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March 13, 2024 – Drew Adds To Carly’s Already Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, Sutton Gets Out Of the Reunion Earlier Than We Do & Truth

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At The Savoy, Marshall says he thought he and Curtis agreed that he’d be the one top open up the club tonight. Curtis didn’t trust him to do it on his own or is Curtis afraid he’ll eat up all the bar snacks? Curtis says, that didn’t occur to him until Marshall told on himself, so now he’ll have to keep an eye out, and Marshall says, do what he has to. What’s going on? Curtis says he has some news that he should share with Marshall sooner than later, and Marshall says, sounds important. Curtis says he found that doctor that misdiagnosed Marshall all those years ago.

Drew says, Jason is the one Carly turns to when she’s afraid or she’s in trouble. He keeps her secrets. He’s the one that she counts on. Carly says, he’s never failed her, and Drew says, what about the last two and a half years when he let her think he was dead? That doesn’t count as failing her? She says she doesn’t know where Jason was or what he was doing, but she knows he came back as soon as he could. Drew asks if she hears herself right now. Because basically, she’s saying wherever he was, whatever he was doing, she’d be okay with it. He could have been lying in a hammock on a tropical island sipping rum and she wouldn’t care? She says she hopes that’s all that happened to Jason, but she has the feeling it was something worse. He says, whatever it is, they both know she’s going to be there for him by his side helping him through it, and he’s not going to be here to watch. (Good. Go. Goodbye.) Carly asks if he’s saying they’re done, and he asks why she’s so surprised. Every relationship she’s had was trashed because… She says, this hasn’t trashed them. Is he doing this because she didn’t call him the second she heard from Jason? He says, no. He’s doing this because it didn’t even occur to her. She made her choice. Jason is it for her. He was somebody nice to spend time with when she thought Jason was dead, but he can’t pretend he’s going to be okay being with her, sleeping with her, while her heart and her mind and her trust is with Jason. He refuses to ride this out to the bitter end because it’s going to hurt too much. So he’s getting out now.

Sonny meets Anna in the interrogation room and thanks her for seeing him. She says, of course (🍷). Any update on Dante? He says, no changes, and she says, he was badly injured. The body takes its own time to heal. He says, that’s why he’s here. Is there any evidence Jason shot his son?

Michael comes into the gatehouse, apologizing for being late, but Willow says, that’s okay. The kids missed him. He asks if they’re already in bed, and she says, in bed and asleep. She checked on them both. He looks awful. He says, gee, thanks, but she says, no. By awful, she means tired. She’s worried. He says he went by the hospital. There’s no change in Dante’s condition. No sign of him waking up. She asks, who was with him? and he says, Sam. She’s still trying to wrap her head around the news that Jason’s alive. There’s a knock at the door, and Michael answers. He asks Danny if everything is okay up at the house, and Danny says, it’s fine. He’s here because he needs a favor.

In the boathouse, Jason takes off his shirt and… Did he always have a tattoo sleeve? I don’t remember that. He puts a new pad on his wound and breathes heavily.

Marshall says, Curtis is telling him that after all this time he found that doctor? and Curtis says, Dr. Paul Braddock. Marshall says, it’s the same Dr. Paul Braddock, who slapped a label on him and ruined his life? and Curtis says he can’t be 100% certain, but he checks all the boxes. He was on the hospital staff working at that hospital in Baltimore when Marshall was brought in for treatment after his arrest. Marshall says, he’s still alive, and Curtis says, according to the information he was able to access. Of course (🍷) he’s retired. He’s living in some fancy retirement community in Westminster, Maryland outside of Baltimore. They can take a road trip tomorrow if that’s something Marshall might want to do. Marshall sits down, and Curtis asks if he’s okay. What is he thinking? Marshall says he’s not quite sure. He always figured the doctor would be dead by now. He never thought he’d be able to confront the man who convinced him that he was a danger to his family, the man who introduced him to the word schizophrenia and tore his world apart. Curtis says, that one word is the reason Marshall cut himself off from everyone he loved and from everyone who loved him, and Marshall says, and it turns out, after all this time, he can still look the doctor in the eye. Maybe he can get some answers about himself and maybe see what kind of man he is. It’s a lot to take in. Curtis says, it’s not too much, is it? He and Aunt Stella aren’t pushing Marshall toward a confrontation he’s not ready for, are they?

Anna looks at some paperwork and tells Sonny, two individuals were observed on the roof of the warehouse, Jason and an unidentified man. Sonny is already aware of this because Spinelli was working for him when he put in those cameras, right? Sonny nods, and she says, Detective Chase says he and Dante observed the individuals 200 yards from the warehouse and that they were moving towards the pier, and that’s when Dante went after them. Eighteen minutes after that, an alarm call came in, reporting that Dante had been shot. Voice ID confirmed Jason made that call, so they know he tried to save Dante. They don’t know that Jason shot him. Sonny says, they don’t know that he didn’t.

John tells the desk sergeant that he needs to speak with the Commissioner, but the sergeant says he’s sorry. She’s in with someone. He’ll have to wait. John sees she’s with Sonny, when Chase comes out. John asks how long the Commissioner has been in with Sonny Corinthos.

Carly says, wait, and grabs Drew’s arm. She wishes she could tell him that Jason didn’t come first. She didn’t know this was going to happen. She didn’t mean to hurt him. He says he knows. It doesn’t matter what she did or didn’t mean, the second she found out Jason was alive, they were done. She says, so everything good between them just ends? They pretend that it didn’t happen? He says, no, it happened. It just wasn’t enough. He loved every second he got to spend with her, he really did, but he’s not going to compete with what she has with Jason. He doesn’t want to. He wants to cut his losses. Speaking of that, he can’t go to work every day and see her. He knows she did an amazing job at Crimson, and he knows she was only there for him. He knows she didn’t want to be there and he’s going to let her off the hook. He’ll find somebody else to run… She says, he’s firing her? and he says, come on. Her heart wasn’t in it. (Wow. The advertisers are really going to love this.) He tells her, take care, okay? and leaves.

Jason pulls his undershirt down over the pad and swallows a bunch of Ibuprofen.

Michael asks what Danny needs, and Danny says, it’s kind of private. Sorry. Willow says, no worries. She has to take something upstairs anyway. She leaves, and Michael asks what he can do for Danny. Danny says, it’s kind of hard to explain. Can Michael come with him? Michael says, right now? and Danny says, it’s important. Michael says, okay, let’s go, and they leave.

Marshall says, Curtis and Stella haven’t been pushing him to do anything he hasn’t been thinking about himself for years. He can let that worry go. Curtis says, okay. Just know he has their support, whatever he decides or decides not to do. Marshall says he knows that, but ever since Stella told him about Dr. Braddock, he hasn’t been able to think about much else. Just the chance to be able to talk to the man himself and maybe making sense of what happened to him fills him with hope that he can know once and for all, what, if anything, was wrong with him. He thinks the professionals call that closure. Curtis says he wants that for Marshall more than anything. He doesn’t care what they call it or label it, Marshall’s suffered enough. Marshall says, he’s a good son and he thanks Curtis. He thanks Curtis for all the hard work he did getting him the answers he needs. Curtis says, if Dr. Braddock can ease Marshall’s pain, even just a little bit, why are they sitting here? He’s got a full tank of gas and just filled his playlist with new jazz music. Selina walks in with her bodyguard, and Marshall says, they’re closed. She says, too bad for their customers. Fortunately, she’s not one of them. She does, however, have some business with Curtis. Curtis says he could have saved her a trip. He’s told her many times, their business is over. She says she believes she has something that will change his mind, and Marshall asks how many times she needs to hear the man say it. She needs to go on and get the hell out of this club. If she’s forgotten the way, he’d be happy to show her. The bodyguard moves closer, but Marshall says he’s not afraid of whatever this is that she dragged in here on the bottom of her shoe. She says, that’s just foolish and he’s never been a foolish man, and Curtis tells Marshall not to get worked up. Don’t do them dirty yet. He can handle this. He tells Selina that he has nothing to say to her, and he’s quite certain he’s not interested in anything she has to say. She says, even if it’s information leading to the identity of the person who shot him?

Anna asks if Sonny has a reason to believe Jason would shoot Dante, and he says, all he knows is that they’re searching for Jason. She says, they’re searching for both men. They’ve identified Jason. They can’t pull a clear image of the other man’s face from the footage, and he’s disappeared and so has Jason. Sonny says, Jason jumped off a bridge so he wouldn’t get arrested, and she says, right. If he died in the fall, they would have recovered his body from the river by now and they haven’t. So therefore, the assumption is that he’s still alive and he’s injured. Sonny asks how she knows he’s injured, and she says, there’s a bullet hole in the sweatshirt used to bandage Dante and forensics pulled two different blood samples from it, Dante’s and Jason’s.

Chase says he doesn’t know how long the Commissioner has been in there with Corinthos, but maybe John can ask her when they’re done. John says, it’s pretty clear she’s not interrogating him, but Chase tells him that he couldn’t say. John says he commends Chase’s discretion, but doesn’t it bother him just a little that his superior is in a conversation with a known racketeer? Chase says, nope.

Drew hits the heavy bag and I wish it could hit back. Jordan comes in and says, working out or beating someone up? He says, a little of both, and she says she knows the feeling.

Carly looks in on Dante, and Sam kisses his forehead, then meets Carly in the hall. Carly takes her hand and says, how’s Dante? Sam says, he’s critical, but stable. Has she heard from Jason? Carly says she’s seen him.

Danny brings Michael to the boathouse, and Michael says, Jason? Jason says, Michael, and Michael moves to hug him, but Jason holds him off, putting his hand to his side. Danny says, he was shot, and Michael asks how long he’s been here. Jason says, since last night or early this morning. Danny found him. Danny brought him a first aid kit, but he didn’t want to ask Danny for anything else. Danny says he doesn’t mind, and Jason says he knows, but it wasn’t fair for him to bring Danny into this. He grips his side, and Michael tells him to sit down. Jason sits and asks if Michael can take Danny back to the house. Danny says he can find his own way, and Jason says he knows Danny can find his way back. He just wants to make sure Danny stays there. Danny asks why Jason doesn’t want his help anymore, and Jason says, because he’s wanted by the police and Danny shouldn’t be anywhere near it. He’s glad Danny found him. He shouldn’t be, but he missed Danny every day when he was gone. Danny asks, what’s going to happen now? and Jason says, Michael is going to help him figure it out. Danny helped him when he needed it, now help him by staying out of it. Danny says, sure. Later. He leaves, and Jason asks Michael to go after him. Michael says he’ll be back, and follows Danny.

Anna says she understands Sonny wants to do something, anything to make a difference for his son. Pray. Go sit by Dante’s side. But do not go after Jason or the other man himself, because he doesn’t have all the information and he’s going to wind up doing more harm than good.

Marshall asks if Selina is saying she has the name of the person who put his son in this wheelchair, and Curtis says, hang on a second. He knows this game and they’re not playing. Selina says, what game? and he says, the game where she gives him so-called information for access to his backroom for her poker games. It’s not going to happen. She says, he has her all wrong, and he says, that would be a first. He’s also aware she’s having trouble finding a new space. She says, there are penthouses all over town who will jump at the money she has to offer, and he asks if she’s sure about that. Because after the FBI and PCPD raid on her warehouse, it would seem her powerbase is shaky at best. She says, that’s quite an exaggeration, but it’s true her life was threatened that night. She cannot and will not abide it. She and Curtis have been deceived. That’s why she’s here. Not to bargain, but to give him a warning. Curtis says he’s listening, and she says, the man who shot him is Jason Morgan, and they both know he only acts under Sonny’s orders. Marshall asks if she’s saying Sonny Corinthos wanted Curtis dead.

Sam asks when Carly saw Jason, and Carly says she saw him last night at her house. Sam says, so before he jumped from the bridge? and Carly says, yeah. Sam says, what did he tell her? Where has he been? Carly says, they barely had a chance to say anything because Anna and Agent Cates showed up and they searched her house. Sam asks if he told her who shot Dante, but Carly says, no. Sam says she was told there was a sweatshirt wrapped around Dante. It was used as a bandage and it had Jason’s blood on it, so he was obviously there. Carly says, seems like it, and Sam says, he either was or he wasn’t, and he obviously was. What did he tell her about the shooting? Carly tells Sam that he didn’t say anything. He didn’t say a word about Dante.

Drew says, it sounds like Jordan has some frustrations of her own to work out – he steps away from the bag – so be his guest. She says she’s just having second thoughts, and he says, about? She says she was Dante Falconari’s superior for a few years. She wants to be out there searching for the man who shot him, but she’s not a cop anymore. She’s the Deputy Mayor… and she just remembered the man they’re searching for is his brother. She apologizes. He asks what she’s apologizing for. Because she hopes the police find Jason? He hopes they do too.

Carly brings Sam over the couches and says she and Jason barely had a chance to talk. When she realized she wasn’t hallucinating and he was really there, she saw he was injured. She went to get a first aid kit, and she was barely able to give him a bandage before the police showed up. Sam says, by injured, she means shot, and Carly says, yes. Sam says, and he didn’t say who shot him? and Carly says, no. Sam wonders if it ever occurred to Carly to ask, but Carly says, there wasn’t time. Why is Sam being like this? Sam says she doesn’t know. Maybe because her ex-husband, who she thought was dead, is alive and possibly shot the man she loves.

Michael brings Danny to the gatehouse, and Willow asks if everything is okay. Michael says, Jason’s in the boathouse. He was shot. Danny brought him a first Aid kit, but he needs a nurse. Can she help him? She says, of course (🍷). She’ll get her medical bag. What about the kids? He says, Danny’s going to stay back in case one of them wakes up, and Willow goes to get her bag. Michael tells Danny to just call and one of them will come right back, but Danny says he doesn’t have a phone. His mom took it because he’s grounded. Michael says, take his. The password is 123412.😐Willow says she’s ready, and Michael says, they’ll be back as soon as they can. Danny says, just make sure he’s okay, and they leave.

Michael and Willow go into the boathouse, and Willow says, Jason? Michael says he needs a nurse. Jason says, no. He doesn’t want her involved, but she says, too late, and opens her bag. Jason says he thought Michael was taking Danny back to the house, and Willow says, he’s at the gatehouse watching the kids. Jason says, kids? and Michael says, Wiley and Amelia. He and Willow have a little girl. Jason says, congratulations. He’s happy for both of them. Willow says she needs to check his wound, and he lifts his shirt. She takes off the pad, and he says, the bullet went through. She says, it will still need to be cleaned and sutured, and he says, okay.

Curtis says, Sonny wouldn’t order a hit on his own son, and Jason would never target him, so Selina’s intel is wack. She asks how well he really knows Sonny. Think about it. Sonny escapes not one, not two, but three attempts on his life, and emerges again and again unscathed. That seems statistically unlikely, does it not? He says, not for someone who’s been on top as long as Sonny. The man is surrounded by bodyguards and security. She says, the shooting at the pool, even the events at the warehouse, those could have been staged. As for Puerto Rico, how do they know what actually happened? Was he there? She certainly wasn’t. He says he’s sorry, but everything she’s saying seems… statistically unlikely. She says, not if you factor what she believes to be Sonny’s long-term plan, and Curtis says he’s waiting. She says, to annex new territory, for which he’d need a trusted enforcer who no one saw coming. Which fits in with Jason’s sudden death on Cassadine Island a little more than two years ago. He says, now she’s the one who sounds paranoid, and she says, there are worse things to be right now. Jason works for Sonny, always has and always will. And it appears Sonny’s done with any kind of compromise, and anyone who stands in his way surely won’t be there long. Just a few things to think about. She goes over to her bodyguard, addresses Marshall, and leaves. Marshall says, this changes everything.

Jordan says she’s just going to ask, and Drew says, go for it. She says, his brother’s wanted for shooting a cop and he wants him taken into custody. Drew says, absolutely. If he’s innocent, the best thing he can do is turn himself in and prove it. She tells him that he said if, and he says he did. She says, then he admits there’s a chance Jason shot Dante, and he says, she would know better than him. He’s sure Anna Devane has briefed her on the investigation. Jordan tells him that she’s just saying she would have expected him to insist Jason’s innocent, and he says, based on what? He wasn’t there. He hasn’t seen any evidence. And he doesn’t know Jason well enough anymore to know what he would or wouldn’t do. He picks up some weights and does lifts on the bench.

Carly tells Sam, Jason would not shoot Dante. And no, she doesn’t have any proof, but she knows that because she knows Jason. Sam knows Jason. He would never do something like that. Sam says she hopes that he didn’t. She prayed that he didn’t, but while Jason has been God knows where doing God knows what, Dante has been here helping her raise Jason’s son. So if Jason is the reason Dante is lying in that bed right now hooked up to those machines, she will never forgive him.

As Willow works on Jason’s wound, Michael asks if Jason can tell them what happened, and Jason says, not all of it. Dante was chasing him and another guy, Hamish. Dante told them to stop. He did; Hamish didn’t. He turned around, Dante recognized him, he lowered his gun, and then Hamish shot him. Michael says he knew it wasn’t Jason, and Jason says, when he went to help Dante and Hamish took a shot at him. Willow says, that’s a lot of shooting, and Michael asks, what happened to Hamish? Jason says, he’s dead, and Michael says, when Josslyn and Dex got to the pier, they saw Dante, he was alone. Jason says he did everything he could for Dante. He called 911 and didn’t leave until he heard the sirens coming. Michael says, he saved Dante’s life, but Jason says he’s the reason Dante got shot in the first place.

Anna says, Sonny knows she wants justice for Dante, and he says, yeah. She says, then let her get it, and he says he can’t believe they’re having this conversation. He’s telling her to go find Jason. Usually, he’s the one hiding Jason. But he doesn’t know Jason anymore, especially the last two and a half years… or more.

Drew tells Jordan that biologically, he and Jason are twins, but that’s where the connection ends. He can’t explain why Jason does what he does. And the last thing he wants is to matter to someone because he’s Jason’s brother. She says, by someone, he means… He says, there’s a long list, but Carly’s at the top. They broke up a few hours ago. He broke up with her. She says she’s sorry to hear that. Breakups are never easy. He says, holding on to something that’s never going to work, that’s worse, and she says she learned her own lesson about that. He says he’s sorry. He shouldn’t be dumping on her like this, but she says, that’s fine. Everyone needs to vent. He says, even the Deputy Mayor? Well… go ahead. He vented to her. Now it’s her turn.

Danny scrolls through the article about Dante and Jason in The Invader, when he hears the door. Michael comes in and Danny asks if Jason is going to be okay. Michael says he thinks so. Willow was able to dress his wound and she’s going to stay with him for a little bit, monitor him and make sure he doesn’t have a fever. Danny says, that’s good, and Michael says, it must have been a pretty big shock for him to find Jason in there. Danny says, it was a shock to both of them, and Michael says, not that he could tell, right? but Danny says he could. As crazy as it was finding him there, it was good to see him. He says he didn’t shoot Dante. Michael asks if Danny believes him, and Danny says he does, but the police think he’s guilty and he ran away. Doesn’t that make him look even guiltier? Michael says, Jason ran because he had no other choice, and Danny asks if Jason told him that, but Michael says he just knows. Danny’s father is a good man, the best man he’s ever known. He has a reason for everything that he did, and when he can, he’ll tell them what those reasons are. Michael’s phone rings, and Danny hands it to him. It’s Ned, and Michael says, Danny’s here. They just got caught up playing video games, but he’ll send him up. Danny says, that was a good cover, and Michael says he’s used to it. Danny had better go. He doesn’t want them sending Yuri because he might check the boathouse. Danny says, okay, and asks if Michael will come to the house in the morning. Michael says he’ll find Danny and give him a full update, and Danny thanks him. He starts to leave, and Michael says, no one can know about this. Danny says he knows and leaves.

Willow gives Jason a jar of juice and says she’ll bring more. He thanks her, and she says, try to rest. It’s very important, okay? She’ll be back with blankets and no food. He says she doesn’t have to do that, but she says, yes, she does. Like it or not, he’s her patient now. She leaves and he drinks some juice.

Curtis says, don’t tell him that Marshall is buying any of that stuff Selina Wu was selling. That woman has reasons for doing everything she does, and none of them involve helping anyone except Selina Wu. Marshall says he’s aware. She’s not exactly what he would call a subtle woman, but Curtis owes it to himself to chase down any lead on who might have shot him, even if the source of that lead is less than ideal. This is not the time for them to be running down to Maryland to make sense of his distant past. Curtis says, it’s not a distant past. Marshall’s misdiagnosis stayed in his heart, every step of every day of his life. He thinks Marshall is still dealing with it. Marshall says, then another couple of days won’t matter. Curtis says, so many people are looking for Jason Morgan, he doesn’t need to be one more, and Marshall says he knows there’s a lot going on here. Maybe it’s best if they stay home tonight. Curtis says he hears Marshall. Tell him this. Until Marshall finds out what led to his misdiagnosis, does he think he’ll ever know one moment of true peace? Because if he can look Curtis in the face and tell him that not knowing doesn’t hurt his soul every day, then they’ll stay right here. Marshall laughs, and Curtis says, that settles it. They’re going to go to the fancy retirement home in Westminster, Maryland. They’re going to talk to Dr. Braddock and get the answers Marshall needs, so he can live some semblance of a peaceful life.

Jordan tells Drew that she understands police work, but city government, it’s like a puzzle where all the pieces can change. He says, so quit, but she says she couldn’t do that to Laura. Besides, Anna’s Commissioner now. He says, she could always go back to being a detective. He’s sure they’d be happy to have her. She says she’s not a quitter. Besides, between all of the meetings, she gets glimpses of the bigger picture. Solving cases helps one person or one family at a time, but good city government helps everyone in the city. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷) he admires her for sticking it out. And he’s also grateful his headquarters are in Port Charles. When the city looks good, so does Aurora. She says, in that case, maybe they can discuss ways Aurora could promote the city of Port Charles and raise its profile. Drew suggests they set a meeting.

Willow comes back and Michael asks, how’s Jason? She says, dehydrated and exhausted. He needs to rest. Can he grab a spare blanket from the hall closet upstairs? She’s going to get all the bottled water and juice boxes they have. He thanks her for helping and she says she wants to help Jason. She just wishes she understood the kind of trouble he’s in.

Sam tells Carly that the doctors keep telling them to be patient, that Dante was gravely injured, and that it’s going to take time. But none of them can say how much time it’s going to take or if Dante is actually going to wake up. Carly says she’s sorry. She wishes there was something she could do. Sam says, there is something Carly can do. If Jason tries to contact her, call the police. She goes back in Dante’s room.

Chase tells John that Anna is his superior and he has no reason to question her actions or motives. Now if John will excuse him, he has a case to work. He walks off.

Willow comes back to the boathouse with supplies, and sees Jason sleeping on the bench, gun in hand. She sets down the bag with the water and juice, and covers him with the blanket. She says, welcome home, Jason.

John walks into the interrogation room, and Anna asks if she can help him. He says he wanted to walk through the evidence, but if she’s busy… She says she is, but Sonny says, they’re done and thanks Anna for giving him some time. She says, anytime, and Sonny leaves, saying, Jagger, as he passes John. John says he’s sorry to hear about Sonny’s son, and Sonny says, why doesn’t John prove that badge of his means something and find the bastard who shot his son? He leaves and John looks at Anna.

Willow leaves the boathouse as Jason sleeps.

Tomorrow, Anna tells Molly that it certainly fits the evidence they have so far; John needs Carly’s help; Sonny tells Lois that he’ll never forgive him and never forgive himself; and Jason tells Michael that he can’t live with that.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – Reunion Part 3

Just a little while longer. I can smell freedom.

We backtrack a little, with Andy saying that Teddi claimed Sutton carried vodka in her purse. Was she doing Kyle’s dirty work? Kyle says, absolutely not, and Sutton says, Kyle could have told Teddi that she was wrong. Kyle tells her that there were things she could have said, but she didn’t, and Sutton says, Kyle has to understand her responsibility in the situation at some point. Kyle was relentlessly mean to her this season. Kyle asks, where? and Sutton tells her, as Denise would say, watch the show. Kyle asks where it started and says, Sutton needs to shut up sometimes and listen. It was hurtful at the dinner party to be grilled about her marriage. Sutton says she didn’t bring up Kyle’s marriage. She was just asking questions. Andy asks where they go from here, and Kyle says she loves Sutton. That’s why it hurt her, but she doesn’t see it as something that can’t be fixed. Sutton says she knows in her heart they’ll be fine, and they admit to missing each other. Andy says they should hug it out, and they do.  Andy says he’s going to leave it there and take a break before their friend is brought out. He asks if Kathy is coming, and we see Kathy come out of her trailer in a glittery dress.

Kyle says she hasn’t cried yet, and Andy says, she’s about to. Garcelle asks if Kathy was a surprise, and Andy admits that she was. Sutton tells Garcelle that she thinks it’s hot and she’s uncomfortable. Andy announces, the Grand Dame of Beverly Hills, not Lisa Vanderpump, and Kathy sits down. He welcomes her and says, it’s the last place he thought he’d see her again. She says, it’s great to see everyone, and Andy asks how it feels to be back. Kathy says, good. Things happen for a reason, and she wanted to see everyone and support Kyle. Andy asks if she saw the show, and she says she watched all the clips. Kyle says, on the interweb, and Kathy says she doesn’t watch any of the shows, except Watch What Happens Live. It goes by quick. Andy says, Kathy and Kyle’s relationship was under a microscope since day one. Kathy appeared to close the door, but some people continued to blow any way Kathy took them. We flash back to Kyle and Kathy Memory Lane, Sutton and Kim included. We end with Sutton saying, if Kyle is mad about her being friends with Kathy, she doesn’t like Kathy. I think it’s more like Kyle is jealous of their relationship. We flash back to Erika’s interview where she said, a lot of people in this town fear Kathy, because she holds access to something they want. She doesn’t care if she’s on the list. Andy asks Erika if she’s afraid Kathy will lock her out, and Kathy jokes, be careful. Andy asks how Kathy felt about that, and she laughs and says she sent the clip out to people. Andy asks Erika who she thinks is most afraid of Kathy, and Erika says, Kathy is Beverly Hills. She’s set the standard and a lot of women don’t want to run crossways with this one. Sutton suddenly starts shaking, and Einstein Andy says, you’re shaking, like she might not know. Her hands also look swollen, like with Crystal when she ended up in the hospital.

Garcelle asks if they can call someone and thinks Sutton should lie down. A medic comes out, and Garcelle says, Sutton kept saying she was hot. Dr. Kathy says, it’s a hot flash. At 49, it’s bound to happen. Um… I don’t think that’s what this is. The medic says, Sutton’s blood pressure and pulse is high. He doesn’t think it’s necessary to call 911, but thinks she should get checked out at urgent care or the hospital. In other words, we need to cover our asses at Bravo. Erika and Kathy have a side conversation about the holidays, and we find out Kathy just took her tree down. Dr. Annemarie thinks Sutton should lay down, but Sutton says she’s not steady on her feet. Erika explains to Kathy that Sutton has neuropathy in her feet, and Kyle asks for slippers. Crystal says, Suttons blood pressure is as high as hers was, and Garcelle and Annemarie help Sutton to her trailer. Erika says she thinks Sutton lost consciousness for a hot second, and Kathy says, it’s a good way to get out of being here. In her trailer, Sutton says she wants something to eat, and Garcelle gives her a banana. Sutton says she just ate one, and Garcelle says, eat another, then gives her some orange juice. I wonder if Sutton’s ever been checked for diabetes, which can cause something like that. On stage, Erika says, everybody has trauma, PTSD… Andy wants to go back to some women fearing Kathy, and Erika says, she’s the outsider looking in. That’s not her social group. Kathy says, Erika doesn’t care and was like that even when she was married to Tom, and Erika says she doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or not. Kathy can pick up the phone and make things happen. Crystal says, Kathy is a powerful person. She is Beverly Hills. Andy asks how Kathy felt leaving the Reunion. Did she think that was it for her and Kyle? Kathy says, her relationship with her sister is more important than a TV show. The press says certain things, but she’ll count how many times they had a big fight on her fingers. She hides her hand and asks Kyle, how many? Kyle says, three, and Kathy holds up three fingers. That sounds about right for what we’ve seen on the show. Kathy says, they’re sisters. It’s going to happen. Andy says, when Mauricio started his own agency, it caused tension between the family, and we flash back to that. He quotes Mauricio as saying, if they’d paid him what he deserved and shown him an inkling of professional love, he would have stayed. But Rick didn’t see it that way. Kathy says, Mauricio called on Thursday and Rick asked when he was leaving. Mauricio said, on Friday, and Rick said, opening your own business is tough, but the door is always open. Just don’t poach his staff or agents. Mauricio did poach a few, and it put her and Kyle in a bad position. Kyle says she doesn’t want to get in it. She’s been through enough. Then she explains about the poaching, but I’m not interested enough to pay attention and unwrap a mini Tootsie Pop. In Sutton’s trailer, Garcelle says she’ll be okay, and Sutton says she feels sleepy. The medic says, she’s having more symptoms than he knew. On stage, Andy says, Sutton is okay, but she’s going to the hospital because of an abundance of caution, and Garcelle is going with her. They’re all praying for Sutton. He gets their phones, and we find out some of Merce is still in Sutton’s purse.

Kyle says she thought Merce was set free in Spain, and Crystal says, Sutton still had a small amount of ashes. Kyle thinks it’s weird, because she doesn’t understand much outside of her own proclivities. Andy says he’s honored to have Merce there, and Kathy says, at least give her a seat, so they have to explain that Merce was a guy. Sutton and Garcelle leave for the hospital after someone delivers their phones and Merce. Sutton says she doesn’t want to die, but Garcelle says she’s not. She’s still got more people whose feathers she needs to ruffle. Andy asks how Kyle and Kathy came back together, and Kyle says, their niece Whitney got married and she saw them for the first time at the shower. We see a video from that, and Kathy says she’s sorry. It’s not Kyle’s fault. Kyle makes her repeat it. Kyle says, they came to Aspen, and it broke the ice. Andy says, Kyle was worried that things she said on the show would ruin their reconciliation, and Kathy says, sometimes they say things out of anger and she’s 100% more sensitive than Kyle. Kyle begs to differ, But Kathy says, Kyle’s vibe is strong. Kyle says she doesn’t think Kathy realizes how strong hers is, and Kathy says she feels Kyle loves her, but she needs to feel needed. Kyle says she does need Kathy, and Kathy has been there for her in an unbelievable way lately. It means a lot. Andy asks how they think their mom would feel, and Kyle thinks she’s happy and here with them.

Andy says, this is encouraging, but the same can’t be said of all Kyle’s relationships. She and Mauricio seemed rock solid and madly in love. Now Kyle’s marriage and future are hanging in the balance. Kyle is like, thanks a lot, and we flash back to Kyle and Mauricio on the Pont des Arts, aka the Love Lock Bridge, in Paris. Fast forward to 2022, and in her interview, Kyle says she’s not happy about their lack of time together. She doesn’t want to wake up and wonder, who are you and what do we talk about? We flash back to the tattoo argument, Dorit questioning Kyle, the ring and the weed dinner, and Morgan. We see July 3, 2023, and the headlines that Kyle and Mauricio have officially split. In Kyle’s interview, she says, the marriage she had is gone. Things happened that made her lose her trust that she can’t recover from. Kyle looks stoic while watching everything, and Andy says, it’s tough to watch. He tells Kyle that everything seemed good, so when did it change? Is there an event that stands out at the beginning of their hard year? Kyle says, any marriage has issues. You get busy and have kids. There were some issues that never went away and were never worked on, then something happened where she lost her trust. Andy asks if it’s something Mauricio did, like there was ever any question about that.

Kyle says she cares about her family first, and tears up. She says she tried, and when she couldn’t try anymore, there were things she was putting up with that became more apparent. She couldn’t do that anymore. She had a breaking point, but thought it would come back, that it was just a temporary thing, but it didn’t. Andy asks if she wants it to, and she says, of course. She wasn’t married for 28 years for nothing. Erika says, she hasn’t been faking it for 28 years. Andy says, since the beginning of the show, there were rumors of infidelity. We flash back to a bunch of that, and Andy asks if it didn’t start with the tabloids on the cast trip. We flash back to Brandi bringing the magazines along and pointing the finger at Lisa, and Kyle tells Andy that Mauricio would say, they know the truth. Erika says, but the damage was done, no matter what, and Kathy says, it casts a shadow of doubt. Erika says, it’s a campaign of whispers and becomes ugly. Andy asks if rumors caused Kyle’s trust to be chipped away at, and Kyle says, yes. It made her feel insecure. Kathy says, when you’re high profile, people make stories up, and Kyle says, they’re trying to be hurtful or make you feel bad, and it works. Andy says, Kyle and Mauricio were struggling to find time as a couple, but he didn’t have it on his Bingo card ever for Mauricio being on Dancing with the Stars. Kathy says she thought, no way in hell, and Kyle says, if they’d been in the place they used to be, she never would have said yes. She admits to being jealous, and Andy says, when Mauricio dedicated a suggestive dance to Kyle, a viewer said it was a big f*** you to her. Erika says, all the dances are suggestive, and Kyle says, it was hard for her to watch. Andy asks how she feels seeing him and DWTS partner Emma holding hands, and she says, not good. Dorit says, it was like seeing PK hold hands with someone else. Andy says, when Kyle sees him partying with women in Aspen, how does she feel? We see a photo and he should be embarrassed. Kyle says, they’re in the same house. What is he doing? A viewer asks, what’s the real reason for the split up? Why not spit it out?

Andy continues with the viewer saying that Kyle dances around the reason a lot, and Kyle says, because it’s nobody’s f***ing business. I’m not a Kyle fan, but I support that 100%. Andy asks if there have been conversations about someone moving out, and she says, there have been. He asks, who? and after we hear crickets chirping, an owl hooting, and a train whistle in the distance, Kyle says, he would. Andy asks, how are the kids? and Kyle cries as much as you can without ruining your makeup and says, the girls have been strong and supportive. It’s painful for everybody. Kathy says, Mauricio is her family; he’s her nieces’ father. Looking back at the last two or three years, they’ve been traveling. People enjoy success and go in different directions. There’s no time to think, then all of a sudden, there’s devastation. Kyle has been a little weird for the past three years. She’s careful to clarify, not with her, but Kyle says, that’s not the correct timing with her marriage. I have no idea what they’re rambling about, but I’m guessing it’s rich people code for: This has been going downhill for a while, and I don’t want to talk about it. Andy asks if there’s been talk about divorce, and Kyle says, it’s hard for any of them to say that word. Andy says, but if Mauricio is looking for a place to move out and they haven’t seen progress… Kyle says, they get along well, like friends, and Andy asks if Kathy hopes they get back together. Kathy says she wants what Kyle does. Kyle’s happiness is the most important thing.

Andy says he’s hoping for the best, whatever course it takes. The person who got everyone talking was Morgan. He asks Kyle, what was Morgan’s rection to seeing herself on the show? and Kyle says, she’s never seen the show, but there was a lot of scrutiny that Morgan wasn’t comfortable with. Every day there was some speculations about them. Andy asks if the group thought they were together, and we hear more crickets. Crystal says she did before the tabloids said it. She thought it was lowkey. People sent her Instagram pictures and she thought, they’re together. Andy asks what Dorit thinks, and she says, there were a lot of pictures on Instagram, and she thought they looked like girlfriends. Andy says, on the after-show, Annemarie said, Kyle had found someone to make her feel loved, and asks if she’d expand on that. Annemarie says she thinks it’s great when you have a friendship where you get each other. She thinks that’s important during hard times in life. Andy says, Sutton and Garcelle talked about it on the after-show, and we see a clip of Garcelle saying, Kyle went to the doctor with Morgan, and she thought that was a personal thing to do, to go with someone you’ve just met. I dunno about that. It sounds like a girl thing. Andy says, Kyle kind of made Morgan a household name, but Kyle says, all Morgan cares about is making music. Crystal asks when Kyle did the music video, and Kyle says, a month before the story about her marriage broke. She wouldn’t have done it once that came out, but it had already been done. Andy asks what the purpose was, and Kyle says, Morgan was going on tour and said she wanted to support Kyle at the Loreen event, but in return asked her to be in the video. We see a clip of them discussing the video, and Kyle says, Morgan thought it would be a good idea to poke fun at their relationship. She told the director that she’d never kissed on camera, let alone a woman, but if she’s being honest, she was obviously curious. And Morgan is hot. Andy says, and the million-dollar question. Is anything going on between them?

Kyle says, in that way?… No. He asks if they’re a couple, and she says, no. He asks if Kyle has feelings for her, and Kyle says she loves Morgan. Morgan is her friend. Andy asks what Kathy thinks of Morgan, and Kathy says, she’s funny, bright, humble, and refreshing. She saw Morgan perform and was blown away. Andy asks if Kyle could see herself with Morgan, but Kyle says she doesn’t know. Andy says, that’s not a no, and Kyle says she’s evolving and changing. Clearly, she’s going through her own evolution and doesn’t know what the future holds. Andy wonders if Morgan will be on the couch next year. He thinks it’s odd that Garcelle, Sutton, and Merce’s remaining ashes are in an ambulance, but they’re all praying and glad Sutton’s getting help. He asks what each of them is taking away from this season.

Andy says, Annemarie had a rough ride, and asks if she was able to mend fences tonight. Since no one can respond to a question with a straight answer, Annemarie says, it’s important for her to remember that the most important thing is happiness and health. He says, what Crystal is taking away, and she says, that she shouldn’t be afraid to speak out. Her voice matters. Erika says she’s proud she showed up for herself. It’s been hard, but she feels so much better. Andy asks if Kathy feels good, and she says she does. She’s happy to be here with Kyle tonight. At the end day, the women care about each other and have a sisterhood. She respects it. Dorit starts to give her takeaway, when Andy yawns. Dorit says, again? and everyone laughs. Dorit says she’s learned not to trust. It’s her nature to believe it when someone is nice and makes her feel like they’re a friend. She thinks she has to be less naïve. Andy asks if she’s talking about Garcelle, and Dorit says she is. Andy gives Kyle the last word, and she says she may have lost what she felt was her happily ever after, but she’s strong enough to have her happily ever after, no matter what. Andy says, there’s a lot of optimism. While they miss Garcelle and Sutton, he thanks everyone for a great season. We read that Sutton was back home with Avi and her dogs after making a full recovery. We read that Kyle and Mauricio are still under the same roof, but leading separate lives. Mauricio is in search of a new home, and Kyle saw Morgan in concert.

And I say, hallelujah, the season is over.

🥯 Shake, Rattle, and Bagel…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and Oscar talk. Until then, stay safe, stay holding the door open for the next person, and stay using a password more complicated than 123412.

December 5, 2023 – Brennan Reveals His Intentions, Thanks, Happy Anniversary, Who He Is, Leads Lunch, Still Closed, Stupidity, On the House, About Us, Winging It, Check That Tree & Good

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura and Esme carry some boxes into the living room, and Esme wonders how everything is going to fit in her new place. Laura says, she can always leave some stuff here. That way it will be here when she visits, which she hopes Esme is going to do often. Esme tells Laura that she knows she doesn’t say this enough, but she’s really grateful for everything Laura’s done for her and Ace. Laura says she’s going to miss both of them, and they hug.

Mopping the floor at the PC Grill, Cyrus hears someone come in. He says, we’re closed, and Ava says, then he ought to lock the door. He says, when the restaurant’s closed, that means the bar is no longer serving, so… She laughs (me too) and says she sees his newfound devotion to the Lord hasn’t dulled what’s meant to be his wit, but he says he wasn’t joking, and he is busy. So if she’s not here for the cuisine… She says she came here for a little bit of his wisdom, and he says he’s but a simple man of God, but if he can help her on her way… She says she only has the one question. Austin Gatlin-Holt is dead. Why did Cyrus kill him?

Blaze asks if she overstepped, and Kristina asks if Blaze didn’t notice her kissing back. Blaze says she noticed, and Kristina says she’s glad to know she’s still got it. Blaze says she didn’t mean to ambush Kristina like that. The last thing she wants to do is make Kristina feel uncomfortable. Kristina says she’s not uncomfortable. In fact, she’s just the opposite.

Felicia says she’s glad Anna could make it, and Anna thanks Felicia for having her over. Felicia asks how she’s doing, and Anna says, okay. Robert surprised her for Thanksgiving with Emma. She’s so smart. She’s studying dark matter and subatomic something or other. Anna doesn’t understand any of it. Felicia says, as long as she’s not majoring in the didgeridoo, they can count their blessings, and they laugh. Anna says, Emma’s back at school now. She could really use a friend. Felicia says, she’s come to the right place.

Sam sees Dante holding an evidence bag and asks, what’s that? He says, this is literally the key to help them find out who’s after Anna, and tosses it on the table.

Hume opens the money briefcase and tells Brennan, it’s all here. Brennan says, trust, but verify. Too bad Corinthos didn’t take the money. It would have been so much easier if they could have just paid him off. He shuts the case.

At Pozzulo’s, Curtis thanks Sonny for seeing him, and Sonny says, for him, anytime. He asks if Curtis wants a drink, but Curtis says he has to stay sharp, and Sonny says he understands. What does Curtis want from him? Curtis says, specifically, names. Who would have a reason to take a shot at Sonny at the MetroCourt?  

Felicia says, after everything that’s happened, maybe a visit to Berkeley to see Robin? and Anna says, Robin will want to know everything, and she doesn’t want to… Felicia says, talk to her, and Anna starts to cry. She says she shot a kid, and Felicia hugs her.

Sam asks what it’s literally a key to, and Dante says, a private locker at the train station. The M.E. found a key on this guy named Jameson Forsythe, who was killed in a hit and run that sounds deliberate actually; the vehicle didn’t even slow down. Sam asks what that has to do with Anna, and Dante says, he and Anna were in the WSB together in the 80s. She had evidence against this guy, and recently, it vanished.

Hume asks how long Brennan will be in Port Charles, and Brennan says, as long as it takes to set up operations so that Pikeman can send shipments to Canada and do international distribution. Hume asks if he’s going to handle it in person, and Brennan says, if you want a job done right and all that. He learned that the hard way with Forsythe. He also needs to clean up that mess, since Forsythe failed to handle Anna Devane. Hume says he understands, but won’t an extended absence be a problem for the head of the WSB?

Sonny tells Curtis that there are several people who might want him gone. He’s looked into all of them, and so has the PCPD. Curtis says, nothing? and Sonny says, let’s put it this way, the case is still open. Has Curtis talked to Anna about this? Curtis says, not yet, and Sonny says, because her list of enemies is as long as his, but they’re harder to track down. Curtis says he knew this was going to be difficult from the start. He’s got to know who put him in this wheelchair. Sonny asks if he thinks he can do better than the police, and Curtis says he was a P.I. He’s done undercover work, and he’s not juggling a dozen cases. Sonny says he understands. If he were Curtis, nothing would stop him. Curtis thanks him for understanding and asks, who’s at the top of his list?

Cyrus says, Dr. Gatlin-Holt is dead? When? How? Ava says, two shots, close range, shortly before Thanksgiving, and Cyrus says, well, that is a tragedy, and Ava is a callous woman. She says, at least she’s not the one who killed him. Cyrus did that, didn’t he? Cyrus says, even if he had been responsible for Austin’s death, why would he tell her? and she says, that’s okay. She expected him to deny it. He says, then why ask the question? and she says, just to see if she believed the answer. He says, and does she? but she says, he didn’t answer it. And before we get to what I believe, let’s talk about what I know, shall we? She knows, for example, that he ordered Austin’s cousin Mason to kidnap her, so that Austin would testify about his fragile health and a judge would grant him early release from Pentenville. Now look at him. He’s a free man. And how did he repay Austin for giving him his life back? By taking Austin’s?

Esme says, Laura doesn’t think she’s doing the wrong thing by moving out, does she? and Laura says, if she thought Esme was doing the wrong thing, she would have never co-signed the lease. Esme suggests it might have been a bad decision on Laura’s part, but Laura says she couldn’t be more proud of Esme, that she took a stand to create an independent life for herself and for her son. Esme says, now that it’s all happening, she’s terrified she’s going to blow it all, but Laura says she thinks that’s a good thing, because Esme will be careful. It’s the people who think they know everything who fall on their faces. Esme says she’s terrified of failure, and Laura says, let’s say for a moment it was a mistake. Esme can always move back in because Laura’s home will always be a nice, soft, landing place for her and her son. Esme thanks her and says, that’s incredibly reassuring, and Laura says she’s watched Esme grow into a competent and self-sufficient single mom. So now believe her when she says, Esme’s got this.

Kristina says she had no idea Blaze might be gay, and Blaze says, there’s a reason for that. The way her life is, she can’t be open like that, and she totally understands if that’s offensive to Kristina. She personally has so much respect for people who are out and proud, and she’s more than a little jealous of them, but for her it’s not an option. Kristina says, first of all, she’s not offended. Blaze’s sexuality is just that, it’s hers. How she chooses to express it and when is entirely up to her. So don’t ever feel like she has to defend herself to Kristina. Everyone’s on their own journey. Blaze thanks her for everything. She can’t tell Kristina how much it means to hear her say that.

Curtis says, maybe Austin didn’t tell Ava, but he paid for Austin to go to medical school. He supported Austin during his residency, so forgive him if the news of Austin’s passing is a loss for him. Ava says, he’s positively bereft, and he says, now that he’s answered her question, would she mind returning the favor? She says, has she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior? but he says, did she kill Austin? Because from what she’s told him, she has many reasons to do so. More than he does. She says, he did it and now he’s trying to shift blame, and he asks if she’d like to speak to his manager. She says, to report a murder? but he says, to check his alibi. He’s worked past closing every night since he got this job, so he has an alibi. Does she? She walks out.

Blaze tells Kristina that she’s never been in a long-term relationship. Part of it’s her career. She sees so many artists wreck everything they had, break the heart of someone who didn’t deserve it, or get theirs broken when the person they left behind moved on. For her, it was easier, safer, to put her focus on her career. Kristina asks if Blaze really thinks her fans would have a problem with her sexuality.

Anna tells Felicia that she’s not sleeping at all really. When she does, she has these nightmares of pulling the trigger. And when she wakes up, it’s always the same. She realizes it wasn’t a nightmare; it happened. Felicia says, what happened was a tragedy, but Charlotte survived, and Anna says she doesn’t know what she would have done if… Felicia says she knows Anna. She’s a professional. She doesn’t shoot first and ask questions later. Anna says, but she did, and Felicia asks, why? What made this time different? Anna says she convinced herself that this enemy of hers from back in the WSB was the person who was after her. That he’d been stalking her and harassing her. Burned her house down. And when she got back to Maxie’s apartment that night, she thought he was the one inside waiting for her. She had no way of knowing it was Charlotte… Valentin didn’t tell her.

Brennan tells Hume, that’s the thing about being Director. Only a few people know where you actually are at any given time. Hume says, he can run the WSB as he sees fit, and Brennan says, once he was able to oust Frisco Jones, the rest was easy. Anyone who might have been an obstacle was transferred to a very out of the way station, demoted, or thrown out of the Bureau altogether. He has to fly to London now and then to keep everyone on their toes, but everything else, he can pretty much do it his way. Hume says, speaking of obstacles, who is their priority? Sonny Corinthos or Anna Devane? Brennan says, both.

Laura walks into the PC Grill and says hello to Cyrus. He says, what a surprise, and she says she just saw Ava leaving. He says, her former daughter-in-law stopped by to pay him a visit. Apparently, he’s quite popular this evening. She says, anything she should be concerned about? and he says, with Ava? No. She is a troubled soul though. Always in search of absolution it seems. That’s what comes with a guilty conscience. Believe him; he knows. Anyway, enough about him. What brings her here so late?

Kristina asks Blaze if this was Linc’s idea. Was he afraid being queer would conflict with the whole pop star image he was trying to create for her, and it would then alienate her fanbase? Blaze says, Linc didn’t know, and Kristina says, there goes her theory. Blaze says, not that he cared. He would have gone right on harassing her regardless. She never wanted to expose anything personal about herself. Kristina says, it’s good Blaze never has to deal with Linc again, but if it’s not that she’s worried about what the public would think of her… Blaze says, if she came out now, she’s pretty sure she would turn off some fans, but it’s 2023. She thinks most of them would accept her. Unfortunately, her very Catholic family would absolutely not.

Sam asks what kind of evidence it would turn up, and Dante says, Anna told him that she had a hard copy of a report on a mission, an op that went sideways, that incriminated Forsythe. Sam says, that shouldn’t be a big deal. The WSB probably has hard copies and digital copies. He says, but they wanted to bury that report, and Anna wanted to keep a copy so she wouldn’t be scapegoated into being the reason the op went bad. She had it with her the night she shot Charlotte. She was obviously distracted with Charlotte, and when she went back to get her bag, the report was gone, so were any corroborating documents that went along with it. Then Forsythe’s body turns up, and the M.E. finds a key in his shoe. Sam says, so the report is in the locker, and Dante says, most likely, but he won’t know until he checks. She asks what Anna thinks, but he says, Anna doesn’t know yet.

Felicia says, Charlotte was stalking her? and Anna says, yeah. Victor got in her head, and convinced Charlotte that she was a threat to her father. So Charlotte was trying to drive her away to protect him. Felicia says, and Valentin knew? and Anna says, yes. Valentin knew the night Charlotte broke into her hotel suite and didn’t tell her. Felicia asks, why the hell not? Valentin should have known Anna would want to be supportive and want to get Charlotte help. Anna says, Valentin doesn’t trust her. She doesn’t think he trusts anyone, because he himself is untrustworthy. It’s over. That is it for them. This whole thing with Charlotte shattered any illusions she had about him. Felicia says she’s so sorry, and Anna says, it was a risk going into a relationship with him, but she didn’t have any idea it would end this badly. Felicia says, it wasn’t her fault, and Anna says, that’s very nice of Felicia… She’s the one who pulled the trigger. Felicia says, there were very extenuating circumstances. Who was this person at the WSB who she thought was targeting her?

Sonny says he’s sure Curtis heard about his arrest this summer, and Curtis says, just that it happened, and Sonny’s time in custody was so brief. Why was that? Sonny says, because Cyrus Renault was behind it. Even though he was in prison at the time, Cyrus tried to frame Sonny. Curtis says, if he had the resources to get Sonny arrested, he could have arranged the hit, and Sonny says he doesn’t know. Curtis says, it’s worth looking into. Anyone else? Sonny asks if Curtis has access to the police investigation, and Curtis says he does. Sonny says, then Curtis knows the sniper rifle that was recovered was liberated from a WSB station in Berlin, and Curtis says, so Sonny thinks Anna was the target? Sonny says, not necessarily.

Laura says she stopped by to check in, see how the job’s going. They seem to be working Cyrus long hours. He asks if she really cares, and she says, excuse me? He says he visited her in her home, and she threw him out. He came to see her in her office, and he clearly wasn’t welcome there. Shouldn’t this be a two-way street? He’ll stay clear of her place of business, and she’ll stay clear of his. She says, it’s not really the same thing though, and he says, why not? Because she’s the mayor and he’s an ex-con whose existence embarrasses her? She says, that’s not what she means. She means, she works in a private office, and he works in a public gathering place. He thanks her for that clarification and says, now if she doesn’t mind, he knows it’s not really an important job, but it’s his and he should get back to it. Please. She says she’ll go if he wants her to. She just wanted to say that she thinks he was right when he said they were family, and because they’re family, they should look for middle ground. He says, that’s all he’s been trying to do since the day he found out who she was. Only now for whatever reason, does she deign to recognize him, begrudgingly no less, as her brother. It’s a little late.

Blaze says, Kristina knows how she went down to see her abuela in Puerto Rico when Kristina’s dad was getting married, and Kristina says, vividly. Blaze says, she adores her abuela. Obviously. She’s wonderful, loving, and also deeply old-school religious. So are Blaze’s parents, her brothers and  sisters, her aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kristina gets the picture. Kristina says, yeah, she gets it, and Blaze says, she has this one uncle who no one talks about. She can’t say with any certainty whether he’s gay or not. She hasn’t seen him since she was a little girl. Kristina asks if Blaze has tried looking him up on social media, and Blaze says she has, but it was all for nothing. There are a bunch of people with the same name as him, but she can’t be sure if any of them are him. It’s been way too long and none of their family are mutuals. Kristina says, it must be really hard, and Blaze says, impossible. And even if she did meet him, what would she even say? If he is gay and he came out to her family, he lost them because of it, and she’s not brave enough to risk a loss like that. Kristina says, revealing your true self, especially to your loved ones, can be… it is the scariest decision you can make, but it’s also a necessary one.

Sam says, right now, the only people who know about the key are… Dante says, him, the M.E., and now Sam, and she says, the M.E. didn’t put in a report for it? He says, not yet, and she says, and clearly Dante hasn’t gone to check the lock for himself. He says he doesn’t know what his approach is going to be. If somebody is watching Forsythe’s body, he doesn’t want to lead them to the locker. She says, why not just tell Anna? and he says, if she was Anna and she knew about this key and this report, what is she going to do? She says she’s going to the train station and opening the locker, and he says, which sounds like a trap. Forsythe was murdered. Whoever killed him… She says, could also be after Anna. And she’s sure the locker is under surveillance. He says, this whole thing could just be a set-up to draw Anna out, and she says, right. So why not just turn the key over to the PCPD?

Anna tells Felicia, years ago at the beginning of her career with the WSB, she was involved with this op that got blown. The original report exonerated her, which it should have, and placed the blame on the person who planned and executed the op. Felicia says, as it should have? and Anna says, her opinion was yes, and it was the Bureau’s position. At least it was at the time. Felicia says, they changed their minds, and Anna says, they did. This agent in question, Jameson Forsythe, managed to make himself indispensable to the Bureau, so… Felicia says, they buried the report, and Anna says, they did, but she kept a copy of it, just for insurance. Felicia says, just in case they tried to pin it on her, and Anna says, right. But nothing ever came of it, so she kept the report, but just put it away in this trunk that she had full of reports. She was very fastidious about stuff like that. She put in it in storage in England, where it remained for decades. Then a couple of years ago, she brought it out here, thinking she’d go through the trunk, and she never got around to it. (We’ve all been there, even if it’s just a box of stuff.) Felicia says, she has been kind of busy the last couple of years, and Anna says she supposes so. Anyway, when it was clear she was never going to go through the trunk, she put it in storage in Port Charles. Felicia says, when her house burned down, was the trunk still in storage? and Anna says, yeah. So after the fire, she wondered if there was something in there that could help her figure out who’s after her. So Robert helped her bring it to Maxie’s apartment, and as soon as she saw Forsythe’s name, she just knew it. He would kill to keep that report buried.

Hume says he has no preference personally, but why not eliminate Corinthos altogether? and Brennan says, that option’s still on the table, but only as a last resort. Corinthos has controlled Port Charles for decades. Removing him would create a power vacuum. The last thing they need is a bunch of crime families vying for control of Port Charles and its waterways. Next thing they know, state and federal law enforcement will be nosing around. Hume says, exactly the kind of attention Pikeman wants to avoid, to get their merchandise to international buyers, and Brennan says, they’re much better off securing Sonny’s cooperation. Hume says, except that hasn’t really worked so far, and Brennan says, money hasn’t worked. Sometimes it doesn’t. All that means is, they find a different kind of leverage.

Sonny asks if Curtis has ever heard of Pikeman Security Group, and Curtis says, yeah, basically corporate mercenaries and they supply weapons systems. They’ve been in the news once or twice. Sonny says, what hasn’t been in the news is, Pikeman is in bed with the WSB. They have some kind of revolving door arrangement where former WSB agents work for Pikeman. Then Pikeman personnel work for the Bureau. Curtis says, another connection to Anna, but Sonny says, guess what? Pikeman has made overtures to him. Curtis says he takes it Sonny didn’t accept those overtures, and Sonny tells him, let’s just say it didn’t live up to Pikeman’s satisfaction. Curtis says, so Pikeman may have a reason to come gunning for Sonny, and Sonny says, anything is possible.

Dante tells Sam that he thought about turning the key over to the PCPD, but then they’d have access to Anna’s files and records. This guy was WSB, and they’d want to monitor the case. Sam says, they probably are already, and he says, then they’d confiscate the key. She says, and if the report is in the locker, the WSB will grab it and destroy it forever, and he says, right. Which puts Anna in even more danger.

Hume says, Anna Devane. Again, professional curiosity. Why is she so important? Brennan says, that’s classified, and Hume says, understood. Brennan tells him, that said, he can see how this intel might help Hume help him. Back in the 80s, Anna worked a WSB op that went sideways. Forsythe was the field agent in charge and screwed it up big time. And the WSB buried the incident. Hume says, of course (🍷), and Brennan says, but Anna was thinking ahead. She kept a copy of the original mission report naming those responsible, including Forsythe. Hume says, and he imagines if this report got out, it would be embarrassing, and Brennan says, which is why Forsythe was supposed to retrieve the report and eliminate Anna. It’s too bad he failed at both.

Anna tells Felicia, on Halloween night, she took the report and a journal she had supporting it to show Robert. He agreed with the theory, so then when she returned to Maxie’s and saw the door was unlocked, she thought, oh no. There’s someone inside her home again. Felicia says, she thought it was Forsythe, and Anna says, yeah, and if it was him, he was there to kill her. So she just went through that door with her gun leveled and the safety off. She saw a figure in the shadow and yelled, freeze, but they didn’t; they turned. They had what she thought was a weapon in their hand, and she fired, thinking it was him.

Kristina tells Blaze that she didn’t mean to imply it was a requirement to come out to your family. It’s just, when she decided to come out to her parents, who again, are very different from Blaze’s… Blaze thanks her for acknowledging that, and Kristina says she tied herself up in knots over it. With her mother, it wasn’t so much her sexuality that was the problem. The problem was, she was involved with an older woman, which in hindsight, her concerns were valid. And if Blaze tells anyone that, she will deny it. Blaze says, Kristina’s secret is safe with her, and Kristina says, with her dad, he’s totally old school and traditional. She and her dad are incredibly close. Even at times when she didn’t think she and her mom were that close, her dad has always been there for her. And she was afraid, terrified, that if she revealed her true self to him that he would reject her. Blaze says, clearly, he didn’t. Did he come around eventually, or… Kristina says, he accepted her immediately. You might not think a devout Catholic and legitimate coffee importer would be that open-minded, but his love and support for her allowed her to truly explore who she is.

Cyrus tells Laura, all his life, he’s bent over backwards for his family, for his parents who were never satisfied with anything he did. His mother won’t even accept money from him unless it’s funneled through his brother first. Every single cent that’s gone for her care has come from him. As soon as he heard that Spencer was sentenced to Pentenville, he went out of his way to make sure Spencer would be protected. Not that Spencer ever asked for his help, but he’s Laura’s grandson, and that makes him family and that’s what family does. So she and Martin and his mother can continue to treat him like he’s less than dirt, but he knows, and more importantly, God knows what’s in his heart. And that’s more than enough for him.

Blaze says, she and hers aren’t there yet, and she doesn’t know if they ever will be. Kristina says she respects that, but Blaze says she thinks she’s a coward. Kristina asks if she’s met herself. She’s kind of amazing. Blaze says she kind of is, isn’t she? and Kristina says, as far as coming out to her family, if and when that’s what Blaze decides to do, the timing is totally her own. Whatever Blaze needs from her, she’s got it. Blaze thanks her, and Kristina says, of course (🍷). Blaze says, and for the record, Kristina’s pretty amazing herself. Kristina says she is, and they kiss.

Laura says she’s sorry. Cyrus is absolutely right. She had no idea what family means to him, but she does know that she hopes every single doubt she’s had about him is wrong. She thanks him for keeping Spencer safe, and he says, it’s what they do. She says, and as far as the rest of it goes, can they just wait and see? He says he’ll take that as a downpayment on a future apology, and she says she looks forward to giving it to him. He says, all right then. If she doesn’t see him around in the next week or so, don’t worry that he’s fallen back into his old ways. He’s going to be visiting his mother. She says, good for him. Give his mother her best. He says he will. He missed her while he was in prison, even if she didn’t miss him. He goes to the back with his mop and bucket, and Laura leaves.

Kristina walks Blaze to the door, and Blaze says, see you around? Kristina says, you bet, and Blaze leaves. These two have more chemistry than most of the other couples put together, especially now that Anna and Valentin are off the table.

Sam says she doesn’t understand why they would work so hard pinning this on Anna, and Dante says, maybe there’s someone implicated in the report besides Forsythe. She says, maybe that’s why Forsythe is dead. Maybe he knew who that someone was. Dante says, so the only person who knows about the report is the person who was in on the op, and Sam says, and that person was Anna. He says, she’s the only other witness. Whoever wants to bury that report, wants to bury her too.

Felicia asks if Anna thinks he’s still after her, and Anna says she thinks he was. Felicia says, was? and Anna says, when she returned to Maxie’s apartment, after the shooting, someone had been there, and they’d been through the trunk and taken anything pertaining to Forsythe and the op. It was all gone. And shortly after that, Forsythe turned up in Port Charles morgue. He was the victim of a hit and run. He was found on the side of the road, and there was no indication that the vehicle even slowed down. Felicia says, murdered? and Anna says, that’s what it looks like. She bets Forsythe died because of something that was in that report.

Hume says, their team went through Forsythe’s hotel room, his luggage, and his car. They gave Brennan everything they found. Brennan says, the last message from Forsythe, he said he had the report. So he either lied about having it or left it somewhere as insurance, which means that report is still out there somewhere. A ticking bomb.

Curtis asks, what if Sonny was the intended target and they wanted to lead the investigation away from that assumption? If Sonny had been hit by a WSB rifle, the investigators could claim that gun was bought on the black market, and no one would connect it to Pikeman. Sonny says he’s not ruling anything out. He wants to be clear. He doesn’t know for sure if Pikeman tried to kill him, but he doesn’t see a reason why they would try to kill Anna. Curtis says, that they know of. But to find out, he’s going to have to start back at square one and see where this trail leads.

Tomorrow, Maxie says, Cody and Sasha have this special chemistry that everyone can see; Esme says she can’t rely on Spencer anymore; and Jake says he never knows what Charlotte is thinking.

🏆 He’s Welcome…

The only soap fit to print.

Maurice Benard Thanks You for Helping GH Hit a Major Milestone!

💐 Deserving Of Two Bouquets…

One of the most underrated actors in daytime, but he does get double the fun. Ryan might be dead, but I fully expect him to show up again.

💣 New Villain In Town…

I thought I recognized him. He’s been in quite a few TV shows.

🍹 Soap Ladies Who Lunch…

This is such a cool idea. It must be fun.

🥪 Something About Opening Already…

To be fair, the socks are really cute. But the place looks gorgeous, so what the hell?

💉 Don’t Try This Anywhere…

Seriously, is she stupid or crazy? Is keeping up with the Housewives really worth it?

🐉 Imagining Dragons…

The latest on House of the Dragon, Season 2.

https://people.com/bloody-war-is-coming-in-the-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-teaser-8410126

🌁 Latest On The Last…

I could see Bella Ramsey playing The Joker.

More game versus series talk.

⚰️ Improvising the Dead…

Since there’s precious little news at this time.

🦥 Double Check That Thing…

This story is hysterical, but don’t let this happen to you.

https://people.com/woman-discovers-possum-hiding-in-christmas-tree-8410211

🦌 Playing Reindeer Games…

Join me tomorrow for soap and trying to stomach Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting others’ holiday differences, and stay trusting, but verifying.

March 2, 2023 – Laura Sends Eileen To the Morgue, Poem, Bill’s Band, Through the Years, Please Go, Fakey McFake, Monstrous Loss, Everything SAG & Good

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha puts a single rose on Brando’s grave, and says, it’s finally over. Heather Webber will never hurt anyone again. Soon they will lock her up. She hopes Heather suffers. He’s too kind to wish that on anyone, but he’s not here, so she gets to wish for what she wants. Of course (🍷) the one thing she wishes, she can’t have. Everybody talks about moving on and living her life. Easier said. She starts to cry, and says she misses him.

Maxie meets Brook at Kelly’s, and Brook asks, how’s her mom? Maxie says, hanging in there. Ryan really put her mom and Mac through the wringer. Brook says, look on the bright side. Ryan is dead, and Heather is being put away until she rots. Good riddance to the lunatics. Maxie says she’s still reeling though. Heather’s last victim was Austin. Brook asks if Maxie’s talked to him, and Maxie says she left a message, but didn’t want to push. Brook says, it’s hard to know where to draw that line with an ex, and Maxie says, now they’re talking about Brook and Chase. Is she right?

Dante comes into the steam room to find Chase rubbing his shoulder. Dante says he told Chase to take it easy. What did that punching bag ever do to him anyway? Chase says he was overcompensating. He’s sick of being in limbo. He wants to be a cop again.

Gregory reads out loud to Alexis, when the sounds of choppers faded from the air above Spoon Island, one notorious criminal was dead, another was in custody, and their legacies were cemented with the birth of their grandson and the trail of devastation each left in their wake. She takes it he has notes, but he says, just one; masterful. Congratulations. She’s nabbed the scoop of the year.

As they approach Sam’s apartment, TJ asks if Molly is up to this, but she says she’s fine. It’s probably just a touch of the bug that’s going around. She hasn’t seen her sisters in ages, and there’s no way she’s missing this brunch. Um… I guess she misses them so much, she wants them sick too? They knock at the door, and Sam tells Kristina, they’re here. Kristina comes out with a cake that has one candle on it, and Sam opens the door. They yell, happy anniversary!🎉

At the MetroCourt restaurant, Diane tells Robert, it’s so lovely, and he says, it’s been a long time coming. He really owes her, and she says, for wasting her time in court with a case that should never have been brought to trial? He says he was thinking more of a moment they shall call the elevator incident, and she says she was only doing what anyone would do when they figured out a colleague had been drugged and swindled. He says, regardless, this is an expression of his gratitude, and she asks if that’s all this is. He says, she’s got him. There was something else he wanted to talk to her about today.

Laura thanks Eileen for meeting her at the hospital, and Eileen says, of course (🍷). Laura says she’s been given a task that feels impossible to her, and she realized that Eileen is the best person to help her with it.

TJ says now he understands why Sam insisted he escort her to this so-called sister’s brunch, and Kristina says, they know TJ and Molly celebrated their anniversary at Curtis and Portia’s wedding. Sam says, the first year of domestic partnership deserves a celebration, and Kristina says, they’re borrowing from birthday tradition, lighting the candle. Sam says, make a wish, and Kristina tells them, then blow out the candle. They do, and everyone laughs.

Alexis says, right place, right time, and Gregory says, thanks to the tip from Smoltz. She says, when he’s right, it reminds her that he’d actually be good at his job if he had integrity. He says, Smoltz may have given her information, but it was her deductive reasoning that unmasked The Hook, and she says, a major get. He says, one she should be proud of, but she says, the glory isn’t all hers. She couldn’t have done it without him.

Dante says he knows Chase hates not being on the force, and Chase says, especially after an operation like the one on Spoon Island. They caught The Hook. Ryan Chamberlain is dead, Esme Prince has been recaptured, and where was he? Dante says he missed out too, but Chase says, because he was in England with Sam working on another case. Dante says, they were tracking down Esme’s nanny. She told them that Ryan was Esme’s biological father. Chase says, see? Dante’s proven his point. It was good work. Dante says, work Chase can do too when he gets reinstated. Chase says, if he gets reinstated, but Dante says he has every reason to believe the Board will reinstate Chase. Will he have some faith? Chase says he’ll try, but in the meantime, there’s another bad guy he can take down.

Brook tells Maxie, soon enough she and Chase won’t have a professional relationship, and Chase will be free of her completely. Maxie asks if he fired Brook as his manager, and Brook says, music was never Chase’s dream; it was hers. He loves police work, and he’s probably going to be reinstated in the next few months. Maxie asks how she feels about that, and Brook says, it makes him happy, and she’s happy for him. Maxie asks how she really feels, but Brook says she’s actually happy for him. He deserves to follow his passion. Maxie says, so does Brook, and Brook says she is. Aside from the ones he already sold, Linc gave her back her catalog. She can shop those around, build her slate of artists… Maxie asks why she still doesn’t seem happy, and Brook says, because she still doesn’t get what she wants.

Eileen says, whatever Laura needs, she’s at her service, and Laura says, she looks tired. Is she sick? Eileen says she hasn’t been sleeping well. Her alarm clock must have a short; it’s been waking her up at all hours. On top of which, the heat stopped working. Laura suggests she stay somewhere else until she can sort out the heat and the wiring, but Eileen says, that won’t help with the nightmares, and Laura says, what? but Eileen says, it’s nothing. Laura tells her, Anna Devane’s body has been recovered… or what the French authorities believe are her remains. Eileen says, her condolences, and Laura gets all teary and thanks her. Eileen says she hopes this gives Laura and Anna’s loved ones the closure they need. When will the body arrive? Laura says, it’s already here. Anna’s body is down in the morgue, and she’s the one who’s supposed to… identify it. She breaks down in tears.

Alexis tells Gregory, spitballing, bouncing theories off each other, that’s what led to her eureka moment with Heather. After that, it was just a matter of confirming her hunch. He says he might have helped get the wheels turning, but this was all her, and she says, take the win. Come on. They’re good together. Why bust it all up? He says he’s sensing a return to a conversation they put to bed, and she says she doesn’t understand why PCU won’t let him work at The Invader. He says he told her; a conflict of interest. (BTW, I think he’s lying to her; I don’t think he even asked.) She says she’s researched six publications, and all of them have professors working in their editorial department. So why does PCU set a different standard for their faculty specifically? He asks why she can’t let this go.

Chase tells Dante that he’s going to stop Linc Brown and his career as a music manager. Maybe get him charged just for good measure. Dante suggests Chase remember Linc was one of the reasons he was suspended in the first place. He adds harassment to assault, he’s not getting back on the force. Chase says, Brown gets handsy with his clients – he means, really handsy. He’s abusive, controlling, and manipulative, and that’s all they know about. There’s probably so much more. Dante says he knew the guy was a sleaze, but didn’t know he was doing that. That’s no good and he needs to be stopped. Why doesn’t he have a chat with Linc? Chase says, that won’t do any good, and Dante asks how working for him is going to change his behavior. Chase says, proximity gives him opportunity. Sooner or later, he’s going to slip up in a way that’s verifiable. Dante says, when he does, Chase better be far, far away from him.

Brook tells Maxie that she and Chase are over. He made that abundantly clear. In fact, she thinks he’s moved on. Maxie says, Chase is interested in someone else? Who? Brook says, Sasha, startling me, since I expected her to say Blaze. She’s not sure sure, but they’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. Maxie says, well, they’re friends, and she’s sure they’re just being supportive, and Brook says, how sure? grabbing Maxie’s hand. Maxie says, 98% sure, prying Brook’s hand off hers. She says, Brook needs to talk to Sasha, and Brook says, why? Whatever’s going on between them is none of her business. She and Chase are over. She doesn’t have him, but she does have her music back. Maxie says, she doesn’t seem that pleased, and Brook says, it came with strings. She had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. One of her main goals when she started was to nail Linc to the wall for sexual harassment, coercion, and all of the other sleazy stuff he does. Maxie says, and she persuaded Chase to help her? and Brook says she did, and he was totally into it. So when he finds out she signed an NDA and can no longer speak publicly about what Linc did to her, he could think she prioritized her career over doing what’s right. Maxie says she doesn’t think the NDA is going to be Brook’s problem. She should talk to a lawyer, but Brook needs to look into the Speak Out Act. An NDA can prevent you from talking about work product, like intellectual property… Brook says, lyrics, contracts, deals, and Maxi says, exactly, but a contract that restricts your talking about how you’ve been treated, misconduct in the workplace, or sexual harassment, those can’t be enforced anymore. Brook should look into it. Brook says she will, but that still doesn’t change what she did, and Maxie says, Chase is understanding. She’s sure he’ll forgive her. Sasha is suddenly there, and asks what Chase has to forgive Brook for. Um… none of your business?

Diane asks how offended she should be that the pleasure of her company wasn’t enough for her and Robert to meet, but he says, the pleasure of her company is reward enough, and she says, stop. He says he wanted to bring her up to speed on some recent events, and she says, he means Heather Webber being identified as the person who stabbed her with a hook. He says, she’s confessed, which means they’re removed from having to go through a trial, and Diane says, which means she doesn’t have to testify. She wasn’t looking forward to reliving that. She puts her clients on the stand every day, but it’s different… He says, when you’re the one being attacked. He gets it. She says, of course (🍷) he would. He was the victim of an attack recently.

Eileen says, shouldn’t one of Miss Devane’s relatives make the identification? but Laura says, her daughter lives all the way across the country. Eileen says, what about DA Scorpio? They were married. Laura says, they were, but the French authorities have made it clear that… the body… there’s been some decomposition. She’s sure Eileen understands why she wouldn’t want to expose one of Anna’s loved ones to a visual like that unless it was absolutely necessary. Eileen says, of course (🍷), and Laura says, unfortunately, it’s her job as city official to assist the gendarmerie, but she’s been here for hours, and she just can’t do it. Eileen says, Laura needs support, and Laura says she needs Eileen to do it.

Chase says he knows Dante isn’t telling him to look the other way while Linc manhandles his female clients, and Dante says, no, but he is telling Chase to maybe report him. He knows it’s difficult, but maybe Chase could convince some of these women to come forward. Chase says, Dante knows as well as he does, these types of allegations are hard to prove. Either everyone comes forward or no one does. Dante says he gets direct involvement, but for Chase, it’s a bad idea, and Chase says, why? These women endure this because they think if they don’t, Linc will end their music career. He doesn’t care if his music career ends; he can’t wait. He’s the perfect person to take Linc down. Dante says, Chase takes Linc down, Linc is liable to take Chase own with him. Then what happens? The CCRB gets wind of his little one-man operation, and there go his chances of reinstatement. Chase says he knows there are risks, but he doesn’t feel right leaving these women in Linc’s orbit to do this alone. Dante says, nor should he, but to be clear, are they talking women plural, or one woman in particular?

Sasha asks if everything is okay with Brook and Chase, and Brook says, nothing major; just music business stuff. Maxie stares at Brook, and Sasha sits down, saying, she admires Brook. She’s juggling two careers. Sasha crumbled under the pressure of just one. Maxie says, Sasha didn’t. What she went through wasn’t a reflection of her capabilities or professionalism. Don’t sell herself short. Maxie tells them that she left her phone in her coat pocket; talk amongst themselves. She stands behind Sasha and eavesdrops, as Sasha says she thinks it’s incredible what Brook has done with Chase’s music career. Is she taking on other clients? Brook says, actually, she thinks it’s time to explore new horizons.

Alexis asks why Gregory is willing to let this go, and he says he knows his limits. She says, the only limits he has are the ones PCU has shackled him with. He should just quit. He says, she finds journalism gratifying? and she says, certainly more than she thought. He says, when she was practicing law, if someone had told her to quit and run The Invader, or just be on the staff… She says she’d refuse, and he says, being an attorney was her first love, was it not? She admits it was, and says, and teaching is his. He says, this may sound flowery or pretentious, but he feels the knowledge he’s imparted is his bequest to a better world. If anyone should understand how hard it is to give up a career you’ve poured your heart and soul into… She says she gets it, and he says, besides, just because he’s not officially working here doesn’t mean they can’t continue to collaborate. She said herself, why bust up a good thing? He’s thinking, there must be a way to build on the momentum of this story, and his ideas are hers, free of charge.

Kristina asks, who’s ready for a toast? and Sam asks for sparkling water. She thinks she got a bit of food poisoning in England. TJ says, sparkling water for him too; he’s due at work. Kristina says, they’re both squares. Molly won’t let her drink alone, will she? Molly says, maybe just a small glass, and TJ says, his dad called to wish them a happy anniversary. Sam asks how Shawn is, and TJ says, great, and not at all surprised Alexis cracked The Hook case. Kristina hopes Heather’s capture brings Gladys and Sasha some peace, and Sam says, that’s why it’s so important for them to celebrate these milestones. To the people we love, and all of the milestones. Kristina says, to TJ and Molly, and they clink glasses.

Eileen says, Laura wants her to identify Anna Devane’s remains? and Laura says, there aren’t many people she could trust with this. Eileen says, forgive her, but she doesn’t have the impression Laura trusts her. Laura rarely calls on her for assistance, and Laura’s often dismissive of her efforts. Laura admits she was short with Eileen when Eileen talked with Warden Brewster about the Spring Ridge escapes. Eileen says, it wasn’t the first time Laura kept her out of the loop, and it was important she stay informed. Laura says, being informed isn’t necessarily being involved. Okay, she admits it. She’s been keeping Eileen at arm’s length. Eileen asks, why? and as they walk down the hallway, Laura says she owes Eileen an apology. She let her personal sensibilities cloud her judgement. They don’t have to be adversaries. Eileen is a strong administrator, and will be a great successor when Laura decides not to seek reelection, but she needs to know she can count on Eileen when it matters. Eileen says, understood. She’ll go to the morgue and make the identification. Laura presses the elevator button, and says she can’t tell Eileen how grateful she is for her stepping up in this way. It’s something she’ll never forget. Eileen gets in the elevator, the doors close, and Laura gets out her phone. She says, she’s on her way.

Diane apologizes for bringing up a sore subject, but Robert says, it’s public knowledge. Holly played him; he fell for it. Diane says she’s assuming Holly is still recovering from her burns in Europe, and he says, Holly has some challenges ahead of her. Regardless of what’s happened, he wishes her well. Diane says she may not know Holly well, but she knows this second chance meant a lot to him. She’s sorry. He asks, why? and she says, because he is. Deep as first love, and wild with all regret. He says, o death in life, the days that are no more, and she says, to Tennyson. They clink coffee cups, and she says, she was hoping Tennyson was getting him through during that time, and he says, not just Tennyson.

Sasha says she hopes Brook finds the perfect singer for every song, and make superstars out of all of them, and Brook says, that’s the dream. Sasha says, it’s hard to make many moves under this guardianship, but she’s starting to think about her future, and Brook asks if there’s anyone else in that future. Maxie jets back to her seat, babbling that her phone was in her purse the whole time, and Sasha wonders if Brook is asking her something specific. Maxie asks what she missed.

Dante says, Chase and Brook teamed up to take down Linc. Is Chase worried about his feelings for Brook coming back? Chase says, maybe they will, maybe they won’t. Either way, it’s worth it to see this through. Does Dante remember how aimless he felt when he was first suspended? For a guy who’s wanted to be a cop longer than he can remember, it didn’t feel good to lose his purpose. Dante asks, what about singing? but Chase says, that’s a paycheck, not a purpose. He wants to help people and if he can’t do it as a cop, he’ll do it this way.

Gregory says, Doc would add a good point of view to a think piece, and Alexis says, Doc is not only Ryan’s brother, he’s his twin, and his victim. Gregory says, to share your exact DNA with someone who’s both you physiological and moral opposite? It’s a great angle. She says she likes it, and he asks if Doc would be willing to talk about it. She says, there’s only one way to find out. She’d also like to interview Esme, even though she’s got some problems of her own right now. Gregory says he forgot. Congratulations are in order; Alexis is an aunt again. She says, that’s mean. She knows Nikolas is having another son, but she doesn’t know where he is. Gregory gets up, and says, it’s a good thing she’s good at solving mysteries, and she says, about the job. He says, just when they were having such a nice chat, and she says, humor her. If PCU hadn’t gotten in the way of taking the job, would he have accepted it? He says, he would have liked nothing more, and leaves.

TJ thanks Sam and Kristina for this very thoughtful surprise. Growing up, he never knew what he was missing, but through Molly, he has sisters. He thanks them for always making him feel like family, and Sam says, he is family. Kristina says, he’s trapped and there’s no escape, but it’s only because they love him. He says he loves them too, and Molly walks him to the door. He says he’ll see her tonight, and leaves. She goes back inside, and says, as they know, TJ is traditional and she’s not, but she appreciates them celebrating the commitment she and TJ made. Sam says, love should always be celebrated, and Molly says, right back at her and Dante. Kristina says, her sisters are happily in love. It almost gives a girl a complex. Sam says, when Kristina meets someone – and she will – they won’t know what hit them. Kristina says, because she’s a wrecking ball, but Sam says, she’s fantastic and smart and beautiful, and Molly says, face it, they’re magnificent. They deserve only the best, and that includes Kristina. Only good things for the Davis girls.

Robert says he’s grateful to have friends, old and new, and Diane says he’d better be calling her new. Alexis approaches the table, and says, if it isn’t her two favorite members of her former profession. Can she join them? Diane asks if it matters, and Robert says he has another appointment. My how time flies. Diane thanks him for breakfast, Alexis takes his seat, and he leaves. Alexis asks if it was business or discovery, and Diane says, it was breakfast. She thanks Alexis for alerting her before the identity of The Hook went to print, and Alexis says, it’s the least she could do. How is Diane feeling? Diane says, like she no longer has any excuses not to go out and live her life, and take a breath. And Alexis? Is she deciding what shelf to dust off for her Pulitzer? Alexis says, that’s a bit of a stretch, but Diane says, she’s on her way. Alexis says she’d be more on her way if PCU weren’t being obstructionist. The school’s administration won’t allow Gregory to join the editorial board. Conflict of interest. Diane asks, how? and Alexis says, exactly. Diane asks what Gregory has to say about this, and Alexis says, nothing. He doesn’t want to give up teaching, so he’s accepting it. Diane says she’s guessing Alexis isn’t, and Alexis says, no. Diane knows how she is.

TJ sees Laura, and says he didn’t get a chance to thank her for stepping in to officiate at his uncle’s wedding. She was incredible. She thanks him, and says, it was her honor. How’s his Aunt Stella doing? He says, on the mend. He asks what brings her by GH, and she says, closure.

Gregory asks the reception nurse to direct him to exam room 3, and she says she remembers him; he’s Dr. Finn’s dad. He says he hadn’t realized he was famous, when TJ comes by and says hello. Gregory says he’s looking for exam room 3, and TJ says he can show Gregory. Don’t tell him Gregory has caught this bug making the rounds. Gregory says, if only.

Eileen goes into the morgue. It’s empty, and she looks at the instruments on the table and shudders. She flashes back to hearing Anna say, you’re next, Eileen. You’re next. The attendant comes in, and she jumps a mile. He says he didn’t mean to startle her. Is she Deputy Mayor Ashby? She says, yes, and he says, he’s Moe (or maybe Mel); he’s been expecting her. He holds out his hand, but she doesn’t take it. She says she’s sorry; she’s just a little jumpy. He says, they get that a lot down here. Mayor Collins said she’d be identifying the Jane Doe from France. She says, that’s why she’s here, and he slides out a drawer holding a body in a body bag. He says he has to step out for a minute. Why doesn’t she take a look, and he’ll be back with the form she has to sign. He leaves, and I don’t think that’s how any of this works.

Dante says, it sounds like Chase is going to go after Linc no matter what, and Chase says, yeah. Dante says, promise if he gets into any trouble, Chase will call him, and Chase thanks him. He suggests Chase get his bum shoulder checked out, but Chase says, Dante knows how he feels about hospitals. Dante says, speaking of hospitals, he heard Willow was released, and Chase asks if that means she’s doing better. Dante says he doesn’t know, and suggests Chase stop by and see her. Chase says he has to meet little Amelia, and Dante says, his mother has fierce baby fever right now. She keeps hinting, and trying to find out if he and Sam are having kids. Chase asks if he wants them, but Dante says, they haven’t discussed it. I’m thinking either Sam, Molly, or both are pregnant.

Sam says she notices Molly switched to the sparkling water. Is everything okay? Molly says she just feels under the weather, and Kristina says she already opened the bottle. It’s a sin to let it go flat. Molly says she doesn’t want any more, but she could use something sweet. Is there any dessert? Didn’t they just have cake? Sam says, in the bag over there, and Kristina goes to get it. Molly says she wants to hear all about finding Esme’s nanny, and Sam says, it was insane. It was beautiful and rural, and they found her in this little place in Devon. She tells Molly about the crazy driving, when Kristina takes a pregnancy test out of the bag. Molly excuses herself, and Sam asks what’s taking Kristina so long. Kristina puts the test behind her back, and Sam says, she had one job. Kristina asks if there’s something Sam wants to tell her, and shows her the test. Dante comes in, and Kristina turns around, putting the test behind her back again. He asks if it’s over.

Diane says, do not meddle, and Alexis says she’s not meddling. She’s doing Gregory a favor. Diane wonders if he asked for this favor, and Alexis says, no. Diane says, then don’t do it, but Alexis says, he wants this job. Diane should have seen him. He just doesn’t want to give up teaching. Diane says, the professor is a big boy. If he wants it so badly, he’ll find a way to get it – on his own. Alexis says, not necessarily. He’s a cerebral guy. He doesn’t like to make waves. She does. She’s action oriented. Diane says, that’s Latin for meddling, and Alexis says, he wants the job, and she’s going to do something about it.

Brook says, sorry to bolt, but she has a full day, and Maxie says, stay. Sasha says, there’s been this really weird tension between them these last few weeks, but Brook says, no. Sasha says she’s sober, she’s calm, she thinks she’s rational. So she’ll be really disappointed if Brook tells her that she’s imagining this. Brook says, she brought out the big guns right away, and Sasha says, something has clearly changed between them, and she thinks it has to do with Chase.

TJ asks what Gregory means by if only, and Gregory says, nothing. It’s just a wonder he hasn’t picked it up from one of his students. Chase comes in, and Gregory asks if he’s there to see his brother, but Chase says, Finn’s off this morning. He tweaked a muscle in his shoulder, and he’s getting it checked out. What is Gregory doing here?

Robert sees Laura, and asks if Ashby went for the bait. She says, hook, line, and sinker, and he says, well done. She says, now let’s just hope it all goes according to plan.

Eileen hesitates, then remembers Laura saying how grateful she is, and it’s something she’ll never forget. She slowly goes over to the drawer, and zips open the bag enough to reveal Anna’s beat up, bluish face. The lights flicker, then go out, and Eileen says, hello? Is Moe (or Mel) there? The lights went out. Hello? The lights come back on, and she sees a ghostly Anna standing in front of her. She looks back at the table, where Anna’s body is still lying, and says, this isn’t real. This isn’t real. Anna floats toward her, looking like a demon.

Tomorrow, Chase asks if there’s a reason Gregory won’t tell him why he’s at the hospital; Kristina says she just found out Dante and Sam have been holding out on her; Laura says, Victor has no one to blame but himself; and Eileen says, please. I’ll do anything.

📜 Poets In Law…

If you want to read the whole poem.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45384/the-princess-tears-idle-tears

🎸 Rock On…

Good for him. I thought he did a wonderful job on GH, and certainly better than the Most Extras’ first song on Vanderpump Rules last night.

🎊 Another 50th

The Y&R Memory Lane. It’s comforting to know some of the soaps we grew up with are still there.

💎 Here’s Your Hat…

Isn’t she gone yet? Please, take Kyle with you.

Well, we agree on LisaR’s exit, but no Housewife is bigger than the franchise? I present Queen LVP. She’s still got it going on elsewhere, and the show began its slippery slope downhill after her departure.

🍊 Phonier Than a Three Dollar Bill…

I’m ambivalent to Kelly – although she does let fly some amusing bon mots – but I agree Tamra is fake. The worst thing was when she decided to become a Christian, made a big production out of it, then never gave a Christian hoot again. I cringe just thinking of it. The loudest wheel gets the screen time.

🦐 Farewell Creature…

He was my favorite monster as a kid. My sister went through a model building phase for a hot minute, and did several classic monsters. I loved him.

https://ew.com/movies/ricou-browning-monster-creature-from-black-lagoon-dies-93/

🏆 And the Not Loser Is…

The winners.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/sag-awards-2023-winners-list/

The best moments. I would usually say, these are debatable, but they’re pretty spot-on.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/best-moments-sag-awards-2023/

The fashion.

https://ew.com/sag-awards/sag-awards-2023-red-carpet-photos/

Afterwards.

https://ew.com/sag-awards/see-all-the-stars-at-the-2023-sag-awards-after-parties/

My personal favorite.

https://ew.com/awards/sag-awards/james-hong-2023-sag-awards-speech-producer-said-asians-not-good-enough/

Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200…

Come to my window tomorrow for soap, tea spillage, what might pass as wisdom, and music celebrating women. Until then, stay safe, stay raising your own bar, and stay celebrating milestones, big and small.

August 19, 2022 – Austin’s Cousin Is In Town, Mason, Leaving, Wedding Aftershock, Shahnanigans, Cheshire Wives, Wedding Album, Dead Tales, Reviewing Dragons, Lucky Amount of Quotes & Time

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cody says, Britt has questions about him? Good, because he has questions about her too. Which is why it’s good to have date number two. They can learn more about each other. Britt says, much more, and he says, for starters, how does she feel about anchovies on pizza? She says, he’s assuming she likes pizza, and he says, everybody likes pizza. She says, that’s the problem with assumptions. Everybody doesn’t parachute into a pool, then punch a mother’s boyfriend, and announce they’re the son of said boyfriend’s dead wife. He says, now she knows something about him, and she says, he asked about her father before. Why does Cody keep asking about him?

Outside Kelly’s, Alexis says, even though she provides headlines for The Invader, the only headlines she wants to know about right now are from her girls. She, Molly, Kristina, and Sam sit at an outside table, and she asks, who’s first? Molly says, Kristina; she’s got the best news. Alexis says, goodie. What’s up? Kristina says she was promoted to manager at Charlie’s, and Alexis says, congratulations. Well done. Kristina thanks her, and says she’s pretty happy about it. Alexis asks if she sees much of her dad, and Kristina says, he doesn’t own the pub anymore, but he comes in fairly often, so it’s good to spend time with him. Alexis says, even though he’s with Nina? and Kristina says, is she happy dad’s in a relationship with Nina? No, and she was clear about that. She also told him that she’s in no position to throw stones, and he appreciated that, so it doesn’t really effect their relationship. Alexis says, look at her adulting, and hugs Kristina, saying, her baby’s all grown up. Molly’s turn. How’s it going in the DA’s office? Molly says, as Alexis knows, ADA Arden maneuvered her off Trina Robinson’s case because she felt Molly was biased. Kristina says, which is untrue and unfair, but isn’t it a silver lining that Molly doesn’t have to try someone in TJ’s extended family? Molly says, definitely a silver lining, but she hates that no one gives the system a chance to work the way it actually should. As a prosecutor, it’s her job, or should have been her job, to make the strongest case against Trina, using the facts for support. Then Trina’s defense attorney – Diane in this case – makes the strongest defense, and the jury gets to decide. But Jennifer Arden wanted to prove a point. She followed the letter, but not the spirit with her case. At least it ended with the right verdict… this time. Kristina says, tell mom what she’s thinking, and Molly says, about following in Alexis’s footsteps and going over to criminal defense. Alexis says, whatever Molly does, Molly has her full support, and Molly thanks her. Alexis says, Sam’s turn. She’s awfully quiet, so is no news good news?

Dante walks in as Olivia is on the phone, asking if they remembered to order the special picnic dessert… Okay. Also, make absolutely sure that Leo’s donkey head is just what they discussed… Perfect. Thank you. She’ll be in touch. Dante asks what that was all about, and she says, the first annual Quartermaine picnic to support the GH Children’s wing is tomorrow, and her frozen desserts, the pièce de résistance. He says, with a donkey’s head thrown in? and she says, naturally. Leo’s summer theater camp is doing a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He’s playing Bottom. He says, the character that turns into a donkey. He must be so excited. He gets to play the donkey. He’s going to kill that. Does he need help with running lines? She says, he already has somebody helping him get into the role, and Dante says, let him guess; Chase? She says, Dante’s friend Cody.

Spinelli frets about management checking the chlorine level in the pool, and Maxie tells him, live dangerously. Take the plunge. He can start by forgetting about Britt, and finding someone who’s a better fit. He asks who she has in mind, and she says, no one specifically, but generally, she should be a match for his heart and his intelligence, have an appreciation for his unique perspective. A sense of humor couldn’t hurt, and it’s not absolutely necessary she be into sci/fi, but a basic knowledge of the Star Wars universe would help. So no, he’s not going to meet her at a business conference or whatever, but that’s what computer programs are for, right? She still doesn’t understand why he won’t try his own algorithm, and he says, there’s no need. His brief infatuation with Dr. Westbourne is already fading. He’s put her in the rearview mirror, so to speak. She asks if he’s been holding out on her. Who’s the lucky lady?

Finn tells Violet, she has her sunblock on, but it’s still not good to get too much sun, and she puts on her sunhat. Gregory says, translation: I know what I’m doing, dad, and Finn says, of course (🍷) she does. He situates Violet in her chaise, and gives her a book. She thanks him, and he tells Gregory that he can’t help it. He loves Violet. He told Elizabeth that he loves her. Gregory says, big step, and Finn says, that’s why he can’t look the other way, even if she hates him for it.

Elizabeth looks at the crushed tube in her bloody palm, when TJ walks in. He asks, what happened? She says she was examining Scotty’s nose… He asks how she cut her hand, but she says she doesn’t know. She clutched the tube, and it just seemed to shatter. TJ asks her to let him take a look, but she says, it’s nothing. He says, it’s a nasty cut, and there are glass shards embedded… She says she can take care of it. She’s sure he has patients to deal with. He says he does, and she’s the first one. Has this ever happened before? She asks what he means, and he says he knows she took some personal time for stress. Did Scotty say something to upset her?

Gregory asks if Elizabeth said she loved Finn back, and Finn says, she did. That’s before he blew it all to hell. Gregory asks how Finn managed that, and Finn says, there’s something going on with Elizabeth beyond the sleeping pills she was taking. Something that involves her parents, maybe her father. Gregory says, let him guess; she wasn’t forthcoming. Finn says, not in the slightest, and Gregory asks if that doesn’t tell him maybe he should drop the subject. Finn asks who he’s talking to. Isn’t Gregory the one who told him to analyze a problem from all sides, and come to a rational conclusion? Gregory says, not when it comes to the heart. There’s nothing rational about emotions. Finn says, now you tell me. There’s a million possibilities, but everything tells him that Elizabeth’s issue involves her family, especially since she keeps acting like they don’t exist. Violet asks if Aunt Elizabeth is seeing ghosts again.

Maxie says, if Spinelli doesn’t fess up, she’s going to throw him in the pool, but he asks what he has to confess. She says, if he’s over Britt, who is he pining for? and he says, a luminous creature; a beacon of warmth and intelligence… with a working knowledge of Star Wars. She asks if they know how he feels, but he says he’s only been worshipping her from afar. If things were different… Austen comes in, and Maxie says, oh my God, throwing her arms around him and kissing him.

Kristina says, they’re all concerned for Spencer, but why would Sam want to talk about him and not Dante? Molly says she kind of has the same feeling. Is everything okay with them? She just wants Sam and Dante to be as happy as she and TJ are. Sam says, she and Dante are very happy… They were happy, until… until he suggested they move in together.

Dante tells Olivia, last he checked, Cody wasn’t a drama coach. How’s he going to help Leo? She says she doesn’t know. He knows about horses and donkeys and stuff. Anyway, Dante should see Leo up on the stage, prancing around and braying. She’s never seen that kid more confident. He says he’s happy Leo and Cody have made fast friends, and he asks if she needs any help with this picnic. She says, he could find that embarrassing apron, and help her with the grill. Before she forgets, she saved seats in the front row for him and Sam for Leo’s play. He says, cool, sounds good, and she says, really? Because his face is telling a different story. He says, it’s fine, ma, and she says, now she’s really worried. He tells her, he said, everything is fine, but she says, Dante Angelo Falconari. From the time he was four years old, she knows when she hears him say, it’s fine, ma, in that tone of voice, she knows two things. A, it’s not fine, and B, he’s trying to hide something from her. Sometimes it’s something completely innocuous, like the time he broke Aunt Cia’s lamp. He says, that damn lamp again. It was hideous, and he was seven. She says, did the family offer up a silent prayer of gratitude for the lamp? Yes, but that’s not the point. The point is, she heard a crash, she asked, what happened? and he said, it’s fine, ma. Just like the time he got drunk for the first time, or the first time he got shot. He should just stop ducking and dodging the question, and tell her what’s really going on. He says he thinks he messed up with Sam.

Cody says, whoa there. He mentioned Britt’s father once, she shut him down, and he never mentioned him again. She says, he failed to mention their fathers knew one another, and he asks how she found out. She says, her mother, and he asks what Obrecht said exactly. Britt says, that Cesar Faison and Leopold Taub had – air quotes – dealings – end air quotes – with one another, and he says, isn’t it weird that their fathers knew each other? She says, weird doesn’t even begin to cover it. He could have told her that from the start. He says he barely knew her. Hell, he didn’t even know Leopold Taub was his father until a few months ago. At the same time he got poleaxed with the news that Dominique was his mother, and her mother’s schnitzel got a fortune that should have been his. She says, as he knows, that fortune belongs to a bunch of beluga whales thanks to Scotty’s daughter Serena. So he can kiss it goodbye. He says, that’s harsh, and she says, he wants harsh? Let’s talk about her family tree. Does he remember when she treated his cracked ribs after he received that beatdown outside of The Savoy? He says he’s probably not going to forget that, and she says, then does he also remember asking her about her parents? He was particularly interested in her father, and – what did he call it? – his legacy. He says, her point? and she says, her point is, why didn’t he tell her then that his father and her father not only knew each other, they did business together. What else is he keeping from her? He asks if she’s proud being Cesar Faison’s daughter, because he looked up Leopold Taub, and he’s not proud either. That whole cartel thing he had going on, and yeah, Cesar Faison was listed as one of his members. So when Dante told him that she was Faison’s daughter… She says, he smelled an opportunity, but he says, no; he smelled trouble. His first instinct was to run as far away from her as possible, and never look back. She asks, what stopped him? and he says, gratitude, for her scraping him up in that alley, giving him his 50 back, driving him all the way to Dante’s… Plus, he liked the smell of her perfume. Gardenias, right? She says, camellias, and he says, close. He liked her crooked smile, and the way she always sees the glass as half full – of strychnine. She asks if that’s a compliment or a cheap shot, and he says he just liked her. But if that’s not good enough, he’ll stick to horses. She can go back to Society Set-Ups and see if Zelda can do better next time. He brings a box into the stables, and when he comes back out, she’s still there. He asks if something is keeping her, and she says, her mother said the matchmaker may be more accurate than she thought.

Olivia says, she thought Dante and Sam were in a good place, and he says, they are. He should have left it there. She says, as opposed to… and he says, as opposed to asking Sam to move in with him. She says, it makes sense, all the time they spend together, and he says, that’s what he was thinking. They spend all this time together, they like each other, they have fun, and when the kids are together, it’s like the most perfect thing in the world. Sam thinks he’s rushing it; that he has to work through some stuff. She asks, what kind of stuff? and he says, like feelings. She says, like his feelings for Sam, or…? He says, for Lulu, and she says, he knows she loves Lulu. She prays everyday that Lulu will come out of that coma, but he’s moved on with his life. Lulu moved on with her life before the explosion. She was going to marry that teacher, wasn’t she? He says, she was. Dustin handed him the ring to give to her before he passed away. She says, Sam’s got to be aware of that, that Lulu was moving on with someone else. He says, it’s not Lulu’s feelings Sam’s talking about. She thinks he’s papered over his feelings. She says, has he? and he says, there’s a big part of him that thinks he should have been able to save her. Olivia hugs him, and says, her wonderful sweet boy. He didn’t put Lulu in that coma. That was Cyrus Renault’s fault. Even if he could go back in time, it’s still Cyrus Renault’s fault, with Julian Jerome doing his dirty work. He says, if he had just gotten there earlier, but she says, don’t do that. If he’d gotten to The Floating Rib earlier, she would have lost him too. No. They’re living in the here and now; that’s what matters. What matters are his feelings for Sam.  

Molly says, so Sam and Dante are moving in together, but Sam says, she and Dante are not moving in together. Kristina says, why not? and Sam says, like she told Spinelli, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Kristina says, moving in together doesn’t fix a bad relationship, it makes a good one better. Molly says, she and TJ had their doubts about sharing everything, even the rent… but Alexis says, let her alone. Kristina says, they’re not pressuring Sam. She’s in a committed relationship with a loving, supportive partner; not everyone gets that lucky. Sam says she knows she hit the jackpot, and Molly asks, what’s the problem? Sam asks if they can not talk about this, and Alexis says, absolutely. Now tell her what’s going on.

Maxie says she thought Austin was going to be gone for days, but he says he got through his business quickly. He tells Spinelli, in fact, he got through his business at warp speed. He came back to be with Maxie, and she says, he did? He says she sounds surprised, and she says, she thought all that talk about family… He says, what talk about family? and she glances at Spinelli, and says, never mind. The important thing is, he’s back. He says, he is. Back for good. Spinelli rolls his eyes.

Finn asks what makes Violet think Aunt Elizabeth is seeing ghosts, and she tells him, he just said,  they don’t exist. Gregory says, her daddy was just talking about her grandpa and step-grandma and how she never sees them. Violet says, okay, and goes back to her book. Finn thanks Gregory, and says, he has to get back to GH. Does Gregory mind? Gregory says, no, and Finn says, everything he needs is right there. Gregory says he’s getting kind of hungry; is Violet? She says she’s so hungry, and Finn tell her to be good for grandpa. He’ll see her back home. They exchange I love yous, and he says, eskimo? They rub noses and he leaves.  

TJ says, he’s let Epiphany know he’s sending Elizabeth home after the x-ray. She should not hold a steering wheel. He’ll call Finn. She says, don’t bother him; she’ll call a Ride Share. They leave the exam room, and in the hallway, he says he’s calling radiation to make sure they get the x-ray right away. She says, he’s very thorough, and he says he thinks the word she’s avoiding is annoying, maybe even obnoxious. She says she’s the one who should apologize for being less than cooperative, and he says he gets it. For a lot of people, it’s an automatic reflex; you’re fine, keep going. He thinks on some level, it’s a survival mechanism, because we’re afraid if we slow down and admit we’re hurt, we won’t get started again. She says she appreciates the we, and he says he’s definitely been through it, and will again, but if he goes too far, hopefully there will be someone to pull him back. He picks up the phone, and says he needs to order an x-ray for a GH staff person… As he talks, Elizabeth looks at the door to the stairs. She goes to it, opens, it, and stands on the landing. She looks down the stairs, and falls forward. It’s all in her head, and TJ asks if she’s okay. She says, absolutely, and he says, radiology can take her now. They leave, and she gives the door one last look.

Cody says, he had quite the interaction with Britt’s mother, and Britt says, when she twisted Cody’s arm behind his back for punching Scotty? He says he can see her mother’s no pushover. He bets Cesar Faison met his match with Liesl Obrecht. She says, no. Don’t let her black belt in karate fool him. Deep down, her mother is a born romantic. She’s actually the one who signed Britt up with Society Set-Ups. He says, remind him to thank her, and Britt says, he punched her boyfriend in the nose. She doubts her mother is interested in a thanks from him. She did suggest they have something in common. He says, really? Tell him something. Did her dad ever mention his?

Austin thanks Spinelli for keeping an eye on Maxie while he was gone. He hates thinking of her alone. Spinelli says, that makes them even. He hates thinking of her with the wrong people. Maxie says, Austin’s timing is perfect. Tomorrow is the first annual Quartermaine picnic for the Children’s wing at GH. Spinelli says, given Austin’s resentment of the Quartermaines, he may choose to skip the picnic, in which case he offers himself as escort to Maxinista. Austin says, that’s very kind of him, but he can handle the Quartermaines if Maxinista can. She says, how about if both of them escort her to the picnic? Mason suddenly bounds in, and asks where Austin’s manners are. Isn’t Austin going to introduce him to his friends?

Sam asks how she can move in with Dante when Lulu is still so much a presence in that house. She doesn’t go there often, but when she does, all she sees are her kitchen, her books, her furniture, or at least the furniture they picked out together. Alexis says, maybe he’s leaving those things around for Rocco’s sake; for Rocco’s comfort. Sam says, fair enough, and it all makes sense, but it’s still really awkward for her. Alexis says, she gets it. For what it’s worth (🍷), she hasn’t seen Sam this happy in a long time. Whatever Dante’s doing, he’s bringing out a peacefulness in Sam that no one else has managed to. And Sam brings joy to Dante’s life, because no one’s seen him this joyful since he came back to Port Charles. She’s pretty certain he’s not seeing Lulu when he sees Sam. Sam’s phone dings, and she says she’s got to go. She tells Alexis that she loves her, and Alexis says she loves Sam more. Sam leaves, passing Gregory and Violet on their way in. Violet says, that’s the lady in the park who grandpa hit with the frisbee, and Alexis says, that’s her.  

Finn asks, what happened to Elizabeth’s hand? and she says, it’s just a cut. TJ says, according to the x-ray, they got all the shards, and she tells Finn, she was just holding an empty collection tube, and it shattered. TJ says he has to check on a patient, and asks if Finn minds waiting until Elizabeth’s Ride Share comes. Finn says, sure, and TJ tells Elizabeth, go home and rest. She says she will, and he leaves. Finn says, forget about the Ride Share; he’ll drive her home himself. She says, what about his patients? and he says he’ll get someone to cover. It just shattered in her hand? She says, it wasn’t an accident. He deserves to know the truth. They go into an exam room, and she says she wasn’t watching what she was doing. He asks, what was distracting her? and she says, for one thing, walking in on him and Terry talking behind her back. He says, that’s his fault, not Terry’s, and they didn’t mean to upset her. She says, he upset her. He doesn’t think she’s capable of  taking care of herself. Why doesn’t he trust her? He says, he’d trust her with his life, but he’s not exactly clear on how just mentioning her family is a violation of that trust. He means no disrespect by that, but he wants to know how to fix things between them. She says, there’s nothing to fix, and he says, if that was true, she’d tell him what really caused her to cut her hand.

Kristina asks Gregory and Violet to join them. She and Molly would love to her all about the frisbee. Violet says, it was an accident, and Gregory thanks them, but says, he and Violet will find another table. Alexis says, don’t be silly. She always enjoys Violet’s company. He tells her, Finn told him that she said he was pestering her, and she asks if she actually used the word pester. He says, according to Finn. He vigorously denied it of course (🍷), but if that’s how she feels, he’ll pester her no longer. Alexis says, don’t go, and tells him to pull up chairs for him and Violet. After all, it’s not every day you get to have lunch with the Davis girls.

Dante tells Olivia, when he asked Sam to move in with him, in retrospect, it probably did catch her off-guard. They were at the Hatchet Ranch… She says, that’s romantic, and he says, it was just one of those things. He’d been thinking about it so much, and he thought Sam had to be on the same page, or at least thinking about it too. When she didn’t say yes immediately, he was thrown off. He backed off. He didn’t want to pressure her. Olivia says she thinks she knows where this is going, and Dante says, they talked it out; at least he thinks they did. He told her that he loved her, and he’d wait as long as she wanted to wait to move in together. He thought they were good. She says, but then the question of whether to move in with each other or not grows from this small manageable thing to this giant elephant that’s taken up permanent residence, not just in the room, but in his psyche. Probably Sam’s psyche too. He says, he doesn’t want to mess this up. He feels like he did, and doesn’t know what to do next. She asks if he’s open to a suggestion, and he says, please. She tells him, stick to basics. What does he want to happen with Sam? He says he wants them to have a life to together with their kids. They don’t need to live in the same place; it doesn’t matter to him. Olivia pats his chest, and says, stick with the feelings; it’s all about the feelings. The living arrangements, all that can wait. It’s all about the feelings. He says he loves her. He wants to trust her and support her, and try to make her as happy as she’s made him. Sam comes in.

Austin says, this is his cousin Mason, and Mason says, country cousin from Pautuck. Maxie says, Austin didn’t tell her that he had a cousin coming into town, but Mason says, don’t blame Austin. He’s a hot-shot doctor. Sometimes he forgets where he’s from, even though the family’s so proud of him. Spinelli asks, what brings him to their fair city? and Mason says, family, while Austin says, business. Mason says, family business. They were hoping Cousin Austin would have stayed longer. Austin says, he did what he had to do when he was there. Now he’s here in his home, Port Charles.

Britt says, whatever unholy alliance her father made with Cody’s ended before they were born. Unless there’s something else he’s not telling her. He says, their fathers knowing each other is just a random coincidence; something they have in common. But isn’t she the least bit curious about what Leopold Taub and Cesar Faison were up to? She says, he never knew his father. Unfortunately, she knew hers, and she’s been trying to live him down ever since. So if he wants to go digging for skeletons in that closet, he can do it alone. She starts to leave, but he grabs her hand, and says, she’s right. Whatever their fathers did, died with them. He’s card player… She says, not a very good one, and he says, it depends on the players, and the game. He lets her hand go, and says, his point is, he always factors the odds and figures them out. What are the odds that on that day, he would parachute into that pool… She says, and almost drown her, but he says, she got a little wet. And if he didn’t say it then, he’s saying it now – she looked gorgeous. She says, now he’s trying to flatter her, and he says, he thinks she looks good soaking wet; so sue him. She says she considered it, and he tells her, just keep in mind, he can’t afford a lawyer, so there’s no way he could pay for the damages. She says, don’t worry. She’s not going to drag him to court, and he says he knew she couldn’t be that hard-hearted. They laugh, and she says, that GIF of her climbing out of the pool is just now coming down everyone’s feed. She doesn’t need to draw more attention to it. He says, so he’s being saved by her self-interest, and she says, bingo, but he says he doesn’t buy it.

Olivia says she has Quartermaine picnic stuff to see to, and tells Dante that she’ll see him later. She tells Sam that it’s nice to see her, and leaves. Sam says, so the Quartermaine picnic fundraiser is tomorrow? and Dante says, his mom’s been going crazy with that. Plus she has Leo’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream; he’s playing Bottom. He’s pretty excited about that. She says, and him? He says, that depends on whether or not she’s going with him. I have to mention that A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a pretty ambitious play for a summer theater camp in Leo’s age group.

Alexis says, that was delicious. Anyone for desserts? Violet says, ice cream sundaes for all of us, and Alexis says she likes Violet’s style. She liked it the minute they met. Violet says, as much as Alexis likes her grandpa? and Gregory apologizes for his granddaughter; she apparently has no filter. Alexis says, don’t apologize at all. And to answer Violet’s question, Alexis likes her grandpa… ‘s writing. She doesn’t always agree with it, but it’s never boring. Violet says, never. Alexis should hear one of his bedtime stories.

Spinelli asks how long Mason is in town, and Mason say, it depends on his cousin. Austin tells him, he thinks they said all they needed to say back in Pautuck, but Mason says, not quite. He can’t leave until Austin understands how much he means to his family back home. Austin knows how much they expect from him. Besides, he was hoping Austin would show him the sights in Port Charles. Although he doesn’t have to look much further than this lovely lady. Spinelli says, this lovely lady’s not on the tour, and not reading the room at all, Maxie says she has an idea. Why doesn’t Mason come to the Quartermaine picnic tomorrow? Austin says he’s sure Mason has better things to do, but Mason says he can’t think of one. He hears the Quartermaines are practically royalty. Too bad cuz here missed out on the family jewels.

Elizabeth says, Finn is right; it wasn’t just an accident. He asks, what happened? and she says she was thinking about all the time he’s wasted worrying about her; time they’ll never get back. She just got so angry, she crushed the tube without realizing it. He says he knows what it’s like to keep that kind of anger inside. Is there any chance that’s only part of it? Could the anger be about something else, something in her past, something she barely remembers? She tells him, stick to infectious diseases, and leave the psychiatry to Doc.

Austin says he’s made peace with his father’s family, and Mason says, that’s their Austin. Some folks say money buys happiness, but Austin was raised right. Austin says, thanks, and suggests he and Maxie get out of here. Spinelli tells Maxie, Georgie, James, and Bailey Lou are with her parents, but Mac and Felicia aren’t going to want to babysit all night. Can they talk childcare before she leaves? Maxie tells Austin, one second, and they’ll go, and steps away with Spinelli. Austin tells Mason, there’s no way he’s going to that picnic, but Mason says, watch me.

Alexis says, who knew the eminent Professor Chase was capable of blushing? but he says he doesn’t blush. Violet says, yes he does. He blushed when daddy saw his name in The Invader, and said he was famous. Alexis says, he was famous already academically; he now has a wider audience. Gregory says he wasn’t looking for fame, just for fairness in journalism, and Alexis says, it’s okay to enjoy some attention. Everyone likes attention. He says, he’s not everyone, and she says, that’s for sure.  

Elizabeth asks how many times she has to tell Finn; she’s fine. Now she has to meet her Ride Share. She tells him, let’s not fight anymore. She really hates it. She kisses him, and he says he hates it too. She leaves, and Finn flashes back to Gregory saying, if he disregards Elizabeth’s wishes, it could cost him the relationship; and him saying, he could stand losing her if he knew she would be okay in the end. He makes a call, and says, this is Dr. Finn for Dr. Webber. Is she available?… Yes. Tell her Hamilton Finn called. He needs a consult with Dr. Webber about someone they have in common.

Sam says, of course (🍷) she’ll go to Leo’s play, and Dante says, cool. His mom said she’d get them good seats. She says, Olivia is going to worry about seats after everything she’s got to do tomorrow? and he says, speaking of tomorrow… and she says, she told him, of course (🍷) she’ll go to the picnic. They both start talking, and she says, him first. He says, they don’t have to rush through this. They can just take it slow. They’ll know when the time is right, and just take it slow like she wanted to. She says, yeah, and hugs him.

Cody says, Britt wants to come off as selfish and uncaring, but it’s just not true. She says, yes it is, and he asks, then why did she help him out in that alley behind The Savoy? Why didn’t she just pick up his last 50 and walk off? She says she wishes she did, and he says, really? She says, no, but he was pathetic, crawling on his hands and knees, all bruised and broken. He says he never got to thank her properly for that rescue, so let him do it now. She says, how? and he says he’d like to invite her to the Quartermaine picnic tomorrow. There will be so many people there, it’s not like a date. She says, when he words it like that… She accepts. He says, shall they shake on it? They do, and he says, see her tomorrow. She says, tomorrow, and leaves. Outside, she smiles.  

On Monday, Brook says she would never use Chase; Jordan asks why she gets the sense TJ is trying to get rid of her; Ava says she has truths that will lay Spencer to waste; and Willow won’t accept that.

🍃 Leaf From the Family Tree…

A little bit about the cousin we never knew Austin had.

https://soapdirt.com/general-hospital-comings-goings-austin-holt-shady-cousin-says-fan-fave-returns/

🩺 Nooo…

Kudos to her for prime time and all, but I hope she comes back. I like Britt.

More in depth than In Depth.

https://www.thelist.com/969983/the-real-reason-kelly-thiebaud-is-leaving-britt-and-general-hospital-behind/

🛀 Love Bubble Suds…

Teresa being her usual horrible self.

I wonder if her hair has its own IG.

🧂 Shah’s Got Guts…

No doubt it will be the highlight of the season.

https://people.com/tv/jen-shah-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-costar-meredith-marks-calls-her-gutsy-amid-legal-situation/

✈️ Wives From Where…?

What the hell is this? How is it on Season 15 and I had no clue? And what the hell are those streaming services that carry it? Not that I need another bunch of horrible people to watch.

https://tvdeets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-real-housewives-of-cheshire-season-15/

👰🏽 All the Weddings…

Better than attending them.

https://people.com/tv/real-housewives-wedding-album/

⚰️ Telling Tales…

I watched the first episode, and thought it was promising. Maybe a spoiler, but the dog got it a few minutes in, and I was not pleased with them leading with it. Or including it at all. That being said, I thought it improved as the episode went on. I’m just glad to be out of Georgia.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/tales-of-the-walking-dead-terry-crews-olivia-munn-parker-posey-jillian-bell-1235198520/

🐉 About That Dragon…

I actually haven’t seen this yet.

https://ew.com/tv/tv-reviews/house-of-the-dragon-review-game-of-thrones/

🐓 Quotes of the Week

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. – Theodore Roosevelt

After a while you learn that privacy is something you can sell, but you can’t buy it back. – Bob Dylan

If you fuel your journey on the opinions of others, you are going to run out of gas. – Steve Maraboli

Dance above the surface of the world. Let your thoughts lift you into creativity that is not hampered by opinion. – Red Haircrow

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. – Buddha

Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith. – Gordon B. Hinckley

We got a whole lot of money, but we still pay rent, cuz you can’t buy a house in heaven. – Lady Gaga, You & I

💋 Come On, Barbie, Let’s Go Party…

Before you know it, it will be hoodie weather, so take a break, whether you call it the weekend or not. Soak up some sun, walk in the park, or if you’re allergic to nature, take in a movie at the theater. I hear they’re back. See you on Monday for soap and yachting on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay sassy, and stay not letting any giant elephants take up permanent residence in your psyche. Or the room.

March 4, 2022 – Sam Suggests Setting a Trap, New Old Faces, Kindest Cut, Vile, Fake, Past Sins, Possible Exit, Yuck, New Amityville, World Changer, SAG Fashion, Mardi This Gras, a Half Dozen Quotes & Give

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sasha wakes up and Brando brings her coffee in bed, because no one on TV ever has to go to the bathroom first thing like IRL. She asks if she overslept, but he says, there’s no such thing on vacation. She can go back to sleep if she wants. She says, thanks, but she needs to wake up. She takes a sip, and says, good. He tells her that making coffee is one of his many skills, and she says, the others being? He says they have an entire vacation for her to find out. She says she can’t wait, and he says, they have a lot to celebrate. Maxie is finally home safe, and Peter August is gone, and they can just spend time together. Just the two of them. This is exactly what they both need. They kiss.

Trina puts her stuff in her bag, as Professor Kahn tells the students to read chapter 8 and be ready to discuss. The professor asks Trina for a moment of her time. She seemed pretty silent in class; is everything all right? It’s not like her. Trina says there’s been a lot on her mind, and Kahn says she knows freshman year can be overwhelming, but Trina seems to be handling it well. She’s one of the few A students this year. Trina thanks her, and the professor tells her to remember class participation is a third of her grade, and she’d hate to see Trina get lost in the shuffle.

In the hallway, Josslyn thanks Cameron for walking her to class. She knows he has a lot going on at home. He says he’s sorry he can’t be there for her, and asks if things are still weird between her and Trina. Josslyn says, they’re roommates and they barely see each other. A lot of that’s on her, between team meetings and practice she’s really busy, but Trina only comes back to the room to sleep. She’s not returning any of Josslyn’s texts or calls. He says, things have been weird since the cabin with Esme and Spencer, and she says, they’ve only gotten worse since, and it’s all thanks to Esme.

At Spring Ridge, Esme looks at her phone, and flashes back to her plot to film Josslyn and Cameron having sex in the cabin. Spencer throws The Brothers Karamazov on the table, when Esme comes up behind him. She kisses him, and says, happy belated birthday. He asks if she’s crazy; she’s going to get him in trouble. She tells him, lighten up, boyfriend. She knows he spent his birthday alone; the kiss was her present. He says, if the wrong guard sees her, it blows back on him. She says she’s sorry to bother him. He’s lucky, she’s leaving. Class calls. He says, see you around, and she says, someone woke up on the wrong side of the prison cot this morning. What’s with the mood?

Sam sees Carly at the MetroCourt bar, and says she guesses their day of hatchet throwing didn’t cheer her up. Carly says, it did. Sam and Olivia were right; she definitely needed to blow off some steam. She’s just sad today. She’s been thinking about Courtney. She shows Sam a picture of Courtney on her phone, and says, today’s the anniversary of her death.

Sonny leaves flowers at Courtney’s grave, and says, it’s hard to believe how much time has passed since she left them. Her son is a full-grown man, getting himself in trouble. He couldn’t make it last year because… He’s sure she knows what happened. He likes to think she’s always watching out for him. He just wants to let her know that he’s thinking about her, and she’s still in his heart. Nikolas walks into the cemetery, and says, his too.

Victor greets Ava with a double cheek kiss at the MetroCourt, and she says it’s good to see him. Nikolas is meeting her for brunch. If he’d like to join them, that’s fine. He says, unfortunately, he can’t stay; he has some business to attend to. She says, he’s been keeping himself scarce since Valentine’s Day, and Laura approaches, and says, keeping a low profile? Trying to avoid being implicated in an ongoing investigation? That sounds right, doesn’t it?

As they walk out of Kelly’s, Anna thanks Drew for meeting her. She didn’t realize it was going to be so cold, and he says, too bad they weren’t in Port Charles during the heat wave. She says she just wanted to speak to him in private. He says, her message sounded pretty urgent; what’s going on? She says she has this feeling they’re headed for danger, and at the center of it all is Victor… and Drew.

Sonny says he didn’t expect to see Nikolas here, and Nikolas says, Courtney was important to him too. He loved her. Sonny asks if it was worth Nikolas breaking up his marriage to Emily for an affair. He’s just curious. Nikolas says, he loved Courtney, and he was going to marry her, and Sonny asks if Nikolas thinks they’d still be together if Courtney was alive. Nikolas says he thinks so, but the truth is, he doesn’t know. Sonny says, at least he’s honest, and Nikolas says, he does know this though. Courtney is always going to be the mother of his son; nothing is going to change that. Just like Carly is always going to be the mother of Sonny’s children.

Carly says, the MetroCourt was named after Courtney, and Sam says she knows. Carly says, she and Courtney were close, and with Jax out of town, Spencer and Josslyn on the outs, and her impending divorce to Sonny, she feels like all her connections to Courtney are slipping away. And Sam doesn’t need to hear this. Sam says, it’s true she and Courtney weren’t the best of friends, but had she lived, they might have been friends. If she and Elizabeth can be friends, anything is possible. Carly says, hell sure did freeze over there, and Sam says, who knows? Maybe she and Courtney would have been able to bury the hatchet. Carly says, or throw the hatchet at a wall, not at each other.

Victor tells Laura, he’s sorry, but he has no idea what she’s referring to. Laura flashes back to telling Sam that she doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that Victor resurfaced at the same time Luke died and the Ice Princess was stolen; it’s all connected, and Victor was behind it. She tells Victor, there have been a lot of suspicious activities in Port Charles recently, and he asks if this is her way of accusing him of helping Peter escape. If so, he categorically denies having anything to do with it. Peter August was a blight on this city, and all of them are better off without him. Laura says, he can deny it all he wants, but if he was involved, there will be a way to prove it. He says he’ll take that as his cue to leave, and tells Ava, a pleasure as always, kissing her hand. He says, Madam Mayor, and leaves. Ava says, well, that was fun. Does Laura want to tell her what’s going on between her and Victor?

Drew says he’s been working under the same assumption, that Victor is dangerous, and his agenda did not die with Peter. How did Anna get that? Anna says, Liesl bugged Victor, and overheard a conversation he had with Drew and Sam. He says, at the docks, and she says, yeah. He says, he and Sam were convinced Victor was trying to reactivate his old conditioning, and Anna says, exactly. He asks if Valentin knows about this; did Anna mention this to him? Because they shared a cell in Greece for a little bit, and he seemed to have such solid insights into Victor. She says, Valentin’s out of commission right now. He was abducted right before Peter escaped. He turned up in an alley, he was drugged, disoriented, and still recovering from the gunshot wound in Crete. He’s at a clinic out of town, but he’s making progress. He’ll be home soon. Drew asks her to give Valentin his regards when she talks to him, and she says, her wish is, that they expose Victor for whatever his crimes are before Valentin comes home. Drew says, that’s a tall order; they’re going to have to move very quickly. She says she just feels that Victor is going to exploit the father/son relationship, and manipulate Valentin, the same way he’s coopting the rest of his family.

Spencer says, sorry. He didn’t mean to take his anger out on Esme. Forgive him. She says she gets it. Spring Ridge might be minimum security, but it’s still a prison, and he’s still incarcerated. He says, it’s more than that, and starts to cry. Today is the anniversary of his mother’s death. She sits next to him, and takes his hand, and he says, even though he never knew her, he still feels they have a connection. Every year, he made sure there were flowers on her grave, and he’s never missed a year. Until now. She says, his mother understands, but he says, it’s not about her understanding. It’s about letting the world know that he remembers her, because his mother lives on as long as he keeps up these little traditions. When he was talking to Trina about how she felt when she thought her father had died, he thought she felt the same way.

Josslyn says she hates that there’s tension between her and Trina. All she did was call Esme out for playing mind games with her. Cameron says he’s sure Josslyn was very nice and polite, and she says, her mother taught her, you can’t just ignore an Esme and hope they go away. They’re like sharks looking for blood, so the best way to deal with them is to punch them in the nose, and hope they retreat. He says he thinks the expression is to bop them on the nose, and she says that’s not how she does it. Trina walks out of the classroom, and Josslyn asks, how brutal was Kahn’s class? Trina says, there’s lots of participation required today, so be prepared to be called on more than usual. She starts to leave, and Josslyn asks her to wait. She asks if Trina is still mad at her for what she said to Esme the other day.

Esme says, that’s a beautiful sentiment, but Spencer doesn’t need to keep his mother’s memory alive on the anniversary of her passing. He can get flowers for her when he gets out, which won’t be that long. He says, true, and she says, he was in boarding school for years. What did he do during those times? He says Alfred and Ross left flowers on her grave for him, and she says, there you go; you can do that again. Or, she’d be more than honored to leave flowers for his mother. He says, that’s not the point. The point is, he’s finally here in Port Charles, and – he gets louder – he should be able to do this for her, but he can’t, because of the choices… he made. She says she was involved too, and he says, but she doesn’t understand. She says, but Trina would.

Brando and Sasha kiss, and he says, it’s too bad they spent most of the night talking. She says, he could have made a move, and he says he was waiting for a signal from her. He didn’t want to pressure her. She asks if anyone’s ever told him what a great guy he is, and he says, a great guy? That’s something you tell someone you want to put in the friendzone. She says she’s missed him, and he says he’s missed her; he missed them. They kiss some more, and she asks if they have plans in town. He says they have lunch reservations, tickets to Maid of the Mist, or they could just hang out here. They get busy.

Sonny says, he and Carly might not be together, but she’s still a great mother to Michael, Josslyn, Donna, and Avery. Nikolas says, Ava’s Avery’s mother, not Carly, and Sonny says, he’s not here to argue with Nikolas, especially in front of his sister’s grave. He’s just saying she would have been an amazing mother to Spencer if she had lived. Nikolas says, Courtney had a kind soul and the patience of a saint, and Sonny says he would have loved for Spencer to get to know her. Nikolas says, she would have been a good influence on him. She might have even negated the mistakes he made while raising him. You can say he did the best he could raising Spencer… Sonny says he wishes he could, if he believed it, but he’s not going to lie.

Trina says she’s not mad at Josslyn, and Josslyn says, just too busy to respond to her calls or texts? Trina says, maybe she’s a little annoyed. Josslyn made her collateral damage when she got all up in Esme’s face, and Josslyn says, come on. Trina knows that apology was as fake as Esme is. All she did was call Esme out on it. Trina says, and told her something Trina told Josslyn in confidence, and Josslyn says she told Trina that she was sorry for that, but obviously Trina doesn’t believe her. Trina says she just needs a little time to process. Josslyn put her in the middle of her war with Esme. Josslyn says, but Esme wasn’t coming for her; she was coming for Trina. The whole thing was a set-up, start to finish. Esme texts Trina saying she wants to meet up, shows up to apologize, so she can do some saccharine speech about how she made a mistake and wants to be friends. Josslyn admits she lost her temper, and the thing about Spencer giving Trina that book just slipped out. Cameron says, Spencer gave Trina a book? and Trina says, he asked his grandmother to give it to her, and she happened to get it on Valentine’s Day, but it wasn’t a Valentine’s Day gift; it was just a gift. And what part of in confidence does Josslyn not understand? Josslyn says, Cam cares about Trina, unlike Esme. She’s sorry for betraying Trina’s trust, but she’s not going to apologize for defending her friend.

Esme says, so only Trina understands what it’s like for Spencer to lose his mother? She gets up, and he follows. She says, Trina hasn’t experienced real loss. Her father isn’t even dead. He says he’s sorry; it was a stupid thing to say. It’s just that Esme never really talks about her parents. She says she doesn’t like talking about them, and he says he gets it, and he forgets sometimes. (How much you want to bet she ax-murdered them?) He promises to do better; it’s not going to happen again. She asks what about the gift he gave Trina? and he says he gets all his friends thank you gifts. It’s a lot easier than sending handwritten cards. She says, and it’s just a coincidence that his grandmother just happens to give Trina his gift on Valentine’s Day, and he says she has to believe him. Victor walks in, and says, apologies for not visiting Spencer on his birthday… He’s sorry. Would Spencer like him to come back another time?

Laura asks what Ava thinks is going on, and Ava says she thinks Victor helped Peter escape from that prison van, the one that was taking him to Pentenville, and she thinks Victor helped smuggle him out of the country, and she thinks Laura thinks the same thing. Laura asks if it matters now. Peter’s dead. Ava says, but this isn’t about Peter really, is it? It’s about Laura’s Uncle Victor, and for her it’s very, very personal. Laura laughs and says, Ava can think whatever she likes. Actually, she came to meet Sam. Ava asks if Laura doesn’t trust her, and Laura says she was watching Ava with Victor, and it looked kind of close. Ava says, keep your enemies closer and all that. She trusts Victor as much as Laura does.

Drew says, Victor coopting his family is one thing, but what use does Victor have for him? Anna says, the working theory is that Peter was stringing Victor along, and Drew says, right. Peter was going to give Victor the means to activate his conditioning, but he still doesn’t understand it. Why? What use does he have for an ex-Navy SEAL to do his dirty work. He’s got plenty of ex-military on his payroll. She asks if he doesn’t think it’s possible Victor believes he knows something, or rather that he did?

Laura says, she thinks Victor is planning something that could spell trouble for all of them, and Ava says, he has made some cryptic comments about his plans. Laura says, and now, Spencer just idolizes his great-uncle, and it seems like Nikolas warmed up to him too. So she feels like she can’t say anything negative because they both defended him, and that would just drive them closer to Victor. Ava says she knows Nikolas has his guard up, but Laura is right; she thinks Victor is making some progress there, and Spencer is already firmly in Victor’s camp. Laura says, but Ava is smarter than that.

Nikolas says, he walked right into that one, and Sonny says, Nikolas has made a lot of mistakes; mistakes that have changed Spencer’s life and shaped his character. He can’t change that. Nikolas asks what Sonny wants him to do; own up to his decisions and his past? Sonny says, that would be a start, wouldn’t it? Move forward with the people he loves. Don’t run away from his mistakes. Because when you do that, it makes your pain worse.

Sam say she guesses they’re all starting new chapters, and Carly says, things are going good with her and Dante? Sam says she doesn’t want to jinx it, but things are going great. Carly says, what about Drew? and Sam says, that’s definitely over. They just realized they were better off as co-parents, and friends. Why does she ask? Carly says, he’s been very supportive with everything she’s been going through with Sonny and the divorce. She’s trying to look out for him the way he’s looking out for her.

Ava says she’s listening, and Laura says, Victor is trying to make nice with Nikolas, and he’s going to do the same with Ava. Ava says, he’s already trying pretty damn hard, and Laura says, good; let him. Get him to lower his guard so much with her, that he might even confide in her. Ava says, and if he says something incriminating, Laura would like it passed on to her? Laura says, if she likes, and Ava says she’s guessing Laura doesn’t want her to tell her husband about this arrangement. Laura says, they dealt with that situation with Ryan together. She wouldn’t ask for Ava’s help if it wasn’t something serious. Ava says she’s sure she’ll know if Victor says something relevant, and Laura says, she’s sure Ava will. Laura has every confidence in her. She thanks Ava, and leaves.

Carly says she was ready to lose her mind, then she walked in on Sonny and Nina at the Haunted Star. She ran into Drew right after, and he let her vent. He didn’t try to fix her, and he didn’t try to stop her, or make it better. He just let her talk. Laura joins them, telling Sam that she’s sorry she’s late. She got a little sidetracked. She says hi to Carly, and Sam says, not a problem. Sam tells Carly that it was nice talking to her, and Carly says, her too. Carly leaves, and Sam asks, what was so important Laura couldn’t talk to her on the phone about it? Laura says, it is about Victor’s associate, and Sam says, Yohan? Laura says, new details have come to light, and she thought Sam should know about them, considering it involves Drew.

Esme tells Victor, as always a pleasure. She’d like to stay and chat, but she has to bounce. Class calls. She says goodbye to Spencer, and leaves. In the hallway, she takes out her phone, looks at the video, and says,  time to get this done.

Victor asks what all that was about, and Spencer says, his fault. He took his frustration out about being stuck in here on Esme, and she didn’t deserve it. Victor says he takes after his grandfather. He always had a much shorter fuse than the rest of the family. So what exactly lit this particular powder keg? Spencer says, every year he leaves flowers on his mother’s grave on the anniversary of her death. He can’t this year for obvious reasons. Unless… He moves closer to Victor, and Victor says, unless what? Spencer says, unless Victor busts him out.

Drew says, Anna thinks that Victor is trying to access his old memories? and she says, it’s possible. He gets up, and so does she, saying, Andre confirmed to her those memories were gone. He says, but Peter made him believe otherwise. She says, Peter and Faison were in charge of the whole memory experiment. But then Victor took custody of Drew at Creighton-Clark – Laura and Sam walk through the gate – and this kind of tracks with this new information she’s privy to. He says, such as? and Laura says, it’s all right. She thinks Drew has a right to know the truth.

Victor says, absolutely not, and Spencer says he knows Victor has connections in Spring Ridge. He arranged for Samuel to make sure Spencer was safe, how hard can it be for him to arrange a furlough? Victor says, furloughs are almost exclusively reserved for family funerals, and deathbeds. Spencer says, then it can be off the books. This place is surrounded by barbed wire. He can be shuttled out, and be back in an hour. Victor says, he won’t risk extending Spencer’s sentence, much less joining him in here. Not when there’s so much in the works for the future of this family. Spencer says he wants to be a part of that future. They are Cassadines; family means everything to them. They don’t get to pick and choose who they love, who they trust. Just because his mother died hours after he was born doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss her every single day. He knows he screwed up, and he’s being punished for it, and deservedly so. But think about the people Victor’s loved and lost. Wouldn’t Victor do everything in his power to make sure they weren’t forgotten? There must be something he can do.

Trina says, they were so close to being past this, but Josslyn just can’t help herself, can she? Cameron says, let’s just take a moment right now… and Trina says she didn’t know he was taking a course in mediation. He says, none of his business, and Josslyn asks if she was wrong for defending her friends. Trina says, it’s not wrong, but it doesn’t make it better when there are certain things she won’t apologize for, after saying she’s sorry. Josslyn says she’s trying her best here. They all mess up sometimes, like Trina did at the cabin. Trina says, oh my gosh, apologies aren’t transactional. Who made her feelings for Spencer part of the Josslyn Jax show? Josslyn says, it was Esme, not her, and Trina says, it’s always Esme, isn’t it? Can’t Josslyn just take responsibility for making things worse? Can she, for once in her life, think about what Trina is going through? Esme appears, and says, my, my, you can cut the tension with a knife, can’t you?

Nikolas says, Spencer loved Courtney. Maybe he needs to remind Spencer of that more often. He leaves, and Sonny gets down on one knee at Courtney’s grave. He says, he knows he should have been nicer, but he thinks that’s what Nikolas needed, and that’s what Spencer needs, and he’s going to look out for her boy. Just like he trusts she keeps an eye on his dad, Morgan, Jason, and Brando and Sasha’s baby boy.

Sasha says she loves Brando, and he says he loves her too. She says, that was good, and he says, like the first time. She says, except they’re in a bed this time, and not the back seat of a car he’s working on, and he says, there is that. She asks what he’s thinking, and he says he’s thinking it’s been while since they’ve been with each other. Not since… She says, let’s not wait so long next time. She kisses him, and says she’ll be right back. She goes to another room, putting on her robe, and takes a little plastic bag of pills out of her purse. Possibly black beauties. Not that I would know. She takes one. She goes back, and Brando is standing in front of the window. She tells him not to move; she needs a mental picture of this. She walks toward him and says, beautiful. He asks if she means the view, and she says, that too. They look out the window together.

Cameron tells Esme to stay out of this, and she moves on to class. Trina says she should go, but Josslyn says, wait. What if she ditches class so they can talk? Trina says, she’s all talked out; maybe another time. Josslyn says, text her; she’ll always answer. Josslyn goes into class and sits down, ignoring Esme. Cameron tells Trina, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s very sorry. She says, thanks, and he joins the class. Trina’s phone dings, and Esme bounces out of class, saying, Trina. Trina says she really doesn’t want to hear from Esme, and leaves. Esme looks at the video, and says, don’t worry. Trina probably won’t hear from any of them soon enough.

Nikolas asks if Carly is holding up okay, and she asks, is he? He says, he’s joining his lovely wife, and tells her, take care, but he comes back. He says, Courtney would have loved what Carly’s done with the place; what it’s become. He’s sorry he never told her that. She thanks him, and says he just missed his mother, and he asks what Laura had to say. Carly tells him that she didn’t to say but hello, but she did seem to be getting into it with Ava and Victor.

Drew says, Laura really thinks Victor had something to do with Luke’s death, and Laura says, they don’t have proof; they only have circumstantial evidence. Anna says, they all believe Victor’s been planning something for months. What if Luke stumbled upon it? Victor would only have one way to stop Luke. Drew says he barely knew Luke. How would Luke come across something that relates to him?. Laura says, Creighton-Clark, Helena, Victor, the Ice Princess… Anna says, common threads, the Cassadines, but they can’t stop Victor until they have proof. Drew says, but dozen of people died in that crash, and Anna says, the only way to prove Victor is responsible is to go to Austria. Laura says, she has to tread very carefully. That was deemed an accident. If they reopen the investigation, it’s going to let Victor know they’re on to him. Sam says, there is another way to find out what Victor wants.

Sasha tells Brando, it’s so beautiful here; so peaceful. She doesn’t want to go back to the real world. She doesn’t want this trip to end. He says he wishes he could give her that, but what he can try to do is make the real world just as special. She asks how he plans on doing that, and he says, by planning to spend the rest of his life with her. She says, let’s do it. Let’s get married  today.

Carly is about to get in the elevator, and Sonny is there.

Sam says, something in Drew’s past motivated Victor to help Peter escape, and Anna says, and Peter misled Victor, but now Peter’s dead. Laura asks if it’s possible Victor got access to Andre Maddox and questioned him about Drew’s memories, and Anna says, she doesn’t know, but she can contact Andre for sure. She’s confident he’d never reveal that kind of information, and certainly not to someone like Victor. Drew says, Victor believes he can still access his memories, and Sam says, exactly, so what if they set up a trap for Victor, convincing him it’s possible?  

On the phone, Victor says, no further action from Anna or Drew in regard to their connection to Peter August. But he fears this is only the calm before the storm.

Nikolas walks up behind Ava, and kisses her cheek. He sees her martini, and says, without him? but she says, it’s never too early to continue celebrating Peter’s demise. He says, amen to that. Carly just told him that he saw her with his mother, having a pretty intense conversation. What was that about? She says, they were just gossiping about him. Every once in a while, Laura needs a little reassurance that Ava is taking good care of him. He says, and nothing to do with his uncle? and she says, no. She told Laura that she had a nice conversation with him. She’s making more of an effort with Victor. He says he’s making more of an effort with Spencer, and he’s not having much luck. Ava says, and he’ll keep trying until he does. In the meantime, since his uncle wants to get closer to him, what if they invite him to dinner?

At Courtney’s grave, Spencer says, hello, mother. He’s sorry he’s late this year. He puts the flowers by her gravestone, and says, he sees someone beat him to it, and she wasn’t alone. Trina is cutting through, and sees him. She says, Spencer. What is he doing out of Spring Ridge?  

Kahn is giving a lecture, and talks about free will and a social contract. Cameron asks if Josslyn is okay, and Josslyn asks, who’s being stubborn? Her or Trina? He says, maybe neither; they both had great points. Josslyn says she needs to find Trina and apologize before they start fighting. The professor talks about devising the roles of imprisonment and incarceration, as Josslyn gathers up her stuff, and Esme looks at the file upload/cancel button. Kahn talks about punishment being used sparingly, and happiness being when the greatest good is shared by the greatest number Esme uploads the file, and everyone in the class gets it on their phones. The professor wants to know what’s more important than the lesson, and one of the students says, see for yourself, and puts it on the screen at the front of the classroom. There’s a lot of laughing, including from Esme, and Josslyn and Cameron are mortified. Esme smiles slyly.

I just have to say it, seriously, these are college kids?

On Monday, Lucy thinks it’s a perfect spot; Cameron asks if Josslyn thinks he did it; Elizabeth says she can’t go anywhere with Finn; and Carly says it hurts when she sees Sonny.

In Case You Forgot…

Jake, the son who comes and goes, along with Aiden.

Spencer’s mom, Courtney.

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2022/03/05/what-happened-to-courtney-on-general-hospital/

🤷🏽‍♂️ In Case You Didn’t Know…

All about Betsy Frank. The first time around was during a period when I wasn’t watching the show, but I always find it amusing that James Franco played Franco.

✂️ Covid Hair No More…

I’m only including this because I sat behind her at Shakespeare in the Park once. And yes, she’s just as gorgeous in person.

☠️ Heather De Vil…

I’m no big fan of Heather’s, but I wouldn’t call her vile. Then again, I’m not batsh*t crazy. I don’t think…

🎭 Be Real…

Another one I’m not a fan of, but maybe she’s scared of them. I would be.

🧂 Salt This…

Don’t ever make it a challenge.

🏛 What a Tease…

I had to give up watching this one, but I peek in once in a while.

🍸 Eww…

I honestly have no problem with an age gap, but I do have a problem when the gap is with Randall.

https://people.com/tv/lala-kent-says-randall-emmett-started-relationship-with-23-year-old-the-same-month-daughter-ocean-was-born/

🚀 Space Haunt…

Come on now. Seriously, what is happening with horror films these days?

👠 She Rocks…

I love Lizzo.

https://people.com/music/lizzo-women-changing-the-world-people-cover-story/

💃🏻 The Carpet Wore Red…

More fashion from the SAG Awards.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/34047/sag-awards-2022-red-carpet-fashion

🎊 Party In NOLA…

Everything you need to know to celebrate Fat Tuesday, even if it’s a little late. You can be early for next year.

https://people.com/human-interest/mardi-gras-everything-to-know/

🛎 Quotes of the Week

Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny. – Lao Tzu

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. – Maya Angelou

Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be. – Shel Silverstein

I haven’t been thrilled since 1865. – Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), The Gilded Age

I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us. We are formed by little scraps of wisdom. – Umberto Eco

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. – Martin Luther King, Jr.

🖋 Very Truly Yours…

Signing off until it’s time for the Dead to Walk. Until then, stay safe, stay cultivating a good support system, and stay keeping traditions of remembrance, but not to the point of breaking out of prison.

February 18, 2022 – Lots Of Arrivals In Switzerland, Star Scare, Vet Return, Terry’s Date, Pick Up, Last One, Again, Wife Check, Full-Blown, Engaged, New Deck, Meme This, Half Presidential Quotes & Good

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Visiting at Spring Ridge, Laura hugs Spencer, and says he doesn’t look too much worse for the wear. He asks her to please not say prison is agreeing with him, and she says, no, never, but it doesn’t seem to be hurting him too much either. He says, there’s a heatwave going on and no AC in his cell. Maybe as mayor, she could pull some strings. She says, it’s a state level issue, but she’ll do what she can. How is he doing? He says, as much as he’d like to spin some awful tale of woe, other than being bored and restless, he’s doing fine. His Uncle Victor is looking out for him. She says, that’s what she’s afraid of.

At the MetroCourt, Ava asks if it’s hot in here or it’s her, and Nikolas says, it’s definitely her. She tells him, focus. They have a lot to do before their vow renewal. Even a small ceremony needs planning. He says, the vows aren’t going to write themselves, but she says she’s not writing any. He asks if she’s going to wing it, and she says she’s just going to be spontaneous. She’s going to say what’s in her heart at the moment. Why? Is he planning a big speech about love, obsession, and eternity? He tells her, he wouldn’t say that, and she says she can’t wait. Even at his most Cassadine-esque, it won’t be too much over-the-top. He says he wants it to be poetic, and she says, like, there once was a girl named Jerome, who made Spoon Island her home. He laughs, and says, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach. I love thee with breath and smiles, tears and with all my life, and if… Victor walks up, and says, and if God chooses, I shall love thee better after death.

Austin tells Obrecht, what Spinelli says, is the bug they planted on Victor didn’t malfunction. She says she knew it, and he asks if she thinks Victor just found the bug and destroyed it. She says, at least it worked long enough for them to overhear his plans for Drew Cain, and he says, but they’re still no closer to finding out where Peter took Maxie. Sam says, maybe they’re not, but Drew is, and he brought back-up.

WSB Field Office – Swiss/Austrian Border. Agent Malone lets Anna, Dante, and Drew into the office, and says, their resources are at Anna’s disposal. Malone wants to assure them that apprehending Peter August, aka Henrik Faison, is their highest priority. Anna thanks her and Agent Kreger, and reminds her that Drew and Dante have full clearance. Malone says, it’s good to see Dante is recovering from his ordeal in Ankara, and he says, she knows about that too, huh? She says, of course (), and tells Drew, and knowledge he has from his captivity with Peter would be of great use to them. Drew says, anything he can do to help, of course (🍷). Anna says, Malone interviewed the woman who found Maxie’s SOS on the mirror in the bathroom? and Malone says, yes. She was able to identify the photo of the hostage. Surveillance video captured an image of the car with two passengers, and they also have a license plate. Anna says, that’s great, and thanks her. She tells Dante and Drew, with any luck, they’re one step closer to finding Maxie.

On a plane, Felicia flashes back to Anna explaining why she doesn’t want Felicia coming along. She looks at car rentals on her tablet.

Maxie and Peter walk into a house, and Maxie says she gets why he felt safe here when he was a boy. This house is like one big architectural hug. He says, aptly put. He does love it here, out in the middle of nowhere, and since no one cared about him or his childhood, no one will ever associate him with this place, which makes it the perfect refuge. No one will ever find them here.

Spencer gives Laura some coffee, and she tells him that she gave Trina his gift. He asks if she liked it, and Laura says, she loved it. He has very good taste in friends. Trina is a lovely young lady. He agrees, and says, Trina is awesome, but if Laura can trust his judgement about his friends, can she trust his judgement about Uncle Victor? She says, Trina’s a very good person. His Uncle Victor, on the other hand… He says, she has a low opinion of him? and she says, his Uncle Victor is responsible for countless abductions and deaths, and let them not forget that he, and his brothers, and his father had a plan to take over the world by using that giant diamond, the Ice Princess, to mess with the weather patterns to freeze the world. He says, all he knows is, if it hadn’t been for Uncle Victor, he would be in Pentenville. She says, if he can find the good in Victor, why can’t he find the good in his own father?

Victor says, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the way she could turn passion into poetry is unparalleled. Ava says he surprises her. She thought he’d be more of a Sophocles fan. Victor says, he is – he brings a chair over to the table – but Sophocles couldn’t write a love story to save his life. Whereas he’s an incurable romantic. One of his hobbies is collecting romantic poetry; first editions, original letters. Actually, did they know – he sits down – that even today, if you were to acquire a genuine firsthand epistle, you could find a lock of the owners’ hair within? Ava says, the better to clone them with, and he says, sharp as a briar this one. Nikolas married well, but Ava’s assumptions of him are a little outdated. The most valuable lesson he learned as head of the WSB, was authoritarianism leads to admin. Not as much fun. Nikolas says, what a relief, and Victor says, even though he no longer wishes to control the world, he’s determined to save it. Preferably, one life at a time. Nikolas says, starting with his former co-conspirator, Peter August? and Victor says, Peter betrayed him in Greece. Why on earth would Victor want to help him? Nikolas says, so he could escape the law, and Ava says, good riddance. Everybody wants him dead, gone forever will suffice. Nikolas says, too bad he had to take Maxie with him, but Victor wouldn’t know anything about that, would he?

At the hospital, Sam tells Austin, Dante and Drew are with Anna in Zurich. They have a lead on Peter. Austin says, if they find Peter, they find Maxie, and Sam says, hopefully. Obrecht says, don’t assume it will be that easy. Despite Anna’s effort to apprehend him, Peter has slipped through her grasp at every turn. Not to mention the possibility that Drew might still be under Peter’s influence. Nein. If there’s any hope of catching and killing Peter, she needs to go to Zurich herself. Coming down the stairs, Britt says, no, she doesn’t. Obrecht says, as if Britt could stop her, and Britt says, by going after a homicidal fugitive, Obrecht is endangering herself and others. Involuntary commitment to the psyche ward for 72 hours. Boom. Obrecht says, Britt would abuse her power that way? and Britt says, to protect her from Peter and herself? Yes, she would. Obrecht says she’s impressed by Britt’s willingness to pretzel the rules, and touched by her concern, and yet, she’s still going. Britt says, try it, and she’ll harpoon Obrecht with a spear gun – again.

Malone says, the suspect was last tracked going into the Zurich mountains. Unfortunately, there are so many winding roads there, it’s difficult to search. Drew wonders if he could have headed back to the Audubon and to the border, but Anna says, the guard there would catch them. Dante says, they could ditch the car and find another one, or probably hike, and Malone says, unfortunately, it’s very possible for them to cross the border to France on foot since Switzerland is such a small country. Drew says, in other words, they’re running out of bread crumbs.

Peter says, Maxie will find it’s quiet here. It’s peaceful, and this place is equipped with everything they’d ever want. They can live here together peacefully and comfortably, without ever having to see anyone, except the caretaker. She asks if he really believes it’s possible to disappear, and he says, this property’s private; it’s isolated. None of their friends, family, or colleagues have any idea about it. And if he’s wrong, he has an escape plan all set.

Victor says he washed his hands of Peter back in Crete, but let’s not waste time on him. Not when they’re planning a family celebration. Ava says, actually, she and Nikolas decided to keep their vow renewal a very private affair. They won’t need anybody but the two of them. Victor hopes they change their mind, especially as he’s already picked out the perfect gift. Nikolas says, thanks, but no thanks, and Ava says she’s not one to turn down a Fabergé egg. Nikolas says, even if it’s stolen? and she says, depends where from. Victor says, actually, he was thinking of something a lot more valuable, and Nikolas says, such as? Victor says, a reunion between Nikolas and his son.

Spencer tells Laura, when he thinks about how close he and Nikolas were when he was a kid… What happened to that guy? She says she knows he feels like his father abandoned him, and he says, he pretended he was dead. It didn’t only feel like his father abandoned him, he did abandon him. She says, okay, but Spencer’s punished him for that, many times. Both he and Ava. He says he hates Ava. He knows she probably finds that a strong word, but it’s not. And as angry as he is at Ava for breaking her promise to him, and letting Valentin off the hook, his father did far worse. She says, his father never did anything as bad as Victor; never. He says, his dad was the reason Britt was a fugitive for years. He married Hayden, then turned against her. One by one, his dad has systematically removed the people Spencer cares about from his life, and who does he keep? Ava. And sure, Uncle Victor may be far from perfect… She asks if he heard the part about world domination, and Spencer says, at least he puts his family first. She says, a lot of evil has been done in the name of the family, and he says, he feels safe in here, knowing Victor Cassadine has his back. She looks at Samuel, and says she should go. Spencer says he understands; she has a city to run. She says, just remember, his father told him that he’s not alone, and Spencer said when he came out, he’d be willing to… He tells her, he said maybe, and she says, that’s a start. She tells him she loves him, and leaves.

Obrecht tells Britt, this is no time to stand on the sidelines; Maxie’s life is at stake. Sam says, even if Obrecht was able to gain access to a private jet, Zurich is at least eight and a half hours away. Who knows where Peter and Maxie will be by then? Austin says, Sam is in touch with Dante, right? but she says, it’s not like he keeps her posted on his every move. Austin asks, isn’t somebody keeping tabs on Victor? and Obrecht says he’s just grasping at straws, but Britt says, if Victor’s involved, Obrecht needs to tell them what she knows. Austin says, it seemed like a good idea at the time, and Britt asks what he did. He says, planted a bug on Victor Cassadine.

Anna says, Maxie left one earring with Louise when she and Peter dropped her at the firehouse, and the other one she left where she wrote her plea for help on the mirror in the restroom. So obviously, she’s actively trying to leave a trail for them, but unfortunately, point A and point B are two different continents and an ocean apart. Dante says, it really is amazing Peter didn’t find that message in the restroom, and Drew says, Maxie’s trail has led them as far as it can. They have to start thinking like Peter. Anna says, he’s right. For Peter, the mountains are any number of choices where he can hide.

Maxie says, so this place is difficult to find, but easy to leave? and Peter tells her, let’s just say he always finds his way out, and if they ever need it, it’s a short trip to the Audubon and over the borders. She asks, which border? Please say Italy or France. He says, this place was once a sanctuary to him; now it’s their refuge. In time, he hopes she’ll begin to see it as their home. He can see it now; her and him, and their little… She says, what? Why is he looking at her like that? He asks, what happened to her earrings? I say, maybe he is a keeper. What guy notices whether you’re wearing earrings or not?

Nikolas says, if Victor really wants to heal the rift between him and his son, he’ll respect their boundaries, and leave them to heal on their own. Victor says he’s been doing that for some time, and hasn’t noticed a lot of progress. Ever since that poor boy got back to Port Charles, he’s been bounced from place to place. Nikolas says, Spencer’s made his own choices, and Victor says, yes, he has, there’s no denying that. But one choice he didn’t make is his current surroundings in prison. Ava says, he did though. It’s called consequences. Victor asks if she really wants to cast herself as the wicked stepmother, locking the mischievous little prince up in the tower, and she says she gave that little prince every opportunity to make amends, and he has been unrepentant. Victor says, so this is how she intends to retaliate; denying him a place in their renewal celebration, a place in their lives? That’s what she wants for her stepson, to keep him looking in on his own family from afar? Come on. If Nikolas won’t listen to him, maybe he’ll listen to her. Laura approaches the table, and says, her son doesn’t need Victor’s help. Neither does Spencer. Nikolas asks how she can be so sure, and she says she’s just come from Spring Ridge. Victor gets up and asks her to sit, but she says she’s fine. Nikolas asks how Spencer is doing, and she says, better than anyone could have imagined because someone is looking out for him on the inside. Nikolas asks why he’s not surprised, and Ava says, an inmate, a guard, what? Laura says, at least one guard, and asks if Victor has anything to add. He says, if he’s taken steps to insure his great-nephew’s safety, then he can’t see any harm in that. He’s going to leave them to their lunch. Perhaps the ladies can talk some reason into Nikolas where he can’t, for Spencer’s sake. He leaves, and Laura says, yuk. She thought he’d never leave. She sits down, and Ava tells them, she hates to be the one to say it, but she thinks Uncle Victor has a point.

Austin tells Britt, on paper, the plan made a lot of sense. He threatened Victor, and her mom swooped in to his rescue, and planted a bug on his lapel. Britt asks if it worked, and Obrecht says, it did. They were able to overhear an entire conversation he had with a Yohan, certainly a henchman of some sort. Sam asks what they said, and Austin tells her,  Victor wants to find Peter as much as they do. Britt asks if he gave them a clue or lead, or something that could tell them where Peter’s taken Maxie, but he says, no; the bug was destroyed. Sam says, great. Victor knows they’re onto him. Britt asks if it occurred to either of them, that instead of Victor leading them to Peter and Maxie, they may have just tipped him off? Obrecht says, of course (🍷), and Britt says, of course (🍷) what? Obrecht says, isn’t it obvious?

Dante asks, what if Peter is just hiding in plain sight, playing tourist? and Malone says, there are plenty of places the suspect and hostage could hole up. Drew says, how about places where people still expect privacy? Where no one will notice if they stay in. Malone says, they have plenty of tourist towns with attractions, and Dante says, offbeat attractions? She says, there are plenty; museums and nature trails. There’s even an old salt mine that’s now a museum and boutique. Anna says, salt mine? Maybe Peter is telling them where he’s going in his own words.

Felicia looks at Zurich on her tablet, and says, think. What was that place called? She remembers talking to Peter, and saying, she hopes Maxie can forgive her for not making the wedding. He says, they both understand that her great-aunt is very ill, and if she didn’t mean the world to Felicia, she wouldn’t be traveling all the way to…  She says, it’s so small, it’s not even a town; it’s just a census designated place. He says, it sounds charming, and she says, it is. Maxie should bring him to visit sometime. It’ll give him a sense of scale. He’s such a city boy. He says, not always. In fact, his favorite place on earth is in the Swiss Alps, miles away from anywhere. On the plane, Felicia says, the Swiss Alps… where?

Maxie asks if Peter is really worried about her earrings, and he says, she’s never without them, yet here she is. She says she noticed on the plane that she’d lost one, probably in the mad rush out of Port Charles, when they had to leave their daughter. Since it was random costume jewelry, she threw out the other one. He says, it doesn’t matter. It’s only diamonds and rubies for her from here on out. She says she really doesn’t care about jewelry. She just wants her children to be safe. He says he misses their daughter too. They just have to give it some time; let the trail go cold. So all those agencies and his enemies find themselves discouraged. Then, one day when it’s safe, they can bring Louise to them. In the meantime, should the worst happen and they’re discovered, he’s prepared. He takes a gun out of the back of his waistband.

Nikolas says, Ava has to realize, his uncle’s offer to broker peace between him and Spencer is intended to achieve the exact opposite. Ava says, but if he succeeds where they’ve failed… Laura says, he will have ingratiated himself to the whole family, and indoctrinated Spencer to his cause. Nikolas says, Victor’s cause is going to be far worse than Spencer’s ever done to them, and Laura says, absolutely. Victor is devious in a very deadly way, and far more dangerous than Spencer could ever be. Ava says, the fact that they’re discussing him means they’re onto him. They’ll see him coming a mile way. If they play along, he might reveal his agenda. Nikolas says, it’s still a risk. It would be a mistake to underestimate his uncle. Laura says, she doesn’t think they’re doing that though. There is an alternative, one that could reunite Nikolas with his son, and undercut Victor at the same time. Nikolas says, what’s that? and Laura says, swallow his pride. Go visit his son at Spring Ridge.

Victor hugs Spencer, and says, he seems well, all things considered. Spencer says, whoever calls this place a country club has never actually been to one. Victor assumes Samuel is keeping an eye on Spencer, and Spencer says he’s well-protected. He knows he has Victor to thank for that, and he’s grateful. Victor says, even though Spencer’s grandmother considers him a bad influence? and Spencer says, is he? Victor says, to be completely honest, he’s given her little reason to think otherwise. If his concern for Spencer’s well-being is making it harder for him here… Spencer says, it’s not. Other than his grandmother, Victor is the one person he can count on. Victor says he finds that a little hard to believe. What about the lovely Esme? Spencer says, he thinks him being stuck here is a strain on Esme’s devotion, but Victor says he’s sure it’s just a lover’s spat. The ups and downs of life, as they say. She blew up a car for him. If that isn’t devotion, he doesn’t know what is. As for Spencer’s grandmother, the last thing Victor wants to do is get between him and his family. Spencer says, Victor is his family. They may want him to forget that, but he won’t.

Britt says, whatever Obrecht thinks is obvious, does it have something to do with where Peter’s taken Maxie? Obrecht says, that’s the obvious part; she knows where to find Maxie. Austin asks if she’s going to share, but she says she can’t waste her time explaining. She needs to contact Anna.

Anna says, Peter wrote this novel. It’s called The Severed Branch. Malone says, there’s a copy with the other materials, and gets it. Anna says, basically the whole book is an allegory for his childhood. She seems to remember he refers to working in the salt mines. Drew says, that’s a common expression, and she says, she knows, but in the book, the character refers to the salt mines with affection. Drew asks if she’s saying that’s where he took Maxie, and she says she doesn’t know. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s Liesl. She asks Obrecht, what’s going on? and Obrecht says, salt mine. Find the salt mines, and you’ll find Peter and Maxie. Anna says, that’s what they were just figuring out. Malone says, there are three salt mines in the country. Two up here – she points to the laptop screen – and the one she mentioned. Anna says, that’s a pretty large area, and asks if Obrecht can narrow it down. Obrecht asks if Peter ever mentioned the farm, and Anna says, what farm? Obrecht says, where he became the man he is today.  

Felicia says, what was the name? Peter said it; it was V something. She remembers Peter saying it was a quaint picturesque farm, tucked away from the world. The closest place is a tiny, remote village, miles away from anywhere. If it were any tinier, it would be a census designated place. She asks what it’s called, and he says, versteckte Wiese. It’s German. It means hidden meadow. On the plane, she looks up hidden meadow in the German translator.  

Maxie asks if Peter can put the gun away; he doesn’t need it right now. He says, of course (🍷), but he’s sure she doesn’t mind if he keeps it handy, and tucks it back into his waistband. She says, whatever he thinks is necessary, and he says he appreciates her faith in him. She says she can’t tell if he’s being sarcastic… not that she could blame him. There’s something she’s been struggling with for a while. She’s spent so much time being angry with him, and the whole time, he just said he  loved her, and he’s been doing everything for her and Louise. She didn’t believe him, and she was wrong. He was willing to leave Louise behind at that firehouse, the child he’s been longing to hold and care for. That’s not selfish; that’s the opposite. That’s when she realized love is what’s driving him. She takes his hands, and says, his love is the kind of love they can build their lives around. It’s not going to be easy, but one day Louise, Georgie, and James will be with them, and she just has to live in hope for that day, no matter what.

Nikolas says he’s not sure Spencer is going to be open to a visit from him, and Ava says, he’s Spencer’s father. He has to try. As angry as she has been with Spencer, she urges Nikolas to repair his relationship with him. He knows what she would give for another chance with Kiki. He says she’s right; he’ll reach out. Ava tells him, go, hurry. She thinks they all know where Victor was going when he left here, and Laura says, straight back to Spring Ridge to make sure she didn’t turn Spencer against him. Nikolas says, and if Victor has already put his plan in motion to reunite him and Spencer? Laura says, if Victor’s scheming and plotting ends up bringing them together, she’s all for it. Isn’t he? He says he’ll give it a shot, and she hugs him, saying, he won’t regret this. She’s proud of him. He leaves, and Ava says, giving Uncle Victor a pass, are we? Laura says, for now, and Ava wonders what she’s up to.

On the phone, Victor says, thanks for the update, and Spencer asks if everything is all right. Victor says, everything is splendid, except for one thing; he has to run. Spencer says he appreciates the time. Victor is a busy man. Victor says, nonsense. Spencer is family, Spencer says, likewise, and Victor thanks him. That’s why he wants Spencer to know he’s doing everything he can to change. At least change people’s perspective of him. Despite what people think, all he wants is what’s best for his family. Spencer says, he just wishes his grandmother would give Victor a chance, and Victor says, leave Laura to him, and keep his eyes on the prize; his freedom and his future. Spencer says, he’ll try, and Victor says, when Spencer leaves, he wants Spencer to walk out with his held high. Big things are in the wind. They’re going to need to stick together as a family, that includes Spencer and his father. Spencer says, his father… and Victor says, is a Cassadine. The future belongs to them, and Spencer. He’s the heir to all that and more.

Obrecht tells Anna, there was a youth camp where Peter used to spend his school holidays as a child. Find that farm and she’ll find Peter, and do what she has to do to bring Maxie home. Anna thanks her, and tells the others, this book could be a roadmap. Drew says, if it’s an allegory, how clear are the directions? Anna says, she doesn’t know, but there was a farm, and if she remembers it was close to the oldest salt mine. In the book, Peter refers to it as a place with all kinds of animals… and children.

Peter says, Maxie is right. They’ll make this place a real home for their whole family. She says, somehow she doesn’t see Mac and Felicia understanding, but if there’s anything he’s proven to her, it’s that there’s nothing he can’t make happen. He says he tries. This place is really well-equipped, but they should still make a list of personal items and requests, things they might want, for Gustav the caretaker to get for them in the village. She asks if this village has a name, and he says, versteckte Wiese. She tries to pronounce it, and he says, close enough. It’s so small, it only appears on local maps. It might be considered census designated place. She says she can’t wait to see it… when he trusts her enough. He says he knows she’ll love it. If she wants to familiarize herself with the area, there are some paper maps in the cabinet. The GPS signal is pretty spotty up here. She says she doesn’t want to get a signal. She just wants to get used to her new surroundings. She tells him, it’s cold in here, and he says he could turn the heat up. Or how about if he builds them a fire? She says she’d like that, and as soon as he turns around, she looks in the cabinet.

Spencer asks Samuel if there’s nothing anyone can do about the AC, but Samuel says, this is a government facility. Even Spencer’s uncle can only swing so much. Spencer says, anything’s possible, right? Who knows? Maybe one day he and his family will learn to get along. Nikolas walks in.

Laura tells Ava, Victor is bending over backwards to try and impress and win over Spencer. And that can only mean one thing; he’s going to use him. Ava asks if Laura has any idea what he’s planning, and Laura says, no, but she will find out.

Victor waits in an alleyway, and says, good God. It feels like Santorini in the middle of an eruption. (Is it February or August in Port Charles?) Osiris himself would be at home. He takes off his jacket, and sits on a crate, when Yohan arrives. Victor says he’s impressed. He didn’t think Yohan would be amenable to this kind of climate. Yohan says he can handle the heat, and Victor says, the question is, can Peter August? Yohan says, their man reports that Anna Devane has arrived overseas with Detective Falconari, and Drew Cain. Victor says, then their man needs to solve this problem right now. He wants Peter August dead. Is that understood? Yohan says, completely, and Victor says, good, and tell their man, Anna and Dante are expendable. If they get in the way, he shouldn’t hesitate to eliminate them, but Drew Cain is much too valuable to him to lose.

Britt says she believes Austin has rounds, and suggests he get back to them. He says, helping find Maxie isn’t interfering with his patient care, and she says, it might interfering with finding Maxie. Let the professionals do their job; they’ll keep him posted. He starts to leave, and Sam tells him that he doesn’t have to worry. Dante, Drew, and Anna will bring Maxie home. He says he hopes she’s right, and leaves. Obrecht says she shares Sam’s faith, but must remind her that, at one point or another, that schwein Henrik has outmaneuvered them all, herself included. Britt says, which is not easy to do, and Obrecht says, if Peter really is the severed branch from Cesar’s poisoned tree, believe me, he will not go down without a fight.

Malone says, if the book is any indication at all, the farm should be located somewhere here in the mountains. She points to the screen again. Agent Kreger’s phone rings, and it’s Yohan, who says, their mutual friend would like to know if he’s located the gentleman. Kreger goes out in the hall, and says, let’s just say he knows where to find him. Yohan tells him, just do what you have to do, and Kreger asks if there’s any additional instructions. Yohan says, Devane and Falconari are expendable; Drew Cain must not be harmed. Kreger says, that complicates things, and Yohan says Kreger is paid to handle complications. Get it done. Anna says, Peter is so arrogant, he won’t be able to resist proving he’s one step ahead of them, and he’s left them a clue, one that he thinks only he knows. It will link him to the farm, and that’s what they have to find.

The flight attendant says they’re about to land, and Felicia smiles. We see a map showing versteckte Wiese on her tablet.

Peter comes in as Maxie is looking at a map. He asks if she’s planning a hike, and she says she was thinking they might take a walk, and talk some more. He says, what a lovely idea, but he’s afraid it will have to wait until tomorrow. It’s getting dark soon. That’s when the wolves come out.

On Monday, Trina says she’s been keeping something from Josslyn; Spencer asks Nikolas to join him; Maxie says, all Peter will get is the truth from now on; and Dante says, they’re back to square one, and that can’t happen.

🩺 Yikes…

Glad to hear one of our National Treasures will be okay.

🏥 Coming Back…

Weird how he has the same name as a head writer. How common could it be? It’s not like Joe Smith or something.

💘 Terry’s Valentine…

I’m hoping it works out with Chet.

💎 Recovery Time…

I needed to get myself together after just watching it.

🧂 Not So ShahMazing…

It’s not a good sign to be the last one standing. Unless you’re playing Squid Game.

🐹 Hamster Wheel…

Out of one suit and into another. And I don’t mean the kind they sell at Brook’s Brothers.

📠 Progressive Vetting…

Oh please. Like it’s that hard to look up stuff about people.

🍸 No Way To Live…

I’m surprised being on the show didn’t give her an eating disorder.

https://people.com/health/vanderpump-rules-ariana-madix-had-a-full-blown-eating-disorder-when-she-joined-the-show/

🛥 I Really, Really Liked Him…

He’s one of my favorite Below Deck yachties of all time. I’m glad he’s met his match.

https://extratv.com/2022/02/09/below-deck-star-josiah-carter-engaged-to-longtime-bf/

🦘 Deck Down Under…

The latest in the franchise. There will still be no one like Captain Lee. Ever.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1319902/heres-your-first-look-at-the-below-deck-down-under-trailer-and-the-sexy-new-captain

🏈 Bowling For Memes…

Best memes of the Super Bowl.

https://www.stadiumtalk.com/s/super-bowl-memes-cfc7e6b3e6064775

💡 Quotes of the Week

I’m not concerned with facts. Not if they interfere with my beliefs. – Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski), The Gilded Age

A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t. – Jack Dempsey (Apparently, I’m a champion every morning.)

Sodies are bad. – Amy Slaton, 1000-Lb. Sisters

What I did or said should never be more important than why I did it or said it.Andrea Kelly

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. – Confucius

If exhausted from severe and long-continued thought, he had to touch the earth again to renew his strength. When this weariness set in he would stop thought, and get down with a little dog or kitten to recover. – William Herndon, Abraham Lincoln‘s business partner

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error. – Andrew Jackson

It’s amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. – Harry S. Truman

99% of failures come from people who make excuses. – George Washington

Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. – Thomas Jefferson (And today, they might be.)

By leadership we mean the art of getting someone else to do something that you want done because he wants to do it, not because your position of power can compel him to do it. – Dwight D. Eisenhower

🧱 Another Brick In the Wall…

The Walking Dead is back with the next part of its final season, so join me in what will no doubt be the wee hours of Monday. Or that day when you used to report to work after the weekend, for those no longer punching the clock. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping it real, and stay wary of great-uncles bearing protection.

December 21, 2021 – Laura Lights the Rice Plaza Tree, Charlotte Looks Different & Never

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the MetroCourt, Violet plays with a snowglobe, and tells Finn that she loves making the snow fall. He says, it was a very thoughtful gift from her Uncle Chase, and she asks where Anna is; she wants to show her. Finn says, she’ll be here. She’s almost never late. Violet folds her arms, and says, she was late for his wedding, and he says she’s right. Anna runs in, and kisses Violet, saying, she hopes she’s not late. Is she? Violet and Finn laugh.

Drew walks into Kelly’s, and Elizabeth goes to him. She says she heard he was back. She heard he was alive. He says he’s so happy to see her, and hugs her. Sitting at the counter, Trina smiles.

Brook tells Bailey that she loves the little tree. She knows it’s smaller than the rest of them in the house, but there’s something charming about it. Maybe it’s because it’s the one Drew decorated with his daughter. This time next year, Bailey will be celebrating Christmas with Maxie. She’ll be fine… just fine. Valentin knocks, and asks if they can come in. Charlotte has a gift for Bailey. (Please note, new Charlotte. See below.)

Outside Kelly’s, Nikolas tells Trina, beautiful scarf. Knowing her taste in art, he’s not surprised.

Ava orders a vodka martini at Charlie’s; dirty, healthy. Victor puts his shopping bag down on the chair next to her, and says, make that two.

Dressed like an elf, Spencer tells the kids at the hospital that it looks like they’re ready to meet Santa Clause. He’s going to be here soon. He tells Cameron that he’s all for costumes. Cameron should have seen his wardrobe when he played Hamlet, but he’s feeling more preppie than Santa’s helper right now. Cameron says he’s got to get into the holiday spirit. Just be grateful he’s missing his shift at Kelly’s to volunteer. Spencer says he needs to find something else to motivate him, when Esme comes out, and twirls around in her short elf dress. She asks if he likes her outfit, and he says he thinks he knows what he wants for Christmas. She says, that depends on if he’s nice or naughty, and Lucy joins them. She tells them, places please. Santa is about to appear. They get in position, and Lucy tells the kids, guess what time it is? May I introduce, direct from the North Pole, the one and only Santa Clause. Doc comes out in a Santa suit, and says, ho-ho-ho! Merry Christmas! He wants to know what everyone wants in their stockings or under the tree. Laura comes in, and says, hey, Santa, got anything in that bag for me?

Finn says, Anna is right on time. Isn’t she, Violet? He winks at Violet, and she says, right on time. She shows Anna the snowglobe, and says, look what happens when you shake it. Anna says, it’s so magical, isn’t it? Her daddy is so good at finding things like this. Violet says her Uncle Chase gave it to her, and Finn says, Chase is a good guy. What he did was book the special holiday tea for two. He knows how much they love high tea, so he’s leaving Violet with Anna, but will be back in plenty of time to take her to the tree lighting in Rice Plaza. Violet asks why he doesn’t stay; it will be more fun with the three of them. Please.

Lucy tells Laura, that was certainly a splashy entrance. Welcome back, but Santa has a job to do. Doc says, the kids will be fine for another five minutes, and puts his arm around Laura. He says he’s thrilled to see her, but why didn’t she let him know she was coming home? She thanks the woman Victor called Mayor Ashley, whose name is apparently Eileen, for minding the store while she was gone. Eileen says, it’s a gift to the people of Port Charles to have Laura back, and leaves.

Drew asks Elizabeth how Jake is doing. He’s been thinking about Jake because of Jason. He’s got to be having a hard time. She says, Jason’s death hit him really hard. Even though he wasn’t a hands on day-to-day dad, Jason was still a presence in Jake’s life. Jake always knew he was there, and now he’s not. He says he wouldn’t blame Jake, or her for that matter, for resenting him because Jason died trying to save his life. She says, Jason was the kind of man who always ran toward danger, not away from it. He died a hero. Even if Jake can’t appreciate it right now, one day he’ll see the amazing legacy his dad left for him. It’s just really bad timing; almost a year to the day the boys lost their stepdad. He says, that’s a lot of loss, the kind that makes kids grow up fast, probably too fast, and she says, it’s been rough. What about him? Not only did he lose Jason, he and Franco were close when they were boys. He says, it’s a lot to wrap his head around. He’s incredibly grateful to be home with his daughter, but to lose Jason and Franco, it’s a lot.

Valentin tells Brook, relax; it’s just a friendly visit. He and Charlotte have discussed it, and Charlotte knows Bailey was never his daughter. Charlotte says, Bailey’s not her sister, but that doesn’t mean she’s stopped loving her. Funny thing is, when papa first told her that she was going to be a big sister, she wasn’t excited. She didn’t like the idea of having to share her father. But then, Bailey was born, and she couldn’t help but fall in love with her. Brook says she knows the feeling. Bailey is just lighting up at the sound of Charlotte’s voice; Valentin’s too. Charlotte says, she bought this when she thought Bailey was her sister, and still wants her to have it.

Trina says she’s sorry, but she doesn’t have time to talk to Nikolas. She has to get back to campus. He says, please. Just five minutes. That’s all he’s asking. She asks what he wants, and he says, Ava values her judgement. He has a choice to make, and he’s not sure which is the right one for Ava’s Christmas present. He takes out two boxes, and says, the emeralds or the rubies. He shows her two bracelets, and asks, which one says Ava?

Ava says she’s changed her mind; forget the drink. Victor says, not on his account. He wishes she wouldn’t. After all, it is a festive season and they are family. Shouldn’t they be getting to know each other a little better? She asks if he followed her there, and he says he did. He’s not going to lie. He was going to drop by Windymere and leave these gifts under the tree, but since his last reception there, he thought maybe he could just leave them with her.

Laura says she’s glad to be back with her family, and wants to hear about Cameron’s freshman year at PCU. And Spencer… She hugs him, and he says he knows; he’s a disappointment. She says, not at all. Doc told her that Spencer made some mistakes, and he’s taking responsibility for his actions. She’s proud of him for that. Esme tells Laura, welcome back. She’s not sure if Laura remembers her, but Laura says, how could she forget her grandson’s special someone? Lucy comes back, and says she loves family reunions, but just a gentle reminder, there’s a line of kids waiting to see Santa. So could they hurry up a bit? She’s going to pass out Deception samples to the parents to buy time. Could Cameron, Spencer, and Esme entertain them? Juggle, throw things, just do something to make them happy. The elves leave, and Doc tells Laura, he hates to disappoint anyone, but Santa could use some one-on-one time with Mrs. Clause. She says, her too, so she brought Santa’s understudy. She motions with her hand, and another Santa comes out, saying, ho-ho-ho, and a bowl full of jelly and all that. It’s Martin, and he tells Doc to beat it. He’s got this.

Violet asks Finn if she can go see the gingerbread house. It’s even bigger than last year. He says, it is, and tells her to go have a look, but don’t touch. She leaves, and he calls out that he’s watching her. Anna says, come on. Violet knows better than to stick her finger in the gingerbread, especially since she has him wrapped around it. He says he’s not going to try denying it. His daughter found a place in his heart he never knew existed. She says, it’s lovely to see. He’s made a lovely home for her. He says Violet has given him more than he could ever give back to her, and she says, that’s what kids do. No one is ever going to replace Robin for her. But they do grow up and have children of their own, and sometimes even their own Christmas tree. He asks if she’s trying to make him sad thinking about Violet as an adult, and she says, it’s inevitable, whether he likes it or not. It makes her wonder, who’s going to sit by the fire with Finn on those long winter nights? Or has he already found her?

Elizabeth says she knows if Franco were here, he’d say Drew repaid him ten times over for him protecting Drew when they were little boys. He says, all he did was offer his friendship, and she says, to most people, Franco was still an outsider, and Drew always treated him with respect and kindness, and that was everything. Drew says he’s just sorry he got stuck in that prison in Crete. Maybe if he’d escaped earlier, he could have stopped Peter from doing his worst. The boys would still have their stepdad, and Jake would still have his father. She says, at least he’s back home, and it’s over, thank goodness, and he says, it’s his fault for looking backwards. He told himself that in coming home, he would not be a prisoner of the past. She says, sounds like a very smart idea, and he says, what about her? Is it too soon, or is she ready to turn the page and find someone special?

Brook asks Charlotte to put the gift under the big tree in the foyer. She’ll make sure Bailey gets it Christmas morning. Valentin says, they have another gift as well, and puts a bottle of champagne on the kitchen island. Brook says he didn’t have to do that, and he says he didn’t. It’s for Monica from Yuri. Brook says, how sweet. She guesses Yuri didn’t realize, Monica doesn’t drink. Charlotte asks if she can give Bailey a ride in her stroller. She promises not to go too fast. Brook says, sure. She thinks Bailey would like that. Charlotte says she’s going to show Bailey the big tree and teach her how to say Merry Christmas in French. She takes Bailey out in the stroller, and Valentin thanks Brook for letting her spend time with Bailey. She’s putting on a brave face, but it hasn’t been easy for her letting go. Brook says she knows the feeling, and he asks if she’s sad. He doesn’t know why, because this Christmas, she has everything she could ask for, doesn’t she?

Trina tells Nikolas, if money’s not an option, don’t break up the set. Nothing says Christmas like red and green. Nikolas says Trina not only has Ava’s taste, but her nerve. No wonder Ava likes her so much. And she’s right. Ava can wear one on Christmas, and the other on New Year’s Eve. He thanks her, and starts to leave, but Trina says, wait. He said there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Ava, so why can’t he do the same for Spencer?

Victor is glad Ava didn’t cancel her drink. He doesn’t blame her for being skeptical, but the best Christmas gift he has isn’t in the shopping bags. Ava says, he’s leaving town? and he laughs, saying, she’ll have to wait and see. It’s a surprise, but if it brings peace and good will to men, it’s the perfect gift for the whole family. Unless of course (🍷) she thinks it’s in Nikolas’s best interest, and her own, for Spencer to remain at odds with his father. She says, that’s between Nikolas and Spencer, and he says she knows better than that. Nikolas is torn between his love for his wife and his love for his son. He’d hoped she could see past Spencer’s transgressions. Chalk his theatrics up to being part of his Cassadine DNA. She says, he used her little girl. That’s more than a transgression as far as she’s concerned. He says, call it a mistake, call it a bad decision, but that young man has a lot of potential. The real crime is letting it go to waste. From where he sees it, it’s up to his elders to do what’s best for him. She says, the way he did his best for Hayden and her mother?

Spencer tells the kids to be good while they’re in line. It’s almost time, and they don’t want to be added to the naughty list this late in the year. Cameron says, it seems like Spencer’s talents are being wasted at Kelly’s. He has a bright future as a traffic cop. Esme says he heard what Mayor Collins said; Spence has a bright future ahead of him. Spencer says, if Victor comes through for him, she might be right, and Cameron asks what he means. Lucy comes by, and says, will they look at Doc. He’s really giving it his all. She thinks this is the best year ever. Cameron says, she should know that… and Lucy says, treats. They’re almost out of Christmas goodies. Could they dash over to Kelly’s and grab a few, in case the kids want to stampede? Anything. Candy canes would be really nice. They leave, and Lucy watches Santa, smiling.

Doc and Laura kiss, and she says, why Santa, what’s come over you? He says, Rudolph’s nose isn’t the only thing that glows, and she laughs. She says she still has her civic duty to do. She has to light up the community Christmas tree, and he says, he knows, but how is it that she was able to come home now, after all this time? She says, as it turns out, the safe house – she closes the blind on the door – wasn’t so safe. There was an attempt on their lives. He says, what? and she says, the FBI has the woman who attacked them, and they say it was just a one-off, and that there’s nobody else out there who’s coming after them. But yesterday, she took a little trip to the Midwest, and went to see Cyrus in prison, and confronted him. He swears he had nothing to do with this. He told her that he’d found God. Doc says, of course (🍷) he did; he’s lying… He’s not lying? She says she doesn’t know. He was really convincing. She can’t be sure, but Cyrus isn’t the only threat out there. There’s another one looming, and it’s right inside their own family.

Finn says, Violet is so fascinated with the gingerbread house, she forgot about her dessert. Anna says he forgot to answer her question, and he says, what’s the question? She says he’s a wonderful doctor. He could be a genius actually, but when it comes to his feelings, he’s a little clueless. She told him that she was really glad he and Elizabeth didn’t have Peter’s death on their conscience, not to mention any of the legal ramifications. It really is a lousy way to start a relationship. He says, awkward first date. In that sense, he and Elizabeth don’t have a relationship. She says, okay. Sorry. She misread the signals. It’s really none of her business. Finn says, in the spirit of full disclosure, that could change if and when Elizabeth is ready. She asks if he’s ready, and he says, are they really going to do this? Is that where they are? Exes that talk about their current love life? He doesn’t know if he’s ready for that. How about her? Is she over him? She looks over him. So is she seeing someone new? She says they were talking about him and Elizabeth, and he laughs, saying, now who’s dodging the questions?

Elizabeth fiddles with her wedding ring, and tells Drew, she has her hands full at work, not to mention, being a single mom to three brilliant, willful, slightly impossible boys. He says, in other words, there is someone, and she says, there might be if she was looking, but she’s not looking. Around Christmas and New Year’s there are so many reminders of Franco. He says, she’s doing it again, and she says, what? He says, what they claimed they wouldn’t do; look backwards to the past. She tells him, he said that; she never did. He says, her wedding ring says it all for her. Speaking as someone who knows what it’s like to love her and to be loved by her in return, whoever it is doesn’t know what he’s missing.

Brook tells Valentin that she’s emotional because of Christmas. Hasn’t he heard? For some people, it’s the most depressing time of year. He says, maybe for those people. They don’t have a beautiful daughter like Bailey. She says, don’t get her wrong, she knows how blessed she is, but seeing the hurt on Charlotte’s face… She just hates knowing she’s responsible. Believe it or not, she hates knowing what she did to him too. He says she got the ELQ shares, but she says she didn’t do it for the shares… She did, but it’s not the only reason. He asks, what other reason? Maybe it would make sense if Bailey’s father was dangerous, was a threat, and Brook lied to protect her. Chase is about as upstanding a man as she’s going to find, so what is her other justification for convincing him Bailey was his daughter?

Trina says, Nikolas once said he was glad Spencer had a friend like her, but he’s the one Spencer looks up to. His approval means the world to Spencer, and his disapproval crushes him. So while he’s giving out Christmas presents this year, why not give Spencer what he really wants; a second chance. Spencer comes by with Esme and Cameron, and asks what Nikolas is doing here. What’s going on?   

Victor says he takes care of his family. Doesn’t Ava do the same, whatever it takes? He’s no threat to her, only to those who threaten the people they both love. Ava says, he’s good, a little too good for her taste. She drains her drink, and says, if he’ll excuse her, she’s off to meet Nikolas for a little harmless holiday cheer. He says, the tree lighting at Rice Plaza. He’s headed there himself. Perhaps she’ll allow him to escort her. She says, she’ll be fine; it’s a short walk. He says, come on. They’re headed the same way. What’s that quaint phrase you American’s have? There’s safety in numbers? It may be a festive season, but danger still lurks behind every corner. She says, tell her about it. By the way, the British accent is a nice touch. He thanks her, and says he worked hard to achieve it, as he does everything else.

Santa/Martin tells a little girl that he’s not sure he can get everything on her list, but he and his reindeer will do their best. He tells her to go back to her mother and father. They’re going to need all the help they can get. There are no more kids, and Lucy says, finally, Santa baby. She sits on his lap, and says, guess what she wants for Christmas?

Laura says, so it’s true Victor’s been released, and Doc says, apparently he made a deal with the WSB, and traded information for freedom. She says, no surprise there; he’s a clever negotiator. He says, from what he hears, Victor has been ingratiating himself with both Nikolas and Spencer, and she says, that’s what she was afraid of. He asks if she thinks Victor is up to something other than reuniting his family, and she says, experience has taught her, when the Cassadines are playing nice, that’s when they’re the most dangerous.

Lucy says, wait a minute. There’s something very different about you, Santa. She pulls down his beard, and Martin says, do tell. She says, you are not Kevin.  

Eileen knocks at the door, and tells Laura, the tree lighting. Laura says she’ll be right there, and Eileen leaves. Doc says, if she’s right about Victor, maybe she should sit this one out until they know more, but she says she’s done hiding. She was away from him and her community for too long. Victor is going to think he’s untouchable, and she’s going to let him think that until she knows what game he’s playing. Eileen stands outside the door.

Brook asks if Valentin hasn’t done the wrong thing for all the right reasons. She was trying to protect Bailey. He says, is Bailey in some kind of danger? when Charlotte comes back. She says she helped the baby nurse put Bailey down for her nap. She forgot how much she enjoyed doing that. She asks Valentin if they can go now, and Brook says, don’t let her hold them up. She tells Charlotte that it was sweet of her to get the gift. She has something for Charlotte, but it’s on backorder. Valentin says, this conversation isn’t over, and she tells him, merry Christmas.

Anna says, Finn is right. She shouldn’t be asking about his personal life any more than he should be asking about hers. He says, so she has one, but she says, not at all. Since they broke up, she’s been halfway around the world and back, trying to bring Peter to justice. She’s had no time for anything else. He says, from what he understands, she’s been able to spend time with Valentin. He was with her on her search for Peter, and he knows she didn’t leave Valentin’s bedside after he was shot. She says she was concerned about him. He says, she knows what he thinks of the guy, but it doesn’t matter. He probably doesn’t think anyone is good enough for her. It would seem she and Valentin have been circling each other for years. Maybe she wants to take some time to figure out why.

Cameron sees Drew in Kelly’s, and Drew says, Elizabeth can’t tell him this is Cameron. Cameron tells him, do not say it. Drew doesn’t get to tell him how much he’s grown. Drew says he wouldn’t dream of it, and they hug. Cameron says he’d love to catch up, but as Drew can see, he’s currently in the service of Santa, and the North Pole is dangerously low on treats right now. Elizabeth says, if she knows Monica, she has Drew locked in for Christmas dinner at the Quartermaines, but if he wants to come by their house for dessert, Aiden’s baking up a storm. He says he’d love it. In the meantime, merry Christmas. Cameron says if he were Drew, he’d leave by the back entrance. He wouldn’t want to get caught between Spencer and his dad right now.

Trina tells Spencer that his dad was just asking her opinion, and Spencer says, about what? Him? Where he’s living? Where he’s working? She says, no. He was asking about a gift for Ava. Spencer says, of course (🍷) that’s what it’s about, because there’s no pleasing him. Esme says, Trina does have fabulous taste, and Nikolas thanks Trina again. He says, he’s off to see Ava at the tree lighting, and Spencer says he guesses Nikolas is going to see her. Nikolas says, Ava? Yeah. But Spencer says his grandmother is back. She called to let him know, and probably would have done the same with Nikolas, but she’s siding with him. Pair that with Great Uncle Victor, and Nikolas is outnumbered.

At Rice Plaza, Victor’s phone rings, and he tells Ava, this must be about the surprise he mentioned. He answers, and Eileen says she has news. She thought he should know she’s back, and on her way to the tree lighting in Rice Plaza. He says he sees. So they’re in for quite the holiday reunion. He goes back to Ava, and she says, problem? He says, nothing he can’t handle.

Valentin and Charlotte walk into the MetroCourt, and Anna runs up to Charlotte and hugs her. She says, Violet was just here, but they’ve gone to Rice Plaza for the Christmas tree lighting. Charlotte doesn’t want to miss that, does she? Charlotte says, they were just at the Quartermaines, delivering a Christmas gift to Bailey, and Valentin says he doesn’t think either one of them is in the mood for a crowd. She says she understands. Merry Christmas. It’s good to see them. They go to a table, and Anna starts to leave, but turns back.   

Cameron tells Elizabeth, GH is fully stocked with Christmas goodies. Does she want to go to the tree lighting? She says she’s on call, but go have fun with his friends. He says, she’s pulling a double shift? and she says, Christmas is the perfect time to make some extra money. He asks if that’s the reason she’s doing that, or is she hiding from the crappy year they just had? Just like Jake is hiding in his room, and Aiden is pretending to be happy when he really isn’t. That leaves him, happy with his girlfriend, but how can he be happy when the family he loves isn’t? She says, please don’t do that. It’s his first holiday season with a girlfriend. He should be happy, and none of them should be prisoners of the past. He says, if she really means that, there’s a way she can help with that.

Esme tells Spencer, just because his dad is going to see the tree with Ava doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy themselves. It’s not Christmas in Paris, but it sounds all-American and quaint. Spencer says Trina should come with them, and Esme says, the more the merrier. Trina says, what about Cam? Are they going to leave him deal with getting the treats back to GH? Spencer says, he loves it. Some people are just cut out to be elves.

Cameron tells Elizabeth, they both know the best way to let Jake and Aiden know it’s okay to be happy, is for them to be happy. She says she told them that, but he says she hasn’t shown them that. They’re following her example. Trina comes in, and says, good, Cameron is still here. He says he just got back, and she says, we’re going to the tree lighting. Does he want to come? Elizabeth tells him, go; be with his friends. She promises to think about what he said. He tells her that he loves her, and she says she loves him too, and he leaves with Trina.

Drew goes back to the Quartermaines, and sees Brook looking at the little tree. He says he knows it doesn’t compare to the huge one in the foyer, but he decorated it with Scout, which makes it his favorite. She says, Scout is lucky to have her dad back, and he says, back atcha. Bailey is lucky to have her as a mom. She looks sad, and he says, that was a complement. What’s wrong? She says, nothing a little champagne won’t fix. Poor Yuri got it for Monica. He didn’t realize she doesn’t drink. Besides, she needs it more than Monica.  

Nikolas arrives at Rice Plaza, and Victor says he’s glad Nikolas could join them. He and Ava just had the most illuminating chat. Laura and Doc join them, and Nikolas says he heard rumors Laura was home, and hugs her. Ava says, it’s so nice to have her back, and hugs her too. Doc says, amen to that, and Laura says, hello, Victor. For a dead man, his timing is impeccable. He says she’s looking lovely as ever. He just wishes he’d gotten there sooner. He calls to Spencer to bring his friends over. He has news to share. He just got word from the prosecutor, and may have found a way to solve Spencer’s legal problems. Spencer thanks him, hugging him and saying, he knew Victor wouldn’t let him down. Laura says, don’t be too excited just yet; she’s sure there’s a catch. Victor says, no catch. All Spencer has to do is change his plea to guilty, and perform just 500 hours of community service, make restitution to the victim, and here’s the best part. He’ll only have to serve 30 days at Spring Ridge. Soap looks all around.

Brook says, this will be a first; champagne from Belarus. Cheers. They take a sip, and he says, not bad. Can he see the bottle? He looks at it, and says, non-alcoholic. She laughs, and says, Yuri really does now Monica. Oh well. Beggars can’t be choosers. Here is to better times. They clink glasses.

Anna tells Charlotte that she just had the Bûche de Noël; it was so delicious, to die for. Charlotte says she was just telling papa that, and Valentin says she and Anna have something in common. Anna says, so it seems, and Charlotte asks if she wants some more. Anna says, it couldn’t hurt, and Valentin pulls up a chair, saying, have a seat. She thanks him.

Violet tells Finn that she can’t wait to see the big tree lit up, and he says, they say you can see the lights for miles. She asks if her mommy can see it, and he says, maybe; he hopes so. Violet says, but she can see it, can’t she? He asks if she means Anna, and she says, Anna is nice, but so is Aunt Elizabeth.

Martin says he hopes he wasn’t too much of a disappointment, and asks if Lucy will join him for dinner. She says, he was actually very, very good, and she was very impressed. But what about that belly and his beard? He says, what about them? They’ll probably guaranteed to get them the best table in the house. She takes his arm.

Spencer says, he’s going to prison? and Victor says, hardly. It’s a month in a minimum security facility. It was the best deal he could make. Trina says she knows a month at Spring Ridge seems scary, but think of the alternative; one to five years at Pentenville. Esme says they visited Spencer’s aunt at Spring Ridge. He knows it’s not that bad. And she’s interning there. They’ll get to see each other all the time. Spencer says, Laura is the mayor. There has to be something she can do to help him out here. Laura says, she’ll always do whatever she can to help him, when Eileen gets on the microphone, and says, happy holidays, everyone. Before they light the tree, she wants them to give a big welcome to their mayor, Laura Collins. Everyone applauds, and Laura tells them, may she just say to her family and friends, and to all the citizens of Port Charles, she’s so grateful to be home for the holidays. It’s a time for old memories, and new beginnings. A time when the world lies in darkness, only to be graced by a light from above. The tree is lit, and she says, may that light glow among all of them. Doc walks over to her, and she says, not just today, but always. Everyone smiles.   

Tomorrow, Chase says he’s all for that, Shawn asks Alexis if she’s ready to be surprised, Michael says that’s what he likes to hear, and Brando asks Sasha to come home with him.

👧🏼 Who’s That Girl…?

I was pretty surprised when I saw a new Charlotte. At first, I thought maybe she was a temp, and Scarlett Fernandez was sick or something, but when that happens, they usually have a voiceover telling you. The articles are vague as to why, but it sounds like it’s because the family moved. It’s definitely not because they’re aging her up, so at least I didn’t have to wonder who on earth she was, like I did with Spencer. It’s a shame though. Scarlett was very good. The jury is still out for the new kid.

🏃🏽‍♀️ Dashing Through No Snow…

That’s it for today, but join me tomorrow for soap and what’s going on in the OC. It looks like Bravo has movies on Thursday, and I think GH is a rerun this Friday (Christmas Eve). So until the morrow, stay safe, stay not letting the media influence your holidays, and stay always double-checking before you sit on Santa’s lap. Or not.

February 19, 2021 – Valentine’s Day In Port Charles, a Deletion, a Secret, That Analogy, Mary Tells All, Bethenny Brings Relief, New Miami, Coming Up, Global Info, Today’s Fact, XIII Quotes & Better

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

I missed the beginning, but here’s what happened. Port Charles is on a different calendar, so it was Valentine’s Day there. Cameron serenaded himself on his guitar, when there was a knock at the door. He approached the door, wielding his guitar like a weapon. Chase went to the Quartermaine mansion to pick Willow up, since she was there putting Wiley to bed, and he had an awkward moment with Michael. It got even more awkward when Sasha came by for her date with Michael. Then the awkwardness tripled when they found out both couples had reservations at the Port Charles Grill (the mysterious replacement for The Floating Rib). Portia went with Curtis to the nightclub to help him with his case. Molly and Kristina went to an office, where Molly said she was ready to make a commitment, and TJ was on his way. Franco and Elizabeth were also at the Port Charles Grill, where they overheard another couple talking about them. The couple talked about being afraid of Franco, and left. Franco said he didn’t feel well, when Nikolas and Ava also arrived, and Franco and Elizabeth told them what happened. Franco excused himself, and Elizabeth told Ava and Nikolas about Franco getting treatment. Jordan showed up at the hospital to question Brando, who had a bandaged leg, and Jason came in just as she was asking Brando what happened. At the hospital, Britt was impressed that TJ had stayed late on Valentine’s Day, and TJ told her that he hadn’t been on the schedule, and he had a big night planned. That’s when I sat down, and…

Michael says he figured Chase and Willow were going to the MetroCourt, so he made reservations at the Port Charles Grill. Chase says he can call and change his reservations, but Michael says it’s hard enough to get one. He’ll call Olivia. He’s sure she can get them a table at the MetroCourt. Chase says, let him know if it doesn’t work out, but Michael says, it will. Chase says, cool, and Willow says, happy Valentine’s Day… to all of them. After Chase and Willow leave, Sasha asks if she can tell Michael how much she hated that. Not because everyone wasn’t perfectly nice… Michael says, but because everyone was perfectly nice. She says, it reminded her of how things used to be, and he says, him too. While he disputes the tactics used, what they did, they did for Wiley’s sake, and he’ll never regret it. She says, neither will she, and he says, there are consequences when you give certain things up. Some things, you can’t get back. He’s afraid the friendship between the four of them is one of them.

Trina tells Cameron, it’s just them; open up. He opens the door to Trina and Josslyn, and Trina asks what he was going to do. Sing them to death? Cameron says, ha-ha, and Josslyn says he’s taking protecting his family seriously. Cameron says they should know how many threats the family has gotten since the article came out. Josslyn says, it’s the worst; notorious family members on the front page. Then you have to worry about vigilantes. She says she thought celebrating together might take their minds off everything, and Trina produces a heart-shaped box of candy. Josslyn says, happy Valentine’s Day, bringing out more candy.

Ava asks how Franco is doing, and Elizabeth says, he’s having radiation treatments. Nikolas says, that’s good, isn’t it? and Elizabeth says they’re doing everything, and praying it’s enough. Franco comes back, and Elizabeth congratulates Ava and Nikolas on their engagement. Ava says Franco is the one who convinced her to go all in with Nikolas, and Elizabeth says she and Franco are celebrating their second anniversary. Franco says, not everyone gets married in a jail cell. He runs his hand through his hair, and realizes it’s falling out.

Britt tells TJ that he’s off the clock, and asks how he and Molly are doing. He says they’re still going strong; it’s a big night for them. Britt tells him, then get out, and he heads for the elevator. He asks, what about her? and she says, her heart belongs to GH. He tells her that she’s changed a lot since her first go around there, and Britt says, bye. The elevator door closes, and she says she doesn’t know about that. She still has a few tricks up her sleeve. She goes into one the rooms, and says, sorry to keep them waiting. There’s no one she’d rather be with tonight. She takes off her lab coat, and poses seductively, and we see Brad in the bed.

Jason tells Jordan, he was just checking on Brando, and she says, how convenient. Brando was just about to tell her what happened. Jason says, don’t let him interrupt, and Jordan tells Brando, go on. Brando says he was about to meet Cyrus, when he heard a shot, and felt an incredible pain in his leg that took him down. Jordan says, and the person who shot him? Brando says he never saw them. He only heard them running away. She says, so he has nothing that can ID the person who shot him? and he says, no. She asks if that’s all he’s going to give her, and Brando says, that’s all he’s got. She asks if Jason has anything to add.

Cameron thanks Josslyn and Trina for coming, and says he can’t help feeling bad. Josslyn asks, why? and he says, aren’t they supposed to be at the dance? Trina says, without him? and Josslyn says, insane. Cameron tells them, he remembers last year at this time, and Josslyn says she knows the year was rough for all of them. She wants them to know she couldn’t have gotten through it without them. Trina says, her neither, and Cameron says, same. Trina looks at the Valentine’s Day banner hanging over the fireplace, and says, it’s falling down. Cameron says, that’s what happens when Jake insists on doing it by himself. He wonders where the tape is.   

Elizabeth tells Franco, Terry said the treatments were working so well, she upped the dosage. He says, if horrible is what she intended, it’s working well. He didn’t think they’d be testing the in sickness or in health so soon, and she says, it’s not a test. It’s life, and they’re going to live a long and happy one.

Britt and Brad put together Valentine’s Day goodie bags, and Brad tells Britt, this may be a new low; making Valentine’s for other people, when he’s received none of his own. Britt says, they’re sick kids, and it’s to make them feel better, so stop moping. She busted him out to have fun, not sit and cry about how lonely he is. He asks how she made it happen, and she says she told the warden that Brad needed a follow-up to insure the proper healing of the stab wound he sustained in the warden’s jail, and on his time. Brad says he guesses she wanted to see him because she needed help, and she says, of course (🍷) she wanted to see him. It’s only the most depressing day of the year, but if he’d rather be in jail, she’ll gladly alert the warden’s office. He says, this is exactly where he wants to be, and thanks her for making it happen. She says, he’s welcome, and he says he has one question. Does Lucas know he’s there?

Felix and Lucas are at the reception desk, when TJ comes by. Felix says, someone has big plans, and Lucas says, don’t let them keep him. Have fun. TJ says he plans to. Ciao. He leaves, and Lucas says, ah, to be young and in love. Felix says Lucas is still sort of young. What are his plans? Lucas says, nothing, and Felix says, he could change that. Does Lucas want to go for a drink after work?

Portia asks Curtis what they’re doing there again, and he says his client believes his wife is cheating with the owner. She asks, who’s the wife? and he says, 11 o’clock. She says, what about the owner? and he says he hasn’t seen the owner yet today. Portia says, let her know when he sees him, and he says, will do. He stares at her, and she says, what? He says, look at her, having a good time, and she says she loves her life; her job, her daughter. But every day she moves from chaos of GH, and dealing with patients, hopefully saving lives, to home, where she deals with Trina, who, as he knows, is dealing with an extremely difficult situation with her father. It’s a difficult place to be in. Curtis said he was over the P.I. stuff, but it’s like a little vacation for her. He says, well, all right, and they clink glasses.

Jason tells Jordan, he has nothing to add, and Jordan says, shocking. She doesn’t know why she bothers to ask any more. The ballistics report shows that Brando was shot at close range. He claims he didn’t see who did it, but does he have some idea of who might be motivated to do this? Who is he protecting? Cyrus or Sonny’s organization?   

Molly tells Kristina, TJ is done with work and on his way over, and Kristina asks if she’s nervous. Molly says, no. She’s excited, happy, and most of all, at peace. Kristina says it’s the perfect way to feel before a commitment, and Molly asks if she thinks Sam and their mom will be upset when they find out she and TJ did this without them. Kristina says she thinks when Molly explains why, they’ll understand. Molly says, as much as they love their families, and want a big celebration, doing it this way feels right. Kristina says, intimate and simple; she gets it. Molly says, no big fanfare. Just the two of them starting their lives together. The clerk comes out, and says, not if she has anything to say about it.

Curtis tells Portia, there he is, and she says, the owner? Where? He says, 2 o’clock, and she looks over. She asks why he didn’t say, at the bar? and he says, it sounded more P.I. She says, it kind of does, actually. She looks over again at the couple, and says, wow. He can’t keep his eyes off of her. Has his client asked her if she was cheating? Curtis says, she denies it, but his client is positive she’s lying. Portia says, that’s usually the way it goes. Maybe they’re friends, and just enjoy working together. She sees the woman run her hands over the owner’s chest, and says, maybe not. Curtis tells her, say cheese, and he takes her picture, with the couple in the background.   

Jordan says, Brando is Cyrus’s driver, or whatever his job title is, and Brando says, so? She asks if he did something to make Cyrus angry, or Jason, but he says he doesn’t have an issue with either of them. He told her that he doesn’t know who did it, and she says, whoever it was, didn’t want him dead, or he would be. Maybe it was a warning. Brando says, maybe it was random, and Jason says, maybe it was a gift. We all go 😮 since Jason said something other than he’s not talking without his attorney.    

The clerk tells Molly and Kristina, see what time it is? She’s about to close. Molly says, she can’t, and she says she most certainly can, and she won’t feel bad. Molly says her fiancé just texted. He’ll be there any minute. He’s in med school. Can’t she make an exception? The clerk says she has 20 minutes. If Prince Charming isn’t here by then, buh-bye. Molly says, come on, TJ, and wonders, where is he? 

On the phone, TJ tells someone, 400 milligrams, and gives instructions about a patient. A man comes up to him, and thanks him, saying he and Britt were so kind in caring for his wife. TJ says he’s glad she’s feeling better, and the man says they’re married 48 years today; they got married on Valentine’s Day. TJ tells him, congratulations, and the man says he hopes TJ finds that kind of love with someone special. TJ says he already has.

Lucas says, it’s cool of Felix to ask him out, but he’s not ready. Felix tells him, who said anything about asking him out? and Lucas says, Felix did. It’s not like they haven’t been here before. Felix says he thought they could have a drink as friends. They can ignore Valentine’s Day together, and not talk about their exes. Lucas says, sounds enticing.

Britt tells Brad that she hasn’t seen much of Lucas, and he asks if Lucas is working tonight. She says she’s not sure, and he says, she made the schedule. She tells him, let it go, please. He says he knows he doesn’t make her nervous, so why is her hand shaking?

Sitting at a table, Nikolas says he and Ava have come a long way, and she says, not exactly in a straight line, but she likes where they landed. He says, him too, and she wonders if it’s possible they actually found happiness. He says, not only is it possible, it’s happening. Welcome to the rest of her life. They clink glasses, and Ava says, it’s good. He says, the best, and a waiter comes over with a heart-shaped box for Ava.

Chase tells Willow that she looks beautiful, and she thanks him. He says he wanted to tell her at the Quartermaine’s, but it seemed… She says, awkward? She tells him that he looks nice too, and he asks if they should get a bottle of wine. She says, definitely, and he looks at the wine menu. She asks if they have a specific one, and he says he’s never heard of it. He wonders if she’s been hanging out with the wine guy, and she says she has, but not their wine guy. Michael had a tutor come to the house, and her head was spinning with regions and vintages. He says, sounds cool, and she says, it was. He orders the wine.  

Michael tells Sasha that Olivia squeezed them in at the MetroCourt, and Sasha says she’s surprised Michael asked her out tonight. He says, they had to start somewhere, so why not one of most fraught days of the year? He wants them to get to know one another again. No expectations. Just see where the night takes them. Does it sound good? She says, sounds good, and he tells her, if he hasn’t said it already, she looks absolutely beautiful. She says he hasn’t, and thank you. As they’re leaving, his phone rings. He says it’s his mom, and she tells him, take it. He answers, and says, is he okay?… Wait. What?   

Curtis tells Portia that he got some good shots. They put on quite a a show; they weren’t even trying to be discreet. She says, now he has to tell his client? and he says, it’s part of the job, and not the fun part. He shows her the pictures, and she says, not the butt grab. They’re not fooling around. He says, neither is he.    

Jason tells Jordan, the longer Brando is out of commission, he can’t do Cyrus’s bidding. Brando says, but he has to work, and Jordan says she thinks there’s more to this than they’re admitting. She’s telling them, she will figure it out. She leaves, and Brando asks why the hell Jason shot him. 

Kristina tells Molly, don’t worry about the clerk. She’ll take care of her. Molly asks, how? and Kristina says, what part of don’t worry doesn’t she get? Sit back, and go to her peaceful place. They sit down, and Molly asks if Kristina was surprised, and Kristina says, a little that they picked Valentine’s Day to become partners. Molly says, cliché? and Kristina says, traditional. It’s anything but them. Molly says they did it to give the day more meaning than greeting cards and chocolates. This is what it’s supposed to be about; true love. Kristina says her little sister was always a romantic. The clerk says their 20 minutes are up. It’s closing time. Clear out.

TJ looks at his phone, and says, this isn’t happening. Not one Ride Share. He decides to look for another app, when Jordan approaches him. She asks if everything is all right.

Ava wonders what could be in the box. She already has two beautiful rings, so she’s sure it’s not that. Is it a necklace, or perhaps earrings? She asks Nikolas, what is it? and he says, open it and find out.

Franco pushes his plate away, and Elizabeth says, he can’t eat again? He says, it’s okay; he’ll watch her eat. She says they’re going home. She’s not taking no for an answer. He says, thank God, and they leave.

Cameron can’t find the tape, and thinks Jake must have taken it upstairs, but says he has some in his bag. He bought a calendar to count off the days until graduation. Trina says, the days until they’re college bound, and Josslyn starts to dig in Cameron’s bag. He tells her, wait, and she takes out a paper. She asks if it’s for him. It’s an acceptance letter to Stanford University.

Josslyn says, Cameron got in? She didn’t even know he was looking at Stanford. He says he applied for early acceptance, and Josslyn says, amazing. Trina says, congratulations; she’s proud of him. Josslyn says, it’s dated over a month ago. Why didn’t he tell them? He says he doesn’t know if he wants to go, and Trina says, he doesn’t know? He says, it’s an amazing school, with an incredible soccer team, and Josslyn says, he’s an incredible player. He says, there, but what if he sucks at college? Trina says, what if they all go to college, and totally tank? Should they stay home, or worse, be scared? Cameron says he’s not scared, and Josslyn says she gets him not wanting to be away from his family. He says, that’s part of it, but it’s also them. It doesn’t feel done yet. Trina says, what? and he says, this. High school. He doesn’t know if he can be apart from them. Trina says, it does feel like everything is changing, and Josslyn says she gets that, but whether they go or stay, life will change anyway. That’s just the way it is.

Brando says he’s the one in the hospital bed; Jason at least owes him an explanation. Jason says, Cyrus was threatening Brando, and Brando was stuck, so he took Brando out of commission. Brando says, okay, Jason did him a favor, but he could have given him a heads up. Jason says, and risk having him flinch? This was the easiest way. Brando asks if Jason knows how much it hurts to take a bullet (I think he probably does), when there’s a knock at the door. Michael and Sasha come in, and Michael says his mom told him what happened. Sasha asks if Brando is okay, and Brando says, nothing a little rest won’t fix. She asks if he’s sure, and he says he’s fine. What are they doing there? Sasha says he saved her life; the least she could do was check on him. Michael says his mom was a little light with the details. Does Brando know who did it? Jason says he’ll let Brando fill them in, and leaves. Sasha asks, what happened? Does he know who shot him?

Chase tells Willow that he noticed work being done on the gatehouse. She says, a little, and he asks if it was in bad shape. She says she mentioned in passing that the kitchen could use an island or more counter space; nothing urgent. Michael did a full gutting and renovation, not just of the kitchen, but the whole house. It’s hilarious how he’s been spying on her. She points out something she likes, like a chair, and it shows up at the gatehouse. She apologizes, and says she doesn’t mean to be talking so much about Michael. Chase says she lives on the property, and she and Michael are raising a kid together. Michael is part of her life. She asks how his life is. How is he? He says, right here in this moment, pretty damn great.

Ava opens the box, and looks in. Nikolas asks, what’s wrong? and she looks at him.

Britt takes her hand away from Brad, and says she’s fine. Being Chief of Staff is a lot of pressure. He says, it’s Cyrus, isn’t it? She went to the trouble of breaking him out of prison; talk to him. She says, the less he knows, the better. She doesn’t want Cyrus going after him again, and he needs to be in the hospital. She says she should deliver the bags, and he asks if he can help. She says, great idea. Walking around GH when he’s not supposed to be there. He says, so it’s a no? and she says, a hell no. She tells him, keep a low profile. She’ll be back. Outside, she drops some of the bags, and while she’s picking them up, Jason comes by. He asks if she needs some help. I think, nooo. Are they going to get together?

Michael says, Brando never saw who shot him? and Brando says, whoever it was hit nothing major. He says they must have better plans than this on Valentine’s Day, and asks Sasha how recovery is. She tells him, as they say, one day at a time, and he says, nothing wrong with slow and steady. He’s sure they must have reservations somewhere, and tells them, go. Have a good time. He needs the rest anyway. Sasha says, okay, but she’ll be back. He says he’ll be there, and they leave. In the hallway, Michael’s phone dings, and he says, change of plans.

Willow says, it’s so great that Finn and Chase’s dad are getting along. Chase says he never thought it would happen. He feels hopeful that they’re finally becoming a family. She says, it just goes to show, damage can be repaired, bridges can be rebuilt… Chase says, and relationships can be regrown. It’s happening for his dad and Finn, and he hopes it happens with them.

Brad hears Lucas and Felix talking in the hallway, and peeks out through the blinds. Lucas tells Felix, let’s go grab that drink, and Felix says he knows a new place. Brad turns away.

Ava looks at a large bug in a display dome, and Nikolas says he got her something, but not that. What is that, a roach? She says she hates roaches, and he wonders if anyone likes them. (Maybe an entomologist?)  She says she doesn’t understand. Who would do this? Nikolas says they’ll find out.

Curtis tells Portia that he’s so used to going on missions solo; it feels good to have a partner again. She says, if he needs an assist, hit her up, and he says he might take her up on it. His job there is done, and he asks if she’s ready to get out. She says, um… and he says, look at her. She wants to stay. Portia says, maybe one more song, and Curtis says he’s there for it. One more song.

Jordan tells TJ that she knows he’s still mad. She made a mess with him and Molly, and she’s so sorry. He doesn’t have to be ready to forgive her, but if there’s anything she can do to help… He says his car won’t start, and he’s a half-hour late. Jordan says, it will be impossible to get a car, and he says, yeah. Would she give him a ride? She says, of course (🍷). She’ll even use the siren.

Molly tells the clerk, please. She bets he’s parking right now. She’ll go get him. She leaves, and Kristina says, look. Her sister really needs this night to happen. The clerk says, they all have needs, and Kristina says, maybe the clerk has plans, or maybe she’s tired and wants to get home. She gets it, but she wants her sister to be happy, so will this help? Kristina slides a few fifties across the counter to the clerk.

Josslyn tells Cameron, they’ll see each other all the time, and when they can’t, they’ll stay in touch. He asks if they think he should go, and Trina says, if he wants to. Josslyn says she heard there’s some awesome surfing in California. When she visits, she’ll teach him a thing or two. Elizabeth and Franco come in, and Cameron says they’re home early. Elizabeth says, Franco’s not feeling great, and Franco shows Cameron some hair in his hand. He says he’s going for Jeff Bezos, and asks Cameron’s opinion? 

Britt tells Jason, she’s got this, but since he’s intent on giving her a hand, does he want to help her deliver them before the kids are asleep? Or is he too badass to spread a little love? Jason. Almost. Smiles.

Tomorrow, Curtis doesn’t want to, Ava hopes the next present is from Nikolas, Elizabeth tells Franco that it’s just the beginning, Molly asks TJ if he’s ready, and Cameron says he has to do this.

🎞 More Davis, Please…

Just in case you can’t get enough GH, here’s something they left out.

🙊 Sonny Has a Secret…

I’m not sure quite what this is about, but it’s amusing.

👩🏽‍🏫 All About an Analogy…

Everyone weighs in on the analogy heard round Bravoland. While I realize Jackie could have picked something safer, what really bothers me is that many of them – mostly Teresa – don’t grasp what an analogy is. Is this some kind of collective stupidity?

Jackie’s not having it.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/18/rhonjs-jackie-goldschneider-defends-gia-giudice-coke-comment/

https://nz.news.yahoo.com/rhonj-jackie-goldschneider-says-shes-163354051.html

Marge has something to say, while trying desperately to be Switzerland.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/17/margaret-josephs-on-teresa-giudice-and-jackie-goldschneiders-fight/

Dina puts in her two cents, even though she hasn’t been on the show in years.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/18/rhonj-alum-dina-manzo-jackie-should-apologize-to-gia/

The lot of them react.

Oh horrors. Gia is suffering. Over an analogy. After her parents both did time for fraud, and her father has been shown to be an insensitive idiot over and over on the show.

⛪️ Setting Things Straight…

Mary talks about her marriage, her grandparents, and not being scared of Black men at 7-11.

https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/a34930757/real-housewives-salt-lake-city-mary-cosby-grandfather-marriage/

✈️ Bethenny Comes Through…

And Lord knows, Texas needs the help right now.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/18/bethenny-frankel-sending-aid-to-texas/

🌴 The 411 On the 305…

Too bad Mama Elsa has left us.

https://pagesix.com/2021/02/18/everyone-and-their-mother-auditioning-for-real-housewives-of-miami/

🌱 When Hamilton Finally Gets Old…

Disney+ tries to keep it fresh.

https://www.cnet.com/news/disney-plus-reveals-full-lineup-star-movies-and-shows-with-more-to-come/

🏆 Regarding That Globe…

Everything to bring you up to speed.

https://ew.com/awards/golden-globes/everything-to-know-about-2021-golden-globes/

📌 That’s a Fact…

The 54th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry was a volunteer Union regiment organized in the American Civil War. Its members became known for their bravery and fierce fighting against Confederate forces. It was the second all-Black Union regiment to fight in the war, after the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

You can read about them here:

https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/the-54th-massachusetts-infantry

💡 Quotes of the Week

You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.  – Navajo saying

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. – George Addair

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. – Nelson Mandela

The ultimate measure of a person is not where one stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where one stands in times of challenge and controversy. – Martin Luther King, Jr

Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it and never be satisfied. – George Washington Carver

We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated. – Maya Angelou

You are here for a purpose. There is no duplicate of you in the whole wide world. There never has been, there never will be. You were brought here now to fill a certain need. Take time to think that over. – Lou Austin  (And let’s hope it’s not to create stupid names for lipsticks.)

Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular. – Roy T. Bennett

Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly. – Mahatma Gandhi

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. – William James

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. – Jim Rohn

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night. – Steve Martin

🚙 Getting On the Exit Ramp…

It’s that time again. Time to wrap up the week, or cross another day off the calendar as you mindlessly eat another bag of your chips of choice. But the world is opening up more, so step away from the chips, and do something different. Get out of the house, and give the outside winter wonderland a try. Unless you’re in the middle of a blackout, in which case, you’re not reading this anyway. Until we reunite on Deck, stay safe, stay appreciative of what you have, and stay knowing that, no matter what you do, life will change anyway. That’s just the way it is.

June 29, 2020 – When Sonny Shot His Son, Randoms On the Yacht, Loving Reunited, Awards Times Two, Brock Steps Up, Not On Broadway & Good

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

The tribe has spoken. Today’s GH Flashback is from January 29th, 2010. This week, we’ll be seeing The Best of Sonny’s Children.

It was the day of baby Josslyn’s christening, and Lady Jane came for the occasion. Michael (one I’ve never seen) was concerned that even though he’d been christened, he wasn’t going to heaven, but Carly assured him that he’d been protecting baby Josslyn when he’d hit Claudia, killing her. Lulu was chosen as godmother, and begged Lucky (the Jonathan Jackson version) to come, because she had a bad feeling. Dante told fellow detective Ronnie that he wasn’t going after Sonny until after the ceremony. Ronnie didn’t think it was a good idea, but Dante said it was non-negotiable. Ronnie told Dante, the minute they were out of the service, the cops would be moving in, unless Dante warned Sonny. Jason told Sonny that everything was in place, and Sonny said Dominic (which he thought was Dante’s name) was smug, and had infiltrated Sonny’s organization, working his way to a position of trust, but it wasn’t a problem, since Dominic was as good as dead. That’s when Olivia walked in.

Lucky told Lulu, large gatherings in Port Charles rarely ended well, and the christening had the potential for disaster of astronomical proportions. Lulu wondered what he wasn’t telling her, but begged him to come and be her back-up. Dante told Ronnie that he wasn’t going to blow the arrest, but Ronnie thought Dante was stalling until a mole could warn Sonny. Dante didn’t blame Ronnie for doubting him, but said he’d changed over the course of the investigation, and was driven to bring Sonny down. He was motivated to make Sonny pay for Lieutenant Poletti, but was concerned about Sonny’s kids getting hurt. He told Ronnie that they were good kids, and Carly was a good person, and Ronnie accused him of only being concerned about the people on the periphery.

Olivia hadn’t heard Sonny and Jason’s conversation, and said she was there to remind Sonny that no one deserved being shot in the house of God. She said Jax had stepped up and made Jason godfather (irony!), and Jason said there wouldn’t be any problems. Lady Jane brought a maple tree to plant for Josslyn, hoping that one day she’d have a swing hanging from it. She said Jax seemed sad, and Jax said he was concerned that everything would come crashing down. She asked what he’d done now, reminding him that he’d promised not to keep secrets from Carly. Jax said Carly was the one taking action in having Sonny removed from their lives. Lady Jane asked for specifics, and Jax said she had helped in infiltrating Sonny’s organization, and Jax had used his connections when the investigation hit a snag. A warrant had been issued for Sonny’s arrest. Lady Jane hoped that Sonny wasn’t going to be arrested during the service, and said Carly might never forgive him. He said he was aware of that, but wanted to be honest. Lady Jane feared his animosity had blinded him, but he said his eyes had been opened.

Sonny told Olivia that her boyfriend was in the middle of the organization, but she told Sonny that she was safer with Johnny than with him. He wondered how safe Johnny was, and Olivia asked if that was threat, but Sonny said it wasn’t. Carly joined them, and asked if Olivia was there for the same reason she was; to ask Sonny to play nice. Olivia thought Carly might be the push he needed, and left. Carly told Sonny that she was glad he was coming to the christening, and she was proud they were still friends. She wanted to use the christening to bring Josslyn’s family together, both extended family and blood relatives. She wanted Josslyn to be surrounded by love, and told Sonny not to do anything to screw it up. Sonny said he’d hit a turning point, and this was the day he was going to dump the garbage by the side of the road. Dante told Lulu that if she was having second thoughts, it was okay, but she said she just wanted the day to be over. Elizabeth went to Luke, saying she owed him an apology. She’d promised not to see Nikolas anymore, and it was a lie. Luke accepted her apology, and she was surprised, but he said there was no percentage in raking her over the coals; she’d done a good enough job herself. She wasn’t his favorite person, and had dealt a lethal blow to his son (i.e. Lucky), but people made mistakes sometimes. You could get drawn in to a circumstance without thinking of the consequences; it was human. He told her, a mistake didn’t negate the good she’d done for Lucky and the love she’d given him. Lulu walked in, and asked what he was doing talking to trash.

Lucky went to the chapel, and said it took a tragedy for him to talk to God, but assumed God knew his heart better than he did. He knew he was supposed to accept things he couldn’t change, but wondered how justice fit in to that, and what he’d done to deserve this. He said it was hard to believe in God’s love, and wondered if there was a plan he wasn’t seeing or a lesson he was supposed to learn. He asked to be able to see more than just black. Jason walked in, and told Lucky that it was important to Carly that he be there. Lucky assumed Jason knew he and Elizabeth had split up and why. Jason said he was sorry, and Lucky said he wished he could assure Jason that Jake would be okay, but he had no idea what was going to happen next. Jax told a tiny Josslyn that he didn’t take keeping her safe lightly, and did what was necessary. He knew he wasn’t going to be popular, and hoped Josslyn’s mother understood. Carly joined him, and said Josslyn was a miracle, thanked him for making all her dreams come true, and said she loved him. Dante went to see Olivia, who said she remembered his christening. He told her that she’d kept her promise to protect him, and he loved her. Sonny called Dante, saying he needed to talk to him, and Olivia told Dante that Sonny had seemed tense; there was something in his eyes like he was sitting on something he wasn’t going to share with her.

Jason thought Lucky would do what was best for Jake, and Lucky said it was bad, and going to get uglier before it got better. It wasn’t fair to Jake for Lucky to dishonor his promise. Elizabeth thanked Luke for his compassion, saying it was more than she deserved. Lulu said she got that right, and Elizabeth left. Luke told Lulu that Elizabeth hadn’t been a solo act, and wondered where her righteous indignation was against Nikolas. Lulu said she was mad at him too, but it was still Elizabeth’s fault. Luke told her it didn’t do any good. It was a bad situation, but it was for Lucky and Elizabeth to figure out. For them to throw in their hostility and judgment wasn’t going to help. He said, judgment is like a boomerang, and sooner or later, it comes back and smacks you in the face. Sonny met with Dante, who wondered why there were no guards. Sonny said Jason was paranoid, and he wanted Dominic/Dante to take an assignment. A shipment was coming in, and he needed Dante to make sure he didn’t get ripped off. The shipment would be in by nightfall. Dante said, by nightfall he (Dante) would be dead. He suggested Sonny was sending him on a bogus security detail on a remote road, but Sonny said he would never do that – unless he’d found out Dominic/Dante had betrayed him. At the church, Olivia wondered where Sonny and Dante were. Dante told Sonny that he was getting whiplash; one minute Sonny wanted him to inherit everything, and the next, Sonny thought Dante had betrayed him somehow. Sonny asked how Dominic/Dante was betraying him exactly, and Dante said he’d wanted to give everyone one last good day, but Sonny had taken it too far and made a dangerous miscalculation. Sonny said that could be rectified, and Dante said he was arresting Sonny for the murder of Claudia Zaccara Corinthos.

Jax didn’t want to hold things up any longer, and the christening commenced. As the priest began the ceremony, Dante read Sonny his rights, but Sonny said they weren’t going to make it to a court of law, and drew a gun. Dante said Sonny would be adding cop killer to his list of crimes. When Dante’s body was found, Sonny would be as dead as him. Sonny said nobody was going to find Dante. He’d trusted and liked Dominic/Dante, and in some ways still did. He was smart and had guts. He’d gained acceptance from Sonny’s family, and Sonny had seriously considered making Dominic/Dante his successor. Dante said he appreciated the irony, and Sonny said it was too bad all of Dante’s effort was wasted. He asked if Dante had any last words, and Dante wanted Sonny to remember what this was about. Sonny had gunned down Lieutenant Poletti from the old neighborhood like he was a worthless bad guy, but they didn’t make them any better. Any kids in the neighborhood who were lacking, Poletti tried make up for it, and he was one of those kids. Poletti taught him to grow up to be a good man, even though he had no role model. Sonny had Poletti killed, while Sonny went on with his worthless pathetic life. Sonny was chauffeured around wearing fancy suits, while a man Dante had respected paid for it. He didn’t respect Sonny; he despised him. While Josslyn was being baptized, Sonny told Dante that he didn’t remember Poletti, but if he’d killed Poletti, he deserved it. Dante told Sonny to pray that his kids never saw him the way Dante was seeing him now; a cold-eyed bastard who would kill anyone to get whatever the hell he wanted. Sonny said, goodbye, detective, and shot Dante, as the priest told everyone, go in peace; the Lord be with you. He added, there was no more of a sacred bond than that of a parent and child. Olivia arrived at Sonny’s, and ran to Dante. She told Sonny that he’d just shot his own son, and Sonny looked pretty surprised.

Below Deck Mediterranean

At 8 pm, they aired one of those repeat episodes with never before seen scenes. Don’t let those fool you. You need a microscope to find what you haven’t seen before.

Three hours until charter. It starts to storm. Bugs comes up the boardwalk, and Malia runs to meet her. Bugs says she’s bringing the thunder. In her interview, she says she’s been working on a busy private charter yacht as chief stew. Malia introduces her to Rob and Alex. In Malia’s interview, she says they need someone to get the job done, and keep a smile on their face, and that’s Bugs. She loves everything about Bugs. Hannah tells Kiko, the pressure is on them. Malia says she has a package for Captain Sandy, and brings Bugs to the bridge. The captain says they need Bugs’s expertise and support. In Bugs’s interview, she says it’s not something she saw herself doing, and Captain Sandy is the only person she’d do this for. She tells the captain that she brought the storm. The captain thinks it was a shock to Hannah, but that Bugsy will pleasantly surprised.

Bugs gives Hannah a hug, and Hannah says, it’s mayhem. Bugs says she’s coming to help, and introduces herself to the rest of the crew. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s feeling apprehensive about Bugs. The last time they worked together, Bugs basically went out of her way to throw Hannah under the bus. We flash back to that, and Hannah says she doesn’t trust Bugs, and they won’t be friends, but they will work together. Hannah tells Bugs that she’s excited to see her back. They need a strong second. In her interview, Bugs says she’s going in with an open mind. She loves yachting and loves her job, and hopes she and Hannah can work it out this time, and balance out each other’s strengths. Malia gives the deckhands some instructions, and Pete says his stomach is killing him. Hannah takes Bugs around the boat.

At the preference sheet meeting, the captain says primary Justin is a financial consultant, and he’s bringing his best friends. They have a history of partying in Vegas, and are excited to bring the party to Majorca. Because the owner doesn’t allow dogs on the boat (for shame!), they need to find a dog sitter, and Justin may want to go on shore to visit. Weather permitting, they want a beach panic, and to do water sports. They’ve requested a five or six course tasting menu dinner. It’s pouring, and Pete says, this was not forecasted. Malia tells Alex, it’s hard deck crew to figure out. Rob is awesome, but Pete hates her. Bugs introduces herself to Pete, and says she’s Pete… No, wait. He’s Pete. The provisions come in, and Bugs tells Malia that Pete started following her on Instagram. She says Pete claims he’s a captain, and Malia says, of a tender. Welcome to her life. In her interview, Jessica is afraid Bugs is going to change the dynamic, but she thinks Hannah doesn’t like her, so it might be good. Rob thinks Bugs is cute, and Hannah is glad Bugs is on décor, since she hates doing it. In Bugs’s interview, she says her team entered tablescape competitions, and came in first. We see pictures of that, and Bugs says she gets it from her mom. She grew up around décor, because her mom owns a B&B. It’s all about thinking outside the box. She makes magic with some shells, and the table looks gorgeous. Rob and Jess sneak a kiss. Hanna tells Jess that Bugs is on service this charter.

The guests arrive with the cutest Husky puppy ever. The captain tells them, unfortunately, the weather is going to keep them on the dock, but the crew will show them an amazing time inside. Hannah does the tour, and then makes a call arranging for a dog nanny, explaining Justin will want to visit. In his interview, Kiko says he has a tattoo of a Husky. The nanny shows up, and Justin says goodbye to pup Scout. In Hannah’s interview, she says being stuck at the dock makes her job harder. The spotlight is on her and the interior. She tells Alex, the rain really screws things up. Bugs brings the guests a cheese plate, along with various other snacks. Justin asks Hannah if she can get them a table at Tito’s tonight, and Hannah calls for a VIP table. The guests do Belvedere shots, and guest Leon asks for oysters. Hannah says they couldn’t get fresh ones for today, but Kiko has caviar. Malia asks the deckhands if they have any cards for poker. Rob says there’s a whole poker set-up, and Malia asks if Alex knows how to play. In Alex’s interview, he says he played poker every night in college, and paid his tuition from the winnings. The gaming table is set up, and in his interview, Alex says he thinks Bugs is attractive. He’s an eyes and teeth person. If you have good teeth and bright eyes, he’s already in love. Lunch is served. Kiko tastes his own food, and gives himself props. Their surf and turf makes me sad about the quinoa and leftover vegetables dinner I had, so I eat a multi-grain cracker.

Pete text flirts with Lara. In Rob’s interview, he says he’s in an open relationship and getting to know Jess. The guests say lunch was great, and they’re ready for poker. Justin looks in on his pup through a webcam, and Captain Sandy high-fives Kiko. Malia plays bartender for the poker game. The captain tells Kiko not to avoid talking to the guests, and in his interview, he says English isn’t his first language, and he gets nervous. Just let him cook. Leon says he wants oysters, and Hannah explains they’re coming in fresh tomorrow. She suggests if they want something right away, to put it on the preference sheet. Leon says he did put it on the sheet. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s used to demanding guests, but there’s a difference between being demanding and being an outright a-hole. Leon says he guesses they didn’t read it correctly, but he knows it’s a lot for them. This dude seems like a reject from Welcome Back, Kotter. Hannah goes to the galley, and looks at the sheet. She takes it to show it to Leon, saying the only time oysters are listed is for dinner. Leon says, whatever; I was wrong. When Hannah is out of his earshot, she calls him an effing d-bag. Captain Sandy asks when Kiko is going to talk to Justin, and Kiko says he’s on his way. He meets Justin in the dining room, and says he wants to make sure they’re happy. Justin says he’s easy-going (apparently Leon, not so much), and Kiko goes over the menus. Justin says Kiko is already off to a good start. The guests get in the hot tub, while Bugs looks for tablescape stuff. Malia tells Rob that she appreciates him helping out. He asks if there’s anything she needs specifically, and she says he’s been helpful and respectful. He’s doing a good job, and holding the standard. She appreciates it.

Jess says Bugs’s table is amazing. Leon whines, these MF’ers start late. In Hannah’s interview, she says she’s concerned about Kiko’s timing, especially when the guests are already a pain in her backside. Lightening flashes, and it begins to pour. Justin asks if the others want to go to Vegas next week, but one of the women says she has a birthday party in Japan. Well, excuse me. Justin says, Kiko is killing it. The guests head for shore, and Hannah reminds them to call when they’re coming back. When they’re gone, Hannah radios the crew that the guests have departed. Malia says, copy that, and I laugh at the way she says it, since it sounds more like, thank God. Jessica and Rob hug. In her interview, Jess says, what’s not to like? He has intellect, abs, and a pretty face. She’s in trouble. Bugs wonders if Pete is the crew mess creep. Malia tells Pete, tomorrow is going to be a long effing day, and to make sure he’s on deck at seven. The guests party at Tito’s, while the boat is cleaned up. They leave the club around 3 am, and Leon calls, telling Hannah, they’re effed up. Alex says, oh my God. This is what we’re doing tonight?

The guests come back, bringing some people they met with them, one of them saying, they’re not in Sag Harbor anymore. In Hannah’s interview, she says they’ve brought randoms back to the boat. Some of them get in the hot tub, and there’s lots of drinking, mostly shots and rosé. At 4 am, they’re still going strong, and a giant magnum of Perrier Jouet is brought out. Hannah just wants to go to bed. Alex opens a load of Coronas. Justin finally suggests they call it a night, and Hannah calls for a taxi for the guests’ guests, who leave somewhere around 5 am. As she cleans up with Alex, Hannah says she effing hates her job. She doesn’t get to bed until after 6:30.

Port Adriano. Kiko says his body hurts, and Captain Sandy wants off the dock. She shows Malia that the wind is below 10 knots. In her interview, the captain says, at 15 knots, it’s impossible to get off the dock. They need to take the window when there’s a chance. In terrific timing, one of the guests gets off the boat to walk around. Malia radios that she sees one guest on the dock. Captain Sandy asks if Malia’s eyes are on her, but Malia says, she’s past the entrance. The wind picks up. In Jessica’s interview, she says, oopsy. The captain says, it’s back at 15 knots, and now the guest is back. Captain Sandy realizes Pete has released the wrong groundline, so they can’t just take off. She asks who told him to do that? and he says, Malia did. Malia hears, and says, negative. She told him to release the secondary groundline. The one he released should be the last one to go. He says he’ll put back her really important groundline, and Malia says, of course it’s not his fault. The captain sees the wind is at 20 knots, and says they can’t leave. She radios a crew that it’s a no go. Malia tells Pete that his sarcasm didn’t escape her when he said he dropped her really important groundline. He claims he didn’t say that, but she says everyone on the stern deck heard him. In her interview, Malia says, it not only looks bad for Pete, but it looks bad for her. She’s done.

Pete says he wasn’t being sarcastic; he was communicating that he was putting an important line back on. In Pete’s interview, he says working with Malia is a constant ego check. He goes over what he’s done, but he’s doing the right thing. He tells Alex that Malia is wrong, but you can’t tell her anything. In Malia’s interview, she says, when you’re stuck on the dock, it’s all smoke and mirrors. You need to distract the guests. Captain Sandy says she wants all the toys out, and Malia suggests they bring the guests to a nearby beach cove, along with some tables and chairs. The captain tells Kiko to make food for a beach picnic, and in his interview, he says, good. Then he can concentrate on the six-course dinner; it’s a lot of work. Rob asks Pete about covering the cushions. Pete says he doesn’t know, and he’s not asking. He doesn’t want to get his head bit off. Justin says, poor Hannah, and tells Bugs that they’re bringing the three girls and the guy who were there last night to the beach picnic. Bugs radios that there are going to be extra people, and Captain Sandy tells Kiko, team work makes the dream work. She loves sayings like that. Justin says he misses his son, meaning his dog. Malia tells Hannah that she has to get the dog back to the boat, so they can bring him along. The food is packed, and in her interview, Hannah says, it’s nice to have a good second stew, and she has to admit, she needs Bugs. Malia goes over to the beach with Pete and Rob in the tender, and shows them the cove. Rob and Malia begin to set up, and Malia says she’s done with Pete’s ego. He has the balls to talk smack about her when she’s not standing there, but not to her face. He knows what he’s doing, and just being an a-hole. She doesn’t give a f*** about his ego anymore. The giant umbrella she’s been opening suddenly gets taken by the wind, and takes her along with it. It crashes against a rock wall, which bends the spokes.

Hannah says they’ll do two tender runs with the guests. Malia sets the table, and Rob tells her that he likes Jess. She says, awesome, and they set up a canopy. The new people get to the boat, along with Scout who’s wearing a life vest, and everyone heads to the beach. One of the guests decides to do some golfing, and Hannah explains they can’t, since people are swimming there. In Hannah’s interview, she says she hates when randoms find their way back again. The food comes, and Justin gives Scout a lick of champagne, but of course you’re too smart to give your dog alcohol, right? The beach rep calls Sandy, and tells her that there can be no tarps or glass on the beach, and she relays the message to Hannah, saying, everything has to come down. Hannah tells the guests that they have to take the tent down and remove all the glass, including the bottles containing their alcohol. In her interview, she says she has legit 30 bottles there, and the tent is the only shade. She’s up sh*t creek with no paddle. They fill some plastic bottles with alcohol, but Justin doesn’t want to stay with no tent. Hannah suggests the guests have a swim while they pack up, and sets up a small pup tent. She tells Rob, it’s a clusterf***, and she wants to cry. Malia takes a picture of Scout and Justin on a water toy. In her interview, Hannah says, Kiko is screwed. She radios Kiko that the guests have invited other guests to dinner, and she thinks there are going to be twelve altogether. He says, six times twelve is seventy-two. In Kiko’s interview, he says, how is he going to do that? It’s crazy. He’s screwed again. He starts getting ready to make dinner.

Next time, Bugs gets in the hot tub, the hardest day of Kiko’s life, Hannah questions Rob about his open relationship, and Jessica breaks a finger.

🎁 A Wrap After the Wrap…

If Loving You Is Wrong will be having a reunion on June 30th (that’s TODAY) at 8 pm. But will Oh So Right tie up any loose ends?

https://tvline.com/2020/06/25/if-loving-you-is-wrong-reunion-special-series-finale-ending-explained/

https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=260843

🏆 And the Award Goes To…

Winners of the BET Awards.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2020-bet-awards-nominations-full-list-1300820

And a review of the show.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/bet-awards-2020-review/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

🥇 And More Awards Go To…

Winners of the Daytime Emmy Awards. Again I ask, where is Max Gail?

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/daytime-emmy-awards-2020-winners-full-list-1300771

💏 Supporting Scheana…

It looks like she might have picked a winner this time.

https://pagesix.com/2020/06/28/scheana-shays-boyfriend-pens-supportive-message-after-her-miscarriage/

🎭 There Are No Small Parts…

And right now, there are no parts at all until next year.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/06/29/broadway-suspends-performances-through-2020-amid-coronavirus/3278716001/

⏳ Is It Friday Yet…?

Technically, it’s a long weekend coming up, but for some of us, it’s been a long weekend since March. Hopefully, you’re able to branch out by now, but don’t be a Karen out there. Stay safe, stay considerate of others, and stay hopeful that by the time this is over, we’ll have a better world.

December 14 (really 13), 2019 – Excuses, Ava Decides To Auction a Masterpiece, Lucky Number Quotes, Short Cut & Almost a Carol

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What I Watched Today

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

 

🎅 As promised, Friday’s GH. Sorry to be a day late, but last night I did some Christmas caroling at a nursing home with a group of karaoke friends, and then made an appearance at a neighborhood holiday party. Since Yahoo Groups is closing, when I got home, I frantically scrolled through photos there in case there was anything important that I didn’t have. You know. Like pictures of other people’s dogs. Moving on.

General Hospital

Peter tells Deanna that he’s trying to ascertain the patient’s condition. The gunman wouldn’t be fighting for his life, if not for him. Jason walks over, and says, the gunman is fighting for his life because tried to kill two people. Peter says, even so, he’d like to know how he’s doing. Deanna says, he’s still in the OR, and Peter asks, what about Franco?

Anna finds Elizabeth drowsing in a chair near Franco’s bed. Elizabeth tells her that Andre just took Franco for an MRI. Anna asks if he’s still unconscious, and Elizabeth nods. Anna wonders if it’s to be expected at this point, but Elizabeth has no idea. Anna says, uncharted territory, and Elizabeth tells Anna that she just wants Franco to wake up; as himself or someone else. Whatever it is, they’ll deal with it later; just wake up.

Carly tells Sonny, she hates that Ava is at their house. He says, Avery was asking for her, and Carly says she knows it’s the right thing, but she still hates it. Ava comes downstairs, saying, it was a nice visit. Carly says, now it’s over. Time to go. Ava says, Avery is doing so well; she’s a fantastic kid. Carly rolls her eyes, and Ava thanks Sonny for taking such good care of Avery. He says he did it for Avery’s sake; the same reason he brought Avery to Shadybrook. Ava says she’ll never forget it, and Carly says she’ll never forget Ava trying to have Mike arrested for kidnapping Avery when he was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The lack of compassion is ironic, since Ava just got out of a mental ward she checked herself into. Ava says, turns out she was mistaken. She’s never been more sane.

Laura meets Curtis at Kelly’s and they hug. He says, it’s been too long. She says, work. Running the city would be so easy without it. He asks about the overcrowding at Pentenville, and she says there’s a mass of prisoners slated for early release, and her constituents are not happy about it. He says, it’s too bad they fill one of those freed up cells with Valentin’s ass. She says she hopes they can relieve Valentin of his fortune, and return it to it’s rightful owner. Curtis says he’ll drink to that, and they clink glasses.

Nina flashes back to Ava showing her Helena’s portrait at the gallery, and Ava saying she knows exactly what they’re going to do next. Jax appears, startling Nina, and he tells her Valentin paid him a visit last night.

Nikolas texts Jax; Pier 17 ASAP. He hears Valentin and Charlotte coming. Valentin is on the phone with Martin, telling him that their priority is the painting. He tells Charlotte to stay where he can see her, but she skips off, and sees Nikolas behind a gate. She whispers that she knows who he is. Valentin says, of course (🍷) the painting didn’t disappear. Nikolas tells Charlotte, of course (🍷) she knows him; he’s her secret bodyguard. She says she saw his picture on her grandma’s phone, and he says that’s because he saved her life once. That’s how Valentin knew he was trustworthy. She says she fell off the monkey bars, and when she called for him, everyone laughed. He says he has to keep out of sight, but she says she thought he got paid to help her.

Laura can’t believe TJ is thinking about getting married, and Curtis says, he’s gearing up to pop the question. She asks how Molly can be that old. He tells her, Jordan is on the fence. It’s not that she doesn’t adore Molly. Laura gets it. She likes Dustin, but… He says, they’re not thinking of getting married, and she says, they’re just in the getting-to-know-you phase. He says he thinks they walked in on that phase. She suggests they talk about Valentin. He’s dangerous, but no one has been able to pin anything on him. Curtis says, no one on the fringes, but maybe it’s time they took a look a little closer to home.

Jax looks at Nikolas’s text. He tells Nina that he’s worried about her because there’s more tension between him and Valentin. He doesn’t want her getting caught in the middle. She says she’s a big girl. She can take care of herself. He says he knows that, but it’s escalated past that point. She says, things have been escalating for months, and Jax says, ever since he rescued her from the wedding, Valentin has been openly hostile. She asks if that’s what last night was about, and he says Valentin accused him of trying to bring him down so he can have Nina for himself. Nina laughs, and asks if Valentin was right.

Anna tells Elizabeth, it stands to reason that if Cabot – who’s half the doctor Andre is – was successful, the odds are in Andre’s favor to reverse the procedure. Elizabeth says she’s sorry to sound ungrateful. They wouldn’t even be having this conversation if not for Peter. She wouldn’t be waiting for Franco to wake up; she’d be burying him. Anna’s son saved her husband’s life.

Deanna tells Peter that she’s sorry, but she can’t share the Franco’s status with him. Peter tells her not to apologize. He’ll check with Elizabeth. Jason wonders who Franco will be when he wakes up, and what he’ll remember. Peter jets, and Jason sees Anna. He asks if they can talk, but not there. They get in the elevator.

Laura says, Curtis wants to bring Nina into this? She’s Valentin’s apologist and chief. She’s been making excuses for him for years. When she did manage to take her blinders off, she put them back on, and she’s going to remarry him. Curtis feels that Nina’s decision was uninformed, and Laura asks how much information Nina needs? Her long lost daughter, who Valentin hired, admits she’s not Nina’s long lost daughter. What a scam. Curtis says they know Valentin was behind it, but Sasha still claims she acted alone. Laura says, Nina is the only person on the planet who believes it. He tells her, if they present hardcore evidence to Nina that Valentin was involved, she would ditch him and help them. Laura asks if hardcore evidence exists, and does he have it.

Jax says he has no desire to take Nina away from Valentin. That would presume she can’t make her own decisions. He thinks she should remove herself entirely from the situation. He asks if that’s still the plan, or did her revenge plot hit a snag? She asks him not to call it revenge. It’s evolving, but the snag is the same. She hates Valentin’s lies, and wants to bring him to his knees as payback, but she can’t deny that he and Charlotte brought her happiness, especially Charlotte. Being part of that family has meant everything to her. It’s made the walk on the wild side worth it. When Charlotte came into Valentin’s life, it was like a missing piece of the puzzle. Jax asks how a man doesn’t have a child one minute, and does the next. Didn’t it set off alarm bells?

Nikolas tells Charlotte, she has to be in way more serious trouble for him to come. Valentin calls to Charlotte. He asks what she was doing, and she says, talking to someone. He asks, who? and she says she’s not sure. Valentin says they’ve had this discussion, and she can’t talk to strangers. She says, he’s not a real stranger, and Valentin says she knows how important this is. He tells her, they’re late to meet Nina, and have to go.

Carly asks if sane what Ava calls the slo-mo nervous breakdown she’s been having for months. Ava says she’s no longer seeing things that are not there. Sonny asks how she came to this breakthrough, and she flashes back to Nina showing her the ring, and saying, ghosts don’t wear rings with the Cassadine crest. There are only a few in existence, and Nikolas has one of them. Ava tells Sonny that she realized sometimes there’s more truth to a so-called hallucination than there appears. Donna cries, and Ava says she’ll let them get back to their lives. She thanks them again for taking care of Avery during this difficult time. She tells Carly, Lucas is a lovely person. She hopes he gets better quickly. She’d say Carly is in her thoughts, but then Carly might think she’s crazy. Carly and Sonny look at each other.

Jason and Anna go into a conference room. Anna asks, what’s going on? and Jason says, it’s Peter. He’s the reason Sam’s in prison.

Leaving a message for Jax, Carly says she just saw Ava, and she’s not at Shadybrook. She checked herself out, and Carly thinks it has something to do with their mutual friend. Call her. She’s rapidly losing patience. Sonny tells Carly that Donna is asleep. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she was just negotiating something regarding Jax’s roommate. She asks if Sonny believed Ava’s performance, and Sonny asks if she doesn’t buy it. Carly says, there’s no doubt she’s better, but there’s more going on than Ava is saying. He says as long as it doesn’t involve Avery. He has more important things on his mind. Carly asks how it went with Mike last night, and Sonny says, it was fine; they played dice. She tells him that Josslyn told her about the Joe Skully thing, and that Mike thought he was Skully, and thought Dev was Sonny. Sonny says it’s not a big deal, and if she knows the answers why is she asking? She says they can’t be in denial. They need to have an honest discussion about what’s best for Mike. He laughs, and she asks what he’s laughing about. He says she’s talking about honesty when she and Jax have been lying to him for weeks.

Nina says, Claudette a mercenary little snake who was married to her late brother, then had an affair with a priest. He’s since left the priesthood, and calls himself Dr. Griffin Monroe. Jax says he just met Griff; he’s in town for a bit. Nina says fast forward to Claudette coming to Port Charles and wreaking havoc on Nathan. She produced a beautiful little girl, who she first said was Nathan’s, then Griff’s, and then she disappeared. Then Valentin announced Charlotte was his. Valentin is this bachelor with an angelic little girl, and looking back, it’s clear she fell in love with the pair of them. Jax asks how Lulu fits into it, and Nina says, after his announcement, Valentin explained that Lulu was Charlotte’s biological mother, and Claudette was a surrogate. Jax says, and by the time the truth came out, Claudette was gone? Nina tells him, it was reported as a suicide, and he says, unless Valentin  murdered her. Nina must be troubled by that possibility. Nina says, no.

Curtis tells Laura that he has evidence. He puts the odds of convincing Nina at about 80%. Laura thinks it’s not good enough. If Nina isn’t swayed, she’ll run back to Valentin, and tell him what they’re up to. He asks if she doesn’t think Valentin is on to them already. What about the run in she had with the lawyer who asked about the portrait?  Laura says Valentin wants the painting as much as they do, and he says Nina is the closest one to Valentin. If there are any skeletons in his closet, she can bring them to light, and they’ll bury him. They have everything to gain, and not much to lose. She says, not for her, but Nina is a friend of his. It could put a permanent rift in their relationship. He asks what kind of friend would he be, if he let Nina marry Valentin after what he’s done? and she says he wouldn’t be the friend he is. Valentin walks in, and she says, speak of the devil. They can’t afford lose sight of the portrait, so if Curtis is going to make his case, do it fast.

At the hospital, Elizabeth tells Peter that she’s glad to see him. He saved Franco’s life.

Anna asks if Jason wants her to believe Peter is responsible for all of it. Jason says Shiloh chose his words carefully, but dropped Peter’s name, so it would get back to Peter and light a fire under him. Shiloh was threatening to tell what Peter did to Jason and Drew. They know Peter was at the original memory transfer, and Andre confirmed it, but he played a bigger role than he’s ever let on, and Shiloh knew it. Anna asks if he has proof, but he says, no.

Jason says he wouldn’t say this if he wasn’t absolutely sure, but she says he has no evidence. He tells her, he can connect Peter to Brice, who implicated Sam in Shiloh’s breakout. Andre ID’d Brice as his attacker, and it ties into Drew’s disappearance. Anna asks where Brice is now, and Jason says, he’s dead, but he was cutting a deal to give Peter up to the Feds. Brice told him that Peter sent him to eliminate Andre before he could treat Franco. When it didn’t work, Peter sent a gunman to try and kill Franco and Andre in the OR. She asks, then why would Peter stop the man trying to kill them? Jason says, maybe the plan went south, or maybe the plan changed, but Peter didn’t want anybody messing with Franco’s head. He didn’t want the wrong memory to surface and implicate him.

Carly asks what Sonny is talking about? Sonny says she was whispering on the phone, but she says she wasn’t. She told him that she was talking to Jax. He says, about whoever is shacked up at Jax’s house, keeping Josslyn from staying there. She says Jax is trying to protect her, but Sonny says, she’s a junior in high school. It won’t blow her life apart if she finds out Jax has a new girlfriend. She says, after the year Josslyn has had? and Sonny says, she’s lying. She says, he’s the expert, and he says he can see right through her. Tell him that he’s wrong. What is she up to with Jax that she’s afraid of him finding out?

Nikolas paces at the pier, and says, where the hell are you, Jax? He looks at Spencer’s picture, and promises they’ll see each other again soon.

Trina shows up at the gallery, and Ava says, there she is, her intrepid intern. She hopes Trina didn’t mind being called in on her day off. She thought Trina would like to see how the prepare for an auction. This is the perfect opportunity. Trina asks, for what? and Ava says, a payoff that’s long overdue.

Laura says it’s a treat to see Charlotte, and Charlotte says they’re meeting Nina. Laura suggests they peruse today’s selection of scones. They go to the counter, and Valentin says he hopes he’s not speaking out of turn, but Nina misses Curtis. Curtis says he misses her too, and Valentin asks how come he hasn’t reached out? Curtis says he didn’t think Nina would want to hear from him. Their last conversation didn’t end well. Valentin asks if it’s Curtis’s plan ghost her over him, or can Curtis see fit to accept their relationship, and wish her well?

Jax says he doesn’t buy it. There’s no way Nina would look the other way when it comes to murder. Nina says he’s right, but as it happens, she didn’t have to; Claudette isn’t dead. He asks who told her, and she says Valentin did, but she has more information. Valentin staged Claudette’s suicide, and payed her off. She took the money, and it would have worked if Cassandra hadn’t taken her to use as leverage. But Cassandra slipped into a coma, and Valentin freed Claudette. He asks where Claudette is now.

Elizabeth tells Peter that she and her boys owe him a huge debt of gratitude. The only reason Franco is coming back to them, is because Peter got in the way of a killer. He says he only did what had to do.

Jason asks if Anna doesn’t think it’s strange that Peter was by the OR at the same time. There are too many coincidences. Peter being in the wrong place at the wrong time too many times. It all adds up. She says, it adds up for him. He was Peter’s prisoner, held for five years, drugged and insensible, away from his family. She hasn’t forgotten. She can’t excuse it, but she can’t give him back five years of his life. Peter has remade his life, and he’s not the same person he was.

Ava asks Trina if she’s pulled up the caterer’s information. She wants Trina to handle the necessary arrangements. She’ll need waitstaff, and enough food and drink for thirty people. Trina asks if Ava wants her to work the auction, and Ava says, unless Trina doesn’t feel she’s ready. Trina says can handle it, and Ava says she’s counting on Trina. Tonight, the Jerome Gallery is going to host some of the most discerning tastemakers in Port Charles. They’re going to auction off some of their most iconic pieces, including their most controversial one. Trina says, not Heather Webber, but Ava says, no. This beautiful masterpiece, and picks up the portrait of Helena.

Laura tells Charlotte that she’s glad they had cranberry scones; Charlotte’s favorite. Seeing Charlotte’s bandaged hand, she asks what Charlotte did to it, and Charlotte says she fell off the monkey bars. Laura tells her to be more careful, but Charlotte says she didn’t think she had to. Papa hired a bodyguard who’s supposed to protect all the time.

Nina tells Jax that she has no idea where Claudette is. She’s probably off swindling someone else. If Valentin was as bloodthirsty as everyone says, it would be easy for him to make the suicide real. Jax says she’s back to defending Valentin, but she says she’s not. She’s sorting things out; the good and bad. It would be easier if she could be childish, and say Valentin has always been the bad guy who she’ll hate forever, but Valentin’s not just that. There’s a lot of good in him. There’s a lot of love in him, and he’s done kind and generous things. She’s weighing the good and bad, and seeing which one will win. Jax says, it’s levelheaded of her, and she says she’s sensing sarcasm. He says,. He hopes Nina sees that she’s better off without Valentin. The alternative is that she keeps rationalizing no it, until all the bad catches up with Valentin, and she and Charlotte pay the price. He leaves before she can respond.

Carly tells Sonny that Jax asked her to do him a favor. Sonny says, a favor she can’t tell him about? and she says, yes. He asks if she’s cool with that, and she says, no. She didn’t want any of this. It’s just something she has to do. He asks if Jax is blackmailing her, and she says, no. She found out something she wasn’t supposed to. If Sonny knew… Sonny says, knew what? and she says it would make it worse for everyone, including him. He needs to not push her. Let her do this. He asks if she doesn’t trust him, and she says she’s asking him to trust her. She didn’t choose to know what she knows, but she can chose to carry it herself. He says, so now she’s doing him a favor? Carly’s phone dings, and it’s a text from Jax: Pier 17. NOW. Sonny asks, is that it? and she says she has to go. He’ll understand soon. She leaves, even though he asks her not to.

Peter asks Elizabeth how Franco is doing, and she says, he hasn’t woken up. He’s having an MRI. He asks if Andre has made a prognosis, but she says, no. They’re in the super fun wait-and-see stage. At least it’s an option. She was afraid he wouldn’t make it through procedure. Peter says, but he did, and she says, thanks to him. She wonders if she should check in, and he says, anything that would offer her peace mind, he’s for all it. She says, you and me both, and leaves.

Jason tells Anna that Peter kept him prisoner for one reason; to kill Faison, which is exactly what he did. Anna says she thought he was protecting Carly. He tells her that he hates having lost five years, and that he was kept locked up until he was needed, but he put it aside and got his life back. Out of respect for her, he put all that aside, but Peter used Sam. He paid Brice to tell the cops that Sam paid him to break Shiloh out. Now she’s locked up away from her kids. It all started with Peter. He knows Peter is her son… Anna says she doesn’t know what he wants her to do, but he says she does. The question is, will she?

Ava calls Sonny, and he asks what she needs. She says she just wanted to thank him for how well he handled her recent struggles with Avery. She’s doing so well. She was appropriate concerned, but not frightened or upset. Ava thinks they’ve finally landed in a good place of co-parenting. Sonny says he’s glad she and Avery had a nice time. He’ll set up another visit soon. She says, that would be wonderful. Take care. He hangs up, and looks puzzled.

Carly waits at the pier. Jax joins her, and she says, it’s about time. He asks if Nikolas is there, and she says, is he supposed to be? Jax says Nikolas texted him to meet there. He says he got her message; what’s going on with Ava? She says, first things first. Sonny is on to them. He’s going to figure it out, and Jax is handing over the information Sonny needs to deport him. Jax says, that’s not a wise tactic, considering Sonny’s cousin is there illegally. Carly says, Sonny doesn’t care. He’s going through so much with his father, it’s affecting his judgement. Jax appreciates the warning, but he’s handling things. He’s in the process of cutting Nikolas loose. Nikolas arrives, and says, good. They’re both there. They have a lot to discuss.

Curtis tells Valentin, make no mistake. He’ll be there for Nina, Valentin or no Valentin. Valentin says, good. Make sure he RSVPs. Curtis says he wouldn’t miss it. At the counter, Laura tells Charlotte, back up a second. What does she mean, bodyguard? Charlotte says she’s not supposed to talk about it. Her papa hired him after Cassandra snatched her. He’s always around, but she never sees him. At least not when anyone is around. Laura asks if he’s there now, and Charlotte says he said he’d only appear if she needed help, but how did he let her get this. She holds up her hand. Valentin calls her over, and Curtis goes to the counter. He asks if something is wrong, and Laura says she’s not sure, but she thinks after what happened with Cassandra, maybe Charlotte has a little PTSD. She’s conjured up an imaginary bodyguard.

Nina apologizes to Valentin and Charlotte for keeping them waiting, especially Charlotte. She got in so late last night, Charlotte was asleep. Valentin says she’s been burning the midnight oil a lot at Crimson. She says she has a tight deadline and a lot of pieces to put together. She didn’t know Valentin was going to see Jax last night, and he says he was hoping for a meeting of the minds. He’s hoping she wasn’t expecting a truce though. Charlotte excuses herself, and Valentin tells Nina that he didn’t come away completely empty-handed. Jax confessed that his motives aren’t purely financial. He wants Valentin out of the way, so he can have Nina to himself. She asks if Jax said that, and Valentin says, he didn’t have to. Jax will never come between them, just like he’s not going to get his hands on that portrait.

Trina asks how much Ava thinks this horror show is worth, and Ava says, mid six figures. Trina understands that the painting has inherent value, but who would want to hang it on their wall? Ava says, it is pretty nasty, but the art business is all about marketing. Zero in on the right audience, and you can make a fortune. She hits send on her phone.

Jax looks at the dry cleaning in Nikolas’s hand, and says, really? Nikolas says Jax took his sweet time, so he did some errands. Jax says all Nikolas should care about is finding the ring. Carly asks, what ring? and Jax says, the one with the Cassadine crest. Carly says, the ring no one could possibly have except Nikolas? Ava knows. She just saw Ava, and she’s making all kinds of noise about seeing things clearly, and how some hallucinations are real. Jax asks if Nikolas knows anything about that, and Nikolas says he haunted Ava the other night at Shadybrook, but it paid off. He got her to admit she still has the portrait. Jax asks if Nikolas had the ring on his finger when he left, and Carly says, oh my God. Nikolas says, the situation is still salvageable. All he needs is just one more crack at the painting. Jax’s phone dings, and he says Nikolas just might get his shot. He shows Nikolas the phone.

Laura gets a text from Ava. She says, Helena’s portrait. Valentin shows Nina his phone. There’s a picture of Ava with the portrait, and underneath, it says, J. Garrin’s masterpiece is up for auction tonight. Bring your checkbooks.

Ava tells Trina, that’s what you call building anticipation. Now all they have to do is sit back… Trina says, and watch the money roll in. Ava laughs, and says, you wouldn’t know to look at it, but this is the kind of art people kill for.

On Monday, Laura needs to talk to someone about Charlotte, Andre tells Elizabeth that Franco signed a DNR, Jax tells Nikolas to stop interrupting him so he can make it happen, and Valentin says may the best man win.

🙌 Quotes of the Week

We really ended in places no one has a reason to go, not even reindeer!Mathilde Le Moullec, who searched for reindeer in the far reaches of Norway to track their recovery

Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. – The Red Queen, Alice in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. – Anne Frank

Perception is reality, and the truth is not.Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, in Lauren Greenfield‘s chilling new documentary The Kingmaker (What freaks me out is, I think a lot of people subscribe to that theory.)

There’s more beauty in truth, even if it is dreadful beauty.John Steinbeck

Sometimes, we are so attached to our way of life that we turn down wonderful opportunities simply because we don’t know what to do with it. – Paulo Coelho

If she has one more facelift, she’ll be wearing her ass as a hat. – Evelyn Harper (Holland Taylor), Two and a Half Men

🌃 Not Quite an Early Night…

Cutting it short, since I have zero cards sent out, and I’m not much further along in my Christmas shopping. I’d love to blame it on the late Thanksgiving this year, but the truth is, it’s my own fault. The wreath, however, is on the front door. So points for me.

🎄 Get Out Of My House, Kenny G…

Not exactly a Christmas song, but it was at the end of Bad Mom’s Christmas, so close enough.