What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny walks into Charlie’s, sees Phyllis, and says, there she is. She says, someone’s in a good mood, and he says he’s a man who doesn’t see the glass half empty. They hug, and Phyllis says she likes his optimism. Care to share what inspired it? He asks her to give him a minute, and goes over to Britt at the bar. He says he wants to thank her for her discretion, but she says, just doing her job. Confidentiality is a big part of that. He seems to be doing better. He says he’s good, and last night is almost forgotten, when Drew walks in.

Victor asks if Esme is worried Spencer abandoned her, and she says, he would never, but there isn’t much time before he has to report to Spring Ridge. She wonders what’s keeping him, and Victor says, a word to the wise, we Cassadines live by our own set of rules, and our own timetable. Laura comes in with Doc, and strides over to the table. She hands Esme her purse and says, Esme doesn’t mind if she borrows Victor, does she? She sits in Esme’s seat, and Victor asks what he can do for her. She says, he can start by telling her what the hell he’s up to.

Maxie tells Anna, she’s confused. How could Valentin find out something Anna, her mom, and the police couldn’t? Anna says, that’s a very good question. She imagines Valentin just kept digging until he found something, because ever since he was told Bailey wasn’t his child, he’s been even more determined to reunite Maxie with her daughter. Austin flashes back to seeing Maxie and Brook together, Maxie telling him to steer clear of Gladys, and Maxie insisting she and Brook aren’t friends. Austin says, my God, and Maxie asks, what is it?

Substitute Sam (see below) knocks on Maxie’s door, and Spinelli, who’s been playing video games, answers. He says, gracious gravy, and lets her in. He says he’s babysitting; Georgie and James are asleep. Maxie is at the Quartermaines for Ned and Olivia’s nuptials renewal. She says she actually came to see him, and he asks what gave him the honor? She hesitates, and he says, let him guess. He knows Peter is being taken back to prison tonight, and Dante is his escort. Is she worried for his safety? She says she’s not worried about Dante; it’s her.

At the hospital on the phone, Mac says, they’re readying the prisoner for transport now. He’ll let them know when they’re on their way down. Felicia says, there’s her favorite man in uniform, but he says he doesn’t wear a uniform, and she says, that’s okay. She likes him better out of it anyway. She kisses and hugs him, and he says he can guess why she’s here, and it’s not to see him. She asks if he thinks she’d miss a chance to wish Peter bon voyage when he’s on his way back to Pentenville. She needs to make sure that the man who caused them so much grief is finally out of their lives.

Peter tells Dante, these cuffs are a bit too tight, and Dante says, are they? If Peter doesn’t like shackles, he probably shouldn’t go on a crime spree. For now, why doesn’t he face saying his final goodbyes to freedom. Peter says, he hates goodbyes. How about, until we meet again?

Sonny and Drew address each other, and Phyllis steers Sonny away. He asks what she’s doing. She doesn’t have to run interference; Drew’s not a problem. They sit, and she says, he could have fooled her. Anyway, she wanted to tell him, she and Nina have been playing phone tag. Nina won’t tell her what’s going on in her messages, and Phyllis is assuming Nina is concerned about him. He says, she’s probably worried about his medication. Phyllis asks, why? and he says, because he stopped taking them.

Drew orders a beer, and Britt asks what he did to get on Sonny’s bad side. He asks if she wants the short answer. He’s not his brother.

Ava says, she thought Spencer would be spending the evening saying goodbye to his family, and Spencer says, he was, but this is more important. She tells him, now isn’t the time to toy with Trina’s happiness, but Trina says, it’s fine; she’ll lock up. Ava says she’s just a text away, and leaves, and Spencer thanks Trina for not tossing him out. She says, the night is young; there’s still time. He says he deserved that, and she says, that’s why she said it. He says he’s been trying to reach her ever since he left the cabin, and she says, she ignored his texts, then deleted them. He says, there’s so much he has to say. There’s so much he has to tell her before he has to say goodbye.

Victor tells Laura, he’s there to say farewell and good luck to Spencer. Unfortunately, their young prince seems to have slipped away. Doc comes up behind Esme, and asks what they’re saying. She says she doesn’t know. She was just wondering what might be keeping Spence. Any theories? Doc tells her, he said he had something to do. He’s sure Spencer will be back.

Laura says she doesn’t want Victor there when her grandson returns, and he says, were it not for his intervention, young Spencer might be headed to Pentenville right now, instead of a soft landing at Spring Ridge. Nikolas approaches the table, and says, if Victor really cares about Spencer, he’ll heed Laura, and go. Victor gets up, saying, it’s not in his nature to cause a scene, but please remind his nephew that he’s always on his side. He leaves, and Laura says she’s glad Nikolas is here. He says, Spencer might not feel the same way.

Esme asks Doc if something’s wrong, and Doc says, is it him, or did Victor seem a little too excited to have a reason to leave? Laura comes over, and says, she noticed the same thing. It was like he had somewhere to go; something important to do.

Outside on the phone, Victor asks if everything is in place, and Yohan says, they’re right on schedule. Victor says, let him know when the package arrives.

Austin tells Maxie that he’s seeing the whole picture, and she says, he’s seeing what, exactly? He says, how much it means to Maxie… and to everyone else in Port Charles that Peter’s going back to prison tonight. Maxie says, her safety, her sanity, her whole future depends on Peter being locked away for good, and Austin says, from what he understands, Anna has a personal interest in what happens with Peter as well. Anna says he’s her nephew, but any familial bonds have long since gone, and he says he thinks Maxie would feel a lot better if Anna were there when the transport took place. Anna asks if he’s trying to get rid of her.

Mac tells Felicia that Peter’s transfer has been planned down to the last detail, but he can’t let her observe him being put in the transport. She asks if she can at least watch him take Peter away; Maxie deserves a witness. He says he can live with that, and she says she wants him to promise to call her as soon as Peter is processed into Pentenville. That way, she can let Maxie know the danger is over, and Peter is gone for good.

Dante says, the next time he sees Peter will be at Peter’s trial, where he’ll be convicted. Peter says he thinks Dante is taking this much too personally; very unprofessional. Dante says, Peter left a trail of blood and carnage from here to Cassadine Island, hurting people Dante knows and loves. He’s damn right Dante takes it personally. If he wasn’t wearing this damn badge… Peter says, but he is, and even though he’s Sonny Corinthos’s son, he’s still going to enforce the law, so when it comes down to it, Dante is the last person on earth Peter needs to fear. Dante says, Peter knows nothing about him. He wants Peter to live a long life behind those walls. Waking up every day, constantly worrying that someone is going to have a shiv to stick in his back or a wire to wrap around his neck. He wants Peter to grow old and grey, and realize everyone forgot about him. Peter says, there’s one thing he’s quite certain about. No one here will ever forget him.

Spinelli says he thought things were good with Sam and Dante, and she says, they’re great. They love the same movies, and love the same pizza toppings. Spinelli asks if he can pose a theory, and she says, that’s why she’s here. He says, Dante’s a cop, a noble profession, but it does come with inherent risk. Jason also had risks in his profession, and she ended that relationship to get a different life for her and her kids, a more stable life. Not unlike the one she had, albeit briefly, with Drew. She says, so? and he says, so Drew is back.

Drew tells Britt, he made the mistake of trying to referee a disagreement between Sonny and Curtis, and that’s when Sonny reminded him that he’s no Jason. She says, there’s only one Jason. Just like there’s only one Drew. He says, so what she’s telling him is that he’s unique and special – they finish together – just like everybody else. He says she really knows how to make a guy feel better, and she says she’s a doctor; that’s her job. Britt says maybe he should cut Sonny some slack. He’s had a rough year. Drew says he knows the feeling. He definitely doesn’t fault Sonny for missing Jason, that’s for sure. She says, a lot of people do, and he says he’s sorry. She probably came here to forget. She says, actually, she didn’t. She came here to meet her mother, the matchmaker.

Phyllis asks why Sonny stopped taking his meds, and he says he got careless. He forgot to get the refill, and he got angry and confused. He wanted to make it right with Carly, and worked hard to make it happen. She says, maybe too hard? Where does Nina come into all of this? He says, things got heated at The Savoy with Drew. Nina intervened, and drove him home. Phyllis says, whose home? and he says, his home. She didn’t want to leave until he got help, so she stayed the whole night. Phyllis puts her head in her hands, and he says, nothing happened. The next morning, they went to GH, and everything’s good now; he’s doing good. She says, in that case, she takes it his wife knows what happened, and how Nina got him through it.

Nikolas asks if Laura thinks he can just shake hands with his son, and forget how Spencer treated his wife, with a little help from his friends? Esme says, she apologized. She should have seen Spence was taking things too far, and reigned him in. Laura says, this is not the time for recrimination, and Doc says, agreed. They need to pull together as a family. Esme says, if only Spencer was here, when Ava comes in. She tells Esme not to worry. Spencer’s in very good hands. He’s at the gallery… with Trina.

Trina says, if she was ignoring Spencer’s calls, it’s because she didn’t want to talk to him. He says, fine, but this is his last chance to tell her that he realizes Esme turned what should have been a fun weekend into an excuse to dredge up old news about Trina and Cameron. Trina says, let’s make one thing clear. Everything Esme does, from the way she eats to the way she laughs, to the way she pours her coffee is a red flag. He says he’s not excusing her. His world turned upside down when he learned his father was still alive and married to Ava. Esme made him feel like he wasn’t alone; like he mattered. She says, please. Of course (🍷) he matters. He doesn’t need Esme to tell him.

Anna hugs Maxie, and says, this nightmare is almost over. Once Peter is safely and permanently put away, they’ll be able to concentrate all their efforts into finding Louise and bringing her home. She leaves, and Maxie says, so about that kiss… Austin says, about that kiss. He’d hoped she kissed him because he’s charming, irresistible, and wildly attractive, but he suspects she kissed him to distract him so he wouldn’t figure it out. She says, figure out what? and he says he knows what happened in the woods, and what happened to her daughter.

Sonny says he didn’t reach out to Carly for a good reason, and Phyllis asks if Carly will see it that way. He says he doesn’t want Carly to help him because she feels obligated to help him, but Phyllis says, she is his wife; in sickness and in health, remember? He says he doesn’t want her to come back because he’s off his medication and she feels she needs to. He wants her to come back to him because she wants to come back to him. That’s what tonight is all about. She says, maybe Carly would be all in if he was more forthcoming about how his brain chemistry affected his behavior.

Drew says, Obrecht is now playing Cupid? and Britt says, this isn’t funny. He says, it’s funny, and she says, her mother is so in love with Scotty, she’s determined to find Mr. Right for her. So far, she’s avoided the insanely high priced matchmaking service, but Obrecht is meeting her here in five minutes, and is expecting a full report with names and faces. He says, and here he thought he had it bad, but she says, the worst is over for him. From now on, he controls his own life. There’s no one with a claim to his heart… or is there?

Spinelli and Sam play a video game, and he tells her, video games have rules and strategies. Real life doesn’t always come with such clarity in circumstance, especially when someone you’d thought you’d lost forever is suddenly alive and well. They look at the screen, and he says, it appears her starship has vaporized.

Drew tells Britt, no claims on this heart. Being held captive, held far away from everyone you know will do that to you. She says, and if Sam wasn’t with Dante? He says, she is with Dante, and Britt says she sees; he doesn’t poach. Which is probably for the best, since Sonny is Dante’s father. He’s already on Sonny’s bad side; no need to make it worse. The bartender puts a drink in front of Drew, and he says he didn’t order this. The bartender says, courtesy of Mr. Corinthos. Drew looks at Sonny, who raises his glass.

Esme says, it’s just like Spence to think of Trina at a time like this. The poor thing was taken ill at the cabin, and put a real damper on what was supposed to be Spence’s goodbye party. Ava says, Esme’s concern is noble. She’s sure Esme was devastated. Esme says she’s going to make sure Trina knows all her friends support her. Then she’s going to give Spence a proper send-off. Doc says, doesn’t she think they should all… but she’s gone. Doc wonders if they should go to the gallery, but Ava says, trust her. Trina can take care of herself. Laura says, but Spencer is there too. Who’s going to take care of him? Nikolas says Spencer doesn’t want his help, especially when he has Victor and his connections to lean on. Laura says, that’s exactly when Nikolas should show up. They all know Victor’s connections come with a heavy price.

Anna and Felicia hug, and Anna says, she just left Maxie. Felicia asks, how is she? and Anna says, she’s counting every second until this is over, but luckily, she’s with someone. Felicia says, it wouldn’t be the good doctor, would it? and Anna says, it would. Felicia says, so Anna noticed, and Anna says, it’s hard not to. Austin tried to get rid of her so he could spend more time with Maxie alone. It was sweet. Felicia says, she appreciates the distraction while they make sure Peter becomes ancient… Peter is led out, and he says, Anna Devane. It’s so good to have family around at a time like this. Anna says she’s there to see he’s remanded to prison, where he’ll be kept from Maxie and her daughter for the rest of his life. He tells Felicia to give Maxie his love, and Felicia says, why, when he doesn’t know what the word means? He says, on second thought, never mind. He’d rather tell her himself. Mac says, let’s go, and Peter is brought into the elevator. He gives them a super creepy smile.  

Maxie says, whatever Austin thinks he heard in the woods… He says, he knows what he heard. He heard her and Brook, and heard Maxie tell Brook that it was her idea to pass her baby off as Brook’s, and from that moment, Louise was Bailey. Maxie says, he’s right. Brook’s baby is her Louise. It’s been such a burden keeping the truth from everyone, but now he knows, and he understands. He says he doesn’t understand. Why would she do something like that?

Drew asks Britt to wish him luck, and she says, he’s going to need it. Drew goes over to Sonny’s table with the drink, and Sonny asks if Drew is going to throw it in his face. Drew says he was thinking about it, but it would be a waste of good bourbon. Phyllis asks if Sonny is okay, and Sonny says, yeah. She leaves, and Sonny tells Drew, have a seat. Drew sits, and Sonny says, about the other night at The Savoy… Drew says, apology accepted, but Sonny says he didn’t apologize yet. Drew says, then what’s with the bourbon? Sonny says, let him get this out. He wasn’t himself the other night, and knows Drew probably talked to Carly and knows he’s dealing with some stuff. They’re going through some things, and he took it out on Drew, and for that, he apologizes.  

Britt says, Sonny is full of surprises, and Phyllis says, he is. So was Mike.

Ava thinks they’ve given Esme enough of a head start, and asks if they should head over to the gallery. Doc’s phone rings, and he steps away to take it. Nikolas says, what if Spencer is on his way back, and they miss him? and Ava gives him a look. He says, right. Spencer is caught between Esme and Trina; he’s not going anywhere. Doc says, he’s on his way, and tells Laura that he’s sorry. He really wanted to be with her when she took Spencer to Spring Ridge. She says, patient emergency, and he says he’s afraid so. She tells him, go. She’s perfectly capable of getting Spencer to Spring Ridge on her own. Doc asks her to tell Spencer that he’s confident Spencer can handle this, and she says she’ll pass the message along. They should get going. Spencer can’t turn himself in late. Nikolas says, he’s sure Uncle Victor would smooth it out, since he’s well connected at Spring Ridge. Laura says, that’s what worries her. Victor didn’t come back to make nice with his family. Let’s not forget, a few months ago, he was working with Peter August. Ava says, Victor turned on Peter, and Laura says, after Peter turned on him. Ava says, they’re enemies then, right? and Laura says, unless one of them needs something from the other. Nikolas says, Peter is going to be in Pentenville. He can’t do anything for Victor in there, but Laura says, maybe Victor can do something for Peter.

Trina tells Spencer, people are disappointed in him because they see him both for who he is, and for who he could become. He says, but who is that? and she says, obviously someone amazing, or they wouldn’t all be so disappointed. He says, that might be the most Trina thing she’s ever said to him, and she tells him, all she’s trying to say is, it’s never too late to start believing in yourself. He says, we can’t all be Trina Robinson, and she says, and no one else is Spencer Cassadine. He says, maybe that’s a good thing, and she says, oh, boo-hoo. He says, who knows? Maybe thirty days in Spring Ridge won’t be a  total waste. It brought him here. She says, it did; lucky her. Ava said he needed to speak with his family, so he’d better go. He says, not yet, and takes her hands. He says, Doc told him that he should say goodbye to the people who matter most to him, so that’s what he’s doing. He leans in to kiss her, when Esme shows up.

Maxie asks how Austin can not understand? He’s met Peter, and knows how dangerous and psychotic he is. He says he understands why she wants to keep Louise away from Peter. It’s the other stuff he doesn’t understand. It’s a lot. She says she didn’t have a choice, but he says she did. There were other people besides Brook she could have trusted; she should have trusted. She says, the more people who knew, the greater chance Peter would come after Louise. She didn’t even tell her parents. He asks, what happened to Brook’s child? but she says, Brook was never pregnant; she just pretended to be. He says, of course (🍷) she did. She wanted to get her hands on Valentin’s ELQ shares. Maxie says, part of it was about the shares, but Brook really cares for Louise. She’s taken care of Louise all these months, and somehow they’ve become friends through this. He asks where Chase figures in to all of this, and she says, when Gladys blabbed to Valentin, Chase stepped in and told him… He says, another lie? and she says, given what’s at stake, she can live with the decisions she’s made. If he doesn’t understand that, she’s sorry. She starts to leave, but he says, wait.

Anna looks at her phone, and Felicia says, she knows Mac is being extra cautious, but is she expecting updates already? Anna says, no. She’s sure the transport is going smoothly. She’s more concerned about Valentin. She didn’t tell Felicia this, but he left her a message that he had a lead on Louise, and she hasn’t heard from him since. Felicia says she’s sure he’s fine, as long as Peter doesn’t know what he found. That’s all that counts.

In the van, Peter says he’s so sorry for preventing Dante from spending the evening with Sam. Then again, it’s nice having Drew back in her life, isn’t it? Dante smiles, and says, that’s not going to work. Nothing Peter says matters. Peter is going away, and he can’t wait to see those Pentenville gates closing behind him. Peter says Dante should enjoy the journey. You know what they say; getting there is half the fun. Mac asks if the driver sees the sign, and the driver says, icy conditions ahead. He stops short, and Dante says, what the hell? He asks Mac what’s going on, and Mac says, a car must have hit some black ice and skidded off the road; there might be casualties. Dante asks if they’re stopping to help, but Mac says, they’re not taking any chances. He’ll call it into the state police and let them handle it. Dante thinks it’s a wise choice, given the current circumstances, and tells Peter, nice try. Peter says, a car going off the road? He hopes he’d think of something more interesting than that.

Drew tells Sonny that he does know one thing; he’s no Jason. But just to  be clear, he doesn’t want to be. Sonny says, Drew is a good friend and a good man, but most important, a good father. They both know what it’s like to lose people they love; great people that can’t be replaced. Drew says, they do, and Sonny says, Oscar was one of a kind. Drew says, so was Jason.

Britt tells Phyllis, wow. They reached detente in like, two minutes. Is that how Mike was, a kinder gentler Sonny? Phyllis says, if Britt knows about Mike, she must be friends with Nina. Britt says, one of the few, and proud, and Phyllis says, her Lenny was a Marine; he’d do anything for a buddy. Britt says, if she’s drawing comparisons, she and Nina aren’t that close, but they did share a brother. Phyllis asks if that was Jay, and Britt says, Nina was the only one who called him that. Everybody else knew him as Nathan. She and Nina aren’t not that close, but they share things that bond people for life. Phyllis says she’s glad Nina has a friend, and a sister. Kind of. Britt says, in a way. The thing is, with Nina, what’s the right thing to do? Does she fight for Sonny, or does she sound the retreat?

Esme acts like she just came in, and calls to Spencer. She says, there he is. It looks like she showed up just in time. If he checks into Spring Ridge late, it could add to his sentence. She’s sure Trina wouldn’t want that on her conscience, especially after how things ended at the cabin. Spencer says, that wasn’t Trina’s fault, but Esme tells him, she didn’t say it was. Anyway, she’s glad Trina isn’t showing any ill effects after drinking too much alcohol, and Trina says, it wasn’t the hot toddy. Esme says, that’s right. It was their little game that upset her, but let’s put all that aside, for Spence. Trina says, she can if Esme can, and Laura comes in. She says, sorry to interrupt, but they really need to get going. Spencer says, he’s ready. He’s said goodbye everybody that matters. He looks at Trina, and Nikolas and Ava come in. Nikolas says, not everybody.

Austin tells Maxie, he’s sorry. He’s a little confused, and his feelings are a little hurt that she didn’t trust him, but he understands. Brook says Maxie is the bravest person she knows, and he feels the same way. Maxie says, really? Because she feels like she’s terrified all the time. He says, that’s what makes her so brave. He was there when she brought Louise into the world, and he cares about her. He cares about that little life. He gets it. Nobody would ever blame her for keeping her little girl safe from Peter. She thanks him for forgiving her. She should have told him the truth… He says, really? She should have? She says, first she was wrong for not telling him, now she’s right? Pick a lane. He says she didn’t know him. He was some stranger in the woods with a headlamp. She says, that was then, this is now. He’s not a stranger anymore.

Peter asks, what time is it? and Dante says, why does he care? Where he’s going, he’ll have all the time in the world. Mac tells the driver, the roads look clear. Let’s step on the gas, and make up for lost time. The driver floors it, and the car starts to jerk around.   

Phyllis tells Sonny, that didn’t seem to go badly, and he says, if Drew can put the past behind them, he’s hoping Carly can. Starting tonight.

Britt says, that looked like the beginning of a friendship, but Drew says he wouldn’t go that far. She says, since her mother is late… He says, she’s late? She’s Swiss and German. Britt says, it shouldn’t be possible, but it means while she’s been waiting to talk about her dream man, her mother has been with hers. Even the world’s greatest clockmakers lose track of time when they’re in love. He says he vaguely remembers what that’s like, but she says, forget the vague; it just stirs up memories. Since he’s no longer on Sonny’s bad side, and things with Sam and Dante are still new, why not see where he stands with Sam? He tells her, she said it herself, he doesn’t poach. Besides, it was never about that. She says, then what’s it about? and he says, Sam and what she wants. She says, what about what he wants? and leaves.

Sam tells Spinelli that she’s beyond grateful Drew is back. It’s been wonderful for Scout to have her father back, and as for Danny, losing Jason has been very hard, but having his uncle to lean on has been very helpful. He says, how about her? and she says, this game is too difficult for adults. She puts down the controller, and he says, perhaps, but perhaps her concentration is divided. She says, fine. She’s crazy about Dante. They’re great together. It’s just that, when she’s with Drew… He says, she doesn’t have the history with Dante that she has with Drew, and she says, she’s reminded of all the things they planned. He says, then Jason came back, and things ended with Drew, and she says, exactly. He says, now she has the chance to see where things with Drew might have led… If that’s what she wants.

Nikolas tells Spencer, thirty days is going to feel like forever, but remember, he’s not alone. Esme says, his father is trying. Can’t Spencer meet him halfway? Spencer thanks Nikolas for being here, and says, maybe when he gets out they can… Nikolas says he hopes so. Spencer tells Trina, see her in a month, and she says, not if she sees him first. Esme says she’s going to miss him so much, but she’ll be interning at Spring Ridge, so she’ll  never be far away. Laura says, time to go, and Spencer leaves with her.

Outside Kelly’s, Victor’s phone rings. Yohan says, the package is right on time.

Felicia says, Valentin can take care of himself, and Anna says she knows. Felicia says, look on the bright side. Peter is going to be locked away for good, and now, God willing, they can find Louise, and bring her home to Maxie.

Austin says, Maxie’s secret is safe with him, and she says she knows that. Now she knows a lot of things she didn’t know before. She kisses him.

Dante and Mac stand outside the van, and Mac asks if there’s any sign as to why the driver lost control. He and Dante look around with flashlights. Inside, a guard tells Peter, the driver must have hit an icy patch, and skidded off the road. Mac and Dante look at the tires, which are flat, and Dante says, all four tires were punctured. They didn’t hit ice. They see headlights coming toward them, and draw their guns.

Tomorrow, Austin wonders if Maxie’s kiss is another diversion, Obrecht says she did Nina a favor, and Sonny wants everything to be perfect.

Project Runway

We flashed back a little, then went to three months before Fashion Week.

Christian’s first stop was Miami, where he visited Shantall. He said it was exciting to work with women who had so much passion and were from different cultures and countries. Shantall was happy, excited, nervous, and filled with anxiety. She said she needed Christian to calm her down. She explained her fabric/texture concept to him, reinventing a snake with feathers that was cultural, and making it kind of art deco. Christian wasn’t keen on the yellow pieces in her collection, saying one piece was reminiscent of his mom’s 80s Easter outfit. In Shantall’s interview, she said she’d have to start from scratch. Being a businesswoman and a mom was hard, but with the possibility of son Franco having autism, she’d wanted to be with him. Christian had dinner with Shantall and her family, and said her aesthetic was great. If she got the changes done, her collection was going to be insane.

Visiting Chasity in Houston was next. In Chasity’s interview, she said, personally, she need a kick in the butt, but was she ready for it? No. Christian said she needed to figure out a story. Every brand had a vision. Chasity said she’d felt like the black sheep of the family, and Christian said maybe that’s what it was. In her interview, she said if she wanted a chance at winning she had to lock down the story and let go. Her oldest daughter told Christian that she was proud of her mother. She never quit when she was frustrated, and kept going. Chasity said, she couldn’t put into words how blessed she was that her mom, sister, and fiancé rallied around the girls, while she chased her dream in order to give them a better life.

Christian then went to Los Angeles to see Coral. He wanted to check out how much macramé Coral had around the house. It was a lot. In Coral’s interview, she said she’d gone to Mexico City, and it made her proud to see where she came from. With the collection, she wanted to celebrate indigenous makers. Christian said it was amazing to come from a heritage that celebrated crafts and color. He came from Maryland, and wondered what he got. Blue crabs? He told Coral that her work was insane. Having something signature was important, and not a lot of brands had this. He suggested she use her macramé skills in a weird, unexpected way. He thought her work was distinct and powerful, but needed more shape and ideas. He asked Coral to give him a class, and Coral’s son joined them. In her interview, Coral said, she wanted to show her son not to give up on his dreams. She’d never won a challenge, so it was important for her to win. She wanted to show him that he could do it too. Christian said she could be the winner, but go more abstract than beautiful and perfect. Her silhouettes were too classic.

Christian’s last trip was to Queens, New York to meet with Kristina, who he thought was a true artist. Kristina showed him the prints she’d been working on, and how they’d evolved, and he mistook a celery print for weed. He told her, focusing on a print could overpower everything to the point of losing the clothes. He also pointed out that everything was completely covered up in her outfits, and thought she should make at least one silhouette that was different than anything she’d made. In Kristina’s interview, she said it was all about how they pushed themselves, and who could think bigger.

We jumped ahead three months to Fashion Week when the designers would spend two days finishing their collections before the show. Chasity said it felt like she had arrived. She was in it to win it, and ready for the runway. Kristina said it was a dream come true, and an amazing platform, and Shantall said she’d been waiting for this moment since she began. It was important for her as an artist. Coral thought it was amazing the doors that could be open with winning the competition. It was better than a dream. The women met in the workroom, and were all super excited. As they opened their collections, Shantall said it felt like Christmas. Chasity had worked out her designer’s block once she figured out her story; how it felt to be the black sheep.

Christian did his walk of the room, and Coral said she tried to be bolder in using color. He suggested she do the unexpected, and create weird, asymmetrical detail with the macramé. Kristina said she hadn’t changed how she wanted things, but did go for more feminine and sexy. Shantall had taken out the yellow and added grey, but didn’t know if her collection was going to be on time, since she still had a lot to finish. Christian said they would be having the show at The Shed at Hudson Yards, the city’s newest art and culture destination.

They decided on models, and Kristina said it was about the whole aesthetic. She wanted her final model to be on a hoverboard, and Christian said she’d have to work that out in casting. Chasity wanted strong Black models, Shantall was about diversity, and Coral wanted warriors. They met with the models, and did the casting, Kristina saying, the models were the ones selling the clothes. Chasity said she had powerful women to help tell her story, and saw her reflection in them. The chosen models came in, and Kristina checked out the hoverboard herself. She said it was ideal for her vision, but thought it was dangerous. One model wanted to try it, and was pretty good for a first timer. Five of the models stayed for fittings, and the other five would come the next day.  

Shantall’s models were all wearing these enormous black square enamel earrings that I loved, but I’m sure can’t afford. In Coral’s interview, she said, growing up, she’d never seen herself in fashion magazines, and wanted everyone to have representation. Christian told Chasity that her beading was stunning, but wondered if there was anything she didn’t need, which I think was his way of saying it was too busy. In Chasity’s interview, she said she needed to be further along for sure. Christian told Kristina, if the hoverboard went bad on the runway, it would be over. He checked out her first piece, which was a totally see-through caftan, and said, there was sexy and there was a little vulgar. The one person she’d have to convince would be Nina. In Kristina’s interview, she said she didn’t think it was vulgar, but Christian made her think. The designers discussed makeup with the Maybelline people, and then went to a hotel with an amazing view of the city.

The second day, Kristina said she was just focusing on finishing; her mind was in shambles. She wanted her first look to be light, fresh, and sexy, but Christian had convinced her to cover more. Seeing the garment on a half-naked model, Christian said she couldn’t do it. Kristina said she’d use nipple covers, and Christian said they were stupid. He asked how the model felt, and she said she was French, and he said, it didn’t count then. The designers and models consulted with the TRESseme hair people, and Shantall said her second fitting wasn’t going as well. She couldn’t figure out who should wear what. Christian came by and told her to sex it up; her designs had no sex appeal. He went through Coral’s outfit order, and suggested she open with the only dude in the show. She thought it was a great idea, since the audience would assume she was doing menswear. Kristina showed Christian the basis for a bra she was going to make for the sheer caftan, and he said it was the smallest bra in the history of the world. Apparently, he hadn’t seen all the bras in the history of the world, because I can assure him, there are some that are smaller. All the women helped each other and were supportive of one another, which I really appreciated. Christian came back at the end of the day, and told them to go in feeling confident. A lot of work, heart, and culture, where they came from, had gone into their designs. He wanted them to know, you are design, and there was a group hug.

In Chasity’s interview, she said she had learned she was good enough for the world to see. She wanted to build an empire, and hand her kids the keys. In Shantall’s interview, she said she thought she’d achieved what the judges wanted. It is what it is. She still couldn’t find the right model for a grey dress she wanted to include, and decided to wear it herself. The show started.

Christian acted as MC, introducing the judges, and he said he was loving the energy. Elaine wasn’t able to be there, so as guest judge, they had the face of American fashion, icon in the fashion industry, Tommy Hilfiger.

Kristina was first, her parents watching virtually. She said the collection embodied the spirit of renaissance and her life. She was so excited, it almost made me cry. In her interview, she said, how the fabric was moving, the hair and makeup, everything worked. Each look was a story, and one wasn’t complete without the other. There was a lot of pink, flowers, and flowy material, and I’d describe the collection as romantic. The hoverboard worked, and the model looked like a being out of the future.

Shantall said her collection was all about her heritage. In her interview, she said she was scared the judges might think it was too much, but she loved what she’d done. It was the best moment of her life. I thought it was amazing how she revamped all this stuff in a few hours, with cut outs and rearranging things. My personal favorite was a short red dress with gigantic buttons. Shantall thought the texture and shape was magical, and her family gave her flowers.

Chasity explained that she often hadn’t fit in; with society, her family, and the design community. Her collection was about the black sheep that blossomed, and she dedicated it to her younger self. In her interview, she said she’d struggled with who she was, and had to overcome thinking she wasn’t good enough. She now felt the industry needed her voice, and saw herself as confident. She was needed in the industry, and would make it, no matter what. The journey was long and difficult, but worth it.

Coral said she called her collection My Beautiful Mexico. In her interview, she said it was edgy with the warrior vibe she’d wanted. She had to fight from the beginning, and showing where you came from was meaningful. She wanted to be a good example to her son; showing that she was a fearless a warrior, willing to fight. It was just the beginning. Her friends and family gave her a standing ovation, along with some other audience members.

They interviewed a bunch of attendees, and Fern Willis, one of the creators of New York Fashion Week, was impressed. Gina Kirschenheiter (RHOC) was there, and said she loved Shantall’s collection, and would wear several of the pieces. Model Coco Rocha said she loved Chasity’s collection. Chasity’s oldest daughter said they were proud of her for believing in herself.

The judges talked to the designers, sans audience. Nina congratulated them, and said she was moved and proud. They were all powerful women who had come into their own. Brandon said, on behalf Elaine, he congratulated them, and thanked Tommy, who was impressed. The models were brought out, and Nina said Kristina’s presentation was great, but more abstract than usual. Kristina said she’d wanted it to be more conceptual, and Nina said she thought the hoverboard was a great idea, but Brandon said he didn’t need it. He said each look had its own print, and there was a lot of softness and beauty. Kristina had an eye for detail that was inherent. Tommy said some of her pieces looked couture, like they could be on a Paris runway. He thought they would sell, and the basis of commerciality was what would keep a designer in business for years. Brandon mentioned Coral’s standing ovation, and said it was a surprise how she opened with a man. She said her son was her muse, and he said he thought it was a good idea. Her pieces were laced with soul, and that was a rare gift. Tommy said she had two style types – tailored with zippers, and macramé. Coral said the macramé came from her roots, and Nina said, the pieces with color took her breath away. Brandon asked how Chasity felt, and she said she felt accomplished and like she had arrived. He said her brand was modular and transitional, but could also be sparkly eveningwear. Tommy asked her the dreaded interview question, where did she see herself in five years? and she said she saw her brand going worldwide, and also helping the next generation. He wondered if she’d considered making costumes for stars, and told her if top performers saw her pieces, she’d get orders. Nina said, Chasity did terrific work, but it didn’t have to be all beads and ruffles. However, being in a niche, she did well. Brandon said Shantall’s snake pattern was definitely a signature, and Nina was amazed at how she’d manipulated the fabric into a shape and print. Tommy said it looked couture, and didn’t know how she was even able to sew it. Brandon said it was very her, and Tommy said they were all oozing with talent. He was sure they’d all be successful.

The designers gone, Nina said she wished they could give all of them the win, and Tommy agreed they were deserving. Nina said they were all uniquely different, and Brandon said they’d surprised him; he could see their growth. He felt Kristina’s collection was evocative of what they’d already seen, and Tommy said, it was relevant for today, but would it be tomorrow? A print was just for a season. Tommy said Coral could go either way – macramé or zippers – and Brandon said it was surprising that she’d never won a challenge, yet she was there tonight. She had a strong point-of-view. Tommy said Shantall could commercialize, and Nina said, her details looked impeccable; her pieces had elegance. Tommy said, while prints were just for one season, Shantall’s snake cut-outs could change with the seasons. Brandon said it wasn’t the most modern design, but Tommy said fashion was cyclical, and it felt right. Brandon said the earrings I loved were so wrong, they were right, and Tommy had a point. Tommy thought it came down to who had the biggest potential for a global business. Chasity could be a designer to the stars, but there was still a marketplace for her clothing. Young women would want to look like those stars. She had a vision.

They came back to the audience runway for the win announcement. Nina said she wished she could give all of them the win. They’d all shown tenacity, creativity, and talent. Tommy said they had an amazing amount of talent, and he was totally impressed. Brandon told them, no matter what, know they made it here, and made it through a lot; what most people couldn’t. Remember that on their hardest day, and they’d be a success. They were very proud. Nina said the winner had what it took to be a household name, and had a brand that could carry on.

Shantall was announced as the winner, and in her interview, she said she’d dreamed of this moment for so long. It wasn’t just about her winning. It was about her family winning. She cried, and said, so many doors had been closed. She’d wanted to be seen and recognized, and was proud of herself. She was proud of all of them. Dreams could really come true. It was a struggle, but worth it. She was sure she was going to get here, and she did.

🖨 Temp Work…

She’s been Sam before, so she knows the ropes.

📖 Gotta Book…

Come on down tomorrow for soap, a cuppa tea, and words from the wise. Until then, stay safe, stay unruffled, and stay knowing that you’re unique and special – just like everybody else.