Tag Archives: Katelyn MacMullen

January 23, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Anna Has a New Tormentor, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Watching Soon, Nom List & a Sweater, Tails Of Love, Three Quotes Of Three & Fifteen Feet

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Nibbles…                                                                      

Monday: 

The verdict was read and Willow was found not guilty. Willow hugged Alexis, who didn’t look very happy and didn’t hug back. Trina told Kai that she couldn’t believe Willow got away with it.

Sonny went to Alexis’s office to see Diane and maybe get some carrot cake, but Suzanne was behind in her baking and Diane was in court. Alexis was also in court, and Suzanne said the jury had reached a verdict. They thought it could go either way. Sonny said he hoped Willow got acquitted.

Willow was free to go, court was adjourned, and Willow hugged Nina. Dante told Turner that he was sorry, and she wanted to know who was responsible for the missing traffic cam footage. She wanted their head.

Chase congratulated Willow, and she said he’d played a huge part in it. Drew said he knew she’d be exonerated like he’d promised.

Anna asked who was speaking, and Faison asked if she’d forgotten the voice of who loved her the most. She insisted it wasn’t him. It was impossible. He was dead. He said she should know by now, not even death could part them.

Kai said they should have gone to the police, but Trina said it was too late now, and they left.

Willow thanked everyone for their support, but there was one person she owed a debt of gratitude to – Alexis. Drew agreed and thanked Alexis. She told him to keep his end of the deal. She’d come through for him and expected the same.

Suzanne was surprised that Sonny wanted Willow to go free, since the DA’s office could go against Michael. Alexis had laid out a pretty convincing case against him. Sonny said Alexis had done her job to the best of her ability and he couldn’t fault her. He could understand why she went after Michael. Drew had given Alexis an ultimatum – free Willow or she’d never see Scout again. She had to do something drastic. Suzanne got a text and told him that Willow was just acquitted.

Nina said, now Willow could concentrate on getting her kids back, and Drew said, tonight, they had to celebrate. Nina suggested she pick up champagne and that Chase come too. They could all celebrate together.

Dante said they’d find the person who messed with the footage, when Drew came by and said, no hard feelings. She was just doing her job. She said, how magnanimous of him. and he said he’d be in touch about pressing charges against Michael.

Michael flashed back to his meeting with Willow when she asked what would happen with her seeing the kids if she didn’t go to prison.

Nina thanked Chase, and he said he wasn’t letting an innocent woman go to prison. She promised him that it wouldn’t be forgotten and left. Turner said Chase must be pleased with himself. Willow might have walked out free, but thanks to his interference, he might be the one ending up in prison.

Anna asked if Faison had kidnapped her, and he said this place was better than where she’d kept him on Spoon Island. She asked if it was payback, but he said they always found their way back to each other. She said he had a warped view of their history, and he said what kept him going was knowing they’d be reunited. They’d never be part again.

Back in her office, Alexis threw her papers around and Suzanne asked if she was okay. Alexis said she was fine, but Suzanne said she was acting like she’d lost. Right. Willow was guilty, wasn’t she?

Drew brought Willow home, and she said the only thing that would make it better was having Wiley and Amelia there. He said he’d make good on his promise, and she said she didn’t know what she’d do without him. Drew told Scout that Willow won her case, and Willow said, now she could stay with Scout and her dad, and hugged Scout.

Chase said he didn’t nothing wrong, but Turner said he’d undermined her case with his testimony and betrayed his entire department. He said all he did was tell the truth and the jury agreed with him that she was prosecuting the wrong person, but Turner said, only because they didn’t see a crucial piece of evidence. Dante said they’d find the person, and Chase said they’d find it wasn’t him. He’d never tamper with evidence. Turner said Internal Affairs would look into it, and Chase said they wouldn’t find anything on him. If she’d put the right person on trial, he wouldn’t have had to do her job. He left, and Turner told Dante to build her a case against his brother.

At the Quartermaines’, Sonny told Michael that he’d heard about the verdict, and Michael said, now he was the prime suspect. He’d bolted when they read the verdict, but it was only a matter of time. Sonny said he didn’t know if Michael shot Drew or not and didn’t care, but he’d make sure Michael didn’t go down for this.

Anna said, this wasn’t real. It was a trick. Somebody wanted her to believe Faison was alive. Faison said his children were also thought dead. Hadn’t she considered the possibility? She said no, she was finally rid of him, but he said she could never be rid of him. What they had was eternal.

At the Bad Jen Café, Kai told Trina that they should have done more. Double jeopardy meant they couldn’t go after Willow again. (I think they can if there’s new evidence though.) Trina wondered if Willow going free was so terrible. Drew was a monster and he’d put a lot on himself. Kai said a lot of people despised him, but only Willow committed a crime, and she said they’d also committed a crime and covered it up. Who were they to judge? What Willow did was wrong, but she told the court how much she’d loved Drew and now she was stuck with him, or it would arouse suspicion. Maybe it was punishment enough.

Michael said if he went to prison, his kids would be left with an unstable mother and a terrible stepfather, but Sonny said he wouldn’t let that happen. Michael said, even if he was kept out of prison, it would have a huge impact on visitation. The jury had believed her and the new judge could too. What if she got full custody? Sonny said it would never happen, but Michael said it could, and he couldn’t let them live with Drew. Sonny said it wouldn’t do Michael any good to go down that scenario, but Michael said he had to be prepared for any outcome. He had to protect his children. Sonny promised it would be okay.

As she picked up the papers, Suzanne said she shouldn’t have asked, and Alexis asked how long she’d known. Suzanne asked if Alexis remembered when they’d rehearsed Willow, and Alexis said Suzanne told them she’d find Willow guilty. Suzanne said Willow was defensive and justified too much. It felt like overkill. She hadn’t known for sure, especially after Willow did a beautiful job on the stand, but then during Alexis’s summation, she slipped. She almost indicated that Willow was the one who shot Drew. Her explanation was quick and made perfect sense. Everyone believed her, but she knew Alexis didn’t make mistakes like that. She could read Alexis… a little, and wondered if maybe Alexis did it on purpose to try and throw the case. Alexis said, but she couldn’t do that, could she? It made her physically sick knowing that Willow was guilty, and she had to be quiet. Now Willow was free.

Willow said her freedom was thanks to Scout’s grandma. Now that her case was over, her grandma would have more time to spend with Scout. Scout asked if she could go see Alexis, when there was a knock at the door. Nina asked who was ready to celebrate, and Drew asked to speak with Nina privately. Willow took Scout to the kitchen, and Drew told Nina to leave her coat on. She wasn’t staying and she wouldn’t be seeing Willow anytime soon.

Kai said it was tempting to see it from Trina’s point of view, and Trina said it would be nice not to think about Drew and Willow for once. Kai said he was looking forward to resigning. It wasn’t worth it and he couldn’t pretend any more. Maybe it was time to just move on. She said it would make their lives easier, and he said, Michael could end up getting arrested. They couldn’t stay silent, but if Michael was indicted, he’d come forward on his own.

Dante said he knew Michael was number one, but they should consider Curtis, and Turner said, maybe. She knew Michael was his brother, but because of Alexis’s convincing argument, they had no choice but to focus on him. If they didn’t follow up, they’d be slammed from every angle. Dante said he was working hard at staying objective, and she told him to do his job thoroughly and investigate Michael.

Suzanne asked when Alexis figured it out, and Alexis said, after she rested her case… This had to be confidential. Suzanne said, anything and everything case related always was, and Alexis said, someone came to her with damning evidence against Willow and it checked out. Suzanne asked why they didn’t go to the police, and Alexis said it wasn’t in their best interest, and she told them that they’d implicate themselves for various other crimes. Drew would go after them and make it worse. And she had to look after her client. Suzanne said it was her obligation to defend Willow, and Alexis said it wasn’t her first client who was guilty, but it was just the way she’d defended Willow. She’d nearly destroyed Portia’s life and implicated Michael when he didn’t do it. Suzanne said giving her client the best defense was the ethical thing, but Alexis said, legally, yes. Morally, it didn’t feel like it.

Drew said he’d had a change of heart on telling Willow about his and Nina’s previous conversation. She deserved to know her mother wanted to see her convicted so she could jump in and take control. Nina told him, that’s not what she said, and Drew said she wanted to be the hero and drive a wedge between him and Willow. She said he was nuts. Willow was smart and would see where she was coming from. Drew said Willow would see Nina wanted to undermine their relationship again and she’d be livid. Nina said, would she? They’d see about that. Drew said she needed to leave, and Nina said she didn’t want to ruin her daughter’s celebration, so she’d leave, but trust her, she’d be back.

Faison asked if Anna was feeling any better, and she said her head was clearer and she was even more convinced he wasn’t Cesar Faison. Cesar Faison was dead. His brain was in a jar. Faison said someone’s brain was in a jar, but not his. He was right there with her. She said, show himself, but he said, patience. All in due time. He was sorry to keep her waiting, but his recovery was slow and he couldn’t bear for her to see him in his current state. When he was fully healed, she’d see for herself that he was the one and only Cesar Faison.

Kai said there was no reason for Trina to risk prosecution, but she said it was her idea to break in. If anybody should turn themselves in, it should be her. Kai said there was nothing linking her to the crime scene, but she said he wasn’t facing it by himself. He said if he was charged, he’d feel better knowing she was safe and in the clear. He loved her too much to let her throw her life away. The one good thing that came out of this crazy mess was that it brought them back together. She kissed him.

Sonny said the number one priority was keeping Michael out of prison, and Michael said he didn’t do it. Sonny said, the DA may say there’s not enough evidence to press charges, but Michael said Alexis gave the prosecution a roadmap and Turner would come at him harder to save face. Sonny promised him that it wouldn’t be Turner doing it.

Suzanne asked what else Alexis could have done, and Alexis said, withdraw and the judge would have declared a mistrial. Suzanne said Drew would have made sure she never saw Scout again. Could she live with that? Alexis said, no, and Suzanne said, focus on that, and Alexis said she’d let Willow get away with it, but she couldn’t stand Drew either. Suzanne wondered if anyone could, and Alexis said, no. She couldn’t blame Willow and wished she’d argued that in court. Suzanne asked what she was going to do, and Alexis said, nothing. She couldn’t tell Drew. He wouldn’t believe her because of his huge ego, and he’d take Scout away permanently, then go after the witness. Suzanne said, that settled it. All she could do was move on with her life, which include Scout. As for Willow, she was Drew’s problem now.  

Chase showed up at Drew’s with a bouquet of flowers, and Drew said he’d make sure Willow got them. Chase said he was hoping to give them to Willow himself, but Drew said, unfortunately, the celebration plans fell through… Willow came out and thanked Chase for coming. She asked if the flowers were for her and said he was so sweet. She hugged him, and Drew said he was telling Chase that Nina’s plans fell through. She had to leave, so it was better they celebrate another time. Willow said she was glad Chase stopped by and thanked him again for believing in her. She hoped it wouldn’t cost him his badge. He said if it did, he had no regrets. He stood up for what was right. She said that’s what made him so wonderful, and Chase said, congratulations again. Drew opened the door, and Chase left. Drew said he was sorry Willow’s mother had to leave, but Willow said they had plenty of time to celebrate. She was relieved to have peace and quiet, just them. She asked him to hold her and he did.

Anna said, until Faison felt healed and ready to face her, she was stuck in this room? and he said, be patient. Their reunion would happen soon enough. He’d already made arrangements. Before long, she’d leave there and they’d spend the rest of their lives together in their new home.

Trina said Kai was the kindest, most decent man she knew. Him sacrificing himself wasn’t going to happen. If they came clean, they’d do it together, as a team. He said he agreed.

Sonny went back to the courthouse and told Turner that he’d heard she had a rough day. She asked if he was there to gloat, but he said, not at all. He was there to do her a favor.

Chase found Michael and said, now that Willow was exonerated, could they put it behind them and coexist for the sake of the family? Michael asked how they could when Chase was convinced he’d shot Drew. Even worse, he’d helped Alexis build a case against him. He’d condemned Michael’s kids to a life with Willow and Drew. If Chase thought they were shaking hands and letting bygones be bygones, he was sadly mistaken.

There was a knock at Alexis’s office door, but Alexis said she needed to be alone. Suzanne said someone was asking to see her, and Alexis said, ask them to reschedule. Suzanne said they were pretty insistent, and Alexis opened the door. Scout flew to her, and Suzanne said she figured Alexis would make an exception. Alexis said she was happy to see Scout and hugged her.

Willow said she hoped Drew didn’t mind her letting Chelsea take Scout to visit Alexis. She wanted to spend time alone with them. She gave him a glass of champagne and asked what they should toast to. He said, their future, and she said, to our future. They clinked glasses, and he said he was thinking they should go on vacation. Maybe rent a cabin in the woods. She put her arms around him from behind, and as he was blabbing away, she stabbed him in the neck with a syringe. He fell to the floor, said, Willow… What… She said, everything is going to work out, Drew. You’ll see.

Tuesday:

No soap, because news, but you’re welcome, Canada.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-preempted-nationally-today-get-the-details-on-the-new-schedule/

But wait…

Thank you, Canada.

At the hospital, Lucas said he hoped justice was served, and Elizabeth said, with any luck, they could all put this nightmare behind them and everyone could move on with their lives.

Ava met Nina at the Bad Jen Café, and asked why they were celebrating with espresso at a café instead of martinis in New York. Nina said Willow still had a major problem with Drew.

At a nearby table, Kai kissed Trina, when Curtis came in. He said he was sorry to interrupt, but he’d like a moment with his daughter.

Stella saw Portia at the hospital and said she was on the wrong floor for the obstetrician, but Portia said that wasn’t why she was there.

Tracy and Laura met in an office at the hospital, and Tracy said they both knew Drew was blackmailing Portia and they were on her side, and Laura said if it was only about Drew, she’d be tempted to reinstate Portia, but by her own admission Portia had tampered with a patient’s test results, and she didn’t think the board would ignore that. Tracy said Monica would want them to do what was best for the hospital, and Laura asked if GH could afford to keep a doctor employed who knowingly and intentionally falsified patient test results.

Jason arrived at the hospital and asked Britt why he was there. She said she had something she wanted to show him. Cullum lurked around in the background.

Sonny asked if Turner wanted some advice. She took a hit when Willow was found not guilty. It wasn’t a huge leap to assume his son would be targeted next. He wanted to remind her that would be a big mistake.

Chase said Michael lied to the police about his alibi, and Michael said he never went inside Drew’s house. Chase asked why he should believe him. Willow was acquitted. The jury knew she was innocent. If Michael went down for this, he had no one to blame but himself.

Kai left to get refills, and Curtis asked if Trina had heard from her mom. Trina said her mom texted, but she needed space. Curtis said she shouldn’t have no contact, and she asked if he was assuming the baby was his. He said he’d cross that bridge when he came to it, but her mother was having a meeting with some board members. There was no question she was an excellent doctor, and they knew why she did it. Trina said, to protect her, and he said Portia needed their support on this. She said she didn’t want her mother to lose her career and asked if there was anything she could do, and he said, no, but he thought he could, and left.

Portia said Stella knew she was there to speak to board members. She was hoping they’d lift her suspension and reinstate her. Stella said they may decide to dismiss her, but Portia said she was prepared for the possibility. Stella asked if it was worth risking her career and losing her family, and Portia said she’d tried to protect her daughter and always would. If there were consequences for that, so be it. She walked away and Stella saw Isaiah.

Britt asked what Jason thought, and he said, it’s nice. She said her office was the first step to getting her life back. Speaking of…  She handed him $500 and said it was her first payback installment on her Café Cherie bill. He said he didn’t want her money, but she said she wanted them to be on equal footing. No more taking advantage of him. It was the only way they could move forward. He said, they were moving forward? and she said they were. And with that in mind, she’d like to take him out. Before he got all macho… He said, yes, she could take him out, and she said he hadn’t heard what she had in mind. She needed him in his blue suit… He said, no, but she told him that he’d already said yes. He said, fine, and they kissed. She said she’d pick him up, and he said if she told him where they were going, he could make sure there were no donkeys on the road , but she said she’d see him tonight… in his blue suit, and he left.

Turner said it sounded like a threat, and Sonny said he was reminding her that she’d been compromised. She’d heard Drew extort him and threaten Michael. She said he was right. If Michael was charged, she’d have to recuse herself. Truth be told, she was fine with that.

Michael said, Chase thought he shot Drew and framed Willow, and Chase said he didn’t like thinking it, but it was clear Michael would do anything to get what he wanted. Michael said he didn’t want any of this. He didn’t want the breakup, or Willow putting his kids in danger by bringing Drew into their lives. Chase said, right now, the danger was coming from him. When Drew manipulated Willow, he didn’t offer forgiveness, but went straight to revenge. Michael said Chase was leaving out a key piece, and Chase said, Willow cheated, but Michael betrayed her and their children. It should be him who was locked up.

Lucas said he’d do his best to keep it professional, and Elizabeth said, good. Willow was a great nurse, and she was going to love having her back. Lucas said, if Drew lets her come back. Drew wanted to control her and Lucas felt that she let him. Now they were married. Elizabeth said Willow had been acquitted and they’d see how much independence she had going forward. The phone rang, and Elizabeth said they’d be ready. She told Lucas that medics were on the way with a critical patient.

Ava told Nina to get over it, but Nina said, Willow married Drew to get out of the charges and get her children back. Willow told her that she didn’t love Drew. She didn’t need Drew to get her kids back. Ava said, if Willow decided to end her marriage, it was her choice, and Nina said, Drew destroyed Willow’s entire life because he wanted her to think he cared that she was truly happy. Ava said, Willow got herself a gilded cage situation, and Nina said, exactly. He’d never let her go. Nina’s phone rang, and she asked Willow what was wrong. Willow said, something happened to Drew.

Portia thanked Laura and Tracy for meeting with her, and Laura said, of course (🍷). They’d been tasked to make a recommendation regarding her position. Either she’d be reinstated on a probationary basis or let go. Tracy said they’d read everything they’d been given, but before they made a recommendation, they wanted to give her the opportunity to defend herself.

Isaiah asked if he could talk to Stella, and she said they could talk about patients, but anything else, like the situation between her and Portia, was a no. It was a family matter and he wasn’t family. He said he was involved, and she said he certainly was. He said his relationship with Portia didn’t happen in a vacuum. Her marriage was falling apart before he was in the picture, but Portia wasn’t the only one to blame.

Cullum knocked at Britt’s door and said she looked surprised. Did she think leaving the Five Poppies behind meant leaving him behind?

Portia said she took full responsibility for what she did, and Tracy asked how she characterized that. Portia said she’d used her position as Co-Chief to gain access to a patient’s test results and altered them, but the circumstances were unique and extreme. She didn’t do it to advance her career. She did it as a mother trying to protect her child from a murderer who’d been convicted of five murders and had been targeting her daughter. To be clear, she wasn’t asking if they would have done the same, but maybe they could keep in mind the context… She’d been cleared by the AMA, and although there was a mark on her medical license, she was grateful that she could still practice. She hoped it would be at GH. She was an excellent doctor, and with the exception of this atypical situation, she had a sterling reputation. She hoped they’d recommend her reinstatement and welcomed any questions.

Elizabeth told Willow that they were getting Drew stable. What happened? Willow said they went home to celebrate. Drew had a horrible headache, but they opened a bottle of champagne anyway. They both took a sip, but when it came to the toast, Drew looked confused and was slurring his words. Then it was like one side of his face was melting and he just collapsed. She turned his head to the side and put a couch pillow underneath, then called 911. Elizabeth hugged her, and Willow said, please tell her that she got him there in time.

Michael said Chase couldn’t see how pathetic he was. He was desperate to play the hero and throw away his career. Chase said he did what was right, and Michael said Chase was a damn fool to think he believed him. Just like Drew, he fell for Willow’s innocent victim act and couldn’t see what was in front of his face. Be honest about the real reason he wanted to help. How long before he was back in Willow’s bed? Chase punched Michael in the face.

Michael punched Chase back and they fought. Jason came in and pulled them apart, and Chase said he’d make sure Michael paid for what he did. He left, and Jason asked if Michael was all right, but Michael said, no. The cops were going to come after him next.

Sonny asked if Turner didn’t want a second shot at a high-profile case. Convicting someone who shot a congressman would be good for her career. Turner said she had no interest in convicting an innocent person. She’d had the right person on trial. She knew Willow was guilty, but just couldn’t prove it.

At the hospital, Nina asked Willow, what happened? but Willow said she didn’t know. The doctors hadn’t told her anything. What if she didn’t get him here fast enough? Kai asked if there was anything he could do, and Nina said it was nice of him to drive her. He needed to call Drew’s office and have his assistant cancel his appointments and calls. Kai left, and Willow said she was so scared. She cried, and Kai flashed back to Trina saying, Willow knew what she was doing. She intended to kill Drew and knew what she was doing when she lied on the stand.

Ava asked if there was any word from Kai, but Trina said, no. She hoped it wasn’t serious. Ava said, heaven wouldn’t take Drew and hell was full. Don’t worry. She saw Trina and Kai’s and she was happy things were going well for them. Trina said Kai really surprised her. In the last few months, he’d come through for her in ways she couldn’t imagine.

Stella said, Portia might be carrying Isaiah’s child. She was married and he had no right putting himself in the middle. He said if she wanted to blame him for Portia’s marriage falling apart, go ahead, but don’t put it on Portia when Portia had come through for her. Stella asked what he was talking about, and he said, when she was investigated by the federal government, no one fought harder for her. Stella was known for being fair and kind and accepting everyone who came in, meeting them where they were with no judgement. He was asking that she extend the same grace to Portia.

Tracy asked what Portia would say to a potential patient concerned with trusting her, and Portia said, actions spoke louder than words. Congressman Cain had been blackmailing her for months and tormenting her family, but on September 2nd, he came in with two bullets in his back. She had her tormentor’s life in her hands, or at least his mobility, but as a doctor, she took an oath that had become the bedrock of who she was. She’d given him the best possible care. Dr. Jones could confirm that she’d saved Drew’s life and his recovery spoke for itself. Laura thanked her for her time.

Britt asked if Cullum missed her so much, he had to come to Port Charles, and he said she was stalling. She said, not true, but he said, it ended now. Sidwell set up a lab at Windymere, and she was to bring the project online in three months. She said, impossible, but he said there was an easy solution to that. She could disappear.

Curtis told Laura that nobody knew that if Drew had his way, the blackmail wouldn’t have ended with Heather Webber. He tried to force Portia to chance Michael Corinthos’s test results to make it look like he was addicted to opioids, so he could secure custody of Michael’s children for Willow. That didn’t happen, and the reason was, Portia refused. She risked her career and going to prison to stand up for what was right. That’s who she was, and he thought GH should keep her on staff.

Isaiah asked how it went, and Portia said Laura and Tracy were both fair women, but also professional and gave nothing away. What she didn’t say was that she’d do it all over again. He said, that was best kept out. The board would see she was fantastic. She loved people and gave them the best care whether they deserved it or not. She said, everyone deserved care, and he said he’d walk her out, but Stella returned and said, wait.

Britt told Cullum that she just got her medical license back. She had patients and there was no way her family and friends would buy her walking out of her life again. He said they’d had enough undesirable attention with Dalton. Now the timely completion of the project was their driving consideration. To that end, they’d absorb any and all risks. She said, okay, give her a day, but he said they’d already given her too much leeway. They could call another scientist to take her place. Did she have someone she could call for her medicine? Without it, her nervous system would start to deteriorate and there would be no going back.

Michael said Alexis did a fantastic job of making him look guilty, but he hadn’t done it, and Jason said he believed him. If the cops picked Michael up, he knew what to do. Michael said, call Diane and don’t say anything until she showed up, and Jason said, as bad as it was, it was nothing compared to what Michael had been through already. He fought back after life-threatening burns to get home to his kids. He knew Michael could get through this.

Willow asked Lucas, what happened? and he said the initial diagnosis was a massive stroke. They had Drew on stroke protocol and were monitoring him closely. Tracy asked if he’d recover, but he said it was too early to tell. Severe strokes could cause a number of impairments – aphasia, limited mobility, and in extreme cases, full Locked-In Syndrome – but they wouldn’t know for some time.

Laura said she knew Curtis was going through a rough time and appreciated him coming in. He said the whole world found out along with him that his soon to be ex may be carrying another man’s child, but it had nothing to do with her work. He didn’t think her career would end by the likes of Heather Webber or Drew Cain. Laura said she’d take it all into consideration, and he thanked her for listening. She said, of course (🍷). Even in the midst of incredible turmoil, he and Portia were coming together to fight for a common goal. If the baby was his, she hoped they remembered they were capable of that. He said he hoped so. He wasn’t part of raising Trina and felt like it was his second chance. He wanted to be the best father possible. She said he would be, and he left.  

Stella asked how it went with the board, and Portia said she had to wait and see. Isaiah said he’d give them a minute to talk, but Stella said, stay please. She wanted to apologize. Portia had enough dealing with professional matters, and she didn’t need to add more pressure. Portia thanked her and said she was sorry too. She knew how much family meant to Stella and was sorry for any pain she’d caused Stella or anybody else. Stella said it was a difficult situation, and Portia said she still loved all of them. She left with Isaiah.

Trina told Ava that Mr. Sidwell was a smart buyer. Tell him that he was responsible for the first Restrepo in the northern hemisphere and he’d be fine. It would also go up in value. Ava said Trina was absolutely right. She had business dealings all over the world, and after this, she might be able to set up being Restrepo’s primary dealer. Trina said she had no doubt Ava could make that happen, but be careful. She’d heard Mr. Sidwell might be dangerous. Ava said she was sure there was some truth to that, but she knew how to deal with men like him. They understood each other and her nephew had been living under Sidwell’s roof and was having a great time. She’d look out for her nephew and make a small fortune. She’d be spending a lot more time at Windymere.

Britt said she’d go to Windymere tonight, and Cullum said, glad to hear it. Jason Morgan had been a problem at the Five Poppies. Get Jason out of her life or he would.  

Michael said, with being under investigation, it interfered with his chances of getting custody, and Jason said he was worried about Drew being in the picture. Micheal said he couldn’t send the kids back to Drew’s house. That man was poisonous. He saw how Drew treated his own daughter. Jason said Michael’s kids weren’t going back. Drew would never be in their lives. He gave Michael his word.

Sonny said he knew Turner hated to lose, so he’d let her in on a little secret. With or without Alexis’s legal strategy, the next person prosecuted for shooting Drew was going to get off. She asked if he was going to see to it, but he said, no. No jury would convict someone of shooting a snake like Drew. He didn’t deserve justice. She said, everybody deserved justice, and he said, the cops would do what they do, but the way the case should end was with it getting marked unsolved and put away in a file because Drew got what he deserved. He left.

Kai said he had to speak to the DC aids, and Willow said she was going to the ladies’ room to splash water on her face and be alone for a moment. She left, and Nina told Tracy that she thought it was important for them to stay optimistic for Willow. There was still a chance for Drew to make a full recovery. Tracy said, or he could be a vegetable trapped in a body for the rest of his life. Drew wouldn’t get tears from her. As her late husband Luke used to say, karma is a bitch. She guessed it finally came for Drew.  

In the hallway, Willow took the syringe out of her purse, dumped it in a trashcan, and kept walking.

My guess is, Kai is watching her.

Wednesday:

See Tuesday.

Thursday:

Elizabeth went to Laura’s office and said she was worried about her.

Jack knocked at Josslyn’s door and she said, it must be important. He said it was.

Britt came downstairs into Bobbie’s and saw Cullum sitting at a table. She flashed back to him telling her to get Jason out of her life or he would. Lulu and Rocco came in, and Carly asked Britt what was so important that she had to say it in person. Britt said she was moving out of this dump.

Dante asked how the evidence review was, and Nathan said, ongoing. He had nothing significant to share. Dante wondered if there was proof of Chase’s bias judgement.

At the mansion, Tracy said she’d extend Jason the same courtesy she’d offered Michael. She’d be his alibi for whatever he did to Drew.

Nina asked Lucas about Drew, but he said he could only speak to family. She said Drew was her son-in-law, and Willow had stepped away, and he said he was meeting with a neurologist about Drew’s prognosis, but would only discuss the test results with Willow.

Suzanne told Alexis that Willow was there, and Alexis said she’d gotten Willow acquitted knowing she was guilty. What more did she want? Suzanne suggested it was about lifting the restraining order, and Alexis said, that would be nice. Send her in. Suzanne got Willow, and Alexis asked if there was something wrong. Willow said, Drew had a stroke yesterday.

Dante told Chase that Internal Affairs completed their investigation.

Jack said one of the top brass at the WSB was there – Ross Cullum from the European division – and he believed Cullum was a threat to Josslyn. She’d made an impression with the Five Poppies mission. Cullum didn’t know her identity, but if he found out, he’d realize her potential and connections and put her in dangerous situations. To them, she’d be expendable. Josslyn asked if all agents weren’t expendable, but Jack said he’d kept her off the radar and her dossier was in a sealed black box. Josslyn said it sounded like Jack didn’t trust Cullum, and Jack said Cullum wouldn’t protect her like he did. Josslyn said Cullum wasn’t in love with her mother.

Carly said, tell Jason, but Britt said she thought Carly would want to know why she was moving. The place was small and above a dumpster. The walls were paper thin, and the smell of bacon grease caused her cholesterol to go up whenever she inhaled. Carly asked if she’d like help moving out, and Britt said Bobbie would roll over in her grave. Carly’s mother wouldn’t want to be associated with this slum. Carly said Britt’s mother didn’t want to associate with her.

Cullum said he was honored to meet members of the Spencer clan. They had a reputation at the Bureau. Lulu said she was surprised Cullum didn’t seek out her mother, but he said her mother wasn’t arrested for breaking into Dalton’s lab. Lulu said, the matter had been rested, but he said, not the professor’s disappearance.

Elizabeth said she’d been thinking about Laura since Doc and Ace had left, and Laura said she was fine. Elizabeth told her that she’d said the same things when her boys left, then found herself in an empty home. Fine could mean pushing through to keep the world from seeing the cracks. Laura said, fortunately, she cared about her work and had a lot to keep her busy, and Elizabeth said there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to be sad. If Laura ever needed someone to be sad with or confide in, she was always there.

Tracy said Scout was with Alexis, and Jason said Scout had been through so much. She’d lost her mother and her dad was keeping her brother from her. Tracy wondered if that was why Jason decided to take Drew out of the equation, and he asked why she thought he did it. She said, the litany of Drew’s crimes and his expertise in dealing with problematic people. At first, she thought it was karmic justice, but karma and life rarely lined up. You nearly always had to give karma a push. She didn’t want to see him behind bars, so if they asked, he could say he was with her after the trial. He said he didn’t need an alibi. He wasn’t sorry about Drew, but he had nothing to do with it.

Lucas said he’d have the test results soon, and Kai came by looking for Willow. Nina said Willow wasn’t there, but was there something she could do? He said the story wasn’t out in the press yet and the hospital had kept it quiet, and he’d like Willow to approve a statement. Nina said she could look at it. She was surprised he was still working for Drew after hearing about him blackmailing Portia. He said he was thinking about resigning, but it was hard to separate the good Drew had done from the bad. He flashed back to Trina saying, Willow shot him, and told Nina that he didn’t know how Willow did it. Nina said neither did she.

Willow said she thought the stroke was the result of the shooting and the stress of the trial, and Alexis asked if they had a prognosis. Willow said, not yet. For now, it was uncertain, but Scout needed to know about her dad. She wasn’t sure who should tell her. Alexis said she thought it was best if she explained it to Scout, and Willow thanked her. Alexis thanked Willow for being considerate and careful when it came to Scout. Willow said, of course (🍷). She knew how much Scout loved Alexis, Kristina and Molly. Alexis said she thought it was best if Scout moved in with her.

Dante told Chase that Internal Affairs found him in violation of department policy by launching an unsanctioned investigation based on privileged information. He’d used PCPD resources for personal motive and put the prosecution’s case at risk. They’d concluded he’d run counter to policy, but there was no sign of corruption or laws broken. Chase said, so he wasn’t fired? and Dante said, not fired, but he was being demoted.

Jason said he didn’t know if Danny heard the news, so he’d text him, and Tracy said, maybe Danny could spend time with Scout, but he said, when Drew woke up and found out, he’d use it against them both. She said, if he woke up.

Kai told Nina that he’d met Drew when they were forming the Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷) to honor Drew’s son who died. He’d thought Drew was someone to admire, but in hindsight, he was being naïve. Nina said she knew how he felt. She’d helped on the campaign trail and Drew gave a speech to some veterans that was so genuine and sympathetic, she forgot the things she knew about him for a moment. For every one good thing Drew did for the voters, he did ten horrible things to Willow or somebody else who didn’t deserve it. Kai said, like his own daughter.

Willow said, yes. She loved Scout and thought it would be better if she was around Alexis and the girls. Drew’s recovery would be difficult and hard for her to watch. Alexis said, what about Danny?

Jack said, yes. He was in love with Josslyn’s mother and didn’t want her to lose a daughter. He also didn’t want to lose one of his agents with potential. She was to cease all Bureau activity immediately. She’d been deactivated. Josslyn said she was supposed to gather intel from Lucas on Sidwell and Marco. She’d encouraged Lucas to move in and now she was supposed to walk away? Jack said they had a new asset on Spoon Island, and she asked, who? He said, Britt Westbourne.

Carly said Britt wouldn’t be missed, and Britt said it drove Carly crazy to see Jason being nice to her and wanting to spend time with her. Carly couldn’t stand seeing him with someone else because she was obsessed with him. Carly was threatened by her because she was the only one who pointed it out. Carly said Britt was threatened because she’d never have what they did, and Britt said she didn’t want it. Their relationship wasn’t admirable. It was pathetic.

Chase said he’d been demoted? and Dante said he could be on patrol. He could take the detective exam again when the department was satisfied. Chase said it was insulting and ridiculous, and Dante said he’d gone against policy. There had to be consequences. Chase wondered if it was that or because someone questioned Dante’s authority.

Nina said she wished she’d cut ties with Drew, but Kai said it was hard to do with her daughter married to him. He had no idea what he was going to do. She said maybe he could focus on being able to do a lot of good work. Don’t make any big decisions right now. Sometimes when people came back from a health crisis, they changed. Kai said, Drew survived an attempted murder and didn’t, and she said, maybe the potential for the good he could do outweighed the bad Drew did. Even the best of them had to make compromises.

Willow said Scout told her that she saw Danny. She never told Drew and didn’t plan to, but she was hesitant to let Scout see him. She was concerned about Drew’s reaction when he found out. Alexis said she understood. Maybe they could have the conversation another time after the prognosis was clear. Willow said, of course (🍷). She needed to get to the hospital, but she’d be in touch. Alexis thanked her and she left. Suzanne asked, what happened? and Alexis said, that woman who she’d lost more sleep over just gave her the best present she could ever imagine – her granddaughter. Suzanne said she was happy for her, and Alexis said when she was with Scout, somehow it was like Sam was still here. It was all she had left of Sam and made Scout more precious than Suzanne could imagine.

In the solarium, Danny told Jason that Drew was still Scout’s dad. He should text her. Jason said he couldn’t because they didn’t know what was happening yet and he had to respect the restraining order. Tracy said Drew could come after them eventually, and Danny said she was right. What would happen to Scout? Jason said Willow had temporary custody after Drew had been shot, so he was assuming she did again. Danny wondered if they could ask Willow, and Jason said he couldn’t be the one to ask, but he knew someone who could.

Laura said she admitted the empty apartment was harder than she’d expected, and Elizabeth said it was the same way when her boys left. Laura asked how she managed, and Elizabeth said, other than videochatting, her friends stepped in to take her out to dinner every night. She’d love to offer the same support. Laura said, company sounded nice. She’d give Elizabeth a call later and they’d make plans. Elizabeth left.

Rocco told Cullum that he broke into the lab because he thought Dalton was testing on animals. He learned that he should have handled things differently. Cullum asked if they had any idea where Dalton might be, and Rocco said, no. Lulu said it had been a relief, since he fabricated a story that Rocco vandalized the lab. Rocco was attacked in juvenile detention, and they thought Dalton might have taken off to avoid facing charges. Cullum said it made sense, and gave them his card. He asked them to reach out if anything came to mind.  

Cullum put money on the counter and left. Carly told Britt that she guessed they were done. Britt said she was sick of Carly’s moral authority act, when she’d lied and schemed her way through life like the rest of them. Carly said she knew what it was like to do what you needed to do and survive, destroying everything you touched. And she knew when someone was baiting her. Is that why Britt called? Just to start a fight?

Josslyn asked how Britt was the new asset. Could Jack trust her? Jack said he could. Sidwell built a lab at Windymere, so Britt could do her research there. She was now classified as a sleeper. Josslyn was to avoid the WSB office and Windymere. If she could distance herself from her uncle, do so. Live her normal life until she heard otherwise. She asked if she had a choice, and he said, no. He appreciated the work she’d done. He needed her to stay sharp and stay invisible. He left.  

Outside Bobbie’s, Lulu said she loved how Rocco handled himself, and Rocco said he didn’t know anything. He was glad it was over. She asked if he didn’t have to get to GH for his community service, and he said he’d like to walk. They hugged, and he left.

Dante said Chase had to take accountability or it would breed resentment. He had to decide if he was willing to do what it took to get back where he was. Chase said, he could end his career or crawl back to the department and accept punishment for being right, and Dante said he didn’t think Chase was right, but that was beside the point. Think about it and let him know. Chase snatched the papers out of Dante’s hand and stormed through the squad room. Nathan asked if everything was okay, and Chase said, no. He should probably start looking for a new partner.  

Alexis said she couldn’t believe Scout was moving in for the foreseeable future, and Suzanne said Alexis earned it. She kept her eyes on the prize and when no one thought she’d win, she did. She knew fighting for Willow was fighting for her granddaughter and she succeeded. Alexis said she couldn’t have done it without Suzanne. She’d proven to be more than an assistant. She was smart, credible, and insightful, but also a good friend, and those were hard to come by.

Willow came back to the hospital and asked if there was an update. Nina said they’d have the results soon. In the meantime, Kai had a statement from Drew’s office for her to review. Kai gave her the paper, and Nina said it was kind of Willow to make arrangements for Scout to stay with Alexis. Willow signed the statement, and Kai thanked her. Lucas came out and said he had a prognosis. He was afraid it wasn’t what they’d hoped.

Lulu went to Laura’s office to check in on her, and told her that she’d just come from meeting with someone from the WSB. Laura assumed Jack was pressuring her, but Lulu said it was an agent she’d never met – Ross Cullum. He seemed okayish. Laura asked if he wanted information on Valentin, but Lulu said, no. He was asking about Henry Dalton.

Chase kicked the backgammon board off the table in the solarium and the pieces flew everywhere.

Britt said she wasn’t trying to start a fight, and Carly told her to find someone else to spar with. Britt said it killed Carly to see Jason so happy and having so much fun at the hatchet range with her. When was the last time he had fun with Carly? In the 90s? (Ha-ha!) His loyalty to the past was why he chose Carly over her, but he was tired of the drama. If he could get out from under his overdeveloped sense of obligation, he’d leave her behind without a second thought and they both knew it.

Danny went to Alexis’s office and said his dad told him that she was probably the only person who could help him. She asked, what’s up? and he asked if she heard about Drew. She said, yes, and he asked if she thought she could ask Willow if he could see Scout.

Lucas said Drew suffered a major stroke that affected both his motor and language skills, and Willow said his stroke was severe. When he regained consciousness, he’d need speech, occupational and physical therapy. A full recovery wasn’t impossible, but unlikely. Lucas said he was sorry. If she had any questions, he was there. Willow thanked him and Elizabeth said she was sorry. Sobbing, Willow threw herself into Elizabeth’s arms and cried. Kai left and Nina was like, hmm…

Carly said she and Jason had been through so much, it tied them together for life, when Jason walked in. He asked if everything was okay, and Britt said it was great. Carly was just reminding her of the reason she wanted nothing to do with him.

Josslyn found Lucas at the hospital and said she was there to broker peace between him and her mother. Her mother missed him. He said he missed her too, but he wasn’t okay with her attitude about Marco. He had enough disapproval from Pascal the butler. Pascal went back to France and now they were blissfully butler free. His phone chimed and he said he had to do rounds, but after he was done, did she want to come and hang out at Windymere. She asked if a glass of wine was involved, and he said, that was a given. She said she was in.

Elizabeth signed Rocco’s volunteer waiver and gave him scrubs to put on in the locker room. It was a dirty job.

Laura wondered why Cullum was asking Lulu questions about Henry Dalton, but Lulu said, not her, Rocco. Laura asked if he said why, and Lulu said, it wasn’t really clear. The WSB was looking into his disappearance. They sounded keen on finding him.

Nathan asked if Dante had a conversation with Chase, and Dante said Chase lost his detective badge, but could be a beat cop. Based on his reaction, that’s a big if. Nathan said he hoped Chase stayed. He was a good cop. Dante said he hoped so too and believed that as well. That didn’t change the fact they were down one detective. Nathan said he’d step up. No more mistakes. Dante said he’d be leaning on Nathan more than ever, and left.  

Chase started picking up the game pieces, when Tracy came in. She asked, what happened? and he said he was sorry. He’d gotten the ruling from Internal Affairs and took it out on the backgammon set. She asked if he was fired, and he said, no, but he was only allowed back as a patrol officer. It was a demotion. She said he knew how she felt about his campaign to save Willow. However, believe her when she said it was the department’s loss. He said he never thought he’d be in this situation. He couldn’t believe it came to this, and he had no idea what to do next. She said he had a lot to discuss with her granddaughter.

Alexis told Danny that before she said this, she wanted to make sure he understood that she thought he was an incredible young man. She thought Scout’s mom would be proud. Danny said he hoped so. He wanted to see Scout to make sure she was okay. She said, that’s why she asked Willow if he could see her, but Willow thought it was best if they kept the restraining order in place until they knew more about Drew’s condition. Willow knew he loved Scout and didn’t feel the same way Drew did. She thought there was a good chance he and Scout would be spending time together very soon, the way their mom wanted it.

Nina sat down next to Willow and said Willow seemed really upset. Willow said she was Drew’s wife. What reaction should she have? Nina said, remember, she didn’t actually love Drew. She only married him to help prove her innocence and get her children back. Willow said, that was before he collapsed in front of her, and Nina said, please don’t turn sympathy into forgiveness, or worse, real love. Willow said she just wanted to make sure her husband got the treatment he deserved. Again, Nina was like, hmm…

🫔 Friday’s Barely Touched Enchilada…

Jason asks Britt, what’s going on? and she says, sadly, nothing new. He says, she wanted him to come here and now she wants nothing to do with him, and she said, his BFF Carly just reminded her again that he’d never put her first. Why doesn’t he tell everyone once and for all who comes first, her or Carly?

Brook finds Chase in the solarium and says her grandmother told her that he was looking for her. Did Internal Affairs make their decision?

Emma and Gio go to the station, and Emma says she’s looking for Chief Scorpio. The desk sergeant says, he’s out on a call, and Emma asks if she has any idea when he’ll be back. Gio says, it’s kind of important, when Nathan comes out and says, maybe he can help.

Lucas tells Josslyn, welcome to my home. He still finds it weird to say that. Josslyn says, not as weird as it is to hear it. She thanks him for the invitation, and he says he’s thrilled she’s able to join him for cocktail hour. He’s slowly getting used to the idea of hosting his own visitors. Josslyn promises to be a no pressure, no drama visitor, and he says, maybe save the tantrums and throwing things for the second visit. She says she makes no promises. She’s excited to see where he and Marco cohabitate. He says, she makes it sound so romantic, and she says, sorry. She’s excited to see where he and his beloved lord over Port Charles on their windswept isle, paired with manor and butler. He says, there you go. She’s got it. This will be a butler free visit. Remember Pascal took his creep self out of town and has to judge them from afar. Wine or a martini? Ava taught him a recipe that won’t disappoint. They go into the living room and Ava says, it better not. She spent years perfecting this recipe and it’s lovely. Shall she make two more?

Anna wakes to find Peter August standing near the bed, and says, Peter? He says, Peter, Heinrich, either will do. Have you missed me, Auntie Anna? (I actually had a Great Auntie Anna as a kid, but she was nothing like this Anna. I wish. She was, however, a champ at Skeeball.)

Brook asks if Chase is going to keep her hanging or tell her what Internal Affairs decided, and he asks if she wants the good news or bad news first. She says, so it’s both kinds. Rip the band-aid off. What’s the bad news? He says he was demoted to patrol officer, and she says, what? How could they do that? He’s the best detective on the force. He says, they don’t seem to feel that way, and she says, what’s the good news? He says, if he accepts the demotion, he can stay on the force. His hours will be more defined, and he won’t have to bring work home with him. She says, more free time is a good thing. They can finally go to Italy for a honeymoon redo. He says, or they can use the free time to focus on building their family. He thinks it’s time they focused on adopting.

Emma thanks Nathan and says, it’s stupid. She should probably text her Uncle Mac. She doesn’t want to involve the police. Gio says, it’s more of a family thing, and Nathan says he doesn’t want push it, but if they squint just the right way, he sort of is family. Obviously with Maxie and James. Emma says she doesn’t want to bother him at work. Forget she said anything. Let’s go. Gio says, they need help and Nathan may give them some. They’re not leaving.

Lucas says he didn’t realize Ava would be here, and she says she’s celebrating. She nailed down the Restrepo for Jenz, so she came by to take measurements for the installation. Lucas congratulates her and says, that’s a huge get. Does she need any help? She says, he has a guest, and since Jenz wasn’t here, Marco kindly assisted her. Marco asks if he heard his name, and she says she was telling her handsome nephew how he welcomed her and measuring tape into his home. Has he met Lucas’s niece Josslyn Jax? Marco says he has. Nice to see her again when one of them isn’t coming or going. Ava says she and Marco took a vote and decided they’d done enough work for the day, right? Cocktails are in order. Lucas says, great minds and perfect timing, and Marco says he hopes that means Josslyn is joining them, and Ava says, please do join us.

Peter says, Anna seems to be under the weather. Should he call for help or leave her here to die like she left him? She says she didn’t, but he says, she did. Did she grieve when he died? She says, this is not happening. He’s not here. He’s dead. He says, that’s what everyone thought. That’s what she thinks. Things change. Death doesn’t mean what it used to. Things aren’t the same as they were before. She asks what he means, and he says, she thought Nathan was dead. She thought Britt was dead. She thinks his father is dead. She says, Faison is dead, but he says, the thing about his family is, they don’t stay dead. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, all of the people she thinks are dead and buried are right here waiting for her.

Carly says, time out. Leave her out of this mess. Whatever the hell is going on between Britt and Jason has nothing to do with her. Does Jason know what’s going on here? Britt asks if Carly thinks she’s so attached to Jason because her life is so boring. She thought Carly’s super spy boyfriend would be enough to keep her occupied, but she guesses not. Carly says her relationship is none of Britt’s business. This chronic insecurity of Britt’s has nothing to do with her. Britt says, she’s right, and tells Jason, solve the problem. Who comes first, her or Carly? He says he’s not going to answer that, and Britt says, that right there. That is his choice.

Brook says, it’s been a while since they talked about adopting a child, and Chase says he knows. They tabled things because she asked for time to sort things out with Gio. It made sense, but it seems like they’re in a good place and building their relationship. She says, true, but it’s still fragile, and he says, not that fragile. His demotion was a wake-up call. He didn’t realize how much of his identity was wrapped up in his work. She says, because he loves his job, and he says, he did. He does. But he also has a life. He can’t prioritize work over family. She’s the most important thing to him. Building a family with her is his priority and the circumstances are right to get the ball rolling and make it happen… unless it’s not something she still wants.

As they go into the interrogation room, Emma says she didn’t want make it into a big thing, but Nathan says, she’s not. Even if she were, it’s fine. Her grandma gave him a shot at the PCPD and Anna has been a good friend and mentor. He owes her a lot. Gio says, Emma too, and Emma says, that’s why they’re here. That’s why she wants to talk to her Uncle Mac. She’s starting to think that her grandma is in trouble.

Josslyn says he has to check on her mom. She offered to watch Donna and doesn’t need her mom and Donna mad at her. Ava says, no one wants that, but she thinks Josslyn got her dates mixed up. Donna and Avery are with Sonny. When she spoke to Avery, Avery said something about a homemade pizza party. You know Sonny will take any excuse to make a red sauce. So relax. Have a drink. Josslyn says, Ava is right. She must have gotten her dates confused. So she can stay. She’ll take a glass of wine. Martinis aren’t her thing. Ava says, they’re everyone’s thing, even hers. She just doesn’t know it yet. Marco asks which Josslyn prefers, red or white, and Josslyn says, red, pinot noir. Marco says they have a few great ones down in the cellar. He’ll grab one and be back. Josslyn says, if it’s not too much trouble, and Marco says, no problem. Ava says she’d love a peek at his father’s wine cellar. She can imagine the vintages he’s got squirreled away down there. Marco says she’s welcome to join him if she likes, and she follows him out. Lucas says, Josslyn almost made a clean getaway, huh? He’s sorry about the ambush and thanks her for staying. He knows Ava isn’t her favorite persona. Josslyn says, it’s fine. They can coexist. She’s used to pushing her own feelings for Ava aside for those she cares about. He says, like him, and she says, yes. Like him and Avery and Trina. He thanks her and says, that’s why he wants her to get to know Marco better. They’re both very important to him. She says, they’re both important, huh? and he says, of course (🍷). He can’t tell her how grateful he is for her support of his relationship, unlike her mother.

Jason asks if they can go somewhere and talk privately, but Britt says she’s not going anywhere with him – ever. Brad was right. She was fooling herself, letting herself think this could be anything, but it can’t be. Because he’ll never cut the cord with this woman. He asks where this is coming from. Carly isn’t between them. Britt says, Jason married Carly. He ditched her and threw her away like trash and ran to Carly. She thought she could forgive all of it, but she can’t. She’s done. Stay away from her. She leaves, and Carly says, wow. What the hell was that all about? Jason asks what Carly said to her. (Ha-ha-ha!)

Brook says, of course (🍷) she wants to build a family with Chase and adopting a child is absolutely still in the cards for them. All of this is just really sudden. Chase asks what she’s talking about. They had so many discussions about adoption. They even talked to Alexis about it. She says, that’s not what she means. He just found out that he was demoted and lost his detective shield. He says he knows that, and she says, and she knows how much he loves being a detective. He’s so proud of it. They sit on the sofa, and she says, he just lost something really important to him. She doesn’t want him to brush past that. He asks if that’s what she thinks he’s doing, deflecting. He’s trying to focus on them having a child. She says she doesn’t know. Is he?

Nathan says he probably doesn’t know any more than Emma, but the department was told her grandmother was pulled for some top secret WSB assignment. That was the last official update they got. Didn’t she read a text message and get a picture from her grandmother at Maxie’s house on Christmas? Emma says, yeah, a photo and a voicemail, but she hasn’t actually spoken to her grandmother since she left. Gio says, it’s been months, which makes it even weirder, and Nathan says, that doesn’t sound like Anna. Emma says, it doesn’t. She knows on a classified mission contact is limited, but she doesn’t think her grandmother would go this long without speaking to her directly. Gio says he doesn’t either. Anna used to text them every day for a regular status update – while they were living with her. Emma says, yeah, and she’s not the only one her grandmother’s not talking to. Her mom and aunt haven’t heard from her. Gio says, at least Emma got something, a voicemail and text. They haven’t gotten anything. They’ve had no communication from Anna at all.

Anna says, this is not happening. It’s not real. Someone is doing something. They’re using her past against her. Peter says, maybe it’s just her guilt finally having its say. She’s ignored it and the things she’s done. She’s lied to herself about all the lives she’s destroyed. Did she really think she could silence her conscience forever? She says, that’s not true. None of this is. He says, it’s all true and she kept her conscience prisoner for all of it, hoping it was there, with her foot on its neck, listening, growing angrier, while she denied, rationalized, and justified. All the while guilt eating at her soul. She says, shut up! Get away from me! She gets up and walks to the other side of the room, and he says, things have a way of making themselves known. She says, you’re not real, but he says, she’s making this far too complicated. His father will be so disappointed in her, going to such great lengths to deny what’s exactly in front of her face. She says she watched him die. She held his hand and she watched him die. He says, did she, or was it just another one of his father tricks? He had so many, and he’s fooled her before.

Lucas says he’s hungry. How about Josslyn? She says she could eat, and he says, the downside of Pascal being gone is they’ve go to get their own snacks. He’s going to get chips or something. He’ll be back. She says, great. She’ll be here. He leaves, and she gets up and starts looking around. She opens a cupboard next to the fireplace, and Ava says, looking for anything in particular?

Carly asks if Jason thinks she’s responsible for that. Is he blaming her for what just happened? Jason says he’s not blaming her. He’s asking what happened. Britt was happy and they were good. He’s asking what changed. She says she doesn’t know. She has no idea what’s going on with Britt. Britt was trying to push her buttons, and she almost went at her, but she didn’t. Whatever is going on, she had nothing to do with it. He says, one conversation with her, and Britt is back to insecurities and running out the door, and Carly says, when isn’t she? That’s on Britt. It’s not her fault. He asks why it’s so hard for Carly to believe he can love her and still have room for somebody else. Britt’s wrong. There doesn’t have to be a choice. She says she didn’t ask him to choose. She didn’t ask for any of this.

As Rocco rolls up some of the kids’ artwork, Cullum looks in on Rocco. He goes into the room and says, Mr. Falconari, good to see you again. He assumes it’s part of the community service Rocco mentioned earlier. Rocco says, yeah, it’s keeping him pretty busy here, and Cullum says, he most certainly is. In the hallway, Britt comes out of the elevator. Rocco says, the kids love it and it keeps their mind off whatever they’re here for, for a little while anyway, and Cullum says, good thing he’s here then. He doesn’t want to keep Rocco. He was hoping Rocco could point him in the direction of Dr. Britt Westbourne’s office. Britt walks by and sees Cullum with Rocco, as Rocco says, after he finishes cleaning up, he’ll take Cullum right to her.

Britt walks in and says, good afternoon, gentlemen. One of the nurses mentioned that someone very official was looking for her. Cullum says, that would be him… unless Rocco… Rocco says, no. He’s been too busy. Britt introduces herself to Cullum, who says, Ross Cullum, and they shake hands. He says he’s director of the WSB and Mr. Falconari was just about to direct him to her office, and she says she’s got it. She thanks Rocco and says she’ll take it from here. Rocco says, see her around then. You know, 500 hours of community service. Britt says, it’ll fly by. She tells Cullum, let her show him to her office, and he follows her out.  

Carly says she gets that Jason is upset by Britt’s about face, but can she have some credit? She admits there was a time she needed him to show her that she came first, but after everything that happened with the FBI, she knows what it cost him. That’s not who they are anymore. It’s not where they are. She knows a lot of life happened to them and there are things they can’t share, but she doesn’t ever question where she stands with him and hopes he doesn’t with her either. She loves him and she knows he loves her, and he never has to prove anything to her. Jason says he believes her, and she says, good. Now, would she pick Britt for him – he says, here we go – absolutely not. He knows how she feels about that, but it’s his to pick, not hers. Just like he respects the choices she’s made even when they’re wrong, she’s choosing to respect his.

Ava says, Marco and Lucas left Josslyn alone and she seems to have interrupted something. Josslyn says, yes. Her being nosy. Windymere is such a wild place. It’s hard to picture her uncle living here. It doesn’t quite suit him. Ava says, Windymere is an acquired taste, but it can grow on you. Lucas is adaptable. Besides, he did live here with his mother for a short time as child. So for him, it’s probably a homecoming of a sort. Josslyn says she guesses. Although she thinks if she’d asked a year ago what home was for him, it was wherever his family was. So… Ava says, that’s the thing about family. You can make your own. She and Lucas are related by blood, so they’ll always have that unbreakable bond, but being blood relatives needn’t be the sole criteria for determining who is considered family and who isn’t. Of course (🍷) she’s not telling Josslyn anything she doesn’t already know. Look at her and Trina. She loves Trina like she’s her own. They have so many important people in common that they love, it’s really quite special, isn’t it?

Nathan asks if Emma’s mom expressed alarm about Anna, but Emma says, no. She said Emma’s grandma has been known to go off the grid when she’s on assignment and Emma didn’t want to worry her. She has confidence in her grandma’s ability, with good reason, but she can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. Gio says, they spoke to Agent Brennan about it too, and Emma says, they did, yeah. Nathan asks what he had to say, and Emma says, just that one hand of the WSB is not always in communication with the other, but he did say he’d look into things for her. Nathan says, sit tight. He’s going to check the records. Maybe they have an update that he’s not aware of. Emma says, that would be great, and Gio thanks him. Nathan leaves, and Gio asks if she’s okay. He knows he kind of pushed her into this. She says, no. She’s glad he did. She was sitting around and it was driving her crazy. At least now she might get some answers.

Chase says he didn’t just start thinking about having a kid today, and Brook says she knows that. He says, good, because he thinks about it all the time. It’s like the thing he wants most for them in this world. He can’t say she’s too wrong about him not being a detective. He can’t wrap his head around it. When Dante gave him the news, it was like the wind got knocked out of him. She says, of course (🍷). It must have been especially hard hearing it from Dante. He says, Dante is his best friend and was his partner. Dante made it clear that the department didn’t trust him anymore, even though he was right all along. (I’m growing weary of Chase’s self-righteousness.)

Brook says, the PCPD has to know that Chase not being there is their big loss, but Chase says he doesn’t know what they know about anything anymore. She says, when Anna comes back, she can’t imagine Anna will be happy about any of this, and he says he doesn’t know. She was worried about his sympathy for Willow at the beginning. Even if she doesn’t like it, she’ll understand why things went down with him the way they did. She says, there has to be a way for him to get his detective shield back… if that’s something he wants, and he says, it is. He can sit for the detective exam again, if the department’s satisfaction is met and the standards they want him to live up to. He told Dante that he’d think about it and get back to him. She says, that makes sense… But she wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d told the PCPD to shove it.

Josslyn says, Ava can drop the act. She’s not capable of loving anybody but herself. She can pretend, smile, and say all the right things, but any affection of hers has its limits. When it comes down to it, the only person she cares about is herself. Ava says, there it is. That self-righteous judgmental attitude that comes so easily to Josslyn’s mother. It must be so tiring, seeing everybody so clearly and knowing that none of them measure up to her lofty standards. Josslyn says she’s not above anybody and doesn’t pretend to be. She just sees Ava for who she is, and Ava can’t stand her for it. Ava says, maybe, but everybody plays a bit of pretend at one time or another. She suspects even Josslyn does. Lucas and Marco come back, and Lucas says, they couldn’t decide, so they’re going with both. California or France? Which should they try first?  

Jason says, just walk him through what happened with Britt, but Carly says she doesn’t know. Britt called and told her to meet. She showed up and waited. Then Britt told her that she wanted to move and she said, fine. That was it for her, but not for Britt. She started insulting the restaurant, saying this place was a dump. She said Carly’s mother would be rolling in her grave if she saw the place now. He asks if she said nothing back, and she says she pushed back after Britt brought up her mom, but she didn’t say anything like Britt said. She’s telling him, Britt tried to provoke her. Britt wanted to fight with her right here.

In Britt’s office, she says, that’s the second time she’s seen Cullum with Rocco Falconari. What is he doing with that kid? Cullum says, proving a point.  

Emma tells Gio that there’s this default assumption that her grandma is like a superwoman and she gets it. In a lot of ways, she is. She’s looked up to her forever. Gio says he sees why. He thinks they’re a lot alike. She thanks him and says she hopes so. Just because her grandma is super smart and capable doesn’t mean she handle everything. At the end of the day, she’s just a person. An amazing person, but just a person. She’s not indestructible. He says he knows, and Emma says, what if she’s in over her head right now? He says, if she is, Emma took the first step in getting her help, and Emma says, somebody has to do something. She doesn’t need to know global secrets. She just needs to hear her grandma’s voice. She can’t keep sitting around hoping she’s okay. He says, she’s not. She’s here. Trust her gut. She was right about Dalton when everyone was telling her that she was wrong. If Anna is in trouble, Emma is coming through for her right now when she needs Emma the most. He hugs Emma and she cries.

Anna says, Peter hated Faison. He killed him. Peter says, so he thought. Faison played him like he played her, like he played everyone. Cesar Faison always wins and deep down, she knows it’s true. She says, it isn’t real. It isn’t real. It isn’t real. He says, stop. There’s no point in fighting. He should know. His father is so devoted to her, it makes sense that he should be the one with her. She says, stop, stop, stop, and puts her hands over her ears. Peter says, he’s finally ready to show himself to her. He’s waited so long, but he was always ready to have her. She says, oh God, and he says, the time is almost here. She says, oh my God.

Brook says, Chase doesn’t have to decide anything right now. Whether he accepts the demotion and works his way back up to being detective or decides to be a personal chef or a singer or to busk outside of Bobbie’s… He says, she’d let him walk around dressed as a BLT sandwich and hand out flyers? and she says, her undying support is with him, no matter what he decides. He says, that means the world, but he’s known what he wanted to do since he was 10. He wanted to be a police officer. He wanted to be a detective. He rebuilt his career once. He can again. She says, damn straight, and he says he wants to build a family with her. She says she wants that too, and they kiss.

Carly tells Jason that she could tell Britt wasn’t going to stop until Britt got her going and she came pretty close when Britt brought up her mother. He says he can understand that, and she says, it’s a good thing he showed up when he did. He says, yeah, it was. He gets it. Britt wanted to fight for some reason. He’s going find out why. He leaves.

Cullum says he can access Rocco Falconari any time, and Britt says, and do what? Make him disappear too? Rocco is very well connected. He has a mob boss for a grandfather, his grandmother is the mayor, and his father is the current Police Commissioner, and his mother is a journalist. His family will never stop looking for him. Even Cullum couldn’t hide him. Cullum tells her, who said anything about hiding him? Rocco is involved in a high-profile break-in. If it’s determined the lab contained classified information… She says, Cullum will put him in WSB custody? He’s a kid. Cullum says, trust him. He wouldn’t be the first minor in Steinmauer. She says, Rocco is innocent. He hasn’t done anything. Okay. He doesn’t have to hurt Rocco. He doesn’t have to prove anything to her. She’s doing what he wanted. She ended things with Jason. He’s never coming near her again. He told her to get to the lab. She’ll go to Windymere tonight. Damn it. She’s cooperating. He says, actions speak louder than words. There are consequences for actions and there will no longer be possibilities. Those are certainties she can count on. She says she understands, and he says, good. From now on, she will comply for Rocco’s sake and her own. He leaves.

Ava sips her martini, and Marco asks Josslyn what she thinks of the California. Josslyn says she’s no expert, but she likes it, and Lucas says, that’s the most important part. Now they try the French. Is Ava sure she doesn’t want a tiny sip? Ava says, no, thank you. This is perfect and she is an expert. Lucas says, hey, they should check out the catacombs and see what’s down there, but Marco says, it’s probably wet and freezing. Ava says she and her Cardullos are quite happy right here, and Lucas says, come on. He hasn’t been there since he was a kid. Now he’s an adult and Marco is here to protect them, mainly him, from any ghosts. Not that there are any. Come on. Come on. Come on. Let’s go exploring. Marco says, absolutely not.  

Nathan comes back, and Emma asks if he found out anything. He says, not from the latest records, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be found. Emma asks if he thinks there’s something off with her grandma’s situation, and he says, not necessarily, but he thinks the situation warrants him looking into it more. She thanks him, and he says he knows Anna well. If Emma is anything like her, he trusts her instincts. He’s not promising anything, but he’ll put his resources into finding Anna. One way or another, they’ll get answers and he knows exactly where to start looking.

Anna says, if Faison wants her, tell him to stop playing games. Come here to her now. Peter laughs and asks if she still thinks she’s in control of anything. She’s not. His father will come to her when he’s ready. She says she just wants this to stop. Faison, I just want this to end. Please… please… Just stop this. She knows he can hear her and she wants to see him. Show her his face. Just come here. Peter is gone and she’s alone.   

On Monday, Britt says, if Jason ever cared about her at all, leave her alone; Josslyn asks if Jack wants to hear what she found out or not; and Marco wants to take Sonny out of the equation for good.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Pay no attention to those rumors.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/is-cameron-mathison-leaving-general-hospital-as-drew-forget-the-rumors-here-are-the-facts/

I can just imagine that visit to Amsterdam.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-finola-hughes-on-annas-reunion-with-faison-it-was-nuts-exclusive/

Returning February 12th.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-and-goings-kirsten-storms-is-back-as-maxie/

I can’t fault her for having a good time.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-willow-stabs-drew-katelyn-macmullen-talks-exhilarating-dark-turn-exclusive/

Why shouldn’t they? Short of a cataclysmic event, I think we can all wait a minute for the news, which literally follows GH.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-fans-fuming-over-trump-preempting-after-cliffhanger-11889288

Betting on him for the win.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/all-my-children-alum-michael-b-jordan-scores-first-oscar-nomination/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

While there was still way too much going on in the boatmance department – Max getting all emo, wanting Cathy to give him definitive answers on what happens after the season, and Eyebrows Joe acting the fool with Kizzy – the final charter included Karen Gravano from Mob Wives. Josh slaved all day over a hot stove and still not everyone was pleased. It was, however, a delight to see Captain Sandy video chat with wife Leah. One guest whined because she wanted crab after they’d already eaten it. In Josh’s interview, he said he wasn’t a chef with a magic arse. He couldn’t just pull a crab leg out. This same cretin bitched about them having no truffles when truffles were out of season and there were no truffles to be had. The captain had the best idea when several of the whiners grumbled about not leaving the dock. She had some deckhands take them out in the tender for a bumpy ride, after which they admitted, Captain Sandy is always right.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

A lot of Part 2 was undecipherable due to everyone talking over everyone. My Reunion pet peeve. Even with the closed captions on, it doesn’t matter. They can’t get it all. There was a big whoop-de-do about Angie having evidence that Lisa’s number was attached to some account. Andy had to start yelling, then he just looked defeated, and walked off. They were like, sorry, sorry, sorry, Daddy Andy, and he came back. Mary’s son had been incarcerated for breaking an ex’s restraining order. There was also the whole thing about Mary’s church being a cult, but having been to churches like hers, I say that’s a no. Lisa claimed she’d supported Mary, but Mary said Lisa came against her. She was very dark and needed help. Of course, the airplane ride where Meredith lost her sh*t was brought up, and even Andy wondered, why no footage? I don’t know why he didn’t answer his own question, but I assume it’s too cumbersome for an entire camera crew to be on a plane, not to mention dangerous. He asked why no one had filmed it with their phones, and Heather said, what POS person would do that? For one, I would. We flashed back to the time Britani recorded an argument on a bus, so again, I made the assumption that there’s a rule against cast members doing their own filming. Maybe a Housewives’ code or something. Still, I would have done it even if for my own personal entertainment. There was a lot of back and forth on this – Meredith against the rest of the cast, sans Lisa – but Meredith stood her ground that she’d only complained about Britani a couple of times and never touched her high body count hair.

Why he walked.

I think Meredith needs to look up the definition of victim.

Vanderpump Rules

It was SUR’s 20th anniversary, and LVP said, let’s have a bloody good party. Technically, SUR was 26 years old, but it was the anniversary of Lisa and Guillermo’s partnership in owning it. Natalie and Kimberly got into it and Lisa had to tell Natalie to STFU several times. That’s one more complaint of mine. This staff doesn’t listen to my girl at all. They’re lucky she’s so lenient. If I’d talked to any of my bosses the way this crew speaks to her, I would have been gone. Lisa’s other concern was Jason’s knowledge of his job, and in her interview, she said, Jason knows more about penis pumps than the menu. She might be right. HE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE GOAT CHEESE BALLS FOR GOD’S SAKE. In a rare moment, Venus and I agreed that people who don’t even work there know about the goat cheese balls. I knew about the goat cheese balls in Season 1. Guillermo unveiled a photo framed like a painting of the new cast. They looked beautiful, but… yeah. Angelica checked out Jason and Chris’s OnlyFans videos, and apparently they were greasing each other up on film, along with some other guys, and along with doing some other things. I couldn’t fault her for looking, but then she shared it with Kim and Demy, and the three of them squealed like children. Do they realize what an embarrassment they are to their generation when they see themselves? Yeah. Probably not.

Southern Charm

Venita’s mom chastised her for telling Salley not to bug her when things went sideways with Craig. She said Venita was mean and not a good friend. I applauded this, since Venita has a tendency to act superior. Rodrigo and Tyler had an engagement party, and the best moment of the show was Whitney asking if Madison was going to have a gender reveal – after one had been hosted for her at his house. She reminded him that it was a girl, and he told her, congratulations. Austen’s girlfriend Audrey came for a visit, and everyone waited with bated breath for him to break up with her, but it didn’t happen.   

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Jennifer told Kyle that Garcelle didn’t want to be friends with Sutton because it was always about her and she was a troublemaker. Like the good gossip girl she is, Kyle told Sutton. Jennifer and Sutton ended up hugging it out, but no doubt it put a crimp in their friendship. As much as I dislike Amanda, it was the anniversary of her twin baby’s death, and I was sad with her. I can’t even imagine. Rachel was having a dinner party, and wore an ah-ma-zing, bananas outfit, complete with a sunburst tiara – and Amanda, wanting to be around people (obviously not there long enough to know it shouldn’t be these people) attended. Dorit had found out from Sutton that Amanda thought she should tone down her talking about PK being an alcoholic and decided the dinner would be a good time to confront her. When Amanda explained why it was a sad day for her, clueless twit Dorit kept going, only apologizing when Kathy pretty much insisted. There was also a medium at the party and she had nothing for Amanda, which seemed odd, but she was spot-on with messages from loved ones for some of the others. On a humorous note, Dorit announced she’d be writing a book, and called her ghost writer a co-author, proving why she needs a ghost writer. In Erika’s interview, she said Dorit couldn’t write a book herself, or it would never get finished. Best quote from Dorit: For somebody who’s supposed to be an author, she sure doesn’t know how to read the room.

The Valley: Persian Style

The group went to Palm Springs for Adam’s birthday, and Reza was surprising him with a celebration at the same restaurant where they were married. Because she was pissed about the inferior accommodations, Sky decided to confront Golnesa about the weed smoking at her trunk show. It was anticlimactic though, as Golnesa appreciated Sky’s honesty and apologized. When they went back inside and someone asked how it went, Golnesa said Sky smacked her, which was pretty funny, especially seeing Reza’s face. A medium came to the house (must be the thing right now) and was pretty accurate with the messages from loved ones in the Great Beyond. A drag queen presented Adam with a beautiful rainbow cake, complete with a sparkler, and the group half-sang a seriously sad rendition of Happy Birthday. Apparently, Golnesa had invited Dennis, which didn’t sit well with anyone and ended with him and Golnesa arguing. Mercedeh also tried to get Tommy to make peace with Reza, but he said, fuggedaboudit.

Random Reality Items

Coming March 4th, the poor man’s Vanderpump Rules.

This sounds excellent. My favorite show of his was The F Word, which was like a culinary variety show where you saw more of him as a human being, with no screeching at amateurs.

It was only a matter of time. Kyle is way too immature for her. I’ll give him this though. I had a can of Lover Boy and it was pretty tasty.

We’ll see. I miss the original with Caroline Stanbury.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Black Phone 2. Peacock. While I liked the first one better, I didn’t hate this sequel. Protagonist Finn has grown up and The Grabber won’t stay dead. And dead children are calling a phone booth in the middle of nowhere. This time, however, the villain can only attack in dreams a la Freddy Krueger, and he cant be fought on human terms. I have to admit, Ethan Hawke surprised me with how good he is as The Grabber. The other cast members are nothing to sneeze at, the effects are good, and the snowy scenery magnificent. Just for fun, I googled it, and Hawke did some of his own stunts.

The Running Man (2025). Paramount+. I wish I’d seen this on the big screen because the action scenes deserve it. And there were a lot of them. If I had to sum up the movie in one word, it would be exciting. I found myself making noises – always the sign of a good film – and at one point, literally ducked when something fell from a rooftop. In a dystopian future, a man needs cash for his daughter’s medicine, so he signs up for a game show that offers a big cash prize, but also certain death. Along the way, he also uncovers corruption behind the scenes. It has an excellent cast including Colman Domingo and Josh Brolin, the special effects were incredible, and the fast-paced action was one good time.

https://www.polygon.com/the-running-man-streaming-paramount-stephen-king-movie/

https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/the_running_man

https://alisechaffins.substack.com/p/the-running-man-review-2025

11.22.63. Netflix. A man goes back in time to try and stop John F. Kennedy’s assassination. His mentor in time travel tells him, if you f*** with history, history will f*** with you, and it does. An amazing story with tons of twists and turns. And James Franco doing another stellar job as time traveler Jack Epping. I’d read the source material by Stephen King a while ago and loved it. I haven’t finished watching this 8-part series, but I like what I’ve seen so far. Great cast, great acting, great story, and I especially love the time period stuff.

https://www.slashfilm.com/2068646/jj-abrams-stephen-king-miniseries-11-22-63-streaming-netflix/

https://www.bgr.com/2073972/james-franco-stephen-king-time-travel-miniseries-11-22-63-streaming-netflix/

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

All the TV premiere dates.

https://ew.com/2026-tv-premiere-dates-11854588

🏆 The Award Might Go To…

Hear me out. While I’m ecstatic about Sinners, it seems unfair that Wicked: For Good was totally shut out. Yep, it probably shouldn’t have been split into two parts (although who wants to sit through a four hour film?) and I get that it got a turn last year, but this film actually had the more interesting part of the story and the CGI animals deserve their own special Oscar. As does the sweater Elphaba wears during As Long As You’re Mine.

https://ew.com/2026-oscar-nominations-announced-full-list-11889037

I would pay good money for that sweater.

https://people.com/wicked-costumer-says-elphabas-cardigan-going-viral-is-compliment-exclusive-11871960

🐾 Love Is Where You Find It…

🐶 Finding love on the red carpet.

https://people.com/sharon-stone-adopts-rescue-puppy-from-astra-awards-11884878

🗽 I saw him on the news – amazing idea!

https://people.com/pet-influencer-helps-rescue-dogs-find-homes-with-back-rides-in-nyc-exclusive-11869427

👰🏻‍♀️ Can’t say I blame her. Chances are, he won’t cheat.

https://people.com/rilo-kiley-singer-jenny-lewis-marries-her-dog-for-50th-birthday-11883843

🐕 I can identify. Sometimes my house looks like it’s boobytrapped.

https://people.com/chloe-fineman-shares-hilariously-relatable-puppy-proofing-tips-after-family-welcomes-new-dog-11878215

📢 Quotes of the Week

If I see it, I’m going to eat it.Madison LaCroy, Southern Charm

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius

If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first. – Mark Twain (Don’t let Madison see it.)

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

We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. – Brad Meltzer

Ending an eight-paragraph rant about his family’s dirty laundry with ‘all we want is privacy’ is all I need to know. – Alana Hadid, in reference to Brooklyn Beckham’s Instagram post about his family

Taking risks doesn’t mean shirking responsibility, but embracing possibilities. – Vick Hope

This guy always has tabouli on him like it’s Werther’s Original. – Reza Farahan, The Valley: Persian Style

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. – Martin Luther King Jr.

❄️ Like Stars Filling the Dark Trees…

Until next time, stay safe; stay not buying every roll of toilet paper because it’s going to snow; and stay taking any excuse to make a red sauce.

January 24, 2025 – Sidwell Meets Laura, Soap Suds, Not My Reality, Weekend Watching, Nom-Noms, Animal Endeavors, 10 Concise Quotes & Freeze-Out

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

No soap, inauguration.

Tuesday:

Kristina waited at the launch with Alexis who was going to Spoon Island to meet with Sidwell about Windymere. Drew wanted to charge Tracy with kidnapping because she wouldn’t tell them where the children were even though Martin had a court order. Anna looked like she had a headache when Tracy feigned innocence, and Tracy asked if she looked like a nanny, but Anna said, only one in a Grimm’s fairytale. Tracy told her that Yuri had taken the children and nanny out for the day. Maxie met with Natalia about a new testing facility for Deception. She wanted the closing pushed back to give Sonny time to be with Michael and told Natalia that it wasn’t safe to be in Sonny’s orbit.

Michael was brought to consciousness and told Carly that he wanted to go to Germany. He also wanted to see Sasha. Drew horned in on Anna talking to Tracy, and Jack showed up at the station with info about the incendiary device. Ava was also going to Spoon Island to see Sidwell and badgered Alexis about the settlement money.

Jason went to track Sasha down and Carly told the others that Michael wanted to go to Germany, but Willow wanted to speak to him to confirm and apologize. Tracy claimed they were taking the kids from Monica, but Drew said it killed Tracy that Alan gave the house to Monica, and it was just a power play. Jack told Anna that the WSB was familiar with the device, and it had probably been developed for black ops. She asked if he ever used it and if he was the one who planted it.

Willow went in to see Michael and confirmed he wanted to go to Germany. She apologized for everything, and said the kids missed and loved him and he had to get better for them. She said she’d always love him, and he suddenly clutched in pain.

Ava said her daughter wasn’t safe with a man whose enemies tried to incinerate him and wanted Kristina to testify at the custody hearing. Alexis told Ava to stay away from her daughter or Ava would answer to her. Jack told Anna that he’d be more discreet than setting a luxury high rise on fire. She said the attack was sophisticated and not a usual mob hit.

Carly freaked out about Michael, when Jason arrived with Sasha, but Portia had to sedate Michael again to ease the stress on his system. Carly blamed Willow, but Jason told her not to take out her anger on Willow and focus on Michael. Carly said she’d be going to Germany with him, and Anna called Jason, telling him to get to the station.

Alexis said that Ava didn’t ask, but taunted and badgered. She wondered if Ava would want anyone treat Avery the way she treated Kristina, and Ava left since the truth is hard for her to hear. At the station, Anna told Jason that it was his family, so deal with them. Sasha told Maxie that she’d had a prenatal checkup and thought of Liam. Drew horned in at the hospital and told Willow that he thought Carly had finessed the situation. Sonny advised him to leave, but Willow wanted to talk to him.

Sidwell met Alexis at the dock, and she said she didn’t need to see Windymere again. The Cassadines weren’t known to be sentimental. Maxie offered to go to appointments with Sasha, who said she wasn’t ready to tell the world, but she was glad Maxie and Felicia were there for her to talk to. Maxie asked if Sasha was allowing herself to be happy.

Drew told Willow that he’d had Tracy arrested, but they didn’t know where the kids were, and they didn’t have Michael to use as leverage this time. Willow didn’t like the thought of using Michael as leverage, but was worried she’d messed up in cooperating with Sonny and Carly.

Tracy didn’t want Drew near the kids, but Jason said it was Willow’s call. Tracy said, Willow no longer had a mind of her own and was Drew’s puppet, but Jason said, Michael would want them with their mother. Tracy told him that she wouldn’t go to jail because she had too much money. Ava went to see Sonny and said if Avery had been where Michael was standing, she would have been killed.

Anna said she didn’t have time for the Quartermaines’ petty feuds and had real crimes to deal with. Alexis gave Sidwell the title to Spoon Island and told him that if isolation and excess were what he was looking for, he found his perfect dungeon. He said valued his privacy. Carly thanked Jack for getting Michael into the clinic and arranging for a medical jet. He told her to focus on her son and he’d take care of everything else. Anna told an officer to take Tracy to booking and told Tracy that sometimes the best way to win was to bend.

Drew convinced Willow that Sonny and Carly had been manipulating her. As he chatted her up in the chapel, Jason walked in. Sonny said he wouldn’t let Ava poison his daughter against him, and she said she was going to show the judge the charred remains of the penthouse and photos of Michael’s burns and she was going to get her daughter back permanently. She left and Sonny tried to take his heart meds, but keeled over.

Wednesday:

Charlie’s was reopening and Kristina and Lucky toasted to their dads who were great partners back in the day. Natalia found Sonny, got some medication in him, and called 911. Jason thought there was a compromise if Willow stayed in the gatehouse with the kids and Monica could have access. Lulu wanted to speak to Tracy, but Dante said, no. Lulu said she was fluent in Tracy Quartermaine and asked to have a crack at her.

Spinelli said they might have lost a gastropub, but gained the essence of cool in the new Charlie’s. Willow said if Jason could get Tracy to agree, she’d move back to the gatehouse, even though Drew told her not to negotiate. She had all the power she needed. Felicia told Sasha that the q’s thrived on toxic shenanigans and not to get caught up in it. Lucky told Elizabeth that he may have found a lead in their case.

Brick hit on Jordan going into Charlie’s, but she was meeting Isaiah. Kristina told Brick that him being there officially made it the coolest place in town. Sonny came to while Natalia was on the phone with 911, but he insisted no help. Jason asked to speak to Tracy who asked what the catch was. Drew said Tracy was using Monica to bully Willow. She said her kids were traumatized enough and she wanted to bring the kids back to their home. Jason said it was Tracy’s only chance to make a deal that would keep the kids close to Monica, and Lulu agreed he was right. Would Tracy rather be right or free? It was her turn to be strategic and play the long game. Be smart and take the win.

Sonny asked Natalia to call Isaiah and ruined his date with Jordan, but Brick took his place. Lucky told Elizabeth to follow his lead. Sasha told Felicia that she didn’t even recognize Willow anymore and she’d used Michael as leverage. Felicia suggested they show her some grace. Cody acted like an ass at Charlie’s and told Spinelli that if he wanted to stay out of prison because of Society Set-Ups (which none of us even remember anymore), he’d pony up some $75K. Brick asked if he should be jealous. Isaiah went to Sonny’s, and Sonny explained what had happened with Ava. Isaiah said the pills were just a stop gap measure and Sonny needed to see a cardiologist. Drew tried to talk Willow out of living at the gatehouse, no doubt for his own selfish gains, but Willow wasn’t having it. He said if the Quartermaines saw a way to get her children, they’d do it. Tracy agreed to take the deal.

Lucky talked to Martin about Cyrus, who said it was their mother who inspired Cyrus’s vocation. Isaiah said Sonny couldn’t be there for those he cared about if he didn’t take care of himself. Natalia said she’d stay with Sonny. Jason let Willow know that the kids were waiting at the gatehouse. Martin’s mother said if it had been up to Cyrus, she would be gone, but Cyrus just hadn’t wanted her to suffer. Lucky said they were still missing something because neither Dex nor Sam were terminal. Spinelli said Cody was the same sketchy grifter he’d always been. Lucky told him to take a walk, and Cody told Lucky to take a nap and punched him. Brick intervened, and Maxie thought she’d have to save Cody from himself.

Drew told Martin that Willow needed to be freed from the Quartermaines and Martin asked if Drew meant free to be with him. Drew said he’d do anything to protect Willow. Cody was brought into the station as Tracy was being released. Kristina said bar brawls weren’t the vibe she was going for. Willow came home and all was right with the world. For now.

Thursday:

Both Cody and Lucky were arrested, and Elizabeth tended to Lucky’s wounds in the interrogation room. Mac wondered what the hell was going on with Cody. The more he tried to get through, the more Cody pushed him away. Molly went to see Cody, who thought Lucky should have to pay for damages too, since he’d also been arrested. Molly said he was the only one throwing punches. Ava went to see Laura and Brick went to see Sonny. Kristina told Alexis about the fight, and Jordan said Brick had to step in to stop the fight, but the police thought Lucky was involved. Laura told Ava that a lot had changed and she couldn’t be Ava’s character witness. It was better if she wasn’t involved.

Josslyn told Lucas that she knew Cyrus had stabbed Dex and how she’d messed up at the station. Lucy brought Sidwell to Charlie’s and the thought it was distinctive and inviting. Lucy paved the way for a meeting with Laura.

Molly said no charges would be filed if Cody paid for the damages, but he said he had no money. Mac asked what the hell was wrong with him. Mac asked if Cody’s drunken fights were part of a bigger problem. Ric showed Ava an apartment since she had to establish a permanent residence, but she thought the square footage was lacking. Natalia told Brick what was going on with Sonny’s health, and Sonny filled him in on the rest. Brick said they had to make sure a close call like this never happened again.

Sidwell had to jet. Kristina said he seemed nice, and Alexis said nice and peculiar, since he thought Windymere was charming. Jordan went to see Laura and told her about Sidwell being in town. Cody promised he was done with booze and bar crawling. Mac said Cody was in a spiral that was getting worse, and he wanted to know why. Molly told Felicia that Cody was being a five-star ass. Lucky wanted to talk to Felicia about Cyrus, and Lucky discussed Cyrus with Josslyn. He said all they had were theories and suppositions and they needed evidence.

Lucky and Elizabeth talked to Felicia who said she thought it was the right choice to ban Cyrus from the hospital. Cody told Mac it wasn’t about Sasha. He trashed things when they were good. Mac said he had a family to rely on now and couldn’t push them away. Natalia went to Charlie’s and told Kristina that Sonny and Brick were discussing business. Brick arranged for Sonny to see the best cardiologist in the country in Los Angeles, to keep the diagnosis from the Five Families (marinara sauce). Ric said Ava didn’t have the means for a long-haul custody battle.

Kristina said she was worried about Sonny as she’d gotten a new date for the custody case. Anna said there were no outstanding warrants on Sidwell and even Interpol’s tag had been dropped. Laura got notice of the meeting and said it might be time to give Sidwell what he wants. Ava told Ric that Laura backed out of being a character witness and he told her to never doubt he was on her side, then they kissed. Josslyn said she was going to find the tie between Cyrus and the murders.

Mac left Cody in jail to think. Ava agreed to take the apartment. Laura called Sidwell and made a date to meet. Molly said, as long as people like Cody were saved from the consequences of their actions, there would always be a next time. Lucky wanted to talk to the Turning Woods staff and check their records, but Elizabeth said he’d stepped on a lot of toes there, so he agreed to let her do the talking. Lucas asked Josslyn to promise she’d stay away from Cyrus.

Friday’s Enchilada:

Baden-Baden, Germany. Carly goes into her hotel suite breathing heavy. She almost throws a bottle, but decides against it. Instead, she sits down and cries.

Willow leaves a message for Drew telling him that she’s back at the gatehouse and just wanted to hear his voice. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina says she brought breakfast. She asks how it is being back, and Willow says she’s afraid she made a huge mistake.

Drew asks if Curtis has a second to talk, but Curtis says he doesn’t know what Drew could say that he’d want to hear.

Trina sees Josslyn at the hospital and asks what she’s doing here. Josslyn says she’s trying to stop a murder.

Stella visits Kai, who’s watching a game tape. She says she came to check on him and see if there are any more flowers or gifts that he wants her to distribute. He says, the volunteers took care of it, and she asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to keep some of it. He says he won’t be here long enough to enjoy it. He’s getting out soon.

Lulu goes to Maxie’s office, but Maxie’s not there. The phone rings, and she answers it. Maxie comes in and mouths, who is it? and Lulu mouths back, Blair Cramer. Maxie says, no, and Lulu asks if she can have Maxie return the call. Maxie says, Lulu has improved since she worked at Crimson, but she’s overqualified for the Deception job and wouldn’t be happy. Lulu says, happiness is overrated, but Maxie says, Lulu isn’t into beauty or cosmetics and needs to be challenged to keep her interested. Lulu says she just wants to earn her own money on her own terms and not rely on what Tracy and her mom decide, but Maxie says, she’d be miserable if she took the job. Lulu asks, what’s going on? Is Maxie trying to get her to withdraw her application, so she doesn’t have to turn her down? Brook walks in and asks what Lulu is doing here. Didn’t Maxie tell Lulu that they’re not hiring her?

Sidwell knocks on Laura’s office door and tells her that he’s looking forward to their meeting. Laura invites him in, and says she thinks he knows Anna. Anna certainly knows him. Anna says she and Sidwell met when he tried to have her killed while she was in Africa. He also tried to have Laura’s son killed.  

There’s a knock at Carly’s door, and she opens it to Jack.

Sidwell says he feels terrible about the situation with Lucky in Africa, and Laura asks if by situation he means holding Lucky captive and forcing him to play poker in order to stay alive. Anna says, he tried to execute her and Jason, but he says, the incident differs vastly from his perspective. His business was threatened. Anna and Jason lied about who they were, as did Laura’s son, and Holly stole from him. Laura asks if that justified holding them captive and torturing them, and he says, when his livelihood was threatened, he took any steps the law of the land allowed to protect it. He was in a country that had no law and nothing he did was illegal. Anna says, they have a fairly strong law here. He abducted Sasha, held her for ransom, and blew up a building – a trifecta of illegality. Sidwell asks if someone accused him. Is there a witness or evidence? He has no idea what she’s talking about. Anna says, they have nothing at this time, and he asks them to allow him to explain why he asked for a meeting. He’s an exporter based in Europe, but wants to expand to the North American market. Laura asks, why Port Charles? Llanview, Pine Valley, or even New York City would be a better choice. To be clear, they don’t want him in Port Charles.

Lulu says, this isn’t about the job, and Brook says she’ll handle it. She’s an officer of the company and has an interest in its success. The job at Deception is to be her assistant. Lulu says, they already established that, and Brook says, given a choice, she wouldn’t choose to work with Lulu. She’s uncomfortable to have around and it makes for a difficult work environment. Lulu says she gets that Brook doesn’t like her, but doesn’t understand why. She’s not the one who came between Brook and her boyfriend. Brook was the one who did that to her.

Willow tells Nina that she didn’t think moving back to the gatehouse would be that big a deal. She’s lived here for years, and it was great, but that was before this ugliness. Tracy walks in, looks at Nina, and asks why she’s not surprised. Nina says, nice to see her too, and Tracy says she saw Wiley getting on the bus to school and Amelia is out for a walk with the nanny. She thought it was the perfect time to go over new ground rules.  

Drew says he didn’t like the way he and Curtis left off. They’ve been friends for a long time, and he didn’t intend to double-cross Curtis. He thought he was doing right by him and Michael, but he failed. He should have handled it differently. Curtis says, ya think? and Drew says, things are different now. Michael is out of the picture, and they can use the opportunity to pivot from his mistake and do something that will work for them both. Curtis says, given what Drew’s done, whatever he’s thinking isn’t going to work, and Drew says he had that coming. He understands why Curtis is angry, but he never meant for it to come to this point. They’ve known each other a long time and go way back. They’ve been through so much together. He’s just asking Curtis to hear him out.

Josslyn tells Trina that she’s trying to see if anybody has any information on Dex, but she’s not getting anywhere. Trina says she gets that Josslyn wants answers and doesn’t blame her for being frustrated, and Josslyn says she had to do something to honor Dex’s memory. She asks if Trina is here to see her mother, but Trina says she’s here to see Kai.

Kai tells Stella that he’s had an MRI and every scan possible. He wishes they’d hurry with the results. The sooner they do, the sooner he’s back on his feet. She says she knows patients who would enjoy a break from enormous men chasing and tackling them, but Kai says he loves football and wants to get back as soon as possible. She says, he still has a lot of work ahead, but first he needs the paperwork. He thanks her for taking care of everything, and him, and she says she’s happy to, but he doesn’t want to push too much too soon, or he’ll set his recovery back. Listen to his doctor. He says he’s not going to do anything to jeopardize his full recovery. He wants to be back for next season.

Carly asks what Jack is doing here, and he says he had a meeting in London. He swung by to see how she’s doing. She says, normally, she’d ask him to wait downstairs so she can pull herself together, and he says he’ll wait wherever she wants. Or if she’s not up to a visit, he can leave. She tells him, come in, and asks if they can order room service. He says, yeah.

Nina says, Tracy can’t barge into her daughter’s house, but Tracy says, it’s Monica’s house because Alan gave it to her and Monica wants her great-grandchildren close by. It’s for her sake Tracy agreed to Willow living here. Willow says she agreed to the compromise because of the kids and Monica, not Tracy. Tracy doesn’t even like her kids. She kidnapped them and kept them from their mother, convincing herself that it was in their best interest, but it wasn’t. Willow withdrew the charge because it hurt too many people, but she could easily change her mind and have the charge reinstated.  

Curtis says, because of the friendship he and Drew used to have, he’ll hear Drew out, and Drew thanks him. He sits down and says he doesn’t like that he’s not in control of a company he started, and he wants it back. He suggests they set up a stock sale so he can get that back. He’s not going to throw his weight around. All he wants is ownership of his own company back. Curtis says, Michael is out because he’s recovering from third degree burns, but Drew tells him that he’s not saying that. Curtis says, it sure as hell sounded like it, and Drew says, Michael has wealth beyond belief. Curtis has a contract to be CEO for five years and he’ll honor that. Curtis says, he’s suggesting the orchestrate a stock sale, Drew gets controlling interest, then steps back and lets him run it without interference. Drew says, Michael did what he did to get back at him for Willow. It had nothing to do with the business. He’s seen the incredible things Curtis is doing and knows he cares about Aurora. Curtis says, of course (🍷) he does, and Drew says, as a courtesy, he wants it acknowledged that he founded the company and it’s running successfully. It makes sense since he’d be the majority shareholder. Curtis says, Drew makes good points, but he’d rather resign than take the deal.

Trina says, she wants Kai to know, if there’s anything she can do, he can count on her, and Josslyn says, it must be rough for him. She thinks it’s good for him to see Trina. Kai’s identity and everything in his life revolves around football. She’s not in that world and brings a different perspective to the conversation. She’s a good friend. She asks, what’s in the bag? and Trina says she went to the wellness center and got power bars and electrolyte water. (I drink that!) It’s good to stay hydrated while in the hospital. It was no big deal. Josslyn says, Trina could have done it later, but Trina says, sometimes later is taken away. They both know that. Josslyn says, that’s why they’re best friends. They get each other. Trina says, they really do, and Josslyn says she’s heading out. They hug, and Josslyn says, let her know how it goes with Kai.

Stella tells Kai to take time to heal. He has his whole life ahead of him and needs more than an arm and shoulder to throw a football. He says, ironically, he’d been debating whether to enlist in the draft or play his senior year. The decision’s been made and he’s glad he has another season at PCU. Stella says, that’s a good way to look at it. And she has one more season to watch him. He asks if she likes football, and she says she loves it. This season was the first time she followed PCU. Their quarterback is a phenomenon. He says, if she wants tickets, just say the word, and that goes for when he’s in the NFL. She says she’s always wanted to go to the Superbowl, and he says he likes the way she thinks. They laugh, when the doctor comes in. He asks if now is a good time to talk, and Kai says, perfect. Stella leaves, and Kai says, so what’s the good news?  

Brook says she feels like Lulu is just waiting for her to mess up and it’s stressful. Nothing kills creativity more than criticism. Lulu says she doesn’t sound critical all the time, but Maxie says, they both do it. Lulu says she doesn’t intend to be critical, and Maxie says, maybe it’s a habit, but it’s not fun to be around and she doesn’t like it. She loves them, but she’s just being honest. Deception has had a lot of ups and downs. Hiring her to work as Brook’s assistant when it’s obvious they don’t like each other seems like there would be complications.

Jack asks how things are with Michael, and Carly says, the doctors at the clinic say he’s doing fine, but they won’t let her see him. She understands that it’s cutting edge and intense. He needs to be isolated because he’s injured and in a lot of pain. But they’re in a foreign country and she has no control. He says, she can leave and go to Johns Hopkins where she’d be allowed to visit, but she says, Michael needs to be here. She’s hoping he comes out like Ava and won’t need surgery or skin grafts. She gets it. He needs to be here. Jack says, even if it means following their rules? and she says, it’s what Michael needs and what she wants. It’s the first offer of hope, and she wants that for Michael. More important, Michael wants that for himself.  

Curtis tells Drew that he wouldn’t betray Michael if he was completely healthy and down the hall in his office. He’s not going to do it while Michael is recovering. Drew says, he had no problem seizing the company Drew co-founded, but Curtis tells him not to rewrite history. Michael gave him the score about Drew double-crossing him. Drew asks why Curtis doesn’t see it from his perspective, and Curtis laughs. He says he’s not going to try and explain it to the man used to know. This Drew in front of him, he doesn’t recognize him. What the hell happened to him?  

Tracy asks if Willow was so dazzled by Drew’s faux hero persona that she had to have him at any cost or was she more conniving than Tracy gave her credit for. Was she trading up from Michael to Drew when he went to congress? Willow says, that’s not what she was doing, but Tracy says, either way, she’s proved untrustworthy. She thinks Willow is little more like Nelle than she realized.

Jack says he respects Carly’s decision to leave Michael where he is, and she says, it’s the right call. She’s been emotional since she got here. He says, if there was ever a time, this would be it, and she says she feels like it’s her fault. He says, she’s Michael’s mother and it’s normal to feel responsible, but she says, it’s more than that. Michael was burned because he was at Sonny’s, and it was her decision to bring Sonny into Michael’s life.

Stella sees Trina and says, what an unexpected treat, and Trina says she came to see Kai. How is he doing? Stella says, he’s in good spirits and getting ready for next season, and Trina says, he’s staying at PCU and she’s not sad about it. Stella says she doesn’t think Kai is sad either. He’s missing out on the draft, and she’s impressed with his attitude. It will get him through tough times. Trina says, Kai surprised her. She prides herself on not making snap judgements and she did with him. He wasn’t what she thought. Stella asks what she thought, and Trina says she thought he was a shallow arrogant jerk who only cared about football. Stella says she’s glad to know that. She’s really liked him ever since his terrible downward dog in yoga class. Trina being in his corner will do him a world of good.

Lulu says, the last thing she wants is to cause complications at Deception. She’s sorry she imposed on her and Maxie’s friendship. It won’t happen again. Brook says she knows they’ve all been through hell. Being in a coma for four years and having liver failure must be a complete nightmare. Maxie says, they wanted to do anything if it would help Lulu get better. They were all tested for compatibility, even Chase and Brook. Lulu says she didn’t know, and Brook says, there are a lot of things she doesn’t know. While all of that was happening, Maxie was running Deception and managing Lucy, which is a full-time job, and dealing with the lawsuit that almost took them down. Lulu asks who sued them, and Brook says, her grandmother. Lulu says, Tracy? and Brook says, the details don’t matter. Her point is, Deception survived in large part because of Maxie’s creativity and hard work. Lulu has no idea how much Deception means to Maxie.

Sidwell says he didn’t choose Port Charles randomly. He’s invested in property. Laura says, he’s an intelligent guy. He must know she’s going to keep a close eye on the man who hurt her son. Anna says she’d think he’d cut his losses and leave, but he says he prefers to prove that he’s a law-abiding citizen, and Laura and Anna laugh. He says he’s sure Anna and the PCPD will be checking up on him on a regular basis, and Anna says, he can count on it. And they’re not the only agency who will be keeping tabs on him. He says he welcomes all the attention and knows in time they’ll decide he’s an asset to this fair city this. He thanks Laura for the meeting, and she says, he may find it difficult to do business in a town where he’s not welcome. He says he looks forward to proving them wrong, and leaves.  

Drew tells Curtis that when he was given the opportunity to go to congress, he thought he’d have a chance to achieve something he didn’t believe possible. The more he was around politics, the more he wanted it. At the time, he and Willow’s relationship changed. Curtis says, Willow is his nephew’s wife, and Drew says he knows. It just happened. They weren’t trying to hurt Michael. Willow saw what he was trying to achieve, and they developed a connection. One she doesn’t have with Michael. Curtis says, whatever he has to tell himself to feel better, and Drew says he’s not the first person to be in this position. Not all marriages last forever. His didn’t and neither did Curtis’s.

Nina tells Tracy, enough. It’s not right for her to use Nelle’s name. Tracy says, Nelle cut a wide swath of damage and that one is the same. If she sees the opportunity, she’ll step in on the children’s behalf. Willow asks what she means, and Tracy says, act responsibly or she’ll lose them. Nina says, they belong with their mother, and Willow says she’s made a genuine effort to compromise. If that doesn’t work, she’ll take the kids back to her mother’s apartment and Tracy can explain to Monica and the rest of the family why they’re gone. Tracy says, fine. However, there’s one condition and it’s non-negotiable. Willow’s boyfriend may not visit on the property. If she’s compelled to look into Drew’s lying eyes, she’ll have to do someplace else. Drew is banned from the property permanently. She leaves.

Carly tells Jack that she and Michael’s biological father didn’t get along… except once. He laughs, and she says, his family, the Quartermaines, didn’t like her very much. She had feelings for Sonny at the time, and he helped her get custody of Michael. She got what she wanted and ignored the very real danger of making Michael a part of Sonny’s life. Their kids have been paying ever since. Jack says, she’s being too hard on herself. Michael is strong and capable and an excellent businessman. Carly says, he wouldn’t have been at Sonny’s except for her choices, and he says she can’t let herself think that way. Hindsight is always 20/20. There’s no point in dwelling on past mistakes. That way, madness lies.

Lulu says she would never do anything to hurt Maxie. Maxie is one of the most important people in her life and she loves her. Maxie says she knows and loves Lulu too, and Brook says she knows how much Lulu cares about Maxie, but she needs to realize what Maxie has been through and how far she’s come. Lulu says she knows things have changed and she’s got a lot to catch up on. She’s trying as fast as she can. She’s been focused on getting a job, so she can gain independence and search for Charlotte on her own terms, but she’s only been seeing things from her perspective. She didn’t take a second to look at it from Maxie’s. It’s not fair and she’s sorry.

Jack tells Carly that early in his career a mission went wrong and an agent, a friend, was killed. One colleague left the WSB and wallowed in guilt. It destroyed his marriage. Jack didn’t outwardly react, so people assumed he didn’t care. Carly says she’s sorry for what he went through, and he says he lost a good friend that day. He tears up and says, there’s nothing he could do to change that. The only way forward was to learn from what went wrong. You can’t life according to what if. You never know what a different decision would have brought. She says, you can’t change the past. She’s been down that road when she lost her son Morgan, and it leads nowhere good. He says, it never does.

Drew tells Curtis, what happened with Michael’s marriage and his injuries are two very different things. He didn’t cause Michael’s burns, and he didn’t help push Willow away. Curtis says, right, and only the doctors can help Michael’s physical injuries. Drew says he made a mistake in placating Michael because he felt guilty. He knows what’s best for Aurora, and if he’d stuck by Curtis, they’d be in a different place. Curtis says, Drew had to do what was best for himself. So does he. When Michael recovers – and he will – he’ll actually respect Michael’s business sense, maybe better than Drew’s. Drew says, wow, and Curtis says, if Drew’s ultimate success is in stealing Willow from his nephew, he’ll have got what he wanted and will find a way of life for himself.

Nina says she’s proud of Willow. Few people can say they stood up to Tracy Quartermaine. Willow says she couldn’t have done it without her mom by her side, and Nina says, it’s where she belongs. Willow says, Drew is right. The Quartermaines treated Michael terribly. She saw how they hate Drew. She should probably do what Drew said and move back in with Nina. (What is wrong with this woman?)

Lulu says she knows Maxie and Brook got close over the past four years and she guesses she felt threatened. She saw the opportunity to have Maxie on her side. Maxie says she doesn’t want side either one of them. They’re both her friends. She can’t force them to like each other, but she does reserve the right to love them both. Brook says she’s worked hard not to be the person she was. Part of her issue is that Lulu reminds her of her past regrets. Lulu says she’s not alone. They all have regrets. Tracy walks in saying, she’s had a bad day, so don’t… Lulu! What is she doing here?

Anna tells Laura, according to her search, Sidwell has no outstanding warrants, and the property transaction was legal. Laura says, what if Anna, Lucky, and Jason submitted an international complaint to the court? but Anna says, that’s no good. Sidwell was doing business in an area that’s completely lawless with zero authority to back them up. Laura says, what about Sasha’s kidnapping? Maybe she can tell them something they can use against Sidwell. Anna says, unfortunately, for various reasons, it wasn’t reported. There’s nothing on the books and nothing tying Sidwell to the property that blew up. Laura says, a man like Sidwell doesn’t change overnight, and Anna agrees. Laura asks what Anna is thinking, and Anna says, Sidwell’s arrival coincided with the fire in Sonny’s apartment. Laura asks if Anna thinks Sidwell was behind the fire, but Anna says she doesn’t know. It’s too soon to say. She’ll have the CID check the warehouse that blew up after Sasha’s abduction. If there’s a match, they might be able to pin it on Sidwell.

Drew tells Curtis that a freshman in congress is a good friend to have, but he has no reason to help the company succeed. Curtis says, he’d rather sink his own company that see it succeed without him, and Drew says, Curtis has one final chance to reconsider his offer. Curtis says his answer stands and opens the door. Now get the hell out. Drew leaves and Curtis slams the door.

Nina says she saw Willow stand up for herself in a way she hasn’t seen before. She compromised with Carly and Sonny because it was the right thing to do. She could tell Willow was more at ease. She has to continue to trust herself and her instincts. The Quartermaines and Monica appreciate the effort she’s put into the kids and Michael will appreciate it when he gets back. Willow says she hopes so. She doesn’t want to hurt Michael more than she already has. Nina says, the effort she’s making is a huge step toward an amicable resolution for them both in the future. Willow wonders if she should stay here. She’s going to miss Nina. Nina says, not a chance. She’ll be here all the time. Willow says, good, and they hug.

Maxie says, Lulu was thinking about applying for the assistant position, and Tracy says, she’s hired. Lulu says, they were just talking and she’s not sure she’s a good fit, but Tracy says, of course (🍷) she is. Lucy says the company is run on beauty and creativity, and Lulu has a boatload of both. Lulu says she thinks she’ll go see if Carly will hire her at the MetroCourt, but Tracy says, absolutely not. She’s the majority shareholder and the final decision is hers. She wants Lulu here. Lulu says, that’s nice of her and thanks, but she’s good. Tracy says she’ll pay Lulu double what the last assistant made, and both Maxie and Brook say, what?! Tracy says, Lulu is worth twice what Gladys Corbin was, and Brook says, Wade was her last assistant. Tracy says, Lulu is worth double what Wade was making. What does she say. Lulu says, it’s a great environment and it would give her a chance to work with people she respects and loves. She guesses she has to accept it. Tracy says, woohoo! Welcome to Deception. The phone rings and Tracy asks what Lulu is waiting for. Lulu answers the phone. Maxie Jones’ office…  

Trina goes into Kai’s room and says her Aunt Stella told her that he was impatient for rehabilitation. She brought him some power bars and electrolyte water. He thanks her, but his tone is flat, and she says she knows it’s silly. He probably has tons. He says, it’s not that, and she asks if something is wrong. He says he saw the orthopedist and he’s never going to play football again.  

At Turning Woods, Josslyn tells the reception nurse that she has a light load this semester and was looking to do something more meaningful with her time. She was hoping there were extra slots for volunteers. The nurse checks and says, there’s one slot not covered. It’s all hers if she wants it. Josslyn says, absolutely. Sign her up.

Jack asks if Carly wants him to find out why she’s being denied access to Michael, but she says she can handle it herself. He says he’s disappointed that she doesn’t need him, but not surprised, and she says she’ll get in to see her son whether they like it or not. He says he doesn’t doubt it for a second, and she says, but she would like a ride. He says, done. Consider him her chauffeur.

(Mrs. Jack Brennan… 💘)

On Monday, Laura says, Lulu might be headed for trouble; Drew tells Martin that they have another thing coming if they think he’s not seeing Willow; Kristina asks if Sonny thinks it’s really the best time for him to be traveling right now; and Jason needs Anna to do something more for someone now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Good news! And a reminder that mental illness and addiction don’t discriminate.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/vinessa-antoine-shares-her-brothers-been-found

She must get tired of fielding this question.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/is-carly-leaving-general-hospital-laura-wright-speaks-out

So did he take the subway? Nothing says NYC like that smell.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/steve-burtons-weekend-to-remember-in-nyc

Too bad they didn’t get much of a final scene.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-katelyn-macmullen-says-goodbye-to-chad-duell

This is a better tour than you get from the adults.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/go-backstage-at-general-hospital-with-gary-james-fuller

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Gary acted like someone held a gun to his head to drink so much, when Captain Glenn was being nice. The punishment was forfeiting 500 euros of the tip, which was $23K, so they still got $2055. Gary apologized, and he and the captain hugged it out. The charter was 8 women, all with a different food restrictions, which made Cloyce’s head explode. Next time, the finale.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz told Dorit that she thought there were more than memes between PK and Kyle, but Erika told her that it was nothing. When cornered into sharing her text with PK with the group, Kyle read it and then stormed out saying, I’m done! Memegate lives on.

Yeah, I never thought for a moment LVP was coming back to RHOBH. She’s a busy woman what with all her restaurants, a hotel, and single-handedly ridding the world of the dog meat trade.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Ubah is a real disappointment, suggesting Brynn slept her way into the Housewives. That in itself is an insult. If I was going to sleep my way into something, it would not be this show. This is where the big kerfuffle happened. The women were all upset, since Ubah saying such a thing was beyond insensitive given Brynn’s history. Then Ubah got super upset and claimed she never knew Brynn’s history, or she never would have said it. The fourth wall was broken all over the place – although I did question whether or not that was some kind of ratings Hail Mary pass – and Brynn suddenly wasn’t sure if Ubah actually knew her history. It literally took me the rest of the show to follow this, so don’t feel bad if you’re lost. Apparently, this was some kind of friendship breaking point, but TBH, I didn’t think it was all as big of a deal as they were making it, especially since the only two people involved should have been Ubah and Brynn.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

It was the Reunion and literally ten minutes in, everybody was talking over each other and Andy was yelling. However, kudos to the women for their gorgeous outfits – the ladies in shades of red. Whitney said Bronwyn didn’t claim her publicly as a friend, which I thought was really weird. Do we need to confirm friendships on Instagram now? A viewer suggested Heather had become a mean girl when she lost weight, but I don’t think that’s quite it. Heather was always a mean girl (to which she concurred), but IMO, she lost her authenticity along with the weight and becoming a Housewives clone, like Jen in RHONJ. It ended with Todd and John looking like they might get into a battle royale.

Southern Charm

Whitney said the coffeemaker was so complicated, you needed a Ph.D. in astrophysics to run it. Highly doubtful. You probably just need to not have a hangover. It was much of the same, the usual if you’re friends with them, you can’t be friends with me. Austen was sour grapes over Craig wanting to move on from their friendship and podcast, but hey, sometimes it just isn’t forever. I have plenty of friends I’m no longer friends with for various reasons, but that just means we went in different directions. It’s not an insult. I think if Paige had really wanted to make it work with Craig, she could have been bi-state or however you put it. But again, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Shep wanted to be Jimmy Buffet without the guitar, living in the Bahamas with Sienna, and in his interview, he said, you don’t have those fantasies if you’re not serious about it. I dunno about that. Molly is the MVP so far, playing the euphonium – i.e. tuba – in the Charleston Concert Band, coincidentally directed by her high school band teacher. Imagine. An actual interesting person with an interesting focus. Or even any real focus. She said, music changes you, as all art should. She also thought tantric sex was too much work. Same. JT tried to tell Taylor some truths about Gaston, but she wasn’t having it. I get covering her ears and going, la-la-la, but I’d want to know. JT wasn’t understanding that there’s a time and place and that wasn’t it.

Southern Hospitality

Emmy had another breakdown and I’m over it. Although she did bring Tammy Faye raccoon eyes, which I applaud.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night on Peacock. This is an interesting foray into what goes on behind the scenes of a sketch comedy show that’s been on since the beginning of time. Or at least the mid-70s. A four-part miniseries, it’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s interesting to see how a show with that kind of longevity works. Personally, I think I’ll enjoy Saturday Night – which I’m hoping to catch this weekend – more, but this still held my interest. I’m there for a documentary, and the third episode focusing only on the More Cowbell sketch is well worth it.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-secrets-cast-writers-cowbell-1236110501/

https://www.thewrap.com/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-ep-morgan-neville-interview-peacock/

Wicked at the movies. Yes, I actually ventured out in the world to see it, since I’d won a ticket in some instant win internet contest. There was no way I was battling children for a seat, so I skipped the first weekends after it opened. Then I got whatever was going around as a Christmas gift, but I managed to squeak in before it was gone entirely. I’m glad I did, since this really should be seen on a big screen. As I’m sure you already know, it’s magnificent. I’d never seen the Broadway play and the score isn’t my favorite, but the story is bittersweet, the casting is perfection, and it’s beyond lavish with the special effects. One of my favorite parts was the reunion of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, and I wondered how it felt after all those years. My only question was, in a world where there are bears who are nannies, a goat who’s a professor, Munchkins, peacocks who wear hats, flying monkeys, and a place literally called Emerald City, why is a green woman considered strange?

https://collider.com/wicked-oscar-nominations-best-original-score-john-powell/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/cynthia-erivo-best-actress-wicked-oscar-nomination-interview-1236266022/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/ariana-grande-best-supporting-actress-oscars-interview-1236265006/

🏆 Awards Corner…

It’s that time again. The Academy Awards will be airing March 2nd.

https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/2025-oscar-nominations-see-full-130201914.html

🦁 Four-Legged News…

🦛 Yet another pygmy hippo influencer.

https://people.com/how-to-watch-pygmy-hippo-poppy-livestream-8773741

🐩 I never thought about this. It’s kind of weird.

https://www.cuteness.com/1737908/dog-breeds-dont-exist-why/

🐶 Best Bowl in town.

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2025-record-breaking-142-puppies-8772392

🐕 I love a special needs pup.

https://people.com/11-puppies-with-special-needs-puppy-bowl-2025-8772912

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. – Jimmy Carter

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. – Jim Rohn

When someone tells me no, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them. – Karen E. Quinones Miller

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

He has all the integrity of a coat rack. – Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), General Hospital

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone. – Michael John Bobak

It is far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness. – William L. Watkinson

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge. – Thomas Berger

Don’t be a Gino. – Jasmine Pineda, 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort

🐻 Hibernation Mode…

Until next week, stay safe; stay driving extra carefully in weather you’re unfamiliar with; and stay not waiting for later, since sometimes later is taken away.