She knows that malpractice lawsuit can’t be easy on Elizabeth either. Elizabeth says she came by to support Portia, remember? but Portia says, Elizabeth taking her mind off of all of this is helping. Elizabeth says, between his dad and the lawsuit, it’s a lot. Too much sometimes. Portia says, thank goodness Finn has her to lean on, and Elizabeth says she just hates seeing him struggle like this. He just wants to prove to everyone that GH and his patients are right for putting their trust in him. Portia says, Elizabeth knows she’ll testify to that at his trial, and Elizabeth says she knows. Elizabeth thanks her and says she really appreciates that, and so will he. Portia’s turn. Portia says, that’s all the distraction she gets? and Elizabeth asks, how’s Curtis? Portia says, he’s walking a fine line, no pun intended. They all are. Positive, but still realistic. Hopeful, but not too hopeful. Elizabeth says, sounds impossible, and Portia says, it is, but Curtis is determined to face whatever comes his way. Elizabeth says, and her? and Portia says she’s determined too, but life isn’t fair, and they’re not guaranteed a happy ending. Elizabeth says, but she’d really like one, and Portia says she keeps having this dream. She and Curtis are at the rehearsal dinner and they’re dancing. And she gets the feeling she had that night. Curtis’s arms are around her and they’re moving together so beautifully. And Curtis is so strong. He’s so graceful, it’s like they’re floating. That moment must be imprinted in her heart and on her body. It feels so real. Then she wakes up and Curtis is lying next to her. And she realizes they’re never going to dance again. Not like that. She cries a little and says, but now maybe they can. She just can’t stop herself from hoping. Elizabeth says, her too.

Jordan says, look at TJ, being all observant about his mother’s clothes, and he says, she didn’t answer. She says she’s been going non-stop since she saw him. She hasn’t had a chance to go home and change. He says, so she hasn’t slept, and she says she plans on going to bed very early tonight. He says, it’s about Curtis’s shooting, isn’t it? and Anna says she got concerned when Jordan didn’t turn up for that drink and went radio silent. She just thought she’d ask TJ if he’d heard from her, that’s all. Jordan says she’s sorry. She didn’t mean for anyone to worry. As they can see, she’s fine. TJ says she has to check on Uncle Curtis, and Jordan asks him to tell Curtis that she’s thinking about him. TJ says he will. Stay safe. Please. Jordan says, that’s the plan, and TJ leaves. Jordan asks if Anna thinks he bought that, and Anna says she thinks he’s just happy she’s in one piece. Does Jordan want to tell her what happened when she followed that lead? Jordan says she never got that far. Somebody stopped her.

Jordan tells Anna that she’d just gotten her first break in the case, a possible clue to the origin of the rifle that shot Curtis. Anna says, that’s great, and thanks Jordan for cluing her in and calling for back-up instead of going it alone. Jordan says, like she’s never done the same, and Anna says, that’s fair. So what happened? She was stopped? Jordan says, more like intercepted, by two men. Anna asks if they hurt her, and Jordan says, no, but they were all business. One minute, she’s outside, trying to arrange a meeting; the next, she’s on the wrong side of a two-way mirror, across from these strangers staring at her. Jordan flashes back to what looks like an interrogation room. She sits at a table, opposite two men in suits, standing. She says, they’re FBI? Why all the subterfuge then? If they’re investigating the shooting of Curtis Ashford, they’re on the same side. Anna asks what they wanted, her cooperation? but Jordan says, nope. They wanted her to back off.

Marshall comes out of Curtis’s room, and Stella asks, how’s their boy doing? He says, it’s Curtis. Holding it together for everyone else’s sake. She says, and him? and he says he’s never been one to believe in miracles, but he does believe in his son. She says, shame on him. Miracles happen every day. Just look at how they’ve managed to remain friends. He says, she means in spite of what happened between them on Christmas Eve? and she says, it was just too much eggnog. He says he hates eggnog (me too), and she says, all those memories of Irene. He says, maybe, but he felt something, and he’s got a sneaking suspicion she did too. She says, something that should never, ever be.

Portia asks Curtis how it’s going, and he says, it’s going. She asks if there’s anything she can do or get him, and he asks her to get the rest of the family. Tell them that he wants to see them.

On the phone, Lucy leaves a message for Martin. She asks him to just listen to her. He has it wrong about Scotty. She doesn’t care about Scotty… Of course (🍷) she cares about him, he’s her friend, but it’s not the same way she cares about Martin. Would he just call her please. Call her back, or better yet, come see her. He’s absolutely right. She’s different from his exes. Give her a chance to prove it. Please, please, please. She flashes back to telling Martin that she feels she has so much more life to live and asking him to do it by her side. She remembers him kissing her and thanking her for coming back to him. She says, dammit, Martin. He’s made her mascara run. A hanky suddenly appears in front of her, and she takes it, saying, she knew Martin would come back. But she turns to see that it’s Scotty.

Tracy sees Gregory leaning against a sofa and asks what he’s doing here. She thought he left. He says he can’t move.

Brook tells Chase that she gets to Maxie’s office and there’s Lucy telling her grandmother that Luke may have been the love of her life, but that Laura was the love of his. And then she goes on to say that the reason her grandmother is alone is, she’s unlovable. Have a little compassion, a little sympathy. If that’s too much to ask, a little basic tact? But no, not Lucy. She basically told Brook’s grandmother that she was grieving a man who never loved her, and that’s completely untrue. Chase says, and Tracy knows that. He doubts what Lucy said hit Tracy anywhere near as hard as it hit Brook, but Brook says she disagrees. Her grandmother comes off tough, uncaring, even abrasive, but underneath it all, she’s got a really soft heart. She’s trying to protect it. Does he want to know the worst part? He says, there’s worse? and she says, the whole thing was a con. Lucy deliberately said those hurtful things to shine a spotlight on her grandmother’s loneliness so that Scott Baldwin, of all people, could swoop in and romance her. He says, but to what end? and Brook says, if she had to guess, it was to trick her grandmother into marriage, so she’d have to pay him off with her Deception shares to get rid of him. He says, and Scotty would turn the shares back over to Lucy. Brook says, despicable, right? Not that it would have ever worked. Her grandmother saw through those two right from the start. But no one gets to do that to her without paying a price. He says, except her, but she says, it’s a totally different concept. Lucy does not deserve Deception; Maxie does. Besides, she’s only scheming within the family. The same thing her grandmother would do to her.

Tracy says she’s calling an ambulance, but Gregory says, no. She says, he just told her he couldn’t move, but he says, no ambulance. Please. They’ll just have to admit him, and it will be impossible to get him out of it. She says, he’s not going to die on her watch, and he says he’s not dying. Not today anyway. She asks if he can sit, and he says, yeah. She helps him to the sofa and asks if there’s any medication he can take that would help. They sit, and Tracy asks, what happened? He says he felt a twinge in his chest in the restaurant. He got short of breath and thought a little fresh air might help. She can see how far he got. She says she’s so sorry, and he says he needs to stay strong, at least until the wedding. She says, yes, he does. It’s a can’t miss event. She understands from Brook that he’s been tapped to officiate. He says he tried to decline, but Chase and Brook wouldn’t take no for an answer. She says, good. That’s settled. Now they just have to tank Olivia’s idea of a wedding cake. Wait until she tells him what Lois thinks… He says, Tracy. Don’t do this.

Finn says, besides being a father, being a doctor is what defines him most. Being a healer. And if his ability to practice medicine gets taken away, it becomes really scary because, what is he? They have this saying, recovery is a journey, not a destination. Never has that been more true than it is today. There’s no finish line for them; they’re never done. They just keep on going and try not to mess up too much along the way. It isn’t easy, is it? He thinks he’s doing it, and he’s proud of himself for that.

Curtis says, okay, fam, listen up, and Stella says, somebody means business. Curtis says he does. No more fake smiles and forced positivity. Portia says, they’re just trying to… and he says he knows. He knows what they’re trying to do and he appreciates it, but it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to be terrified that the procedure didn’t work. God knows he is. But whatever happens today, good or otherwise, they just have to agree right now to accept it and move forward, whatever that looks like. Because he knows one thing. No hospital or wheelchair can keep him down. Are they good? Marshall says, they are clear, and Stella says, crystal. Trina says she’s never been prouder of Curtis and hugs him. He says, that’s how he feels when he looks at her, when TJ comes in. He asks if everything is okay, and Portia says, everything is great. TJ says, Dr. Martel wanted him to let them know he’s on his way, and the examination will begin. Curtis says, bring it on.

Anna says, Feds are notorious at guarding their own turf, but Jordan says, this was more than that. She flashes back to saying she’s told them everything she knows. Now it’s time for them to return the favor. Suit #1 says, they can’t risk her compromising the investigation, and she says, listen to her. Her ex-husband, and one of the best men they’ll ever meet, almost died. He’s literally fighting to get back on his feet. She can help them find out who’s responsible if they’re not too proud or territorial to let her. There’s a knock at the door, and Suit #2 answers. Jordan tells Anna that she doesn’t know who was on the other side of that door, but whoever it was, put the fear of God into those agents. Anna asks what she was thinking at this point, and Jordan says, truthfully, she was wondering just how far they were willing to go to keep her quiet.

Anna asks, what was the resolution? How did Jordan get out of there? Jordan says, whoever the agents spoke to, must have been calling the shots, and Anna asks, what makes her say that? Jordan says, because as soon as that door was closed again, everything changed. Suit #2 closes the door and whispers something to Suit #1. Suit #1 tells Jordan, we’re done here, and she says, she can go? Suit #2 says, they apologize for the inconvenience. There’s a car waiting right outside for her. Jordan asks, who was at the door? and Suit #1 says he’s afraid they can’t answer that. She says, what the hell is going on? and Suit #2 says, trust us. It’s better for all involved if you stay out of it. Jordan tells Anna, then that was it. She was walked to a town car and advised to stick to her desk at city hall. Anna says, which of course (🍷) she won’t, and Jordan says, after that, not a chance.

Dr. Martel says he sees the gang’s all here, and Curtis says he couldn’t have done it without them. Portia says, and he’ll never have to, and Marshall says, when he gets out of that chair, they’ll be standing right beside him, cheering him on. Stella tells TJ, don’t even think about kicking them out, and TJ says he wouldn’t dare. Dr. Martel says, that support is going to be a plus, and Trina says, good, because that’s how this family rolls. The doctor says he’s ready when Curtis is, and Curtis says, go ahead. Bring it on.

Finn comes out of the meeting and Elizabeth is waiting for him. He asks if she’s been here the whole time, but she says she hasn’t. As much as she loves him, she still has a job. She just knew the meeting was breaking up, so she wanted to wait for him. If that sounds like pressure, it’ll never happen again. He says he’s really glad she’s here. He’s grateful for her.

Lucy asks what Scotty is doing in here. Tracy can’t see them. Get walking before she sees them together. He says he’d like to know what’s going on with her and Martin, and she says, that’s funny. That’s the same question Martin asked her about him. He says, that’s the million-dollar question, so what’s the answer? and she says she told him that Scotty was old. That he was old news. Specifically, that they were old news. He says, old news, huh? Old hat. Is that how she sees him? She says, down, boy. Those baby blue bedroom eyes are wasted on her. He says he remembers how she used to like these blue eyes… in her boudoir. (I’m dying.) She says, don’t do that, and he says, do what? She says, he has a job to finish, and that’s what he’s going to do. She grabs his arm and steers him to the door, saying, now get out there and finish it. Go. He leaves and she follows him.

Gregory says, whatever’s going on with Tracy and Scott Balwin – she says she told him – is none of his business. But Chase and Brook are his business, and their wedding needs to be perfect. It needs to be a joyous occasion that they can look back on and celebrate long after other things are forgotten. She says, forgetting will be impossible, and he says, so no more petty fighting with Lois and Olivia about the reception. Go argue with Ned about anything. All that matters is those two beautiful souls belong together and they all do everything they can to make that happen. Do they understand each other? She says, they do. How’s the breathing? He says, better actually. So is his energy. Which is why she attempted to rile him up. She says, attempted? She thinks she succeeded.

Brook gets a bullseye, and tells Chase, now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. It pays to visualize. Chase wants to think about their super, and Brook asks what the super ever did to him. Chase says, he still hasn’t fixed the radiator, and Brook says, that’s a little inconvenient… He says, inconvenient? They used to walk around their apartment in next to nothing. Now Brook is constantly wearing sweats. Talk about frustrating. She says, poor baby, handing him the ax. Maybe there’s something she can do to change that. He says, she’s going to ditch the sweats? and she says, no. And risk hypothermia? They can go to bed earlier, spend more time there together, generate body heat. He says, let’s do that, starting now. He kisses her, and throws the ax behind her, getting a bullseye.

Tracy says, Yuri will be waiting for them outside, and Gregory says, Yuri doesn’t have to do that, but Tracy says, yes, he does. She pays him. Well, Monica pays him, and she’s been assured that if he’s not driving for Monica, he’s available to her. Gregory says he can call a Ride Share, and she says, congratulations on mastering the technology necessary to call a complete stranger with unknown driving ability to pick you up in their car and take you to a destination their GPS may or may not be able to find. He’s coming with her. She helps him stand up and asks, how did that feel? He says, surprisingly okay. He’s sorry if he interrupted her time. She says, he interrupted nothing, and he says, really? It sure seemed like she was on a D-A-T-E. She says, just goes to show you, appearances can be deceiving, and they leave.

Scotty and Lucy come out, and seeing the empty table, Lucy says, this is just great. He tells her, just take it easy, will ya? and asks Jesse if Tracy is still here. Jesse says, she told him to tell Scotty that something came up, and he clears the table. Lucy says, wow. This is a record, even for Scotty. The champagne is barely uncorked, and he ran Tracy off already. He says, that’s because he was focused on her, and she says, fortunately, she thinks they can still do some damage control. She takes out her phone and tells him to give her his credit card. He says, I beg your pardon? and through clenched teeth, she says, give me your credit card. He takes it out, and she says she’d like to order a dozen… make that two-dozen beautiful white roses. They’re going to the Quartermaine mansion… You do? Of course (🍷) you know the address. On the card, please say, until next time. X-O-X-O Scott. Thank you… Hold on. She snaps her fingers, then snatches the card from Scotty. She says she’s got it.

Finn thanks Elizabeth for not letting him talk himself out of that meeting. He realized he needed to be with people who are in the same fight he is. He hopes his story gave them a little bit of encouragement because they encourage him every day. She asks if he knows what she loves most about him, and he says, it can’t be just one thing. She says, one of the things she loves most about him – he says, go on – is his generosity. She’s sure he helped all of those people at the meeting just like he helps all his patients. In one way or another, we’re going to prove that. He says, we? and she says, he’s stuck with her. They kiss.

Jordan tells Anna, the agents who nabbed her were clearly just messengers. Someone’s pulling the strings behind the scenes. Anna says, taking on the Feds is no small feat. She’s going to need back-up. Jordan says, there’s no telling where this is going to lead, and Anna says, that’s precisely her point. Jordan has to admit she’s going to need a second pair of eyes. Jordan says, if Anna is offering up hers, she’d be a fool to say no. She thanks Anna, and Anna says, Jordan would do the same for her. Jordan says, in a heartbeat, and they leave together.

Curtis takes Trina and Portia’s hands, and Dr. Martel says, the surgery could not have gone better, but as with any procedure…  Curtis says he knows. The doctor didn’t want to get his hopes up. Dr. Martel says, it doesn’t necessarily mean the spinal cord damage was repaired, and Curtis says he’s ready to find out. Dr. Martel takes a big safety pin from TJ, and pokes Curtis’s left heel. He asks if Curtis feels anything, but Curtis says, no. The doctor pokes him closer to the toes, and says, how about that? Curtis says he feels that, and everyone gets all excited. Dr. Martel says, this is great news. It’s no guarantee he’ll walk again… Curtis says, but it’s a start. It’s a good start. Everyone hugs and laughs.

Tomorrow, Portia asks Stella if it wouldn’t be better for Trina to go to Paris without Spencer; Spinelli says he knows what Cody is doing and it’s not going to work; Molly tells Kristina, if it’s too much, tell her and she’ll back off; and Laura asks how on earth Heather knows this.

📖 Twice the Fun…

The man who plays two characters also has two careers now. TODAY – January 24, 3 pm ET.

Chat Live With Soap Star-Turned-Author Jon Lindstrom!

🩺 Hospital Changes…

Is this what’s responsible for the awful storyline of Carly taking over Crimson?

GENERAL HOSPITAL Names New Headwriters

🥀 Dimming the Lights…

Another soap star leaves the stage.

https://people.com/david-gail-actor-dead-beverly-hills-90210-port-charles-8546901

🧂 Double Portion Of Salt…

Ugh. This was awful. And I don’t care what Andy says. Either production knew Monica was involved with Reality von Tease or they’re really bad at their jobs, since I assume they vet the Housewives.

https://ew.com/the-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-reunion-part-3-recap-8548300

Doubtful she’ll be back. If the others won’t film with her, there’s no point.

Andy Cohen on Monica Garcia’s Future With The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

🗽 Our Girl’s Boy…

This is probably no surprise to anyone. The legend continues.

Ramona Singer’s New Boyfriend Accused of Being ‘Obnoxious’ on NYC Night Out


☄️ Doffing My Cap…

The original Dawn of the Dead is one of my all-time favorites. The remake is actually excellent, but it didn’t have the subtext about consumerism like the first one did.

https://ew.com/david-emge-died-dawn-of-the-dead-8547146

🏆 Anyone’s Guess…

It looks like some stiff competition, but it stinks that they snubbed Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig. Seriously, WTF?

https://people.com/oscars-2024-nominations-full-list-8547089

🏈 During the Break…

The most important part of the Super Bowl.

https://ew.com/super-bowl-2024-performers-usher-halftime-reba-mcentire-national-anthem-8546391

🐶 Bowling For Pups…

Hear all about it.

Yes, I know I’m obsessed.

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🤹‍♀️ 100% Chance Of Absurdity…

Join me tomorrow for soap and Sutton’s small esophagus. Until then, stay safe, stay listening before speaking, and stay being positive, but realistic.

Feb2

February 1, 2021 – Jax Tells Nina the Truth, the Queen of Versailles On Deck, Sailing, a Lost Diamond, Starting the Month & Proud

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna knocks on Finn’s office door, and asks if he heard about Dante. He says he heard Alexis went after Dante with a syringe, but he’s going to be all right. Anna says she needs Finn’s help. 

Elsewhere in the hospital, Nikolas tells Laura, poor Rocco; first his mom, now this. She says she’s worried about Dante’s mental state, and Anna is concerned. Anna doesn’t think he was properly treated for PTSD. Nikolas says, maybe Rocco should stay with Olivia long term, but Laura says Dante has never been anything but loving with his son. She doesn’t think it’s necessary. He says, if Rocco needs anything, let him know, and she says she’s happy to hear him say that. His life seems to be back on track, and he seems so much happier. He says, most of the credit goes to Ava, and Laura says she’s glad things are going well so well. He says, they’re going so well, he asked his wife to marry him.

Trina and Ava meet at Kelly’s, and Ava says she’s missed Trina at the gallery. What’s she been up to? Trina says she’s been thinking about what Jax and Ava said about what her dad did, and why he did it. She’s not up for a visit yet though. Ava says she’ll figure it out, and Trina asks, what about Ava? She seems good. Ava says, almost too good.

At the counter, Scotty tells Cameron that Ruby would have had his head for not wearing an apron, but Cameron says he’s fine without one. Franco comes in and says, self-awareness is good. He asks why Scotty is there, and Scotty says, it’s better than an empty apartment.

Obrecht drags Britt into an apartment, and Britt says, nice. Who’s place is it? Obrecht asks if she’s sure she wasn’t followed, and Britt says she’s sure. She tells Obrecht that she’s swamped at the hospital, and to get to the point. Obrecht asks if she saw the piece in The Invader, and Britt says she did. Obrecht asks if she gave Peter access to Franco’s medical information, and Britt says, kind of. Obrecht tells her that she can’t trust Peter, but Britt says she already knows that.

Jax tells Nina that he can’t lie anymore. What Carly said wasn’t how it happened, and she needs to know the truth. Valentin says, it sounds like Carly left some things out, and Nina says, what truth is he talking about? Jax says he went to Carly about the possibility of Nelle being Nina’s daughter, but it wasn’t last night. Nina asks when it was, and he says, months ago.

Anna tells Finn, she tried to access the WSB records, and was completely shut down. She did find out Obrecht’s doctor was Warren Kirk. Has Finn heard of him? Finn says, never, and she guesses it doesn’t matter now; he was killed. Doc knew Kirk by his reputation. He was doing cutting edge neurological research. Finn says, Kirk treating Dante’s PTSD is useful, but not exactly cutting edge. She says Doc got Dante’s files, but they were completely redacted. Then she found out Obrecht was Kirk’s patient. Finn says, it sounds like more than a coincidence, and she says, exactly. She got the runaround from the WSB, but she has an unofficial contact at Steinmaur. Her phone rings, and she says, that’s them now.

Obrecht asks if this is Britt’s way of humoring her, but Britt says, no. It’s her way of saying Obrecht was right about Peter. Obrecht asks if she’s seen Peter’s true nature, and Britt says she has; he used her. He asked her to log in to the GH server, knowing full well she has access to everything. Then he asked her to walk away. Obrecht says, and Britt did what he wanted? and Britt says, to test him. She wanted to see what he was up to. She came back right away, but apparently, he got what he wanted, and now Franco’s medical records are splashed across the Invader website. Obrecht says, and Franco was attacked, which is precisely what Peter wanted. She asks if Britt confronted that weasel, and Britt says she told Peter that she didn’t appreciate being used. Obrecht asks what excuse he gave, but Britt says, he didn’t bother with excuses. He threatened her. Obrecht says, no one threatens her Britta.   

Laura says she’s glad Nikolas wants to marry his wife, but she’s a little surprised. He says, it surprised him too, but a lot has changed with them. Laura says Nikolas stood by Ava during the situation with Julian, and after Julian’s death. Now Sonny is gone, and they have Avery. She can see where those things would make them feel closer, and where they might really want to marry for real. He says he and Ava always had a connection, ever since they were seated next to each other on the overseas flight. Laura says, when he was on run, and had framed an innocent man for his murder. He says he’s not proud of what he did; he’s just saying they felt something even then. Even with the craziness all around them now, they find stability with each other.

Trina says she’s glad Ava and Nikolas are getting along better. She wants Ava to be happy. Ava thanks her, and says she is. As Trina knows, she and Nikolas started off on the wrong foot. They weren’t exactly their best selves. Trina asks how Ava got past it. She knows her dad loves her, and wants to protect her, but she can’t get past the pain and hurt. All she wanted was to have him back, and now that she does, she’s so confused. Ava says, no one can hurt you like someone you love; it makes you vulnerable, and that takes courage. Trina says Ava was brave enough to let Nikolas in. It was worth it, wasn’t it?

Franco says he has something to tell Scotty and Cameron before they hear it from someone else. Scotty says, something happened? and Franco says, he’s fine. Scotty says, out with it, and Franco tells them, there was an article about him in The Invader. Scotty says, that rag sheet. How did they get his medical records? He should sue. Does he want to sue? Franco says he’s not ruling it out, but there was a reaction. Cameron asks, what kind of reaction? and Franco says, someone tried to kill him tonight.

Nina says, Jax has known for months that Nelle was her daughter? He says, he suspected it. They saw Avery wearing the necklace before Thanksgiving. Carly says, they didn’t know for sure, and Valentin says they knew Nelle had been hiding in the cabin with Wiley. Did they think it was a coincidence? Carly says, even if Nelle lost it, that doesn’t mean she was Nina’s daughter. She could have found it, or even stolen it. Nina says, Carly is right. They couldn’t have known, but that’s not the reason why Jax didn’t tell her, is it? Jax says he believes Nelle was Nina’s daughter, and that’s precisely why he didn’t tell her.

On the phone, Anna asks, when?… On who’s authority?… Are you certain?… Okay. She thanks them, and says she appreciates it. Finn says, no good? and she says, Kirk facilitated Obrecht’s transfer to a WSB clinic in Geneva months ago. He wonders what the point a transfer to a mental health facility is, and she says, Obrecht got to him. Bribed him or threatened him. Finn asks if Anna thinks Obrecht murdered him.

Britt tells Obrecht, don’t do anything drastic. She doesn’t want Peter dead. She just wants him to pay for framing Obrecht. Obrecht assures Britt that Peter will regret crossing her, and Britt asks, what’s the plan? Obrecht says, none of her busines; stay out of it. Britt wants to help prove Obrecht’s innocence, but Obrecht says she can’t take that risk. When Peter is backed into a corner, he becomes more dangerous. Like his father, he’ll strike anyone who gets in his way. The thought of losing Britt like she did Nathan…

Scotty asks Franco if Alexis was liquored up, and Cameron says, this means Franco is in danger. Scotty says, if it’s not Alexis with a syringe, it will be some crackpot or crazy person with a knife or a gun. At least now he’s ready, and can be on guard. Cameron suggests Franco get a bodyguard, but Franco says he’s going to stop them there. They don’t need to worry.

Nikolas tells Laura, Ava isn’t the ice queen everyone thinks she is. It’s a façade she wears to protect herself. Laura says, she’s his mom, so she has to ask. Does he trust Ava? He says he does. He understands her in a way he never did before. She wants a home and a family. She was given away by her mother, and grew up in foster homes. She didn’t have a Laura to show her what family could be, and he wants to give her the sense of family she deserves. Laura says, that he deserves too.

Trina goes over to see Cameron, and Franco tells Scotty that he scared the kid half to death. Scotty says, Cameron is right; he should get a bodyguard. Ava comes in, and asks if she can have a word with Franco, and Franco says, Scotty was just leaving. Scotty says he’s leaving Cameron a twenty; so long. Ava tells Franco, she read the article in The Invader. Is it true? Is the tumor changing his personality and behavior? He says he doesn’t feel that, and she asks if he thinks it might have been him who painted over her portrait. He tells her that he can’t say for sure, but it’s the only option that makes sense. He’s sorry. She says she doesn’t care about that; she cares about him. She worries, and doesn’t want him going back to that dark place. He says, trust him. He’s on the lookout for anything he does, but he hasn’t done anything, so that’s something. Why doesn’t Ava quit being miserable, get on with her life, and divorce Nikolas. She says, the thing is, she doesn’t want a divorce anymore.

Jax says he realizes Nina feels betrayed. He did that, and he’s so sorry for hurting her. By time he knew Nelle could be her daughter, Nelle was already gone, and it was too late to have a relationship. Valentin says Jax withheld information, and had Nina stop looking because she might find out the truth, and expose his lie. Carly says, this has nothing to do with Valentin, and Jax takes Nina’s hands. He says she told him that she was at peace, knowing her daughter had a happy life. He thought it was better for her to keep believing that, but he was wrong. He lied, and he shouldn’t have, but he did it because he loves her. Valentin wonders how that’s different from what he did. All he wants is for Nina to be happy. Carly says, Jax didn’t pay someone to pose as Nina’s daughter. He didn’t want Nina to know she was a psycho. Nina says, Nelle wasn’t a psycho; she was damaged. If she’d had anyone who cared about her as a child, her life would have been different. She didn’t have anyone who cared or loved or understood her. That’s why they had a connection. Carly tells Nina, stop. None of that is true. Nelle slashed Brook’s throat, kidnaped Wiley, and took off with him. Nina says, Wiley was Nelle’s son, and she loved him. She didn’t want to be cut out of his life, and she wanted a different life. She had a vision board. Did Carly know that? Carly says, and a rap sheet filled with horrific crimes. Nina has to see who she is. Nelle was a compulsive liar and manipulator, incapable of love. Nina said so herself on the stand at the custody hearing. Nina says, it was her. She was the one who took away her daughter’s only hope of being a mother to her child.

Anna tells Finn that Obrecht’s file is classified, and there’s no information available. She couldn’t even get the name of Obrecht’s new doctor. She wouldn’t put it past Obrecht to murder Kirk, but what benefit would it be to her? He was obviously useful. Finn says, unless he outlived his usefulness, but Anna wonders if that’s how Obrecht would take advantage of her newfound freedom. Finn asks if Anna thinks she had a contact on the outside, but Anna doesn’t know who. She wasn’t on good terms with Nina or Maxie, and now she has no friends. He says, but she has a daughter.

Obrecht says, that swine took her Nathan, and her freedom be framing her, and Britt asks why she has to stay out of it. Peter is too much like her father to walk free. Obrecht promises her that Peter’s days are numbered. Britt tells her, whatever she says. Where did she find this place? Britt sits on the sofa, and pulls a tie out from behind a pillow. She asks if Obrecht is living with a man. Does she have a boyfriend? Obrecht tells her not to change the subject; it’s rude to ask personal questions. Scotty walks in, and Britt laughs. He asks what she’s doing there, and Britt says, wait. This is his apartment? Obrecht says Franco is Scotty’s son, and the three of them have joined together against Peter. Britt asks who else knows Obrecht is there, and Obrecht says, Britt, Scotty, and Franco. She’s helping treat Franco. Britt says, good. What is she helping Franco’s father with? Scotty says, let’s go. Do not come back. He doesn’t want her followed. Britt leaves, and Scotty asks Obrecht, who’s the dummkopf now? Is she trying to get them killed?

Nikolas says, he takes it Laura isn’t close to Ava, and Laura says, they get along. She’s seen Ava through some dark times. She asks if Nikolas believes Ava can love him unselfishly, and he says believes she can and does, and he loves her. She says, then she’s happy for both of them, and he thanks her, saying, her approval means everything. Laura asks what he has planned. Are they having another wedding? He says, not exactly. She hasn’t said yes to his proposal.

Franco asks Ava if she and Nikolas are together together, and she says they are. He asks if she thinks they have a chance, and she says she doesn’t know. Love never worked out for her before. He says, she only needs once, and she says he asked her to marry him for real. He asks if she blew Nikolas off, and she says, not exactly, but it was at a gym; not the best setting. He says, the art therapy room, on the 10th floor at GH; that was the moment. He knew he loved Elizabeth from the bottom of his soul. He looked at her, and knew he loved her with all his heart, and wanted to spend every minute of the rest of his life with her. Ava says, they’re talking Nikolas. How does she know he’s serious? Franco suggests she’s overthinking it. Maybe Nikolas loves her no matter what. What is she waiting for? Stop getting in her own way, and be happy. Life is short.

Nina says if she hadn’t testified, Nelle wouldn’t have been at the cabin with Wiley, but Carly says Nina’s testimony wasn’t the only reason Nelle lost custody.  There was plenty of evidence proving her to be unfit. Jax says, Carly is right. There was nothing Nina could have done to save Nelle, even if she’d known Nelle was her daughter. Valentin says he doesn’t know that. Michael said it himself; he never saw Nelle wear the necklace. Nina says she didn’t wear hers for years, but Valentin says, Nelle was a manipulator. It’s possible she got ahold of the necklace and was planning on pretending to be Nina’s daughter. Nina says, there’s a way to prove it one way or another. She has Nelle’s things. She gave Nelle a burial, and was given her personal effects. There in a storage closet at Crimson. She heads for the elevator, and Jax starts to follow, but she tells him, no. She can’t deal with him. He says he can’t let her go through this alone, and Valentin says, she’s not alone. Carly tells him, this is between Jax and Nina, and he says she’s right. He doesn’t have to watch Jax’s handsome self. He knows the outcome. That relationship is over.   

Carly says she bets Valentin thinks he can wiggle his way back into Nina’s life, and recapture her like a hostile takeover. But it doesn’t work that way in relationships. He says he and Jax did the same thing. Jax lied, except he used a charming accent. Why would Nina forgive him? She says, because Jax is a good man, and they both know that’s something Valentin will never be. I beg to differ, but okay.

Nina looks thorough the box of Nelle’s things, when Jax knocks at the door. She tells him, go away, and he says he won’t say anything. She says, good. There’s nothing more for him to say. He tells her that he doesn’t want her to do this alone, and she pulls out a stack of letters.

Obrecht asks if Scotty is hungry. She can heat up some schnitzel. He says, no schnitzel. She was supposed to hide out, not hold family reunions. She says she wanted to warn Britt about Peter, but Britt already uncovered his true nature on her own. He asks if Britt knows she’s been exonerated, and Obrecht says she’s an innocent woman. He says, there’s nothing innocent about her. She barely got out, before she killed Kirk. She says, he killed Kirk, and he says he did it protecting her. Kirk was coming at him, and he still has nightmares, seeing the switchblade sticking out of Kirk. She says, that’s why she had to protect him, and help him with the body. He says, that’s why they’re palsy-walsy now, but she can’t be too cautious. She says, they’re running out of time, and he asks if she thinks the WSB is after him. She tells him to concentrate on Peter. She’ll make some calls to make sure what happened in Geneva, stays in Geneva.   

Britt arrives back at the hospital, and says, Finn paged her. What’s going on? He says he needs her to sign off on his overtime request for his lab assistant. She says, he paged her to sign a form? He says, her rules, not his, and she says she rushed back for this? He says he didn’t know she was out; her assistant said she was working. She asks why he’d interrupt her work, and he says he was being compliant. He thinks those are questions she should ask herself. How long is she going to punish him for his part in her forcing her mother back to Port Charles? She says he forced her to betray her own mother, and it was awful. All in the name of justice, and the charges were dropped. He says Obrecht skated, then tried to kill Andre and Franco. Now she’s facing real justice. Britt says, she didn’t do it.

Trina tells Cameron, she can’t believe Mrs. Davis is so extremely seriously messed up. Cameron is worried other people will want vengeance, and she says, it’s too bad. Franco is nothing like that now. Cameron tells her, that’s not what The Invader says. They want people to be afraid of Franco.

Laura asks Nikolas, what’s going on? Is Ava playing games with him? He says, no games, and she asks why Ava didn’t accept. He says he doesn’t think she took it seriously. He sprung it on her at the gym, and didn’t even have a ring. She says, there’s something to be said for spontaneity. To be completely honest, Doc did the same thing, but she wanted something more special. Then he kept tricking and teasing her until she gave up. That’s when he proposed. Nikolas says he’s ready this time, and has the perfect ring, a Cassadine heirloom. Now he has to find the perfect time. Ava runs in, and says she’s so glad he’s still there. Yes. He says, yes what? and she says he asked her a question before not ready to answer. She’s ready now, and the answer is yes. He says, no. That’s not how they’re doing this. Ava’s smile falls.

Finn says Britt’s mother hired an assassin to kill Franco and Andre, but Britt says, she was manipulated. There was no evidence. He asks if that’s what Obrecht is saying, and Britt says she hasn’t talked to her. She doesn’t even know where Obrecht is. She signs the form, and gives it to Finn, telling him that she’d appreciate going back to work now. He thanks her, and says, it’s always a pleasure. He goes over to where Anna has been listening, and Anna smiles.  

Cameron and Trina go back out to the counter, and Franco says, looks serious. She says Cameron told her what happened, and she hopes he gets a bodyguard. Josslyn has one, and it’s cheaper than ride share. He says he’s glad it’s working out for her, but this is an isolated incident. It’s never going to happen again. Cameron wonders how he can possibly say that.

Ava asks if Nikolas changed his mind, but he says, no. He wants to do it right. She asks what he means, and he looks at Laura, who says, don’t mind her. She steps aside, and Nikolas gets down on one knee, while the nurses watch. He says they shouldn’t work, but they do. It’s not the best place to start a proposal, but the truth is, they both know they value the truth, even if they don’t always show it. They guard who they are fiercely, and have to be protective, but he sees her, and thinks she sees him too. He loves everything about her; her passion, her intelligence, her strength, and her style. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her, and that’s his truth. He’d be the happiest man in the world if she’d be his wife.

Valentin tells Carly, Jax lied about Nina’s daughter; that cuts to the core. Their love was ten times what Nina feels for Jax, and she forced herself to walk away. Carly asks if he’s kidding. Nina ripped him to shreds at the wedding, and left him in the dust.

Nelle looks in the box, and tells Jax, Nelle spent her life thinking she should have a ton of possessions. Now her life has been reduced to a little box of things. She opens a jewelry box, and takes out photos. She looks through them, saying she never saw them before. She takes one out, and cries. We see it’s a little girl wearing the necklace.

Franco asks if he can give Trina a ride home, but she says she’s meeting her mom for dinner. He tells Cameron that they can talk more at home, but he doesn’t need to worry. Cameron says, cool, and tells Franco that he’ll meet him outside. Franco says he’ll warm up the car, and leaves. Trina says she knows that look. What’s Cameron planning? He says he doesn’t know… something. No matter what, he’s going to keep his family safe.

Scotty says he knew it. He’s on the WSB’s most wanted list. Obrecht says, they know nothing. As far as the world is concerned, Kirk was the victim of urban violence. He asks why she’s acting so strange then, and she says, Kirk’s files, including hers, were requested by and sent to Doc. Scotty wonders why he’d want them, and she says, Doc is just a puppet, with Anna pulling the strings. Scotty says, he’s a big dumb puppet. What does she mean, they’re running out of time? She says, Anna is on her trail.  

Anna says, so good, Agent Finn. Britt would never open up to her like that. He says he’d do it again. Anna says, Britt touting her mother’s innocence means they’ve been in contact, and Finn wonders if Obrecht has phone privileges. Anna says, maybe she’s not at the clinic anymore. Maybe classified is code for released.

Nikolas shows Ava the ring, a gigantic, Elizabeth Taylor worthy, square diamond. He says, Ava Jerome Cassadine, will you marry me… again? For real. She says, yes she’ll marry him, and everyone watching applauds. He puts the ring on her finger, and everyone is happy and smiling. They hug, and Laura nods at Nikolas.   

Valentin tells Carly, he doesn’t understand why she’s not thrilled Jax is on the open market again. Jax is her fallback, and since Sonny is dead, her bed must be cold. Maybe Jax could warm it up. She smacks him across the face, and tells him to get the hell out of her restaurant now.   

Nina tells Jax, Nelle had the necklace when she was a little girl. She shows him the photo, and says, Nelle didn’t steal it from anyone; it was hers. It’s true. Nelle was her daughter. Can he just go? He says he’s sorry. He doesn’t want to leave, but it’s her decision, so he respects that. She says he needs to just go, and he says he’s not going to give up, okay? She touches the picture, and Jax goes to the door. He looks back, but doesn’t know what to say. He leaves, and Nina says, her poor baby girl. She cries, and says, you were right there and I never knew. She hugs the picture to her chest.

Tomorrow, Anna asks if there’s something someone wants to tell her, Peter asks why Maxie is defending someone, Elizabeth wonder who the real Peter is, Obrecht says they have to access Franco’s memories while there’s still time, and Dante wonders what he’s doing in the hospital.

Below Deck

My Seanna heads for Jolly Harbour, while Francesca and Elizabeth go back and forth about what sleeping in a guest cabin means, and if it actually involves sleeping. Francesca says Elizabeth keeps arguing with her; what’s wrong with her? In her interview, Izzy says she feels like she’s at the U.S. open, watching them. Francesca says she’s had enough, and walks out. Rob says, sprinkles? and shows Izzy and Elizabeth some bread with sprinkles on it. Izzy says, oh my God, fairy bread, which is something I’ve never heard of. Elizabeth tells Eddie about Francesca speaking in an abrupt way to her about being in the guest cabin. She’s calling her energy healer. Rob says, she’s a gentle soul. On deck, Elizabeth calls her spiritual advisor, and asks if she can get some virtual healing. He babbles about past lives and negative energy, then he chants. Elizabeth takes some deep breaths, and everything is okay now. The captain sees Elizabeth, and asks how she’s doing. She tells him, good, and says she just spoke to her energy healer. In the captain’s interview, he says, is her energy busted? Did she break it? Elizabeth goes to bed.

In Francesca’s interview, she says Elizabeth was talking back to her, and it wasn’t respectful. She’s disappointed in herself. She should have been more stern from the start, and not given so many chances. She really doesn’t know what to do. In the morning, Eddie raises the flag, which is not a euphemism for anything. Izzy asks Elizabeth how it feels to be 30, and James says he could hear her and Francesca over his headphones. Rachel talks to herself, saying she’s got Alzheimer’s like a MF’er. In her interview, she says, the guests are polar opposites, which seems like something they’d laugh about. Rob asks Izzy where they should start, and she says, if they’re five years old and need direction, they can start at the crow’s nest and work down. In Izzy’s interview, she says, Rob is acting like a petulant twat, and it doesn’t help. James tells Izzy that he’s just kidding, but she says, it doesn’t help. He says he gets softer throughout the day, which is a double-entendré. Francesca calls Elizabeth to the Sky Lounge.

Francesca tells Elizabeth, she was so disappointed last night. Elizabeth says she wants to be professional, but Francesca doesn’t see any of that. She needs to bring that game every day, and not be sleeping in a guest cabin; it’s not her yacht. She doesn’t like Elizabeth’s attitude, and how Elizabeth is looking at her with an attitude. I actually have no clue what she means here, since Elizabeth isn’t looking at her any particular way. Project much? James is washing windows on deck, and Eddie suggests he not look in that one. Francesca says she’s pissed off, and it’s the final straw. She tells Elizabeth to finish the cabins, and take charge of the laundry. In her interview, she says she doesn’t know why Elizabeth keeps pushing her buttons. Elizabeth needs to go. She’s had enough. Francesca gets weepy, and I have zero sympathy.

Provisions come in. Francesca doesn’t want to deal with anything, and in Ashling’s interview, she says she feels terrible. Francesca is Elizabeth’s superior, and Elizabeth has to listen and help. She’s tired, and Francesca is tired. She’s done with Elizabeth. Izzy asks if James is going to surprise Elizabeth on her birthday, and in his interview, he says he’s not Elizabeth’s boyfriend, but he’ll do his best as a friend to make sure she has a good day. He didn’t come there to stress, and birthdays are just reminders of how many fewer years you have left to live. Francesca tells Captain Lee about James and Elizabeth using the guest cabin, and he says, it’s an effing no-no. In his interview, he says he has no patience left. F*** this sh*t. He asks Eddie what James is doing, sleeping in a guest cabin without asking. If James wants to play hide the salami with his girlfriend, he doesn’t care, but not in their effing bed. Eddie radios James, and tells him that he’s only going to say it once. If James sleeps in a cabin again without asking permission, he can pack his sh*t and leave. That was a major f*** up. In James’s interview, he says he doesn’t think Eddie is being unfair, but would he do it again? No question. Yes, of course. Captain Lee says he’s sure Francesca had a similar conversation with Elizabeth, and Francesca says she doesn’t want to work on the yacht with Elizabeth. How mature. In his interview, the captain says, they’ve been down this road before. We flash back to him telling Francesca, sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don’t. He can’t afford for the chief stew to walk out. He tells Francesca that he can’t promise he can get someone this late in the season, but he can try. Francesca says, as soon as he gets someone, she’ll let Elizabeth go.

Izzy tells Rachel that it’s Elizabeth’s birthday, and she’s been upset all day. Rachel suggests making a chocolate cake, with chocolate whipped cream. Eddie tells the deck crew to take a break. He asks if Izzy is okay, and she says, it’s a hostile work environment. James is acting like a complete child. He tells her, rise above, and don’t buy in. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says she hopes James does something special for her birthday. Something super cute and romantic. She needs some cuteness in her life. James slurps his cereal as he sits next to Elizabeth in the crew mess. In her interview, she says, right now, it sucks, and James burps. Francesca tells Ashling that she talked to Elizabeth. She says she’s not a bitchy chief stew, which I think is debatable. Ashling says, it’s annoying. It’s only them working on laundry, housekeeping, and service. Ashling gets weepy, and says, Elizabeth doesn’t give a sh*t. Again, zero sympathy. James tells Rob that he won’t get caught next time. Francesca tells Ashling, just between them, she’s getting someone else after this charter. The situation is temporary now. Ashling thinks they could handle it without Elizabeth; just push through it. I’m not saying they’re wrong, but I also think Elizabeth needs better direction, and she does do some work. Francesca is handling this all wrong. For one thing, she shouldn’t be discussing it with Ashling.

March 11, 2020. Elizabeth tells herself to rise above the bullsh*t. Rachel tells Francesca that she wants to do a Thai/Vietnamese thing for dinner, and asks if Francesca is all right. Francesca says she’s good. She finds Ashling, and tells her that Rachel is doing an extravaganza. In her interview, Francesca says, as much as she’d like to get rid of Elizabeth, the guests are used to super yacht style service all the time. It’s not worth the risk to be down right now. She says she thinks Ashling will gel better with these guests. At least they’re working toward something. James tells Izzy that her ass is looking good, and the captain tells everyone to get in their whites.

Francesca tells Ashling, the kids are twenty, and technically, can’t drink in America. The guests arrive, and Eddie notes that David has sweet tea in a Styrofoam cup. In his interview, he says, he loves that old-style sh*t. The captain welcomes the guests to Antigua, and tells them, Francesca will give them the tour, then they’ll get off the dock. David lies down on one of the beds, telling everyone that he’s trying it out. While bringing on the luggage, Ashling notes Jackie’s $10K Vuitton bag. James says, so much Louis. David wonders what the poor people are doing. Ugh. The boat heads for Five Island Harbour, and Eddie tells Rob, drinking is age 18 on the islands. The kids will probably get wasted, and then throw up on deck. Rob is like, yay.

Izzy drops anchor, and the captain says, nice job. David and Jackie take some of the other guests along with them to the bridge. David tells Captain Lee that he raised 14 children, and wore out three wives. He asks if the captain has any children, and Captain Lee says he has four. They had five, but one of them passed away from an opioid overdose. David says his daughter died from an OD, and in June it will be five years. Jackie says, it’s devastating, and the captain says, he’ll think he can get over it, but knows he won’t. David tells him, he never will, but it will get better, and in Captain Lee’s interview, he says, everything is still fresh and raw. He can’t imagine surviving something like this. It’s hard. Jackie hugs him, and he gets teary when they leave. So do I.

Captain Lee is invited to join the guests for dinner. The primaries’ sons flirt with Ashling at the bar. They think the media is blowing the virus out of proportion. Francesca tells Rachel that the captain is having dinner with the guests, and takes lunch orders. Elizabeth tells Ashling, even if it wasn’t her birthday, she’d still be pissed. She went to a guest cabin, but it’s not fun being spoken to in a certain way. Ashling tells her, try not to think about it, and I want to smack her. Eddie gives instructions to one of the sons about a motorized surfboard, and Izzy is given Jackie’s designer innertube to blow up. In Izzy’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Jackie needs a floatation device. She indicates her boobs, and says Jackiehas two flotation devices right there. Izzy and Rob ask if James gave Elizabeth a card (that’s a no), and Eddie looks up their signs. In James’s interview, he says he needs to do this and needs to do that. In his head, he likes her, but it’s a lot of effort. An effing card is a lot of effort? This guy is such a loser. I can’t understand why anyone is interested in him. Eddie says according to their signs, they don’t belong together. Francesca gives Rachel the orders, and in Rachel’s interview, she says Francesca’s communication is lacking. Sorry, you suck. Rachel goes to an upper deck to grill octopus, when Francesca hunts her down for another mahi. In her interview, Rachel says she doesn’t know where the f*** this is coming from, but there’s no excuse. In Francesca’s interview, she says, it’s Rachel’s fault, but this is no time for her to freak out. The Queen of Versailles is waiting for her fish. Rachel wonders why the service isn’t up to par, and we flash back to all the times she was left waiting on them. She says she’s over it. 

Rachel sings, Rachel is going to lose her sh*t, and the guests want more mahi. Rachel tells the captain that things got mixed up. She’s had problems with food being expedited more than once, and they need to have a conversation about service. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, Rachel has a wild hair up her ass, and he doesn’t need it. Francesca says she wrote it down, and tells Rachel the guests are loving the fish. The captain asks Francesca about communication with Rachel, and Francesca shows Rachel where it shows five orders for mahi. Rachel notices two orders are on the same line. In Rachel’s interview, she says, maybe she’s wrong, but she sees four orders on the ticket. She doesn’t know how to speak with Francesca, and it’s driving her nuts.

Izzy says she’s so not surprised that the boys aren’t taking her seriously, and they’re making jokes. Rob is a petulant child, and he’s 32 years old. Francesca goes over dinner with Rachel. In Ashling’s interview, she says, the whole world is losing people every second of every moment. The virus is becoming full-on and real. Izzy wonders what happened to the cake. The captain tells Eddie that, unfortunately, the primaries lost their oldest daughter, and he hopes the dinner conversation is lighter. Part of him is looking forward to it, and part of him is dreading it. Bringing up the memory is like ripping a Band-Aid off again, and he’ll have to deal with it. Elizabeth talks to her friend Kim on the phone, and says, it’s the most depressing 30th birthday ever. She feels like sh*t. In the galley, Rachel says she thinks dinner is going to be amazeballs.

Rob tells Izzy, it’s not like she got promoted to captain. She got promoted to lead shammy . In Izzy’s interview, she says, you only hear about the old salty sea dogs – men – and not about the women who work on the sea. At the dinner table, Jackie says the wine is a $1000 bottle from their cellar. One of their sons announces that Tom Hanks and his wife have covid, and David says, it’s no worse than the flu. A guest looks at her phone, and says, international travel has been suspended. Izzy feels bad  that Elizabeth didn’t even have a cake, and asks Rob if they should make a fairy bread cake. In her interview, Izzy says, Rachel was supposed to make a cake, but had no time. Everyone should have a cake their birthday. She, Rob, and James work together, and make some weird stack of buttered bread with sprinkles, and drizzle chocolate all over it. James says, it’s the hardest they’ve worked all day.

The captain joins the guests, and says he has a hunch they’ll be having a few conversations. David says they’re both in a club they don’t want to be in. They’ve learned how to cope. Captain Lee says he needs to learn those skills. David asks him how his son’s drug use started, and Captain Lee says his son had demons he couldn’t fix. It was a terrible feeling to have as a father. David says, you feel helpless, and the captain says, it helps to talk to someone who’s been there. They know how he feels, and how to do it. Jackie says, the first six months were a blur, and David asks how the captain’s wife is coping. Captain Lee says, not well. Josh was the only product of his wife and himself. David says, that’s tough, and the captain needs a minute. Francesca asks how it’s going, and he says, it’s okay, and keeps walking. Ashling tells Eddie that they were talking about the captain’s son, and he walked out, taking deep breaths. At the bridge, the captain takes more deep breaths.

The captain tells himself, try to pull it together. James radios Elizabeth, asking her to come to the crew mess, and they give her the makeshift cake. She says it’s the best cake she could have asked for, and she appreciates it. James eats a huge chunk, and says he feels sick. In Elizabeth’s interview, she says, call her delusional, but she’s hoping James comes through with a kiss. Okay. She’s delusional. This guy is a d-bag, and deliberately ignoring her birthday. The captain tells the guests that he’s sorry; he needed a minute, and Jackie says, so did a few other people. He says, every day is a battle; a struggle. David says, they’ll help him through it, and Jackie says if they don’t talk about it, it doesn’t help anyone else. In Captain Lee’s interview, he says, sometimes you have to confront the elephant in the room, as tough as it may be. He doesn’t believe in closure; there is no closure. But given enough time and assistance, he can develop skills to cope better. He has people who depend on him to take care of them. Maybe observing how Jackie and David cope, he can help his wife and the rest of the family. Jackie says Captain Lee is family now. Francesca tells Elizabeth, happy birthday, and goes to bed. Elizabeth says, finally. It’s been a sh*tty day. She goes to the crew mess, and says, goodnight. James just tells her, goodnight, and she walks to her cabin, saying, WTF?

Francesca asks Ashling if she’s uncomfortable serving the boys, and tells her to call James if she needs back-up. In Ashling’s interview, she says, the boys are drinking loads. She’d be asking for a glass of champagne. James looks for his Baby Ray’s sauce in the refrigerator, and Izzy finds it in a millisecond. Eddie asks how she did it. He was looking for 20 minutes. She says, a woman’s look. Ashling asks James to help with the dishes, and getting the sons to go to bed. No jacuzzi, no nothing. One of the sons suggests jumping off the boat, and we flash back to Delores. Ashling tells him, no, and in her interview, she says she feels like a babysitter. Next, he suggests taking the tender, and she says she thinks a good idea for them to go to bed, so they can be up for breakfast. David Jr. goes to bed, while Daniel says he wants to use the hot tub, but Ashling says, it’s out of order; it’s draining. In her interview, she says, it’s a white lie. She doesn’t know if it’s going to come back and bite her in the ass or not, but she’s keeping him safe. He goes upstairs anyway, and says, it’s effing full and hot. He’ll take another vodka. Ashling says, no more alcohol, and he says they’re here to make his vacation as good as possible, and they’re limiting his alcohol. He says he wants them to enjoy themselves too. It’s their vacation, not his. Ashling says, no… and he finally gets up. He heads for his cabin, saying he’ll make them breakfast in the morning, and they can go in the hot tub. James wonders if he’ll be back, and Ashling says he drank half a bottle of Hennessey. As he closes his door, Daniel says, the crew is whack.

Next time, swimming with rays; the captain says the virus is scary stuff; Eddie says if the deckhands don’t take Izzy seriously, he’ll give them something to take seriously; Francesca says Rachel can’t admit when she’s wrong; and Captain Lee calls Elizabeth to the wheelhouse.

⛵️ Below Deck Sailing Yacht will begin its new season on March 1st.

📚 Ringing the Last Bell…

Is it me, or are celebrities dropping like flies?

https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/saved-by-the-bell-cast-react-to-dustin-diamond-death-48141744?stream_view=1

📌 That’s a Fact…

The celebration of Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

❄️ Snow Day…

Living near the ocean means less snow. Like Charlie Brown and his trick-or-treat bag of rocks, all we get is a bunch of rain. But it’s almost a given that every February, we get one good blast. It came early this year. Whether you got snow or no, stay safe, stay dry, and stay not getting in your own way. As Franco said, life is short.

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