What I Watched Today
(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)
General Hospital
Today’s GH Flashback brings us up to May 18th, 2020. You can catch the drift here, or jump into the whole snowbank at:
Curtis and Jordan met with TJ and Molly at the MetroCourt. TJ told them that he and Molly realized they wanted to commit themselves to each other. Curtis thought they should celebrate, and Jordan wondered if they should have included Alexis. Sonny came along, and said he heard the exciting news. He congratulated them, and told TJ, welcome to the family. TJ said he was honored that Molly chose to spend her life with him. She was the best person he knew.
On the phone, Lucy told Ava that she had an all cash offer for the penthouse, but the call broke up, and Ava couldn’t hear who the buyer was. Cyrus walked up to her, saying her name, and she asked who he was. At the gym, Sam tried to get Alexis to exercise, but Alexis wanted to mope. Sam said last night, they’d eaten junk food and watched British rom-coms that only Alexis liked. I guess moping is only a one-day thing for Sam. Alexis said she liked being an attorney, and had been one her whole life. Couldn’t she take one week to mourn her career? She was disbarred, and wondered if she wasn’t an attorney, who was she? Judge Lowe said they’d waited long enough for Nelle, but Nelle ran in, wearing a wedding dress and carrying a bouquet. She said, the most incredible thing just happened. She was no longer Miss Benson, and she and her new husband had been unavoidably detained.
Sam suggested Alexis appeal. She told Alexis that she was an amazing attorney; she could get herself out of this. Alexis said it was perjury. It was a violation of her fundamental duties, and there was no coming back from it. Sam said she’d have to work on her second act then. She could sit back and figure out what she wanted to do. What Alexis wanted was to stay home and binge watch TV. Sam’s phone rang, and when she stepped away to take the call, Alexis kicked the boxing bag. Brando asked if it was her first time at the gym, and she said she was brought there against her will. He told her to blink once if she needed to be rescued, and she did. Sam came back, and asked why Brando was talking to her mother. Sonny said Kristina was excited about Molly and TJ’s upcoming domestic partnership, and gave him a lecture on how it was more enlightened. He told them if they were happy, so was he. He was sorry about what happened to TJ, but TJ said things were back to normal, except he was bummed that he had no details for Mac. It didn’t make sense; the kidnappers didn’t even ask for a ransom. Sonny asked what Mac had turned up, and Curtis said he was sure the PCPD was doing everything they could. Sonny said he was too, and moved on. Molly told TJ, the time without him was awful, but TJ said it was behind them; they were going forward now. Cyrus told Ava that he was new to Port Charles. He’d been skeptical of Lucy, since she was excitable, but she understood real estate, and the penthouse suited his needs. Ava said Lucy didn’t tell her his name, and he introduced himself, holding out his hand. Ava didn’t take it, and said she’d heard of him. He said he was aware of her reputation as well. She asked what he meant, and he said, as a gallery owner. He heard she was unveiling a new piece by Franco at Windymere, and said it would be a memorable evening. She said he wasn’t on the guest list. Cameron, Trina, Josslyn, and Dev sat down in the park after visiting Oscar’s Meadow. Josslyn said it had been a year since Oscar died. She still missed him, and thought she always would, but now she smiled more than cried when she thought of him. Trina said it was progress, and Josslyn apologized for being absent. She didn’t keep connected while she and Dev were on house arrest, but no more hiding with her journal. Trina said the first step was admitting she had a problem, and Josslyn said she’d still write in it, but it wasn’t as necessary. She missed her friends. Martin begged the court’s indulgence. His client was still elated about her happy news. Nelle said her husband was here now, and Julian walked in. Diane said just when she thought he couldn’t sink any lower, and Michael told Willow, Nelle just overplayed her hand.
Nelle apologized, saying she lost track of time. She hadn’t even had the time to change. Judge Lowe told Martin to get his client under control, and tell her not to address the court unless she was addressed directly. He asked for the marriage license, and Julian produced it. The judge said they’d have a brief recess while he checked its validity, and when he returned, they would proceed. No more outbursts. Carly told Willow that Nelle couldn’t have picked a worse candidate; Julian was an ex-mobster, and just tanked Nelle’s case. Sam introduced Brando to Alexis, who told him that she was also Kristina’s mother, and he’d met her other daughter, Molly. He said Molly came into his garage when she’d had a fender bender, and Alexis said she’d heard about it. He said it was nice to meet her, and went back to his workout. Alexis told Sam, no wonder Molly slept with him. He seemed nice, had a sense of humor, and he was cute. Sam said she didn’t see it. Sonny sent champagne over to TJ and Molly’s table, and Jordan said she wanted to thank him personally. She went over to where he was sitting, and said TJ was back safe. Their collaboration was over. He asked what if Mac’s investigation lead to Cyrus? and she said she could handle it on her own. Cyrus told Ava that he was surprised she wasn’t more open, since she’d had struggles herself. She said that was behind her now, and she wasn’t going backward. He was responsible for a good friend losing her father. He said she’d been misinformed. He just came out of prison, where his sentence had been vacated. She said, how convenient, and he said he was focused on building a new life. The penthouse was perfect for him. His phone rang, and he went elsewhere to take the call. Sonny was in the vicinity, and told Ava, what the hell?
Sonny told Ava, just when he thought she had an ounce of humanity, she was doing business with a drug trafficker. She asked why he was so quick to think the worst of her, and he said she never disappointed him. She told him, Trina was her intern, and was devastated by her father’s death. Sonny asked why she was doing business with Cyrus, since he was responsible, and she said Lucy hadn’t told her who the potential buyer was. Dev suggested they all get off their phones, and Josslyn thought they should do something fun after school tomorrow. Cameron said he and Trina had plans; they’d been playing ultimate frisbee. They’d been doing it a while, and he didn’t know how much playing time Josslyn and Dev would get if they joined in. Josslyn asked if they didn’t want her and Dev to go. At the MetroCourt, the venue for TJ and Molly’s ceremony was discussed, and Jordan said she’d like to have some girl talk with Molly. Diane told Michael and Willow, stick to their strategy. Don’t over-exaggerate, be themselves, and don’t engage. She said just when Alexis put Julian in the past, he did something else to inflict pain. Michael wondered what Nelle had on him. Martin asked what Nelle was thinking, showing up late, and married to… him. Julian said he wanted what was best for Wiley, and Nelle said what was best was Wiley living with them. Carly told Michael that someone had called last night, warning her that Nelle knew about his wedding. He asked, who? and she told him, Sasha. Curtis asked how TJ was really doing, and TJ said he was fine, but Curtis said the kidnapping would have freaked out anyone, including him. TJ must have believed he would be killed. TJ admitted he had nightmares, and would wake up panicked and paranoid. Curtis told him to reach out with whatever he needed, and TJ said he needed to pull himself together before he drove Molly away.
Ava said Sonny held himself up like an excellent role model, and wondered what he’d do when Avery found out what his business was. He said his business was as legit as hers. Sonny got a text from Carly, saying Nelle had married Julian, and Ava asked if it was important news. He told her to ask her brother. Molly asked Jordan if she was upset because they weren’t having a conventional wedding, but Jordan said she was mortified about how she’d acted, and owed Molly a major apology. It was never her goal to hurt Molly, and she thought Molly and TJ were perfect together. Sam brought a jump rope over to Alexis, who said she’d decided to use the steam room. Sam said she was staying to work out, and when Alexis was gone, she asked if Brando had a minute. Carly said Sasha was afraid Nelle might interfere with the wedding, and Michael said she might be the Sasha he used to know. He asked Diane how Nelle being married would affect their case, and she said Julian’s shady past would bolster it. Nelle looked like a lunatic, and Julian looked like he was going to this execution. Michael and Willow looked like what they were; a committed couple, devoted to each other and Wiley’s well-being. Judge Lowe returned, and Diane made her opening argument. She said Wiley’s well-being was at stake, and that was the number one reason sole custody should go to the biological father. She said Michael was the CEO of a multi-million dollar company, but wasn’t an absentee parent. Brad and Lucas had asked him to be Wiley’s godfather, and he’d been in Wiley’s life since day one, as had Willow. At the Quartermaine’s, Wiley would be surrounded by extended family, and feel loved. It was Martin’s turn, and he told Nelle, no matter what, stay calm.
Brando assumed Sam was going to tell him not to talk to her mother, and suggested she give him a list of every relative she had in Port Charles. Sam said she wanted to apologize, and he said he accepted. Should they start over, and be satisfied with a silent nod across the room? She said she’d take that. Molly and Jordan came back to the table, and Curtis asked if Jordan was okay. She said she had a lot going on with work, and TJ asked if it was about Cyrus. She asked what he knew about Cyrus, and he said just what he’d read in the paper. Jordan had figured out Cyrus was framed, and he’d been exonerated. Molly said she admired Jordan’s integrity. Curtis said she’d done what was needed. Cyrus told Ava that he knew she and Sonny shared a daughter. If she needed help putting Sonny in his place, he’d do it. She said she needed nothing from him, and he suggested they talk about the penthouse. She said she’d never sell it to him, and don’t ever mention her daughter again. Trina said Josslyn was competitive, and if she was on the sidelines, she’d have a nervous breakdown. Dev said it was about team building and sportsmanship. Josslyn wondered again if Trina and Cameron didn’t want her there, and Trina told her not to be silly; she’d text Josslyn the details. Josslyn told Dev that they had to head back, and Trina and Cameron said they were going the other way. When they left, Josslyn said she genuinely thought they didn’t want her to go, but Dev thought Trina was being a friend. Cameron had no idea how to act around Josslyn. Josslyn said Cameron had known her his entire life, but Dev said, but now he liked her. Martin told the court, what already happened was a Greek tragedy. Nelle had been in a car accident, and was left in the woods to give birth alone. Nelle fingered the half-heart necklace in her hand, and Martin said she’d passed out, and when she came to, had a dead infant in arms. Brad had switched babies, and Nelle grieved a baby she thought was dead. When incarcerated, she’d also risked her life stopping serial killer Ryan Chamberlain, which got her an early release for heroism. Then came the shock of her life – the baby hadn’t died. Lucas did the right thing, but Michael only thought of himself, and Nelle had to petition the court to see Wiley. Then another miracle happened – his client found love. Nelle flashed back to telling Julian that she knew he’d caused the accident that nearly killed his son. Lucas would never forgive him, but when Sonny found out he’s known who Wiley was, Sonny would kill him. Martin said, it was like Shakespeare; a love story of a brave young woman, just out of prison, starting a new life; and a man recovering his own life. They were kindred souls. Julian remembered telling Nelle that she was so desperate to keep Michael away from their son, she begged Brad to take him. Nelle told him that if he persuaded Sonny to believe Brad, it would prove he knew about it, and Sonny would kill him. Julian asked what if he dealt with her himself, and she said there was a sealed envelope to be opened in the event of her death or disappearance. It would lead the cops straight to his door. Martin said he knew there was concern about Julian being a known mob kingpin, and Nelle recalled Julian telling her there was nothing left to say except, will you marry me? She told him, get a suit, and they’d seal the deal. Martin said they blended their lives together to raise Wiley. Their house might not be as big, but it would be filled with love. Nelle continued to play with the necklace.
Cameron said he missed the four of them being together, and Trina said, it wasn’t so bad, just him being there. He said he’d always have her back, and they pinky swore. Josslyn asked if Dev really thought Cameron was into her, and he said she was the last to know. She said it made no sense. She’d been a mess. Why crush on her when she was at her worst? Dev guessed the fake dating Josslyn and Cameron had done to make Oscar jealous wasn’t so fake on Cameron’s part. Josslyn asked why Cameron never said something, and Dev said, Josslyn was in love with Oscar, then grieving him; the timing was wrong. Josslyn wondered how it wouldn’t be awkward now, but Dev said he was sure Cameron understood that she didn’t feel the same way; that they were just friends. Cyrus asked for a word with Jordan, and Curtis told him, keep moving. Cyrus said since Jordan had revealed everything to Curtis, he could put Curtis’s skill set to use. Curtis told him, don’t push it, but Cyrus said he was just offering Curtis some business. The health of the Police Commissioner and her loved ones remained his top concern.
Judge Lowe gave the court a one-hour meal break. Willow asked Diane if she thought the judge believed Martin, but Diane said it was more important for them to keep up their calm demeanor. Carly suggested they all go to the MetroCourt, and Diane said she’d meet them; she had to make a phone call. Nelle asked how Martin thought it was going, and he said he was pleased. He told Julian that he should come eat with them. Diane called Alexis, and told her Nelle got married. Alexis said she was surprised but not shocked; Nelle wasn’t going down without a fight. She asked who Nelle lured into marriage, and Diane said, Julian. Martin said he wanted to avoid putting Julian on the stand. He wanted to paint Sonny as a threat, but since Julian was also affiliated with organized crime, it was best not to open that line of inquiry. Julian wasn’t interested in going to lunch, and Nelle said he’d agreed to be a loving husband. He said he was beginning to think there were some things worse than death, and Nelle said couples needed time apart. She left, and alone in the courtroom, Julian told himself to get it together. He was about to leave, when Sonny walked in. Sonny said, congratulations on marrying one of the few people he hated more than Julian.
📏 Inching Closer…
New GH episodes are almost here.
https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/watch-promo-for-big-return
Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
In Santa Monica, David and James met with Serene and Ray, sellers they’d worked with before, but who decided they weren’t ready give up home. Now they’d been called in again. The house, named Margherita, was in a suburban oasis; quintessential California living at its finest. The interior had been repainted since they were last there – to the tune of $7K – and it had made a huge difference. In the before pictures, the rooms were dark and brooding, but the afters showed a much brighter, welcoming home. It had six bedrooms and nine baths, and since Serene and Ray only had one child left living at home, they were only using three of the bedrooms. Serene introduced them to a pet lizard they’d gotten for son Connor. It was only supposed to live three to five years, but Connor was now 26, and the lizard was still going strong. She took the lizard out, and only David was game enough to hold it, which I found amusing, since it fit in the palm of a hand. David was still a little weird about it, and in his interview, said he’d had maybe 50 pets growing up, so you wouldn’t think he would be squeamish, but it was a long time ago. The house had a children’s loft that I mentally moved in to, and was on a 21,000 square foot lot, with a private artist’s studio, greenhouse, and pool house. The sellers had found a tear-down in the wall of a canyon, and were psyched that they could build what they wanted. James David asked if there was a chance they’d change their minds again, but Ray said they were all in. David James said they had to come up with a price that made sense for both them and the sellers, since the last time it was high. Serene said they hadn’t really wanted to move, unless someone came up with that price, but they were ready now. In his interview, James said they’d been disappointed. They’d invested $10K in marketing and photography, and couldn’t afford to lose that much again. A price of $17.995 was agreed upon, and David said he knew it was less than they’d expected, but he didn’t want to make them happy now, and unhappy later. The couple needed to trust that the brokers had their best interest at heart, and Serene said they did.
JoshF went to the LadyGang podcast studio, where he was meeting with one of the hosts, Becca Tobin. He said she’d had to twist his arm to be on the podcast, but he was happy to sell her a house. Becca said she needed to get approval from her work wives, Keltie Knight and Jac Vanek; they wanted to see if Josh could hang with gang. They played a game called Flagg or Bag, where they either threw out or kept a trend. In his interview, Josh thought Keltie didn’t like him, which was a recurring theme in his life. He asked what Becca was looking for, and she said she and husband Zach Martin were moving because they needed more space. She liked the L.A. Hills, and wanted privacy, a view, and a pool. She also wanted the new house to have space for the podcast studio. She said she needed the house to have character; modern white boxes weren’t her jam. Mine neither. Her budget was $2-3 million. Josh said he specialized in older homes, and he was officially welcomed to LadyGang.
The Altman brothers checked out a house in Beverly Hills. JoshA said he wanted to make sure the figure the seller was looking for was realistic, since people didn’t understand times had changed. The house was off the beaten path, and Josh said, buyers were looking for prestige, exclusivity, and privacy. Being stuck behind a garbage truck in your Bentley wasn’t so prestigious. The owner’s representative, Rick, met them, and showed them around the 12,530 square foot house. It had floor to ceiling windows, pocket doors, a private theater, a humongous kitchen island, a butler’s kitchen, an infinity pool, and a gym that had never been used. Matt said his had never been used either, and Josh demonstrated his prowess, nearly hurting himself. Rick showed them the 180 degree unobstructed views, and said the asking price was $26.995 million. Josh said it needed to be priced better than other houses people were seeing, and thought $21.995 was more realistic. Rick said he appreciated Josh’s honesty, and agreed to the price. In Josh’s interview, he said the seller had spent over a million on the sound system, and didn’t even live there.
At the Margherita house, agent Jane demonstrated a cornhole game. David and James wanted people spend time outside at the open house. James David thought lawn games would take up space, and demonstrate the expanse. They wanted to bring an East Coast barbecue vibe to Santa Monica. Whatever that is. I live on the East Coast, and I’ve never heard of a barbecue vibe. David James suggested a cotton candy machine, and in his interview, said they wanted to showcase the backyard, so that it would be the first thing an agent mentioned to their client.
JoshF took Becca and Zach to see a home in Outpost Estates, where the homes had been built in the 1920s and showcased Spanish architecture. On the way there, the topic of Broadway was brought up, and Josh graced them with his rendition of Yankee Doodle Dandy. (Hint: He’s no James Cagney.) Becca appreciated the older homes, and Josh said if he saw one more modern white box, he was going to throw up. He told them that the houses there were large, but unassuming from the front, and it was a close community, but not gated. For this one, he was representing both sides, so it would be a double-dip. The seller was asking $2 million for 3500 square feet, three bedrooms and four baths. It had 20 foot ceilings, amazing ironwork, exposed ceiling beams, unobstructed views, and wasn’t on the market yet. He told them there wasn’t a ton of land, but it was like a villa, with terraces everywhere. He showed them the master bedroom downstairs, where the magic happens, but Becca said there was no magic; they were married. The bedrooms and baths were all en suite, and one bathroom had a telephone in it – next to the toilet, where I always love to have conversations. He said it had old world charm, but needed an update. At the price, they could do the changes, and in the meantime, be living in a great neighborhood at a great price. Becca loved the old fixtures, which she found charming. Josh said he had an idea, and took her to a separate room which he said had podcast studio potential. It was entirely red – the walls, the floor, the ceiling, and the furniture – and Becca said it felt like murder, and was a hard no for a studio. Josh said maybe a body was buried there, and Becca said, I can’t. Zach wasn’t keen on spending $2 million when it still needed work, but Becca loved the privacy, and how it was close to everything, yet far away. Still, she wanted to check out something more expensive that didn’t need work.
Josh showed Becca a house that had a Mediterranean vibe. In his interview, he said the people who lived in the area were mostly writers and directors of reality TV, and a producer told him, f*** off. He said, sorry, but I wasn’t quite sure what that was about. The house had been built in 1920, had authentic 15 foot ceilings, and was one of the first houses built there, with both views of the city and a view of the Hollywood Hills. The most impressive thing IMO was the 235 square foot closet, which was about as big as my first apartment. It had three bedrooms, and the price was $2.304 million. I missed how many bathrooms, but another notable feature was a king’s bathroom, designed in Tudor style. The house on my corner has a bathroom like that, which I love, but I never knew there was a name for it. The backyard was nearly 5000 square feet, and included a guest house. Becca said it had a lot of character, but the bedrooms were small, and she didn’t love that it was on the street and too close to the neighbors. Josh said maybe the next one would be the house.
David and James set up their barbecue at the Margherita house, to the tune of $7K, inviting agents who had clients with families, looking for something on the West Side. James got his cotton candy machine, and there were all kinds of lawn games, like a giant Jenga. They wanted buyers to picture their kids there. One broker brought an intuitive astrologer to preview it for her celebrity client by checking out the energy. Astrologer Victoria said the house felt stable, and suddenly went to the window, pendulum swinging, saying she felt something. She claimed she could feel a woman who had waited for someone during WWII, and said the energy was good. In his interview, James David said, whatever it took to get the offer, he was down with it. Nothing else on the market could compete.
JoshF took Becca and Zach to a house in reminiscent of old Hollywood, off the strip, that was amazingly colorful. He said it had been built in 1926, and had vintage charm. It was 3000 square feet, and included a movie theater. The seller’s broker passed out bags of Cracker Jack, and Josh said the room had podcast potential. Becca wanted to move on to the rest of the house, but Josh insisted on digging for his prize. She told him that his prize was the commission on the house. There were three bedrooms, a private guest suite, a pool, and spa. Josh said it was fun and quirky, but at $2.749 million, they could get more bang for their buck with the Outpost Estates house. Becca thought that was the one, and Josh suggested they make an offer of $1.8, which wasn’t offensive. Becca said it was a yes.
JoshA got the bad news from Rick that an offer of $15 million had been made on the Beverly Hills house, and the owners wanted to take it because they wanted to be done. Josh said it was $7 million under the asking price, and the potential buyer had seen it before it was listed. Not only would they be stealing the house, he’d get no commission. He told Rick, it was highway robbery, and Rick said he had 24 hours to get a better offer. Josh said he’d show the house all day.
Wearing a kimono, JoshF met Becca and Zach at the Outpost Estates house, giving them the key and a bottle of Dom Perignon. They’d gotten the seller down to $1.87 million, Josh telling Becca if the house went to the open market, they’d have competition. Becca had told him, let’s do it, and he said now it was time to celebrate. He told her that he wanted to explain the kimono, and Zach said he was nervous. Josh said he should be, and led them to the murder room, where Keltie and Jac waited with bundles of smoking sage. Josh said they were cleansing the room of evil, so Becca would feel comfortable in her new home, but she joked that it made her more scared. They christened the room, and shooed the porn screen murder out the door. Becca said they’d turned a nightmare room into a dream, and they popped the champagne.
Next time, the biggest bathroom I’ve ever seen, the owners of the Margherita house sound like they’re backing out again, and Josh tries to sell a house in one day.
👠 The Girls In the Gang…
Meet the LadyGang.
https://theladygang.com/about-1
🍑 Is She Or Isn’t She…?
Still nothing definitive on if NeNe will be returning to RHOA.
https://pagesix.com/2020/07/25/nene-leakes-return-to-rhoa-is-still-up-in-the-air/
🎭 He Understudied Aaron Burr, Sir…
He actually sounds more like he was a well-rounded kid than a weird kid.
https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/sydney-james-harcourt-on-knitting-mariah-carey-ballet
🐉 Casting Dragons…
I didn’t think it got more badass than it already was.
https://hellogiggles.com/news/house-of-the-dragon-prequel-casting/
📽 Trailers, We Got Trailers…
It’s just like you’re at Comic-Con. Not really, but still fun to watch.
https://www.tvguide.com/news/comic-con-at-home-trailers-new-mutants-lovecraft-country-walking-dead/
🌠 Early Roll Call…
The stars we loved and lost this year… so far.
https://www.tvguide.com/galleries/celebrity-deaths-2020/
🏆 Emmy Angst…
For the record, I was overlooked as well.
https://www.eonline.com/ca/videos/310459/2020-emmy-noms-snubs-surprises-showdowns
⌚️ Overdue…
I owe you one Shahs reunion, which I’ve yet to watch. It’s been a long, busy week, and it’s only Tuesday. That’s okay, I’ll sleep in the next life. Until my next post, stay safe, stay equitable, and stay practical 98% of the time, with the occasional free-for-all.
What I Watched - TV With Theresa 