Tag Archives: Kelly Monaco

Aug29

August 28, 2024 – Laura Calls In a Favor, A Petition, Powerful, This Week In LA, Test Flirt, Her Date, Rails Residue, Post Deck, New Apes, Where’d He Go & Sadness

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis tells Sonny what happened at Irene’s funeral; how Molly tore into Kristina and Kristina ended up falling on the grave. Everyone was hysterical. Sonny asks what Molly was thinking, and Kristina walks in.

In a hotel room somewhere, Ava says she knows John is headed back to Port Charles and asks when he’ll be back. He says he won’t be gone long, but she says she doesn’t feel safe without him. He says, she’ll be fine, when there’s a knock at the door. He says, Agent Boyle will watch over her, and Boyle walks in.

At the hospital, Anna says, Tracy looks pale. Is she all right? Tracy says she’s not, and Anna asks if she can get Tracy something. Tracy says, it’s not her. It’s Lulu. She needs a miracle.

Laura tells Doc that Nikolas was crushed. That leaves Lucky. She’s got to find him. He travels a lot doing humanitarian work, but she hasn’t heard from him in months. She’s waiting to hear back from the place he last worked. She’s also going through some back channels. Her phone rings, and she asks if Robert has an update.

Gerard (a guard who has a name) says, they’re going in five minutes, and leaves. Lucky says, they did it. It worked. Isaiah says, it played out just like Lucky said, and Lucky tells him that they’re getting out today.

Kristina says she keeps wishing she hadn’t gotten so angry and stormed into Ava’s suite. Sonny says she didn’t know how Ava was going to react. She can’t blame herself. She says, not according to Molly. Molly said she chose to protect Sonny instead of her child and that she was selfish. Alexis says, Molly doesn’t mean that. She was lashing out. Trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense. She’s grieving too, and Kristina was the easiest person to blame. Kristina says, Molly thinks she was going to steal her baby after it was born, but you can’t steal what belongs to you. She was never more certain than at the funeral. When Adela was lowered into the ground, a part of her died too.

Ava says, John told her that he’d keep her safe, and he says he’s held up his end of the bargain so far, but she says she needs to know about the future. When is he bringing Avery? Are they going to be put in the witness protection program? He asks if that’s what she wants, living in some backwater town trying to fit in, and she says she wants to survive. Isn’t that the best option? John says he’s doing what he can. If the plan goes right, she’ll be able to go back, and Sonny will never threaten her or Avery again. She asks if she can give Avery a call, but John says, she’s having a wonderful time with the nanny. If Ava calls, it will just make Avery miss her. She asks if she can at least have her phone, but he says, it’s too risky. Her location could be compromised. Ava says she’s feeling cut off, and he says, that’s the whole point. It’s keeping her safe. Everything is going according to plan. Be patient. Does she trust him? She says, of course (🍷), and he says he’ll see her soon. He leaves with his suitcases.

Anna says, if Nikolas isn’t an option, what happens next? and Tracy says, they have to find Lucky. Anna says, it won’t be easy, but Tracy says, it has to happen unless some donor was overlooked. Anna asks if they have to share DNA or just the same blood type, and Tracy says, they don’t have to share the same DNA, but it’s the best chance for a match. Time is of the essence. If it doesn’t happen soon…. She says she has to take care of something, and leaves.

Robert says, the WSB said Lucky was participating in humanitarian efforts. He saved several doctors and patients in an area under siege. The organization decided to relocate to a more friendly part of the world, and Lucky found himself an area where his talents could be used. Laura asks if the WSB knows where he is, and Robert says, they believe he was headed toward East Africa, to a refugee camp. But it was months ago and nearly impossible to get a message to him. She asks if they have the location of the camp, but he says, the camp is always in flux and isolated. He’ll let her know if he can do more. Keep him in the loop. Doc says he’s sorry, and Laura says, it’s a setback. She’s not giving up. She thinks it’s time to call in a favor.

Isaiah says, Sidwell is complaining of stomach pain. He’s known toddlers who whine less. It’s just indigestion, but he told Sidwell that he needed to get a full panel of tests that require equipment they don’t have, so they’re leaving. Lucky says, all they need to do is make it off the compound. Once they lose the guards, he can get ahold of his contact, and they’ll be on their way. It’s not going to be easy, but it will work. It has to.

Anna goes to Portia’s office and says she learned from Tracy that Lulu’s condition is declining, and she needs a liver transplant. Is that true? Portia says she can’t discuss a patient’s condition without permission of the patient or family, and Anna says, of course (🍷). She doesn’t need information about Lulu’s condition, but needs information about the donor search. Portia says, the potential donor needs to be in good physical and psychological condition. They need to be a non-smoker for six weeks prior, understand the risks of the procedure, and have a compatible blood type. Anna says, what about age? Can they be a minor? Portia says, it’s rare. They prefer it be an adult, but in special circumstances, it’s possible. Anna says, that’s all she needed to hear, and leaves.

Laura goes to Jack’s office, and he asks, to what does he owe the honor? She says she needs his help, and he invites her in. She says her daughter was badly injured in an explosion and has been in a coma ever since. Her health has taken a sudden turn for the worse and she needs a liver transplant in order to survive. He says he’s sorry, but she says she’s not here for sympathy. She’s here for information. He asks what he could possibly know that would help, and she says, he’s a very high-ranking member of the WSB and she’s here to ask him to help her find her son.

Lucky says, Isaiah knows the plan. Wait for his signal, then move. Gerard comes back and says, let’s go. They pick up their bags, and Gerard says, just the doctor. Lucky is staying.

Kristina says she falls asleep and dreams about Adela, and Sonny says, she named the baby after his mother? She says, it’s not what TJ and Molly would have named her, but if she’d lived, that’s what she would have named her. Sonny says, it’s beautiful, and thanks her, and she says, in her dreams, Adela is so beautiful, so tiny, and so sweet. Kristina cries and says she’s so full of joy. She holds Adela and she’s laughing and kissing her face. Then she wakes up and remembers Adela is gone all over again. It’s like a knife to her heart and she can’t breathe. That’s why she’s not sleeping. When she sleeps, she can be with Adela, but when she wakes up, she remembers again that Adela has been taken away from her. There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says she’ll get rid of them. She opens the door and asks what John is doing here again. He says he’s sorry to intrude, but he has a few more questions for Kristina.

Laura tells Jack that Lucky has been away from Port Charles for several years doing humanitarian work. He’s been providing security for aid workers in East Africa, and it isn’t easy getting in touch in an emergency. Jack says, it’s a chaotic part of the world, and Laura says she needs to bring him back. A donor that’s a full sibling is the best chance for a match. Can he help? He says he’ll do what he can, but he doesn’t want to lie. Finding Lucky will be a challenge. Laura says she realizes that, but he has more resources than she does, and he says, the WSB isn’t popular in that area. Inquiries will have to be made under the radar. Otherwise, it will be considered interference. She says she expects the WSB is expert in covert operations. She’s asking him to give her daughter a chance at life and to locate her son. He says, if it’s in his power to help, he will. He gets up, and she thanks him for his time. Before she goes out the door, she says, her family has done more than their share of favors for the WSB. When they had the power to help, they did. It’s time the WSB repaid the favor. Good day. She leaves.

Isaiah says, Lucky needs to come. They need protection. They’ll be transporting expensive equipment. If it’s stolen, is Gerard going to tell Sidwell it’s gone? Gerard hears something, and he tells Isaiah to be ready by the time he gets back. He leaves, and Isaiah asks what they do now.

Alexis says, no way in hell is John speaking to her daughter, but Kristina says, maybe she should just answer the questions. She has nothing to hide. Alexis says, as her attorney, she’s advising Kristina that it’s a bad idea. As her mother, she forbids it. John can’t come here without scheduling it in advance, and when he does, she’ll be present as Kristina’s attorney. Sonny says, John didn’t come to talk to their daughter. All John has to do is ask him. He’ll talk to John. John says he does have a few questions for Sonny, and Sonny tells him to come to his office tomorrow, but John says, Sonny doesn’t get to pick the time and place. The PC Grill in 20 minutes. Don’t keep him waiting or he’ll come back and take Kristina into custody. (Ugh. His schtick is getting so very old.) He leaves, and Kristina says, he’s just trying to get Sonny to say something. It’s a trap. Sonny says he can deal with it. He knows how to handle Agent Cates.

Ava asks how long Boyle has been with the Bureau, and Boyle says, five years. Ava asks if she’s been working with John, and Boyle says, some of the time. Ava says, John is high up, and asks if he has a lot of power, but Boyle says, they don’t divulge those things to the public. Ava says, nice shoes. She would wear them. Cartullo? Boyle says, good eye. She got them at a sample sale. Ava says, they still must have cost a lot. You can usually tell a cop or a Fed by their shoes. Those are chic. Boyle asks if she needs anything, and Ava says she’d like to have her phone, but Boyles says she meant to eat or drink. Ava says, that depends on how long they’re going to be here, and Boyle says she doesn’t think that long.  

On the phone, Alexis says she’ll be right there. She tells Kristina that the hospital has a problem with her insurance. She’ll be as quick as possible. Will she be okay? Kristina says, yes, but she’s worried about dad. Alexis says, Sonny can take care of himself, but Kristina says she’s upset that she’s the reason John has leverage over him. Alexis says, she has nothing to do with it. John would use any excuse to go after Sonny. When she gets back, they’ll have a snack watch harmless movie. She leaves, and Kristina makes a call. She asks if they can come over. She needs their help.

Lucky tells Isaiah to take the gun. If he gets a chance to stop the guards, run to the airfield and meet his contact. He’ll get Isaiah to Mogadishu. Isaiah says he’s not leaving with Lucky, but Lucky says, unless they shoot their way out, that’s not happening. If he had the chance to get out, he’d leave Isaiah in a heartbeat. Go save himself to save him.

Tracy goes to Laura’s apartment, and Laura asks what she can do for her. Tracy says she wants to help Lulu.

Kristina says she didn’t know who to call, and Jason says, Sonny kept him updated, but it’s good to see her. How is she feeling? She says, physically, she’s healing. She’s just scared. Cates came looking for her and her mom stood up to him. She knows Cates is working with Ava, who’s lying and making up everything. Ava is blaming her, but that’s not accurate. Jason says, it’s hard to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit. She has to fight the impulse to do something. Cates wants her to react and make a mistake so he can find something to charge her with that sticks. Please do not give him that chance. Kristina says, she can’t sit around and wait. She has to do something, but she can’t do it alone. She knows it’s a lot to ask, but he has to help her stop Cates and find a way to make Ava pay.

Ava says she knows a little bit about guns and the one Agent Boyle has, isn’t what Feds typically carry. Boyle says, female agents have their choice of weapons now, and Ava says she could use a coffee. She’ll run down and get one. Boyle says, you never know who’s out there. She’ll go. Ava says she’d like a macchiato, and Boyle says she’ll go to the coffee shop lobby. Sit tight. She leaves, and Ava picks up Boyle’s bag. She says, all right. Who are you?

Sonny meets John at the PC Grill and John says, Kristina seemed upset. How is she doing? Sonny says, John doesn’t care about Kristina or the fake crimes he’s charging her with. Stop playing around and tell him what he wants. John says, Kristina’s not looking too good. She probably won’t make it through the trial, let alone a 20-year sentence. Sonny says, it’s not going to come to that, and John says, Sonny can make his daughter’s troubles go away. Sonny asks, how? and John says, he’s going to confess.

Anna goes to Jack’s office (I’m starting to feel sorry for him), and he says, what an unexpected pleasure. What can he do for her? She tells him to stop playing games. She needs to know Valentin’s location. He says, the WSB doesn’t currently have it, but if he learns anything, she’ll be his first call. She says, he’s lying. She’s conducted run arounds herself. He asks if she’s rethinking letting Valentin escape. Browbeating him won’t help her find him any quicker. She says she needs to find his daughter for Lulu. His phone rings, and he tells them to send him the information immediately. Anna says, he knows Lulu is dying and Charlotte might help save her mother’s life. He needs to give her the courtesy of his full attention to discuss it. He says, she always sees him in the worst possible light, and she says she has reason to. He says, she can badger him or save Lulu. That’s what the phone call was about.

Tracy says she knows Laura is looking for Lucky, and she can use any of the Quartermaines’ resources to help bring him home. Laura thanks her for her generosity, but she’s waiting to hear from the WSB. She spoke to Jack Brennan, the station chief in Port Charles. Tracy says, they should be able to find Lucky, and Laura says, he told her that it was a chaotic part of the world, when her phone rings. It’s Jack, and she says she’s putting him on speakerphone. He says he has good news. He has a location for Lucky. She thanks him, and he says, Lucky was last seen at refugee camps in Somalia and Ethiopia a week ago. She asks if he’s there now, but Jack says he’s not sure. His contact doesn’t currently have eyes on Lucky and he can’t get satellite information for 48 hours. By then, it will be a long shot, since they move frequently. She asks if she can get a message to him to let him know it’s urgent, but he says, communication is sketchy to non-existent. Her best bet is to send someone, but whoever she sends needs to be prepared for the substantial risk. It’s a dangerous part of the world.

Alexis thanks Portia for helping with the insurance, and Portia says, no problem. She knows Alexis has a lot on her plate. How is Kristina doing? Alexis says, she slept last night, so there’s that. She’s got a long road ahead of her. Portia says, she’s a strong woman and clearly has a lot of support. It’s not easy, but she will get through it. Alexis says she takes it Portia heard about the scene between Kristina and Molly after the funeral, and Portia says she thinks they’re in a lot of pain. She imagines Alexis is too. As a mother, she truly feels for Alexis. It’s a terrible position to be in. She’d do anything for Trina, and she just has one daughter. Alexis is stuck in the middle, having to choose. She doesn’t know what she’d do.

Jason says he totally gets where Kristina is coming from, but it’s not her fight. If Cates hadn’t used her, he would find another way. Ava is a means to an end. He’s using Kristina, so don’t give him anything else he can hold over her head. He’s obsessed with getting Sonny. Being obsessed makes him crazy and it makes him dangerous. It also makes him weak. He has tunnel vision. He wants revenge for something that happened decades ago and will risk everything to get it. At some point, he’s going to make a mistake and leave himself open. Sonny knows when to make a move and Cates will never see it coming.

Sonny asks what he’s supposed to confess to, and John says, everything last thing. On the record of course (🍷). No trial, witnesses, or plea bargain. He’ll confess to the smuggling, money laundering, counterfeiting, and murder. Last but not least, he’ll tell them how he groomed an innocent underage girl and put her to work as a stripper. Sonny says, that’s a pretty big swing John’s taking. What if John misses? John says he won’t, and Sonny says, all he’s got is a phony statement from Ava that any lawyer can poke holes in. John asks if he wants to test that theory. If he’s wrong, Kristina will go to prison for a long, long time. It’s her freedom or his.

Isaiah says he’s not leaving Lucky in this mess, and Lucky says he came to rescue Isaiah. Isaiah says he didn’t ask, and Lucky says, he’s asking Isaiah to rescue them both. They’re out of their league and Isaiah needs to get out of here, get back to the states, and bring backup of the three letter kind. Isaiah says, don’t say the CIA, and Lucky says, no. Never go near them. But the WSB owes his family a favor.

Anna tells Jack, time is of the essence. She doesn’t know why they’re pinning their hope on Lucky when there’s another viable donor out there. He says, for the last time, he doesn’t know where Valentin and Charlotte are, but she says she doesn’t believe him. Jack is robbing Charlotte of the chance to save her own mother’s life and putting his efforts into a desperate search for a single man in a strife torn part of the world. When this fails, he’ll have to face the fact that he chose to protect the WSB rather than save the life of an innocent woman. She leaves and Jack ponders.

Tracy tells Laura that they can hire a mercenary or an extraction team. There are security contractors. Laura says, no. She doesn’t want a stranger to find her son. She can do it herself. Tracy says, it’s too dangerous, but Laura says she’s aware of the risks. She has a contact, the man who runs the last organization Lucky was working for. Tracy says she understands the impulse for Laura to go herself, but professionals would be better qualified. Laura says she doesn’t agree. Blood is thicker than water. Tracy asks if Doc is okay with this, and Doc says he knows better than to argue… because he’s going with her. Tracy says, fabulous. The mayor and her psychiatrist husband. What could possibly go wrong? Laura says she appreciates Laura’s concern, but they’ll be okay. Tracy says she hopes so, and Laura says, there is something Tracy can do to help. Look after Ace. Tracy wonders if he shouldn’t be with a family like Elizabeth’s. She has a child who’s Ace’s cousin. Laura says she thought Ace would be more comfortable with Tracy’s family. Don’t they have a nanny on staff? Tracy says, two, and Laura says she hopes throwing Ace into the mix won’t be overwhelming. Tracy says, Ace is welcome to come stay at Monica’s house, and Laura says she couldn’t do this without knowing he was safe. She trusts Tracy. Tracy says she’ll make sure Laura’s grandson has excellent care, and Larua says, then it’s settled. Let’s go find Lucky.  

Kristina says, so Jason isn’t going to stop Cates? but he says, something will be done. He can’t talk about it. She thanks him and says she knew he’d come through.

Sonny says, John has a lot riding on Ava. If she finds a better offer, she’ll recant her statement, and his case will fall apart. John says he’s not worried. Ava is in no position to recant – ever.  

Ava looks in Boyle’s bag. She takes out a pair of sunglasses and says, these cost a fortune. You can’t afford them on a government salary. She takes out a phone, thinks a moment, then puts it back. She finds a wad of cash and says, this is not right. She flashes back to Sonny telling her that John wants her dead and will try to frame him for her murder. The only thing John wants is her dead. Ava puts the bag back and opens the door. Boyle is there with the coffee and says, going somewhere?

Tomorrow, Violet asks when Chase and Brook are having a baby; Willow tells Drew that she’s so sorry; and John tells Kristina that she has a way to make this go away.

📋 Don’t Let Her Go…

You never know. Could work.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-fans-rally-to-save-kelly-monaco

Here’s the petition. I signed and commented.

https://www.change.org/p/retain-kelly-monaco-in-the-cast-of-general-hospital

🎭 No Drama Outside the Lines…

Kudos to them for the tough scenes they’ve been doing so well.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kate-mansi-opens-up-about-the-powerful-drama-on-gh

💰 Fancy Crossover….

JoshA showed Fancy Pants Heather from the OC a mansion. In his interview, he explained that the Dubrows moved fast and didn’t mess around. That made them his kind of people. The house on a hill had 8 acres and amazing views of pretty much everything, and it was priced at $20 million. A steal Heather couldn’t resist.

There was trouble in his paradise between JoshA and his Heather. HeatherA was being spread too thin between work and family, especially now that the office had expanded to include Orange County.

JoshF went to Fashion Week in Paris, which left Tracy to handle their co-listing. In an odd twist, she showed it to a couple who were JoshF’s clients, meaning she might have to negotiate against Josh, which she said would be fun… for her.

Next time, a 20-car garage and doody on the curtains.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Season 15, Episode 8 Recap: Mo’ Mansions, Mo’ Problems

🐩 Looking For a Fabulous Match…

While I think a dog park is a great place to meet a potential date, it was weird when a guy asked if he could buy Whitney and her friend a drink. Are there bars in dog parks now? She finally made the smart move to use a matchmaker.

https://parade.com/news/my-big-fat-fabulous-lifes-whitney-thore-hones-flirting-skills-dog-park-exclusive-clip

🥂 Two Firsts In One Night…

I have to admit, it surprised me that Olivia spent the night with her first ever date. No judgement at all. As a matter of fact, good for her. I just didn’t expect it. If she doesn’t cut out that nervous laughing though, she might not get a second date.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-recap-olivia-plath-spent-night-on-first-date-post-divorce-8702802

👠 Down the Not Quite Shore…

Melissa says she’s done with the drama.

Melissa Gorga Fine With Leaving RHONJ if Teresa Giudice Returns to the Franchise

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/08/longtime-rhonj-star-promises-to-leave-if-castmate-stays-on-show.html

RHONJ: Melissa Gorga Calls Jackie Goldschneider ‘Desperate’ For Fueding With Margaret Josephs

And Danielle is putting on her big girl pants.

Danielle Cabral Says RHONJ Finale at Rails Was ‘Worst Form of Abuse’

🛟 After the Deck Is Over…

We need Chef Ben to come back and save the Med.

What Are the Below Deck Season 1 Cast Doing Now?

🦧 Their Kingdom…

I watched this last weekend. Nice plot twists and phenomenal effects. The story wasn’t bad, but I didn’t exactly come for the drama. It did not disappoint on the action/FX front.

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ reigns on Hulu

Behind the curtain.

https://ew.com/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-side-by-side-raw-cut-with-unfinished-vfx-clip-exclusive-8697941

🦍 Find the Chimp…

Coincidentally, I started watching Chimp Crazy too. The takeaway point being, don’t keep wild animals as pets. It’s abusive to the animal and it could backfire on you.

https://people.com/where-is-tonka-from-chimp-crazy-now-all-about-florida-sanctuary-8703367

🚓 Giving Summer a Speeding Ticket…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a seat in the OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping an emergency vehicle kit in your car, and stay not trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense.

Aug28

August 27, 2024 – Heather Gets a New Lawyer, Soap Suds, No Stanbury Drama In Dubai, Slammed, Guilty, She Filed, Coming Up, Troubled Reality, Gilded Girl, They Do & Turns

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis is on the phone when there’s a knock at the door. She says she’ll call them back, and opens the door to Ric.

Dex sees Molly sitting near the park and asks if she’s out for a run. She says, that was the original idea, but he can see how far she’s gotten, and he says he’ll leave her alone if she prefers. He just wanted to make sure she’s okay. She says she is… That’s a lie. She’s not okay at all.

At the hospital, Elizabeth says she thought Portia would be with the family after the funeral. She was sorry to hear about the baby. Portia says, it’s been a difficult day all around.

Tracy sits in the chapel, and Dante asks if she minds if he joins her.

Deanna says she hopes Portia can decompress, when Carly and Jossln walk in. Portia says, it’s not likely, and goes over to them. Elizabeth asks Deanna to cover for her and leaves. Carly asks if Portia can tell them anything about Lulu, and Josslyn says, they’re family. Carly says, no one sticks together the way the Spencers do

Laura waits in the visiting room at Flatland Prison. Nicolas is brought in, and they hug.

Elizabeth asks Heather, what seems to be the problem? and Heather says, nothing her little Lizzie Beth can’t fix. Elizabeth asks what she’s doing at the hospital, and Heather says, she’s getting a blood test, and she missed chow time at Pentenville. She requested dinner, but they forgot the Jello and got huffy when she asked. Elizabeth says, it’s not a hotel with room service, and Heather says, they don’t have Jello at Pentenville, or pudding, or anything that jiggles, except things that shouldn’t. Elizabeth says she’ll get Heather something special if she takes it easy on the staff, and Heather says, of course (🍷). The last thing she wants is to make trouble for Elizabeth or herself. God forbid she should jeopardize… Can Elizabeth keep a secret? Soon she’ll have access to all the Jello she wants. She’s fixing to go free.

Portia explains to Carly and Josslyn that Lulu’s status has changed. A blood test showed that her liver was compromised, likely due to her medication. She has cirrhosis and needs a liver transplant to live. Josslyn says, test her.

Laura asks how Nikolas is, and he says he’s in one peace. How’s Ace? She says she brought pictures, and shows him her phone. He laughs and Laura says, Ace is a happy kid and hitting all his milestones with flying colors. He’s learned the word no in three languages because his babysitter is a language major. Nikolas says, he’s going to be cosmopolitan, and she says, like his father. Nikolas says, and like his big brother… How is she? She says, they have a problem, which is why she needs him to toe the line in here for his sister’s sake. She needs him.  

Tracy asks, to what does she owe this visit? and Dante says he just wanted company. She says, hers? and he laughs. He thanks her for being here. It helps him knowing she’s here for Lulu. She says she’s not here to make things easier for him, but he says, it still does. She stepped up for Lulu a lot of times and knew when to step aside. It’s impressive. She helped shape Lulu, then cut her loose on the world. Tracy says, Lulu became someone she doesn’t recognize.

Dex asks if Molly needs a ride, but she says she’s not ready to go anywhere. She doesn’t want to face her family. The funeral was taxing in ways she didn’t anticipate. He sits down, and she says she blew up at her mom and sister. She said awful things. He says he’s been there. There were a lot of fights before he took off. She says, he doesn’t talk to his family at all? and he says, it doesn’t have to be that way for her. She can patch things up. She says, suck it up and apologize when she’s not sorry and suppress her feelings because her sister is a walking disaster, and her mom has no time for anything else? That would be status quo, and she’d rather have nothing.

Ric says he can’t stay because he has an appointment, and Alexis says, with Satan? She tells him that Kristina is upstairs, so she suggests he keep his voice down. He says he’s glad she’s taking care of Sonny’s offspring. Molly is hurting. She’s upset with the way Alexis is treating her like an afterthought. She’s in pain and holds Alexis accountable for part of it. He suggests Alexis seize the chance to change, because she’s not getting another one.

Molly says, run, literally, while he can, but Dex says he’s absorbing it. It seems like she and her mom have a great relationship. She says, they get along well and can talk about almost anything. They have mutual respect and by many measures, Alexis defines a good mother. He asks, what about the other measures? and she says she knows some people have it worse and knows her mother loves her to the extent circumstances allow. She raised a family on her own, which is commendable, but any one individual has only so much time and energy to go around. So when one family member can’t stand on their own feet, they need more love and understanding, and the rest of them learn to live with what’s left.

Ric tells Alexis to try listening, and she says, to his absentee daddy parental advice? He says, don’t let that be an excuse not to make it right with Molly. She was crying for hours and he reassured her that Alexis would reach out and try to fix it, but she didn’t call. Alexis says she was too busy dealing with her post-op, postpartum, post arrest daughter who is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but he says, Molly needs her just as much. All she needs to do is let Molly know that she’s on Alexis’s mind and heart. Alexis says, Molly knows that, but he says, she doesn’t feel it.

Elizabeth tells Heather that there’s no doctor/patient confidentiality. She can’t keep quiet about an escape attempt. Heather laughs and says, no. She’s Heather 2.0 and doing things the right way, the legal way. Scotty took her case and said it’s a slam dunk. They’re supposed to meet here. Has she seen him? Elizabeth says, no. No one has seen Scotty. He’s gone.

Nikolas asks if Laura is flexing her mayoral muscles by bringing her own lab tech, but she says, time is of the essence. All they need is to arrange for him to be moved back to Port Charles if the blood test proves that his liver is healthy and functioning. He says he’s already a match, and she says, they’ll fly him home within the hour, but it’s not without risk. He says he’d do anything for Lulu, and she says she hopes it’s enough. He says, it was last time.

Dante says, Lulu is the same person she was when she went into the coma, and Tracy says she’s surprised he doesn’t see it. What does he remember when he and Lulu first met? He says, she was a handful. Fiery and mischievous, always up to something. She says, Lulu was confident and didn’t take any crap, and Dante says, she kicked ass. Tracy says, then she changed. She became insecure and cautious with a conservative approach to life. Dante says, maybe he’s not so grateful she’s here, and Tracy says, he doesn’t like it when she’s holding up a mirror and showing him what he did. Lulu had spirit, determination, and courage, and he robbed her of it.

Alexis says, however Molly feels, she knows that’s untrue, and Ric says, then tell her. She says, he saw Kristina at the funeral. She was about to lose it. She almost died, the baby die, she’s recovering from surgery and postpartum, and living with the threat she might lose her freedom. She needs help navigating it. He says, Molly doesn’t? and she says, yes. Doesn’t he think she wants to spend every minute with both her daughters? One person can’t be both places at the same time. They’ve had a profound loss, and the one more equipped to handle it is Molly.

Dex asks if Molly thinks her mom would agree, and she says, no, but there’s no denying Kristina is a mess. She always has been and always will be. (I think this is unfair. Kristina is a mess off and on, like everyone else in Port Charles, except maybe Molly, who’s been a mess since she met her first real life problem, infertility. Kristina had actually been doing very well before this whole mess.) She tells Dex that Kristina couldn’t function without their mom’s oversight. She figured this out when she was young, so she learned to be strong and independent, a problem solver. It might sound vain, but she learned to be excellent. She knew if she asked for more, her mom would kill herself trying to give it to her and her sister would suffer as a result. He says, it’s the one thing she can’t talk to her mom about, and she asks about his family. He says his dad hurt the whole family, and his brothers hurt people as a result. His mom got it the worst. She asks if his mom ever thought of leaving, and he says he doesn’t know. She may have thought that’s what love was. She says she bets his mom wanted to leave, and he says, if she left, she had no one to go with her. He wishes he’d asked her on the side, but he took off instead and never looked back. Molly says she never asked for more because she assumed her mother couldn’t give it, but he says, maybe she didn’t give it because Molly never asked.

Tracy says, so Dante walked away. He’s good at that. He says he was sick. He had PTSD. She says she understands, but he sought help alone. He says he didn’t want to drag Lulu down with him, and she says, Lulu vowed to stay by his side when he was at his most vulnerable, despite the fact he slept with her cousin. But he turned her away. He says he didn’t want to, but she says, it doesn’t matter what he wanted. He shattered Lulu’s confidence. She was a shadow of herself. If she dies without reclaiming the spark she inherited from her father, Tracy will never forgive him. He says he can live the rest of his life without her forgiveness. Why doesn’t she keep it for herself?  

Nicolas says he remembers the first time he saw Lulu after the operation. He still has a mark on his back. Laura says, from the bone marrow, and he says he couldn’t wait to make sure she was okay. She says, he brought Lulu flowers, and he says, to a toddler. It’s the thought that counts. He saw a little girl who needed protection and care and told her that he was going to do that. He said that to his boys… He starts to cry and asks, is it too late for him? Will he ever be able to atone for destroying his family?

Josslyn says she knows Nikolas is a match, but she’d like to be tested. Portia asks if she isn’t already an organ donor recipient, and Carly says, she had childhood kidney cancer. Portia says, that makes her ineligible. They’d be surprised how many factors come into play. Carly asks if she can be tested, and Portia says she’ll get the ball rolling. She asks Deanna to draw Carly’s blood, and Deanna says, as soon as she’s done relieving Elizabeth. She’s sure it won’t be much longer. Portia looks toward Heather’s room, and Deanna says she can draw blood at the same time. She’ll multitask.

Heather asks what Elizabeth means, and Elizabeth says, Scotty is out of town indefinitely. She thinks it’s some big, possibly lucrative, case. Heather says she has a big, lucrative case and he’s supposed to represent her. He told her that he’d get her out of that hellhole, and she could be with her grandson. She has plans. Portia comes in and tells her, you know what they say about plans. God laughs, and so do I.

Dex sits in the MetroCourt and looks at his phone. He sees calls from his mother.

Portia asks, what brings Heather here? and Heather says, a court order. Her lawyer pushed it through. Elizabeth says, he arranged for a blood test, and Portia says she’ll be more than happy to take Heather’s blood.

Ric says, Alexis’s reasoning doesn’t change the fact that Molly thinks she’s choosing Kristina over her, but Alexis says she never has and never did. Ric asks, what about the document? and she says, it was misunderstood. He says, her and Molly’s relationship is in jeopardy, and she says she’s been in a relationship with her daughter since the day she was born. No breaks. His relationship with her is long distance phone calls and she thinks she knows better. Now he shows up with his flashy righteous arguments. Kristina needs her more and Molly understands. He says, what if she doesn’t? when Molly walks in. Ric says he prays Alexis is right, greets Molly, and leaves. Molly tells Alexis, whatever he said, she wishes he didn’t. She can fight her own battles. Alexis says she thought Molly was here to work things out with her sister, and Molly says, not with Kristina. With you.

Laura says she believes in Nikolas, and he says, that makes one of us. She says, he turned himself in and saved Ace from a life on the run. It was a selfless choice, like he did with Lulu and he’s about to do again. He says, it’s so hard to hold on to that in here, and she say she gets that he’s struggling, but he can survive that. He asks, how? and she says, serve his sentence, come home, and be a good father. The technician comes in, and she tells him to go save his sister.

Tracy says, before Dante delves into it, she’s lived too long and experienced too much to waste time dwelling on her past mistakes. He says, what about her promise to Laura that Lulu would get the best care possible? She probably promised Luke the same thing. Maybe she promised Luke that Lulu would always get top notch treatment. Or maybe she told him that she could wake Lulu up with her money and resources and treat Lulu like her own daughter. Maybe Luke thought about that when his life flashed before his eyes and found comfort in knowing she’d look after his little girl. She kept almost all of her promises, but Lulu has nothing to show for it.

Laura looks at a paper and says, Nikolas can’t do it. He can’t help Lulu.

Josslyn comes up behind Dex and puts her hands over his eyes. She says, guess who? and he says he’d recognize those hands anywhere.

Dante says, Tracy is right. Lulu wanted to stick it out and told him that if he left, it was the end, there was no coming back. That terrified him, but the alternative was worse. He was more afraid if he stayed, so he left. He knows it was wrong, but it’s done. Lulu is fading away and there’s nothing he can do about it.

Nikolas says, it must be a mistake. Lulu has his bone marrow. Laura says, it’s not that. The test shows his liver function doesn’t meet the criteria. He says he’s not sick and he’s not drinking in here, and she says, his liver is fine for him, but not fine for donation.

Elizabeth says she heard Carly got tested, and Carly says, yes. She’d also like to add herself to the registry. Maybe one day she can give someone a gift like Josslyn received. Elizabeth says she remembers how sick Josslyn was and how hard it was for Carly. Carly says, it was hard for Elizabeth too, and Elizabeth says, if someone had told her back then that they’d be friends… Carly says, they wouldn’t have believed it, and Elizabeth says, too bad so many things that tie them together are so awful. Carly says, here comes one of those things now, and they see Ric.

Heather says, Portia has a nice bedside manner when she wants to, and Portia says, Heather didn’t think she was going to hurt her. Heather says she thinks Portia was tempted, and Portia says she might have been, but she doesn’t give in to every temptation. She also took her oath seriously and wants to live up to it. Heather says she was regarding Portia as a mother, not a doctor, and Portia says, pain as vengeance isn’t her style. Heather says, it was never her goal, and Portia asks if it was just a pesky biproduct of faulty hip. Heather says, in her mind, she thought she was protecting her daughter, and Portia says, that might be something they have in common. She would go to great lengths to protect her daughter, and so would Heather.

Molly tells Alexis that Kristina is a lost cause. There’s no mending fences unless they’re both willing to put in the work, which means Kristina has to acknowledge that she’s done anything wrong and offer a sincere apology. That’s not going happen, and she has no illusions about her sister. She’s not expecting more, but she’s hopeful for more from Alexis. Alexis asks, what more does she want? and Molly says, understanding, acknowledgment of what she’s navigating. Alexis says she knows Molly is navigating hell and wants her to know she’d do anything to get her to the other side of it. Molly asks if Alexis will tell her the truth, and Alexis says, always. Molly says, if Irene had lived, would she have helped Kristina take Irene away from her and TJ?  

Josslyn tells Dex that it was too late to see Lulu and her mom kicked her out. There was nothing left for her to do, and her mom said she should go live her life. Dex says, remind him to thank her. It’s hard to turn off the worry. She says, there’s a chance Lulu will be okay. She’s trying to be optimistic, but bad things can happen, and she doesn’t want another thing to be added to the list. He says, they can pray it won’t be.

Alexis tells Molly that Kristina came to her with the document and asked her legal opinion. She told Kristina what she’s told all of them all along. If Kristina asserted herself in court, it would probably go her way, but she would not get involved at all. If she’d given Kristina a hard no, in Kristina’s condition, she would have lost her. Like she’s losing Molly now. She loves her three daughters more than anything, equally. As imperfectly perfect as they are, she can’t bear to lose any of them ever. Molly says, Alexis hasn’t lost her, and they hug.

Carly says, look what the cat dragged in, and Ric says he’s in town for an infant’s funeral. Is attacking him necessary? Carly asks if chaining her to a wall was necessary, and Elizabeth says she’s sorry for Molly and TJ’s loss. How are they dealing with it? Carly asks what he’s doing at the hospital, and he says he has business here. Carly says, the memorial service is over, and suggests he go back to whatever hole he crawled out of. Ric says, it’s good to see her. He hopes he and Elizabeth have the opportunity to catch up. He leaves and Elizabeth says, that can’t be good.

Heather says she’s not a threat anymore and Portia doesn’t need to be protective. Portia says, Scotty’s gone, and Heather is too toxic for another lawyer to take on. She’s going to spend the rest of her days at Pentenville where she belongs. Rick walks in, and Portia says, he can’t be here. He says, is she Heather Webber? and Heather says she is. He says, then he’s in the right place. Scotty sent him. He’s Ric Lansing, her new attorney. He’d like a word alone with his client. Portia leaves, and Heather asks if this is really happening. He tells her, let’s get you out of prison and make the bastards pay.

Portia fingers the vial of Heather’s blood and looks at the computer. (The wheels turning in her head tell me that she’s not so ethical after all.)

Tracy tells Dante that she shouldn’t have said what she said, and he says, apology accepted. She says she didn’t apologize. She stands by what she said, but her timing could use work. Beating him up now accomplishes nothing. Dante says he can take it. He knows she doesn’t have a whole lot of use for him and he’s not itching to be best friends, but she’s important to Lulu, which makes her important to him. She got Lulu through more than a few tough times and hopes she has one more left in her. Lulu needs her now more than ever. She almost starts to cry, but catches herself and says, Lulu needs both of them. Dante puts his hand on her shoulder.

Laura says, it will be okay. Just because Nikolas can’t help doesn’t mean no one else can. Lulu has other relatives. He says, including her mother who would do anything to save her. Laura has to find him for Lesley Lu. Find Lucky and bring him home. She nods and they hug.

Tomorrow, Laura says, it’s time the WSB repays the favor; Lucky tells Isaiah to wait for his signal, then they’ll move; and John tells Alexis that she can make her daughter’s troubles go away.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I’m thinking about getting in on this. Obviously, the dress would be too small for me, but it would be a unique autograph book to have.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/win-jophielle-loves-emmy-dress-autographed-by-gh-stars

What. The. Blip? It says, storyline dictated. Translation: another casualty of new writers. It will open the door to Lulu going back with Dante. Kind of lazy writing if you ask me.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-out-at-general-hospital

Not sure if anyone cares, but he felt the need to give us this information.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-rick-hearst-reveals-where-ric-lansing-has-been

Extra innings.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/watch-ghs-nicholas-chavez-in-the-first-trailer-for-monsters

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-christmas-movie-update

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/exclusive-ghs-ryan-carnes-previews-his-heart-wrenching-new-movie

Losses.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-phil-brewer-martin-west-dead-82-174370

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/one-life-to-live-pamela-payton-wright-dead-78-174330

🐪 A Camel Went Through a Needle’s Eye…

This episode went from one rich person event to another, from an over-the-top Bar Mitzvah to a golf game where Chanel wore a tutu and did not do badly. I often think, being rich must be exhausting. Or at least that’s what I tell myself, so I won’t cry into my coffee. Stanbury told Sergio that it was the first time she wasn’t involved with the drama, and she enjoyed it. She also found out through a hypnotherapist that boarding school isn’t her fondest memory, but keeping a stiff upper lip, she told us in her interview, that’s what rich people in England do. She explained that the family name before the war was Steinberg, Caroline’s father being Jewish, hence the Bar Mitzvah. There was a couple’s dinner where they played one of those question games, which are always about sex and other things I don’t want to know. Several of the women (not Stanbury) are consistently bitchy in regard to one another’s businesses. It’s beyond me why you’d be bitchy about anything when you’ve got millions in the bank. Chanel was confused as to what some of the conflict was about, and she’s not alone. Next time, the finale.

Real Housewives of Dubai Season 2, Episode 12 Recap: Golf Gone Wild

🍊 There’s the Door…

So far, she’s no prize and way too heavy on the Johnny J. defense.

https://okmagazine.com/p/vicki-gunvalson-emily-simpson-slam-alexis-bellino-rhoc-return/

💎 No Big Shock…

For those who are still interested in this guy or doubted the outcome.

Report: Tom Girardi Found Guilty of Embezzling Over $15 Million

🍼 Nothing To See Here…

This is certainly no surprise to anyone.

https://okmagazine.com/p/brittany-cartwright-jax-taylor-divorce-filed/

📺 Next Up On Bravo…

Something to look forward to. Or avoid.

Every Bravo Show Airing This Fall 2024

📉 Predictable Outcome…

I don’t care what his wife wanted. This is bad timing to the point of being unsavory. He’s the last guy who should be doing a reality show and doesn’t seem like he even wants to, yet he brought production to court? Not a good look. No surprise.

Alec Baldwin Reality Show Allegedly in Trouble: ‘It’s a Disaster’

🪭 Crossing Over and Back In Time…

I was bummed when she died on TWD, but I’m glad she found new life here. I love The Gilded Age. Maybe even more than Downton Abbey.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/walking-dead-s-merritt-wever-joins-hbo-s-historical-drama-the-gilded-age-01j58q56zdxw

💍 Do You Take This Dog…

Shades of Giggy and Grandma Wrinkles.

https://people.com/dogs-who-fell-in-love-at-senior-community-get-married-8700654

⛅️ There Goes the Sun…

Join me tomorrow for soap and LA Millions. Until then, stay safe, stay not spreading out on public transport, and stay being confident and not taking any crap.

Jul12

July 11, 2024 – Felicia Hears Cody’s Side, Soap Suds, Fresh Oranges, Scary Stuff, Teresa Talk, Have Some Whiskey, Happy Half Birthday & The Park

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Felicia goes to the stable, and Cody asks, what brings her by? He’s probably the last person she wants to see. She says, now that she knows he’s been lying to her family for the last two months, she has plenty say, and asks him to promise to hear her out. He says, absolutely, and she tells him not to give up on a relationship with Mac. She believes the best way out is through, so don’t even think of leaving.

Mac arrives at Maxie’s house, and she says she’s glad he’s home and available to stop by. He asks where the kids are, and she says she had Spinelli take them to the pool so they can blow off steam and she and Mac can talk with no interruptions. He asks if it’s about Cody, and she says, of course (🍷) it is. Mac forgave her when she messed up. Now he has to forgive Cody.

Portia shows up at Jordan’s office and says she knows Jordan is busy, so she’ll get straight to the point. She’s going to gather signatures to put a measure on the fall ballot to recall the vote and remove Laura. If it passes, the new mayor will be Jordan.

At the Pentenville visiting room, Heather thanks Laura for coming. She needs to talk to her. Laura says, before she forgets, she has a photo of the most beautiful grandson. She gives Heather an envelope, and Heather takes out a picture of Ace. She says, he’s getting more adorable each time she sees him. Can she keep it? Laura says, of course (🍷). She’ll try to bring one every time she visits. Heather says she had an unexpected visitor, Curtis Ashford. He told her that Laura was looking into her case and thinking of challenging her sentence. Laura says, all she’s done is request transcripts, but it’s possible a lawyer might find grounds for a petition to reopen her case. Heather says, that’s what she wanted to talk to Laura about. She appreciates Laura caring, but don’t do it. She needs to stay locked up.

Brook lets Kristina in and says she invited her and Blaze over to explore strategies. Kristina wonders if there’s a strategy to uncancel someone, and Brook says she thinks they can mitigate the negative damage. She asks if Blaze has spoken to her mother, and Kristina says she doesn’t know if Blaze did, but she did, for all the good did. Brook asks if she thinks Blaze would be willing to make a public statement denouncing her mother’s words, and Kristina says, what Natalia did was wrong, but she’s still Blaze’s mother. Brook says she can’t imagine how Blaze feels, and Kristina says, Natalia did the damage, but Ava is the one who should have to pay.

Ava tells Sonny to howl at moon for all she cares. Then listen to himself and decide how suitable a judge will find him as a parent. Sonny says he’s not going anywhere, and suddenly, John is in the doorway. He asks if there’s a problem here, and Sonny tells him to mind his own business. Ava says, Sonny won’t leave and he’s threatening her. If John doesn’t believe it, he can listen to their conversation.  

John asks if it’s true Sonny threatened Ava on tape, but Sonny asks why he’d record Ava. She has nothing to say. He holds up his phone, and it says, no audio. He asks if John is going door to door for the FBI asking for handouts, but John says he’s staying here. He heard voices and isn’t surprised it’s Sonny fighting with someone. Ava was living with him a week ago, and she’s the mother of another of Sonny’s children. Sonny says he cares about his kids and fights to keep them safe. What about John? Where’s his son? To be continued. Sonny leaves.

Cody asks how Felicia isn’t angry, and she says she likes to hear all sides before making up her mind. It’s his chance to tell his side. Just be honest. He’s wasted enough time already lying to her family. He asks, what’s the point? Mac made it clear there’s no place in his life for him. She says, Mac is hurt and lashing out. It doesn’t surprise her. He’s been a wonderful father to her children, but he never had a biological child of his own. He accepted the fact it was something life denied him, but when he thought Cody might be his son, he was delighted. When Cody told him they weren’t a match, it was a crushing disappointment. Now that he knows Cody lied, what is he supposed to think? He doesn’t feel wanted and who can blame him? He thinks the only reason Cody came forward now is that he has an agenda. Cody asks if they think he’s hustling for a kidney, and Felicia says, is he? He says, no, and she asks if he doesn’t want to accept that he and Mac have a connection. He says, it was never that.

Kristina says, she’s sick of Ava’s petty BS. She was upset that Sonny didn’t invite her to the wedding and took Natalia. Brook says, there were no circumstances where Ava would have been welcome. She murdered Connie Falconari, and all the Falconaris and Cerullos know it. Kristina asks if she thinks Ava cares. She pretends it never happened and assumes everyone else will too. She plunked herself into Sonny’s apartment and his life, and when he wised up and kicked her out, she retaliated. She had dirt on Natalia and used it, and now Allie is collateral damage. She’s devastated that the label dropped her. Brook says, it’s their loss, and Kristina asks if there’s anything that can be done to turn it around. Is it even possible? Blaze arrives, and Brook says she’s trying to set up an interview to give Blaze an opportunity to respond, not just to Natalia’s words, but the public reaction, the online cancellation. Blaze says she thinks it’s a great idea, and Brook says, but it needs to be a joint interview. Kristina needs to be there too.

Portia says, people on the community message boards are outraged that Heather might be roaming the streets, and Jordan says, Portia may disagree with Laura, but she has to acknowledge that Laura is the epitome of fairness. She’s just asking questions. She has no specific goal or outcome. Portia says, her point is that Laura isn’t thinking about the consequences. Lives will be at risk if Heather goes free. Jordan says, Portia knows Heather’s judgement was impaired. Can she be held fully responsible for the decisions she made? Portia says, Jordan’s responses sound like something a politician would say. Not someone who used to be Police Commissioner.

Ava says she appreciates John’s assistance, and he says he was in the right place at the right time. She says she’s only been here a couple of nights, but he knows that since he’s having her followed. He says, when he’s following someone and it reaches a point where he’s not getting anything relevant or useful, he suspends the surveillance. He asks if she wants him to call security, and she says, he sounds almost chivalrous. She knows how to discourage Sonny, but does he want to stay and have a drink?

Cody tells Felicia that he asked himself the tough questions like, who would want a son like him? No one was the obvious answer. Felicia says, he couldn’t be further from truth. The first thing she noticed about him was how alike he and Mac are. They both have a sense of decency and are kind and patient people. And they’re both good with kids. The kids love Cody. She thinks they’re both teachers at heart. Cody says he spent most of his life making a buck, and played fast and loose with the truth, but she says, he’s not alone. Mac can play when he wants to. He says he doesn’t believe it, but she says, that’s because he hasn’t known Mac long. When Mac was his age, he got in all kinds of trouble. Cody says, maybe he does take after him.

Mac tells Maxie, it’s not complicated. Cody doesn’t seem like someone begging to have a relationship with him. Maxie tells him that she’s not saying Cody’s a saint, but he hasn’t screwed up nearly as much as she has, and Mac never decided she was irredeemable. He always gave her support. Why is he taking a hard line with Cody?

Sonny visits Alexis, and says, Ava served him over sole custody of Avery. Alexis says, first her, then their daughter, now him. He says he doesn’t want Ava to ever see Avery again, and she asks if that isn’t an overreach. He says he had sole custody before. He’s going to come after Ava with everything he’s got. All he needs to know is if she’ll support him.

Laura asks if Heather is saying she wants to stay in prison, but Heather says, of course (🍷) not. It’s like some kind of hell. She hates not seeing her grandchild and hardly sees the light of day. She can’t talk to the inmates, since most of them have done something horrendous, but she knows what goes on inside is real. Laura asks what she means, and Heather says, she can’t remember why she killed people. She knows she did it, and remembers doing it, and even thinking that it was somehow justified. Laura says, she was suffering from cobalt poisoning, and Heather says, from a bad hip replacement. It was removed, and in theory, she’s thinking more clearly, but she can’t be sure if she’s let out that she wouldn’t hurt anyone. She doesn’t know if she’d do it again and doesn’t want to put it to the test.  

Blaze says, Kristina’s not a public figure and it wasn’t her idea to keep their relationship a secret. She feels guilty enough dragging Kristina into the spotlight. Brook says, Blaze isn’t to blame and doesn’t need to apologize. Her personal life is nobody’s business. The public can think what they want. The interview is to engage the people who haven’t made up their minds and let the fans know what’s going on with her. Show them who she and Kristina really are; sweet, loving people who are at ease with one another. She has some contacts, and she’s confident she can find the right one. Kristina says she’ll do it, and Blaze asks if she’s sure she’ll be okay in the limelight. Kristina says, telling the truth is easier than hiding it. They’re in.

Alexis tells Sonny that she loathes Ava with the heat of a thousand suns, but as a mother, she’s uncomfortable keeping a mother away from her child completely. Is visitation out of the question? Sonny says, Ava takes every chance she can to poison his daughter against him. He’s not letting her do that anymore. Alexis says she can’t agree to help him unless he acts within the confines of the law, and he asks if she’s willing to take the stand and say he’s a good father to Kristina. She doesn’t have to talk about Ava. Diane will figure that out. She says she’ll testify that he loves his daughter, but if they ask if she approves of what he does for a living, she’ll have to tell the truth.

Felicia says, Cody made a mistake, the same one more than once, but it’s not the end of everything. Unless he can stand here and tell her that he doesn’t want any part of the Scorpio/Jones family. He tells her that he can’t say that.

On the phone, Brook says she’ll be in touch. Chase comes in and gives her a blackberry. She says she’s surprised they’re ripe already, and he says, it’s an early season because of the warm spring. He and Violet were picking blackberries. Now she’s at the gatehouse impressing Wiley and Amelia with her skills. Brook says she’s glad the kids are getting along, and Chase says, obviously, Violet misses her dad, but with all the kids and so much to do, she’s engaged now and seems happy. She says she knows he was up checking on Violet all night because she knows the kind of guy he is.

Cody says he’s been alone so long he doesn’t know how to feel part of a family, especially one he already knows, and Felicia asks if he’d like to find out. He says he got to know Maxie and the kids, and it felt watching life through a window, but she says, he’s not so far removed. When Maxie needed help, he was there. He loves the kids, particularly James who loves him already. James even told her how he asked Cody to be his brig brother and Cody accepted, and how they spit on their hands and shook on it. It’s a sacred bond. There’s no way he can go back on that. She shows him a photo of him and James eating hotdogs on 4th of July, and Cody says he couldn’t believe James asked him to be his big brother, but that was before he told Mac. Mac is furious now and told him to stay away from James. He said he can never trust Cody again. Felicia says, Mac will be fine. Give him a little time and he’ll find his way to forgiveness. Cody tells her, that’s what Maxie said, and she says, that’s because they know Mac inside and out. It will never happen overnight, but he always forgives the people he loves. Cody says, Mac doesn’t love him, but she says, Mac doesn’t know him. She believes with all her heart that if Cody is willing to give Mac time, he and his father will both get what they really want.

Maxie says, maybe Mac and Cody will have the chance to be father and son, but Mac says, Cody doesn’t want love and acceptance and to make up for lost time. He denied they were father and son. Maxie says, he made a mistake. He’s changed. She thinks he wants to be Mac’s son. Mac asks, why now? What does Cody really want? What’s his ulterior motive? He wants nothing to do with Cody.

John asks, where’s Avery? and Ava says, at Sonny’s. She’s not happy about it. Sonny is doing everything in his power to turn Avery against her. Now he’s trying to take Avery away, and it’s cruel. Avery needs her mother. John says, they seemed to be getting along. What caused the rift? Ava says she has no idea. It’s been difficult dealing with Sonny lately; he’s so volatile. John saw how he was behaving. She’s been walking on eggshells. She’s doing what she can to keep Avery safe and wants to get her away from Sonny. John asks how she plans to do that, and she says, prove Sonny is unfit. John knows how he treated Karen and must agree that he has no business having sole custody, especially of a little girl. John says, no question, and Ava says, he’s known Sonny for decades. Would he be willing to make a statement to her attorney Scott Baldwin?

Portia says, Laura has undone all the hard work Jordan and the PCPD did to get Heather off the streets, but Jordan says she doesn’t see it that way. She was proud to play her role in getting Heather off the streets, but as a cop, she realizes evidence is evidence, even if it if comes at an inconvenient time. She advised Laura against pursuing this. She knew it could be a lightning rod and could hurt Laura’s career. But unlike most politicians, Laura’s main concern was fairness. Portia laughs, and says, fair? Heather targeted Trina because Spencer fell in love with her and not Esme. Was it fair for Heather to murder people? Jordan says, she had a medical condition that compromised her judgement, and it may be fair to reconsider her case. The law isn’t just for people they like and approve of. No more than giving them medical treatment.

Brook tells Chase that she’s in the process of setting up an interview with a major outlet and thinks both Blaze and Kristina are on board. She hopes it works. He tells her that his bereavement leave ends tomorrow, and wonders what that means for Violet. Brook says, there’s no problem with childcare, but he wants to make sure Violet knows she’s their priority. Brook says she can work from home, and he says he can pitch in. She asks if he’s going to detect from the boathouse, but he says he’ll talk to Anna and Mac and see about a three-day week. They’ll do what it takes to make sure Violet has a loving home and family.

Felicia can’t find her phone and asks Maxie to call it. Maxie does, and Cody picks up. Maxie hangs up and asks if they heard anything. Maybe it’s really lost. Mac says, maybe it’s in the kids’ room, and goes to look. Maxie and Felicia smile at each other.  

Kristina goes to Alexis’s house, and Alexis asks if something else happened. Kristina says, no, but it’s going to. She and Allie have been debating how to respond, and they decided not to address Natalia’s comments directly, but show the world who they are, two people in love. There’s something wrong with the world if they can’t accept love in whatever form it takes. Alexis asks if they’re hoping the scandal dies down and cancelation moves on to someone else, and Kristina says, Brook set up an interview where they can present themselves as they are. Sonny says, it’s a good strategy. Show they have nothing to hide. Alexis says, it’s great as long as it’s handled right, and Kristina says, they always taught her to know who she is and to stand up for herself and what she believes in, and she thanks them for that.

Heather says, her blood runs cold to think she could be a killer, and Laura asks if she wants to kill again. Heather says, no, but what if she finds herself in a situation where the feelings come back and consume her and she’s doing terrible things again? She can’t risk it. Whatever Laura is thinking of doing, don’t. She’s in here for a reason and it’s where she belongs. Laura says, what if she was triggered by her medical condition and had no control? She’s just trying to help. Heather says she knows, but if Laura really wants to help, take care of her grandson. Visit once in a while and bring pictures. Let her pay for her crimes in peace, as much as she can get in a joint like this. Laura says, okay, if that’s what she really wants, and Heather nods.

Jordan says, there were toxins in Heather’s blood and Portia was on the team who diagnosed it. Portia says she was doing her job. She believes Heather should get proper medical care, but not absolution. Jordan says, Heather has rights like anybody else, and Portia says she has the right to question the legitimacy of the mayor. Jordan says, it’s just an inquiry. Laura is just asking questions. Give it time and see where it leads. Portia says, if Jordan thinks she’s going to sit around and wait for Heather to be released, she’s got another thing coming. She wonders if Heather had targeted Jordan’s son or murdered him, how Jordan would feel then. She storms out.

Kristina says she’s lucky she has parents who have experience with the press and appreciates their advice and guidance. Alexis says, of course (🍷), and Kristina says, they raised an outspoken daughter who tends to step in it. She can’t afford to make a mistake. Alexis says, it’s a good plan, and Kristina says she has to get it right. Allie’s career is at stake. Sonny says, she’ll be great, and Alexis hugs her. Kristina says she wanted to ask how they’ll feel seeing their kid doing an interview on national TV, and Sonny says, he’ll feel more proud than he already is, and hugs her.  

Brook asks if Chase wants to play croquet with her and Violet, and he asks if she doesn’t have to work. She says she’s waiting for a call back, but be warned, she’s a fearsome croquet player. He says, bring it on, and Brook says she’s a lucky girl. Most brides don’t get a preview of how their husband will be as a father. She saw him with Bailey Lou and now Violet. She picked the right guy. He says, they need to schedule time after croquet to argue about who picked who, and kisses her.

John says he knows Scotty; he was Karen’s dad. He’s an accomplished attorney and a great guy. Ava says, he’s spoken highly of John too, and John says he’s in Port Charles in a professional capacity. He has history here, but he’s not in brief to get involved in a custody battle. She says she’s not asking him as an agent, but as John, a father. She fears for Avery, and they both know she’s the one who will ultimately be hurt. She wants to keep Avery safe. Wouldn’t he want to protect his son from Sonny? He says he can’t promise anything, but he’ll think about it, and she says she needs all the help she can get. He says he doesn’t think she needs to worry too much. Before long, Sonny is going to be behind bars where he belongs if he has anything to say about it.

Maxie asks how it went with Cody, and Felicia says, he definitely wants another chance. What about Mac? Maxie says, stubborn as a mule. Mac comes back and says, there are people who lose things who don’t really lose them, and people who lose things that are gone forever. After all these years, he thinks Felicia might be the second one. There’s a knock at the door, and Maxie opens it. Cody says, Felicia left this at the Quartermaines… He and Mac lock eyes, and Felicia says, it’s not gone forever.

Tomorrow, Sasha says, if she tells Cody, she has to swear him to secrecy; Mac asks, what’s the point of this humiliating experience; and Portia tells Curtis, the worst is yet to come.

🛁 More Soap Bubbles…

I wondered if/how the latest Sonny arc was affecting him. So glad he was able to cope. Frank Valentini has always done right by his actors. I doff my cap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/maurice-benard-reveals-why-he-had-to-take-time-off-from-gh

This sounds like a fun trip!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-and-anthony-geary-reunite

 Extra, extra.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-has-an-exciting-new-role

What’s next.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/michael-easton-reveals-whats-next-after-gh

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gregory-harrison-is-back-on-tv

🍊 O Say Can You C…

The messiness is back. It didn’t take long for Shannon to try and get into it with Alexis, bringing up some old lawsuit she insisted Alexis was involved with, yet she had no receipts. It was at that point, Alexis suggested the real issue was that she was with Shannon’s ex. That’s when she said, if Shannon didn’t like it – all together now – there’s the door Shannon Beador.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 1 Recap: Shannon and Alexis Go Head-To-Head

A little more about Beador.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-alexis-bellino-and-shannon-beador-square-off-john-janssen-romance-past-8676867

💎 Worse Than Being Chucky’s Bride…

She’s going to be a great addition to the cast. Hopefully, she can keep her poker face on and not engage in the drama. Or if not, give as good as she gets.

Jennifer Tilly Says Joining ‘RHOBH’ Is ‘Scarier Than Chucky’

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/chucky-jennifer-tilly-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-friend

👙 No Love Bubbles To See Here…

Oh well. We can dream.

https://ew.com/teresa-giudice-rumor-leaving-real-housewives-new-jersey-8675092

Nice try. What’s really funny is, at one point, she said she loved the comments. So why did she disable them?

https://people.com/teresa-giudice-addresses-larsa-pippen-bikini-photoshop-fail-8675214

🐶 Never Mix Whiskey and Fireworks…

This dog. I can’t.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/bri-bagwell-rescue-dog-whiskey-fireworks

🎂 A Very Merry Half Birthday To You…

My eldest Peke, Marco, is 17½ today. Seems like he was a puppy just yesterday.

Baby Marco

🏊‍♀️ Life’s a Beach…

Come on by tomorrow for soap, a little tea, a bit of talk, and a tune. Until then, stay safe; stay keeping an eye on your children or pets in public areas, and don’t allow them to be intrusive to others (although if it’s me, you can allow your pets to intrude); and stay always forgiving the people you love.

May20

May 19, 2022 – TJ Finds Marshall In Brooklyn, Taken Too Young, Escape, Buzz’s Reply, Reunion Rehash, Fine Now, Dinner Smackdown, Separate Ways, Wedded Bliss & Popular

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly checks at reception to see if the DNA results came back yet, but it’s a no. She wonders how long it takes, when Bobbie comes along and asks what test results she’s waiting for.

Nina comes into The Savoy, and N’neka says, if she’s looking for the boss, he’s not here tonight. Nina takes a seat at the bar, and says, Curtis told her that he was going to look for his father. However, given the challenging day she has tomorrow, Nina was thinking about one of their signature martinis. N’neka says, she’s got it, and Nina says, if she could throw in a little forgetfulness on the side, that would be great. A guy walks past, and says he knows her; the mafia homewrecker. Does that make her the new mob boss lady? She tells him, keep talking. She can have the bouncer here in five seconds. Sonny comes up behind him, and says, hey buddy. You got a problem with the lady? You got a problem with the lady, you got a problem with me.

Epiphany and Portia are in the conference room, and Stella asks, is it okay if a former colleague comes by to say hello? Epiphany tells her, come on in, and Stella says, it’s good to see her. Epiphany says, likewise, and she’s glad to see Stella isn’t suffering any ill effects from her recent panic attack. Stella asks Portia if she should be going to church twice a week to thank God, and Portia says she doesn’t think it’s necessary unless Stella has a thing for the preacher. Epiphany laughs, and Portia says, as far as her panic attack, Stella seems to be back to her old self again. Stella says she’s glad to hear that. She’s sure Curtis told Portia what was going on. Portia says, he told her everything, and Stella says, really? Everything?

TJ says, granddad. How’d Marshall find them here? Marshall says, old man Purdy at the music shop. He told Marshall that he could find them here. Molly says, it’s so good to see him. She and TJ traveled all this way just to find him. Marshall says he sees, and TJ asks if Marshall is sorry they’re here. Did they come all this way for nothing?

At Kelly’s, Gregory tells Violet that she takes after her dad. When he was young, he always had his nose in some book. She says, he’s funny. Everyone knows you can’t drive with your nose. Gregory laughs, and says, she’s so much smarter than he is; the wisdom of youth. She asks, what’s youth? and he says, it’s everything she is, and everything old guys like him would like to be.

Laura lets Finn into the apartment, and he says he promises he won’t stay long. He’s meeting his dad and Violet, but wanted to make sure Elizabeth was okay. Laura says, she’s still up in her room, hopefully sleeping, and he asks if she’s said any more about… Laura says, ghosts? No, not at all. Finn says, good, and Doc walks in. He says he’d assume Elizabeth isn’t any less convinced that Franco’s spirit spoke to her, and Laura says, through that phony medium Chelsea Lamb? Doc says he shares Laura’s doubts, but to Elizabeth, Chelsea is the key to contacting Franco. Finn says he understands grief. He thinks he understands it better than most, but he’s having a hard time understanding why Elizabeth wants to believe Franco’s ghost is trying to communicate with her. Elizabeth is on the stairs, and says, maybe because she trusts the dead more than she trusts the living right now.

Carly says she’s fine, and Bobbie asks why she’s having tests run. Carly says, just as a precaution. If there was something wrong she’d tell Bobbie. She’s not going anywhere. Bobbie says, good, because after she read that article on Nina’s petition for visitation in The Invader, Wiley is going to need Carly more than ever. Carly says she read the first part of the feature this morning, and Bobbie says she thinks it’s a good thing for people to know who Nina really is and what she’s capable of. Carly says, and if it helps Michael and Willow tomorrow, and kills Nina’s attempt at visitation with Wiley, even better. Bobbie couldn’t agree more, and says, anything that keeps Nina away from Wiley is a good thing, but as Carly’s mother, she can’t help but warn her, be careful what you wish for.

Sonny tells the guy that the lady is with him. Does he have something to say to her? They guy stammers, no, Mr. Corinthos… yes. He tells Nina that he’s sorry, and jets.

Portia says she knows Stella was close to her late sister, and Irene kept nothing from her. Stella says, then she understands that she couldn’t violate Irene’s trust, even after they lost her. Portia says, Curtis understands why Stella did what she did. Why not let him worry about healing those old family wounds? Isn’t that right, Nurse Johnson? Epiphany tells her, whatever you say, and Portia says, it won’t be long before Epiphany is the one asking all the questions, and they start calling her Dr. Johnson. Stella says, Epiphany is studying to be a doctor? She had no idea. Epiphany says, she missed her chance once to be a doctor, and thought she’d give it another shot. Stella says, good for her. What good is living if we can’t dream, and dream big? Epiphany says, Stella reminds her of someone she used to know.

Marshall says it’s good to see TJ and Molly, but he has to ask, how did they know where to look? Molly says, TJ may be a doctor, but he clearly inherited his mother’s detective skills. TJ says he found a receipt from a few months ago in Marshall’s clarinet case, and figured that was as good a lead as any. So he called the shop, and spoke with Mr. Purdy, who agreed to speak with him if he bought Purdy dinner. Marshall knows the rest. Marshall says, they’re a regular Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Does Curtis know they’re here? TJ says, absolutely. They’ve had enough secrets, doesn’t he think? Molly suggests she call Curtis right now, but Marshall says, don’t do that. TJ says, whatever went down with Uncle Curtis, once they get back home, they can clear the air and talk it all out. Marshall says he’s sorry, but that’s not going to happen.

Finn says they care about Elizabeth. That’s why she sent Jake and Aiden to live here in the first place, because she trusts Laura and Doc. She asks why they’re all down here whispering, and Laura says, because they thought she was asleep and didn’t want to wake her. Elizabeth says, or it could be, if she really believes she was speaking to Franco through Chelsea, she could be losing her mind? Finn says, no one is whispering, and no one thinks she’s crazy, and Elizabeth says, so if she’s not crazy to think Chelsea could communicate with the dead, then she’s what? A credulous fool? Somehow, that’s even worse. Laura says, no one thinks Elizabeth is a fool for wanting to believe someone she loved and lost isn’t gone forever. But he isn’t really. He lives on in Elizabeth’s heart and in the heart of her sons, and in the memories of the house she shared with him. Doc says, memories make us human, and it’s only natural to want to believe in something beyond this material world. Finn says, you have to be careful of people who want you to trust the dead more than you trust the living. Elizabeth has friends; she can trust them. She has family; she can trust them. She has him, and she can trust him. There’s a noise, and they all turn to look.

Nina says, that boy must be halfway to Buffalo by now, and Sonny says, if he has any sense. Nina thanks him, but says, he doesn’t need to defend her honor; she can take care of herself. She has the battle scars to prove it. He says he knows; he’s seen them. N’neka brings one signature martini and one scotch, but Sonny says he’d like a club soda on the rocks. Nina says she’s impressed that he’s sticking to his resolve, and he’s says he’s impressed with her, coming in here with her head held high after that hatchet job in The Invader. She says, let’s not talk about that, and let’s not talk about the hearing tomorrow either. They’re realities in her life, but they don’t have to focus in on them. He asks what she wants to talk about, and she says she’s sure they can think of something.

Carly tells Bobbie that she’s listening. Why does she need to be careful what she wishes for? How can The Invader article be anything but good for Wiley? Boy, Carly can sure be stupid at times. She says, if it helps insure Nina has no part in Wiley’s life, it’s a win-win, but Bobbie says she can’t help worry that the article could have unintended consequences. Carly says, like what? and Bobbie says, Sonny can’t resist a damsel in distress. What if the article brings out the knight in shining armor in Sonny, and draws him and Nina back together again? Carly says, what if it does? and Bobbie says, come on. Don’t pretend she can’t see where this is heading. If Nina keeps finding ways to end up in Sonny’s arms, there’s no chance of Carly and Sonny getting back together. Carly says, that ship has sailed for good, but Bobbie says, this is her mother she’s talking to. That ship hasn’t even left the dock.

Sonny tells Nina that Avery danced with her dance class, and he knows he’s biased, but they were the biggest hit of the festival. Nina says, no, no bias. He said Leo recited a poem. Were all the Quartermaines there? He says, yeah, Michael and Willow were there, and she says, she knows how painful the situation with Michael is. They don’t have to talk about it. He says he wants to get it off his chest. Things were tense with Michael, but Dante was there to be the peacekeeper. She says, good for Dante. So things are okay between him and Michael? He says, after the article about her, and everything he’s learned since, he doesn’t think it’s going be okay with Michael for a long time.

Stella says she’d love to hear more about Epiphany’s plans for a future in medicine, but doesn’t want to keep her from her duties. Epiphany says, actually, she’s off the clock, and Portia says, so is she. What are they doing sitting here in this conference room? They should be out, painting the town red. Stella asks if Curtis knows Portia is stepping out on him, and Epiphany says, good for her. She needs to keep that man on his toes. Portia says, in no way is she saying they go out looking for trouble, but what’s wrong with three beautiful, smart women going out and enjoying a night on the town? Epiphany says, Portia had her at beautiful. She needs a night off from studying for these MCATs, and she can be out of these scrubs in a minute. Stella asks where they’re going, and Portia says, Curtis’s club. They’re going to drink for free tonight. They clink coffee cups.

TJ says he doesn’t understand what’s stopping Marshall from coming home with them. It’s not like there’s something keeping him here. Or is there? Molly says she thinks they could use some one-on-one time. She’s going to head to the jazz club they saw around the corner. She’ll see them both there later. Marshall gets up, and she steps aside with him. She says she doesn’t think he understands how important he is to TJ. They were supposed to go to Miami and just lie on a beach together, and TJ gave that up just to find him. Marshall nods and smiles, and Molly leaves. Marshall tells TJ, don’t ever give that one up, and TJ says, he never will, but that goes for Marshall too. TJ thinks if Marshall is honest with himself, he doesn’t want TJ to go either. Marshall says he appreciates the kind words, but too much damage has been done. So many misunderstandings, so many regrets, so many hard feelings. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a path of destruction in his wake. Apparently, he’s confused himself with Peter. He says, everybody is better off without him. and he’s better off alone. TJ says he doesn’t know how Marshall can feel that way. He’s never stuck around long enough to find out.

Violet holds out a drawing, and tells Gregory, look what she made. He takes it, and says, that’s beautiful, and she tells him, he’s holding it upside down. He says he knew that; he was just teasing. He turns it, and says, that’s even better. She looks sad, and he asks, what’s wrong? She says, it goes with the one she made for Aunt Elizabeth. It was a picture of her family; daddy, Aunt Elizabeth, Jake, Aiden, Cameron, and her. He says, and this one? and she says, that’s him and Uncle Chase. He says, of course (🍷). He can see it now. So now Elizabeth will have all of them together. She says, he’s learning.

At Laura’s, they find a vase has fallen to the floor, and smashed. Elizabeth says, see? It’s Franco’s spirit, because the three of them don’t believe he’s real. Laura says, there could also be a simple explanation. The vase could have just fallen off the shelf. Elizabeth says, it didn’t just fall; they don’t live in earthquake country. It was pushed. Doc says, it was pushed by the books. Probably because he didn’t lean them on the shelf the right way. It was an accident just waiting to happen. Laura says, there is an explanation, but Elizabeth says, no. She’s going to call Chelsea to prove Franco is reaching out to her.

Carly asks when Bobbie became Sonny’s biggest fan, but Bobbie says her opinion of Carly’s ex hasn’t changed. To be clear, she’s not urging them to get back together, but she’s a realist. She doesn’t think it would be easy for anyone to kiss a lifetime of memories goodbye, good or bad. Carly says, Sonny did. He was a different man when he came back from Nixon Falls. She tried hard to save their marriage and hold on to what they had, but when Sonny slept with Nina, it just confirmed what she knew; there was nothing left to save. It hurt, but it would hurt a lot more if she turned a blind eye to Sonny’s fascination with Nina, and tying herself up in knots to stay with Sonny, when he doesn’t value her or their family. That’s why she filed for divorce. That’s why she didn’t fight for assets. Fighting with Sonny keeps her tied to him, and she just wants to be free. Bobbie says, and if Nina helps herself to Sonny, it won’t bother Carly? Carly says, Sonny is a grown man. He can do as he chooses. Wiley is a different story. Nina is a bottomless pit of need. She needs to believe Nelle is redeemable. If she’s allowed access to Wiley’s life, she’s going to fill his little head with distortions and outright lies. She’s glad Michael and Willow are fighting her petition; she’d be worried if they weren’t. Bobbie says, and there’s no part of her that wants to get back at Nina? and Carly tells her, she’d love to say she’s over it, but she’ll never be over what Nina did. Never.

Sonny tells Nina, Dante warned him about something. It’s not so much what he said, but what he didn’t say. She says, about Michael? and he says, Dante told him it’s not just a difference of opinion; not just another family dust-up. He said, Michael isn’t just trying to cut Sonny out of his life; he’s trying to take Sonny down. Nina says, no; that’s horrible. She’s so sorry. He says, he’ll always love Michael, but he has other family to take care of, a business that he’s proud of, people counting on him. He’s not going to let Michael tear down what he’s spent a lifetime building up. Does she think he’s wrong? Stella, Portia, and Epiphany have come in, and Epiphany says, Sonny Corinthos. Now you know this is the place to be when he’s here.

TJ tells Marshall that he’s sorry. He didn’t say that as an insult; he said it because it’s the truth. Leaving his clarinet as a way to say goodbye. TJ doesn’t want something to remember Marshall by; he wants Marshall. He won’t let Marshall walk out on him like Marshall did on his dad and uncle 40 years ago. Marshall asks if TJ ever stopped to think he did them a favor, but TJ says, letting two little boys believe their father is dead? He wouldn’t call that a favor. He gets that as little boys there wasn’t much they could do, but when they got older, they could have helped clear his name. Maybe address the reasons Marshall got remanded in the first place. Marshall says, Curtis told him about that? and TJ says, all Curtis told him was that Marshall was at a protest when things went wrong. He got arrested and ended up in a mental institution instead of prison. But as a doctor and his grandson, he’s not going to invade Marshall’s privacy. He’s not going to second guess the past. TJ is Marshall’s family, and Marshall is his, and always will be. Don’t walk out on his family again.

Finn asks Elizabeth to please wait and hear him out. She says she’s listening, but she doesn’t know what he’s going to say that he hasn’t already said. He says, he’s obviously not doing a good job, since he hasn’t made it clear; he’s always on her side. She says, if that’s true, just be with her the next time Chelsea comes to her house to contact Franco’s spirit. He says he doesn’t think Chelsea is contacting anyone’s spirit. He knows there have been some strange occurrences happening, and it’s frustrating not being able to figure out who’s responsible, but he doesn’t think they have to jump to the supernatural for an explanation either. Laura says she believes everything Finn is saying, and encourages Elizabeth to listen to him. Doc says, he thinks this might be a good chance for them to talk through things privately, but Elizabeth says, no. If anyone is going to leave, it’s Finn. If he can’t see what’s really going on, she doesn’t want him here. He says he is seeing what’s happening here; is she? He thinks someone is trying to keep them apart; separate her from him, separate her from the boys, separate her from Violet. They’re trying to break down the foundation of the life they’re trying to build together, and she’s playing into their hands. She says she doesn’t want to hear any more from him, and he says, she doesn’t have to, and leaves.

Carly tells Bobbie, Nina is always her own worst enemy. It’s all spelled out in The Invader who the real Nina Reeves is, the damage she’s caused, all the crimes she’s committed. Not one word was untrue; that feature was thoroughly vetted. Reading it should change a lot of people’s minds about her. Bobbie says, including the judge presiding at the visitation hearing, and Carly says, that’s right. And if justice is served, Nina will get the same visitation rights Nelle had; none. Bobbie says, they can only hope, but Nina is Wiley’s biological grandmother. That might be a deciding factor for some judge. So has Carly decided what she’s going to do if Nina pulls another rabbit out of her hat, and the judge rules in her favor?

Sonny hugs Stella, and greets Epiphany and Portia. Stella says, it’s always nice to see him, and he says, they know Nina. Nina says, she’s sure they read The Invader. All she has to say is, don’t believe everything you see in the paper. Epiphany says, okay, and tells them, you two have a good evening. The women go to their table, and Sonny says, that’s the thing he loves about Nina; she doesn’t back down; she doesn’t apologize. She says, it seems they have that in common. Before, he was going to ask what she thought about pushing back against Michael. He says, she didn’t give him an answer, and she says, here’s an answer; you’re not wrong.

Stella asks, how’s Trina? and Portia says, she’s putting on a brave face, but she’s worried about the trial; they all are. And on top of that, PCU filed a Title IX report. She read it, and it’s not good. Stella says she’s so sorry, and Epiphany says she is too. Trina is a fine young woman. Anyone who knows her, knows she’s innocent. Portia thanks her, and N’neka brings drinks. Stella says, they haven’t ordered yet, and N’neka says, courtesy of Mr. Corinthos. In a regal voice, Epiphany says, please tell him that we said thanks. N’neka goes back to the bar, and Epiphany asks Portia where Trina is tonight. Portia says, she’s with Josslyn. With Curtis out of town, she’d just be stuck home wondering about Trina, and thinking about the injustice her daughter is going through, but they came out to enjoy themselves, right? So let’s make a toast. Let’s toast to Epiphany nailing her MCATs. Epiphany says, we clink, and they do. Stella asks, what gave Epiphany the courage to pursue her dream? and Epiphany says she had a little push from a friend, or didn’t he tell Stella? Stella says, who? and Epiphany says, her brother-in-law Marshall. Stella says, whaat?

Marshall tells TJ, if Tommy were here, he’d be awfully proud of his son. Almost as proud as he is. TJ says, he appreciates the sentiment, but there’s such a thing as too much pride, and it’s safe to assume Marshall is too proud to admit he needs them as much as they need him. Marshall tells TJ to get his girl; he shouldn’t keep her waiting. TJ says, Molly is expecting both of them, so Marshall isn’t getting out of it. So let’s head on over to the club. Who knows? Maybe the spirit will move Marshall, he’ll sit in on a session, and show them how good he used to be. Marshall says, what does TJ mean, used to be? and TJ says, talk is cheap. Marshall says, okay. He knows when he’s on the losing end of an argument. Let’s do this.

On the phone, Elizabeth says, Chelsea, pick up… Stupid voicemail. Laura says, it’s getting kind of late. Elizabeth has been through a lot today. She suggests they go to bed, and Doc says, good idea. After a good night’s sleep, the world will look different in the morning. Elizabeth asks if he means she’ll be different; no longer delusional. Doc says, no one said she was delusional, but there is such a thing as the power of suggestion. Elizabeth says, maybe he’s right. Maybe in the morning, everything will look different. Elizabeth goes upstairs, and Laura says she wishes she could find the right words to help. Doc looks at the broken vase, and says, that’s a good metaphor for the evening. They go to find the broom and dustpan.  

Violet says, her daddy is late again, and Gregory says, he’s a doctor; sometimes emergencies come up. Finn comes in, and Violet hugs him. He says she doesn’t know how badly he needed that hug. Gregory says, they were about to give up on him, and Finn says he stopped by Laura and Doc’s. Gregory asks, how’s Elizabeth? and Violet wants to show Finn her picture. He tells her that it’s beautiful; that’s her granddad, and that’s her Uncle Chase. Violet tells Gregory, see? He got it right away. A waitress walks by, and Violet calls her Miss Waitress, and gives her order for a hot fudge sundae. Gregory says, that bad? and Finn says he’s losing her.

Carly tells Bobbie that she hopes for the best, but if the judge rules in Nina’s favor, she needs to protect Wiley. Bobbie says, which means? but Carly says, she doesn’t want to talk about the hearing tomorrow. She’ll deal with it then. Bobbie asks, what about her tests? but Carly says, they’re not urgent. They can wait until tomorrow.

Sonny says, Nina’s understanding and belief mean more to him that she knows. He felt like it was Sonny Corinthos against the world. She puts her hand on his, and says, her money’s on him. She knows he loves Michael, and won’t resort to anything drastic. He says, respect is very important to him, and Michael crossed that line, with him and Nina. He was going attend tomorrow’s hearing, and be there to support Michael and Willow. She asks if he’s changed his mind, and he says, Michael’s made it clear he doesn’t want his support, so he’s free… to support her.

Epiphany tells Stella, she and Marshall had a little something going on, or so she thought, until he said goodbye. Has Stella heard from him? Stella looks at Portia, who says, she can tell Epiphany, and she says, Curtis went to look for Marshall. Portia says, Jordan told her that TJ’s gone searching too. She hopes they can find Marshall and convince him to come back home. Stella says, if only it were that easy. Marshall made a big mistake 40 years ago, but he has something most people don’t get; a second chance to make it right.

Marshall tells TJ, follow him. This alley leads to the stage door. TJ asks if he can get in that way too, and Marshall says, the guy at the door knows him from back in the day. Always lets him in; no cover, no minimum. TJ says Marshall is always working an angle, and Marshall tells him to mind his elders. Two guys appear, and one says, you took the words right out of my mouth, old man. It’s never a good sign when it starts like that. Marshall says, they don’t want any trouble, and the other guy tells them, wallets and cell phones on the ground. Marshall tells TJ, they’re just going to do what they say. They throw their wallets and cell phones down, and Marshall says, it’s all good. Guy two says, what’s in the case? and Marshall says, it’s nothing but an old clarinet. Guy two says they’ll find some nerd to buy it. They’ll take that too. TJ says, the hell they will.

Doc says, of course (🍷) the roses had to fall while Elizabeth was here. He cleans up the mess, and Laura says she doesn’t know which is harder to believe. That Elizabeth believes this is Franco’s ghost, or that someone is willing to exploit her grief to drive her away from Finn. Doc says he thinks Elizabeth isn’t the only one who needs a good night’s sleep, and she says she’s sure he’s right. She asks him to lock up, and says, she’s going to check on Elizabeth one more time.

Finn puts headphones on Violet, and tells Gregory, for lack of a better word, the medium conducted a séance that only reinforced Elizabeth’s belief that Franco’s ghost is reaching out from beyond the grave. Gregory says, but Finn is convinced that it’s someone very much alive, trying to come between the two of them. Finn says, whoever is doing this knows Elizabeth well; maybe better than she knows herself. Gregory says, as Finn knows, he spent his life in a classroom. Teaching the history of the world is one big arc from superstition to science. Culture goes from fear of the unknown to the courage to ask the tough questions, no matter where they may lead. Finn says, that’s what led him to become a doctor. But what good is it if he doesn’t know how to free Elizabeth from the hold this person has over her?   

Doc sees the door open, and closes it. Laura comes down, and says, Elizabeth isn’t in her room; she’s gone. I smelled that coming when Elizabeth decided to go to bed.

Nina says she’s been adamant about Sonny not choosing between her and Michael, but he says, she’s not making him do anything. The last time he was on the witness stand, Scotty forced him to say he had feelings for Nina. Nina says, and it cost Sonny his marriage. This could cost him his son. Sonny says he’s just being clear. He’s not discounting anything she did. Remember what he said to her in that graveyard? She says she’ll never forget, and he says, he was the one who was supposed to have suffered because of her actions. Why can’t he take charge, and tell his story with his words? Carly comes in with Bobbie, and they all lock eyes.

Stella says she admires Epiphany’s attitude, and hopefully Marshall wises up and decides to come home. Portia says, who knows? Maybe they’ll get a fresh start. Epiphany laughs, and says she knows they mean well, but she’s not waiting for Prince Charming. Her life is full enough as it is. And if Marshall wants to find out if there’s room for someone else, he knows where to find her. Stella says, if Marshall Ashford doesn’t know what he’s missing, he’s a damn fool, and she and Epiphany clink glasses.

Marshall tells TJ, it’s just an old clarinet. They’re going to give them what they want. TJ says, it’s not just an old clarinet. It’s Marshall’s passion, his livelihood. It’s what’s kept him going all these years, when he would have given up. Guy two says he’s touched. Hand it over. Guy one takes out a switchblade, and guy two says, don’t make them ask again.  

Laura tells Doc, she checked every room and Elizabeth is nowhere to be found. He says, the security guard has been at the front entrance all night; she didn’t go through there. He supposes she could have taken the elevator to the basement and gone out the service entrance, and Laura says, this is nothing like her. And where would she be going at this hour of the night? Did Doc forget he found the door open?

Elizabeth slips into her house. She looks at the picture of her family that Violet drew.

Finn asks Gregory how he convinces Elizabeth that she’s not being haunted by Franco’s ghost. Nothing he says gets through to her. In her defense, there’s no evidence, no forced entry, no fingerprints. Every time something strange happened, no one was there. Violet’s headphones are off, and she says, that’s not true, daddy. Aunt Elizabeth was there. What did I say weeks ago? Out of the mouths of babes.   

Elizabeth picks up drawing, and tears Finn and Violet off of it.

Tomorrow, Portia asks Jordan if Curtis’s business is being threatened: Finn thinks Violet is on to something; Willow asks Michael, what if Nina wins; and TJ says, call 9-1-1.

🥀 Off This Mortal Coil…

Another soap loss.

https://people.com/tv/as-the-world-turns-and-one-life-to-live-actress-marnie-schulenburg-dead-at-37/

😧 Yikes…

The worst thing is that the fire started because someone threw a cigarette butt out the window. WTF is wrong with people? Buy an ashtray for God’s sake. I hope they get nailed.

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Kelly Monaco Survives a Dangerous House Fire

🥔 Potato Head Vs Buzz…

I hate to say it (not really), but he does look like Buzz Lightyear. He might as well get used to Frank. It’s doubtful Frank is going anywhere.

https://pagesix.com/2022/05/18/dolores-catanias-boyfriend-reacts-to-buzz-lightyear-comparison/

🤬 See You Next…

Dolores is just a bit of a hothead.

https://pagesix.com/2022/05/17/dolores-catania-slams-f-king-c-t-jennifer-aydin-on-rhonj/

✌️ It’s All Good…

I believe it if they believe it.

https://pagesix.com/2022/05/17/teresa-giudice-joe-gorga-good-after-rhonj-reunion-fight/

🤼‍♀️ No, You…

Honestly, this was so incredibly stupid. Even for them.

https://pagesix.com/2022/05/18/sutton-stracke-refuses-to-apologize-to-erika-jayne-on-rhobh/

💔 Breaking Up After Making Up…

There’s nothing in the article about Mr. Puppers. So who gets Mr. Puppers?? What’s going to happen to Mr. Puppers???!

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-of-orange-county-jen-armstrong-files-legal-separation-ryne-holliday/

👰🏾 They Have…

Loved the show and these two are so cute.

https://www.essence.com/lifestyle/tika-sumpter-husband/

🍃 Making Like a Tree…

Come on by tomorrow to get the GH skinny, hot tea, a mix of quotes, and an eclectic tune. Until then, stay safe, stay walking in your truth, and stay dreaming big. What good is living without it?

Aug22

August 21, 2020 – Julian Pushes Back, 3rd Time’s the Charm, Volunteer Carpet, Sam Returns, Parker’s Lifetime, Snake Talk, Bryan’s Next Move, Peeking At Charlie, Teddi’s Mansion, Virally Filmed, 29th Dance, Lilly’s Latest, Dead News, Three For the Show, 12+1 Quotes & Roll

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

😳 Oops. My bad. After the insane week I’ve had, I had a hard time reading my own shorthand yesterday and attributed Nelle and Brook’s final words backward. Sorry about that. I did question myself at the time, and should have known Brook would never back down to Nelle. The correct version is in today’s post. Moving forward…

Lucy welcomes us back, and says, once again, the 2020 General Hospital Nurses Ball telethon, a spectacular event to raise money for frontline workers’ special safety equipment. It’s a great honor to introduce everyone’s favorite nurse at GH, Epiphany Johnson. Epiphany comes out, and explains that hospitals are a collaboration. They aren’t made up of just doctors and nurses, but orderlies, lab technicians, cleaners and other workers. Together they provide essential services. These are incredibly stressful jobs, and take their toll on service providers and their families. The viewer donations let them know that the community they support, supports them back. Lucy says the telethon is a way to say thank you to all the medical personnel and first responders, who are heroes, along with their families, and who do so much for them. While the viewers are making donations, they’ll be entertained with amazing acts still to come.

In the bathroom, Ava tells Nina, the Cassadine men do have a way of getting under their skin. Nina says, which brings her back to Nikolas. Is he trying to make Ava jealous by making a fuss over Elizabeth? Even if they’re married in name only, flirting, especially with a married woman, is just tacky. Ava says, and also profitable. If Nikolas sleeps with another woman, he’ll break the infidelity clause, and she’ll wind up with 90% of the Cassadine estate. Nikolas can shower tributes on Elizabeth to his heart’s content, and if he woos her into bed, Ava gets the payoff she deserves. Inside one of the stalls, Elizabeth listens.

Carly tells Jax that Josslyn called. He wonders if there’s something wrong, but she says she thinks Josslyn was just checking in. She might be looking for a congratulatory present. Jax asks if Carly knows Josslyn has been angling for a car, and Carly says she does. She’ll let him handle that. Before he leaves, Jax tells Nikolas, the scholarship for the nursing students in Elizabeth’s name was generous, but maybe he should have thought about it a little more. Franco says, Jax has a point. Next time a wave of generosity washes over him, he may want to shower it onto his wife.

Michael explains the Quartermaine relationships to Willow, telling her, Tracy married Luke. Michael thought it was a fraudulent marriage, but he can’t keep track. They definitely turned out to be life partners though. She asks if unconventional marriages are a thing for the Quartermaines, and he says they wouldn’t have it any other way.

Monica sits back down on the couch, and says, still sleeping; disaster averted. Julian comes up behind her, and chloroforms her, knocking her out. Wiley sleeps peacefully with Mr. Hopsicle.

Brook tells Nelle that she can’t wait until Nelle is hauled off in handcuffs in front of everyone there, and all the people viewing at home. Nelle says the police won’t believe Brook; they’ll say she’s harassing Nelle. Brook says, she’ll call Michael, and he can call the police, but Nelle smacks the phone out of Brook’s hand. Brook says, no worries. Mac is there; he can arrest her himself. Brook heads for the door, and Nelle says she’s sorry. She picks up the shears, and asks Brook to pretend that she didn’t see or hear anything. Brook turns around, and stupidly walks back to Nelle, and says she messed with her last Quartermaine. Nelle slashes at Brook, and we see blood on the shears. Why? Why do they always do that? Like Tuco said in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, if you’re going to shoot, shoot; don’t talk.

Michael sees that Brook called, but didn’t leave a message. Willow says maybe Brook wanted to make peace with him, but he say she doesn’t need to. He didn’t like the idea that she sold her shares, but so did other members of his family. At least she didn’t know she sold them to Valentin. She says he’s less worried than Ned seems to be, and he says he hates the idea of Valentin being in charge, and intends to force him out eventually, but in the short term, Valentin is a smart businessman. He doesn’t think ELQ will suffer. Willow says he doesn’t think of it as a betrayal, so maybe he should tell Brook. He tries calling.

Nelle stands over an unconscious Brook, and says she should have been nicer, more sympathetic. Her mistake. Now Nelle’s plan to have Wiley vanish has gone south. She needs to go. Brook lies on the floor in a pool of blood, next to her ringing phone. Nelle slips out.

Monica is knocked out, and Julian says, sorry. He turns off the TV, and his phone dings. He sees a text from Nelle that says, the timetable has been moved up. We need to move now. Is it done? He closes the doors to the living room, and trots up the stairs.

Michael gives Willow a bottle of water, and raises his own, saying, to Wiley, and his amazing new life. He’s safe from Nelle because of her. Willow says, because of us, and Diane. He says, to Wiley and Diane. Carly watches, and smiles. Michael smiles at Willow, and little hearts start to pop out of his eyes.

Lucy asks Amy if she’s found Jordan. Maybe she’s warming up, since she’s the next act. Amy says she couldn’t find Jordan, so she asked Curtis, who said she was called away on a case. Lucy says, no; that doesn’t work. Jordan is the Police Commissioner. She doesn’t have to solve every case. She can delegate to other police people. Lucy can’t delegate an act. Amy says she called the PCPD and the hospital, but no one has seen her. Lucy will have to cut her number. Lucy says it can’t just be her out there; she needs acts. Acts and asking for money. They need alternate activities. It’s like the NFL draft, but she doesn’t have an act to draft. Amy tells Lucy not to panic; she can panic later. She asks if Lucy wants to shut the Ball down, and Lucy asks if Amy is losing her mind. She tells Amy to find Epiphany and Deanna, and warm up. She’ll stall. She’ll do a tap dance. She doesn’t know how to tap dance. She hates tap dancing. She’ll just stall.

Anna tells Valentin that his song was beautiful, and he says, at least someone appreciates it. She says false modesty doesn’t look good on him. It was wonderful, and he knows it, as was his pledge. He asks if she’s going to chastise him for burnishing his public image. She says, isn’t he? and he says, that’s part of it. He hears congratulations are in order. She must be thrilled for Peter and Maxie. Being a parent changes everything. It makes you better. It did with him and Charlotte, and her and Robin. Maybe it will with Peter. She says, of course (🍷) it will. He hopes so, and says, some mistakes are impossible to fix.

Nina tells Ava, Franco is her friend. She hopes Ava isn’t playing with his marriage. Ava says she’s doing no such thing. She’s heard rumors that under that angelic façade, Elizabeth is chronically unfaithful. If she chooses to break her vows to her husband, Franco should know the truth. Nina sees one flaw in Ava’s big plan. The way she and Nikolas were looking at each other, either she’s getting good at pretending to love him, or something changed in the last few days. Ava says Nina is projecting her issues with Valentin onto her. They leave, and Elizabeth comes out.

Michael tells Willow, they’re supposed to take a tally, and give Lucy the paperwork. What if after that, they sneak out? She says, abandon their post? He says they’ve done more than enough. They can go home, and check on Wiley. She says he’s making her an offer she can’t refuse. She glances at Sonny, and says, did she really just say that? They leave to finish up.

Lucy says hello to all their gorgeous, generous, amazing donors. They’re doing a great job, and she hopes they realize how important it is to the frontline workers who help them every day. When they work together, they do something more than raising money. They’re building a community, and showing the medical personnel and first responders that they support them. Any amount is great. Keep pitching in, and they’ll keep entertaining. They’re in for a special treat.

Nelle dashes through the corridors in the MetroCourt, and around runs outside. Julian sends a text that says, it’s done.

As Monica sleeps, Julian comes downstairs with Wiley, and leaves with him.

Michael and Willow arrive home, and Michael says, sorry the evening crashed and burned. She says, it didn’t. She had a good time. He says, until Chase and Sasha. She says, they were fantastic (I guess we don’t get to see that), and he says, someday it won’t hurt so much. Until then, they can make some popcorn, and watch the funniest movie ever made. She says he doesn’t have to cheer her up, and he says he’s cheering himself up. They sit on the stairs.

Sonny says, Michael and Willow aren’t coming back? and Carly says, they probably went to check on Wiley; they’re such good parents. Sonny says he’s glad it wasn’t her idea; Chase and Sasha pretending to be involved so Michael and Willow would get married. Face it. It’s exactly the kind of plan that’s up her alley. She says, back in the day, 100%. She’d be seeing all of their hearts breaking and feel guilty. Instead, she’s grateful Michael and Willow got custody of Wiley, and Wiley got the best stepmother on the planet. Sonny says he knows there’s too much going on, and Carly asks if he wants to check in with Turning Woods, but he says, no. They’ll call if there’s any change. The best thing he can do for his dad is to stay and support the people who have given him such amazing care.

Olivia tells Ned, she’s trying to call Brook, but there’s no answer. He says, his problem daughter? No surprise. He tells Olivia to save the lecture for now, but she says she’s just expressing her opinion. He says, on this topic, they’re one and the same, and she says he’s scaring the hell of her. She’s heard stories about his grandfather, and his intentions were good, but his methods were toxic. She says this with love, but he’s turning more into Edward every day. He says, that’s not true, and she says, prove it. Find his daughter, and talk to her.

We see Brook lying on the floor, unconscious.

Ned asks if Dustin and Lulu have seen Brook, but Dusting says, not for a while. She might be warming up. They’ll go check. Ned thanks them.

Robert asks Olivia if she’s got a minute, and she asks if he’s okay. He says he has good news. The commissioner at the Bureau said he can get her in to see Dante. Olivia gets super excited, and asks, when? Where is he? Robert says, he’s at a facility in Geneva. No civilians are allowed, so he’ll go with her. The supervisor is waiting for his boss to return, and there’s a narrow window. They have to hurry. He’d like to leave now if they could. She throws her arms around him, and thanks him. Ned watches.

Willow says, popcorn and the funniest movie ever? and Michael says, if only to cheer him up. Feel free not be cheered, since it’s only about him. He asks what she’d like to see, and she asks him, promise not to laugh, but he says, that’s the point. She says it’s a kid movie, with silly humor, and he tells her, cue it up, and he’ll check on Wiley. They go into the living room, and see Monica asleep. Michael tries to wake her, but she stays out.

Julian waits at the pier, and says, sorry, Wiley; you deserve better than this. Unfortunately, your crazy birth mother has other plans. Why is he going along with it? He’s the world’s biggest coward. He should have told Sonny that he knew all along, but Sonny can kill someone. He’s run out of options. He flashes back to telling Ava, go ahead. Tell him what an idiot he is for getting mixed up with Nelle. Ava asks what on earth was he thinking, and why hasn’t he killed her yet? He says he wouldn’t be there if she didn’t have him over a barrel. Ava says if he thinks Nelle will release him when it’s over, he’s a damn fool. On the pier, Julian says, maybe not.

Lulu says, if she’s not backstage, Brook probably bailed, but Dustin says, she might have stage fright, but she wouldn’t run away. They go into the makeshift dressing room, and see Brook on the floor. Dustin runs to check her pulse, and Lulu says, oh my God. Dustin tells her, call 911, and tells Brook to wake up.

Lucy tells the viewers that the Nurses Ball is still so passionately committed to HIV and AIDS. Sonny and Nikolas’s generous donations will be going to those charities. She wants to introduce a woman committed to both causes, and welcomes Anna. Anna thanks the viewers for their donations. She’s been answering the phones, and got to speak to some of them; they’ve been lovely. She’s grateful for their generosity. The Nurses Ball has a special place in her heart, and not just because she received a lovely marriage proposal on this very stage a year ago from Dr. Hamilton Finn (I always forget he has a first name). She says, it’s special because so many lives have been touched by HIV and AIDS. She’s the mother of an HIV survivor. She was diagnosed at a time when the prognosis wasn’t as optimistic; a time when prejudice and fear were more rampant. Her daughter Robin, and countless others, are alive today because of medical research. Perhaps that’s why Robin became a doctor herself. This leads her to tell them how important the telethon is. She served as Police Commissioner, and saw how closely first responders and medical staff work together. Their work is vitally important. The police, doctors, the ambulance crew, the hospital cleaners; no one does their job alone. They need each other, and we desperately need them. So give what you can. Any donation, whatever size. I have a friend who was diagnosed with HIV many years ago, like Robin, and he’s doing fine today.

Elizabeth tells Franco, Nikolas isn’t the problem, Ava is. She’s playing emotional chess with Nikolas, and they’re the pawns.

Robert tells Olivia he has to go back inside. Anna is going to have a fit because he wasn’t there during her speech. Olivia says, tell her the truth. He found a way for her to see her son; Anna will understand. He says he’ll be waiting, and she says she doesn’t know how  to thank him. He leaves, and Ned comes out. He says, amazing. They have a fight and she runs to Robert because he says the right things. Olivia says it has nothing to do with their marriage. Robert found a way for her to see Dante. Ned says, that’s great news, and Olivia says, he’s at a facility in Geneva. Robert knows the guy in charge. Ned says he’ll change his schedule, and they’ll go, but Olivia says Robert has to sneak her in as it is. Only one person can go. Ned says, okay, and Lulu comes running in. She says, Brook has been attacked.  

Michael begs Monica to please wake up. Monica opens her eyes, and asks if everything is all right. He says she scared him half to death. Is she okay? She says she must have dozed off, and Michael says she was sleeping pretty heavily. Where’s Wiley? She says she doesn’t remember. The phone rang, and she’d left it in the foyer. She came back in, and heard Wiley. Michael asks if Wiley was downstairs or did she hear him on the monitor? Willow says she’ll check the nursery.

Nelle goes to meet Julian, and asks where Wiley is. He says Wiley is safe in his car, and she asks if he’s saying he’s giving her a set of wheels. That’s totally nice, but unnecessary. Just put Wiley in her car, and they can get going.

Elizabeth tells Franco, Ava is encouraging Nikolas to cheat, so she can get the Cassadine fortune. Franco says she has it backward. Nikolas is the one who’s playing them.

Lucy thanks everyone, saying the Nurses Ball was a resounding success; just amazing. She’d like to thank the volunteers who jumped in at the last minute, and gave generously of their time, and  the amazing performers backstage who pitched in and made this happen. She thanks her rack of gowns on stage with her, and goes behind the rack, coming out in a volunteer T-shirt and jeans. She says the most deserving of all is their amazing audience. It’s her great pleasure to introduce the intrepid nurses of GH. Epiphany, Amy, Deanna, and an unidentified flying nurse sing. I’ve had zero luck with finding the titles of songs I don’t recognize, but if I can find a list, I’ll post them. They sing in front of a grid with candles everywhere on it, and I think, that’s impressive for something done on the fly.

Backstage, Lucy smiles at her success.

Brook is taken out on a stretcher, while Mac gathers evidence. He asks if Dustin and Lulu saw anybody. Did anyone look like they were fleeing the scene? Lulu says, they didn’t see anyone. Ned tells Brook to hang in there. He won’t leave her side. He’ll be right there. They leave, and Finn goes with them. Mac tells Lulu and Dustin, if they remember any detail, no matter how small, call him.

Michael asks what Monica was doing before she fell sleep. Was Wiley downstairs, or in the nursery? She says she doesn’t remember, and Willow runs down the stairs. She tells them, Wiley’s not in his room, and Monica says, what?

Nelle says, all right, hubby; it’s been fun, but it’s time go. Julian says, sorry, but she’s not going anywhere. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says she pushed him too far. Now he’s pushing back. He takes out a gun.

To be continued…

On Monday, Portia has an update on Brook, Nina tells Jax not to hate her for what she’s going to say, Julian tells Nelle that someone has to stop her, and Sonny says someone is going to tell him right now.

🚔 Even He Was Surprised…

The skinny on Taggert’s return from the dead.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/real-andrews-reveals-secrets-of-taggert-return

👕 Hey, You’re Wearing My Shirt…

Not too much diversity in Nurses Ball fashion this year.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/nurses-ball-2020-red-carpet-photos

👢 Back and Badass As Ever…

That was quick. I barely noticed she was gone.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-opens-up-about-her-return-to-general-hospital

📺 Gig Of a Lifetime…

GH’s Parker returns to the small screen.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ashley-jones-alicia-leigh-willis-star-in-double-kidnapped

🛥 The Deck You Say…

Hannah has the final word. And a prescription.

https://people.com/tv/below-deck-med-hannah-ferrier-speaks-out-fired-over-valium/

🦍 Breaking Ivan…

Bryan Cranston does it all.

https://film.avclub.com/bryan-cranston-on-working-with-a-cgi-gorilla-and-20-yea-1844756037

🧛🏻 Chrismasland Be Damned…

A sneak peek at what’s next for Charlie Manx.

https://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/nos4a2/video-extras/nos4a2-finale-sneak-peek-christmasland-is-crumbling

🛕 Stepping Out From Daddy’s Shadow…

Apparently cushy jobs accountability coaching pays off.

https://realityblurb.com/2020/08/17/photos-rhobhs-teddi-mellencamp-buys-6-49-million-home-in-encino-see-inside-the-massive-mansion-plus-its-over-the-top-movie-theater-and-backyard-oasis/

https://realityblurb.com/2020/08/20/photos-teddi-mellencamp-enlists-mauricio-umansky-to-sell-her-5-9-million-hollywood-hills-home-see-inside-the-rhobh-stars-modern-estate/

🖥 Pandemically Filming…

Andy talks about the new Housewife normal.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1179839/andy-cohen-reveals-what-its-like-filming-real-housewives-amid-coronavirus

💃🏾 Dancing Into Season 29…

All you need to know about DWTS.

https://people.com/tv/dancing-with-the-stars-reveals-season-29-premiere-date-and-competing-pro-dancers/

💋 Remember Her…?

I tried to forget.

https://extratv.com/2020/08/11/lilly-ghalichi-and-dara-mir-headed-for-divorce-again-after-reconciliation/

⚰️ Beyond Dead…

Sunday August 30th, starting at 6 pm, AMC will also be showing the first episode of each season of The Walking Dead. I still think the very first episode was the best one. Rick’s WTF? face can’t be topped.

https://www.nme.com/blogs/tv-blogs/walking-dead-world-beyond-release-date-cast-everything-know-far-2540839

🏩 Throupling…

I’ll bet she talked through the whole thing.

https://extratv.com/2020/08/21/scheana-shay-says-she-was-in-a-throuple-with-john-mayer-and-another-reality-star/

📯 Quotes of the Week

I didn’t know you could scream that loud after smoking cigarettes. – Cynthia Decker, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé, referring to Angela screaming at Michael

Tough times never last. Tough people do. – Robert Schuller

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. – Kent Nerburn

How to sell books in 2020: Put them near the toilet paper. – NY Times

An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break. May you be open to each thread that comes into your life – the golden ones and the coarse ones – and may you weave them into a brilliant and beautiful life. – Unknown

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

Do one thing every day that scares you. – Eleanor Roosevelt

The noisiest thing in the world is someone trying to be quiet. – me

People tend to be generous when sharing their nonsense, fear, and ignorance. And while they seem quite eager to feed you their negativity, please remember that sometimes the diet we need to be on is a spiritual and emotional one. Be cautious with what you feed your mind and soul. Fuel yourself with positivity and let that fuel propel you into positive action. – Steve Maraboli

Luckily for me, I have all my best ideas drunk. – Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Birds of Prey

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. – Confucius

Immature love says: ‘I love you because I need you.’ Mature love says ‘I need you because I love you.’ – Erich Fromm

Do not fear failure but rather fear not trying. – Roy T. Bennett

🏍 Moving Forward…

Next week has to be better, right? Right? Enjoy your weekend, or pretend it’s the weekend, depending. Until Monday, stay safe, stay supportive of the front line, and stay away from psychopaths with fabric shears.

Aug15

August 14, 2020 – Ava’s Portrait Unveiled, Ball Rolling Soon, Lotsa GH News, Clare’s Roses, Quit It, Lu’s Hopes, Whining Again, Still Sad, Not Now, Dark Return, Bad Endings, All About the Dead, Catch Up, Learn Something New, Almost 10 Quotes & Hooray

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Ava calls to Nikolas, telling him, the guests are starting to arrive. She’s wearing a black sequined number and he says, quite the outfit. He’s only wearing a towel, and she says, him too, trying not to look. She tells him, you should probably get chest… dressed. He says, don’t worry, and she says they need to sizzle tonight. If he ruins the night for her, he’ll regret it for a looooong time.

Franco thinks about Elizabeth saying he’s about money like everyone else. He took Ava’s commission for it, and he’s playing into her hands. Scotty comes in and says, the man of the hour, and Franco thanks him for coming. Scotty says he wouldn’t take the ferry if not for Franco. He’s sure Franco would like to see some nice friendly faces for his big comeback. Franco says, Ava calls it a revival, and Scotty says, a lucrative reboot. Franco’s got to get work, make money, and pay the bills. Where’s his wife?

At the hospital, Terry sees Elizabeth, and says, just the person she needs. Enlighten her; rumors are flying. Elizabeth says, the rumors are true. Unfortunately, Cyrus is on the board. Terry asks why it’s unfortunate. Now they have enough money to run the hospital. Elizabeth says, money is all they care about. Cyrus is involved in the drug trade, and now he’s right in the heart of the hospital.

Lucy walks up to the door at Windymere with Maxie and Peter, but says she’s afraid she’s not up for a party. The Nurses Ball is tomorrow, and she has a million things to do. Maxie says she thought Lucy would want to  be there for Deception. They need to see and be seen, and talk up the company. Lucy says Maxie is more than capable of doing that by herself. Go schmooze. She’ll see Maxie later. Ta-ta! Maxie grabs her arm, and says she’s staying. They go inside, and Lucy says she’ll be right there, and pretends to look at the artwork in another room. Maxie tells Peter that she thinks Lucy is hiding something, and Peter thinks she’s right. Maxie hopes it’s not too terrible.

Lulu thanks Dustin for letting her drag him there, and he tells her to stop acting like he’s doing her a favor. Talent is talent, despite the subject matter.

Franco tells Scotty that Elizabeth isn’t coming. She’s upset that Ava is dredging up his past. It’s the ten year anniversary of Francophenia. Scotty says he can see why she’d be upset, but there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Franco says he tried to explain that, and Scotty says, but she’s not buying it? Franco says, not at all. Even worse, he thinks Elizabeth would prefer to pretend his past never happened at all.

Anna and Finn go over their wedding list at The Floating Rib. Anna says, Chase and Sasha? but Finn isn’t sure of their status. Anna says, just Chase then. He suggests she add Robin and Patrick, but she says they’re not finished with his family yet. He says, Violet? and she asks if he isn’t going to invite his father.

Peter goes to get drinks, and Lulu says, Maxie didn’t tell him she was pregnant? Maxie says, shhh. Nina comes in with Jax, and he says, it can’t be easy, being back. She says this big, drafty house is part of the gloomy past that she’s glad to forget. She’d rather focus on her bright, handsome future.

Ava says, shall we, darling? And tells Nikolas to smile. It’s going to be a night to remember. I think, so was the sinking of the Titanic.

Lucy tells Ava, some people would think it was tasteless to have a private function just before the biggest, brightest charity event of the year. Ava says, you’d think Lucy would be at home before the one night of the year when she’s actually socially relevant.

Nina tells Franco that she’s glad he’s painting again. She’ll make sure he and Ava are in their Out and About page. He thanks her for her support. Lulu tells Maxie, she hates to point out the obvious, but Peter is the dad, and the longer she keeps the secret, the worse it will be. Maxie says, it’s not a secret. She just hasn’t found the time to tell him. Lulu says, really? and Maxie amends that to, the right time. Lulu asks what time will be right, but Maxie says she doesn’t know. Like she said, she and Peter have never even discussed having a child; not once. She’s not sure how Peter feels about it. Lulu says she knows how to find out, and Maxie says, how? Lulu says, by telling him.

Terry tells Elizabeth that Lucy almost single-handedly organizes the Nurses Ball. You’d think she’d vote with the Quartermaines. Elizabeth says, apparently Valentin backed the relaunch of Deception, and Lucy couldn’t jeopardize it. Terry asks if there was no one except the Quartermaines who could help, and Elizabeth tells her, Nikolas stepped up, but it was too late. At least he was willing to do it. It’s too bad he won’t get rid of Ava. He’s going to be at her side when her portrait is unveiled. Ava made tonight about resurrecting the old Franco, who couldn’t tell the difference between good and evil, because he had a brain tumor. He became famous for the wrong reasons, and that’s not her husband. She’s not supporting or celebrating him.

Ava tells Franco, sorry. He deserves better, especially from his wife. Nikolas says Ava is all about being a supportive spouse, and she tells him, not now. Nikolas says, sorry. He’s out of sorts since Spencer said he wants nothing to do with him unless he has the Cassadine money. Franco says, it’s got to be rough, being rejected by a kid he lied to for three years. Ava says she’s sorry Spencer took a hard line with Nikolas, and Nikolas says, they both lost a child. As much as they’d love to be celebrating with Kiki and Spencer, it’s not meant to be. Ava says they’ve all made their choices, haven’t they? She says she needs some air, and leaves. Franco says, what the hell? Spencer thinks Nikolas is an ass, but Kiki is dead. There’s no comparison. Nikolas says, Ava barely bated an eyelash, but Franco says, she finds any mention of Kiki devastating. Anyone who cares about her knows that.  

Lulu and Maxie go outside, and Lulu asks if that’s the only reason Maxie hasn’t told Peter. Or is she on the fence about having a baby? Maxie says, the timing is all wrong. She thinks about how incredible it would be, having a child with Peter, but she’s not sure Peter feels the same way. Lulu asks if they don’t get along, and Maxie says, growing up with Faison caused Peter to doubt himself. What if he’s made the choice not to be a father? Well, I’m guessing Peter knows how babies are made, so wouldn’t he have thought about that before?

Finn says he hasn’t seen his father since he diagnosed him with Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, and Anna asks if Finn isn’t happy about that. He says, he is, but they mostly communicate through Chase. She says, what about Violet? Doesn’t she deserve to have a relationship with her grandfather?

Nina asks how well Jax knows Lucy, and he says, not that well, but he’s known her forever. She asks if he has any idea why she voted for Valentin  to be in charge of ELQ. He says, of course (🍷) he does, and so does she. He bought into Lucy’s company to have leverage. He has no respect for Valentin, but admits it was a good business move. Elizabeth shows up, and Nikolas says he thought she wasn’t coming. She says she changed her mind, and needs to find Franco. He thinks Franco is out on the parapet, and says he’ll take her.

Franco finds Ava in the stables, and tells her that Nikolas is out of line, but she says he can’t get to her. He asks what she’s doing out there then, and she tells him, like she said, she just needed some air. Franco says, if she was looking for fresh air, it’s probably better in the stables, and she laughs. She sits, and wonders if she’ll ever be able to hear Kiki’s name without it breaking her heart. Franco says Nikolas was deliberately trying to wound her, and she says, maybe with cause. She thinks she’s gone too far.

Lulu says Maxie has to figure out what to do. Peter is a father, and needs to know. Nikolas and Elizabeth come out, looking for Franco, and Maxie grabs Lulu, saying they’re going to start their own search party. Nikolas tells Elizabeth, sorry. He thought Franco was there, but since they are, they might as well enjoy the view. He can have a nice moment where he can pretend his life is fantastic. She says, Spencer will come around, and he says he hopes so. He tells him that he did the right thing, offering to help the hospital financially. He says, if only Cyrus hadn’t gotten there first. He can’t believe the hospital is taking money from him. She says, it gets better. Cyrus is the new chairman.

Dustin shows Peter a little toy car that Rocco gave him as a present. He wanted to come, but Dustin asked if he really wanted to listen to grown-up conversation while looking at a painting, and Rocco decided video games and pizza were better. Peter says, kids never stop surprising you. James and Georgie keep him on his toes. Dustin asks if Peter didn’t ever want kids, and Peter says he’d never thought about it until Maxie came into his life. Maxie and Lulu come out, and he says, there she is; the love of his life.

Scotty tells Lucy, with all the problems Monica has caused, maybe the family can finally earn some money now. Lucy says, the most important thing is that GH was saved, no matter where the money came from. He says, that’s crazy talk. They don’t want a new benefactor coming in, and changing the policies and the staff. They could change what makes the hospital special. Lucy says, no more hospital talk, and suggests they focus on Deception. It was no walk in the park, reviving a company from the 90s, but she did it. She had help, but it was her vision and inspiration that made it happen. Finances don’t fall from the sky. Entrepreneurs make compromises sometimes. He says, Lucy… What have you done?

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, sorry he was too late, but she says, at least he was willing to provide the funding. That’s the Nikolas she remembers. He says he’s trying to get back to who he was. She tells him, hurry up; she misses him. He says he misses her too. He hates the distance between them. She says she needs to find Franco. There are some things between them she needs to clear up.

Lucy tells Scotty, Valentin was adamant about ELQ not bailing out the hospital, and she voted with him. Scotty says, what? She repeats that she voted with Valentin. She knew there was someone else who was going to help. He says, that Cyrus guy. He’s a threat to the community. Lucy tells him, the Commissioner said he’d been framed, wrongly jailed, and was focused on doing good for the community. So she voted with Valentin. Scotty says, she owed him, and knew the day would come when he’d need her tie-breaking vote. She says, it’s not her fault he got controlling interest. It’s on the shoulders of the family members who sold him their shares. The hospital will be fine. ELQ couldn’t do it, so Cyrus did. He says, you can’t trust him; especially since he’s a guy with a ponytail, for cryin’ out loud. She says she doesn’t know anything about that, and Maxie asks for a word with her. Scotty leaves, and Lucy says she knew this would happen, and one day she’d be the town pariah again. Maxie asks if that’s why she didn’t want to come, and Lucy wonders why no one can understand why she did it. She had no choice. She knew if she didn’t, Valentin would pull his money out. There would be no Deception, no launch; they’d have nothing. Jax asks if Lucy minds if he talks to her for a second. She says, that depends. Is he going to harp on her betraying the Quartermaines too?

Anna says she knows for a fact Chase told Finn’s father about Violet. He asks if his father has made any effort to get to know Violet, and Anna says he’s respecting Finn’s boundaries, and waiting for an invitation. Finn says he’s uncomfortable with his father and his father’s wife, and thinks Violet will pick up on it. Say he does let his father in, they don’t get past it, and it gets more uncomfortable. It’s the last thing Violet needs; someone being there, and suddenly gone. Anna thinks there’s another obstacle, and it’s not just because his father remarried.

Ava tells Franco that she’s ashamed to admit it, but she turned Spencer against his father. He says, if there’s anyone to blame, it’s Nikolas, but she says Spencer sees her as a traitor, and gave Nikolas an ultimatum. He’ll be in Nikolas’s life if she’s out. He says, then why not walk away? and she says, money. According to their post-nup, if Nikolas divorces her, she gets 90% of everything. Franco asks if she’s serious, and she says, the remaining 10% would be put in a trust for Spencer, but the kid wants to inherit the entire estate. So if she stays married to Nikolas, Spencer stays on the other side of the world. Franco says, it’s not her responsibility. The person to blame is Nikolas. Ava says she contributed to the problem and can solve it. If she ends the marriage, and doesn’t take the money, Spencer will take his father back. He asks if she can do it, and she says, just imagine if Kiki was still out there. If there was a possibility of Ava seeing her face again, it would be worth anything. What if she could do that? Give Spencer and Nikolas the healing and closure she and Kiki never had. Elizabeth listens in.

Elizabeth says hi to Ava, who says they weren’t expecting her. Elizabeth says, surprise, surprise, and Ava says, it’s good to see her. She has to get back to her guests, but she’s glad Elizabeth made it. She goes inside, and Franco thanks Elizabeth for changing her mind. She says she came to stand by her man and see his masterpiece unveiled. He says she’s made him happy. She’s made his whole night.

Anna says Finn’s father has been married for a decade. She understands, but thinks Finn’s estrangement from his father is going to affect Violet. Finn disagrees. He thinks Violet should know her grandfather, but he lives in California. It’s not like he has a presence in her life. Anna says she lives the same distance from Robin, but they stay in touch. Kids live half their lives on a screen, and it’s made long distance relationships easier. Although she does wish she lived closer. There’s nothing she loves more than giving her grandchildren a hug.

Maxie stumbles, and Peter asks if she’s okay. She says she just slipped on her heel.

Lucy thanks Jax for being a gentleman, and not berating her. He says he’s a businessman, and understands the deal she made, but Cyrus is another story. She says, that’s not her fault, and he says, that may be true, but she defended him earlier. She needs to understand, Jax’s daughter was almost caught in the crossfire when Cyrus went after Sonny’s family. She could have been killed; Laura too. She says, that was Cyrus? and he says, there’s no official proof, but Sonny is convinced, and on this subject, he trusts Sonny. Lucy tells him, but Jordan said… and he says he doesn’t pretend to understand why Jordan did that, but technically, it’s true. Cyrus was wrongfully imprisoned, but he’s still a dangerous criminal. If he were her, he’d be careful.

Ava sees Nina on the parapet, and asks if Nina was looking for her. Nina says she wondered where Ava disappeared to, but came out for a breath of fresh air. She loved coming out there when she lived at Windymere. Ava asks if she misses it, and Nina says, parts of it. She misses family time with Charlotte, but she’s accepted the fact that a relationship based on lies and secrets can’t last. Ava says she’s starting to think a relationship based on extortion can’t last. They laugh, and Ava says, trapping Nikolas into a loveless marriage seemed like a good idea at the time, but now she sees it’s not only hurting Nikolas, but Spencer too.

Lulu tells Nikolas, she wanted to check in with him about Spencer. Nikolas hopes their relationship is improving, and Lulu asks, how? He says Spencer told him that he wanted to be his son again if he divorced Ava. She says, clearly, that’s not happening, and he says he’d rather not go into detail. She asks, why? He’s her brother, and she knows he loves his son. It makes zero sense, accepting what’s going on. He says he’s not accepting it, and she asks if keeping one secret is more important than their relationship. Is it more important than regaining her trust? He says, no; it isn’t.

Maxie says she takes full responsibility for dragging Lucy there, but she neglected to inform Maxie that she totally sold out the Quartermaines. Lucy says she did it to save Deception, their bread and butter. Maxie says, no judgement, but Lucy needs to leave. She’s not the best brand ambassador right now. Lucy says, sorry, and Maxie says, this too shall pass. Go rest, so she can be her dazzling self at the Nurses Ball. Lucy suggests Maxie also call it an early night; she’s looking peaked. They need to knock them dead, and be on point tomorrow. Scotty says he got a new convertible; let’s go. Lucy leaves with Scotty, and Peter says, Lucy is right. Maxie looks pale. Is she sure she’s okay? Maxie says she just wants to schmooze the artist, and get it over with. She asks Franco, how long until the great unveiling? How much did Ava pay him to glorify her, and make himself relevant again? Franco says, hostile, and she says she remembers him, but he proved he’s a changed man. He convinced a judge he was a changed man, and now he’s free to be living his best life. Instead, he’s reliving his bad boy genius. The whole thing makes her nauseous. Elizabeth says Maxie has a point. He says the only important thing is, he’s the guy who gets to be married to her, but she wonders where that guy is. The only important things seem to be about everything except the man she loves.

Lulu says Nikolas recruited Spencer to be involved in his power struggle with Ava, but Nikolas says, Spencer jumped at the chance. She says he’s not understanding. He needs to have faith in Spencer that he’ll choose his father over money, not recruit him to be his accomplice. Nikolas says, Spencer is fighting for his inheritance, but Lulu says he’s bonding with Spencer by making his son his partner in crime.

Ava tells Nina, she never had the opportunity to see Spencer and Nikolas together, but she did see how Spencer mourned his father. They had a special bond, and seeing how upset Spencer was when he found out Nikolas was alive spoke volumes. She sees how Nikolas is taking their estrangement. Nina says, it’s one thing to help them reconcile, but the question is, can Ava give up her revenge? Ava doesn’t know. Nikolas made her think she was crazy, and that she saw his ghost. He used Kiki against her, and said they were in hell together. Although she wasn’t much better. The only thing stopping a reconciliation is the stupid post-nup she forced Nikolas to sign. Nina says, revenge is not all it’s cracked up to be. At least for her it wasn’t. Even if you hurt the person, it just ties you more closely to them. She exposed Valentin’s lies at the altar, and got zero satisfaction. It was only when she turned away from the bitterness and ugliness that she found peace. Ava knows what she has to do.

Franco says he thought Elizabeth was there to support him. She says she was, but she’s not comfortable with any of it. She can’t stay. He says he’ll try not to be late, then wonders if she wants him to come with her.

Maxie tells Peter, Franco and Ava are in there all smug and satisfied. She couldn’t help herself. Franco was dishonest. Elizabeth married him and brought him in as a stepfather, but he’s loving his first chance in the spotlight. Franco isn’t like Peter. Peter put in hard work to turn his life around. He says he hopes he never disappoints her, and she says he won’t, as long as he’s honest. She thinks her water smells weird, and he asks, what’s going on with her? She says this is working her last nerve, and he says she’s been dizzy and lightheaded recently. He’s seen her navigate a playground in stilettos. Is she okay?

Jax asks if Nina found Ava. She says she did, and dared to give Ava advice. He says, giving advice can be tricky, but she says she was willing to risk it. It was because of him. He’s proof she can make smart life decisions. Ava comes out wondering where her husband disappeared to.

Lulu says, so Nikolas and Spencer are working together, and he says he has his son back. She asks if she should be happy about him dragging Spencer into the game he’s playing with Ava. He asks, what’s the alternative? Let Ava walk away with 90%? It’s unacceptable to Spencer and him. She asks if it ever occurred to him that Spencer just wants to please him. Spencer isn’t going along for the money, but for his father. Nikolas is missing his moment to turn this around, and stop manipulating. Choose his son, and let Ava decide if she’s going to keep the money. He says he can’t take that risk. Ava has to give up before the marriage ends. She says, he’s pulling Spencer into a lie, and he says, Ava forced his hand. He has to get back out by manipulating the situation. Lulu says, wow. He’s as set on revenge as much as he was when he first came back, and refuses to see what it’s costing.

Anna says she and Finn have been telling Violet that the wedding is about family. Having his father there will show her that he’s part of the family. Finn says maybe he would like them to get to know each other, but that’s not the only problem. He’ll leave it at that. She says, she’s not leaving it at that; it’s about his stepmother. He says he can’t imagine her at their wedding. It will take away from the day – for him anyway. If he invites his father, he can’t exclude her. It’s too complicated. She says she hates to break it to him, but families are complicated. His father is still family, so can’t he put their differences aside for one day? For Violet’s sake?

Dustin says Lulu looks pissed, and she says, once again, her brother has gone below her worst expectations. Ava tells Nikolas, it’s showtime. Franco tells Elizabeth that Ava can take over after the unveiling, but she says she has to leave. Is he coming or not?

Ava tells her guests, on behalf of herself and Nikolas, she thanks them for coming to this celebration of revival and redemption. She teased the return of a talented artist for some time, and would like him to come join her next to her portrait. Franco looks at Elizabeth, but she doesn’t look at him. He goes up front, and Ava says she was going to make a speech, but she realized what she had planned doesn’t seem important anymore. So she’s just going to say she was so happy when Franco agreed to paint her portrait. She’s proud to share it with them tonight. So without further ado… Franco unveils the portrait, and everyone looks shocked. Elizabeth shakes her head, and Franco and Ava look at each other.

Is she naked maybe?

On Monday, Maxie says she has something to tell Peter, Elizabeth tells Nikolas that Ava will destroy what good is left in him if he’s not careful, and Ava says she plans to remedy the situation perfectly.

💝 Coming Soon To a TV Near You…

Welcome to the Nurses Ball.

https://www.tvinsider.com/945286/general-hospital-nurses-ball-2020-preview/

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/2020-general-hospital-nurses-ball-will-air-august

🕵🏽 Dante Tells All…

Get the skinny on Lulu’s absent ex.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/dominic-zamprogna-reveals-why-he-left-and-returned

🔌 Can’t Say I Blame Her…

Some people give Trolls a bad name.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-young-the-restless/michelle-stafford-is-taking-a-break-from-social-media

👯 Will the Real Sam Please Stand Up…?

Hopefully, Brook isn’t far behind.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-is-back-at-general-hospital

⚖️ From Cop To Corporate…

The original Jordan finds success as a lawyer.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/vanessa-antoines-series-diggstown-renewed

🌹 If You Must…

Every time I hear Clare Crawley, I think they’re talking about Downton Abbey. I’m not a huge fan of The Bachelor franchise, only because I can smell the desperation, and become embarrassed for the contestants, but no judgement.

MEN: Can she steal you for a sec? According to Glamour, Bachelorette Clare Crawley “will have extra men on hand, just in case” anyone gets coronavirus during taping. Meanwhile, we will have extra men on hand, just in case we can’t reach the Tate’s cookies we forgot were on the top shelf of the pantry… – Newsette

https://www.glamour.com/story/the-bachelorette-2020-everything-we-know-about-clare-crawleys-season

😭 Leave Denise Alone…

Denise and Garcelle should have their own spin-off. With a little Sutton on the side.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6186250/garcelle-beauvais-denise-richards-rhobh-reunion/?platform=hootsuite

🎤 The Countess Has All the Feels…

LuAnn’s hopes and dreams for the reunion.

https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/07/31/luann-de-lesseps-rhony-reunion-secrets-bethenny-frankel-interview/

🧀 Like Some Cheese With That Whine…?

NeNe comes up with a new reason she should be rewarded for bad behavior.

https://pagesix.com/2020/08/01/nene-leakes-alludes-to-mistreatment-from-bravo-amid-contract-negotiations/

👨🏽‍🍳 Poor Kiko…

He’s so sweet, but those nachos…

https://www.inquisitr.com/6197289/below-deck-mediterranean-chef-kiko-apologizes/

🐣 Not Yet…

For now, the unfreezing of Scheana’s eggs is on hold.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6199574/scheana-shay-pregnant-plans-miscarriage/?platform=hootsuite

🔮 Back In the Dark…

I loved this show. Except for that monkey. I hated the monkey.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/his-dark-materials-season-2-trailer-spoilers-hbo-comic-con-2020/

📺 Up For Debate…

Is it Lost? Game of Thrones? Dexter? A new time waster brought to you by social media.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/twitter-reacts-worst-ending-ever-television-debate/

⚰️ Spoiling the Dead…

Teases about the season 10 finale.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-10-finale-spoilers-father-gabriel-doomed-dies-seth-gilliam/

🚶🏼‍♂️ Keep Walking…

All you need to know about season 11.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-season-11-delayed-2021-1304283

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-11-maggie-negan-relationship-showrunner-angela-kang-comic-con-2020/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-season-11-negan-hershel-maggie-glenn-son-jeffrey-dean-morgan/

🧛🏻 Get Your Full Episodes Here…

On Sunday night, it seems to be either feast or famine. If you’ve missed any of season 2 of NOS4A2, you can catch it here.

https://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/nos4a2/video-extras/nos4a2-season-2-comic-con-teaser

🦖 Just In Case…

You never know when you might need a prehistoric life skill.

https://www.wired.com/story/how-outrun-dinosaur/?utm_source=digg&utm_medium=email

Quote-Kindness

🦪 Quotes of the Week

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. – Oscar Wilde

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll

What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming. – Muhammad Ali

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it. – Dennis P. Kimbro

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. – Mark Twain

If you can’t laugh at yourself, at least let me do it. – Charlie (Charlie Sheen), Two and a Half Men

People will always have opinions about your decision because they’re not courageous enough to take action on their opinion. – Steve Maraboli

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. – Lucille Ball

🌃 Hey, It’s Still Dark Out…

Long story short, the new site editor causes difficulty for some links. So until I have a minute to figure out a way around it, I switched back to the classic version, an upscale word for the way it was done before. Thank God it’s Friday. We still call it that, right? Keep that weekend sacred, and change your environment for a moment. But while you’re doing that, stay safe, stay authentic, and stay like Bill Murray in Meatballs, telling yourself, it just doesn’t matter.

Aug5

August 4, 2020 – Valentin Makes a Deal, Filling In, a Bella Of a House, Big Brother Is Here, New Cuckoo & Hurricane

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sam bangs on Alexis’s door. Alexis lets her in, and asks, what happened? Sam says Alexis doesn’t want to know, but she’s telling her anyway. Alexis suggests Sam make some tea.

Martin asks Valentin what he’s going to do if Brook goes to her father. Valentin says, fist of all, even if she does, it’s not the end of the world. Martin asks if there’s a second of all, and Valentin says he doesn’t think she will.

Brook tells Ned that she received some interesting career advice she wants to talk to him about. Olivia suggests Ned discuss Brook’s career. And while he’s at it, why not open up and ELQ spread sheet? She walks out, and Brook says, yikes. What’s up with her?

At the hospital, Cyrus suggests Monica adjust her thinking. Anyone who underestimates him has come to regret it. Some more than others. Jordan asks if everything is all right, and Monica says Cyrus thinks the GH board is underestimating him, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Cyrus assures her that he has no sinister intent. He wants to contribute to the community. Monica says he’s not part of the community, and he says, yet here he is. He lives in Port Charles, and wants to help the hospital thrive. She says they’ve been thriving on their own for decades. They don’t want him there.

Carly comes into the kitchen – the one displaying the infamous bowl of moss – and sees Sonny and Jason. She says she’s glad they’re both there, and asks Sonny, what happened with Mike? Sonny says, it’s not good.

Nelle asks Nina, how could you? You betrayed me, you bitch. She sided with Carly when Nelle thought Nina cared about her. Nina says Nelle shouldn’t have asked her testify if Nelle didn’t want her to tell the truth.

Sam says, tea isn’t going to help, but slapping Julian again will. Alexis says, she slapped him again? and Sam says, after court, she slapped the spit out of him. Alexis says Sam is on parole; she can’t be slapping people. She tells Sam to make it chamomile. She needs to calm down.

Nelle says when she asked Nina to help her keep her son, Nina said she would, but she helped Carly to take her son away from her. Nina says Carly wasn’t taking Nelle’s son away. His father Michael is fighting for full custody. Nelle says she’s not that stupid. Michael is Carly’s puppet, and Carly wants to destroy her. She’s the only one who sees who Carly is, and Carly can’t stand it.

Ned tells Brook that Olivia is feeling neglected, and she’s not wrong. Brook says Ned is the best husband ever, but he says, not lately. He got caught up with ELQ, and salvaging the Mertin Tech deal. Brook says, sorry, and he says, it’s his fault. He tried to shoehorn her into ELQ, when she’s not the corporate type. Does she want to know a secret? Some days he wishes he could hand someone the company, and get out of there. He’d be gone in a second.

Valentin tells Martin that Brook is a bright girl. He’s going to take a valuable company, and make it very valuable. Who wouldn’t like that? Martin says, maybe people who want it to remain in family hands. Valentin says, with all the infighting? Who will be the CEO? Ned, the seasoned vet, or Michael, the prodigy? He’s going to take the choice away from them. Martin says he has the portrait of altruism in front of him, and Valentin says they’ll be grateful when the stock goes up 300%. Martin is sure Valentin will be getting fruit baskets right and left, but make sure they’re not laced with arsenic. Valentin says Martin will see.

Sonny tells Carly, his father can’t focus or communicate. He’s trying to figure out what Mike wants, and what’s best for him. Carly wishes she had an answer; some way to make it easier. One thing she knows for sure is, whatever Sonny decides will be okay with Mike. What Mike wants more than anything is for Sonny to be okay. There’s no doubt in her mind about that. Sonny says he needs to think, and leaves. Carly tells Jason, she wishes she could help, but Jason says she can’t.

Monica says no one wants to do business with a drug trafficker and murderer, and Cyrus says he was exonerated, thanks to their Police Commissioner. She exposed how her colleagues had framed him. Jordan says she followed the letter of the law, and Cyrus says he wants to pay it forward. His partnership with the hospital will put them in good standing financially and with the community. As a board member, he’d appreciate her support. Monica says, when hell freezes over, and he says, that may come sooner than she thinks.

Ned tells Brook, he envies Michael sometimes. He may be younger, but he seems to have learned lessons Ned is still struggling with; getting his priorities in order. It’s one thing running a company when your younger, without children, and devote your time and energy to it. Brook says, that’s not the case for Michael anymore; he has a child. Ned says, it’s not the case for him either.

Valentin tells Martin that he has Brook’s shares, and Nelle’s, and he has the shares from Skye Chandler Quartermaine. Martin wonders why the name Chandler rings a bell, and Valentin says, the family is from Pine Valley. Martin shrugs, and I react like this is the funniest thing I ever heard. I don’t know if these episodes are particularly good, or I just missed seeing new ones. Valentin says if he gets the shares from Skye’s daughter, he’ll own a lot, but Martin says, a lot won’t do him any good. Michael has the largest block; his shares, AJ’s and Jason’s. Martin says, there’s a whole section they’ve neglected, who’s controlling the children’s shares, but they don’t need to look too far. Sam is who he wants to look at next. Martin asks if he’s lost his mind.

Nelle tells Nina, Carly ignored her for years, until Carly finally needed something. It was only then Carly reached out to Nelle’s dad to get Josslyn a kidney. Nina says, that’s not what happened. Jax reached out. Carly didn’t do anything, and Nina knows Nelle knows that. If Nelle is going to build her life on a big grudge, Nina suggests she get her facts straight.

Sam beings out the tea, and asks what happened to Alexis’s wrist? Alexis says, it just needs ice. Last summer, she tripped and fell, and jammed her wrist. It’s painful for a few days, and then it passes. Since Sam made tea, she suggests Sam drink some, and tell her what happened in court, rationally and calmly. Sam says she listened to Julian shore up Nelle’s case to take Wiley from Michael, and it got bad. Alexis gets how maddening Julian can be, but no more slapping. Sam says she made a mistake, but Alexis should have heard the garbage about him losing a child he thought was his grandson. Alexis says, the last time Julian sounded that insane, was when his sister Liv was blackmailing him. Sam asks if she thinks Nelle is doing the same thing, and Alexis says, why else would Julian marry her? She clearly has some leverage.

Carly tells Jason that she thinks Sonny would like to let Mike go, but he doesn’t have the comfort of a signed document so there’s no doubt whatsoever. In Sonny’s mind, the difference is between honoring Mike’s wishes and killing his own father. When it gets to that point, how do you let someone go, unless there’s a paper that says exactly what they want? She should have seen it coming, and insisted they sit down and handle it; not just for Mike, but for themselves. They need it in writing, and Jason does too. Jason says he already has it. When they were visiting Mike, and he saw what Sonny was going through, that made it real. He needs to be clear about what he wants, and who he wants to decide.

Ned says he never told Brook, but the real reason he and her mom divorced was because of his sense of duty to ELQ and the Quartermaines. He wasn’t always there for Brook growing up. Even after she came back, he could have been more supportive of her and her career, but he agreed to do this, and owes it to ELQ and the family to do his best. Brook says, sacrifices are necessary sometimes, and Ned says, it’s not that ELQ is more important than her, Olivia, or Leo – never – but at this moment in time, this company requires the most attention. She asks if it would be nice if someone swooped in and took everything over, and he says, it would. Unfortunately, that’s not going happen.

Sonny looks at Donna in her crib, and tells her that he needs her help. He has a terrible decision to make. One he promises she’ll never have to make for him.

Jason tells Carly, he’s not married to Sam, and needs somebody to make decisions for him, if comes to that. And he needs that somebody to be her. He talked to Diane, and he’d like to give Carly power of attorney over his estate, his medical decisions, everything. She knows his wishes, and if there was ever a question of leaving him breathing with tubes in him, or turning the machine off… Carly says, he’d want it turned off, and he says, yes. She says she wants to say yes, and will, but it should be Sam.

Sam tells Alexis, if Julian is being blackmailed, then his rehabilitation and new life are a lie. Alexis says, the only way for Julian to be threatened would be to expose something he didn’t want made public. Sam says, Julian will always save his own skin, but they’re talking about putting a child at risk this time. Can she imagine Julian marrying Nelle? Alexis can’t imagine Julian being involved in anything Nelle would do. She’s sorry Sam had to listen. Sam thanks Alexis for letting rant. She knows Alexis’s feelings are complicated for Julian, among others. Alexis says, better to vent to her than face an assault charge. Sam says, nice deflecting, and Alexis asks if she was. Sam says maybe she was too subtle. By others, she was talking about Neil. What does Neil think about Alexis being disbarred? Alexis says she doesn’t know.

Nina says Nelle forgot that Nina was in town when she came there. She saw how Carly opened her life and her home to Nelle. Carly bent over backwards in gratitude, and would have done anything for Nelle, but Nelle was the one who sabotaged the relationship with all her insane crap. She lied, she drugged Sonny; Carly had no recourse except to come at her to protect her family. It was all Nelle. Nelle asks, who is Nina to lecture her? Nina has never had to work for anything in her entire life. She’s just a spoiled rich girl.

Olivia tells Ned that she’s sorry, but he tells her, don’t apologize. He completely understands. She says, does he? She’s trying to maintain, and be upbeat, and soldier on, but she’s in a lot of pain, and he’s missing every cue. He says he’s sorry, and she says she’s been grieving Dante, and feels like she’s alone. She can’t go to Rocco or Lulu, and Sonny has a lot on his plate already. She needs Ned to hold her, let be rational, and vent, but he’s not there because of some company. He reaches for her, but she shakes him off. She says, it’s not like ELQ is in any real danger; no one’s life is at stake. If the company was sold tomorrow, his whole family would be richer than Midas, and live off a trust fund until his grandchildren’s grandchildren were old and grey. Ned says, it’s about priorities, and Olivia says she needs him to make her one. He says she is, and she tells him, show her. The doorbell rings, and it’s Laura. She asks if it’s a bad time, and Ned starts to say they’re in the middle of something, but Olivia says, it’s fine. Come in. Laura says she needs ELQ’s support to keep the hospital from falling into the wrong hands.

Nelle says, since birth, everything has been handed to Nina on a silver platter. Nina says, that’s rich, and Nelle says, is it? When she went crazy, she was forced to go to prison, and plead guilty. Nina went to a cushy mental institution, no more than a glorified day spa. She drugged Ava, induced Ava’s labor, and stole her child, and what was the consequence? Nothing. She was rewarded with Crimson. Nina says, rewriting history is Nelle’s thing, and Nelle asks what the difference between them is. Is Nina better than her, or special? No. It’s because she’s an heiress.

Sonny tells Donna, he wants nothing more than to let go of her grandpa. It’s agony to watch him like this; sick, scared, and lost. Sonny just wants it to be over, but he can’t be selfish. She should have seen her grandfather with Avery. They were so happy; smiling and having a beautiful visit. If his dad wants to spend one more moment with her and Avery and him, one more chance to experience joy, who is he to say Mike shouldn’t do that? How can he do that to his father? Sonny’s phone rings. It’s Turning Woods.

Jason tells Carly, he’s not afraid to die, but afraid to be stuck in that in-between place; alive, but really not alive. Carly asks if he’d rather she shoot him, and he says he knows she would, if came to that, but with Sam, it’s different. They love each other, but if Sam could choose to let him die, he doesn’t think she could. Carly asks what makes him think she could? She’s selfish, and needs him in her life. Doesn’t he think she’d hold onto hope, long after hope was gone? Does he think she’d say, that’s what he wants, and goodbye? He thinks she would, and she asks, why? He says, because he trusts her, and she knows what he wants, and understands why he wants it. He knows it’s a lot to ask, but he has nobody else. She says, of course (🍷) she will. She’d do anything for him, but don’t ever put her in that position. He says he’ll do his best.

Sam says Alexis was disbarred for protecting Neil. How can she not talk to him? Alexis says she was disbarred because she chose to lie under oath. It’s not Neil’s problem or responsibility. Sam says, he’ll find out eventually. Doesn’t Alexis think they should face this together? Alexis says they’re not together anymore, and when they were, the last time was uncomfortable and awkward. She doesn’t want to do that anymore. Sam says, it makes no sense. Alexis isn’t a lawyer anymore, and Neil’s not a shrink; they can finally see each other. Why is she making excuses to avoid him? Alexis asks why Sam doesn’t try harder to be with Jason, and Sam says Alexis doesn’t want her to be with Jason. Alexis says, that’s not her point. Sam confronts current circumstances, and that’s what she needs to do. Sam says she has the world’s harshest parole officer. If she goes near Jason, she’ll be sent to prison. Alexis doesn’t have anything keeping her from being with Neil except her pride. She thinks Alexis is embarrassed about her disbarment, and doesn’t want to talk to him about it. Sam’s phone dings, and it’s a text from Jason, asking her to meet him in the GH conference room on the 2nd floor. Sam says she loves Alexis, but wishes Alexis would get out of her own way sometimes. Alexis says, right back at her.

Martin asks why Valentin thinks Sam would want to sell her shares to him, and Valentin says he doesn’t need the shares; just the voting proxy. Martin says, for the sake of argument, Drew is dead and Sam is free to do what she wants, Danny’s father is Jason, who’s very much alive. He’s heard Jason is the least cooperative person in Port Charles. Valentin says, Jason is disinterested, and Martin says, not when comes to Michael. He’ll do what Michael wants, and it’s safe to assume Michael won’t want Valentin to get his hands on the company. Valentin says Jason cares about Michael, not the shares, but Sam is different. He thinks he can get her to hand over her proxy for the right incentive. Martin says Valentin has him hooked; what incentive could that possibly be? Brook approaches their table, and Valentin introduces her to Martin. She says Martin was with Nelle that night Nelle crashed their shareholders meeting. It couldn’t be a coincidence that Nelle and Valentin have the same lawyer. Martin says he has an extensive client list, but Brook says, Michael told her Nelle sold her shares. It has to be to Valentin. Valentin has her shares, and Nelle’s. Martin says he’ll be at the bar, enjoying a veritable torrent various libations. He leaves, and Valentin asks if Brook thought about his offer. She says she did her research. She knows what Cassadine Industries was worth when Valentin inherited it, and what it was worth when Nikolas took it back. There was a huge value increase. Is he saying he can do that for ELQ?

Jordan sees Cyrus, and says she thought he left. He says, it’s better to let Monica think she won this round. It makes for a better rematch down the road. She says, Monica is right. He’s underestimating the board and the mayor. Monica and Laura are local legends with clout. Without them, it will be a lot harder to make a legit play for the hospital. He says, good thing he has a secret weapon.

Sam asks Jason, what’s going on? He’d said they couldn’t see each other, and now he wants to meet. He says, sorry; he’ll be quick. He wanted to give her a heads up. Something has been on his mind because of what’s happening with Mike. She asks if Mike is all right, but Jason says, no; he’s deteriorating fast. Sonny is going through hell deciding whether to keep Mike alive or let him go. Jason can’t leave that open to question. If something happens to him, he wants his wishes known. He talked to Diane, and give power of attorney to Carly.

Ned says, Cyrus is meeting with hospital board members? and Olivia says she’s read about him. He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They can’t let him get control. Laura says she knew she could rely on the Quartermaines. Ned says he’ll help, but there’s protocol, and he has to get approval from the family’s stakeholders. Laura asks if he can make happen, and he says, it will take a few days, but he can start right away. She thanks them, and says she’s grateful for their support. She tells them that she’ll leave them to their evening, and to keep her updated. She leaves, and Olivia says, it’s not going to be easy. Any news on who the mysterious interloper is who’s buying shares? Ned says, no, but calling for a vote will force them to surface. It’s high time they learned who they’re dealing with.

Valentin tells Brook, the circumstances are a little different. ELQ is in pretty good shape, while Cassadine Industries was on the brink of insolvency. It’s like rebuilding a bus engine, as opposed to taking one that works and super charging it. Brook says, like fixing something compared to making it better, and Valentin says he’ll make her family fabulously wealthy, and give her music career a boost. It’s a win-win. She says, all she has to do is keep her mouth shut? and he says, right. She can’t tell anyone he has the shares; not her father, her stepmother, or her best friend. She says, what about Uncle Sonny? and he says, that’s a deal breaker. He has no doubt Sonny cares about her, but he can’t do anything to help her music career, or ELQ. She says Sonny used to own shares, until the company reorganized after her great-grandfather’s death. She’s sure they don’t want Sonny anywhere near it. Valentin says, it’s a simple bargain. Stay quiet, and everyone gets what they want, especially her. She says he has a deal.

Nelle says Nina could have made a difference. Nina could have helped her and Wiley, but she chose to stab Nelle in the back. It’s no surprise. It’s what everyone does, and she chose to let herself believe in Nina. Nina says, if every single person stabs Nelle in the back, maybe every single person isn’t the problem. Maybe the problem is Nelle.

Alexis is about to call Neil but puts down the phone.

On the phone, Laura says she spoke to Ned. He’s getting the stockholders together to gather resources to give GH, so Cyrus isn’t a problem. Jordan says, good to know. Jordan tells Cyrus that Laura isn’t going to buy her backing him; she’s too smart. He says Jordan needs to be smarter. He wants the hospital, and she’s going to help him get it.

Sam asks why Jason chose Carly when she’s Danny’s mom? He says because she’s Danny’s mom. He doesn’t want her going through what Sonny is. He doesn’t want Danny holding her responsible, or her even having to explain it to Danny. He’s hoping it’s not necessary, but if it is, he just wants to let her know it’s taken care of. Sam asks if he wants her to thank him. She says she doesn’t think she can, and walks out.

Martin says, so Valentin wants to revisit Sam? Valentin says Sam was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. She’s on parole, and one of the conditions is that she’s not allowed to associate with a known felon, ex or otherwise. Martin says, Jason pleaded nolo contendere on one count of racketing in 2010. His sentence was commuted, but the conviction remains on his record. Valentin says, Sam’s not supposed to associate with her ex, who’s the father of her child. Love makes people do strange things. Martin says he believes the word is crazy. Valentin says, believe what he wants. Just make sure to find out everything about Sam’s parole officer.

Nelle says she thought Nina believed in her, and she trusted Nina to be on her side, but she lied like everyone else. Nina says, no; Nelle lied. That’s her M.O. Lie and lie and lie, and manipulate, and take advantage of people, until either they’re dead or pull back for sheer self-preservation. If Nelle is disappointed again, its time she sees that the person screwing up is her. Nina wishes could say Nelle’s life could change if she changes, but she’s starting to realize it’s not possible, because it’s not who Nelle is. Nelle guesses that’s it. She thought Nina was different. She thought Nina was the one person who cared about her. Nina shakes her head, and Nelle says, that’s okay. She’s used to being let down. She leaves.

Carly asks Sonny if he’s okay, and he says, Turning Woods called, and apparently his dad hasn’t eaten in 24 hours. They need an answer about the feeding tube. If he agrees, at least his dad will get proper nutrition. If Mike didn’t want him to use heroic measures, it would have come up the last time they talked about end stages of life, and it didn’t come up. His dad wants to live. The doctors say they can do this. It’s just standard practice with this type of situation, so he’s going to let the doctors do it. Carly tells him, like she said before, whatever is right for Sonny is exactly what Mike wants. Mike just wants Sonny to be as okay as he can be. Sonny says he’s not okay with any of it.

Next time, Nelle tells Valentin to give her what she needs or she’ll blow him out of the water, Diane wonders if this is how Alexis gets her mojo back, and the doctor tells Sonny that the anesthesiologist is ready to put Mike under.

👢 Stepping In For Sam…

Kelly Monaco had to take a break, and Lindsay Hartley got one. She’ll be temporarily playing Sam in the meantime.

https://www.today.com/popculture/general-hospital-star-kelly-monaco-will-be-temporarily-replaced-lindsay-t188368

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles

After flying to Scottsdale, Arizona, Tracy headed to Paradise Valley, which she said was like the Beverly Hills of the state. The market there was strong, but affordable. She met with Char, owner of Bella Paradiso, probably one of the largest – if not the largest – house I’ve ever seen on the MDL shows. At 20,000 square feet, it was like a museum. The house had phenomenal views of the Camelback Mountains, and Char explained building the house had been a three year process. A general contractor by trade, Char had the side of a mountain carved out, engineered for a walk-out lower level. The house was patterned after French architecture, and had a butler’s pantry, and a game room with a full bar (there were three bars in all). The kitchen was massive, and exhibited hand-painted tiles, created by the same artist who did Versace’s swimming pool in Miami. There was a his-and-her master bath, that included a washer/dryer and a wet bar. When Char told Tracy that she liked to wash her own linens separately, Tracy was sure they were soulmates. Well, I must be too, since I do the same thing. Just not in a washer/dryer in my master bath. There was also the biggest shower I’ve ever seen outside of a gym, and (no surprise) a walk-in boutique style closet the size of my house. When Tracy saw Char featured her shoes, Tracy had a moment. She loves a shoe display, and said the closet was quintessential feminine perfection. As they talked about the closet, what sounded like porn music played in the background. There were 12.5 baths, and I have no idea how many bedrooms. Probably fifty. The most impressive feature of the house was a toss-up between a custom made table, flown in from Italy for $100K, and the ballroom with columns that lit up and a catering area. The bottom of the table allowed you to see through to the floor below, an idea Char had gotten from the Louvre. Char told Tracy that she let small charities use the ballroom free for fundraisers, and the house had a good, generous heart. Bella sat on 1.21 acres, and was a private compound. Tracy said, in Malibu, the same kind of house would go for $60 to $70 million, and asked why Char was selling, especially since she’d only been there five years. Char said it was the 22nd home she’d built, and she was ready to do it again. She loved the process. She and her husband owned another home down the street, and she was ready to move in. I wondered how very rich these people must be, and wondered if they wanted to adopt an older child. The house had been listed before at almost $23 million, and stayed on the market for some time. Char said agents wanted negotiating room, so they listed it at a big number. She felt it had been a mistake to agree, and wanted a fresh start. Tracy said agents used to do that, but those days were over, and they needed to be super aggressive with the price. Char said she’d had the house appraised, and it was in the $17 million range. She didn’t want to play games, just get it sold, and they decided on $14 million. Tracy said she’d find someone locally to do showings, and they’d throw an incredible event for the relaunch.

JoshA had one day to get offers for the Oriole house, where the sellers were willing to take a lowball offer of $7 million under the asking price of $21.995 million, and Josh would get zero commission. He called potential buyers, and told them that they had to see it today, or no deal. The house had 6 bedrooms, a large entertainer kitchen (which Josh said was his favorite kitchen ever), a butler’s kitchen, pocket doors, unobstructed views, and an infinity pool that I’d give my right arm to swim in if I didn’t need it. The master bedroom was 2000 square feet, and had a dual master bath. There was a climate-controlled wine cellar, a private movie theater with a $4K projector, a gym, and a spa area. Josh was still in shock that the seller entertained the low offer, but they were fed up with the continuous construction in the area, and wanted to move on. Josh showed the house to quite a few potential buyers, who were also concerned about the construction. Josh said that for the next two years, it would be hectic, but it was trophy construction, and the dirt alone was worth $32 million. Josh said everyone loved the house, but no one indicated an offer. Besides the construction being an issue, the timeframe of 24 hours to make a decision was intimidating.

Back in Los Angeles, Tracy met with their team to give them an update on Bella. She said she couldn’t be there for every showing, so she was co-listing with Chris Harris, a local broker who was sophisticated and smart. He’d agreed with her $14 million asking price, but with a caveat. He wanted certain lucky numbers included, and the price was changed to $13,998,648. Tracy was going back to Arizona to throw an event, and Chris was getting the vendors and catering in the meantime. In her interview, Tracy said she thought it would be difficult to find a buyer who’d want that size of a house with a ballroom.

David and James were still trying to sell the Margherita house, which they thought was the perfect family home. They’d had a brokers open, highlighting the double lot, but weren’t getting much action. Getting other buyers in was imperative to get it sold as soon as possible, so they began to do private showings. While I thought the house was charming, a lot of the buyers and agents thought it was dated and needed work. Buyers were more concerned with getting a new house in line with the comps in the area.

Rick from Oriole came to the Altman Brothers building, where Josh pointed out his statue made out of Legos in the lobby. Josh said he’d gotten a $15.5 million, 30 day closing, all cash offer from a good buyer. Rick said it wasn’t much more, but Josh said it was still $500K more than the original offer. Rick told Josh that the realtor’s client hadn’t been on the exclusion list, so Josh would get a commission. Either way it was a win. Josh played both sides, and ended up with the first buyer offering $16.5, all cash (where do these people get this money?), and a 14 day closing. Rick said Josh had a deal, and Josh said it was the first deal in his new office. Only one million more deals to go.

Tracy did a relaunch event at Bella, inviting local brokers, and the top brokers from the coast of California, those she had no doubt would have serious interest. She’d gotten the top restaurant in Paradise Valley to do the catering, and impressed upon the bartender that there would be no plastic. She wanted an exquisite event, and it was. With over 200 people attending, Tracy declared it a massive success, and did a few private showings before she left.

David and/or James said that Margherita was a beautiful, traditional house in an amazing neighborhood, but they’d had no offers. David James thought unless the price was reduced, it wasn’t going to sell. They met with owner Serene, and she said she loved her home, and wanted it to go to the right family. She and her husband were willing to stay as long as they needed to. James said it had been on the market almost 80 days, and they’d been showing it, but hadn’t had any offers. Serene felt there was a buyer for the house out there, and three months wasn’t a long time. James said the house didn’t lack marketing, but the number wasn’t realistic. He said they’d been wrong, and it wasn’t properly priced. In his interview, he said in the real estate business, they didn’t always get it right, but you had to own it when you were wrong. James David said they thought the price should be reduced, and James said if Serene wanted to seriously generate interest, she should price it at $14.995 million, a reduction of $3 million. Serene said she had a number in her head, and that price wasn’t realistic for their retirement. James said, the longer it was on the market, the less desirable it became. David said the response was that it was a great house, but too expensive. In his interview, he said Serene wasn’t the typical client who wanted to overprice the property. She and her husband had made an investment, and wanted the payoff they thought they’d get. The lower figure was stopping their dreams of retirement. James said if they didn’t get an offer in 90 days, they needed to reduce it, or take it off the market. Otherwise, they’d be wasting both their time. In James’s interview, he said they didn’t know what to do or where to go. They were hoping a buyer would show up, but were at a deadlock. There was no choice but to sit and wait.

Next time, JoshF represents a client who knew his grandmother, and Frederik tries to steal a listing back from David and James.

🏢 If You Like That Sort Of Thing…

I’ve tried watching Big Brother, but I just can’t.

https://parade.com/983731/mikebloom/big-brother-22/

💉 Another Kind Of Horror Story…

I can totally see Sarah Paulson as Nurse Ratched.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/ratched-netflix-cuckoos-nest-series-first-look-sarah-paulson/

🌪 Farewell Isaisis…

The storm made for a dicey day here, especially with the power going on and off – and usually off the second I sat down to type. Hope that nasty dude passed you by, and it’s blue skies ahead. Until next time, stay safe, stay dry, and stay out of every hurricane’s path, the weather kind or otherwise.