Tag Archives: John Callahan

July 29, 2020 – When Jason Heard the Truth, Roman Tragedy, Another Soap Angel, Real Reunion, Stunned Bethenny, Stars Take Over, the Festival Is On & Climbing

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Moving right along, today’s GH flashback was from May 19th, 2020. You can grab a couple of feet here, or go for the whole nine yards at:

https://tvwiththeresa.wordpress.com/2020/05/20/may-19-2020-waiting-for-sonnys-permission-vanderfinale-dont-knock-buzzard-shower/

At the MetroCourt, Diane said Nelle tanked her case by marrying the least reputable man in Port Charles. Willow wondered what Nelle was thinking, and Carly said it wasn’t about Nelle; it was about what was right for Wiley. Back at the courtroom, Sonny asked Julian why he married Nelle. Julian said he didn’t answer to Sonny, and started to leave, but Jason blocked his way. Sonny said Julian wasn’t leaving. The conversation wasn’t over. Nina found Nelle in the Crimson office, and said she thought Nelle would be in court. Nelle said they were on break and she stopped to change. She also wanted to double-check about Nina testifying for her as a character witness. Nina said thinking about it caused her to reexamine her own situation. She believed her daughter was alive, and was going to find her. Nelle said she was thrilled, and Nina’s daughter would see that she was the gold standard for moms. Elizabeth called Franco at Charlie’s, and apologized for bailing. He said he hadn’t had a chance to apologize properly, and thought it required a bigger gesture. Elizabeth said she’d talked to Nikolas, who gave her perspective on her art and the value of her work. Franco asked if Nikolas had found her sister yet, and Elizabeth said she’d see him later. Scotty came in, and asked Franco if the flowers were for him, and said Franco must have done something stupid. Franco said he wanted to make it up to Elizabeth, but Nikolas had beat him to it. Nikolas visited Mike at Turning Woods. He showed Mike pictures of Spencer, and asked if Mike remembered his grandson, but Mike was unresponsive.

Scotty told Franco that Elizabeth and Nikolas went way back to when they were kids. If Elizabeth needed reassurance, it was natural she turn to Nikolas, especially if Franco botched it. Franco said it was ancient history and had no bearing on the present, but Scotty said he wouldn’t trust Nikolas, especially when it came to Elizabeth. Nikolas talked to Mike about Spencer, saying Spencer was unforgettable, like Mike. Spencer had developed a finely tuned sense of right and wrong; now Nikolas was the one with questionable ethics. He hoped Spencer came back. Spencer would want to see Mike, and he told Mike to hang in there. In the hallway, Elizabeth said she overheard Nikolas, and he said he was hoping to spark something. It was worth a try. She asked if he hadn’t heard from Spencer, and he said he couldn’t bring himself to tell Spencer that he would lose the estate if he ditched Ava. He didn’t want to disappoint his son. Elizabeth said the estate didn’t matter, but he said it did, more than she knew. He was trying to look at the part of him worthy of her friendship, and she said she could see he was trying to be a better person, and reconnecting with the people he cared about. Even if Mike couldn’t appreciate it, she could. Diane went to the MetroCourt, and Carly asked if there was any chance she’d been negotiating an out of court settlement. Diane said she called to tell Alexis that her sleazebag of an ex married Nelle. Michael said it seemed to be a bad strategy, and Diane said Nelle thought it would level the playing field. Michael suggested it would hurt Nelle’s case, when Martin walked in, and told them not to count their chicks before they hatched. Nelle was making a nice nest for Wiley, like Michael and his newly wedded wife were. Sonny asked Julian what Nelle had on him, and Julian said, nothing. Sonny said he couldn’t have married Nelle for love, and Julian said he missed Wiley, and wanted Wiley back in his life. Sonny said he bought that, but it didn’t explain why he married Nelle. Julian said Nelle loved Wiley in her own way. She’d come into the bar, they’d talked about Wiley, and they clicked, so they decided to form a team. Sonny told him, undo it. Annul the marriage now. Nelle told Nina that she had to change out of her wedding dress. Since Michael had married Willow, she needed to fight fire with fire. Nina asked who Nelle married, and Nelle said she knew him; Julian.

Nina said Julian had originally hired her to run Crimson. She had no idea he and Nelle had a relationship. Nelle said Julian was Brad’s father-in-law, and when Brad stole her baby, Julian thought he was Wiley’s grandfather. Nina asked if they were dating, but Nelle said it wasn’t like that. When she found out about Michael, she went to Charlie’s. She and Julian got to talking, and realized they were both terrified Wiley wouldn’t be in their lives, so they decided to get married. Nina said, so it was a ploy. Diane told Martin that she was curious. Julian’s rap sheet was longer and more colorful than his client’s. Why choose him to marry? Martin said love operated in mysterious ways. He was sure Michael and Willow could attest to that. Willow said she and Michael had been friends for a while, and been taking care of Wiley most of his life, Diane interjecting that she had a photo gallery to prove it. Michael said Willow went to jail to protect Wiley from Shiloh, the psychopath Nelle married in prison. Carly said Willow had proven she’d do anything for Wiley, and Martin said, including marrying Michael. I love how he says this like Michael isn’t the best catch in town. Sonny told Julian, annul the marriage, but Julian told him that he didn’t get a say. Sonny said if it swayed the judge, he’d hold Julian responsible. Julian asked if he spoke for Jason too; he was still Danny’s grandfather. Jason gave his usual response by staying silent, and Sonny told Julian that he needed to do what had to be done before it was too late. Elizabeth told Nikolas that Mike was like this a lot, and Nikolas said he should have visited sooner. There were so many things he didn’t do. She said he was doing them now, and he’d made her feel better about the art thing with Franco. Nikolas asked if she and Franco had made up, and she said, kind of; Franco was super sorry. Nikolas said, not bad for someone once incapable of remorse. She said that reminded her of Ava, and Nikolas said, touché. He asked if she wasn’t bothered by Ava exploiting Franco’s past, and she said they had a history; why shouldn’t Ava exploit his past? It could be the start of a new venture for them. Nikolas agreed, and Elizabeth said he had a tone like something was up. Nikolas said he sensed Ava and Franco were getting closer in their sessions. Franco asked Scotty was saying he shouldn’t trust his wife, but Scotty said, no; he  shouldn’t trust Nikolas. Franco asked if he thought Nikolas was trying to win Elizabeth back. Scotty said Elizabeth adored Franco, but when Franco had to keep an eye on Nikolas. Nikolas was in over his head with Ava. She was going to make him nuts, and guess where he was going to go? Who knows? Franco said it wouldn’t lead anywhere. Even if he and Elizabeth weren’t fine, she wouldn’t fall for Nikolas’s act. Scotty said, it wouldn’t be the first time. It happened to him with Laura. Who thought letting her work with Luke would go wrong? He told Franco, verify things.

Nikolas said he was hanging onto the hope Spencer would forgive him, and Elizabeth told him, leave Ava. Nikolas said 10% of the estate had been earmarked for Spencer, and she said, just sacrifice his money for his son. Sonny and Jason came to see Mike. Jason went into Mike’s room, and Sonny told Nikolas that he’d heard from Spencer. Spencer was wondering why he hadn’t heard from Nikolas since he’d given Nikolas an ultimatum. Why didn’t he cut Ava off? Nikolas said it wasn’t that simple, but Sonny said Nikolas had dug his own grave when he married Ava. Martin said if Nelle’s marriage was suspect, so was Michael and Willow’s, perhaps more so. Willow would do anything to stay close to Wiley. Willow said Julian was putting Wiley at risk. Nelle had gone to prison for letting her fiancé drown, and trying to kill her baby’s father. Martin accused her of slander, and Willow said, take her to court. She’d love an independent expert to prove her wrong, but didn’t think he could find one. She wondered how he could even consider representing Nelle. Martin said she had a marvelously maternal temperament, and Michael said it was time to regroup. Carly said Julian wouldn’t marry Nelle unless she had something on him; he was obviously miserable. Martin asked Diane if the hypocrisy in the room wasn’t staggering, and she said they weren’t the ones getting a fat retainer to help Nelle use an innocent child. He wondered how it was different Nelle was, hooking up with a humble pub owner to be close to her son. Nelle told Nina that her marriage was no different than Michael’s, but Nina said Willow and Michael had a deep bond, and Willow had a strong bond with Wiley. Nelle said Willow wasn’t Wiley’s mother, and had no right to him. Nina asked if she wasn’t concerned Wiley would sense tension in the marriage, but Nelle said there wouldn’t be any. All that mattered was that Wiley was with her, and not Michael. Nina said she’d married one guy to spite another, and it didn’t work out. He’d teamed up with her mother, and tried to steal her money. She didn’t want that to happen to Nelle. Nelle said, Julian would never do anything like that. If he did, it would seriously backfire. Nina asked what she meant. Jason came out of Mike’s room, and Elizabeth said Mike had been sleeping most of the day. Sonny went in to see Mike, and Jason asked what was really going on with Mike. Sonny talked to Mike about the Yankees. He said they’d won, and maybe Mike could bring the same luck to Michael for the custody hearing . When Mike insisted Wiley was Michael’s son, they thought he was confused, but he turned out to be right. Wiley was Michael’s son, and Mike had to stick around.

Sonny said he wanted Michael to share his life with Wiley, the way he couldn’t with Mike. Sonny cried a little, and said he thought they’d have more time to make up for their lost years. Didn’t Mike want that? Elizabeth told Jason that Mike was done fighting, and wanted to let go. She thought he was holding on for Sonny’s sake. Nina told Nelle that Julian presented himself as a changed man, but he was dangerous, and in it for himself. Nelle said Julian valued his life too much not play by her rules. Nina asked how Nelle got him to agree, and Nelle said Julian knew the marriage was best for everyone, especially Wiley. Carly told Martin, the difference was, Michael and Willow wanted to provide a safe, happy environment for Wiley, while Nelle wanted to use him. Kids sense these things. Diane said Carly was right. Everyone knew it, and so did he. Save his theatrics for court, or he might run out of hot air. Martin asked for a to-go order, but Carly suggested he just go. He asked if he could quote her in an online review, and she said it wouldn’t be the first time. Diane told Martin that if he wanted to use Julian as a surprise witness, she had questions she’d wanted to ask him for years. Was Martin aware he’d threatened to kill Alexis, a woman he claimed he loved? If he could do that to a wife he loved, imagine what he’d do to one he’d rather not have. Nikolas punched the boxing bag at the gym, when Franco came in. Nikolas said he just saw Elizabeth at Turning Woods, and Franco asked if she forgave him. Nikolas said they were getting there. It wasn’t a problem, was it? Elizabeth told Jason, everything Sonny wanted to do to keep Mike with him, like the feeding tube, was just prolonging the inevitable, and in her experience, would just make Mike miserable. Jason thanked her for giving him a straight answer, and Elizabeth said if Sonny wanted to spare Mike pain and ease his passing, he had to give Mike permission to go. Sonny told Mike, he didn’t know what Mike wanted him to do, but he’d ask again tomorrow. Sonny left, and Mike’s hand moved. Sonny said Mike seemed more tired than usual, and Elizabeth said she had to go. Sonny thanked her for being there, and asked Jason what he missed.

Franco asked why Nikolas thought he had a problem with Elizabeth forgiving him. Nikolas said some men didn’t like their wives having male friends, but Franco said he trusted her; they had a solid marriage. Nikolas said, of course (🍷) they did, and Franco asked what he meant. They were nothing like Nikolas and Ava. The only not phony thing about their marriage was their post-nup. Nikolas asked how that was Franco’s business, and Franco said Ava was a dear friend. Nikolas said like him and Elizabeth, and Franco said, yes and no. Ava had been through a lot. Nikolas said Ava had a hard time opening up to him, and he was grateful she had Franco to lean on. Nina asked if Nelle was blackmailing Julian, and Nelle said they’d made a deal. She’d resorted to desperate measures to ensure being a mother to her son. She knew Nina understood what they do as mothers to keep their children safe. Nina’s daughter was hers, and Wiley was Nelle’s. No one should be able to take them away. Martin said Julian’s past had nothing to do with case, and Diane wondered who the judge would choose; a woman willing to go to jail to protect a child, or one who tried to murder two fiancés because they didn’t leave enough money on her dresser. Nelle was a gold digger. He told her, people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Carly had reminded them just this morning of who her husband was. Sonny put earbuds on Mike, and said maybe his memories would come back. In the hallway, Jason said he was sorry, and Sonny asked what Elizabeth said. Nikolas told Franco that he was looking forward to the unveiling, and Franco asked if Nikolas wasn’t going to burn it like Ava did with Helena’s portrait. Nikolas said, never. He was sure they’d created something beautiful together. Franco said, for someone who wasn’t a fan of his previous work, Nikolas sounded confident. Nikolas said it was a new Franco, a new Ava, and a new day. It would be a painting for the ages, and a party to match.

Carly said if Martin used Sonny against Michael, it would be his funeral. Diane said Carly was speaking figuratively, and Carly asked, how else would she be speaking? Martin said she could have meant it literally, and Diane said it was literally a figure of speech. She told Carly that they were due back in court, and Martin said, what pity no one ate lunch. He hoped it didn’t make anyone cranky. He left, and Diane suggested Carly not issue death threats against opposing counsel. Trust her, and let her do the talking. Diane found Willow and Michael, and told them it was time to go back. Carly heaved a huge sigh, and followed. Nelle asked if she and Nina were good. Nina was her only friend, and she’d like to count on her. Nina said she could do this for Wiley. Franco brought the flowers to the hospital, and asked Elizabeth to forgive him. She said there was nothing to forgive. Nikolas had helped her get over her insecurities about her art. Franco said he ran into Nikolas, who was confident he and Elizabeth were friends again. She said they had a long way to go, and he asked how she categorized her relationship with Nikolas. Elizabeth ignored the question. Sonny told Jason, music was good for cognitive function. When Brook did a concert at Turning Woods, it jolted Mike’s memories. He asked again what Elizabeth said; he respected her opinion. Jason told him, she said, when Alzheimer’s patients get to the place where Mike is – sleeping more than awake, not responding, and unable to eat – she said that usually means that they’re ready to go. She thought Mike was just waiting for Sonny to give him permission.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The women arrive in Rome, minus Denise, Garcelle, and Sutton, who are going to be late. LisaR, Teddi, and Kyle ride in one car, while Dorit and Erika ride in the other. Teddi tells LisaR that Denise said negative things about LisaR, Erika, and her. Brandi also visited Denise on her set, and… things happened. The next day, Denise told Brandi to never tell her husband. LisaR asks if they f***ed. In the other car, Erika asks what they’re going to do, and Dorit says, definitely shopping. Teddi tells LisaR that Kim had come over when they were at Kyle’s, and brought Brandi along. A lot of things were said, and she doesn’t know Brandi that well, but she seems like someone who says it like it is. In LisaR’s interview, she says she has conflicted feelings. She knows Brandi is friends with Denise, and Denise knows how she feels about Brandi. We flash back to a reunion where LisaR and Brandi had words. How is she supposed to know what’s true when it comes to Brandi? Teddi says she doesn’t know where to put this. LisaR says it’s a lot of information to process. Kyle asks what LisaR would do, since it’s her trip and Denise is her friend. LisaR says, great. Erika and Dorit marvel over how beautiful the city is. Erika says they’re lucky to be there. They are. Too bad they never really appreciate anything since they’re so busy being mean girls. They pull into the parking lot of the hotel, Gran Melia.

In Erika’s interview, she says Rome is one of her favorite cities in the world. She’s spending her last minutes with these women before she’s shipped off to Broadway. They’re shown to their suites, and in her interview, Erika says, Rinna’s room is gorgeous and spacious. Like the others aren’t. Erika wonders if she shouldn’t have the best suite, since the trip is in her honor. They can see the Vatican from the terraces, and are excited to be there. Dorit unpacks, and in her interview, she says, Italy is the place to dress up. She brought a few options, but went too far. In LisaR’s interview, she says her stomach is in knots as to how to approach Denise. It’s a no win situation.

Kyle phones Dorit, asking what to wear, and Dorit says she’s opting for casual. Dorit gets her makeup done, and says tomorrow she’s getting dolled up. Kyle hadn’t wanted glam on the last trip, but there are no restrictions this year. Dorit gets individual pearls glued to her hairline. Kyle sees Dorit, and in her interview, she says, this is casual?

Garcelle calls Sutton, who says she has a flight tomorrow; she needed to get her passport. LisaR tells Teddi that she’s reeling, and Teddi says she has anxiety about sharing. You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. In her interview, she says she’s not in a position to give Denise a heads up. Denise is LisaR’s friend. Here’s the information; do what you want with it. She wishes the conversation would go away, but she has to address the situation. LisaR says, Denise has some explaining to do.

In Dorit’s interview, she says she spent most of her twenties in Italy, where fashion girls live their best lives. They look at Colosseum. Kyle says Sutton is on her way, and Garcelle and Denise should be there soon. They go to a restaurant that Erika calls magical. They sit in the lounge area to have cocktails, and LisaR asks Erika if they can come to Chicago opening night. In Erika’s interview, she says, no. It’s not all nailed down; give her a minute. You rehearse for a month, then they put you in. Let her get the kinks out, then come. The waiter brings appetizers, including cheeseburger sliders with little American and Italian flags stuck in them. Erika says her drink is exquisite, and LisaR says she’s not responsible for anything that comes out of her mouth after this drink. They call Denise and Garcelle, who have just arrived, and tell them they’re at a restaurant in the Colosseum. Denise says she and Garcelle will see them in the morning. Garcelle says she’s so excited. LisaR wants to go around the table, and ask questions. She asks, what was the worst trouble they got in as teenagers? Kyle says when she had sex for the first time, her mother called a family meeting. She won’t say how old she was, but it was uncomfortable and the worst thing ever. Her sister Kathy asked, how was it? Kim caught her and told everyone. In her interview, she says Kim looked gleeful, ripped the blanket off, and she knew Kim was going to tell. Denise and Garcelle show up.

Garcelle wonders if she should invite chocolate Michael to Thanksgiving, since ex-husband Mike always comes. Erika says, Thanksgiving is loaded, and people are always going to jail on Thanksgiving. Really? That’s a new one on me. Garcelle says she doesn’t want it to be messy.

In the morning, LisaR calls Garcelle, saying they’re going to the Spanish Steps and doing some shopping. They wander around, taking in the sights. LisaR tells them, in 1975, when The Exorcist came out, Italy was against having it shown there, and on the premier date, one of the twin churches was hit by lightning. In Denise’s interview, she says she found out her house was built on a burial ground, and her kids see and hear things, and think there are bodies under the beds. The spirits want them out, and people might think she’s nuts, but there’s some truth to that. In her interview, Erika says it’s not her first time there  in this lifetime or any other lifetime. We flash back to Erika saying she was a Spanish boy in another life. She thinks she was a Roman citizen, having a good time with the gladiators. They walk up to a statue of King Tut, and it turns out to be a person in costume, who moves, and freaks them out.

Sutton calls, and they tell her to meet them at the Spanish Steps. She says she got her passport quickly, so she could fly commercial. In her interview, she says if she’d had to charter a plane, it wouldn’t have stopped her, but it would have hurt. They go to where the high-end stores are, and walk inside Fendi. In Erika’s interview, she says, it’s the headquarters of the legendary House of Fendi. They have things you can’t get anywhere else. In Sutton’s interview, she says, in the world of shopping, Italy might be the best place. Garcelle tries on a $30k coat. She asks what it costs, and the clerk says it doesn’t matter. Garcelle says, if you have to ask, you can’t afford it. Denise tells Teddi that she can’t do the fur thing, and Teddi barely acknowledges her. In Teddi’s interview, a producer asks if she’s subconsciously steering clear of Denise. Teddi says she’s trying to steer clear but not be a jerk. It’s a thin line. LisaR says she’s going to be hiding some credit card bills from Harry. The women go to the Trevi fountain, and they all throw coins in at the same time.

Dorit loves Rome’s go big or go home vibe. It’s fun for her. They get ready for dinner, and Kim calls Kyle, saying she’s on her way to the dentist. Kyle says she’s excited. Kim got new boobs, and now new teeth. Kim asks how Teddi is feeling, and Kyle says, she hasn’t said one word to Denise. Kim thinks it’s going to be weird, and Kyle says Teddi can’t even have a drink. In Teddi’s interview, she says she’s tired, she’s been on her feet all day, and knowing she has to go to dinner with Denise isn’t appealing when she has these horrible feelings. Erika tells her glam squad that she’s going to channel someone fierce. In her interview, she says, Rome is the place to be expressive. She wants to embrace the old Italian film stars and luxury.

Everyone meets for dinner. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, Dorit and Erika are having a fashion show for dinner in the hotel. In Kyle’s interview, she says she has the feeling Dorit will have a new accent when they come back. Erika says she likes real Italian pasta, not the sh*t that’s served at home. Sutton doesn’t like the wine, and gets something different. Garcelle jokes that Sutton’s not happy, and Sutton says she enjoys their friendship, but she was put off by Garcelle asking how she got her money. Erika announces she married hers, like we don’t know. Kyle says, it’s a weird question, and Garcelle apologizes. She asks if they’ve gotten all their issues out. My stomach lurches. I hate this stuff.

Teddi tells them that she needs to say something. Somebody told her that Denise said terrible things about her. Denise says, like what? and Teddi says, like she’s pathetic, that Denise can’t stand her, and she tries to fit in with the group because she’s lived in her father’s shadow her entire life. Denise tells Teddi, she never said that, and Teddi says she couldn’t choose her parents; the same way Denise’s kids couldn’t choose theirs. WHAT?! Nasty. I can’t believe Teddi said that, and on top of it, there’s no reaction. Denise asks who told her this, and Teddi says, Brandi. In Denise’s interview, she says, Brandi is the source? and rolls her eyes. She tells Teddi that she never said anything like that to anyone. She hardly talks to Brandi. Teddi asks if she didn’t talk to Brandi before the party. In Dorit’s interview, she says, when she met Brandi, Brandi told her that her boobs were effed up. Denise says she did Brandi’s podcast, and Teddi says, that was six months ago. She asks again if Denise didn’t have a conversation with Brandi before and after the party. Denise says, no, and we flash back to Bravocon, where an interviewer asked Denise if she’s still friendly with Brandi. Denise says she is, and she appreciates Brandi; she’s a straight shooter. LisaR asks if Denise has said negative things about Erika, and Denise says, no. Erika asks what was said about her, and Teddi looks at Kyle, saying she was there too. Kyle tells them, Brandi said Denise called Erika a cold bitch, and said she didn’t like her. Denise tells them, she never said that. Dorit asks if it’s possible Brandi made it up, and Teddi says she doesn’t know why she’d do that, but she was specific and upset. Denise says, for what? and Teddi says for what happened when Brandi came to see Denise for the podcast. Denise says Brandi interviewed her and her cat. She never said anything about anyone. LisaR wonders why Brandi would lie, and Denise tells them, if she had something to say, she would say it. In LisaR’s interview, she says the Denise she knew before was open, honest, and funny. We flash back to Denise talking about her sex life, and LisaR says, Denise now seems more concerned with her image, and being right and perfect. We flash back to Denise saying she didn’t want sex talk in front of her kids, and Denise repeats that she hardly talks to Brandi. Kyle says what’s between Denise and Brandi has nothing to do with them. In her interview, LisaR says the reason she’s not saying anything is one word – Munchausen. We flash back to that because we will never, ever get away from it. She’s not taking the bait. She paid dearly for it, and learned her lesson. LisaR says they’re not trying to hurt her, and Teddi insists it’s going to be on camera already, and there’s going to be a lot more. Denise says, there’s no truth to it. Teddi says, then she already knows what it is, and Denise says, to anything. Garcelle tells Teddi, just say it, and Teddi says, it’s really bad. Dorit asks why she’s torturing Denise, and Teddi says, Brandi said she and Denise had sex.  

Honestly, I felt my blood pressure rise at the beginning of the show. Whether it’s true or not, the only people who know are Denise and Brandi, but Brandi has the reputation of being a liar. She apologized to Adrienne for a huge lie last week, so why are they so quick to believe this?

Garcelle says, it’s one quiet table, and Teddi says she didn’t think it was her place to bring it up. Garcelle asks Denise if it’s true, and Denise says, no. Kyle tells her, Brandi said she and Aaron have an understanding, and Denise says Aaron was there at the podcast. Kyle says Brandi claimed that the next day, Denise told her not to tell Aaron, and freaked out. We flash back to the lying liar who lies, and Denise asks if they’re effing kidding her. Garcelle asks why Brandi would be out to get her, but Denise has no idea. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, whatever happened is Denise’s business, but she wants to get to the bottom of it, and laughs. Teddi tells Denise, say whatever she needs to say, and Denise walks over and knocks Teddi off her chair. No. Wait. That was just in my mind. Denise says she’s going through so much stuff, but it has nothing to do with this or the show. She says, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. (There’s an old falsehood that if someone says that, filming stops.) She says she doesn’t want to be that person who leaves. She’s floored by the information, and asks the producer, please don’t air it; it’s not true. Teddi says she’s sorry for whatever Denise is going through, but she doesn’t know what to believe. In Teddi’s interview, she says what’s frustrating is, Denise is so concerned with her image. When she doesn’t want to talk, she says, Bravo, Bravo, Bravo. We flash back to another time that happened, and Teddi wonders why Denise is yelling at the camera and crew because she’s going through personal issues. It’s what she signed up to do. Erika says Denise has to straighten this sh*t out with Brandi, and Kyle says, whatever the story is, they don’t care. Denise says she’s very married, and loves her husband. Erika says she doesn’t have to explain herself, and Denise tells them, anything she’s felt, she’s said. Kyle doesn’t think that’s true. Sutton wonders if they care more about what was said about them than what was said about Denise. In Sutton’s interview, she says, a month ago, a friend told her Denise slept with Brandi, but why bring up a rumor about who slept with who, especially at the dinner table? She thinks Teddi is feeling hurt, and retaliating. Dorit says Teddi had a lot of anxiety about it, and got it off her chest; it’s been a burden. She starts to talk, but Kyle interrupts her, and Dorit says, let her finish her thought. She cares about Denise more than Kyle. Kyle interrupts again, and Dorit says Kyle isn’t letting her finish. Teddi says the can’t wrap up this conversation with a bow, and won’t get closure now. Garcelle says, it’s a quiet group right now, and Dorit gets up, saying, goodnight. Garcelle says they have bigger things to worry about, and everyone starts to leave. LisaR says Denise has to talk to Brandi, but Denise says she doesn’t want to do this here. If they want her on the show, it needs to be cut.

It was all like some bizarre intervention.

Next time, racing on the Audubon, Dorit confronts Kyle about always cutting her off Denise says Brandi told her that she’s had sex with someone in the group.

😥 I Totally Missed This One…

Another untimely death in the soap world.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/john-callahan-dead-at-66

Even worse. Thieves don’t leave you alone, even after you’re gone.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/eva-larue-struggling-to-recover-john-callahan-stolen-identity

🗽 Not Up Close, But In Person…

I can’t wait to see what kind of masks they come up with.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/28/real-housewives-of-new-york-set-to-reunite-in-person-on-long-island-next-month/

🙌 They Like Her, They Really Like Her…

Things aren’t the same without the skinny girl.

https://pagesix.com/2020/07/28/bethenny-frankel-stunned-fans-want-her-back-on-rhony/

🕶 Virtually Taking Over…

News from the Comic-Con front.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1173880/see-all-your-favorite-stars-taking-over-2020-s-virtual-comic-con

🎶 You Can’t Beat Free…

Lollapalooza finds a way to bring music to the people.

https://abc7chicago.com/lollapalooza-lolla-lineup-2020-schedule-chicago/6340944/

🧗🏽‍♀️ Uphill Climb…

We made it to the middle of the week, or Wednesday for those still paying attention. I was going to watch the Shahs reunion tonight, but RHOBH gave me all the angst I could handle for one night. It’s coming though. Meanwhile, stay safe, stay out of the heat, and stay looking forward to the day you can retire your mask.

April 1, 2020 – Julian Acts Like a Jerk, GH Celebrates, a Goodbye, Catching Up & Stay Home

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Because I don’t want to break my streak, I miss the beginning. Two important points are, Brook telling Lulu to relax because she doesn’t want Dustin’s body, just his mind, and Felix telling Sonny that Mike won’t walk because he’s afraid of falling.

Jax asks if Charlotte knows he has a daughter, and Charlotte says, Josslyn. He says when she was a little girl, Josslyn would visit him in Australia. Charlotte says she’s always wanted to go there, and he says she should. He asks if she likes surfing, and she says she loves it. Her papa has taken her to San Tropez. Jax says, fancy. Charlotte asks if she can go over to the counter and sit with Maddie, and Nina says, sure, and Jax says, that went well, and she tells him, give Charlotte time to come around. She says she’s having a difficult time replacing Maxie. She still has no creative director. He says he can lend her some support staff from Aurora to help look for prospective candidates, and she says, that’s sweet of him, but she thinks she’ll be okay. She just hired an administrative assistant. He hopes they’re good, and she says, that’s open for debate. It’s Nelle.

Sonny urges Mike to try and get out of bed. The nurse said, the sooner he gets out, the sooner he can go back to Turning Woods. He wants to get out of the hospital, right? Sonny gets no response, and says he wants to get Mike up. They can walk around and come back. Mike says Sonny is trying to scam money from him in a card game, but Sonny says that’s not what he’s doing. Mike calls him a punk from Flatbush, and tells him to scram. Get out.

Carly comes in to the kitchen to find Brando making crafts with Avery. She asks, what’s going on? and Brando says they’ve been busy. He was dropping off paperwork for Sonny to sign off on; insurance documents for the new shop. Avery shows Carly her new necklace, and Brando says the nanny was busy, and Avery wanted to show him how it’s done. Carly thanks him, and he says it’s his pleasure. She’s quite the little artist. Avery wants to go upstairs, and Carly tells her not to wake Donna. She says she’ll be as quiet as a mouse. She leaves, and Carly says, Brando is good with her.

Trina asks what Portia heard that’s going to be in the media, and Portia says she’s not going to lie. The news is not good. Jordan says, during the investigation into her father’s death, it was discovered that Taggert tampered with evidence that sent a criminal to prison.

Alexis yells at Julian to stop. Julian says Neil was supposed to help her, not help her fall off the wagon. Neil pushes him off, and Julian says Neil used Alexis’s deepest darkest secrets to worm his way into her life. Alexis says he’s off base, and Julian says, that hack is off base. Britt tells him to calm down, and Julian says she calls herself a doctor, but she’s just a twisted predator, which is a totally bizarre choice of words. He says, Neil manipulated Alexis into a relationship. Alexis says she doesn’t need his misguided chivalry, but he says someone needs to protect her. She says she doesn’t need protecting; not from Neil. He says, what about last night? and she says she thought she could trust him, and she sees where it got her. Julian says she’s been lying to him, and he has proof. I’m thinking Julian is the one who turned Neil in.

Brook tells Dustin and Lulu, she’s relaunching her music career, and working on new material. Lulu asks what about her binding contract with the awful producer? and Brook says she found a way to extract herself from it. Lulu says, translation; Brook’s father rescued her. Brook says he didn’t, and Lulu shouldn’t underestimate her. Lulu asks how she pulled it off, and Brook says she’s a Quartermaine. Master negotiation is in her DNA.

On the phone, Valentin says, it’s a major acquisition. How are things going on their end? Let him know when the deal is closed.

Jax tells Nina, don’t tell him she hired an ex-con who almost killed Josslyn’s brother, and almost killed Sonny’s family? Nina says Nelle has a different interpretation, but she hired Nelle for her own reasons. When the custody hearing happens, she can supply dirt. He tells her to be careful not to leave herself open to be Nelle’s next target.

Jordan tells Trina, it’s a lot to process, and Trina says Jordan is lying. Her father would never frame anyone. If he put someone in prison, the evidence was real. Curtis says, it was a major drug trafficker, Cyrus Renault. Cameron says, the guy who kidnapped them? and Curtis says, the same guy. Jordan says she was working undercover on a team with Taggert. He devoted his life to justice, and when he knew a horrible crime was going to be committed, he made the choice to make sure Cyrus was guilty. Trina doesn’t believe her, and Jordan says, sorry, but it’s the truth. Trina asks Portia to tell Jordan; he would never do that. He was a good cop. Portia knows it’s a lot to absorb. She didn’t want to believe it either. Trina says, then don’t. Cameron tells Trina, Jordan is the Police Commissioner. Trina says, so what? and he says, so why would she be saying this if it was a lie?

Carly says, when it comes to Brando, she wonders when another shoe is going to drop. He says if she doesn’t believe him, look it up in the public records. She asks, what the extra help babysitting Avery? He says Sonny gave him the garage, and it’s already doing a decent business. She says Brando uprooted his life for them, and he’s okay with that? He says, obviously not at first. He definitely resented it, but they pressured him to stay, and things are different now. There are great opportunities in Port Charles; not just with the shop, but with family too.   

Sonny tells Mike, he’s not trying to get him to play cards, and he doesn’t know the crew in Flatbush; he’s not in that scene. But if Mike doesn’t get out of bed, he’ll put himself at risk. Mike asks, of what? and Sonny says, for starters, pneumonia. Mike asks if that’s supposed to scare him, and Sonny says, he could get pneumonia and die. He has to keep up his strength. Does he want to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life? Mike says, no, of course (🍷) not, and Sonny says, then get out bed and walk a little. If he doesn’t, he’ll need to learn to walk again. It happened to Sonny. He got shot, and had to learn all over again. Mike doesn’t want to go through that at his age. Mike says, enough about his age, and Sonny says, come on. He’s got to listen. Mike says he doesn’t want to do this anymore.

Neil suggests Julian take it down a notch, and Alexis asks where the hostility is coming from. Not long ago, Julian was working with Neil to help her. Now he’s humiliated her, and threw Neil against a wall for no apparent reason. A small crowd gathers near the door, and Julian says, is she kidding? She forgot to tell him one important detail. Alexis says, don’t, and Julian says, the real reason she was a mess last night is because she and Neil slept together.

Alexis tells Julian, what she did or didn’t do is none of his damn business. Britt suggests they take it somewhere private, where everyone isn’t watching. Felix has shown up, and tells them, duke it out elsewhere. They can’t be disturbing the patients.

Brook tells Lulu, she made Linc an offer he couldn’t refuse. Her career is now her own, and she’s only going to work with people she respects and trusts. No more washed up failures stuck in neutral. Lulu says, and Dustin is the first person she thought of? Brook says Dustin used to write gorgeous lyrics. She asks if he remembers his love poems, and Lulu tells her, put a sock in it. Dustin says Brook told him his poetry was sophomoric, and she says, he’s still writing, isn’t he? Write everything down. A bad idea can lead to a good song. She took his advice. Lulu says Brook should have volumes of terrible lyrics, and Brook says she doesn’t expect Lulu to understand. All she’s interested in is hairspray, lip gloss, and cupcake recipes for the PTA bake sale.

Jax says Nina’s weakness is that she’s overconfident, and that assumption can make her fall. She says she learned her lesson, and he says, what if Nelle realizes Nina is setting her up? She says, don’t worry. Nelle will never see her coming. He says, remind him to never get on her bad side, but she says, her bad side can be good sometimes. Valentin comes in, and Charlotte runs to him.

Neil, Alexis, and Julian go into an empty examining room. Alexis asks how Julian could do that, and Julian says, what? Tell the truth? She says he accused Neil in front of everyone. Why? He says he did it for her, and she says, in what universe would that benefit her? He says she regretted what happened, then protected Neil. Neil used what he learned about her to lure her into having sex with him. She doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and says he sounds insane. Julian says he knows the truth, and Britt saw them in New York. They were all over each other in the corridor. She says, so Britt ran and tattled to him, but he says, no. He mentioned Alexis had an issue with her therapist, and Britt remembered where she’d seen Neil before – with his tongue down Alexis’s throat. Alexis doesn’t know how to make this clearer, but it’s none of his business what she does or who she does it with. Neil suggests they keep the volume down. They can resolve this in an adult way; there’s no need do get physical. Julian says, Neil made it physical; then made Alexis drink. Alexis tells Julian to go straight to hell where he belongs.

Sonny says he’s not going to force Mike to walk if he doesn’t want to. When the nurse comes in, maybe she can get him to do it. He likes Elizabeth, right? Mike nods, and Sonny tells him, get some rest. Mike asks if Sonny would tell him a story. He used to do that; tell him a story when he was afraid of the dark. Sonny says, all right, and sits down. He says, once upon a time, there was a little boy who lived in Brooklyn with his mom and dad. He liked to hang out on the porch in the neighborhood, and watch the kids go by on their bikes. He didn’t want to join them. He didn’t want to ride a bike. Mike asks, why not? and Sonny says, he was afraid he’d fall off.

Carly says she can’t imagine Brando had a yen to make a macaroni necklace. Brando says, a pasta necklace. The nanny was busy with Donna, and Avery was begging to make a necklace, so why not? He figured the nanny had her hands full, he didn’t have to be anywhere, and Avery wouldn’t stop asking. Carly says, she’s relentless. She’d love to say Avery got it from her father. Avery digs in when she wants something, and won’t give up. She learned it from watching Carly. Brando says, Avery is a lucky little girl.

Cameron says he gets how much Trina hates this; he hates it for her. But it’s better to find out now before it becomes viral. Curtis says Taggert did a bad thing, but for a good reason. Trina says, he did his job, and now they’re going to trash his reputation, when he’s not there to defend himself. Portia says they’re telling her now to protect her. The story is going to get out. Trina asks, why? She doesn’t believe it, but even if she did, Cyrus is a drug trafficker and a kidnapper. He belongs in prison; leave him there. Portia says what her father did was wrong. You can’t create evidence. Trina says her father knew that, so why would he do it? Jordan says she’s sorry, but that’s exactly what he did.

Charlotte asks if Valentin knows Jax. He says he does, and asks how Jax is. Not to be rude, but can he have a quick word outside with Nina? Jax says he’ll look after Charlotte. He suggests he and Charlotte go smell what’s coming out of the oven; it might be cranberry scones. Charlotte tells her papa to have a nice chat with Nina. Valentin and Nina go outside, and he asks if they’re capable of having a nice chat. He notices she got a haircut, and says he loves it. She asks why they’re out there, and he asks if she and Jax are serious. She says they’re seeing each other and having fun. He says, good, and she says, it is. No lies or secrets, and no fraud. He hopes she enjoys it while it lasts.

Dustin says Brook isn’t doing herself any favors by insulting Lulu, but Brook says she was kidding. Where’s their sense humor? Lulu says it’s intact when something is funny. Brook asks if Dustin has given up writing, and he says he just writes for himself. She says, how selfish. She knows there’s a good song somewhere in there. She’s just asking for one song, and she wouldn’t ask if she didn’t need the help. If it’s a success, he’ll enjoy the royalties. She can see the movie now. Two dreamers in New York City, who took different paths, then came together to fulfill their dream. Lulu says, it sounds like the cover of a bad romance novel, and adds, Dustin isn’t interested. Dustin says he has to think about it, and Brook asks him not to take too long. She leaves, and Lulu says she shouldn’t have answered for him. He says he’s not doing it, and she asks, why not? He says he has a happy life, and doesn’t want to shake it up, but she says she thinks he should do it. Write Brook a song.

Brando says, so Avery isn’t Carly’s daughter? Carly says Avery has lived with them since she was born; her mom Ava isn’t reliable. He knows how that works, and she asks if life wasn’t great growing up with Gladys. He says it wasn’t an easy life, but he wasn’t an easy kid. He would take off, and go on hikes, or build forts in abandoned buildings, or go to the library to read. Gladys had no idea where he was. She thought he was shoplifting or busting windows, but he just wanted to be alone.

Sonny tells Mike, the boy had four or five friends down the street, and one friend, Lenny, outgrew his bike, so he gave his bike to the little boy. The bike was a hand-me-down, and rusty, but it worked. The boy was afraid to ride it, because another friend had fallen and broken his collarbone and had stitches above his eye. So he didn’t want to ride. Mike asks if the boy ever learned, and Sonny says, eventually. His dad taught him. His dad said just take five minutes to learn to ride. Mike asks, what happened? and Sonny says for five minutes, the boy tried. Then his dad upped it to ten, then twenty-five. The boy got the hang of it, but he was still scared. His dad said, just go two car lengths, and he would be by the boy’s side. Then the boy went three, four, five car lengths, and soon the kid was flying.  His dad said he’d buy the boy a brand new bike with chrome handlebars. He never did, but what he gave the boy was a lot more than any bike could give him.

Jordan tells Trina, it seems unfair, but it doesn’t matter. They have a code they have to follow, and she had to notify the Justice Department. Trina says Taggert was Jordan’s partner. How could she betray him? Jordan says she admired Taggert, and hated telling Trina. She’s sorry, but it’s out of her hands.

Julian says he wondered why Alexis drank after all those years of sobriety. Then Britt told him about seeing her with Neil, and it hit him; it was Neil. Alexis says, so Julian thought it was his place to accuse Neil of exploiting her when he just did the same thing? She trusted him, and he broadcast her private business for the entire hospital to hear. He says, Neil had to be exposed for what he did to her, and she says, all the time they’ve spent together, and he has no clue who she is. She tells him, get out. Julian says, hear him out, but she repeats, get out. Julian leaves, and Neil closes door. He asks Alexis, why did she drink? Was it really because of him?

Nina asks why Valentin assumes she and Jax aren’t going to last, and he says he gets it. Jax is tall, blond, personable; relationship material. She asks why this is Valentin’s business. Is this what he needed to talk about? He says he’s sorry. Without reservation or agenda, he’s sorry for what he did to her, and hopes she can understand and accept his apology. Jax seems to see the world in black and white, while they both see it in shades of grey. He hopes when Nina goes to a grey area, Jax doesn’t judge, reject, or leave her, but if he does, she knows where he’ll be – in his grey area, waiting for a shot to win her back. Mostly, he’s sorry. He asks her to tell Charlotte that he’ll call later. He brushes something from her hair, and says, nice haircut. (Not sure why the focus on that. Did he send her to his hairdresser?) She goes back inside, and says, oh my God! She runs to Jax, who’s on the floor. He says he’s fine, but he should watch where he’s going.

Jordan tells Trina, her father manufactured evidence that sent Cyrus to prison, and there was payback in the warehouse. Trina says, it’s not enough that he’s dead? She has to destroy his reputation? Portia says that doesn’t mean Taggert gets to dodge his responsibility. Trina says, it’s too late to take back his hero’s funeral, but should she return the flag from his casket? Portia says they’ll talk at home, but Trina says, no. She’s not going anywhere with Portia.

Britt asks Julian, what the hell was he thinking? He just attacked a doctor in a hospital. Julian says Neil had it coming, and Britt asks why he felt compelled to give Neil the business. He and Alexis have been separated for years. It’s not his place to interfere with her life. He’s still in love with her, isn’t he? He says, it’s totally over, but what’s not over is what he did to Alexis. It reflects on how she connected with Neil. If any man hurts Alexis, he’ll kill them. That’s why he interfered. Britt doesn’t think it was his place, but he says he was justified. She says, like hell he was.

Alexis tells Neil, she and Sam had a fight. Sam said horrible things; things that gutted her. The bartender slipped her a drink, and she drank it. She just had one. She knows it’s one too many; that’s why she called for help. Neil asks why she called Julian, and she says, he was the only one who answered. Neil asks why she didn’t call him, and she says they’re not supposed to be talking given their situation. He says, what had happened between them had to play a role in why she drank.

Brando tells Carly, when he was ten, Mike came to town. He’d take Brando to the track, and he’d watch the workouts. He couldn’t care less about the races, but he wanted to be around the horses. Mike did that for him. Mike said he was the same as a kid, and had wanted a horse of his own. Carly says she’s going visit Mike. Why doesn’t Brando come with her?

Mike looks like he’s half-snoozing, and Sonny says he never needed a bike. Mike gave him something way better – a lesson. Mike taught him that falling down is okay; it’s part of the process. The catch is, you’ve got to get up and move forward, and if you can’t, you rely on someone who can. Sonny tears up, and so do I. He says, that’s what he’s doing. He’s going to return the favor, and he’s going to catch Mike. Sonny and I wipe our eyes, and Mike asks if he was out long. Sonny says, not too long. Does Mike want get up and take a walk? Just for about five minutes. Mike nods, and says, okay.

Dustin says, Lulu thinks he should write Brook a song? and she says, why not? He wanted to be a writer. He disconnected from that part of himself, and if Brook is offering to help him connect again, go for it. Take a chance. He says, it’s not just any collaboration. It’s Brook, and he doesn’t want Lulu to be upset or jealous. She says she’d only be upset or jealous if she thought Brook was a threat. Brook is annoying, but harmless, and she thinks it’s a big opportunity for him. Doesn’t he? He says he does, and she says, one thing, Dusty. Watch your back.

Brook literally runs into Valentin near the elevators. He says they were both so busy thinking about where they were headed, they missed what was right in front of them. She says, that’s not a bad lyric.

Nina asks if Jax is okay, and he says he’s fine. His pride is hurt. She asks, what happened? She leaves for a couple of minutes, and finds him on the floor. He says he was getting a scone, and he tripped. She says, on what? but he says, it doesn’t matter. It was an accident. He glances at Charlotte.

Trina tells Jordan, congratulations on ruining her father’s reputation after he was murdered. Good job, Commissioner. She tells Portia, leave her alone, and storms out. Cameron says he’ll make sure she’s okay. Portia says she wishes she hadn’t had to do that, and Jordan says, so does she. Cameron says he gets why Trina feels the way she does. Taggert was her dad. He leaves to go after Trina.

Julian tells Britt that he feels blindsided. Britt tells him he’s delusional, and just made it worse. He says he just brought the truth out, and Britt says, the truth is overrated. And that side thing that have going on? It’s no fun anymore. They’re over.

Neil tells Alexis, he’s so sorry. She says she’s not, because she doesn’t think what they did was wrong. She thought it was amazing. She doesn’t care what the board or her ex have to say. Neil says Julian saying he slept with her, everyone hearing it, and Britt seeing them, is going to spell trouble for them.

Sonny helps Mike as he walks, saying, he’s got him. He won’t let Mike fall. Mike laughs, and says they’re good. He asks what Sonny’s name is. He wants to tell Sonny’s boss he’s a keeper. Sonny say he’s just happy Mike is on his feet. Carly and Brando come in, and Carly says, look at Mike being up. Good job. Mike looks at Brando, and says, it can’t be. He’s dead.

Tomorrow, Jordan says Molly’s actions have consequences; Cyrus says if he threatens them, they’ll know it; and Mike needs Sonny to do something.

🩺 General Hospital Cancelled…

April Fool! Happy Anniversary to GH with a trip down Port Charles Lane.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/abc/gh-general-hospital-cast-through-years-photos-108305

🌠 Not the Virus…

Saying goodbye to another soap vet.

https://people.com/tv/john-callahan-died-stroke/

📺 E Keeps You Busy…

Some shows to catch up on.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1135818/from-better-things-to-rhony-these-are-12-shows-perfect-to-catch-up-on

🧸 Until Tomorrow…

When too many cooks will be making amazing food. I promise the world will still be here. Unless we get hit by an asteroid or something. In the meantime, a bedtime story. If you prefer the unbleeped version, you can find it at the site, but you know, I try to keep it PG-13. Most of the time.

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