Tag Archives: Lisa Vanderpump

Feb23

February 22, 2024 – Anna Gives John a Choice, Thoughts, A Little Bit Of Soap, Reunion Scare, Volcanic House, VanderFlat, Turning 40, More Awards, Pet (!) Friendly & Revolution

Posted on February 23, 2024 by theresakp

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly says, Drew threatened to blackball writers and photographers if they worked with Nina on her new magazine, and he says, Nina tried to ruin both of their lives. The least he could do is return the favor. Carly says, but they’ve already gotten their revenge. He fired Nina and hired her as Editor-in-Chief of Crimson magazine. He knows it’s killing Nina to see Carly take her place. Drew says, she bounced back as the editor of a new magazine and he had to shut her down, and Carly asks, why take the bait? What is the benefit of one-upping Nina? They already have everything they want. Their happiness and success is the best revenge. Why can’t he just ignore Nina? (Because apparently, Drew doesn’t have an actual job himself and has a lot of free time.)

Sasha and Maxie come into Charlie’s and Sasha asks what Cody is doing here. She thought he had to work at the Quartermaines tonight. Cody says his plans changed. He would have let her know, but she said she was staying in to watch a movie. Sasha says she and Maxie had to blow off some steam after the day they had at work. A latte and streaming service wasn’t cutting it, so they decided to come here for a drink or two. Cody says, looks like they had the same idea, and Spinelli says, what a fortuitous happenstance. Maxie says, her mom took the kids for a movie and ice cream, so she thought she’d take advantage of a free night and let loose a little bit. Sasha says, this is perfect timing, and asks the guys to join them. Cody says, they would, but Spinelli was just about to bail on him. Sasha says, what? They just got here. Stay a little bit. They all had so much fun together at the Hatchet Range, she feels they should keep that going. She and Maxie could really use it. Maxie says, definitely. Please stay. Spinelli says, slumber can wait, and Cody says, great. The ladies need drinks. Does Sasha mind helping him? She says, sure, and they go to the bar. Sasha says she brought Maxie here like Cody asked. What tricks does he have up his sleeve?

Dante says, while they’re getting Cyrus mic-ed up, why don’t they go over the plan one more time? Anna tells Cyrus that he’s at Pentenville to preach a sermon as a volunteer chaplain. The arms dealer they’re very interested in, Philip O’Neill, is in protective custody, but they’ve made a deal with his guards to attend the sermon. So Cyrus is going to strike up a conversation with him… Cyrus says, wait. He thought time was of the essence here. He’s already agreed to their plan. Why is she talking to him like he’s an idiot? She says, maybe it’s because he likes to exploit loopholes and she doesn’t want him to weasel out of what they’ve already agreed to. So although she might have made a deal with the devil, she refuses to be damned.

Sonny approaches a house in a woodsy area with Selina, and says he thought he was supposed to come here and question her guard who betrayed her, not take a scenic tour around the property. She says, with everything that’s gone on recently, she prefers to be surrounded by security, and that’s easier on her estate. But don’t worry. His patience is about to be rewarded. He says, how so? She says she doesn’t imagine he cares about her gardening, and opens the door. He sees Li, tied to a chair and gagged, and she says, but she does all her best work here. (I’m like, whoa. Li.)

Drew says, the day after they agreed not to engage with Nina, she tried to sabotage Carly’s first issue as Crimson’s Editor-in-Chief. Is he supposed to let her get away with that? Carly says, no. He’s supposed to have faith in her, because she handled it. That magazine made it to the printer on time despite Nina’s dirty tricks. He says, that’s a testament to how good Carly is already at her job. It doesn’t excuse Nina from her behavior. Carly wants her out of their lives, but Nina has made it very clear that she isn’t going to disappear, no matter how badly they want it. She says, so what? Let her play her games. The only thing Nina wants is a reaction from them, and the best way to fight her is to not give her that reaction. He says, she doesn’t really believe that, does she? Nina was standing right here in Carly’s office, gloating about her next strategy on how to take them down. Doesn’t that infuriate her? She says, yes. It took everything in her not to smack Nina, but she knows and has learned that every time she stoops to Nina’s level, it only causes more conflict. And come on. Sonny’s dumped her. Michael and Willow don’t want her anywhere near them or their children. Nina is almost disconnected with everyone in Carly’s life, except Drew apparently. He says, she’s got a near bottomless bank account. She’s got nothing else to lose. That is a dangerous combination. He did what he did to try to get her out of their lives quicker and to minimize the damage she can cause in the meantime. She says, he just wants to humiliate her, and he says, that, too.

Cyrus says, at least let him reassure Anna that he knows what he’s doing today. After his sermon, Mr. O’Neill’s guards will delay returning him to his cell, allowing him to enlighten O’Neill as to the healing power of confession and how it frees the soul. Anna says, that’s a good start, but the goal is to get him to give up the name of whoever it is he sold the WSB stolen cache of guns to. He says, she does realize she’s asking him to betray his values and his sacred duties as a man of the cloth, and Dante says, Cyrus might want to dial back just a little bit. He’s not even ordained. Cyrus says, there are people at Pentenville who actually see him as a chaplain, with all the responsibilities that entails, and Anna says, he believes they all get closer to God by admitting their sins, right? He says he does, and she says, that’s exactly what he’s doing for O’Neill. Regardless of the motives, Cyrus is giving him an opportunity to change and be a better person. Dante says, that’s right. O’Neill isn’t talking to them. He hasn’t got a plea deal and he’s going away for a long time. They’ve got him dead to rights on an illegal weapons trafficking charge, so nothing they do today, none of the information they’ll be getting, will cause any more trouble for him. Cyrus says, and this may help others, and Dante says, 100%. Anna says, for sure, so much, and Dante says, it’s going to be putting less people in harm’s way, innocent people like Curtis Ashford, who may never walk again because of the guns that O’Neill sold. This confession they’re going to get will help a lot of innocent people. Cyrus says, the Lord does work in mysterious ways, and Dante and Anna agree. Anna says, it’s time. Is he ready? Cyrus says he is. He just hopes his Lord and his Police Commissioner remember his sacrifice. He leaves.

Selina says, Curtis Ashford’s warning that she might be open to assassination came just in time. Sonny asks, how so? and she says, between Curtis’s information and the failed attack on her, she realized she was in greater danger than she thought. He says, that’s been made clear to them already, and she says she needed to start asking questions, and wouldn’t you know, discovered that Li here had just bought a new car, a luxury vehicle. She dug a little deeper and found out he’d recently come into quite a large and unexplained sum of money. She puts her hand on Li’s shoulder, and he flinches. She says, after some convincing, Li confessed that he’d agreed to share her whereabouts, putting her in a very vulnerable position. Her loyal men also recovered a gun that was in Li’s possession, and her people examined it closely. No serial number, but there was a marking on it. Sonny says, let him guess. It’s another one of the missing guns that was stolen from the WSB. Li looks at him and he says he’ll take that as a yes. Li’s been working for the people who took a shot at him – twice.

Cody tells Sasha, so Spinelli used to sing karaoke to Maxie back when they were dating, so he figured, what better way for them to remember their history then for Spinelli to serenade her again. Sasha says, that makes sense. He wants to remind them of all the good times they had together as a couple. Smart. He’s the best.

At a table, Maxie tells Spinelli, Tracy is out of control. She’s trying to make all the decisions at Deception. Tracy thinks she knows better than her or Brook or anyone else who works there. Tracy even suggested she quit and go back to Crimson. Not that she would ever do that. She’s completely committed to Deception. Also, she can’t give Tracy that satisfaction. Spinelli says, that’s egregious. Without Maxie, Deception would crumble faster than if Thanos snapped it out of existence. Maxie thanks him and says she is working really hard to make Deception successful. They all benefit. Tracy’s just not making it easy. The MC comes by with slips of paper and pencils and tells them to remember to put in their song choices early. Maxie says, they have karaoke here now? and Spinelli says, apparently, Kristina just started it. It reminds him of their wedding. Remember? She says, how could she forget?

Sasha says she hopes getting Maxie and Spinelli together here tonight works, without betraying girl code or telling Cody anything they talked about. Cody says he would never disclose the conversations he and Spinelli have had, and Sasha says, they’re keeping their friends’ confidences, but they can have eyes. He says, they do have eyes, and she says she’s keeping her fingers crossed that a night of karaoke with Spinelli will give Maxie the clarity she needs on her feelings for him. He says, once the music starts, who knows what will happen?

Drew says he doesn’t want to fight with Carly, but he’s not going to apologize for wanting justice for what Nina did to him. He thought she would actually back him up on this. Normally, she’s the first person to want to get even with somebody who wrongs her. She says, he’s right. Payback has been her go-to reaction for most of her life. If someone hurt her, she was going to hurt them back twice as bad, but most of the time, that reaction has caused more conflict and life is short. Losing her mom so unexpectedly just brings it home all over again and she’s happy now. She’s so happy with him. They have a great life. Isn’t that enough? He says he thought it would be and it would have been if he didn’t find out who turned them in to the SEC, but he knows and he can’t pretend it doesn’t affect him. He just came back from Pentenville with so much rage. Does she have any idea what it feels like to be beaten within an inch of your life? He was lying on the floor of that shower, and he was in so much pain, he wished he was dead, but he was praying for someone to come save him. She says she’s so sorry that happened to him. That was horrible. He says, then he was freed, and he had nowhere to go with that anger. He had no one to blame until he found out who sent him there. She says, seeing Nina must be so hard every time, and he says, every time he does, he feels the rage boiling inside of him, and he thinks about how much time he lost with Scout when he was in prison. He thinks about being beaten and the pain and the recovery, so yeah, sometimes he feels like he’d like Nina to feel a little bit of that humiliation as payback. That’s true. She says she’s not asking him to forgive Nina. She would never ask him to forgive her. But this anger scares her. He hasn’t been the same since he went to prison. He says he went to prison for… She says, he can finish that sentence. He went to prison for her.

Sonny says he’s done playing games here, removing the gag from Li’s mouth. Who hired him? Selina says, unfortunately, Li seems quite loyal to his other employer. They haven’t been able to get a name out of him yet. She uncovers a table of garden tools and says, perhaps Sonny can get him to be a little more forthcoming. She tells Li, Sonny can be very persuasive, and Sonny says, Li’s working for people who are trying to have him killed. People who would put his family and the people he cares about in the crossfire of an assassin’s bullet. Whoever did this is gonna pay. He picks up a pair of shears, and Li moves around. Sonny says, hey. He usually has people who do this sort of business, but since Li’s friends took a shot at him while his little girl was nearby, he needs a more personal touch. He moves closer to Li and says, whoever did this is going to suffer; he can promise Li that. And whoever’s helping them is going to suffer unless Li gives Sonny a compelling reason to spare him.

Cody asks if Maxie and Spinelli have decided what they’re going to sing yet, but Maxie says, not her. Spinelli is the singer. Cody says he has to check something out. He’ll be right back. He leaves, and Spinelli says, if Maxie isn’t going to grace them with the dulcet tones of her voice, he’s not going to sing either. Maxie says, he can’t sit it out because of her. She knows how much he loves karaoke. He says he does, and the MC takes the mic and says, they’re going to get started, so drink some liquid courage if they need it and get ready for some great tunes. Their first singers tonight are Cody Bell and Sasha Gilmore. There’s applause, and Sasha looks surprised. Maxie tells her, get up there, and Sasha tells Cody that she hopes he knows what he’s doing. He says, she trusts him. Come on. She says, he’s never heard her singing voice, and he says, she’s never heard his, and she gets on stage with him. They sing like a pair of professional singers who’ve been singing together all their lives. They finish to lots of applause.

Anna, Dante, and some other guy listen in as Cyrus says, when we confess our sins, we’re not punished, but rewarded for having the courage to bear our souls. With penance and absolution, our conscience is freed and we’re able to step forward with a clear heart.

Sonny says he doesn’t see Li’s lips moving, so he guesses Li’s made his choice. Li asks what Sonny wants, and Sonny says, a description of the man who hired him to betray Selina and his name. Li says, he didn’t give his name. He said it was better Li didn’t know. Sonny moves the shears toward Li’s face and says he guesses Li’s out of luck, but Li says, no. That man doesn’t matter anyway. He was just a go-between working for who’s really in charge. Sonny says, that’s convenient, isn’t it? and Selina says, and Li’s telling them he never met his boss? Li says, no, never, and Sonny says, so let him guess. He never gave Li his boss’s name. Li says, the guy didn’t trust him enough, and Sonny yells, come on! Li says, but he overheard one of his phone calls. His boss goes by the name Stone. (I’m like, double whoa.)

John walks into the room where Anna and Dante are and says, starting without me?

Sasha tells Maxie that she never thought she’d like doing anything like that in front of a crowd, but it was so much fun performing with Cody. Maxie says she’s not surprised Sasha had such a great time. The two of them make a great team.

Cody asks if Spinelli isn’t glad that he stayed tonight, and Spinelli says, it has been illuminating. Cody says, Maxie looks like she’s having a good time too. Maybe Spinelli can convince her to sing a duet with him after all. Spinelli says he knows what Cody is doing, and Cody says, having a fun night out with his friends? Spinelli says, Cody is trying to get him and Maximista to spend as much time together as possible in the hopes it will lead to something, but he’s already told Cody that he has no intention of pursuing his unrequited feelings for her. Cody says, what if it isn’t unrequited? What if she feels exactly the same way he does? Spinelli says, what’s wrong with him? Please stop. Let this go. Cody says he’s just trying to help out, but Spinelli says he didn’t ask for Cody’s help. This is none of his business. Why does he care so much anyway? Cody says he just wants Spinelli to be happy. Okay, maybe he does feel bad about the way he treated Spinelli when he first came to town. Spinelli says, when Cody was blackmailing him? and Cody says he knows. He’s trying to be a better person. He feels like he owes Spinelli one. Spinelli says, then he releases Cody from that debt, making a releasing motion with his hands, but Cody says, that’s not the only reason. He cares about Maxie and her family. They mean a lot to him. And he sees how much Maxie likes Spinelli. He just wants her to be happy. Spinelli says, it’s a touching tale, but Cody isn’t that altruistic. He thinks Cody realizes the longer he plays Cupid with him and Maxie, the more time he can spend with Sasha. Cody says, Sasha is smart, fun, and he’s not going to deny he likes spending time with her, but that’s not the reason he wants Spinelli and Maxie to get together. Spinelli says, tell himself whatever he wants, just butt out of his life, and Cody says, fine. Spinelli says, now that they have that settled, he’s leaving. He gets up as Sasha and Maxie come back, and Maxie asks where he thinks he’s going. He’s not going to sneak out before he sings, is he?

Drew tells Carly that he’s sorry. He didn’t mean that. He doesn’t feel like he went to prison for her. She says, he did. He paid for her crime by losing time with his family and he almost died, and her life basically stayed the same. He says he made a choice to cop a plea to protect her and he doesn’t regret that for a second. He would do the same thing in a heartbeat because he loves her. She says she loves him too, and he says, that’s all that matters. She says, is it? She’s not so sure anymore. He asks what that means, and she says she understands his desire for revenge against Nina. If she had to go to Pentenville and found out it was because of her, she’d feel the same way. She would want to kill her. He says, it’s nice to hear her acknowledge that, and she says she knows her situation is very different. She didn’t have it as bad. She lost some money and a business, but she wants him to know she understands and truly appreciates his sacrifice. He says he knows she does, and she says, but she can’t move on with her life unless Nina is behind her. She doesn’t want to think about Nina anymore, she doesn’t want to argue with Nina anymore, and she doesn’t want to hurt Nina anymore. Because it always comes back to bite her. Nina suffers, but she suffers, and she doesn’t want to do that to herself anymore. She doesn’t want Drew to do that anymore, but she can’t make him feel the way she feels. He says, it’s obvious they’re not on the same page about Nina, but they can keep talking. They can figure things out as they move forward on how to deal with her. She says she wants Nina out of her life completely and she doesn’t know if he can do that. She doesn’t know if he wants to do that. He says he understands, and he wants her to know that he hears where she’s coming from, but he’s not just a passenger here for the ride along with her life. He’s in this relationship just as much as she is, and he gets to have just as much of a say about what to do about Nina as she does.

O’Neill sits at a table, and Cyrus introduces himself as the honorary chaplain at Pentenville. He and O’Neill shake hands, and Cyrus sits down. He says he hasn’t seen O’Neill at any of their services. He wanted to introduce himself and see if there was anything he could do for him. O’Neill says he appreciates that. He thinks he’s good. He’s only recently become incarcerated here. Cyrus says he’s sorry O’Neill finds himself behind bars. As a former inmate, he knows how disconcerting that can be. O’Neill says he didn’t realize a former felon could be a chaplain, and Cyrus says his journey has been an enlightening one. He spent years making all the wrong choices, and finally he decided to listen to what God had been trying to tell him all along. That he was not beyond saving if only he would trust in Him to guide him. And now that he’s been given a chance at redemption himself, he tries to pay it forward by helping other lost souls. O’Neill says, that’s quite a transformation, and thanks Cyrus for sharing. Cyrus says, it turns out it’s his calling, helping others find a way forward when all seems lost. He can see something’s troubling O’Neill. Maybe he can help.

Selina and Sonny come out of the house, and Selina says, from Sonny’s reaction, she gathers that name means something to him. Sonny says, it was somebody he knew a long time ago who was very important to him. He’s gone now. She says, then it can’t be the same person who’s targeting them, and he says, but that name is also very important to somebody else who just arrived in Port Charles.

John says he’s disappointed in Anna. He thought they’d come to an understanding. She says, so did she. She doesn’t think she’s violating that in any way. If he’ll excuse her, she and her detective are in the middle of an operation. He says, one that was never cleared by him. Imagine his surprise when he found out Philip O’Neill isn’t available for questioning tonight because he’s in a religious service, on Anna’s orders. She says she stands on her decision, and might she remind him, this is her jurisdiction and O’Neill is a possible witness. So she’s at liberty to conduct her investigation any way she chooses. He says, she’s not at liberty to keep the FBI in the dark, which is why he’s shutting this operation down.

Dante asks if they don’t want the same thing here, to stop the attacks on these mob figures? and John says he gets that they’re all invested in this case. But it’s their methods he’s got a problem with. They’re trying to get his witness under a wire and extract information without looping him in. He can’t allow that. Dante says, so he wants to tank the entire investigation because his pride’s hurt? John says he’s been working on this case for months. He’s put everything into it. So he’s not going to allow them to blow the whole thing because they have a bias toward Sonny Corinthos. Dante says, and there it is. This whole thing, right? It’s the vendetta John has against Dante’s father. Anna says, Sonny’s been targeted twice. It’s not a bias to find out who’s responsible. It’s literally their job, and O’Neill is the best lead that both of their cases have. And the federal prosecutor couldn’t convince him to talk, so she’s taken matters into her own hands. John says, by acting without authority and going behind his back? and she says, but this could work. Why is he so willing to shut it down?

Sonny tells Selina that Stone was a kid he took in back in the 90s who was very, very important to him. He had a brother, John. After Stone died, John had a son and named him Stone in memory of his brother. John is a Fed. She says she sees, and Sonny says, they never got along. As a matter of fact, John hated his guts. The only thing they had in common was Stone, and after Stone died, he hadn’t seen John in years, until recently. And John still has it in for him. John is the agent investigating all the attacks on organized crime figures. She says, that seems like suspiciously convenient timing, and he says he feels the same way. So if whoever is coming after them is named Stone, it can’t just be a coincidence. She says, it does raise a lot of pressing questions, and Sonny says, and he’s going to get the answers.

The MC says, Damien Spinelli, you are up. Amid pats on the back and cheers, Spinelli takes the stage. He sings It All Comes Down To You to Maxie, who looks enraptured. He finishes to applause and goes back to the table. Sasha says she and Cody are going to get some fresh air, and they go outside. Spinelli and Maxie look at each other.

Carly says she doesn’t mean to make Drew feel like it’s her way or no way. He’s completely justified in wanting to make Nina pay for what she’s done to him. But not if it’s turning him into someone that the people he loves don’t recognize. If Nina accomplishes that, then she wins. He says, that’s the last thing he wants, and she says she knows. And she hates that this is where they are. When they talked about her taking the job at Crimson, her condition was that he end his war with Nina, and he agreed. She picks up the magazine and says, so consider this her first and last issue. She hands it to him and walks out. I’ve never been a huge Carly fan, but I’m liking this new Carly.

Maxie says, that was a beautiful song, and Spinelli says, maybe he should have gone for more of an up tempo, more of a crowd pleaser. She says, the song was perfect. It reminded her about how he’s been singing Lullaby and Goodnight to Baby Lou every night for the last two months. He says, two months? Time flies when you’re crashing in someone else’s abode. She’s not getting tired of that bedtime song? She says, no, never. She loves hearing him sing to her. Almost as much as she loves having him at the house and seeing him with the kids every day. They adore him and they’re all happy to have him. He’s the one who hasn’t been able to be in his own space for so long. He says, it appears the repairs have taken longer than expected, but she says she doesn’t mind. If it didn’t mean his apartment would look like a scene from Avatar: The Way of Water, she would say he should never leave. She’s sorry. She didn’t mean to… He says, no. Don’t take it back. He feels the same way. Living together the last couple of months felt so right. She says, for her too, and he says, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He’s here for whatever she needs. She says, whenever her life was falling apart, he was always there for her. She knows she can count on him. He says, always. She’s one of his closest friends… Actually, he considers her more than a friend. She says, how so? and he kisses her. (Aww!) She kisses back.

Outside, Cody says, this was really fun. He’s glad they did this. Sasha says, her too. She has to admit, as much as they always say you regret your past, it’s fun watching him scheme for a good cause. He’s very good at it. He says, it’s easy when you have a great accomplice.

Maxie suddenly pushes away and picks up her stuff. She says she’s got to go, and jets, telling someone she passes that she’ll see them at work tomorrow. She comes out, and without even stopping, she tells Sasha, we have to go. Sasha says, o…kay, and shrugs at Cody, who says, bye.

Li says he told Sonny everything he wanted, but Selina says, it’s not enough. Li says, but it’s all he has. They know everything he does; he swears. Please. Sonny says, then he’s got one shot to save his life, and Li says he’ll do anything. Sonny and Selina look at each other, and Sonny says, anything.

Cyrus asks O’Neill to tell him what’s weighing him down, so they might pray on it together and find him some peace. O’Neill says he’s worried about his safety. He hasn’t slept in days and feels like there’s so many people in here who are out to get him, after all the things he’s done and the people he’s mixed up with. Cyrus says, his past doesn’t define him. He can move forward in his life. It begins by telling the truth. So give himself a chance. Tell him everything.

John says he is lead agent on this case. He doesn’t have to explain his actions to Anna. He answers to a higher authority. (So does Cyrus. ha-ha!) Anna says she wants them to work together. She’s not the enemy here. Her daughter thinks the world of him, and that’s worth something to her. He says, personally, he has no problem with her. Professionally, that’s a different story. She’s standing in the way of him tracking down a large shipment of stolen guns and possibly stopping whoever’s murdering mob bosses from consolidating their power. This ends now. Dante says, yeah… Something doesn’t feel right about this. It almost feels like John is having a personal issue with Anna or something. John says, that’s big accusation with no proof, and Dante says he’s got proof. They’ve come this far, and he can’t believe John wants to stop them from questioning this witness. Anna says, neither can she. Something else is going on here. If John forces her to shut down this operation, then her hands are tied. She’s going to go to his supervisor and tell them that he’s not fit to investigate this case. So what’s it going to be? It’s his choice.

Tomorrow, TJ asks Molly if it’s him or that was weird; Kristina tells Blaze, in that moment, she felt like the baby was hers; Elizabeth asks if Sam is worried something deeper is going on; and Cyrus asks O’Neill, who is this man who’s worth a lifetime in prison?

💭 Thoughts. This was a good one. I made noises out loud at the Li and Stone reveals. Since I remember squat about Spinelli and Maxie being together, his beautiful singing voice was a surprise too. Although seriously, the most unrealistic karaoke ever. Sasha was surprised when Cody asked her to do a duet, yet they looked and sounded like they’d practiced the song a million times. Even more unrealistic, they put on a show rather than their eyes being glued to the lyrics screen like their lives depended on it. The general consensus in my karaoke group is, if we had to sing Happy Birthday there, we’d need to see the lyrics.

Also, and hear me out here, I’m not sure if John is the man behind the shootings or they just want us to think that. Somebody could have set him up. Even though he hasn’t been in the opening credits yet, they don’t usually bring on a guy like that just to show him the door five minutes later. Just a thought.

🧴 All the Soap That’s Fit To Print…

I wonder if she gets to pet the chihuahua.

GH’s Jophielle Love Shares Backstage Pics From Her Primetime Gig!

She’s living the dream.

January 13 Is Tabyana Ali Day!

Feelings.

Adam Harrington on Taking Over the Role of Jagger on GH

Adam Huss Opens up About Returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL

Réal Andrews Updates Fans On His GENERAL HOSPITAL Status

Up for tons of awards, but they change the team. Go figure.

2024 WGA Awards Daytime Drama Nominees Announced!

🚑 It’s Not About the Esophagus…

This really just describes the scene, but gives no new info.

Sutton Stracke’s Health Scare at RHOBH Reunion Confirmed

🤽‍♀️ Sorry, Hamptons…

Those awful people are back for another season. No recap online yet. Maybe no one wants to watch it.

Summer House Season 8: Kyle Cooke Teases ‘Big Fights Like Volcanoes’ Between Carl Radke, Lindsay Hubbard

🍸 Falling Rules…

I don’t know if I agree. Certainly not that Raquel is needed. Got along without her before we met her, we’ll get along without her now.

How Vanderpump Rules Season 11 is Falling Flat

🩰 Kick Off Your Sunday Shoes…

Iconic.

https://people.com/footloose-40th-anniversary-lori-singer-kevin-bacon-chemistry-electric-exclusive-8584419

🏆 Rewarding Their Work…

BAFTA winners.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/18/entertainment/bafta-award-winners-nominations-live/index.html

More important, BAFTA fashion.

https://www.theroot.com/our-favorite-black-celeb-outfits-from-the-2024-bafta-aw-1851272322

Everything about the Golden Globes. My dream is to get ahold of one of those swag bags.

https://goldenglobes.com

🐶 Award Worthy Pup…

But did he pee everywhere?

https://people.com/host-david-tenant-brings-dog-named-bark-ruffalo-to-2024-baftas-8584703

💎 Shining Bright Like a Diamond…

Stop in tomorrow for some pre-weekend soap, interesting tidbits on the famous and furry, and quotes to ponder. Until then, stay safe, stay assuming three pieces per person for a pizza, and stay not reacting to someone only trying to get a reaction. It’s the best way to fight them.

Feb21

February 20, 2024 – Anna Asks Cyrus For Help, Sandoval In the Running For Narcissist Of the Year & Strange

Posted on February 21, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Diane says, Sonny has at least four people on stand-by who could do this. He doesn’t need her. He says he wants her to handle this directly. He needs somebody he can trust. Will she do this for him or not? She says she lives to serve, and leaves. Frank tells Sonny that his son is here, and Sonny asks, which one? Dante walks in and says, what does he mean, which one? Does it matter?

Walking into the MetroCourt, Nina asks if Valentin is sure he can’t sit and brainstorm with her, but he says he’s sorry. He’s booked. He goes over to a table where Laura and Robert are sitting, and Robert tells him, have a seat. Since they all know why they’re here, they can get on with it. They’re here to discuss the consequences of Charlotte’s actions when stalking Anna.

Cyrus is folding napkins at the PC Grill when he hears someone come in. He says, we’re closed, and Anna says, even for her? She moves aside her jacket so he can see her badge.

Portia brings in coffee for Jordan and Curtis, and says, now she’ll leave so they can talk, but Curtis suggests she stay. He’s sure whatever Jordan has to say, she can hear. Jordan says, technically, what she’s about to say, Portia can’t here.

Sonny asks what he can do for Dante, and Dante asks if he’s okay. Sonny says, yeah. Why? Dante says, Diane seemed a little pissed off and this isn’t the warmest welcome he’s gotten from Sonny, so he can come back if Sonny is busy. Sonny says he’ll just go out of his mind, and Dante asks, why? About the Olivia Jerome killing? Sonny says he read about that. He’s not going to shed any tears, but he had nothing to do with that if that’s what Dante is implying. Dante says he actually thinks the people who killed Olivia Jerome are the same people who are trying to kill Sonny.

Robert says, as Laura knows, the DA’s office must avoid all appearance of bias, and Valentin says, meaning what exactly? Robert says, meaning any familial ties to the mayor, minor age, injury incurred in the course of the crime negate the fact that the crime was committed at all. Several crimes actually. Valentin says, she wasn’t in her right mind. Robert knows that, and Laura says she appreciates the difficult position Robert is in, so please just tell them what his office has decided. He says his office will not pursue any charges… at this time, provided Charlotte work with a court-ordered therapist, a thousand hours of community service, and three years’ probation. Are they good?

Cyrus tells Anna that he’s sorry, but the Grill won’t open for another hour. He’d be happy to tell the maître d’ she’s looking for a table. Just let him know the number of people in her party and what time. She says she’s not here to dine. She’s here to offer him an opportunity to save lives, including his own. He asks why she’d want to save him.

Curtis assures Jordan that anything she has to say will be kept in the strictest confidence, and Jordan tells her that nothing she says will leave this room. She can’t provide all of the details, but there have been some results in the investigation of the MetroCourt pool shooting. Portia asks if the shooter’s been captured, but Jordan says, no. Portia says, found? and Jordan says, no, but they’re closer now that they know the shooter’s agenda, and they have a definitive answer as to who the target was. Portia says, they already know the target wasn’t Curtis, so who was it? Anna? Sonny? Jordan says, the shooter was aiming at Sonny, and Curtis asks if that’s definitive. Jordan says, they’re as sure as they can be without a statement from the shooter. Sonny wasn’t the only target.

Dante says, they think the same person, or people, who took out Olivia Jerome are the same people who tried to take Sonny out at the MetroCourt pool and in Puerto Rico. They also think they’re responsible for the deaths of various organized crime figures across the country. Sonny says, so Olivia was next on the list, and Dante says, that’s right. They were operating on the assumption it was a lone gunman, but they’re not working alone because Olivia’s guards were ambushed by two men, part of a bigger group or organization. Sonny says, that tracks with what Jagger Cates told him. He also advised Sonny to watch his back. He asks if Dante is telling him there’s a possibility that someone is infiltrating his organization, and Dante says, this is serious. They’ve got to find this traitor. Sonny says, Dante tells him that like there’s only one.

Diane approaches Nina, who’s working at the bar, and Nina says, the bartender should be back momentarily, but Diane says, not to worry. She takes a manila envelope out of her bag and says she’s not here to see him. She’s here to see Nina. She slides the envelope over and says, you’ve been served. Nina opens the envelope and takes out some paperwork. She says, these are divorce papers.

Jordan says, they have reason to believe the shooting is related to a series of attacks on organized crime figures across the eastern US, and Portia says she’s relieved to know Curtis wasn’t the target, but she’s still furious that he became collateral damage because somebody had a vendetta that actually had nothing to do with him. Jordan says she understands the feeling, and Curtis says, they appreciate the update. Actually, he’d begun to look into things himself. Jordan says, really? What did he come up with? He says he didn’t get to far. He had to pause because he underwent surgery. Jordan says, understandable, and Portia says, he’s been focused on his recovery. Jordan asks how the recovery is coming, and Curtis says, there’s definitely been progress. Jordan says she’s glad to hear that. She said she’d keep them in the loop, so that’s why she gave them this information. She knows standing on the sidelines isn’t how Curtis operates, but now that he’s mentioned he’s working on the case, maybe it’s time she speaks to Anna about making him a more active part of the investigation.

Cyrus tells Anna that he can’t imagine why he’d be in danger. Clearly, he’s not the man he once was. She says he considers himself reformed, but she’s not sure everyone feels the same way. His former life puts him at risk. Who’s to say he’s not the next target? He says, then he shall rely on God to be his protector, not the PCPD, and she says, what about all the other targets or collateral victims? Will his conscience be at peace with their deaths, knowing he didn’t do everything in his power to stop this violence? He says, God helps those who help themselves, and he’s not in the business of saving lives. That’s her job. He’s just trying to save a few souls. She says, that’s a very lofty goal, and he says, it’s all he’s got. She says she happens to know he retained contact with his religious acolytes at Pentenville, and he says he goes there twice a week. The new warden has seen the wisdom of allowing him to continue his ministry. She says she wants to make a proposition to him. It’s a win-win situation, because he’s perfectly placed to use his influence at the prison. He says, let’s just speak plainly. She’s not concerned about his ministry or the men who turn to him in search of a pathway to salvation. She’s asking him to exploit the very people who turn to him for guidance. Is he right?

Valentin says, a thousand hours of community service and three years’ probation. He thinks maybe Charlotte should go to court. The judge would give her a more lenient sentence, certainly more reasonable. Laura says, but they’re very grateful Charlotte isn’t going to face detention of any sort. She wants Robert to know though, Charlotte’s already in therapy. Robert says, that was factored into the decision. When it comes to juveniles, his office likes to pursue a direction of reformation over punishment. Valentin says, Victor manipulated Charlotte, and Robert says, Victor was her grandfather and an adult. She was a kid. She didn’t know any better. Valentin on the other hand… Laura says she thinks it’s time for her to get to her next appointment and thanks Robert for his fairness and his consideration in this matter. She’s really grateful, but she really should be going. Why doesn’t Valentin walk out with her? Valentin tells her to go ahead. He has more business. Robert says he’ll be in touch, and Laura says she looks forward to it. She leaves, and Valentin says, Robert has done his professional duty. Now’s his chance to get personal.

Diane tells Nina, the terms are very simple. It’s a 50/50 split of all assets accrued during the marriage. Other than that, both parties keep the toys they came with. Nina says she’s heard nothing from Sonny in all the time that’s gone by, no contact. She thought that he was cooling off, that after he did that, they might try again, but now these papers. No word to her? Nothing? Diane says she always advises clients that communication should be kept to a minimum during separation and Sonny listens to her counsel. Nina says, nice try. Sonny does what he wants. She doubts Sonny would listen to Diane’s counsel more than his own heart. Diane laughs and says, it’s true. Of course (🍷), Sonny listening to his heart over his head is what got them here in the first place.

Dante asks if Sonny is saying he thinks he has more than one mole inside, and Sonny says he takes nothing and no one for granted. Dante says, nor should he, so let him help, and Sonny asks how he’s going to do that. Dante says, for starters, they see where Sonny’s key players were during the attack on Olivia Jerome. So Brick was out of town. Frank was with Sonny? Sonny says, yeah, and Dante says, how about Dex? Sonny says, Dex is not the guy, and Dante says he knows Sonny trusts Dex… Sonny tells him, that’s not what he said. He said, Dex is not the guy. Dante asks how he knows, and Sonny says he appreciates what Dante is trying to do, but he has to go. Dante says, if they pinpoint where Sonny’s people were, then they can figure out who wasn’t where they were supposed to be, and Sonny asks if Dante thinks he doesn’t know how to run his own organization. Dante says, whoa. He thinks he’s actually trying to help Sonny. Sonny says he’s heard that before, and Dante says he gets that Sonny might be on edge with everything that’s going on, but this feels like something else, something Sonny’s not telling him. Why doesn’t Sonny talk to him? Sonny says, it’s his problem, but Dante says, what affects Sonny, affects him, okay? Sonny says he hasn’t figured out the ID of the shooter, but he did sniff out a rat. He got rid of Dex. Dante asks, why? and Sonny says, Dex wasn’t working for him. He was working for Dante’s brother, his son. Dante asks what he’s talking about, and Sonny says, Michael hired Dex, planted Dex in his organization to get evidence against him so Michael could send him to prison.

Nina says, Diane never liked her, but Diane says, none of this is personal. Nina says, please. She turned Diane’s friend Carly in to the SEC. She’s probably doing anything she can not to gloat right now. Diane says she’s had many triumphs in her long career. Nina’s failed marriage to Sonny doesn’t even rate. Nina says, it’s really sad that when Diane considers her accomplishments, it’s only in the context of her career. Profession is not a life. Diane says, Nina is concerned about her. That’s so sweet. Nina wants to play? She’s got a few minutes. They can play. Nina knows nothing about her. However, she knows boatloads about Nina. She knows, for instance, that Nina is an heiress and she’s benefitted her whole life from the sort of soft landings that money provides. (Leaving out those years in a coma where Nina had twins who were stolen from her by her mother who was trying to steal her inheritence.) So when Nina committed – she’ll just pick a random case from their files – assault and kidnapping, she did a three-month stint in a luxury mental facility and then walked out, free as a bird. Fast forward to Nixon Falls, where Sonny is living and has no idea who he is, but Nina knows. And she took advantage. Just like she took advantage of the strain between Sonny and Carly after Sonny came back to Port Charles to break them up, catch Sonny on the rebound. Nina sets herself up as the embodiment of sweetness and light, but thank God, Sonny has finally come to his senses. But don’t worry. She still has all that inheritance money. She’ll have a soft landing, again.

Valentin says, so Robert is coming after him. That’s what this is. Robert says he thinks he’ll keep Valentin guessing. He’s having lunch with a female friend of his. Valentin says he’s trying to be as optimistic as Laura was in hoping Robert isn’t taking his loathing of him out on his daughter. Robert says he thinks the word Valentin is looking for is gracious. He has so much sympathy for Charlotte and everything she’s been through. She shouldn’t be behind bars. Valentin on the other hand, should. He walks away.

Curtis says he hated giving up on his investigation. The stakes are high on this one and he didn’t like the idea of Jordan being out there digging on her own. He’s glad to hear the FBI’s involved now and that she hasn’t been hurt in the process. Jordan says, there was a sticky situation in a hotel room with a dealer who sold the sniper rifle, but she had Anna as back-up. Portia says, this all sounds incredibly dangerous. Why doesn’t Jordan just let the FBI handle this, especially since she and Curtis aren’t in law enforcement anymore? Jordan says, one of the perks of her current office is that she gets to liaise with the PCPD. They all agree that what matters is stopping this guy. And if Curtis likes, she can get the ball rolling bringing him in as a consultant. With her and Laura singing his praises, she doesn’t anticipate much pushback on that. Curtis says, thanks – he looks at Portia – but he’s going to sit this one out.

Cyrus tells Anna that he has work to do. Please respect that, and him. She says she’s not trying to strongarm him at all. She’s asking him to use his powers of persuasion and influence to gain the confidence of a certain person at Pentenville who has valuable information that could just stop this killing spree. He says, gain their confidence by deception. That’s not his way. People come to him who are scared and vulnerable. She says, you know who else is scared and vulnerable? The next person who believes they’re a target. And he may not like them – she may not like them – but she doesn’t think either of them is in a position to judge whether they should live or die. They need their help. And she’s not talking about an offering of thoughts and prayers on Searching with Cyrus. He says, so she’s heard his radio broadcast, and she says she has. He has a unique way of communicating. She might go so far as to say he’s quite gifted in his ability to persuade and instruct. He could be a real asset to them in trying to gain this intel. He says he’s sorry, but aside from everything else, he doesn’t work with cops, and she says, even for a good cause? He says he has only her word for that, when Laura walks in and says, what about her word?

Curtis says he appreciates the opportunity, but he’s focused on his family and his recovery. Jordan says she understands and respects his decision. He would have been an asset to this investigation. Did he turn up anything on his own? Curtis remembers Sonny saying, Pikeman is in bed with the WSB. Former WSB agents work for Pikeman and then Pikeman personnel work for the Bureau. Pikeman has made overtures to him, but let’s just say it didn’t live up to Pikeman’s satisfaction. Curtis tells Sonny that Pikeman may have a reason to come gunning for him, and Sonny says, anything is possible. Curtis tells Jordan, nothing comes to mind. Like he said, his priority is getting back on his feet so he can be fully present for his family. She says she’s certain he will. He’s got this. She thanks Portia, who says, of course (🍷), and Curtis says, Jordan and Anna make a pretty formidable pair. Jordan says she and Anna are working on a tactic, even if it is a little dicey, and Curtis asks, how so? She says, it requires help from Cyrus Renault.

Cyrus says, bringing in the big guns, eh, Commissioner? and says hello to Laura. Laura asks why he’d balk at stopping more killings, and Anna says she has some calls to make and leaves. Laura says, Anna thought he might need a little more encouragement. She has to say she’s really disappointed Anna was right. He says, come on. She knows how he feels about law enforcement. She says, and how law enforcement feels about him? This isn’t about personal or professional animus. It’s about stopping an assassin who’s working an agenda they haven’t even uncovered yet. This is important. This person must be stopped. He says, and she’s really this wound up about saving mob bosses, and she says, he claims the most important thing in his life right now is helping his fellow man. What if it is another mob boss? He used to be one not that long ago, right? He told her that he’s turned over a new leaf now and she really wants to believe that. Here’s his chance to prove it to her.

Dante says, Dex was working for Michael the whole time? and Sonny says, it started off that way, then Carly got involved and it changed course. But no one decided to notify him. So here’s what happened. They sit down, and Sonny says, Carly and Michael hired Dex to protect him, like he’s a child, and Dex reports back to them if he thinks Sonny’s in trouble. Dante says he gets now why Sonny is pissed off. He relied on Dex. Sonny says, and trusted Michael. He’s not going to make that mistake again. Dante says, then Sonny is telling him that Michael had a change of heart and hired Dex to look out for him, and Sonny says, too little too late. Dante says, is it? and Sonny says, his son tried to take him down from the inside. He didn’t just say he was going to do it. He actually tried to do it. So just because Michael changes his mind, he’s supposed to forgive and forget? Dante says, no, but he does remember back then that Michael felt betrayed by Sonny, right? And he came around and opted to protect Sonny. Does he really want to write off his son who, in the end, was looking out for him? Sonny needs people close to him who care about him and it doesn’t really matter how they got there. Sonny tells him, that’s what Michael said, but there’s no room in his life for anybody he can’t trust.

Nina says, Diane wouldn’t be so callous if Diane could relate to what she stands to lose, and Diane says she shall await word from Nina’s attorney. She gets up and heads for the door, but Robert appears and takes her arm. He says, shall we? but she asks if they can get out of here. He says, happily, and they leave. At the bar, Nina tells Valentin that Diane just served her divorce papers from Sonny, and he says, Diane and Robert are infuriating, aren’t they? Reveling in the misery of others. It’s bad karma and they have a lot of it. Nina says she’ll toast to that, and they clink martini glasses.

Outside, Jordan calls Anna, who says she was just about to call Jordan. Jordan says, any word? and Anna says, yeah. None of it good. Jordan says, dammit. That’s what she was afraid of.

Jordan asks if Curtis is having second thoughts about joining the investigation, but he says he’s clear on his role. He’s a husband and father first. She says she’s so glad. She knows how much all of this means to him for him to make that sacrifice. Anna and Jordan are going to figure out who’s responsible for these shootings. They’re going to wrap it up, and they’re going to catch him, so no one else has to endure what they’ve had to endure, or worse. He says he hopes so and tells her that he has to make a call. She says, sure. She’ll start dinner. She walks toward the kitchen, and he calls her back. He tells her that he’s never felt closer to her than he has these past few days, and she says she feels the same way. He says, that’s why he feels like he has to be completely honest with her. He has to warn someone who may be the shooter’s next target. She says, warn who? and he says, Selina Wu. She asks why he’d need to warn her, and he says he’d do it as a courtesy. Because they used to be in business together.

Valentin says he’s sorry and asks how Nina is feeling. She says, miserable. She waited patiently for months and months. She gave Sonny a lot of space. The first real conversation about her marriage that she’s had was with Sonny’s lawyer telling her it was over. She doesn’t want to talk about it anymore. Tell her what happened with Charlotte. What did Robert Scorpio have to say? Valentin says, he’s not pressing for jail time, but he wants her to serve a thousand hours of community service and three years of probation. She says, that’s absurd, and he says, lucky Laura was there. She kept him from blowing up. It would have made things worse. She asks him to tell Charlotte that she loves her, and she’ll call her. It’ll be okay. Charlotte has him and her, and Nina will be there for her. She just has to call. He says he’s so grateful Charlotte still has Nina in her life. And for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s sorry she’s being treated so poorly. Sonny serving her with divorce papers without any warning. She says, he probably has a lot going on. Maybe he just needs a little reminding. He tells her, don’t make excuses for that guy. He thinks it’s time she came to terms with the fact that her soon to be ex-husband is not the man she fell in love with. She gets up, and he says, hey, it’s her life. She wants Sonny to change his mind? How is she going to do that? She says she has to get his attention first.

Dante says he gets that this isn’t easy. First Sonny loses Nina, then Spencer, and now it’s Dex and Michael. That’s a lot of loss. Sonny says, it’s different situations, but Dante says, it’s all the same in that these are people who were close to him. Sonny says he guesses not that close, and Dante asks, where’s Dex now? Sonny says, he’s not a problem, and Dante says he obviously can’t just leave that at that, can he? Sonny says, he’s alive, but they both agreed it’s best for him to leave town. He’s telling the truth. Dante doesn’t trust him? Dante says he trusts Sonny. Does Sonny trust him?

Jordan says, if anyone can get through to Cyrus, it’s Laura, and Anna says, yeah, but she has her work cut out for her. He’s being very resistant. Jordan says, not to pile on any more bad news, but Curtis opted not to consult on the investigation. He wants to make a fresh start.

Portia says, wow, and Curtis says, for a while there, he received a cut of Selina Wu’s profits in the poker games in The Savoy’s backroom. She asks if that’s why that woman came to their home with a basket of fruit. That’s why she wanted to buy the club, right? Did Marshall know about this too? He says, yeah. He figured it out. Dad’s no fool to these kinds of things. She says, no, he’s not a fool, but clearly, she’s the fool, and Curtis says he wanted to keep the family safe. Selina Wu respected that until she came here. She crossed the line. She says, that’s what these people do, and he says, she has every right to be angry with him. He should have just told her. She says, this isn’t about anger. She’s terrified.

In Robert’s hotel room, Diane says, this is precisely why she told Sonny that she didn’t want to serve the papers. She doesn’t need the aggravation. He says he has a room service menu here somewhere, and she says, and for Nina to imply she’s some sort of soulless, cold-hearted automaton with no personal life only gets her blood up for a fight in court. He says he does call her Killer Miller. There is nothing wrong with being good at your job. She says, there’s no argument there. She’s good at other things too. He says, not cold either, and kisses her. If it’s any consolation, Valentin accused him today of personal animosity in the professional handling of his daughter. She helps him undo his tie and says, Valentin is a pompous ass. Robert is the soul of integrity. He’s a consummate professional. He’s also quite the softie. He says, every guy likes to hear that, and she says, he’s tough when it counts, but he’s also soft when it counts. He says, let him tell her where it doesn’t count. It doesn’t count what Nina and Valentin think of them. She says she wholeheartedly agrees. You know what does count? What she can give him. She kisses him, and Robert says he thinks he now knows the secret of Diane’s success. She takes rational human beings and makes them forget themselves. He almost forgot the lunch. He’s going to call downstairs and have them send up another menu. He’s famished. She says, her too. She has quite the appetite. She kisses him again.

Dante says he knows he might be the last person Sonny trusts, but he feels like he’s proven himself over the years. Sonny says, of course (🍷) he trusts Dante. And he knows Agent Cates didn’t show up at his office the other day because Cates was concerned about his well-being; he was encouraged by Dante or Anna. Dante says, because they have Sonny’s back, and Sonny says, they’re in the minority. Dante says, Sonny has more friends than he thinks he has. Misguided actions don’t necessarily mean bad intentions. Sonny says, lies and loyalty don’t mix, and Dante says he’s not going to tell Sonny who he should or shouldn’t trust. He doesn’t know, but these are dangerous times. He wants Sonny to consider that help could come from some pretty unexpected corners.

Cyrus comes in with a dish tub, and says, Laura’s still here. She says she’s not leaving until he hears her out on saving lives. She listened to his whole radio show the other day, and he almost had her believing him. Anna comes back in, and Cyrus says, everything he said in that broadcast was the gospel truth. Laura says, he values the lives of others, and he says, as the Lord commands. She says, what about the lives of his former rivals like Sonny Corinthos? and he says, she’s asking too much of him. Anna says she’s sorry to interrupt, and Laura says she thinks it was a mistake to come to her brother. Cyrus asks if he’s just supposed to forget Sonny beat him to a pulp and put him in the hospital. Where’s the concern for him? Laura says she was concerned. She was very concerned, but that was at the time Ace disappeared, and they didn’t know where Esme went… He says he’s so sorry. The Good Book tells us that not even sparrows are forgotten by our Father. So if our Heavenly Father can protect those He overlooks, so can he. He’ll try to live up to Laura’s faith in him. What does Anna need him to do? Anna suggests they sit down, and they do. She says, this all starts with his ministry at Pentenville. They want him to reach out to a certain inmate there.

Curtis tells Portia, there are no more card games in the backroom at The Savoy. His business with Selina Wu is over. She asks why he feels so compelled to warn her, and he says, it seems like the right thing to do. She says, why? She doesn’t get this. Why is Curtis so intent on helping her? She tried to steal his club from him. She tried to take The Savoy away from him. She wasn’t trying to help him. She was trying to swoop in when he was most vulnerable. He says he knows what she was trying to do, but she didn’t, did she? Because dad and Sonny fended her off. He even managed to part ways with Selina Wu amicably and he intends to keep it that way. She says, right now, she’s less worried about Selina Wu and more worried about the shooter who was targeting her. Maybe now they’re targeting him. He says his was an accident, and she says, an assassin was trying to kill a mob boss, and now he’s telling her that he’s in league with another mob boss, and he just told her that Sonny is the one that helped him with Selina Wu. That’s a lot of organized crime going on. She doesn’t get it. He says, she doesn’t have to worry. He’s out. She says she’s worried and she honestly can’t believe he isn’t. All they’ve been doing here is fighting. Fighting for their marriage again. They’ve been fighting for this perfect life together. They’ve been saying how they’re going to make it work and be stronger than ever. How are they going to do that if he’s collateral damage again? How do they know he isn’t already one of the names on the hit man’s list?

Valentin suggests they set some ground rules before Nina goes about getting Sonny’s attention. She’s too classy to grovel. She says, grovel? He should know her better than that. He says he thought he did, then she went and fell in love with a gangster, and she says, it was a very confusing time when she fell in love with Sonny… Mike, or whatever. It was the only thing that made sense. Sometimes she thinks they would have been better off if they’d just stayed n Nixon Falls. They’d still be together. He says, Nixon Falls isn’t reality. Mike wasn’t reality. Sonny is reality. Has she come to terms with that? She says she knows who she married, and he says he can’t believe he’s going to say this, but if she wants to stay married, this is how she stays married. Sometimes the best way to get what you want is by not giving someone what they want. She says, the only thing Sonny wants from her right now is a quick divorce, and he says, don’t give it to him. That’ll get his attention.

Dante asks Sonny to give what he said some thought, and Sonny says he appreciates Dante’s input, but he’s going to handle this himself. Dante says he’s sure Sonny has something he’s cooking up, and Sonny says, Dante knows how much he loves to cook. Here’s the thing. There’s a special place in hell for those who have put his family in danger. And he’s going to send them there.

Tomorrow, Brook tells Maxie, if this continues, they’re in for one hell of a quarter; Tracy says, they’ve all been deceived; Felicia tells Spinelli that it’s time to put an end to their deception; and Selina tells Sonny, now is the time for them to put their alliance to an end.

Vanderpump Rules

James says, it’s pool party day, and he’s excited. In his interview, he says, it’s their first get together in the new house. Welcome to Casa Kennedy. He bought drinks, food, and a grill for the party. He spent at least two grand. Where did it go? Yeah, we all say that. Not the two grand part, but where did it go?

Ariana tells Katie that the Lyft driver who dropped her off the other night said he remembered the house. He said, she and her husband were fighting. He was cheating on her. She told him that they weren’t together anymore, and he said, that makes sense. Good. In Ariana’s interview, she says, he was the driver from the night on March 1^st. She tells Katie, he had no idea it’s a thing, and Katie says, have you heard of reddit? In her interview, Ariana says, he has no clue how many people want to talk to him. Katie says, Lala made some good points, and then Schwartz said they were ganging up on him. In Ariana’s interview, she says, a guy she hasn’t spoken to is suddenly an authority on who she is, how she thinks and feels, and how she lives her life. Just like a man. They talk about Tahoe, and Katie says she’s not abandoning work to get the shop open. In Katie’s interview, she says she’d rather eat a jean jacket. (That’s a new one, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.) They need to get permits and licenses and staff the place. They have their work cut out for them. Ariana says she’s not comfortable staying in a cabin with the Toms, and Katie says she doesn’t understand it.

Scheana and Lala go to Villa Rosa, and Lala asks if Schena wants to bet Lisa is going to say she has no clothes on. Lisa greets them holding new pup Donut(!), and remarks that Lala has no clothes on. She might get everyone here in a bit of a tizzy. They sit down, and Lisa says she wants to talk about so many things, and some of them they’re not going to like. She spent time with Sandoval and knows he’s in a very dark place. Scheana says she’s pissed off because she reached out to him when his friend passed, and he blocked her. He’s diving into villain energy and she’s not here for it. He needs to be humble and have humility. She also told him to get a therapist. In Scheana’s interview, she says, Sandoval is taking no accountability. Lisa is telling them that he’s depressed, but she hasn’t seen that. She’s seen him project. Lisa says he doesn’t know what he’s doing, but Lala says, he’s doubling down. Scheana says, he called Lala a narcissist (my bad. I thought he said Ariana), and Lala says, she should have asked more questions about Randall before getting involved. Lisa says she never held it against Lala, but Lala says, Sandoval has, and he’s talked to the press about her. He also can’t acknowledge how he hurt James. Lisa says, their lives are going swimmingly, and Sandoval’s isn’t. In Lisa’s interview, she says, Sandoval is a shadow of his former self, and she doesn’t want to see him going down that path. He’s depressed. She’s seen depression and she knows it. Her brother used the same words and it stayed with her. She tells the girls that they don’t want to be in the position that they have regret when they look back. Her brother is a trigger for her, and she doesn’t think Sandoval is a person who would say he had suicidal thoughts unless he meant it. Lala says she hears Lisa. She doesn’t want anyone to wear that for the rest of their life. She knows what it’s like. In Lala’s interview, she says she never gave Sandoval’s mental health much thought. She looked at him like her ex, someone with no feelings. She’s holding on to anger and doesn’t trust anybody. It’s not healthy. She doesn’t want to be angry all the time. It’s killing her. Scheana says, Sandoval was genuinely one of the best friends she’s had in her life, and Lisa asks if that doesn’t make it easier to forgive. Scheana asks if it’s worth losing Ariana, and Lisa says, talk to her. Don’t be a people pleaser. Go with her gut. In Scheana’s interview, she says, Ariana made it clear that anyone who chooses to remain friends with Sandoval is dead to her. We flash back to Ariana kissing off Schwartz, and Scheana says, at same time, if someone is struggling at this level, how can she keep coming for him? She tells Lisa that she’s going on Schwartz’s trip, and Lisa suggests they stop attacking Sandoval. None of them is perfect.

Pool party time! Lala and Scheana bring along Scheana’s sister Cortney, and Schwartz brings a plant. In Ally’s interview, she says, that’s the third plant Schwartz has brought them. She’ll have to get a gardener. Schwartz says he’s been on a sober curious journey, but he’s having a few. In his interview, he says, his conversation with Katie and Lala didn’t go well, and we flash back to that. He says, they tarred and feathered him. He wasn’t an accessory to the affair. There’s more to him than that. James goes to the porch roof and jumps into the pool (it’s not that high). Schwartz follows because, as we know, he’s a lemming.

Sandoval and Billie go to the IntoMeSea quantum wellness studio. WTF? The woman at the desk asks if they’ve done a cold plunge before, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says he’s stressed out, depressed, and overwhelmed. He realizes that he has to be able to handle his emotions in healthier ways. He gets in the bath, and Billie asks how intense it is from 1 to 10. He says, a 9, and in his interview, he says, it feels especially weird since he’s never been an outsider with the friend group. He feels like Andy when he first gets to Shawshank. He wants to get back part of something that resembles his old life. It’s the people he was closest to that hurt him the most.

Lala works out with Ally, and they make a pact to do 50 squats a day. What is with the squats? They’re in every freaking workout and I hate them. Lala asks how long it’s been since James was sober, and Ally says, three months. Lala says, the first few weeks are the hardest, and wonders if James would open up if she asked why he decided to become sober. Ally says she knows, but Lala would have to ask James, and Lala says, everyone has a rock-bottom moment where they realize it’s no longer working. In Lala’s interview, she says, something about that rock bottom moment changes everything. We flash back to the Reunion where Lala talked about going to Disney World with Randall’s family and being drunk for four days straight. When she woke up, she knew she never wanted to live this way again and reached out to get help. She says she still has a lot of work to do sober. She tells Ally that she doesn’t want to trigger by asking deep questions, but Ally thinks she should ask.

There’s a fire on the grill, and Ariana has to tell James not to fan the flames, but he rescues the food and says, they survived. Lala tells Schwartz that she knows she came in heavy. She has to not be triggered and make other’s experiences her own. It’s a process. She can’t go from machetes to crying in a fetal position. There’s got to be a middle ground. Schwartz says, Ariana looked at him like he was subhuman. She’s been exalted to queen status and was giving diva energy, as opposed to someone who’s been hurt. He’s not fawning for her affection or validation. Lala says she thought he handled it well. At times, she takes things to heart, but she’s working on not being a dog in someone else’s fight. In Lala’s interview, she says she thought her superpower was calling people on their sh*t, but it’s not healthy. She has to practice forgiveness and can’t wear trauma like a badge of honor. She tells Schwartz that she’s watched him please everyone. That’s how her dad was. He hated conflict and he was bulldozed over. She believes the stress of it killed him. She wants Schwartz to be down for someone, but do what’s best for him and his family. His brother is in the fight of his life, and she’s sorry she didn’t give him grace. We flash back to Lala reaming Schwartz out, and Schwartz says he’s sorry he retaliated, but when he’s mad, it’s easy when they haven’t communicated. He sees she’s a great mom and how much humanity she has. What she’s doing is heartfelt. Maybe she could give Sandoval a little. He can’t abandon that man. He’s family.

Sandoval tells Billie that he feels great, and Billie says, he’s worthy and deserves bliss. She asks if he’s thinking about dating, but he says, no. He misses Raquel. It’s been at least three weeks since they’ve talked. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, when they spoke the last time, he didn’t think it would be the last time. We see a clip from 27 days ago where he’s talking to Raquel on the phone, and he says, in that conversation, she said she was extending her time in the facility. He told her that he loved her, and they’d talk later. He tells Billie that he had love and was addicted. He couldn’t see anything else. Hanging out with her was the best part. I’m guessing that’s when he pontificated, and she looked at him adoringly. In his interview, Sandoval says he hopes they can give it a shot. He’s saving himself for her. Billie says she’s tired of the world hating on him. There were times she thought she’d lose him. He says, it got close. He had to snap himself out of it. In his interview, he says he had all kinds of feelings – pain, anger, sadness, depression, bleakness. He lost all his friends and it felt like the best way to show he’s sorry, give them what they all want, for him to go away. I guess moving was out of the question? Oh yeah, then Ariana would get the house. He tells Billie that he just wants to be happy and he doesn’t feel like he’s allowed. She says, he’ll get there.

Some of the girls hang on a floatie in the pool, and Scheana says she’s personally struggling. She and Lala went to Lisa’s and all three of them were in tears. Lisa was emotional, saying she saw similarities in Sandoval and her brother before he passed. She’s concerned and asked them to ease up. Ariana says, Sandoval and Lisa’s brother are different people. Sandoval won’t take responsibility. Her getting on Instagram and telling people to be nice to her ex is not happening. In Ariana’s interview, she says she understands Sandoval might have had thoughts and feelings, but they’re based on a situation he created where he didn’t give a f*** about anyone else’s mental health. She knows she’s being a bitch to say this, but she feels like it’s a little bit annoying. Ariana says, Sandoval is a scary person, and she doesn’t trust him. It all feels manipulation to her. Ugh, I hate to say it, but I kind of agree. Only because of how he acts like he’s the victim, but then switches it on for someone like Lisa. I’m not so sure his dark thoughts aren’t contrived.

James visits Lala and asks if a baby bottle is hers or Ocean’s, and she tells him, f*** you. It’s not hers, but we flash back to when she had one with her on a group trip that was her own. She asks James how long he’s been sober, and he says, three months. Jumping right into it, she asks, what made him want to get sober? He doesn’t have to tell her if he doesn’t want to. He says, there’s not much to tell. When the Sandoval and Raquel stuff happened, emotions were flowing. He and Ally were fighting, and when he was drunk, he made nasty comments. After he wrote something on Instagram, Ally stayed with her sister. She was gone for two nights, and the cats were gone. The place was empty, and it wasn’t the same energy that was there before. We flash back to 2019, and Raquel telling James that he has to get his sh*t together. In James’s interview, he says, he quit, but then after he and Raquel broke up, he figured he was single and could do what he wanted. He’s doing it for himself this time. He tells Lala that he was going to do anything to get Ally back and basically, that’s the deal. Lala asks if he’s looking at it like forever, and he says he is. If he didn’t have that mentality, he couldn’t do it. He doesn’t want to be an alcoholic 40-year-old who loses everything. Lala says, he can come to her with anything, and she’ll never share anything. In Lala’s interview, she says, she’ll never have a relationship like she does with James. They started off as two kids being trainwrecks – we flash back to Lala saying she sees no one has worked on their summer bodies, and James making fun of Katie – to getting into relationships to their sobriety journeys. It’s hard to find someone like that, who you’re bonded with for life. She tells James that she makes time for the people she loves, and James says, she’s gone miles. He’s proud of her.

Jo cuts Schwartz’s hair at his apartment, and in his interview, he says, she’s the light in his life. We flash back to Schwartz telling Scheana that he and Jo are just friends. Schwartz tells Jo that everyone thinks she’s his secret romance, but he gets the optics. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Jo was never living with him, although she was staying with him sporadically. She’s not his girlfriend and never was. They had a whirlwind romance, but they’re just buds now. Sandoval comes over, and I note how nicely the floor sweeps up as Jo takes a broom to it. Schwartz tells Sandoval about his conversation with Lisa, and says he booked a sick-ass lake cabin. Ariana and Katie won’t be there good, but he thinks it would be neutral ground for some one-on-ones if Sandoval can leave his ego at home and say he’s sorry. Sandoval says he can tell Lala that he’s sorry he gave her so much content for her podcast and she sold merchandise. She’s not understanding what she did. She showed an entire nation how to treat them. People followed their lead. Um… I don’t even listen to their podcast, and I hate these two, so, no. Schwartz says, this energy is not going to serve Sandoval well, and in Schwartz’s interview, he says, the tone of they don’t know what they’ve done to me worries him. He doesn’t want to undermine Sandoval’s feelings, but he doesn’t think it will be productive. He’s optimistic about Tahoe, but he doesn’t expect it to miraculously cleanse everyone’s memory. He’s just hoping it opens the door a little. He tells Sandoval, something cosmically changed. He’s not saying to let everyone walk on him, but he thinks people are in a place where they’re ready to talk and not necessarily coming after him. Wow. Sandoval is seriously a narcissistic a-hole.

Scheana’s friend Tory comes over to babysit, and in Scheana’s interview, she says she and Brock have dinner plans with James and Ally. As much as she trusts Tory, she’s anxious leaving Summer with someone who’s not her mom. She did call her sister Cortney to help. Trust issues. When they get to the restaurant, Brock says, she’s making progress, and she says, baby steps. James and Ally meet them, and they get some kind of wristbands to tap when they want a drink. Since it’s a self-serve set-up, I’m not sure if it just keeps the tab, unlocks the drink lever, both, or D) none of the above. Scheana says she had a conversation with Lisa before the pool party. She had tears in her eyes and said, after her brother’s suicide, she’s seen similarities in Sandoval. Lisa thinks they should go easier than they have been. James says Lisa called him and asked if he had a minute, and we see a clip of Lisa FaceTiming James and asking for ten minutes of his time. James asks if he’s in trouble, and she says, always a little. Scheana says, it’s going to be the same thing. She doesn’t want Sandoval to do something and then it’s too late. Brock thinks it’s not fair to put that on her, and Ally says she knows she’s going to feel bad. She’s nervous about Tahoe. In Ally’s interview, she says she has no personal issue with Sandoval. He’s been welcoming and kind, but she feels uneasy around him seeing how he hurt James. She doesn’t want to be fake, so she’s preparing for awkwardness. Scheana texts Schwartz to see if he invited Sandoval, and yes, he did. Brock says, there’s a hotel down the street, if need be, but James says he’s not stressing. Brock says, it’s not like they’re picking a side. They all know what Sandoval did was wrong. Ally says, they can ride for Ariana, but have empathy for someone who f***ed up their own life.

At Vanderpump Dogs, Lisa asks the marketing director if she’s sure it’s him, and Summer (not the same one) says, 100%. James comes in, and Lisa asks if he wasn’t worried about Graham. We see a clip from two weeks earlier where James says he doesn’t know where Graham is. Graham comes down the stairs, and Lisa says, he’s been rescued. James cries and in his interview, he says, the second he touched Graham, he could see it was him. He’s got the same wiggle he’s had since he was a puppy. Lisa says she got a call that he’d been in a foster home for two months and bitten a couple of times. They were taking him to a shelter and asked if Lisa would take him. Thank God they knew Lisa, patron saint of dogs. In James’s interview, he says he feels anger and sadness and he’s confused. Graham is his best friend and it’s a dream come true that he’s back. He tells Lisa that he was expecting to talk about Sandoval and thanks her. He’d hoped Graham was in a good place. Lisa says, Graham belongs with James. Does he want to take him? James says, his first thought was of Ally, but they have to make it work. There’s a reason this is happening. It’s meant to be. In his interview, he says, whenever he sees a Goldendoodle, the most popular dog in L.A., he thinks of Graham. Then he shakes it off and gets back to his day. Now he’ll be able to hold and hug his destiny. Graham had made his way back to his true home. He leaves with Graham Cracker.

Again we see the Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call 988. I have no clue how that works or if it’s set up for every city.

Next time, Brock questions Scheana about why she doesn’t want to leave Summer with anyone but her mother; James brings Graham home and introduces him to Ally’s cat; Lake Tahoe; and howling at the moon.

💃🏾 Shaking It Off…

Join me tomorrow for soap and finally, the finale of RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay engaging in genuine conversations, and stay practicing forgiveness and not wearing trauma like a badge of honor.

Feb14

February 13, 2024 – Sonny Takes Dex On a Ride To the Pine Barrens, Sandoval Makes Narcissist Of the Year, Six Degrees Of Vanderpump & Mambo

Posted on February 14, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn comes in with a box and says he’ll put it in Gregory’s room. Gregory says he wishes Finn would let him help. He’s the one moving in and Finn and Chase are doing all the work. Finn says, that’s the way it should be. Sit down and relax. Chase comes in with a box and says he’s in agreement with that. Violet comes in with a suitcase and tells Gregory not to worry. They’ve got him covered.

Blaze asks if Kristina has any morning sickness, but Kristina says, knock on wood, she feels pretty normal. Except for the incredible fact she has a human life growing inside her. It’s pretty amazing she got pregnant on the first try. She thinks it was meant to be. Maybe her purpose was to bring Molly and TJ’s baby into this world. Blaze says, one thing’s for sure, she’s absolutely glowing, and Kristina says she thinks that might have something to do with Blaze.

Laura takes Elizabeth’s coat and says she’s glad Elizabeth called. Spending time with her is just what she needed today. She just put Ace down for a nap, so they have plenty of time to chat. Elizabeth asks how Ace is doing, and Laura says he seems fine, but she’s worried about the long-term effects of losing his mother, and Spencer of course (🍷), and the long separation from Nikolas. But for right now, he seems to be settling in just fine. Elizabeth says she knows Laura has been here before, so she probably has everything she needs, but you can never have too many diapers. She hands Laura a shopping bag, and Laura says, you really can’t, can you? She thanks Elizabeth and says, it’s so thoughtful. Elizabeth says she’s glad Ace has Laura and Doc to take care of him while Nikolas is in prison, and Laura says, with losing Spencer and Nikolas turning himself in, everything has been so hectic. Having Ace here has really helped her… This is about more than dropping off diapers, isn’t it? What’s on her mind? Elizabeth says she’s worried about Nikolas.

Ava goes to see Carly and says, her assistant said she’d be in here. Why is she working in Michael’s office? Carly says, Nina. She gave Carly a story about pipes bursting, so the Crimson offices are an off-limits construction zone. She’s trying to make Carly miss her first deadline as Editor-in-Chief, but that’s not going to happen. Ava says, that sounds complicated, but Carly says, nothing she can’t handle. What does Ava want to talk about? Ava says, it’s about the sleepover Donna and Avery have planned for the weekend, and Carly says, Donna is super excited about it. She told Donna that they could all make chocolate chip cookies. Ava says, that sounds like so much fun, but she’s afraid she’s got to cancel, and Carly asks, why? Ava says, it’s not safe for Avery to stay over.

In the car, Dex asks where they’re going, and Sonny says, the Pine Barrens. (I laugh because we all know what that means.) He has some business he’s got to take care of.

There’s a knock at Kristina’s door and she says, that must be her sister Molly. Early bird for dinner as usual. Kristina opens the door, and Molly says she knows she’s early. She’s used to it for court, and now it’s just her default setting. Kristina says, it’s not like Molly is fifteen minutes early for everything in her entire life, and takes a bakery box from her. Molly comes in and says, it’s nice to see Blaze. Is she joining them for dinner? Blaze says, no. She didn’t realize the time. She actually has to get going. Kristina says, she can stay if she wants, and Molly says, the more, the merrier. Blaze says, sure, and Molly says, they can talk about what an amazing singer she is. She and TJ are total fans. Is she performing live anytime soon? They’re dying to see her. Blaze thanks her, but says she’s actually in the recording studio right now, working on some new material. Molly says she can’t wait to hear the new music, but please tell them when she’s performing again. It would be so fun to see her. Right, Krissy? Kristina says, yes, that would be so fun. They should definitely do that.

Elizabeth says she knows it was part of her statement that she’d testify to everything she saw Nikolas do when he held Esme hostage, but she’s so afraid of testifying against him. Laura asks if Nikolas’s lawyer contacted her, and Elizabeth says, no. Why? Laura says, because Nikolas chose to plead guilty, so there won’t be a trial, and Elizabeth says, this is the first she’s hearing of this. Laura says she’s actually very proud of him. As hard as it is, she thinks it’s great her son is finally facing his crimes and accepting the consequences for it. So Elizabeth doesn’t need to worry. Her life isn’t going to be upended by a constant rehash of all the stuff that happened at Windymere. Elizabeth says she hopes his cooperation helps him at sentencing. Personally, she’s super relieved. Laura says she is too. This is really what’s best for everyone. She and Elizabeth sit on the sofa, and Laura pours them some tea. Elizabeth moves some toys and says she almost forgot how much stuff a baby needs. She’s really proud of what her boys are becoming, but she really misses them being this little. Laura says, babies have a way of making you smile, don’t they? And speaking of babies and smiles, she and Doc have decided to legally adopt Ace. Elizabeth says, what? This is huge news. Laura says, it’s absolutely huge. Obviously, this isn’t something they expected to have happen, but with Spencer being gone and they don’t know how many years Nikolas will be in prison, it seemed like the best solution. Elizabeth says she’s so happy for Laura. She knows how much Laura loves that little boy, and having legal custody of Ace is only going to protect him. although it worries her that this adoption will lead to Heather being even more fixated on Doc. Laura asks what she means, and Elizabeth says, she visited Esme’s grave recently. Laura says, Doc told her that they both ran into Heather there, but he didn’t say anything else. What happened? Elizabeth says, as crazy as she is, Heather was surprisingly warm to her because of Franco, but she did direct all of her anger at Doc. She blames him for Esme’s death.

Ava tells Carly that she and Sonny barely got under cover. They could hear the bullets hitting everywhere. It was really terrifying. She’s just glad Avery was in her room. She missed the whole thing. Not a half hour before though, she was out on the patio. She told Avery the noise was fireworks, but she’s smart. She’s worried Avery can sense something’s wrong. Carly says she understands. She knows exactly how Ava feels, but promises her that Avery is safe at her house. Ava says she knows. Carly’s house is like a fortress, right? Carly says, it is, and she really wants to keep things normal for Avery because Donna loves having her big sister over for sleepovers. Ava says, Avery loves it too. She thinks maybe she’s overreacting. She’s just worried after everything that happened in Puerto Rico. Carly asks why she’s out and about? Why doesn’t she stay home at Sonny’s under guard? Ava says, it’s hard to stay cooped up in Sonny’s penthouse with Avery. Sonny has a guard who follows her everywhere. Carly says, it sounds like Sonny’s keeping Ava as safe as he can make her, and Ava says she thinks Sonny is hiding it well in front of Avery, but he’s really on edge. Carly says, of course (🍷) he is. Someone took a shot at him in his own home. Does Sonny have any idea who’s behind the attack?

Dex says he doesn’t want to overstep, but did something happen he doesn’t know about? Sonny says, Brick brought him some crucial information, and Dex asks if it’s a lead on the shooter in Puerto Rico. Sonny says, not a lead, a suspect, and Dex asks if they’re going to bring him in. Sonny says, already done, and Frank gets in the driver’s seat. Sonny says his rat problem will be over soon.

Violet asks Gregory how many books he has, sounding like every single person in my life, and Gregory says, one can never have too much literature. Unless one moves into an apartment that doesn’t have a library or a study even. There may not be enough room in here for all of those. Violet says he can put some in her room if he wants, and Finn says, that’s very generous, but he thinks her stuffed animal collection might have something to say about that. Violet says she can move them. She’s just so happy grandpa’s going to be here all the time. They should have a tea party to celebrate. She tells Gregory, come on, and he struggles to get up, then sits back down. She asks, what’s wrong? and he says he just stood up a little too quickly. He just needs to rest for a moment, that’s all. Violet tells Finn, grandpa rests a lot. Is he okay? Chase suggests they give grandpa a minute. He’ll help her get everything set up. He leaves with Violet, and Gregory says, they can’t put it off any longer. They have to let Violet know he’s sick.

Kristina says she hasn’t been ice skating in so long. They went to check out the new rink that just opened, and she forgot how hard ice skating is. (I haven’t. I spent more time on my behind than on my skates.) Blaze says, Kristina’s just being modest. Kristina was so much better at it than she was. She’s still sore from all the falls she took. Molly says, sounds like they had fun though, and Kristina says, they did. Don’t listen to Allie. She’s way too hard on herself. Molly says, Allie? And Blaze says, Blaze is a stage name. Her real name is Allison. Molly says she can’t imagine having to change her name for work, but Blaze says she doesn’t mind it actually. She’s a different person when she’s on stage, so it helps her get into the right headspace. Molly says, that makes sense, and Blaze says, speaking of which, she has an early recording session tomorrow, so she really has to get going now. Molly says, it was so nice to get to know her better. She’ll be right back. She needs to wash her hands. (Methinks she’s giving them some privacy.) She leaves and Kristina walks Blaze to the door. Blaze says, her sister is really nice. Talk to her later? Kristina says, definitely, and Blaze leaves.

Elizabeth says, Heather was really brutal with Doc. She blamed him for trying to help Ryan and accused him of causing Esme’s death. She really lit into him. Laura tells her that she can’t say she’s surprised. Heather likes to lash out at people and say horrible things. But no matter how horrible Heather was, try not to let it get to her because Heather is in jail. There’s nothing she can do from there. Elizabeth says she’s glad Heather can’t do anything to them, especially Ace. She still can’t believe they’re adopting that little one. She’s so happy for Laura. Laura thanks her and says, they’re very excited about having him here fulltime. Although she can’t say she ever imagined raising another child. Elizabeth says she’s sure, although he can’t be in better hands. And if Laura ever needs a babysitter, it would be her absolute pleasure to watch that sweet boy. Laura thanks her for the offer, but she doesn’t think she’ll be taking up any of what little free time Elizabeth has. It’s very demanding to be Head Nurse at GH. Elizabeth says, not like being mayor? and they laugh. Laura says she guesses she and Doc have very busy schedules, but fortunately, they’re at a point in their careers where they have a little flexibility. And they’re both committed to giving Ace a happy and stable home. Elizabeth says, if Laura won’t let her volunteer, Aiden loves kids and he’s been babysitting, and Laura says she’ll keep that in mind. Actually, if she’s being honest, it’s good to know there’s some kind of support system there and not just her and Doc in it all alone. Elizabeth says, they’re not alone. So she’ll call them if she needs anything? They’re family. They have to stick together.

Sonny says, Dex looks a little nervous. Is he uncomfortable going to the Pine Barrens? Dex says he is, and Sonny says, what’s going to happen is not going to be easy. It never is when someone you trusted to have your back betrays you. When someone chooses money over their word, they don’t deserve to live. Dex asks if that’s what happened. Is somebody in Sonny’s organization taking bribes? Sonny says, someone has been secretly working against him for months. That’s unacceptable. Dex says, of course (🍷). He knows how important loyalty is to Sonny. Sonny says, it means everything. He does everything for his people. He treats them well and makes sure they’re taken care of. Does Dex agree with that? Dex says, of course (🍷). He’ll never forget when Sonny came back for him in that warehouse. Sonny saved his life, then took Dex into his own home so he could recover. Sonny says, and he thought that would mean more than just a quick payday, but one thing he’s learned in this business is loyalty is rare and people will always disappoint you.

Molly says, that looks promising, and Kristina says, what? Molly says, her and Allie, and Kristina says she knows what Molly is doing and they’re just friends. Molly asks if Kristina is telling her that she isn’t attracted to Blaze. Blaze is hot. Kristina says, that’s not the point, and Molly says, okay, but they look cute together and there’s definitely a vibe there. Does she not see it? Kristina says she’s thought that with a lot of people, but Molly says, not like this. She saw the little looks Blaze was giving Kristina and they make each other laugh. She’s just saying she knows putting yourself out there is hard, but it might be worth it. Kristina says she’ll take that into consideration, and Molly says, good, because she deserves somebody great. Kristina says, now Molly is being just as pushy as their mother, but Molly says, Kristina is doing this incredible thing being the surrogate for her and TJ, so she wants Kristina to be as happy as they are. Is that why she’s not pursuing things with Blaze? She doesn’t want to explain that she’s having their baby? Kristina says, Blaze already knows she’s pregnant.

Gregory says he wanted to talk to Violet, because even though he’s very excited about moving in with her and her dad and getting to spend more time with her, they may not be able to play together as much as they’d both want. Violet asks if it’s because of his leg, and he says, it’s not just his leg. He has an illness. One that isn’t going to go away. She asks if it’s contagious, and Finn says, what grandpa has will only affect him. Chase says, it’s not like getting a cold. She can’t catch this. Violet says, okay. What’s wrong with him? Gregory says he has something called ALS, and she says, Als? Finn asks if she remembers when she learned what an abbreviation is. ALS isn’t a word; it’s an abbreviation. It’s an abbreviation for a disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Violet tells him, that’s hard to say. ALS is easier. Finn agrees, and Gregory says, having this disease means they may not be able to do some of the things together that they’re used to doing. Sometimes his symptoms may be very obvious, and he doesn’t want her to be scared when she sees them. She says, like what? and he says he may have a little trouble catching his breath. Chase says, it’s like when they play tag at the park, and they chase each other for too long. That’s not scary, right? She says, no, that’s fun, and Gregory says he may sound a little funny or be clumsy or trip or fall, but he doesn’t want her to worry because he’ll always have another grown-up around him, so she’ll never have to take care of him. Violet says, that’s okay. She likes taking care of him. He thanks her and she says she’s sorry he’s sick, but her daddy can fix it, right?

Ava says, Sonny doesn’t know who’s trying to kill him, and Carly knows how he hates feeling on the defensive. Carly says she doesn’t blame Sonny for being jumpy. It’s incredibly unsettling to know someone took a shot at him and got in a place he always considered his stronghold. Ava says, that’s why it’s so awful. It just feels like no place is safe anymore. And the shooter definitely had information about Sonny’s security that only Sonny would know. Carly says, that means Sonny was betrayed by someone in his inner circle. That’s something Sonny will not tolerate.

In the Pine Barrens, Sonny tells his guys to hold onto Dex, and Dex asks what he’s doing. He asks if Sonny thinks he’s the one who betrayed him, and Sonny says he doesn’t think – he knows.

Finn tells Violet that he’d love to be able to fix grandpa more than anything in the world, but it just isn’t that simple, and Gregory says, some things just can’t be fixed. Some things you have to learn to live with. Chase says, and grandpa can still do so many things with her, but there will be times he feels a little shaky and needs to take a break and rest. Violet says, that’s okay. Her teacher says, it’s good to take breaks sometimes. But she hates being sick. She doesn’t want grandpa to feel bad. Gregory says, don’t worry. He’s not in any pain. And being around her always makes him feel better. She says, it does? and he says, always. Finn says, family makes everything better. That’s why grandpa is moving in with them. They’re all going to take care of each other. Chase says he’s going to be here as much as he can to help, and Violet says, because that’s what families do. She’s sorry Gregory is sick, but she loves him. He says he loves her too, and kisses the top of her head.

Ava says she’s sorry to drop by Laura’s unannounced. She wanted to talk to Laura if she could, but she sees Laura already has company. Elizabeth says, that’s okay. She was just getting ready to leave. She tells Laura to call her if she needs anything. She loves her. Laura says she loves Elizabeth too, and Elizabeth leaves. Ava says she wanted to discuss the gallery’s contribution to the Nurses Ball this year. She knows it’s a few months away, but it’s such an important charity and she wants to give as much as she can. The gallery is getting busy, and she doesn’t want it to fall through the cracks. Laura says, Ava doesn’t have to make excuses to come over here. She disagrees with Ava’s decision to press charges against Esme, but she also understands why Ava did it. And she’s family, so she’s always welcome here. Ava thanks her, and Laura asks if she’d like a cup of tea. Ava says she’d love a cup of tea.

Molly asks why Kristina told Blaze about the baby. She thought they’d agreed on waiting until Kristina was three months along. Kristina says she’s sorry. She told Blaze about the IUI procedure because she didn’t know if she was actually going to get pregnant on the first try, and she did, and it was a miracle. It felt wrong hiding it from Blaze, so she told her, but she promises Blaze won’t say anything to anyone. Molly says, something’s not adding up here. She keeps saying she and Blaze are just friends, but she hasn’t told any of her other friends she’s known much longer than Blaze. They must be really close for Kristina to feel the need to confide only in her. Kristina says, Molly can stop interrogating her. She and Allie are dating, all right? There, she said it. It’s out there. Molly says she knew something was going on. She’s never wrong. Kristina says, all right, but it’s new. She’s not sure where it’s going to go yet, so… Molly says, from the looks of it, it’s going pretty well. They’re clearly into each other. Kristina says she kind of forgot what that feels like, and Molly says, they look happy. So why did Kristina deny when she asked? Kristina says, it had nothing to do with Molly, she promises. Allie’s family is very religious, so they don’t know she’s gay. She’s not out, so Kristina’s been respecting her privacy. Molly says, Blaze isn’t out yet. Is Kristina okay with that?

Brick asks if he’s interrupting, and Carly says, he is, but that’s okay since it’s always so great to see him. They hug, and he says, it’s always great to see her. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he went by the Crimson offices because he wanted to congratulate her on being Editor-in-Chief (like she earned it), but he saw a construction crew and found out she was here. Is she redecorating? She says, not exactly, and he says, don’t tell him. Nina. She says, but that’s not important. She wants to talk to him about Sonny, so come in. She closes the door and asks what he’s found out about the attempted shooting on Sonny’s island. He says, she heard about that, huh? He can’t say he’s surprised, but she knows he can’t tell her. She says she knows, but Ava was just here, and she implied there’s a traitor in Sonny’s organization. She needs to know how that affects her kids. He says, Sonny’s handling the situation as they speak. It’ll all be over soon.

Dex says, Sonny’s got the wrong guy, and Sonny says, stop lying to him. He’s not leaving this place. So it can be quick and easy or slow and painful. It’s up to him. Dex says he wasn’t working with the shooter on the island. He’s the one who alerted Sonny when the shooting started. Sonny says, maybe that was Dex’s plan all along. He wanted it both ways. He took the money to betray Sonny, then used the shooting to play hero. Dex says, what money? and Sonny shows him a phone. Sonny asks if this is how Dex stays in touch with his enemy. Now is he realizing he screwed up and got caught (which he pronounces cot)? Dex says, Sonny’s got this all wrong, but Sonny says, no, he doesn’t. Brick found two payments that were untraceable from a shell corporation that coincided with the two attacks on him. Which tells him that Dex betrayed him. Dex says, no, he didn’t. This is not what it looks like. Sonny says, then what is the second phone for? but Dex says he can’t tell Sonny that. Sonny says, he’s got a few seconds to survive, so Dex better unlock this phone so he can see for himself. He wants to know who’s paying Dex to spy on him. (Seriously? With all the talent Brick is supposed to have, he couldn’t unlock a phone or figure out who’s linked to the shell corporation?)

Finn asks if Violet has any more questions, but she says she doesn’t think so. Chase says, if she thinks of any, she can always ask them, anytime, and Gregory says, absolutely. She can talk to them about anything. She says, okay, but she thinks she needs to go process this, and Finn says he understands that. Does she want to go in her room and play? They’ll be right here if she needs them. Violet leaves, and Finn says, that was rough. Gregory asks if he thinks they overwhelmed her. That kind of thing is hard enough for adults to process, let alone a kid. Chase thinks Violet handled it okay actually, and Finn says, so does he. He knows Violet doesn’t understand what ALS is or that it’s terminal, but it’s a good first step in preparing her for what’s going to happen. He knows she’s a really smart kid and sees more than they realize, but he thinks she was just looking for some explanation about what’s been going on. Holding back tears, Gregory says he knows Finn’s right, but he hates this. He’s not going to be here to see Violet grow up and her last memories of him are going to be of him sick and in pain. It’s not fair. He was hoping for more time with her. Chase says, he will. He knows this is hard, but he’s got a lot of life left.

Molly says, Kristina shouldn’t have to hide relationships. She deserves someone who is excited to fully commit to her, not someone who’s going to treat her like their dirty little secret. Kristina says, whoa. That is not what’s going on here. Coming out is an incredibly personal decision and Allie has to do it when she’s ready. Molly says she’s sorry. She really can’t imagine what Blaze is going through. She’s lucky she doesn’t live in a time where she has to hide her relationship with TJ. That wasn’t always the case. Kristina says, no, it wasn’t, and if people didn’t approve of her relationship, would she just give up on him? Molly says, of course (🍷) not. She’s just worried about Kristina. She’s not exactly one to hide her feelings. Is she going to be okay pretending to be just friends with Blaze? Kristina says she doesn’t know. Right now, it’s casual, and if it does get more serious, they’ll figure it out, but Blaze is taking a risk too. Molly asks, how so? and Kristina says, because she’s never had a girlfriend before. She’s actually never been in a serious relationship. She’s been happy to focus on her career. Now Blaze is really happy with her and wants to take a chance and have a relationship. Blaze knows if she wants to pursue this with her, she’s got to make some changes. Molly says, changes how? Is Kristina going to have to pretend they’re just friends every time Blaze’s family visits? She can’t imagine Kristina happy like that. Kristina says she doesn’t know, but right now, they’re happy and they’re sorting through things. And at this moment, she’s fine to hold Blaze’s secret and hopes Molly can do the same. Molly says, of course (🍷). She would never out Blaze, but she does have to tell TJ.

Ava asks how Laura is doing. She knows it’s a tough time, but she’s here if Laura wants to vent or scream or throw something. Laura thanks her, but says she’s okay. Having Ace around here keeps her really busy, so it kind of forces her into the present moment. If Ace weren’t here, she might actually get lost in her grief for Spencer’s death. Ava says, Trina is handling it as best she can, but she’s having a really hard time. For Ava, seeing Trina grieve so deeply takes her back to how she felt when Kiki died. How angry she was, how lost. She’s been thinking a lot about Kiki lately. Laura says she understands. You never get over the loss of a child. The pain gets duller she thinks, but it’s always there. Ava says she had Kiki longer than Laura had Spencer, but it wasn’t long enough. A hundred years more wouldn’t have been enough. Laura says she keeps expecting him to walk through the door, and Ava says she bets. She and Spencer had their problems, but she was starting to see him through Trina’s eyes, and she could tell he was getting his life back on track. Laura says she thought so too. It’s generous of Ava to say, especially after everything Spencer put her through. She’s sure he shares some of the blame for Ava’s marriage falling apart. Ava says, he was just a hurt kid, lashing out at her and his father. She’s sorry she won’t get to see the man he was becoming. Laura cries, and says, her too. Ava says, it’s twisted, isn’t it? All this pain goes back to that one family. Ryan took Kiki from her. Esme took Spencer from Laura. Laura says she thinks Ryan played a very big part in making Esme who she was, and Ava says, that man was evil. She’s glad he’s dead. Laura says, God help her, she is too.

Carly says she always feels better that Sonny has Brick watching his back, and Brick says, his pleasure. Carly’s phone dings and she sees a text from Josslyn: May miss dinner. Can’t find Dex. TTYL. Brick says he knows she’s busy. He’ll let her get back… She says, where is Sonny? and Brick says, Sonny’s out taking care of some business, but he promises it’s under control. She asks what Sonny is going to do, and he says, don’t worry. She’s not in any danger. Sonny will always do whatever it takes to take care of his family. No matter how much it hurts. She asks if Sonny thinks Dex is the traitor.

Sonny asks, what’s the password? and Dex says, it’s a password touch ID combo. Dex touches the phone, and Sonny asks what he did. Dex says he activated a kill switch and wiped the phone. There’s nothing left on it. Sonny says, Dex just proved he’s loyal to the bankroller more than him, but Dex says he hasn’t betrayed Sonny. Sonny says, then why did he wipe the phone? What is he hiding? Dex says, the person who’s paying him isn’t out to hurt Sonny, and Sonny says, all right. Tell him his name. Dex says, it’s better for him not to know, and Sonny asks, why? He likes having a lot of friends. Sonny takes a gun from Frank and says, give him the name – now.

Kristina says she didn’t really think this through. She should have checked with Molly and TJ before talking to Allie about this. It’s their baby and they deserve to make these decisions for themselves. Molly says, it’s their baby, but it’s Kristina’s body. She completely understands Kristina needing someone else to talk to besides her about this pregnancy. Just know that neither her nor TJ will tell anybody that Blaze is gay. Kristina says he knows that. She just hopes Blaze can know she can trust Molly and TJ the same way she trusts Blaze to keep quiet about the baby. Molly says she’s sure Blaze will, and Kristina takes her hand. She says she gets that Molly has to tell TJ. All she’s asking is that Molly gives her a chance to tell Blaze first.

Ava thanks Laura for listening. She didn’t come here planning to unload on her, but she feels so much better after talking. Laura says she hopes Ava knows she’s always welcome here. And not just when she’s upset. Laura wants her to share the good times too. Ava says, let’s hope the good times get here real quickly, and Laura says she couldn’t agree more. There’s been a lot of darkness lately.

Violet comes out with a book and a blanket, and Chase asks if she’d like him to read her a bedtime story, but she says, actually, she’s going to read grandpa one. Daddy always reads to her when she’s sick, and he can use her favorite blanket. It always makes her feel better. Gregory puts the blanket across his lap and Violet snuggles next to him.

Carly leaves a message for Sonny to call her the second he gets this. Don’t do anything until he talks to her first. She tells Brick that he’s not picking up. Where is Sonny right now? Brick says, he’s probably a little preoccupied, and Carly looks like she has a headache. He says he knows this is going to be hard at first. Josslyn was so close to Dex. She says, they have to stop this, and he says, Dex had a side hustle going on. He saw the proof himself. Carly says, he has to trust her. He has to tell her where Sonny is before he makes a mistake he’ll regret for the rest of his life.

Sonny says, all he wants from Dex is the name of the person who convinced him to rat on him, and Dex says, telling him will only hurt him. Sonny says, wrong answer, and Dex says he can’t tell Sonny who it is. So do what he’s got to do.

Tomorrow, Curtis wants to celebrate his and Portia’s anniversary properly; Chase tells Brook, it will be a Valentine’s Day to remember; Spinelli is ready to meet the woman of his dreams; and Willow tells Michael that she has something to get off her chest.

Vanderpump Rules

Still at Sandoval’s birthday party, Sandoval tells Schwartz about how James said it had been the ultimate betrayal, and Schwartz says he should have just agreed. Sandoval says, James did the same thing to him, but it was way worse. James f***ed Sandoval’s ex in his bed using his condoms. Schwartz says, if Sandoval gets upset every time someone comes at him, it’s going to be a negative impact on his life.

Emo Night doesn’t seem all that emo, since everyone looks like they’re smiling and having a great time. James arrives and tells Ariana that he just left her house. It’s been six months, and Sandoval texted him out of the blue that he was having a small gathering for his birthday. He thinks it was a manipulative move. In Scheana’s interview, she says, James told people to throw tomatoes at Sandoval on TikTok, yet he’s the first person Sandoval unblocked and reached out to. Maybe he feels her friendship didn’t mean anything to him. Although after what she said on her podcast, maybe he feels like his friendship didn’t mean anything to her. James tells them how Sandoval brought up his transgression from ten years ago, and Ariana says, no one around Sandoval gives him honest feedback. He’s surrounded by people he pays. Lala says, that’s the only type that will be around him. At Sandoval’s party, he whines to friend Kyle, then bitches some more, and complains about what James did to him ten years ago.

Ariana, Scheana, and Katie are up to DJ, and in Ariana’s interview, she says she could have a career pressing play. In James’s interview, he says he wouldn’t be caught dead pressing play on a prerecorded set. In Lala’s interview, she wonders, what band is emo anyway. Nickelback? Schwarz tells Sandoval that he’s going to Emo Night, and Sandoval says he knows being with him is a bad look. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, he feels bad, but he doesn’t have a history with the others like he and Sandoval have. We flash back to better times with the Toms, and Schwartz says, Sandoval is a doucher and everyone hates him, but you don’t come by friendships like that often, and he doesn’t want to give up on that. Scheana introduces band The 27s who are doing Good As Gold with her, and in her interview, she says she’s on Cloud 9. She never wanted to be a pop star. She preferred a Gwen Stefani or Fergie style, where she interacted with guys in a band. She’s living out her dream and it’s so fun. They do a remix of the song, which is not bad, and Schwartz shows up just afterward. He tells Scheana that he’s sorry he missed her song, and Scheana says, that’s what he gets when he chooses Sandoval; he misses the fun. At Sandoval’s party, Billie Lee brings out a cake, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says he can’t express how grateful he is to the people who stuck around. They’ve put up with so much hate for what he did. Billie had to endure transphobic remarks and threats were made against Jason. It means a lot to him. He wipes his eyes, which might tug at our hearts if he didn’t cry all the time. Billie says she’s seen him suffer not just over the break-up with Ariana, but also Raquel. Sandoval says he wants to connect, and in his interview, he says he and Raquel had been talking every couple of days. He thought because it was his birthday she’d reach out, but he’s heard nothing. He considered her his best friend. He loves and misses her. Billie says, now comes his healing. He needs to focus on himself and not a girl. That’s the journey they’re on. 😴

Katie comes over Ariana’s house, and says, the last time she was here, two Toms were here. Ariana says she came home to a quiet and empty house, and Katie says, it looks pretty neat. Ariana says, that’s because Ann’s been cleaning, and Katie asks if Anna gets paid extra for that. Anna says she wishes, and I wonder why she’s working for these cheapskates. Two women come with IVs for Katie and Ariana, and in Katie’s interview, she says she and Scheana are at a turning point. She’s committed to working on the friendship. The lights are on and someone is finally home. Ariana says she feels like Scheana has a soft spot for Schwartz, and Katie says she asked Scheana if she’s going to flip-flop. Ariana says, there are people besides Schwartz who will use Scheana, and Katie says, it makes her nervous to be close to energy drains.

Lisa goes to the closed PUMP, and in her interview, she says, they had a good run. It’s so hard to look around at an empty shell of the restaurant. She knew they were going to close for a while, but seeing it makes it more real. She calls Ken and says she wasn’t prepared. She’s wondering if they did the right thing. Ken asks if she’s changed her mind, but she says, only if it goes back to the original rent. Nothing lasts forever. She doesn’t know where they’re going to put all this stuff. Sandoval comes in bearing flowers and says he knows it’s like bringing sand to a beach. She asks how he’s doing, and he says he’s beat up from his time in New Zealand. She asks if he’s seen anyone. Has he seen Ariana? He says, they haven’t talked, and she says she has no idea why, since they’re in the same house. He should do the gentlemanly thing; give her some space and sell the house. Sandoval says, or one of them can keep it. He put money and work into it. He had his real estate agent send Ariana a letter of intent, but got radio silence. Lisa says, he’s got to move forward, and he says he’s trying to figure it out. It’s a lot for him. She says, he created it, and he says he knows he did. His close friend Ali died, and Scheana reached out, but she’d been releasing rumors about him and Billie on her podcast. She thinks something happened between them. Scheana needs to take the day off from kicking him while he’s down, as well as Raquel. She had a guy Nema (from Shahs of Sunset!) that Raquel dated on her podcast, and he was talking sexual things. If I was Lisa, I would be bringing up Sandoval’s comment about Ariana in a T-shirt, but she doesn’t. In his interview, Sandoval says, a guy Raquel dated for a short time claimed Raquel said he told her that he and Ariana had an open relationship. That’s not true. He went on to say explicit things, like Raquel was begging him to have sex on Scheana’s bed. Raquel called him afterword, and they were on the phone for quite a while. He was grossed out. Wow. After some of the nasty, nasty things this dude has said, that’s rich. He tells Lisa that he’s always been against mob mentality, but Lisa tells him that he should just say he’s sorry and that he knows he didn’t handle it in the best way. Sandoval tells Lisa that when he apologizes, they say he doesn’t mean it. He’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. He wants to move on. Like many men, he thinks moving on means forget about all the mess I just made. Sorry not sorry. It’s true and don’t do that. Lisa tells him to stop being angry, and he says, she’s attacking him. He seems to be having a different conversation than Lisa is, but not surprising when he only thinks about himself. She says she’s trying to help him. He says he’s not living the rock star dream; it’s grueling work. Lisa says he has to have remorse, and he tells her, when he cried, they called it crocodile tears. He thought about suicide. Don’t tell him what he felt. In his interview, he says he felt like he couldn’t dream of better days. Like, what’s the f***ing point? Lisa says he should have reached out. He knows how she feels about that after losing her brother, and he promised her. In Lisa’s interview, she says, after the Reunion, Sandoval assured her that if he ever had any thoughts like that, he’d reach out, but he’s not that person and he wouldn’t do that. It scares daylights out of her after losing her only sibling to suicide. She can’t hear that and do nothing. She tells him that she’ll help him move forward and asks if he thinks he can find a way back to his friendships. He says he doesn’t know, and she says, he has to have utter sensitivity and contrition. He says he understands, but I’m doubtful. I don’t think he’s Robert Chambers, but he’s definitely a high number on the scale of being a sociopath.

Lala and Ariana go shopping and talk about going to see James’s See You Next Tuesday. Ariana says she always thought James was better when he’s sober, but she can’t tell him what to do. Lala says she doesn’t think anyone who still drinks should tell someone not to. She can’t even do it or ask him to a meeting. He has to come to them. In Lala’s interview, she says she thinks being sober is beneficial for everyone. Your skin looks fantastic, you lean out, and you don’t engage with people you shouldn’t. The number of people she gave out her phone number to when she was f***ed up is insanity. Katie meets Scheana at a restaurant, and in Katie’s interview, she says she and Scheana used to be so close. We flash back to that, and Katie says she feels they both genuinely want to make it work. Spending more one-on-one time is the first thing. Scheana says she heard Katie has a date, and Katie says, he’s nice and he’s cute. In her interview, she says she gave her number to guitarist Kevin from Scheana’s band, The 27. She asks Scheana if it isn’t more fun to be a wingwoman for her than Schwartz, and Scheana apologizes for inviting him to Next Tuesday, but she felt bad. It’s the old Scheana who sees someone is being left out. She regretted it immediately. She’s happy where they’re at and doesn’t want Katie to be uncomfortable. Katie says, it’s not about her, and Scheana says she’s been working on self-realization and understanding boundaries with the people she wants to be in her life. Katie says, to carve out time for garbage people just because you have a history isn’t worth it, and Scheana says, if they don’t add value to her life, she doesn’t need them in her inner circle.

Dogs! Schwarz brings Gordo and Butters to Vanderpump Dogs for some grooming. Schwartz tells Lisa that he’s got bad news. His brother is back in rehab. He was rushed to the hospital, and they think he has cirrhosis. It’s his third time in rehab. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Bert was used to be a ray of sunshine, but after he got jumped outside a bar, he was never the same and has a dependency on alcohol. Any form of addiction makes a brutal impact on the family. It made him rethink his moderation. Lisa asks, what’s happening with Schwartz & Sandy’s? and Schwartz says, they got unforeseen backlash. She says she doesn’t think the punishment befits the crime. Although maybe she’d feel differently if Ariana wasn’t living her best life. Schwartz says he thinks Sandoval is still reeling, and Lisa says, maybe people will always feel differently about Sandoval, but he worries her. He said he had dark thoughts. Schwartz says, Sandoval’s best friend died, but Sandoval didn’t tell him. He found out from other people. She says, it scares the life out of her. Her brother said similar things, and suddenly, it was too late. In Lisa’s interview, she says she doesn’t think there’s anyone who’s lost someone to suicide who doesn’t have regrets. Even if people think it’s foolish for her to reach out, she’ll take it rather than the alternative. They have to help him change the narrative. Schwartz says, he doesn’t make it easy, and Lisa suggests getting them all together in Tahoe. In her interview, she says she’s going to be opening a new restaurant on the division between California and Nevada. Wolf by Vanderpump is going to be the sexiest restaurant in Lake Tahoe. Lisa suggests Schwartz bring someone with him and get back in the groove, and he says he’d like to get the gang back together, but doesn’t want to force anything. He doesn’t think Ariana and Sandoval will ever be friends. Lisa says, Ariana probably will never be there if Sandoval is. She’ll tell him to shove the invite up his ass.

The gang is all at SUR, minus the Sandoval, for James’s Next Tuesday. Lala asks if Schwartz was invited or is he popping in, and Schwartz says, popping in. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, Lala knows where to jab. Strangely, it makes him feel more welcome. He’ll take hate over indifference. She’s acknowledging his existence. He says he got Lala something, and Lala wonders if it’s a f*** you. He gives her a bottle of something called Neurotropic, and says he thought she’d appreciate it since she’s sober curious. In Lala’s interview, she says, she doesn’t recognize these things like sober curious and California sober, but do you, boo. Ariana and Katie arrive, and Schwartz says he’s going to mingle. He goes over to see James and tells James that he had a good conversation with Lisa. He kind of invited himself to Tahoe, and she wanted him to extend the invite to everyone. James says, not Sandoval, but Schwartz says, Sandoval. James says he doesn’t want to spend days feeling anger. Sandoval comes in with Kyle, and in his interview, he says he feels like he’s walking into a lion’s den. He’s taking what Lisa said to heart. He’s going to be apologetic and humble. With this group, it should be interesting. Scheana alerts everyone that Sandoval just walked in with Kyle.

Ariana says she doesn’t know why he showed up at SUR. It’s not happening. Peace out, dude. You suck. Sandoval and Kyle sit at a small table, and Sandoval says, it’s his first time having dinner here in a long time. In his interview, he says he feels like someone is going to accidently spill a drink on him on purpose. He says he talked to James on his birthday, but it didn’t go so well, and Kyle says, Scheana reached out when Ali died. Sandoval says, it was bad timing. After her podcast, he felt it was insincere. Server Jesse says, it’s been a long time. He was worried for Sandoval. He f***ed up, obviously. Sandoval says, there was a lot of collateral damage, and Jesse says, it’s been the worst. He told Sandoval why he had to unfollow him. He didn’t want to be attached to Sandoval’s decisions and choices. Sandoval says he doesn’t want to cause any extra stress and they hug it out. Kyle says, Sandoval has to deal with that all the time, and Sandoval wipes his eyes, saying he feels bad. They didn’t do anything. Schwartz didn’t do anything. Schwartz comes back to the group along with James and tells them about seeing Lisa at Vanderpump Dogs. He invited himself to Tahoe and she told him to invite everyone, so he is, including you-know-who. Katie says, why? and Ariana says she doesn’t want to interact with Schwartz. Schwartz says, it’s a complicated situation, but she doesn’t have to see him or Sandoval. Lala says, after how Schwartz was treated, why does he need to stand by Sandoval’s side? and Schwartz says, they have a beautiful friendship and right now, it sucks. Lala says, the day is going to come when he sees it. He’s going to look back and realize he should have gotten rid of Sandoval. Sandoval will devastate him. Schwartz says, it’s a work in progress, and Ariana says she gave up on Schwartz a long time ago, and her life is better without him. He’s a lost cause. Anything he says to anyone will fall on deaf ears. Schwartz says, she’s not the queen of the group. Her ego is getting too big. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Schwartz is clearly confusing strength and boundaries with ego. She’s not making decisions for anyone but herself. She doesn’t have to be around anyone she doesn’t want to be around. She says, its’ not going to be a situation where Schwartz bridges the gap and brings Sandoval back in the fold, and Schwartz says he misses the group dynamic. Ariana says, no one destroyed it but Sandoval, and Schwartz doesn’t know what to say.

Sandoval tells Kyle, this place has always been so tumultuous, and we flash back to that, and Lisa says, Villa Blanca is where you take your wife. SUR is where you take your mistress. Sandoval sees Scheana and asks to talk to her, but she says, not here. She’s going to the bathroom, and she’ll meet him in the back. In Scheana’s interview, she says, Ariana’s her best friend and she has her back. She has nothing to say to Sandoval that she hasn’t said already to his face. Why he wants to have a public conversation in SUR of all places is beyond her. Behind SUR, where so many server antics have happened over the years, Sandoval brings her a vodka/soda, but she says she’s three weeks sober. They sit down and the silence is deafening. Tom says she looks like she rode in on a Shania Twain motorcycle, and she says she was going for the Y2K look. He says he’s wearing a Y2K sweater, and Scheana says she didn’t expect to get blocked when she reached out after Avi passed. Sandoval says he wasn’t in a good place. He hasn’t been on a lot of days, and he felt like she was just doing it to say she did. Scheana says she’d think after 14 years he’d know her better. Her reaching out was genuine. She has a heart, but he hasn’t been acting like he has a heart. He says, everything he does is looked at in a negative way, and she says, if he’d honestly had remorse from the beginning, it would have been a different outcome. He says he can’t redo the past, and she suggests he apologize and be remorseful instead of doubling down and acting like a villain. He says he did apologize to her at her house, and we flash back to that. She says, not just to her, and he says he’d love to talk to Ariana. Out of everybody, she’s been less vindictive when she has every right to come after him, but she doesn’t get off on that sh*t. She doesn’t want to see him dragged to the point of… Scheana says, nobody wants to see that, but he says, it’s been relentless. He gets that there’s podcast money, but it’s too much. Scheana says she agrees and at a certain point, they stopped. She thinks he needs to humble himself. The next time he does a show, leave Schwarz and Raquel out of his songs. In her interview, Scheana says, someone needs to tell Sandoval to put the mic down. She tells him that everything he’s doing is literally the definition of a narcissist, and he suggests she look it up. She says, narcissists never admit they’re narcissists, and he says, that’s why Ariana would never say she is. Scheana tells him, that’s offensive. She has to get home to her daughter, but her advice is for him to humble himself and have humility. No one is wishing harm comes to him or Raquel. Sandoval says, after the Nema interview, he had to talk Raquel down, and Scheana tells him, but she said it. The interview wasn’t meant to attack them. They just wanted to put the truth out there. She’s not having people saying she’s making up a rumor. We flash back to Scheana telling Ariana about Raquel claiming Tom told her at Coachella that he and Ariana had an open relationship. (Trust, but verify.) In her interview, Scheana says she doesn’t know if Sandoval said it, but Raquel said it to Nema. Sandoval asks if it’s really her business, and she says, when her character is being questioned, it is. Sandoval says, it wouldn’t have been if she hadn’t brought it up to begin with, which leaves Scheana wide open to say, it wouldn’t have if Sandoval hadn’t f***ed Raquel to begin with. In Sandoval’s interview, he says, out of everyone, the loss of Scheana’s friendship is devastating. Scheana is all heart and she’s funny. He misses her. He gets more emo than Emo Night.

We see a text that says to call 988 for the Suicide Prevention Hotline.

🍾 Once You Go Shah…

This was news to me. She and Gigi are like polar opposites.

https://www.distractify.com/p/raquel-leviss-nema-vand-relationship

🤹🏽‍♀️ Passing a Hail Mary…

Make this your stop tomorrow for soap and the 10^th circle of hell that is this season of RHOBH. Until then, stay safe, stay tasting your food before seasoning it, and stay not carving out time for garbage people just because you have a history. Keep only those who add value to your life in your inner circle.

Feb7

February 6, 2024 – Robert Asks Special Agent Cates For a Favor, Oops, Guess Who’s Back In Town, No Hospitality & Good

Posted on February 7, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lucy breaks away from Scotty and says, what is this? He says, what they’ve always wanted, and kisses her again. They fall behind the hay bales.

Martin says, for the life of him, he can’t figure out why Tracy wants to suddenly unburden her conscience, but like he said, he’s not up for it right now. She wants him to say she’s right? She’s right. He’s broken up with Lucy. They’re done now. Unless of course (🍷), she wants to discuss some obscure point of law, in which case, she can call his office. Tracy says she’s the reason he and Lucy broke up.

John calls for a car to come to the station of the PCPD… He wants to transport a couple of detainees. Robert comes in and says, look what the cat dragged in – Jagger Cates. John tells him that it’s John now. It’s been a while. He looks good. Robert says, better than the last time John saw him, and John says, he beat the cancer well. He and Robin stay in touch, although it’s been a few months since they caught up. How is she? Robert says, they’re doing great, out there saving lives. Noah’s captain of the soccer team and Emma is an intern at Berkeley Astrophysics Center. John asks why it doesn’t surprise him that Robin’s daughter is a genius. He’s glad to hear they’re all doing so well. It’s good to see Robert. Robert says, him too. What brings him to Port Charles?

An officer locks Jordan and Anna in a cell, explaining that Special Agent Cates asked for them to be detained. Anna says, of course (🍷) he did, and Jordan asks if they don’t get a phone call. The officer says he’ll check on that and leaves. Jordan wonders how far Anna’s friend is going to push these obstruction charges, and Anna says, Lord knows. Jordan suggests they tell him what they know. He might be interested to learn that the buyer for the weapons is in Port Charles. Anna says, if they give him their intel, they use their leverage. If they want to be involved in this investigation, then they have to keep what they know to themselves. Jordan says, they won’t have much time to investigate while they’re being arraigned in federal court, and Anna says she’s just hoping their friends intervene. Dante comes in and says, friends like him?

On the phone in his office, Michael tells Drew that he’s glad the meeting went well… There’s no need to come back. Everyone’s gone for the day. He’s just wrapping up a few things himself… Looking forward to it. AND HE ACTAULLY SAYS GOODBYE. Unheard of on a soap phone call. Dex walks in and Michael asks what he’s doing here. Dex says, somebody tried to kill Michael’s father.

At the penthouse, Sonny thanks Brick for coming by so quickly, and Brick says, it sounded urgent. Sonny says, it is, and Brick says, whatever he needs. He knows Sonny is going through a lot right now. Sonny says he needs people he can trust.

Sitting in the interrogation room, and John tells Robert that he’s in Port Charles working on a case. Murder, attempted murder, stolen weapons. Robert says, sounds serious, and John says, it is, but on a lighter note, he hears Robert is DA now. Congratulations. Robert says, John knows him; keep moving, so to speak. Which brings him to why he’s here. He understands Anna was arrested, so after he sorts that little mess out, the three of them should get together. He knows Anna would love to see John. John says he doubts that. He’s the one who arrested her.

Anna asks, who told Dante they were in custody? and Dante says, Nikolas Cassadine is back in town and turned himself in. He brought Nikolas in for booking, and the desk sergeant told him they were down here. What’s going on? Anna says, the Feds arrested them for an obstruction charge, and he says, really? What happened with that? Jordan says, she and Anna tangled with them while following a lead, but Dante says he’ll need a little more information than that. Anna says, they tried to keep the PCPD’s hands clean while they gathered some extra information, and Dante says, right. Well, too late, right? Because here they are the PCPD jail. He can’t override the Feds, but if he’s going to help sort this out at all, they have to tell him what happened. Start from the beginning. Tell him everything. Anna says, it all started with Dante’s father.

Sonny says, someone close to him targeted him and his family in Puerto Rico, and Brick says, so he thinks the shooter is someone he knows? Sonny says, has to be, because they had to have knowledge of his island. They knew how to get through security, they knew where his men were, and they knew how they worked. That kind of information isn’t easy to get, so it’s got to be somebody he trusts. Brick says, so his theory is, someone inside was the shooter or was working with the shooter, and Sonny says, that’s the only thing he can think of. Brick says, no one on the outside would have any knowledge whatsoever of Sonny’s security plans. Hell, some of his own men don’t know. Sonny says, that’s right, and Brick wonders, who the hell can it be? He personally vetted every single person who works for Sonny. Sonny says he guesses he has to question the source, and Brick says, what?! Sonny thinks he’s behind this? Does he?

Dex tells Michael, after they realized the shooter had gotten away, Sonny didn’t want to stay on the island, so they came back to Port Charles. Michael says, everyone’s okay though, right? His dad and Ava… Avery didn’t see anything, did she? Dex says, everyone’s fine. Fortunately, Avery was in her room with her bodyguard the whole time and never even realized anything was wrong. Michael says, that’s good at least. How could someone get close enough to Sonny to shoot him in his own house with Avery there, and why is this the first he’s hearing about it? Dex says, Sonny probably didn’t tell Michael because he didn’t want to worry him, and Michael says, this is exactly why he wanted Dex to keep working for him, so Dex can tell him when things start to spiral for Sonny, and it seems like it’s happening now.

On the phone, Gregory says he needs to make an appointment with the doctor. He’s expecting Gregory’s call… Yes, he can hold. He looks into the restaurant and sees Tracy sitting with Martin.

Martin says he gets it. Tracy and Lucy don’t like each other. He understands. What he’s telling her is, if she wants to gloat, to bask in Lucy’s misfortune, she’d better have the decency to do it somewhere else. His relationship issues have nothing to do with her. She says, they do. With her and with Scotty. He says he’s telling her that he wants to be alone. It’s none of her business. She says, the trouble with Lucy started when she warned him about Lucy and Scotty. She’s the one who put it in his head that their tawdry history has a habit of repeating itself. He asks what kind of game she’s playing, but she says she’s not playing a game; she’s trying to stop the games. She’s trying to be honest with him. She’s been manipulating him. She’s been misleading him. He says, in what way? and she says she doesn’t want to bore him with the details, but she got wind of the fact that Lucy and Scotty were plotting against her. They wanted her to fall for Scotty. He asks, why the hell would they do that? and she says she doesn’t know. She thinks it’s got something to do with Deception. When she found out, she decided to turn the tables and started manipulating them and thereby Martin. Her intention was only to get revenge on Lucy, then he got swept up in it… She’s so sorry. Martin bangs on the table and says, of all the self-centered and hateful… How could she do something like that? She says, believe her, she’s done worse. So he has a choice now that he knows the truth. He can either waste his time berating her or use it more wisely and try to get Lucy back.

Lucy sits up, her hair full of straw and her dress off one shoulder. She says, oh my God. What did I just do? Scotty sits up, looking more rumpled than usual, and says, this was amazing. At the same time, Lucy says, this was a disaster,

Martin says, Lucy’s not picking up, and Tracy asks if he expected her to jump at his call. He just broke up with her. Try again. He says, that’s the third call in a row. Obviously, she doesn’t want to talk to him, and he can’t say as he blames her. He’s an idiot. He let someone like Tracy poison their relationship. He would be surprised if she ever forgives him. Tracy says, if he gives up this easily, maybe she shouldn’t. Why doesn’t he stop wallowing and figure out a way to get her to listen to him? Martin says, do him a favor. Don’t help. She’s done enough already. Then again, he can’t stop thinking, if it’s that easy for her to turn the two of them against one another, maybe it’s not meant to be after all. She says, that’s between him and Lucy. She for one thinks he could do a lot better, but for some unfathomable reason, he’s in love with Lucy, so he deserves the truth. He says, after the damage is done. That’s what he doesn’t understand. Why? She got what she wanted. She got her revenge. She blew up his relationship with Lucy. Why confess now? She looks over at Gregory and says, why indeed.

As she zips up her dress, Lucy wonders how this just happened. How, how, how? What were they thinking? Really, what was she thinking? How in the world did she and Scotty just end up here – again? Scotty says, hang on. She’s single. He’s single. They didn’t do anything wrong. She says, right. Technically, she is single because Marty just broke up with her. But she just ended up with another man in bed… Well, it wasn’t in bed, was it? It was horizontal behind a haystack. He says, it’s a haybale, not a haystack, and she says, who cares? She just had sex with another man when the love of her life just broke up with her. She’s not particularly proud of this. He says, she’s very emotional from all those things Martin said to her. It’s not like they planned this. Lucy says, right. It just sort of happened because she was emotional and devastated and very, very, very hurt. So he’s right. He was here and it just happened. It felt familiar. Scotty says, she better be honest with herself and she sure as hell better start being honest with him, dammit.

John tells Robert, after Anna and Jordan refused to disclose whatever information they had about the unsub, he had no choice but to arrest them. They’re hiding something. Robert says he gets that John has a job to do here, but if Anna… John knows her. If she’s prepared to go to these lengths to check this out, then he’s got to know that she’s got a good reason. John says, too much is at stake here. He needs to clear this case, and both Anna and Jordan are getting in his way. Jordan ignored his warning, then she and Anna joined forces and cost him his best lead. Robert asks how they did that, and John says, the gun dealer lawyered up and isn’t talking. They admit they learned something from him, but they won’t say what. Robert says, so he thinks throwing them in jail on an obstruction charge is going to help, and John says, whatever it takes. They’re both former law enforcement. They understand time is of the essence in a case like this, but Anna is more interested in protecting Sonny Corinthos. Robert says, don’t start him on Sonny. They’re both on the same page when it comes to that guy. As the DA, he understands the position John is in. John says he appreciates that, and Robert says, but he’s going to insist John drop the charges.

Dante says he understands why Jordan wants to investigate who shot Curtis. He’s her ex-husband and she wants someone to pay. Jordan says, Curtis could be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Whoever did that to him should be behind bars. Dante says he agrees, but the problem is, the Feds told her to back off and she went and got Anna involved. Anna says she didn’t need convincing. It could have just as easily been her that day instead of Curtis. Dante says he gets it, but he wishes they’d come to him, but Jordan says, they didn’t want to involve him or anyone else in a fight with the Feds. He says, it would have been better than this. Now they’re in a cell facing serious criminal charges, and Jordan says, if they’d had just a few more minutes with the gun dealer, this would all have been a moot point. He was just on the verge of talking to them when the FBI burst in. They were so close to identifying the person who shot Curtis. Dante asks if they got anything, and Anna says, they did get one piece of intel they can use.

Brick says, Sonny thinks he’s behind this? and Sonny says, wait a minute. They’ve known each other a long time. He can always count on Brick. That’s why he asked Brick to be second in command. Brick says, and he gladly accepted the position and all it entails, and Sonny says he knows that, but he’s been in this business a long time and he knows people have a breaking point. and if Brick was ever in a position like that, he hopes Brick would come to him before he did anything he shouldn’t do. Brick says, of course (🍷) he would. They’ve been through entirely too much together for him to even think of doing something against Sonny. Sonny says he didn’t think it was Brick, but he had to make sure. With all these people that are close to him, it’s making him question everything. Brick says he understands. If he was in Sonny’s position, he’d do the same thing. Sonny says, so they’re good? and Brick says, yeah, we good. But in the spirit of honesty, he has a confession to make.

Brick says he did a favor for Jordan Ashford, and Sonny says, since when does Brick work for the cops? Brick says he doesn’t. Never have, never will. But Jordan isn’t part of the PCPD anymore. She hasn’t been a cop for a while, and now she owes him a favor, whenever he asks, no questions asked. Sonny says, somebody in the mayor’s office owing him could be good down the line, and Brick says, that’s what he was thinking, but Sonny says, it still doesn’t help them with who the rat in his organization is. Brick says, no, it doesn’t. Based on the intricacy of the attack and how easily the shooter escaped from Puerto Rico, this isn’t the result of someone just shooting off at the mouth loosely or letting some information slip. Sonny says, this wasn’t a mistake or an accident. Somebody he trusts wants him dead.

Michael says, Sonny doesn’t know Dex is here? and Dex says, he doesn’t, but Sonny is going to tell him to keep this from Michael, so he’s not going behind Sonny’s back. Between the shooting and Spencer dying so unexpectedly, Sonny’s been going non-stop. He doesn’t think Sonny’s had time to process either of those things yet. Michael says, his first instinct is to go see his father, but he doesn’t think he’s welcome in Sonny’s house right now. Dex says he can’t speak on Michael’s relationship with his father. That’s between the two of them. Michael says, that’s why he made the decision not to turn Sonny in to the Feds. He started working on their reconciliation and they made it. He thinks they did. Things were good between them in Puerto Rico. That’s why he couldn’t bring himself to tell Sonny what Nina did. It would break his heart. He also thought Sonny would take it as him saying Sonny was wrong to choose Nina over his mom. Sonny claims he’s angry with Michael because he kept quiet about what Nina did, but he’s more angry because Michael was right about Nina all along.

Anna says, as they surmised, the shooting was an attempt on Sonny’s life, but it’s a smaller piece of a much larger case, and Dante asks how she knows. She says, because the agent who arrested them gave up a piece of intel. Apparently, the Feds are investigating this string of killings committed using the cache of weapons stolen from the WSB. They believe a single person is responsible for these murders and that all the victims have something in common, but he wouldn’t give up what that something is. Dante says, they should know as well that another attempt was made on Sonny’s life a few days ago on his island, and Anna asks if anyone was hurt. Dante says, everyone’s fine, but obviously whoever this is wants to finish the job, and Jordan says, and they’re stuck in this cell, unable to help. Can he get them out of here? Dante asks, why? So they can run around town, investigating again and putting themselves in harm’s way again? Jordan says, come on. The Feds don’t want to work with anyone else on this, and Sonny isn’t their favorite person anyway. Anna says, which puts them in a better position to help, and they can’t just sit in here while someone makes an attempt on his life. Dante says he knows. He’ll talk to Robert and see if he can get them arraigned and released tonight. Anna thanks him, and he says, don’t make him regret it.

John says, not Robert too. He’s the District Attorney. He should understand better than anyone that no one can be above the law. Robert says, look at this. Something they agree on. Anna is the mother of his child. They’re always going to have each other’s backs. So he’s asking John, let them go. John says he hears Robert, but he needs to know whatever Anna and Jordan are hiding. If he lets them walk, he ends up with nothing. Robert says, if John drops the charges, he’ll get them to share whatever they know with him, and John asks if Robert really thinks he can get them to do that. Robert says, Anna responds better to those who are on her good side.

Scotty says, Lucy can deny this all she wants, but there’s something between them. That spark that they had years ago, that’s still there. So why fight it? Him being with her is like him just breathing. She says, their history says otherwise, doesn’t it? How many times did they cheat on nice, deserving people with each other? How many times did they scheme? How many lies have they told? How much damage have the done everywhere, and how many times did they try to make this – what is this? – this relationship work? Every time, they fail. He says, maybe that’s because all of that didn’t matter… until now. Now, this is their time. She says she admits she feels close to him, and she’s more of her real self with him than with anybody else, and he says, then stop fighting it. He’s about to kiss her, when Martin walks in.

Lucy asks what Martin is doing here, and he says, apparently interrupting. Scotty says, yeah, they’re busy, and Martin says he can see that. He doesn’t have to ask what they’re doing here. Lucy says, you know what? Martin doesn’t get a say. He just broke up with her, remember? He doesn’t get to say what she does. Martin says, they just broke up fifteen minutes ago. Of course (🍷) what she does still matters to him. for her information, he came here to tell her that he was wrong, that he made a mistake when he said they were over. Because it turns out, all of their problems were manufactured by Tracy Quartermaine.

Gregory meets Tracy at the bar and says he’s sorry he kept her waiting. The call took longer than he expected. She says, it’s fine, and he asks if they’re still on for dinner. She says, actually, she’d rather not, and he says, if this is about him leaving her alone for so long, he apologizes, but she says, no. She just lost her appetite. He says, something’s going on here. If she wants to deal with it all alone, he’ll go, no questions asked, but he saw that she and Martin were having a rather animated discussion and he’s here for her if she wants to talk about what happened that got her so upset. She says she doesn’t have a problem with Martin. She has a problem with him.

John says he appreciates how close Robert and Anna are, and he appreciates Robert wanting to look out for her, but nothing Robert does will matter if Jordan and Anna keep interfering in his investigation. Robert says, if John releases them to him, he’ll take personal responsibility for their supervision, and John says he hopes Robert knows what he’s doing. Fine. He’ll extend Robert this one-time professional courtesy and drop the charges against Anna and Jordan, provided he keeps them in line. Robert says he knows John is in a tough position. He owes John one. John laughs and says he’s got to admit, if he’d been told when he was running around Port Charles causing trouble that one day the DA would ask him for a favor, he never would have believed it. Robert says, people change. John should be proud of the man he’s become. Dante says, sorry to interrupt, but can he steal the DA for a minute? John says, sure, and Dante and Robert step away. Dante says he wants to talk about Anna and Jordan, and Robert says he had a little talk with the FBI and they’re going to drop the charges. Dante says, that’s great, and Robert calls to John, saying they have to get together before he leaves town. John says, looking forward to it, and Robert leaves. Dante says, they haven’t met, and introduces himself to John. John says, he’s Sonny Corinthos’s son, and Dante says, yeah. Who is he? John says he’s Special Agent John Cates.

Brick says, Sonny was right to start by looking at the people closest to him. It takes people with the right kind of knowledge to pull a job off like this. He would start off with Frank, Gabe, and Dex. Sonny says, don’t be surprised if he doesn’t find anything on Dex, but Brick says, Dex hasn’t been the most transparent person with Sonny. Sonny says, Dex has been loyal to him repeatedly. He got shot saving Sonny’s life when they were ambushed. If Tony hadn’t come back, Dex would be dead right now. He also did a really good job in Puerto Rico. Dex let him know when the guard was knocked out, and it allowed him and Ava to take cover. Brick says, there could be a simple explanation for this. Whoever’s doing this, they have to deflect attention away from themselves, right? Sonny says, maybe, and Brick says, he put the wheels in motion, so he can come to the rescue and save the day for Sonny and Ava. That way, he looks like the hero, he provides himself some cover, and ultimately Sonny feels gratitude toward him, and maybe allows him even more access into his operation. Sonny says, that sounds like smart play, but the thing is, they don’t know it’s Dex and don’t have evidence of that, do they? Brick says, Dex was coordinating with the head of security on the island. Plus, he’s the one who found the shooter’s hideout. He’s just sayin’, it fits.

Dex says he’s not telling Michael that stuff’s not important, but Sonny is more worried about keeping his family safe, and Michael says, that means finding the person behind the attack. Any leads? Dex says, Sonny’s theory is that it’s someone on the inside, and Michael says, maybe there’s a way he can help his father. Dex asks, how? and Michael says, you.

Sonny tells Brick, it’s possible Dex is a traitor, but he doesn’t really know a lot about the business. That means he would have had to get access elsewhere. Brick says, he doesn’t need to know the inner workings of the organization. He just needs to know how, where, and when Sonny is most vulnerable. Sonny says, like he told Brick before, Dex has gone above and beyond. He offered Dex a job he wouldn’t trust many people to do because it would have bound him for the rest of his life, and he didn’t even blink. He would have gone through with it if Sonny hadn’t stopped him. Brick says he gets it. Sonny likes the kid. He exposed Dex to a lot of sensitive things and he came through, but here’s the question. Is it possible what Sonny is feeling is exactly what Dex wants him to feel?

Dex says he wants to find out who’s after Sonny just as much as Michael does. Because as long as Sonny is in danger, so is his family, and he doesn’t want anything to happen to Joss or anyone she loves. He’ll do anything in his power to keep them all safe. Michael says, good, because if Sonny is right and someone on the inside is working against him, Dex is in a perfect position to find out who it is. Dex says, Sonny hasn’t asked him to look at anyone in the organization yet, but Michael says, he can be discreet. Sonny never has to know. Dex says, it’s risky. If Sonny catches him, he could assume Dex is the traitor and trying to cover his tracks. Michael says, make sure he never finds out. Dex is the best at this, and he’ll gladly pay Dex extra for the risk he’s taking.

Jordan says she thought Dante would be back with an update by now, and Anna says she’s sure he’s moving as fast as he can. Robert comes in and says, they’ve got themselves in a bit of a situation, have they? Anna says, don’t gloat, please. Did he talk to Dante? Robert says, yes. He’s got good news and bad news. Anna asks, what is it? and he says, thanks to his incredible powers of persuasion, Cates agreed to drop the charges. Anna says, that’s great, and Jordan thanks him. Anna asks, what’s the bad news? and Robert says, they have to back off this investigation. Jordan says, they were just making progress, and Anna says, they’re going to find out who’s behind this entire operation. They can’t stop now. He says, they might as well stay in this cell, because Cates isn’t going to give them another chance. They’re civilians. They have no right being involved in this business. They have no power. What are they going to do if they catch this perp? They can’t do anything with him. They may as well cooperate with Cates. Anna says, maybe she’ll do exactly that, and Jordan says, meaning? Anna says, the conversation she had with Mayor Collins last week. Laura offered her a position in her administration, but the timing wasn’t right. She thinks the timing has just changed.

Gregory says he doesn’t understand how Tracy can have a problem with him. All he’s ever done is try to be a friend to her. She says, that’s her problem. His friendship is changing her, and she doesn’t like it. He says, changing her how? and she says, ever since she met him, she’s been getting… soft. She surrenders in feuds. She compromises with the Bensonhurst brigade. She’s trying to help people she doesn’t even like. He says, making donations to grieving widows? and she says, it’s poor form to ask a lady about her finances. But if she did, it’s a direct result of his influence. Being around him is making her nice. He asks if that’s really so bad, and she tells him, that’s easy for him to say; he doesn’t have to live with the consequences. She takes a sharp breath and says, oh my God, I’m so sorry. That’s not what she meant. It came out wrong. She wasn’t thinking. He starts to laugh, barely containing himself.

Lucy asks what Tracy has to do with any of this, and Martin says, for weeks now she’s been intentionally feeding him little tidbits of information about Lucy and her history and her relationship with Scotty, because she wanted to poison the well. She wanted him to doubt Lucy, make him believe that she was being unfaithful to him. Lucy says, what? and he says, that was his reaction when she accosted him in the restaurant just now. Some kind of attempt to unburden her conscience. She mentioned something about turning the tables on Lucy and Scotty because she realized they were plotting against her. Scotty says, their plan was foolproof, and Lucy says, that conniving snake. Martin says, ya think? Because from where he’s standing, she wasn’t far off. Obviously, Lucy has been hiding parts of herself from him and Scotty’s had full access. She and Scotty have been getting closer together while they’ve been drifting apart. Lucy says, that’s not true. He knows her really well, and they’re very, very good together. She doesn’t know what this was. It was just some sort of mistake, that’s all. It was a big mistake. Martin says, the mistake was him coming here to ask her for forgiveness. It was so easy for Tracy to manipulate them. All she had to do was use Lucy’s nature against her. Lucy says, that’s not true. Please. Can they just go somewhere and talk together? She knows she can make it right. She loves him. Martin says, that’s what makes this so sad, because he loves her too. But he’s all talked out. In fact, right now he doesn’t think he ever wants to see her again. He walks out.

Dante asks if John is any relation to Stone Cates, and John says he has a son named Stone, but he thinks Dante is referring to his younger brother. Dante says, so that’s how John knows his father. He used to talk a lot about Stone. He guesses they were really close. John says, they were, and Dante asks if John and Sonny go way back then. John says, they have plenty of history, and Dante says, now John is in charge of an FBI case against his father. Robert brings in Anna and Jordan, and John says he takes it this means they accepted his terms. Anna says, actually no. She’s not stepping back from the case. She’s going to continue to investigate… as the new Police Commissioner.

Lucy tells Scotty that Martin couldn’t even stand to be in the same room with her. He couldn’t even look at her. Scotty says, so what? He wouldn’t even hear her out. She deserves better than him. Lucy says, no, she doesn’t. He just broke up with her and somehow, she ends up in Scotty’s arms, so he’s right. She’s a horrible, horrible person. He says, that’s not true. Listen to him for a second. She says, will he please just leave? and he says, Lucy… but she says, get out now. Now. Please leave. He leaves, and she sits and cries.

Gregory tries to get ahold of himself and tells Tracy that he hasn’t laughed that hard in a long time. She says she doesn’t understand what’s funny, and he says, ever since he was diagnosed with ALS, people have been tiptoeing around him, being so proper and polite and handling him with kid gloves like he’s going to break at any moment. He hates it. He didn’t realize how much he needed someone to talk to him like he wasn’t sick. He laughs some more, and she says, he knows she didn’t mean it the way it came out. He says he knows, but even she did, he’s fine with it. He may have a fatal disease, but he’s still the same Gregory on the inside. It’s just so nice to have someone talk to him like he’s normal. He appreciates it more than she knows. So no matter how nice she may become, he hopes she’ll never stop doing that. She says she’ll do her best, and he keeps laughing.

John says, since when is Anna the Police Commissioner? and she says, Mayor Collins asked her if she wanted her old position back. Anna told her that she needed to think about it, which she did, when she was stuck in the cell. And she accepted that job. John says, so she can continue to undermine his investigation, but she says, no. So she can hunt down the threat to Port Charles in her new capacity as law enforcement, and no one can stand in her way. So if you want the PCPD’s help, Special Agent Cates, you’re going to have to give us the FBI’s help in return.

Sonny says, they can’t count anyone out as a suspect. He needs Brick to look into everyone in his organization, and that includes Dex. Brick says he’ll get right on it. He knows Sonny is fond of Dex. So for Sonny’s sake, he hopes he jumped to the wrong conclusion. But this is him. Sonny knows he’s rarely wrong about stuff like this. He’ll find out if Dex is hiding something.

Michael says, the money is in Dex’s account now, and Dex says he appreciates it, but this isn’t about the money. He just wants to keep Joss and her family safe. And stay in Sonny’s good graces. If he even gets a hint that Dex came on with an ulterior motive… Michael says, he won’t. They both want the same thing here. Just find out who the threat is to Sonny and his family and report back to him. Dex says, he can count on it.

At the door, Brick asks what Sonny will do to Dex if he finds out Dex hasn’t been loyal after all, and Sonny says, he’ll make Dex beg for death. Brick nods his head and says, yeah.

Tomorrow, Ava tells someone that they’re not welcome here; Michael asks what Willow’s secret is; Cyrus tells Laura that he wasn’t expecting quite that level of hostility; and Finn wants to take Gregory to the hospital.

😳 My bad, I got my days mixed up yesterday. Probably because I desperately want this season of RHOBH over. Tonight, it’s the awful people on VPR. Well, one anyway.

Vanderpump Rules

Nice update on the new beginning credits, showing the different restaurants.

The outcast is home and poor assistant Ann has to run interference between him and Ariana. In Sandoval’s interview, he says he came back from a competition reality show after being on the receiving end of more hate than he’s ever gotten. He wanted to punish himself, penance through pain. He’s brought a bribe of athletic shoes for Schwartz, and tells Ann that things are cool between them, but in his interview, he says, things are not okay with Schwartz. Schwartz talked sh*t about him on Jax and Brittany’s podcast, and he feels betrayed. Tomorrow is his birthday, and he wants to have people over. He’s open to having Ariana there, but Ann says she doubts Ariana would want to be there. He tells Ann to text Ariana that he’ll get her a nice hotel room, and in Sandoval’s interview, a producer asks what it’s like for exes to be living in the same house. He says, stupid, and in Ariana’s interview, she says, awkward. He’s done stuff like opening her mail and got a white noise machine that’s annoyingly loud. In his interview, Sandoval says he got it because Ariana would overhear what he was talking about, and in her interview, Ariana wonders if it’s psychological warfare. Ann presents the offer to Ariana, but Ariana says, that’s not happening. She thinks it’s disrespectful and inappropriate, and if they make noise, she’s going to call the cops. In her interview, she says she’s spiraling thinking about parties Sandoval used to have. Loud music and a mess. It was disgusting and would sometimes last until 6 am. Now that they’re not together, she’s not putting up that sh*t. Ann tells Ariana, everything is great, but when she’s out of earshot, Ann says she thinks it’s weird.

Villa Rosa! Hairstylist Patrick does Lisa’s hair for the last celebration at Pump. In Lisa’s interview, she says, Pump is closing after 10 years. The rent is going up, so it’s going to be more expensive, and Ken wants to retire. Ken will be stomping around West Hollywood when he’s in his 80s, and her in her… 40s. It’s just too old. She tells Patrick, sometimes it’s good to know when to walk away. James and Ally discuss if they’re ready to get a dog, and we see clips of James with Graham. In James’s interview, he says he doesn’t know what happened with his dog. He’s never gotten over it and he’s heartbroken. He and Ally get ready to say bye-bye to Pump.

One of Sandoval’s few remaining friends, Jason, visits, and in Sandoval’s interview, he says, since the scandal, he’s lost friends, but Jason stuck around. He’s also the band manager and kept him from being in a bad place. Jason asks about Raquel, but Sandoval says he hasn’t heard from her in a few weeks. In his interview, he says he’s still in love with Raquel and hoping to give their relationship a real chance. He tells Jason that Ariana nixed the birthday party, but Jason says, what’s she going to do? Ann says, she mentioned calling the police, and in his interview, Sandoval says, obviously, Ariana is still very upset with him. (Yeah, obviously.) She thinks what he did makes him a criminal, but he doesn’t think the police would agree. He says, what if they’re out by midnight? and Ann texts Ariana with the idea, including more than one so sorry!

Lala and Ariana meet for smoothies, and Ariana tells Lala about squelching the party idea, but Lala says, he’s allowed to have a party. Ariana says, she’ll call about a noise complaint, and Lala says, what about if she compromises and everyone is gone by a certain time? Ariana admits the suggestion was made, and Lala says, it will be easier when Ariana moves out. Ariana says she will when the house is sold, and Lala says, Sandoval is getting off on making her uncomfortable. In Ariana’s interview, she says, Sandoval wants to buy her out, but she’s not going just because he offered her a measly sum. He f***ed this up, so he doesn’t get to do that and keep it. Lala asks what new boyfriend Dan thinks, and Ariana says, he’s looking forward to her getting her own space, since they’re paying to stay somewhere when Sandoval is in town. She says she thinks Dan has opened her mind to possibilities she couldn’t see with Sandoval. In her interview, Ariana says, being with Sandoval affected her about having kids more than she thought. We flash back to Sandoval saying he wants 3 or 4 kids, and Ariana saying she wants none. She says, Dan made her realize there can be more than just a 50/50 partnership. On a day where she can only give 10%, he can give 90%.

Lisa and Ken go into Pump amid cheers, and I wonder where Pride Day will be celebrated. The guests chant, Lisa! Lisa! and she says, 10 years ago, they had a dream to create the most beautiful garden in West Hollywood. We go down Pump Memory Lane, ending with TomTom. Lisa thanks everyone for their support, and says, that’s a wrap. Let’s f***ing party. Schwartz bartends, and in his interview, he says he feels more at ease than he did 10 years ago. We flash back to him having a panic attack, and he asks Lisa how she’s feeling about closing the restaurant. She says she has mixed emotions, but if it’s not carrying its own weight, it will be a drain. Schwartz says, Sandoval tainted their Schwartz & Sandy’s brand. Their partners said, if he comes in, they’ll close the doors. He’s not welcome. In Schwartz’s interview, he says he didn’t expect Sandoval to fully check out. He could have at least come up with ideas on how to weather this storm. Lisa says she thinks it’s time for Schwartz to reevaluate things, and in her interview, she says she thinks it’s unfair to blame Sandoval totally for the failings of the business. She tells Schwartz to tell Sandoval how he feels.

Scheana goes to the recording studio and says she’s going to be DJing with Ariana and Katie on Emo Night. In Scheana’s interview, she says, it’s a huge event. They listen to emo music and if you’re sad AF, you’re supposed to be because it’s Emo Night. But you’re sad in a happy place. She wants to do Good As Gold as an emo screamo cover, and in Brock’s interview, he says he loves this version of his wife. In her interview, Scheana says, in 2019, after the negativity about her One More Time song and video, she threw in the towel and moved on. But everyone loves a good reunion tour, so guess what bitches? I’m back. I actually have Good As Gold on one of my playlists, but I forgot all about One More Time. Apparently, it was forgettable. She tells Brock that the next thing she and her therapist are working on in exposure work is having someone else watch Summer Moon. In her interview, she says she was diagnosed with post-partum OCD, which magnified her worst fears. It took her almost a year to do anything alone with her daughter. She tells Brock that she’s known Tori since she was 16 and trusts her, and Brock says he’ll take anyone she wants.

Sandoval meets Schwartz at a place they don’t own, and Sandoval drinks a non-alcoholic beer. In his interview, Sandoval says, the catalyst in him getting sober was that he knew Raquel couldn’t drink where she was. He wanted to do it with her. They make small talk for a hot minute, and Sandoval says he knows he caused collateral damage. He can feel Schwartz is angry with him, but he had to tour because Ariana didn’t pay bills for 8 months. In Sandoval’s interview, he says he’s pretty much been paying for everything, and it’s like pulling teeth to get Ariana to pay him back. He says, Schwartz hurt his feelings, saying he was living his rock star dreams. Schwartz says he was dealing with Sandoval’s sh*tshow at the bar. Had he been in Sandoval’s position, he would have at least been pitching solutions. Sandoval tries to spin it six different ways, but Schwartz says, all he should be saying is that he’s sorry. Sandoval says he understands he f***ed up and he’s sorry. He wants to move on. Scwartz says, he’s going get there, and Sandoval asks if Scwartz is sticking with him. Schwartz says he’s doing what’s best for himself. I don’t want to say I like this new Schwartz, but I’ll go with disliking him less.

Tori comes over to Scheana and Brock’s, and Scheana’s mom says she’ll be there with Tori, but she has a torn rotator cuff and can’t be doing any heavy lifting. In Scheana’s interview, she says she absolutely trusts Tori. She’s hoping her OCD brain can take a nap tonight. Brock decides to be an agitator, not seeming to grasp Scheana’s issue, and wanting it to be done with; and this frustrates Scheana even more than she is already. In Brock’s interview, he says, before Summer was born, he and Scheana were a juggernaut of getting things done. Now simple tasks are overwhelming for her, and they get nothing done. Scheana’s mom tells Brock that he needs to validate his wife’s feelings, and in her interview, Scheana says she’s hoping to get to a place where she’s not afraid to do things alone with her daughter, and not worried about something bad happening. She wants to live in the moment without thinking it might be the last moment. Her mom says she’s proud of Scheana putting in the work.

Schwartz visits James and Ally, admiring their new house. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, it’s hard not to feel the sting of losing his dream home. In Ally’s interview, she says she started an astrology business. She did Schwartz’s birth chart. She feels like he could use a little direction. She tells him that it’s the most Libra chart she’s ever seen. He’s a peacekeeper. Sandoval texts James about the birthday party, and James says, if Sandoval comes at him, he’s egging the place when he leaves.

Poor Ann has to decorate too, and Sandoval says, it’s giving him baby shower vibes. He likes it. On the way there, Ally says, it’s not too late to not do this, but James says, he’s not mending things with Sandoval. He feels he needs an apology and Sandoval needs to mean it and show he’s a friend. Ally decides to wait in the car, and in her interview, she says she doesn’t have a relationship with Sandoval, but she does care about Ariana. She doesn’t see the point in forcing a relationship with him. Meanwhile, Katie, Ariana, Lala, Scheana, and Brock go to Emo Night.

In James’s interview, he says, the party is like a who’s who. Like, who the f*** are you people? Sandoval used to be the coolest guy. Now look. A guy named Brett comes up to James and says he has a question about the friend group situation, and James wonders, who the f*** is this guy? He tells Brett that he came to talk to Sandoval, and he and Sandoval step away from the crowd. James says, he feels like a big brother got lost. He was waiting for a text that never came. Sandoval makes time excuses, but James says he’s seen him on Instagram. Sandoval says, sorry he didn’t reach out, and James says, it’s the ultimate betrayal. Sandoval asks why he’s so angry when James hooked up with Kristen. James says, that was 10 years ago, but Sandoval insists it wasn’t. We flash back, and yep, it was. James says, Sandoval is embarrassing, and walks out. In James’s interview, he says, Sandoval is bringing up the past when he’s looking for an apology. He was made to seem crazy when Sandoval was getting his d*ck wet. He pees on the bushes outside, and from the car, Ally says, those are Ariana’s bushes too.

I watched the later airing and there was no preview.

🥃 I keep trying to watch Southern Hospitality, the poor man’s Vanderpump Rules. Or Summer House in a restaurant, if you will. But the more I watch it, the less I care about it. I checked for recaps to include here, but none were posted yet. They’re probably staring at their screens, wondering how to write about this drivel.

🧀 Sweet Dreams Are Made Of Cheese…

Join me tomorrow for soap and RHOBH – for real this time. Until then, stay safe, stay not deciding on your order at the counter, and stay remembering that sometimes it’s good to know when to walk away.

Feb3

February 2, 2024 – Two Surprise Returns, Agent Jagger, Goodbye Hello, Side Gigs, Her BFF, Closed Door, VanderScraps, Two For Ones, Grammy Stuff, Bowl Parties, Opossum Pirate, Pups In the Bowl, Two Fivers Of Quotes & Living

Posted on February 3, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Doc says he’s glad Laura is home, and she says she’s glad to be home. It took forever to get here. He asks what he can do. She says, hold her, and he does. He says he kept picturing her on that boat in the dark. He should have been there. She says, he was in the hospital, recovering. Thank God for that. And there was nothing he could do anyway. He says, there are few feelings in life like feeling helpless, and she says, when they got there, the search and rescue thing was well underway. Then at some point, Dante came over, and he said they couldn’t find them anywhere. All she could think was, it’s a mistake. It just can’t be. Not her Spencer. He says, she was in shock. She probably still is. She says she guesses. She and Trina stood on the deck of the boat for a very long time. She held onto hope so tightly, but then as the search went on, they could both feel it slipping away. He says, it’s good they were there for each other, and she says, everyone was really supportive. She starts to cry, and says, then Dante and Curtis took care of everything, every detail. She’s so grateful for that. She doesn’t know if she thanked them. He says he’s sure she did, but they’ll do it again. She says she feels like she blinked, and Nikolas was gone. Then Ace, and then Spencer. It’s like her whole family is just fading away before her eyes. He holds her as she cries.

Ava lets Nina in the penthouse, and Nina asks if she’s sure Sonny isn’t going to be home any time soon. Ava says, they got back from Puerto Rico, he got a phone call, and turned around and left. She hopes the call is about whatever’s going on in Paris. Nina says she heard about that. Ava must be worried sick about Trina. Ava says she’s beyond worried. It seems the universe decided one crisis at a time isn’t enough. She and Sonny are lucky to be alive. Nina asks, what the hell is going on? Who’s after Ava and Sonny?

Anna and Jordan hide their guns in a hotel room, and Anna sets up a camera. Jordan says, good coverage, and Anna says, all they can do is be prepared. Jordan says she hopes all of these precautions turn out to be unnecessary, and Anna says, for their target’s sake, so does she.

Carly tells the server at Bobbie’s that it looks like she has things covered, and she says, for the moment anyway. Carly says, if anything changes, don’t hesitate to call her, handing the server the keys. Until Carly hires a manager, she’s the cavalry. The server says, Carly’s got it, and Carly leaves, colliding into a good-looking guy in the doorway.

Trina is about to let herself into the dorm room when Josslyn comes out. She asks what Trina is doing here. Why isn’t she in Paris? Trina says she would have let herself in, but… She walks inside and Josslyn asks, what’s wrong? Trina says, Spencer’s dead.

Sonny knocks at Laura’s door and asks Doc if she’s back. Doc says, she is, and invites him in. Sonny asks Laura if it’s true, and she says, Spencer’s gone. They hug.

Jordan asks if Anna thinks they can count on Brennan’s information, and Anna says she thinks they can count on his opportunism. He doesn’t do anything that doesn’t work to his advantage. They’re in a position to help him, only the gun dealer is not. Jordan says, Brennan gave them the right referrals or O’Neal would have never agreed to meet them. Anna says, keep it short and sweet. If Jordan can get him talking about his clients who have bought guns from him, great. If not, they make a buy and spring their trap. Jordan says, the threat of federal charges should be enough to make him give up whoever bought the rifle used to shoot Curtis. Anna says she hopes so, and there’s a knock at the door.

Carly says she’s so sorry and asks if she spilled coffee on him, but the guy says, no. How about her? Is she okay? Carly says she’s fine. This isn’t how she wants to welcome people to her place. He says, she owns this place? and she says, yeah. He asks when she changed the name, and she says, recently. He says he used to work here when it was Kelly’s. He’s John. She says she’s embarrassed, and introduces herself. They shake hands, and she asks if it’s too late to welcome him back. He says, not at all. Thanks. It’s good to be back. She tells him to enjoy his meal, and he goes inside. Leo calls to Carly, and runs up to her, hugging her. He says he hasn’t seen her in forever, and she says, that means she gets an extra hug. Olivia suggests he go inside and look at his book. She’s going to talk to Carly about getting him some breakfast. Leo asks if they’re going to talk about extra powdered sugar on his waffles, and Olivia asks if he thinks this is her first time or what. He says, no, it isn’t, and goes inside. Carly asks, what’s up? and Olivia says, just so she knows, they’re not here just for the sugar rush. She wanted to check on Carly. Carly asks, why? and Olivia asks if she read the fashion article in the City Gazette, written by Gemma someone or other. Carly says, she came by the office and asked for a comment. Is the article out already? Olivia shows Carly her phone, and says, this morning. Carly reads, Drew Cain is leading with his heart, not with his head. This has Nina’s fingerprints written all over it. (Because no one else could possibly think that.) Olivia says, she quotes an anonymous source, and Carly says, they both know who that anonymous source is. Olivia says she wishes she could say she doesn’t agree with Carly. She was really hoping that Nina was going to try and make peace. That’s what’s best for everyone. Carly asks if that’s why Olivia kept Nina’s secret. Because it was best for everyone?

Ava says, if Dex hadn’t told her and Sonny to run for cover, she wouldn’t be sitting here telling Nina this story right now. Nina asks if Avery was with her, and Ava says, Avery was in her room. She didn’t know they were in any danger. She thought the gunfire was fireworks, thank God. Nina asks if she’s okay, and Ava says, yeah, just a couple of scratches. Nina looks at Ava’s hand and says, that’s more than a scratch. Is she in pain? Ava says, it’s fine. Like she told the doctor, it’s nothing a good, stiff drink can’t fix. Nina asks if Sonny has any idea who did this, but Ava says, nothing he’s talked about in any detail. She knows Sonny. He doesn’t really discuss his concerns. He just gets very, very, very quiet. Nina says, he doesn’t eat, he doesn’t sleep, he just moves on with the next thing. She doesn’t know how he does it. Ava says she got the feeling he thinks it’s a second attempt by the people behind Curtis’s shooting, and Nina says, that means they’re not going to stop until they succeed. Ava tells her not to worry though. She knows Sonny works with only the very best and takes every precaution. Nina says she’s just got to remind herself that he wouldn’t be where he is if he took chances, and Ava says, and he wouldn’t have been there for so long, right? Relax. She’s not going to be a widow anytime soon. Nina says she doesn’t even know if she’s still a wife.

Trina tells Josslyn, before she could even move, Esme and Spencer were in the water. They had helicopters and divers, but nobody could find them. Josslyn asks if they’re still searching, but Trina says, they can’t be rescued. It’s been too long. It’s impossible. Josslyn says, but they can bring him home? and Trina says, no. The police don’t expect to find their bodies. They think Esme and Spencer were carried out to sea. Josslyn says she’s sorry and hugs Trina.

Laura says she’s sorry she told Sonny about Spencer on the phone. It’s a horrible way to find out. He says, any way would be horrible. It’s good to face the truth. Any update from the French police? She says, they searched for the mandatory 48 hours. After that point, Spencer and Esme were presumed dead. Their bodies were taken by the current out to the English Channel. They’re just gone. She starts to cry again, and Sonny says, she’s going to be fine. Is she doing all right? Laura says he has to remind herself to breathe, and he says, if there’s anything he can do, but she says, there isn’t. He says, if something comes up… She says, it’s not going to, and Doc says, it’s good of Sonny to come by. Laura says, this is very difficult for her, and Sonny says he gets it. She says, it’s not just about Spencer. This is also about her brother. The way Sonny laid hands on him was unconscionable. Sonny says he doesn’t think Laura knows who Cyrus is, but she says she does. She knows what he’s capable of. She thought she knew Sonny. She thought he was a different man. He says he is, and she says she’s sure Cyrus goaded him, and she hopes Sonny just lost control because he nearly killed Cyrus with his bare hands. Sonny says he made a mistake. Cyrus played him. He went after him. He shouldn’t have done that. Is Cyrus worth her trouble? She says she doesn’t know, but Sonny is. Their friendship is, or that’s what she thought. She thinks they owe each other the truth, so she’s going to give it to him now. She’s had a lot of violence and bloodshed in her life and she can’t take it anymore. She won’t take it anymore, friendship or no friendship. He says he gets that, and she says she hopes he does. They hear Cyrus in the hallway saying he has every right… Doc says, impeccable timing. That must be her brother. Dex says he can’t let Cyrus in, and Doc opens the door.

Cyrus tells Sonny to call of his dog. He’s here to see his family. Laura nods, and Doc invites Cyrus in. Laura says, it’s not a good time, and Cyrus says, that’s why he’s here, so he can help his sister walk through this. Doc says he can start by respecting his sister’s wishes, and Cyrus says he has nothing but respect for his sister and the profound loss she’s suffered. Sonny asks how he found out about Spencer, and Cyrus says he watched over Spencer while he was in Pentenville, and he continued to stay abreast of his family’s movements. Sonny says, whether they wanted him to or not? and Cyrus says he laments that he wasn’t able to protect Spencer in the end and he grieves with his dear sister and for her. Sonny says, nobody wants to hear that, and Cyrus says, blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Laura says, stop it. This is not comforting her. Just go. Cyrus says he just hopes she can find some comfort knowing that there is a coming glory… She yells, stop it!

Nina says, it’s good that Ava is staying here with Sonny, and Ava says she doesn’t know how good it is, but it’s safe. There are guards everywhere. Avery’s happy being with her father. Nina says, of course (🍷). Sonny is such a great dad. Ava says, he talks about his family all the time, that’s for sure, and Nina asks if he’s said anything else. Ava says, they don’t exactly sit down at the end of the day and chat about what happened at the office, and Nina asks if he ever talks about his marriage. Ava says, no, sorry. He wouldn’t talk to her about that, of all people. She noticed he’s still wearing his wedding ring though. Nina says, that’s something. It’s easy enough to take off, so if he’s still wearing it, there must be something inside of him that says he doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. Ava says she hopes so. She really hopes that things work out for Nina and Sonny. Nina says, but…? and Ava says she just thinks Nina ought to prepare herself for a life without him, but Nina says she can’t. She can’t lose Sonny. She can’t lose his family because they’re her family too. She can’t lose Willow, Wiley, and Amelia; they’re her world. Ava says she knows, and Nina says, Ava has that beautiful gallery. Ava has Avery. Nina doesn’t have Crimson anymore, and if she loses Sonny and her daughter and her grandchildren, she has nothing.

Leo looks at his book, then looks outside at Carly and Olivia. He takes out his fidget spinner as John watches him from another table.

Olivia says she wasn’t trying to protect Nina, and Carly says, then who was she trying to protect? Because Nina was the only one who benefitted from her silence.

John comes over to Leo’s table and asks if he likes animals. Leo says he’s not supposed to talk to strangers, and John says, that’s a good rule. He taught his son the same rule, but – he sits down – he also told him that it was okay to talk to law enforcement. He shows Leo his badge and says he’s Agent John. Leo asks if he’s really from the FBI, and John says, yes, sir. Leo says, then he’s Leo Falconari, and John says, it’s nice to meet him.

Jordan lets O’Neal in, and he puts his case on the bed. He starts to frisk her, and she asks if it’s necessary. He says, can’t be too careful, and she says she wants to make a buy, not commit a robbery. He says, it’s for someone’s capacity, not their intentions. He’s covering all his bases. She says, no kidding. Buy her dinner first? He says, no wire, no gun. Good start. So who referred her? She says, Maloy, but he already knows that, and he asks how she knows Maloy. She says, book club. Him?… Yeah. That’s what she thought. It’s probably neither of their business. He moves his case to the credenza and opens it. He says he’s got a <insert complicated gun description> gun with the longest fair fight sniper shot in history. (This sounds like an oxymoron, but I swear that’s what he said.) He hands it to her, and she looks it over. She says, let’s talk price, and he says, it’s not a negotiation. She says, since when? and he says, if she wants quality and confidentiality, this thing’s untraceable. She’ll never know where it came from, and he’ll never know how she chose to use it. So, is it an agreement or not?

Trina tells Josslyn that she heard the sirens from police boats and turned away from Spencer just for a second. He was saying something, then he gasped, and when she turned around, he had the strangest look on his face. He looked surprised and he had fear in his eyes. Then she saw Esme with the needle and then Esme tried to come for her. Somehow, Spencer found enough strength to grab her, and they both went in the water.

Jordan says, all right, let’s do this, and hands the gun back to O’Neal. She takes out her phone and asks, what’s the routing number for the wire transfer? He says, it has to be an encrypted transaction, and she says, fine. Give her whatever device he wants to use, and she’ll make the transfer. He says he prefers human touch, and she says she’s aware. He says, she can make the transfer directly to his accountant, and she says, how quaint. Is he outside? Is he on his way here? O’Neal says he’s afraid not. They’re going to him.

Leo says his mom is outside arguing with Aunt Carly, and John asks, what makes him think they’re arguing? Leo says, the way they’re standing and what they do with their arms, and John looks outside. He says, kind of like a threat display from an animal, and Leo says, humans are animals. John says, that is very true. What kind of animals are in Leo’s book? Leo says, all kinds, and John asks if there are bears in there. Leo asks if he likes bears, and John says he does. Bears are smart and they’re strong. He wouldn’t want to meet one in the wild, but he likes reading about them.

Olivia tells Carly that Drew had already gone to prison. Carly’s accounts had already been frozen. Nothing she knew could have changed any of that. All she could do was stop the damage Nina had already done from going even further. Carly says, and the fact Olivia and Ned were also victims of Nina’s lies didn’t matter, but Olivia says, of course (🍷) it mattered. Carly asks if Olivia’s forgotten how furious she was at her for accusing Ned, because she hasn’t. Olivia says she hasn’t forgotten. She thinks about it every day. Carly says, then why would she shield the woman who was actually responsible? Nina stood back and let Ned take the blame.

Ava says she never, not in a million years, would have predicted that Drew would remove Nina from Crimson and replace her with Carly. Nina says, he’s not the same person as he was before he went to prison. He’s harder. Ava says putting Carly in a position Nina has held successfully for years adds a lot of uncertainty and risk to Crimson for no good reason. Nina says, making her suffer is reason enough in Drew’s book, and Ava says, he’s making choices he’s going to regret, that’s for sure. Nina thanks her, and Ava says, she’s welcome. She’s just stating the obvious here. Nina says she appreciates that, but she’s thinking, Ava doesn’t always agree with her choices, but she understands Nina’s reasoning behind it and doesn’t make her suffer. Ava doesn’t punish her for them. Ava says, nobody in this room has a monopoly on bad choices, and Nina says she’s very grateful for Ava’s friendship and her loyalty. She loves Ava so much and thanks her. Ava says she loves Nina too, and she’s welcome. Nina says she shouldn’t be bothering Ava about this. She’s worried about Trina. Ava says she can listen to Nina and worry at the same time, and Nina says, and she’s still coming down from being shot at and attacked. Ava says, the first time somebody shoots at you, it does come as a bit of a surprise, but with time and experience, you kind of get used to people trying to kill you. Nina laughs and says she’s very impressed by Ava’s resilience, more than she’ll ever know, but she must have been afraid in Puerto Rico. Avery could have lost both of her parents. She can’t always look out for Sonny anymore, no matter how much she wants to. Ava has to promise her that she and Sonny will always look out for each other.

Trina tells Josslyn, when they were in Greenland, and Spencer went missing, everyone lost hope. Not her. She didn’t believe he was gone. Josslyn says, and now? and holding back tears, Trina says she wants to believe so badly, but something tells her that this time there won’t be a happy ending.

Doc holds open the door, and Cyrus says he meant no harm. He gives them his word. Sonny says, they all know what that means. Let him walk out with Cyrus. Sonny tells Laura that he’ll call her, and Cyrus says, Laura may not believe in his spiritual awakening, but he prays she believes this. He cared about Spencer as he cares about her. Sonny says, that’s nice. Let’s go. Sonny steers Cyrus out, and in the hallway, Cyrus shakes him off. He says he gave Sonny a pass on the assault charges, but just the one. He’s a believer, not a saint. Sonny says, that makes two of them.

Josslyn asks what Trina is going to do. Is she going to stay here? Is she going back to Paris? Maybe Josslyn could take some time off… Trina says she doesn’t think she could go back to Paris ever again, and Josslyn says she doesn’t want a new roommate. Trina should come live with her again. Trina says she appreciates it, but she’s going to live with her parents and she’s going to take a semester off. She can’t even think about school. All of this seems so trivial. Like, what’s even important anymore? Josslyn says she understands. It’s hard to act like there’s a tomorrow when you lose someone you love. Trina asks if that’s what it was like when Josslyn lost Oscar, and Josslyn says, kind of, but he was sick, so it was peaceful in the end. It’s different than what Trina just went through. But the way you feel like you can’t breathe and the way your heart actually hurts – she tears up – that’s the same. They both cry, and Trina says she feels like it took so long for her and Spencer to finally be together. Then they finally were, and they were in a happy place. Then, like in a heartbeat, all of that was over. She and Josslyn hug.

Olivia tells Carly that she and Ned looked at the situation and made a judgement call. Exposing Nina wasn’t going to help anybody fix anything. And a huge blow-up would have just made everything so much worse. Carly says, so that’s what she and Ned decided, and Olivia says, he took a little convincing, but… She looks inside, seeing Leo with John, and tells Carly, hold on a second. She goes inside, directly to Leo’s table, where he’s reading to John from his book. Olivia says, pretty friendly, huh? and Leo says, this is John. Olivia says hello to John and suggests Leo wash his hands before his waffle gets here. Leo leaves, and John stands up. He says, he’s a great kid, and Olivia says, yeah. He says, he’s on the spectrum? and she says, he has ASD, yeah. He says, so does his son. He’s sorry for approaching her boy, but he could tell Leo was getting agitated watching her and Carly. She says she should have realized he could see them out there and it would bother him, but John says, it’s fine. He thinks he distracted Leo. She says, looks like he did and thanks him. She asks, how old is his son? and he says, he’s grown now, and living independently. She says, so he’s doing well? and John says, he’s doing great. His phone rings, and he asks her to excuse him for a moment. She says, of course (🍷), and he steps away.

John asks, what’s the word?… Nobody moves until he gets there. He dashes out of the diner.

Jordan says, everyone and their cat knows you don’t go to a second location, and he says, suit yourself. He starts to pack up, and she says, there’s got to be a way they can make this happen, right here, right now. He says, it’s unusual for a customer to make this hard a sell. Why does this deal need to happen before he leaves this room? She says she thought she was paying for confidentiality, and he says, at the moment, he doesn’t know what she’s paying him for. She says, that’s too bad. Sorry they couldn’t get this done. She’s about to reach behind a chair pillow for a gun, but he grabs her and says, they’re not done until she tells him who she really is. Anna comes out of nowhere and says, remove your hand or I’ll remove it for you. O’Neal lets go of Jordan and puts his hands up.

As they approach the penthouse, Sonny asks Dex if he’s talked to Josslyn, but Dex says, not recently. Sonny says, Dex should go to her because she should hear about Spencer from him. Go ahead. He has a lot of protection. Dex leaves, and Sonny goes inside. Ava jumps up, and Sonny asks if she’s all right. She says, yeah. She just wasn’t expecting him back so soon. He asks if she has a problem with him being back, but she says, no. She’s just a little jumpy, for obvious reasons. When he left in such a hurry, was that about Trina and Spencer? He says, it turns out, Spencer’s dead, Ava says, oh no, and Nina walks out.

Nina says she’s so sorry, and Ava says, Trina. Sonny tells her, Trina’s safe, and Nina asks, what happened to Spencer? Sonny says, he went over the side of a boat in Paris, he and Esme, and Nina says she knows he loved his nephew. She can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. He says he can’t do this right now.

Doc gives Laura a mug of what I hope is whiskey, and says, this will help her keep up her strength. A little edge cutter was in order. She says she already regrets losing her cool with Cyrus, but the conversation with Sonny was long overdue. He tells her not to beat herself up over Cyrus. What happened was understandable, especially given the loss she’s feeling. She says, but she’s not the only one, is she? Esme was his niece. She knows he did everything he could for her. He says, they both did, and Laura says, the way she was with Ace, she’s never going to believe that was an act. He says, it wasn’t. Esme’s love for Ace was genuine and maybe the only pure emotion she felt in her life. When Nikolas took Ace away, she was isolated, afraid, angry, and she chose the worst possible course of action. Laura says she was the one who talked Esme into turning herself in for breaking into Windymere. If she hadn’t… He says, there is no way she could have predicted that would happen. She didn’t know that Esme had regained her memory, and there was no way to know Nikolas would come back and convince Spencer to let him run away with Ace. There was no way she could know that. He hopes she’s hearing him when he says that. She says, if she’s being honest, all she can hear is silence in a house that used to be filled with voices. He puts his arm around her and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly tells Olivia that Leo’s order is next up, and she did tell them extra powdered sugar. Olivia says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s going to crush at Crimson. She’s wicked smart, nobody can match her instincts, and she makes being a leader look easy. That’s why the employees at the MetroCourt are so loyal to her. And she’s going to make a whole new generation of customers fall in love with Bobbie’s. Carly thanks her for saying that, and Olivia says, it’s the truth. Which she’ll never hide from Carly in the future.

O’Neal says, his other clients don’t behave this way, and Anna says, they’re not his other clients. Sit. He sits on the edge of the bed and says, they’re not so different as they keep telling themselves. There must be something in the water here. Anna says she’s under no illusion as to who or what she is, and Jordan asks what he means, there must be something in the water here? He says he doesn’t mean anything, and she says, they’re not the only ones in Port Charles buying from him, are they? He says he can’t talk about his clients. It’ll end his business. Anna says, Einstein, your business is over. He’s been peddling guns stolen from the WSB. So he has a choice to make. He’s either going to tell them what they want to know, or he waits for the Bureau to get here and then they’ll pick him up. They’re not going to sweep this under the rug. He asks what they want to know, and Jordan says, they need to know the names of every person who purchased a weapon from that WSB shipment. The door busts in, and John comes in with some men, saying, freeze. Jordan says, guns down, and they all aim their guns at one another, except for O’Neal, still on the bed with his hands up. He says, don’t shoot, and John says, FBI. Drop your weapons now.

Nina says she didn’t want to make Sonny’s night worse by being here. That’s not what she wanted. She walks out of the apartment, and Ava says she’s sorry. She knows how he feels about Nina being here. He says, it doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters. She says, Spencer. She’s so sorry. That’s just terrible. Trina must be absolutely gutted. She’s going to call her. She puts her hand on Sonny’s shoulder, he thanks her, and she leaves.

Josslyn asks if Cam knows, and Trina says she doubts it. The word hasn’t gotten out yet. Josslyn says, they’ve got to tell him, and makes the call. She says she’s here with Trina and they have to tell him something. She starts to cry and says, they need him to hear it from them.

Olivia asks if Leo wants to say goodbye to his Aunt Carly. She’s got to get to work. He asks if they’re done arguing, and Carly says, sometimes friends disagree. Olivia says she and Carly haven’t been on the same wavelength for a while, but maybe pretty soon they can try to fix that. Carly says she thinks they’ve already started, and Leo says he can tell. Their body language is better. Carly says, you know what? He’s right. Olivia says, how’s this for body language? and hugs Leo. Carly pulls them in for a three-way hug.

Anna says she and her colleague are going to lower their weapons, and John says, do that, nice and slow. O’Neal gets up and says he’s just a bystander. Anna, Jordan, and John say, shut up, and O’Neal says, okay, sitting back down. Anna says she takes it John is the agent in charge, and he asks if she doesn’t recognize him. Anna says, wait… Jagger? and John smiles.

Laura looks at a photo of young Spencer on her phone, when there’s a knock at the door. Laura opens it, and Nikolas is standing there with Ace. He says, hello, mother, and Laura cries tears of joy.

On Monday, Laura asks if it’s occurred to Nikolas that he belongs in prison; Lucy asks Martin for another chance; Anna suggests they bring the case in together; and Dante asks Sonny if it was an inside job.

🪪 Something Old Is Something New…

So far, I’m thinking we should keep him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-harrington-is-the-new-jagger-on-general-hospital

🚑 Coming and Going…

The circle of soap life.

William Lipton Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL!

Joshua Benard Done at GENERAL HOSPITAL

🤹‍♂️ No Idle Hands Here…

Teaching, directing, kicking ass as a spy. Is there nothing she can’t do?

Ian Buchanan and Finola Hughes Together Again!

Boogieing down for mental health.

Maurice Benard Boogies With TikTok’s Dancing UPS Man!

🐶 Whiskey A Go-Go…

Including this because, dog.

GH Alum Kelly Thiebaud Shares the Cutest Photo of Her Injured Dog

🍑 They Hear Her Knocking…

IRL this makes sense, but in Bravoland, anything can happen.

Kenya Moore Says ‘Door Is Closed’ for NeNe Leakes and RHOA

🍸 Extra Rules…

Maybe she’s hoping for screen time since no one wants to film with him.

Ariana Madix Thinks Billie Lee Is Living in Her House

Totally understandable.

Pump Rules Banned From Filming at Schwartz & Sandy’s

⚰️ Premiere Of Ones…

So be sure to watch the premiere before the premiere.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/amc-amc-presents-the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-premiere-event

🏆 One Grammy Coming Up…

If you just want the basics.

https://ew.com/2024-grammys-everything-we-know-8431969

Or the whole shebang.

https://live.grammy.com

🏈 Don’t Try This At Home…

Super Bowl party fails.

Super Bowl Party Fails

Super Bowl party mistakes. These could go for any party.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/big-game/big-game-parties/game-day-party-mistakes

Real Bowl blunders.

5 Worst Super Bowl Blunders

🦡 He Was Hungry…

The opossum is always the last one they suspect.

https://people.com/opossum-caught-on-camera-stealing-birthday-cookie-delivery-8557650

🐕 Best Bowl Of All…

The Ravens and the pups.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/baltimore-ravens-hang-out-with-rescue-puppies-for-puppy-bowl-xx-

Up for adoption.

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

Guest appearances!

Puppy Bowl XX slated to be ‘puppiest’ ever

🐬 Quotes of the Week

Take your camera, and take your selfie stick, and take your dogs, and get the f*** out of here. – crazy Karen neighbor, Neighborhood Wars

You are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into training. – Tom Hopkins

At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable. – Christopher Reeve

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man (and woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. – Blaise Pascal

Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – John Wooden

You’re no scientist. You’re just crazy. – Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee), Gyeonsueong Creature

Judge a person by their questions rather than their answers. – Voltaire

Babies are supposed to cry and throw a fit. Not you. – Amanda Halterman, 1000-Lb. Sisters

One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. – Lucille Ball

Geometry made me its bitch. – Vince (Louis Mustillo), Mike & Molly (I so relate.)

🎤 Accepting All the Grammys…

Go out and live real life, then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and perhaps a little Deck talk. Until then, stay safe, stay away from doom scrolling, and stay never going to a second location. Everyone and their cat knows that.

Jan31

January 30, 2024 – Esme In Paris, Life After Scandoval, Thoughts & Jazz

Posted on January 31, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Puerto Rico. Sonny tells Dex that he’s glad they’re away from Port Charles. The environment is easier to control in Puerto Rico, and there’s a lot more things that Avery can do to keep her occupied. Dex says, per Sonny’s request, security was added before they came, so it’s more secure than normal. He’s going to go over all of it himself to make sure. Ava comes in and says, Sonny has gone above and beyond. She doesn’t remember this kind of security the last time she was here. Sonny says, times change. So do threats.

In the visiting room at Pentenville, Jordan says, Anna has a complicated history with the man. She can question him alone if Anna likes. Anna asks if Jordan is worried that he’s going to get under her skin, but Jordan says, on the contrary. She’s worried Anna will wring his neck. Anna says she’s not going to do anything. He’s playing games. She wants to find out why. John Brennan walks his suave self in and sits down. He says, Anna Devane. How lovely to see you. She tells him to spare her the polite chit-chat, and he tells Jordan, she’s in a mood. His compliments to Jordan for figuring out he was the one who contacted her. He wasn’t sure she would put it all together. She says, happy to exceed his expectations. He told her that he had information on the rifle that shot Curtis Ashford. He said he’d be in touch, then went silent. Why? He says, first, let’s talk about what you’re going to do for me.

Martin tells Finn that he needs a decision. What are they doing? Are they going forward as planned or going with this new theory, the malpractice suit is fraudulent? Finn says, Mrs. Muldoon and her kids are a grieving family. He can’t go after them. Drop it. Martin asks if he’s sure. They’ve got the records to prove Dennis Muldoon was financially strapped before he met with Finn, and they’re about to get proof that he was either seen or being treated by an oncologist before he ever set foot in Finn’s office. Whatever his wife’s involvement was, it’s obvious Finn was never going to get the chance to diagnose that cancer. It’s a solid way out. Is he sure he wants to pass it up? The bailiff says, all rise, and Judge Arnold takes the bench. Finn says he can’t put the mother of four at risk for prosecution.

In the hallway, Mrs. Muldoon (who has no first name) says she’s not interested in anything Tracy has to say, and Tracy says, few people are. But she never lets that get in the way, especially when a crime is being committed on a good friend of hers. Mrs. Muldoon says, if she’s referring to Dr. Finn, he’s the one that committed the crime. He allowed her husband to leave, undiagnosed and untreated. Tracy says, Mrs. Muldoon doesn’t know the first thing about Dr. Finn, or her for that matter, but she’s about to get an education on both.

At the hospital, Portia says she knew Curtis was going to push himself hard during his physical therapy session. So honestly, how his he feeling? Curtis says, a little sore, but that is to be expected. He knows it’s going to take a lot of work for him to regain his mobility, but he’s here for it. Marshall joins them and says, that’s his boy, always rising to meet a challenge. Curtis says he knows all this hard work is going to pay off as soon as he’s back on his feet, and Portia says, and he will be. Marshall says, and in no time, he gets to be courtside in what promises to be a fierce game of basketball. Curtis says he knows Portia has her mind on Trina. Is she going to be okay by herself? Portia says she’ll be fine. She has plenty of work to do. And besides, she’ll just wait for Trina to call and tell her what a wonderful time she’s having in Paris.

Paris on the Banks of the Seine. Spencer leads a blindfolded Trina along the deck of ~~the Haunted Star~~ a yacht, and tells her, one more step. He takes off the blindfold and says, welcome aboard. She looks out over the water and says, what is all this? He says he arranged a private getaway for her. He thought she should have a chance to see the countryside before she has to start hitting the books. She says she can’t believe he did this, and he says, they’re going to go on a private cruise. They’re going to travel down the Seine to Normandy. He had the hotel bring their things after dinner and tomorrow morning she’s going to wake up to the most beautiful coast she’s ever seen. She says, it’s hard to imagine anything more spectacular than this, and he says he’s sure they’ll figure out a way.

On shore, Esme says, he can’t steal Ace away from her so easy. She looks in her bag and takes out a capped syringe.

Mrs. Muldoon says she’s already learned all she needs to about Dr. Finn, but Treacy says, she’s wrong. She claims she brought this lawsuit for her family. Dr. Finn has a family. They adore him, especially his young daughter. As a doctor, there is none better. In fact, he’s the reason she’s able to stand here and talk to Mrs. Muldoon. When he came to Port Charles, she was very sick. She’d run out of options, and he saved her life. She’s not the only person who can say that. Dr. Finn is a kind, caring, generous, good man, and Port Charles is so much better for having him here. Mrs. Muldoon says, Tracy is obviously very passionate about her friend Dr. Finn, but for all of his supposed brilliance, his negligence led directly to her husband’s death. She starts to walk away, and Tracy says she was hoping to break through Mrs. Muldoon’s grief to appeal to her sense of fairness, but clearly, she’s going to have to appeal to something else. So how about her sense of self-preservation?

Brennan says he’s offering a trade. His help in exchange for his freedom. Anna says, after he tried to kill her? and he says, if someone tried to kill her, he wasn’t present. Nor can she prove he gave the order. Since their time together is limited, they should spend it on all the valuable information he possesses. Jordan says, neither of them has the power to grant immunity, but he says, Anna has ties to the DA. She even married him – twice. Tell Scorpio that he wants immunity and all charges dropped. Anna says, never going to happen, and he says, then he’s sorry. He just can’t help her. Good luck with the investigation. He nods to the guard, but Anna says, no, and holds up her hand. What if she was to give him an even better offer? He asks, what’s better than his freedom? and she says, his life.

Dex says he’s going to walk the perimeter, and he’ll check back in with Sonny later. He leaves, and Sonny says, it looks like Ava is about to jump out of her skin. She says she could use something to calm her nerves, preferably something with a little umbrella in it. She was on board when he said he wanted to come down here. She thought it would give them more room to breathe instead of being cooped up in the penthouse. But now that she’s here, she feels so exposed. He says he’s making it as secure as he can, and she says, Avery doesn’t seem at all concerned, does she? She practically sprinted from the tarmac to the beach. He says, Avery loves the ocean, and she’s secure with the guards they have and the nanny. No one’s going to get near her. Ava says, okay. That makes her feel a little better. He says, she’s got to stop making herself crazy. All Avery knows is, she’s in Puerto Rico having fun with her parents. Ava says, she’s not such a little girl anymore though. She notices more than he may think. It won’t be long before he’ll have to be having some pretty difficult discussions with her.

Portia tells Curtis not to worry about her and have fun at the game with Marshall, and Curtis says, they definitely will. Laura comes by and says she was just on her way to Portia’s office to look for her. It’s good that everyone’s here because they should all know this. Curtis asks, what’s wrong? and she says, Esme’s not in Toronto. She’s in Paris.

Diane tells the judge, during the recess, Mr. Grey informed her that he’d be adding a witness. She moves to adjourn so that she may prepare for that testimony. Mrs. Muldoon comes in and taps Diane on the shoulder, and the judge asks if Martin has any objections. Martin says he’s afraid he owes the judge and opposing counsel an apology. There’s been a change of plans. He had intended to add a new witness – Tracy comes back – but on further reflection, that will no longer be necessary. So with all due respect, he’d just like to proceed with the witness list he presented to the court. The judge tells him to proceed, and Diane says, if she may. Martin says, this is a first. He hasn’t even started yet, and already Ms. Miller is objecting. Diane says, if her esteemed counsel will just give her a moment, she’s been informed by her client that she wishes to drop the lawsuit. Soap looks all around.

Judge Arnold says, order, even though there’s no reason to, and asks Diane and Martin to join him in his chambers. The bailiff says, all rise, and Diane and Martin go with the judge. Finn says, what the hell just happened?

Sonny says, discussing his business is off-limits to his kids, just like it’s off-limits to Ava. It’s just safer that way. She hasn’t been discussing anything with Avery, right? She says, of course (🍷) not. She’s too young to understand anything about that. She’s talking about the other radioactive subject they’ve all been avoiding… Nina. She knows he thinks he’s been hiding it, but it’s all over his face. She can tell the situation has him all tied up in knots, and being here doesn’t help any. This is where he and Nina were married. She’s sure it’s bringing up all kinds of feelings. He says he’s fine, and she says, is he though? Because she saw him when they ran into Nina and Valentin, and he didn’t seem fine. He looked like somebody punched him in the gut. He says, discussing Nina is off-limits, and she says, all right. Fine. She’s just bringing it up because their daughter is smart. And if she can tell something’s off with him, then so can Avery. He says, Donna and Avery are just kids. He’s done his best to shield them from anything that’s happened with Nina, and he thinks he’s done a good job because Avery hasn’t asked him about it. Ava says, Avery’s asked her.

The captain says, good evening, to Spencer and Trina, and welcomes them aboard. Their suitcases arrived in their state room. Please make themselves comfortable. They’ll be leaving shortly. Spencer thanks him and he leaves. Trina thanks Spencer, and he says, of course (🍷). She says, since being with him, she’s gotten to experience the most amazing things. Not just this trip and all of the amazing things they’ve done in Paris and all the fantastic things he planned in New York to show how well he knows her. But the entire feeling of being with him and loving him and being loved by him in return is the most amazing thing. And it’s all because of him and the incredible person he is. He says, she’s done that for him a thousand times over, but she knows that, right? Before her, all he could see is pain and she opened his eyes to a whole new world. He showed her that there’s much more to feel, and she taught him that he’s a person who’s worthy of love. Being with her has made it so much better; every day is better than the last. She’s everything he’s always wanted, but never believed he could have, and he wants to love her for the rest of his life. They kiss.

Laura says, after laying a false trail in Toronto, Esme used The Invader’s corporate credit card to buy herself a ticket to Paris, and Curtis says, there’s absolutely no reason Esme would have for going to Paris unless she’s going after Spencer. Or worse, Spencer and Trina. Either way, their daughter is in serious trouble. Marshall says, maybe there’s another explanation. Esme had to know the credit card charge would be found. Maybe this is just another attempt by Esme to throw everybody off her trail. They don’t know for a face that she’s even in Paris. Portia says, Marshall is right. She wouldn’t put anything past this girl. Maybe this is just her version of toying with them. Curtis says, or just simply ruining Spencer and Trina’s trip, but Laura says, no. The PCPD has some security footage of Esme getting on a plane to Paris, so she’s definitely there. Portia says, they have to warn Trina, and takes out her phone.

Spencer holds out his arm, and offers to escort Trina to her stateroom, and they leave the deck. Esme watches from the top of the stairs, then walks down.

Finn asks Martin, what’s going on? Why did the judge want to talk to him? The bailiff says, court is now in session, and Judge Arnold says, the case against Hamilton Finn and General Hospital has been dropped. This case is dismissed. He bangs his gavel, and Elizabeth runs over to Finn. She hugs him and says, it’s over. Congratulations. He says he didn’t do anything. Did Martin? Martin says, no, he didn’t. He knows what Finn is thinking, and he swears, no pressure was applied. Mrs. Muldoon just had a change of heart. Gregory says he’s thrilled for Finn. This case was a lie from the start. Nothing that happened to Muldoon was Finn’s fault. Elizabeth says she completely agrees, but that doesn’t explain why Mrs. Muldoon dropped the lawsuit. Tracy says, who cares? Justice prevailed. That’s all that matters. She hugs Finn.

Brennan asks if his life is at stake, and Anna says, you tell me. He claims he can give them information to help them find the person who shot Curtis Ashford. He says he can, and she says, they’ve come to believe the intended target was Sonny Corinthos. She’s sure he’s well-acquainted with Sonny’s reputation. She just wonders, if Sonny were to find out he was withholding this information, how long Brennan would last in Pentenville. That’s not a rhetorical question. He either deals with them or Sonny. Take his pick. He says, how the mighty have fallen. Anna Devane, reformed double agent, zealous defender of law and order, and this is all she’s got, her only leverage is to go tattling to a thug. She asks if that’s a yes or no, and he says, Cesar Faison would be so disappointed in his protégé. She says, you son of a bitch.

Sonny wonders if Avery doesn’t think she can talk to him, but Ava says she doesn’t think it’s that at all. She just thinks, Nina was gone suddenly. Avery can tell he’s upset, and she doesn’t want to make anything worse. She’s done her best to deflect Avery’s questions, but she thinks Sonny has to talk to her. However he wants to do it; she’ll follow his lead. Avery comes in with a basket and shows them the seashells she found. She gives Sonny one that she picked out just for him, and he thanks her. He says he needs to talk to her about something, and they sit down. Ava says she’ll go get settled in her room, but Sonny asks her to stay. He tells Avery that he’s sure she’s noticed Nina isn’t staying at the penthouse. He’s sure she’s a little confused about that. So he wanted to let her know that he and Nina are going to be living apart for a while. She asks, why? and he says, with adults, things get complicated and they kind of have to stay away and figure things out. But he wants her to know everything’s fine with him. She says, okay, and he says he just wants everything to be fine with her too. So how does she feel about Nina living apart somewhere else? She says she guesses it’s okay, but she misses Nina. Nina was really nice to her. Is she ever going to see Nina again?

Martin tells Diane that he’s afraid his curiosity has gotten the best of him. Why did she drop the suit? She says, because her client instructed her to, and he says, as thrilled as he is with today’s outcome, he wishes he’d gotten the chance to best her, fair and square. They shake hands, and she says, he may get that chance – she adds a Southern accent – when hell freezes over. She leaves, chuckling.

Tracy says, this calls for a celebration. Champagne at the MetroCourt, her treat. Finn says, that’s very generous of her, and glances at Elizabeth, who nods. He says he thinks they’ll take her up on it, and Gregory says, count him in too. Mrs. Muldoon walks over and asks if she can speak with Dr. Finn.

On the phone, Spencer says, Laura is cutting in and out… She’s cutting in and out… Hello? Trina asks if the call dropped, and he says, it was super staticky, then it went silent. She says her service is bad too, but he says he wouldn’t worry about it. It will probably get better when they’re off the river.

Portia leaves a message for Trina, telling her to stay safe and call her as soon as she gets this. She loves her. She tells Curtis that she doesn’t get this. Why didn’t she pick up the phone? Laura comes back and says she was able to get Spencer on the phone for just a few seconds before the cell dropped. It wasn’t long enough to warn them about Esme, but he sounded normal, like everything was just fine. Portia says, but when she called Trina, it went straight to voicemail. She never, ever has her phone off. What if Esme’s already gotten to her? Curtis says, don’t do that, and Marshall says, Curtis is right. Don’t panic until they know something for sure. Portia says, they do know something. They know that crazy girl, that psychotic girl is after Trina again, and Trina is halfway around the world from Portia and in danger. And it all comes back to who? Spencer Cassadine.

The captain sees Esme on deck and says something to her in French, but she says she’s sorry. She’s lost. Is this the river tour? He says, this is a private vessel. She’s a stowaway. She’s coming with him. She takes off, but he grabs her. She elbows him, and he doubles over. She grabs the fire extinguisher and whacks him in the head with it. He drops to the floor.

Ava says, even if Nina isn’t living with Avery’s dad, Nina still loves her just the same. That’s not going to change. Avery says, good, and asks if she can go put her seashells back in the ocean. Sonny says, yeah, but hurry up because they’re going to have lunch. Avery says, then candy? and he says, what? Candy? She hugs him and runs off. Ava says, she’s got him wrapped around her little finger and she knows it, and he says he’d do anything for that little girl. He just wants to let Ava know that he appreciates her telling him that Avery was confused about Nina and helping him with her questions. She says, he’s welcome. She thinks he handled it perfectly, although he didn’t really answer her question about Nina. Is that because he doesn’t know? He wonders if she’s asking for herself or for her best friend Nina.

Finn meets Mrs. Muldoon in the hallway, and she says she doesn’t really know how to say this. She owes him an apology. She just learned that Dennis went to see an oncologist before he saw Finn for the first time. He must have known more about his diagnosis than she was aware of. Finn says he sees, and she says she’s so sorry. He may not believe her, but Dennis was a really good man. He loved them. He must have felt so desperate. Finn says, people will go to great lengths for their family to make sure they’re taken care of, and she says, he’s being so understanding after what she put him through. She can’t help but wonder why. Elizabeth watches from a distance, and Finn says, perhaps because he’s a single father to a little girl. He knows how hard it is to be the only person responsible for your family’s well-being. Her family just suffered a terrible loss. He wanted to spare her and her children from any more pain. She says, his kindness won’t be forgotten. His daughter is really lucky to have a man like him for a father. She leaves.

Portia says, Trina should be enjoying her time in Paris and studying. Instead, she’s a sitting duck, because some psycho girl wants revenge? Is that what she wants? Laura says she’s so sorry that Trina has been drown into yet another conflict because of her family, and Portia says she knows Laura is worried about Spencer too. There’s going to be time for them to figure out the why – why this is happening. Right now, the only thing that matters is finding Trina and Spencer, and stopping whatever Esme has planned for them. Laura says she’s on her way to the airport right now. Ned has allowed her to use the ELQ jet, so she’ll get to Paris as quickly as possible. Portia thanks her, but Curtis says, wait. Is she going by herself? Laura says, just on the flight. Dante’s already gone on ahead of her and the Paris authorities have been notified. Curtis says he hopes the ELQ jet has room for one more because he’s coming along.

Esme runs over to the captain and says she’s so, so sorry. She was just trying to find her son and get him back to her. She checks his pulse, and says, thank God. Just keep breathing, okay? She’s in trouble already. She drags him off the deck by his feet.

In their stateroom, Trina says, look at this place. It’s incredible. How does he keep on topping himself? (I’m not impressed. Not only does it look suspiciously like the room Trina was in on the Haunted Star, it has no window.) He says he doesn’t know. He guesses she’s worth it. This is a nice room, isn’t it? He thinks he prefers the New York hotel room though because of what happened there. She says, something happened there? She can’t quite remember what. He says, maybe he should refresh her memory. He’s about to kiss her, when she yawns, trying to hide it. He asks, what was that? They just got on board. She says she’s jetlagged, but she’s guessing he has another surprise for her. He says, no, not tonight, but tomorrow is going to be very special. She says, now she’s really intrigued, but she guesses tomorrow is soon enough. He says, they had a very long day today, so if she is sleepy, they can just go to bed if she wants. They kiss, and she says she wants him – today, tomorrow, and forever. They fall onto the bed.

Gregory says he’s just curious. Was Tracy aware that Mrs. Muldoon has a fundraising page on My Face? He just found out about it a few days ago. A friend helped her set it up to cover expenses after her husband died. Tracy says, Mrs. Muldoon is fortunate to have such caring friends. What does that have to do with her? He says he just checked, and it seems someone made a very generous donation right around the time Mrs. Muldoon dropped her lawsuit. Quite a coincidence, wouldn’t she say?

Elizabeth asks Finn if everything is okay, and he says, yeah. Mrs. Muldoon just wanted to apologize for everything she put them through. She says she’s surprised. She’s glad. Is he relieved that the case was dismissed? He says, of course (🍷). He also feels kind of bad. She says, why? and he says, the Muldoons have lost a husband and a father. They’ll never be the same. Winning that case would have made a big difference for them. Elizabeth asks if he knows how amazing he is. Dennis Muldoon set him up to be falsely accused of malpractice, possibly destroying his entire career, and yet here he is having compassion for the man’s family. He says, that’s very kind, but he doesn’t deserve her praise. He’s no hero.

Laura tells Curtis that she’s sure there’s enough room. She’ll let Ned know right now. She leaves, and Marshall asks if Curtis is sure. Is it a good idea for him to go to Paris. Curtis says his recovery is right on schedule. He’s fine, and even if he weren’t, his daughter needs him, and he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. Marshall says he understands that. He’s worried about Trina, too, but he’s also concerned about Curtis. Curtis tells Marshall not to worry about him. He’s gotten pretty good at wheeling around in this chair. He’s not going to let it stop him. Marshall says he knows Curtis won’t. Being in that chair doesn’t change who Curti is, and that’s a loving father who’s determined to protect his family – at all costs. Curtis says, damn right, and Marshall says, that’s why he’s concerned about what Curtis will do to Esme Prince if he gets within ten feet of that girl. Portia says, he can double that concern because she’s going to Paris too.

In bed, Spencer touches Trina’s hand and whispers, how did I get so lucky? She says she’s not sleeping. He says, she’s just resting her eyes? That’s okay. Keep them closed. He’ll be right back. She asks where he’s going, and he says he doesn’t know about her, but he’s starving. He’s going to go get a snack. She says, hurry back, and he promises he will. He kisses her and leaves.

Jordan asks if Brennan wants to make a deal, or should she call Sonny? Brennan apologizes and says he and Anna have a history that tends to intrude in the present. She was saying? Jordan says, how did a rifle seized by the WSB end up shooting Curtis Ashford? He tells her, in 2019, the WSB conducted a raid where a cache of mixed weapons, all unmarked, was confiscated. They were given serial numbers and stored in a locker at the Bureau’s Berlin station. The whole shipment disappeared while en route to WSB headquarters in London. Jordan asks if he knows who took them, and he says he only figured out who was likely responsible shortly before he was arrested, so he didn’t have time to act on the information. Anna says, so he sat on it, and he says he thought it might be a useful bargaining chip. And here they are. And since his life hangs in the balance… Anna says she can see he’s terrified, and he says, a bargain’s a bargain, and he said he’d tell them all he knows. Someone’s been selling the weapons at a high price. Find them, and they’ll be lead to the shooter.

Ava tells Sonny, forget she said anything. Just know that Avery isn’t the only person around here concerned about him. Sonny’s phone rings, and Laura says she thought he should know, they found out where Esme went. He says, that’s great news, and tells Ava that Laura found Esme. He says he’s going to put Laura on speaker. Ava’s here. Ava says, please tell her that awful girl is on her way to a jail cell. Laura says, unfortunately, no. She’s in Paris. Ava asks if she’s after Trina, but Laura says, they don’t know exactly. She and Dante are going there to meet with the authorities. Sonny asks if there’s anything he can do, but she says, they’ve got it covered. She’ll update him after they’ve landed. Ava says, please do, and Sonny tells Laura, listen. Esme has nothing to lose, so that’s going to make her unpredictable. So she needs to be careful. He hangs up and tells Ava that he knows she’s concerned about Trina. He’s concerned about Spencer, but Laura and Dante are going to have it all covered. They’ll make sure they’re safe. And that means one less threat to Ava. Ava says, for the moment.

Dex goes out the front gate and calls to guard Adam. He sees Adam lying on the ground and runs over to him.

Tracy tells Gregory, maybe when Mrs. Muldoon posted that she dropped the lawsuit, and someone felt bad and made a donation. He asks if Tracy didn’t speak to her, and she says, they may have exchanged a few words. She may have imparted what a good doctor Finn is. He says, that’s it? Tracy didn’t use her financial powers of persuasion to make it worth her while to drop the lawsuit? She says, if she was to ever conceive of doing such a thing, so what? and he says, it would be unethical for one thing. And she might be in a heap of trouble if the District Attorney constitutes it’s a bribe. She says, lucky they’re just speaking in hypotheticals, and he says, hypothetically, if it were true, he would be extremely grateful that Finn has a friend who’s willing to put herself on the line for him. and he would owe that friend quite a debt. She says, good to know, but she doubts that friend would ever collect.

Elizabeth takes Finn’s hand and says, he was willing to risk everything he’s accomplished in his life for the Muldoon family. She thinks that’s the very definition of a hero. He says he wasn’t risking everything. There was a time when he thought being a doctor was the very essence of his being, that it defined who he was. Then with this case, he realized he has people in his life that he really loves and somehow, they love him back. If he couldn’t practice medicine anymore, he’d still have Violet and his family and her. As much as he loves being a doctor, they’re the ones he couldn’t live without. His true purpose is all of them. As long as he has that, he’ll always be okay.

Jordan says, before they leave, is there any other pertinent information Brennan has for them? but he says he’s told them everything he knows. Anna says, somehow she doubts that, and motions for the guard. She tells Brennan, enjoy the rest of his stay, and he says he looks forward to seeing her again soon. The guard leads him away.

Curtis asks if Portia got someone to cover for her, but she says she’ll do it from the plane. Trina’s in danger. The only thing that matters right now is getting to her. Marshall says, it’s great to see them working as a team, even under these circumstances. Esme’s going to be sorry she ever messed with their girl. Portia says, he’s got that right, when Laura comes back. She says, time to go. Curtis is still coming with her, right? Curtis says, both of them are, and Laura says she’s not surprised. As a mother, she’d want to be there too. Marshall tells Curtis to bring his granddaughter home, safe, and Curtis says, he’s got it. They’re going to get to Trina and Spencer before Esme does.

As Spencer heads for the galley, he sees the door to the deck is open. He steps out and sees the streak of the captain’s blood going across the deck, along with the fire extinguisher.

As she’s getting dressed, Trina hears the door open. She says she hopes those snacks include a baguette. The bread here’s incredible. She turns around and sees Esme.

Dex hears something, and grabs Adam’s gun and his radio.

Sonny says he won’t let anything happen to Ava or Avery, when Dex radios for them to get down. Sonny and Ava duck under the table, and shots ring out.

Tomorrow, Carly tells Tracy that it’s an opportunity she can’t afford to miss; Lois says, if she leaves it up to Olivia, they may never speak again; and Nina tells someone that it’s all she has to say on the record.

Vanderpump Rules

Ariana has a cinnamon pen. I’ve never seen that before. Is that from Brookstone or something? We see what everyone is up to. None of it very exciting. Katie says, everything is falling into place with Something About Her, but as far as I know, it still hasn’t opened. In Ariana’s interview, she explains that she and Sandoval live under the same roof, but they communicate through assistant Ann. Tom and Raquel/Rachel/ whatever are still sending love notes to one another. James and Ally now have a house, albeit too close to the airport, with a pool. In James’s interview, he says he’s seen Sandoval’s cuckoo performances, yelling about Raquel and Itsy-Bitsy Spider, and thinks he’s out of his mind. Scheana tells Brock that Sandoval blocked her, Shenanigans, her sister, and Summer Moon. They talk about Raquel, and Brock says, that one is a whole bag of mixed worms. Best quote of the night.

Lala’s mom lives with her, which is probably the best roommate she could ask for at this point, a built-in support system. The custody battle with Randall is still going on, and Lala says she has a lot of trauma to work through. She thought everything was perfect, then ended up fixated with a custody battle before she could deal with her heartbreak. In order for her to be a good role model for Ocean, she has to work through her emotions. She trusts no one. Her mom says, she’ll work through it.

James meets Schwartz, who comes bearing housewarming gifts. He’s probably glad anyone in the friend circle wants to talk to him. Scwartz is wearing a Schwartz & Sandy’s hat, and says he was worried he’d get booed. In Schwartz’s interview, he says, the bar became a casualty of Scandoval and it was toxic. He had enough problems in his life and didn’t need this. It was the radioactive cherry on the sh*t sundae that was his year. James says, Schwartz is his best Tom when he’s alone, but not so much when he’s TomTom. James is now California sober because Ally gave him an ~~old tomato~~ ultimatum. He’s only drinking Red Bull and Fiji Water, but weed just makes his day better. James is playing at TomTom, and Schwartz asks for advice about approaching Ariana if she shows.

Ariana and Scheana go for a spa day. They talk about Scheana’s kid and Ariana’s new boyfriend Dan. In Scheana’s interview, she says she doesn’t think Ariana has processed the Tom trauma, but if Dan doesn’t sleep with one of her best friends, it will still be a step up. She tells us that she was diagnosed with OCD, and just when she was managing it, the affair took her OCD and mixed it with her anxiety. Scheana asks Ariana about Schwartz, and Ariana says she was on the fence until Schwartz was on Watch What Happens Live and suggested everyone hug Sandoval. Scheana says she doesn’t need Ozempic. She’s got Scandoval.

Ariana hasn’t been back at TomTom since the discovery of Sandoval’s infidelity. In her interview, she says she doesn’t want to make her life smaller because of that idiot. There’s a Lisa sighting, and Ariana decides to ice Schwartz out. In his interview, he calls her the patron saint of scorned women. If she’s not friends with him, it gives him no hope with the other women. In Ariana’s interview, she says, being there is bringing back all her old Sandoval memories, and we flash back to a bunch of those. I always thought he was kind of a d*ck, so not much has changed for me emotionally there. A little more scorn perhaps.

The ladies toast to a Bad Bitch Summer. Lala tells Lisa that she’s feeling a lot of different ways about the Raquel situation. She knows the feeling of thinking there’s only one person on your side. In Lala’s interview, she says she knows what it’s like to have someone paint a beautiful picture and see a future with them, while ignoring what everyone else is telling you. Lisa is glad Lala isn’t being rigid in her position, and in Lisa’s interview, she says, Lala was the last person she expected to have forgiveness. If Lala can come around, she wonders if the others can. Lisa wisely leaves before things get messy. It looks like a good time, but too crowded. I can’t imagine how long it takes to get a drink in that place. Scheana apologizes to Katie, and in her interview, Scheana says she was about to write off their friendship, especially after years of walking on eggshells, but they put their differences aside for Ariana and bonded over not one, but two, common enemies. In Lala’s interview, she says, everything Raquel did was stupid, but as someone who knows what it’s like to see comments about being a mistress, she doesn’t want Raquel to wear that forever. She leaves Raquel a text, and after seeing that Raquel viewed it, she says she’s going to throw up and sh*t her pants.

In Katie’s interview, she says, after 12 years together, she’s happy to say Schwartz isn’t her problem anymore. After the way he spoke about her, he has no access to her life other than joint custody of the dogs. It’s the switching of the dogs day, and when Katie drops them off, she makes the mistake of sitting down. Schwartz says he wants to get on Ariana’s good side, and hints around at Katie helping him, but she’s like, no thanks. That night, Katie has drinks with the girls and tells them about Schwartz’s pet bugs. Against her better judgement, she asks to play devil’s advocate for Schwartz, but in Ariana’s interview, she says, the devil doesn’t need any more advocates. Lala feels like she’s a dog in everyone’s fight, but still has to fend for herself. In Lala’s interview, she says she doesn’t know how to have a friendship when someone shuts her out like Ariana does. She explains her train of Raquel thought to Ariana and admits to sending Raquel a message. (On WWHL, Lala said, Raquel never responded.)

In Ariana’s interview, she compares Lala reaching out to Raquel with Lala having said, no one who communicates with Randall will be in her friend circle, which is apples and oranges. Randall is a creeper, and Raquel is a dumbass. Lala tells Ariana that she can relate to the feeling, and in Scheana’s interview, she says, the temporary restraining order changed everything, referring to the one Raquel took out on her. Ariana says, as far as Raquel getting a foot in the door, there’s not a foot to be had. In a few minutes though, all is well, and everybody loves everybody.

Sandoval comes home to an empty house from wherever the hell he was. I wasn’t paying attention.

This season, same sh*t, different season. A few highlights: Lisa calls Jax a f***ing hypocrite; Schwartz goes blonde; Schwartz says he made out with Scheana in Vegas; lots of arguing between Ariana and Sandoval over the house.

💭 Thoughts: While I’m pretty much over the Housewives – I can’t take one more season of 14-year-old mean girls in middle aged, sequined gowned bodies – for now I’m sticking with the Rules. For one, there are always Lisa/Villa Rosa/various pet sightings. And unlike those women who are outmaneuvering each other for screen time and circle the same drains, we actually see growth in the cast members. Lala is the MVP of this show – so far. That’s why I think it’s a shame they fired Stassi, et. al. Aren’t people supposed to grow and learn from their screw-ups? Kathryn Dennis is another example. Keeping them on by no means condones what they’ve done, but these are reality shows and those people exist. And it’s doubtful ostracizing someone forever teaches them anything. Scandoval aside, watching the VPR cast go from practically children to adults with houses and children and businesses of their own is what reality is about. That and a few ponies, swans, and a pink puppy or two.

🐓 Duck, Duck, Bantam Rooster…

Join me tomorrow for soap and holding my nose before I plunge into RHOBH. Is it me, or has this been an extra-long season? Until then, stay safe, stay never ordering the most expensive menu item if someone else is paying (unless it’s with an expense account), and stay not letting your work define you. Let your true purpose be the people in your life that you really love and somehow love you back.

Jan30

January 29, 2024 – Esme Fakes Out the PCPD, Talk to Nik, Returning Soon, A Loss, Chef Slam, She Sipped, VanderSoon, Live Reading, New Captain, Dolly’s Gala & Gloom

Posted on January 30, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. Trina and Spencer are seated at a restaurant that looks suspiciously similar to the PC Grill. Trina says, Spencer said thank you, and the waitress said… something right away. He says, very good. She said she’ll be back right away. She says, this place is incredible. This is one of his favorite spots? He says, actually, he’s never been in this restaurant before. He wanted to go to a place that’s new to both of them to start their new beginning together. She says she loves that. She loves everything about Paris so far… except, tonight, considering he’s left her completely in the dark about what he has in store for them. So let’s hear it. He says, and spoil the surprise? No.

Portia and Laura go into Doc’s hospital room, and Laura says, he’s asleep again. She should have been here when he woke up. Portia asks, how are his vitals? and the nurse says, the same. He’s been in and out. Portia suggests Laura speak to him and let him know she’s here. Laura sits by the bed and says, it’s her. She’s here. She doesn’t know if he can hear her, but she really needs him to wake up. Can he do that? Can he open his eyes for her? He does, and she thanks him for coming back to her.

Toronto, Canada. Dante and Chase approach an apartment where a Canadian officer stands guard. Dante introduces himself and Chase, and the officer says, they were told the detectives were coming. Chase says, any updates? and the officer says, they’ve been monitoring the apartment for 24 hours. No one matching the nanny’s or Esme Prince’s description have exited. Dante says, so the apartment’s still occupied? and the officer nods. Dante thanks him for holding off and waiting for them. This could be trouble. Dante and Chase put their hands on their weapons, and the officer knocks at the door. He says, police. Open up.

PT therapist Ben asks if Curtis felt that as he squeezes Curtis’s leg. Curtis says he felt a pinch, and Ben says, so far, so good. The surgery confirmed Curtis’s body is capable of healing from his injury. To what extent, they’ll find out. Curtis says, yes, they will. He’s guessing physical therapy is going to change now that he has feeling in his legs. Ben says, yes, but keep in mind, they still have a long road ahead, and Curtis asks, how long exactly? Ben says, each patient is different, so it’s hard to say, and Curtis says, fair enough. Stella walks in behind Curtis, and Curtis suggests they see if he can stand, but buttinsky Stella says, oh no he won’t.

Tracy walks into the courtroom, and says she gathers court is in recess. Finn says, the prosecution just rested their case, and Tracy says, then he’s up next, but Finn says, Diane already called him as a witness. His time on the stand is done. Alexis comes in and says she’s sorry she’s late. How did it go? Tracy says, Finn just told them that he was called as a witness for the plaintiff, and Alexis says, and? Finn says, eh, and she says, that good. Elizabeth says, it was bumpy, but Sam may have saved the day, and Alexis says, Sam? Where is she? Martin says, chasing down more information, and Alexis says, pertaining to? Finn says, Muldoon saw an oncologist weeks before Muldoon came to see him, and Alexis asks how an oncologist could miss late-stage cancer. Gregory says, he didn’t.

Martin tells Alexis, the theory is, after losing his shirt in the market and cashing in a life insurance policy, Muldoon finds out he has late-stage cancer, not much time left. Rather than bankrupting his family with medical bills, he goes after Finn for malpractice. Tracy says, total con job, and Finn asks what Alexis thinks. She says, the reasoning is sound. What kind of circumstantial evidence did Sam uncover? Elizabeth says proof that Muldoon went to the medical pavilion where he saw an oncologist before he ever went to see Finn, but there are other medical offices in that building. Alexis says, so it’s far from conclusive. And even if Muldoon did set Finn up, they don’t know if the wife had knowledge of it. Elizabeth asks if it isn’t enough for the judge to throw out the case, and Tracy says, correct her if she’s wrong. If they don’t have hard evidence of Muldoon’s cancer diagnosis, they’ve got nothing. So put her back on the stand. Make her crack. Make the attempted fraud public record.

Stella says she’s sorry to interrupt like this, and Ben says, as she can see, they’re in the middle of a therapy session. Curtis asks what she’s doing here, and she says, just peeping in since she was here at the hospital. Is this his first session since the surgery? Curtis says, she knows good and well it is. She doesn’t have to check on him. He’s got this. She says, that’s what he’s been saying since he was a little boy, always getting ahead of himself, and Ben says he’s got to get some more towels, wisely making himself scarce. Curtis says, she doesn’t need to check on him and she doesn’t need to worry, but she says, it’s too late for that. She’s been doing that all his life. Does he remember when he insisted that he could play basketball with the neighborhood teenagers? He was eight years old. He says he knows Tommy made those kids let him play, and she asks, does he remember how many times he limped home with a skinned knee or a bloody nose when an elbow went awry? (Oh, like all kids?) He says, yeah, and she always patched him up and he lived through it. He didn’t give up then and he’s not going to give up now. He just wants to assess how the surgery went. She says, he needs to do that today? and he asks if that isn’t the point of physical therapy, to get him walking again. She says, and they call her stubborn. She calls to Ben, asking if he’s got enough towels yet, and he comes back. She says she can’t tell her nephew what to do, but please… Curtis says, that would be a first, and she says, hush. Please tell them, isn’t it dangerous for Curtis to try and push himself to stand too quickly?

Trina says, coq au vin is a classic. She thinks she’ll try that. What kind of vin does he think they should drink with it? Rouge or blanc?… Monsieur Cassadine? He says he’s sorry, and she asks, what’s on his mind? He says, they have black caviar here. When he was younger and a little bit more… She says, cute? and he tells her that he was going to say pretentious. He once went to a restaurant with his father, and they had black caviar and he asked if they could get it. His father said, no, so he asked if they could have it at home. He asked and asked and asked, and eventually his father gave in and had it served. And he loved it. Trina asks how old he was, and he says, young enough to be served black beans and believe it was caviar. (True story. For my sister’s 18^th birthday, she was having a dinner party at home and had caviar. I was still in elementary school, but insisted on trying it and promptly spit it into the sink as she said, what are you doing? That’s stuff’s expensive! My tastes have, however, changed since then.) He says he hopes Ace grows up a bit more grounded than he did, and she says she’s sure his father has learned a lot since him. Maybe even from him. He says, they don’t have to talk about that. He doesn’t want to ruin their night. She says, he’s not ruining her night by telling her his feelings. She wants to hear his stories, share his troubles. That’s what couples do. He takes her hand and says he guesses he’s still getting used to being in a healthy relationship. She’ll have to be patient with him. She says, of course (🍷). She loves him. He kisses her hand and says he loves her too.

Portia asks if Doc can tell them where they are, and he says, General Hospital. He assumes on the 10^th floor. She says, that’s correct. What about what year it is? He says, 1912? and Laura laughs. He says, 2023… No, 24. Sorry. He’s still getting used to saying it. Laura asks, who did this to him? and he says, it was Esme.

Maggie opens the door with the chain lock still on it, and the officer says, Miss Fitzgerald? She asks what he wants, and he says, these are American law enforcement officers. They have questions for her. She says she doesn’t have to answer them, but the officer says he’d cooperate if he was her. She’s an Irish Nationalist, not a Canadian citizen. American law enforcement is looking for her. She recognizes Dante, and he asks if they can come in and talk with her a minute. She lets them in and asks, how’s Dante’s lovely lady friend? Dante says, Sam is doing great. Thanks for asking. She says she’s doing great too. Shortly after they came to see her in Devon, she started a new position here with a family in Toronto. Things have been quiet for her. She’d like to keep them that way. He says, they’ll make this quick. They’re not looking to cause her any trouble. They’re just looking for Esme Prince.

Laura says, when they found Doc on the floor of Alexis’s office, they assumed it was Esme, and he asks if she’s in custody. She says, no. Esme is gone, but Dante and Chase got a lead that Esme traveled to Toronto. She has an old nanny there that she was going to see. They’re looking for her now. Does he have any idea why Esme attacked him? He says he found her in the office. They were talking. He thought he was getting through to her. They were seated, and she started pacing when she was talking about her hopes for Ace’s future. Then the world went black. Laura says, that’s probably enough for right now. He should probably get his rest. She looks to Portia for confirmation, and he says, actually, he’s kind of hungry. Portia says, that’s a good sign. She’ll let the nurse know. Laura’s right though; get some rest. He says, what else is he going to do in here? and Portia leaves. He tells Laura not to look so worried, but she says, it was so scary finding him on the floor like that, unconscious. And she couldn’t wake him. He says he didn’t survive Ryan all these years just to be done in by his daughter, but all that concern isn’t just for him, is it? She says she’s really upset about Esme. She believed in Esme. She really believed Esme’s love for her baby Ace was going to be the thing that gave her the strength to turn her life around. And it did. She was doing so well. She was a good mom, and then she got her memory back. She thinks Esme didn’t have a chance to reconcile her two identities before Nikolas came back and took her son. Ace is a grounding force for Esme, and she thinks Esme losing her son pushed her over the edge. He says, love is a powerful motivator… both for good and ill. (That Doc is a real philosopher.) She asks if he’s in pain, but he says, no, but he’s bothered by the assumption that Esme went to Toronto to see her nanny. He thinks she’d go after Nikolas. Laura says, her too, but she thinks Esme doesn’t have anything to go on. She has no resources and Toronto isn’t very far and wouldn’t put too much strain on Esme’s credit card to travel there. He says, Esme’s credit card? and she says she forgot to tell him. The PCPD found out Esme charged a bus ticket to Toronto. He says, something’s off. It’s like something happened in Alexis’s office that he can’t quite remember.

Maggie says, Dante is telling her that he doesn’t want to cause trouble, but there are three police officers from two countries in her apartment. Chase and the Canadian officer go into another room, and she asks what those two are doing. Dante says, like he told her; they’re not here for her. They’re looking for Esme. She says, they’re looking in the wrong place. She hears a noise and yells, don’t go throwing things about! Dante tells her, if she’s saying Esme isn’t here, then she’s got to come clean. She’s got to tell them where she is. She asks how she would know that, and he says, they have reason to believe Esme came her to see her. She says, that’s pure rubbish. She hasn’t seen Esme in years.

Trina says she thinks shell try every coq au vin to see which is the best one in Paris, and Spencer says, that’s a good idea. Considering the fact he doesn’t know how to cook, he thinks they’ll be doing a fair amount of dining out. But if she only has coq au vin, won’t she miss out on a lot of other fantastic French food? She says she thinks she’ll have plenty of opportunities to try other tasty dishes, and he says, there’ll be a lot more to this trip than just food. She says, like what? Studying? He says, very important, and she says, dancing? He says he’s sure they’ll wander into a club or two, and she says, starting tonight? Is he going to tell her what he has planned? He says, she’ll certainly be getting the VIP treatment, and she says, he’s enjoying this secrecy a little too much. he says, maybe… Okay, fine. He doesn’t want to drag it out if she really wants to know. She says, and ruin the surprise? How dare he? He says, she certainly keeps him on his toes.

Curtis tells Stella, it won’t be dangerous. Ben is right here. Ben says he supposes there’s no harm in trying. He’ll be with Curtis, and Curtis will have the parallel bars to stabilize him. Curtis says, let’s do it.

Curtis hoists himself out of the chair, grabbing onto the parallel bars. Ben tells him to align his hands above his hips and use his arms to push his way up. Three, two, one. Curtis stands for a moment, then falls back into the chair. Ben says, good work. Curtis wanted a gauge and now they know. Curtis wheels himself away from the bars, and Ben asks if he wants to get to work, but Curtis says, no. that’ll be it for today. Ben asks if he’s sure. There’s still twenty minutes to their session. Stella asks if they can have a moment, and Ben leaves. Curtis says, she was right. It was a mistake to try and stand so soon. She asks if he made a slam dunk on the first try. No. So why did he think this was going to work on the first try?

Martin says, Alexis is right. At this point, their first step should be to compel the oncologist to expose that Muldoon had a cancer diagnosis prior to his visit with Finn. That would establish intent for Muldoon, but to accuse his wife of complicity with circumstantial evidence, that’s risky. They have no way of proving she had prior knowledge of his condition. To point a finger at her and start ranting about fraud would be a complete Hail Mary on their part. Tracy asks if that’s not what lawyers are supposed to do, throw out alternative possibilities. At least if the accusation is out there, the GH lawyers can run with it, especially if she has anything to say about it. Elizabeth asks what Finn thinks, and Finn asks, what will happen to Mrs. Muldoon if they accuse her of fraud? Tracy says, who cares? and Gregory says he could use some water. He asks Tracy to come with him, and she says, if he insists. They leave, and Martin says, in answer to Finn’s question, she’d be charged with fraud. If those charges are proven, she’d be looking at jail time. Elizabeth says, if she knew her husband was lying. That’s the question, but how do they know if Mrs. Muldoon was in on the fraud or not? Martin looks over at Diane and says he’s got one idea.

Trina says, Tuesday will be non-stop, but she thinks she can meet Spencer for a quick dinner, and he says he’d love to spend every single day with her here if he could. But he understands that she’s here first and foremost for school. So if she needs to prioritize her classes, that’s okay. She doesn’t have to worry about him. He’ll keep himself busy. She asks, how? and he says he’s been giving it a lot of thought. She’s so passionate about art, the way she talks about it and lives her life for it. He’d like to figure out what that is for him, what his passion is. Maybe he’ll figure that out in Paris. She says, there’s always Le Cordon Bleu, but he says he doesn’t think even they could help him with his cooking skills. Maybe it’s a good option, but he thinks there are a lot of things here for him to explore. So they’ll have to see. He just hates that he wasted so much time when he was here… before. Being angry with his father and planning to get back at Ava… She says, he had help. Esme stoked his anger and did everything she could to manipulate him. He says, first Esme, then Uncle Victor, but he’s just very glad they can finally put that all behind them. He’s very sorry he dragged her into all that. She didn’t deserve it. She says, neither did he, and he asks how she does that. She’s so supportive and so sweet. And she’s so hot. She makes him want to be better. She says she thinks he’s pretty amazing (ugh), and he thanks her, but he thinks there’s still plenty of room for improvement. (Agreed.) She says, he’ll get there.

Dante says, Esme hasn’t reached out to Maggie? Called her, texted her, mailed her a letter? Maggie says she wrote Esme with her address here in Toronto, but that was months ago. Esme never wrote back. She hasn’t heard from her. He says, they’ve got a letter that Maggie wrote to Esme, inviting Esme here to see her, and she asks if he had the handwriting analyzed, because she never extended any such invitation. The family she works for now are very private, very security conscious. Esme’s a troubled girl with a criminal record. She feels terrible for Esme, but she doesn’t want to jeopardize her current employment. Writing letters is one thing. Seeing Esme face to face, she’d never do it. Chase and the officer come back out, and Chase says, there’s no sign of Esme, nothing to suggest she’s ever been here.

Stella says she knows Curtis is disappointed, but he’s got to be patient with himself. He says he’s been nothing but patient. He feels like he’s been beating back this feeling of powerlessness forever, doing everything he can to make things better. He was at that point of acceptance, but this procedure has renewed his hope. Now that it has, he wants to move forward. She says, but he is moving forward. Just slower than he’d like. He says, so slow, he’s standing still. Oh, his bad. He can’t even stand. She says, now he’s feeling sorry for himself, and that’s not like him. Listen to her. He’s going to keep at it and he’s going to get this one effort at a time. What’s the alternative? Giving up? He asks if she wasn’t the one saying pushing it was a bad idea, and she says she’s always offering her two cents where it’s not needed, but the last thing she wanted was to undermine his belief in himself. He says, that wasn’t her; his legs did. She says, he’s always exceeded people’s expectations. Wasn’t he the only freshman who made varsity basketball in high school? He says, the coach didn’t even want him to try out, and she says, but he proved the coach wrong, didn’t he? She guesses all those skinned knees playing street ball eventually paid off. He proved everybody wrong. He says, what if his streak is over? but she says, it’s not. He just needs to pace himself. He’ll get there. She believes that, and she believes in him. Portia comes in and says she’s glad Stella is here too. Doc is awake and he’s doing better. Stella says, praise be, and Curtis says, good news. Portia asks, where’s Ben? Is his physical therapy session over? Stella looks at Curtis and says, is it?

Back in the courtroom, Gregory sips some water and says he needed this. He thanks Tracy, and she says, anything for a friend. He asks if that’s what they are, and she says she only allows friends and family to manipulate her, so she guesses so. He says he really did need the water, but she has to admit, she wasn’t exactly helping. She says, yes, she was. This is no time for Finn to be noble or selfless. He’s losing patients because of this groundless lawsuit, and he’s such a good doctor. Gregory says, no argument here. He’s just glad Finn has her on his side.

Mrs. Muldoon tells Diane, her children not only lost a father, Dr. Finn has jeopardized their future. Without Dennis, how is she going to pay for their schools, their college? Diane says she’s doing everything she can to get a settlement that will meet the needs of her children, when Martin asks if he can have a word. Diane says, of course (🍷), and tells Mrs. Muldoon that she’s going to confer with Martin. She’ll be right back. Take this moment for herself. Do some deep breathing. It sounds trite, but it does help. And whatever she does, do not engage with the defendant.

Finn asks Alexis what she thinks. Should he let Martin accuse Mrs. Muldoon of fraud? Elizabeth says, heads up. She’s coming. Instead of listening to her high-priced lawyer, Mrs. Muldoon makes a beeline for Finn. She says, if he had any shred of decency, he would change his plea to guilty and end this right now. Alexis says, they shouldn’t be speaking, but Finn says, it’s okay. He wants to hear what she has to say. Go ahead. Let’s talk about decency.

Curtis says he’s just on a break and asks Stella to find Ben and tell him they still have work to do. Stella says she’d be happy to, and leaves. Portia asks what she missed, and Curtis says he messed around and pushed too hard, but nothing was hurt except his ego. He’s really glad Doc is okay. Has she heard anything about Esme? She says, nothing yet. She’s hoping Dante and Chase find her in Toronto, apprehend her, and put her in prison where she belongs. She’s absolutely done with Esme and never wants to worry about Esme Prince again.

Dante tells Chase that it looks like Esme played them. She gave them a false lead. Chase says, if Esme didn’t come looking for Maggie, where did she go? Dante tells Maggie that he’s not sure if she knows, but Esme’s regained her memory. She just assaulted a man and put him in the hospital, nearly killed him. So any insights into Esme would be greatly appreciated. Places she would go, people she’d want to see. Maggie says she doesn’t know. She did her best by Esme. She tried to steer her right, but nothing would sway her. She was dead set on reuniting with her family. Dante says, her family. Maybe that’s the key.

Detective Bennet asks, what happened when Doc arrived on the scene? and Doc says he came into Alexis Davis’s office, and Esme was already there. She was seated, she had her laptop open, and she startled when she realized he was there. It was like she thought he caught her doing something. He flashes back to that, and says, Laura told him that Esme used her credit card to purchase travel to Toronto. Her own credit card? Laura says, yeah, and he says, then what was she doing with The Invader’s corporate card? She had it in her hand. He saw it when he came into the room. Laura says, they’d better call Alexis, and takes out her phone.

Spencer says, they should get the check. He doesn’t want them to be late. Trina says, late for what? and he says, she’ll see.

Martin says he’d like to add someone to the witness list, and Diane says, it’s a little late in the game. He agrees, it is and apologizes for the short notice, but some new information has suddenly come to light. She asks, who’s the witness? and he says, Dr. Powell. Doesn’t ring a bell? She says, no. Should it? He says he guesses they’ll find out, and walks off.

Mrs. Muldoon whines to Finn that they’ll have to sell their home, when Alexis gets a text from Laura: Call me, 911. She tells Elizabeth, and Mrs. Muldoon says, their futures were all planned. Her husband went to Finn and now he’s dead. (Um… Apparently, they didn’t plan that well. Sounds like they played fast and loose with the kids’ college fund.) She asks if he was just another faceless patient to Finn, but Finn says, none of his patients are faceless, not ever. He’s very sorry for her loss, but he did tell her husband that he needed follow-up testing and he failed to do that. She says, that’s not Dennis. He’s wrong. Dennis would have taken proper steps if he’d understood something was seriously wrong. He never would have left her and the children. Even at the very end, all he could think about was the kids. That’s why he told her to sue, so he could make sure his family was taken care of. Finn says, so the malpractice suit was her husband’s idea, and she says, that’s how much he loved them. And when he was in terrible pain, he didn’t worry about himself; he was worried about his family. It’s not right a man that loving should die so young. Finn says, no, it isn’t.

Diane comes running in, saying, no, no, no, no, no. She thought she asked Mrs. Muldoon not to talk to Dr. Finn. What did Finn say? Finn says, not much. Her client, however, said plenty. Diane leads Mrs. Muldoon to the other side of the courtroom, and Gregory asks what she said to Finn. Martin says he’d like to hear the answer to that question himself, and Elizabeth says, she made a lot of accusations, but Finn says, it doesn’t matter. She’s in pain. How did it go with Diane? Martin says, Diane has the best poker face he’s ever seen, but he honestly thinks she doesn’t know why he’s calling a late witness. He mentioned the oncologist’s name and there was nothing. No indication of recognition whatsoever. Tracy asks if Martin mentioned he was an oncologist, and he asks if he looks like an idiot. She says, well… and Gregory clears his throat. Elizabeth says she doesn’t think Diane would be an accessory to fraud, and Finn says, probably Mrs. Muldoon isn’t either. He didn’t get the feeling she knew. Elizabeth says neither did she, and Tracy says, that is for her lawyer to prove. Finn says, if Mrs. Muldoon goes to prison, what will happen to her kids? and Tracy says she thinks the question he should be asking is, if he doesn’t win this case, what will happen to his kid?

Dante asks Maggie to excuse them for a minute, and steps into the hallway with Chase. He says, they have to explore the family aspect, and Chase asks, what family? Esme’s mother is in Pentenville, and since Esme attacked Doc, that rules out any support she’d get from him and Laura. Who else is left? Dante says, her son, and takes out his phone. He looks at Laura’s number.

Laura says, Alexis should be here any moment now, when her phone rings. She says, this is Dante, and tells Dante that she’s here with Doc and Detective Bennet and he’s on speaker. Dante asks how Doc is doing, and Doc says, his head hurts. Otherwise, he’s okay. Dante says, good to hear, and Laura asks if they’ve found anything in Toronto, but Dante says, it’s a dead end. He thinks Esme was just trying to buy some time. He was wondering if she heard from Nikolas. Laura says, the last person to speak to him was Spencer. Why? He says, they were thinking Esme might track down Nikolas to reclaim Ace before she goes into hiding, and Laura says she’s sure that’s what Esme would like to do, but she has no means of tracking down Nikolas. However, they might have a new lead on their end. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, actually, Alexis just walked in right now. She tells Alexis that she has Chase and Dante on speaker phone from Canada. Did she find anything? Alexis says she had her assistant email every charge on the corporate credit card in the last 72 hours, and Bennet asks if she was aware the credit card was stolen. She says, no, but Esme, as her assistant, had the authority to use the card and she continually used it. She looks at her phone and says, here’s the email right now… Whoa. What is this here?

Spencer says, shall we go? and he and Trina get up. She asks where they’re off to, and he says, the rest of their lives. He kisses her hand.

Elizabeth tells Finn, as much as she hates to say it, Tracy has a point. if he doesn’t push this fraud angle, he could lose this case and his position at GH. He says he could always go back to research, and she says, really? Here in Port Charles? Or would he and Violet have to move away from everyone who loves them? Is that really what he wants to do? He says, no, of course (🍷) not. But he doesn’t want to see Mrs. Muldoon go to prison for fraud. Those kids already lost their father. She’s all they have. Believe it or not, he can almost understand the desperation Dennis Muldoon was feeling. He was in an impossible situation and made the only choice he thought he could to take care of his family. She says she gets that he was in an impossible situation and just trying to take care of his family, but for Mr. Muldoon to use Finn as a scapegoat, someone who was only trying to help him, and make Finn pay for his misfortune? He asks if it’s any better to throw a grieving widow under the bus. It seems like no matter what, someone’s going to get hurt.

Ben tells Curtis, good work today, and Curtis thanks him for letting the session run over~~, especially since they ran him in and out of there for an hour~~. Ben says he’s glad they got it all in. See him next Thursday? Curtis says, you bet, they fist bump, and Ben leaves. Portia says, it looks like Curtis had a pretty good workout, and he says he sure did. Stella says, his first step to a first step, and Curtis says he sees what she did there. He will be walking when Trina comes home from Paris.

The bailiff says, court will reconvene in five minutes, and Mrs. Muldoon says she’s going to splash some water on her face. Diane asks if she’s sure she doesn’t know a Dr. Powell, but she says, no, and leaves.

Martin tells Finn that his assistant is drawing up a subpoena to have the oncologist testify. He got the motion to add a late witness. Finn says, already? and Martin says, if they’re going to do this, they’ve got to get the ball rolling. They’ve got less than five minutes here. How would Finn like him to proceed? Gregory says he’ll support whatever decision Finn makes, and Finn says he doesn’t want to risk Mrs. Muldoon going to prison. Martin says, he may have to, to clear his name.

In the hallway, Tracy tells Mrs. Muldoon that she needs a word, but Mrs. Muldoon says her attorney advised her not to speak to Dr. Finn or any of his supporters. (Like she listened before.) Tracy says, that’s okay. She’ll do all the talking.

The bailiff asks everyone to take their seats, and Gregory asks Elizabeth, where did Tracy go? Martin tells Finn, all right, doc. It’s go time. What are we doing?

Alexis says, there’s an airline charge on the corporate credit card, and Esme’s name is on the ticket. Dante says, ticket to where? and Doc says, Paris. She was booking a flight to Paris. (Okay, so Esme didn’t save Alexis money.) Alexis says, he’s right. Esme’s ticket was to Paris. Laura says, oh my God. She’s going after Spencer and Trina.

Spencer and Trina leave the ~~French PC Grill~~ restaurant, and Trina says, he’s too cute. He tells her that she’s beautiful. Take it all in. It’s all for them. She says she can’t believe this is all happening, and he says, she’s too cute. (All right already with cute.) Is she ready for her next surprise? She says she doesn’t need a surprise. She’s got him. That’s all she could ever need. He kisses her and they continue walking. Apparently, Trina needs some Spidey-sense too, since Esme steps out of the shadows and follows them.

Tomorrow, Martin tells Finn, they go with what they planned, or go with this new theory; Anna tells Jordan that someone is playing games, and she wants to find out why; and Sonny tells Ava, things have changed and so have the threats.

🍼 Ask Where Ace Is…

IMO, the best Nikolas of them all. Wednesday, January 31, 3 pm.

Chat Live With GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Adam Huss!

🚑 She’ll Be Back…

OG Josslyn is getting there.

Eden McCoy’s GH Return Date Revealed!

🥀 Way Too Soon…

It doesn’t give details, but regardless, so sad.

Erika Slezak Mourns the Death of Her Daughter Amanda

🛸 Bring On the Space Cake….

I’m not saying anyone is wrong here. Maybe Denise is owning what’s hers; maybe she’s a big a-hole. It’s hard to tell judge everything that’s going on in two minutes of film out of an entire evening. But in regard to her saying she might have been slipped something, until this chef went apesh*t, I didn’t think for once she meant him. I thought she was inferring it might have been one of the other cast members. Which, considering past behavior, isn’t a stretch.

Kyle Richards’ Weed Chef Slams ‘Absolutely Obliterated’ Denise Richards

💎 She Knows Nothing…

I’ve been leaning this way too. Only because the whole thing looks so awkward. Mauricio is so high all the time, it doesn’t seem like he gives a flying what’s going on, and Kyle seems like a bad actress in a script she wrote herself.

Sutton Stracke Won’t Answer if She Thinks Kyle Richards’ Marital Struggles Are for ‘Clicks’

🍸 Latest Rules…

But is it still the best time of our life?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/something-about-her-in-vanderpump-rules-season-11-intro-details

🎬 Très Amusant…

Because sitting through the reality of it wasn’t enough.

https://ew.com/all-star-live-reading-of-vanderpump-rules-scandoval-8551139

⛴ New Boat Daddy…

Sorry, Captain Kerry, I will forever miss Stud of the Sea, Captain Lee. It’s nice to see Ben again though.

Below Deck’s Ben Willoughby Discusses ‘Fresh Breeze’ With Captain Kerry Titheradge

🐩 Furbaby Fête…

Spoiler: They’re all cute.

“Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” to Air February 21 on CBS

🍳 Putting All My Eggs In One Frying Pan…

IKR? Early today. Come back tomorrow for soap and VanderTalk. Until then, stay safe, stay not being that person in the express checkout lane, and stay always exceeding people’s expectations.

Jan27

January 26, 2024 – Sprina’s First Day In Paris, Side Gig, He’s Serious, Random Wives, VanderComeback, Too Soon For Awful, Trailer For Ones, Puppy (!) Party, Practically 10 Quotes & Key

Posted on January 27, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. Trina and Spencer are shown to their hotel room, and Trina says she didn’t think anything could be nicer than their hotel room in New York, but this… They’re literally on the Sienne. It’s incredible. (A slight exaggeration. They dressed up a decent room with champagne bucket and a bunch of peonies.) He says, she’s incredible. He thought they deserved the very best to welcome them to the next chapter of their lives. They kiss.

At the hospital, Chase tells Jordan that they pulled Esme’s credit card records. There was a bus ticket bought yesterday, destination Toronto. She says, any stops along the way? but he says, straight shot. If Esme’s hiding out at her former nanny’s, they have the address of where to find her.

Anna runs over to Laura and says she just heard about Kevin. How’s he doing? Laura says, he’s stable. He’s in and out of consciousness right now, but they’re doing more tests. Anna tells her to hang in there, and she says she is. Anna says, he’s so strong; he’ll pull through this. Laura thanks her, and Anna says she wishes she could do more than give her just words. Laura says she thinks Anna can. She can come back to the PCPD.

Nina sits at Charlie’s looking at The Invader headline: A CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT CRIMSON; NINA REEVES OUT, CARLY SPENCER IN. Ava calls, but she doesn’t answer.

Ava leaves a message asking Nina what she’s seeing in The Invader. Call her. She’s worried about her. Sonny asks who she’s talking to, and Ava says, Nina’s voicemail. Has he seen this? She shows him her tablet, and he says he hasn’t read the article, but he knows there’s a transition. She says, a transition. Otherwise known as an ousting. He asks if that surprises her after what Nina did to Carly and Drew. She says, even so, someone has to check up on her. She’s not picking up. Is that a problem for him? He says, Brick is on his way up here with an update, and she asks if he’s learned anything about the threats against her. He says, the sooner they can stop this, the sooner they can end this living arrangement they have.

At the courthouse, Martin apologizes for his late arrival. Miss McCall was keeping him apprised of her investigation. Finn asks how that’s going, and Elizabeth asks if she found anything that could help the case. Sam says, it’s going, and yes, she did.

Brick knocks on the penthouse door, and Sonny says, it’s good to see him. Brick says, it’s always good to be seen. He asks Ava, how’s everything? and she says, fine. She asks if he’d care for an espresso, but he says, no thank you, and Sonny asks him to have a seat. Brick says, unfortunately, he has to keep this brief. He has a meeting this afternoon. Sonny says, as long as he’s caught up, Brick can make it as brief as he wants. He looks at Ava, and Ava says, if he’s waiting for her to make herself scarce, that’s not going to happen. This concerns her. He says he knows that, but as soon as it becomes business, leave, and she says, okay. They sit, and Sonny says, fill him in. Brick says he couldn’t pull any prints off the photograph or notes sent to Ava, but he was able to trace the weapon. It was part of a set of unmarked weapons from the Bureau… Yeah, he knows. Ava asks, what’s the significance of the gun being stolen from the WSB? and Sonny says, it means it’s connected to the rifle that shot at him a year ago at the MetroCourt pool.

Sam says she was able to access Muldoon’s EZ-Pass records and cross-reference them with the security cameras from the gas station across the street from the oncologist’s office. Elizabth says, tell them there was something on that footage, and Sam says, a big something. Muldoon entering the medical pavilion long before his meeting with Finn. Gregory says, there they have it. Proof that he was being treated for cancer. Martin says, maybe, but unfortunately, it’s circumstantial, and Finn says, it’s a medical pavilion. There must be dozens of specialists working out of that building. Martin says, exactly. A dentist, and ENT and an allergist, just to name a few. Finn says, Muldoon could have been going to see any one of them, but Gregory says, he wasn’t. He was there to see the oncologist. Finn asks how they prove that, and Martin says, that’s the number one question. The second being, if he was being treated by that oncologist, why wouldn’t he tell Finn that? Elizabeth says, it doesn’t make any sense, and Sam says she has one more lead to follow up on. If she gets results, she’ll be in touch ASAP. Finn says he really appreciates it, and Sam tells him, good luck, and leaves. Martin says, shall we? and Finn says, no time like the present. Let’s do this.

Spencer asks the bellhop for a converter because his phone died, and the bellhop leaves. Trina says, that accent is to die for, and Spencer says, mine or his? She says, his. Spencer’s is decent though. Spencer says, moi? Blah-blah-blah Française? (I took two years of French and still know nothing but how Jean Paul and Pierre pack a suitcase and how to curse someone out.) She says, mais oui, and that’s about as much as she knows. Thank God for the translator app though. He says she doesn’t have to rely on a translator app. He’s happy to give her French lessons. She says, he’s going to teach her, huh? and he clicks on the remote, turning on some music. He says, to start, and speaks French like Gomez Addams as he kisses her neck. They work their way over to the bed and get busy.

Jordan asks if the Toronto authorities have been notified, and Chase says, they have, but there’s another way. Dante has met Esme’s former nanny. They can reach out to her. Keep things nice and clean. That is, if the department can spare them. She says, absolutely. She’ll make arrangements with their superior. She does know it’s his brother’s trial today, so if he wants her to send someone else with Dante… He says he’ll go, and she asks if he’s sure. He says, Finn understands that this is important. She says, okay. Good luck and keep her posted. He says, copy that, and leaves.

Laura says, Anna looks shocked, and Anna says, because she is. Laura says, the PCPD has been without an active Commissioner for months now. It’s been chaotic and confusing. It may even be part of the reason Esme was able to slip between the cracks. (Huh?) Anna says she thought Mac was doing an excellent job, and Laura says, he is, but not only has he made it very clear he’s not interested in the position full-time. He’s been out of the country for she doesn’t even know how long now. The department needs stability and Anna could provide that. Anna says, Laura… but Laura says, just hear her out. Next to Jordan, who’s made it very clear to her that she’s happy in her new role as the Deputy Mayor, Anna is the next, most qualified candidate. Anna says, and the most controversial. Forget about her public humiliation. What about what happened with Laura’s granddaughter? Laura says she doesn’t blame Anna for that, and Anna says she shot a child. Laura says, but she was being manipulated by her former director, Brennan. And on top of that, Valentin chose to keep her completely in the dark about what was going on with Charlotte. This was a horrible accident, but it’s one that doesn’t change the fact that she believes Port Charles would be safer under Anna’s leadership. Jordan comes over and says, and for what it’s worth (🍷), she agrees 1000%. Anna says, they have no idea what this means to her, but she’s sorry. She can’t. What happened with Charlotte makes her feel like she’s not ready. She doesn’t deserve the badge. Laura says she understands what Anna is going through, but she’s asking Anna to take some time to consider this offer. Laura sees Portia coming their way, and asks if she’s heard anything about Doc. Is he going to be okay?

The bailiff says, all rise. The honorable Judge Arnold presiding. The judge tells them, be seated, and Elizabeth mouths I love you to Finn, who winks at her.

Portia says she just spoke with Doc’s doctors and they’re still running some tests, but they’re cautiously optimistic that his prognosis will be good. She’ll know more when he wakes up. Laura says, thank God, and Portia says, if Laura hadn’t found him when she did, this could be an entirely different conversation. Laura says she doesn’t want to think about that, and thanks Portia for keeping her in the loop. Portia says, of course (🍷), and Anna says, that’s great news, hugging Laura. She’s sorry. She’s late for a phlebotomy treatment, so she has to go. She’ll catch up with Laura later. She says goodbye to them and leaves. Jordan says she has to go as well, but asks Laura to let her know if she needs anything. They hug and Jordan says she’s really glad Doc is going to be okay. She leaves, and Portia asks if Laura has heard from Spencer at all. Laura says she hasn’t. She’s a little surprised since she thinks she may have sounded a little frantic in her message, but maybe his plane hasn’t landed yet. Portia says she tracked the flight; it landed. Maybe she should call Trina again. Laura says, don’t bother. Esme is in Canada and Doc is out of the woods. Spencer will call her when he calls her. Let them have a good time. Portia says, they’re in Paris. How could they not be?

Basking in the afterglow, Trina kisses Spencer, and he says, champagne toast? He gets out of bed and takes out the bottle of champagne. He says, it’s a good year, and starts to unwrap the foil, when the bellhop walks in. They don’t knock in Paris?

Diane says, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the name Hamilton Finn – Dr. Hamilton Finn – may be all over the docket in this case, but make no mistake, the story belongs to Dennis Muldoon, deceased husband of the plaintiff. You’re going to hear how Dennis Muldoon sought the help of a trusted doctor in his time of need, and how that doctor, through sheer negligence, failed to order a test which could have caught the cancer in time. This story is by no means uncommon. Medical practitioners make mistakes all the time. Which is why it is of the upmost importance that we hold them accountable. Not just for the error itself, but for the birthdays, weddings, graduations, everything that Dennis Muldoon will now sadly, tragically have to miss. She indicates the grieving widow.

Martin says, I can, and will, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dr. Hamilton Finn did encourage Dennis Muldoon to follow up with further testing, and that far from being in error with medical negligence, this was an error of personal responsibility… as tragic as that may be.

Ava asks if they’re saying the same person that killed Austin shot Curtis, and Brick says, in a botched attempt to assassinate Sonny. Sonny asks if Brick thinks this theory has anything to do with the anonymous bid on Windymere. Can Ava do him a favor? Can she give Brick all the information she has? She says, on the shell corporation. She doesn’t have much, but she’ll get what she has. She leaves, and Sonny says he wants Brick to coordinate with Dex as far as stepping up surveillance. Brick says, all the usual suspects? and Sonny says, Carly, the kids, Olivia, and now Ava because she’s in the middle of all this. Brick says he’s on it, but he doesn’t have a question. Does Nina get added to that list?

Sitting with Nina, Valentin asks if she’s all right, and she says she’s pretty sure she lost her husband and her daughter. And the final kicker is, Drew and Carly want to take everything else from her too. He says, otherwise okay? and she laughs. She says she brought it on herself, right? At least that’s what everyone tells her. He says, she may be down, but at least she’s not down for the count. So what’s the plan? She says, for what? and he says, for taking back what’s yours.

Averting his eyes, the bellhop tells Spencer that he’s very sorry. He knocked on the door and there was no answer. He assumed they’d stepped out. He holds out a bag, and Spencer takes it, thanking him. The bellhop says, his converter, and leaves. Trina says, if he’d shown up a few minutes earlier, he would have gotten quite the show. She asks for his phone to charge it, and tells him to open up the champagne. He asks if she heard the bellhop knock, and she says, in all fairness, they could have put up the Do Not Disturb sign. He says, that would have kind of killed the romantic flow, and she says, option A, take a two-second break from making out, or option B, getting caught by the bellhop in your underwear. He says, fine. Next time, they’ll put up the Do Not Disturb sign. She says, there’s going to be a next time? and he says, oh yeah. And a next time, and a next time, and a next time… He kisses her with each next time. He sees the turtle dove sticking out of her purse, and he says, she brought it with her? She says, there might be weekends where he’s going to be back home, and she’ll be here. It’ll be like they’re still together. That’s what this thing is for, isn’t it? He says, it sure is. That’s pretty cute. He takes the other turtle dove out of his bag, and she says, he has his with him. He says he takes it with him everywhere he goes. Once he gets his apartment here, it will have a permanent place on his bedside table. He kisses her and his phone dings. He looks at it and says, his grandmother left him a voicemail.

Brick says he doesn’t mean to bring up a tough subject, but he doesn’t know where Sonny and Nina stand right now. Sonny says, she’s his wife legally, so she’s going to be a potential target, and Brick says he’ll make sure to keep eyes on her. Ava comes back and says she made copies for Brick. This is it. She gives him a folder, and Brick says he’ll look into it. He tells Sonny to let him know if he needs anything, they shake hands, and Brick leaves. Ava asks how seriously she needs to take this. Stay vigilant or complete lockdown? He says, they’re not there yet, and she says, thank God. Because nothing good can come of them stuck in this penthouse. On that note, what does he say they get out of here?

Nina asks if Valentin thinks she has a leg to stand on, and he says he thinks she has two gorgeous legs to stand on. (BA-DUM-CHH!) She’s Nina Reeves for God’s sake. She built Crimson into the empire it is today. He can’t imagine her advertisers and top designers are thrilled with what Drew has decided. She says, it doesn’t matter, but he says, of course (🍷) it matters. She says she doesn’t have any recourse, and he says, how about if she gives him a number. How much would it cost to create a rival publication and poach every top staffer at Crimson that would give Drew and Carly a fighting chance at success?

Diane asks Mrs. Muldoon if she ever got a sense that there were any health concerns prior to this diagnosis, but Mrs. Muldoon says, no. They were shocked when they learned he had Stage IV cancer. He seemed totally fine. It’s like they blinked, and he was gone. Diane says, the doctors who took care of her husband in hospice, were they able to provide any insight? and she says, they told her any physician who would have run even the most basic tests would have seen the cancer. If only someone had. She looks at Finn and says, a few months would have made the difference. Her children would still have a father. Martin says, objection, your honor. That calls for speculation. Diane says, Mrs. Muldoon’s testimony will be corroborated by Dennis Muldoon’s oncologist, but Judge Arnold says, then they’ll hear it when he or she takes the stand. Sustained. Diane says, no further questions, and the judge says, Martin’s witness. Martin says he’d just like to start by saying how sorry they all are for her loss. She thanks him, and he says he’d just like to know one thing. Was she there when her husband met with Dr. Hamilton Finn, when he was told he needed to go for further testing? She says, no, she was not, and he says, so her opinion on Dr. Finn’s urgency, or lack thereof, is based solely on how her husband described it to her. She says, yes, but… and he says, thank you. That’s all. No further questions. The judge says, she may step down, and Mrs. Muldoon leaves the stand. Gregory whispers, that’s it? to Martin, and Martin says, no one ever won a civil trial by ripping the grieving widow to shreds on the witness stand. The jury is right there. She has her story, we have ours. Diane says she’d like to call Dr. Hamilton Finn to the stand.

Laura puts Spencer on speaker and thanks him for calling her back. He says, of course (🍷). What’s going on? She says she has good news on both fronts. First of all, Doc is going to be okay. He says, thank God, and she says, and they’ve tracked Esme to Canada. The authorities there have the address where she’s staying, and Chase and Dante are on their way there right now. He asks what she needs from him, but she says, nothing. Just stay right where he is. She’s sort of comforted by the knowledge that there’s an entire ocean between him and Esme at the moment. Portia says, Laura is right. They’re far safer there than they would be here in Port Charles. Just let the police handle Esme. Spencer promises to look after Portia’s daughter, and she says she’s going to hold him to that. She asks for Trina, and Trina says, hey. Portia says she wants Trina to be safe. She loves her. Trina says she loves Portia too, and she will. Laura says she’ll keep them posted if she hears anything, and Spencer says, sounds good.

Nina says she didn’t agree to have lunch with Valentin to take his money, but he says she wouldn’t be taking it. He’d be investing it – in her. With her prowess, and the help of her editors and advertisers, he thinks any new publication she launched would bury anything Drew and Carly could cook up at Crimson. They don’t know publishing and she does. Sometimes the best revenge is good business. She says, if she does this… He says, she’s considering it, and she says, maybe. If she does this, this war with Carly will only escalate until one of them surrenders. He lifts his glass and says, to it not being you. They clink glasses, when Sonny walks in with Ava.

Brick says, he’s got to admit, he didn’t think the hospital is where his meeting with Jordan would take place, and she says, if he gives her something she can use, maybe she’ll give him an upgrade. He says he can dream, and she asks if he traced the number that called her. He says he went through some backchannels, which he’s guessing is why she reached out to him in the first place. The call came from a burner phone, one of those prepaid deals you can get it at any gas station. She says, so it wasn’t registered, and he says, hold on. The phone pinged a cell tower a stone’s throw away from Pentenville the night the call came in. No residents or roads nearby. She says, Pentenville, and he says, they know better than anyone how to smuggle phones in. She thanks him, and he says, no sweat. He starts to leave, but comes back and says he hasn’t lost her number. He hopes she’s not going to lose his. She rolls her eyes as he leaves.

Diane asks how long Finn has been a department head at General Hospital, and he says, seven years and eleven months. She says, that’s a long time. And in that time, he found a cure for Blackwood’s disease, which was ravaging certain oceanic regions. Is she correct? Finn says, that is correct, and she says, that’s quite a feat, to use deductive reasoning and applied science to find a cure. Finn says, it’s part of the job, and she says, it is. So what went wrong on the day Dennis Muldoon came to visit him? Martin says, objection, and Diane says she’ll rephrase. How did Finn not catch the Stage IV cancer that other doctors insist would have been blatantly obvious at that time? Finn says he’s an infectious disease specialist. Mr. Muldoon came to see him for treatment for a tapeworm, which he had. However, Finn knew something else was wrong, so he suggested Muldoon have some more tests run. Diane asks if there was any urgency to this suggestion, a bit of a warning that he might be dealing with something more serious, perhaps life threatening. Finn says he recommended Muldoon have further tests run. He doesn’t recall the level to which he stressed urgency. Diane says, so it’s his contention that another infectious disease specialist couldn’t have deduced that cancer was at play, but Finn says he can’t speculate on other doctors, and her statement does not equate to malpractice. Diane says, even if he wasn’t at the top of his game, shall they say? and he says he doesn’t know what that means. She asks if he was suspended from General Hospital six years ago, and Finn says he was. She says, care to tell the court why? and Martin says, objection. Medical privacy. Diane says, withdrawn. Would Finn agree that a doctor at the top of his game could have suspected cancer? Could have ordered the proper tests and could have conveyed to Mr. Muldoon the gravity of his situation? Finn tells her, like he said he can’t speculate… She says, yes or no will suffice, and he says, the expectation that a doctor in another field could immediately catch everything wrong with a patient is not only unreasonable, it’s completely absurd. He did what needed to be done on the day. (Apparently, Finn forgot the number one rule here.) Diane says, just what needed to be done, and Finn tells her, that’s not what he said. She says, no further questions. Martin asks if Finn ever told Dennis Muldoon that a tapeworm wasn’t the only cause of his symptoms, and Finn says, no. Martin says, and did he in fact advise Muldoon that further tests were necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and Finn says, yes. Martin asks if he took that advice, and Finn says, no, he did not. Martin says, so conveyed urgency aside, does he as a physician have the authority to compel a patient to undergo a test they do not wish to have done? and Finn says, no, he doesn’t. Martin says, no further questions, and Judge Arnold says, Finn can step down. Finn goes back to his seat, and Elizabeth says she thought Martin told them that Diane would talk about Finn’s past drug use, but Martin says, she didn’t have to. She did more damage by hanging it in the window. Finn says, and she knows it, and Martin says, up to this point, he’s kept his questioning brief because he honestly believes the facts are on Finn’s side in this case. But he has to be honest. That little tit for tat with Miss Miller just now? He doesn’t think Finn did himself any favors.

Diane thanks a doctor on the stand for his input and expertise, and says, the prosecution rests. The judge calls for a brief recess and says, court will resume at 1:45. The bailiff says, all rise, the judge leaves, and the bailiff says, the jury is excused. Sam comes in and asks how it’s going. Martin says, all is not lost, but he’s not going to lie. He could use some more help. Sam says she did some more digging and found out that several debt collectors have placed liens on the Muldoons. Finn takes an envelope from her and looks at the paperwork. He says, it looks like their house is about to be foreclosed on. Elizabeth says she thought they were wealthy, but Sam says, they’ve been cash poor for a while now. Gregory says he’s sure cancer can get expensive, and Sam says, this has actually been going on for a while. The Muldoons were heavily invested in Aurora. When the stocks went down, they pretty much lost everything. Finn says, that was eighteen months ago. Soap looks all around.

Jordan sees Anna and asks if her phlebotomy went okay, and Anna says, everything’s fine. What’s going on? Jordan says she traced the number for the source who called about the unmarked gun, and Anna asks if she has a lead on who shot Curtis. Jordan says, Sonny may have been the intended target, but she thinks Anna is still connected to this as well.

Nina tells Sonny that she heard about Ace. Is Spencer okay? He says, that’s none of her business (harsh!), and keeps walking. Ava says she got Nina’s voicemail. She’s so sorry to hear about Crimson. Call her when she gets a chance, and they’ll talk. Nina starts to respond, but Ava joins Sonny, and Nina goes back to her table. Valentin asks if she wants to go somewhere else, but she says, Phyllis told her that she’s always welcome here. She won’t be run off with her tail between her legs. He says his offer still stands. What does she say? She tells him that she says the two of them have a bad habit of bringing out the worst in each other.

Portia says she’s got some good news, and Laura says, that’s her favorite kind. Portia says, the doctors think that Doc should be waking up very soon. They’re going to be moving him to his room and Laura should be able to see him shortly after that. Laura cries and thanks her, and Portia says, Doc’s going to be okay. The kids are safe. They’re lucky, all things considered. Laura says she agrees, but if she could only stop blaming herself. Portia says, blaming herself for what? and Laura says, Esme. She knew what Esme was capable of, but Esme is her husband’s niece, she’s the mother of her grandchild. She thinks she just wanted so badly to see the good in Esme, she let it blind her to all the horrible things Esme has done that she never paid for. She did awful things to Portia’s daughter. Portia must be so angry with her.

Spencer tells Trina that he wishes he could say he was wrong, that Esme hadn’t gotten her memory back and that Ace could still be safe with her. But he guesses he did the right thing giving Ace to his father. If anyone has a knack for disappearing, it’s him. There’s no way Esme’s going to… Trina is preoccupied with her phone, and he asks what she’s doing. She says, there’s a flight back to New York in two hours. He can make it before midnight. He says, she’s telling him this because… and she says, Doc just got attacked and his brother is in danger. She appreciates him coming with her, but his family needs him now.

Sam says, looks like Muldoon has been trying to stop the bleeding for months. He even cashed out a life insurance policy to pay his bills. Martin says, before or after he saw an oncologist? and Sam says, before. Martin says, thanks to Sam, they now have one hell of a theory to present to the court, and Elizabeth says, Muldoon came to Finn on purpose. The whole malpractice suit… Finn says, it was part of his plan. Muldoon set him up.

I called it at the beginning. And I have receipts! Proof! Timelines! Screenshots! Not really. Just one message to a fellow GH watcher, but I called it pretty early on.

Spencer says, Trina heard his grandmother. Doc is on the mend, and Esme’s in Canada, and the police are on her trail. Trina says, and if any of that changes? and Spencer says, then he’ll get on a plane and go home, but she heard him promise her mother that he’d look after her, and they both know he’s on her hit list. So he thinks it’s best he keeps his word. She asks if he’s sure. Don’t stay for her. He says, of course (🍷) he’s going to stay for her. And for him, for them. Now is she ready for the best weekend of her life? She says, so ready, and he says, very good answer. He kisses her and pops the champagne cork. They kiss some more.

Portia asks why she would be angry with Laura, and Laura says, at the very least, Portia must think she’s naïve. Portia says she thinks Esme is that good of a liar, and Laura says, except Portia never believed it. Portia says she never truly bought into the idea that Esme had changed (more history revision!), but she thinks it’s a little different with her. Laura asks, why is that? and Portia says, because Esme hurt Trina in a very specific, targeted, vindictive way. It’s hard to see your child suffer like that. It leaves a mark. Laura says she’s so sorry, but Portia says, she doesn’t have to be. There’s nothing wrong with hoping someone can change, if and when they take accountability for their actions, but Esme never took accountability for anything. So right now, there’s only one path forward for her. Laura says, absolutely. Agreed. Esme must be found. Esme must be brought to trial for the things she’s done.

Toronto, Canada. Dante and Chase arrive at an apartment, where a Canadian officer stands outside the door. Dante introduces himself and Chase, and the officer says, they were told the detectives were coming. Chase says, any updates? and the officer says, they’ve been monitoring the apartment for 24 hours. No one matching the nanny’s or Prince’s description has exited. Dante says, it’s still occupied? and the officer nods. Dante thanks him for holding off while they waited for him and Chase. There’s going to be trouble. The officer knocks at the door, and Chase and Dante put their hands on their guns.

Nina says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t tempted by Valentin’s offer, and he says, but? She says, but she has to try and control these impulses she has if she’s going to have any hope of salvaging a relationship with Willow. He says, okay, but if she changes her mind… She says she knows where to find him, and he says, they have a long history of twisting themselves in knots, pretending they’re something they aren’t for other people. She doesn’t have to do that with him. He’s on her side, no matter what. She puts her hand on his and thanks him. Sonny watches.

Sonny tells Ava that he was thinking, and she says, uh-oh. He says, there’s still a threat out there against Ava. Esme’s on the run. Maybe she should spend some time on his island. She says, the gallery is being refreshed this week. She supposes there are worse places to stay vigilant. He says he and Dex will get her settled in and make sure she’s protected. She says, okay. Because going to Puerto Rico is all about her and her safety, right? He asks, what else would it be about? and she says, maybe getting as far away from Nina as possible.

Anna says, so the call that attempted to give Jordan information on the gun came from Pentenville? and Jordan says she’s been looking into this for months and gotten nowhere. Dead end after dead end. So what’s changed in the past few weeks? Who’s new to Pentenville and knew about a shipment of unmarked guns meant to be in the Bureau’s possession? She knew she recognized that voice from somewhere, but she couldn’t put her finger on it until she overheard Anna and Laura talking. Anna says, the person who called Jordan was John Brennan.

On Monday, Portia tells Curtis that she never wants to worry about Esme Prince again; Martin tells Diane that he’d like to add someone to the witness list; and Tracy comes to the courtroom, saying that they should make the fraud public record.

👬🏻 Whole Different Brother…

It’s great how the cast is given wiggle room to do other projects. A happy employee is more likely to stick around.

Nicholas Chavez’s Temporary Exit from GENERAL HOSPITAL Detailed

💻 Not Kidding…

It’s awful how scammers get away with this stuff, but it’s also shocking to see how many people fall for it. One rule of thumb is, if you’re a 2 and they’re a 10, and you don’t know each other personally IRL, it’s not happening.

Scott Clifton Shares a Serious Warning for Soap Fans

💎 Diamonds In the Rough…

Hey, she did finally get that second date.

Sutton Stracke’s Dating Dos and Don’ts

We’ve all been there. The one that just doesn’t go as planned.

Denise Richards Admits RHOBH Comeback Went ‘Sideways’

This one’s diamond should be repossessed.

Why Annemarie Will Probably Regret Becoming a Housewife

🍸 Back To the Rules…

Here’s a thought. If the rest of the cast doesn’t want to film with them, replace them. Or just work with two fewer cast members. People thought Charlie Sheen and Roseanne couldn’t be replaced either.

Season 11 Could Make or Break Vanderpump Rules

🏊‍♀️ Awful Summer People Return…

How is this back already? It might be worth watching for the big break-up though.

Everything We Know About Summer House Season 8

⚰️ Dead Coming Soon…

The final trailer for The Ones Who Live.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-trailer-rick-and-michonne-search-broken-world-8550132

🐕 Bowling At Home…

You, too, can be host of your own Puppy Bowl.

https://be.chewy.com/how-to-throw-a-puppy-bowl-party/

https://www.dogtv.com/blog/how-to-throw-a-puppy-bowl-party-dogtvs-guide-to-tail-gating

https://wearwagrepeat.com/puppy-bowl-party/

🎋 Quotes of the Week

I’m not Dr. Phil. – Judge Marilyn Milian, People’s Court

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Indian Proverb

What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change. – James Orbinski (Now if I could just figure out what the something is…)

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia

The healthy being craves an occasional wildness, a jolt from normality, a sharpening of the edge of appetite, his own little festival of Saturnalia, a brief excursion from his way of life. – Robert MacIver

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. – Mae West

Peace is not absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. – Ronald Reagan

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee

The best way to learn how to enjoy life is from a dog. – Nils Sandmann

🪗 Making My Own Kind Of Music…

Come back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and whatever the future holds. Until then, stay safe, stay parking between the lines, and stay remembering that sometimes the best revenge is good business.

Jan20

January 19, 2024 – Drew Makes a Replacement, A Thought, Custom Made, Side Work, Joke’s On Her, Reaction, VanderSpin, Dragon 2, Late Return, Which Ones, He’s Back, Best Bowl, One Dozen Quotes & Winter

Posted on January 20, 2024 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura says, Cyrus’s health must be improving. He looks better. Cyrus thanks her and says, dropping the charges against Sonny Corinthos has revitalized his spirit. His soul is unburdened, so his body can heal. She asks, what led to this unburdening? and he says, accountability. He acknowledged his role in the attack. How he provoked Sonny at the wrong time instead of giving him grace. If he’d simply turned around and walked away, the beating would never have happened. Once he realized that, he was able to let his anger go, and he found peace. She asks if that’s why he called her last night and wanted her here first thing in the morning, to share this epiphany? He says he called her because there’s a lost soul in need of her help. Spencer walks in and Cyrus says, welcome, nephew. You’re right on time.

Ava hears someone come into the gallery, and says she told Trina to take the day off. She turns around and sees it’s Esme. She asks what the hell Esme wants. She’s not welcome here. Esme says, please don’t kick her out. She needs Ava’s help.

Willow says hi to Adam, and he asks where he is. She says, he’s at General Hospital, and he asks, why? She says, because his friend saved his life.

Carly finishes with an interview for a ~~Kelly’s~~ Bobbie’s manager, when Sam walks in. She says, Carly looks underwhelmed, and Carly says, she’s perceptive. She guesses that’s what makes Sam such a great P.I. If she’s looking for something new, perhaps Carly can interest her in the exciting world of shift management.

Nina goes to her office, where movers are removing everything. She asks what they’re doing here, and one of them says, moving. She says, they must be on the wrong floor, but he says, they’re on the right floor. She says, they can’t be because this is her office. They have to leave immediately and tell that guy to bring her stuff back or she’s calling security. He says, they’re just doing their job, and she says, what job? Who ordered this? Drew walks in and says he did. He tells the guys, good work, and suggests they take a break, giving them money for coffee (which I notice he says like caffee) and muffins. They leave, and Nina says, what the hell? He can’t just order her out of her own office. It’s trespassing. He says, no, it’s business. He owns Aurora; Aurora owns Crimson. He knows she’s the Editor-in-Chief of Crimson, but he’s still her boss. Until now. She’s fired. (Okay. I won’t get into how many shades of wrong this would be in the real world, and the lawsuit that would happen. I’ll just keep telling myself, it’s only a soap…)

In the chapel, Josslyn asks how Dex found her, and he says, when she didn’t answer his calls, he went by her dorm. He ran into her RA Kylie, and she told him what happened. He came here and looked around until he found her. She says, her phone died. She’s sorry she didn’t pick up his call. So much was going on. He says, obviously. Why didn’t she call him when she got here? She says she didn’t want to bother him. She knows how he feels about Adam and figured he had enough. He says, if she’s going through something, he wants to know and help if he can. That’s how this works. Got it? She says, got it. She suggests they check on Adam, see if he’s awake. She needs to apologize to him. He asks what she needs to apologize for, and she says, he freaked out because she told the RA that he was in trouble, but Dex says, she has nothing to apologize for. The people who need to be apologizing are Adam’s parents.

Willow asks if Adam remembers anything from last night, but he says, not really. He’d had too much to drink at a frat party. She says, Josslyn Jax found him alone in Rice Park, and he says, sometimes when he drinks, he wanders. It’s a bad habit. She says, he also ingested a lot of pills, and he says, for a cold. She says she’ll let the doctor fill him in, but he says he’d really like to get back to his dorm. She says, he’ll have to be cleared by the attending before he can be released, and he asks when that will be. She says, he had to have his stomach pumped last night. She doesn’t want to alarm him, but he’s lucky to be alive. He says, lucky me.

Carly tells Sam, business is going great, really great. That’s why she has to hire more staff. It’s a really good problem to have, but she just wants Bobbie’s to live up to its namesake. Sam asks what she’s talking about. Bobbie’s is thriving because of her. Onward and upward. Carly thanks her and says she needed to hear that. What can she get Sam? Sam says she’s going to wait to order until Drew gets here, and Carly says, she’s meeting him now? Sam says, actually, five minutes ago. He’s running late. Carly says she hates to break it to Sam, but she’s going to be waiting a long time for Drew.

Nina says, Drew is making a big mistake, and he says, maybe, but it’s his mistake to make. She asks if he honestly thought she’d just roll over and accept this. What about Michael? Drew might own Aurora, but Michael runs it. What does he think Michael will have to say about this? Drew says, hooray?

Cyrus says he’s grateful Spencer came, and Spencer says he didn’t know Laura would be here. She says, nor I, you, and asks Cyrus, what’s going on? He says he thought they should both know he had a visitor here late last night. Somebody who needed his help, who was desperate and alone, who felt everything had been taken from her. Spencer says, Esme, and Laura asks why Esme would come here. Cyrus asks if Spencer wants to explain the rest or should he do it for him? and Laura says, enough with the mystery. Somebody better tell her something. Spencer says he saw his father last night.

Ava says, one too many knocks to the head? and Esme says, does Ava think she wants to be here asking for her help? Ava says, at least she didn’t have to break in. Now leave or she’s going to call the cops. Esme asks if she hasn’t already done that. Ava tried to send her to prison. Ava says, funny. That’s where she thinks criminals belong. Esme says, Ava’s right. She shouldn’t have broken into Windymere, and what Ava did is entirely justified. Ava asks what she wants. Spit it out. Esme says, has she seen Nikolas? and Ava says, why? Has she? Esme says, no, and Ava wonders why she asks. Esme says, because he’s kidnapped her son.

Laura says, Nikolas came back to Port Charles? Where is he? Spencer says, he was here last night. He’s already gone. Laura says, her son came and went without her even knowing. At least Spencer got to see him. It must have been quite a shock though. Did he say why he risked coming back to Port Charles? Spencer says, he came here to take Ace with him… and I let him.

Dex says, Josslyn told him about the pressure Adam’s parents put him under. No wonder he cracked. She says she just can’t believe he’s this messed up about his grades. They’re better than hers, and hers are pretty good. Dex says, it’s not about his GPA. He feels shame for letting his parents down. He wants them to be proud of him. She says, but he acts like he can’t stand them, and Dex says, just the opposite. Adam loves his parents and feels like a failure because he can’t live up to their expectations. She asks if that’s how it was for him, and he says, not exactly. If there was any part of him that wanted to please his parents, it got burned out pretty quickly. He only found peace with his family when he walked away. He just hopes Adam doesn’t have to make the same choice. She says, he really needs help, doesn’t he? and Dex says, he’s going to need a good friend, and that’s what she’s been. She says, let’s go see how he’s doing.

Adam apologizes to Willow for being edgy. He just wants to get out of here. She says she bets, but they need to have the attending check him out first, okay? Portia comes in and says, he’s up. How is he feeling? He asks if she’s the attending, and she says she’s Dr. Robinson. She’s the Co-Chief of Staff here. He says, wow. Then she can definitely sign him out. When can he leave? Willow says she’ll check on the attending and see if Dr. Wallace is available. She leaves, and Adam says he’s really sorry, but last night was just a complete, huge misunderstanding. He’s sorry if he caused trouble, but his friend Josslyn just overreacted. So if she could sign him out, that would be great. She says she happens to know Josslyn Jax, and she doesn’t overreact much. Neither does the staff here at the hospital. She thinks it’s pretty clear what happened here, and anyway, he’s going to have to be cleared by a psychiatrist before he can be discharged. It’s hospital policy. He says, Dr. Robinson… Is she Trina’s mom? She says she is, and he says, Trina’s told him a lot about her. She says, he’s friends with Trina, so she has to take especially good care of him, right? He says, cool. So let him out. She says, if after his evaluation, they all agree that what happened last night is just an unfortunate accident, then he can be discharged. If not, then they’ll have to take the next steps. He asks what that even means. Are they going to keep him here or something? Doesn’t he have rights? What if he doesn’t consent to it? She says, of course (🍷) he has rights. Absolutely, but some of those rights are determined by his diagnosis. They want the absolute best outcome for him, and if they determine he’s a threat to himself or anyone else, they can’t let him leave. It’s hospital policy and standard practice. The on-call psychiatric attending should be here soon, and his parents… He says, they can’t know, and she tells him calm down. He says, please. They can’t know.

Ava asks when Nikolas took Ace, and Esme says, during the hearing. Spencer was supposed to bring Ace to the courthouse, but he never showed up. Nikolas came to the apartment and convinced Spencer to give him her baby. Ava says, that’s unbelievable. And she never saw Nicholas in Port Charles? Esme says, no. He hid from her like the coward that he is, but Spencer let Nikolas take Ace. She can’t believe Spencer would betray her like that. She thought they were getting along. She thought Spencer hated his father… Ava says, like father, like son, self-serving, duplicitous, and Esme says, Ace doesn’t even know Nikolas. He’s going to be so scared and so confused. Nikolas doesn’t know what Ace likes. He needs his mother. She can’t be without her son. She cries and says, he’s all that she’s got. Ava says, it’s a terrible thing to be separated from your child, and Esme says, so she understands. Ava says, unfortunately, she does, but why come to her? and Esme says she thought Nikolas might not be able to stay away from her. Ava says, unfortunately, and Esme says, so she’s right, isn’t she? Nikolas came to see her. Ava says, Nikolas was here, and Esme says, thank God, but Ava says, he’s gone now, and Esme’s never going to find him.

Laura says, Spencer let Nikolas take Ace? How could he do such a thing? He says he had no choice. His little brother wasn’t safe with Esme. She says, come on. She’s proven herself to be a good mother and he knows it. Does Esme know Nikolas took her baby? Cyrus says, that’s why she came to see him last night. She wanted his help tracking Nikolas down. Laura asks why Esme thought he could help her, and Cyrus says, she thinks he has powerful contacts and thought he’d be amenable because Nikolas and Ace are his relatives. Of course (🍷) he’s related to them through Laura, so he knew he had to do the right thing and inform her. He asked Spencer here so he could be the one to explain. Spencer says, Cyrus is all about his soul, right? And confession being good for it? Cyrus says he’d hope so. Spencer is the one who took a child from his mother. Spencer says he did not take Ace, and Laura says, no. He just handed Ace over like he was returning a package. How could he do such a thing? She can only imagine how Esme is feeling right now. How could Spencer take a baby from the only family he ever knew? Spencer says, because he loves his brother, and he’s not going to allow him to be raised by some psychopath, but Laura says, he goes back to that whenever it’s convenient for him. Esme’s worked hard to overcome her past. Spencer says, Laura doesn’t understand. He knows the truth now. Esme’s been lying. She remembers everything.

Portia says, they had to call Adam’s parents because according to his PCU medical records, they’re his emergency contact. Adam asks what she told his parents, and she says she told them he was here and that he’d had a medical emergency. He asks if she told them about the pills, that he tried to hurt himself, and she asks if that’s what happened. He says, no. It was just an accident. She says, okay. Here’s the deal. He’s over 18, so he’s considered to be an adult. As far as they’re concerned, they can’t share any of his information without his permission. He thanks her, and she says, but his parents are still going to have questions. And whether or not last night was an accident, he’s still going to need a support system in place. So she’s imploring him to please be honest with the doctor who’s going to evaluate him. Be honest with his parents, and most importantly, be honest with himself.

Portia leaves and asks if there’s any word on the psyche attending. Is it Dr. Wallace? Willow says, he’s still doing rounds in the west wing. He’ll be down in a second. How’s Adam? She feels so bad for him. Josslyn said he’s under a lot of pressure at school. She just hopes if Wiley or Amelia ever feel pressured at school, they come to her. Portia says she doesn’t get it. Kids these days have so much pressure on them. The bullying, the isolation, school shootings, everything that’s going on in the world. Depression and anxiety are an epidemic for this generation, and it breaks her heart. Josslyn and Dex come by, and Josslyn asks Portia if Adam is awake yet. Portia says she didn’t know Josslyn was here. Did she sleep here last night? Josslyn says she just wants to make sure Adam is okay, and Portia says, he’s awake. He cannot have any visitors right now. That’s really all she can tell Josslyn. A man goes to the reception desk and says he’s here to see Adam Wright. He was brought in last night. He wants to see his son.

Carly says, Drew mentioned he had a meeting at Aurora this morning, and Sam says, they’ve had this on the books for a week. Carly says she’s sure it was last minute. He must have forgotten. Drew would never leave her hanging. Sam says, so she thought. Never say never, she guesses. Carly asks what that means, and Sam says she and Drew have been out of step lately. That’s why she scheduled this meeting, to see if they could iron some things out. Carly asks if this is about the situation with Scout’s school. She doesn’t believe Drew meant to undercut Sam. Sam says, actually, they’ve resolved that issue, but things are still really tense, and they have been since he got home from Pentenville. Maybe it’s just her… Never mind. Carly says, don’t do that. Talk to her. What’s going on? Sam says, Carly probably spends the most time with Drew. Since he’s been back, hasn’t she noticed that he’s changed?

Drew says, as Nina pointed out, Michael just runs Aurora. He happens to own it, so he gets the final say. Nina says she gets it. Either Micahel disagrees with him about firing her and running Crimson into the ground or he doesn’t know. Michael may have Sonny’s last name and he may hate her, but he’s a Quartermaine through and through. He doesn’t let his personal feelings interfere with the balance sheet. Drew says, don’t forget he’s a Quartermaine too, and she says, maybe he should take a page out of his nephew’s book. She has run a tight, profitable ship for years. She saved Crimson from bankruptcy when Julian Jerome tried to run it in the ground and use it as a tax write-off. Now Crimson is one of the top fashion magazines in the country. It is Aurora’s flagship title and it’s her baby. Speaking of, what kind of father tanks his company and destroys his child’s legacy? Isn’t Scout a major shareholder? He gets in Nina’s face and tells her, don’t you dare bring my daughter into this. (I say, or what? You gonna hit me? which is what Nina should say.)

Carly tells Sam, Drew had a horrific experience in Pentenville, and he’s struggling. She thinks that’s to be expected ~~after 3 years in a dungeon in Crete first that affected him not at all~~. Just when he was getting his bearings, they found out Nina was the one who called the SEC on them. And that very same night, they found out her mother died. She thinks Drew’s angry. She’s angry. Sam says she understands that, but Drew is angry at the world. Carly is directing her anger toward Nina, and rightly so. Carly says, her instincts are telling her to strike back, but she wants to be more like her mom. She wants to focus on what’s important, and right now, keeping her legacy alive and honoring her is so important. She hopes she’s succeeding, but she doesn’t know. Sam says, Bobbie would be really proud of her right now. Carly thanks her and says, but Bobbie also gave people second chances. Maybe that’s what they need to do for Drew. Give him some grace and double down on their support. Sam says she hears Carly, and don’t get her wrong, she’d do anything to support Drew, aside from the issue with Scout and the school. If there’s any way she can help him… Does Carly have any idea how she can do that? She’s listening.

Drew asks what he ever did to Nina. Did he harm her in some way? She says, it wasn’t about him. It was always about Carly. He says, two people were reported to the SEC. Did she just forget about him? She didn’t care that he was collateral damage? She didn’t care that he just got back into his daughter’s life, and he was ripped away again? Right after he helped save Nina’s daughter’s life, so she just cares about her daughter, not his? She says she’s sorry, and she was very grateful. She didn’t know he’d be the one to go to prison. He says, she didn’t want to know. She didn’t care. She was just so hellbent on destroying Carly. He thinks it’s insecurity. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Wiley and Amelia love Carly. They’re so much closer to Carly than they are to her. Willow too, for that matter. And Sonny and Carly. Their bond is dysfunctional, but it’s also unbreakable, and he doesn’t think she can stand that, so she wanted to get Carly out of the picture. Nina wanted her out by any means possible. Nina asks if he can just stop talking. Yes. She did what she did, and she won’t deny it, but she thinks this is a perfect opportunity for him to acknowledge his part. He is responsible for putting himself at risk. He says, Carly’s investment was a well-intentioned act of support, with no nefarious motive whatsoever. Nina, on the other hand, just wanted to take Carly out. And now he wants to take Nina out. Nina says she wants to give him fair warning. Don’t use all these feelings to influence his business decisions. Talk to legal. He can’t just fire her. She may not own the company, but without her, there is no magazine. He says, she’s not telling him anything he doesn’t know, and she asks if he’s telling her that he would shutter Crimson just to get rid of her. He says he’s telling her that he would do anything to make her pay for what she’s done.

Portia introduces herself to Adam’s father, and he asks, where’s Adam? Is he okay? She says, he’s resting and he still needs to be seen by an attending. He says, Adam drank too much and made a fool of himself. Does that really require further consultation? She says, it requires them to be as thorough as possible, and he says he doesn’t want her running up their bill with all kinds of extra charges. Adam’s already squandered the money they’ve invested in his education with this foolishness, which is exactly what they were afraid of. Now when can he take his son home? Portia says she’ll go check his status, and walks away. Josslyn follows her and says, Adam can’t go. He needs to stay here and get help. He absolutely cannot go home. Wright says, and why is that? What does she know about his son that he doesn’t? (Hint: Probably everything.)

Esme asks if Ava helped Nikolas kidnap her son, but Ava says she would never do anything like that. Esme says, then why was he here? Why did he come looking for Ava? Did he want Ava to help him get her out of the way? Is that why Ava pressed charges against her? Ava says, that’s ridiculous. She didn’t know Esme had broken into Windymere. She didn’t know Laura was going to convince her to confess to it. Esme says, just tell her how to find Nikolas, please, but Ava says she can’t. He’s a Cassadine. He’s got money, he’s got resources, he’s got the private islands. If Laura couldn’t find him, does Esme really think she’ll be able to? Esme says she’s not giving up on her son. She has resources too. Ava says, Esme has no idea what she’s getting herself into, and her resources can’t possibly compete or compare. Esme asks if she looks helpless. She’ll do whatever it takes to find her son. Maybe she has a dangerous ally of her own. Ava says, oh really? Like who? Esme says, Cyrus Renault.

Cyrus says, Esme told him that Spencer threatened to have the old charges reinstated against her. When he questioned her, she wouldn’t say how this might be possible. Spencer says, because she doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s regained her memory, and Cyrus asks how he knows that. Spencer says, because of the little things she was saying. He was with her before her arraignment at the PCPD. She kept going back to how everyone hated her and how she was the one being persecuted. Then he pointed out to her that these are things that sound like the old Esme. As soon as he said that, she backed off. Laura says, how would he expect her to react? She confessed and she expressed true remorse over what was really a Class-A misdemeanor, and still Ava had to press charges. Spencer says, she told him that Ava wanted her to pay for what she supposedly did to Trina, as though Ava and Trina are the ones overreacting, and she’s the one being persecuted in this situation. Laura says she’s sorry. She doesn’t see this as proof that Esme regained her memory. Spencer says, she called him Spence. That’s what she used to call him, back when they were together. She hasn’t used that name for him since she lost her memory. Laura says, so she called him by his nickname, and he says, when he told her that his father had taken Ace, she told him that she was going to the police and was going to report the kidnapping. He threatened her and said, if she does that, he’s going to tell the police that she has her memory back and they’re going to reopen the investigation. As soon as she heard that, she seemed like she couldn’t risk it. Laura says, maybe she couldn’t risk being thought of as a suspect when she’s so desperate to get her son back. He gave Ace away based on a suspicion, not based on something he knew, and certainly nothing he could prove. Spencer says he does know that Esme has regained her memory, and Cyrus says he’s sorry to interrupt, but memory or not, Esme is still going after her son. She came to him asking for his help. Who else is she going to go to? And if Esme is successful, what will she do when she finds Nikolas?

Carly tells Sam that she thinks the best thing they can do for Drew is, just be honest with each other and keep talking, and to give him some time. She’s going to do everything she can on her end. Sam says, just so she knows, she’s not alone in this. There are plenty of people who care about Drew. Carly says, but what happened to Drew is on her. She’s the one who bought the Aurora stock because she had to inflate the price, even after Drew told her not to, over and over again. And he took the fall just to protect her. Sam says, he insisted on doing that, but Carly says, he wouldn’t have been faced with that choice if it weren’t for her to begin with. So she’s going to do everything in her power to make up for it. Sam says, as long as helping him doesn’t come at her own expense, because that’s the last thing he would want.

Nina asks Drew, what about the staff? They’re hard-working, they’re loyal, some of the best in the business. He’s willing to lay off all of those people just to get back at her. He says, that’s on her. He takes out an envelope and says, she signs this termination agreement or Crimson, with all its staff, is going out of business. One of the movers asks if they should start loading the boxes on the freight elevator, and Drew says he’ll have a look. He tells Nina that he’ll give her a moment to think about it. He leaves, and Nina tosses the papers in a box. She pauses and takes out a photo of Willow with Wiley and Amelia. Drew comes back and says, time’s up. Is she going to sign, or is she taking Crimson down with her? (I’m starting to think this is a dream or he’s really gone bonkers. A lot of it doesn’t make sense, even for a soap.)

Portia says, Josslyn found Adam in the park yesterday, and called emergency services. Wright says, she found him, or she was out drinking with him? and Dex says, Josslyn wasn’t drinking. She went to look for Adam because she was concerned for him. Josslyn says, Adam was alone and nearly passed out, and Wright says, they’ve been concerned about his behavior for quite a while. Josslyn says, really? and Wright says, this incident proves Adam is just not mature enough to live on his own. Josslyn says, it’s not a question about maturity. Adam needs help. He says he appreciates her concern and he’s grateful she called for help when she did, but he’ll take it from here. Josslyn says, he doesn’t understand. Adam has been hiding everything from him because Adam is afraid of what he’ll do. Wright asks why he would be afraid. He and his mother only want the best for Adam. Josslyn says, he just feels so much pressure, and Wright says, Adam has a very promising career ahead of him. He had the test scores to get into PCU. He’s maintained a 4.0 up until now. If he stays on track, he’ll be admitted to a top tier medical school. But now Adam is drinking and partying and squandering everything that he and his mother have worked hard to give him. She says, Adam isn’t partying. He’s self-medicating, having panic attacks. Portia thanks Josslyn and says she thinks she can take it from here. Why doesn’t Josslyn go home and get some rest? Wright asks who he has to speak to, to remove his son, and Dex tells Josslyn, let’s just let the hospital handle this, okay? Wright says, yeah. She’s done her part. Now please leave. This doesn’t concern her. Josslyn says, it should concern him that his son tried to kill himself last night.

Laura says she’s got to alert the police, but Spencer says, if she does that, the FBI could get involved, and who knows who else. Plus, if his father is captured, then Ace is going to get returned to Esme. (He really doesn’t get it, does he?) Laura says, they don’t even know if she’s regained her memory, and if she has, she still might do the right thing by her son. Cyrus says he agrees with Laura. He believes in the power of redemption. Spencer says, well, he doesn’t. Esme’s redemption is fake, and why is Laura still believing her? Is she really choosing Esme’s well-being over Ace’s? Laura says she’s being realistic, and the reality is that Ace would be safer if he was with them. He should have stopped his father. She just doesn’t understand why he didn’t come to her with his suspicions. She would have listened to him. They could have gone to the police together and made Esme face the things she’s done. Spencer says, what about his father~~, who up until ten minutes ago was the biggest asshat in the world~~? Should he have reported him as well? Laura says she would have never asked him to turn his own father in, but she knows Ace should be with them while all of the other stuff is getting sorted out. Spencer says, and what if it got sorted out in Esme’s favor? As far as he’s concerned, his father just saved Ace’s life. Laura says, don’t get her wrong. She’s glad that he’s starting to realize his father isn’t the heartless man Spencer’s made him out to be, but he has demonstrated some spectacularly bad judgement here and so has Spencer. His father is on the run. He’s being pursued by the authorities. This little baby has never been in more danger.

Portia tells Josslyn, that’s enough, and Dex says, let’s just go, but Josslyn says, Adam took a pack of antihistamines and washed it down with vodka. He knew what he was doing. Adam is so afraid of his father, he’d rather not live than face him. Wright says, she’s lying, and Josslyn says, doesn’t he even care? He pushed and he pushed until Adam reached his breaking point. Wright says he wants her gone – now! And if this girl comes within 50 feet of Adam, he’ll sue. (Um… we’ve already established Adam is over 18. I don’t think he can. Why is everyone being weird today?) Portia says, that’s unnecessary. She’s tired, she hasn’t slept all night, and she’s leaving right now. Why don’t they go to her office, and she can explain everything that’s going on with Adam, and they can wait for the attending there. Wright leaves with Portia, and Willow goes over to Josslyn and Dex. She says, Dr. Robinson won’t let anything happen to Adam, and Dex tells Josslyn, anything she says will just antagonize Adam’s father. She says, because he refuses to see the truth, and Dex says, Wright isn’t going to listen to her, but if she’s not here, he might listen to Dr. Robinson. Josslyn asks Willow to promise to keep an eye on Adam, and Willow promises. Josslyn says, okay then, and walks to the elevator with Dex, but then she quickly walks off.

Ava says, Esme is joking, but Esme says, Cyrus is going to help her find her son. Ava says, why? and Esme says, because he cares about his family. Ava says, Esme’s not his family. Ace may be a part of his family, but she is not. Esme says, but he promised, and Ava says, promised what exactly? Esme says, nothing. He promised her nothing. She starts to cry again, and says, her son is kidnapped. No one will help her and she’s all alone. She heads for the door, and Ava says, wait, but Esme says, stay away from me, and leaves.

Laura thanks Cyrus for coming to her, to them, about Esme, and he says, they’re family. Where else would he go? She leaves, and in the hallway, Spencer asks if she sees now. Esme went to Cyrus for help. Isn’t that proof she can’t be trusted? Laura says, it’s proof she’s desperate and will do anything to get her baby back, and he says, fine. Both can be true. She takes out her phone and calls the PCPD, asking for Dante. Spencer tries to take the phone, but she says, stop it. She has to do it. She tells them, it’s urgent… Dante answers, and she says, it’s Laura. My grandson Ace has been taken.

Josslyn looks in on Adam through the door window. Dex comes up behind her and gently guides her back to the elevator.

Nina signs the papers, and hands them to Drew. He says he’s surprised she gave in so quickly. She tells him, like she said, Crimson is her baby, and she’ll do anything to save her. (Besides this whole scene being in a parallel universe, is there some weird parallel with Ace here?) She’ll do anything for the employees, even if it means giving up everything she cares about. He asks if she thinks he’d really sabotage Aurora’s flagship title for her. Crimson was always going to be just fine. She says, so this was his plan all along, manipulate her sense of duty to her employees. He says, or maybe she just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to play martyr. She says, her employees are going to lose their jobs eventually anyway, and he says, former employees. She says, this magazine is nothing without her. Does he really think he’s going to get the photographers, the designers, the advertisers? The editorial staff will quit immediately. She made this magazine. This is her magazine. She’s irreplaceable. He says, and yet, he’s already replaced her. Carly walks in, and he says, meet Crimson’s new Editor-in-Chief.

On Monday, Nina says, they’re finally even; Martin asks where Lucy thinks she’s running off to in such a hurry; Esme says, you’re the only person I can turn to (Heather maybe?); and Dante says, maybe he should be arresting Spencer instead.

💭 I dunno about this. I’m guessing the closest Carly has come to editing a magazine is reading one, and wasn’t she just talking to Sam? Hard to believe Nina would say she’s irreplaceable along with all the other big talk, and this would also hardly be moving on for Carly after her speech on letting go. The whole thing was just weird.

🪆 Her Toy Story…

I keep forgetting she was in Five Nights at Freddy’s. I still haven’t seen it.

Jophielle Love Gets Turned Into a Toy!

🪂 On Their Off Time…

Writing mission completed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstrom-shows-off-his-first-novel

This sounds like a real headache. She took an amazing passport photo though.

GH’s Cassandra James Achieves a Major Milestone!

🤡 Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha and Then Some…

Apparently, the board-certified medical professional was called out by bigger board-certified medical professionals.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Calls Out Annemarie Wiley

😘 She Doesn’t Care…

Sleeping with him was punishment enough.

Kathryn Dennis Reacts to Olivia Flowers, Thomas Ravenel Hookup Reveal

🍸 After the Rules…

It was bound to happen.

https://people.com/vanderpump-rules-spinoff-the-valley-starring-jax-taylor-brittany-cartwright-kristen-doute-premiere-spring-2024-8431186

The Vanderpump Rules Spin-Off The Valley Looks Terrible

🐉 Dragon Is Coming…

What’s up with Season 2.

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/hbo-responds-to-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-release-date-rumors

🐝 Fly Back To Us Soon…

Hopefully, we’re all still alive in 2025.

https://screenrant.com/yellowjackets-season-3-cast-story-everything-we-know/

https://www.etonline.com/yellowjackets-cast-teases-season-3-without-juliette-lewis-exclusive-217957

🏈 In Between Bowl…

The trailers anticipated during the upcoming Super Bowl.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/super-bowl-2024-what-trailers-commercials-deadpool-3-movies-tv/

🦸🏽 You’re Welcome, Canada…

Deadpool is the best.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-3/deadpool-3-set-photos-reveal-multiple-variants-of-spoiler-in-upcoming-mcu-threequel-a208960

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12984525/deadpool-3-ryan-reynolds-sports-long-hair-marvel-hugh-jackman.html

🐾 Fluffy For the Win…

December 28, 2023 – Lucy Begins Step One Of Her Plan, Jake 2.0, Salty Talk, VanderChat, Another Roll Call, Traditions, Times Square, New Year Pets (!) & Loved

Posted on December 29, 2023 by theresakp

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the Home & Heart set, Maxie asks if they think it’s too much or not enough, and Brook says, if her mom were here, she’d say, there’s never too much. Tracy says, the viewers may not agree, and Maxie asks if she thinks they should ease up on the cowboy props. Tracy says she’s all for a little Western flair, but she doesn’t want it to evolve into kitsch. Brook asks what Sasha thinks, and Sasha says she thinks the art department did a great job. It’s a little over the top, but isn’t that the point? They’re selling a fantasy, right? Brook says, if you’re lucky enough, sometimes fantasies come true, and Tracy says, usually with a lot of hard work and some money. Not that Lucy Coe would have any idea about that. She’s a spendthrift with the attention span of a gnat. Maxie says, her fantasy is Tracy and Lucy not going at each other’s throats, and Sasha says she’s just glad she missed the fireworks… Although she’s so sorry she was late. Maxie says, that’s okay. She was there for most of the meeting. Brook says, Sasha never told them where she was, and Sasha says she was with Cody. They lost track of time. Maxie says, really? Has something changed between the two of them? Cody walks in, and probably wonders why everyone is looking at him.

Elizabeth goes over some hospital things on the phone, and watches as Finn gets in the elevator.

Lois walks into the nook and says, something smells so good. Olivia says she finally got around to making that post-Christmas turkey soup, and Lois says she told Olivia that she wanted to help with that. Olivia says she’s sorry. It totally slipped her mind. But what’s done is done. She’s got to make sure it’s on the low burner… Lois asks, why does it feel like Olivia’s been avoiding her since Christmas? but Olivia says, no. She’s happy to have Lois in the house. Lois says, if she’s done anything to upset Olivia, she wants to know, but Olivia says, it’s not that. It’s not Lois; it’s her. Lois says, what about her? and Olivia says, it’s nothing. It’s not a thing. She really has to check the soup. Lois says, not until Olivia tells her what’s going on with her, and Olivia asks if she betrayed Lois when she married Ned.

Alexis goes to the penthouse, and Sonny asks what brings her by. She says she’s there to ask a favor, and he says, she never asks for a favor, but she says, this is an exception. She needs Sonny to tell her that she’s wrong.

Kristina is reading What To Expect When You’re Expecting, and there’s a knock at the door. She puts the book behind a couch pillow and opens the door to TJ. She says, Molly’s not with him? but he says, it’s just him. She asks him to come in, and he says, this is actually Molly’s idea. She thought it would be better if they talked privately. Kristina says, that sounds ominous. Is Molly okay? He says, her sister’s fine. She told him about the conversation they had with Alexis. Kristina says, it was more like a lecture on legal ramifications and some obscure law that only applies to surrogacy with a donor egg. He says, it made him realize they have to set some things straight, and she asks if he’s changed his mind about her.

Behind the scenes at Home & Heart, Lucy says, Scotty remembers the plan, right? and he says, yes. He picks a fight with Lucy and Tracy overhears, but it’s not much of a plan as far as he’s concerned. She says, it’s just step one, and he asks to circle back to the part where he marries Tracy. What’s in it for him? She tells him to keep his voice down and focus on the task at hand. They have to make Tracy believe they’ve had this huge falling out, so she sees Scotty as an ally, and he has a chance to charm her pants off. He says, wait a minute. He’s not Sir Lawrence Olivier here, and she says, he’s not, but just focus on the goal. And the goal is their satisfaction in knocking Tracy down to size and taking her for everything she’s worth. He says he loves when she gets into scheming mode, and she says, then get ready, because she’s just getting started.

Sonny says he and Alexis have known each other a long time. He doesn’t think she’s ever asked him to disagree with her, but he’ll give it his best shot. She says, don’t get used to it, and he says he assumes this is about Kristina. She asks if he’s aware Kristina is now going to be the egg donor as well as the surrogate, and he says, Kristina filled him in. She says, that’s it? That’s the reaction? How can he be so calm? Doesn’t he see how this can tear the girls apart? He says, how so? and she says, for starters, there is no contract between TJ, Molly, and Kristina that’s legally binding, which means that Kristina, at any given point, can change her mind after she becomes pregnant. And there’s no legal remedy because it’s her biological child. He says he talked to Kristina. She’s thought long and hard about it and knows it’s a huge responsibility. Does Alexis think otherwise? Alexis says she does, because Kristina’s never been pregnant before. She doesn’t know what it’s like, and Alexis is concerned it will be harder than Kristina expects. He says, like it was hard for her to give up Sam? and she says, that was vastly different circumstances, but yes. So this could not only be problematic for Kristina and Molly, but for the entire family, because it would put them in a position where they have to pick sides, which is impossible. This could be a nightmare. He asks if this is where she wants him to tell her that she’s wrong, and she says, yes. She’s underestimated Kristina in the past, so tell her. Is she doing it again?

There’s a knock at Finn’s office door, and Elizabeth says, hey. He says, enter at your own risk, and she says she saw him coming out of the OR. He seemed to be in a mood. Did something happen in surgery? He says, no. Everything was by the numbers, no complications. She says, then why the mood? and he says, because Dr. Warris had to waste her valuable time watching over him. She didn’t assist him. She just stood there watching, because apparently, after 25 years of doing this, he can’t operate without having someone supervise him. And he guesses he’s just tired of having this lawsuit hanging over him. She says she knows. It’s beyond frustrating having your every move monitored. He says he’s dedicated his entire professional life to medicine, to healing people. Amy just told him that three of his patients would like their files transferred to other doctors. He hasn’t gotten a chance to defend himself, and already his reputation is taking a hit. She tells him to remember that Monica and the GH board are behind him, and he says he appreciates that. If he loses this case, insurance will pay out the damages, but they’ll drop him as a client. If that happens, he’ll be unable to get malpractice insurance elsewhere, and at that point, the hospital will have no choice but to let him go. (Wow. That’s a bigger racket than health, homeowners, and flood insurance combined.) She says, he needs to remember he did nothing wrong, and he says, how do they make the jury believe that?

Scotty loudly tells Lucy, come on. This is just a sales appearance. She doesn’t need the Deception lawyer here. Besides, he’s very important. He’s got a lot of high-end clients. Lucy says, he’s so important. Look at him. She pays him a lot of money, and he comes showing up in an outfit like that, all scruffy? He asks, what’s wrong with this outfit? and she says, it’s kind of like business wrinkled. He says, it’s not… Tracy runs over and says, please. Zip it. If they have to talk, modulate their voices. Try to act like professionals.

Julie says she can take Sasha and Cody to their dressing rooms now, and they follow her. Felicia comes in, and Maxie asks what she’s doing here. Wait, she has to answer this email really quick. Cody glances back at Felicia, and Felicia watches Cody as he goes to the dressing room.

Lois asks, where on earth did that come from? and Olivia tells her that she’s just saying. She knew Ned was Lois’s husband when she came to Port Charles, but she fell for him anyway. Lois says, that was like, six years ago. Olivia and Ned have been married most of that time. They broke up, they got back together… Why is this coming up right now? Oliva flashes back to Tracy asking if it doesn’t bother Lois that Olivia married her former husband, and Olivia says she knows Lois came to Port Charles because Lois read the article about Brook being fired from Deception and she’s Lois’s daughter; that’s her priority. Lois says, of course (🍷) she is, and Olivia says, but Lois has been here since before Thanksgiving. That’s a long time and she’s Olivia’s best friend. They never talked about her marrying Lois’s ex-husband, and she’s got to wonder, is there a reason for that? Lois wonders if Olivia is asking if she has thoughts about her best friend marrying her ex-husband, and Olivia says, yes. Lois says, you bet I do.

Sonny says, is Alexis underestimating their daughter? Maybe, maybe not, but the way he sees it, he’s proud that their daughter is willing to carry her sister’s baby. And he thinks Kristina’s proud. That’s even more important. All those years they saw her struggling with her self-esteem… It makes sense, because she has parents who are driven and successful. He always felt that Kristina was kind of lost, personally and professionally, and he thinks things have changed now. She says, he may be right. She’s noticed since Kristina started developing the youth center, she’s more focused and more mature. Sonny says, she’s gotten past the self-doubt that’s been holding her back in the past, and Alexis says she thinks it’s wonderful that Kristina has this new-found confidence, and she knows Kristina’s intentions are good. But sometimes life has a way of upending your intentions. Look at them. It’s not like they planned on having a baby together. He says, plans change, and she says, that’s her point though. When Kristina said she wanted to be the surrogate, Alexis was concerned, but thought, that’s doable. But now that the baby is going to be biologically hers, it makes it all more complicated. He asks if she can imagine a life without Kristina, regardless of how she got here, and she says, no. Of course (🍷) she can’t. He asks if she knows why. Because babies change everything.

Kristina says, this is exactly what she was afraid of, because TJ never really wanted her to be the surrogate. He only went along with it because it’s what Molly wanted, and now that her mother has announced there’s no legally binding contract, he’s having second thoughts. He asks if she can stop telling him what he thinks long enough for him to actually talk, and she says, yes. Sorry. He says, part of him loves the fact that if they use her egg, both he and Molly will be biologically related to the baby. On top of that, it’s a huge relief that she and Molly have reconciled and gotten past their differences. It makes him happy to see Molly this happy. Kristina says, so what’s the problem? and he says, in many ways, she’s the ideal egg donor, but Alexis is right about the legal situation. So he needs to hear for himself from her lips that he and Molly will be the parents of this baby and Kristina will be the aunt. Nothing more, nothing less. Can Kristina actually live with that?

Tracy says, Brook has been distracted since she got that call from Chase, and Brook says, he was with Gregory at the hospital. Tracy asks, what happened? and Brook tells her, Chase said he took a hot yoga class, so they’re hoping it was just dehydration. Tracy says, maybe it’s his ALS, and Brook says, he was admitted to the hospital for the night, and they’re going to check everything and make sure he’s okay. She sees Julie and asks if Julie can give the director a note from the Deception team. When the models come out on stage, can she tell him to make sure the products are all featured at every camera angle? She knows Sasha and Cody are both very good-looking people, but they’re selling products, not models. Julie leaves, and Tracy says, good note. Very astute.

Maxie says she appreciates the support, but she also knows Felicia doesn’t stop by her work for no reason. Is she still on the Cody-is-Mac’s-son train? Felicia says she’s really proud of Maxie. She thinks it’s great that Home & Heart booked Deception as a repeat performance so soon after the last one. Maxie says, their last appearance here, they sold out in 20 minutes, and she has the feeling this is going to be just as good, if not better. She thinks it’s safe to say, Deception is back. They hug.

Cody and Sasha come back out, and Cody says, Felicia is only hanging around because she’s suspicious of him. She says, or he could see it as Felicia wanting the husband she loves to know he has a son. He says he already told her why that can’t happen. Not only does Mac deserve a better son than him, but he already signed a document saying he’s Taub’s son. It’s fraud and perjury. He can’t risk that coming out. She says, try not to worry. She promises she’ll help him keep an eye on Felicia. The hairstylist says she’s ready to work on Cody’s hair, and Cody sits in the chair at her station. Felicia gives him the side-eye.

Elizabeth says, Finn and Dennis Muldoon were chatting at a school function. He mentioned he was having some symptoms, and Finn suggested Muldoon come see him as a patient. Finn says, Mr. Muldoon had been a patient here at General Hospital for several years. He thinks they were in network for his insurance, and before he came to see Finn, Finn went over his entire history. Over all, in pretty good health. She says, the man had Stage IV colon cancer. He must have had some symptoms. He says, they both know people who have ignored symptoms for months. Sometimes it’s people who are too busy to see a doctor; sometimes they’re too afraid to see a doctor. Unless Muldoon saw a doctor out of network. She asks if he means like when he was overseas, and he says, it’s possible. He was thinking something closer to home. He remembers Muldoon mentioning something about having a vacation home in Beechers Corners. He used to try to juggle his schedule so he could spend at least a month there in May or June. She asks if Finn thinks he could have seen a doctor there, and he says, if he did, he would have paid for it out of pocket. That wouldn’t show up in his file at GH. And if he did see a doctor within two or three months of seeing Finn for the first time, it’s another doctor who didn’t detect the cancer either.

Sonny tells Alexis, this isn’t a closed adoption where Kristina isn’t going to know what happened to the baby. She’s always going to be in the child’s life as the aunt. She’s going to watch that baby grow and thrive with terrific parents like TJ and Molly and Alexis and Jordan. Alexis asks if he doesn’t think that could make things worse possibly. How hard does he think it will be for Kristina to stand on the sidelines and watch someone else raise her biological child? What if she doesn’t like the way Molly and TJ are parenting? He says, like how? and she says, Molly’s a vegan. Kristina is not. How long does he think it will be before she slips the kid a cheeseburger at Charlie’s? He says, what if he slipped the kid a cheeseburger. He’s the grandfather biologically, right? She says, no, he’s not. That’s just her point. He’s not the grandfather. He’d be the great-uncle because he’s Molly’s uncle. Does he see how confusing this is? If it’s confusing for her and Sonny, think how confusing it will be for them. This could tear the whole family apart.

Olivia and Lois have some wine, and Lois says she loves Ned. He’s the father of her child. They’ve been through so much together, but she is not in love with Ned. She hasn’t been in love with Ned for years and years and years, and she only wants what’s best for him. And Olivia is the best. It does her heart good to see how happy they are together. Olivia says, it does? and Lois says, of course (🍷) it does. Olivia says, thank God, and Lois says she doesn’t get it. Olivia thought she’d have a problem with her being married to Ned? That she, Lois Cerullo, who Olivia has known her whole life, would sit on her feelings? Come on. Does that even sound like her? Olivia says she doesn’t know what she was thinking. She was a big dummy. Lois says, okay, so what happened at Christmas that got her so freaked out? and Olivia says, Tracy. Lois says, of course (🍷) it was Tracy. What did Tracy say? Olivia tells her, it’s not so much what she said. Tracy insinuated that she should be very eager for Lois to leave because of her history with Ned. Lois laughs and says, think about it. Of course (🍷) Tracy wants her out of this house, because like oil and water, they do not mix. And they both have major differences of opinion on what’s best for Brook. Olivia says she knows. She’s sorry. She can’t believe she fell for Tracy’s nonsense. Lois tells her not to beat herself up about it. Tracy excels at getting into people’s heads. It’s a typical Quartermaine trait. Olivia says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s so happy to have Lois here. And not just for Brook’s sake, but for her own too. Lois says, Olivia can just think of it as payback. Back in the day, growing up in the neighborhood, Olivia was the coolest chick she knew, and when all of those mean girls started coming after her, Olivia was the one who had her back. Olivia says, that’s not exactly the way she remembers it. She remembers Lois being very tough and learning pretty quickly how to take care of herself. Lois says, that is true, but Olivia’s always been way tougher than she’s been. This proves it. She’s living with the Quartermaines. She couldn’t do it, but Olivia can. They clink glasses.

Maxie asks if she can talk to Sasha for a second, and Sasha asks, what’s up? Maxie says she just wanted to see how it’s going working with Cody. They look great together on camera, but she knows it’s probably a strain working with him because Sasha has feelings for him. Sasha says, Cody has been great. She really enjoys working with him. Maybe too much. Maxie says, that’s good. She knows Sasha has had a tough year. Sasha says she trusted the wrong people. One more reason she really needs to work on herself before she can even think of starting a new relationship. But that’s for her and Cody to figure out; professionally, they’re great. Maxie says, that’s good, because they’re becoming one of Deception’s biggest assets. Sasha looks around and wonders where Maxie’s mom went.

Felicia watches as the hairstylist finishes with Cody. He goes to the set, and Felicia tells the hairstylist that she heard the producer was looking for her. She leaves, and Felicia takes a tissue and puts the hair from the brush into a plastic bag.

Sasha tells Cody that she’s sorry. She lost track of Felicia.

Maxie says she needs to take care of something right now, and leaves the set. Tracy tells Sasha and Cody that they’re ready for their spokesmodels, and Lucy says, by the way, they look awesome, but something’s missing. Something’s not quite right. She looks around and says she’s got it. She takes a cowboy hat off a prop cactus and says, they’ll place that on Cody’s head… and look at that. He’s definitely a romantic, rugged cowboy. Just the image they need. Tracy says, it’s all wrong, and takes the hat off Cody’s head. It casts a shadow on his face and you can’t see his beautiful eyes. Scotty says he thinks Tracy’s right about the cowboy hat, and Lucy says, did she ask for his input? He asks if she’s the only one who’s allowed to have an opinion around here, and she says, he’s an attorney. What does he know about fashion? Obviously. He says he’s just trying to give her a guy’s point of view here, and she says, obviously, he doesn’t know the female perspective. No wonder Liesl dumped him. Everyone looks somewhere else, anywhere but at Scotty.

Elizabeth says, so if another doctor, maybe even multiple doctors missed Muldoon’s colon cancer, that could be good for Finn’s case. Finn says he gets why it’s difficult for juries to understand medical complexities in a malpractice suits. From a jury’s standpoint, this man came in with a simple stomach ailment, and is somehow dying of cancer, leaving the family behind, because Finn found the tapeworm, but didn’t discover the cancer until later. They assume that must be negligence on his part. She says, so if they can prove to the jury that another doctor missed the cancer… He says, it might help them to understand how difficult it is to make a diagnosis based on Muldoon’s symptoms. He doesn’t know. What does she think? She says she thinks it’s going to work.

Kristina says she gets why TJ is asking these questions. She does have a well-earned reputation for leaping before she looks, but she can assure him, she’s really done a lot of soul searching about this, and she doesn’t want children of her own. At least right now at this point in her life. He asks if she’s sure, and she says, pretty sure. And she’s excited to be pregnant and go on this journey of course (🍷). She’s going to love this baby, and it’s a little bit more intense now that they’re using her egg of course (🍷), but it’s going to be special. And maybe she will even have a special connection to it, but once this baby is born, she’s more than content to step back and let him and Molly be parents, so she can just keep being that cool aunt. He says she has no idea how good it feels to hear her say that, and she says she’s happy to help him and Molly finally have a baby. She’s also happy, after the baby’s born, to focus on running her center. She promises she knows what she’s getting herself into.

Scotty says he knows Lucy can fight dirty, but this is an all-time low. You know what? He’s not going to be her lawyer anymore. Find herself another top-drawer attorney. He quits. He walks off, and Lucy says, fine. She’s glad he quits. She’s just going to find another attorney tomorrow. So about the hat… Tracy says she hasn’t changed her mind about the hat, and Lucy says, neither has she, picking it up. Cody says, if they don’t mind hearing from one of the models, he has an idea that might make Lucy and Tracy both happy. Brook asks, what’s his idea? and he says, how about – he takes the hat from Lucy and puts it on – they start off with the hat on, then they take it off. He takes it off with a flourish, and Lucy says, okey-dokey. She guesses that might work. Tracy says, let’s try it. (He’s a genius!)

Felicia puts the bag in an envelope and seals it. Apparently, no one cares that she doesn’t belong there and is taking something from the hairstylist’s station. Sasha comes along and asks if she’s enjoying herself, and Felicia says, yes. Being backstage is always so fascinating. So much goes into making a TV show. Sasha says, rehearsal is starting. Does she want to watch? Felicia says, absolutely, and heads for the stage. Sasha notices the hairbrushes lined up on the station table.

Olivia says, life here is definitely more difficult with Tracy in the house, and Lois says, Olivia tells her that like Tracy is the exception. Quartermaines have been bickering about everything all the time, even her own Brookie. Don’t tell her that she said that. Olivia says, Lois’s secret is safe. Ned can be reasonable. Lois says, unless he’s going against Drew and Michael, right? and Olivia says, true. Lois says, to be clear, all of the Quartermaines have their good points individually. She just hates to see what it does to Ned when he’s around his family. Olivia says, Lois is talking about the old days. Ned has changed. He’s really become his own man now. Lois says she knows Ned is Olivia’s husband and she has to defend him, but can she really say Ned is his own man when he ratted out his own cousin to the SEC? Olivia asks what she said, and Lois says, Ned turned his own family in to the SEC. Olivia says, Lois doesn’t understand, but Lois says she understands Drew is Ned’s cousin and Carly is Michael’s mother. If somebody turned her mother in to the SEC, she’d never forgive them. So Michael should forgive Ned? No way. Olivia says, Ned is not a rat. Ned is allowing everyone to think the worst of him for the sake of the family.

Scotty approaches Tracy and says he’s glad she’s here. She says she thought he quit, and he says he did, but he wanted to apologize to her for the other night, those horrible things he said about Luke. He knows she really loved Luke and it was very disrespectful of him. She thanks him… she guesses. Why the change of heart? He says, that stuff Lucy said about his ex-girlfriend Liesl really hurt him. So he thought he probably did the same thing to her and that’s why she threw that martini in his face. She says, apology accepted, but if he does it again, she’ll do it again. He says, never. And she was right about that cowboy hat. He doesn’t think Lucy pays attention to all the little details. She says, not a good trait for the head of a company, and he says, no, but Tracy’s here to keep her in line. He’ll catch her later. He leaves, and Tracy looks perplexed.

Alexis tells Sonny, say something, and he says, she raised two strong, intelligent women, not to mention compassionate. She says, but she wants them to stay that way. If Kristina isn’t able to keep her promise to Molly, Molly will be devastated. And on the other hand, watching somebody raise your biological child may be too painful for Kristina and maybe she’ll just have to leave town. He says, if this were court, she knows the judge would have to overrule her speculation, and she says she knows she’s worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. Tell her that she’s wrong. He tells her that he’s not going to say she’s wrong. He’s a little worried too. Alexis looks like she has a headache.

Brook asks if everything has to be a battle with Tracy, and Lucy puts her fingers in her ears, singing, la-la-la-la. She doesn’t take behavior tips from a traitor. Brook says, fine, and walks away. Maxie tells Lucy, this has to stop. She can’t take the constant fighting. Lucy says she’s sorry. She’ll do better, she promises. She probably did overreact a little bit. For Maxie, she’ll be better with Tracy. Maxie says, good. Because none of them like it, but right now, Tracy is their cross to bear. Lucy says, yep. She can’t wait for Tracy to get what’s coming to her.

Lois asks if Olivia is saying Ned wasn’t the one who turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC, but Olivia says, don’t listen to her. She misspoke. It’s not a thing, and it’s… Lois says, so why is everyone saying it’s Ned? and Olivia says, Ned denied all the accusations at first. Then he had his accident and he turned into Eddie, and Eddie couldn’t have cared less. Eddie didn’t have any of Ned’s memories and Eddie couldn’t be bothered. Lois asks if she’s saying when Ned got his memory back, he also remembered that he wasn’t the one who turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC. Does he know who the real rat is? Why is he taking the rap for somebody else’s bad deeds? There’s got to be a reason. Olivia says, Lois has to remember, Carly is her second-best friend, but she did commit insider trading. She bought up all the Aurora stock when Michale told her that ELQ and Aurora were going to merge. Lois says, but they didn’t merge, and the SEC would have never gone after Carly unless someone else provoked them. Olivia says, let it go. Just let the sleeping dogs lie. Lois says, so who turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC? Who is Olivia protecting, and why?

Olivia says she’s not going to tell Lois who the real rat is, and Lois says she doesn’t understand why Olivia won’t. Olivia says, because it was Ned’s choice, and Lois says, and she’s not going to explain why? Olivia says, the only thing she can tell Lois is that she and Ned agreed it was best for the whole family if they both kept the identity of the rat a secret. What could be more loyal than that? Lois asks, what happened to telling it like it is? and Olivia says she would have thought by now the two of them would have learned, sometimes it’s best to keep their big mouths shut. Sometimes the truth can hurt, and right now, it would hurt some of the people they care most about. And they’ve been through enough these past three years. She just doesn’t want another disaster. Not right now when there’s finally hope for a little bit of joy. Please promise she’s not going to say anything. Lois says she doesn’t know anything. But fine. She learned long ago to stay out of Quartermaine business.

Alexis asks why the hell Sonny was pushing back so hard if he agreed with her, and he says, she asked him to talk her off the ledge and he did his best. She says, all of a sudden, he’s being cooperative? and he says, it’s hard for him to accept not being the grandfather. Can she imagine how hard it is for Kristina to accept not being the baby’s mother? She says, yeah… So what are they going to do about it? He says, there’s nothing they can do. Kristina says she knows what she’s doing; he’s going to take her word for it. Alexis says she doesn’t think Kristina is lying to them. She’s just worried Kristina is lying to herself. He says, she’s worried, he gets it, but ultimately, it’s Kristina’s decision, and they’re going to have to stand by and love her no matter what. Alexis says, and she’s so good at standing by, and Sonny says, she did the right thing by not going to Kristina and venting, and instead coming to him and talking to him. She thanks him and thanks him for being here so he could listen. He says, always.

TJ says he appreciates Kristina talking this out, and she says, he wouldn’t be a good dad if he didn’t ask the tough questions. She can already tell he’s going to be a fantastic father. He thanks her, and she thanks him for loving her sister and for supporting her through all of this. She admires both of them. He says, it’s mutual, because they both admire the hell out of her for doing this. She’s making his and Molly’s dream of becoming parents come true. She says she loves that she’s stepping up for Molly. Molly has done it for her countless times. She can’t wait to see who their child grows up to be.

Elizabeth asks if Finn’s dad is up for dinner with them in his room, and Finn says, he pulled the old, I don’t want to be a burden, but he slowly came around. She asks if he’s concerned about Violet seeing him in the hospital, and he says he’s been thinking about that. He thinks he’s going to tell her the literal truth, that grandpa overdid it in hot yoga – he never thought he’d say those words – and that he is staying overnight so the doctors and nurses can keep an eye on him. She says, perfect explanation, and while they’re there, they can celebrate. He says, celebrate what? and she says she reached out to a couple nurses she knows in Beechers Corners. It turns out Muldoon did see a doctor there, about a month before he came to see Finn.

Maxie asks how it is being the male Face of Deception, and Cody says he still thinks he’s an odd choice for a spokesmodel, but if it makes Sasha happy, he’ll muddle through. She says, they make a great team, and he says he thinks so too.

Felicia hands a man the envelope and thanks him for getting here so quickly. She tells him, make sure this goes straight to the lab, expedited testing. He leaves, and we see Sasha watching.

Tomorrow, Olivia tells Lois to please accept that and move on; Alexis asks Gregory to forgive her; Nina asks what Cyrus plans to do with what he knows; and Heather says, Esme remembers.

🎨 Circling Back…

At least he didn’t go upstairs and polish his skis for 20 years.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/hudson-west-opens-up-about-his-new-gh-storyline

🧂 Just a Pinch…

It wouldn’t be the first time Andy had to scream at a bunch of Housewives.

Heather Gay Teases RHOSLC Season 4 Reunion: ‘I Saw Andy Cohen Scream’

Canceling the whole panel at BravoCon? It must have been one ugly fight.

Monica Garcia Seems Unbothered Ahead of RHOSLC Season 4 Finale: ‘You Big Mad?’

🍸 Teasing the Rules…

Well, what did they expect? Everyone forgot?

‘Fractured Friendships’ Teased in New Pump Rules Season 11 Promo

This must have been a tough choice since there are so many.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/vanderpump-rules-stars-dumbest-moments-211741813.html

🥀 2023’s Losses…

I’m obsessed with these lists.

https://people.com/celebrity/celebrity-deaths-2023/

🎉 Keeping It Traditional…

New Year’s traditions and celebrations.

https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/holidays-celebrations/g34787153/new-years-traditions/

https://www.countryliving.com/life/g5075/new-years-eve-traditions/

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/parenting/g25360543/new-year-traditions/

https://www.tlc.com/life—relationships/new-year-s-eve-traditions-across-cultures

🗽 Dropping the Ball…

Most expensive Olive Garden buffet ever.

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/new-years-eve-parties-inside-times-square-carry-hefty-price-tag-over-12k-to-ring-in-2024

Trust me. It’s better to watch the webcast. I never went there personally, but my best friend did and said it was a nightmare. Not only was it beyond crowded, but someone also spilled beer on her, and someone peed on her shoe. Not the same person, but still, no thanks.

https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve

🐶 Let Auld Pets Not Be Forgot…

Keeping it safe and fun.

https://be.chewy.com/how-to-have-a-safe-fun-new-years-eve-with-pets/

Dressing up. I’m not too sure about the pantyhose though.

https://www.rover.com/blog/new-years-looks-dog/

🪩 BYO Disco Ball…

Join me for the last blog of the year tomorrow and celebrate the changing of the calendars, keeping in mind, we don’t need no stinkin’ resolutions. Until then, stay safe; stay not overdoing it on New Year’s Eve, but not pressuring yourself if you don’t want to do it at all; and stay not worrying about things that haven’t happened yet.