What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Felicia and Mac say hello to Martin and Laura having dinner at not the MetroCourt. Laura says, Doc is going to be joining them for a nightcap later, and maybe they’d like to join. Mac says, count them in, and they leave. Laura says, Jordan told her that she filled Martin in on the safe house findings, and he says, she delivered the good news in person. Their dear brother is not behind the attempt on their lives. Champagne all around. She says she still doesn’t believe Cyrus’s religious conversion, and Martin wonders, does anybody? Which begs the question, if Cyrus wasn’t trying to wipe them out, who was? She says she’s narrowed the suspects down to one.

Victor comes into Kelly’s, where Spencer is cleaning up and says, reunited with his trust fund and still bussing tables? Spencer hugs him, and says, welcome back. Victor says, it’s good to be back, but why the manual labor? Spencer says, it’s his last shift, but Cam’s been good him, so he thought he should honor it. But now that he has a weekly stipend, his days of punching the clock are over. Victor says, good for him. It’s high time he found something more befitting his talents and stature. Spencer says he couldn’t agree more, and Victor asks, what’s it to be then? The whole world is his oyster. Perhaps he can find Spencer something in one of his businesses. Spencer says, perhaps someday, but right now, work isn’t his first priority, and Victor says, travel then, but Spencer says his first priority is closer to home.

Esme goes to Doc’s office, and thanks him for seeing her on such short notice. He says he only has a few minutes, but how can he help? and she says she needs his insight. Her future depends on it.

Trina lets herself into her house while on the phone with Josslyn. She says, that was so wild… hell yeah, it was worth it. And they finally got a lead on Esme, and if Rory keeps in on the DL like he promised, nobody needs to know how much trouble they… She walks in, and Curtis, Portia, and Taggert all get up. She tells Josslyn that she has to call her back.

Anna asks if Valentin will tell her the truth, and he says, always, but he can’t know until she asks the question. She asks if he’s worried that unless they’re talking espionage, they don’t have anything else in common, and he says, is she? She says she wasn’t until he went on this little fishing expedition just now.

Trina says, hi everybody; what’s going on? Portia hugs her and asks if she’s okay. Trina says she’s fine, and Taggert tells her, of course (🍷) she’d say that, but she doesn’t have to be. Curtis says, but they’re just as upset by this as she is, and she says, thank you? Taggart says, they’re going to march right down to that school, and they’re going to fight this decision no matter what it takes. She says, right, the Title IX decision, and Portia says, Trina can blame her for telling Taggert. She just really wanted to rally the troops for Trina. Trina says she appreciates that, but she’s okay. Better than okay actually. Portia says, really? and Curtis asks, why? Trina says she guesses she just feels better, and Portia asks, what happened between the angry text Trina sent her, and Trina walking through the door just now? Trina says, for the first time since this happened, she thinks there’s a chance things might work out in her favor.

Victor says, Spencer sounds like a man with a plan, and Spencer says, like Victor, he prefers to play his cards close… at least for now. Victor says, good for him. Never let them know where your head is at, and you can surprise them when you arrive. Just let him know if there’s anything he can do to help. Spencer says, he can count on it, and Victor says, in the meantime, where is Spencer living these days, since he accepted Ava’s bribe to leave Windymere? Spencer says, Victor hasn’t heard; Ava amended the deal. In exchange for an allowance, she’s asking that he stay at home. Victor says, Spencer has to be joking. What prompted this gesture of goodwill? Spencer says, Ava wants to repair her relationship with his father, and his father wants to repair his relationship with Spencer. Victor says, first round to Spencer as it seems. His birthright and his relationship with his father finally to be restored. He knows it’s a bit of a sacrifice… Spencer says, it is, and Victor says, the three of them co-existing under the same roof; it’s a small price to pay for family unity. Spencer says, actually, it’s four of us, and Victor says, he means Ava has agreed to let Esme stay? Spencer says, Ava has, and don’t even suggest Esme leave. He has very good reasons to keep Esme close.

Doc says, as much as his clients depend on him, he’s never been entrusted with anyone’s entire future, and Esme admits she’s prone to exaggeration, but she’s read how affective exaggeration can be in gestalt therapy. He says, she’s studied gestalt, and she sits down, saying, on her own. The class she sat in on at PCU is limited to say the least. That’s actually what brings her here. She’s been accepted to PCU in the fall. He congratulates her, and says he’s glad she found a direction. She says she has; psychology is her passion. He says, the undergrad program at PCU is highly touted, and notoriously difficult to get into, and she says, doesn’t she know it. The program requires an entirely different application process, including an intern case study. He asks if she’s hoping for help with the topic, but she says she’s already selected her topic; she just needs background. He says, if he has any expertise to offer, he’s happy to help, and she says, as it so happens, he’s the foremost expert on the subject. Her case study is on Ryan Chamberlain.

Felicia asks what they’re drinking tonight, because she’s thinking champagne, and Mac asks, what’s the occasion? She asks if they need one, and he says, at these prices, yes. She says, if living a little isn’t reason enough, how about their granddaughter Bailey’s clean bill of health. He says, just when he thinks he can’t love that little munchkin any more, she smiles at him, and he’s a goner. She says, same here. They should also toast to being grandparents, and together accepting that’s good enough for them. He says, more than enough, and wonders where the waiter is. She says, they should toast something else. Let’s raise a glass to the dressing down I gave Ryan Chamberlain today. He says, she did what?

Esme tells Doc, she’s hoping an essay examining Ryan’s attachment style and interpersonal drama will be enough to pass the program’s admissions panel. He says, that certainly sounds compelling, and she says she’s glad he thinks so, but he says he’s afraid she’ll have to write her admissions essay without help from him. She asks how she can do that when he denied her access to Ryan at Spring Ridge. Besides the man himself, Doc knows Ryan’s history best. He asks if she understands why he had her barred, and she says, to teach her a lesson. She defied him, for which she’s apologized… He says, it wasn’t punitive. It’s because proximity to his brother isn’t healthy. She says, let’s be honest. If she were anyone else… He says, it isn’t personal, and she says, isn’t it? He says he knows what his brother is capable of; his decision was purely professional. She says she respected his professional opinion, but his brother is a legitimate subject for psychological study. If she were one of his students, he’d at least share what he knew, so if this isn’t personal, why deny her the same benefit?

Spencer says, he gets the strong impression that Ava is hoping Esme will trip up, and give Ava an excuse to evict her, and Victor says, but Spencer doesn’t agree with that. He’s sticking with Esme. Spencer says, without reservation, and Victor says, he knows Spencer has strong feelings for Esme, and Spencer says, he has no idea. Victor asks if he isn’t the least bit concerned Esme’s continued presence at Windymere could hinder this reconciliation with his father? Spencer says, for two people who really don’t care for one another, it’s incredible how often Victor and Spencer’s grandmother are on the same page.

Laura tells Martin, Victor Cassadine; it’s gotta be. Martin asks, why? Clearly, she’s been a thorn in his side with Spencer and Nikolas, mother and grandmother worried about her loved ones, but does she really think that’s enough of a reason to want her dead? She says, it has nothing to do with family meddling, and he says, then what? She says she has nothing to prove it… and he says, don’t dare tell him that Victor is going to overhear them and sue for slander; tell him. He’s not going to beg. If she’s right, he nearly died because of the man. He deserves to hear any and all theories. She says she thinks he was targeted just because he was with her, and they went after both of them because it frames Cyrus. He says, so he was merely collateral damage? and she tells him, she wouldn’t say merely. He says he realizes he’s not supposed to be offended, but he is, and she says, come on, Marty. You’re a lawyer. Lots of people probably want you dead. He tells her, she’s just saying that to make him feel better, and she laughs. He says, still, if she’s correct, Victor had the minerals to take out the mayor of Port Charles. Does she think he’d risk killing someone who has that many high-powered friends? She says, it’s not like having high-powered friends did anything for Luke. He asks what she’s saying, and she says she believes Victor had a hand in her ex-husband’s murder.

Valentin says, Anna is right about one thing. When he gets nervous, he asks too many questions. She asks if he’s nervous, and he says, not in the slightest, but she says, is he? He tells her, look around. Nobody is pointing any guns in their direction. They’re not handcuffed to some chair, dripping sweat on some explosive device. They’re at a drive in movie. She says, they could pretend they’re worried about carbon monoxide poisoning, and he takes her hand and says, toxic gas is one thing; disappointing her is another. He hasn’t disappointed her tonight, has he? She says, despite his best efforts, no, and he says, do him a favor. Tell Felicia that he tried. She says, what? She’s supposed to report back to Felicia? He says, Felicia gave him what for, and Anna says, she didn’t. He says, she gave him a real beatdown for avoiding Anna, and Anna says, she’s right about that. He asks if she feels like he’s been avoiding her, and she says, not at this precise moment, but lately, definitely. What the hell has been going on with him? He says he’s had a lot on his plate; Charlotte and ELQ. She says, it seems like it was more than that, but he promises it’s got nothing to do with her. She says, that’s good to know, and asks what else Felicia said. He says, she asked about his intentions, and whether he was serious about her. She says, is he? and he says, very, kissing her.  

Trina tells Portia, she and Joss were trying to think of how Esme could have slipped up, and they realized there was an avenue of investigation that wasn’t explored. Taggert says, so she and Joss thought of something the PCPD may have overlooked? and she says, no disrespect, but they think like cops. She and Joss think like an 18 year old woman. Curtis says, she makes a good point, and Trina thanks him. Portia says, if Trina and Joss have found another angle, they need to call Jordan, but Trina says, they cops don’t have to be involved, not yet. Curtis says, because Trina and Joss went chasing down their own lead. Is he right? Trina says, don’t be mad, and Taggert says he doesn’t like the sounds of this. Trina says, Curtis is right. They found out about this guy who sells black market phones, and tonight they paid him a visit. Portia asks, where? and Trina says, this place called The Highsider. Taggert says, have you lost your mind, little girl? and Portia asks, what’s The Highsider? Curtis says, it’s a biker bar on the outside of town, and Portia says, Trina and Josslyn went to a biker bar? By themselves? Trina says, before Portia freaks out, they’re both fine. The good news is, they showed a picture of Esme to the guy, and he totally recognized her. Curtis says, and he confirmed he’s the one Esme got the phone from? and Taggert says, and he’s going to give a statement to the police to that effect? Trina says, not exactly. Before they could get him on the record, some creep manhandled Joss. Portia says, manhandled? How? Trina says, she told Portia, Josslyn’s fine; the bouncer took care of it right away. Portia says, so the bouncer took care of the man who accosted Josslyn at the biker bar where they were playing Nancy Drew? and Trina says, yes. Portia says, okay. She guesses it’s better than the bouncer not intervening. So he broke up the fight, and that was the end of it, right?… Trina? What happened after the bouncer intervened? Trina says, a fight broke out? and Taggert says, please tell him the police didn’t show up. Trina says, she didn’t get detained, and Curtis asks why she didn’t tell them what they had planned, and Trina says, this is why. She knew they wouldn’t let her and Josslyn go. Taggert says, damn straight. What if she had gotten arrested? How would that look to the jury? Portia says, thank you, and Trina says, she didn’t get arrested. She got a lead; a lead that can exonerate her and incriminate Esme. Portia understands, right?

Victor says, he doesn’t know why Spencer is surprised. All he and Spencer’s grandmother have ever wanted is what’s best for him, and once in the bluest of moons, they actually agree on what that is. Spencer says he appreciates Victor and his grandmother’s concern. He admits Esme can be polarizing, and Victor says he sees a career in diplomacy in Spencer’s future. Spencer says he needs Esme, and Victor says, this is the girl who fabricated a pregnancy scare to keep Spencer trapped in the relationship. What’s more, she got caught. Spencer tells him, Esme genuinely believed pregnancy was a possibility, and Victor says, and Spencer believes her? Spencer says he knows Esme better than anyone, and he can only hope that very soon everyone else sees Esme for the person she truly is. Victor says, amen to that. Far be it for him to stand in the way of true love, but please promise from now on he’ll take precautions. The last thing anyone needs is for Spencer’s girlfriend to find herself in the family way. (Wow. I don’t think I’ve heard that term since the last time I watched I Love Lucy.) Spencer says he’s learned his lesson. The only one way Esme’s family is growing is when he locates her birth parents. Victor says, what’s this now? Is this the mysterious mission of his? Spencer says, locating them would be the most priceless of gifts. What’s more, he knows Esme would give absolutely anything to know who they are.

Doc says, if Esme is going to use the exaggeration technique, she’s better off using it on someone who doesn’t know what she’s up to. But since he is, how she put it, the world’s foremost expert on his brother, she’s really better off finding a different case to study. She says, it’s too late. She’s already selected her topic, and the deadline is next week. She really only has one question. He says, just one? and she says, the only thing she couldn’t find in the extensive material she found. He asks, what is it? and she says, would he describe Ryan’s attachment style as avoidant or anxious? He says, neither; he’s a psychopath. She says she knows his clinical diagnosis, but surely Doc can’t tell her that Ryan never formed a serious attachment as an adult. He says, to whom? and don’t call him Shirley, and she says, to him. Doc is his twin. They literally have the same DNA, and she’s read twins have an almost magical bond. He says, magical. Like when Ryan drugged him, and left him in a mental institution for months? She says, in all fairness, wasn’t Doc doing the same thing to him? and he says, if she can’t appreciate the difference between keeping a psychopathic killer under lock and key in the need for public safety, and Ryan falsely imprisoning him in order to take over his life and go on a killing spree, maybe psychology isn’t for her. He’s got to get to dinner, but she says, wait. Has Ryan ever formed a sincere attachment with another human being, and if hasn’t, is his detachment hereditary? He asks if she wants to know this for her case study, or for some other reason? and she says, very perceptive. He’s got her.

Felicia tells Mac, when she saw Ryan at General Hospital today, it brought up a lot of old emotions, and he says, all the more reason to avoid him. She says she knows what he did to her; what he did to them. Mac says, what he still could do, and she says, Ryan’s days of abductions and drugging and murders, they are over. He says, but Ryan can still communicate, and she says, one blink at a time. He says, and yet, Ryan has conversations, and she says she’s not saying Ryan is completely harmless, but this is as close as it gets. She needed to tell Ryan that he lost, and she won. Mac says, they were just talking about the many blessings they have. Was seeing Ryan worth the risk? She says she spent decades haunted about how Ryan sees her, his obsession, and today, she got to tell him how she sees him; an impotent maniac who deserves to be forgotten, and will be. It was liberating, so please don’t begrudge her that. From now on, there’s nothing Ryan Chamberlain can do to her.

Valentin asks if Anna wants to skip the second feature, and she asks if this is an indecent proposal. He says, indeed. Say the word, and he’ll do anything she wants. She thinks a moment, and says, anything?

Martin asks how long Laura has suspected Victor of murder. She’s the mayor. If she’s so convinced the Victor is killing people for a hobby, why is he buzzing around Port Charles with total impunity? She says, because the WSB has determined someone else is responsible for the cable car crash that killed Luke, and he says, but she’s not buying it. She says, not for a second. They took Jennifer Smith into custody. Jennifer Smith was crazy about Luke. She would never kill him. She might kidnap him, hold him at gunpoint, and force him to marry her, but she’d never kill him. He says, comforting to know her lunacy has limits, and Laura says, this one reeks of Victor Cassadine and she’s going to prove it. He asks, how? and she says she’s working on it. He says, for God’s sake, be careful. He’s waited his whole life to find out she’s his sister. He doesn’t like the idea of losing her now. She says she’s not going anywhere, but Victor is if she has anything to say about it. He says she seems fairly certain, and she says, she’s been meeting with some people in DC, and she thinks she can have Victor deported.

Victor tells Spencer, finding Esme’s birth parents is quite an undertaking. He hopes she’s worthy of all the effort. Spencer says, most of Esme’s issues come from a sense of abandonment. He’s hoping her birth parents will provide the support she’s been lacking ever since her parents gave her up. Victor tells him, just be careful. Distracting Esme with total strangers she just happens to be related to could backfire. What if they’re dead? Or neglectful? Spencer says he’ll certainly vet them before making any introductions, and Victor asks if Esme wants to find them, and if she does, why didn’t she look herself? Spencer says, she has, but she doesn’t have the Cassadine money or connection. Victor sniffs, and says, who does really? and Spencer says, no one is in a better position to give Esme exactly what she wants… except maybe Victor.

Esme tells Doc, she never knew her biological parents, and her studies have her wondering what psychological tendencies she might have inherited. He says, and she’s wondering if examining Ryan’s interpersonal relationships might shed some light on her own, and she says, isn’t that why we study psychology? To better understand ourselves? Her relationship with Spence has been a roller coaster. She has no friends, and she’s managed to offend most of the town, him and Mayor Collins included. So she’s asking not as a student or a patient necessarily, just someone he’s gotten to know. What’s wrong with her? He says he can tell her what isn’t wrong with her. She’s not a narcissistic sociopath like his brother. She says, before he was incarcerated, Ryan must have had a social life, and Doc says, of course (🍷) he did. When he isn’t manipulating people, or using them as chess pieces or toys, it’s as if Ryan doesn’t exist to himself. He needs people’s admiration, adoration, and ultimately, their terror. That’s how he validates himself. She says, wow. Now tell her what he really thinks of his brother. He says, Ryan makes people believe anything he needs them to believe. That’s one of the reasons he barred her. Even locked in, Ryan is the most dangerous person she’s ever going to meet. Now he really has to go. He’s very late.

Trina says she knows it was a risk, but it paid off, and Taggert tells her, nobody is saying it wasn’t a good lead, but two women, underage in a biker bar? Portia says, Trina should have come to them or the police, but she did find a lead none of them have been able to find. So the truth is, she’s not disappointed in Trina. Trina asks if Portia means it, and Portia says, absolutely. Taggert says, he’s disappointed. Proud? Yes. Amazed? Absolutely. But he’s disappointed. Portia says, their daughter is fighting for her life. They haven’t been able to help he so far, and Trina found a way to help herself. So she thinks they should be proud of her. Taggert says, what Trina did scared him to death, but he’s always going to be proud of her. She thanks him, they hug, and he tells her, just don’t do it again. Portia says, Trina’s had a big day. Is anybody hungry? Trina says she’s starving, and Portia suggests she order a pizza. She’ll make snacks until it gets here, and Trina can tell them everything she and Josslyn found out tonight. Taggert says he’ll help her, and they go to the kitchen. Curtis says, tonight had to be terrifying, and Trina tells him, she didn’t want to say anything that would make them worry more, but they have a point. Things could have gone seriously south. He says, they could have, but they didn’t, and she asks if he thinks it was the wrong move. He says he thinks her parents have spoken, and it’s not his place to offer and opinion. She says, but he has one, and he says he does. What she did is what he would have done in her position. She thanks him, and says, but of course (🍷) he’s a very tall man, and she’s not. He says, that’s what makes it even braver. He knew that when they met. She’s got guts.

Laura tells Martin, it’s called moral turpitude; it’s a catch-all for foreign nationals who shouldn’t be living in the United States. And Victor Cassadine meets that definition. He says, but all that’s going to do is get Victor out of the country; it doesn’t prove he murdered Luke. She says, baby steps. It gets him out of Spencer and Nikolas’s orbit, and this mysterious project he keeps alluding to. It should make it that much more difficult to complete from a distance. Doc approaches the table, and says he recognizes that look. What’s she determined to do now? Laura says, she told him; she’s thisclose to getting the drop on the megalomaniac. Martin says, apparently, the sooner, the better. He’s sorry he’s late. He sits down, when Mac brings Felicia over. He says, sorry to interrupt, but he thought Laura and Felicia could have a little chat. Martin says, Felicia can have his seat. He’ll be right back. Felicia asks if he handles divorces, and he says he does. She tells him, hurry back, and Laura asks if Felicia is causing trouble again. Felicia says, no, and Mac clears his throat. She says, maybe a little, and Mac says, Felicia confronted Ryan at the hospital today. Felicia says, and lived to tell the tale, and Doc asks, what possessed her to confront his brother? Felicia says, she needed to face him, and prove to herself and him that he no longer occupies any emotional real estate. Mac asks if it isn’t important enough that she knows that. Ryan will either not care, not believe, or just get pissed off. He asks Doc to back him up, and Doc says, he’s not wrong. Laura says, maybe so, but she gets it. Confronting Ryan wasn’t about Ryan; it was about Felicia. Felicia says, exactly, and Doc says, it seems like Felicia looking Ryan in the eye and saying her piece was cathartic. Felicia says, it was, and Mac says, he’s still a monster. Doc says, agreed, but he can’t hurt anyone in his condition; at least not physically. Mac says, so Doc agrees with him. As long as Ryan can communicate, he’s still a threat. Felicia says, one letter at a time, and Doc asks if Ryan communicated back to her. Felicia tells him, she has to say, his aide is very good at conveying his thoughts, and Doc says he didn’t realize Spring Ridge had replaced Harmony. He’ll need to have a word with Ryan’s new minder. Felicia says she thinks that’s a good idea. From the vibe she was getting, this Esme person can use all the guidance she can get. Laura and Doc look at each other.

Spencer says, before, Victor asked if there’s anything he can do to help, and Victor confirms he did. Spencer says, can Victor please help him find Esme’s birth parents? and Victor says, can he? Of course (🍷) he can, but should he? Newly discovered blood ties can upend lives. Familial reunions are not always joyous. Spencer says, it worked out for Victor and Valentin, didn’t it? He realizes he’s in no position to ask anything of Victor, especially after all Victor’s done for him, but Victor has no idea how much this means to him. Victor says, all right. Anything for Spencer. He’ll reach out to his contacts, and see if they can uncover Esme’s origins. Spencer says, Victor is a life saver, when Esme knocks at the door. Spencer says he doesn’t want to get Esme’s hopes up, and asks that they keep it between them. Victor nods, and Spencer lets Esme in. She says, it’s wonderful to see Victor, and he says, always a pleasure. He leaves, and Spencer asks if Esme finished her errands. She says she did, and him? He says, officially unemployed, as he tosses a dishtowel on the counter. She says, at long last; let’s go home. She hugs him, and outside, Victor watches.

Doc says, the young woman Felicia saw with Ryan, her name was Esme? Felicia says, and Esme gave a last name too, rather proudly she might add. Doc asks if it was Prince, and Felicia asks if he knows her. Laura says, do they ever, and Mac says, Esme Prince is practically famous. Her name comes up at the precinct. Felicia asks who she is, and Laura says, she is Spencer’s overly entitled girlfriend. She swears that girl is allergic to the word no, and Doc says he thinks it’s more than that. Felicia asks what she’s missing, and Doc tells Laura that he needs to take a raincheck on tonight’s nightcap. There’s one more thing he needs to take care of. He jets, and Felicia asks why he was so upset. Laura says, he has already restricted Esme’s access to Ryan. She found a way around it. Felicia says, that can’t be good, and Laura says, no, it can’t be.

Valentin hands Anna some popcorn, and says, her bucket of hydrogenated butter substitute. She says, now they’re talking. Not that what he brought wasn’t a treat. Does he want some? He says, no thanks; he’s driving. She says, suit himself. He had a text while he was gone. He asks, who from? and she says, how would she know? She didn’t look. Is he keeping secrets from her? He says, of course (🍷) he’s keeping secrets from her, and she asks if he has another woman stashed somewhere. He says, maybe, but the only one with the key to his heart likes classic movies and large amounts of popcorn. He looks at his phone, and says, it’s Martin Grey. A text from Martin reads: We need to talk about your father, and Valentin says, there’s an ELQ vote tomorrow, and Martin is concerned enough for the both of them. She asks who he thought it was, and he says, one of his many agents of chaos. At the risk of seeming eager, is now a good time to ask for a second date? She says, at the risk of seeming eager, is now a good time to accept? He eats some popcorn, and says, wow. You know what this popcorn and the next movie have in common? They were both made in 1942. She looks at the screen, and says, Casablanca. What a great double feature. He kisses her hand, and says, here’s lookin’ at you, kid.

Doc heads inside Kelly’s, and Victor says he seems fit to be tied. He trusts his nephew isn’t responsible. Doc says, no. This time Spencer only has the company he keeps to blame. Inside, Spencer tells Esme, he just has to grab his stuff from the back, kill the lights, and they’re out of here for good. She sees Doc outside, and says, take your time.

Trina says, someone from The Highsider can probably ID this guy. Rory said he’d look into it, but she doesn’t want to get him in trouble. Taggert says, her cop friend offered to help? and Portia says, a young man of principles and integrity. That’s a lovely change of pace. Trina says she gets it; Portia hates Spencer. Portia says, hate’s such a strong word, and Taggert says he doesn’t hear anyone denying it. Portia thanks him for his support, and Trina says she doesn’t think there’s much she and Joss can do on their own at this point. Portia says, nor should they. She admires how proactive they’ve been, but she and Joss were so lucky to get out of that situation unharmed. Curtis says he thinks Trina did the right thing passing the baton, and letting the professionals handle it. Trina says, someone recognized them from the news, and now the bartender knows she’s the daughter of an ex-cop. He probably won’t answer questions. Curtis asks if she’s forgotten she has a former police officer and P.I. at her disposal, and Taggert says, he may be in the wind, but not for long.

Esme comes out, and tells Doc, what a surprise. She’s afraid Kelly’s is closed. He says, then it’s good he’s not here for a BLT. She lied to him. She says she doesn’t know what he means, and he says, when she told him that she was steering clear of his brother. She tells him, she said she respected his professional opinion, and he says, that’s a distinction without a difference. He doesn’t know what she’s playing at, but he warned her to stay away from Ryan. She asks if it shouldn’t be Ryan’s choice who sees him and when, but he says, no. He’s a homicidal psychopath. She says, again, that’s his opinion, but he says, it’s a fact. Like it’s a fact that she no longer works at Spring Ridge. She says, what? and he says, for her own safety, he’s ended her internship and barred her from the facility. She says, he can’t do that, but he says, he can and he did. She’ll never see his brother again. He goes inside.

Mac says, they’ve lost two, but they can still buy Laura a drink. Laura says she’d love that, but her phone rings, and she says she should probably take it. Excuse her. She steps away,  and says, hi, Alexis. Alexis says she’s glad she caught Laura, and Laura asks if something is wrong. Alexis says, she’s afraid so. She’s sorry. She would have reached out to Laura sooner, but this just landed on her desk. Laura asks, what’s going on? and Alexis says, something catastrophic is going to happen tomorrow, and there doesn’t seem to be anything she can do to stop it.  

Tomorrow, Scotty welcomes someone to the committee to save their hide; Curtis says, they can figure out who’s pulling the strings; and Laura asks how long someone has been waiting to even the score.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

After Daisy catches the bouquet, Gary runs into the water, pretending to flee from her. He comes out, and puts his arm around her, new bride Allegra saying, they’re a cute couple. Daisy says, this is too close for comfort, while on the boat, Marcos pounds tuna steak with a meat mallet, and Ashley whines that she’s behind. She asks Scarlett for help, and on the beach, groom Gabe picks up his bride to put her in the tender. Ashley decorates for the reception dinner, and there’s a scramble to find champagne glasses. The guests head back, and Glenn, Colin, and Kelsie stay on the beach to clean up. Glenn says, it would be a shame for the leftover champagne to go to waste, and toasts to the best wedding he’s ever done.

The guests get back to the boat, followed by the newlyweds, who are given a rice shower. Champagne is served, and on the beach, Kelsie says, the sun is setting on their last charter. Daisy tells Ashley that the table is beautiful, and she’ll be leading service, so she has to be Perfect Ashley. Daisy will be there with her. Kelsie says, they’re going to be finding rice for months to come, and makes me think of how you find pine needles months later when you get a real Christmas tree. Allegra changes into a cocktail dress, and Colin tells Barnaby that the wedding was a smashing success. Kelsie goes to bed, and drinks are served. I’m thinking I could never last at this job with the inconsistent sleep schedule. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s pulling all his tricks out of a hat for the last dinner. Maybe he’ll even do a dance. He uses cloches to do that smoke thing, and tells Colin that he’s going to fire the tomahawk (i.e. gargantuan steak) upstairs. Marcos introduces the cloche dish, saying it’s, tuna carpaccio with cherrywood smoke. He follows that with setting fire to the tomahawk, and Gabe says, Marcos is a showman. Allegra says, he’s outdone himself, while in the crew mess, Gary tries to dance with Daisy, who’s trying to eat.

Marcos brings up the cake, and Glenn says, it’s f***ing amazing, as he walks past. It’s very simple and elegant, with a few large faux flowers cascading down, and Allegra says, it looks stunning. In his interview, Marcos says, seeing the final product and the guests happy, he’s relieved it’s over. It’s time to party hard. The cake is cut, and Colin gives a good report about Ashley to Daisy. He says he sees signs of a good second stew, and Daisy says, Ashley’s not there yet, but she’s going to promote her to lead stew. Marcos thanks everyone for their help, and the guests go to bed. Ashley asks if Daisy is proud of her, and Daisy says she is. Colin asks if Gary is going to cause trouble on their last night, Gary says, maybe, and Ashley says she’s going to be partying hard. In Colin’s interview, he says, he’s a one-gal kind of guy, so he’s not often in these predicaments. But Gary is going to be Gary. He might act like he’s into the other stews, but his eye is on the prize, and that prize is Daisy. Gary says he can’t believe it’s over.

At 5:50 am, everyone starts to get up, and Marcos says, everything hurts. Kelsie is feeling nostalgic, and Marcos tells Glenn that an investor wants to create a restaurant with him and his partner. In Marco’s interview, he says, it’s not in a boat, and not a food truck. It’s a proper restaurant. Glenn says he’s happy for Marcos. Kelsie asks Gary, how does NASA coordinate a party? They planet. Anchor is home, and Glenn says, they’re headed back to Mahon for the last time this season. The crew applauds, and guest Laura asks if the wedding made Daisy want to get married. Daisy says, not to Gary, and breakfast is served. The gluten-free guest says, the chef hit her preference sheet on the spot. In the galley, Marcos wipes the whiteboard off. The guests pack, and Glenn docks the boat. Barnaby says, it’s playtime, and goodbyes are said to the guests. Guest Laura says, the trip was beyond what they imagined. They thought they’d just have a casual wedding, and the crew delivered so many memories. Glenn says, it was a good way to cap off the season, and a good way for them to celebrate the end. Laura presents a ginormous bottle of champagne to them, and says, oh yeah, that too, giving them the tip envelope. In Daisy’s interview, she says, thank God it’s over. She’s f***ing delighted. It’s bittersweet, but mainly sweet. Glenn blows the horn, and the crew does a group hug.

Glenn radios the crew to gather for the final tip meeting. He tells them, he’s beyond proud. It was an intense end to the season, and they pulled it off, and finished with a bang. All of the departments did a good job. Marcos had the most challenging dietary restrictions to work with… Marcos says, and a cake, and Glenn says, please never leave him. Glenn says he saw Daisy doing laps around the boat to keep an eye on her department, serving the guests, and keeping them happy. Daisy acknowledges Ashley’s progression, and says she’s decided to promote her to lead stew. She knows it’s the end of the season, but Ashley can put it on her CV. In Ashley’s interview, she says she’s proud of herself. She’d always been told she sucked, and it’s more than a title; it means the world to her. Glenn says, the guests had a great time, along with them creating a special occasion, and the tip is $20K, making their season total $160,500. In Gary’s interview, he says, it’s the most money he’s made in one season his whole career. Marcos tells everyone, well done, and they toast.

Marcos tells Daisy, the only hiccup was the charter with Charles, and we flash back to that unreasonable d-bag. Daisy says, it wasn’t Marcos’s food; he was an a-hole. In Marcos’s interview, he says he’s proud of himself. There were a few times he thought he wasn’t going to make it. We flash back to his head injury, Charles again, and his friend’s mom dying. He says, somehow, he figured it out. Don’t ask how he did, but he did. We flash back to the many compliments he received, and he says he can’t believe it’s over. Who’s your daddy? The stews gather up random dishes left around, and the crew gets ready for dinner. They toast to a successful season, and Gary says, they made money. He tells them, it’s time to make like a donkey d*ck and hit the road. They get in two taxis.

Gary tells Daisy, the previous season was all hiccups and moaning, and Ashley says, she really made an effort to improve. Colin says, she’s grown the most, and Marcos says he knows how much she ate. They speculate about Gary shagging Daisy, but Colin says, it’s never going to happen. Appetizers are waiting at the table when they get to the restaurant, and by the time the waiter gets to the table – about five seconds – they’re already eating. Gary says, the food is phenomenal, and Glenn arrives. Marcos thanks him for joining them, and he says he wouldn’t miss it. Gary says, now everyone is well-behaved, and Glenn says, that’s why he doesn’t normally come. Barnaby orders tequila shots for everyone, but Daisy says, no way Glenn is doing one. Glenn says he’s old, not dead, and they explain how to do a shot with salt and lime. They do the shot, and Glenn jokingly says, another round. Marcos asks how Glenn is feeling, and Glenn says, relieved, but a bit melancholy. He’s going to miss them when they scatter to the four corners of the world. In Glenn’s interview, he says, it’s a good feeling to end on a positive note. The feeling of camaraderie is rare; it’s something special. Gary toasts to Glenn, and Glenn thanks them for a great season. He expects they’ll misbehave, and tells them to enjoy themselves. They toast to him again.  

They go to another table for dinner, and Glenn tells them to have fun. Just don’t burn the boat down. They order, and Scarlett takes a photo of Marcos holding Gary in his arms. Gary asks for everyone’s highs and lows this season. His high was Daisy. They got along like a house on fire, and they’re closer than ever. Ashley says, her high was the wedding, and we flash back. She says, her low was the lowball tip, and we flash back to a-hole Charles giving them $6500, and Glenn saying, it’s still better than a poke in the eye with a pointy stick. Colin says, his high was the giggle club, and we flash back to the dudes laughing after hours. Daisy says she thinks their weird wrestling is just an excuse to touch each other, and Kelsie says, her high was them becoming the best seamen. We flash back to them receiving the Seaman Cup, and Daisy says, the wedding was her high. It made her feel like there might be true love out there. Gary says, hello, and Colin makes a toast, saying, it’s a rarity for team to work this well; let’s celebrate. Gary says, Colin for President, and they clink glasses.  

On the way back, Daisy insists she’s not shagging Gary, and in the other taxi, the have a water fight. As usual, Glenn wisely goes to bed, and the crew gets in the hot tub. The HUGE bottle of champagne is opened, drunk, sprayed, and poured on heads. Scarlett drinks some straight from the bottle, and Ashley decides to make grilled cheese. She’s so drunk, she barely knows what she’s doing, and makes more of a mess than anything else. Colin brings out his guitar, and the crew sings, Oh, Parsifal. Ashley uses the panini maker, and forgetting she was going to make some for everyone, sits down to eat what can only be called a mess of cheese and bread on a plate. Scarlett walks through, and says she’s going to bed soon. Marcos comes into the crew mess, and Ashley says, she loves cheese. He calls her a cavewoman, and says, it’s a disgusting meal. He points out that she has butter on her boob, and she licks it off. At the bar, Daisy asks Gary if they can just one time in their lives… He says, have sex? He tells her to step into something less wet, and she leaves, saying, she’ll be waiting.

Marcos says, what Ashley is eating is inedible, and Gary follows Daisy. Colin and Ashley go to bed (not with each other), and Gary and Marcos play smack each other. Daisy calls to Gary, and he suggests they go to the guest cabin to cuddle. He places her in her bed, and tells her to  change something dry. Kelsie hopes they move out of the way soon, so she can sleep, and Gary says, life is difficult; talk about getting c*ck blocked. At 4:35 am, Barnaby wakes Glenn getting into bed. Daisy tells Kelsie that her and Gary’s relationship is complicated. She doesn’t think they really feel anything for each other. Marcos tells Colin and Gary, it’s never again going to be the three amigos like this.

When Glenn gets up, he sees the mess in the appropriately titled crew mess, and says, holy sh*t. He pokes his head in the guys’ cabin, and says, good morning, sleeping beauties. Time to get up and start packing. They struggle to get up, and Ashley says, why? Gary says, time to grab your sh*t and f*** off, and Glenn says, the mess looks like the Hindenburg crashed into the Titanic. Clean this sh*t up, so he can have breakfast. Ashley is repulsed, and Kelsie thanks Barnaby for coming to save her. In Barnaby’s interview, he says, he had a great time. He wasn’t there long, but long enough. Glenn thanks him, and tells him to stay in touch. In his interview, Barnaby says, he’ll miss the people he met. The people were great; the work, not so much. The hardest part about saying goodbye is that he won’t be living 6 feet from Daisy; she’s so fit. Ashley says, this sucks, and Scarlett says her goodbyes. In Scarlett’s interview, she says, they did it. She’s proud of herself. It was a huge challenge, and she thinks she did a great job. Glenn says, she’s the best, and in her interview, she says, it’s bittersweet. She and Gary have a strong connection, but the only place he drives is straight into drama, and she wants no drama. She thinks she can hop on any boat after living through this.

Glenn points out that Gary is still wearing what he was wearing last night, and Ashley says her goodbyes. In Ashley’s interview, she says, she wasn’t as friendly as she could have been, but she’s slowly learning. It’s hard to be on a team, since she likes doing things her way, but that’s definitely something she regrets at this point in her life. Daisy thanks her for her hard work, and in her interview, Ashley says she knows there’s more out there, and she wants to experience things. She’s got a lot to learn, and a lot more growing to do. Kelsie says goodbye to Daisy, who says she loved rooming with her. If there’s anything Kelsie needs, hit her up. In Kelsie’s interview, she says, from this season, she’s learned she doesn’t think the super yachting industry is for her. She likes being captain, and bossing other people more than being bossed. Peace out, mother***ers. Marcos says, it’s been amazing working with Daisy, and Glenn says he’ll see Marcos in L.A.; he was amazing. In Marcos’s interview, he says, he was alone for so many years, but with this crew he had a lot of support that he didn’t feel in the past. He says goodbye to Gary, who calls him a legend, and in his interview, Marcos says, in this short period of time, he feels like it was a haven, and the crew was like family. It’s the first time he’s had this feeling. He sniffles, and says he’s been holding it in. In Colin’s interview, he says, Captain Glenn is the perfect captain. He’d love to have Glenn’s traits in how he runs his own boat. He feels connected to the crew, and it’s cemented the fact he craves friendships. When he finds them, he cherishes them, and they last a long time. It’s a surreal feeling that it’s coming to an end. He’s fighting back tears. Daisy asks Gary to chat with her while she packs, and he says, if he has to.  

Daisy asks how Gary left things with Scarlett, but he says, nothing was happening. She asks who he’ll miss the most, and he says, her and Colin equally. He wants their relationship to keep growing, and she tells him, stop, but he says he’s serious. She says she thinks if they hang out too much… He says, they’ll fall in love? but she says, they won’t be friends. He’ll fall in love with her. In Daisy’s interview, she says, so much happened this season. She had to deal with situations she’d never experienced. At the end of the day, she’s a good person with good intentions, and she’s going to take what she learned this season to the next season. She plans on taking a f***ing holiday, detox, and sit in silence for an hour. In Gary’s interview, he says he thinks his and Daisy’s relationship has come a long way. It’s fun and flirtatious, but professional, and the sexual tension is undeniable. He thinks she’s realizing that, so maybe one day… He tells her, ciao, and Glenn radios Gary to come to the flybridge.

Glenn says, they have to drain and disinfect the jacuzzi. Who knows what is in there? Something moved, and he thinks it’s got tentacles. Gary says, it’s so gross. F*** my life.

Next time, the Reunion.

💃🏾 Juneteenth has never been a celebration of victory or an acceptance of the way things are. It’s a celebration of progress. It’s an affirmation that despite the most painful parts of our history, change is possible—and there is still so much work to do. – Barack Obama

🏃🏽‍♀️ Leaping Like a Lord…

Join me tomorrow for soap and who knows what? Until then, stay safe, stay not sweating the small stuff, and stay not making grilled cheese when drunk. You’ll just be even sorrier in the morning.