What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
On the phone, Ava says the artist was very pleased with their offer… If they send the payment, she’ll ship the piece to Paris… Yes. Au revoir. Nikolas walks in, and she asks to what she owes this pleasure. He says, after their separation, does he really need a reason to see his lovely wife? She says, that’s very romantic… and a little suspect. Might he be covering an ulterior motive? Shawn comes in, and Nikolas thanks him for coming, and tells Ava that he and Shawn have some business to discuss. Can they use her back room? She says, it’s all his, and asks if there’s anything she can do to facilitate. He says she already has by lending them the room. They shouldn’t be long. He kisses her, and goes in the back with Shawn, but I don’t think she’s buying what he’s selling.
Harmony asks Alexis if she can help with anything before she goes, and Alexis looks at Ryan, and says, maybe she could take the psychopath back to his room. Harmony says, sorry, but Ryan has another hour. But since Alexis is uncomfortable with him, maybe she should reconsider their earlier conversation. Alexis asks if she means Nikolas’s offer to have the governor pardon her. She thinks she should be done with making deals with the devil. Spencer comes in, along with Esme wearing a work uniform, and asks which devil they’re talking about.
Trina is looking at her tablet when Ned walks in. He says, wow. Those photos are beautiful. Where did they come from? She says, it’s called the Photo Ark Project, and he says he’s heard of it. He asks if National Geographic isn’t responsible for creating it, and she says, Joel Sartore is the photographer and a National Geographic explorer. His mission is to document every species living under human care. Ned says, that’s incredible. How many species has he already documented? She says, he just reached twelve thousand. He’s been doing it for fifteen years. He says, that’s a great idea. He imagines a lot of the species are endangered, and she says she’s afraid so, but she knows he didn’t come there to gush about the Photo Ark. How can she help him? He says he’s looking for a last minute gift for Olivia, and Trina asks if he forgot her birthday. He says, this is more of a gesture of goodwill. He hopes. (See more on The Photo Ark below.)
Olivia stumbles around behind the bar at the MetroCourt, when Robert comes in. She yells, Robert! and he asks if she’s okay. She says she’s great.
Dante walks into the hospital, and tells Epiphany that they got a call about an assault victim. Does she know anything about that? She says, a man was found beaten and brought to the hospital, and he asks if they have an ID. She says, Joseph Novak. He’s in ICU; it was a severe beating. He nearly died.
Curtis tells Portia that he doesn’t like the idea of this man going around Port Charles, and asking her and TJ questions about him, or working Nika at his club. Something’s not right if he won’t talk to Curtis himself. Portia says she was worried about Cyrus, but it could be something more commonplace. Maybe he owns a competing nightclub, and he’s checking out Curtis’s strengths and weaknesses. He says, something about him seems familiar, but definitely not from hanging out here at the club. Sam comes in, and asks if he always keeps his door unlocked when he’s closed, and he tells her, welcome back. She says she wanted to tell him what she found out about Drew.
Valentin is looking at photos of Charlotte on his phone, when Anna brings Victor in. Valentin says, hello, Victor. Or should he call him dad?
Olivia throws her arms around Robert, saying, she’s so happy to see him. He says, tell him she didn’t drive, and she says she took a car from The Savoy. She knows she left her phone back here. She was going to find it and… who cares about her. He’s here. Did he catch Peter? And did he find Maxie’s baby? He says, found Peter, lost him again, couldn’t find Louise. She says she’s so sorry, and starts to guzzle his drink, but he takes it away. He asks, what about her? Leave nothing out, and remember she doesn’t have to drink herself sideways to feel good. She says, it’s Ned. They’ve tried. They’ve tried everything, but she’s afraid things between them are worse than ever.
Ava tells Ned, what a pleasant surprise. Is he in the market for some artwork? Trina says, he’s looking for a gift for his wife, and he says he knows you can’t buy forgiveness. Ava says, but you can sure as hell try. Has he looked around? Has he seen anything Olivia might like? She suggests Trina show him the pieces they have that aren’t displayed, and she says she was showing Ned the Photo Ark Project. He says, the collaboration with National Geographic. The photographer, Joel Sartore, is documenting every species living in captivity. Look at the photos; they’re incredible. Ava looks at the tablet, and says, they are, and Trina says, he’s been to wildlife sanctuaries and zoos all over the world. Ned says, the photographer is using it to bring awareness to conservation across the globe, and Ava says, it’s wonderful work, but what does it have to do with the gallery? Trina says, Ava has been encouraging her to put together an art exhibit of her own for extra credit in art class. What if she organizes an exhibit at the gallery hosting the Photo Ark Project?
Alexis tells Spencer, she and Harmony were just talking about ethics, and asks if it isn’t a little late for a visit. Esme says she’s volunteering at Spring Ridge; it’s part of her course work at PCU. Spencer says, Esme is thinking of being a psyche major, so she’s going to be working with some of the patients here. Alexis says, great, and Esme says, for her night shift, the best boyfriend in the world offered to drive her to work. Spencer says he did have an ulterior motive. He wanted a few minutes with his Aunt Alexis before visiting hours are over. Esme tells Harmony, the warden said Harmony would show her the ropes, and Harmony says she was just about to clock off… but, sure. She’ll show Esme around. They leave and Alexis asks, what happened to Spencer’s hand? He says, espresso shots can be hazardous, and she says, he’s pulling his own espresso shots? He says, it wasn’t for him. He’s working at Kelly’s. She laughs, and says, he has a job… at Kelly’s? He says, it’s a bit of a long story, and she says, it’s either him or Dostoyevsky. They sit, and she says, lay it on her.
Shawn tells Nikolas, no wires or microphones. Not that they’d work here; this place is like Fort Knox. Nikolas says that’s why he suggested Ava’s gallery. The security measures insure complete privacy. Has Shawn given any more thought to their conversation the other day? Shawn says, the deal for his silence? and Nikolas says, half a million dollars; it’s just an opening bid. Shawn says, Hayden may have made her peace with Nikolas trying to kill her, but she wasn’t the only victim here. He’s not talking about his years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Nikolas asks what he’s talking about, and Shawn says, Naomie Dreyfuss. Nikolas killed her to make sure he and Sam never found Hayden.
Anna tells the guard she’s got it covered, and he leaves. Valentin says he doesn’t need Anna to stay, but she says she’s not leaving him alone with a megalomaniac. He says he doesn’t need her to babysit him; he can handle it himself. She says she’s sure she can, but she’s still not leaving him alone. Victor says, my oh my, you can cut the sexual tension with a knife, and Anna tells him to get over himself. The only reason he’s there and not the Hague is that the Bureau wants to keep him close to Anna during her investigation. Victor says, in case he cracks. The Bureau’s wasting its time. Valentin suggests not wasting anyone’s time. If Victor wants to make a deal with the Bureau without his and Anna’s help, he can forget that. He needs to help them find Peter and bring him to justice.
Robert pushes a cup of coffee toward Olivia, and says it will help her feel better, but she pushes it back. She says he has to promise everything she’s told him is in the cone of silence; not even Monica knows this. He says he’s a former Bureau agent. He knows when to keep his trap shut. Sorry to hear about Leo though. She says, there’s nothing to be sorry about. Leo is just fine. He’s got his own interests, his own way of being. It’s Ned who’s convinced Leo is on the spectrum after having one conversation with this stupid doctor who isn’t even an autism specialist. Plus, he’s trying to sue the Quartermaines for stocks of ELQ. Plus, broke doctor/patient confidentiality when he went blabbing his mouth all over to Brook. Robert says, sounds like a real keeper, and she says she knew he would understand. There’s no way her son has autism. He says, she knows how he feels about her husband, but he does love Leo, and looks upon that boy like he’s his own. Is it possible his concerns are worth at least a follow-up? She says, if she thought there was any chance that her son actually had something wrong with him, does Robert not think she’d make an appointment with a specialist? He says she knows her son, and they’re very close. She asks if Robert thinks they’re too close. Is he saying she smothers him? He says, it’s called loving your child. He loves his daughter, but he doesn’t smother her. She says, maybe she’s just seeing what she wants to see, and he asks why she’s telling him this and not Ned?
Trina says, the photographer’s on tour to support his new book, Photo Art Wonders. Mr. Sartore free in two weeks, but for one day only. Then he’s not available for at least a year. Ava says she loves Trina’s enthusiasm, and that she wants to spearhead her own project, but she doesn’t think it’s going to be feasible. Trina says she checked the gallery’s calendar, and they’re not hosting any events in those two weeks, but Ava says, the event would have to be underwritten. She doesn’t think it’s possible to find someone to bankroll that kind of event on such short notice. Ned says, how about him? Geez, how about Nikolas? He has more money than God.
Dante asks if Joey has said anything, but Epiphany says he’s still unconscious. A good Samaritan found him at Van Nyes, and called 9-1-1. Dante wonders what he was doing there, and she says, it’s a shortcut to the Harbor View district. A lot of nightlife has sprung up there recently. He says, like The Savoy.
Curtis says, so there never was a plane crash, and Drew’s been alive this whole time, and Sam says, alive, and being held in a compound on the island of Crete. But by the time they got there, Anna and Robert had seen Peter shoot Drew, and Drew fell into the sea. The WSB and the investigators searched for him, but there was no sign of him. If she’d only gotten there sooner… Portia says she hears what ifs from her patients all the time. Looking back doesn’t change anything. The only thing you can do, is think about what you can do now. Sam says she has to talk to Scout, but Portia says, she doesn’t have to talk to Scout immediately. Nothing is going to change overnight. She doubts Peter is going to come back to Port Charles, knowing she, Dante, and Anna are looking for him. Why doesn’t she take this time to think about this? She’s the parent; she controls the narrative.
Victor agrees Peter needs to be brought to justice, but unfortunately, Peter’s whereabouts are the only leverage he has. Anna says, if Victor is innocent, as he claims, why does he need a deal for immunity? He says he ran the Bureau, remember? Once they have their sights on you, proving your innocence is well-nigh impossible. Valentin says Victor knows what Peter’s capable of, and Victor says he knows Peter needs to be stopped, but he also has to look out for his own interests. Valentin says, his daughters are potential targets. If Victor is telling the truth, they’re his granddaughters. Anna says, and if he’s Valentin’s father, wouldn’t he want to cooperate for the family’s sake? Victor says he didn’t lie about that; he is Valentin’s father. Valentin says, forgive him if he doesn’t jump out of this hospital bed for a celebratory embrace, and Victor says he kind of thought Valentin would. Knowing he’s a Cassadine after all, entitled to all the benefits and curses that come with that bloodline.
Nikolas tells Shawn, he had nothing to do with Naomie Dreyfuss’s death; he thought she killed herself. Shawn says, suicide was ruled out, and it was deemed a homicide, but Nikolas says he’s heard nothing about this. Shawn says, because the case is low priority for the police. It’s bad enough Violet hasn’t seen or heard from her mother in over a year, now she’s lost her grandmother too. Where is the justice in that? Nikolas says he’s not disagreeing with Shawn, but since he had nothing to do with it, he’d rather discuss the matter at hand. Shawn says Nikolas is making a charitable donation for his silence, and Nikolas says his charitable donation to the cause of Shawn’s choice, in exchange for Shawn not ruining his reputation with his baseless accusations. Shawn says he could take Nikolas’s money, but this was never about money for him. Nikolas asks what else he can give Shawn, and Shawn says, Nikolas didn’t want to get his hands dirty doing it himself, so he hired a shooter whose still out there somewhere, free as a bird. Nikolas says, this is all conjecture, and Shawn says, let him conjecture this. Give up who actually fired the gun.
Spencer tells Alexis that Doc paid his bail, but there were conditions, and one of them was that he get a job. She says she’s surprised he didn’t turn right around, and walk back into jail, and Spencer laughs. He says, working at Kelly’s has other benefits too. He needs to get back in his father’s good graces. Did Nikolas tell her that he put Ava in control of his money? She says she heard, and he says he needs to show his father that he’s responsible, and he can never speak ill of Ava again. She says, let her know how that works out, and he says, without access to his trust fund, he can’t hire a decent attorney to defend him. She says, he’s a first time offender. Maybe they can plead him out with a suspended sentence and some public service. He says she could plead him out; his public defender would have to remember his name first. Maybe if he agrees to his father’s terms, his father will pay for an A-list attorney. Alexis flashes back to Nikolas trying to barter for her dropping the investigation in exchange for him getting her a pardon, and she tells Spencer, going to his father is a terrible idea.
Harmony says she should have realized the psyche patients are locked in their cells for the night, and Esme looks at Ryan, and asks if Ryan has special privileges. Harmony says, not really. It’s because he’s immobile no one worries he’ll escape. What exactly drew Esme to working with criminals, mentally ill ones at that? Esme says she believes in the power of redemption; that despite our past sins, we can all do better. Harmony knows that better than anyone, doesn’t she?
Trina hugs Ned, thanking him, and Ava tells him, please don’t feel any pressure to underwrite the exhibition. He says, to be honest, there’s a method to his madness. Olivia is crazy about animals, and if he underwrites the exhibition in her name, it might go a long way to her seeing he’s not such a bad guy. Trina tells Ava that she’s going to reach out to the Photo Ark people right now; maybe they can get a date on the books. She leaves, and Ave says, a generous gift, something unique and timely, will also go a long way in helping his troubled marriage. He takes it she has something in mind, and she says, a small framed piece, something that will look terrific in Olivia’s office at the MetroCourt. The artist is on her way up, and one of these days, her works are going to be worth a fortune. He thanks her, saying, he trusts her judgement. A tip to the bartender, and she should be able to sneak it into Olivia’s office as a surprise.
Robert says, Olivia is admitting to him that she thinks there might be some validity to Ned’s concerns, but rather than talk to Ned about it, she continues to push him away. She says, he’s right, and he says, what was that again? She tells him, stop it; he heard exactly what she said. He says, then what’s the problem? and she says, the problem is, she and Ned don’t communicate. They talk, but they don’t talk to each other; they talk at each other. He says, he’s been down that trail, but she says, not with her. She can tell him anything because unlike Ned, he actually listens.
Valentin says he didn’t invite Victor there to discuss the Cassadine family tree, and Victor says, give him some credit. he managed to protect Valentin from Mikkos. If he’d known for a second that Valentin was Victor’s son with Helena, he would have killed Valentin without hesitation. Valentin says, he would have thought it was Helena’s doing, her sick revenge in getting Mikkos to accept her bastard son as his own. Victor says, Helena saw it as revenge. He saw it as hiding Valentin in plain sight. For what it’s worth (🍷), Valentin was sent away to boarding school in England, got a degree from Oxford, and was accepted into the WSB training program, despite his physical limitations. Valentin says, when he thought he was living his own life, Victor was pulling the strings. Victor says he made sure certain doors were open to Valentin, but if he’d failed, Victor wouldn’t be able to help him. He wasn’t worried. From an early age, Valentin proved himself to be eminently capable. Valentin says Victor is right about that. Peter’s at large. He’s got his father’s contacts and Faison’s money. He’s tried to kill Valentin, and doesn’t like Victor much either. So save himself, and help them find Peter.
Curtis raises his glass, and says, to Drew, a good man. He, Sam, and Portia clink glasses, and Dante walks in. Sam asks what he’s doing there, and Curtis says, they’re closed, but they’re always open for him. They were just raising a glass to Drew. Dante says he’d love to, but unfortunately he’s here on official business. Sam asks, what’s going on? and he says, Joey Novak was found beaten to a pulp about a block away from the club. Witnesses said they saw him here. Sam says, he doesn’t think Curtis… and Dante says, no, he doesn’t, but he has to ask. Where was Curtis tonight after the club closed? Curtis says he was here with Portia; he can show Dante the video footage. Dante says, no, that’s perfect. Did he see Novak there? Curtis says he saw Joey. He had to be escorted out. He was being a nuisance and it’s not the first time. Dante asks what Joey was doing, and Curtis says, the typical routine, being a tough guy. He didn’t have nobody fooled. Dante says, he’s probably just trying to fill his dead uncle’s shoes, and Curtis says, if he is, he’s not bringing any illegal drugs into the club. Dante says, heads up. Novak’s already made one enemy. He doesn’t want it impacting Curtis
Harmony says, Esme’s done her research, and Esme says she always like know more about the people she meets. When she learned she’d be working with Harmony, she did a deep dive. Harmony says she’s not proud of the mistakes she made while she was part of Dawn of Day, and Esme says, she made those mistakes for a cause she believed in, but Harmony says, there was no cause. It was a racket, a shell game. She went looking for answers, someone to connect the dots, someone to show her clarity. Shiloh told her everything she wanted to hear, and when he had her good and hooked, he turned her inside out. He made her his confident, his accomplice. Eventually, she betrayed her ideals and beliefs, and everyone she loved, including her own daughter. If Esme had asked her at that time, she would have said it was for a higher purpose, a greater good, but Dawn of Day was about one thing, feeding David Henry Archer’s ego. Remember that. When someone tells you they have all the answers, that they can fill you up, that they can give you life’s purpose, head for the nearest exit, and don’t look back.
Spencer asks what happened between Alexis and his father? Just a few weeks ago, she was practically begging him to make things right with him. She says, there are aspects of his father’s life he doesn’t want to be accountable for. If he refuses, she thinks Spencer should keep his distance from him. Spencer asks if she cares to be less vague, and she says, what she cares about, is that Spencer avoid becoming just like him.
Nikolas says, there’s a major flaw in Shawn’s theory; where would he even find a hitman? Never mind hiring one. Here’s where, if I was Shawn, I would stare blankly at the camera, since several mob families live in this town. Where wouldn’t you find a hitman? Shawn says Nikolas could try selling that to a jury, but he doesn’t think Nikolas will get far. Nikolas says and Shawn thinks he can sell his fairytale to the police? Shawn says, not him; Dr. Hamilton Finn. He can just go to Finn, and tell him everything he knows. He might be an ex con, but Finn is an esteemed physician, left raising a little girl whose mother suddenly disappeared. He’ll be able to open doors Shawn can’t. He’ll be able to get the authorities to listen. Not even Nikolas’s mother the mayor will be able to get him out of this. All eyes will be on Hayden’s little girl, who cries herself to sleep every night, wondering why mommy left her. Nikolas says he’s sure there are ways he can help clear Shawn’s name, and Shawn says, then they’re agreed. And that charitable donation Nikolas offered? He accepts, but with an extra zero added on the end. Nikolas says that wasn’t their deal, and Shawn says, it was an opening bid. He just raised it. Nikolas says, so it was about the money after all. Shawn says, oh no, but he’ll put it to good use. A pleasure doing business with him. Nikolas tells Shawn, he meant what he said. He had nothing to do with Naomie Dreyfuss’s death. Shawn says, know what? He almost believed Nikolas.
Victor says he’d like to know that Peter is safely locked away, or better yet, that he’s been killed while trying to escape. He’d like to know that he can no longer go after Valentin or his daughters, who are indeed his granddaughters. He’d like to know that miserable excuse for a human being has finally been stopped once and for all. Valentin asks if there’s a catch in there somewhere, and Victor says, there are certain things in this world that are greater than himself or what he wants. He can’t accomplish those things behind bars. Anna asks what the hell that’s supposed to mean.
Robert says, there’s a reason he and Olivia can talk the way they do; they’re friends. Olivia gets up, and says, they’re good friends, and he says she can tell him the depths of her fears. He’s kind of removed from that part of her life. She disagrees. They’ve been friends for a long time. They’ve had a lot of adventures together. Does he remember how Ethan was grilling him about how close they were? Robert says, he saw something that didn’t exist, and she says, what if does? What if everyone else is just seeing something they’re not? She kisses him, and Ned walks in with a painting.
Victor says, despite his personal interest, he can’t help them. He has to think of the bigger picture. Valentin says, spoken like a true Cassadine, self-preserving to the last. Anna tells the guard to get Victor out of there, and Victor says, he’s truly sorry to disappoint Valentin, but Valentin says he didn’t. Victor proved him right, and he likes being right. Victor leaves with the guard, and Valentin tells Anna, sorry to waste your time, darling. She asks if he’s all right.
Robert tells Olivia that he thinks she’s got the wrong idea. Ned turns Robert around, and punches him in the face.
Spencer promises Alexis, he’ll be nothing like his father, and she tells him not to make promises he can’t keep. She asks him to do her a favor, and get his hand checked out at GH, but he says, it’s really not that serious. She says, unless it gets infected, and he says, if it would make her feel better. She says, it would, and he says, okay, she wins. He gets up, and says, as always, it’s great seeing her. She gets up, and says, she cares about him. Don’t be like the rest of the family. Money isn’t worth compromising over. He says he’ll think about it, but he knows he’ll disappoint Esme. He doesn’t think she signed up to be the girlfriend of a pauper. He leaves, saying goodbye to Esme on the way out.
Trina tells Ava, this is so great. Once she gets a date, she needs to book the caterers, send out invitations, decide on the food, pick out a display… Ava says, first things first. Tell her mother the good news, and do it in person. Trina thanks Ava, saying, she’s the best boss ever. She hugs Ava, and runs off. Nikolas walks back out with Shawn, who keeps walking out the door. Ava asks if Nikolas wants to tell her what that’s all about.
Curtis tells Dante, he showed Joey Novak the door. He escorted Joey out, and his bouncer, escorted his friend right behind him. He told them, do not come back, because you won’t get let in. And that was it. Is there anything else he can help Dante with? Dante says, no. They’re good, but maybe if he could offer some unsolicited advice? Curtis says, only if he doesn’t have to take it, and Dante says, of course (🍷) not. As Curtis knows, he’s running a nightclub, which is mostly a cash business. That element of shadiness is going to try to creep in. It probably won’t be Joey Novak, because he’s not going to be able to walk for a while, but where one showed up, others will follow. Sam looks at Portia, who looks at the sketch.
Olivia launches herself at Ned, and asks what the hell he thinks he’s doing. He says, what about her? and she tells him not to compare an innocent kiss with physical assault. Robert says, he really thinks there’s been… and Ned says, wasn’t it a year ago Robert warned him not to hurt Olivia? He said there was nothing going on between the two of them. Robert says, he can explain, but Olivia says he doesn’t owe Ned any explanations. She and her husband have been separated for almost a year. It doesn’t even feel very right to call him her husband. Ned says he knows he’s the one who screwed up the marriage, but he thought they were both fighting to save it. She says, maybe Ned was just kidding himself, and Ned points to the painting, saying, this is for her. To show how much he loves her. He gets in the elevator, and Olivia removes the wrap to see a painting of a dog. She starts crying, and runs off with the painting.
Anna says, she can’t help but think Victor is playing Valentin. She feels Victor’s claim to be his father is just a way to get him to cooperate. He says, it doesn’t matter what Victor’s motives are; it doesn’t matter if he’s telling the truth. All that matters is that they track down Peter. She says, they’re running out of options. If she doesn’t get another lead on Peter, she’ll have to make a recommendation to the WSB that they give Victor the immunity he wants.
Nikolas says, he told Ava; it was business. She says, he walked in upbeat and confident, and walked out anything but. What sort of business did he have to discuss with Shawn in her back room? He says, he thought Shawn could help him out with a little matter, but it turns out, he couldn’t. She asks if this little matter has anything to do with his Uncle Victor, and that he’s alive and in cahoots with Peter. He says, sometimes business is just that; it’s business. She knows as well as he does, Cassadine Industries has many tentacles that reach into many interests around the world, and sometimes he has to look outside the company for help. He can show her the spreadsheets and the Power Point presentation. She says, no, God no. She’ll take his word for it. She asks if he’s done in the back room, and he says, all done. She says she needs to prepare a painting for a client, and leaves. He takes out his phone, and leaves a message for Victor. He says, he thought Victor would have extracted himself from the WSB by now. Call when he gets this. Nikolas needs to know if he’s responsible for Naomie Dreyfuss’s murder
Trina runs into Spencer as he’s walking into the hospital, and asks if he’s okay. He says he scalded himself pulling an espresso shot, and his aunt insisted he come in to get it checked out. She’s a little bit of a hypochondriac by proxy. What about her? She says she needed to share something with her mom, but she left already. Is he sure he’s okay? He says he’s been thinking about everything that’s happened these last few months, and how it went so horribly wrong. She wishes she could help, and he says, she at least tried. When they first met, she had no idea he was crazy rich, did she? She says, no, but the last time she checked, he’s not rich; his dad is. She’ll see him around. She leaves, and he smiles.
Harmony gives Esme a folder, telling her that she needs to fill some paperwork out before she leaves tonight. It’s just promising she won’t sue Spring Ridge if an inmate attacks her, permission to look at her school files, stuff like that. Esme says, sure thing, and Harmony leaves. Esme looks at the chessboard, and moves a piece. She says, checkmate.
Seeing Alexis reading The Brothers Karamazov, Harmony says, nothing like a little light reading, and Alexis says, it kind of makes Spring Ridge seem cheerful by comparison. Isn’t it about time for Harmony to clock out? Harmony says, it looks like Alexis and her grandnephew were having quite the talk, and Alexis says, she was just trying to encourage him not to compromise his morals for money. Harmony asks if he listened, and Alexis says she doesn’t know. Seems like he has his hands full with his girlfriend.
Esme watches as Harmony leaves. Alexis tosses her book aside, and follows, and Esme goes over to Ryan. She bends down, and says she told him that she’d find a way back in. She hit a bit of a snafu, but she promises him – she takes his hand – she’ll take care of everything. He blinks twice.
Trina asks who Spencer thinks he’s fooling; Ava tells Nikolas, not if, when; and Sonny says, there’s no coming back from that.
🐘 Joel’s Ark…
There really is a Photo Ark, and the photos really are beautiful and incredible. I’ll bet this guy got a million hits today.
https://www.joelsartore.com/gallery/the-photo-ark/
Project Runway
Chastity wanted to keep her momentum going, even though she had immunity, and Bones said, it felt crazy to be on the bottom; it messed with your mind. The designers came into a room filled with flowers, and Aaron thought maybe they were making a dress out of flowers, but that wasn’t it. They were introduced to Lewis Miller aka the Flower Bandit aka the Botanical Banksy, and inventor of the flower flash (see below). Elaine said he’d done the flowers for her stoop wedding. The challenge was to create a high end fashion look that embraced floral prints. They were also to create the fabric prints as well, and each clothing designer was given a graphic designer to work with. Elaine said they were the best group of designers Project Runway had ever had. They were allowed to use supplemental fabric, with the emphasis on supplemental. The designers used the flowers that were all over the place as inspiration for the prints. Shantall was the only one who didn’t use the blooms, choosing instead to create her own drawing from a childhood memory. It was interesting to see the unique things they came up with, everyone with different designs. Darren said he was playing it safe with simple and pretty, since he’d been semi-tanking. In Boots’s interview, he said prints weren’t his forte and you needed to have an eye for them. Sabrina, who was from Afghanistan, and been refugee in Pakistan as a child, came up with the most amazing print that I thought was very Hermes. She was making a jumpsuit, and including a burka, saying, they were looked at as symbols of oppression, but could also be a statement of woman power. Darren’s print inspiration was a background on SpongeBob SquarePants, and in his interview, he said, imagine him doing fashion for SpongeBob? That’s the dream, man. I was pretty impressed overall with the designs. Christian asked if everyone was feeling amazing. I love Christian. He makes me laugh, but I’m not the target of his witticisms. As usual, he told everyone, have fun, which seems to be his catchphrase. When the models were about to come in, he told the designers it was time for a twist, then said he was just kidding. Like I said.
Gigi Hadid was the guest judge, and high and low six were Kristina, Shantall, Darren, Sabrina, Katie and Prajjé. Kristina had done a robe that the judges thought was fresh and modern, and had great fluidity. Nina thought Shantall’s look, a three-piece suit was the perfect look. She’d taken a risk, creating a print from a drawing that wasn’t heavy on the flowers, but it paid off. Shantall said her son was turning two today, and she was missing out, but this was for her family. Darren was on the bottom with a two-piece outfit that had what I’d say was a skater skirt. Nina wasn’t crazy about it. She said they were there to surprise and experiment, and she’d seen it. It was very cute, but she was right. Elaine said that whatever Darren was trying to say wasn’t translating to them. Sabrina was a shocker to me, being on the bottom, since the jumpsuit and burka was fantastic, but she’d made the mistake of sticking on a pink overskirt, and it was just no. Gigi said it was her favorite print, and she could see the burka on the cover of Vogue Arabia, but she should have lost the skirt. Sabrina said she didn’t want to offend anyone, so she’d covered her model up a little. She removed the skirt, and all of the judges were like, yes, there it is. Nina also thought flats would have been a better choice than heels. Nina asked if Prajjé thought he was in the top or bottom. I would figure if they were asking, I was on the bottom, but they fooled me by loving his look, a bodycon dress with a mermaid bottom. It was very Marilyn Monroe. Elaine thought it was a silhouette that was flattering on everyone, and I thought, yeah, if your stomach is flat. Brandon said he’d had a gay child moment – she is so pretty. Katie got one of the lowest scores, which was no surprise, since it looked like a schoolgirl outfit; cute, but not haute couture. Gigi thought the collar looked like it was made out of felt (it was leather), and I had to agree. Elaine asked Katie if this was high end, and Katie said she didn’t know what it was. She tried to blame it on Christian for making her second guess herself, but Brandon said Christian wasn’t on the runway, and she needed to take what was relevant from his suggestions, but you do you. Gigi said she didn’t hate the skirt.
The judges deliberated, and there was a lot of discussion over Shantall’s print. The challenge was floral print, and Elaine put it best, saying her floral note was a whisper. Brandon said, Darren knew how to design, but wasn’t a designer. Gigi said fashion was either editorial or to sell, and neither way worked with his piece. Nina said Katie’s outfit looked like a costume, and Brandon said she’d tried to blame Christian. This was ironic, since one of the things Christian told her to avoid was being too costume.
The six were brought back in, and Elaine said they’d been asked to create a joyful original floral print look, and they were there for it. Shantall was the winner, and Gigi told her that she’d had the most unique and modern print. Elaine said she was making her baby proud, and Shantall said that she was happy to have achieved the win, especially today. They moved on to the losing end, and Brandon said the looks had been confusing, chaotic, and tortured. He said they kept looking for something new from Darren, but it didn’t happen, and he was out. He had to pack his fabric scraps and go. In parting creative criticism, Sabrina was told the skirt took away from the look, and Brandon told Katie to find herself. The cheese Darren was left alone, and he said being in the competition had changed his life forever. He was from the Philippines, and still an out-of-place, misunderstood, weird gay Asian kid, but he wasn’t the same one as the one who’d come there. Nina said he had talent, but needed to find his voice. In his interview, he said it sucked to go early, because he knew he could do cool stuff. He was more aware as a designer and a person now. Christian said he loved getting to know Darren. He needed to figure out who he wanted to be, but they’d be seeing more of him. Darren sort of made a pass at Christian (joking, not joking), and in his interview, he said he was thankful to be part of this whole thing. It lit a fire under his ass, and he felt more smarter. He paused, and said, more smarter? Much smarter. And grateful.
Next time, figure skaters needing a look for the 2022 Olympics, Brandon says the looks reflected that the designers weren’t getting along, and Elaine says she doesn’t want to do this again.
💐 Better Than Hot…
About those flower flashes. I’ve never seen one, but I’ll have to keep an eye out when I’m in the city.
🏯 I had to ditch Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles because, for whatever idiotic reason, Bravo is only showing it at 8 pm, which is a bad time for me. I did catch some of it tonight, as well as the cast on Watch What Happens Live. Tracy had been selling her own house, and looking for another one, using Josh Flagg as a broker. He’d found her dreamhouse for her, and her kids had their hearts set on it, but they couldn’t meet on the price. Tracy said it just wasn’t meant to be, but was obviously disappointed. At the end of the show, Josh handed her the keys, saying he’d given up his commission, and the house was hers. It was $250,000. A. Half. Million. Dollars. What a kind thing to do. I’ve always suspected that they’re all more friendly than they pretend to be on the show; you can tell in co-interviews. On WWHL, they were very supportive of each other, and good sports, being the butt of one another’s jokes. Apparently, the two Joshes are now great friends, and their respective spouses even more so. I don’t usually do heartwarming, but I’ll take it this time.
🎃 Essence Of Halloween…
More costumes.
And couples costumes.
🚢 Abandoning Ship…
Be sure to stop by tomorrow for some soap, probably more costumes, no doubt some gossip, and words to ponder. Until then, stay safe, stay using your free time wisely, and stay not looking back. It doesn’t change anything. The only thing you can do, is think about what you can do now.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 