Tag Archives: Kristoff St. John

February 6, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Willow Tells Drew All, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watching, Watching Soon, Grammy Dish, Spice Minus One, Bowling For Puppies, Best, Octonary Quotes & Stars

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥤 Weekday Big Gulps…                                                                   

Monday: 

Ric went to Sonny’s, and Sonny said Ric needed to make sure Michael didn’t lose his children.

Gio and Emma came into the nook to find Chase and Brook there. Emma asked how mad Tracy was, and Brook asked why she’d be mad.

Suzanne said someone was waiting for Alexis in her office who would only talk to her. Alexis went in to find Willow there.

At Bobbie’s, Lucas told Marco that it was nice to go to Ava’s, and Marco said, and spending the night at the MetroCourt. Lucas suggested they enjoy this unicorn of a day. Maybe it was time they got their own apartment on the mainland.

At a nearby table, Michael said he was sorry Jacinda had to ride out the storm alone, but Jacinda said she was fine. He said he’d missed her, and she said she liked knowing he thought about her. She’d missed him too.

Britt woke up to Jason puttering around, and he said he’d let her sleep. He asked how she was feeling, she said, amazing, and they kissed.

Lucas said living at Windymere had been amazing (WOTD), which was why he thought he and Marco were ready for the next step. They could afford a nice place downtown, close to where they worked. Marco asked if this meant Lucas wasn’t happy at Windymere.

Brook said they couldn’t find Tracy, and Gio said she’d gone to get back the Quartermaine heirlooms. Emma said, Tracy had a plan, and Brook said, that was never good. Gio said they were supposed to meet her, but had to turn back, and Emma said they hadn’t heard from her. Brook said, what if she’d gotten stuck? They had to find her.

Michael and Jacinda talked about making pancakes, and Jacinda said she didn’t like cooking, but she liked watching cooking shows. (Same. I knew we were kindred spirits.) Kristina came in and said it was nice to see Michael smiling.

Ric said he was happy that his and Sonny’s relationship had improved, but he’d represented Willow at the custody hearing. Sonny said it wasn’t about sides, but about the grandkids, and Ric said his hands were tied. Sonny said he wanted Ric to broker a compromise. He was a damn good lawyer and had another chance to prove it.

Alexis asked if it was something with Drew, but Willow said his status was the same. He could only communicate by blinking. It was the reason she needed Alexis now more than ever. Her visitation hearing was coming up and she’d relied on Drew. She’d been proven innocent (nope – not guilty is not necessarily innocent) and Alexis was a fantastic lawyer. She was the only one Willow trusted to show what a good mother she was.

Britt told Jason that she wished she could stay in this moment. It was easier when it was just them. The rest of the world screwed everything up. It would be hard to stay away from him. He said it was temporary. He could help her get out and didn’t want her to be afraid. Walking out of this room was the first step in setting her free.

Ric told Sonny that compromise was the most logical way to end the battle, but Michael and Willow had said goodbye to logical and rational, and Sonny said Willow might be more reasonable without Drew. Ric said Michael would be a harder sell. He’d gone in on Michael hard during the custody hearing. Sonny said somebody had to make the first move and it was going to be them.

Alexis said she didn’t think she was the right person, but Willow said Alexis was the best lawyer she knew and she wasn’t leaving anything to chance. Alexis said, what about Ric? but Willow said she didn’t trust him after he’d disappeared on her. Judge Haran’s death delayed the hearing, and it was torture not seeing her kids. She’d been exonerated and Michael was now under suspicion. Alexis said she hadn’t heard anything of the kind, but Willow said she assumed it was just a matter of time before they charged him. He’d also been endangering her children by openly dating a criminal and she had proof.

Kristina said Scout had loved the snow, but Molly had been absent with Cody, and Jacinda said, they finally figured it out. Michael asked how it was with Scout living there, and Kristina said Scout sometimes felt guilty about being happy without her dad. Michael said Wiley had those moments about Willow, but Drew’s stroke had done what he couldn’t – gotten Drew out of their lives. Kristina asked if he’d heard anything new from the PCPD, but he said he’d heard nothing.

Chase said Tracy’s car hadn’t been involved in an accident, and Gio said it wasn’t in the garage. Brook fretted that Tracy was stuck on a back street, when Tracy walked in saying, the things she endured for this family… What? Gio said, thank God she was alive, and everyone gave her a group hug.  

Jason told Britt that her boat was gone, and she said when she made it back to shore, she’d have to deal with insurance and Jason would have to act like he hated her. He said it would be tough, but all that mattered was that they both knew the truth. They were in this together. He thanked her for trusting him, and she said he was the only person she did trust. He was the only one who knew the hell she’d been going through. Now they had to pretend last night didn’t happen. He said, it did, it was real, and it was amazing. He wouldn’t abandon her. She said she’d try to remember that, and he said she had to believe Cullum and follow his orders. It was the only way to be safe.

Britt said she’d miss this place, and Jason said, as soon as they were back, give him the medicine, and he’d have Brick work on reverse engineering it. She said they usually gave her a week’s supply, and she had four in her room. He suggested that he sneak in and grab one. They were watching her, not her room. Brick would get this done. She said neither one of them were . They must bring out the best in each other. They kissed.

Lucas said Windymere was great, but it was Marco’s dad’s house, and Marco said Luas had seemed okay living with his sister and aunt. Lucas said it was nice to get time with them, and Marco said that’s how he felt. He’d gotten closer to his dad since his mom died and wanted a deeper relationship. Lucas asked if he was afraid he’d lose that if he moved out, and Marco said, sort of. Sidwell was busy and running into him in the kitchen was easier than scheduling time to see him. Lucas said, Pascal creeps me out.

Brook said they’d been concerned, but Tracy said she was fine. She’d gone to retrieve her possessions and got stuck spending the night with Martin Grey. Emma said they’d tried to get to her, and Tracy asked, how hard did they try? Brook told them that she thought Tracy was trying to say she was grateful they’d been smart and obeyed the police, and Tracy said, exactly. It was too late anyway. She was already in hell, but she’d managed to resolve the issue. Brook asked what she did, and Chase asked, where’s Martin?

Jacinda got a call and stepped away, and Kristina asked Michael how it had been living with their brother the acting Police Commissioner and Chase. Michael said, Dante was in a tougher position, when Jacinda came back and said Nina’s last appointment canceled, so she wouldn’t be in until later. Kristina asked how it was going, and Jacinda said Nina hated her and was giving her the boring, busy work, but she had no intention of letting Nina win. Nina was vindictive but knew a ton about the fashion world. She was going to learn from her whether Nina liked it or not, and also make full use of the Crimson closet. Michael said he knew she’d be a perfect fit, and Jacinda said liked Nina knowing that she was more loyal him than her. Michael’s phone rang, and he said it was Sonny. He asked, what’s up? and Sonny said he needed to come to the house. It wasn’t an emergency, but it was important. Michael said he’d be right there.

Willow told Alexis that Jacinda had a long history of arrests before she’d drugged Drew, and Alexis said she didn’t think she was the right lawyer. Willow said her children were more important than her own freedom, and if she wasn’t with them, she might as well be in prison. Alexis would do anything for Scout, and it was the same way with her and her kids. The both understood that you did what you had to for the people you loved. You didn’t have to like it. You just did it.

Jason said they’d dock at King’s Beach and Britt could get a car, but she said her phone washed away. He said she could grab a bus, but she said the bus smelled as she followed him out.

Lucas told Marco that Pascal gave him a weird vibe. He’d gone to the wine cellar and was definitely alone, but suddenly Pascal was behind him. Marco said being quiet and unobtrusive came with the job, but Lucas said, quiet was one thing, but he was positive the cellar was empty. He was standing between the door and Pascal. How did he get in? He thought Pascal had gone through the catacombs. Pascal escorted him out, but he went back and couldn’t find a door. Marco told him, leave the catacombs alone.  

Chase asked if they needed to call the paramedics, but Tracy said she didn’t need to resort to violence. Besides, she needed Martin mobile so he could load things into her car. Emma said, good for her, and Gio said it was the least Martin could do. Tracy said he conceded that she was within her rights. She’d brought the items dearest to her in her car and the rest would be picked up this afternoon. Chase asked if she’d talked to Willow first.

Alexis suggested she familiarize herself with Willow’s case and they’d talk another time, but Willow said she needed her children. If Alexis didn’t help her, there would be no Scout. No nothing. She didn’t like saying it, but they did what they had to for their children and grandchildren. She gave Alexis the folder, and Alexis said they’d do it her way. Willow said she felt better knowing Alexis was on her side, and left. Suzanne brought Alexis her coffee and closed the door. She asked what she could do to help, but Alexis said, nothing. Willow blackmailed her into representing her at the visitation hearing. She’d represent Willow or no Scout. Suzanne said Alexis had no choice, but Alexis said she had one. Suzanne said it was unthinkable, but Alexis said Willow played the Sam’s daughter card and the grandchild card perfectly and gave her no choice.

Michael wondered why Ric was there, and Sonny said they wanted to talk about the best way to approach the visitation hearing. Michael said Ric had been Willow’s lawyer, and Sonny said Ric was his brother. He’d find a way to peace between Michael and Willow.

Tracy said she didn’t feel the need to check with Willow before retrieving her family heirlooms, and Chase said she removed property from Drew’s house without permission. Tracy said, Drew didn’t object, but Chase said Drew couldn’t talk. Gio said Ned could have died when Drew walked away after he collapsed. The least he deserved was to lose the stuff he’d stolen. Tracy said, spoken like a true Quartermaine, and Gio said, yeah, he was. Chase said Tracy had taken the law into her own hands, but Tracy said Martin had been there watching her the whole time. If Drew’s attorney didn’t object, why would Drew? Brook said Tracy had a point, and Chase said, okay. She won. Tracy said she usually did. She was going to look for Yuri to help unload the car, and Gio said he’d help. Jason came in and Chase asked where he was all night. (Dude is so working my last nerve.)

Lucas asked why Marco was touchy about the catacombs. It wasn’t the first time. Maroc said, sorry. He’d gotten lost in a cave when he was a kid and was freaked out about dark enclosed spaces. He didn’t want Lucas to get hurt. Lucas said it was a completely different situation. He was an adult and could take care of himself. Britt came in and walked upstairs, and Lucas asked if that wasn’t what she was wearing yesterday. Marco said maybe she’d gotten stuck and holed up somewhere, but Lucas said, no way. She’d had plenty of time to get home. If that wasn’t the walk shame, he didn’t know what was.

Suzanne said Willow genuinely seemed to love her children, and Alexis said, she also acted like she loved her husband. Suzanne said it was a completely different category, but Alexis said she didn’t know how Willow felt about anyone or anything since she was a convincing liar. If she didn’t know that Willow shot Drew, she’d be helping her, but now she questioned everything. Suzanne said she was a great lawyer. It was hard to defend someone who was guilty, but she’d done it before. Alexis said it was different. She’d be handing over Ameilia and Wiley to a woman who’d shot her husband in the back. Suzanne said the decision wasn’t solely up to her. She’d present the argument to the judge who would make the decision. She had to trust that the system did what it was supposed to do and achieved justice.

Michael told Ric that he didn’t need to compromise. He had full custody, which would hold weight with the judge. Ric said he disagreed. Michael was in a worse position now. Willow had been exonerated and married a congressman. He was facing potential criminal charges and Alexis had given the prosecution a roadmap to follow. Michael said he hadn’t been charged, but Ric said it would still affect the judge’s perception. Willow would get visitation this time. The question was how generous the judge would be. If they decided in her favor, it would open the door to Willow getting full custody. Sonny said they had to get in front of a judge that didn’t decide in Willow’s favor.

Kristina said she loved seeing her brother laugh. Being with Jacinda made his life more bearable. Jacinda said she hoped so. She was so lucky they met at the Port Charles Grill. She couldn’t believe how understanding he was about her not telling him about being with Boyle when Drew was shot. Not many men would understand how she had to protect herself. She never thought Boyle would admit it. Kristina said Michael was one of the most loyal people she knew, and extremely fair. He knew her lie wasn’t meant to hurt him. Jacinda said she could see he was a special guy and she loved spending time with him. She’d never lie to him again. Kristina said she’d always wanted this for her brother. Jacinda got him and treated him well. She was good for him… Willow came in and went over to their table. She told Kristina that Alexis told her that they’d had a great time with Scout. Alexis was going to represent her at the visitation hearing. She was glad Jacinda was there. She couldn’t thank her enough for helping her reunite with her children.

Michael told Ric and Sonny that they were both wrong. He still had the power. Talking was a sign of weakness. If she wanted to compromise, Willow had to come to him. His phone rang, and he said, can you push it?… Okay. He’d be right there… Diane needed him to meet at ADA Turner’s office. Turner wanted to question him about Drew’s shooting.

Jacinda said Willow had lost touch with reality again. The children belonged to Michael. Willow promised Jacinda that she was thinking clearly. She remembered when she first laid eyes on Jacinda in Drew’s bedroom. She had a sketchy past. The judge wouldn’t like Michael being with someone like her and would be generous with visitation. Kristina said, Willow was just proving how unstable she was. She kept doing this. She’d made a scene when she lost custody. At her wedding she told everyone what a bad guy Drew was, then she married him. She thought Willow should take a look at herself and think about what she’d done before she dragged Jacinda through the mud. Willow said she’d expect Kristina to have more empathy, considering the mistakes she’d made. After this unwarranted attack, the judge would think twice about who Alexis exposed Drew’s daughter to.

Alexis told Suzanne that Scout was all she had left of her daughter. She’d do what she had to, to protect Scout. Suzanne said, the hearing would come and go, but her relationship with Scout would resonate through her whole life. Alexis wondered how many compromises she had to make. What if Michael was arrested and Willow got full custody? How could she stay quiet just because she got what she wanted?

Marco said he was sorry and would talk to Pascal, but Lucas said that would just make it weirder. He got Marco wanting to be close to his dad and would put up with it for him. Marco asked Lucas to promise to stay out of the passageways and catacombs, and Lucas said he used to live there. He was very familiar with the catacombs. Marco said, accidents happened. If Lucas got hurt, he’d never forgive himself. Lucas said, okay. He’d stay away. Marco took his hand and thanked him. He said, they could look at apartments later, and Lucas said, fine. They’d live at Windymere for now, but it wasn’t permanent. Marco suggested they look for apartments in May, and Lucas said, deal.

Back in her room, Britt opened the nightstand drawer, but her medicine wasn’t there.

Tracy said, good luck getting Jason to open up, and Chase asked where he was. Danny, Charlotte, and Rocco spent the night in the gatehouse. Yuri found them about 3 am and brought them back. Jason asked if they were okay, and Chase said, yeah. Jason said he didn’t see the problem, and Chase asked if he didn’t think it was a problem for them to know where he was when Emma got a call. She said, yes, this is Anna Devane’s granddaughter…. What happened?

Britt tossed the room, sat on the bed, and said her medicine was gone.

Emma thanked them, and said, oh my God. It was a police officer from a small town in France. They found her grandmother. Chase asked if Anna was okay, and Emma said she didn’t know. Anna had flagged down a car on a remote road. She said she needed help. She’d been held prisoner and escaped. She needed to warn everyone – Cesar Faison was alive.

Tuesday:

Emma found Felicia at the hospital and said her grandma was in trouble.

Jason went to Dante’s office and asked when he’d last heard from Anna. Dante said before she’d left, but apparently, she was found by the side of a road in France. She’d been taken into custody and was in some kind of state. She kept saying she had to warn them because Faison was still alive.

Cullum knocked at Britt’s door and said she seemed to have misplaced something. (He’s a real card.)

Willow went to see Nina, who asked, how was her meeting with Martin? Willow said he claimed the reason he was in Drew’s house was to keep an eye on the place, but he’d had an unexpected visitor – Tracy Quartermaine. She’d let herself in with this. She showed Nina the key and said, Martin took Tracy’s key and she took back the Quartermaine family heirlooms. Nina said she didn’t blame Tracy, but didn’t see Drew giving her a key. Willow asked if there was any way she could use Tracy’s breaking and entering and theft against Michael. (I guess no one remembers the court order about the heirlooms.)

In Turner’s office, Diane said Michael had been reciting this since he could form words, but she wanted to review. He said, don’t volunteer anything and keep his answers short and sweet, and she said, preferably, yes, no, and I don’t know. And the last and most important one… Michael said, Diane knows best, and she said, Diane always knows best. And she hated surprises. Michael said, unless they were in a Tiffany bag, and she said, the smaller the bag, the better. Molly and Nathan came in, and Molly said she wanted to go over the timeline of Michael’s movements the night of Congressman Cain’s shooting. Diane said she was sorry, but Molly had made that impossible.

Turner went to Sonny’s and said her office was questioning Michael. She thought she’d stop by to clarify her role. She saw a Pomeranian with Sonny, and he said the dog wasn’t an alpha dog, but don’t tell him. She said, it wasn’t the size of the dog in the fight… and he said, it was the size of the fight in the dog. The Pom growled.

Nina said Michael seemed like an odd choice for Tracy to bring with her, but Willow said Martin told her that he was alone. Nina said, so Michael wasn’t involved, but Willow said, he could have been involved in some other way. Maybe he and Tracy came up with a plan. Nina said Tracy never said he was in Drew’s house. She saw his car on the block. It sounded like Willow had no evidence. Willow said she had to focus on what she could prove against Michael and Alexis was going to help her.  

Diane said there was a conflict of interest. Since Molly and Michael were cousins, it wasn’t proper for her to interrogate him. Molly said she understood, but it wasn’t a trial or deposition. If Turner followed through, she wouldn’t be involved in the prosecution. Diane said she needed a moment to confer with her client, or they could wait for a subpoena, and Molly and Nathan left. Michael asked if they were going to wait for a subpoena, but Diane said, of course (🍷) not. Turner just handed them a massive gift.

Sonny said the Pom’s name was Fizz. They’d rescued Fizz, but his daughter said Fizz rescued them. He introduced Turner to Fizz, who growled. Sonny said he’d been trying to teach Fizz manners, but he didn’t like cops. Dogs were hypersensitive and maybe he smelled the PCPD on her. Fizz made the same mistake he did, judging her on the first impression. He took Fizz to the kitchen.

Emma told Felicia that she’d gotten a call from Captain Russo, a municipal police captain from a small town outside Dijon. They were holding Anna there. She thought Anna was okay physically, but she didn’t know if Anna was in trouble. He’d said she got in a fight with an officer, but before that, she’d flagged down a car, insisting she had to warn everyone that Cesar Faison was alive when he’d been dead for years.

Dante told Jason that Captain Russo had Anna in custody, and Jason asked if she was hurt. Dante said she’d had an altercation with an officer that had been deescalated. She said Faison was alive and had been holding her hostage, but she managed to escape. Jason wondered why she’d say it if it wasn’t true, and Dante asked if she’d mentioned it to him. Jason said she was adamant that if Britt and Nathan were alive, Faison could be too, but there was no way that was true.

Britt said Cullum took her meds, but he said he’d had them secured. From now on, they’d be kept in the lab at Windymere. She could access them when she was working and it would provide incentive for her to make the progress they needed. Britt said she’d gone there to work. It wasn’t her fault the blizzard took out the power. She needed her meds to perform her work there. Cullum said they allowed her life, but she’d overestimated herself. She’d done good work, but again, she wasn’t the only scientist who could complete the project. She’d officially made herself expendable.

Sonny said Turner was safe. Fizz the terror was in the kitchen. He gave Fizz bacon. It put him in a happy place. Turner said, her too, and he said, so she came there because of Michael. She said she wouldn’t be personally prosecuting him, and he asked if she was saying Michael had been charged. She told him that she wasn’t saying that and it wouldn’t be information she could share. He said he’d never asked her to cross any lines and had been upfront with her. Could she say the same?

Diane told Michael that this was perfect, a huge misstep. Molly was biased in his favor. Michael said he didn’t do it, and she said she believed him. Unfortunately, he’d been caught in a lie, so the truth didn’t matter anymore. Invite them back in. Michael opened the door, and Diane said her client would be happy to answer questions. Molly asked what Michael’s whereabouts were on the night of Congressman Drew Cain’s shooting, and he said he was in his office talking to his sister Kristina…

Willow told Nina that Alexis agreed to represent her. Alexis had already proved her innocence and made Michael look guilty. She could do the same thing again in family court. Nina said she wasn’t sure doing that with no proof would help, and Willow said she could prove Michael was endangering her children by having them around his girlfriend. Drew had compiled a dossier on Jacinda after she’d drugged him. Nina actually did her a favor. Michael had no problem with the children being around a hooker who’d had multiple arrests for solicitation, shoplifting, and who knew what else. No judge would support a father who made such irresponsible choices.

Jason told Dante that he’d shot Faison. He’d thought he got through to Anna, suggesting someone was using Faison as a distraction. Dante said the mention of Faison triggered Anna’s PTSD and he knew that kind. Just when you thought you had it under control, you woke up somewhere and didn’t know how you got there. Jason wondered if it caused Anna to have a break, and Dante said she could be suffering from paranoia and would need someone she knew and trusted to bring her back.

Britt said she was due at the hospital and needed her meds to function and keep up appearances, but Cullum said she’d figure it out. She said she’d been playing by his rules and needed access to her medicine. Let her hold onto a couple of doses. He said Sidwell had given her too much leeway. She’d be dealing with him from now on. His terms were clear. She’d get one dose at a time at Windymere. He left and she cried.

Molly said, that was everything, and thanked Diane and Michael. She’d leave them to discuss things. She and Nathan left, and Michael said he guessed it was over, but Diane said, no. it was definitely not over.

Turner told Sonny that she thought she’d been transparent about her intentions. She enjoyed his company and his cooking, but if he committed a crime she could prove, she’d prosecute him to the full extent of the law. He said he didn’t doubt it. She was ambitious, which wasn’t a bad thing since she wasn’t corrupt. He’d be concerned if she had a vendetta. She asked if he thought that was different, and he said, yeah. Someone without principles was a threat and would do anything – plant, manufacture, tamper with evidence – to get what they wanted and get away with it. Going against him or someone he loved to get what she wanted wasn’t who she was.

Jason said the only way was to talk to Anna in person, so he’d go, and Dante said he’d make arrangements. Keep him in the loop. Jason said he had something to take care of first, and left.

Britt straightened up the room and flashed back to Jason saying he’d get her out of this. She said she should have known it was too good to be true.

Mac said he’d get the next flight to France, and Emma asked if he believed Faison was alive. He said, the better question was, did Anna believe it? and Emma said, she must have a good reason. Felicia said, unless it was a ruse. Anna was strong and wouldn’t suddenly break. Emma said, unless she was pushed too far. She’d been gone for months. They didn’t know what she’d been through or where she’d been. Mac said maybe it was ruse. Anna’s way of sending a flare and reaching out for help. Emma said Anna did reach out to her and she was coming with them.

Dante said he was informed Anna had a mental break, and Nathan asked where she was. Dante said, in police custody in France. She claimed Nathan’s father was still alive. Nathan asked why she’d think that, and Dante said it sounded like the fact he and Britt were alive led Anna to think Faison was too. It might be far-fetched, but did he have any insights?

Jason knocked at the window, and Britt let him in. He said, sorry, but she was supposed to be at work. She said she was on her way. He couldn’t be there. He told her to give him a vial to give to Brick, but she said she couldn’t. Cullum took them and was keeping them at Windymere, and she could only access one dose there. He said he was going to Windymere, but she said, stop. This was over. He had to leave. Cullum was there today and may be watching her.

Turner said Sonny thought because she had principles, it would be a fair fight, but he asked, who said they were fighting? She said if she had to, she’d come for his criminal enterprise with bulletproof evidence and every bit of her legal expertise, and he said, alleged. She said she came as a courtesy. That was it. He said he hoped one day she realized they had a lot more in common than she knew, and, moving closer to him, she said anything was possible, but don’t hold his breath. She left.

Nina asked if Alexis was pushing the scorched earth strategy, but Willow said they didn’t discuss it. But she was sure Alexis would agree they would need an aggressive approach. Michael would have one. Nina said that didn’t mean she had to. The children were the priority, and the judge saw parents use the court as a place to settle scores. The last thing Willow wanted them to see was the same thing. Willow said the last thing she wanted to see was Michael walking away with her children. Nina said the best way was to be the reasonable parent who wanted the best for her children, the rare parent actually seeking peace. Willow said she’d tried peace before, and it didn’t work. It was time for something stronger.

Diane said she needed to know if there was anything out there that could tie Michael to the shooting, but he said, nothing. The last thing he needed was to go to family court being a potential suspect. She said he hadn’t fully grasped how severe this was. He had the means, motive, and opportunity and the authorities knew that. He said it was no secret that he hated Drew, but he didn’t shoot him, and she said the only reason he hadn’t been charged was that the DA’s didn’t want to lose another case. They needed a case stronger than Willow’s and he was one piece of evidence away from being charged and tried for attempted murder.

Willow told Nina that she’d begged for peace, repeatedly, pleading and crying for a drop of mercy. She was sick of it. If she’d gotten time with her kids, it would have been worth it, but all she got was more time away from them and an attempted murder charge. Nina said Willow was in charge now, not Michael or Drew. She was the parent seeking understanding and compromise for the best interest of the children. That was what the court responded to. Willow said that’s what she thought, but last year taught her that it was the fastest way to lose. If she wanted to win, she had to fight for them. She had to go after Michael with everything she had.

Felicia said they had no idea what they’d be walking into, but Emma said she could handle herself. Her grandmother could be pretending and the police called her. Anna gave them her name. Anna needed her and expected her to come. If she had to, she’d go alone. Felicia said it was dangerous, and Emma said she’d call her grandpa for back-up. Mac said Robert would bulldoze the French authorities, and Felicia said if Anna had wanted his help, she would have reached out to him or had him call the French authorities. Emma said, all right. When did they leave?

Nathan wondered why Dante thought he had insight, and Dante said Nathan had lost seven years. He was probably investigating that. Had he uncovered anything that Anna might have stumbled on? Nathan said he was in the dark. Did Emma know? Dante said, she was the one who got the call, and Nathan said, at least now they knew where Anna was. He hoped they could help.

Britt said she needed to go, but Jason said they could figure it out. She had to trust him. She said there was nothing to figure out. She was trapped. He said he was going to find a way. He promised he’d make this okay.  

Michael said Diane thought they were getting ready to prosecute him, but Sonny said they were wasting their time. Michael said, maybe, but Willow still had the advantage. Sonny said, Ric knew what he was talking about, and Michael said Ric was right. He had to compromise. He had to get Willow to the table before he lost his leverage.

Nina said it would make sense if Willow had proof, but she didn’t, and Willow said, everyone knew Michael was guilty. The only reason he hadn’t been arrested was because of his powerful family – the Quartermaines, Sonny, and Dante. Nina said, the Quartermaines would use their influence, but Sonny had always been sympathetic toward her. He wasn’t out to get her. Dante was a fair man and wouldn’t hide or suppress evidence. Willow said she didn’t want to fight with Nina, and Nina said she didn’t either. Willow said Alexis was on her side. She’d been cleared of the shooting, and she would see her children.

Turner asked Molly what the status was on Michael Corinthos, and Molly said, he answered every question. Turner asked if she felt he was truthful, but Molly said she wasn’t sure. It was difficult to give an impartial read. Turner said that’s why she’d asked Nathan to join her. What did he think? Nathan said he was a cop. Michael had driven to Drew’s house, but other than that, the evidence hadn’t changed. Molly asked if Turner still believed Willow was guilty, but Turner said it didn’t matter. There had to be accountability, but she needed evidence. Not footage that could be corrupted or disappear, but solid physical evidence. That was on Nathan. He asked if she wanted him to find evidence that Michael Corinthos did more than stand outside, and she said, and let himself in the house and shot Drew. Then and only then would her office move for securing a conviction.  

Willow looked at the key to Drew’s house.

Mac called Dante that they were headed to France, and told Felicia and Emma that he’d spoken to the French authorities. Felicia asked what they told him, and Mac said they wanted to transfer Anna to a mental health facility this evening. They weren’t equipped to care for her, and it was for her own safety. Felicia said they didn’t know Anna’s state. It could be an elaborate con or a breakdown. She’d be trapped in a state-run institution and that couldn’t happen. Mac said he’d called Doc. Maybe he could recommend a hospital. Felicia said they needed to make arrangements to get there before Anna was committed.

Jason told Dante that he was needed there and couldn’t go. He couldn’t get into it, but it was a family matter he had to handle. He told Dante that he was sorry and left.

Cullum went back to Britt’s and said she’d made a strong argument about keeping up appearances. They needed her in good condition. He took out a syringe and said, consider it a gesture of good will. He’d administer it for her. She said she was a doctor and had… but he repeated that he’d administer it for her. She swabbed an area on her side with an alcohol wipe, and he administered the shot. (It was creepy.)

Wednesday:

Lulu ran into Nathan at Bobbie’s.

Obrecht went to see Nina, who said it would be wise for Willow to stay away from Drew. Obrecht said it would also be best for Drew.

Ric told Alexis that Michael and Willow had one shot at peace and it would take them to make it happen.

Outside the office, Willow stared at the key some more, when Michael showed up.

In her office, Laura talked to Josslyn about infrastructure and they talked about the storm. Laura said Spoon Island was the only place where the power was out for a significant amount of time. She saw that Josslyn had a copy of The Crystalline Conspiracy and asked where she got it.

Jason told Sonny that Anna was in trouble.

Aix-les-Bains, France. Mac and Felicia talked to Dr. Laurantt, who said Anna was agitated and sometimes incoherent. She’d been through a traumatic ordeal. Emma asked if they could see her, and the doctor told them not to say anything that would traumatize her more. Felicia and Mac went in first.

Anna was pacing, when Mac and Felicia came in. She told them that they had to get her out. She had to stop Faison.

Nathan told Lulu that Jen was okay with them breaking in to seek shelter, but he was paying for a new lock and a bottle of whiskey. Lulu said she should be the one paying, but he said it was his way of saying thanks for an unforgettable evening. Other than Christmas with James, it was the best time he’d had since being back.

Josslyn said she’d taken the book out of the library because the woman on the cover looked like Anna, and Laura said it was Anna. She explained about Faison’s pseudonym and said her family still had a connection to him. Britt was his daughter and Obrecht had a relationship with Rocco. Josslyn asked if Faison wasn’t dead, and Laura said, very, very dead. Thank God.

Mac said last they heard, Anna was on a top-secret assignment for the WSB, but Anna said it was all lies. She’d been kidnapped on Halloween. She was chloroformed in her car, came to handcuffed to a chair, then transferred to another location in France somewhere. The attendant spoke French to her, and she knew he was working for Faison. She’d tried to escape and failed, and when she needed a phlebotomy treatment, they brought in Obrecht.

Obrecht told Nina that Drew and Willow had a toxic co-dependent relationship, and this would make it worse. Nina should talk to Willow. Nina said her and Willow’s relationship was still fragile and all she could do was support Willow.

Willow said she and Michael shouldn’t talk without their lawyers, when Alexis came out and suggested they get started.

Nathan asked if Lulu was avoiding him and were they still friends, and she said, absolutely. He said he’d miss her if she wasn’t there, and she said her too. Nathan admitted it would be tough.

Obrecht said Nina wasn’t doing Willow any favors, but Nina said she couldn’t risk losing Willow again. Obrecht said what had gotten Nina into trouble was neglecting to warn Willow about Drew. It was a parent’s job to tell their children the hard truths, even if they didn’t want to hear them – especially if they didn’t.

Michael said Diane was in court, but he showed up as a sign of good faith and figured they could reach a compromise. Ric said their goal was to facilitate an agreement for the good of the children, and Alexis asked if Willow agreed to hear Ric out. Willow said, fine, and Ric said if they went back to family court, it would be a year, maybe two, and there was no guarantee it would be the outcome either of them wanted. Alexis said if they both came to an agreement, they could present it to the judge, but Willow said Michael would soon be charged with shooting Drew and was dating a hooker with a record. She was in a better position, so why shouldn’t she take her chances in court?

Doctor Laurantt asked if Emma’s grandmother wasn’t the Police Commissioner, and Emma said, she was also the best WSB agent on record. She was smart and nothing got by her – ever. That’s why her possible breakdown might not be what it seemed.

Felicia asked if Anna was sure it was Obrecht, and Anna said Obrecht was still loyal to Faison and did what he wanted her to. Felicia said Obrecht had been in Port Charles. She visited James regularly. Anna said she must have skipped town for a few days. After she left, that’s when Faison made an appearance. Mac said, she saw him? and she said, not immediately. First she saw a lit cigarillo in her room, then he talked to her through the intercom. Mac said Faison was dead, but Anna said that’s what they were supposed to think, but it wasn’t true. The same with Britt’s death or Nathan’s. Peter visited her too.

Sonny said Anna was convinced Faison was alive? and Jason said he’d told Dante that he’d go to France, but he wasn’t going. Anna wasn’t the only one in trouble. Britt finally opened up to him, and it was exactly what they thought. She was being forced to work on her father’s project by Sidwell and his partner. Sonny asked who Sidwell’s partner was, and Jason said, Ross Cullum, the WSB director. Sonny said, son of a bitch, and Jason said he was the guy who tried to kill Sonny and almost killed Michael.

Lulu went to Laura’s office bearing coffee, and asked if she could trade it for advice. Laura said, deal, and Lulu said she was falling for her best friend’s husband.

Nina said Nathan just missed their mother, and he said it was a relief. He loved her, but wasn’t in the right headspace to deal with her. After spending time with Lulu when they were holed up during the storm, he needed to confront something he’d already suspected. He had feelings for Lulu.

Alexis said there were still good arguments to be made against Willow, the strongest being the evidence that Drew paid off Judge Haran and had her killed. Willow said they couldn’t prove it and she had nothing to do with it, but Alexis said she was married to the number one suspect and shared her home with him. No judge would be inclined to give her half custody, let alone full custody. Willow said, so because of Drew, she couldn’t have her children? and Alexis said she was pointing out that Willow’s case wasn’t a slam dunk. Willow said, even if Michael was arrested? and Alexis said, in the eyes of the law, the case wasn’t about her best interests. It was about the best interests of the children. Ric said nobody would get everything they wanted, but they could guarantee that both of them would get access to their children, and Willow asked what they were offering.

Jason said Brick connected Cullum to the WSB slush fund that paid for the assassin and the firebomb, and Sonny asked if Cullum was in town. Jason said he was. He’d been pressuring Britt and Britt didn’t scare easily, but she was terrified. Sonny said they’d get eyes on Cullum and know his routine. The more they knew, the easier it would be to take him out. Jason said they couldn’t. Not yet.

Josslyn saw Obrecht walk into Bobbie’s, and said she was just thinking about her. She was reading The Crystalline Conspiracy, and heard the author was Obrecht’s ex. Was that true? Obrecht said, yes, and Josslyn said she’d read his bio. Was it true he smoked those nasty cigarillos? Obrecht asked if Josslyn thought she was a fool. What did she really want?

Anna said Faison came into the room and was as close to her as they were, and Mac asked where he was now. Anna said she wasn’t sure, and started to cry. She thought she passed out, and when she woke up, she was tied up inside the trunk of a car. When they pulled over for gas, she managed to get out. She ran and flagged down a farmer who called the police. Mac asked about the altercation, and she said she was trying to get the officer to listen officer, but he refused… Then he grabbed her. She fought back and now she was in a mental clinic. Felicia said, so Faison was out there somewhere? and Anna grabbed her and said Felicia knew better than anyone what Faison was capable of. They had to get her out so she could stop him. With tears in her eyes, Felicia said, okay.

Outside, Mac said Anna was convinced she’d been held prisoner, and Dr. Laurant said, Faison was dead? Felicia said, very much so, and the doctor said the paranoia caused a break in reality. Emma said, or it was all a ruse. It wouldn’t be the first time Faison faked his death. The doctor said, possibly Anna was reliving a past trauma and created a new reality from the pieces of her history, and Felicia said it did feel like a mash-up of previous encounters. She thought Anna needed time to heal and needed professional help. Mac asked when they could bring her back, but Dr. Laurant said Anna wasn’t going anywhere.

Laura asked if Lulu was talking about Nathan, and Lulu said they’d been getting close. She was feeling like they were more than friends, and she found out her hunch was right when they got stuck together in a café during the storm. Laura asked if something happened, and Lulu said they made their own connection. They kissed and it was wonderful, but when reality set in, they realized they couldn’t pursue it. Laura said, because of Maxie and James, and Lulu said they were at the top of the list, but just now when she saw Nathan, she had second thoughts about staying away.

Nina said she had no idea Nathan was interested in Lulu, and he said they’d bonded since he came back. Their circumstances were strangely similar. They’d both lost time with the ones they loved. Nina said she’d had issues with Lulu in the past, but Lulu was a good person, and Nathan said she was easy to talk to, funny, and beautiful. Being around her was exhilarating, but they had a huge problem. Nina said, starting with Maxie.

Michael said Willow could have the children every other weekend and a month in the summer, but Willow said that was ridiculous. His rationale for keeping the kids was not wanting Drew in their lives. He’d had a massive stroke, and the odds of his recovery weren’t great. So Michael’s reason for keeping them was only to punish her. Michael said he had a stable home and shuttling the kids back and forth wasn’t good for them, but Willow said plenty of kids went back and forth. He was just making excuses. Ric said Willow was right, a lot of kids split their time. What was so unreasonable? Alexis said she thought it made sense to start with 60/40 custody, and Willow said, in Michael’s favor? Alexis said, for now. Could Michael live with that? Michael said he guessed so, and Willow said she needed a minute to think – alone.  

Sonny told Jason that he was all for being cautious, but they had to make a move before Cullum took a shot at him or his children. Michael had third degree burns because of that son of a bitch, and the same almost happened to Kristina because of Sidwell. But he couldn’t go after Sidwell because he was framing Laura for Dalton’s death. Jason said, Britt was there when Sidwell killed Dalton, and Sonny asked if there was proof, but Jason said, no. It was Britt’s word against Sidwell’s, and they couldn’t take action right now.  Sonny said because Sidwell supplied her medicine? and Jason said, Cullum did. That’s why they couldn’t kill him yet. If he died, so did Britt.

Dr. Laurant said Anna was also facing assault charges, but Mac said, it was a misunderstanding. The doctor said they’d sort it out in court. At the moment, Anna knowing she was in a French clinic connected her to reality. Transporting her might fuel her paranoia and she’d think she was a prisoner again. Emma asked if it wasn’t better for her to be surrounded by family and friends, and Dr. Laurant said, eventually, but she advised they keep her until she was mentally strong. Felicia said she thought the doctor was right, and Mac said, with the legal situation, they didn’t have much choice. Emma said she wasn’t leaving until she saw Anna.

Nina asked if Nathan still loved Maxie, and he said, of course (🍷). He always would. It was like no time passed for him, but for her, it was seven years and she’d moved on. That was a good thing, since he wouldn’t want her stuck in the past with a dead guy. She made a family with Spinelli, and he had no intention of interfering. If Maxie recovered… when she recovered, he didn’t want to ruin what she had. Nina said he’d decided it was time for him to move on, and he said he didn’t expect it to be Lulu. She asked how Lulu felt, and he said, the same, but they agreed it couldn’t go anywhere. That didn’t change how he felt and he was sure it didn’t change how Lulu felt either.

Laura said Lulu and Dante were divorced and Maxie was with Spinelli, but Lulu said Maxie was still married to Nathan. Laura said it was a grey area when someone was declared dead, and Lulu said she felt like she was betraying Maxie, especially now. And it could still affect Dante’s friendship with Nathan. Laura asked if she still had feelings for Dante, but Lulu said, no. She’d always love him, but it was clear his heart belonged to Sam for the foreseeable future. They were in a good place. Laura said there were fewer obstacles than Lulu thought.

Alexis told Michael that she knew her defense put him in the PCPD’s crosshairs. She was just doing her job. Sorry. She thought he was a good man and admired that he put his children first. Michael said he hoped Willow did the same.

Willow took Michael’s keys out of his coat pocket and put Drew’s key on the key ring.

Obrecht said she had a difficult time believing that Josslyn happened to pick up the book and develop an interest in Faison’s nicotine habit, and Josslyn said, full disclosure. She checked the book out of the library after she saw a copy at Windymere. She was curious as to why it was there. Obrecht said it was once Faison’s home. Maybe he left a copy. Josslyn said when she found it, it was with a pack of cigarillos. She showed Obrecht a picture on her phone, and Obrecht asked when she took it. Josslyn said, it was during the storm. She looked inside and there was an inscription – for my muse – signed with the initial C. Obrecht said, Faison had one muse, and one muse only – Anna Devane.  

Anna asked what Emma was doing there. Faison was watching. He was always watching. Emma asked if Anna thought he was alive, and Anna said he was and he was obsessed with her, but it was worse now because he had Emma on his radar. He’d mentioned her, a veiled threat. That meant she had to stay away. Emma said she had no choice. The doctor said Anna couldn’t come home. Anna said it was better. Faison would be fixated on her and not Emma. Emma cried, and Anna said she had to leave now before it was too late.  

Laura told Lulu that you couldn’t control who you fell for. She learned the hard way that her actions had consequences. Not just for herself, but the people she loved. Lulu said that’s why her initial reaction was to shut this thing down, and Laura said Lulu was just getting back her life. Go slowly and remember she deserved to be happy. Lulu said being able to talk to and confide in Laura meant more than she’d ever know, and Laura said, for her too.

Nathan said it wasn’t just Maxie. Dante was his best friend, and Lulu was his ex and the mother of his child. Nina suggested they date quietly and see if it went anywhere, but he said he didn’t want to start being dishonest. Nina said she’d done that and look where she was – alone – and he said he thought he should go for it. She said if his heart was telling him to go with Lulu, trust it, and he said that was exactly what he was going to do.  

Willow said she accepted the terms, and Ric said he thought it was wise. Alexis said she’d draw up the paperwork and present it to the judge. She suggested Michael run it by Diane, and he said he would. He and Willow left, and outside, she said she knew it wasn’t easy. He said it was a compromise. Neither of them got what they wanted, but they were doing the best for their kids. She said that’s all she ever wanted.

Jason told Sonny that Britt was going to take a sample and reverse engineer Britt’s medicine, but Cullum restricted access. He had to figure out a way to get his hands on it, but needed a little time. Sonny said he wouldn’t move on Cullum until Jason secured the medicine, and Jason thanked him. Sonny said he understood, but it was to their advantage. Sidwell thought they were in the dark, but he didn’t know how long that would last. Jason said when they got rid of Cullum, Sidwell would think it was WSB blowback, and Sonny said the clock was ticking. Jason said, as soon as Britt was in the clear, Cullum was dead.

Josslyn said a book from the 90s and the cigarillos were weird. Wasn’t Faison dead? Obrecht said, unquestionably, but his memory was alive in those who revered him. Josslyn asked if it was someone impersonating him, and Obrecht said, that, or emulating him. Perhaps it was a passionate fan.

Emma said Anna was safe there, but Anna said she wasn’t. Faison was a monster and had proven he could find her anywhere. That’s why Emma couldn’t be there. Faison wouldn’t leave her alone until they were together. Dr. Laurant came in with an orderly, and Anna tried to jet, but the orderly grabbed her. Emma cried, and Anna said, tell Jason I’m right. He has to stop Faison. Mac and Felicia pulled Emma out of the room, and Anna collapsed.

Thursday:

Michael met with Sonny and Carly in the nook. He told them that he and Willow reached a custody agreement.

Turner ran into Jordan at the rock wall and asked if she could talk to Jordan about a cold case file where Sonny was a person of interest.

Brook and Chase went to Bobbie’s and Chase whined about having to follow rules of the PCPD. He went to the counter where Molly was on the phone about the Michael’s questioning. He eavesdropped and asked if it wasn’t a massive conflict of interest.

Curtis went to see Alexis and asked what he needed to get a court order to compel Portia to get a paternity test.

Kai texted Trina that he needed to see her asap, and she asked where he was.

Lucas told Isaiah that Willow had decided Drew was better off at home under her care, and we all got good laugh seeing him incapacitated in a wheelchair.

Michael said he’d wanted the deal. It was 60/40, him. Sonny thought it was fair, but Carly wondered what he was thinking.

Chase asked if Molly shouldn’t recuse herself, but she said it was preliminary questioning. He asked if Michael was charged, but she said, no. There was no new evidence. Chase said he’d been placed near the scene, but she said Michael had no means to get in and there was no sign of forced entry. Chase’s superiors would fill him in if they deemed it appropriate. Ric came in and she left to sit with him. Brook told Chase that he’d overstepped and Molly saved his career by shutting it down.

Molly told Ric that her editor wanted to publish her book, and he wondered why she wasn’t excited. She said the book might be the reason she and Cody were over.

Jordan said the consensus was that Sonny was involved, but the evidence was largely circumstantial, and Turner wondered, why make the presumption he was guilty? Jordan said she thought Turner knew better. Never give Sonny the benefit of the doubt.

Curtis said Portia was giving him the runaround and he had to protect his interests, but Alexis said she couldn’t help him after she’d torn Portia’s life to shreds on the stand. He said he’d tried to convince Portia to take the test, but she’d said no.

Seeing Isaiah and Portia together, the nurses giggled, and Portia told him that they’d be old news by next week. It was freeing that the secret was out in the open. She missed being Co-Chief, but now she wasn’t his boss, so they had nothing to hide and at the end of the day, she went home with him.

Kai let Trina into Drew’s house and said he was supervising delivery of medical equipment. Willow was bringing Drew back home today.

Elizabeth said she knew Willow was a great nurse, but this was a massive undertaking, and Willow said she appreciated Elizabeth’s concern, but she was hiring help. It would be hard, but Drew’s best chance of recovery was with her. Scout was staying with Alexis, so it was just them and she was the only one who could give him what he needed.

Lucas told Drew, one blink for yes, two for no. He’d get Drew’s therapy set up when he was ready. Willow asked if Drew was ready, and he blinked once.  

Molly told Ric that the character was inspired by Cody, but all aspects of him, both the jerk and the sweet, soulful man she’d gotten to know. The point was, he shouldn’t be insulted if he read it without her permission. They got in a big argument and hadn’t spoken since. Ric said he was sorry, but he didn’t know how Cody would come back without her taking the first step.

Portia asked if Isaiah felt they were moving too fast, and he said, no, but if she felt that way, they’d pull back. He wanted her to be happy and comfortable. Portia’s phone rang and she said duty called.

Curtis asked if he had grounds, and Alexis said, yes, as long as it didn’t jeopardize the health of the baby or mother. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Turner said Sonny had been questioned dozens of times, but only convicted once, and Jordan said Sonny didn’t make mistakes and wasn’t sloppy. Turner said he seemed to be the PCPD’s default go-to guy. She was concerned that in some cases, they might have allowed the real perp to get away. She’d seen Sonny when his grandson was arrested, and he was nothing but a concerned grandfather. Maybe they should reassess if he was really the boogeyman. Jordan said she’d told Laura that Rocco was innocent, but make no mistake, Sonny was not.

Sonny said he’d advised Michael to compromise, and Carly said he’d negotiated against himself. Michael said he was being investigated for shooting Drew and couldn’t go to the hearing while under suspicion. Sonny said he could have lost custody altogether, and Michael said, it was either compromise or leave the country with the kids.

Chase told Brook that everybody assigned to the investigation was too close to Michael. The acting Police Commissioner was his brother. Brook said Michael had been Chase’s best friend and was his cousin-in-law. He shouldn’t be involved either, but Chase said he wasn’t. She said, then why wouldn’t he let this go?

Kai said Willow asked him to supervise the delivery of medical supplies, and Trina wondered why he was getting wrapped up in this. Willow shot Drew twice, which could have been why he had the stroke. She suggested they leave and that he resign from Drew’s office, and he said it made sense, but he couldn’t do that.

Molly asked why the onus was on her to reach out, since it was dramatic license, and Ric said Cody wouldn’t know that. Men were prone to self-sabotage. Don’t be fooled by his actions. He was probably torturing himself about the ways he’d screwed up. Take it from an expert.

Elizabeth said she was glad Portia was back, and Portia said she’d probably be out on the street if not for Tracy and Laura putting in a good word for her. Elizabeth said she was surprised about Tracy, and Portia said she was ready to prove they were right. Elizabeth asked if she’d gotten quality time with Isaiah, and Portia said things were easy with him and she didn’t have to live up to impossible standards. It had been a long time since she felt comfortable with someone.

Curtis said he didn’t want to force Portia, but didn’t have any choice, and Alexis said he had choices, but kept circling back to the same one. A court order would make it worse and if it was his baby, he’d be setting the tone of how he’d deal with Portia until the child was an adult, litigating every aspect of her life. She’d done it twice and it wasn’t a template he wanted to set.

Lucas said he hadn’t known Portia was back, and Isaiah was surprised he hadn’t heard the whispers. Lucas said personal relationships were tricky at work. If Isaiah needed a sounding board, he was there. Isaiah said there were no issues so far. He hoped that translated to raising the child.

Chase said someone shot the congressman and framed Willow, and Brook said she was found not guilty. What did he stand to gain? He said Michael was the likely suspect and was free, but she said there was a list of suspects, but he was locked in to Michael and not seeing clearly.

Kai told Trina that he realized Drew wasn’t the man he thought, but he was still a human being, and Trina said they did what they could to expose Willow. Now it was out of their hands. Kai said she did what she could. He’d stopped her from calling 911 and insisted they stay quiet. By the time they came forward, it was too late, and that was on him. Now it was on him to keep Drew safe. She said Willow was dangerous. She’d shot her husband and they didn’t know what else she was capable of. Willow walked in from the back.

Ric told Molly not to take Cody’s silence to mean it was over, but if she wanted to reconcile, she had to take the first step. Maybe he should take his own advice. After his ashwagandha adventure, he was grateful to be alive and told Elizabeth that he’d lied about representing Willow pro bono. She was happy he’d told her the truth, but they had a good friendship opportunity, and he didn’t want to ruin it by pushing the envelope. Molly said she liked how Elizabeth saw the man he could be. Maybe she could help him see it too.

Elizabeth asked how Portia was feeling, and Portia said it was a way easier pregnancy than with Trina. She’d been a nervous wreck. Curtis had ended their affair, and she was lying to Taggert. This time, everything was out in the open and Isaiah was making everything smooth. Elizabeth asked if Isaiah and Curtis were managing to co-exist, and Portia said true peace wouldn’t come until she took the paternity test. Elizabeth asked what was stopping her, and Portia said she wanted to enjoy the pregnancy this time. She didn’t think this would happen again and didn’t want or need the pressure. Curtis would have to wait.

Curtis told Alexis that he’d put his life on pause because he had two possible futures – one where he was the baby’s father and the other where he wasn’t. Alexis said she advised him to wait. Court was time consuming, laborious, and adversarial. Portia would come around sooner or later. He said later bothered him. He’d waited 20 years to know Trina was his daughter and it was when Portia was forced to tell him. He had the right to have a part in this baby’s life like he did Trina’s. She suggested he communicate with Portia first before doing something drastic.

Lucas said Isaiah seemed unfazed by fatherhood, but Isaiah said he was quietly freaking out. He didn’t want to add to Portia’s stress. It was enough with Curtis being worried the baby was his. He could dictate Portia’s life, or worse, push for full custody. Lucas suggested he keep the peace, and Isaiah said Portia did tell him that Curtis was a good dad to Trina. So if Curtis put his child’s interest first, he knew Portia would appreciate it if he did the same.

Chase said the evidence pointed to Michael, but Brook said it wasn’t enough. Chase asked what more proof she needed to move the needle, and she said it depended on the proof. Both she and Dante acknowledged that Michael was capable of it, but neither of them accepted the likelihood that he did it. Chase walked out and Brook followed.

Michael told Carly and Sonny that if Willow had gotten sole custody, he would have taken the children and left the county. He’d rather be a fugitive than leave the kids with Willow and Drew. Sonny said Michael did what he had to. He had the kids the majority of the time, and Drew’s stroke left him immobile, so he wasn’t a factor. Michael said the kids were asking for their mother. They loved her and wanted time with her. He prayed Willow would be a good mother 40% of the time.

Willow thanked Kai, and he said he and Trina had plans, so she stopped by to help. Willow said she was waiting for a ramp, but until then, it was easier access with Drew through the back. Trina said she’d wait outside, and left. Willow said she was sorry for stepping on Kai’s plans. He had no idea what it meant to have Drew home.

Lucas said it was good to see Portia, who said it was nice to be back. Curtis joined them, nudging Lucas over, and Lucas stepped away. Curtis asked how Portia was, and she said everything was going great. He asked when she planned to take the paternity test.

Jordan said she just wanted Turner to know that Sonny had a way of pulling people in. Her son TJ (who?) had gotten close to him at one point. It was easy to fall under Sonny’s spell, but doing so was a serious mistake. Turner asked if Jordan thought Sonny was cultivating her to protect his son.

Carly wondered what kind of questions Michael was asked, and Michael said about his movements the night of the shooting. She asked if he left out anything, but Michael said the police knew everything. Sonny flashed back to Turner telling him that she wouldn’t personally prosecute Michael, and he said, don’t worry about it. Michael wasn’t going down for this. Brook and Chase walked in.

Trina and Kai went to Alexis’s office and she asked, what happened/ Trina said they were at Drew’s house and Willow brought Drew home. Alexis was surprised Drew wasn’t going to a facility, and Kai said she’d asked him to oversee the medical equipment being installed. Drew would be living at home with her. Alexis said, the woman who tried to kill him was caring for him?

The technician told Willow that they had a database of caregivers, and to call with any questions. She thanked him and he left. She told Drew, alone at last. (Mua-ha-ha!)

Isaiah brought Elizabeth a flower delivery, and the card said, Stay right there – R. Ric walked in and she thanked him for the beautiful flowers. He asked if she was going to give them to a patient or throw them away, but she said they were coming home with her. He asked if she’d have dinner with him, and she said she hadn’t heard from him in months. He said he’d been reevaluating what was important in his life, without the benefits of ashwagandha, and she said she guessed she made the cut. He said he was sorry for the radio silence and asked for a chance to make it up, and she said, name the time and place.

Jordan told Turner that Sonny would do anything to shield his kids. A good rule of thumb was that whatever Sonny advised, do the opposite.  

Curtis said he needed to figure out how to move forward, and Portia said she’d work with him, but was doing what was best for her child. He said he had the right to know if the baby was his, and she said he would. He told her to take the test next week or he’d get a court order and compel her to tell him. Lucas listened in, and Portia said she planned on carrying through the pregnancy on her own terms. If that wasn’t okay, go get his court order.

Sonny said he was just leaving and told Michael to see his mom out. Michael and Carly left, and Brook said she wanted to run something by Sonny about Gio. Sonny and Brook left and Chase saw Michael’s keychain on the table. He flashed back to Molly saying Michael had no means of getting in and it wasn’t a forced entry, and he saw Drew’s key.

Trina wondered why Willow would do this, and Alexis said maybe she felt guilty. She was Drew’s wife and had power of attorney and the final say in medical decisions. Kai said he decided to keep working for Drew, so he still had access, and Alexis said Drew was still Scout’s father. Be careful and keep an eye on things. Kai said he would, and Alexis said they’d both learned their lesson the night Drew was shot. If they saw anything, don’t wait, and come to her immediately.

Willow said she’d been counting the minutes. Dreaming about this moment where it was just them, no distractions. Could he hear her clearly? Drew blinked, and she said, good, and tucked his hands under the blanket. She said sometimes she felt like he just talked over her. She guessed she could say he was her captive audience now. He had to listen to her now and should know it was her. She was the one who shot him.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

At the hospital, Elizabeth tells Britt that she has patients waiting, and Dr. Rand… Britt says she knows she had patients waiting. She’s a doctor and always has patients waiting. Elizabeth isn’t her supervisor and needs to stop ordering her around and policing her movements. Elizabeth tells her that what she was going to say was that Dr. Randolph is looking for her. Dr. Randolph is Chief of Staff, and unlike her, is Britt’s supervisor. Should she tell Dr. Randolph that Britt is late because she’s moonlighting at Windymere?

At the gym, Kristina thanks Jacinda for joining her, and Jacinda thanks her for the invitation. She’s been meaning to check out this teacher. Everyone at Aurora keeps buzzing about her flow class recently. Kristina says, Rya is the best. She’s so glad they got in the class because it fills up. Jacinda says, so she’s a front row regular. What’s so special about this class? Kristina says, never the front row. (Same.) She can’t take the pressure. But Michael was the one who actually told her about the class. Jacinda says, he doesn’t strike her as the yoga type, and Kristina says, it takes effort, but he manages to find his zen. If she likes the class, they could go together. Jacinda says she’d love that. Michael is always busy. Kristina says, now that the kids will have more time with Willow, she’s sure Michael’s schedule will lighten up and he’ll have more time, and Jacinda says, since when are the kids spending more time with Willow?

Chase is in the nook, when he hears Dante calling for Rocco. Dante comes in and asks if Chase has seen Rocco. He’s got to get him to GH for his community service. Chase says he’s sorry, but he hasn’t. Before Dante goes, he’s curious how the follow-up questions went with Michael.

In the solarium, Michael looks at a picture of Wiley and Amelia on his phone, when Brook comes in. She says, it was a little tense with him and Chase earlier, and they hug. He says, yeah. He’s trying not to let it affect the rest of the family, but he doesn’t think he’s pulling it off. He knows it’s been affecting her. Sorry. She says, he can’t take that on. She’s fine, but if in the future she’s not, she’ll let him know. He says he appreciates it, and she says, Uncle Sonny told her that he had news regarding the kids. He says he has to let them know they can start seeing their mom again.

Willow says she can’t tell Drew what it feels like to finally say it out loud, to finally say it to him. I shot you, Drew – twice – in the back. She still has a hard time believing she did it. Even though she learned how to use a gun at Dawn of Day, she never thought she’d touch one again. She didn’t know there was a part of her capable of hurting someone like that. She’s a mother and a nurse, committed to helping people. She does what she can to help people heal, but that night she realized she had no other choice. It was the only way she’d ever really be free – of him.

Britt says, Elizabeth knows about her being Windymere’s doctor? and Elizabeth says, Dr. Jones mentioned she was working as their concierge doctor. Britt says, let her guess. Lucas snowshoed over here as fast as he possibly could just to tell her that, but Elizabeth says, no. They were just talking about the storm, and he said the two of them barely made it off Spoon Island. Britt says, yes. It was a rough ride, but she made it back shore to before the storm got bad. She’s been moonlighting as a private doctor because it turns out getting her life back in order after coming back from the dead is expensive. Sorry she jumped down Elizabeth’s throat earlier. She overreacted. Elizabeth says, apology accepted, and Britt leaves.

Brook says she thought the visitation hearing wasn’t until next week, and Michael says, there’s not going to be a hearing. They came to an agreement on their own. It’s going be a 60/40 custody split. Brook says, wow. Okay. She wasn’t expecting him to say any of that. All right. She assumes the 60 is time with him. He says, yeah, and she says he doesn’t seem happy. Why did he agree to it? He says he’d rather lose 40% now than go to court and risk losing everything.

Jacinda says, so Michael agreed to let Wiley and Amelia spend 40% of the time with Willow before the visitation hearing? and Kristina says, yeah. Sorry she just blurted it out like that. She assumed Michael told her. Jacinda says, he hasn’t told her anything, and Kristina says she’s sure he didn’t get a chance to yet. Jacinda says, or he’s mad at her and just needs to find his zen before they talk face to face, and Kristina asks why Michael would be mad at her. Jacinda says, when Willow threatened to expose her laundry list of crimes and indiscretions to the family court judge, what if she was using it to back Michael into a corner? She could be forcing him to give up custody of his kids because of her.

Dante says, Chase was demoted because of his involvement in this case. Now he was asking about Michael. Does he really think he should be doing that? Chase says he may have gotten demoted, but he still cares about justice being served. Or does that not count for anything because he’s just a beat cop and Dante now outranks him. Dante says, come on. They’re equals. They’re at home and there are no ranks. And Michael lives here, so when they walk through the door, they’re not suspects, they’re family. Chase says, in an ideal world, that’s how they’d handle it, but the fact remains that Drew’s shooter is still walking around. He hopes if evidence surfaces that shows Michael had something to do with the shooting, Dante won’t do anything to shield him. Dante says, if evidence surfaces for any suspect, he’ll follow it to the letter of the law. Rocco comes in, and Dante asks if he’s got everything he needs. Rocco says, yep, and Dante says, all right. Let’s get out of here. Dante and Rocco leave, Chase looks at Drew’s key on Michael’s key ring, and leaves.

Willow says she knows Drew must have a lot of questions. She’ll do her best to answer them. After she found out about him and her mother, she felt the need to get away. Yes, it was a major shock and a huge betrayal. She thought it was something she could recover from, but she needed to do it alone, without him hovering, and honestly she needed to take a step back and breathe. She was concerned about getting her children. She was living with Elizabeth, working, and doing everything possible to show the court that she was a stable, loving mother who deserved her children, but she just had one problem that would not go away. And yes, she knows he would have helped her with it, but you see, he was the problem. She begged him to leave her alone, but he wouldn’t listen. If she couldn’t get him to leave her alone, she knew she’d never have a chance at getting her children back. And he knew that. He knew what Michael’s terms were and just wouldn’t back off. Something had to change. She was desperate and didn’t know what to do, so she went to the Quartermaine’s and got the gun from Edward’s study. She flashes back to that, and says she didn’t know if she could bring herself to use it. She just knew she needed to have something, some way to get free. She really scared herself that day. She was going to lose her kids, maybe forever. She would have done anything not to cross that line… but then Judge Haran was murdered.

Rocco and Dante arrive at the hospital, and Elizabeth says she’ll get Rocco signed in. Britt comes by and asks when Dr. Navarro is available for a consult. Her patient needs… Rocco! How’s community service going? Rocco says, so far so good. He thinks he’s getting the hang of it. He likes helping patients. Britt says, great to hear. Maybe he’ll be a doctor someday. He says, maybe, if the NHL turns him down, and Britt says, that reminds her. Her mother bought tickets for his next game, so she’ll be in the stands. She’ll try to keep her mother under control, but she already has a foam finger, so she can’t make any promises. Elizabeth says she’ll get Rocco set up with his assignment, and he thanks her. He says, it’s nice to see Britt again, and Dante tells him to text him or his mother when he’s done. Rocco leaves with Elizabeth, and Britt says, great kid. No surprise the patients love him. Dante asks how far Britt thinks she can push him.

Kristina says, Willow’s not above blackmail or much else, but Jacinda isn’t the reason Michael decided to share custody. Jacinda says, really? Because the fact he’s dating a former escort with a criminal record definitely won’t help in front of a judge. It would make sense that Michael tried to cut a deal before the visitation hearing to avoid having to explain her. Kristin says, Michael would never let himself be bullied by Willow or anyone else when it comes to his children. He obviously cares about her, and she told Jacinda that she’s really good for him. Jacinda says she appreciates that, but they both know if she ends up being a problem for Michael in the eyes of the court, he’ll have to rethink their relationship. Maybe being with her is more trouble than it’s worth. Boyle comes in and says he thought that was Jacinda. It’s been a while.

Brook says, the judge might give Willow visitation, but the court already gave him full custody. Why did he think he was at risk of losing his kids? Michael says, because circumstances have changed. Willow was cleared of Drew’s shooting. She’ll likely be back to work at the hospital soon. On paper, she’s perceived as a suitable parent. Brook says, so? He’s better that that. He’s a great dad on paper and in real life. He says, for now, and she says he thinks he’s going to be arrested and charged in Drew’s shooting, doesn’t he?

Willow asks if Drew remembers tracking her down at the hospital the night he was shot, and he blinks once. She says, he interrupted her conversation with Chase. He was doing that thing he always does when he’s threatened by something, anything. She flashed back to Chase saying he knows she’s a great mom and the court will see that too, and Drew saying, thank you so much for your expert opinion, Detective Chase, but how they get Willow’s kids back is up to them. In the present, she tells Drew that Chase talked to Judge Haran for her. He told her that she was the to getting her kids back. If she showed that she was stable and working, she could get her kids back without Drew’s money, power, or congressional influence, because she was enough without him. She hadn’t been told she was enough for anything in so long… and then Judge Haran was dead. She was the woman who gave her a lifeline to her kids without him and she was gone. She leans closer and asks if Drew killed her. Or did he have someone else do it? Drew blinks once.

Outside, Chase looks around, then tries several keys in the backdoor.

Willow says she knows he’s capable of killing Judge Haran. He’s capable of anything, as long as it can keep her dependent on him. Because that’s what the whole thing has been about, manipulating her and using her children in any way he needed to keep her needing him and tied to him. All of that ends now.

Britt asked how she was pushing Dante by going to a hockey game, cheering, and drinking a gallon of hot chocolate just to stay warm, and he says, Rocco doesn’t need her support. In fact, he can’t think of any instance where she should pursue any kind of relationship with his son. She says she’s confused. She thought they’d all come to a truce between Mayor Collins and Nathan tag teaming to play peacemaker with her mother. She doesn’t understand where all this energy is coming from. He says, she doesn’t? She stole seven months of his son’s life and doesn’t have the tiniest clue? Britt says, it’s ancient history. Rocco seems to be thriving despite a few situations that can be chalked up to being 15. And Dante seems to be doing okay too – Mr. Acting Commissioner – so she doesn’t understand why he’s up in her face. He says, she doesn’t care, does she, about what she’s done or who she’s hurt, and she says she’s not defending the hurtful things she’s done, but in this case, she’s defending the outcome. His beautiful boy is in this world because she brought him here. So yes, Rocco is going to be curious about her. She knows he might hate this, but she actually thinks Rocco kind of likes her. He says, because Rocco doesn’t know the real her. The one who uses and manipulates people, something she’s not going to get the chance to do with his son because she’s not going to be in Rocco’s life. She doesn’t deserve to be. She says, maybe not, but Rocco’s not a little boy anymore. He gets to choose who he lets into his life, not Dante.

Boyle says he contacted Jacinda’s agent, who said she was still on hiatus. He was hoping maybe they could get dinner sometime. Kristina says, they’re heading into yoga class, so… and he says, far be it from him to keep them from their fitness regime. Jacinda is more than welcome to bring her friend to dinner. Jacinda says her friend isn’t interested in dinner. This is Kristina Corinthos-Davis. Boyle says, oh, sorry. He didn’t even recognize her, but the offer still stands for dinner with them both. He likes to keep in touch with his constituency. So… Okay. He’s going to hit the weights. It may surprise them, but this – he indicates his dad bod – doesn’t happen on its own. Good to see her. He leaves, and Kristina says, that guy is just so… She feels like she wants to take a shower before class. Is Jacinda ready to go in? Jacinda says, give her a minute. She’s not quite done with him yet.

Michael tells Brook that Diane thinks there’s an excellent chance he’ll be charged in Drew’s shooting. If that happens, his standing in family court will be severely weakened to say the least. Willow could even file for emergency custody. Brook says, and there’s a good chance she’d get it, and he says, yeah. She says, he probably blames Chase for his part in Willow’s exoneration, and he says he definitely doesn’t agree with the choices Chase has made and thinks his loyalty to Willow is incredibly misguided, but he’d never blame her for Chase’s actions. Brook wonders if she can ask him something, and he says, yeah, of course (🍷). She asks if he’s concerned about the kids well-being when they’ll be with Willow. Is he worried about their safety? He says he’s questioned Willow’s priorities since all this began, especially in regard to Drew, but now Drew had a stroke and he’s incapacitated. She says, so he’s not a danger to the kids for the moment, and Michael says he still has misgivings about Willow. If it was up to him, he wouldn’t allow her to see the children at all, but he thinks right now a 60/40 split is the best option he has.

Willow says, if it had just been her he was manipulating, she probably could have detached herself enough to keep thing from escalating to this point, but it wasn’t. He used her kids to hold on to her and hurt them in the process. He twisted Wiley up more than once and had him in tears. She is his mother. Did he think she’d just forget that or did he think she saw it the same way he did, her children as collateral damage, a means to an end.

Chase slips inside and looks at the key. (I’m surprised the key isn’t in the credits at this point. Have one on me. 🍷)

Willow says she trusted Drew wanted what was best for her and her kids. When she flew to Germany, he said he supported her, but he sabotaged her. She flashes back to telling Michael that she spoke to the receptionist in person. She said he didn’t want to see her and should send her away. Michael says, no, that never happened. He’d never say anything like that. He was alone and in pain and missing his family. He would have loved to see her. In the present, she tells Drew that he paid off the receptionist and made her say Michael didn’t want to see her, didn’t he? and he blinks once. She says, then he set up Wiley, her sweet, little boy, to hear that his father didn’t want him anymore. She remembers telling Michael that either Wiley misconstrued something he or someone in his family said or he was making this up to turn her against Drew. She tells Drew that he knew it would make Michael furious and he knew she would defend him because he knew she could never have imagined he’d do something so hateful. She throws a tray across the room, and it crashes, scattering everything. She says he never loved her and never loved her kids. He just wanted to have her to get back at Michael and the Quartermaines for pushing him out of their family. So he systematically destroyed every part of her life, so she was isolated and had nothing but him. And that’s why she shot him. Her only regret is that he didn’t die. Chase calls to Willow and says he heard a crash. Is she okay?. He walks in.

Chase asks if Willow is okay, and she says, sorry. She’s fine. She accidentally knocked over a tray. She guesses she’s emotional and ended up scaring all three of them. Chase says he’s sure she is. How could she not be. She asks if she left the front door unlocked, and he says she must have. He heard she was bringing Drew home and he wanted to check on both of them. She tells Drew, that’s nice of him, isn’t it? and Drew blinks once. She suggests she and Chase go into the living room and let Drew get some rest. Coming from the hospital and getting him here has taken a lot out of him. Chase says, yeah, sure. He hopes Drew makes a swift recovery. He knows Willow is taking great care of him. Willow says she’ll be right back. Get some rest. She kisses Drew on the cheek and follows Chase out, stopping to glare at Drew from the doorway. (I am loving this Willow.)

Brook tells Michael, from the kids’ perspective, this is great news. She knows how much they’ve been missing their mom. He says, they have, but he just didn’t want it to turn into an endless back and forth between him and Willow. He doesn’t want his kids to be stuck in the middle of a tug of war between their parents like he was. She says, don’t let them be. She understands why he feels like he made a huge concession and conceded a ton of territory to Willow, but he can’t look at it that way. He asks how he’s supposed to look at it, and she says, like he’s giving the kids something they desperately want. He’s helping them reclaim their relationship with their mom, who they love and miss and need in their lives. To a degree that’s heathy and safe, of course (🍷), which is a lot easier to manage now that Drew is out of the picture. He says he just doesn’t want his anger to impact the kids, but she says, it won’t. He’s a great dad and will put his kids first. She’ll help him.

Jacinda tells Boyle that she’s sorry Kristina was so abrupt. She’s actually really nice. He says he’s sure she has he famed Corinthos charm just like her father. He’s so sorry for putting her on the spot mentioning her agent. It was indiscreet of him. He knows her privacy is important to her. She says, his is important to him too, and he says, and she’s always been respectful of it. He appreciates that and he meant what he said. Now that they shared the delightful experience of testifying in court, what was between them is out in the open. He was thinking they could grab dinner and they could be out in the open too.

Dante says, Britt isn’t getting it. It’s not just about her past. They both know she is a danger right here, right now. As far as her faking her death, no one was buying that she was living in Croatia making exfoliants and taking a spa day on her off time. Britt says she’s trying to rebuild her life, and he says, that’s great. Do it. Just keep his son out of it. Rocco being a part of her life could get him killed. Just being near her puts him at risk. She says, think what he wants of her, but she’d do anything to protect Rocco, and he says, that’s great. Start by staying away from him.

Michael and Brook sit in the solarium with the kids, and Brook says they have good news. Michael says, they get to see mommy again, and Wiley says, when? Michael says, they’re still figuring that part out, but it will be soon, and Wiley tells Amelia that they get to see mommy. He asks if the judge won’t be mad at mommy, and Brook says, the judge isn’t mad at anyone. She’ll be really happy that mommy and daddy made a compromise and will both get to see them. Wiley says, Aunt Tracy said, never compromise but… Michael says, as wise as Aunt Tracy is, sometimes it’s good to compromise, especially when it helps the people you love. Brook says, with compromise, everyone gives a little and gets a little back. That way, no one’s left out. Wiley says, mommy’s not left out? and Michael says, mommy’s not left out anymore. Wiley hugs him.

Chase tells Willow, sorry about bursting in like that. When he heard the crash, he thought Drew might have fallen or that she needed help. Willow says, no, it’s okay. It was just nice that he came over. She guesses she’s a little overwhelmed, which is strange. She’s used to dealing with patients in situations like this. He says, it’s got to be difficult when the patient is your husband, and she says, it is. It’s a lot for her brain to process. How did this happen? How did they end up here? He says, this, all this, it’s on Michael, and she says she doesn’t know if he heard, but they came to an agreement. The kids get to stay with her, and she gets to see them 40% of the time. He says, that’s great. The kids will be so happy. But he doesn’t think she should trust Michael.

Jacinda tells Boyle that her plans are kind of up in the air right now, so she’s not exactly free to say yes to dinner. Possibly her schedule will clear up in a month or two. He says, cool. Okay. So what does she want him to do? Contact her agency? She says, no. Call her directly. She’ll give him her personal number. He says, personal number? Yeah. Okay. Kristina watches them.

Elizabeth asks if the coast is clear, and Dante says he guesses it is – for now. He guesses she’s surprised he and Britt got into it. She says she had a feeling it was headed in that direction, and he thanks her for getting Rocco out of here. She says she totally understands that Britt can be triggering – let her count the ways – but is that part of the reason Britt got under his skin today? He says he doesn’t know. He feels like he’s watching a car crash in slow motion. His son is about to get hurt and there’s nothing he can do to get him out of the way.

Britt runs into Rocco and he asks if she even likes hockey. She says, that’s the one with the balls and sticks and the shoes you have to rent, right? and he says, yes. Those are part of hockey. You nailed it. Britt says she doesn’t know much about hockey, but she does try to stay open to new things. He says he knows how busy she is. Don’t feel like she has to come to the game.  

Dante says, no matter how much he hates it, Rocco is curious about Britt, and he wants to get to know her and he likes her. Elizabeth says, and he hates that, and he says, of course (🍷). When he sees Britt, he sees a threat and he doesn’t think that’s going to change. Elizabeth says, what Britt did to him and Lulu was horrific, but people do change. Personally, she has no use for Britt, but some people in town do, people she likes and respects. People who’ve grown to trust Britt. He says, like Jason? and she says, yes. Jason is one of them, but it does seem like Britt has reformed and she’s always been an excellent doctor. He asks if Elizabeth would trust Britt with her kids, and Elizabeth tells him that she’ll say this. She didn’t think Britt would knowingly put anyone’s kids in danger, least of all Rocco. He says, that doesn’t make him feel any better, and she says she wishes it did. He says he does appreciate her keeping an eye on Rocco when he’s at the hospital, and she says she’s happy to do it.

Britt says Rocco is right. She’s got a lot of work at the hospital, and she just took another job as a concierge doctor. She’s really busy. She’ll try to make it to the game, but she can’t make any promises. He says, she should work. They’re not that good and she’d be doing all that cheering for nothing. He’ll see her. He starts to leave, but she calls to him. She tells him to wear his mouth guard. She doesn’t want any flying pucks or swinging sticks to ruin that million-dollar smile. He says, yeah, and she says, that’s the one, and Rocco leaves.  

Kristina says, did Jacinda just give her number to Boyle? but Jacinda says, no. It’s nothing like that… She doesn’t know why she was just about to lie. Yes. She gave Boyle her number. Kristina asks, why? He gave her up on the stand. That guy is a walking red flag. Jacinda says, otherwise, he’s been more than decent to her. For the record, she gave him her number, but she gave him no promises. Kristina says, what a relief, but what about the promises to her brother? and Jacinda says she hasn’t made any and Michael hasn’t made any to her. Kristina says she’s just a little confused. She thought things with Jacinda and Michael were good. Jacinda says, as far as she knows, they are. Thanks to Kristina’s brother, she has a pretty great life right now, but who knows how long it will last? Kristina says she doesn’t know what Jacinda means, and Jacinda says, it’s just that there are no guarantees. Boyle is probably a good person, so she’s staying in touch just in case. Kristina says she thinks Jacinda is drastically underestimating Michael. Even if they broke up tomorrow, she’d still have her job at Crimson. Jacinda says, until Willow forces Michael’s hand because she doesn’t want some hooker around her kids or her mother’s place of business. She has to prepare for the worst-case scenario since it always happens. Kristina says she looks forward to Michael proving Jacinda wrong.  

Michael tells Wiley, time for homework. Where’s his backpack? Wiley says, maybe he left it in the nook, and Michael says, check. Then they’ll get to work. Wiley says, okay, and runs out. Michael says he can’t thank Brook enough, and she says she was just here for moral support. Michael says, here’s to hoping he made the right call – time for everyone – and she says he’s doing the best he can for his kids. As a parent, it’s all he can do, right?

Chase puts the keys on the floor in the nook and Wiley sees.

Willow tells Drew, it was nice of Chase to stop by and check on them, wasn’t it? He wished Drew a speedy recovery and he meant it because he’s a kind and generous person. And even though he hates Drew for what he’s done to her – and Chase does hate him – he’s able to put all that aside, but she just couldn’t. She doesn’t know if he’ll find this a consolation, but he didn’t have a stroke. She drugged him with this medicine – she shows him the vial – and as long as he receives his regular dosage, he’ll stay just like this, and she needs him to stay just like this because she needs to make sure that he never has power over her, or anyone, again. But that’s going to take time and effort on her part. She shows him the syringe and approaches the bed. She says, until then, his money, connections, and the power of attorney he signed over to her, are all going to help her forge a new life for herself and for her children that’s all hers. A life where she’s in control. He didn’t leave her a choice, and she swears she tried really hard to come up with one. This was only way back into her children’s lives. She puts the contents of the syringe into his IV and says, so for now, she needs him to stay on this medication.

On Monday, Laura tells Chase and Dante that Anna isn’t coming back as Police Commissioner; Valentin says Carly always knows the right buttons to push; and Felicia tells Jason that she has a message for him from Anna.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

This could definitely be good if she tortures him for a while.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-willow-confesses-she-doesnt-necessarily-feel-proud-says-katelyn-macmullen-excl/

Everyone should have a side gig.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-ryan-paevey-shares-a-special-look-into-his-personal-life-with-fans/

This was never a regular show for me, but he was in one of my favorite kick boxing videos.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-young-and-the-restless-stars-remember-kristoff-st-john-on-the-anniversary-of-his-passing/

I don’t think any of us expected it to ever happen.

https://ew.com/susan-lucci-recalls-stunned-disbelief-when-she-won-first-daytime-emmy-after-18-losses-11898932

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

The beginning was basically an introduction to the crew. There were familiar faces – Daisy as chief stew, deckhand João, and my favorite chef, Chef Ben. I tuned in late and someone was crying already, but I didn’t even know everyone’s names yet, much less why there was crying so soon. It was the crossover with The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and So. Very. Noisy. Ben was very restrained, especially since his sous chef Alesia seems like an idiot. For me, the less time spent in the kitchen the better, but even I knew more. One of the deckhands said the guests sounded like the group at his local pub, but Daisy summed it up best when she said, these bitches are next level delulu.

The new cast.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/below-deck-down-under-season-4-cast-official-bios-photos-details

Summer House

I immediately found it depressing that, at their age, this group was still gathering for summer parties that always ended up both literally and figuratively messy. You could smell the break-up brewing between Kyle and Amanda. The best thing about the episode was the party theme, a carnival that included a petting zoo. I just hope the animals got to safety before beer cans were crushed against foreheads. This show is just sad anymore.

Vanderpump Rules

This was even worse than Summer House. They’re the right age for messy parties and lives, but that’s about all that’s going on with them. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry about Shayne breaking up – if that’s what they want to call it – with Angelica. After her initial immature reaction, they were still walking down the aisle in her head. Girl, when they guy says he’s not good enough for you, believe him. Luckily, it was World Dog Day and LVP gave a speech. She said she knew the names of all the dogs who walked by, but not the owners. Same. Tom Schwartz also made an appearance.

Southern Charm

Salley is an agent of chaos all right, but Craig isn’t much better. I just don’t get the constant rivalry Craig feels for Austen. But then again, I don’t get what all the girls see in Austen. The dating style of this group is very high school, but it might have something to do with the small pool. They need to get out once in a while. Madison managed to.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Dorit is an idiot who’s become even more insufferable now that she’s sans PK. Her pearl clutching faces make me want to scream. I’m no Amanda fan, but I had to agree when she said she wanted to get through a dinner without being verbally accosted by Dorit. The others actually disagreed, but why shouldn’t she want one freaking dinner in peace? But when Amanda asked for that, Dorit pivoted to Amanda having once been in a cult. Not only did this have nothing to do with the topic at hand, but it was also Dorit’s attempt to out Amanda. They all made it sound like it was a big secret, and Kyle called it a deep dive. It’s not very deep when it’s right there on Google. Dorit found it on a public blog, so… Poor Rachel broke down, dealing with the viralness of her upcoming divorce, but she still managed to be the voice of reason.

The Valley: Persian Style

Sky insisted on going home, so Bamshad had to follow, but she wasn’t happy with his lack of support as she cursed everyone out. She insisted she’s not snobby, but in the next breath said everyone was beneath her. 🤯 Golnesa was still looking at houses beyond her means, and realized she’d have to rely on Dennis once more. He seems surprisingly easy-going about her tirades. Mercedeh is now working for Mauricio, who still manages to pop up everywhere on Bravo. He does seem like he’d be a good boss though. Tanin hosted a girls night where there was lots and lots of wonderful food, and RJ hosted a boys night that Reza described as minimal and broke down. In their interview, Adam said, it was definitely girls night for the win.

Random Reality Items

Say no more – I’m in!

So does this mean they won’t be acting like high schoolers or are they just taking that act to the city?

Good for her. And I don’t hate a Kinder-Bueno.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Wicked Little Letters. Hulu. I loved this movie. Based on a true story, the town saint begins to get anonymous letters of a profane nature. The town free spirit is immediately suspected, even thought the two were once friends. Funny AF, but also poignant without going to the cornfield. It was one of those movies where I couldn’t stop smiling.

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. HBO/MAX. This was an excellent film. I wouldn’t quite call it horror, although it was a bit like Polanski’s Repulsion. Or maybe even Rosemary’s Baby. It was ultimately about a woman not being heard. A lot of the protagonist ’s angst comes from a parenting standpoint, but even though I’m only parent to four-legged creatures, I identified. Rose Byrne was amazing, leading the cast, as were Conan O’Brien as her therapist and A$AP Rocky as a friend she meets along the way.

https://www.polygon.com/if-i-had-legs-id-kick-you-hbo-max/

Falling Skies. Netflix. This is not a new series, but it’s new to Netflix and was new to me. Aliens aren’t on my short list of genres, except for the original V, but it still involved an apocalypse of sorts, so I was like, why not? The cast is good, the story’s not awful, and the effects are adequate. But I just kept wondering, if this life is so intelligent, why are they clunking around in armor that just seemed to get in the way of any movement? It’s also not clear why these monsters are here, although I assume all will be revealed. I haven’t finished watching it yet, but I’m in for the rest of it. I like having a series on tap that I can throw in on a Sunday night.

https://movieweb.com/falling-skies-stream-netflix-january-2026-sci-fi-action/

The rest of my line-up included Fallout on Amazon Prime (only one more episode… sniff…), The Beauty on Hulu (doling episodes out like methadone), and Beyond the Gates on Paramount+ (why did they move People’s Court to 2 pm?).  

🔮 Watch Of the (Near) Future…

Ghouls have hopes too.

https://extratv.com/2026/02/04/fallout-walton-goggins-on-hopes-for-the-ghoul-and-cooper-in-season-3-exclusive/

Bad to the Bowl.

https://people.com/who-is-performing-at-the-2026-super-bowl-11896597

Only watching it for the ads.

https://ew.com/jurassic-park-reunion-super-bowl-sam-neill-laura-dern-jeff-goldblum-exclusive-11896974

Olympic entertainment.

https://ew.com/winter-olympics-2026-performers-11898843

It’s truly a new world. No, really. How did he get this gig?

🏆 Not Your Grammy’s Grammy…

The winners.

https://ew.com/grammy-awards-2026-winners-list-11892584

The best and worst moments.

https://ew.com/grammys-2026-best-worst-moments-11896738

And most important, the fashion.

https://ew.com/grammys-2026-red-carpet-photos-11894866

I actually like Miley Cyrus’s jacket, but it looks cumbersome. And I see Billie Eilish wearing Wednesday.

https://www.purewow.com/news/grammys-red-carpet-fashion

This is just beautiful.

https://www.purewow.com/news/grammys-2026-best-look

🎤 Four-Fifths Of a Reunion…

Just because I like them. Loved the fashion back in the day too.

https://ew.com/spice-girls-reunion-viva-forever-amid-victoria-beckham-family-drama-11900149

🐶 Sunday Goes To the Dogs…

🐕 The competition.

https://patch.com/new-york/new-york-city/puppy-bowl-2026-photos-see-adorable-shelter-dogs-competing-year

🐾 Meet the players.

https://www.today.com/video/meet-the-cats-and-pups-of-the-2026-great-american-rescue-bowl-257273413830

🐕‍🦺 Almost as good as when the Golden Retriever peed in the ring at Westminster. The audience applauded and a good time was had by all except the handler, who was mortified.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/06/entertainment/video/puppy-bowl-puppies-john-berman-vrtc-digvid

🐩 Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Puppy Bowl, including past Bowls.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl

🥇 Best Of the Best…

Last, but not least – God loves a terrier.

https://ew.com/westminster-dog-show-catherine-ohara-best-in-show-tribute-11899177

🎺 Quotes of the Week

Our ancestors achieved far more with far less. – Kristian Smith

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. – Anais Nin

Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. – Franz Kafka

You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it. – Robin Williams

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. – Warren Buffett

Kites rise highest against the wind—not with it.Winston Churchill

I just want to eat shrimp and die alone. – Bailey Taylor, Summer House

The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. Please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. – Bad Bunny, Grammy Awards

So Sabrina Carpenter releases a dove, and everyone is up in arms, yet it’s okay for several poor groundhogs to be yanked from their hibernation for no reason whatsoever. Priorities.

🥶 Getting Cold Feet…

Until next time, stay safe; stay keeping your faucets dripping if it’s below freezing; and stay leaving other people’s keys alone.

August 22, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Josslyn Sees Jason, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Wishful Watch, Farewell To an Icon, Animal Assortment, Five Quotes Two Times & Dance

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Portia and Curtis basked in the afterglow. Curtis said there was no looking back, only moving forward, and Portia said, together.

Agent #1 said that there were discrepancies in the patient referrals and authorizations, and Felicia asked if she could help, but he said their questions were limited to Stella. Jordan and Isaiah tried to intervene, and Felicia suggested calling a lawyer, but Stella said there was no reason.

Brook went to Home & Heart where Flora apologized for what she’d gone through. It wasn’t the forum Lucy should have chosen for a mother/daughter reunion. Brook said there wasn’t going to be one, and Flora said she spoke with Lois and had a better understanding of the situation. She got the impression Brook giving away her son was heartbreaking for all involved. Brook asked if Flora thought she was being unfair.

Martin met Maxie backstage, and she wondered if she could be kicked out of Deception if she went against her partners.

Sidwell showed Lucy the view from the turret after dinner, and she said she had to get to the studio for a product launch with Maxie. Sidwell said he’d be watching, but she said he could see her anytime. He said he couldn’t get enough of the beautiful and talented Lucy Coe.

Drew said he had witnesses and unless Sonny agreed to his terms, Michael would go straight to prison. Turner listened in.

Jason and Britt locked eyes, and Britt said Pascal needed to come with her now.

Josslyn shot at the assassin struggling with Vaughn, and the assassin dropped. She asked who he was, and Vaughn checked the assassin’s pockets as he struggled to breathe.

Portia said she was committed to putting their marriage first, and Curtis said what they had was worth fighting for. It was over. He’d seen the formidable woman he’d fallen in love with when she’d refused to bend to Drew’s demands, and it reminded him of how good they were together. Her phone rang and it was Jordan.

Flora said Lois was suffering, and Brook said she hated it too, but couldn’t get over Lois lying to her. Flora said she could see both sides. but Lois’s mama was the one really steering the ship. Brook said she could understand why Gloria wanted to keep the baby in the family, but her mom had misgivings and said nothing. Flora said Lois was stuck between the, but Brook said Lois should have been honest with her. Then it could have been her decision when and how to approach Gio. She could have spared him the pain and betrayal. None of this would have happened and they might have had a relationship. Now her son wanted nothing to do with her.

Maxie asked if she could be forced out, and Martin said there were whistleblower laws that would prevent that, but she had personal relationships that might not survive.

Lucy said only Deception could lure her away from Sidwell, and he said he was pleased they hadn’t gone to the police about Sonny. He kissed her goodbye for luck, when Marco came in. She left, and Sidwell told Marco about Home & Heart and how he was looking forward to watching Lucy’s company. Marco asked if he was getting serious about Lucy.

Drew said Michael assaulted him in the MetroCourt. Even Diane couldn’t change Michael’s criminal past, including bludgeoning a woman to death when he was 17. It made a conviction more likely, and Willow would get her kids back. He wanted Sonny to get Willow generous visitation, sell his piers to Sidwell, and take an extended vacation anywhere but there.

Vaughn asked, who sent him? as the assassin gasped for air. Vaughn put a pillow over the assassin’s face.

On the side, Britt said she needed Pascal, and he told Jason have a drink, compliments of the hotel. Britt told Pascal that the AC wasn’t working. If the computers overheated, they’d crash. She’d have to start from scratch, and he wouldn’t like it. She’d be in her room until he was done. Pascal apologized to Jason.

Flora said she’d overstepped, but Brook said if Flora had insights, she’d listen. Flora said Lois hadn’t been truthful and Brook felt like if Lois had handled it differently, she’d have a relationship with her son, but it was pure conjecture. She had no way of knowing what would have happened. Aside from this issue, there had always been trust. Brook had to figure out if it could be repaired or if it was damaged beyond repair. A producer told Flora it was time, and Brook thanked her.

Jordan told Portia that Curtis’s phone was off and asked to speak to him. She was at GH. Portia gave him the phone, and Jordan said two state investigators from the Insurance Fraud Division had shown up and wanted to talk to Stella. Stella was with them now and she thought he should know. He said he was on his way, and he told Portia, Aunt Stella might be in trouble. Portia said she’d come with him.

Drew said Michael lost it and all it took was him talking to Wiley, and Sonny said Drew had used his grandson to get to him. Drew said he might want to remind Michael that 50% was better than nothing, what he’d get in prison, and Sonny said all Drew cared about was him being the one to get Willow’s kids back, but his hero ship had sailed. Willow knew what a loser he was. His desperation was showing, and even if he got everything he wanted, he’d never get Willow back.

Vaughn said their cover was blown and they had to go, but Josslyn said, what if they made Britt tell them who Dalton was working for? Vaughn scoffed at Britt telling them what they wanted to know, but Josslyn said Britt might tell her.

Pascal said Jason’s excursion had been booked and suggested he make a trip to the bar where there was live music. Jason said, lead the way, and followed Pascal.

Britt went to her room.

Drew asked if Sonny was letting his son go back to prison, but Sonny told him that he didn’t say that. Drew asked if Sonny was giving him what he wanted, but Sonny told Drew, he didn’t say that either. Drew’s head exploded said, whatever happened next was on Sonny, and he left. Turner came out, and said, that was the legal definition of extortion. She didn’t think Drew was capable of it. Sonny said she’d gotten a chance to meet the real Drew Cain.

Maxie told Martin that she couldn’t have anything hanging over Deception and needed to exonerate the company of any wrongdoing. She wondered if she could schedule a meeting with the DA and didn’t know if she should warn the others, but Martin said, absolutely not. Lucy came in and told Maxie, whatever Martin was advising, do the opposite. She’d just come from having a wonderful, romantic evening with Sidwell. Martin left and Brook arrived. She asked why he’d been there, and Lucy asked what he and Maxie were talking about.

Curtis and Portia arrived at the hospital, and Jordan said Stella was still being questioned. Portia said she’d see what she could find out, and Curtis said he’d put a stop to it. Isaiah said that wasn’t a good idea.

Vaughn said Britt was Cesar Faison’s daughter, but Josslyn said Britt was more than her father’s daughter. Britt risked her life to save her. They could get real intel. Seeing Josslyn looking at the dead assassin, Vaughn asked if she was good, and she said this had to count for something. He said they could buy themselves 24 hours if no one knew the assassin had tried and failed. They could make him disappear. Their bungalow was close to the cliffs. If he killed the lights on the path, no one would see them throw him off the cliff. It was that or bail. Josslyn said they’d get rid of the body, and Vaughn left.  

Lucy went to get her makeup touched up, and Brook told Maxie that she was passing on the camera stuff. Maxie said she didn’t want Brook to do something that made her uncomfortable, and Brook said Maxie was the best. Maxie said she hoped Brook always thought so. Brook asked, why? and Maxie said she was just nervous about being on camera.

Isaiah said Stella agreed to the questions and thought she could clear things up, but Curtis said, she shouldn’t be in there alone. Martin arrived and said he couldn’t agree more. He thanked Felicia for calling him and said he’d handle it.

Martin walked in, and Agent #1 said they were in the middle of questioning Stella, but Martin said it was illegal for them to question his client. He introduced himself as Stella’s attorney, but Agent #1 said he couldn’t represent her. Martin said she was allowed representation, and Agent #2 said, Martin specifically couldn’t represent her. He was a person of interest, and they had questions for him too.

Marco asked if Sidwell was serious about Lucy, since he’d gotten the impression she was serious about him. Sidwell said he wasn’t sure. He found her charming and beautiful, and she possessed a demonstrably good heart. She was a woman worth cultivating. He asked, how was Lucas? and Marco said Lucas was a good man who had no illusions about his sister’s ex-husband. Drew came in and said he had good news. He just strengthened Sidwell’s position with Sonny.

Back in the room, Josslyn said the assassin was heavier than he looked, and Vaughn said it was good that the tide was going out. Josslyn looked at the blood on her hand, and he told her to clean herself up. He’d get the room. He owed it to her for saving his life. He’d tell Brennan that they hit an obstacle, but were carrying on.

Lucy and Maxie joined Flora, who said it was Maxie’s first appearance. Maxie said she was excited about Deception’s newest product. Their Youth Truth serum had been so successful, they created an entire line. Lucy said people were looking younger in the blink of an eye. They were dedicated to helping people feel and look their best.

Drew told Sidwell that he’d accused Michael of lying to the kids, Michael lost it, and clocked him in front of witnesses. He’d assaulted a member of congress, which was a federal offense. Michael’s prison record would increase his chances of being found guilty. Marco said, not necessarily, and Drew said, when Sonny was preoccupied with Michael, his piers would be seized by Eminent Domain, but Sidwell said they’d get better use of them as a threat of leverage. Drew said he thought so at first, but then realized the best way to get Willow’s kids back was sending their father to prison. She’d get full custody and Michael would get nothing. Sidwell said annihilating Michael would be counter productive. It would remove Sonny’s incentive for cooperating, and if Drew took out his son, Sonny was going to retaliate. It would not be good for any of them.

Vaughn saw a text from Brennan saying, enjoy the beach. He heard the shower running.

Turner said Drew had bragged about goading Sonny’s son into hitting him and while extortion was difficult to prove, she was a credible source. Sonny said she wouldn’t be if anyone found out she’d had dinner with him and his daughter. They’d come for her and kill her career. She’d be accused of corruption. Drew would say he bribed her. She said Sonny was right. Neither of them could do anything. Sonny couldn’t retaliate.  

Stella came back and asked what Martin was doing there. Jordan said she’d called him, and Stella said they were reviewing the claims she’d submitted since January, but the patients had all deserved the compensation. Martin asked if she’d ever had this scrutiny before, and she said, no. He wondered, why now? and the agents came out. Portia introduced herself and said their legal department had known nothing about the investigation. What right did they have to talk in and questions her staff without proper protocol? Agent #1 said it was coming from higher up and she’d have to talk to their supervisor.

Turner told Sonny to promise not to take the law into his own hands and asked if this is what it was like. The op-eds said he was a menace, but he was being menaced. He said life wasn’t black and white, and she said knowledge was power. She was glad she was there and saw Drew in action. She’d be watching and when he did something else – which she was sure he would – she’d be ready. She promised she’d have Congressman Cain brought to justice. He said, if anybody could do it, he knew she could, and she left.  

Drew told Sidwell that he’d have to deal with Sonny in some other way. Everybody blamed him for Willow losing her children and he was going to be the guy to give them back. He’d be in touch. He left and Marco said, it appeared Congressman Cain’s interest was diverging from their own. He wouldn’t be of use for much longer. Sidwell said Drew was a bit of a loose cannon. He may become a liability.

On the air, Lucy said she knew what busy was like and went on about being in charge of the Nurses Ball. She continued talking about herself until Maxie interrupted, saying, as women, they were always busy, so they’d created a product that worked while you were sleeping – Youth Truth night mask. They’d added nutrients that nourished and rejuvenated while you were sleeping. Flora asked if you washed it off in the morning, Lucy said, exactly, and Maxie keeled over.

Josslyn sat in the shower with her clothes on. She remembered shooting the assassin and Vaughn putting a pillow over the assassin’s face. Vaughn asked if she was okay, and when he got no answer, he said he was coming in. She looked up at him, and he got in the shower, fully clothed. He sat next to her, and she leaned close to him. He put his arm around her and put her hand to his lips.

In bed, Britt heard something. She sat up and saw Jason in her room.

Tuesday:

Maxie passed out after doing a Deception promo on Home & Heart, and Flora said, someone call an ambulance.

Carly told Lulu that Obrecht seemed to have Rocco’s best interests at heart, but Lulu wasn’t buying it. Carly said it was about Rocco, and sometimes supporting your kids meant making a compromise you wouldn’t otherwise. She saw Nina and said, and some people you never compromise with.

Michael went to Sonny’s and Diane was there. She asked for details about his assault on Drew.

At the hospital, Drew wanted to see a doctor to document his injury, but Elizabeth said he’d have to wait since it wasn’t an emergency. He said he wasn’t here just for his own sake, but for Willow too.

Anna called Jack about his radio silence and left a message for him to call her back. Turner came by and asked her to open an investigation into Congressman Drew Cain.

Josslyn and Vaughn kissed in the shower.

Britt was in bed when Jason came into her room. She asked what he was doing there. (I love how her first words weren’t, hey, you’re dead.)

The EMT said Maxie seemed to be having a heart attack, and Brook called Spinelli. Lucy told them that Maxie had a heart transplant a long time ago.

Carly told Nina to stay out of the hotel except for her office. Nina had watched Willow ruin everyone’s life while she was sleeping with Drew. She didn’t have the decency to tell Willow the truth and so much could have been avoided if she’d just done the right thing.

Elizabeth said HIPPA prevented her from sharing Drew’s visit with Willow, and she wasn’t working, but Drew said it would be solid evidence that Michael was violent, and Willow would get custody. Elizabeth said she’d get someone to document it.

Michael asked how they knew about him slugging Drew, and Sonny said Drew had stopped by. Diane wanted all the details. Details could keep him out of prison instead of bending to Drew.

Turner told Anna that Drew was as dirty as they came and she wanted to prove it. She wasn’t at liberty to share the details. Anna said she had to have something legal or legitimate. If Drew got wind of it, she could lose her job, and she needed more to go on. Turner said, despite Drew’s position against organized crime, he was running roughshod against others’ rights. Anna asked if she was backing off Sonny, and Turner said Sonny needed to go down, but so did Congressman Cain.

Jason said he was here for her, but Britt said she didn’t recall asking him to come. How had he found her? He told her about seeing her in Paris and tracking her. He’d wanted to respect her decision, but when he found out her mother had no idea she was alive, he wondered if being dead was her choice. She said, what if it wasn’t? Was he going to rescue her? He could go. He said she could come home, but she said she was never going back to Port Charles. And now she could no longer go to Paris, or she’d run the risk of someone recognizing her. He asked why she was concerned about Paris. What was going on? Was she in danger?

Vaughn and Josslyn made their way to the bed and got busy. There was a song part.

Nina said Carly didn’t give a damn about Willow, and Carly said she did until Drew twisted Willow into someone she couldn’t trust. Nina said Willow loved her kids, and Carly said, until Drew showed up. Nina had been too busy covering her own ass, and everything Willow lost and everything Willow was today, was on her.

Gio wondered if he should step in, but Lulu said, definitely not. Her phone rang, and Brook said Maxie was in trouble.

Jason said he was here help if Britt wanted him to, but she said he’d helped her when she was on the run. He’d helped her when she’d confided her greatest fear, and again when that fear came true and she tested positive for Huntington’s. She’d been terrified, but felt like she wasn’t going through it alone. Then he left her to marry Carly. Sonny reappeared and he came crawling back, but when her mother needed rescuing from Victor, she’d crawled back to ask for his help. He said he’d always help her, but she said, not always. But he did save her and her mother and died in the process. She’d felt grief and guilt, but he was fine and very much alive. He said, so was she. How did she survive Heather’s attack?

Michael told Diane about how Drew had approached Wiley. Drew had crossed all the lines. Diane asked if he hit Drew in front of Wiley, but he said he had Tracy take Wiley to the pool. She said it spoke to Michael’s conscientiousness as a parent, but suggested premeditation. Now, it might cost him.

Felicia’s phone rang, but she turned it off and gave Drew his paperwork. He left, and Elizabeth said he was trying to redeem himself in Willow’s eyes by goading Michael to punch him in the face. Felicia said she didn’t think Willow should be separated from her kids and hoped she had enough sense not to fall for Drew’s games. Lucas asked, who gave Drew the shiner? when Maxie was wheeled in. Lucas and Felicia ran to the gurney.

Josslyn got out of bed and got dressed, and Vaughn asked if she was having second thoughts. She asked if he’d given Brennan all the details about what happened, but he said, only that they’d hit a snag. If he knew how compromised they were, he’d abort the mission. She said, if they left now, the operation would go underground. They had one chance to find out what was really going on.

Anna said she was wondering how Turner came up with the notion that Drew abused his power of office, but Turner told her that she couldn’t say. Not yet. Anna said if she was going to investigate a member of the House of Representatives, she’d need more than assurances, when Drew came in. He said seeing Turner there was convenient. He’d been the victim of a crime perpetrated by Michael Corinthos.

Michael asked what they should do, and Diane said, gather evidence that proved Drew approached Michael’s son without his consent and said inflammatory things that did actual harm to his son’s mental well-being. It could get them a plea deal. Sonny said Drew wanted him to sell his piers and leave town. He also wanted him to go to Michael and get visitation for Willow. He’d use the situation as leverage. Michael said that wasn’t going to happen, and Diane said Michael could petition the court to allow Willow visitation. There was no guarantee it would be granted. Michael said it would be on record that he approved and he didn’t. Diane said Drew was out of Willow’s life and the kids missed their mother, and Michael said he hated it, but didn’t trust Willow to raise their kids anymore. Sonny asked what was going on, and Michael said Willow was out of control. He thought she was responsible for the incidents involving Daisy.

Elizabeth and Lucas worked on Maxie. Lucas said she was in VFib, along with more medical stuff. He used the chest paddles as Felicia watched through the window. Lucy gave Felicia a hug, and told her that Maxie was giving a demonstration, got quiet, and collapsed. Felicia said Maxie appeared to have had a heart attack, and Lucy said Maxie had the strongest heart she knew because of Felicia. She would be a fighter. Spinelli ran in and asked, where was Maxie?

Britt told Jason, go first. How did he survive? He said the cave collapsed, but he found a way out. When he got out, he was picked up by the FBI. One of the agents had evidence of RICO violations, so he made a deal to be an informant. She said he’d never agree to that to save his own skin. He might for Sonny, but he did it for Carly, didn’t he? He said, yeah, and she said, all roads lead back to Carly. He asked how Britt survived, but she said he didn’t deserve to know a damn thing. She’d grieved him. She’d stood by his grave and forgave him, but she was taking it all back. He was a selfish son of a bitch, and she didn’t forgive him for anything. (To be fair, he did think she was dead. How would he have told her?)

Carly said Willow cheated on the husband who loved her, and Nina said, he had a baby with another woman. Carly said, he took responsibility for his choices. Nina helped Drew. Nina said she’d hired the escort, but Carly said all she needed to do was tell Willow the truth. Nina said she couldn’t do that without losing Willow. Willow needed her mother. Carly said Nina wanted Willow to need her, and Nina said that Carly and Michael had denied her the opportunity of being a mother, but Carly said she had months to get this right. Any real mother would have told the truth and handled the fallout, but Nina only cared about herself. Nina said, shut up, and moved toward Carly, who pushed her in the pool.

Vaughn said, Britt could have made Josslyn, but Josslyn said Britt didn’t know she was WSB. Britt had saved her life before. Why would Britt do something to get her killed now? Vaughn said somebody might not have liked him talking to Britt. The manager wasn’t happy. Maybe he was worried she said too much to a civilian. She said, Britt was their best lead and might open up about what she knew, and he said they had a slim window before another assassin was sent or they disappeared. She said she’d go get Britt.

Britt said she’d wasted enough of her grief, time, and life on Jason. She wasn’t wasting another second. He said she let her family think she was dead, and she said she made a choice not to let them watch her deteriorate. She took an opportunity and ended up here. She lived in a five-star resort in Europe. Despite Paris, she still got to explore the rest of the continent and her Huntington’s was in remission. He said he thought there was no treatment, but she said he’d lost the right to ask questions. He could go now. That’s what he was good at. He said something big was going on there. The WSB had the resort flagged and she was in danger.

Lulu hugged Spinelli and asked if he’d told the kids. He said, no. He’d told them something important came up and Georgie was watching them. He thought she was too young for that and wondered if he was a bad father. Lulu said she’d call Emma and see if she could watch them.  

Brook came into the hospital with Flora, who wanted to offer support. Brook went over to Spinelli, and he thanked her for calling. Felicia thanked Brook and said she wished she’d picked up. Brook asked if there was any word on Maxie, and Spinelli said they were working on her now. He cried and said he loved Maxie so much. He couldn’t imagine life without her. Brook said he wouldn’t have to. Maxie would get through this.

Lucas used the paddles again and said, charge them to 300.

Britt said working for Sonny had made Jason paranoid. Her only danger was staying in the jacuzzi too long. He said he could tell she was covering and couldn’t fake her own death without help. Did whoever helped her give her a choice? He could get her out tonight. She said, put away his cape. She didn’t need saving and if she did, she’d do it her own damn self. Go before she called security. He asked, what happened if she did?

Vaughn said Josslyn couldn’t wander around at night, and she said they’d maintain their cover. He said it was risky. The only way for it not to go south was to make contact safely. They’d use their window of opportunity to find Britt. He guessed there was nothing left to do except go to bed. They looked at the messed up bed.

Drew told Anna and Turner that Michael having Wiley taken to the pool showed premeditation. After that, Michael sucker punched him, which was how he sustained his injury. Anna said, so he was a decorated Navy SEAL, who was viciously attacked by his nephew, and he said, unprovoked, in public. Anna asked if he had any injuries of substance, but Turner said, assault was assault. She’d want his statement along with any other evidence. Anna said Drew was trying to manipulate the law to get on top of a family squabble, but Turner said it was a potential misdemeanor. Because of Michael’s record of violent crime, it could easily rise to a felony assault.

Sonny asked if Michael thought Willow was capable of messing with someone else’s kid, and Michael said, Sasha not only gave birth before the custody determination, but Willow delivered the baby. Diane said, if he thought Willow had targeted him, why not go to the police? but he said he had no evidence. He wasn’t 100% certain. It was just a suspicion. Diane said that didn’t help with Drew, and Sonny said they couldn’t let Drew use this to take Michael’s kids away. How could they fix it? Diane asked, who saw Drew talking to Wiley? and Michael said, him, Tracy, Stella Henry, and Martin, who was with Drew. Diane said they had nothing. Tracy’s hatred of Drew was a matter of public record and Michael worked closely with Stella’s nephew Curtis. Martin would just parrot everything Drew said. What about the patrons? Michael said he didn’t think any of them saw what was going on, and she asked, how many noticed the punch? He said he didn’t think the staff saw anything, and she said they had to find someone objective who saw Drew talking to Wiley or they were going in unarmed.

Elizabeth said there was no change, and Lucas used the paddles again. Maxie flatlined.

Lulu said Emma was with the kids, and Spinelli said Maxie had to be okay. Lulu said, she always is. He trusted Maxie and had to trust she was coming back to them now,

Flora said she was sure Brook wanted to be with her loved ones, but Brook said they were Maxie’s loved ones and Spinelli needed Lulu. Flora said Maxie seemed important to Brook, and Brook said they’d hated each other’s guts, but now Maxie was the best friend she’d ever had.

Elizabeth did chest compression, and Lucas said he needed Maxie to plan his wedding. Maxie’s heartbeat started and Elizabeth said, and she’s back. (The magic words, plan and wedding.)

Lucas told everyone that Maxie was stable. She’d been having a heart attack, and her heart did stop, but they were able to restart it. Spinelli asked if she was awake, but Lucas said, not yet. He could sit with her though. Lulu said Maxie would be okay. The crisis had passed, and they’d wait until she woke up. Spinelli hugged Felicia, and Brook asked to talk to Lucas. She asked if he had any idea what brought it on, but he said, not yet. Did she eat or drink anything unusual or inhale something? Did the cream give her an allergic reaction? Lucy joined them and said, no. Maxie had used the product a thousand times. They all had when they did the initial product testing. Lucas said, as far as he knew, Maxie was in perfect health. (I think someone put something in the product. The camera lingered on it too long after Maxie collapsed.)

Nina got out of the pool and Gio gave her a towel. She said she could have broken her neck, and Carly said Nina was the one who kept coming at her. Do it again and she’d drip dry in jail. Nina said Carly had done enough, but Carly said Nina had. Both she and Drew had made Willow a disaster, and neither one of them was getting near her grandchildren ever again. Nina left.  

Michael said, obviously, Drew thought he’d be Willow’s hero by sending him to prison and getting her kids back, and Diane said, regardless, he had a case. Sonny said Drew wasn’t going to let it go.

Drew thanked Turner, but she said he had no case yet. All she had was his statement. He said he had documentation of his injury, and Anna said Michael would have his own take and statement.

Diane said, the best way to bolster their case was to prove Drew deliberately provoked Michael by approaching Wiley. Ultimately, it came down to witnesses.

Turner told Drew, ultimately, it came down to witnesses.

Diane asked if there was anyone else willing to contradict Drew’s account.

Drew said Michael assaulted him in a restaurant full of people, including his lawyer. Martin saw everything.

Vaughn told Josslyn that they’d sleep in shifts in case they had another visitor. He’d take the first watch. She got in bed, while he sat facing the door, gun in hand.

Jason asked, what if Britt called security? and she said, go. She opened the door and said, now was good. He left and she made a call. She said they had a problem and needed to put a stop to it immediately.

Wednesday:

Alexis met with Curtis, who told her about Stella being questioned and said, something is off. Portia spoke with the legal department. They were unaware of the investigation and only Stella’s claims were being investigated. Stella came in, saw Alexis, and said, this is not happening.

Elizabeth said Maxie’s vitals were good, and Lucas hoped the tests showed what caused the heart attack. Maxie should be awake by now.

In the hallway, Lulu asked if there was any change, but Spinelli shook his head. They hugged.

Cody told Mac and Felicia that the kids were fine and with Emma. Mac said he didn’t understand why Maxie’s heart would suddenly fail out of nowhere.

Drew saw Gio at the pool and said, life without the Quartermaines agreed with him. It was good he cut ties. Gio said it was none of Drew’s business, but Drew said they had a lot in common. Their family let them down. Gio said he didn’t know what was going on with Drew and the Quartermaines, but Drew had tried to have the family crypt bulldozed, slept with Nina, and was after Sonny. Martin said he sounded like Tracy, and she was wrong about a lot. Gio said, not about them, and walked away. Drew said Gio was just as arrogant as the rest of the Quartermaines, but he’d sing a different tune when Sonny was gone, and Michael was in prison. Martin asked how he intended to accomplish that.

Turner was surprised to see Sonny and Michael at the station, and Sonny said it was her lucky day. Two for the price of one. He wanted to have a word with Turner before they started, and they went into the interrogation room. Diane asked if Michael had any idea what Sonny was up to, and he said, none whatsoever, but Sonny could handle Turner. Diane hoped he could handle his temper. She couldn’t represent both of them today.

Sonny said Drew’s allegations of assault were bogus. He provoked Michael and was blowing it out of proportion. They both knew Michael was innocent. Turner said, actually, she didn’t.

Lucas told Spinelli and Lulu that Maxie’s test were clean. There was no sign of blockage or scarring, and her preliminary blood panel was good. There was no indication she was rejecting the heart and her vitals were strong. They didn’t know the cause yet, but there were no ongoing issues. Spinelli said, all Maxie had to do was wake up and come back to them.

Cody said Lucas saved Maxie’s life, and Felicia said she was getting the best medical care possible. Cody said she’d be fine, and Mac said she had to be. Anything else was unimaginable.

Alexis said Stella was family once and she wanted to help, and Curtis said he wanted the best for her and that was Alexis. Stella said this was a huge overreaction to a paperwork issue, but Curtis said it was a fraud investigation from high up and was only focused on Stella. Stella said hiring a lawyer would make it look like she had something to hide, but Alexis said Stella was too smart not know better. She could end up unemployed, or worse, face criminal charges.

Drew said he’d told Anna and Turner that Michael needed to be arrested and prosecuted for assaulting a public official, which came with a nice long prison sentence. Martin asked what assault Drew was talking about, and Drew pointed to his face. Martin said, he called that assault?

Stella said she hadn’t done anything criminal, but Curtis said the investigators weren’t pencil pushers. This wasn’t standard procedure. Alexis said they could look Stella’s claims over and move on, but if it turned out to be more than that, she wanted to make sure Stella’s rights were respected. Get a lawyer. It didn’t have to be her. Stella said if it gave them peace of mind, Alexis could be her lawyer. Tell her what she was being accused of.

Drew said Martin was right there when Michael attacked him out of nowhere, but Martin said he saw Drew approach Wiley and say something that upset him. Then he accused Michael of lying to his son. It was hardly an unprovoked attack. Drew said, Michael hit a sitting member of congress. He couldn’t be father of the year in Pentenville and it would increase Willow’s chances of getting her kids back. Martin said the whole thing was strategic, an attempt to get Willow to forgive him, and Drew said he lost Willow because she lost her kids. If he got them back, she’d realize everything he did, he did out of love for her. Martin said, including sleeping with her mother?

Martin asked Diane to promise to block Willow getting custody. She wasn’t stable. She said she’d do her best, but he had no actual proof. He said he was working on it, and she said if he wanted to protect his children, don’t get charged with assault. He knew the rule. He said, volunteer nothing, and she asked why he and Sonny insisted on making her life difficult.

Turner said, Michael punched a sitting member of congress in a restaurant full of witnesses, and Sonny told her that she couldn’t say Drew didn’t have it coming. Slow down and take her time. She said she couldn’t abuse her power. It would make her no better than Drew. He asked if she was going after his son, but she said he knew damn well that she couldn’t.

Lucas went to update Mac and Felicia, and Spinelli told Lulu that he was being selfish. He had to tell the kids, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Lulu said she’d talk to the kids. He should be the first person Maxie saw when she woke up. Spinelli went into Maxie’s room and said, fear not. I’m here… always.

Lulu told Emma that Maxie was stable, but still unresponsive. They were clinging to anything positive. Emma asked if Lulu knew what she was going to tell the kids, but Lulu said, not yet. Emma said if they needed her, just call, and Lulu thanked her. Emma left and Lulu sat down, putting her head in her hands.

Stella told Alexis that there were two main reasons insurance companies denied a claim – a preexisting condition before the date of coverage and the claim not being filed in a timely manner. As if that was a reason to bankrupt a patient with medical bills. Curtis asked if she sometimes intervened, make adjustments to make sure they were approved, and Alexis said a lot rested on specific wordage. A lot rested on choosing your words carefully. Did she change the facts? Stella said she’d think it over and find out if it wasn’t an arcane reason, and Alexis said, then she’d step in? Stella said, it was lifesaving care, and Alexis asked if she altered the dates. Stella said, yes. Rarely, but she’d done it. Alexis said, by the insurance company’s definition, that was fraud. (I’m glad they’re tackling this issue. I’m on Stella’s side. Something similar was done for me once, and God bless those people.)

Drew told Martin that he and Nina were a mistake even before he and Willow fell in love. No judge would look favorably on a guy who’d been convicted of bludgeoning a woman to death and then attacked a congressman. Martin said it might not go as easily as Drew thought. Michael was already a sympathetic figure, and he had controlling interest in Aurora Media. If he and Curtis put their heads together, they could make Michael look like a saint. Drew said, don’t worry. Curtis would be busy defending Stella about insurance fraud. Martin asked how Drew knew about the investigation, and Drew said he was a congressman. He heard things. When he reported the assault, he told the Police Commissioner and the ADA that Martin was a witness. Martin just had to confirm the statement was accurate. Martin asked if Drew included the fact that he approached Wiley and upset him. If it didn’t, it was inaccurate, and he couldn’t sign it. Drew said Martin was looking at it all wrong. He was a congressman and Martin’s biggest client. Martin couldn’t afford to alienate him.

Sonny asked if Turner wasn’t charging Michael, but Turner said there was a strong enough case for him to be charged, but she couldn’t prosecute him herself. She couldn’t disclose she’d been at Sonny’s house and overheard Drew. She didn’t want to be the reason for a mistrial. The PCPD was investigating Drew’s claim, and her investigator just arrived.

In the squad room, Chase said he interviewed everyone present. All but one. Drew asked how many witnesses there were, and Chase said, nine.

There was a knock at Maxie’s door, and Lulu opened it to Obrecht.

Lucas told Elizabeth that inside, he was panicked that Maxie hadn’t woken up. He didn’t know why and kept thinking about how long she was in VFib. He was focused on not losing her like he did Sam. He thought he saved someone he loved, but now he wasn’t so sure.

Spinelli talked to Maxie about James’s swim meet and said she’d promised to do back school shopping with Georgie. It terrified him to do it. He would be a terrible substitute on his best day. She had to wake up because she is irreplaceable in so many ways. He’d been remiss that he didn’t do it sooner, but as soon as she opened her eyes, he was going to ask her to marry him. Please, open your eyes.

Anna asked how Felicia was, and Felicia said, barely holding it together. Anna said, Lucas was encouraging. There were no signs of heart issues. Felicia wondered why Maxie wouldn’t wake up and said she had to stay positive and be strong for Spinelli, Mac, and Cody. Anna said, not here. Here she could feel the way she wanted. Felicia said she kept remembering Maxie when she was six. She got a miracle, but what if the miracle had run its course?

Emma was sitting with her feet in the water, when Gio popped up from the pool. He asked where she was last night. She and Anna were gone. Emma said she was babysitting, and he said, the whole night? What was going on? She said Maxie was in the hospital. It’s really bad.

Elizabeth told Lucas that sometimes the body needed time to heal, and they were on Maxie time. Maxie wasn’t a textbook anything and they’d have to wait for her to come back to them. Lucas said Elizabeth was a good nurse and his mom would be so proud. She said he ran all the tests and looked at everything. Now it was up to Maxie.

Mac watched Spinelli with Maxie through the window, and Cody asked if he wanted to go in, but he said he wanted to give Spinelli more time. Cody said Mac really was a good man, and Mac said, if he was, he had Robin, Maxie, and her sister Georgie to thank. Raising the girls was the greatest privilege of his life. Cody said Maxie told him that she’d driven Mac crazy, and Mac said a lot of his grey hairs had her name on them. Why look when you can just leap? But he couldn’t stay mad at her. Cody said, back when he was lying about being Mac’s son and afraid to face him when Mac knew the truth, Maxie was the one who stopped him from leaving town. She’d always treated him like a member of the family. She believed in him when he couldn’t. He’d convinced himself that he didn’t need family, and Maxie made him want to be part of hers. Mac said he was part of her family, and Cody said because she never gave up on him.

Obrecht told Lulu that she came to check on her grandson. She didn’t want trouble. Lulu said, please come in. James would be happy to see his grandmother. Obrecht asked what Lulu told the kinder about their mother, and Lulu said she was just gearing up to tell them. Georgie chased James into the living room, and said their mom was in the hospital and he was acting like a brat. James said, what?

Felicia told Anna, Barbara Jean’s heart gave Maxie her life. She’d had three beautiful children. She found love with Nathan and her heart was broken when she lost him. She found love again with Spinelli. Her heart had done so much. What if it was tired and starting to wear out? Transplants lasted decades. Maxie had been young, and it had been decades. Anna said she didn’t think miracles had expiration dates. Maxie loved life and her kids. She loved Felicia, Mac, her friends, and Spinelli, and they loved her back. Love was powerful and she believed Maxie wanted to stay with them. Felicia asked why she didn’t wake up then, and Anna said the doctors would figure it out and Maxie would hang around until they did. Maxie was strong like her mother.

Alexis asked how many times Stella altered dates, and Stella said, seven in the past five years. She went over her cases in her mind. She’d worked in social services for over thirty years and knew the intricacies to get insurance claims covered. Alexis said, there were just seven she couldn’t get to concede about denied coverage? and Stella said, it was critical care, but they didn’t care if the patients lost their houses. So she altered a date or two. Curtis asked if it could work in Stella’s favor that it wasn’t for personal gain, and Alexis said she’d make that case if necessary. Stella said they paid their premiums month after month, year after year (preach!), and she agreed they should be covered. Even Martin didn’t know his insurance had lapsed. Curtis said, Martin?

Chase said he spoke to everyone, when Martin and Drew came in. Drew asked why Michael wasn’t in handcuffs, and Michael said he’d come in voluntarily to answer questions. Drew said, Michael assaulted him. This was proof. He pointed to his eye, and Martin said, and the medical report. Drew said his statement and the eyewitnesses should be enough to arrest Michael, and Chase said he spoke to the bartender, the waitstaff, Tracy – who only saw him approach Wiley – Stella, and two other people. No one remembers Michael hitting him.

Obrecht said that James’s sister wasn’t lying, and Lulu said she wasn’t. She came to tell them that their mom went to the hospital. Spinelli was with her. James said, why? and Obrecht said his mom got sick at the Home & Heart studio and was taken to the hospital. James asked if she was okay. What was wrong? Lulu said the doctors were still figuring it out. Obrecht said humans were complicated and medicine wasn’t simple. Sometimes it took a while to figure things out. Lifesaving was like a mystery. They looked at all the clues. But she did know that his mother was strong and in excellent health.

Emma told Gio what happened and said James was still oblivious. Gio said it was awful. He remembered being scared when his mom went in the hospital. He wanted to know, but didn’t if the news was bad. Emma said her grandmother’s job as a grandmother was to make things better, be strong and calm. She was at first, but Emma saw how worried she was later. She remembered seeing her worried a few times, but she’d never seen her truly scared until today. She was scared too. Gio put his arm around her.

Stella said Martin was one of the patients she helped, and Alexis asked if his claim was being questioned. Stella said they told her that he couldn’t represent her because they had questions for him, and Alexis asked if she’d altered the dates on his claim. Stella said she did, and Curtis said Martin’s biggest client was Drew.

Diane asked if they were done, and Drew said it was impossible. Turner said the witnesses denied there was an altercation, and Chase said, no physical contact was mentioned. Drew said they were lying, or Chase was. Why did she send him? Obviously, he was covering. He lived with the Quartermaines and it was a conflict of interest. Chase asked if Drew was accusing him of witness tampering, and Drew said, what about Carly? She owned the hotel. Her employees wouldn’t say anything bad about Michael. Sonny said, what about Tracy and Stella? and Drew said Sonny paid them off. Sonny said that was a false accusation, harassment, and Diane said, noted. Turner said she’d have the statements typed up, but she wouldn’t have Drew impugn the character of Detective Chase. His personal animosity for Michael Corinthos was public knowledge. It was a false claim that no one else observed. Drew said, Martin was there and saw the whole thing.

The kids left and Lulu thanked Obrecht, and Obrecht said she tried to use language the kids would understand without being unduly alarmed. Lulu said she hoped they diagnosed Maxie quickly, and Obrecht said her too. Lulu asked what Obrecht wasn’t saying, and Obrecht said it may be difficult to hear, but the longer Maxie didn’t respond, the more likely she was to slip into a coma.

Emma said she was sorry to bring up bad memories, but Gio said they were friends and she’d helped him. Even when it was hard to be around, he’d still be there. He took her hand.

Lucas said Maxie’s tox screen came back and there was an anomaly in her blood. There was an unidentified enzyme that was possibly what was keeping her from waking up. He was running another test. They needed to figure out what it was and where it was coming from. When they did, it would help decide the best course of treatment. Felicia asked if she could see Maxie, and he said, of course (🍷). She left, and Anna followed Lucas to the desk. Cody told Mac it was the first step to getting Maxie back.

Anna said, Lucas had no idea what the enzyme was? and Lucas said he’d never seen anything like it. She asked if there was any chance Maxie had been poisoned. (Told ya. Me and Anna 🤞)

Alexis asked if it was possible that Martin told Drew, but Stella said she told Martin to keep it to himself. He wouldn’t hurt her like that. He was too grateful. Curtis said, the other day at the pool, they saw Drew speaking to Martin, and Stella reminded him about a form. What if Martin innocently mentioned something to Drew? The orders were from higher up and what’s higher than a sitting congressman? (Probably a lot of things, but okay.) Drew did this. He set up the investigation. Drew was targeting someone he loved dearly to get to him.

Turner read the statement and asked Drew if the account was true. Drew said it was, and signed it. She said Martin was cited as a witness. Does the account accurately reflect what he saw? If so, sign here. Drew held out the pen to Martin.

Thursday:

Ava and Nina had lunch at the pool. Ava saw Ric walk in with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth said lunch was on her. It was the least she could do after he took on Willow’s case pro bono.

Curtis said Drew was now targeting his auntie, and Alexis said, nothing Drew did surprised her. Curtis said it was unacceptable. Drew was abusing his power, and he was going to expose him through Aurora Media. Alexis said if he did, there would be consequences, and Stella said, absolutely not. He needed to let this go. This time, Drew won.

Drew told Martin to put his John Hancock right there, and Turner said only sign it if he believed it was true. Drew said every word was true and Martin saw it all happen. Martin threw the pen down and said, I think not.

On her laptop in Bobbie’s, Molly fantasized about the western romance she was writing as we saw it unfold. Her heroine Delilah was in the arms of Clint Buchanan, but Cody pulled her away and told her to run for it. Molly snapped out of her daydream when Cody’s name was called for take-out.

Brook went to the stables and found Tracy, who asked what was wrong.

Obrecht apologized for mentioning the coma diagnosis, but Lulu said it didn’t mean Maxie would be in one like she was for four years. Her family couldn’t suffer the way Lulu’s did. Maxie had to come back to them.

Molly asked Cody, how would a horse react if they were separated from their trusted companion? and he told her, google it. He got his order and left.

Brook said there was no change with Maxie, and Tracy asked why she didn’t stay. Was it Lulu? Brook said she loved Maxie, but they became friends as adults. Maxie and Lulu were raised like family and she felt it was Lulu’s turf. Lulu belonged, not her. Tracy said Brook couldn’t be more wrong.

Lulu told Obrecht that when she woke up, she wasn’t sure how much time had passed. Then she saw Rocco, and it hit her hard. It felt surreal. Obrecht said she wouldn’t wish it on her worst enemy, and Lulu said that’s why she was so protective and why she reacted the way she did when Rocco reached out to Obrecht. Now she wondered if her reaction was unfair.  

Nina said she warned Ava that Ric was a terrible person. Worse, he was a good lawyer, which was why she hired him to represent Willow. Ava said she was glad Nina and Willow were talking again, but Nina said Willow didn’t want anything to do with her, so Ric told Willow that he was representing her pro bono. Ava said, so he didn’t do it out of the goodness of his cold black heart like Elizabeth must be thinking.

Ric told Elizabeth that Molly benefitted from both parents being in her life, and Willow’s children deserved the same. There was some ego and pride involved, since he’d exposed Michael’s affair, but she still lost the custody case. Elizabeth said Drew did so much damage, it was hard to undo.

Curtis said Stella should want to expose Drew’s abuse of power, but Stella said it didn’t change the fact she was guilty. She still believed the people needed help, but she believed if you did something wrong, you apologized and accepted the consequences. She didn’t think she was committing a crime, but she did what she did. She would accept the punishment that came her way even if meant saying goodbye to a job she loved. Alexis said that was noble, but it was still fraud, and she could end up sentenced to prison.

In the stairwell, Drew asked what the hell Martin thought he was doing, and Martin said he was Drew’s lawyer, not his whipping boy. Drew said he was sorry, but Martin needed to tell the truth. Michael attacked him. Martin said Drew had no other evidence except his hazy memory. He was crystal clear that he’d confided in Drew and Drew stabbed his friend in the back and set the dogs on Stella. He’d make Drew a deal. Call them off and stop the investigation and he’d sign the statement.

Molly kept starting to write, then deleting it. Kristina came in and asked if everything was okay. Molly said she’d been in the zone, working on her… brief, but she lost the groove. It was Cody’s fault. He came in to pick up food and blew her off. Kristina said she knew she’d warned Molly about Cody, but maybe she should go easier on him. He spent all night at the hospital. During a live segment on Home & Heart, Maxie collapsed.

Cody asked if there was an update, but Felicia said they still didn’t know what the enzyme in Maxie’s blood was. They were hopeful they’d find out soon. He said they were the best, and she agreed. Lucas said she should talk to Maxie, and it would help her find a way back to them. He said, you never know, it might help her, and they hugged.

Tracy said hiding wasn’t doing Maxie any good, and Brook said she wasn’t only guilty about leaving. She’d also said some awful things to Maxie about Lulu since Lulu came back. What if she had no chance to tell Maxie that she was sorry? Tracy said she would. She knew how much Brook loved Maxie – as she did – and how much Maxie loved Lulu – as she did. Maxie could see the good in both of them. Brook and Lulu were more alike than Brook cared to admit.  

Obrecht thanked Lulu and said she never meant harm to Rocco. Lulu said she wanted to believe that. She’d never acknowledged that Rocco looked for Obrecht; she didn’t seek him out. Obrecht said she should have told Lulu and Dante that Rocco reached out. She got swept up in the moment. Lulu said she did too. She came out swinging and regretted it. She didn’t want Obrecht to share something that she couldn’t from that time in his life. Obrecht said, it must have been devastating to miss that, and Lulu said it still was. She thought about what she’d missed when she hadn’t even realized Rocco existed. Even if they could come to an understanding, Obrecht’s daughter was the reason she missed out on that time and she couldn’t forgive that.

Drew asked if Martin was turning on him because of Stella, and Martin said, damn right. She never did anything but help him. So what was it going to be? Drew said nothing, and Martin said he didn’t think so. It was good old-fashioned revenge, not justice. Drew said, consider himself fired. Good luck paying his ex-wives. Martin said, there is that, and they went back to the squad room. Martin said he owed Turner an apology. He wasn’t signing. He didn’t remember seeing anything and regretted wasting her time. He left, and Diane said Sonny wasn’t answering any questions. Turner told Drew, sorry. There were no witnesses or footage. The case was closed.  

Lulu said she’d be happy to stay with the kids happy while Obrecht visited Maxie, and Obrecht thanked her. She said Maxie would get a kick out of them not being in the same room, but at each other’s throats, and Lulu said she was right. Be sure to tell her. Obrecht left.

Brook said she and Lulu were nothing alike, but Tracy said they both made colossal mistakes and refused to be defined by them. They were fiercely loyal to the people they loved and were two sides of the same coin. Brook said she saw Tracy’s point, and Tracy said her concern for Maxie should outweigh her discord with Lulu. They could keep hating each other after Maxie was out of the woods. Be there for the family or she’d never forgive herself. Brook said she hated when Tracy was right, and Tracy said she loved it. Now she had to feed the horses and Hades was already in a mood. Brook left, and outside, her phone rang.

Elizabeth said she had to get back to work and thanked Ric for helping Willow. He said he was happy to, and Elizabeth left.

Ava said Elizabeth thought Ric had changed and wasn’t going to be happy to find out he was the same liar, but Nina told her not to say anything. Willow couldn’t know she hired Ric. She might reject the help. Ava said she’d have to come up with another way to sabotage Ric, and Nina said Ric was giving her updates on Willow. Drew did nothing but leave a trail of destruction and she wished there was a way to get him out of Willow’s life for good.

Stella said she could face criminal charges? and Alexis said, yes. Curtis said they wouldn’t let that happen. It was only a handful of cases, and it would take time for them to come up with something concrete. Alexis said, if they did, they’d handle it and give her the strongest defense possible. Martin came in and said he had important news. He knew who was behind the insurance investigation. Stella said they already knew it was Drew, and Martin said he thought he was to blame because he mentioned she was helping him. He hoped she realized he’d never knowingly put her in harm’s way. Curtis asked why he still worked for Drew, but Martin said he didn’t. He tried to get Drew to call the investigation off, and Drew fired him. He was going to quit anyway and now Drew made an enemy of him.

Drew said Turner would never fill Robert Scorpio’s shoes. He’d never botch a case. Unless she was on Sonny’s payroll. She said she didn’t appreciate the accusation. Without a witness, she had no further options and suggested he go back to serving his constituents. She left, and Drew said congratulations were in order. Michael got away with assault. Michael said, stay the hell away from his kids, but Drew said, no chance. Willow would get back her kids one way or another no matter what he had to do or who he had to take down to do it. He left.

Molly told Kristina that she should have realized something was wrong. She misjudged Cody again. There was more to him than people thought. He’d shown up for her and she wished she’d shown up for him.

Cody arrived at the stables and Tracy said the horses were fed and she finished the other chores. He thanked her and she said she enjoyed it. The horses were the only creatures on the property that didn’t argue with her. She was sorry about Maxie. How was the family holding up? He said, not great. He spent all night with them and brought them food, but it wasn’t enough. She said he was being a son to Mac and a brother to Maxie, and he said he was thinking about the time he’d wasted. The months they could have spent as a family. Instead, he was living a lie. What if that was all the time they got?

Felicia told Maxie, the last time she was this scared, the last time she talked to Maxie like this, Maxie was a little girl fighting for her life. She was so small and sick. Felicia never left her side and wouldn’t now. She bargained with God to take her, not Maxie. Maxie’s babies needed their mama, and she needed her daughter. Mac and Spinelli needed her. She was the center of the family, the one who brought them all together. She couldn’t lose Maxie. Come back to her. Come back to them. She kissed Maxie’s hand.  

Brook asked Lulu, how were the kids? and Lulu said they were worried about Maxie of course (🍷), but hanging in there. She thanked Brook for answering her call, and Brook said she was going to call Lulu. They both started talking at once, and Lulu asked if she could go first. A few months ago, Maxie tricked them into coming there because she wanted them to come to a truce. She wasn’t ready then, but she was today if Brook was.

Tracy told Cody that she was well-acquainted with regret, and it was a complete waste of time. What’s done, is done. The only choice was how to proceed, and the only question was, what was he going to learn from this experience? Cody said, no more lies, no more scams, and she said it was a good place to start, and she left.

Ava told Ric that she’d tried to withdraw money, and the account was locked down. He said he locked them for a couple days to prevent suspect purchases. She said it was her money, but he said it was their money. Just a couple days. She’d have access soon. She left and he called Alexis.

Alexis stepped into the hallway and asked what Ric wanted. He told her, get to the MetroCourt pool. She’d want to hear this.

Turner told Michael to consider himself fortunate and suggested he be on his best behavior. Michael thanked her and left. Sonny said he wanted another minute with Turner, and Diane advised against it, but he said he’d be fine. Diane said she’d wait outside, and Turner said, this should be good.

Drew approached Willow at the hospital, and she said it would help if he’d leave her alone, especially at work. He said, something important happened that she needed to hear. Michael assaulted him at the MetroCourt in front of a lot of people because he told Wiley that she missed him. He understood things were over between them, but he wasn’t going to stop helping her. Seeing Michael’s family take advantage of the legal system was enlightening and he was afraid she’d never see Wiley and Amelia again.

At the hospital, Nina asked if Elizabeth had seen Willow. She knew Willow needed space, but wanted to make sure she was okay. Elizabeth told her, try the breakroom, and Nina left.

Willow said she didn’t know if she could trust Drew, and he said he wanted to tell her the truth, but Nina begged him not to. She’d threatened him and said she’d bribe her political connections. He knew she loved her mother, and they’d come so far, but she deserved to know the truth. He had no right to ask, but could she please try to believe him?

Lulu said all that mattered was that they both loved Maxie. She was fighting for her life. Felicia, Mac, Spinelli, and the kids needed them. She noticed Brook had left early. Was it because of her? Brook said Lulu might have something to do with it, and Lulu said Maxie needed all of her people. Brook said she felt guilty, and Lulu said they didn’t have to be friends. They needed to show up together for the Scorpios. Brook said she felt the same and that’s what they’d do.

Obrecht brought flowers to Maxie’s room and told Felicia that she’d just drop them off and be on her way. She knew Maxie loved them. Felicia said, don’t be silly. She was family and always welcome.

Alexis met Ric and asked what he wanted. He said he had good news, and she said his good was always her bad news, but he said, not this time. He and Ava were souring. She said she was so sorry, and he said, one more payment and they were done. No more blackmail. Alexis flashed back to Ava telling her to open an account only she could access, and told Ric that for once, he was right. This is good news.

Molly looked at her laptop and flashed back to being with Cody on the horse and at the Nurses Ball. She picked up her stuff and left, running into Michael at the door. He asked if she was okay, and she said she wasn’t. She thought she had feelings for Cody.

Ava went to the stables, but Cody said it wasn’t a good time. She said she heard about Maxie. She was so sorry. How was she? He said he’d rather not get into it right now, and she said she understood. Would he like some company? She’d like to cash in her raincheck. He said he was just thinking about her, and Ava asked if he missed her. He said he was sorry. He knew she thought he was a good guy, but she was wrong about him.

Sonny thanked Turner, but she said she was just doing her job. Overhearing the congressman at his house was eye opening. He was using his power to blackmail. She believed in the justice system and wouldn’t see it twisted by men like that. He asked if she understood that she made an enemy. That crack about her being on his payroll wasn’t the last she’d hear. She said she wasn’t afraid of Drew Cain. She’d faced men far worse and come out standing. She had nothing to hide. Now he knew why she turned down his gifts. He said, if he sent them, and she said, yes, if it was him. He left and she smiled.

Outside, Diane said she knew what Sonny was doing, and he said, what’s that? She said, cultivating the acting DA. One question. Was he working Turner or was she working him?

Stella told Martin to stop beating himself up. It wasn’t his fault. It was hers. Curtis said there was only one person to blame – Drew. He targeted everyone in Curtis’s family and Curtis had enough. Drew had to be stopped.

Willow told Drew that she just wanted to get her children back. It was a complete nightmare. He said he’d do what he had to in order to fix it for her if she’d let him. He promised he’d get her kids back and held her. Nina came to the door and saw them through the window.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Dubrovnik, Croatia. Britt sees Jason sitting near the pool, and he sees Greta. He says, there she is, and Greta says she’s sorry she’s late, but he says she was worth waiting for.

In their room at the resort Josslyn says, this isn’t working, and Vaughn says he knows. She says they’ve checked the pool, the spa, the restaurants, the courts. They’ve got to look somewhere else for Britt. He says, they can’t. They’re out of time.

Molly asks if they can just pretend she didn’t just say to Michael, and anyone else who walked by, that she has feelings for Cody, but he says, it’s too late. She doesn’t have to be embarrassed in front of him he’s the master of inconvenient feelings. She says, there’s no way that’s true. He’s always so in control. He says, it’s funny she should say that to him today, and she says, dare she ask? He says he was just at the PCPD because he may or may not have taken a swing at Drew and given him a black eye. But right now, he wants to hear about her feelings. That way he can give her the full benefit of his expertise in matters of the awkward heart. Spill it. How bad does she have it for Cody?

Ava asks, in what way is she wrong? and Cody says he wasn’t being a good guy when he returned her sunglasses. He didn’t come to discuss art either. She tells him, you don’t say, and he says, that obvious, huh? He’s not just not a good guy. He’s also not a smooth one. She says she’s sorry to disappoint, but if they’re making confessions, she really should tell him that she had ulterior when she encouraged him.

In the kitchen at Bobbie’s, Carly says, thank God, Jack is here, and he says he wishes more people would say that when he walked into a room. He got here as fast as he could. He didn’t even stop to say hi to Michael and Molly, who are right outside. She says, they don’t care. Don’t worry about them. Did he bring it? He puts his briefcase on the counter, opens it, and takes out a wrench. He says, never leave home without it.

Nina sees Willow at the nurses’ station and sighs. Ric sees Elizabeth and says, long time no see. She thanks him again for lunch. It was fun. He says, yes, it was. Maybe they could try for dinner next time. Elizabeth watches as Nina approaches the desk and says, that can’t be good. Nina tells Willow that she’s just here to sit with Maxie’s family. The last thing she wants is to bother her. But she wants Willow to know that if she ever needs anything, she’s always here for her. As she walks away, Willow says, wait.

Lulu is vacuuming when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Laura and invites her in. Laura says she thought stop by to see how everything is going, and Lulu says, it’s going okay. She’s just trying to keep everything as normal as possible for the kids while Maxie is at GH and Spinelli is at her bedside. Laura says she’s sure Spinelli and the kids are very grateful. Tell her how everybody is doing. Lulu says, Brook took James to baseball practice, Georgie is doing her homework, and she actually got BJ down for a nap. So all things considered, she’d say everyone is hanging in there. Laura says she’s glad to hear that, but what about Lulu? and Lulu says she’s so scared. Laura holds her.

Lulu says she’s trying to stay positive, but she’s so afraid the doctors will say Maxie slipped into a coma. Laura says, it’s so understandable, especially since Lulu, more than anyone, knows what Maxie is experiencing right now. Lulu says, maybe, maybe not. She remembers being incredibly disoriented, and very impressed by how great her nails looked. Laura says, that was Maxie. She did Lulu’s nails every week. She wanted Lulu to know the moment she woke up that she was cared for and never forgotten. Lulu says, it worked. What if she doesn’t get the chance to hold Maxie’s hand the same way Maxie held hers?

Willow tells Nina, sorry about Maxie. It’s kind of her to be here to comfort the family. But she thought she made herself perfectly clear – stay away from her. Nina leaves, sees Ric and Elizabeth, and keeps on walking. Elizabeth tells Ric, it could have gone worse, and he says, Willow seemed to keep her composure, which is a good sign. Excuse him for a minute. She says, sure, and he says he’s going to follow up on that dinner. He walks over to Willow and asks how she’s doing over here after that lovely visit from her mother. She seemed to handle herself well from his vantage point. She says, it wasn’t easy, but she has to be on her best behavior after that incident with Lucas. He asks if she’s heard from HR on that, and she says, no, nothing. She knows how lucky that makes her. He says he hopes her luck holds, and she says, it might be. Dr. Park agreed to be a character reference for her. He says, that’s helpful, but in a perfect world, they want someone from her family who knows her and has seen with the children. Someone who can vouch for what a good mother she is. His phone dings and he says, sorry. He’s got to take this, but keep working on that character reference. No more colleagues. Family is key.  

Cody says, wait a minute. When he tried to kiss Ava in her gallery, she slapped him. That may be encouraging to some, but not to him. Ava says, come on. There are slaps and there are slaps. She gave him more of a forceful caress. He says, is that what the kids are calling it now? and she says, after which she asked him to stay at the gallery and finish the work. He says, so she encouraged him so he could hang the art on a wall, but she says, not exactly. At first, she just enjoyed having him around. Then she saw that it made Ric jealous. It also made him more attentive. Cody says he saw the tension between her and Ric, so he did the best he could to make it really bad, and she says she knows. She found it gratifying. He doesn’t have to feel bad or apologize. She had more fun with him than with Ric, and frankly, she has only one reason to stay with Ric. Cody says, why is he feeling scared? and she says, the only reason she stays with Ric is to drive Alexis and her darling daughters completely insane.

Molly tells Michael, Cody is funny and charming, in a weird way, and annoying. So annoying. Michael asks, how? and she says, he’s always going on about how uptight and controlling she is. Michael says, the two of them definitely have different styles, and she says she doesn’t know, but it’s something surprising. Cody can be a standup guy. He’s come to her rescue a few times, but then other times, he makes her life a nightmare. Like that time he locked her on the roof of the hospital in the freezing cold. Michael says, sorry? He locked her on the roof? She says, no… Well, yes, technically, but it wasn’t actually his fault. Then eventually, he got them off the roof by taking off his pants… (Ha-ha! Michael’s face.) No. It was sweet. I guess you had to be there. Michael says, if she thinks what she just described is charming, he hates to be the one to break it to her, but she definitely does have feelings for Cody. She says she’s afraid to say it, but it doesn’t have to be bad. She thinks, in fact, it could be good. The real question is, what does she want to do about it?

Carly says she wants to go on record that she knows it’s totally inappropriate to ask a WSB Bureau Chief to fix a garbage disposal. But her regular guy isn’t available until tomorrow and she has a wedding at the MetroCourt. Then tomorrow she has a post-wedding brunch at the MetroCourt and she doesn’t have Josslyn because she’s in Australia. Jack keeps trying to interrupt, and finally says, he’s happy to do it, especially if it takes something off her very full plate. There’s one condition. She says, anything, and he says, she cannot disclose his plumbing parties not currently in this room. She says she’ll consider it confidential, and they kiss.

Vaughn tells Josslyn that they shouldn’t stay in the room too long. They should have notified Brennan about the assassin. Josslyn says, no. They agreed they had a window of time to find Britt before anyone found out about it. He says, that window is closing, if it’s not shut already. They combed every inch of the resort and can’t find Britt anywhere. Josslyn says, no, they haven’t. Not every inch. He says, staying any longer is too risky. They made an attempt and came up empty. Now it’s time to cut their losses and inform the WSB. She says, they can’t leave without a lead. By the time the WSB sends anybody else, whatever is going on – Britt Westbourne or not – would been covered up or gone.

Jason suggests he and Greta have a seat and says he’s so glad she agreed to have dinner with him. She asks if he’d be interested in having a glass of champagne out here in the garden before they go in, and he says he’d like that. He calls the server over, and asks if he can get two glasses of champagne, please. Britt listens in, and Greta says, when they were talking on the beach earlier, he never said what brought him to Croatia. He says, vacation, and she asks, from what?… Or perhaps, who? He says he’s a contractor for ELQ. He manages large scale construction projects. Actually, he just finished this incredible project in Montenegro and decided he needed a break. One of his colleagues stayed at the Five Poppies and he recommended it. What about her? She says, there’s not much to tell. She travels a great deal for business and needed to take a breath and stay in one spot. Pascal sees Britt eavesdropping and asks what she thinks she’s doing.

Ric asks what hell Nina was doing approaching Willow like that. Didn’t she know if Willow has one more public meltdown, it will hurt her case? Does she want that on her conscience? Nina says, add it to her list. They have a much bigger problem to deal with. He says, what now? and she says, he needs to tell Willow that if she wants Wiley and Amelia back, she cannot speak to Drew Cain again.

Kristina  tells Elizabeth that she has flowers for Maxie, but doesn’t want to intrude on the family. Would she mind bringing them in? Elizabeth says she’ll make sure Maxie gets them and takes the flowers. Willow asks if Kristina has a second, but Kristina says, no. Willow says she wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.

Molly tells Michael, what does she want to do about her feelings for Cody? Nothing, right? Kristina already told her that he was a con man and a hustler. She’d be a fool to go anywhere near a guy like that, right? Michael says, it’s true Cody has a colorful past, but he’s been working at the Quartermaines for over a year. He’s super reliable and the kids love him. Tracy considers him a friend, like a real one. She says, he has his moments, and Michael says, does she mean like the night of the fire at Charlie’s? She got the call and wanted to make sure Kristina was okay. He offered to drive her. She says, he did more than that. She was completely freaking out and he said all the right things. He talked her down. Michael says he didn’t know anyone could do that, and she says, but isn’t that a skill a conman would have? They make you feel safe… Michael says he was there. He saw it for himself. Cody’s only concern was helping her.

Cody asks if driving people crazy is really a good reason to stay in a relationship, and Ava says, it’s an entertaining one. Why not? Ric is using her. Why shouldn’t she use him? Cody says he doesn’t have a good answer for that, and she says, all those Davis women. They’re all so sanctimonious, one worse than the other. Alexis is smug and self-righteous. Kristina has the gall to judge her after everything she’s done, and whenever Kristina is going to face any type of consequences, Alexis swoops in and cleans up her mess. To be honest, it’s a disturbing display of co-dependency.  He says, Alexis can be pompous, and Kristina is like a handful for sure, but Molly is nice, like honest, good person nice for real. She says, high and mighty Molly. Come on. Please tell her he’s not taken in by Molly’s act. She’s just as bad as her mother and sister. She may even be worse.

Vaughn tells Josslyn, fine. They’ll keep looking for Britt, but he’s informing Brennan. She says, he’ll just order them to come home, and Vaughn says, if he does, then that’s what they’ll do. They’re out on a limb. This is the job. She says she knows and opens the door. He asks where she’s going. They just agreed to call Brennan. She says, he’s calling Brennan. And while Brennan is yelling at him, she’s going to do one last sweep of the grounds. She’s not giving up on finding Britt until she has to. She leaves.

Jack looks at his phone and says he sees. Carly asks if everything is okay, and Jack sends a text to Vaughn saying he needs an update asap. He tells Carly, it’s just work.

Britt tells Pascal that she’s been working in the lab all day and no matter what maintenance is telling him, the air conditioning is still not working. She processed all the data and what does she find here in the garden? A courier hitting on a guest. Pascal says, what exactly does she propose he do about it? and she says, peel Greta off that guy and send her back to Port Charles. He says, Greta is still on the clock. He asked her to get to know Mr. Moore. Britt asks, why? What does Pascal think he’s up to? He says, perhaps nothing, but he needs to be sure. It seems the WSB has infiltrated the Five Poppies. She asks how he knows that, and he says he has sources everywhere. She says she guesses so, and he says, it’s nothing for her to worry about. It’s handled. He’s having the staff run a security review of the guests just to be on the safe side. Jason and Greta clink glasses.

Jack tells Carly that he’s glad to switch gears from Bureau business to an actual emergency for a change, but please tell her staff to stop put potato scraps in the garbage disposal. The starch gets caught in the blade and disaster is ensured. She says she would if it was their fault, and points to herself. She says she should have known better. Her friend Maxie is in the hospital, and she’s been a bit distracted. He says, Maxie Jones? What happened? She says, they don’t know. She collapsed and hasn’t woken up. They don’t know what’s wrong and it’s all she can think about.  

Laura says she thinks Lulu is right where Maxie would want her to be, in her home taking care of her children, and Lulu says, they are always Maxie’s first priority. Laura says, she’s right, and the thing is, it’s still early on. They weren’t given any definitive information about her condition, and things really could change at any moment. She might wake up later today. Lulu says, she better. She can’t shake the image of Maxie in her hospital bed. The thought of Maxie losing years of her life in a coma like she did is unbearable. Laura says, here’s the thing. Maxie has the same strong will and determination Lulu has. She believes it’s that quality that brought Lulu back to her and thinks it will be the same with Maxie. Lulu says she wishes there was something more she could do, and Laura says she’s doing it. Maxie never gave up on her, so she knows Lulu will never give up on Maxie.

Michael says he doesn’t think Cody could fake the level of concern he showed for Molly the night of the fire at Charlie’s, and she says, it did seem genuine. Is he saying he thinks Cody has feelings for her? He says he doesn’t know Cody well enough to know and if he did, it wouldn’t be his place to tell her. It seemed like all he wanted to do was right by her. Molly says, maybe he’ll laugh. This is silly, but she thinks she actually needs to get over whatever it is she’s feeling for Cody and just forget it. Forget him and move on. Michael says, don’t take him the wrong way, but does she think she can just get over Cody? If she could, wouldn’t she have done it by now?

Ava tells Cody, Molly hides behind a very carefully crafted front, but she has the worst qualities of both parents. Molly is as disingenuous as Ric, and as judgmental as Alexis. And she’s going to teach every single one of them not to mess with her. She’s stayed with Ric as long as she could. She just wants to watch them squirm, especially Molly. He says, it sounds like a lot of work. He can think of better ways for her to spend her time and better people to spend it with.

Ric asks why Nina wants him to tell Willow to stay away from Drew. It’s not like the court will hold who Willow associates with against her. (Does he know anything about the custody hearing?) Nina says, because she’s paying him and he’ll do what she wants him to do. He says, so she wants him to lie, and she says, that’s correct. She wants him to lie. However will he manage?

Willow says, Kristina knows how much she loves her children and knows she’s a good mother. She needs Kristina to be willing to say that in court. Kristina says, why her, of all people? and Willow says she has colleagues who are willing to testify on her behalf, but according to Ric, she also needs a family member. All she has to do is tell the truth. Kristina says she’s sorry. Michael is her brother. She thinks Willow should find someone else. Willow says Kristina’s brother is keeping her children from her. Can she not see how painful that is? Kristina was almost a mother herself. Kristina said she still is and always will be. So for Willow to suggest otherwise… Willow says she’s sorry, so sorry. That was… Kristina says, Willow doesn’t want her to testify. She should be glad, because if she did, she’d tell the judge that Willow should never see her children again. Willow says Kristina was the only one who treated her with any decency when Michael got hurt, and Kristina says, what choice did she have? Willow was withholding treatment. She pretended for his sake. She didn’t trust Willow, and she was right. When Michael was in Germany, she had to arrange for the calls so the children could speak with their father because Willow was too busy with Drew. Willow says she told Kristina that she was being kept out of the loop. She admits to making a mistake. Kristina says, a mistake that she was more than willing to continue making until she found out Drew was sleeping with her mother. Then she showed up at Carly’s house, a complete mess, screaming and crying. She knew the children were there. She knew Wiley could see her like that. Does she have any idea how much she upset him? Willow says because Michael is turning the kids against her. That’s why. He’s been keeping them from her. Kristina says, no. Michael hasn’t been keeping the kids from her. The judge is and for good reason. She’s a terrible mother. Willow walks away and Elizabeth asks Kristina to come with her.

Jason tells Greta, that’s crazy because he was thinking about renting a motorcycle and taking it for a ride along the coastline, and she says, the views are incredible, but the roads can be treacherous. He says he can handle that. He’s got some experience. What about her? He doesn’t meet many women who ride. She says she’s not many women, and he says he can see that. Josslyn almost walks out, but sees Jason and backs up quickly. Jason and Greta leave and Josslyn jets.

Cody tells Ava not to waste her time with Ric. She’s moved on to something better. She says she certainly hopes so, and he says when he first got here, he was feeling blue, but not anymore. She says, he makes her smile and she’s happy to return the favor, and he says there has to be something he can do to thank her. They kiss and he says, she’s not going to give him another forceful caress? She says she has something much better in mind.

Molly tells Michael that she misspoke when she said she needed to get over Cody. That’s not the right word. It’s not like she’s head over heels or something. Michael tells her that he didn’t say that she was, but Cody did seem to be living rent free in her head. He and Molly are a lot alike. They think before they act and think of every possible outcome and prepare accordingly. That’s a huge asset in their professional lives, but a little paralyzing when it came to their personal lives. Molly says, that’s probably true, but it’s not something she can change. It’s not something she wants to change. That methodical, logical thinking has made her who she is. He tells her that he’s not saying she should change. He’s just saying maybe she should look at the situation with the same keen eye she uses on others. She says, keep talking, and he says, right now, she’s living in the land of hypotheticals. She’s thinking of every possible way things could go wrong with Cody. What if she spent some time with him in real life instead and see how she feels?

Kristina says, Willow has some nerve asking her to be a character reference, and Elizabeth says, she’s desperate. She’s terrified she’s going to lose her children because of bad decisions she made. Kristina says, terrible decisions, and Elizabeth says, decisions that she made without thinking, in the heat of the moment. She thought Kristina would know something about that. Kristina says she would never throw her family away for someone like Drew, and Elizabeth says, maybe not, but she would make the rash decision to cut someone’s brake lines for her family. She would have thought Kristina would have a little empathy. Willow is fighting to get her life back. Kristina would have been in the same exact position facing legal consequences, but she didn’t because some people showed empathy and didn’t go to the police. Kristina asks if Elizabeth is saying, if she doesn’t testify for Willow, she’ll turn her in.  

Michael suggests a coffee date, and Molly says she hasn’t done this as an adult. She and TJ got together when they were young. Then they were together a long time, so she thinks she’s just going to get big signal and… Michael says, it’s just coffee. It’s one cup and then he has the feeling she’ll know what she wants to do. She says, okay. She can do that. She thanks him, and he says, one more thing. He knows they’re the risk adverse type, but he doesn’t regret any chances he took for love. It helped him land the best thing in his life, his kids. After a long day, all he wants to do is come get an iced tea and go home to see them. And now, he doesn’t even care about the iced tea part. Good luck. He leaves.

Carly tells Jack that she and Maxie have a very complex emotional connection. Her mom had a daughter named BJ. She was killed in a school bus accident when she was little. At the same time, Maxie needed a heart transplant. BJ’s heart saved Maxie’s life. Jack says, that’s an incredible story. Is Maxie having trouble with her heart? Carly tells him that they said she had a heart attack, but now her heart was working perfectly. So something else has to be going on. He says he can see why she’s so worried. Losing a child? He can’t imagine it. It must have been terrible for her mom. She says she didn’t know her mom until after she lost BJ. Her mom grieved her daughter, but moved on in spite of the pain. She didn’t let that loss steal the joy that made her who she was, right? She had no idea how hard it must have been for her mom until she lost Morgan. He says, her resilience is nothing short of astonishing, and she says she has a lot to live for. Michael, Josslyn, and Donna. That’s why she’ll always be grateful to him. He says, all he did was fix her sink, but she says, he got Michael into the clinic. He gave Michael his life back, which means he gave her her life back. There’s nothing more important to her than her kids. He says he was happy to help. Anyone can see how she lights up when she talks about her kids. She says she’s spoken to Michael and squeezed the stuffing out of Donna. Now she just wants to wrap her arms around Josslyn.

As they fold laundry, Lulu says she can’t imagine what it’s been like for Laura. All those years. Four years of visiting her and never giving up hope. She doesn’t understand how Laura did it. Laura said she wanted to see Lulu. She wanted sit with her. She wanted hold Lulu’s hand and talk to her. She wanted Lulu to know how much her family loved her. Lulu says she did. She has no conscious memory of it, but she thinks she could feel Laura. Laura, Maxie, Dante, Rocco, and Charlotte, they were a beacon that helped her find her way home. Laura says that’s exactly what she’d always hoped for because she always believed Lulu was going to wake up and come back to them. If Lulu could just believe that now for Maxie, it might help her find her way back too. Lulu says she’ll try, and Laura says, good. She knows it won’t be easy, but it will be worth doing. Lulu says she doesn’t think she fully understood how hard a time it was for Laura until now. All those years at her bedside and not giving up. She only hopes she has half the strength Laura does.

Elizabeth says, this isn’t blackmail. She’s just asking Kristina to consider Willow’s request. Kristina says Elizabeth is asking her to testify against her own brother, but Elizabeth says she doesn’t really see it that way. It isn’t about choosing sides. It’s about doing what’s best for the kids. Kristina says, what’s best for the kids is for Michael to have full custody. End of story. Elizabeth says, Willow is the kids’ mother, and she thinks Willow deserves a second chance. She knows Willow has demonstrated terrible judgment. She’s made mistakes, just like Kristina. The only difference is that Kristina was shown some grace. All she’s asking is for Kristina to pay it forward.

Laura tells Lulu, look at all the things she’s been through, and she’s always come through with flying colors. Lulu asks if Laura is looking at her through mom-colored glasses, and Laura says, maybe a little bit, but she thinks her point still stands. It was hard to see her beautiful daughter lying in a hospital bed, but not so hard that she didn’t want to come back and visit again. And it certainly never made her give up hope. Lulu says, why not? and Laura says because she loves Lulu. If Maxie needs Lulu to hold her hand and be a beacon, she’ll be able to do it because she loves Maxie. Lulu asks how Laura is so wise, and Laura says, that is one of the universe’s great mysteries.

On the phone, Willow tells Drew that she needs him to help get her kids back, and Elizabeth overhears.

Molly walks into the stables and calls for Cody. She goes in the back and finds Cody and Ava getting busy. She says, sorry, and runs out.

Kristina goes back home and flashes back to her altercation with Ava in the hotel room before her fall. She paces then sits down, and remembers cutting the brake lines on Ric’s car, thinking it was Ava’s. There’s a knock at the door and it’s Ric.

Carly tells Jack that she knows Josslyn is fine, even though she’s one the other side of the world. She knows how lucky that makes her. Felicia is just sitting next to her daughter, unable to reach her. She can’t imagine what that feels like. Jack says he thinks she probably can, and Carly says, Felicia already lost a daughter. She lost Georgie. She knows from experience, a mother can survive losing one child, barely. If she lost another, that would be the end of her. She couldn’t go on. She wouldn’t want to go on. He says, she’ll never have to find out. That’s never going to happen. He holds her.

Josslyn goes back to the room and calls Vaughn’s name, but he’s not there. She turns to find Pascal in the doorway holding a gun. He says if she’s looking for her husband, otherwise known as Agent Vaughn, he’ll be more than happy to facilitate her reunion.

Jason is about to make a call in his room when there’s a knock at the door. He tosses the phone on the bed and opens the door to Britt.

Ha-ha-ha – Agent Vaughn! I’m pretty sure he has a last name. It sounded like he was a pediatrician or a youth minister.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

My guess is that Maxie will encounter Nathan while she’s unconscious.

https://ew.com/ryan-paevey-is-returning-to-general-hospital-after-seven-years-11792848

If you didn’t watch then or need a refresher course.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-rewind-remembering-b-j-s-death-30-years-later/

Tony’s tribute. Great photos!

https://ew.com/general-hospital-star-anthony-geary-mourns-tristan-rogers-11794887

I just wish they’d get on with honoring Monica already.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/its-only-my-opinion-why-gh-days-and-other-soaps-should-honor-beloved-stars-when-they-die/

Interesting cross over. I’m a big fan of Beyond the Gates, but only watched Y&R for a brief time when Marc Singer was guest starring, but Kristoff St. John was on one of my favorite kickboxing fitness videos, Kick Butt. He was gone all too soon.

https://ew.com/bryton-james-tribute-young-and-the-restless-dad-kristoff-st-john-11789053

This sounds like a good time. It starts on Halloween.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/get-tickets-for-the-2025-general-hospital-fan-celebration-at-graceland/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

The boat needed a part – from Miami – which was taking its time getting there, and the guests decided it was a good excuse not to tip. One of them told Captain Kerry that a lack of tip wasn’t a reflection of their group and while he did it in the nicest of ways, the captain shamed him, saying it wasn’t the staff’s fault. Truth. If I was with someone who tried to pull that, we’d be done. Chef Anthony pitched a fit when asked what time lunch was, but after Captain Kerry divvied up the pittance of a tip, $19K, the chef successfully completed the task.

The Real Housewives Of Miami

Larsa unfollowed Marcus. According to Guerdy, pigs flew. No surprise, there was an argument in public at dinner, this time between Adriana and Kiki, who called Adriana old. In Marysol’s interview, she said karma had come to roost on Adriana, and we flashed back to Adriana calling Marysol an old whore. From the preview of next week, it looks like they’ll move onto the next leg of their journey and no doubt the next argument.

The Real Housewives Of Orange County

Shannon was late to some alligator tour which caused Gina to have a meltdown over having too many things. Shannon said she’d had an anxiety attack. Tamra said she was gone, but not really. We were forced to watch her therapy session where she said she was afraid of not being liked. Then she met Fancy Pants for lunch and bitched about Gretchen. Emily freaked out over her son’s eating disorder and as usual, her husband thought she was overreacting. And at this point, I wish they’d just let go of the whole Katie/blogger/Gretchen thing. Gretchen seems to have a memory like Swiss cheese and really, who cares?

Random Reality Items

This dude has become the definition of ingrate. What a shame.

I miss this show… sniff…

Boy, bye.

Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Fit for TV: The Reality of the Biggest Loser. Netflix. Three-part documentary. I’m pretty sure I watched some of this show at the beginning, but lost interest. Or possibly I couldn’t stand the humiliation, the whole reason I refuse to watch things like The Bachelor. I’ve been at my fighting weight for a while, but like many women have always fought the battle with my weight. I can tell you this, 800 calories a day and working out 6-8 hours a day is not a sustainable plan. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the challenges were nothing but embarrassing, with contestants running around with donuts in their mouths they were forbidden to eat. While the embarrassment is real for the over-the-norm weight, I’m pretty sure no one would have to meet such a challenge in real life. There was too much purely for entertainment and too little of real education. No surprise, nearly all the contestants gained the weight back and then some afterward. Fascinating and sickening at the same time.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/fit-for-tv-documentary-release-date-news

https://www.slashfilm.com/1945855/netflix-the-biggest-loser-doc-fit-for-tv-exposes-evil-show/

47 Meters Down. Netflix. Truth be told, I love sharks IRL and think they get bad press, but they’re still high on my list of horror film sub-genres I love to see. In the deep sea, there are more terrors that lurk than the aquatic residents, like running out of oxygen. While there was definitely a shark to be feared, probably the biggest scares came from other sources. It was good, but I have to admit, I kind of felt like my father when we saw one of the Jaws sequels – bring on the music and the shark already.

The Phoenician Scheme. Peacock. Another thing my father used to say was, if someone wasn’t killed in the first ten minutes, he was leaving the theater. He was joking, since Sound of Music was staple in our household, but he would have loved this film. An industrialist has decided to make his estranged nun daughter his heir, hiring a tutor to help her make her way through new territory. Many cameos, fun weapons, and dry hilarity ensue. It took me a minute to get to this one, but it wasn’t a waste of time and it’s definitely something different.

https://theconversation.com/the-phoenician-scheme-a-fun-watch-even-though-its-the-same-journey-in-a-different-vehicle-257658

🪄 Upon Another Time…

I loved this show, but I’m torn as to whether a return would be the best idea.

https://ew.com/lana-parrilla-open-returning-to-once-upon-a-time-exclusive-11792004

👠 We Call Her Bernie…

I was sad to hear Terence Stamp passed away. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is one of my all-time favorite films and a tradition for me to watch on New Year’s Eve if I’m celebrating at home. He was my favorite character, and I’m disappointed that the future sequel (still on the drawing board) won’t include him, but I assume it will begin with Bernadette’s funeral, like the original began with Trumpet’s. It’s only fitting.

https://ew.com/terence-stamp-dead-superman-and-the-limey-star-was-87-11792425

🐾 Promotion, Parents, and Persuasion…

🐕 Hmm… Pet Island perhaps?

https://people.com/ariana-madix-joins-aspca-to-promote-pet-adoption-11795710

🪸 As it should be.

https://people.com/photographer-captures-rare-moment-female-seahorses-pass-eggs-to-their-mates-to-carry-11794551

🐈 I still think it’s hilarious that he told the kids cats were poisonous.

https://people.com/taylor-swift-says-it-was-great-challenge-introducing-jason-kelce-s-kids-to-her-cats-11790902

https://people.com/kylie-kelce-taylor-swift-might-help-convince-jason-kelce-to-get-a-cat-11790770

✒️ Quotes of the Week

We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten.Cesare Pavese

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.William Feather

In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story. – Walter Cronkite

There is only one way to avoid criticism. Do nothing. Be nothing. Say nothing.Aristotle

When I don’t make a catch, it doesn’t bother me. It’s not part of my metrics for my self-worth. – Taylor Swift

If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes. – Andrew Carnegie

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

I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday. – Eleanor Roosevelt

You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strengthMarcus Aurelius

On every reality show, people say lame things that we can never say. No fist bumping, no high fives. You can’t tell me to bring it, shut it down, or put our cupcake business on the map. You can’t tell me to go, girl or bring my A game, and we don’t got this. Cool? – Max Black (Kat Dennings), 2 Broke Girls

🏄‍♀️ Drinking In the Wild Air…

Until next week, stay safe; stay never swimming where they’ve planted red flags on the beach – seriously, don’t do it no matter how strong a swimmer you are; and stay being a beacon wherever you can be.

February 14, 2020 – Nina Takes a Leap, Kandi Wants Her Own, Joe’s Tribute, Gina Says Next, Lisa Identifies, Bong Shares, Stars Remember, Eight Valentine(ish) Quotes & Wishing You Love

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Nina throws a folder on Jax’s desk, and says it’s all his fault. She has to choose between Aruba and St. Martin, but she can’t look at the sand and water, or conceptualize the shoot. All she hears is his voice inside her head saying, come to the fun side of the island. He says, maybe it’s her subconscious talking. Nina asks what it’s telling her, and he says, come to the fun side of the island. She asks if that’s still an option.

Valentin looks at the Cassadine crest ring. He says he never had a use for it, and never even bothered to put it on. Now he’s learned it was never his to begin with. He looks up, and says, how did you do it, Helena? How did you pull off such a horrible lie? Helena is suddenly there, and says, Valentin, my son. Surely you’re smart enough to figure out there was no lie. It’s all the truth.

Sam and Alexis have dinner at the MetroCourt. Alexis remarks on how good the food is, and Sam asks if they’re not talking about the elephant in the room; Neil. Alexis says, is he here? and Sam says, he is. Alexis asks if he’s alone, and Sam says, he was, but not anymore. Alexis looks, and sees Neil sitting with Obrecht.

Sasha tells Michael that some Italian chain stores are interested in Deception. It would be great to branch out from the American market, but that’s as far as her expertise goes. Michael says if she steers clear of Brexit, a lot of the market is set up for expansion. The good news is, he has lawyers who can help set it up for her. She says, and the bad news? He wonders if Lucy will be okay with it.

Willow says, she must have expensive taste; the wine is good. He says, the wine guy comes through again, and she says, the wine guy is a legend. He asks if she’s leaving him for the wine guy, and she says, that depends. Are they still going climbing? He says she asks that like they’re climbing Mt. Everest. It’s at the Y, and they’ll be on harnesses with mats underneath them. She says, it’s kind of the same thing, and he says, it’s not, and she’s going to love it. They’ll have a great time. There’s a knock at the door, and Chase opens it to find Nelle there. She says she needs his help, and throws her arms around him. Chase says he thinks she just assaulted him, and Willow asks if it isn’t a violation of her parole. Nelle says they should be thanking her. Brad and Lucas are thinking of leaving town, and taking Wiley with them.

Sasha tells Michael, Lucy does like things just-so, but she’s made enough mistakes that if someone has a contribution, she wants to hear it. She thinks European distribution is making a contribution. Michael thinks she should go for it, and Sasha says it’s interesting how he honed in on the potential difficulties of working with Lucy. Is something going on at ELQ? He says, with his family, there are always difficulties, and she says, talk to her. He says, it’s funny. He never wanted to be CEO. Ned had a crisis, and threw the company in his lap. Sasha says, it must have been overwhelming, and Michael says, he made mistakes, but as he went along, he learned how everything works, and now he’s pretty good at it. But with the Quartermaines, being good is never good enough.

Brad visits Lucas, and asks how he’s doing. Lucas says, better by the minute. He wants to get out, and be with Brad and Wiley. Tell him about outside world. How was Brad’s day? Brad says, eventful, and Lucas asks, what’s up? Brad says, an opportunity fell into his lap out of the blue. Lucas asks if it’s a job, and Brad says it is. It’s in Portland. Lucas says, as in Oregon? and Brad says, that’s the one.

Alexis tells Sam, not that there was any relationship with Neil, but any implication of one has to be put in the rear view. Does he look interested? Sam says, no. He’s barely listening to Obrecht. She thanks Alexis for dinner, and jets.

Valentin tells Helena, he doesn’t remember much of his childhood in Greece. Living on the island, he doesn’t remember calling anyone mother. She says, his mother lived at the main house. He says he remembers getting the tattoo, and Mikkos dropping him off at boarding school. If he was a bastard, why was he provided for? Why would Mikkos draw up a will leaving him everything? She says, it’s simple. Mikkos believed Valentin was his.

Jax says he enjoyed kissing Nina. He could have gone on kissing her all year. She says, that would have been a long kiss, and he says, but she seemed uncertain. Given the world we live in, he didn’t want to seem like he was pressuring her or taking advantage. She asks if her job hinges on sleeping with him, and he says, the exact opposite, but they do work together. Nina says he is her boss, and he says he didn’t want it to look like he was taking advantage of his position. She says, funny he mentions that, and she closes the door. She says she consulted a lawyer, and as long as neither one of them are married, there’s no quid pro quo, and they’re both consenting adults – Jax says, check, check, and double check – it’s completely legal to do whatever they want. He smiles, and says it seems like with all the research she did, she wants to date him. Unless he’s wrong.

Neil tells Obrecht, he was hoping to get some work done, but she says, no one likes to eat alone. He says he’s a fan, and he only consults with his patients at work. She says she needs help now.

Alexis’s assistant calls, and she says she’s going out where she can hear better. She passes Neil’s table, and Neil says hi. He says he saw Alexis having dinner with Sam, but didn’t want to interfere with mother/daughter time. Alexis says she didn’t want to interfere with his… whatever it is.

Brad tells Lucas that Spinelli and Ellie are moving back to Port Charles, freeing up Ellie’s position. Lucas asks if it was offered to Brad, and Brad says he just got done with a marathon phone conversation. They’re willing to sweeten the pot, and make room for Lucas at the same hospital. Lucas says they must really want Brad, but Brad says, it’s not a promotion. The title is the same, although there’s more money. At first glance, it looks amazing. Lucas asks if Brad is excited, and Brad says he knows the timing is crazy. Lucas just woke up and is still recovering. Lucas says, the timing is perfect. Let’s move to Portland.

Nelle asks if she’s interrupting, and Willow asks, what business is it of Nelle’s what Brad and Lucas do with their son? Nelle says Wiley is her dearly departed husband’s flesh and blood; the only connection she has left. Willow says there’s no proof that Shiloh is Wiley’s biological father. Chase tells Nelle, it’s time to go, and if she comes back, he’ll contact her parole officer. She says he wouldn’t dare, but he thinks, given the nature of their past, it qualifies as stalking. Go. He slams the door behind her, and Willow asks if he’s okay. He says he doesn’t know, and she says she doesn’t know what pissed her off more; that Brad and Lucas are leaving, or that Nelle is taking an interest in it.   

Helena says Mikkos would amuse himself with the island girls, and stay away for months with his ridiculous mistress, the opera singer. Valentin says, so it was easy for her to conceal her pregnancy, and by the time he came back, it was easy to convince Mikkos that the baby was his. She says Mikkos surprised her, being more interested in Valentin than she thought he would be. Valentin wasn’t like the rest of them. He says, the Cassadines have tendency toward insanity, obsession, and megalomania, and she says, their appetites led Mikkos astray. Valentin was her son. He says, brilliant, and not crazy at all. Helena says, the perfect combination. He says, bravo. She managed to trick Mikkos into raising him as one of his own, branding him with the family crest, and leaving him his fortune. She says she was surprised when Mikkos changed his mind.

Nina asks Jax to look at it from her perspective. He’s probably the most stable guy in the world. He’s trustworthy and straightforward. He’s handsome and stable. He’s like an alien in the dating world. Every guy she’s been attracted to has been messed up. She doesn’t have a great track record with sanity, and all of this is different. Jax says, like trying on a new look, and Nina says, a whole new look. He asks, is the look right for her, or does she want to stick with her side of the island? She asks if his side is really fun. What if she goes to his side, and all she sees are spiders and snakes? He says he thinks she can dot every I and cross every T, and call a lawyer to get the green light, but eventually, it’s on her. She’ll have to take a chance, and he sincerely hopes she does.

Nelle sees Sasha and Michael at Kelly’s, and asks if she can’t have a night on the town without them following her. Sasha asks Michael if they should tell her that they were there first, but he says, don’t bother. He asks Nelle what he can do for her, and she says it’s really what really what she can do for him. It’s his last chance to make an offer for her ELQ shares, and it better be good.

Chase says Nelle is looking for a way to mess with their heads. She’s using Willow to get to him, and Wiley to get to Willow. Willow says, like at the hospital, where Nelle almost tricked her into letting her hold Wiley. Chase asks what happened, and she says Michael was trying to find Brad, and she had Wiley. A woman in a wheelchair showed up. She seemed nice, and told Willow about how she lost her baby, and Willow got the impression it had been recently. She asked to hold Wiley, and it was unsettling, but Willow felt bad for her. How stupid was she? Chase says, if she wants to talk stupid, allow him to introduce himself.

Brad asks if Lucas is serious, and Lucas says he’s had a lot of time to think. Julian is an ongoing problem that will only get worse. The only way to go about it might be to create physical space between them. Brad says, in Portland? and Lucas says, why not? It’s a great city, with a great climate. Brad adds, and great schools for Wiley, but won’t Lucas miss his family? Lucas says, especially his mom, but if it’s between that, and Julian always knocking at the door, she’d agree. Lucas doesn’t want it to sound like a complaint. Everyone was awesome, helping with Wiley while he was in a coma, but he wants to get back to their little family; just the three of them. He thinks he needs that right now. Brad completely agrees, and can’t believe they’re doing this. Sam walks in, and Lucas says he was literally just texting her. She says she was literally just pulling up to pay him a surprise visit. Lucas says, fate, and tells her that he needs a second opinion.

Alexis tells Neil to enjoy his evening, but Neil says, it’s not an evening. It’s not even dinner. Well, it’s his dinner. He blurts out, she’s a patient. Alexis says, if there was anything going on, it’s none of her business. She excuses herself, and goes out in the hallway. Obrecht asks if it’s something she said.

Valentin says, Mikkos was an egomaniac, obsessed with his bloodline. He couldn’t stand the thought of the woman who loved his grandson not being his, so he left his estate to Valentin. Helena couldn’t stand that, so she told him the truth. Valentin wasn’t his son. She must have relished having that conversation. She says she did; revenge was sweet. Valentin says, the most Cassadine of the bunch wasn’t even a Cassadine. Helena says that’s when he wrote the codicil, and Valentin says, but Mikkos died before he could publicly disinherit him, leaving the document in her hands. Helena says he’s doing well. Finish. Valentin says she hid the codicil in her portrait as a test. Nikolas had to set aside his hatred for her long enough to find the missing ingredient. She says the fortune was always meant to go to Spencer; that was the goal. He says, that explains how his daughter came to be. He never fully understood, but it wasn’t about Stavros’s child. It was about Helena having an heir from her line, and Luke Spencer. Helena says, my son. Congratulate her. She’s succeeded beyond her wildest dreams. She laughs, and he throws his glass at her, but she disappears, and it hits the wall. He storms out.

Nina tells Jax, before she takes a chance, she has to know why. He says, why what? and she says, there are less neurotic women out there. Why is he interested in her? Jax says he likes how he feels when he’s with her. They have fun together, and he likes being around her. She says her baggage is intense, but he says he likes a challenge, and it would be a challenge to show her that she’s not her baggage. She says he always knows what to say, when to say it, and how. Can he give her a guarantee? He says he can’t do that. He doesn’t know if they’re a match made in heaven, but they’ll never know if they don’t try. It takes a certain amount of risk. Nina says he’s never had his heart broken, but he says he has. He just chose not to shut down, and learn from his mistakes; acknowledge what went wrong, and embrace the good. He’s a believer in it, but he can’t make her believe. It’s not his leap to take. It’s hers. She kisses him.

Michael says Nelle thinks she’s won already, but the ELQ shares haven’t been probated. He’s in a much better position to weigh things out. He offered her money to go away, but if she doesn’t choose to, no biggie. He’ll sit things out. She says the stock is hers, but he says, there’s a 50% chance it will be found that Oscar was misled by a known criminal, and the bequest will be invalid. It could take up to ten years, but he has all the time in the word. Her, on the other hand… Nelle says he’s just like his mother; smug and superior. He thinks he knows everything, but he doesn’t. He’s about to lose Wiley forever.

Chase tells Willow, Nelle was compelling, and he felt bad. So bad, he let her play him. He went to Florida, and let her seduce him. If he’d just shoved her out of his hotel room and slammed the door, but he didn’t. He blames himself.

Lucas tells Sam, Brad got a great job offer, and Brad says, Lucas too. Lucas says, it means relocating to Portland. Sam says, wow. She thinks it’s awesome, and says, if she had a chance or a prayer of convincing Jason to move away, they’d be gone in a second. Julian is a pain, so they should get out while they can. Lucas says, his thoughts exactly. Sam says they might want to reconsider her as Wiley’s designated guardian. Brad asks, why? and she says she’s on parole. It’s not like she can hop on a plane if something happens to them. She asks Lucas to think about it, and he says he will. She says he’ll miss them, and tells them to promise to come home once in a while, since she can’t visit. Lucas promises, and she hugs him. She says she loves him, and thinks it will be good for all of them. Brad hopes so.

Valentin stomps past Alexis, and she follows. He goes out on the terrace, and babbles about the sun, moon, stars, villains, and fools. He says he has a compulsion, and leans on the railing. Alexis asks what he’s doing.

Jax tells Nina, this is his bedroom. She says she sees; it’s gorgeous. He asks if she wants champagne, and she says, again? He says, some things have to be celebrated, and pops the cork. He pours both of them a glass, and says, cheers. They clink glasses, and drink. He says, don’t worry. He has her. They start to get busy.

Nelle tells Michael, Brad and Lucas are moving to Portland, and Wiley will be on the other side of the country. Michael says, if that’s true, it’s their choice, and he’s happy for them. ELQ has an office in Portland, and he can visit every weekend if he wants. It’s good they’ll be far away from her. She tells him, go to hell, and walks away. Sasha says, that was fun.

Willow tells Chase, maybe she didn’t want to see Nelle that way, but he’s right. She’s exactly like Shiloh. She swears she knows the difference between someone too good to be true, and someone who’s just good. He shows her that every day. He says, funny. He was going to say the exact same thing. They kiss, and he says obviously she’s the real deal. He knew from the second they met. Even if she made him work for it. She says, maybe a little. Was it worth it? He says, every second, and they kiss some more. She pulls back a little, and he asks, what is it? Wiley? and she asks if he thinks Nelle said what she did just to get under her skin, or does he think it’s true, and Brad and Lucas are leaving? Chase says he doesn’t know, but say it was true. How does she feel about it?

Valentin tells Alexis, he’s enjoying the view. Is that a problem? She says, no, and tells him, congratulations. He’s not related to Mikkos and the rest of that dysfunctional bunch. It’s a win. He says, being Helena’s son is a step up? and she says he has none of the Cassadine crazy. Trust her, he got off easy. He tells her, have a good night, and leaves.

Sasha tells Michael, she’s impressed. Nelle was working so hard to get under his skin, but he gave her nothing. She has no idea how hard it hit him about Wiley moving. He says he’d like to think Nelle is lying, but she’s not dumb enough to lie about something so easily proven. Sasha says, Wiley won’t be in Port Charles, but Michael says he thinks it’s for the best. Sasha says he’s going to miss Wiley, and he says he will, and they hug.

Willow tells Chase, she wants to spend as much time as she can with Wiley while they live in the same town. She’ll cherish every minute, even though she knows it might not be the best thing for either of them. Her original intent was to never see Wiley again, but life happened, and she’s suddenly allowed to spend time with him. Chase says, it was a gift, and she says, completely, but every time she does, it’s hard not to see herself as his mother. She’s not, so maybe it’s better. Chase says, a good parent makes decisions based on what their kid needs, not what they need. She’s an incredible parent. They kiss, and Willow’s phone rings. It’s Lucas. She asks if everything is okay with Wiley, and he says Wiley is great. He was wondering if she could come see him in morning. There’s something important he need to fill her in on. She says she’ll be there.

Neil comes out on the terrace, and says he thought Alexis could use this, and puts his jacket on her shoulders. He asks how Valentin is, and she says, he’s having a rough time. How’s Obrecht? He says, gone, mercifully. She says he’s a brave man doing therapy with that one, and he says he’s realizing that. She tells him, goodnight, and gives back his jacket. They smile at each other.

Valentin looks at the broken glass, and throws the ring back in the bod. There’s a knock at his door. It’s Nelle, and he says he’s glad she could make it. She assumes he got her message. She’s ready to sell her ELQ stock. He says he’s ready to negotiate, and invites her in.

Jax and Nina bask in the afterglow. He says he’s really glad she took the leap, and she says, it’s the best leap she’s taken in life. His side of the island is really fun. He says, it gets more fun. He’s going to teach her to surf. She asks if she has to wear a wetsuit, and he says, he prefers she wear as little as possible. He tells her, they’re just getting started, and they kiss.

On Monday, Valentin tells Lulu that they can fight or compromise, Nina asks Jax if he has any regrets, Nelle tells Michael that she’s going to leave him and his family in the dirt, and Brando tells Sonny to tell him what he needs to know or he’ll blow everything sky high.

🍑 I’d Watch It…

I love the cast photo, although I’m sure it was photoshopped to death.

https://radaronline.com/photos/rhoa-kandi-burruss-desperate-spinoff-housewives-fired/

💘 Valentine Joe…

I don’t care how many tributes he posts, he’s not going to get Teresa to move to Italy any time soon.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2020/02/joe-giudice-posts-valentines-day-song-talks-changing-habits-teresa-split/

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2020/02/joe-giudice-valentines-day-tribute-ex-wife-teresa-rhonj-cheating-scandal/

🏡 As She Moves On, He Moves In…

It sounds kind of tight in that three bedroom house though.

https://radaronline.com/photos/rhoc-gina-kirschenheiter-moving-in-boyfriend-travis-mullen-after-divorce-matt/

🌨 A VanderBond Moment…

This is when my TV went wonky during Vanderpump Rules.

https://starmagazine.com/photos/vpr-ariana-madix-driving-car-off-cliff-depression-lisa-vanderpump/

🏆 You Go, Bong…

Again, so pleased the awards were given to someone who so deserved it.

https://hellogiggles.com/news/bong-joon-ho-2020-oscars-parasite-mean-girls/

🥊 Not Forgotten…

While I only watched Y&R for a moment when Marc Singer had a stint as a villain, Kristoff St. John was in one of my favorite workout videos, Kick Butt.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/stars-remember-yrs-kristoff-st-john/

👩‍💻 Quotes of the Week

Love is taking a few steps backward maybe even more…to give way to the happiness of the person you love. – Winnie the Pooh, A.A. Milne

Sometimes what we want isn’t what we need.Gena Showalter

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.Lao Tzu

The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.Sydney J. Harris

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. – Jean Anouilh

Music is life. That’s why our hearts have beats. – Unknown

Love is the hardest habit to break and the most difficult to satisfy. Drew Barrymore

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)

💝 Summing It Up…

Whether you’re loving the one your with, think love is a many splendored thing, can’t help falling in love, or you’re all out of love, I hope the day dedicated to love was everything you wanted, or at least not too hard on you.

April 15, 2019 – GH Postponed, Schwartz Plays Bond, Hated James, GoT Takeaway Points, New Nina, Old Nora, an Anniversary, a Documentary, a Tribute & a Cloud

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

For a moment, I was unsure if I was suddenly transported to France in the middle of the night, and didn’t realize, since I turned on GH and saw news footage of the fire at Notre Dame. Over and over and over. I figured it was a possibility, since we’d had a mother of a storm in the wee hours. I personally slept through it – I slept through Hurricane Sandy – on the third floor – but by the havoc my dogs wreaked, it looked like it had blown through the house. Maybe we’d had done an Oz thing, and ended up in Paris. Anyway, because I was still in the US, and it was only the usual incessant coverage of a big story, there was no GH today. A half hour in, we were treated <cough> to an encore presentation of the day Lulu woke up from Ryan’s attack. A new episode will be shown tomorrow. There’s a cup of soap tea below to tide you over.

And it did bring to mind this quote: God gave Noah the rainbow sign, no more water, the fire next time! Mary Don’t You Weep, a Negro spiritual. Just saying…

Vanderpump Rules

Fluffy! Giggy! LVP meets Ken at SUR, giving Giggy a kiss first, as I would. She asks Katie, what’s happening with Girl’s Night? Katie wants to do more, but not once a week. LVP suggests twice a month, but Katie says she isn’t interested in being a club promoter. She just did it because everyone was saying no one could bring in people like James did. LVP says Girl’s Night was a success, and Katie brought it to her. Katie says, it’s a lot of work, and Ken says Tuesdays haven’t been the same without James. In Katie’s interview, she can’t believe James is irreplaceable, and thinks SUR is doing fine without him. LVP agrees James was bad news, but at least committed. Katie was thinking of more down the road. In her interview, LVP says she’s supportive of Katie, but people will be pissed if Girl’s Night is canceled. She tells Katie maybe she should think about doing something sooner, since Schwartz’s check was like a big rubber ball. Katie says he forgot the account was closed. I so don’t understand that. How many accounts does he have that he can forget something like that?

Tom plays a d*ck flute, which is basically a song flute shaped like a d*ck. James comes over, and asks how Mexico was. Tom and Ariana both say, fun, but horrible. In James’s interview, he says it was probably Schwartz and Katie fighting the entire time. They’re an old, fat married couple. Good Lord. What does this dude have against fat people? I’m not inferring they’re fat either. It’s just that he uses it constantly as an insult. He says, a couple dinners with sleepy, dozy, horsey Kristen. He doesn’t need it. Ariana says she’s going to Lala’s performance with Kristen. Tom says, it started with a kiss. Now Kristen is taking Ariana on dates. She’s his dumpling, and Kristen can’t have her. Ariana says Lala has a short fuse, and she gets it – it’s the five year anniversary of her dad’s death – but the fight or flight has to stop. She says James has been there; it’s kind of his thing. James says he hasn’t been instigating lately, but Tom says Billie wants him to DJ her brunch, and he can’t do it because of what happened with Lala. James says he’s leaving. He had nothing to do with it. He guesses they’re all not friends anymore, and this is the end of him. He says, bye, and walks out. Ariana says, all right, and suddenly, James is back in the apartment. He says, this is bullsh*t, and Ariana says they’re just trying to help. He tells her, they’re all pushing him to the end of the island, and Ariana says she’s not doing anything. He says Tom told him, do his job, and keep his head down, and he’s still being excluded. Tom says he’s screwed up so many times, all of his actions are under a microscope. In his interview, Tom says James is held to a different standard, and has to take it in stride. Ariana says he’s done plenty, and now he just has to do what he needs to do. He says he’s only doing his best for so long. Straight up.

Stassi is doing her photo shoot for Next Level Basic. The book is about embracing your basic bitch. Beau and Katie come for moral support. In her interview, Stassi says she feels like Carrie Bradshaw. She wants to try different basic bitch poses and props; like an iced vanilla latte. She poses like she’s taking a selfie. Basically, she’s just trying to be Scheana. Katie shows her the invite flyer for the puppy shower. She says she was invited, but said no. She said wtf? The photographer tells her to play it up, and they’re done. She says now that she has the hot photos, she needs to finish the book. They head to the coffee bar. Katie says the basicness is rubbing off on them. Out of Stassi’s earshot, Katie asks how Beau feels dating an author. He says he’s been thinking a lot of the stress in Mexico was about the book. Katie says Stassi talking to her about some of it. We see a clip of Stassi telling Katie that she has trust issues, and she’s afraid of it ending. Katie tells Beau that Stassi is used to self-sabotaging. Now that she has a great guy, she doesn’t think she deserves it. Katie thinks she’s scared. Beau says he sees it too. In her interview, Katie says if Stassi doesn’t stop lashing out, she’s going to lose the love of her life. It’s time to do something drastic.

Brittany and Jax go to therapy. Brittany tells therapist Lindsey that she has people coming in for the engagement party on Tuesday. In her interview, Brittany says she might have gone a little overboard planning, but wants it perfect. We see a clip of her telling Jax that she wants to fairytale it up. She has a lot of family members coming in, and it’s the perfect time to show them how great she and Jax are doing. He can do no wrong in her mom and mamaw’s eyes, but she’s excited for Jax and her dad to talk. They used to fight a lot, and her family saw them fight. We flash back to some of that, and her dad’s concern, saying he’s not 100% on board. Brittany says they had a hard time for a while, and she wants her dad to see how good they’re doing now. Jax thinks for the most part, they’re good. Brittany says he still gets defensive, and says things are her fault, like if he can’t find his keys. Lindsey asks if Jax thinks that’s her fault, and he says, no. He just needs someone to yell at. I have no words, except at least he put it out there. Lindsey asks how he thinks that makes Brittany feel. Part of couple’s therapy is about slowing down and developing empathy. He says they’re going down the right path, but Brittany says she still doesn’t trust him a little bit. Like if he’s late, she’s wondering where he is. Lindsey says that’s part of the sadness; she’s being real. Jax says it’s the first he’s hearing it. Lindsey asks if it’s hard hearing it, and Brittany says she doesn’t want any what if?s once they’re married. In her interview, she says, every now and then, she sees glimpses of Jax’s old behavior; like him talking over her, or being disrespectful. Lindsey says, any time it happens, they have to be totally transparent. Jax says it’s made them stronger, and made Brittany stronger. She doesn’t let anyone bully her or push her around. Brittany agrees that’s true. In Jax’s interview, he doesn’t advocate anyone cheat to make their partner stronger, but that was some good that came out of it. Jax says Brittany tends to give everyone a chance.

Schwartz calls his banker, and says he needs $50K. She says she’ll put in a request. In his interview, he says he’s always wanted to be the dude with the suitcase filled with cash. He wants to show Lisa that he’s a man of action. We flash back to Lisa calling him a p*ssy, then to her telling him the check bounced. He has the banker double-check that he has enough. He feels like a gangster with a heart of gold.

Ariana and Kristen go out. Kristen says she’s courting Ariana, and Ariana says Kristen had to ask her dad permission. We see a clip of Kristen knocking on Tom and Ariana’s door. Tom asks who it is, and she says she’s the ghost of his apartment’s past, which is pretty clever. Tom shows her what changes he’s made. They sit on the couch, and Kristen feels like she’s sitting with Ariana’s dad. Ariana is finally ready, and Tom tells them, keep it PG. Ariana tells Kristen not to be a downer, but her dad died five years ago tonight. In her interview, Ariana says this was also when Kristen said Ariana was having an affair with Tom. It was like WWII. Kristen says she was a d*ck that day. In her interview, Kristen says she remembers saying she knew Tom was Ariana’s friend, but he was her boyfriend, and he left to be with her. That summer, she wasn’t thinking about Ariana’s feelings, and that her father passed away. She tells Ariana that she wishes it could be erased. Ariana says it all worked out, and Kristen says, the bottom line is that Tom and Ariana are better together than she and Tom ever were.

Lala sets up at her venue, Sweet! Hollywood. Katie joins her, and Lala says she has record labels coming in, but she’s trying to forget that. Ariana, Kristen, and Jax come in, and Jax says he’s here to celebrate. He finally had a solid poop. Thanks for oversharing. Peter brings in roses from Lisa, who couldn’t be there. The guys question Adam about being in the friend zone, yet still having sex. Jax says, that’s hard to do, but he’s doing it. Lala comes out.

In Lala’s interview, she says. this show is important. She’s releasing a song she wrote for her dad. Unfortunately, her dad never saw her perform. She starts to get choked up, and says, so this is special moment for her. She wants her dad to know that she’s grateful for the woman he raised. She wouldn’t be this person without him. Lala performs two songs. Afterward, Stassi says she was so intense; she was so in it. Lala tells Stassi that she’s a beautiful human being, and if anyone says different, they don’t know who she is. Stassi asks if someone’s been talking about her, and then laughs. Lala asks where Stassi and Beau are, and Stassi says she feels like an a-hole. Alcohol fuels it, and here she is drinking. It brings out the demons she already has; the feelings from the past. Alcohol makes her say, screw it. In her interview, Stassi says, for the first time, she doesn’t know what to do. She’s terrified by her own behavior. Beau is not replaceable. Lala says when Stassi freaks out, she has her back.

Tom asks Ariana how drinks went with Kristen. She says Kristen remembered where she was five years ago and felt badly about it. Tom says it’s going to sound bad, but at that point, he felt he was going through it with her in a sense. Even back then, she meant a lot to him. She says he was always a good friend, and he hugs her. In his interview, he says they were just friends, but he cared deeply about her, and had to be there. He knows what that means now, but maybe not at the time. Ariana says it’s been a great day.

Raquel asks if Graham is excited to see his friends. Graham doesn’t answer because he’s a dog. She tells James that they’re playing pin-the-tail-on-the-puppy, and some kind of poopy toss game. He hopes not with real poopies. In Raquel’s interview, she says, having a puppy is like having a baby. It’s a big commitment, and you have to teach it everything. They discover a real poopy in the hallway, but don’t say whether they’ll be using it for a game. In her interview, Raquel says, it’s good practice for the babies James will have. We all go, what? and she says, she meant her and James. Freudian slip? Tom, Ariana, Peter, Scheana, and Adam represent. Raquel’s mom, Laura, helps with everything. In his interview, James says, she has no barrier. She says what’s on her mind, and he’s like the embarrassed son. Laura tells Peter how handsome he is, and touches his chest.

Raquel explains the first game, saying, you chug rosé while blindfolded, spin around, and pin the tail on the puppy. It’s a cute puppy. Giving Raquel props for painting it. Ariana thinks the party is 98% Raquel and 2% James. In his interview, a producer asks James why the puppy shower is important, and he says, it was Raquel’s idea. He’s just going along, but he loves it. Ariana ends up having to wear the cone of shame, but it’s not clear why. Tom says it’s good James isn’t drinking. James says he didn’t drink at Billie’s brunch, and that’s probably why he didn’t take Lala’s bait, taking it to the next level. Tom asks where James sees himself. Does he see himself back at SUR? In James’s interview, he says he’s been fired and rehired several times at SUR, and has his foot back in the door. He tells Tom he doesn’t think his run there is over. Tom asks, what if it doesn’t happen? and James says he’d have to start a new life. Straight up (apparently, his new favorite phrase). Tom thinks you should always have back up. Raquel thanks everyone for coming, and says Graham is happy to have so many friends there. In her interview, Ariana thinks when people say how their pets feel, it means that’s how they feel. Well, yeah. You’re point?

Ariana doesn’t like bartending when she’s hung over, but here we are. Scheana gripes that she never sees Ariana any more because of living on the west side. Lala asks to talk to Scheana in private. She tells Scheana that she’s been counting how many times she’s been drinking, and thinks she has a for real problem. Her anxiety attack in Mexico was 100% driven by alcohol. She can’t mess with alcohol, and it needs to be a lifestyle. In Lala’s interview, she says she’s been feeling emotionally confused. She tells Scheana that she’s angry, sad, and happy. It’s a lot, and her heart is so broken. In her interview, she says that after her father’s death, she was drinking every day. She takes a break, then falls back, and starts breaking down again. Scheana says she thinks it’s become an issue, but she’s handling it by making the difficult decision to never have a drink. Lala adds that she’s on her period, and Scheana says, at least that means there’s no baby. Lala tells her, good point.

Katie drives Schwartz to the bank, since he gets skittish in the rain. Katie says he should handcuff the money to himself. He’s lost his ID a million times. In his interview, he in his fantasy, he hands off the briefcase, Lisa opens it, and says, well done, Schwartzy. Then he has sex with an Eastern European woman who’s trying kill him. He asks Katie if she’s coming to watch, but she says she’s taking Stassi to see a real oracle. She’s a bonafide witch, who’s studied with shamans. Katie thinks it could be a method of therapy for Stassi. In her interview, she says, Stassi could use some magic. She tells Schwartz that he’ll be fine, but he’s nervous. He wonders, what if gets mugged? What if the bank teller sends the information to someone else, and he gets abducted or killed? While he’s in the bank, Katie calls Stassi, and tells her they’re all set. She asks if Stassi is excited, and Stassi says, no; scared, but she wants to be exorcised. Schwartz comes back with a tote bag full of cash. He feels 17% sexier, and asks if she wants to pull over and have sex. She says, not particularly.

Tom brings Ariana to TomTom in the sidecar. Inside, he tells her it’s the quiet before the storm. Schwartz comes in with briefcase handcuffed to his wrist. Tom asks if he’s effing kidding. Schwartz says, people get killed for way less, and Tom tells him to shush. In his interview, Schwartz says when every time he visualized the scene, he was a different James Bond, A man of few words, sexy, debonair. Hello, Vanderpussy. I’ve got your money. Schwartz meets Ken and Lisa in the back. Giggy! He says he’s had a stressful day, and Lisa tells him, welcome to her world. He has something for her. He uncuffs the briefcase, and says he wants to show her that he’s serious. He opens the case, and they laugh. Lisa asks what he had to sell to get it, and he says, his body. She asks, how many times? and he says, ten thousand. She asks why it’s in small bills, and he tells her visual impact. Ken takes pictures. Schwartz asks If it’s official, and Lisa says, it’s official, baby. In his interview, Schwartz says, the name is Schwartz; Tom Schwartz. And I like my shots halved, not whole. In Lisa’s interview, she says she’s proud of him. Of course, it’s ridiculous. He drops the briefcase, and they gather up the packs. Lisa takes it to the safe.

Stassi is nervous. Oracle Amanda wants to do a quick clearing ceremony before Stassi comes in. Stassi stands in the doorway, holding her hands out, and closing her eyes. Amanda says, blah-blah-blah, boo! or something like that, scaring Stassi. In her interview, she says she loves the supernatural, and dabbling in it, but it’s normally more lighthearted. She feels like she walked into the Blair Witch house. Amanda, Stassi, and Katie sit in a circle. Stassi says she has issues with getting angry. She acts out, and it’s like she can’t control it. Katie says everyone becomes the bad guy. Stassi says she’s finally in a relationship with somebody wonderful, and she sees herself coming at him. She’s brought a photo, and gives it to Amanda, who sees lot of love between them. She says Stassi has to get the power under control. When she has angry outbursts, a demonic spirit is possessing her. In Stassi’s interview, she says, she’s not just mean; she’s demonic. Amanda says it’s possible the spirit is one she called in to protect her. She doesn’t need it anymore, and has to transform the spirit that’s causing suffering. She tells Stassi to call up an image of the demon. Think of the times she lashes out. We flash back to the times she’s gotten on Beau’s case. Amanda tells her to say out loud what it feels like. Stassi says, it’s hot and dark, like a heavy cloud. Amanda wants her to tell the spirit how she feels, and Stassi says, she feels angry. Amanda says, tell it what she wants it to do. Stassi wants it to leave, and Amanda does some chanting, and waves her arms around. In her interview, Stassi says she feels hopeful and helpless at the same time. It’s the most draining experience of her entire life. Amanda says, the circle has been cast, and asks what Stassi sees. Stassi says, it seems younger and lighter. A cloud on the best day. Like a Mario brothers cloud. Amanda tells her to feel it melting with her body, and tinkles some chimes. She asks Stassi to come back in the space. It was a turning point. Her wound has healed, and now Stassi can become the most magnificent badass version of herself. She asks what Stassi learned, and Stassi says, her trying to be powerful and in control, doesn’t serve her loved ones or herself. She doesn’t need be in control. It will be fine. In her interview, Stassi says, admitting you have demons is the first part in being better. She’s just begun the hard part. Katie says it shows Stassi is a worthy, beautiful person, and she’s proud of her.

Next time, Brittany’s family arrives, Scheana goes on a date with someone other than Adam, Lisa tells James not to be a two year old, and Brittany reveals her dress. Jax also tells Brittany’s father that he’ll always make himself number one, but I’m guessing that editing is involved. Even Jax can’t be that stupid. Can he?

🍝 It’s Still Not About the Pasta…

Of course everybody hates James.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/04/vanderpump-rules-recap-everyone-hates-james-kennedy/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

🐉 A Dragon Flies Into Winterfell…

Sansa: What do dragons eat anyway? Daenerys: Whatever they want.

So after a two-year (!) break, we finally got a new episode of Game of Thrones. Nothing phenomenal happened, but that’s not surprising for the first episode of a season. They’re going to have to work up to topping a White Walker dragon and the Wall falling. The main points were that Samwell told Jon who he really is and at the end Bran saw Jaime come into town, and their eyes met. My favorite moment though, was Jon getting his first ride on a dragon. It was both exciting and funny, and like every childhood dream. A little rougher than riding on Falcor of The Neverending Story though. For a more detailed recap…

If you like it straight up (like James):

https://nypost.com/2019/04/14/game-of-thrones-premiere-offers-major-reveal-little-carnage/

Or with a tongue-and-cheek twist:

https://betches.com/game-of-thrones-recap-everybody-gets-a-reunion/

👑 When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground. – George R. R. Martin

🔄 The New Nina…

So sad to see Michelle Stafford go, but switch happens.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-cynthia-watros-new-nina-170364?utm_medium=email&utm_source=SailthruTopStories&utm_content=16569706&utm_campaign=ABCsid_ed_TopStories_engaged_weekly_%202019-04-13&utm_term=Master_ABCsid_sitesignups

📡 In Case You Didn’t Know…

Meet Nora Buchanan.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-nora-buchanan-170373

🎈 Happy Anniversary!

I’m not always that keen on soap kids, especially since I have the feeling they often hire relatives, but Spencer is the best.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-nicolas-bechtel-anniversary-170347

🎬 A Documentary She’d Rather Not Be In…

Erika Slezak is getting around, but I’m sure this is one show she would have preferred didn’t need to be filmed.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/one-life-to-live-erika-slezak-2020-documentary-rebecca-schaeffer-170312

😞 A Tribute…

Y&R will be honoring Kristoff St. John.

https://starmagazine.com/photos/shemar-moore-the-young-and-the-restless-kristoff-st-john-tribute-eileen-davidson/?utm_source=email&em_hash=72048a93bc8188334dc1071a32fe8f3b

⛅ Stassi’s Cloud…

I’ve never played video games much, because I was always too afraid I’d be one of those people who gets sucked in, plays 24/7, and ends up in rehab. So if, like me, you had no idea what a Super Mario Brothers cloud looked like, here you go.

 

 

February 11, 2019 – Jason Visits Beechers Corners, Crazy Kristen is Here, the New Guy, Soap Sadness Times Two, James Meltdown, Grammy Fashion & Solvang

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

At Beechers Corners, Harmony welcomes Jason. She says he called with questions, and wants to check them out. Let’s get to it.

Carly thanks Sam for meeting her at the MetroCourt. She talked to Jason, and thinks she knows why Sam and Jason broke up. She wants to support them both, which Sam interprets as wanting to talk her out of it. Carly laughs. Drew comes by to say hi. Carly says Josslyn told her the good news about Oscar, and Drew says the tumor hasn’t grown. Sam says, incredible, and Drew says he and Oscar’s mother are trying to get back to a normal life – whatever that is. He wants to check in on Shiloh. Sam says he doesn’t have to, but Carly thinks the more information, the better. Drew says Shiloh made a point to be friendly. The least he can do is be friendly back. He leaves, and Carly hopes he gets lucky, and gets some leverage on Shiloh. Then Sam and Jason won’t have to break up.

Alexis says the new guy is Neil Bern. She looks at his card, and says, yep. She wishes she’d read it before putting it in her bag. He wishes he’d known he was inviting a patient out to dinner. She asks what they do now, and he says it’s up to her.

Not-Doc sneaks around behind Griff, holding the syringe. He flashes back to seeing Griff holding Ava. He asks if Griff sees a spot for Kiki’s memorial brick. Griff thinks she’d like the flower bed. The GH community meant a lot to her; it’s a thoughtful gesture. He turns around, and not-Doc startles him, being so close. Griff says he didn’t see him there. Ava pops out of the roof door, and tells Griff that he’s too close to the edge. Does he have a death wish? Not-Doc asks if she was looking for Griff, but she says, no; she’s looking for him. She knows what he’s been up to.

Neil tells Alexis to do what she thinks is best. He’ll be happy to give her a referral. She says she can’t go back to Doc; she’s representing his ex-wife in the divorce. She tells Neil, once again, she’s given him TMI, but he says there’s no such thing for a psychiatrist. If she’s uncomfortable, he can give her the name of an associate. He writes something down, and gives it to her, saying he thinks it would be a good fit, and he hopes it works out. She thanks him, and says, goodnight. She closes the door behind her, and shakes her head.

Drew goes to DOD. Shiloh says it’s a nice surprise, and Drew says he had a free night. Shiloh invites Drew inside. Drew wanted to talk about their time in Afghanistan together; when Shiloh went by Hank. Shiloh says Drew saved his life, but more than that. They were seriously tight, but Drew held his cards closer to the vest than he did. He gave Drew some late night, sloppy confessions. He wanted to get some things off his chest in case he didn’t make back. Drew said he didn’t remember, and Shiloh thinks he feels better about it that way. Drew says they must have been some confessions.

Sam tells Carly that she told Danny she was coming there, and he wanted her to give this to Carly and Sonny. She hands Carly a handmade Valentine’s Day card. Carly says, little boys can sure surprise you. She never would have associated Danny with making a card; he was always the adventure boy. Sam says she had to have Monica lock the attic. Danny was taking Annabelle up there, and playing on the roof. He’s like his father; fearless, but sweet and thoughtful at the same time. Carly says Sam is going to have to work harder if she wants this to work out. It’s obvious how much she loves Jason.

Harmony says Jason must be there on someone’s behalf, and asks if it’s a family member. He says he considers them one. She asks if they’re in Beechers Corners; is it someone she knows? He says, no, and she asks why not talk to Shiloh; he’s in Port Charles. Jason says he wants to talk to someone besides Hank Archer. Harmony says, a blast from the past. She used to be Lorraine. Her parents chose it, but it was never a good fit. She found it freeing and empowering to choose her own name. Jason says so she became Harmony, like Hank became Shiloh. She says it was a bridge to becoming her true self. Shiloh untethered her from what was holding her back, and Dawn of Day unlocked her potential. She tells him that she and Shiloh built the community center across the street from the ground up. He asks if they’re still in touch, and she says, of course. They still conduct business together. Jason says, but they’re not together. She’s there, and Shiloh is in Port Charles. Why? Wow. Harmony looks a lot like my sister.

Not-Doc asks what Ava thinks he’s up to. Ava says she knows why he’s up there. She went to his office, and found this on his desk. A letter about honoring Kiki with a community brick. It says the best way to look for a spot is from the roof, so she came to see for herself, and give some input. She says it’s a lovely gesture, and thanks him. He says it’s all he could think of. Maybe it will bring some small comfort to the people who miss her. Griff says he was just saying the same thing. He tells not-Doc to let him know when it’s picked out. He needs to be somewhere. He leaves, and Ava says Kiki will be part of a place she loved forever. Not-Doc says a brick isn’t much, but if it dissipates her anger toward him… She says she’s not angry at him. She jumped to conclusions, and owes him an apology.

Carly tells Sam that Shiloh has charisma, and knows how to use it. She asks if Sam thinks he’s a sexual predator. Sam intends to find out. Not just for Kristina. All the girls there look like they worship him. Carly asks why she and Jason have to break up, and Sam says she has to con Shiloh. He’s about to get a taste of his own medicine.

Harmony tells Jason that Shiloh was the visionary; she was the pragmatist. Jason asks why they’re apart, and she says Shiloh wants to expand the work. Jason wonders why Port Charles, and she tells him Shiloh found that’s where people needed outreach that DOD can provide. He left, and she stayed to continue the work there. Jason says, Shiloh seems devoted. What about a life outside? Does he have no family, or no interest in having one? Harmony says, DOD is his family; why is he asking? He says because the young lady he’s there for is really involved. She’s naïve, and growing attracted to Shiloh as more than a mentor. She’s falling for him. He asks how Shiloh handles situations like this when they come up.

Shiloh tells Drew the thing about confessions is, when you’re making them, they seem of monumental importance, but in the grand scheme of things, they’re not important at all. Drew says he has a point, but why is he still thinking about it? Shiloh says coming there brought back memories. First he runs into the brother he didn’t know Drew had, with his face; then he sees Drew with another face, and Drew doesn’t know him. Drew says he doesn’t remember anyone or anything, and not to take it personally. Shiloh asks if there’s any chance Drew’s memory will return.

Griff bangs on the radiator. Then he does push-ups. Like three of them. He starts to lift free-weights, but there’s a knock at the door. It’s Sasha. She says she was in town to visit Nina, but needed a break. She can’t imagine what Griff has been going through. It must be hard walking past Kiki’s apartment every day. She asks how he’s doing, and he says he’s sick and tired of everybody taking to him about Kiki. Talking about her is not going to bring her back.

Ava tells not-Doc that she realized he wasn’t protecting Franco. He didn’t think weren’t Franco was a threat. Not-Doc says he would have never let Franco harm Kiki or anyone. He never thought Franco would act on his impulses. Ava says she’s convinced Franco is innocent, which means the killer is still free. Not-Doc says, that’s a real problem. She says, it doesn’t have to be. He needs to go to the police, and tell them that they have the wrong man.

Alexis goes back into Neil’s office. She says she’s thought about it. She already spilled her guts to him, and established she’s at ease talking with a complete stranger. So if he’s still willing to treat her… He says he is. She has some intriguing issues to work out. She says, referring back to their conversation, just to sure, when they met, did he know she was his patient?

Drew tells Shiloh, supposedly, there’s a procedure that can undo what happened. Shiloh doesn’t know what happened, and Drew says, long story. Shiloh says he’s heard plenty of those, but Drew assures him, not like this. He was never AWOL; he was abducted. Shiloh says he knew Drew never abandoned his post. Drew says the plan was to put him in his brother’s place. Transfer his brother’s knowledge to his head, and have his brother eliminated. Shiloh says Drew’s brother is still around; someone messed up. Drew says, the first part worked. He has Jason’s memories, and lost his. Shiloh says Drew told him there’s a procedure that could help him recover his memories. Why wouldn’t he do that? What’s holding him back?

Carly tells Sam, maybe Sonny can persuade Shiloh to leave town. Sam says, that could backfire. Shiloh could tell Kristina, and she’ll dig in even harder. Carly would like to wring Shiloh’s enlightened neck. Sam says she has to pretend to be hanging on every word. Carly asks what if he catches on? Sam says she’s an experienced con, and Shiloh expects women to fall for him’ the girls there are almost like groupies. All she has to do is play along.

Harmony says Drew is naturally warm and inclusive. It can be misunderstood by the more vulnerable volunteers. Jason asks how he handles it. He doesn’t want his friend getting hurt. A cop walks up, and asks if he’s Jason Morgan. Jason asks if there’s a problem, and the officer says he ran Jason’s plates. He has an arrest record there for murder. Jason says the charges were dropped, but the officer says he’s on the wrong side of the law again.

Neil says Alexis called to make an appointment at five, when he was already sitting at Charlie’s. He didn’t know the interesting woman sitting down next to him was soon to be his patient. If he had, he wouldn’t have asked her to dinner. She apologizes for questioning his professionalism. He says, apology accepted. If they move forward, can she trust him? She says she can, and he says they’ll see how it goes, and if she wants to continue. He asks why the urgent return to therapy at this time? She says, a lot of reasons, but the chief one is the feeling she has when she sees her ex kissing his girlfriend. She also had an experience at the Dawn of Day house.

Drew tells Shiloh the procedure is like overriding a computer program. The old memories are restored, but the past five years would essentially be deleted. The relationships he’s made with the people he’s grown to love. the memories of his daughter from the day she was born, until now – gone. He didn’t know he had a son until he move there. Meeting his son, and the memories they made together, he’d lose them. They mean everything to him, so the short answer is, no; he’s not having the procedure. Shiloh says, good. He has his priorities straight.

Sam tells Carly the worst part is lying to Danny. He’s too young to understand what’s going on, and he’s missing out on family time. Monica has been great about it; she’s a hand’s off mother-in-law. Carly says when she was married to AJ, all Monica did was meddle. She understands though; they loathed each other. Sam says she and Monica are a lot alike. Carly asks, in what universe? Sam says they both have a love for family, and Carly says she’s a part of that club too, protecting Kristina. Sam knows what it’s like to have a guy using you, and making you feel worthless, tearing down your self-esteem. She’s not letting Shiloh do that to Kristina.

Jason tells the cop that he did nothing wrong. The officer says he parked in a designated handicapped spot. Jason says there was no sign, but the officer tells him to move it, or he’s impounding the car. Harmony tells the officer that Jason will be going shortly, and thanks him for his diligence. When he leaves, she tells Jason that his bark is worse than his bite. Jason thanks her for smoothing things over. She says it’s a community, and they look out for each other. They’ve really come together since Dawn of Day launched. She hopes it’s the same in Port Charles. He thinks he’s heard enough. He’s learned a lot.

Griff apologizes to Sasha. He doesn’t know what’s worse; thinking about Kiki or not thinking about her. He’s consumed with missing her. He can’t find a moment’s peace. Sasha asks how he get the bruises, and he says, boxing; he spars sometimes. She says with a neurosurgeon’s hands? Is he crazy? He says they wear padded gloves. She tells him, pick someone his own size next time. He looks like he boxed with a kangaroo. He says he lost focus. His mind wanders, and regret takes over. She knows the feeling, and he asks what she has to regret. I’m wondering if Griff is involved with a fight club. Griff Durden.

Ava tells not-Doc it’s important the police stop wasting time on Franco, while the real monster is out there. Not-Doc knows she’s struggling with grief, and didn’t want to add to it by upsetting her. She says she recovered, but he says she ran back to Griff. She says he saw Griff comforting her, and assumed she went back to him? He says she ran out on him. She’s beautiful, and the man is an Adonis. Ava says not-Doc is insane, and she’d have to be equally insane to go back to the man who betrayed her with her own daughter. She hugs him.

Sasha tells Griff that she thought she’d blow in, meet with her mom, and blow out. She’s met people she cares about, and found herself worrying about them; hoping they’re okay. Griff says that’s a good thing. She made connections. She says she wants to do the right thing, but she’s not sure how. Some things are hard to fix. He says if she wants to talk, he’s wide open to distractions, and wants to help. She asks why it’s so hot in the apartment. He says can’t control the radiator. Kiki showed him some tricks, but he never got the hang of it. She had the magic touch with everything she did.

Not-Doc turns away from Ava. She asks if he’s okay. He says he thought he’d lost her. It’s only been a short time, but she has his heart. She’s everything to him. He doesn’t think he could put one foot in front of other if he lost the woman he loves. She says, he loves her?

Alexis tells Neil, in an effort to heal the rift between her and her daughter, she attended a seminar by the man responsible. Neil asks, how was it? and she says, weird; uncomfortable. She played along to appease her daughter, and realized, as Neil pointed out, she frames everything in the context of her ex. She’s fairly certain she doesn’t want a relationship, but she’s drawn to his type; dangerous, selfish, incapable of intimacy and honesty. Men who love power more than they’ll ever love her. He asks if there’s a man in her life who set that pattern. She says her father. Small world. Her father was one of those exiled Russian aristocrats he’s fond of studying.

Shiloh says that’s a lot of pain Drew is carrying. If he’s ever interested in reconciling, the seminars can ease suffering, including his own. He’s learned to untie his troubled past. It looks like they both can have closure. Drew says, no charge. Maybe he can start his own seminars. They shake hands, and Shiloh thanks Drew for giving him his life back again. Drew leaves, and Shiloh ponders the visit. Or plots. I’m not sure which.

Harmony says she’d Invite Jason to attend an open house, but something tells her that won’t happen. He must bear scars, being arrested for a murder he didn’t commit. He says he doesn’t, and thanks her for time.

Carly knows Sam and Jason aren’t candy hearts and flowers people, but they should be together on Valentine’s Day. Sam says she has plans, and Carly asks if she’s going to the Dawn of Day event; she’s seen the flyers. Sam says Shiloh is expecting her, but Carly says she can have an emergency. Sam says she won’t be spending Valentine’s Day with the man she loves. She’ll be at the DOD house, listening to Shiloh’s wisdom with an eager smile. The harder she works on it, the faster she can get Kristina out of there.

Alexis suggests she skip over the gory family details. To sum it up, her father was a distant, unapproachable, controlling figure in her life. He was ruthless and powerful, and she was simultaneously drawn to him and repelled by him. She rarely got his attention, and never his love. Neil says, it’s not a job. You don’t earn a father’s love; it’s a gift with no strings attached. She says, not in her family. Love was a weakness to be exploited. He asks at what age she realized that, but she has no idea. She blocked out most of her childhood. Her father murdered her mother, and she witnessed it. He says she probably has PTSD, and asks if she’s ever been diagnosed. She says, no. Her stepmother was as ruthless and cruel as her father. He wonders if she equates those traits in men with safety, to ensure her survival. She says she never thought about it like that. He says if she decides to move forward, she can get a better understanding of herself, why she’s led to people who aren’t good for her, and be steered toward healthier relationships. She likes that, and he asks when she’d like another appointment.

Not-Doc was hoping to save the words for Valentine’s Day, but Ava says, don’t. He says he won’t. He loves her. She says she loves him too. Very much. They kiss.

Sasha tells Griff she didn’t mean to bring up Kiki again. She’s heading out, and he says to stop by anytime. They can work on her regrets. She’s too young to have them weighing on her. She says so is he. He watches as she leaves.

Harmony calls Shiloh, who asks to what he owes the pleasure. She says he sounds upbeat. He tells her a potential threat isn’t so threatening. She says she just met Jason Morgan, who questioned her about their arrangement. She was assisted by their favorite cop, Billy. He did his part, and made Jason feel less than welcome. I wasn’t aware Jason felt much of anything. She doesn’t think he’ll be back, and he didn’t learn anything they didn’t want him to know.

Jason arrives at the MetroCourt, and Carly says he just missed Sam. Or was it intentional? He tells her she has a bartender who’s into DOD. She asks, which one? but he doesn’t know. Sonny was talking to him. She says she can’t fire him, but she doesn’t want him reporting to Shiloh. She wanted a safe place for him and Sam. Yeah, a public hotel seems just perfect. Jason says they’ll find one. She says DOD has made unsettling inroads. No one noticed they were responsible for the clothing drive. She wouldn’t have let Josslyn be a part of it. Jason says Josslyn has a good sense of herself. Kristina is in deep. It might help if Shiloh is distracted, and feeling pressure from the outside. Carly asks what kind? And he says he went to the originating DOD, and got a good idea of how it works. But now he has to figure out how to take it down.

Tomorrow, Sonny talks to Spencer, Sasha and Obrecht meet, Nina announces she’s marrying Valentin again, and Cameron questions Franco’s innocence.

Vanderpump Rules

I’m not sure if anything can top Lisa getting slaughtered last week, but we’ll see.

Lisa arrives at SUR with a bit of a hangover. She tells Peter, those bloody cocktails; she literally had two. We flash back to her at the event, saying she had five. She hasn’t had a hangover this bad since 1985. She got pregnant that night. Schwartz says she was amazing; it was well-earned. Tom says she was cute; she had so much momentum. Schwartz thinks they both get gold stars, and Tom says it was a total success. She says once they get the gas on, they can start interviewing, and there’s outside work to be done. It’s a different situation when people aren’t paying to be there. Now is when the hard work begins.

Lala, Kristen and Ariana meet for lunch. Kristen asks if it was fun at TomTom. Lisa didn’t want her there. In her interview, Kristen says whether Lisa likes it or not, she’s part of the SUR family, and she might as well accept it. Lala tells her about the trip to Danish wine country. In Lala’s interview, she says Kristen is a nightmare to travel with. In Mexico, she was an absolute sh*t show. We flash back to her throwing a glass of wine at James. Lala says this trip is for the people who were there for her when her dad passed, and Kristen was one of them. Kristen says she and carter are having problems. They fight about dumb sh*t. We see a clip of that. Something about the dishwasher, walking the dogs, and sharing responsibilities. She thinks it’s healthy to disagree, but not seven days a week. Lala passes on the rosé, and in her interview, says she and Randall got sloshed one night, she got naked, was yelling at the top of her lungs, and broke a hurricane proof window. They made a pact that they should probably stop drinking. but that doesn’t mean she can’t get her bitches drunk.

Jax and Brittany, along with Katie, Stassi, and Ariana, look at the venue for the engagement party, The Inn of the Seventh Rain. Brittany says it has a whimsical, enchanted forest feel. They get the tour. The place is gorgeous, and Jax says, it looks expensive. The manager asks what Brittany’s vision is. In his interview, Jax says Brittany sees possibilities, and he sees dollar signs. He says they’re not even at the wedding yet. The total damage is $14,205. In Stassi’s interview, she says Jax looks like he’s sh*tting his pants. Since he’s always stolen things, she doesn’t know if he’s cheap or a klepto. Brittany says they can all have babies together now. Stassi wants them to wait, but Jax says they’re starting right away. Wait until he finds out how much a kid costs. They talk about pre-marriage counseling.. In Jax’s interview, he tells us that if you get married in the Catholic church, it’s require the have therapy a year ahead. It’s the Pope’s rule. I don’t know about it being a year ahead, unless it’s a waitlist thing, or if the Pope is involved, but it is a requirement to have pre-marriage counseling. Most of them have a one-day seminar option though, so it’s not like he’s making it sound. He says he’s never going to be able to quit SUR.

SUR is hopping. Peter sends Brittany to work in the pink room, her favorite. She tells Lala and Scheana that the venue looks like a fairy tale. The guys are having a guys’ night when the girls are away, and Tom is glad it’s relatively local. He has to be close to TomTom in case the sh*t hits the fan. In his interview, Tom assumes, now that he’s engaged, Jax wouldn’t do anything remotely close to pissing off Brittany. He assumes. Lala hasn’t asked for time off yet, and finds out no one else did either. She approaches Lisa, and explains about the trip. Lisa is cool with it, as long as they’re back by Friday night. Lala says they’re taking a private jet, so they can be back any time. Lisa says Randall must be part of the equation. In Lisa’s interview, she thinks Lala is cavalier with her job. It feels almost like she’s working for Lala, and Lala needs to come back to earth if she’s going to be part of SUR.

James goes to the therapist. In his interview, he says Lisa thinks it’s a good idea for him to talk to someone. If he’s going to get back in SUR, he has to show her he’s trying. He says he’s dealing with his parents. HIs mom called him about his dad not having a job, although his dad says he’s looking, and James is sending money to his mom every other day. In his interview, James says when his dad was managing George Michael, and his mom was modeling, they lived a lavish lifestyle. As he got older, it gradually disappeared, until they were fighting about money 24/7. He tells the therapist he came from a two-income household, with a mom and dad. His life has now flipped, and he’s the guy providing the only income. The therapist says he’s put these expectations on himself. He says it turned quickly, and the therapist says his mom has resentment at his dad, and he has to set boundary that she can’t take it out on him. In his interview, he says, it’s frustrating. He’s helping them, but still getting caught in the crossfire. They’re treating him like a child, when he’s the man of the family.

James calls his mom, and tells her that he can’t deal with it anymore. She’s always yelling about his dad and asking for money. He’s her ex-husband, but his father. He starts yelling, because she’s obviously not listening, and eventually he hangs up. He wonders if he’ll ever get something back at some point. She’s his effing mother. I don’t think he’s talking about the money either. I think he just wants to be acknowledged, and see a little gratitude. I don’t like James, but fair is fair, and I feel sorry for him with having to carry the family.

Katie asks Schwartz is jealous of her going on a private jet. He asks if they’re going Girls Gone Wild, and she says possibly. Stassi drops in. She’s excited; she’s never been on a PJ. In her interview, Katie says she used to think Lala was a rachet gold digger, bragging about traveling on the PJ, but she took a trip with Lala and Randall, and it was luxurious AF. Stassi says they have the rooming situation. She doesn’t want to room with Kristen. Katie volunteers. In Stassi’s interview, she says Kristen is a bad traveler. During their girls trip to Copenhagen, she left. She flew home instead of going with them to Paris. That’s next level. Beau says he’s turning his phone off after midnight.

It’s Brittany and Jax’s turn for therapy next. Brittany is nervous. Jax says he’s making better choices now. He was a bad boyfriend, but after his father passed away, it cleared up for him. He knows the right way to live now. The therapist says every relationship has its challenges. She asks if they talk about what happened last year. Brittany says when the pat has to be brought up, Jax doesn’t like talk about it. Jax says they talked about it, and put it to bed. No one points out the bad choice of words. Brittany says, for sure. The therapist says, if Brittany wants to talk about it, and he shuts that down, he’s basically telling her to shut up. If she’s a people pleaser, then it’s not honest. It’s part of what needs be healed. She asks why Jax just rolled his eyes. Jax says, it’s fine, and Brittany asks what he’s mad about. He says he’s not mad. He just doesn’t understand how going back makes everything better. Brittany asks how does he know he won’t go back to old behavior? He says he just knows. Brittany wants to keep their relationship on the right track. The therapist says that means being honest, not hiding things, and being more transparent.

James plays some tracks for Ariana and Raquel. Ariana thinks being there is a good first exposure being in recording studio. We see a clip of her singing. Kind of. In her interview, she says Ariana Grande needs to look out for Ariana Vente. She asks how everything is going. James says, all right. He’s seeing a therapist to figure out how to avoid future fights. He’s learning how to say no in the right way. Ariana says it sounds like he’s doing good sh*t for himself. Raquel says he’s going to the gym, and James says he’s picked up golf again. Ariana says he can be sober and responsible, and not be a sixty-five-year-old man.

Jacqueline arrives at the apartment, bringing her rescue dog. In James’s interview, he says he wants peace. No down-talking or shutting him out. He wants to be listened to, like a person. Ariana leaves, and Jacqueline asks if James went to therapy. He says they talked family stuff, and how it would be a good thing to set boundaries. She can’t talk about his dad. She says, okay, and he tells her, she says that, but then she calls him. This is all it takes for her to go on a tirade about his father, and how he doesn’t send her a dime. She says, yes, she’s bitter. Ya think? Raquel looks really uncomfortable. He says she puts him in middle, and she says, fine. Boundaries done. He says the other thing is finances. He’s helping, and wants to see what she’s doing with the money. He’s sending $200 every three days. She says she still has two kids at home. She asks him if she was a sh*t mother. He went to an expensive school, had fabulous vacations, and designer clothes. He took his first steps at Tiffany’s. Well we see what’s important to her. She says she’s not telling him to kiss her ass, but he should thank her. Act like she’s not a total bitch. He’s making her feel like a child. James says, he’s the child, and she needs to remember that. She says when she and his dad broke up, she was in hell. He says they were all in hell. He says she sees the relationship going downhill, and doesn’t want that. No talking about his dad, and he wants to know where the money is going. He doesn’t want to see it going nowhere.

Jax asks if therapy was what Brittany expected. Brittany tells him the therapist said things that made sense. She wants to go back. Jax thinks she should go by herself a couple of times, but she doesn’t know about that. She asks what he’s doing while she’s gone, and he says he has to monitor the guys. We flash back to other guys’ nights, where Jax needed to be monitored. Brittany says don’t disappoint her. She doesn’t want to go backwards. He says he should probably cancel the strippers.

At SUR, Lisa asks Peter, what’s happening. He has a table in garden for her. Jacqueline arrive, and meets with Lisa. She was hoping James would be working there again. Wow. This woman is so entitled. No wonder James is the way he is. She says he’s in therapy, and not drinking. He needs this. Lisa says, it’s a start. He needs to be committed. He has an anger issue. Jacqueline says he needs to come to terms with her and his dad. She has something to ask Lisa. James’s brother, Harry, is back from college. She asks if he can bus two nights a week. In her interview, Lisa says James has been a major pita, and doesn’t know if she wants to deal with another one, but maybe if his brother is working, the finances won’t be James’s sole burden. Jacqueline wants Lisa to meet him regardless.

The girls get ready to leave. Ariana opens champagne on the plane. Stassi texts to say they’re running late. In her interview, she says she told Katie don’t carpool with Kristen – she’s always late – and they had to go back for her purse. Stassi has never been on a PJ, and she’s not letting Kristen ruin the trip. In Kristen’s interview, she says Stassi goes out of her way to be an a-hole to her. She is who she is. Ugh. I hate people who are chronically late, and can’t understand why the people on the other end are upset because their time is valuable too. Lala tells the pilot that she has virgins, and they’re popping PJ cherries. Kristen finds a basket of booze nips, or baby bottles of booze, as Adam (Guy Pearce) calls them in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Stassi films. In her interview, she wonders why she waited so long. She’s naming her first born PJ. It was the best twenty-five minutes of her life.

James brings Harry to meet with Peter and Guillermo. He introduces Harry to Jax. He asks if Jax is having a big night, and Jax tells him about guys’ night. In his interview, James thinks Jax gets pleasure in not inviting him. He’s not letting it bother him. Well, he did kinda ask. Jax asks what James is up to. In James’s interview, he says that his mom helped him get a job at SUR, and he’s here for Harry’s interview. It’s a big day for him.

The girls take a limo van to the hotel. Lala says they’re going to have a wine tasting at the hotel today, but tomorrow, they have full day. Lala is obsessed with Sideways, and hoping someone gets so drunk, they drink out of spit bucket like Paul Giamatti. In her interview, Stassi says she spent more time waiting for Kristen than being on the PJ. The town of Solvang is really cute; quaint and Danish. It looks like it’s from another time.

They get to the hotel, and divvy up the rooms. Scheana is rooming alone. In her interview, Scheana assumed she’d room with Ariana, since they’re besties. She lives by herself, and doesn’t want to room by herself on vacation. Lala can’t wait to Instagram TF out of it. Stassi and Ariana get to their room, and Ariana says, there’s a coffeemaker; thank God. Stassi says, there’s wine; thank God.

Scheana puts a stuffed frog on the other bed, and says she guesses it’s just him and her.

Kristen tells Katie that Stassi screamed at her. Katie says she didn’t want to get involved, and Kristen goes through a lengthy explanation as to why she left her purse. In Katie’s interview, she says you’d think since Kristen is a bad traveler Carter would help, but no. And now she has a stressed out terrorist traveler in her room.

At SUR, Peter talks to James and Harry, while they wait for Guillermo. When Guillermo arrives, he asks what Harry is looking for. Harry says he just finished school, and is looking for a couple of nights a week bussing tables. Guillermo says, five years ago. James said he’s a DJ. He said he didn’t need a DJ; he needed a busboy. Now, he doesn’t need a busboy; he needs a DJ. James effed it up. He says they’ll take Harry on, and train him, and see how it works out. In his interview, James says Guillermo is like a third father, after Ken. His jabs are like a knife in his heart. Guillermo says they’ll find out if he’s a hard worker. He’s heard that before. He looks at James. As he’s leaving, he says he’s still looking for a DJ. By this time, James is crying. In James’s interview, he says it feels like someone who was once proud of him isn’t proud anymore. Harry tells him that he made some mistakes; it will be all right. He needs a little tough love. Peter tells him to hang on.

Brittany loves how the buildings all look like little cottages. There’s lavender everywhere, and Kristen eats a piece. To double-check that it’s not something poisonous, afterward, she checks with the bartender. They start doing a tasting. Kristen announces that merlot is the basic bitch of wines. Whatever that means. (In Vanderpumped – a wringing-it-dry second show that features pop-up trivia, Stassi said she drinks the basic bitch of wines – pinot grigio.) Katie thinks Kristen should get ahold of herself. It’s just the first winery.

When they get to the next one, Stassi says she can see the telltale signs. Crazy Kristen is coming out. Weird behavior, she starts rambling, and drinking – a lot. Yep, she’s guzzling, and looking for more. Stassi says, crazy Kristen. She’s not coming. She’s here.

Next time, Peter gets wild, Lisa says Harry’s brother hasn’t set the best example, Harry says he’s his own person, and Kristen takes a drunken tumble.

📰 Read All About It…

There’s a new guy on the Port Charles block.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital-neil-joe-flanigan-169550

😥 A Sad Farewell…

I didn’t watch The Young and the Restless, except for a few months when Marc Singer played a villain. However, Kristoff St. John was in one of my favorite exercise videos of all time, Kick Butt, along with trainer Jackie Vankatwyk and three-time European kickboxing champion Badrino Kocktane. It was made a million years ago, but I still use it. He was so young too.

https://www.cbs.soapsindepth.com/posts/the-young-and-the-restless-kristoff-st-john-dead-169495

😥 One More…

I did watch All My Children though, and remember Donna. And she wasn’t much older.

https://www.abc.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children-candice-earley-dead-169497

🍜 Maybe It Is About the Pasta…

Could James have a gluten intolerance?

https://betches.com/james-kennedys-latest-twitter-meltdown-proves-2019-is-doomed/?utm_source=Brand+Updates&utm_campaign=d4009c57ab-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_31_06_17_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_85341b0c64-d4009c57ab-103149793&goal=0_85341b0c64-d4009c57ab-103149793&mc_cid=d4009c57ab&mc_eid=121c651864

👗 As a general rule, I don’t watch awards shows, but I did check out the Grammy fashions online. There were a few I loved – like Lady Gaga and the sculpture that Cardi B wore – but it mostly went from, I kinda like that, to eww! to, what the blip is that??? You can read about the pretty stuff here:

🏰 Also Pretty, No?

Solvang.