Tag Archives: Melissa Gorga

Jul12

July 11, 2023 – Curtis Is Taken Into Surgery, Two Losses, Even Longer, Je M’appelle Daryl, City News, Birthday Bubbles & Hair

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Gabe says he made sure Brook got home safe and sound. Now he’s taking Sonny home. But Sonny says he’s not going anywhere until he gets an update from Dex at GH. He asks if Anna is ready to go home, but she says she can’t stop thinking about Curtis. It’s the worst that he was caught in the middle of all of this. The shooter was aiming at either her or Sonny, and Curtis got in the way.

Esme puts her hand on Spencer’s shoulder, and says she really appreciates him taking these parenting classes with her. He says he did it for his little brother. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Ace. From the doorway, Josslyn – who is starting to annoy me to no end – says, what’s this? Hanging out after class?

Outside, Finn says, Elizabeth did great tonight, and she says she learned from the best. Epiphany always told her that she needed to compartmentalize. Put her fears and doubts aside, and just do her job. Finn says, Epiphany would have been really proud of Elizabeth. The way she stayed focused on her patient despite all the chaos, not knowing if the shooter was going to shoot again. She helped keep Curtis alive. She says, they did it together, and he says, they did, didn’t they?

At the Bistro, Stella says she’s glad she could join Marshall tonight. And for once, they’re not squabbling about the check – he’s paying. She laughs, and he says, his pleasure. It’s been a long time since they had a night out, just the two of them. She says she agrees. Even after all these years, there’s only one thing that would make it better, and that’s if there were three of them. He takes her hand and says he knows. She’s thinking about her sister Irene. Not a day goes by he doesn’t miss her. She says, Irene was so full of life, just like Curtis.

The doctor comes out and Trina says, Curtis is going to make it, isn’t he? Tell her. Portia says, she’s in shock. The doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to help Curtis. The doctor says, that’s right. He called in Dr. Barnsole, the neurosurgeon. He’s on his way. He leaves, and Portia tells Trina that she’s worked with him before. He’s the very best at what he does. Trina says, what if something goes wrong? The surgery is complicated, and the bullet is lodged near his spine. He could be paralyzed. Portia says, yes, there is a risk, but because Curtis is unconscious, he can’t speak for himself. They have to speak for him. And the Curtis Ashford she knows would do anything to be with the people he loves. Anything. She and Trina hug.

Trina says she knows Portia has Curtis’s best interest at heart, and trusts her judgement, and Portia says, it means so much to her that Trina has faith in her. The doctor gets Portia’s attention, and Portia says she has Curtis’s family’s blessing, do everything they can to save Curtis’s life… no matter the risk. The doctor says, they will, and leaves. Portia says, Trina’s so strong, but Trina says, honestly, she doesn’t feel so strong. She’s so scared. Portia says she’s so scared too, and holds Trina.

Stella says, if Irene were here, she’d tell them, don’t dwell on the past; look to the future. Marshall says, amazing, isn’t it? He came here looking for a son and found a whole family. He gets a faraway look, and she says, everything was good at Curtis’s birthday party. Has something changed? He says, it seems Curtis and Portia are still working it out, and she says, what about him? Does he think she doesn’t know what losing Epiphany Johnson meant to him? She got a chance to know Epiphany; she was a fine woman. They even hung out a little bit at Curtis’s nightclub. She cared about Marshall, and he doesn’t have to tell her the feeling wasn’t mutual, because she knows better. He says he has this memory… Just before Epiphany was going off to take her MCATs, she kissed him, and that kiss, that one kiss, is going to have to last him forever. Stella says she’s so sorry. Does he think it would help if he talked to somebody? A professional maybe, a shrink? He says he already has.

Esme says she didn’t see Josslyn there, and Josslyn says, obviously. She tells Spencer that his girlfriend’s downstairs, and he asks if something’s wrong. She says, Trina’s dad Curtis was shot tonight.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she doesn’t understand why someone would take a shot at Curtis. He left that world behind him when he traded in his P.I. license for The Savoy. Does Finn think an enemy from the past followed him? Finn says he talked to Dante for a moment at the scene. There were three shots fired, and he thinks Curtis was hit by a ricochet of one of them. She says, so he wasn’t the intended target? and Finn says, seems that way. She says, in a way, that only makes it worse, the randomness of it. If either of them had been at the pool instead of the restaurant… They both say, it could have been you, in unison.

Anna tells Sonny that it’s no secret her past has caught up with her. She should have taken someone spray painting murderer on her door more seriously. She just wanted to believe it was a teenage prank. Maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was a warning of things to come. He says, three shots at long range lacks a personal touch, and she says, he’s right. It’s military procedure; not exactly his world, is it? She knows he and Valentin have gone into some business venture together, which Valentin hasn’t told her anything about. She didn’t press, but she didn’t think it was charitable work. Is that what this shooting’s been about? Nina runs in, and says she came as soon as she heard about the shooting. Thank God they’re okay. Sonny says, there was a shooting, but she needs to go home, and Nina says, absolutely not. This is her hotel. How would it look to her staff and her guests if she just went and hid? Her presence helps send a message that things are safe here. Besides, she’s not going anywhere until she finds out if anyone was hurt. Sonny says, somebody was hurt, and she asks, who was it? Please, just tell her. He says, it was Curtis.

Nina says, Curtis was shot? My God, is he all right? Anna says, Finn and Elizabeth were here. They were able to help him until the paramedics got here. Sonny says, they rushed him to GH. They’re just waiting for an update. Nina asks, how bad is it? and Anna says, he was hit in the back. Nina asks if anyone else was hurt, but Sonny says, no one else was hurt. She says she’s grateful for that, but who would shoot Curtis? Was it someone from his past with a score to settle? If Sonny knows anything, he doesn’t have to protect her; just tell her. Anna says, it’s just conjecture at this point… and Sonny says, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That’s it. Nina says, so someone else was the target. Did they mean to finish what they started and try to kill Sonny? Is that it?

Elizabeth tells Finn that she knows life is fragile. You pretty much learn that the first day in nursing school if you didn’t already know it. Finn says, there’s death at GH every week, in all its forms. Sometimes it’s a shock. Other times, it’s almost a relief when you see a patient struggling with a longtime disease. In med school, they teach that you have to build an armor against it. Because if you don’t do that, you can’t do your job. She says, until it’s someone you know, someone you care about… and he says, they all wake up thinking they have all the time in the world, but they don’t. Tonight taught them that they shouldn’t waste a single second.

Stella says she’s so proud of Marshall for seeking help. Did talking to the therapist give him closure; help him deal with the pain about Epiphany? He says, it helped to talk about it, but then things got even more personal, and she says, he doesn’t have to tell her if he doesn’t want to. He asks if he hasn’t kept enough things locked up inside of him, and she asks if he talked about his diagnosis from back in the day. He says, yeah. He’s been off of his meds long enough that he has a sense of his behavior and biochemistry and all that. Stella asks if the psychiatrist agreed with Portia. Is there any chance Marshall was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia over 40 years ago? He says, there’s more than a chance. It seems almost certain it was something else.

Josslyn tells Spencer that Trina is on the first floor near the trauma room, and he jets, telling Esme to call a Ride Share to get Ace and get home. Esme starts to get her stuff together, and Josslyn asks where she’s going. They’re going to have a little chat.

Trina tells Portia that she can’t believe she just found out Curtis is her father, only to maybe lose him. It doesn’t feel right. Portia tells her, no one said she’s going to lose him. She can’t think like that. She has to think positive thoughts. Trina says, Portia doesn’t have to be brave for her benefit. She just told Trina that she was terrified. Portia says she is terrified, but she also has hope. Trina’s father’s a strong man, and as much as Trina wants him in her life, Portia knows he wants to be there for Trina. Spencer comes out of the elevator, and Trina runs to him. He holds her as Dex watches from across the room.

Esme says she doesn’t think she and Josslyn have anything to talk about, but Josslyn says, that’s where she’s wrong. Spencer might have done his part for his little brother, coming with Esme to parenting class, but right now, Trina’s going through hell, and he needs to be with her. I love how she’s talking like there was some argument about this. Are we watching the same show? Esme says, then it’s lucky for Trina that Josslyn knew where to find them. Does she stalk all her friends? Josslyn says, it’s not luck actually. Her grandma runs all of the educational classes here at GH. She told Josslyn that Spencer was in this class. She thinks it’s a good thing she showed up when she did. Esme heads for the door, and Josslyn says she’s onto Esme. Esme asks what that means, and Josslyn says, it means she saw that tender little moment between Esme and Spencer. What was that? Your homework? Did the instructor tell her to get closer with Ace’s brother after class? Esme says, that tender moment Josslyn thinks she saw was just her thanking Spencer for coming to a class he didn’t want to go to. That is all. Josslyn says she saw exactly how Esme thanked him, and Esme says, look. She’s apologized to Josslyn, but that is who she was. She’s not that person anymore. Josslyn says, that’s not good enough. Esme took things from her that she can never get back, and Esme has yet to pay for them. Esme says she’s so sorry, but she doesn’t know what Josslyn expects her to do in order to believe her. Josslyn says, she can turn herself in.

Stella says, so if the psychiatrist thought Marshall was wrongfully diagnosed all those years ago with schizophrenia, did he say what he thought was really wrong with Marshall? Marshall says, of course (🍷) not. All he said was he didn’t want to speculate without reading the original file that was written by whoever diagnosed him 40 years ago, back before computers even documented everything. Even if he was able to track down a hard copy of the file, he already thinks he knows what would be in that file. She asks if he’s thinking it’s what led Portia to the same conclusion, and he says, bingo. Her phone rings, and she says, Portia. Hey. She’s in the middle of something. Can she call Portia back? Portia says she’s sorry, but this can’t wait. She’s been trying to get ahold of Marshall and she’s not getting a response. Does Stella happen to know where he is? Stella says she’s sitting with him at the Haven Bistro. What’s wrong? Portia says, Curtis has been shot, and Stella says, oh dear God. Portia says she’ll tell Stella everything when she gets to GH. They’re about to take him to surgery. Stella says, they’re on their way, and Marshall asks where they’re going. She says, pray for Curtis and come with her, and they jet.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she was working on adrenaline tonight. After they took Curtis away and the job was done, all she wanted was to be with Finn. And to see his face and hold his hand, and know that he was out of danger. He says he felt the same thing. He just wanted her to be okay. He learned the hard way, life isn’t always fair. Sometimes it’s cruel, and bad things happen to really good people. She says, sometimes good people do bad things, and he says, they’ve all made mistakes. They can’t help beating themselves up about bad decisions they made five minutes ago in their past. Either can move past them or… She says, or what? and Finn says, or they have to courage to admit they weren’t just mistakes. They were failures, and they’re brave enough to move on. Maybe a little bruised, but not beaten, and hopefully a helluva lot smarter.

Sonny tells Nina that he’s got his share of enemies, but there’s no reason to believe that he’s the shooter’s target. Anna says, it could have just as easily been someone aiming at her, and Nina says, Anna risked her life bringing Aunt Liesl home in time to save Willow. Does she really think there are people still out there who are loyal to Victor Cassadine? Anna says, the mercenaries who were on his payroll, no. She doubts any of them would care to honor his memory by seeking revenge. But now that her sordid past has been publicized around the world, it’s likely it’s someone from her past looking for payback. Sonny’s phone rings, and he steps away. He asks Dex if there’s any news, and Dex says, Curtis is hanging in there. The bullet is lodged in his spinal cord, so there’s a lot of concern about that. They just wheeled him into the OR for surgery. Sonny says, anything else? and Dex says he’s not a doctor, but from his battlefield experience, it feels like the odds are stacked against Curtis. Sonny asks if Josslyn is with Trina, and Dex says, yeah. She’s here at the hospital. Sonny tells him to stick close to Josslyn, and call him if anything changes. He goes back to Anna and Nina, and says, what they know right now is, Curtis is alive and they’re going to take him to surgery. Anna says, that’s good news, and Nina says, it is, but the way Sonny said that was like there’s bad news too. And she doesn’t have to guess what that is, does she?

Curtis is wheeled past Trina and Spencer, and Portia runs out. The doctor says, they’re taking Curtis up to surgery. They’re going to do everything they can. Portia says she knows they will, and everyone wastes time looking at Curtis for a moment before he’s wheeled into the elevator.

Esme says, and people tell her that she’s the dangerous one, and Josslyn says, when you hurt someone the way Esme hurt her, they pay for it. She learned that from her family. Esme asks, who taught her that? Her ex-stepdad, the mob boss? Josslyn says she’s here to protect her friend Trina. No more, no less. Esme doesn’t have any friends, so she can see why Esme would have trouble understanding that. Esme says she doesn’t know if Spencer considers her a friend or not, but he is Ace’s brother. And because Nikolas decided to skip town, Spencer has been helping her with Ace, and she appreciates that, but that’s all he is to her. No more, no less. Josslyn says, that might convince some people, and Esme says, it should; it’s the truth. She knows all of the lies she allegedly told Josslyn, but this isn’t one of them, and she isn’t the old Esme. Josslyn says, then who is she? Because this is still abrasive, and she wonders which psychopath Esme inherited that from, Ryan or Heather? Esme says, how dare she? For real. Why is Josslyn being such an asshat?

Sonny tells Nina, all Dex said was, Curtis is being sent to surgery. They both know he’s a fighter, right? Nina says she has to get to the hospital, and he says he’ll have Gabe take her, while he… She says, he and Anna were witnesses. Maybe they can help the police track down whoever did this to Curtis. Sonny asks Frank to take Nina to the hospital, and Nina kisses him goodbye, leaving with Frank. Anna asks Sonny what Nina meant by someone finishing what they started, and he says, Nina always worries that he’s going to be in the line of fire. It just goes with the territory.

Spencer tells Trina, it’s going to be okay, and gets her to sit down. She says, he doesn’t know that, and he says, okay, he doesn’t. But until the doctors give them something to worry about, they need to stay positive. She and Curtis are cut from the same cloth. Look at the way she snuck onto the Haunted Star. She stared death right in the face. She survived everything Victor threw at her, and that was a lot. Where did that will to live come from if not from Curtis? She says, when they were in their darkest times and didn’t know if they were going to make it, she knew Curtis was fighting for her. He says, now it’s her turn to keep fighting for him, when Marshall and Stella come out of the elevator.

Marshall hugs Portia, and asks, where’s his son? Stella asks when they can see him, and Portia says, they took him to the OR just a little while ago, but the surgery is going to take some time. Stella says, when she got the call, she was hoping she could see him, because she never got a chance to tell him how very much… She breaks down crying, and Marshall hugs them both. Portia says, he knows. Don’t ask her how, but he knows.

Elizabeth tells Finn, that makes her think about when she used to take the boys to the park. She remembers when each of them was finally big enough to jump off the high dive. They were fearless because they’d never done it before. But after that first time, especially if they belly flopped, they knew jumping off was a risk. He says he knows that feeling. Standing up there, looking down, thinking about everything that could go wrong, thinking about how much it might hurt. She says, it takes a lot of courage to take that plunge a second time, and he says, kind of like how she confronted her parents after all those years. It was a risky thing to do, but she seemed pretty fearless to him. She says she guesses she was, and he says, so tell him, is she ready to take the plunge again? She says, is he?

Josslyn says, how dare she what? Esme took a shot at her ex, and she can’t say anything about Esme’s nutjob parents? She remembers the sociopath Esme was before she lost her memory. Dex walks in and asks if there’s a problem, but Josslyn says, nothing she can’t handle. Back to what really matters; how’s Curtis? Dex says, they’re taking him to the OR for surgery, and Josslyn says, so there’s a chance. He says, there’s always a chance, and Josslyn says, good. She’s so glad Trina has Spencer to lean on. Esme says she needs to go get her child and relieve the babysitter, but could Dex please tell Trina that she’s thinking good thoughts for her and her dad? She leaves, and Dex asks, what was that all about? And why is she asking him to deliver a message to Trina? Josslyn says, because Esme knew she wouldn’t do it. But she thinks she just caught a glimpse of the real Esme. Okay, so she’s supposed to be Josslyn’s punching bag if she’s not a sociopath? What I said before.

Stella hugs Trina, and says, it’s just so hard for her to wrap her head around. Curtis was shot by the MetroCourt pool. It just doesn’t seem real. Trina says she wishes it wasn’t. Curtis is the most alive person she knows. And to think… Stella says, no, don’t think it. Just sweep those negative thoughts out of her mind. He needs them to think good thoughts now. Trina has to think about how much life she has left to share with her father. Trina says, her father. She wishes she’d known that sooner. Stella says, she can’t change the past, but the fact is, Trina knows he’s her father now, and Curtis knows she’s his daughter. And if there’s any justice in the world, this isn’t the end of this journey; it’s just the start. Trina says she wishes she believed that, and Stella hugs her.

Marshall tells Portia that she doesn’t have to be Dr. Robinson right now; she’s just a part of this family… his family. He never knew how much that meant to him until right now. Nina comes out of the elevator and runs over to Portia. She hugs Portia, saying, she’s so sorry. She heard about Curtis. Portia thanks her for coming, but Nina says, Portia doesn’t have to thank her. She just needs to know that Curtis is going to be okay. Portia says, Nina knows Curtis, and she knows he’s not going out without a fight, and Nina says, that’s exactly right.

Anna says, Nina might have bought it, but Sonny can’t fool her. He’s on someone’s hitlist. He says he thought they had an unwritten rule; don’t ask, don’t tell. She says, oh, that rule, and he says he’s not going to ask her about the people who could be targeting her, and he’d want the same kind of courtesy. He motions Gabe over, and asks him to get the car. Gabe leaves, and Anna asks if it’s worth it, this life Sonny’s chosen, or the one that chose her. Every single choice they’ve ever made in their lives brought them to this moment; this moment tonight, this situation. From different directions obviously, but they have to face the same violent conclusion; that they always have to watch their backs. Sonny says, let him ask her a question. If she could turn back the clock and start over, would she do things differently? She thinks for a moment, and says she’s not sure. Would he?

Finn tells Elizabeth, tonight’s a reminder of just how precious life can be. Curtis didn’t go to the MetroCourt thinking he was going to get shot, and Portia never expected she was going to have to try and saved his life. None of them get promised another sunset, another sunrise. All he knows is, if they don’t take this chance, they might not get another one. She asks if he thinks they really can, and he says, you and me, make it work? He doesn’t know. All they can do is try. He kisses her.

When they come up for air, Elizabeth says she should go home to the boys, and Finn says, Violet’s probably talked the babysitter’s ear off at this point, and she’ll be waiting for him to read her a story before going to bed. Does Elizabeth have any plans for tomorrow night? She says, no, no plans, and he says, it’s funny. He doesn’t have any plans either. He could take her out. She says, they could stay in. She’d love to cook him dinner. Does he like lasagna? He says he loves lasagna. He’s sure anything she made would be amazing. She says, then she’ll surprise him, and they stroll out of the park.

Stella asks Portia why they haven’t been given any news. It seems like a long time since they’ve gotten an update. Trina says, Portia works there. Can’t she pull some strings or something? They know Curtis is in surgery, but they could be told something, like it’s going well, or it’s not going well. Why haven’t they been told anything? Portia says she knows Trina’s scared; they all are. But the most important thing to focus on right now is the surgery. Whatever they need to do to give Curtis the best possible care, that’s the priority. So the only thing they can really do right now is pray and be patient. Stella nods and walks off, and Spencer tells Portia, let him see what he can find out. His family still donates a great deal of money to this hospital… Portia says, this isn’t about his family or their money, and he says, she’s so right. He’s sorry. She thanks him, and says she knows he’s just trying to help. She follows Stella, and Spencer holds Trina as Esme comes out of the elevator. She goes over to Trina and says she just heard about Trina’s dad. She’s so sorry. Trina thanks her, and Esme says, she and Spencer were in this parenting class when Josslyn found them and broke the news. They were both devastated for her.

Josslyn says, let’s go, and Dex asks if she’s sure she’s okay. As long as he’s known her, she’s been pretty rock solid. He’s never seen someone get under her skin like that. (Did they just meet today?) She says, that’s what Esme does. She finds all of your buttons and presses every last one of them. He asks if she’s saying Esme is pretending to have amnesia, but Josslyn says she doesn’t know. Esme’s dad is Ryan Chamberlain, and her mom is Heather Webber, so… Even before they knew that, they knew she was a sociopath. She’s more convinced than ever that jealous, spiteful Esme is in her and just waiting to come back out.

Spencer says he thought Esme was heading home because she was so anxious about leaving Ace with the new babysitter for the first time. Esme says she just spoke to Melanie, who assured her that Ace is sleeping like a rock, but she’s headed home now. They seem preoccupied, but is there a message Spencer wants her to pass on to his little brother? Spencer says, just that he’ll be home soon, and he loves him. Thanks. She says, sounds good, and tells Trina, when she tucks Ace into bed tonight, she promises to say a prayer for her dad. She walks out, giving a last look to Spencer holding Trina.

Sonny tells Anna that he’s not the type of person who spends time second guessing. When he was washed up from that river, and ended up in Nixon Falls without a memory of who he was or what he did, he created a life for himself. Cowboy Mike, the bartender. He laughs, and says, then when he got his memory back, he still had a little piece of Mike inside his heart. But at the end of the day, he’s Sonny Corinthos mob boss. Love it or hate it, that’s the life he chose – or the one that chose him. Either way, it’s his life and he’s okay with it. She says she sees. She’s going to go home. He says he’d offer to get her a ride… She says, except he knows better, and he says, yeah, he does. She heads for the door, and he says, if she changes her mind, the offer still stands. She says she appreciates that, and tells him to take care.

Nina tells Portia, nobody loves their life as much as Curtis loves his. She knows this because he said those exact words. Portia asks if Nina minds telling her what he said, and Nina says, of course (🍷). They were talking a while back, and he said he loves running the nightclub – Marshall and Stella walk up – especially when his family can join him at night. When Portia and Trina go there to unwind after a long day at work and school. When his dad can be there – she takes Marshall’s hand – and join in the live music and maybe sing along. Then Aunt Stella – she takes Stella’s hand – joins, when they’re lucky enough to have her in town. And he said all this with a big smile on his face. Stella says, amen to that, and Marshall says, that’s a beautiful sentiment. He’s still kicking himself for all the years he wasted staying away. Watching from a distance, Trina tells Spencer that she wishes she had her Aunt Stella’s faith. Spencer says, Trina might not have the same faith in God that she does, but Trina can at least trust he’s not going anywhere. He smooths her hair and kisses the top of her head.

Tomorrow, Chase asks Brook what Tracy could possibly do for him; Cody says he’ll understand if Selina no longer wants to retain his services; Lucy tells Felicia that they’re going to find what Martin’s been hiding from her; and it’s Sasha 2.0.

🥀 Sad Soap News…

This was so sad to hear. She was always one of my favorites.

Soap Star Andrea Evans Dead at 66
Stars Remember the Late Andrea Evans

Another groundbreaker gone too soon.

ALL MY CHILDREN Actor Jeffrey Carlson Dead at 48

⚔️ Hatfields And McCoys 2023…

It’s doubtful I could sit through two hours of this. And really? At someone else’s house?

Danielle Cabral Reveals Which Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga Fight Lasted Two Hours

⚰️ Across The Dead Sea…

Daryl has a hard time communicating in his native country. It will be interesting to see how he navigates France.

https://www.looper.com/1300810/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-everything-you-need-to-know/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-norman-reedus-branded-teaser-footage/

🗽 This Week In the City…

https://movieweb.com/the-walking-dead-dead-city-surprise-cameo-character/

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-dead-city-recap-season-1-episode-4-everybody-wins-a-prize/

🐶 Lucky Dog…

Now I don’t feel as bad about Jiggs next door not liking me too much.

https://people.com/sofia-vergara-joe-manganiello-celebrate-dog-bubbles-birthday-7558714

🏃🏽‍♀️ Sliding Into Home…

Boomerang back tomorrow for soap and trash talk about the OC. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping in touch with old friends, and stay not dwelling on the past, but looking toward the future.

Jul7

July 6, 2023 – Tracy Asks Martin For a Favor, Can’t Be There, News On Jersey, Over, Vander11, Runway Red, Dead Coming Up, Cuteness & Town

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Finn sits in the locker room eating a sandwich, and reading Parasites and Worms in Humans. Elizabeth comes in and says, hi.

At a nail salon, Sam asks if Kristina was as surprised as she was to get a text from Molly, and Alexis says, she’s not prone to spontaneity. Kristina says, could be she’s out of her funk, and Sam says, or it could be her latest coping mechanism. You can only distract yourself with work for so long. Alexis says, whatever it is, she’s entitled to some fun. Whatever her mood, they’re going to support her. Molly walks in with a bottle of champagne and says, yay! We’re all here. Look out. The Davis girls are on the loose.

Marshall tells Curtis that he should be heading home, and asks if he’s going to see Curtis at home tonight. Curtis says, maybe. Things could get crazy busy here, so he’ll probably just crash in the back. Marshall says, Curtis and Portia are never going to fix things if he refuses to be in the same room, when TJ comes in. Curtis asks if TJ is okay, and Marshalls says, he looks like he just lost his best friend. TJ asks, what if he has?

Lucy asks if Maxie gave anyone the password, and Maxie says, of course (🍷) not. Lucy says, what about that assistant that just quit? but Maxie insists she didn’t give it to anyone. Brook starts to slip out of the room, as Lucy says, what about this? Maybe Maxie wrote it down accidently and left it lying around. Maxie asks what kind of loser Lucy thinks she is, and Lucy says she doesn’t think Maxie wants her to answer that right now. She’s just saying that Maxie has been a teeny bit distracted lately. Maxie says she’s sure. Because she’s been handling the extra workload with zero help from Lucy. Brook stands at the door, watching.

Martin asks what proposition Tracy is talking about and Tracy says, as entertaining as he finds Lucy Coe, a man of his standing needs more to occupy him. She’s prepared to offer him a challenge if he’s up for it.

Lucy says she’s been busting her behind to get The Deceptor off the ground, and Maxie says, sure she has, until Martin calls, and then off Lucy goes, leaving her holding the bag. Lucy says, excuse her for having a personal life. She thinks it would do Maxie good to have one. Maxie says, that would be great. Then no one would work here. Lucy says she gives everything to Deception, and Maxie says she used to think so, but lately, not so much. Lucy says, Maxie’s gone low, and they start to bicker, when Brook says, that’s enough. It was her.

Curtis asks, what’s going on? and TJ says he can’t stay long. Molly is out with her mom and sisters, and they’re going to end up here. Curtis says, that means he has to go? and TJ says he just doesn’t want to be in the way. Marshall asks, since when has he been in Molly’s way? and Curtis asks if something happened. TJ nods, and Curtis says he knows TJ and Molly will figure it out, but TJ says, this time, he’s not so sure. Marshall says, lay it on them, and TJ asks if they remember how he told them that he and Molly were trying to have a baby. Marshall says, that’s not something you easily forget, and Curtis apologizes for not having checked in since he got back from Greenland. TJ tells him, that’s okay. He hasn’t had the chance to talk to anyone since they found out Molly can’t get pregnant.

Alexis asks what they’re celebrating, and Molly asks what she means. Alexis says, Molly is so festive… and the champagne and the nails and the dancing. Any news? Molly says, if she’s asking about the doctor’s appointment, don’t.

Maxie says, Brook snuck onto her computer after she left? What the hell? Brook says she’s sorry. She didn’t realize it was such a big deal. Lucy says, in what universe is this not a big deal? and Brook says she was trying to prove herself. Ever since she came back to work, everything’s been so busy and The Deceptor is blowing up. She just wanted to prove she’s an asset to the company. She wanted to familiarize herself with the products so she could create a social media campaign to solidify The Deceptor as the must have item of the summer. Lucy asks, why all the secrecy? and Brook says, it wasn’t a secret per se. Maxie was swamped when she was called away from her desk, and Brook was trying to be proactive. So she used Maxie’s computer to download the files. Lucy says, files on a shared drive that Brook had absolutely no access to, but Brook says she didn’t put two and two together, that the information was under lock and key. Lucy asks if she knows the words trade secret. Does she know what would happen if their competitors got ahold of this information? They could kiss their cash cow bye-bye.

Martin says, with all due respect, whatever Tracy’s opinion may be, he’s in love with Lucy Coe. So in regard to her rather forward offer, he’s going to say, thanks, but no thanks. She laughs and says she’s offering him a business challenge, not a romantic one. She gestures to a chair and he sits. She tells him, ELQ is a dumpster fire with no one to put it out. With Valentin galivanting off somewhere, and her son MIA… He asks why she cares. He was of the understanding that she’d completely divested herself of any interest in that company. She says she has no interest in taking a leadership position, but it’s her family’s company, and the situation is precarious at best. He says, disastrous at worst, and she says, so with the CEO and second in command out of commission, it occurs to her that the next obvious choice to run ELQ is Martin.

Finn looks at Elizabeth’s soiled uniform, and says, rough day? She says she could use a new top, and he says he’ll relocate, but she says, no, he’s good. Why is she not surprised to find him eating in here? He says, nothing worse than breakroom small talk, and she says she thinks that book would scare people away. Worms and food, quite the mix. He says, this book’s on a lot of hot seller reading lists, and she says she’ll take his word for it. He asks, how’s it going, head nurse? and she says, it’s going… Epiphany made it seem so easy. He says, so will she, and she says, ya think? He says he knows, and she says, about last night… He thanks her for staying and helping with Violet, and she says she loves that little girl; she’d do anything for Violet. Finn says, including going along with her pretend date? He’s so sorry about that. She says, his daughter knows an awful lot about romance, and he says, that’s not unsettling at all. She says, Violet was very sweet with her. It’s been a minute since someone gave her flowers. He flashes back to their hands touching when he handed her the flowers to take home, and he says he had a talk with Violet. She understands she can’t be playing matchmaker like that, so Elizabeth can rest easy. They’ll be no more romantic evenings for them in the future.

Molly says she doesn’t want to talk about all that right now. She wants to talk about Drew. She heard he reported to prison. Sam says, speaking of fun… and Molly says she’s sorry. That was a terrible segue, but she’s thinking about Scout; how’s she doing? Sam says, not good. She’s taking it really bad. Molly suggests taking her to the movies this weekend; some Aunt Molly time? Sam says, that’s sweet of her, but she has so much going on. Maybe another time. Kristina tells Molly that she has a lot on her plate, and Alexis says, more than most. Molly says, that’s when she usually neglects her personal life. She’s not doing this anymore. She wants to focus on the things that matter again.

Marshall tells TJ that he’s so sorry, and Curtis says, him too. TJ says, Molly feels like her body has betrayed her, and he gets that, or he’s really trying to. But now, when they need to lean on each other the most… Curtis says, she keeps shutting him out, and TJ says, it scares the hell out of him. He and Molly cannot go on like this.

Lucy tells Brook, the last thing they need is any of their numerous rivals… If they were to duplicate Deception’s design and poach their sales… Does Brook get how serious this is? This is a horrible offense. Maxie says she thinks they just need to calm down, but Lucy says, calm down? Maxie says, Brook was just trying to do her job. She started just before they launched The Deceptor, and what a whirlwind, right? It was so successful, she’s sure none of them took the time to tell Brook how proprietary it was. She certainly didn’t. Lucy says, okay, fine. Neither did she, but this is still a great big problem. Does Brook understand? Brook says she’s really sorry. If she knew what they were dealing with, she obviously would have asked for permission. Lucy says she can’t stress enough the value of this product. That is why their lawyer said, do not share this; just keep it between the executives. Only them. They have access. Maxie says, and the information needs to stay in the office, and Brook says, copy that. It will not happen again. Lucy says, yay. Hand it over. Brook says, what? and Lucy says, the files. Where are they? Brook says, they’re on a flashdrive. She took them home. Lucy yells, go get them now! and Brook says, right now, and jets. Lucy tells Maxie that she’s going to get gummies. She needs her gummies. She wants gummies. I totally understand this.

Martin says he thinks Tracy’s forgetting he’s only an attorney, and she says, in Valentin’s absence, Martin has his power of attorney; that makes him Valentin’s mouthpiece. Martin supposes that’s true, and Tracy says, therefore, Martin is the perfect person to fill in for him to ensure the company’s stability until he returns, or God willing, her son snaps out of his delusion. Think of it as protecting his client’s interests. He says, when she puts it like that… She asks if she made him an offer he can’t refuse, and he says he accepts. They shake hands, and she says, welcome to the Board. And now for the first order of business. She has something she wants him to do for her.

Elizabeth asks how she can trust a guy who doesn’t even put child locks on his phone, and Finn tells her, Violet said she got the message, but she knows his daughter. She says, strong willed? and he says, to put it mildly. He can’t promise she won’t try to do the same thing again. Elizabeth says, it won’t be the worst thing. They’ve been totally negligent about getting them all together. Aiden and Jake have been kind of at a loss since Cameron moved out. It might do them some good to get together with their cousin. He says, Violet would love that, and she suggests they plan a family night… for the kids. He says, for the kids, and maybe if Violet’s distracted enough, she’ll let up on her campaign to get them back together. Elizabeth says, because that’s what they want, right?

Finn says he doesn’t know about Elizabeth, but what he wants is a little more complicated, and she says, they should probably talk about the other night. Terry walks in, and says, if it isn’t her favorite head nurse and infectious disease specialist. Finn says he has a patient to see, and Terry tells him, that’s what they all say. He says, and he has to meet Violet at the MetroCourt for a tea party, and Elizabeth tells him, have fun. He says, they’ll plan a family party real soon, and she says, good. He leaves, and Terry says she’s so sorry. She obviously interrupted something. Elizabeth says, it’s no big deal, but Terry says she knows Elizabeth for longer than either of them cares to admit. Does she want to talk about it? Elizabeth says, she and Finn had a date.

Kristina asks Alexis how long they’re going to ignore that there’s something blatantly wrong with Molly, and Alexis says she hasn’t decided yet. Kristina says, bottling things up is never healthy, and Molly asks what they’re whispering about; they’re giving her a complex. Kristina asks why Molly wanted to go out tonight, and Molly says, because it’s lady’s night at The Savoy, and she thought it would be fun. Kristina says, except that’s never her idea of fun, and Molly says, Kristina is the one always telling her to loosen up. Kristina says, but she doesn’t listen, and Molly says she’s listening now. Kristina asks, why now? and Molly says, does it matter? Sam says, no, it doesn’t, but Kristina says she disagrees. Under normal circumstances, she’d be all for this – champagne, nails, dancing – but obviously Molly is avoiding something, and she thinks they all know what that something is. Molly says, like Kristina has never avoided the realities of her life? and Kristina says, more times than she can count, but it never works out the way she wanted it to. In fact, it makes things worse. They’re her family. They care about her. Let them in.

Curtis says, maybe he was wrong. Maybe Molly isn’t shutting TJ out. Maybe she just needs time to process. Marshall says, just because their future doesn’t look like they thought it would, doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful, and TJ says he told Molly that; that they have options. Curtis says, she just might not be ready to hear that right now, and Marshall says, but she will be. TJ says he thinks the hardest part is that she’s not acting like herself. She passed off one of her big cases to a colleague, and then this morning, she decided she didn’t want to go to work, so she called out. Curtis says, people do that, but TJ says, people do; not Molly. Marshall says, they’re both grieving, and grief can do a number on us all, but it’s fleeting. Curtis asks if TJ’s heard the saying, time heals all wounds. It’s true. TJ says he’d never tell Molly how to deal with her grief, or that he thinks she should be done with that. He’s worried it’s more that that, and ultimately it’s going to tear them apart.

Back with her gummies, Lucy says, who does that? A person taking home confidential files to their house. Who hired Brook back? Maxie says, Lucy did, but Lucy says she knows she didn’t. Maxie says, the important thing is they know who downloaded the files. It was Brook, and she’s really sorry, and the files are being retrieved as they speak, so the crisis has been averted. Now, if Lucy will excuse her, she’s going home to relieve her mom and Mac. Felicia shows up, and Maxie says, she’s supposed to be with James. What’s wrong?

Martin says he’s stepping in for Valentin. Normally, he doesn’t answer to Tracy, which begs the question, why would he? She says, what part of her family’s company is tripping him up? and he says he understands the concept. She asks if he understands that the annual corporate GH fundraiser is next week, and he says, the picnic. She says, that’s the one, and if he’s going to be running the company, it would behoove them to bolster their professional relationship. And all of this to say she’d love it if he’ll attend as her honored guest. He says, that’s the favor? and she says, yes, when Brook walks in, but stops at the doorway. Tracy asks if he’ll come, and he says he has to check his calendar of course (🍷). She says, it’s the social event of the year. It will give them an opportunity to get to know each other better, and he can bring his flame Lucy… if they haven’t flamed out by then. He says, if that’s the case, then he’ll be delighted to attend her little soiree, and she says, a pleasure doing business with him. He leaves, and Brook takes his seat. She says she’s been looking all over for Tracy. They have a problem.

Felicia says, Mac is watching James, and Maxie says, Felicia couldn’t have texted that before she came in and gave her a heart attack? Felicia says she’s sorry. She guesses she wasn’t thinking. She just came by to talk to Lucy about something. Maxie says, it must be important. What’s going on? Lucy says she’s looking to get a gift for Martin, and Maxie says, and Felicia thought this was a good reason to abandon her grandson? Felicia says, Maxie is acting like she left James at the nearest fire station; he’s with his grandfather. And it’s a very special gift. Lucy says, it’s so special. In fact, it’s a gift of a personal nature… erotic in nature. If Maxie wants to stay and help them pick it out… Maxie says she’s good, and tells them to have fun. She leaves, and Felicia says, erotic? Lucy says, it’s the best she could come up with on the fly. She doesn’t want her business partners to know she has concerns about Martin. He really, truly is acting squirrely every time she mentions The Deceptor. Felicia says, Lucy doesn’t want to alarm them unnecessarily, and Lucy says, exactly. And who knows? Maybe there’s a perfectly logical explanation for his behavior. Felicia says, there could be, but she doesn’t think that’s the case.

Tracy says, please tell her this isn’t about Brook’s father, but Brook says, Deception. Tracy says, she wants to discuss that here? and Brook says, why not? Tracy says, exhibit A and B, as Violet and Finn walk in. Violet runs over to Brook, hugging her, and asks if Uncle Chase is with her. Brook says, she wishes. She’s stuck with this one. Tracy says, charming. Does Violet remember her? Violet says, of course (🍷). Auntie Tracy. Finn says, she came up with that all on her own, and Violet says, daddy said she had to ask before giving Tracy a hug. Tracy says, of course (🍷), and she appreciates Violet asking permission. Finn says he promised Violet a proper Shirley Temple, and Violet says, with an umbrella in it. Brook tells Violet, get over there. She’s seen Violet rule this bar. Violet says, daddy won’t let her be on his phone after what happened with Aunt Elizabeth, and Tracy suggests Brook do the Shirley Temple honors. Brook says she’d be delighted, and leaves with Violet. Finn sits down and asks, how’s Ned? Tracy says, he’s fully committed to his rock star persona, and refusing to acknowledge his family, and he says he’s sorry. She says, her too. What was that face? He says, what face? and she says, the face he made when Violet brought up Aunt Elizabeth. Call her crazy, but she thinks there’s a story there.

Elizabeth tells Terry that she and Finn went along with it because they didn’t want to hurt Violet’s feelings, and he explained to her afterwards that they were never going to happen. Terry says, because they’re over each other? and Elizabeth says, they’re great as friends. They had a really nice night. They talked, they took care of Violet together… Terry says, it almost sounds like nothing’s changed, and Elizabeth says, except everything’s changed. Terry says, not really. She and Finn were friends first, then developed feelings for each other. Who says the same thing can’t happen again? Elizabeth says, there was this one moment… and Terry says she knew it. Elizabeth says, but it didn’t mean anything; probably not to him. Terry asks if he said that, and Elizabeth says, not outright, but it was implied. Terry says, like nothing’s ever been lost in translation before. She’s just saying, instead of jumping to conclusions, why not ask Finn for the truth? Elizabeth says she can’t.

TJ says he understands that they each need their space sometimes, and Marshall asks if this is different. TJ says, Molly is pulling away from him emotionally and physically. If they don’t face this challenge together, how does their partnership survive? Curtis says he’s not going to pretend they’re not in a tough spot. Infertility can be devastating to a lot of relationships, and some separate because of it. Marshall says, but they’re not just any relationship. He sees how good they are together. How loving and patient and kind. Curtis says, and TJ needs to lean into that patience. Molly will come around, and when she does, TJ will be there waiting for her. TJ says he hopes Curtis is right.

Kristina asks Molly to tell them what happened, but Sam says, only if she wants to. Kristina says she’s guessing this has something to do with the doctor’s appointment Molly mentioned earlier, and Molly asks if she can’t be given one night off from talking about her fertility issues. All it’s been is endometriosis and eggs and babies, and she’s sick of it. Sam says, they don’t have to talk about it, and Kristina says, the last thing she wants to do is upset Molly, so if she really doesn’t want to talk about it, they don’t have to. They love her, and in Kristina’s experience, keeping things in doesn’t help, but they can. Molly says her eggs aren’t viable. She can never have a biological child. TJ can, but she can’t. Is Kristina satisfied? Kristina says, no, and she’s so sorry. Molly says she needs a minute, and leaves. Alexis looks at Kristina, and says, really?

Lucy asks what Felicia found, and Felicia says, a quarterly bank statement. It was shredded and she pieced it together. Every month of the last quarter, Martin has been receiving deposits of $50,000. Lucy wonders if he’s receiving that from Valentin, but Felicia says, not likely, since the deposits come from a bank in Pine Valley. Lucy says, Martin doesn’t have a license to practice law in Pennsylvania, but Felicia says, maybe he does and just never mentioned it. Lucy says, no. Martin likes to take only local cases, and Valentin is his bread and butter. It’s got to be something else. Something illegal? Felicia shrugs, and says, based on her experience, under the table transactions rarely show up on bank statements. Lucy says, right. Based on her experience, which is rather extensive as Felicia knows, deposits like that every month scream affairs, but Marty is devoted to her. Wouldn’t it be kind of weird that he’s the one getting payments? No, no, no. This has got to be something else. So what could it be?

Violet sips her Shirley Temple, and Brook asks, how is it? Violet says, delicious, when Brook sees Martin and tells Violet not to move a muscle. She’ll be right back. She goes over to Martin and says she saw him earlier with her grandmother. He says, suddenly, Tracy’s expressing an interest in having him help out with ELQ. Temporarily anyway. Even invited him to her family’s picnic; him and Lucy. Brook says she didn’t realize he and her grandmother were so close, but he says, they’re not. Definitely more like acquaintances. He has to hand it to her though. That woman is nothing if not sharp. She has a shrewd business sense. Brook tells him, just be careful, okay? and he says, meaning? She says she loves her grandmother, but she can be opportunistic. Just stay sharp around her. He says, duly noted, and Brook goes back to Violet.

Finn says, gossip isn’t usually Tracy’s thing, and she says she read something about Elizabeth and Nikolas trapping a pregnant girl in a tower? He says, good times, and she says she was surprised Elizabeth was involved. He says, it surprised him too, and Tracy says, there it is, pointing to his face. He says, Elizabeth was going through a rough patch, and she says, a rough patch their relationship couldn’t withstand. He says, it wasn’t just on her, and she says, some people are just not compatible? He says, they’re still friends. It’s a concept Violet’s having a hard time wrapping her head around. Tracy says, maybe she likes having a mother figure around – Finn says, yeah – or his oh so perceptive daughter can tell he still has feelings for her aunt?

Terry asks Elizabeth what she means, she can’t? Of course (🍷) she can. It’s easy. Finn, how did you feel about our date? Elizabet says, fake date, and Terry says, whatever. Elizabeth says she has no right to ask him for the truth after she destroyed the trust between them. Terry says, Finn understands why she had to lie to him about that pregnancy, and Elizabeth says, don’t forget all the months she was trying to figure out what was going on with her parents. Terry says, Finn was understanding about that too, but Elizabeth says, understanding and trusting are two different things. She doesn’t think he’ll ever open himself up to her like that again. Terry says, Elizabeth doesn’t know that, so isn’t it time she got out of her own way and found out?

Marshall tells TJ, hang in there, and Curtis says he’ll see Marshall at home. They hug, and Marshall says he’s going to look for Curtis. TJ and Curtis sit back down, and Curtis says he wishes he had an easy answer for TJ, but he will say they’re here to support him. TJ says, believe him, that means everything, and Curtis says, family. It is a bond that can’t be broken. TJ says he was really looking forward to adding to that family, and Curtis says he knows, but like TJ said, he and Molly still have options. TJ says, but he’s not sure Molly wants kids anymore.

Alexis says, Molly just needs some space, when Molly comes back and apologizes for storming off. Kristina says, no, she’s sorry. She shouldn’t have tried to make Molly talk about what’s happening. Molly says, this whole situation is just… Sam says, horrible? and Alexis says, it’s gut-wrenching. Kristina says, it’s impossible to navigate, and Molly says, all of the above. Sam says, they can change the subject, but Molly says, there’s no use in tiptoeing around it now. Sam says, maybe the good thing is, she can start making other plans, like looking into surrogacy or adoption. Molly says she can’t even begin to think about that right now. Because if she does, it feels like she’s going to break. Alexis hugs her and says, if she breaks, they’ll put her back together. Molly says, promise? and Alexis says she promises.

Alexis says, they can go to her house and watch a movie and have ice cream, but Molly says, she and TJ can revisit having a family, but tonight she needs to get out and remind herself of everything she loves. Kristina asks if that includes all of them, and Molly says, it definitely includes Kristina. Kristina says she hears The Savoy calling them, and this time, the Davis girls are causing some trouble.

Curtis says, so Molly’s given up on starting a family altogether? and TJ says, Molly wants to take a break from the planning. Curtis says, it makes sense after everything they’ve been through, and TJ says he doesn’t disagree, but Molly’s lack of communication is so foreign, he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do. He doesn’t know where her head is at. Curtis says, TJ still wants to have a baby, no matter what that looks like? and TJ says, yeah, but what if Molly doesn’t? What if she becomes so overwhelmed, she decides having kids isn’t worth it anymore? Curtis says, those are very big what ifs, and TJ says, it’s all he can think about. Curtis suggests they game this out, and says, worst case scenario, Molly doesn’t want to have kids, but TJ does, and they can’t get on the same page. What does that feel like for TJ, and what does it mean for him and Molly?  

Finn says he’d be lying if he said he hasn’t thought about Elizabeth, and Tracy says, her take? He says, sure, why not? and she says, whatever residual feelings he has for Elizabeth, he should squash them now. Things got messy once before, and he knows what they say about history repeating itself. Does he want to risk Violet losing her aunt again? She’s already lost her mother. Violet and Brook come back, and Finn asks, where’s the Shirley Temple? Violet says she drank it, and he says, that was so fast. It must be a record. He thanks Brook, and she says, anytime. She asks if she can borrow Tracy, and Tracy says, if she must. They leave, and Finn asks if Violet is ready for dinner. She says, and dessert, but he says, dinner first. She asks if they can see Aunt Elizabeth soon, and he says he’ll check the calendar. She bounces up and down, and smiles.

Terry says, if the issue with Finn was lack of honesty, the solution isn’t to make the same mistake again. How can Elizabeth regain his trust if they’re still keeping things from each other? Elizabeth says, they’re finally in a good place, and Terry says, as friends. Elizabeth says she doesn’t want to jeopardize that, and Terry says, even though she wants to be more? Terry’s phone dings, and she says, patient. Elizabeth says, saved by the bell, and Terry says, for now. She knows it seems complicated to Elizabeth, but from an outsider’s perspective, it couldn’t be more simple. Tell Finn how she feels.

Felicia asks if Lucy and Martin are happy, and Lucy says, blissfully. Felicia says, then if he’s not doing anything illegal, and he’s not having an affair, is it really worth it for her to turn over this rock? It could cost her the relationship. Lucy says she doesn’t know if she can just ignore it. Her intuition is never wrong, and whatever Martin is involved with, she feels like she’s got to know. Felicia says, she’s sure? and Lucy says, no… yes. Just turn over whatever little pebble and spin it, or throw the rock, or do something with that rock now. Felicia says, then the next step is for her to go to Pine Valley and find out who’s sending those payments. Lucy’s phone rings, and she whispers, it’s him. Felicia asks why she’s whispering, and Lucy whispers that she doesn’t know. It rings again, and Felicia says, answer it. Lucy answers, saying, hey you, and Martin says he just had a nice conversation with Tracy Quartermaine. Lucy says, that’s weird; nice and Tracy in the same sentence. He says, she’s invited them to the family picnic, and Lucy asks when it is. He says, next week, and she says, that’s nice of Tracy, but she’s not sure if she can make it back. He asks where she’s going, and she says, something came up; a little business trip out of state. He says, what for? and she says, what else – she looks at Felicia – Deception.

Brook says she needs that flashdrive back, and Tracy asks if it’s necessary. Brook says, Lucy knows she has it, she asked for it, so she thinks it’s really necessary. If she doesn’t bring it, they’re going to get suspicious, and where does that leave Tracy? Tracy takes it out of her bag and gives it to Brook, but they don’t notice Sasha watching.

Tomorrow, Sonny says he called Dante for dinner under false pretenses; Curtis thinks it’s time he takes his own advice; and Kristina thinks she can pull this off.

💔 She’s Sorry…

Apparently, Elizabeth has been replaced by Trina at a GH event due to a family emergency.

Rebecca Herbst Shares Bad News With Fans

👠 What Happens In Jersey…

Looks like they’re all coming back.

https://people.com/teresa-giudice-melissa-gorga-returning-rhonj-season-14-exclusive-7557748

Not all that interesting, but I wanted to include a little Luis smack talk.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/8529734/rhonj-margaret-josephs-not-safe-taping-teresa-husband-luis-ruelas/

🪅 Pumping No More…

With everything on her plate, LVP probably won’t even notice it’s gone.

Work Crews Tear Down Lisa Vanderpump’s Restaurant Before Closing Date
Lisa Vanderpump Marks ‘End of an Era’ at Pump Restaurant

🍸 (Not Much) More On Season 11…

There are a whole two pictures.

‘Vanderpump Rules’: First Look At Season 11 As Bravo Series Starts Filming

💃🏽 Seeing Red…

I wasn’t crazy about this challenge, but it was interesting to see what everyone did with the same damn bolt of fabric.

‘Project Runway’ 20 episode 5 recap: The latest challenge has the designers ‘Seeing Red’ [LIVE BLOG]

⚰️ That Dead Couple…

The latest on Rick and Michonne.

https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a44433025/walking-dead-rick-michonne-spinoff-title-logo/

🦛 For Your Squee-ing Pleasure…

I’ve always wanted an axolotl and a capybara.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/cute-animals

🃏 Cards Off the Table…

Join me tomorrow for soap, teatime, quotes, and a song. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting the rules of events, and stay not jumping to conclusions, but asking for the truth.

Jul6

July 5, 2023 – Willow Lets Nina In Her Bubble, OC On the Ranch, Celebrate, Shhh, Drunk Dial, Who’s Out, Deck Food, VanderShade, After, Pets (!) & Sea

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina tells Sonny that she has everything she wants; the man she loves, a wedding on the horizon, and barely a cloud in the sky. He says he doesn’t see any clouds, and she says, just one. Willow’s going to be home soon, but without her.

Willow tells Michael that she thinks her bubble should include Nina. She knows how he feels about Nina, but if she can only include a few people each day until her immune system kicks in… He says, she wants her mom to be one of them, and she says, they’ve been given a miracle here. Shouldn’t they share it? Not only with the people who deserve it, like his mom, but also the people who don’t, like her mom.

Sam asks if Carly is thinking of refinancing the house, but Carly says, no. She doesn’t think she could afford the monthly payment, and isn’t sure the bank would even refinance her. Sam says, so they can take the idea of mortgage off the table, and Carly says, absolutely, because she’s selling the house.

Diane meets Tracy at a table by the pool, and Tracy says she appreciates Diane’s punctuality. It’s the little things that engender trust. Diane is glad Tracy finds her trustworthy, but she was on her way to meet a client when she got Tracy’s message. Tracy offers Diane a seat, and Diane asks if Tracy also meets with the Quartermaine legal team poolside, but Tracy says, they don’t have Diane’s ability to think outside the box. Diane thanks her for the flattery, but says, it’s unnecessary. Just tell her what she’d like. Tracy says she’d like to hire Diane, and slides a check across the table.

Mac asks if Cody just said he considers him a friend, and Dante says, Cody is lucky to have a friend like Mac. It’s a wicked world out there, and it’s easy to make the wrong choices.

At the Deception office, Sasha takes one of her prescription pills, when Lucy and Brook come in. Brook asks if it’s true. She heard Cody’s been cleared and the charges have been dropped. Lucy says, Sasha must be absolutely thrilled, but Sasha says she wouldn’t go that far. Lucy says she’s entitled to feel happy for her friend. They’re going to celebrate that as soon as they take care of business. She looks at her phone, and wonders where Maxie is.

Martin leaves his hotel room, and posing as a staff member, Felicia slips inside.

Diane looks at the $40K check, and tells Tracy that it’s an impressive offer, but she already has all the clients she can handle. Tracy is sure Sonny keeps Diane busy, not to mention Carly and all her current legal woes, but she has the feeling once Diane hears what she has to say, Diane is going to want to fire all her clients and work for Tracy exclusively. Diane says she’s neither accepted Tracy’s check nor pushed it back across the table, so please continue. Tracy says she’d like to report a robbery, and Diane says, that’s a matter for the police, but Tracy says she’s not talking about a car or a computer. What she’s talking about is worth a king’s ransom – or if Diane prefers, a queen – and this queen would like the thieves to pay dearly for what they stole. She gives Diane a folder, and Diane admits she’s intrigued. What exactly was stolen? She looks in the folder, and says, The Deceptor?

Brook asks why the meeting is so hush-hush. Are they introducing a new product that’s going to be bigger than The Deceptor? Lucy says, she’ll know soon enough, and tells Sasha, the Twittersphere didn’t have a lot of detail, but how did Cody skate on those charges? Brook asks if Cody was telling the truth, and Gladys put the bracelet in his jacket pocket, but Sasha says, no. It turns out the bracelet was just misplaced, and Gladys made an honest mistake in blaming Cody. Brook says, so Sasha and Gladys are on good terms then? and Sasha says, never better. Lucy says, what about Sasha and Cody?

Cody says, Dante and his wicked world, and tells Mac that when they were in summer camp, Dante would tell stories about mysterious creatures that were half-man, half-monster, who stalked the forest eating lost campers. Dante says, they’re real; they looked like Scotty Baldwin. Mac’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Maxie asks if Felicia is with Mac. Georgie and Baby Lou are with Liesl, but she’s late for a meeting and she has no one to watch James. Mac hears James in the background, and says, it sounds like she needs an entire squad team. Don’t worry. He’s on his way. Dante asks if there’s trouble, and Mac says, just the kind that every parent knows. He congratulates Cody about the charges being dropped, and leaves. On the way out, he sees Martin, and asks if Martin took his advice about Lucy. Martin says, about not keeping things from her. The advice was taken. Mac tells him to have a nice day, and leaves. Martin takes his jacket and shoes off, and lies on a chaise lounge. Tracy watches him.

Willow tells Michael, now that Sonny is planning on marrying Nina, they can’t keep wishing she’ll disappear out of their lives. Like it or not, Sonny and Nina are part of the family. He still backed off on taking down his dad, right? He says he still hasn’t forgiven Sonny for what Sonny did to his mom and their family, but he’s not wasting any more time on a vendetta to make Sonny pay for the pain he caused. She says she’s proud of him for that, but doesn’t want to waste any more time either. She’s missed so much already. Michael says, she came back to them, and Willow says, Nina is part of them. She’s part of Willow, whether she likes it or not. Willow doesn’t expect Michael to forgive Nina, but she spent all those years building a relationship with Harmony despite her many flaws, because Harmony was her mother. Nina is her biological mother. Shouldn’t she give Nina the same consideration? She wants to get to know the mother she never had, and wants her mother to get to know her.

Sonny tells Nina that he could speak to Willow. Now that she’s had this life changing experience, maybe she can see things different. Nina says, that’s exactly what Michael said he didn’t want Sonny doing, and she’s not putting him in that position. To act as a go-between, and plead with Willow… If it came from Willow herself, that’s one thing, but they both know Willow will never give her a chance. He tells her, never say never. She lost Willow before and found her. Then she thought she lost Willow to leukemia, and what happened? Nina asks if he’s saying, where there’s life there’s hope. She never took him as the greeting card type. He says he’s a realist. He’s seen the toughest guys just melt over holding a baby in their arms. He’s also heard about women not even as big as Willow picking up an SUV with an injured child underneath. He believes in miracles. It was a miracle he didn’t die in that river. And where did he end up? Nixon Falls. She says, he’s not only a realist, but he’s a romantic, and she loves that about him. But they have to be honest, there are some people who think them finding each other wasn’t a miracle; more like a catastrophe.

Sam says, Carly can’t mean that, as the moss bowl🎍frets about having to move, and Carly says, it’s not like she wants to, but at the end of the day, it’s just a real estate transaction. This house is too big for her and Donna anyway, and Josslyn will be going to PCU in the fall. She and Trina are moving into an off-campus apartment. This is perfect. Sam says she needs to think this through, and Carly says, it’s not like she grew up in this house, and from the money she makes on the sale, she and Donna will be able to move into a condo on Charles Street and live off the rest. Sam says, that makes a lot of sense, except for one thing. Carly keeps calling this a house when it’s her home.

Sam says she’s talking to Carly as her friend, and asking her to please consider the consequences before she minimizes it down to a real estate transaction. Carly says she doesn’t have the luxury of being sentimental. Look at Drew. He sacrificed himself for her; his freedom. Sacrificing a house seems small in comparison. Sam asks what Carly thinks Drew would say about her selling the house, and Carly says, he wouldn’t like it, but he doesn’t have to know. Please… Sam says, of course (🍷). She wouldn’t say anything to Drew – it’s not her place – but he’s bound to find out. Carly says, by then, it will be too late. It’s her choice. It’s her decision. Sam says, of course (🍷) it’s her choice, but when she puts that for sale sign in the front yard, think about how Donna’s going to feel. She loves this house. Carly says she knows Donna loves it and she’s going to miss it, but she’ll understand. Sam says, she will, but will Carly? When she and Sonny got divorced, the only thing Carly hung on to, the only thing she fought for, was this house. Is she really ready to just let it go?

Sonny says, he and Nina both know they can’t turn back the clock. They can’t undo the hurt they’ve caused in the past. But Nina has to understand, if it wasn’t for her Aunt Liesl, Willow would have never had the bone marrow transplant. Maybe she would have died. Nina did that for her; she gave Willow the gift of her family. If Michael and Willow can’t acknowledge that… Nina’s family saved Willow’s life. Sonny’s phone rings, and he says he was just thinking about them. How’s the patient? Michael says, they just got the all-clear. Willow’s going home.

Nurse Clara says, Willow must be thrilled to be going home, and Willow says she can’t thank Clara enough for all the care she’s given her. Clara says, it’s all part of the job, but Willow says, no. She may not have worked here very long, but Clara went way beyond the call of duty. She’s the one who got Willow to see that this isn’t all about her. Clara says she assumes Willow means being reunited with her little ones, and Willow says, of course (🍷), but also with someone else. Clara says she was right, wasn’t she? A girl needs her mom.

Michael says, before Willow leaves the hospital, there’s something she needs, and Sonny says, of course (🍷). Just name it. Michael says, she needs her mom.

Tracy says, as Diane can see, the file contains a timeline detailing the development of The Deceptor, and the skyrocketing sales once it was released. Diane says, these documents look very confidential. How did Tracy get them? Tracy flashes back to Brook giving her the flashdrive, and Tracy tells Diane, never mind how she got them. How did Deception get them? And don’t tell her that they sprang fully formed from Lucy Coe’s questionable brain. Diane says, of course (🍷) not. A product like this often has years of research and development. And yet… Tracy says, and yet, the timeline confirms they suddenly showed up in Deception’s files as early as last autumn. Diane says, cards on the table. Is Tracy saying The Deceptor is stolen intellectual property? Tracy says she’s not saying it; Diane is.

Sasha says, yes. Cody is her friend, and she’s very glad his name was cleared. Lucy says, no thanks to Gladys, and Brook says, Gladys was pretty useless as her assistant, but she did seem pretty dedicated to nailing Cody. Sasha says, from Gladys’s point of view, Gladys was just looking out for her. Her only crime is caring too much. Brook says she knows Sasha is loyal to Gladys, but she’s still going to push to end the guardianship, right? and Sasha says she’s more determined than ever. And thanks to the help of her psychiatrist, she believes the court will decide she’s ready to be on her own. In fact, she’s going to go celebrate her upcoming freedom with a latte from Perks. She asks them to excuse her, and leaves.

Dante asks what Cody and Scotty were talking about. He bets 10 to 1 the words get rich quick were involved. Cody says, he and Scotty have a connection, remember? and Dante says, Dominique Baldwin. Cody says, not only was she his mom, she was also the love of Scotty’s life at one time. Dante asks why that connection means so much to Cody, when the other connection of Mac being his dad doesn’t mean anything to him, and Cody says, Mac’s better off not knowing. Dante says, Mac’s better off or Cody’s better off? Because it seems like whatever Cody and Scotty have cooking is on the wrong side of the law. He’s the law, right? And if Cody’s in over his head, like he has been ever since he dropped in that pool… Cody says, just drop it, okay? and Dante says, all right. Cody doesn’t want to talk to him, he knows who Cody can talk to.

Mac walks into Maxie’s, and James asks if he can come live with him. He’s tired of being the only boy. Mac tells Maxie to go to her meeting. He’s got this. She asks if he’s sure, and James says, go, mommy. They’ve got this. Maxie opens the door, and Felicia is there. She apologizes for being late, and Maxie says, tell it to the cops. Apparently, they got this. She leaves, and Mac asks, what kept her? She says she took a job, and he asks, what job? She says, the kind she knows best. She’s not just James’s grandma; she’s also, Felicia Scorpio, private eye.

James asks, what’s a private eye? and Felicia says, it means she solves mysteries, like in his Hardy Boys books or his Scooby-Doo cartoons. James asks if she does what grandpa does, and she says, it’s very similar. She’s going to need James’s help. Can he find her one of his mommy’s old sheets? The rattier the better. He says he knows where to look, and runs off. Mac says, if this is about Cody, she can stand down. The charges were dropped. She says, that’s good news, but her case has nothing to do with Cody. She’s doing this for an old friend. He asks if it’s someone he knows, but James comes back with the sheets, and says, that’s private. Remember? She’s a private eye, and private means you don’t talk about it. Felicia says, yeah, grandpa. Now that James is her official sidekick, she needs him to spread the sheet out on the floor, and maybe grumpy grandpa will help him if he feels like it. Mac says he doesn’t know how he feels about that title, but he’ll help. He and James spread out the sheet, and Felicia says, now they get to work and look for clues… by sorting through garbage. She dumps a bunch of trash on the sheet, and James says, awesome.

Cody says, Dante wants him to talk to Mac? Talk about beating a dead horse. Mac is literally the last person he can talk to. Dante says, no. Mac’s literally the person Cody is choosing not to talk to. And he’s Cody’s father. If Scotty’s gotten him into trouble, talk to Mac. Tell him what’s going on. He’ll hear Cody out and maybe help him out of the mess he’s in. Cody asks, what if he doesn’t want out of it? What if he’s the one driving the situation, not Scotty? Did Dante ever consider that?

Maxie says she’s sorry she’s late. What is this big emergency? Lucy says, good. Maxie’s here now. She can break the news. There’s no easy way to say it, so she’s just going to say it. They have a snake in their midst.

Tracy tells Diane, it makes her very happy that a lawyer as sharp as Diane is thinking what she’s thinking, because it makes her believe a judge might agree with Diane. Diane asks if she’s actually accusing Sasha, Lucy, and Maxie – not to mention her own granddaughter – of stealing the idea for The Deceptor, but Tracy says she’s not accusing anybody of anything… yet. Diane says, then what is she doing here? Can Tracy at least tell her who it was stolen from? Tracy says, it’s time for Diane to put her cards on the table. Is she in or is she out?

Carly tells Sam, this house has been her home for a long time, and she’s not going to deny how much it means to her. It’s the only house Donna’s ever known, and after her marriage ended with Sonny, and after she lost the MetroCourt, this house was the one thing outside of her kids that she could hold on to. Even now, she can stand in this room and she can hear every laugh. She can feel every tear, and can even taste every meal they’ve shared. And the memories of Josslyn growing up here, the memories of Morgan, those memories… They’re going to be in her heart forever. Sam asks if she’s really ready to let that all go, and Carly says she doesn’t have a choice. She’s a survivor and she has to adapt. And as hard as it’s going to be to walk out that front door and never come back, that’s what she’s going to have to do.

Sonny and Nina come out of the hospital elevator, and Nina flashes back to telling Ava that when Willow finds out she’s the one who turned in Carly and Drew, any chance that she has of forging a relationship with her is gone. Sonny asks, what’s wrong? and she says she’s not as brave as she thought she was. She’s going to mess this up. She can’t do this.

Clara asks if Nina is Willow’s mom by any chance, and Nina says, yes. Clara says, Willow told her that she’d asked to see Nina. She’s so happy for Nina and her daughter, but she’s going to need to put this on first. She gives Nina a mask, and says, it’s nice meeting her. Instead of saying, likewise, Nina says, okay, and Clara leaves. Michael comes out, and says, Willow’s ready to see her. Nina puts the mask on, and goes into Willow’s room.

Carly says she’s sorry. Sam didn’t come over to hear about her problems. Sam says, don’t be sorry. She asked how Carly was feeling. She’s glad Carly feels close enough to her that Carly can lean on her. It hasn’t always been that way. Carly says, her loss, and Sam says, hers too. She always considered Carly Jason’s friend. She’s glad that’s changed. Carly says she’s not just losing a house; she’s gaining a friend. Sam says, Carly never lost her, and as far as selling the house, she suggests they put a pin in it. They can think things through. See if Carly has other options. Carly says she doesn’t have any other options. And those memories she talked about aren’t bound by four walls and a roof. They’re going to come with her wherever she goes, and they’re going to be the foundation she builds on. Not just the new home she creates, but the new version of herself. Sam says, there’s that fighting spirit, and Carly says she’s done this before. And this time when she’s finished, she’s going to get back everything she’s lost.

Sonny tells Michael that Willow’s amazing. He knew she was tough enough to take on cancer, but to open her heart to Nina was… Michael says, she didn’t open her heart; she just opened a door. It remains to be seen if Nina will make Willow regret it.

Nina says, considering everything Willow’s been through, she looks wonderful. Some color in her cheeks again… and her eyes. Willow says, the staff here have taken excellent care of her, but now it’s time to go home. Nina says, Willow must be anxious to get back to Wiley and Amelia. Is there anything she can do to help? Willow says, as a matter of fact, there is. Once she gets settled in at home, she’d like Nina to come for a visit.

Brook says, a snake? and Lucy says, it all began with what she thought was just going to be a normal routine report from their IT department. But instead, it was anything but routine what they found yesterday – and unauthorized download from their executive shared drive. That download contained data that was highly confidential about The Deceptor. Maxie says, that data is password protected, and Lucy says, it was. Only them. They know the password. Maxie asks if she’s saying one of them logged on to the shared file and stole all the data on The Deceptor, but Lucy says, she’s not saying one of them. She’s saying Maxie stole it.

Diane says if she’s going to take Tracy on as a client, she needs more, and Tracy says, there’s plenty more where that came from, touching the check. Diane says she’s not talking about the money… entirely. She needs to be able to connect the dots, starting with who actually owns the intellectual property rights, and ending with who has them now and how they plan to reproduce the product. Tracy says she’ll get Diane everything she needs to proceed once Diane lets her know she’s truly on board. She reaches for the check, but Diane slides it out from under her hand. Diane tells Tracy, if what she says is true and a judge agrees, then Tracy and whomever she’s working with are going to get a huge payoff. Tracy says she knows, and Diane will be entitled to a quarter of it. Diane says, she’s cute. No. She’ll be entitled to a third. Now if Tracy will excuse her, she needs to go see other clients. She leaves, and Tracy strolls over to Martin. She drips an ice cube over his head, startling him, and she asks if he wasn’t going to say hello.

Mac asks what Felicia is doing with all this garbage, as he and James put on gloves. She says, they’re looking for evidence, and Mac says, if she obtained this garbage illegally… She says, garbage is fair game, but he says, it depends on how she got it. She says, if he must know, she got it from the housekeeper. He looks at her, and she says, it’s the honest truth. James asks, what’s hummingbird cake? and Mac says, it’s cake that’s popular in the South. He asks Felicia, whose garbage is this anyway? and she asks James if he knows what this is, showing him something in a plastic bag. He shakes his head, and she says, this is the jackpot.

Felicia dumps shredded paper out of the bag, and says, looks like someone was in a rush to put their bank statement through the paper shredder. That explains why some of the pieces are larger than others. She suggests they see it as a jigsaw puzzle. All they have to do is put the pieces together. James asks Mac, what is this? and shows him a piece of paper that says, MARTIN GREY, ESQUIRE.

Martin says, long time, no see, and Tracy says, the last time their paths crossed… He says, she was behind bars, and she says, yeah. It was that unfortunate misunderstanding with Alexis. She doesn’t believe she ever properly thanked him for representing her, and he says, come to think of it, she didn’t. Where does he send the bill? She laughs, and tells him to never lose his sense of humor. Is he still with Lucy Coe? He says he is. Why does she ask? She says, chacun a son gout, and he says, come again? She says, to each his own taste. Actually, her dearly departed brother also found Lucy Coe irresistible. Of course (🍷) that was never a match made in heaven. He says, that sounds vaguely like a warning, but she says, it’s a prediction.

Cody asks Dante if it’s really so hard to believe that his old pal could come up with a plan on his own. Not just some harebrained scheme, but an actual way to hit pay dirt? Dante says he thinks Cody’s smart. It’s just Cody’s judgement he questions. Cody says he can’t afford what Dante considers judgement. He doesn’t have a father with the same connections as Dante’s. He doesn’t have a Sam in his life, or kids, or family, or friends. He’s not trying to throw himself a pity party. He’s just saying he’s had to scratch and claw for everything he’s ever gotten. Dante says, by choice. He’s got friends. Cody’s got him, he’s got Sam, he’s got Sasha. He has a family. He’s got a dad. He’s just got to let them in. Or maybe the money is of more value to him.

Maxie says, Lucy thinks she stole from her own company? but Lucy says, no. She doesn’t really think that. She doesn’t want to think that, but IT was very, very clear, the unauthorized download, that data came from Maxie’s computer and her computer only. Maxie says she accesses the shared file all the time. She was looking around in it yesterday, but she definitely didn’t download anything. Brook can back her up. Brook was with her. Remember? She was surprised to see Brook on her day off. Brook says, of course (🍷) she remembers that, and Lucy says, fine. Does Brook remember seeing Maxie download anything, or anybody at all download anything from Maxie’s computer?

Willow tells Nina that her immune system is still going to be compromised for a little while. The hardest part will be keeping Wiley and Amelia at a distance for a few weeks. It also means allowing a small bubble of friends and family to be in the same room with her. Nina says, Willow is including her in this bubble? and Willow says she wants to be very clear that Carly will be part of it too. She asked Nina this once before when she thought she was dying, but it’s even more important to her now when she has so much to live for. Feuding and the need for vengeance have to stop immediately. If Nina wants to be part of her life, she has to make peace with Carly.

Walking into Sonny’s old kitchen and admiring the moss bowl🎍, Diane apologizes for being late. She ran into Tracy Quartermaine. Carly says, enough said, but her timing’s perfect, and Sam guesses that’s her cue to go. Carly’s in good hands. She leaves, and Carly says, Diane made sure she got this house when she and Sonny divorced. Now she needs Diane to make sure she’ll get top dollar when she puts this house on the market. Diane asks if she’s seriously thinking of selling, and Carly says, please don’t try to talk her out of it. She just went through that with Sam, and this is the only chance she has. There’s nothing else she can do. Diane says, how Carly underestimates her.

Maxie says, her computer may have been the entry point, but why would she want to download files she already has access to? What would be her reason for doing that? Lucy says, that is curious. She’s right. But if Maxie didn’t do it, who did?

Martin says, doubtless, Tracy has her own history with Lucy. Fortunately, his lady love and he share a great many things in common, including an unshakable faith in each other. She says, that’s adorable, but she was wondering if he would be interested in a little proposition.

Cody says, Dante can think what he wants, but he’s learned not to count on anyone but himself. Dante asks how that’s working out for him, and leaves.

Mac says, it’s a quarterly bank statement, and Felicia says, look at that. $50,000 is automatically deposited every month. James says, this puzzle isn’t any fun. All the pieces are the same. He’s getting a cookie. Mac asks James to get one for him too, please, and James goes to the kitchen. Felicia says, odds are those monthly deposits were made by Martin’s biggest client Valentin, and Mac says, but why aren’t the checks drawn from a bank here in Port Charles? She says, he’s right. They come from a town in Pennsylvania… Pine Valley.

Nina gives Willow her word. Her feud with Carly is officially over. Michael knocks at the door and comes in with Sonny. Sonny asks if Nina is okay, and coming out from the isolation area, Nina says she’s better than okay. Willow invited her into her bubble of friends and family. Sonny hugs Nina, and Willow asks if Michael is upset with her decision. He says, no, never. If she wants Nina included in her circle, he’s not going to stand in her way. Because her happiness means everything to him. Everything

Carly tells Diane that she doesn’t understand. All the equity she has is in the house. It’s all she has. Unless she sells it, she won’t be able to afford anything. Diane asks, who’s the lawyer here? At least let her make her case. She starts to show Carly something in a booklet.

I would have ended with the Pine Valley reveal, but okay.

Tomorrow, Tracy is prepared to offer someone a challenge; Marshall asks if he’s going to see Curtis at home tonight; Finn says, there will be no more romantic evenings for him and Elizabeth in the future; and Brook says, they have a problem.

🍊 RHOC This…

Why The Real Housewives of Orange County go on trips together is beyond me. Any Housewives trip is usually proof positive that the wrong people have all the money and get to take amazing vacations. And while this trip was indeed amazing, it wasn’t exactly Dubai. These women for sure don’t belong on a ranch. So even more puzzling.

Fancy Pants Heather was upset because Taylor had been belittling her career to Tamra. Taylor and Tamra were both equally guilty of making a little fun of Fancy Pants, but no surprise, Tamra pointed her finger at Taylor, and in her interview, Fancy Pants said she thought it would be disappointing if Tamra wasn’t supportive of her career, and felt she had no choice but to believe her. Clearly she doesn’t know Tamra, although Gina wondered why they were pretending Tamra was a saint. Also no surprise, Fancy Pants made a bigger deal of it than it was, and I’m sure there will be no end to it. Taylor thought she and Tamra had a tighter bond than that. Another one who clearly doesn’t know Tamra. Emily was spot-on in her interview, saying, Tamra would throw anyone under the bus, then drive the bus over them, and burn the bus so there would be no evidence.

There were all kinds of apologies between Tamra and Shannon, and in her interview, Fancy Pants said she was glad Tamra and Shannon were getting along, but hoped she didn’t end up being odd man out. Give it time. Like five minutes and a few tequilas.

Then there was the topic that wouldn’t die, Tamra yapping about new girl Jen’s infidelity or whatever, and how her boyfriend Ryan had claimed he wanted to do Tamra before he was doing Jen, even though he knew Tamra was married. Tamra ended up announcing this around the campfire, and Jen tried to explain that she hadn’t even held Ryan’s hand before she told her husband it was over. Fancy Pants whispered to Gina that she thought emotional affairs were worse, which just added fuel to Gina’s already emo fire. She wanted to call Travis and vent, but Fancy Pants warned her against it, saying, if she kept bringing up how she gets triggered, Travis would start thinking their relationship wasn’t solid. Gina still had some work to do, and he wasn’t her therapist or brother. Much as I hate to admit it, Fancy Pants was not wrong here. In Fancy Pants’s interview, she said, if Gina was still getting upset with something that happened years ago, maybe she wasn’t over it.

They drove tractors, roped, and shoveled poop, Fancy Pants wondering if Chanel made a shovel. Shannon wore overalls with one buckle undone, and… just no.

On the home front, Emily had gotten Annabelle signed with a modeling agency. She thought Annabelle needed some professionalism in her life, as they called her their feral child since she acted like they’d picked her up in the woods. We found out that Emily had modeled for department store ads when she was younger, and Shane had a talk show when he was a senior in high school on public access. Emily mused about it being in Annabelle’s DNA.

My vote for common denominator: Tamra.

Next time, rafting; Gina doesn’t listen to Fancy Pants, and talks to Travis anyway; Tamra tells Eddie about Ryan wanting to hit that; and Ryan insists it didn’t happen.

🎆 What They Did…

Probably not much different than what everyone else did.

Soap Stars Celebrate Independence Day — See the Family Photos!

💎 Keeping Quiet…

They might have read a little too much into this.

Kathy Hilton’s Cryptic Post About ‘Silence’ Following Reports of Kyle Richards and Mauricio Umansky Split

☎️ Prank Call, Prank Call…

You know how it is when you have a sleepover.

Vicki Gunvalson Voicemail to Ex Steve Lodge Leaks as She Denies Harassment

👠 Off With Their Heads…

Bravo keeps rewarding bad behavior, and won’t be happy until they end up with a lawsuit because of Teresa.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/8520777/rhonj-melissa-gorga-chopping-block-teresa-giudice-not-fired/

🥩 Chefs Outdone…

One of my favorite parts of any Deck in the franchise – food p*rn.

Times When Below Deck Chefs Really Outdid Themselves

💸 No Villa For You…

I love the bit of amateur psychoanalysis at the end.

https://screenrant.com/vanderpump-rules-tom-schwartz-shady-tom-sandoval-vanderpump-villa/

🍸 Next Rules…

Probably not much you really need to know.

Everything to Know About ‘Pump Rules’ Season 11

🦔 Ending With a Smile…

Lotsa cute pets here.

https://honey.nine.com.au/pets/celebrity-pets/daad8159-e6e9-497d-9f42-ca1c18069679

🌪 Monday Holiday Day Confusion…

Make a return trip tomorrow for soap and random cups of tea. Until then, stay safe, stay not expecting someone else to clean up after you, and stay knowing your memories aren’t bound by four walls and a roof. They come with you wherever you go.

Jun23

June 22, 2023 – Selina Forces a Truce, Surprise, Her Start, Again, In the OC, Wanting Spin, Unfollowed, VanderTalk, Hotel Pets (!) & Only

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What I Watched Today

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

💔 In my area, GH was interrupted for the majority of the show. Normally, it annoys me, since it’s usually news we can wait for, but today I felt differently, having rooted for the rescue of those in the Titan submersible. Sadly, it was not to be, so RIP to those brave souls who died doing what they loved.

General Hospital

Sasha comes back to the table, and asks what Maxie just said. What did Maxie mean, Cody may feel something more than friendship for her? Lucy starts to talk, but Sasha says, it doesn’t matter, because she couldn’t be more wrong.

Cody tells Gladys that he and Spinelli have evidence that Gladys planted the bracelet on him; evidence that will show her testimony is bogus. Spinelli says, do the decent thing and recant, and Gladys says, or what? Cody says, or it will leave her heading upriver, not him.

Kristina says, sure, she’ll go, and Sam thanks her. Kristina says, as soon as Sam tells her what’s up, but Sam says, it’s not a good time. Kristina asks if it’s because Sam’s so busy. She’s literally sitting here alone. Sam says she’s on a job, and Kristina says, sounds fun. P.I. stuff? She looks around, and Sam says, it’s not fun; it’s important. Kristina says, adultery? Fraud? A criminal investigation? Sam says, come on, getting up, and Kristina asks where they’re going. Sam says, anywhere but here. Sam gives Spinelli a nod, and they leave.

On the phone, Finn says, they want to rule out any neurological issues before they proceed with treatment, when Gregory walks in. Finn says, let him know when they’ve got it set up, and hangs up. Gregory says, his son the doctor, and Finn asks how he is, hugging him. Gregory says, busy day? and Finn says, relentless. Good thing he’s getting the hell out of Port Charles.

Alexis walks into the hospital and sees Tracy. She asks, how’s Ned? and Tracy asks if she doesn’t mean Eddie Maine.

In an empty courtroom, Drew looks at a phone alert for Scout’s swimming lesson, when Carly walks in. She hugs him, and says she can’t believe today is the day. He says he feels a little bit like a kid waiting to hear his punishment, and she says, punishment he doesn’t deserve. He says, punishment she doesn’t deserve either, and she asks if he’s ready. He says he doesn’t know. Is anyone ever ready to sign away their freedom? She hugs him again.

As they enter the MetroCourt Gardens, Kristina asks if Sam doesn’t want her to know, or is Sam going to fill her in? Sam says she’s doing some surveillance, and Kristina says she saw Spinelli out there and Dante’s friend Cody. What are they doing with Gladys Corbin? Sam asks if Kristina knows what the P in P.I. stands for, and Kristina says, private. Sam tells her, good job, and she asks if she gets a gold star. She’ll drop it, but if Sam has a minute, she’d like some big sister time. Sam asks if everything is okay, and Kristina says, with her? Yeah. She’s worried about Molly.

Gladys says she thinks she’ll pass, but Cody says, that would be a mistake. They have her dead to rights. Gladys says, it’s going to take more than made up words to trip her up, and Cody says, she doesn’t care that they have evidence that could send her away. Gladys tells him, if said evidence actually existed, they would have turned it in by now. So why are they here with her instead of at the PCPD?

Sasha says she and Cody are just friends, and Lucy tells her, if you say so. Sasha says she does. It’s not like that between them. Lucy says, of course (🍷). No one was suggesting there was anything romantic going on. Maxie says she thinks they should get back to work, and Sasha asks, then what were they suggesting? Lucy says, just that on Sasha’s end, it might be strictly platonic, but maybe things are developing for Mr. Bell.

Gregory says, Finn’s leaving town? and Finn says, not permanently. He’s going on vacation, which he thought Gregory would get, being it was his idea. Gregory, him, Violet, Chase, Disneyworld. Ring any bells? Gregory says, as he recalls, Finn told him that it wasn’t a good time, and Finn says, it wasn’t, but now Violet is out of school, and he’s got a couple weeks coming up where he can take some time off. Gregory says, and Chase? and Finn says, it may be more difficult for him, since he’s just getting his badge back, but he’s working on it. Finn even got Violet a set of purple Mickey Mouse ears. So what does Gregory say? Gregory tells him, it sounds wonderful, but he’s afraid things have changed on his end.

Drew tells Carly that he’s been going over it in his head again and again. He knows the right thing is to accept this plea deal, but now that he’s here… She says, it’s hard, and he says, it is. She says, he doesn’t have to do this. Please? He says, it’s the only way, when Michael walks in. Carly says she told him that he didn’t have to come, but he says he wanted to. Drew says, they appreciate him being here. He knows Michael has enough on his plate with Willow and the kids. Michael says he checked all the boxes. He had breakfast with Wiley and Amelia… Or rather, Amelia watched from a rocking chair while he and Wiley ate. The nanny took Wiley to the park, he stopped by Aurora, then spent time with Willow. Drew asks how she is, and Michael says, she must be doing better, since she’s back to bossing him around. She basically insisted he come. She sends her love to both of them. Drew says he sends it right back, and Carly says, her too. Michael says, she also wanted him to tell them, it’s painfully obvious if it wasn’t for Drew, she wouldn’t even be here. Drew suggests they not think about that, but Michael says, still, it’s true, and they’re eternally grateful. Carly says, so is she, and asks, how’s Ned? Michael says he was going to check in with Ned this morning, but then Brook told him the latest. Is that right? Drew says, Ned doesn’t even remember who he is. He thinks he’s Eddie Maine. Carly says she can’t imagine how hard it is for Olivia, and Michael says he feels terrible for the family. It’s just that he can’t get past the fact that the reason they’re here, the reason Drew’s life is being blown up, is because of Ned.

Alexis says, Tracy answered her question. She stopped by to see Ned, and was told Eddie isn’t accepting visitors. Tracy says, that’s a blessing. What if he took one look at Alexis and launched into that Eddie’s Angels business? Alexis says, because she caused enough problems in his marriage, and Tracy tells her, she said it. Alexis says she’s going to be nice, and despite their history, she’s telling Tracy that she’s sorry. This must be very difficult for Tracy and her family. Tracy says, a mid-life crisis is annoying, and definitely bad for business, but this is different. This is so much worse. Her son doesn’t know her. And worse, he doesn’t know Leo. When Luke died, she thought she could withstand anything, but she honestly thinks this is more than she can handle.

Drew says he gets that Michael’s angry, and Michael says, Drew’s not? Drew says he’s very angry – they both are – but this is happening for a lot of reasons besides Ned. Zeke comes in, and Drew introduces him to Carly and Michael, saying, Michael is Josslyn’s brother. Zeke says, their daughter and sister is a wonderful woman, and Carly says, he knows Josslyn? Drew says, Zeke is Trina’s uncle, and Zeke says, Portia’s his sister. Carly says, they absolutely adore Trina, and Zeke says he hit the jackpot in the niece department. Zeke tells Drew that he spoke with the prosecutor, and he said the Feds accepted the deal. All that’s left is for the judge to sign off, Drew enters his plea, and he takes care of the rest. Michael says, what is the deal, if they don’t mind him asking? and Drew says, six months in minimum security prison, and in return, Carly doesn’t have to do any prison time. Michael says, that’s not it, is it? and Carly says, no. Zeke says, her attorney will reach out to her for the financial penalty, and Michael says, there’s no way this could blow back on his mom, is there? Zeke says, essentially, Drew is taking responsibility for the insider trading. The SEC is satisfied, and won’t throw the book at the both of them. Zeke’s phone rings, and he steps away to take the call. Michael thanks Drew so much for doing this for his mom, and Carly says she told him to change his mind; that it wasn’t a good idea. Drew says, this is the best outcome for everybody involved, and Carly says, really? The best outcome is for him to go to prison? Drew says, when you consider the alternatives, yes. Michael says he knows what Drew is giving up, and doesn’t want him to worry about anything. When he’s gone, they’ll check on Scout. He’ll keep Aurora running, and Drew’s life will be waiting for him, right where he left it, when he gets back. Drew says, coming from Michael, he believes that, and they bro hug.

Sam asks if Kristina heard from Molly, and Molly says, no, that’s the problem. Ever since Molly told them about her endometriosis, she’s been so distant. Kristina keeps reaching out of course (🍷), but either Molly doesn’t respond at all, or if she does, it’s with some lame emojis. Sam says, emojis, yeah. Molly’s doing the same thing to her. Kristina asks what they do, and Sam says, nothing?

Sasha tells Maxie and Lucy, back up. They think Cody is interested in her? Maxie tells her, that’s not what Lucy said, but Lucy says, that’s kind of exactly what she said. Sasha says, and they think she should be receptive to that? but they both say, no. Sasha says, good, and Maxie says, because Sasha’s still grieving and not ready to date, but that’s fine. Unless she is ready to date, then that’s totally fine too. Sasha says, she’s not, and Lucy says, okay. All she was saying was, Cody is a man… and Sasha is a smart, beautiful woman, and he did ride on in to rescue her at Home & Heart. Sasha says, as a friend, and Maxie says, a really caring and sweet and thoughtful friend. She really loves how Sasha brings out the chivalrous side of Cody. Because let’s be honest, he can be a little rough around the edges. Sasha says, ya think? and Maxie says, but with Sasha, he’s different. She had her reservations about Cody at first, but it turns out he’s a really great guy. Sasha says, and a very good friend, and Lucy says, for now. Sasha and Maxie both say, Lucy! and Lucy says she’s sorry; it just slipped out.

Cody says he wanted to give Gladys the chance to do the right thing for Sasha’s sake, but Gladys says, he doesn’t care about Sasha. He says, that’s where she’s wrong. Let’s face it. They both know there are details at play here that have been kept on the DL. Spinelli says, that’s intriguing. Does Gladys care to expand on those details? Gladys says, here’s the way she sees it. There are only two possible reasons Cody came to her instead of going to the police. Either he’s got butkus, and he’s trying to save his butt, or he came to this so-called evidence illegally. She’s not a betting woman, but if she was, this is a bet she can’t lose.

Gregory tells Finn that he recently accepted a job at The Invader, on their editorial board. Finn congratulates him, and says he’s glad Gregory finally made it official. He seemed to be really enjoying his time there. Gregory says he’s sorry he didn’t tell Finn sooner. Their schedules hadn’t lined up since he started. He’s still getting used to the grind of a daily newspaper. Finn says, there’s no need to apologize, but consider himself lucky that he’ll explain about the trip to Violet. She’d never let him hear the end of it. Don’t worry about it. They’ll do it next year. Gregory says, no, and Finn asks, what does that mean? Gregory says, next year’s too far away. Who knows how long Violet’s princess phase will last? Finn says, if God has mercy, not much longer, and Gregory says, they’ll have to make it sooner… but not too soon. He knows better than to ask for time off less than a month into the job. Finn says he takes it Gregory and Alexis worked things out, and Gregory says, she’s a good friend. Finn says, agreed, and Gregory says he wishes he could say the same thing about some of Finn’s other friends.

Tracy tells Alexis, they understand what’s going on, but this is hugely traumatizing for Leo. The father he loves suddenly doesn’t recognize him and wants nothing to do with him. Alexis asks how Leo is handling it, and Tracy says, not well. Who can blame him? Honestly, she thought Ned was made of sterner stuff, and Alexis asks how she means. Tracy says, Eddie Maine was an alter-ego Ned created years ago, and Alexis says she knows he wanted to be a performer, but Tracy says, he wanted to escape his real life. Alexis asks if Tracy thinks he’s doing the same thing again, and Tracy says, it’s no secret Ned is facing accusations from half his family for turning in Carly and Drew to the SEC. Add to that, he’s working overtime to try and fix the business disaster of Valentin faking his own death. Alexis asks if she’s suggesting Ned fell on purpose.

The bailiff says, all rise, court is now in session. The honorable Judge Albert Kim presiding. Judge Kim takes the bench, and tells them, be seated. This is the United States versus Cain, in which the defendant, Andrew Cain, has been charged with insider trading. How does he plead? Drew looks at Carly, gets up, and says, I plead guilty, your honor.

Finn says, Gregory is talking about Tracy, and Gregory says, ding, ding. That woman is a piece of work. Finn says, Tracy is an acquired taste, and Gregory says, you don’t acquire a taste for arsenic, you avoid it. Finn laughs, and says, that’s a little harsh. He understands Gregory’s skepticism, but believe it or not, Tracy’s been a really good friend to him. Gregory tells him, so he keeps saying, and Finn says he knows Gregory didn’t like how she treated Chase. Gregory says, when she tore into him and attacked his character? and Finn says he didn’t like it either, but to Tracy, family is everything, and in her mind, she was just looking out for her granddaughter. Gregory says, his friend needs to find another way to express herself, and Finn says, trust him. There’s more to Tracy than the prickly exterior. You just have to dig a little deeper.

Tracy tells Alexis, she’s just suggesting that deep in Ned’s psyche, he’s relishing the idea of getting away from it all, and this accident affords him that opportunity. Alexis says, that’s quite a stretch, but Tracy says, is it really? It wouldn’t be so bad if it were just him alone, but he has a family, and Olivia is beside herself and Brook is a wreck. Alexis asks what the doctors said, and Tracy tells her, they’re useless. They say, be patient, time heals, blah-blah-blah. Alexis says, sounds reasonable to her, and Tracy wonders if there’s anyone in this hospital who’s willing to go to extreme measures to turn Eddie Maine back into Ned.

Sam says she hates this for Molly, but all they can do is love her and be a safe haven for her, and Kristina says she just can’t believe this. She also can’t believe, of the three of them, she’s the only one with functional plumbing. (Are you thinking what I’m thinking?) Not a single issue. Sam says, rub it in, why doesn’t she? and Kristina says she did do some research online. She didn’t want to bother Molly with questions, but endometriosis is a really painful condition. Can Sam believe Molly’s been suffering all this time? Alone? She hates that for Molly. Sam says she hates it too.

Sasha asks if they think it’s weird she’s not ready to move on yet, but Maxie says, no. It’s not even been a year since Brando died. Not that there’s a timetable. Lucy says, not at all. She thinks it’s natural not to know how and when and if you’re able to just let go. Sasha asks if Maxie felt that way with Nathan, and Maxie says, after Nathan died, the thought of moving on without him, starting a whole new life, was the most overwhelming feeling in the entire world. Sasha says, of course (🍷) she wants that for herself, and Lucy says, but if she can’t see it yet, really, it’s okay. Maxie says, everyone grieves differently and at different paces. She’s doing great. Lucy takes Sasha’s hand, and says, she really, really is.

Gladys says, they couldn’t have lifted anything off her fitness app. She didn’t bring her phone with her to the ball. Cody asks, who leaves their phone at home? and Gladys says, someone who couldn’t fit it in her purse. Ha! The waiter clears Sam’s table, and the whatchamacallit falls on the ground. Gladys asks, what’s that? as Selina walks in with Li, and steps on it.

 Selina picks it up, and walks over to Gladys. She says, this looks like a directional microphone, and Gladys says she has no idea what that is. Selina says, it’s meant to record conversations from a distance, and Gladys asks if Cody and Spinelli recorded her. Selina asks if one of them dropped this, and Cody says, sure didn’t. Spinelli says, how fortuitous that she picked it up so no one would trip, and Selina says, they wouldn’t want that on such a lovely day, would they? Forgive her if she seems intrusive, but she’s sensing some tension between the three of them. Is everything all right? Gladys says, it was all right until these two showed up and started harassing her out of nowhere. Cody and Spinelli protest, and Cody says, nothing Selina needs to concern herself with. They know how busy she is, don’t they Gladys? Selina says, not too busy to resolve a conflict. Shall they put their heads together and come up with a solution? Cody says, that’s not necessary, but Selina says, nonsense. Have a seat over there. She’ll help them iron this out. Cody goes to sit, and Gladys thanks her, following him. Selina blocks Spinelli, and says she’ll take it from here. She tosses the microphone into the pool.

Maxie says, just think of where Sasha was at this time last year, and Lucy says, they’re so proud of her. Sasha says she almost feels like a different person, and Maxie says, she’s still herself, just stronger and wiser. Lucy says, and infinitely more resilient. Sasha says she’s so lucky to have them in her corner, and Maxie says, always. Lucy says, always, and excuses herself to use the powder room. Sasha asks if Maxie thinks anyone has as much energy as Lucy, and Maxie says, no. Her phone rings, and she tells Sasha, it’s Georgie. Sasha says she’ll hold down the fort, and Maxie steps away. Sasha looks at a photo of Brando on her phone, and says, Brando, I have come a long way, haven’t I? But it’s true; I’m still not over you. And I have to wonder if I’ll ever be. She looks up, and Dr. Montague is there.

Kristina says, it must be pretty awful to want to be a mother, then find out you can’t be, and Sam says, it’s awful, and isolating and devastating, and a million other not so fun feelings. But the good thing is, once the dust settles, Molly and TJ are going to be okay. They’re going to be able to have a family. It’s just going to be a longer, windier road to get there. Kristina says she hopes they do try to have kids another way. Molly and TJ would be the best parents. Sam asks if she’s chopped liver, and Kristina says, no. She’s a supermom. And she’s a super aunt obviously. Sam says she doesn’t know about that. Scout told her that the last time Kristina took her and Danny out to dinner, she didn’t let them have dessert afterward. Kristina says, that’s because she let them have dessert before, and Sam says, she thought that was a good idea why? Kristina says, Scout left that part out. She’s taught her niece well.

Gregory says, Finn really thinks that highly of Tracy Quartermaine? and Finn says, in a realistic and tentatively appropriate way, yes. Gregory says he trusts Finn’s judgement. He’ll reserve his and give her another chance, but he won’t put up with her demeaning his son. Finn says, as well he shouldn’t, and Gregory says, perhaps… maybe he pushed back a bit too hard. He should probably clear the air. Shouldn’t he? Finn says, no, and Gregory says, apologize for the last time they spoke, but Finn says, that will get him absolutely nowhere.

Judge Kim says he understands the prosecution has reached a deal with the defendant. The SEC lawyer says, they have, and the judge says, and both sides are in agreement with these terms? The lawyer says, that’s correct, and Zeke says, they see eye to eye on all points. Judge Kim says, that’s where they lose him. He’s reviewed the deal and the facts on the case, and he finds it a miscarriage of justice. It’s his opinion that the defendant knowingly colluded with Miss Spencer in order to drive up the stock price of Aurora Media, with the desired result being significant and personal financial gain. As such, he sees no reason why Mr. Cain shouldn’t receive the maximum penalty for his crimes.

Zeke gets up and says, the maximum penalty for these charges is twenty years, and the judge says he’s aware. Zeke says, so we – and by we, he means the defense and the prosecution – believe that a sentence of that magnitude is too harsh in a case like this. Carly looks like she might have a heart attack, and Judge Kim says he believes what they’re proposing is too lenient. Zeke says, Mr. Cain has run Aurora Media with integrity since he founded it, not a single misstep or example of shady business practices. The judge says, until now, and Zeke says, but he is a family man, just as he’s a CEO, maybe even more so. When he proposed a merger of Aurora and ELQ, it wasn’t for his personal gain as the judge suggested. It was to benefit his family’s company. In fact, the merger never even came to pass. Meaning his client never saw any of the benefits, professional or personal. Just the opposite in fact. The company lost money. So the true miscarriage of justice here would be to make an example of a man who has no history of securities fraud. He simply made an error in judgement trying to help the people he loves.

A wet Spinelli finds Sam and Kristina, and Sam asks, what happened? Kristina asks if he got pushed in the pool again, and Sam says, again? Spinelli says he thought he and Kristina had an agreement that it stayed between them, and she says, sorry. Spinelli holds up the crunched microphone, and Sam says, no. He says, courtesy of Miss Selina Wu, and Sam suggests Kristina go get a drink. Kristina leaves, and Spinelli takes her seat. Sam says, start from the beginning, and he asks if she wasn’t listening, but she says she got waylaid by Kristina. He says, they were working Gladys, just like they discussed. They were inches from success when Miss Wu just sauntered in and ruined everything.

Li hands the pool waiter some cash, and says, see to it they’re not disturbed. The waiter says he’s got it, and tells the two whole people there that he’s sorry, but they’re closing the pool for a private function. They leave, and Selina says she has a meeting shortly, so let’s not waste time. She’d hoped they could resolve this issue without requiring her intervention, but it seems her hopes were naïve. Gladys says, he started it, and Cody says, did not. Selina says, enough. She can’t have both of her favorite players at odds. Her game is a place of harmony. Make peace now. Gladys says she can’t make peace when Cody is still spreading lies about her, and Cody says, she’s trying to get him sent to prison. Selina says, this is how it’s going to work. Gladys is going to see to it that the charges against Mr. Bell are dropped. Gladys says, with all due respect, that’s not her call, and Selina says, it’s Gelhorn Jewelers’, but she’s their star witness. Without her, they don’t have a case. Amend her statement. Say she’s since remembered that the night of the Nurses Ball, the clasp on her bracelet was loose. Cody says, and what? Fell off of her wrist and into his jacket pocket? Selina says she’s confident a cater waiter from that evening will come forward and testify they found it on the floor near Cody’s things. The waiter thought it belonged to Cody, and put it in his jacket pocket for safekeeping. Matter settled. Cody says, sounds good to him, and Selina says, what about Gladys?

Sasha tells Dr. Montague, hi, and he says he was on his way out when he saw her sitting there, so he thought he’d say hello. She says she doesn’t suppose he missed the part where she was talking to the picture of her dead husband, and he says he might have noticed that. She promises she’s not losing it again, and he asks if he can sit. She says, sure, and he says he doesn’t think she’s losing it. What he observed was a grieving woman expressing her emotions in a healthy way. It’s good to let her feelings out. Just look what happened when she bottled them up after her son died. The fact that she’s allowing herself to go places she’s scared of is progress. She thanks him, and says, it means a lot. He gets up, and says he’s looking forward to their next session. She says, her too, and he leaves.

Finn says, Tracy isn’t a touchy, feely kind of person, and Gregory tells him, you don’t say. Finn tells him, he does say. She’s got zero patience for this type of thing. Gregory says, then what does he do? Chase is in love with her granddaughter. Hopefully, Chase and Brook will be together for a long time. Wouldn’t it behoove them all to get along? Finn doesn’t know what to tell him. Gregory can try to make some roads there, but Finn doesn’t think he’ll succeed. Gregory says, that sounds like a challenge, and Finn says, it most certainly was not. Gregory says, you never know. Tracy might come around. They’re both grown-ups. If he comes to her openly and honestly, why wouldn’t she respond in kind?

Alexis asks Tracy to define extreme measures, because the last time Tracy went to them, it didn’t work out so well… for her. Tracy asks if Alexis wants to rehash the past. No? What she means by extreme measures is medical equivalent of shaking him until he snaps out of it. Alexis says, that sounds possibly unethical, definitely illegal, and Tracy asks what she’d suggest. Alexis says she’d suggest a gentler route. Instead of challenging Ned’s worldview, which will just make him dig his heels in deeper, just go along with it. Let him believe he’s Eddie Maine.

Spinelli tells Sam that he’s curiously suspicious about how deferential Cody and Gladys became when Miss Wu entered the scene. Sam says, and Selina really couldn’t have wanted to be peacemaker? and he says, she wouldn’t take no for an answer. And of all people, why would she insist on wanting them to come to an understanding? Sam says, and what is the nature of Selina Wu’s relationship to Gladys, and to Cody?

Gladys says she can’t just amend her statement. She’ll look like a complete flake. And what about Sasha? What’s her daughter-in-law going to think? Cody says, that she’s the lying liar that she is? but Selina says, on the contrary. Everyone will be grateful that no one was unjustly punished. She’ll be a hero. Gladys says, fine. They’ll do it Selina’s way. Selina says, and Cody. Whatever problem he has with Gladys, he’s going to drop it. Cody says, she doesn’t understand. Sasha’s his friend… Selina says, there will be no unnecessary conflict in her games, and Cody asks why she’s protecting Gladys. Selina says, simply put, none of your business, and Cody says, have a nice day. He starts to leave, but Selina says, not so fast. She asks Li to take Gladys to the bar for a drink, and Gladys says, don’t mind if I do, walking ahead of him. Selina says, no one can know Cody works for her, and Cody says he gets it. She says, except she doesn’t think he does. If he did, he wouldn’t try to make trouble and draw unwanted attention to her business. There’s a lot of money at stake. Keep his mouth shut… or she’ll shut it for him permanently.

Maxie and Lucy come back to the table, and Lucy says she ran into a big fan of their Deception products, and boy, could that woman talk. Sasha says, unlike Lucy, and Lucy says she wants to apologize for bringing up all that Cody nonsense, but Sasha says she’s glad Lucy did. Lucy says, a few minutes ago Sasha wasn’t so glad, but Sasha says she doesn’t want to live in denial anymore. She did that before, and it sent her down a dark path. She doesn’t want to go backwards. Maxie says, that’s good to hear, and Sasha says she’s got enough to handle ending her guardianship. So as for whether or not Cody has feelings for her, it doesn’t matter. It’s clear his presence in her life makes things more complicated. Maxie says, with Gladys she means? and Sasha says, Gladys means a lot to her. Gladys has helped her in ways no one else could understand. So she’s resolved to ending her guardianship, and maintaining a relationship with Gladys.

Selina walks up behind Gladys, saying her name, and causing Gladys to nearly choke on her drink. She says, Gladys never responded to her text. Selina was worried something might have happened to her. Gladys gives her an envelope, saying, first installment. Selina says she’d hoped Gladys would pay back the entire amount, and Gladys says she will. Like she told Selina, she has to break it up into chunks. She can’t transfer a huge amount at once; Sasha will notice. Selina says, very well, but don’t forget about the interest. Which makes it in Gladys’s best interest to pay the loan back as soon as possible. Dr. Montague says, Miss Wu, and Selina says, Monty. One moment? He tells her to take her time, and she leaves with Li. Monty goes over to Gladys, and says, nice seeing her again. He couldn’t help but overhear. It sounds like she’s in a tough spot with their friend Selina. Gladys says she owes Selina money, and he says he’d be glad to help her settle her debt. She says, he’d do that for her? and he says, of course (🍷). But not without a favor in return.

Alexis says, if he thinks he’s Eddie Maine, why not treat him like he’s Eddie Maine? and Tracy says, that is the worst idea she’s ever heard. Alexis says, okay. Never mind then. Tracy says, so what Alexis is telling her is, in order to rid Ned of his delusions, they should lean into them? Alexis tells her, she’s saying, if they allow Ned to work this out on his own, without constant opposition from Tracy, maybe it would help him get over it. Tracy asks when Alexis got her therapist certification. Was that handed out with her last sobriety chip? Alexis says, she’s impossible, and Tracy says, she’s an idiot. Gregory sees them, and ducks around the corner.

Judge Kim says, committing a crime, even if it is for love of one’s family, is still a crime. However, considering the defendant’s record since founding Aurora Media, along with the fact that the merger was never finalized, he’ll allow that the maximum penalty is not warranted. Given the charges, the proposed deal of six months is still too lenient. He hereby sentences the defendant to serve three years. Surprise all around. From me too. He can go over the SEC’s head? I dunno about that.

Tomorrow, Gregory tells Tracy, back the hell off; Ned/Eddie says, they’re kidding him; Josslyn tells Sonny, it’s the best she can do right now; and Carly says, there’s been some kind of mistake.

🏥 Spreading It Thin…

The downside of working on a soap.

Laura Wright Shares A GH Secret About Carly and Drew!

🛹 Thanks To the Boogaloo…

Everyone’s got to start somewhere.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kimberly-mccullough-thanks-the-man-who-changed-her-life

🥀 Heartache Strikes Again…

Geez, this poor woman needs to catch a break.

Kristina Wagner Mourns the Death of Her Beloved Mother, Carolyn

🍊 If You’re Craving Oranges…

In case yesterday’s smack talk wasn’t enough.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 17, Episode 3 Recap: We Cut It Close(ed)

🤼‍♀️ Of Course They Do…

A better show might be to lock them in a room until there’s a clear winner.

REPORT: Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga Want Their Own Spinoff Shows Amid RHONJ Feud, Plus Teresa Throws New Dig at Melissa as Fans React

🌪 And In a Surprise Twist…

Reality worlds collide.

Lala Kent Confirms Teresa Giudice Unfollowed Her After WWHL Diss, See What the Vanderpump Rules Star Said About Her Marriage to Luis Ruelas

🍸 VanderPast and Future…

Highly doubtful this was staged, although I’d buy that producers knew about it. Especially if it was going on while they were filming. And Sandoval did already have a storyline going with the Schwartz & Sandy’s mess.

All the Indications That Scandoval Was Staged

What’s to come. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe.

Alex Baskin Addresses Rumors of Former Cast Returning to Vanderpump Rules

🐩 Permanent Guests…

I’ve actually seen the kitty at the Algonquin. Although I’m not sure which number it was.

https://www.thrillist.com/travel/nation/hotel-pets-america

🥾 On the Beaten Path…

Finish off your week tomorrow with some soap, a pot of tea, and a side of quotes, topped off by music. Until then, stay safe, stay sharing knowledge, and stay remembering that grief has no timetable. Everyone grieves differently and at different paces.

Jun10

June 9, 2023 – No Soap For You, 2 Mollys, Jersey Mess, Vandermath, VanderNew, Sink It, Dead Dates, A Farewell, Star Releases, Sharks, Cuteness, Double 4 Quotes & Love

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Well there was this:

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-preempted-nationally-today-june-9-2023

So I did this:

💼 Ups and Downs…

She’s doing a good job so far. She’s not straying too far from the already established character.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kate-mansi-opens-up-about-taking-over-as-kristina-on-gh

She’s lucky she didn’t kill someone.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-haley-pullos-faces-lawsuit-over-dui-crash

👠 Jersey Devils…

They still don’t totally explain it. So like, what happened the next time Frankie and Louie spoke? Or haven’t they?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/frank-catania-shares-why-frankie-stopped-working-for-luis-ruelas

Where they are now.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhonj-season-13-finale-recap-cast-updates

This one doesn’t live in the real world with the rest of us. I don’t blame Andy for losing his sh*t. It was like, STFU already.

RHONJ’s Jennifer Aydin Shades Andy Cohen for Being “Rude” to Her and Blasts Troll Who Accuses Her of ‘Deflecting’

About that text.

RHONJ: Melissa Gorga Leaks Text From Jacqueline Laurita That Blasts Teresa Giudice & Pokes Fun at Her Appearance, See the Shocking Message Plus When It Was Sent

And the rest.

Joe Giudice Addresses the Gorgas’ Alleged Involvement in FBI Case, Blames RHONJ for Deportation, & Gives Update on Relationship With Rosie, Kathy and Richie

🍸 Trying To Recover…

I don’t think there is a future for her on the show. At least, I hope not.

Raquel Leviss Addresses Future on Vanderpump Rules After Death Threats Over Affair With Tom Sandoval as Karlee Hale Breaks Silence Amid Tom Dating Rumors

I guess, but I can’t imagine she didn’t want to smack Rachel’s bobblehead face. I thought she was restrained.

https://people.com/lala-kent-regrets-attacking-raquel-leviss-at-vanderpump-rules-reunion-7510310

Giving you more Lala.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/raquels-big-secret-on-vanderpump-rules-reunion-lala-reacts

She’ll be fine. She dodged a narcissistic bullet.

https://extratv.com/2023/06/08/ariana-madix-reveals-plans-for-the-future-and-thoughts-on-marriage-after-scandoval/

She was so funny on WWHL.

Amy Schumer Doesn’t Have ‘Raquel Rage’ but Bashes ‘Narcissist’ Tom Sandoval

🎁 Just What We Need…

I still want more episodes of Overserved, but I’ll take what I can get. After I take a million showers to get the smell of the Reunion off.

Lisa Vanderpump Lands a New Spinoff Show Called “Vanderpump Villa” on Hulu! Get the Details, Plus Vanderpump Rules is Renewed for Season 11

⛵️ Aye, Aye, Captain…

She’s right. That boat needs to die. I’m sure Glenn and Colin are having a grand old time holding it together with duct tape and bubble gum, but it almost tanked the season.

‘Parsifal Needs To Die At The Bottom Of The Ocean’ Daisy Kelliher Calls For Yacht’s Retirement

⚰️ Moving Dead…

Updates on both Dead City’s premiere and Fear the Walking Dead’s mid-season finale.

https://undeadwalking.com/2023/05/30/walking-dead-city-updated-premiere-timing-amc/

https://screenrant.com/fear-the-walking-dead-season-8-episode-6-airtime-change/

🥀 She’ll Be Missed…

I love this show, and was so sad to hear this.

https://people.com/bling-empire-anna-shay-dead-7508300

👽 When the Force Will Be With You…

Updates on Star Wars releases.

https://ew.com/movies/star-wars-movie-tv-show-release-dates/

🦈 Doo-Doo Doo-Doo-Doo-Doo…

Cue the music.

https://people.com/sharkfest-2023-how-to-watch-sharkfest-7509679

🦙 Take a Deep Breath…

Some relief from all the nasty, awful reality this week.

https://paradepets.com/pet-news/cute-animals

☄️ Quotes of the Week

Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy. – Dean Koontz

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.  — John Powell

The border to eternity is never ahead of us. It runs parallel to life and can be crossed over at any moment by old and young. – Reinhard Bonnke

A mathematical formula for happiness: Reality divided by Expectations. There were two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations. – Jodi Picoult (I vote for lowering expectations.)

Even while we kill and punish we must try to feel about the enemy as we feel about ourselves—to wish that he were not bad, to hope that he may, in this world or another, be cured: in fact, to wish his good. That is what is meant in the Bible by loving him: wishing his good, not feeling fond of him nor saying he is nice when he is not. – C.S. Lewis, from Mere Christianity

I can tell you, without diversity, creativity remains stagnant. – Edward Enninful

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. – Plato

That wasn’t karaoke. It was you, a jukebox, and a bar full of angry people. – Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell), Mike & Molly

🕺🏽 Curly Shuffling Away…

Tune in for a chance of Fear on Sunday, and on Monday really Tuesday for soap and double the Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay respecting your elders no matter how old you are, and stay making sure that when you’re singing karaoke, you’re really at karaoke.

Jun9

June 8, 2023 – A Slip and Fall At the Pool, Incoming, His First, Remembrance, Striking, In Jersey, Reunited, No Return, All Star Chef, My VanderTake, Rocky & Walk

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Walk I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna arrives home to find Sonny at her door. He says he was going to give it another ten minutes, then leave a note. She asks why he didn’t text her, and he tells her, some things are better said face to face.

Dante lets Valentin into the interrogation room through the side door, and he asks why Dante wanted to see him. Dante says he needs Valentin’s help with Anna.

Michael brings Carly to the stairwell, and says, they can talk more privately here. She asks if this is where he brought Dex when he asked Dex to spy on Sonny, and he says, sometimes. Why? She says, because she wants his opinion on Dex. Is he trustworthy? Would Michael put the life of someone he loves in Dex’s hands?

Josslyn puts the pieces of the flashdrive in Dex’s palm, and says, there goes their ticket out. Pretty useless now. He asks if it’s the footage of Sonny doing the Pikeman deal, and she says, mm-hm. Michael gave it to her mom. She could have traded this footage to the Feds in exchange for them dropping the charges against her and Drew. Dex risked his life to get that footage, and Carly destroyed it, because protecting Sonny is more important to her.

As they sit down at the MetroCourt restaurant, Chase tells Brook, just say it. She hates it, doesn’t she? She says, what’s to hate? He wanted the new car; he got the one he wanted. How could she possibly hate that? He says, it’s not a car; it’s a truck. It’s got 4-wheel drive, off roading capabilities, advanced driver assistance, and you can operate the off roading capabilities in operating mode or manual. It will be perfect for them to go camping. She says, he wants them to go camping?

Tracy meets Drew at the pool, and she asks why he wanted to meet away from the house. He says, blackmail works so much better when there’s no one to overhear.

Ned comes out on the terrace, and tells Nina, poor Drew. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong girlfriend. She wasn’t after Aurora’s CEO; she wanted to take down Carly. She says she doesn’t know where he came up with this, but he couldn’t be more wrong, and he says he just overheard her conversation with her lawyer. Everyone believes he was the one who handed Carly and Drew over to the SEC, but it was her all along.

Michael asks where Carly is going with this. Has she changed her mind and decided to give the flashdrive to the FBI so she and Drew stay out of prison? Does she think Dex may have to testify because he’s on the footage? She says, the footage no longer exists; she smashed the flashdrive. He asks why she did that. She should have held onto it in case she still wanted a way out for her and Drew. She says, the footage was dangerous. It could have gotten Sonny and Dex killed. Besides, she has a much better use for Dex.

Dex puts the flashdrive pieces in his pocket, and Josslyn asks if he’s sure he wants to hold on to that. There’s no way to retrieve the footage. He says he doesn’t want to retrieve the footage; he wants to physically destroy the flashdrive. He doesn’t want anything left to imply he was ever collecting evidence against Sonny. From here on in, he has to be the most loyal, discreet, trustworthy employee Sonny has. She says, take his orders, risk his life so Sonny can get richer… and he’s okay with that? He says, it’s not about being okay; it’s about survival.

Chase says, Brook doesn’t enjoy camping? Sleeping close to nature and catching a fish in the stream, then cooking it over an open fire? She says, no. She likes sleeping in a bed, and she likes her fish to be caught and prepared by someone else, preferably a five-star chef. He says, what about fresh air, hiking, everything you need in a backpack? and she says, are they hiking, or running from the bear who’s trying to eat them?  He says, what about cuddling up next to each other in front of a roaring campfire? and she says, what about cuddling up next to each other in front of a firepit in the Q boathouse? He says he could totally see that. Her, him, a fire, Olivia bringing them lasagna, Ned going on about his beloved ELQ, and Tracy lecturing him yet again about how he’s not good enough for her. She says, the Q’s date might not be the most romantic, but there are alternatives, and he says, such as? She says, nightclubs, live music. He might even be tempted to get back in the game. He says his heart is very much out of the music biz, but it seems like hers is still in it. Tell him again why she went back to work at Deception.

Tracy says, so much for Drew’s upright and honorable routine, and he says he really didn’t want it to come to this, but a guy’s gotta do what a guy’s gotta do. Tracy understands the language of blackmail. She says she understands more about the process than he does apparently. Blackmail requires leverage, and he has none to use against her. He says, let’s start with Deception, shall we? She coerced Brook into going back to work there. She says, where Brook chooses to work is her business, and he says, his point exactly. If it were up to Brook, she’d be working in music. She’s working at Deception under Tracy’s orders, and he kind of feels Lucy Coe would like to hear that. She says, fine. Get Lucy Coe down here; tell her everything. A waiter asks if they’re looking for Lucy Coe.

Dante asks if Valentin thought he was getting arrested, and Valentin says, given their history, he couldn’t be sure. Falsifying his death… Dante says he’s sure Valentin had reasons for doing that, and Valentin says, so did Anna. He asks if this is an official inquiry, but Dante says, it’s off the record, and personal. That article in The Sun that was about Anna’s WSB file was pretty brutal. Valentin asks how Dante is hoping he can help, and Dante says, Valentin is Victor’s son, and Victor was head of the WSB for many years. He had a lot of opportunity to plant a lie in Anna’s file that could be used as a time bomb he could set off whenever he wanted to. Valentin says, his father was a mean and spiteful man. He had full faith in his plan, but he was prepared to exact revenge in case of his failure, in which he thought Anna Devane could always play a part. He was right, and now he’s making her pay for it. Dante says he wants to clear Anna’s name. So how do they prove her file was doctored?

Nina says she was curious about Carly and Drew’s legal situation, so she asked her lawyer about it. Ned must have misinterpreted. Ned says, it’s too late to save this. As soon as you eliminate him, she becomes the obvious suspect; the one that has the most to gain by sending Carly off to prison. Although she took a big risk, and maybe she’s realized that by now, and that’s the reason she called a meeting with her lawyer. She must have realized that, even though Sonny and Carly are divorced, Sonny would do anything to protect her. When he finds out Nina was the one who pointed the SEC at Carly, she and Sonny are done.

Anna asks if Sonny wants to come inside, but he says, it’s up to her. He doesn’t want to intrude. She tells him, she has the feeling that whatever he was about to say, she doesn’t want to hear it on the doorstep. They go inside, and she asks if he’d like some water, but he says, no thanks. She says she’s going to have a drink, and he says, go ahead. She pours herself something, and takes a sip. She says, go ahead, call her a hypocrite, and he asks if that’s why she thinks he came here. She says, obviously. After all the years she spent upholding the law as a special agent and Police Commissioner, investigating him for various crimes, questioning him about how he could possibly reconcile breaking the law with being a loving parent, and now he gets to find out that she was a criminal herself? Actually, worse than that. A double agent, which is to say, a traitor. He asks if she’s finished, because he wasn’t going to say any of that, and she asks what he was going to say. He says, she’s upset. He’ll come back some other time. She says, please wait. She’s sorry. Not at her best. Please stay.

Michael asks what better use Carly has for Dex, and she says, before she tells him, what’s his assessment of Dex? He says he guesses he likes Dex. He took on an impossible job and did it really well. He’s had relentless pressure for months and didn’t crack. He wormed his way into Sonny’s confidence, despite being with Josslyn, which Sonny didn’t like. She asks what he knows about Dex’s time in the military, and he says he knows Dex was discharged because of some personal issue, but his combat experience is excellent; highest rating. He had the reputation of keeping a cool head under fire, which is one of the reasons Michael hired him. Why is she interested? She says, because she wants him to hire Dex to do another job.

Josslyn asks why Dex isn’t angrier. Why isn’t he angry period? Both her mother and brother have the chance to set him free, yet they’re leaving him trapped. He says, Michael gave him a job; the job changed. It happens. She says, so he’s totally fine working for Sonny, but he says, it’s not about what’s fine. It’s the situation he’s in. He spent months earning Sonny’s trust, convincing Sonny to let him in. Just tonight, Sonny gave him a lecture on how he’s in this now; how he has to commit. He doesn’t have the option to leave. She says, actually, he might. He can just ask Sonny to let him go.

Tracy asks if the waiter always eavesdrops on private conversations, but he says he wasn’t eavesdropping. He was just doing his job. They’re about to resume poolside cocktail service. Tracy says, well don’t. She wants privacy. That means, no bartender, no guests, no staff, including himself; just her and Mr. Cain. And if anyone has any questions about that, they can contact Olivia Quartermaine, her daughter-in-law, the co-owner of this place. The waiter leaves, and Drew says, that was rude. And pointless. Chewing out a hotel employee just to make herself feel better. It’s not going to keep Brook in place at Deception. She suggests he focus on his own problems. He seems to have enough of them. He says, as it happens, she’s the answer to his problems.

Brook tells Chase, they’ve been over this. She went back to Deception because she really loves those ladies, and they really need her. He says, really? They seem like pretty savvy businesswomen. She says, they are, but they don’t really understand the nuances of social media presence, and he says, and the music? She says she’ll still be doing music on a part-time basis, and he says, music is her passion. It’s one of the first things he learned about her. What happened to change that? She says she found a new passion, and he says, Deception? She says, him, when Olivia stops by. Brook asks her to join them, but she says she thinks Ned is waiting for her on the terrace. Brook says her dad is probably on some phone calls. Please sit down. Chase can tell her about his new truck. Oliva says, a new truck? and sits down. Tell her all about it.

Ned says, in the long run, Nina’s done herself a favor. She’s much better off without Sonny Corinthos. Nina says she and Sonny are engaged, but he says, not for long. She says, gee, most people say congratulations, and he tells her, just accept the fact that she and Sonny won’t be living happily ever after. She says, that tip was anonymous. There’s no way anyone will be able to prove he did it. He says he didn’t; she did. She says, no one’s going to have to know who’s responsible for this. Just keep doing what he’s doing, insisting he didn’t do anything. The people who know him, the people who really matter will believe him… eventually. He says he has no intention of taking the fall for her. She did this, and she’d better find a way to clean it up. Nina sees Trish and shushes him. Trish tells Nina, the pool man just told her that Tracy Quartermaine shut down the entire pool area because she wanted privacy, and Nina says, for what? Trish says she doesn’t know, but apparently Drew Cain is there. Trish leaves, and Ned says, Drew’s here. He needs to talk to him. Ned dashes off, and Nina runs after him.

Dante is looking at the article about Anna, when there’s a knock at the door. He says, come in, and Sam walks in. He asks how she got in here, and she says, her boyfriend’s a cop and the desk sergeant breaks the rules for her occasionally. They kiss, and Dante says, he doesn’t blame him. He would’ve done the same thing. She says, lucky her, and he asks why she is here. Was he supposed to do something or be somewhere? She says, he was supposed to be home two hours ago, and he says he’s sorry. She says she figured he was working on a case, but he’s just sitting here and she got no text or call. She wants to know what’s going on. He says he’s just worried about a friend.

Sonny says, when the news story broke about Anna, he started thinking about all the headlines he’s been through over the years. She says, they don’t seem like headlines now; they seem like take downs. He says, two were seared in his memory. Wife of Crime Lord Dies in a Car Bomb. He saw the headline the next morning, after his wife died. And the other one was, Corinthos Son Killed in a Suspected Mob Hit. That was Morgan. He was already in hell from all the pain and grief. It was a lot to take. His private life all over the world for everybody to see, for everybody to read, for everybody to judge. (Yet no one knew who he was in Nixon Falls. Go figure.) They don’t know what happened to him. They don’t know how he suffered. Just like he doesn’t know why she did what she did. That’s why he’s here to tell her that he’s sorry for how she fell. He’s sorry for what happened to her. She thanks him for sharing that, and says she feels like sometimes she gets in her own way. He says, that headline was just a take down. She knows that, right? She says, the most difficult part of this is, the news story is true. It’s factually accurate; she did those things. There were reasons. There were justifications, excuses. There was a context then that the media has chosen to leave out, but she can’t deny it happened. She tears up, and says she made a lot of mistakes at the beginning of her career, and thinks she’s spent most of her life trying to make up for them. Now it’s come and bit her in the most public way. He says he’s done things allegedly – they both laugh – but he’s done them. Some, he felt there was a reason to do them, and others he regrets. But he always tells himself, his life, who he is now, should not be limited to the worst things he’s done in his life. Just like her. She’s a great mother, a great grandma. She’s courageous and brilliant, and no matter what, he’ll always consider her his friend… whatever that’s worth. She says, it’s worth a lot.

Michael tells Carly, the peace between him and Sonny right now is pretty fragile. He’s going to be suspicious if Michael hires Dex out from under him. She says she wants him to pay Dex to keep working for Sonny. Since Jason died, Sonny doesn’t have someone to be his right hand. Michael says, what about Brick? and she says, Brick’s great, but he’s based on the west coast. He can’t be by Sonny’s side day in and day out, but Dex can, and given Michael’s description, he’s obviously qualified. Michael says, in what way specifically? and she says she wants Dex to use all of his skills to protect Sonny; to follow orders. And if he sees trouble coming, he needs to tell Michael, and Michael needs to tell him how to advise Sonny.

Josslyn says, when she met with Sonny in his office that day and asked him to fire Dex, he told her that Dex would have to go in himself and ask him. But he never said anything about refusing to let Dex quit. Everybody knows they’re together now. Everybody’s seen them. Sonny can’t just disappear him and nobody will ask questions. Sonny already knows she doesn’t want Dex working for him. It makes perfect sense for him to quit. She’s not saying it will be easy, but it can be done. Dex just has to meet with Sonny, and tell him respectfully that he wants out. Dex says he doesn’t want out.

Drew tells Tracy, Ned’s got connections at the SEC. He can make this investigation into him and Carly go away. She says, and he thinks he can force Ned into getting the SEC to back off, and he says, no, but he thinks she can. She laughs and says, she loves his sense of humor, and his imaginative fantasy world, but he says, no fantasy here. She either persuades Ned, or he tells Ned the truth that she dragged Brook into potential intellectual property theft, malfeasance, and corporate espionage. These are activities that carry the potential for criminal penalties. So how is her son going to react when he finds out she put her granddaughter at risk? Ned comes running in, and says, there’s something he has to tell Drew… He trips on a pile of towels, and falls into the pool, hitting his head on the side. He floats face down, and Nina stops short in the hallway, where she can see, but not be seen.

Anna sits on the steps going upstairs, when Valentin walks in. She says, he needs to not do that, and he asks why she’s not taking his calls. She says she doesn’t want to. She’d like to smash her phone actually. She’d like to put the SIM card down the waste disposal. He asks if he can join her, and sits next to her. He says he’s sorry. He’s sorry his father has done this to her. She says she hates Victor. She hated him when he was alive, and loathes him now that he’s dead. If there’s a hell, she hopes he burns there for all eternity. Valentin says, him too, and Anna says, Victor didn’t do this to her. She did it to herself.

Sam asks who Dante’s friend is, and what made them keep Dante here. He asks if she knows that hit piece about Anna in The Sun, about her being a double agent, and she says, yeah. He says, it’s true, and Sam says she just assumed it was a lie. He says, so did he, so he called Valentin over here to help him exonerate her. She says, Valentin loves Anna. Of course (🍷) he’d want to help her. Dante tells her, there were some things Valentin said about the classified information, and about how ugly it is when it sees the light of day, which is why it’s classified. Valentin said he should know, because after some of the things Dante did for the WSB, the last thing he would want is for it to be plastered on the front page of anything. He just feels bad for Anna. He doesn’t know how she’s going to build back her life again. Sam says, it’s possible. After all, he did.   

Josslyn says, Dex wants to work for Sonny? and he says he wants to work in Port Charles. Mostly for her, but he likes it here. He gravitates to the moss bowl🎍, because he likes that too, and he says he likes a lot of the people he’s met here. It’s starting to feel like home. He hasn’t had one of those since he was a kid. She says, sometimes she forgets how different their lives have been. There are so many things she takes for granted; some things Dex never had. He says, one of the advantages of not having things is that when you get them, you value them and don’t want to let them go. He likes what he has here. He wants to stay. She says, he doesn’t have to work for Sonny to stay, but he says he can’t think of anything he’d rather do.

Michael says, let him get this straight. Carly wants him to be Sonny’s guardian angel while Dex does all the legwork. She says, yes, and he says, so instead of sending Sonny to prison, she wants him and Dex to work together to keep him out of Pentenville. Keep him safe, monitor his business ventures, keep a level head, and counsel. She nods, and he says, so everything Jason used to do, he and Dex will be doing together. She says, yes, except there’s one obvious catch. Sonny can never know.

Drew turns Ned over, and Tracy asks if he’s breathing. Nina scrambles for her phone to film it for social media, and Tracy runs for her bag. Drew tells Ned, they’ve got this, and gets Ned out of the pool and onto the floor. Nina pockets her phone, as Tracy says, her adult son just fell into the MetroCourt pool and he hit his head and he’s not breathing. On opposite sides of the room, Tracy and Nina both look distraught, and Drew begins chest compression.

Anna says, Valentin knew she was a double agent, right? and he says, and she knows espionage is a shadowy thing. It’s all compromise, neither good nor bad; just varying shades of grey. And no one can claim being entirely pure of intentions, certainly not him. Not even Robert Scorpio. She says she’s not afraid to face Robert. He knew everything; found out years ago. And Robin was aware. Maybe not all the gory details, but she knew enough. He says, so who is it she’s worried about? and she says she thinks the people it’s going to affect the most, the people who are going to look at her differently, are Emma and Noah.

Michael says, what he doesn’t get is that Carly, Drew, or both could be sent to federal prison, yet her priority is to protect Sonny? Apparently, he wasn’t listening to the last speech she gave him on why Sonny can’t go to prison. She says, her problems with the SEC are for her and Drew to figure out. When she showed him that flashdrive, it proved how vulnerable his father is. Pikeman is a defense contractor, right? He says, enemies against the government, and potential enemies in the government (or something to that effect), and she says, a challenge his father has never dealt with before. When he showed her that footage of Sonny taking that delivery, it was evidence he violated national security. If Michael hadn’t changed his mind, his father would be in prison right now. Donna and Avery’s lives would be destroyed, and their lives would be in danger. She needs him to step up and protect his father. He says, what if he’s willing, but Dex isn’t?

Dex tells Josslyn, he has a high school diploma, no college courses, no interest in taking any. What kind of job can he get? Security? Doorman at the MetroCourt? She says, he was in security before, and there’s noting wrong with making a good, honest living, but he says he’s not as noble as she thinks he is. Sonny pays a helluva lot more than her honest living, and he’s good at it. Sonny is paying him to do things he already knows how to do, and he’s willing to accept a certain amount of risk. She says, and he’s willing to break the law, and he says, the worst thing he’s seen Sonny do is hang him from a meat hook. I laugh, because it’s true. Sonny is the most innocuous mobster in the world. She says, that could have been a lot worse, but he says he survived, thanks to her. Ever since he saved Sonny’s life at the warehouse, Sonny’s attitude toward him has changed. Sonny’s giving him more opportunities and trusting him more. This is his best option, and he’s going to take it. Unless it’s going to cost him her.

Brook says, Chase did all the research, and can tell Olivia all the specs. Olivia is all excited, and asks if it has 4-wheel drive, advanced driver assist, hands-free technology. Brook says, Olivia’s family used to own a garage in Brooklyn, and Chase says, nice. To answer her question, yes, yes, and yes. She says, then don’t think, do. Can she ask what’s the special reason he decided to buy this fancy new truck? He says he came into some money doing this whole singing thing – Brook says, like she promised – and now that he’s back to being a cop, he thought he’d treat himself to the truck of his dreams. Olivia says, congratulations, when Trish runs over, and tells Olivia that the paramedics are coming up. There’s been a slip and fall at the pool.

Drew continues to work on Ned, when the paramedics come in and take over. Drew says, he’s been unconscious for a couple of minutes. He’s been doing CPR. He got no sign of any pulse at all. Please… Olivia comes in, followed by Brook and Chase. She starts to run to Ned, but Drew holds her back, saying, let them do their work. The hallway is empty.

Nina pours a drink in Sonny’s office, and looks at her engagement ring. She flashes back to Sonny proposing. Then she remembers Ned saying, when Sonny finds out she was the one who pointed the SEC at Carly, she and Sonny are done. Sonny comes in, and says, Frank told him that she was waiting. What brings her by?

Anna tells Valentin that she switched her phone off because she’s a coward. Of all the people that could reach out to her, the one person she dreads is Emma. Emma is going to beg her to say it’s not true, that she wasn’t a traitor. She’s going to have to tell Emma… She starts to cry, and he puts his hand on her knee. She says, that she was, and Valentin says he thinks Anna shouldn’t underestimate her. She’s going to be hurt, she’s going to want an explanation, but Anna can give it to her. Anna can tell her that she was pulled in over her head; that she was manipulated by Cesar Faison. Anna says, she knows. She was, but how do you explain that? Maybe one day she’ll want to listen. Emma might even forgive her. But the way Emma used to look at her, with such pride, like she was the thing Emma aspired to be, that’s gone forever. He holds her as she cries. I wish my grandma had been Anna. She used to try and get us to take hard boiled eggs in a paper bag for the plane ride home. 😖

Sam says, Dante was pretty wrecked when he came back from the WSB, and he says, that’s one way to put it. She says, he managed to rebuild his life, and he says he had a lot of help; from Anna, from his family, and mostly from her. He wouldn’t have chosen any of that, but he survived. And waiting for him on the other side was Sam, someone he never expected. Now he never wants any other life, and it’s all her fault. He says he loves her, and they kiss.

Michael tells Carly, yes, Dex is qualified to protect Sonny, but who says he wants to, or that he’ll agree to take the risk of reporting back to him what Sonny does. Sure, it’s in Sonny’s best interest, but Sonny won’t see it that way. That means Dex would be a spy, and it could get him killed. Why should he take that risk when he can just take the money he’s earned and disappear? She says, he knows Dex. Would he do that? Michael says, he wouldn’t blame him if he did. He knows it would break Josslyn’s heart; she cares about him. Carly says, she truly cares about him. That’s one of the reasons she came up with this plan. Josslyn’s feelings are getting deeper and deeper all the time. The longer Dex stays in Port Charles, the more devastated she’ll be if he decides to leaved. If he decides to disappear, better it happens now. He asks if she’s sure about this, and she says, no. She’s not sure about any of this, but she does know she wants Michael to give Dex a choice, and let’s see what he decides.

Josslyn says, Dex just made this big case about why he wants to work for Sonny, but he’ll quit if she wants him to? He says he’s very clear she wants him to, but he’ll quit if it’s the only way they can stay together. She takes his hand and says, no. She’s not going to put conditions on their relationship. She’s not going to tell him what he can and can’t do. He’d only start resenting her. So she’d rather take her chances, and watch him take his with Sonny. Dex can go be his best lieutenant, risk his life, and break the law. Just remember, his life is kind of important to her. He says he’ll remember, and kisses her.

Sonny asks, what’s wrong? and Nina says, it’s all his fault. If he hadn’t given her such a spectacular ring, she wouldn’t be thinking about him all the time. So it leads her to want to see him, which led her to come here. He says, she’s always welcome, and she says, remember when they came back from Nixon Falls, and she was convinced she’d lost him forever? He hated her for withholding the truth about who he was. She thought he’d never forgive her, but what made it even worse was the memory of how happy she’d been with him. He says, they’ve all done things they regret and can’t forget the past, but what they can do is not live there. They can also think about the future they’re going to have – together. She says she wants that more than anything, but tonight, she just wants him, and they hug.

The paramedics get Ned situated on the gurney, and Olivia says she’s his wife. She needs to be riding in the ambulance with him. She tells Ned she’s here, and asks if he can hear her. She’s not leaving him, even for a second. Brook asks, what happened? and Tracy says, Drew attacked Ned and almost killed him. She tells Chase to put his badge to use; arrest him for assault.

Tomorrow, Austin tells Ava, if she doesn’t do what Mason wants, it could get them both killed; Elizabeth says, Finn’s secret is safe with her; and Drew asks if Chase is seriously going to arrest him.

🏥 Checking In…

I always liked him on AMC, but I’m hoping he’s not going to play a nice guy. We already have enough of those on the show right now.

Walt Willey Cast on GENERAL HOSPITAL!

💃🏽 Welcome To the Nurses Ball…

It must have been a blast.

Nicholas Chavez Opens up About His Very First GH Nurses Ball

📹 Sweet Share…

Such a shame. I can’t even fathom how she must feel.

Kristina Wagner Shares a Beautiful Video of Son Harrison on the Anniversary of His Death

🪧 Soap Solidarity…

Six degrees of GH. Fran Drescher is the SAG-AFTRA president, and Charles Shaughnessy (Victor) starred with her on The Nanny.

Will Soap Opera Actors Strike Next?

☯️ Yin and Yang…

Jersey Girl.

https://okmagazine.com/p/melissa-gorga-fan-post-star-rhonj-amid-nasty-feud-teresa-giudice/

Bitch Boy.

https://screenrant.com/real-housewives-of-new-jersey-luis-ruelas-lawsuit/

🍊 Angry Woman No More…

This is good… I guess.

https://pagesix.com/2023/06/03/shannon-beador-reunites-with-ex-david-years-after-divorce/

💎 Exit Stage Hilton…

Did anyone really think she was coming back after last season?

https://people.com/kathy-hilton-exits-real-housewives-of-beverly-hills-not-filming-season-13-7502450

👨🏽‍🍳 Winner, Winner, Deconstructed Chicken Dinner…

This was an excellent season, and I called it. I couldn’t help thinking of what I’d do during the different challenges. Like when the chefs did elevated picnics. I would have handed the judges a to-go bag from Balducci’s.

https://people.com/top-chef-crowns-winner-in-first-world-all-stars-finale-7510110

🍸 Not Today Satan…

We all need a break from the Vanderpump Rules Reunion blues – I know it bummed me out – so I’ll just say this about that. While I blame them both, Sandoval is the worse of the two. He’s truly a sociopath with delusions of grandeur, and I don’t care how much he wails that he’s human. That wasn’t an, oops, we were really drunk, or even, I fell in love with someone else. Not that those would be an excuse to cheat. You should always close the door on one relationship before opening it to another. The thing that made it so awful was that it went on for so long. Sandoval is also nearly 40, and obviously the less sheltered of the two, and no doubt manipulating the situation.

Which brings me to the awful vapidness of the ex-beauty queen runner-up. The fact that she could pretend to be such a good friend to Ariana is extremely disturbing. I don’t know if Rachel is a sociopath, but there’s definitely something going on there in that there seems to be nothing going on there. Lisa had it correct that she seemed to be playing a role, like it was a competition. It’s what she knows, but it’s not as human as she claims. Normally, those who grow up in that life either leave it behind eventually, live off their endorsements, or when they can no longer do, they teach the next generation of contestants. Rachel is stuck in some weird groove in the movie in her head, and Ariana also had it right in that she finds her identity in men, and has no original thoughts. Why? Who knows? Hopefully, she’ll find these things out in therapy, but she’s done for on reality TV. And if she’s offered one of those villain roles in some all-stars challenge show, it would be in her best interest to steer clear. I have no clue what her parents are really like, since James’s narrative is questionable to be sure; that they started it. It would behoove them to take charge, and get her as far away from LA as possible.

As for Lisa, she who can do no wrong, I have never seen her look sadder. At least not in public. I have no clue what happens behind closed doors, nor should I, but I have never seen her look like that. Not when her mother died, not when her brother died of an overdose, not when Giggy, or any of the other dogs, or the pony died. It was the sadness of a mother whose children have seriously f***ed up. And she does look at them as her children, so I hope Ariana and Lala eventually give her a pass.

Ariana is already doing okay. Her heart’s still broken, but better now than after they got married and/or had children. I’m with her on thank God her eggs weren’t fertilized. He would have probably challenged her for them on top of it. Lala was spot on once again when she said Ariana would look back and see this as a favor.

The whole thing was just sad.

🦫 So I Leave You With This…

Because we all need a laugh, and animals are the best.

https://www.upworthy.com/flying-squirrel-faking-its-own-death

🎨 Being My Own Muse…

Stop on in tomorrow for soap, the tea du jour, quotes, and a song. Until then, stay safe, stay filling the paper tray if you’ve used the last piece, and stay not living in the past.

Jun2

June 1, 2023 – Anna Threatens the WSB, Soap Mix, Blame Game, VanderChaos, Coming Last, Prosperous Pets (!) & Style

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

THE POOL IS OPEN!!! Josslyn and Trina walk in, and Spencer jumps out. Clearly, he’s been working on his summer body. He says, finally. They have no idea what he had to do to defend their chaises. The dirty looks, and he’s gotten the oh-so polite questions from the staff as to when the rest of his party will be here. Josslyn says she’s sure it was a hideous strain, but she thanks him for enduring it on their behalf. Trina asks how they can ever repay him? and he says, for her, he’ll think of something. Josslyn doesn’t owe him anything. He wasn’t saving the chaise for her, but he knew she’d be with Trina, and Trina would want her to have one. Josslyn tells Trina, don’t worry; she still gets a chaise out of it. Trina asks if they’re going to do this all day, and Spencer says, just like old times. Trina says, before the DNA test results? Josslyn says, before the SEC charges? and Spencer says, before Greenland? Josslyn leaves for a moment, and Spencer says, the only one missing is Cameron. Trina asks if he’s going to make this weird, and he says he won’t… He might though. Trina sees Dex and Josslyn kissing.

Portia nearly runs into Curtis at the bottom of the stairs, and she says, there’s a fresh pot of coffee on. She’s got some fresh fruit and there’s eggs in the fridge… He says he’s not a houseguest. He can make his own breakfast. She says she guesses she’s just adjusting to him being back home. She wasn’t sure he’d come back home after finding out Trina is his biological daughter. She asks what made him decide to stay, when the doorbell rings. It’s Stella.

Jordan brings TJ coffee at the hospital, and he says, thanks; he needed this. She says, clearly he does. He forgot they were meeting for coffee. He says he’s sorry. It’s been a rough morning, and it completely slipped his mind. Molly spent the night at her mom’s house. Jordan asks if something happened, and he says he really messed up.

There’s a knock at Laura’s door, and she answers it to Valentin. He says he believes she has something that belongs to him.

Anna paces, when Hursley walks in. She asks why she’s under arrest, and he asks if she reads The Sun. She says she doesn’t read that rag, and he says, she should. The WSB got wind last night that she made the front page. He tosses the paper on the table, and she picks it up, seeing her picture with ANNA DEVANE DOUBLE AGENT underneath it. He asks if she has any idea how she made the cover.

Josslyn says she didn’t think Dex would show up, and he says he couldn’t say no to her, but he’s not sure her plan’s going to work. Spencer hates his guts and he doesn’t see that changing.

Spencer asks Trina if Dex doesn’t have some crimes to commit. Some kneecaps to break; suckers to punch. She says, Josslyn invited him, and he asks when she’s going to realize he’s a dead end loser and dump him. She says, he’s important to Josslyn, and they’re all spending time together unless he wants to lose Josslyn as a friend. He says, it won’t be the first time he’s lost a friend to Dex, and she says, Cameron got a soccer scholarship at Stanford. Dex’s relationship with Josslyn didn’t force him to leave. He says, it certainly made things easier, didn’t it? He knows if push came to shove, Josslyn would choose him over Dex, and Trina looks at them, and says, oh yeah. Josslyn is definitely not dumping Dex for him. He says, Josslyn may forget about Cameron, but he won’t. Josslyn and Dex walk over to them, and Dex holds out his hand, saying, no hard feelings?

Stella asks if Marshall is here. She just came by for his gumbo recipe. Portia says, he’s out, but she can tell him that Stella stopped by, and Curtis asks if Stella came by to chat about gumbo. Stella says, Marshall called her last night, and he told her about Trina’s paternity. She thought it was time for her and Curtis to clear the air.

TJ tells Jordan that he’s sorry. He didn’t mean to open a vein. She says, he’s free to unload on her any time. What’s going on with him and Molly, or is it none of her business? He says, she knows he and Molly have been talking about starting a family. They met with Dr. Navarro, and they’re having some fertility issues. She says she’s so sorry, and he says, things got really tense between them. He said some things he shouldn’t have. Molly raced out of the apartment, and went to her mom’s. He spent the night pacing. He wants her to come home. Jordan says, she will. He and Molly have the kind of partnership other people dream about. They’ll get through this. He says he hopes she’s right. He feels like, just when Molly needed him the most, he pushed her away. She asks if he’s sure about that, and he looks up to see Molly.

Laura says, Valentin missed the reading of his father’s will, but Valentin says he didn’t. Martin filled him in on the details. She says, so he received his inheritance then? and he says, she means the finger? It was cute. He laughed himself silly, but the man’s still dead. She says, he managed to get his point across, even from beyond the grave, didn’t he? and Valentin asks if she saw what he left for Anna. She says, he said he left her the truth, which didn’t make any sense until she got up and read the morning paper, and he says he saw that too. Anna’s been arrested by the WSB. She says she didn’t know that, and he says, a source of his at the Bureau said Victor obviously stole a copy of Anna’s personal file before going missing year’s ago, and made arrangements to have it made public in the event of his untimely death. She says, the paper claimed to have obtained classified documents from the WSB, and he says his father obviously isn’t done ruining people’s lives. Luckily, he won’t have any influence on the younger generation of Cassadines. Anyway, he digresses. Martin said Victor left something else for him, aside from the finger. She says, it’s not for him; this is for Charlotte. She hands him a velvet pouch, and he takes out a pendant necklace with the Cassadine crest on it.

Anna tells Hursley that she doesn’t need to read any more of that. It’s her life after all. He says, her cover is blown, but she says, there’s nothing in that article the Bureau didn’t know about already. He says, don’t go any further. They’re doing this by the book. She asks what they’re doing, and he tells an agent to bring him in. She asks, what’s happening? when the agent lets Martin in through another door. She asks what he’s doing here, and Martin says, Valentin called him late last night, and said she was arrested. They’ll have to forgive his appearance. The Bureau kept him waiting for hours. Anna says, so this arrest is a mistake. Someone overreacted while talking to the higherups. Hursley says, on the contrary. She’s being accused of a crime against the state. She says, what crime? and he says, treason.

Laura says, even though it was meant for Charlotte, she thought it was best to give it to Valentin, and he says, the Cassadine crest. She says she hates that thing, and he says he can’t say that he blames her. He left his in a box for many years, until he was ready to come forward and claim what he thought was his rightful inheritance before he put it on his finger. She says, her first instinct was to throw that thing into the harbor. It represents everything she loathes about the Cassadines; everything she doesn’t want her granddaughter to be. But it belongs to Charlotte, and as her father, he gets to decide. He says he doesn’t know that throwing it in the harbor will make Charlotte any less of a Cassadine. His father’s gone, and with him, his influence and expectations. So it’s his hope that Charlotte can create a new legacy for her family.

Portia says, maybe she can move things around at work and stay, and Stella says, thank you, but this conversation between her and Curtis is long overdue. Portia says she’s the one responsible for the tension between the two of them. Maybe she should stay and be a part of this. Stella says she wishes Portia had been honest from the beginning, but she’s not entirely to blame. Curtis is a man who wants the truth, and there are some hard truths they need to talk about. Go on; they’ll be fine. Portia leaves, and Curtis brings Stella some coffee and sits next  to her. He says, now that they know Trina is his, does she want to explain why she kept that information to herself?

Spencer shakes Dex’s hand, saying, he’s glad Dex could join them, and Dex says, him too. Can he get anybody any snacks or drinks? Trina says, orange juice, and Spencer says, make that two. Dex and Josslyn go to the bar, and Spencer says he can’t believe he’s being forced to spend time with that thug. Trina tells him that she’s only going to say this once more; let… it… go. He says, Heller is the one who punched him. He did let it go. He shook the man’s hand, didn’t he? She says, like he was diseased or something. Spencer says he spends enough time taking care of his little brother. Doesn’t she think he deserves a morning with his friends? She says, maybe he should think about his brother. He’s the one who took the first swing at Dex, right? He says, yes… so…? and she says, if he starts another fight, it could possibly blow up into something worse. Does he think a judge would be happy to see he got in trouble again? Is that what a responsible guardian would do?

Anna asks if Hursley is insane, and Martin says, now that he’s finally in the room, he’d like to speak to his client in private. Hursley says, of course (🍷), and he and the other agent leave. Anna asks, what’s going on? and Martin says, the media, and she’s officially a sitting duck. They’re particularly interested in what aspect of the file Victor got released, detailing her life as a double agent. She says, the Bureau knew about this already, and he says, maybe they did, but the public didn’t. Now The Sun’s got hold of it. Her name, hell, her entire history is about to be splashed across the front page of every paper, website, and cable news broadcast in the entire country. This is bad. The public will want answers. They’ll think they want justice. She asks how she’s supposed to defend herself against accusations that are true.

Valentin puts the necklace in his pocket, and Laura brings him coffee. There’s a lot of that going around today. She says she was wondering if he could help her with something. Has he by any chance seen the Cassadine property in Chechnya? He says, on the Terek River; yes, he has. Several years ago, he had to see it for himself. It’s been in the family for 200 years at least. He’s a little surprised the Soviets didn’t take possession of it, and why it’s not in the hands of the current government. She says, it seems Victor has left it to Nikolas, and hands him the deed. She thinks this may be where Victor took Nikolas to recuperate… from when Valentin shot him. He says, that was in self-defense, and she says, let’s not revisit it. He agrees, and asks if she thinks Nikolas is at the property. She says she doesn’t know; it could just be wishful thinking. He says, anything’s possible, but if he is there, given the current political climate, it will be tougher to leave the country without raising red flags. That’s assuming he wants to leave. She says she’s sure he doesn’t, but she has to find him and bring him home.

Spencer tells Trina, fine. He’ll play nice with Dex, but he’s not going to forgive Dex for what he did to Cameron. She says, they may never know exactly what happened between Joss and Cam, but everyone could see it wasn’t working at the end. But now Cam has a scholarship at Stanford, and Joss and Dex – she looks over at them – seem really happy together. Doesn’t Joss deserve that? Josslyn and Dex come back with the drinks, and Spencer says he’s sorry about the punch yesterday. Dex says he’s sorry he hit Spencer in the face, and Spencer says, Dex got him pretty good. Dex doesn’t seem to have a mark on him though. Dex says he can teach Spencer how to block… Never mind. Spencer says, no, go ahead, and Dex shows him some moves as the girls laugh together.

Jordan says, it’s been a while, and Molly says, it’s been too long. She suggests they put it on the calendar, and Jordan says she’ll text Molly some dates. She says she has to check in with the station, and leaves. TJ asks if Molly got a good night’s sleep at her mom’s, but she says she tossed and turned all night. What about him? He says, same. Spending the night apart is not fun. She says she’s sorry she spent the night away. She just needed some time to think. He says she has nothing to apologize for. He was the one who was totally inconsiderate. The words came out wrong, and he doesn’t blame her; he never would. Can she forgive him?

On the phone, Jordan says, no word from the WSB on Anna’s arrest?… Let her know if they hear anything. Portia says she hopes she’s not interrupting anything, but Jordan says, not at all. What’s on her mind? Portia says she was just wondering if Jordan has spoken with Taggert at all recently, and Jordan says, no; why? Portia says, he might need a friend right about now, and Jordan says, the DNA results came back. And Curtis is Trina’s father.

Stella says, why didn’t she tell Curtis that she suspected he was Trina’s father? She’s been asking herself that question a lot lately. He asks if she was able to find an answer, and she says she was trying to get back to the day of his wedding, and why she couldn’t officiate. He tells her that she said something about her conscience, and she says she couldn’t in good conscience marry him and Portia, knowing Portia hadn’t told him that he might be Trina’s father. She didn’t feel she should be the one to tell him; she convinced herself of that. That she couldn’t interfere, because he and Portia seemed so happy, and she didn’t want to get in the way of that. He says, so what changed? Why now? She says, ultimately, she caused more pain and heartache by keeping silent, and she’s sorry. She hopes he can forgive her.

Anna tells Martin, early in her career, she was compromised by the DVX, specifically, Cesar Faison. She thought she could outwit him, but she couldn’t. So she ended up leaving here for a bit, then she came back… eventually. She gave them full disclosure; she told them everything, and she was reinstated. She’s had a clean record ever since. The Bureau has trusted her for decades. He says, none of that’s going to make any difference to the general public. That article does a good job of painting her as a total Judas. A trusted agent, somebody with clearance, access to privileged information. Somebody who betrayed her own agency. She says, this is all ancient history. The only difference now is the media spotlight… and the fact Frisco has been replaced as Director. Now the Bureau wants to distance themselves from her actions. They’re charging her with treason to cover their own asses. He says, that’s exactly what they’re doing, which is why Valentin was right to call him. It’s time for him to protect her. This isn’t cloak and dagger. It’s public, it’s Federal, and that story’s not going away.

Valentin says, Laura wants to go to Chechnya to look for Nikolas? and she says, didn’t they do that for Charlotte? He says, Charlotte was in a boarding school in Switzerland; not exactly a war torn country. And Charlotte wanted to come home. They don’t know what Nikolas will want. She says she’s not that concerned about what her son wants. He’s needed here. Valentin says, and certainly wanted by the PCPD, and she says she’s sure he’s going to face some very unpleasant consequences for his behavior. He says, he held a pregnant woman in a tower at Windymere, and she says, at least he’ll be back in Port Charles and near his sons. He says, what about the people in Port Charles who need her? What happens if she doesn’t come home safe? She says she can’t think about that. She feels like a part of her is missing. She needs to find that part. He says he understands. And if she’s not going to worry about her own safety, somebody has to. So if she’s going to Chechnya, he insists on going with her.

Martin says he knows Anna said she was going to do this, but hear him out. She says, they have different rules, and he says he’s sure, but he really doesn’t care. He’s been sitting out there, growing old, drinking bad coffee, waiting to do his job, and she’s going to let him do it. He doesn’t know a whole lot about the inner workings – she says, he doesn’t know anything – but he knows she needs representation. Valentin was crystal clear. She’s not the only person in the world who’s good at their job. He’s already on retainer with Valentin. Valentin has ordered him to protect her, and he will comply. She says, fine, and sits down. He opens the door and says, we’re ready for you. Hursley comes in, and he and Martin sit. Hursley says he trusts Anna’s lawyer has brought her up to speed, and she says, yes, that the Bureau is hanging her out to dry. She’s aware. Martin says, there’s something he doesn’t understand. Perhaps Hursley can help him. Anna’s been honest about her history with the DVX for years, and since that time, she’s proved over and over again that she’s loyal, courageous… Hell, she’s a solid gold asset to the Bureau. Why all of a sudden is her dedication being called into question? Hursley says, it doesn’t matter that they appreciated Agent Devane’s work; their hands are tied. Her entire dossier has been released, and the public knows she’s never been held accountable for her crimes. Not until now.

In the pool, Trina tells Spencer, don’t dunk her or splash her, and he asks if those are the Trina Robinson pool rules. She says, set in stone, and kisses him. Josslyn and Dex are sitting on chaises, and Josslyn thanks Dex for not punching Spencer, but he says, Spencer’s not so bad. She says, he’s crazy about Trina. She thinks they might actually be in love. Which for Spencer means showing off, and Trina hates when he does that, but he knows Dex is ex-military, and she thinks he just wanted to prove he was tougher than Dex… and couldn’t. She hopes he’s embarrassed. He says, they’re going to be spending a lot of time together, hopefully poolside, and he wants her friends to like him. She says she likes him, and he says, the feeling’s mutual. He’s surprised she wanted to do this today. He thought she’d be at the hospital. She says, no, but there is something she wanted to talk to him about, and he says, about Willow? She says, no, Willow’s great, considering everything. Her doctors are optimistic. It’s about Michael. Things are pretty bad between them right now. He says, because of him, but she says, everything. Everything’s just gotten spun out of proportion. He says he’s sorry; how can he help? She suggests they go somewhere private to talk, and they leave. Trina thanks Spencer, and he says, for what? she says, for making an effort. She knows it wasn’t easy. She knows Joss appreciates it; so does she. He says he’s doing this for her, and she thanks him. With everything else going on in her life, she doesn’t want to worry about their relationship. He says he didn’t want to pry, but if she wants to talk, he’s here, and she says she honestly doesn’t know what to say.

Martin says, Hursley is talking about crimes that are decades old. That’s not who Anna is, and he knows it. What about the valor and bravery she’s displayed in the last two weeks alone? She got out of a hospital bed to take on Victor Cassadine. She stopped him from deploying a pathogen that would have wiped out millions. Anna tells Martin, stop. He’s wasting his breath. Hursley says, the new head of the WSB can no longer turn a blind eye to the agency’s past. If Agent Devane chooses to dispute the charges, the Bureau might need to take a closer look at Robert Scorpio, or Annie Donnelly, or any other colleagues who might be stained by her misdeeds. Anna says, hold on a minute. If she’s being asked to do what she thinks she’s being asked to do, then she needs assurances, but Hursley says, they’re not in the business of negotiating with double agents. Anna says, really? That’s a shame. Because what if her file is incomplete? What if there are other missions she took; other black ops that didn’t make it into her dossier or the WSB official books? Suppose she has evidence of these hypothetical ops hidden in some secure location? Evidence of activities that would seriously embarrass the WSB, far more than any news that’s being tallied around. Hursley asks if that’s a threat, and Martin says, oh no. He thinks what Anna is saying is… Anna says, what she’s saying is, if anything happens to Robert or Annie or anyone else she cares about, she’s taking the Bureau down with her.

Josslyn says, her mom has the chance to avoid these insider trading charges if she gets evidence against Sonny, and Dex asks, would she do it? Josslyn says, no. Of course (🍷) not. She won’t even consider it, but she doesn’t have to. Josslyn can do it for her.  

Spencer asks if Trina regrets taking the DNA test, but she says, no. She just misses her family the way they were. He says, she’ll find her way back to them. It’ll be different, but she and her mother had a great relationship. He’s always been jealous of it. She says she knows it could be way worse. At least everyone is healthy and safe and relatively sane. He looks off in the distance and she asks where he went. He says he was just thinking about something his Uncle Victor told him. He said something about Spencer having to safeguard his family, but all he left Spencer is a key to a safety deposit box. (That’s all? Geez, there could be billions in there for all Spencer knows.) She asks if he’s opened the box yet, but he says, no. He doesn’t know what he’ll find in there, considering everything Victor did while he was still alive. She says, safeguard his family. He meant Ace, right? Spencer says he thinks so, and she says, then the next question is; safeguard them from whom?

Molly says, of course (🍷) she can forgive TJ, but she understands why he was so confused. She’s been all over the place. He says, for good reason. He hates that she’s been in pain because she went undiagnosed. She says, she should have pushed it with the OB/GYN, but he says, that’s the doctor’s responsibility. They should have listened to her experience and asked for details. It’s the first thing they teach you in med school; you listen to your patient. You respect them. That didn’t happen for her. She says, it’s been a long time since she’s thought about it. Yes, it was isolating, scary even, to be told your pain is all in your head. (Wow. I didn’t think doctors told women that anymore.) He says he’s so sorry, and promises he never has and never will say that to anyone under his care. She says, that’s why she loves him so much. She thought she had to deal with this diagnosis on her own, like always, but now that she’s told him and her mom and her sisters, she knows that’s not true. She’s not alone, and if she’s not alone, anything is possible.

Curtis tells Stella that he and Trina are making progress, but it’s not easy, and she says she can’t imagine it would be. He says he’s just trying to take it slow, and make it abundantly clear that he’s not trying to replace Taggert, and he trusts that one day, he and Trina can develop their own special relationship. She says, they will. May she ask him about how he and Portia are doing? He says he’s not sure, and she says, but he moved back in. That’s progress, right? He says, it’s possible, and she asks what made him move back. He says, a situation arose between him and Jordan. They’d been spending some time together. She was helping him through all of this, and it happened. She says, oh my goodness, and he says he quickly realized that he needed – he wanted – to give his marriage to Portia a chance. So he came home. She says she’s glad to hear it; she truly is. How did Jordan take it? I’m wondering what Stella is thinking, given that Curtis made it sound like it was more than a kiss. A situation and it happened?

Portia tells Jordan, honestly, she doesn’t know how Curtis is doing either. They knew he could be Trina’s biological father, but now that it’s been confirmed, now that they know the truth… At least Stella stopped by, and she’s hoping Curtis can work things out with her. Jordan says, Stella’s back in town? and Portia says, she came to check on Trina after everything that happened in Greenland. So she’s hoping when she gets home from work, maybe Curtis and Stella will have made some progress. Jordan says she’s a little confused. What does Portia mean, home? Portia says she’s sorry; she’s all over the place. It’s the one thing that’s given her hope. Curtis decided to move back home.

Laura says, Valentin wants to go to Chechnya with her? Valentin says, does he want to? No, of course (🍷) not. But if she’s determined to go, he’s not letting her go alone. Besides, he knows a little Russian. She tells him that she honestly doesn’t know what to say, and thanks him. He tells her that she doesn’t have to say anything. Just say she wants to do this incredibly dangerous thing, and let him know when they’re leaving.

Curtis says he hasn’t spoken to Jordan yet, and Stella says, Jordan doesn’t know he moved back in with Portia? He says, there’s a lot of moving pieces… and she says, oh Lord. She’s in no position to tell him what to do, but please don’t wait. He needs to talk to Jordan, and he needs to do it now.

Jordan says, Curtis moved back in? and Portia says, they both decided it’s the only way to really make their marriage work.

TJ asks what Molly means, anything is possible? and she says, if he’s open to it, there’s more than one way to start a family. They hug.

Anna asks Hursley, what’s it going to be? Unlike the WSB, she does not make idle threats. Hursley is silent for a moment, then says, her friends are safe. He leaves, and Martin asks, what the hell just happened? Is he going ahead with the charges or not? Anna says, not, and he asks, why? What was all this about? What did he want? She says, he didn’t want anything. She doesn’t think the Bureau did. This is all just Victor. He wanted her resignation. She’s no longer an agent, nor will she ever be again.

Trina gets out of the pool, and Spencer says, taking off? She says, they’re going to the bank. They need to see who Victor thinks is the biggest threat to his family. He says, forget it. He doesn’t exactly trust his not-so dearly departed uncle. She asks who Victor would see as the biggest threat to his baby brother, and he asks how she expects him to know that. She says, by opening the deposit box – now, and he says, she’s not going to take no for an answer, is she? She asks what he thinks, and he gets out of the pool.

Dex says, Josslyn’s mom doesn’t want to make a deal with the Feds, so Josslyn is going to make one for her? She says, all Dex has to do is give her the evidence of Sonny working with Pikeman, and she’ll do what her mom can’t, and she’ll turn Sonny in, once and for all.

Tomorrow, Mason comes back to bother Austin; Michael says, there’s a way to insure Carly never has to open her mouth; and Sonny says, Ned’s not going anywhere.  

🛀🏽 Slow Week In Soaps…

The good.

Josh Kelly Remembers His Fallen Friend on Memorial Day

The bad.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-and-days-alum-tyler-christopher-arrested

🔐 Pick a Prison Lane…

She’s a moron.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1375854/teresa-giudice-accuses-melissa-gorga-of-sending-her-to-prison-in-rhonj-reunion-shocker

🍸 Reviewing the Situation…

I don’t blame her.

https://okmagazine.com/p/chrissy-teigen-livid-john-legend-messing-vanderpump-rules-live-stream/

He’s even infected cosmetics.

OPI Pokes Fun at Tom Sandoval’s Nail Polish Backlash Amid Scandoval Drama

The only one putting on a front was Sandoval.

https://pagesix.com/2023/05/31/tom-sandoval-explodes-at-pump-rules-producer-in-meltdown-over-raquel/

This amusing recap was written by someone who doesn’t watch the show, but says they may watch it now. Don’t bother. As sad as it is to say, this was the best thing that could have happened to the show. New cast members weren’t really helping. I can’t even remember the names of the ones who’ve come and gone, although Charli stuck around. I have the feeling, it will all be downhill after this season. I’ll always be watching to get glimpses of Lisa, Puffy (!), and the palace/zoo that is Villa Rosa. But sometimes when you know it doesn’t get any better (or more dramatic) than this, it’s time to say goodbye. I stopped watching American Idol after the season where there was a hero – Scotty McCreary – and a villain – Haley Reinhart – and Lady Gaga sang Edge of Glory. They couldn’t top it if they tried. I also stopped watching the Academy Awards after the year I knew two people who were up for one. Short of receiving one myself, I can’t imagine anything more exciting.

https://ew.com/tv/vanderpump-rules-reunion-part-1-recap/

Just because I’ve grown to like Lala. And Sandoval gets more awful by the day.

https://www.etonline.com/lala-kent-says-shes-disgusted-by-tom-sandovals-vanderpump-rules-reunion-comment-about-her-daughter#taboola_organic

A blow-by-blow on Sandoval’s big baby tantrum with the producers. He acts like he’s Brad Pitt, and even Brad Pitt doesn’t act that way.

https://www.etonline.com/vanderpump-rules-star-tom-sandoval-threatens-to-stop-filming-after-scene-with-raquel-leviss-200441#taboola_organic

🌋 News Of the Last…

The latest on the apocalypse aftermath.

https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/the-last-of-us-tlou-season-2-casting-on-hold/

https://collider.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-cast-plot-release-window-creators-pedro-pascal-bella-ramsey/

🦔 Pets With Bank…

But they deserve every penny of it.

Taylor Swift’s feline Olivia Benson and other richest celebrity pets to know about

🪣 Talk Clean To Me…

Drop in tomorrow for the Friday free-for-all of soap, a cup or three of tea, some astute words, and an applicable tune for the month. Until then, stay safe, stay not blocking the aisles in the grocery store, and stay never believing pain is all in your head. Even if it is, it still needs to be treated.

Psy‘s Gangnam Style became the first video to reach 2 billion views on YouTube on May 31st in 2014. (A little late, but still worthy.)

May13

May 12, 2023 – Michael Changes Terms, Goodbye Barbara Jean, Molly Sub, Social Feud, No Comparison, Just No, Fear’s Return, Cool Dead, Sweet Renewal, 3 Awards, Dogs Of Anarchy, Good Boy, 2 x 4 Quotes & Mama

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nina meets Ava at The Savoy, where a martini is waiting. Ava says, let’s get the party started, and Nina sit next to her at the bar. Ava says, Trina and Liesl are home, which means Willow has a donor. What should they drink to first?… She says, Nina doesn’t look like she’s in the mood to celebrate anything. What’s wrong?

Carly and Drew walk hand in hand at the hospital, and Carly tells him, she has to say, their relationship being out in the open… He says, makes the whole SEC investigation worth it? and she tells him that she wouldn’t say that, but it is the one silver lining. They hug, and Josslyn walks in. She says, don’t mind her, and hugs Drew, telling him, welcome home. He says he’s so glad to be here; she has no idea. She says, seeing him is like confirmation everything is going to be okay, and thanks him.

Dex comes out onto the hospital roof, and checks a text: Need to meet ASAP. GH roof.

Michael looks in on Willow, when his phone rings. A text says: I’m here. He flashes back to Willow saying the conflict between him and Sonny affects everybody they love. He remembers telling Sonny that eventually Sonny will be forgotten, like he never existed, Sonny replying, he’ll always love Michael, but if he wants Sonny to forgive, he’ll have to pay.

Frank lets Valentin into Sonny’s office, and Sonny says, hail the conquering hero. Valentin says, Sonny can just call. He doesn’t have to send his staff. Sonny says he doesn’t want to inconvenience Valentin, but there are some matters they have to discuss, and no one’s leaving this room until they do that.

Carly asks if Josslyn talked to Trina, but Josslyn says, she’s with her mom and dad. Trina texted her that she and Spencer are alive and back in Port Charles. She thanks Drew, saying, he rescued her best friends, but he says, it was a huge team effort. Spencer and Trina were pretty heroic themselves. Josslyn says, they’re so grateful he was able to get Dr. Obrecht back in time to save Willow. Seriously, he’s a hero. Drew tells her not to get carried away, but Carly says, Josslyn’s right, even though he didn’t get the hero’s welcome he deserved. Josslyn asks, why? What happened?

Nina says she really appreciates Ava coming out with her tonight, but maybe she should go see Trina. Nina knows how worried Ava was. Ava says, she’s safe and with her parents. They should celebrate. At the very least, they should raise a glass to Nina’s Aunt Liesl. She survived being kidnapped by Victor Cassadine – again – and she made it home in time to save Willow’s life. Nina says, yes. Her Aunt Liesl had the procedure to donate her bone marrow, and Willow’s going to have the transplant as soon as she completes her chemotherapy. Ava says, that’s wonderful. Why so glum? Nina says, this morning, Willow offered a way for her to make peace, and Ava says, another reason to celebrate. Nina says, it would be, except she already screwed it up.

Obrecht knocks on Willow’s window, and the phone next to Willow’s bed rings. Willow picks it up, and says, hello, Aunt Liesl. Obrecht says she’s sorry she kept Willow waiting, but she was abducted by a homicidal madman, and Willow tells her, don’t let it happen again. Obrecht says, don’t worry; it won’t. Willow says she’s just glad Obrecht is all right, and Obrecht says, she, too, is quite pleased by her survival. It was a great relief to donate her bone marrow today. Willow says, so it’s done? and Obrecht says, yes. Willow asks if she’s okay, and Obrecht says she had the easy part. She was under anesthesia. Aside from some mild soreness, she feels absolutely fine. Willow tells her that she doesn’t know what to say. Thank you doesn’t even cover it. She starts to cry and says, she’ll be able to watch her children grow up… Grow old with Michael. She’ll be alive, all thanks to Obrecht. Obrecht says she did what she had to. After all, Willow is her family.

Michael comes out on the roof, and thanks Dex for helping Josslyn bring Wiley and Amelia to the hospital. It meant a lot to the both of them. Dex says he’s glad to help. How’s Willow doing? Michael says, she’s tough. She’s determined to pull through for her family. But true to form, she’s more concerned about others than herself, which is why he called Dex here. Dex says he thinks he knows what Michael is going to say. He’ll admit, he thought Michael would want to wait until his wife was better to turn Sonny in… Is there another problem?

Sonny says, he spoke to Anna, and she told him how Valentin got Trina and Spencer and Liesl home. Valentin says, Victor was his father. It was kind of on him to stop Victor, and Sonny says, he’s the reason Nina got her aunt back, and now Willow’s going to get her bone marrow transplant that he hopes saves her life. Valentin says he’s just glad Liesl made it back in time, and Sonny says, Valentin stepped up. He’s not going to forget that. Valentin says he appreciates that, and Sonny says, now can they get to how Valentin’s associates nearly go him and his people killed?

Valentin says he’d never get in the way of Sonny’s operation, much less harm his people, and Sonny says, let him explain the new developments in the Pikeman deal, which Valentin facilitated. It seems like he left out a few important details. Valentin says, with respect, he told Sonny everything he knows. He’s just a middleman; they’re not going to give him specifics. Sonny says, Valentin went on the run after that, so let him fill Valentin in. He was preparing for the first shipment, and a sniper tried to take him out. Fortunately, he missed. When they were discussing this deal, Valentin said something about there being significant risks. Was that code? Did he or did he not know that Sonny could have a target on his back? Doesn’t Sonny always have a target on his back? He is a mob boss.

Willow says she’s grateful for everything Obrecht is doing and has done, and Obrecht says, Willow doesn’t really know her, certainly not well. She understands Willow’s fear that accepting her into her life means accepting Nina, who she thinks she does know well. But she wants Willow to know she has no agenda. Regardless of how Willow feels about her, she considers Willow family. Obrecht has lost almost all her relatives. When that happens, we tend to latch on to whatever family we have left. Sometimes we even put too much pressure on those relationships. Willow asks if that’s a hint for her to be more receptive to Nina, but Obrecht shakes her head, and says, there will a time and place for Willow to consider what role, if any, she wants Nina to have in her life. It doesn’t matter right now. The important thing is that Willow heal, so that someday she may have the opportunity to make that decision and a lifetime of other, happier ones. Willow says she can’t make any promises about Nina. Right now, she’s just praying she comes out the other side of this. Obrecht says, she will, and Willow says, she sounds so certain. Why? Obrecht says, because she’s aware of the tribulations Willow has endured in her life. Tell her. Does it annoy Willow when people assume she’s fragile? Or does she use it to her advantage, so they underestimate her? Willow says she doesn’t know that she’s ever thought about it that way, and Obrecht says, no matter. She sees Willow for the strong woman she is. Even in this weakened state, it’s obvious. She is a survivor. She knows, because it’s in Willow’s blood.

Nina tells Ava, her daughter asked her for a favor, which she’s never done before, so she thinks that’s a step forward. Ava says, it sounds promising. What was the favor? Nina says, unfortunately, it’s something she can’t give Willow, and Ava asks what she wants. Nina says, Willow wants her to drop her vendetta against Carly, and Ava says, that’s all? She fails to see the problem here. She knows how much Nina hates Carly, but compared to having a relationship with her daughter… Do this for Willow. Lay down her arms. Nina says, it’s too late. She made sure of that when she ratted out Drew and Carly to the SEC.

Drew says, then Diane showed up, and she kind of shut the whole thing down, at least for now. Josslyn says she can’t believe they dragged Drew out of there after he risked his life to rescue Victor’s hostages, and he says, the important thing is, they haven’t been charged with anything; this is an ongoing investigation. Carly says, that’s right, and Diane’s on her way here now to discuss the case, and Josslyn says, if Diane’s on it, she’s not going to worry too much. Carly says, Josslyn needs to know, while the SEC is conducting the investigation, her accounts and assets are frozen, and Josslyn asks if Carly needs her to get money from her trust fund, but Carly says, no. She just wants Josslyn to be aware. She doesn’t want Josslyn worrying about her, because Diane is on it, and they’re going to figure it out. Josslyn wonders how long it’s going to take, but Drew says, unfortunately, there’s no way to tell. His phone rings, and he says, it’s the lawyers from Aurora; he has to take it. He steps away, and Josslyn says, it’s really great to see Carly and Drew together out in the open. She can tell Carly is happy, despite everything. Carly says, they are. Speaking of a secret relationship being out in the open, does Josslyn want to talk about showing up here with Dex?

Michael says he’s decided he’s not using the Pikeman evidence against Sonny, and Dex asks if Michael found something else to use against him. Michael says he’s not turning Sonny in at all, and Dex says, why not? Michael says, Willow helped him realize, by sending Sonny to prison, he’ll just be tearing his family apart, and Dex says, Michael told him that he’d be willing to accept that. Michael says, for himself, but not for his siblings. Josslyn wants to see Sonny face justice, but Kristina would never forgive him. And Donna and Avery will be stuck in the middle. It’s not fair to make them choose between Josslyn and Kristina, or him and his father. Dex says, Michael is the boss. He has the right to change his mind. But he was hired to do a job. A job he’s risked his life for a year now getting done. He’s been shot, hung from a meat hook, and threatened with torture. He’s had to spend every day with the knowledge that if Sonny finds out he’s working against him, he’s dead. He knew there were risks when he started working for Michael, but decided it was worth it. (Well, shut up then.) He’s since come to understand Sonny better, but that doesn’t change anything for him. His options are limited here. Michael says he knows he put Dex in a tough spot, and he’s sorry, but for his family’s sake, he can’t turn Sonny in. Dex says, great. He’s really happy for all of them, but where does that leave him? The way he sees it, he only has two options here. He keeps working for Sonny indefinitely, or he puts Sonny away. Michael says, there is one more option. He disappears. Um… How about Dex tells Sonny that he can’t work for him because of Josslyn? I hate when they give Sonny no credit for being a somewhat understanding guy.

Valentin says, Pikeman has a lot of enemies. The kind of people who are going to want to keep Pikeman’s merchandise out of their own enemies’ hands. He didn’t know Sonny was going to be targeted, but he can’t say he’s entirely surprised. Sonny says, the Pikeman rep is cagey any time he tries to ask them for any information, and Valentin says, as with any Pikeman employee. It’s all need to know. Sonny says, the sniper was a ghost, but here’s the thing. He wasn’t a mob hitman; he was black ops. From the espionage world. Valentin’s world. Valentin says he’s not going to get Pikeman to confirm or deny that, but he has good news. He spoke to his source at Pikeman, and they’re happy with the way the shipment went down. They want to work with Sonny again. Sonny says, tell them he’s not interested.

Scotty sees Obrecht going down the hall at the hospital, and says, she’s back. She says, yes, and he says, in one piece he might add. She says she’s unharmed. She should be… He says, he moved heaven and earth to find her, and got chloroformed for his trouble. She says she heard, and he says he’s sorry he almost got her blown up, but he had to do something. She says, on the bright side, his misguided efforts to save her, effectively blew up Victor, and Scotty says, good riddance to him. She says, yes. As she said she should be… She starts walking away, but he says, wait a second. He knows they had a lot of problems before Victor grabbed her, and a lot of stuff to work out, but he thinks about her – she turns around to face him – in the morning when he wakes up, and he thinks about her before he goes to sleep, but the trouble is, he doesn’t sleep anymore. So he was wondering if she feels the same way. Not that she doesn’t sleep. He wouldn’t wish that on anybody, but maybe they could get things back on track. Is there any way things might work out with them?

Josslyn tells Carly, Dex was a big help getting the kids here, and there’s no real reason to hide their relationship anymore now that Sonny knows. Diane comes out of the elevator and walks over to them, and asks if she’s interrupting a mother/daughter catch-up. Josslyn says, nothing they can’t talk about later, and Carly says, and they will. She thanks Diane for coming here, since she didn’t want to stray too far from Willow, and Diane says she understands. Josslyn says she’ll leave them to it. She knows they have a lot to talk about. Now that she knows Diane is the one helping out, she’s sure it will be okay. Diane says she appreciates the vote of confidence, and Josslyn leaves. Diane asks, where’s Drew? and Carly says, he’s making a call. She thanks Diane for getting him released, and Diane says, it was a little too easy… Drew comes back, and thanks Diane for coming. Let’s hear it. What are he and Carly looking at? Diane says, unfortunately, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

Nina and Ava go to a table, and Nina says she hates that she turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC. She let her jealousy get the better of her for Carly becoming more of a mother to Willow. Now she did something she can’t take back. Ava says, when Willow asked her to make peace with Carly, did Nina tell her it was too late? and Nina says, not exactly. When Willow asked her to make peace with Carly, she lied a little bit, and said she wouldn’t get into it with Carly anymore. Ava says, technically, it’s not a lie though. Nina talked to the SEC before she promised Willow. Nina says, it won’t matter to Willow that she took revenge on Carly before Willow asked her not to. That loophole is not going to work for her here. Ava says, Carly will weasel her way out of it somehow. Hopefully after she’s suffered a little bit. In a way, Nina bought herself some time to find her way out of this. Nina says, that doesn’t change what she did to Drew. That man went to Greenland, he faced off with Victor Cassadine, he brought Aunt Liesl back so Willow could get a bone marrow transplant. Almost as soon as he brought Aunt Liesl back to GH, he was intercepted by the SEC. Ava says, that is not ideal, and Nina says she was there; it was horrible. Ava says, there’s nothing Nina can do. What’s done is done. She can’t change it now. Nina says, maybe so; maybe not. Ava asks what she’s thinking, and Nina says she needs to mitigate the damage here. So the only thing she can do is tell Willow the truth.

Diane says she’s been working to get Carly’s private bank accounts unfrozen. Unfortunately, the judge has ruled that they’ll remain frozen for the duration of the investigation. Drew says he’s sure he can arrange for a loan from the Quartermaine assets, but Diane says, no. She strongly advises against that. While the SEC is deciding whether he used his private relationship with Carly to divulge business secrets, how’s it going to look if he loans her money? Carly says, Diane’s right. She doesn’t want him to get in any more trouble. He asks what she needs for money, and Carly says she has some liquid assets to keep her afloat. Besides, Diane is going to get their names cleared. Diane says, about that. Unfortunately… Carly says, no. Diane’s been saying that word a lot today. Diane says she knows. She’s sorry. However, she can’t represent both of them.

Obrecht says she’s just been through a harrowing experience with Victor, and Scotty says, he knows. That’s why… She says, please, let her finish, and he says, anything you want, my schnitzel. She says she dreamed of him calling her that. She confesses that in moments her survival was in question, she did think about him. He has her heart. He takes her hand and says, she has his as well. So with that, they can probably get through anything. She says, if only it were that simple, and pulls her hand back. Her heart doesn’t belong to him alone. He shares that space with her children who are no longer with her; Nathan and Britta. He says he knows that he hurt her, and he’ll do everything he can in his power to make it up to her, but she says, sadly, he cannot. She was a captive on the Haunted Star, the very vessel where her Britta breathed her last breath. When the air strike destroyed it, she thought, it’s gone, the place where her Britta had the best night of her life, and she had her worst. She didn’t know what to think, how to feel, but Scotty was involved, no matter how inadvertently, in its destruction. And it felt like a gift. He says, maybe he did do something right, and she says he’s done many things right, but as much as she loves him, it’s hard for her to even look at him right now. All she can see is Elizabeth, and how he sided with her. And while she understands he sees Elizabeth as a daughter, she must side with the memory of hers. That is our truth, mein Lieber, and unfortunately, it doesn’t set us free. She walks away.

Michael says he’ll give Dex all the money he needs to start somewhere new. Somewhere Sonny can’t touch him. It’s the least he owes Dex. Dex says, that’s not what he agreed to. The deal was, he’d get enough evidence for Michael to put Sonny away forever, then get out of his business. Michael says, Dex did everything he asked Dex to do. He gained Sonny’s trust, he braved the brutality of Sonny’s world. He can’t thank Dex enough for all he’s done. He realizes changing the terms comes at great risk to Dex. Dex says, but Michael’s not going to change his mind, is he? and Michael says, no, he’s not. Dex says, then he’s screwed, and Michael says, Dex knew this job could go wrong a million different ways; he signed up for that too. Dex says he signed up for exactly two possible outcomes. Either Sonny goes to prison, or Sonny catches him and he winds up dead. And since option one is off the table now, the only other one is him not breathing. Michael says, there’s a way for Dex to escape with his life if he lets Michael help him get away. He’ll protect Dex from Sonny. Dex says, if he disappears, he has to say goodbye to his life, and he’s grown very attached to… to this city. Michael says, he’s grown attached to this city or attached to Josslyn?

Josslyn stands at Willow’s window, and on the phone, Willow says she’s happy to see her. Josslyn says she’s surprised Willow is even awake. How’s she feeling? Willow says, if she’s being completely honest, the chemo’s taking a lot out of her. But it will all be worth it, providing Liesl’s donation takes. Josslyn says, it will, and asks if there’s anything she can do for Willow. Willow says, tell her what’s going on. What’s happening in the outside world? Josslyn hesitates, and Willow says, it doesn’t have to be anything big. Tell her something small and personal. Like how she’s studying for her finals. Is she a flashcards or an outlines student? Josslyn laughs, and says, Willow’s lowered the bar. They can do better than that. She’s sort of seeing someone. Willow says, Michael and Carly sort of hinted she was, but didn’t give her any details. She was very annoyed they respected Josslyn’s privacy like that. So tell her. Is Josslyn seeing anyone she knows?

Sonny says, the cargo was a lot riskier than they discussed, and Valentin asks, what was the cargo? Sonny says, just one of the most powerful plastic explosives in the world. Did Valentin know that? Valentin says he knew they dealt in explosives, but he didn’t expect them to ask Sonny to traffic it. Not on his first job with them anyway. Sonny says he’s not in the market of arming terrorists, but Valentin says, he’s not. Their main client is the US military. They make limited covert exports to small countries that need to defend themselves from larger, better equipped military forces. Sonny says, meaning countries that have a vested interest in making sure Pikeman doesn’t move their merchandise, and Valentin says, and would go to extremes to eliminate anyone facilitating the move of said merchandise. Sonny says, there’s no way he’s going to sit back and be Pikeman’s collateral damage, and Valentin says, so Sonny wants him to tell them no deal?

Ava says she loves Nina, but that is a terrible idea, and Nina says, it’s the only thing she can think of. This whole thing is horrible. They froze Drew and Carly’s assets. Ava laughs, and Nina says, it’s not funny. Ava says, it’s not funny when it comes to Drew, but Carly? Considering she lost her shirt in the very deal she’s being investigated for, it’s lucky she has any assets to freeze, and it’s delicious. Nina says, Willow’s not going to see it that way. They could be facing serious prison time, and if there’s any way of salvaging this, building any kind of relationship with her daughter, she’s just going to have to come clean. She’ll have to apologize to Willow for all the pain that she’s put her and her family through. Ava says, let her remind Nina of something. None of the former or current members of the Corinthos family are forgiving people. That includes Willow. If Nina comes clean, Willow will be furious with her. Nina says, what if she finds out later? and Ava says, then she’ll be furious later. If Nina admits what she did, Carly will be out for her blood. Not to mention Michael and Drew, and the whole Quartermaine clan. And of course (🍷) there’s Sonny. Nina, who certainly can’t foresee the consequences of her actions, says, what about Sonny? and Ava says, Carly’s the mother of his children. Does Nina think he’s really going to be fine with her turning Carly over to the Feds? Nina says, he loves her, and Ava says, he does now, but when he finds out she threw Carly to the wolves, she promises Nina, that will change. Nina says she knows there’s going to be consequences. Shouldn’t she face them? Ava says, when Nina dropped the dime on Carly and Drew, was she lying? Nina says, no, and Ava says, exactly. What they did was illegal. All Nina did was report it. If they didn’t want to go to prison for insider trading, maybe they shouldn’t have done it. All Nina will get for her honesty is lifelong and very powerful enemies. She’ll lose Willow, and she’ll lose Sonny forever. Does she really want to throw away everything that makes her happy?

Willow asks Josslyn if she’s happy, and Josslyn says she is. Willow says, good, and thanks Josslyn for sharing at least that much with her. Josslyn promises to share everything eventually with Willow, and Willow says she’ll hold Josslyn to it. She thanks Josslyn for being here; it means the world. Josslyn says, it’s not just her. It’s Michael and her mom and Drew; they’re all here. All of them are going to be here for her every step of the way. Willow says, love and support from the whole family has kept her going through all of this; the way everyone’s coming together. Josslyn says, they love her, and Willow says she loves all of them too. And as nervous as she is about the transplant, she’s also feeling hopeful for all of their futures again. Josslyn tells Willow, goodbye, hangs up the phone, and then says she feels the same way.

Sonny says he wants Valentin to deliver a message from him. He might be open to another deal, one that would facilitate another shipment; the way it was before, not under these circumstances. Pikeman needs to get their affairs in order, and figure out who came after him. Then they can move forward, but not until then. Valentin says he’ll convey that message and get back to Sonny, and leaves.

Nina says, Ava brings up some good points, and Ava says, that Nina obviously hasn’t considered. Nina says, but where does she go now? Does she just go forward with this huge secret hanging over her and everyone she loves? Ava says, yep, and Nina says, what if she gets caught? Ava asks if anyone else besides her is aware Nina knew Drew and Carly were romantically involved prior to the merger, and Nina says, Martin Grey. Ava says, attorney/client privilege; he can’t say anything. Nina says, he assured her that there’s no way to trace the tip back to her, and Ava says, great. She’s not going to say anything, so good news. Nina’s already gotten away with it. She’s the last person anybody would suspect. Nina asks why Ava says that. Her animosity toward Carly isn’t a secret. Ava says, whose animosity toward Carly is a secret? Aurora’s assets were frozen too, right? And Aurora owns Crimson, so why would she undermine her own business? Nina says, that’s true, and Ava says, Nina’s gotten away with murder. Don’t tell anyone where to find the body.

Diane says she was happy to step in and get Drew released, but moving forward, it wouldn’t be in his best interest to have the same representation as Carly. Carly says she doesn’t understand. Won’t it help if they both have the same strategy? Diane says, the SEC is going to pit the two of them against each other. If this goes to trial, they’ll be separate defendants, so they should have separate attorneys fighting their respective cases. Drew says, then Diane should represent Carly, but Carly says, no. He’s the CEO of Aurora. He engineered the merger. He should have the better representation. He says, the Q’s have a shark tank full of lawyers he can use. Carly should have somebody that knows her implicitly and has represented her and her family for years. Carly asks what Diane thinks, and Diane says she thinks Drew is a very smart man who makes a compelling argument. Carly says, okay. Then that’s what they’ll do. Diane says, now that that’s settled, she’ll be in touch. In the meantime, the two of them look great together. She leaves, and Carly puts her head on Drew’s shoulder.

Nina asks if that’s Scotty, and Ava says, he has that lost puppy dog look. As he passes the table, Nina asks, what’s up? and Ava asks if he’s all right. He says he tried to mend some fences with Liesl, but they’re finished. Nina says, she’s just been through a lot, and he says he knows. He thought she might come to his waiting arms, but no such luck. Nina says, just give her some time, and Ava says, the woman obviously loves him. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be so mad at him. What did she say exactly? He says, she told him that their truth does not set them free, which it seems to him means, if you love somebody and mess with the family, there is no coming back.

Carly asks how Drew thinks the SEC is going to pit them against each other, and he says, if they want to play dirty, let them. They can handle whatever the SEC throws at them. The way he sees it, they can take on the world as long as they’re together. They hug.

Scotty tells Nina and Ava that he’s not good company. He’s going to go have some martinis. He heads for the bar, and Ava asks Nina, so what are we doing here? Celebrating, or is Nina planning on ruining her relationship with Willow? Nina says, Ava’s right. She can’t tell Willow that she turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC. Ava says, exactly. Trust her. Nothing good will come of Nina clearing her conscience. Ava lifts her glass, and says, to seeing reason. Everything is going Nina’s way. Liesl is going to save Willow’s life; Carly and Drew will face the consequences of their actions. The best thing for Nina to do is to keep her mouth shut and her eyes forward. Nina lifts her glass, and says, and hope for the best. They clink glasses and drink.

Josslyn comes to the roof, and hugs Dex, asking why he needed to see her. What’s going on? He tells her that he has to say goodbye.

There’s a knock at Sonny’s office door, and he says, come in. Frank says, Sonny has another visitor, but Sonny says he’s not expecting one. Frank says, he’ll want to see this one, and Sonny says, send him in. Frank leaves, and Michael walks in.

On Monday, Lucy asks if Sasha is absolutely sure she’s ready for all of this; Josslyn says she’s going with Dex; Drew tells Nina, it’s just not an option; and Michael tells Sonny that they need things to change before it’s too late.

🥀 Farewell To a Legend…

This made me so sad.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Star Jacklyn Zeman Dead at 70
GENERAL HOSPITAL Stars Pay Tribute to Jacklyn Zeman
GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Anthony Geary Remembers Jacklyn Zeman

⚖️ The ADA’s Temp…

We’ll be having a temporary Molly for a bit.

Molly Recast on GENERAL HOSPITAL Temporarily

📱 Oh For Pete’s Sake…

Is it me, or is this all as stupid as it seems?

Melissa Gorga’s Social Media Feud With Gia Giudice Intensifies: ‘Screams Desperation’

🍸 Wrong As Usual…

No. It’s not all the same. Actually, this is apples and oranges territory.

Brandi Glanville Reminds Scheana ‘A Cheater Is a Cheater No Matter What’

🚫 Can’t Blame Her…

There probably are more important topics.

https://okmagazine.com/p/the-view-under-fire-whoopi-goldberg-refuses-discuss-forced-vanderpump-rules-topic/

⚰️ Happy Mother’s Day…

Fear the Walking Dead will be back on Sunday, May 14th.

https://www.thedigitalfix.com/the-walking-dead/fear-the-walking-dead-season-8-release-date

🗽 City Trailer…

This one is a must watch for me.

“The Walking Dead: Dead City” Official Trailer – The Coolest Thing the Show Has Done in Years?

🦌 Third and Final…

I love this show. I’m almost done with Season 2, and it’s even better than Season 1. It can be borderline Disney, but not in a bad way. And it’s something different.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/sweet-tooth-renewed-for-third-and-final-season-at-netflix/

🎭 Not This Time…

You can check out the nominees here as well.

https://playbill.com/article/2023-tony-awards-will-not-broadcast-as-announced-wga-strike-waiver-denied

🐎 A Lot Bit Country…

The ACM Award winners.

https://people.com/country/acm-awards-2023-complete-winners-list/

The ACM Award fashion.

https://parade.com/tv/acm-music-awards-red-carpet-fashion-outfits-2023

🎥 Not Your Mom’s Awards…

The MTV Movie & TV Awards winners.

https://www.mtv.com/news/wlwids/mtv-movie-tv-awards-winners-list-2023

The non-fashion.

https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/mtv-movie-tv-awards-2023-red-carpet-winners-writers-strike

🐶 Bikers and Dogs Reunion…

It doesn’t get cooler than this.

https://ew.com/tv/sons-of-anarchy-reunion-peta-psa-emilio-rivera-theo-rossi/

🐩 Going To the Dogs…

Westminster winner. Click on Rummie the Pekingese for a tweet treat.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/09/us/westminster-dog-show-winner-cec/index.html

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. – Immanuel Kant

I’ll join this conversation on the proviso that we stop bitching about people, talking about wigs, dresses, bust sizes, penises, drugs, night clubs, and bloody Abba! – Bernadette (Terrence Stamp), Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better. – Robert F. Kennedy

Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained. – Marie Curie

A leader is a dealer in hope. – Napoleon Bonaparte

The pendulum of the mind alternates between sense and nonsense, not between right and wrong. – Carl Jung

His first word was a paragraph. – Rosetta McMillan (Cleo King), Mike & Molly

I believe in Liberty for all men: the space to stretch their arms and their souls, the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine, and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of beauty and love. – W.E.B. DuBois

🤹🏽‍♀️ A Mother Of a Day…

Follow the breadcrumbs back on Monday really Tuesday for soap, Sailing, and Summer smack talk. Fear the Walking Dead begins Sunday, so we’ll see on that. Mondays is rough. Until then, stay safe, stay loving your mom even if it has to be from a distance, and stay not messing with the family of somebody you love. There might be no coming back.

Apr28

April 27, 2023 – Two Uninvited Guests Come To the Wedding, Congrats, Side Gig, Oh Say Can OC, Almost Walked, VanderMadness, Crowned, Daytime Emmy Info & How Far

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Bobbie says, Donna and Avery look like little princesses, and Carly says, no princess is complete without her crown. Josslyn’s phone rings, and she steps away to answer it, while Carly gets out the flower girl headpieces and she and Bobbie put them on the girls. They show Willow, and she says, perfection. Outside, Josslyn says, it’s like you read my mind. I was just thinking how much I want you here too. I assume she’s talking to Dex. Willow says, Carly is so good with the girls. Strong and confident, yet playful and fun; the kind of mom she wants to be. Carly says, that’s the kind of mom Willow is. She’s the best.

Tracy walks into the nook as Olivia is preparing some dishes, and asks, what’s all this? Olivia says, it’s called food, but Tracy says she means, what is Olivia doing with it? Olivia says, it’s for the wedding. Initially, she was going to call a caterer, then thought, why doesn’t she do it herself, and give it that nice personal touch? Tracy says, just what all brides dream of, an all-you-can-eat wedding buffet, and Olivia says, for Tracy’s information, Willow did not want some stuffy sit-down dinner,. Brook says, it’s going to be very elegant, and Ned says, Brook doesn’t need to be here. He and Olivia have this covered. Brook says she actually prefers to stay behind the scenes right now, and Olivia says, so she can avoid Chase? Maxie comes in, and says, look alive, people. Everything’s almost ready in the living room. How are things going in here? Tracy says, not to worry. All of the food is pre-cooked just like a picnic.

The chairs are set up in the living room, and Michael tells Wiley, this is were he and mommy will be standing when they exchange rings. Wiley says he has an important job, and Michael says, extremely, and there’s no one he trusts more with it.

Dante lets in Sam and Kristina, and Sonny hugs Kristina, telling her that she looks absolutely beautiful, as usual. Dante asks if Sam is ready for this, and she says she thinks so. Michael said they’re keeping things relatively simple. She can’t believe they asked her to officiate (me neither – did she quickly hop on the internet for that?), and Sonny says he can. Dante says he can too. She’s the perfect choice, especially given her relationship with Willow and Michael. Sonny asks if TJ and Molly are on their way, and Kristina says, they should be here any minute. Michael comes out with Wiley, and Sam says, looking sharp, boys. Michael says he was giving Wiley the lay of the land, and Sam says, he’s going to crush it. Wiley runs to Sonny, who asks if he’s excited about the wedding. Wiley says, yeah, and Sonny says he bets. This is the greatest ring bearer in the world. Michael says he has the best.

Nina says she gave the SEC a heads up that a certain CEO was giving his girlfriend stock tips, and Ava says, she told the SEC about Carly and Drew? Nina says, no. She had Martin Grey pass on an anonymous tip that the CEO of Aurora Media and his secret girlfriend were engaged in insider trading. So basically, she took Ava’s advice. She’s never felt better. Ava asks how long she thinks that’s going to last.

Carly asks Bobbie to take the girls to the main house, and Willow says she’s sure they’d love to see how the preparation is going. The girls get excited, and Bobbie tells them, be careful what you wish for. They might get put to work. Josslyn takes Amelia, and follows them out. Carly asks how Willow is feeling, and Willow says, honestly? She’s scared. She so wants this to be the beginning of something, and she’s terrified it’s the end.

Molly and TJ arrive, and Dante suggests commemorating the day. He calls Sonny over, and Molly takes a photo of him, Michael, Dante, and Kristina. Kristina tells Michael, it’s his wedding day, so look like he’s enjoying it, and he says he plans to enjoy every moment of it. Bobbie and Josslyn come in with the girls, and they all pose for more pictures by the stairs. Molly sniffles a little, and TJ tells her that he can take them, but she says she’s got it. Kristina asks if Josslyn wants to get in, but Josslyn says she’s good for now, and Kristina says, suit herself. Molly takes more photos, and they file into the living room. Sam asks TJ if everything is all right with Molly.

Ned practices some scales, and Tracy says, please, but he says, Michael and Willow asked him to sing at the ceremony, and he doesn’t want to disappoint them with rusty pipes. Tracy says, they don’t want anything to derail this ultra highbrow wedding, and Olivia says she’s had just about enough of Tracy. Brook suggests Tracy go into the living room; everyone will be excited to see her. Tracy says, fat chance, but Brook says, even so, and steers her out. Ned tells Olivia to decompress, but Olivia tells him that she didn’t say a word. He tells her, which says everything, and she asks, exactly how long is mommy dearest planning on staying? He shrugs.

TJ says, Molly’s fine, and Sam says, is he sure? She seems a little off. He says he’s sure, but he’s glad she has the support of her sisters.

Kristina asks how the doctor’s appointment went, and Molly says, fine. Kristina says, that’s it? and Molly says, it’s private, but Kristina says, the Davis women don’t do private. What’s going on? Molly says, it turns out getting pregnant might be more difficult than she and TJ had hoped.

Bringing Tracy into the living room, Brook nearly smacks into Chase (again), and Tracy says, the young man Brook’s been hiding from. Brook says, no, and Tracy says, the policeman who owes her a debt of gratitude. Chase says, I’m sorry? and Tracy asks if her granddaughter moved heaven and earth to get his badge reinstated or not? Brook tells Chase that exaggeration is sort of Tracy’s thing, and suggests they find her a seat.

Dante asks if Michael has jitters, but Michael says, actually, no. How about Dante? Can he handle the rigorous best man duties? Dante says, I’m the best, man. Michael’s a great guy and he’s going to be a great husband. He’s been through hell multiple times, and has somebody who loves him as much as Michael loves them. Michael says, forever. Whether Willow’s with him or not, long short or somewhere in between, no matter what happens, this is the happiest day of his life. Dante says, the fact that Michael can see that and knows that is the greatest gift, and they bro hug.

Carly tells Willow, the world is full of beautiful things, and the truth is, none of them knows when their time is up. In her opinion, the greatest tragedy is throwing away what they have today worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow. Willow is surrounded by her family and friends. She’s going to marry the man she loves. Willow says, loves with all her heart. It took her a while to know it, but Michael is the one. Carly asks if she knows how rare that is. Some people go their entire lives and they never experience that. She knows Willow appreciates every minute she spends with Michael and the kids, but today is the only day we get. Shouldn’t we make it the best one?

Nina says, Ava told her to call the SEC. Ava handed her the phone, and almost dared her to do it. Ava says she was playing devil’s advocate. She was trying to show Nina how way over the top the idea was. It was reverse psychology. She was trying to talk Nina out of doing it, not encouraging her. Nina says, well that backfired. Carly has yet to face a single consequence for what she did. Had she told Willow about her birth mother – Nina – then Willow wouldn’t be on death’s door right now. She could have gotten that bone marrow transplant months ago, and she’d be thriving instead of withering away. Ava says she has to stop Nina right here. Now she’s skating dangerously close to alternative facts. Nina says, tell her one untrue thing about what she said, and Ava says, it’s true Carly was wrong, and should have told Willow that Nina was her birth mother, but that’s not the reason Willow is sick. Nina says, she delayed her treatment, and Ava says, because of the baby, not because of Carly. Nina says, had Willow known… and Ava says, no one knew. Nina is forgetting the fact that Willow didn’t tell anybody about her cancer. Nina says, Ava isn’t blaming Willow now, is she? and Ava says, of course (🍷) not. She’s simply saying, no one had all the information, not even Carly. Nina says, it doesn’t matter. Carly and Drew broke the law, and is it so inconceivable that Carly should pay for her crime? Ava says, that’s just it. If Nina sends Carly to prison, it’s not Carly who pays; it’s Nina.

Olivia tells Ned, that’s it for the prep. Now she can just play hostess to the guests until the ceremony begins. Donna and Avery cut through and go outside, and she says, aren’t they adorable… as they cut a path of total destruction through the house. Ned says, she blows him away, and she says, tell her more. He says, pulling a wedding together in a couple of days, and Olivia tells him, he says wedding; Tracy says picnic. He says, don’t listen to her, when Josslyn asks if they’ve seen Donna and Avery. Olivia says, that-a way, and Josslyn goes outside. Olivia says she’s just so happy that she can do something for Michael and Willow after everything they’ve been through… and everything they’re still going through. She also had a lot of help. Maxie comes in, and asks if they’ve seen Willow.

Willow says, Carly is amazing at putting things into perspective. No more thinking about tomorrow or next week. She lives in the moment. She thanks Carly, but Carly says, thank you. She’s so grateful that Michael found her, and they found love. She prays it lasts for the next 60 years, but if God forbid it doesn’t, it doesn’t take away from the joy they’ve given each other for the past two years. Or the love she’s given Wiley and Amelia. Willow says, but doesn’t some part of Carly wish Michael had never met her, so he could be spared the heartbreak? Carly says, no. it would hurt to see her son in pain, but it would hurt even more if he’d never been in love. She’s seen his face light up when Willow walks in the room, or sees Willow with Wiley, or holding Amelia. Willow has given her son so much. She wouldn’t wish any of that away. She just wishes they had more of it. Willow says, so does she, but they’re not thinking about that. Today they bask in the joy and the love and the light. Carly asks if it’s dress time, and they get up. She says she loves Willow so much, and Willow says she loves Carly too, and they hug.

Nina tells Ava, of course (🍷) it’s her that pays; it’s always her. Ava says, that’s not what she meant, and Nina says, Carly has come between her and Willow over and over again. She’s made sure at every step, challenge, and crisis, she’s the one Willow turns to for support, not Nina. Today for example. It’s her daughter’s wedding day, and who gets to play mother of the bride? Not her – Carly. She’s not even invited to the wedding. Ava says she doesn’t need convincing that Carly is a piece of work, but she needs Nina to acknowledge what’s really going on here. Why did Nina sic the SEC on Carly? Nina asks what she means, and Ava says, just answer the question. Nina says, because Carly and Drew violated… Ava says, come on. Nina doesn’t give a damn about the Securities and Exchange Commission. She doesn’t care about laws, or statutes, or shareholders. Just admit it. She wanted revenge.

Carly wheels Willow in, and she looks really pretty, but what the hell is with that veil? It looks like they just stuck some netting on her head. It’s awful. Was that the responsibility of the wardrobe mistress who recently retired? Maxie says, Willow is the most beautiful bride she’s ever seen except for that janky veil, and Dante says, she speaks the truth. Sam says, they’ll see Willow in there, and goes in with Dante. Wiley runs over to Willow, and she asks if he’s ready to be the best ring bearer ever. He tells her that she looks pretty, and she thanks him. She says she’s sure his daddy is devastatingly handsome, but no one is more handsome than him.

Sam asks how Michael is feeling, and he says, good; he’s ready. He thanks her again for officiating, and she says, of course (🍷). Jason would be really happy for him. He says he’s been thinking about Jason a lot today, and she says, so has she, and about him and Willow of course (🍷). Willow looks so soft and sweet on the outside, and of course (🍷) she is, but Sam doesn’t think people realize how strong she is, and how much she’s been through. Just like Michael. He’s kind and easy-going, but she doesn’t think people realize he has a core of steel. She’s so glad he and Willow were able to recognize that in each other, and she’s honored to be leading them in their vows tonight. He says he loves her, and she says, back atcha, and goes to prepare.

Maxie asks everyone to take their seats. They’re about to begin. Dante says, showtime, and in the foyer, Carly asks if Willow is ready to begin the rest of her life. Willow says, so ready.

Nina says, Ava is way wrong. She’s not doing it for revenge. That’s more Carly’s M.O. Ava says, so Nina doesn’t want to wipe that sanctimonious smile off Carly’s face – Nina says, absolutely – after everything she did to Nina. Engineering it so Willow would go to her for love and support, even though Nina found her a bone marrow donor. Nina says, exactly, and Ava says, Nina is trying to pretend that’s not the reason she turned Carly in to the SEC, and she needs Nina to see that it is. Nina says, because Ava thinks what she’s doing is wrong, but Ava says she’s not going to judge Nina. If she wants revenge, go for it; get her revenge. She’s just saying it better be worth it to Nina. Because if this comes out, it’s the end of her and Sonny.

Canon in D Major (otherwise known as the main theme from Ordinary People) begins to play. Wiley comes in, carrying the rings on a pillow, and the flower girls follow, tossing their petals. Josslyn comes next, and Here Comes the Bride plays. Carly walks Willow down the aisle and hands her off to Michael. He tells her that she’s breathtaking, and she says, so is he. Sam thanks family and friends for joining them in this celebration of Michael and Willow. When they asked her to officiate the wedding, she was kind of surprised because A, she’s never done this before, and B, there’s probably a reason for that. But when she sat down and thought about it, it actually made a lot of sense. She’s known Michael since he was just a kid, and they’ve been through a lot of life together. Watching him grow into the man he is today has been one of the greatest privileges of her life. And she and Willow have had some shared experiences, which she won’t get into tonight, but it’s given her insight into the kind of person Willow is; strong, resilient, beautiful, and so, so brave. All of the traits Michael and Willow have in common will only serve them as they embark on their life together. She loves them both so very much. She tells Josslyn that she’s up, and Josslyn reads a passage from Romeo and Juliet that begins, love is not love which alters when it alteration finds. When she concludes, Sam says, that was beautiful. Now Ned will be performing a song that the bride and groom have chosen. Ned begins to play the guitar. But we never hear him sing. Rusty pipes?

Nina says, Sonny’s not going to find out, but even if he did, he’d understand, but Ava says, no, he wouldn’t. Nina says, yes, he would. No one more than Sonny has seen the way Carly’s treated her; the cruelty, the utter disrespect. What she and Sonny have is the real deal. If it wasn’t, Sonny wouldn’t have sacrificed everything for her. Ava says, that’s just it. Sonny sacrificed everything, and he kept choosing Nina over them time and time again, and at great cost. Ava has learned the hard way that Sonny and Carly have their own history, and part of that history is a blind and stubborn and even toxic loyalty. She’s not talking about romance. The two of them could be at each other’s throats, but if a threat comes for one of them, the other will step in and defend them. So if the SEC goes after Carly, and Sonny finds out Nina was behind it, she doesn’t see him backing Nina.

Sam says, Michael and Willow have made things easy on her today, and have requested a traditional ceremony. So here we go. Michael says he knows they asked for this, but as he’s standing here looking at Willow, he has to say how thankful he is for her friendship, her courage, her love, her compassion, her support. And most important, how she’s been such an amazing mother to Wiley. The fact that he gets to call her his wife… Willow says, wait, they’re getting married? and everyone laughs. He says he forgot to thank her for her sense of humor. He couldn’t love her more if he tried, but he’s going to try every single day for the rest of their lives. She says, wow. She can’t let him have his say and not get hers. It’s ironic that he would be up here thanking her, when she was a person who was alone for most of her life. Then came him. At first, he was her friend, and such a good one; supportive, and such a great advice giver. He never judged. As everyone here knows, the first time they did this, it was a legal maneuver, but then this crazy thing happened. As each day passed, she realized how happy she was to be married to him, and it quickly became something she wanted to last. It’s like her whole frame of reference shifted. What she’d refused to see before was suddenly standing in front of her. All of that time, she’d been falling in love with him, and since then, that love has only grown. She’s fulfilled in ways she never thought possible because of him, and their kids, and this amazing family of his. He says, ours, and she says she’s so incredibly lucky.

Sam asks if they’re good to move on to the vows now, and Michael says, they’re ready. She asks if Michael takes Willow to be his wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health… Willow says she’s really putting him through the paces on that one, and Sam says, until death do they part. Will he love and honor her for all the days of his life? He says he will and he does to all of it. She asks if Willow takes Michael as her husband, ditto, ditto, ditto, and Willow says she will. Sam calls to Wiley who brings up the rings.

Nina says, it’s possible that no one will find out, and Ava agrees, it’s possible. Nina says, but Ava doesn’t think it’s likely, and Ava says, she thinks it’s true what they say; secrets have a way of coming out, no matter how hard they try to bury them. Nina says, it’s not like she made up the insider trading; it happened. Anyone could have reported it. Ava says, it wasn’t anyone; it was Nina. She turned in the mother of Sonny’s children to the authorities. Nina looks miserable, and says she turned in Wiley and Amelia’s grandmother to the authorities. She sits down, and says, what will happen if Willow finds out? She’s depended on Carly for so much through all of this. Willow will never forgive her, will she?

Michael says he gives Willow this ring as a sign of their love for and commitment to each other. He promises to support her and care for her, and stand alongside her for all their days. He puts the ring on her finger, and she says and does the same to him. Sam tells everyone that she doesn’t think there’s anything left to say, except by the power vested in her and the state of New York, she now pronounces them husband and wife. Michael says he’ll take it from here, and kisses Willow.  Mendelssohn’s Wedding March plays, and everyone cheers. Michael picks up Wiley, and Willow says she’s never seen a more professional ring bearer. Has he? Michael says he hasn’t. It may be Wiley’s calling. Wiley asks what a calling is, and Michael says, a purpose. Wiley says, so mommy is his? and Michael says, yes, she is. The doorbell rings, and Brook says, that’s weird. Who’d be showing up now? Tracy says, oh please. She’ll get it. Brook says, don’t tell her that Tracy is bored already, and Tracy says, who, me?

Nina says, maybe nothing will come of it. It was an anonymous tip to a bunch of bureaucrats. Ava says bureaucrats who live for this kind of stuff, and Nina says, it could be months or years before they open an investigation, assuming they get that far. Ava says she doesn’t know much about this stuff, but she doubts the government takes kindly to citizens messing with the markets. If she had to guess, she guesses it won’t be long before the SEC is knocking on Carly’s door.

Olivia says, okay, everybody to the solarium for the reception. As I recall, the solarium is not all that big, but maybe it just sounded good and they hope we don’t remember. As the guests are moving out, Tracy brings two guys into the living room. Sonny asks, who’s this? and Tracy says she tried to put them off, but they insisted. They’re from the SEC. Michael says, if this is about ELQ, it’s going to have to wait, and Sonny says, this is his son’s wedding. One of the men says, this does concern ELQ,  but they’re not looking for Michael. Tracy asks if they can say who they are looking for, and he says, Drew Cain and Carly Spencer.

Um… I don’t think that’s how any of this works. I don’t think their first step is to just show up, and certainly not two seconds after they got an anonymous tip.

Tomorrow, Jordan asks why this is their only option; Curtis tells Drew, this is no time for anyone’s personal vendetta; Willow asks if they’ll bring charges against Michael too; Sonny needs a favor; and Brick says he’s got Dex now.

🤞 Fingers Crossed…

God knows they gave Kelly Thiebaud enough to do before she left. She’s deserving for that alone. I sometimes think Nick Chavez overacts, but he is playing a Cassadine, and those characters tend to do that. He also had the thankless job of taking over for a well-established and loved character, and rose to the occasion brilliantly. So here’s hoping for both of them.

GH’s Kelly Thiebaud Is “Overwhelmed” By Her Emmy Nomination
https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-nicholas-chavez-reacts-to-his-daytime-emmy-nomination

🎥 Anna’s Alter Ego…

Another busy woman. She’s probably glad she has scenes in a hospital bed for a while.

Finola Hughes Teases Her Exciting New Project!

🍊 The Bitch Is Back…

Already it starts. I’m so not a fan of Tamra’s. Not just because she’s a shrew of the first magnitude, but it was embarrassing for real Christians everywhere when she claimed to be one, going so far as to be baptized, and then acted like the same she-devil she’s always been. No surprise she jumped right back into it.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhoc-shannon-and-tamra-tease-season-17-vickis-return

Tamra Judge Comes Back Swinging in ‘RHOC’ Season 17 Trailer: Watch
https://pagesix.com/2023/04/25/shannon-beador-slams-unhinged-tamra-judge-in-rhoc-trailer/

👠 He Feels the Hate…

Yeah, for someone who claims to be all about love and family, Teresa misses the mark by lightyears. I think Melissa and Joe #2 just finally gave up after the slap in the face of deliberately leaving them out of the wedding. At the very least, Joe should have walked her down the aisle.

https://people.com/tv/andy-cohen-nearly-walked-off-rhonj-reunion-over-teresa-giudice-melissa-gorga-hate/

🍸 And They’re Up…

Because I can’t help but look. The worst thing of all for me has been watching Raquel act like she’s Ariana’s friend. Women very much not supporting women.

https://screenrant.com/vanderpump-rules-worst-scandoval-theory-open-secret/

From across the pond. The entire world is watching. I hate to say it, but this is probably the best thing that could have happened to the show ratings-wise.

https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/vanderpump-rules-heres-the-latest-update-on-scandoval/

For those who enjoy the aftermath of a podcast. Not sure what they expected from something called Howie Mandell Does Stuff. Although the problem seemed to be that he didn’t do stuff.

https://www.podplay.com/podcasts/behind-the-velvet-rope-322969/episodes/the-fallout-from-sandovals-howie-mandel-chat-raquels-wellness-arianas-new-life-explosive-vpr-reunion-spoilers-140035975

This guy is really trying to steal Jax’s Worst Human Being in the World title. On top of his many transgressions, Sandoval keeps calling Lisa dude. Seriously, WTF?

https://pagesix.com/2023/04/27/lisa-vanderpump-calls-out-tom-sandoval-raquel-leviss-sleepover-pre-scandoval/

👑 God Save the Queen King…

Billions of people got up before the crack of dawn to watch him get married to Diana, and we saw how that turned out. But if you can’t get your fill of the royals, here you go.

https://www.etonline.com/how-to-watch-king-charles-coronation-live-in-the-us-date-time-events-attendees-and-more-202989

🏆 Love and Talk In the Afternoon…

The who, what, and where for this year’s Daytime Emmys.

https://ew.com/awards/emmys/2023-daytime-emmy-nominations/

Daytime Emmys 2023: The Nominations
Daytime Emmys 2023: Everything You Need to Know

💻 Entering the Chat…

Roll with me tomorrow in a free-for-all of soap, tea, quotes, and a tune applicable to the season. Until then, stay safe, stay never blindly following the crowd, and stay not throwing away what you have today worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow.

Mar24

March 23, 2023 – The Ethics Committee Makes Its Decision, Casey Landing, Big Leap, Retiring, Why, Sailing, Jax Speaks, Reunion Buzz, Next Last, Festival News & Army

Posted on by
Standard

I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Terry tells Elizabeth that her part is finished; they’re making their decision now. Elizabeth wonders how long it’s going to take, and asks if it’s good or bad. Terry says she wishes she knew. What she does know is, Elizabeth is an excellent nurse, and she made that clear to the Board. Terry’s phone dings, and she says she’ll be right back. She leaves, and Elizabeth tells Finn, part of her wants this over, but the other part wants it to drag on forever because, what if these are her last minutes on staff? Either way, she needs to face it and deal with it. He says, and she will. He knows how important her independence is to her, and if she wants to face this alone, he understands. She says, her life might be about to change forever. There’s no one else she’d rather be by her side. Terry comes back, and says she just got a notification that they’ve reached their decision. Elizabeth says, here we go, and some grey-haired guy I don’t know approaches her. He tells her, after careful consideration, the Committee has decided not to take any disciplinary action against her.

Gregory goes to Alexis’s office, and she says she has his car keys. He says, she called Finn, after he specifically told her not to discuss what’s happening in his life with Finn or Chase. She asks how she can explain what’s happening in his life if she doesn’t know because he won’t tell her? She’s worried about him. He says, about what? She just said she doesn’t know anything, so let’s just leave it that way. She says she can’t. He’s her friend. She cares about him whether he likes it or not.

Maxie, Sasha, and Gladys sit at Kelly’s, and Maxie says she’s getting a whole new education about the elements of the Nurses Ball. They wouldn’t believe how important it is to have the right lighting package. Fortunately, the lighting designer Lucy always used is available, but he’s not cheap. Thankfully, the Nurses Ball is fully funded, so all the proceeds can go to AIDS/HIV research. Sasha says she’s so glad Deception’s able to donate 300,000, and match the donations, and Gladys says, that’s a lot of money. Maxie says, Lucy will be so excited… God rest her soul, when Cody comes by, and asks Sasha if Kelly’s makes biscotti. She says, not that she knows of, but the cupcakes are spectacular. She asks if he knows Gladys, and he says, sure do. They met at The Savoy. Right, Gladys? Maxie asks what Gladys was doing at The Savoy, and Cody asks if Gladys is going to tell them, or should he?

In the hospital elevator, Portia flashes back to asking Curtis if there’s hope for them, and if their love for one another is strong enough to get them through this; and him saying, he doesn’t think their love can fix this. She comes out, and sees Marshall. She asks if everything is okay, and he says he’s just coming out from his follow-up with Dr. Samuels. She asks how it went, and he asks if Curtis didn’t tell her. She says, Curtis said he’d tell her if he could, but the information is private. She thinks that says it all, doesn’t it?

Curtis goes to the bar at Charlie’s, and orders scotch, neat. Jordan comes out and goes over to him, and he says she doesn’t have to worry. This is his first drink, but he promises it’s not his last. It might get ugly, so she might want to get while the gettin’s good. She says she’ll have what he’s having, and sits down. Yuck. I hate the smell of scotch.

Trina stops by Laura’s, and tells Spencer that she was in the neighborhood. She wanted to see if the baby is settled in okay. He says, things didn’t exactly go the way he hoped they would, when Esme comes out with Ace, followed by Laura. Trina says, Esme’s here? and he nods. Esme says, they live here now. Laura is Ace’s grandmother. Just one big happy family. Laura says, it’s nice to see Trina, who is not receptive to a hug, and Trina says she’s sorry to just show up. Laura says, she’s always welcome, and Trina says she didn’t want to disturb the baby. Laura says, this is a very recent development. Everybody thought it would be best if Esme and Ace stayed with them. Spencer says, the alternative would be to get Esme a place above Kelly’s, but that’s no place for a baby, and Esme tells Ace, mommy came up with a compromise. Laura says, it seemed like a good idea, and Trina asks if Spencer is going back to Sonny’s place, but he says, his grandmother has been generous in letting him stay here. That way, he can be here if his little brother needs him.

Jordan asks why Curtis is at Charlie’s instead of his own nightclub, and he says, too many things to bother him at his nightclub. Tonight, he doesn’t want to be bothered. He will have another scotch though. He tells her to go ahead and ask him what’s wrong, but she says she figures if he wants to tell her, he will. If not, it’s decent scotch. He always did love a fine highland malt. He says, she remembered, and she says, cop’s curse. He says he ran into Trina tonight, and she says she’s guessing by his bar tab, things went badly. He says, actually, it was the opposite, and she says, Trina’s a good kid. He says, Trina’s the best, but she still doesn’t want to take a DNA test. There was a moment there he thought they could really have a relationship. There’s just one big if. She says, if she turns out to be his daughter. It sounds like they made a nice start. He says, it was… until her mom walked in.

Marshall says he hates that there’s still so much distance between Portia and Curtis, and Portia says she knows it’s her fault. But Curtis has so little trust in her, he wouldn’t want to share Marshall’s latest medical evaluation? She just hopes the information Marshall got from Dr. Samuels was good. She starts to leave, but he says, wait. Don’t go. Is there somewhere they can talk? She says she doesn’t want him to feel obligated to keep her in the loop, but he says, this isn’t obligation; this is gratitude. She’s the one who suggested he might have been misdiagnosed 40 years ago, so she should know what the specialist said. She suggests they go to the breakroom.

Gladys says, it’s still a free country, isn’t it? Can’t she stop in a club without it becoming the town gossip? Sasha tells her not to be upset. It’s just not like her to go to The Savoy by herself. Cody says he thinks he knows why Gladys was there. The same reason he was there; it was ladies night. Gladys says, he’s got her.

Gregory says, if Alexis was really his friend, she’d stop prying into his personal and professional lives, but she says, if she didn’t pry, she wouldn’t know he’d been lying to her for months. If she didn’t speak to the dean, she wouldn’t know he didn’t work there anymore. He says, which wasn’t her place, and she has absolutely no business pressuring Finn to dig up information on him. If he hadn’t been with Finn when she called, she was going to tell his son everything, wasn’t she? She says, she doesn’t know anything. She doesn’t know what’s going on with him. She’s just trying to help. He says he doesn’t want any help. Is that clear enough for her?

Grey-haired guy says, the Committee has determined that Elizabeth cooperated with Nikolas Cassadine in the service of providing medical care to a pregnant woman. They believe she had reason to assume involving the authorities would cause Mr. Cassadine to run off with Miss Prince, or worse, cause her harm. Dr. Finn and Dr. Randolph convinced them that Elizabeth might have saved Esme and her baby’s life. As such, no further action will be taken against her. Elizabeth thanks him, and he says she has an outstanding record, and many supporters. It was clear to the Committee that she’s an asset to the hospital. He wishes her good luck, and leaves. Terry says she has to speak to the Committee on another matter, and follows. Elizabeth hugs Finn.

Alexis says, so Gregory thinks she overstepped, and he says, she did. He’s not the one with a drinking problem. So in the future, please, save her sympathies for the people in her meetings. She says she jumped to the conclusion that he had a drinking problem because he appeared drunk at 11 am; then he was belligerent. And then he lied to her about really important stuff for a long time. He lost his job and lied about it. What is she supposed to think? He says he was wrong about her. She’s not a journalist. She’s like a cop who pulled him over. What’s next? A breathalyzer? She says, you tell me. Would he pass or fail?

Elizabeth thanks Finn for standing by her side through this whole awful ordeal, and he says, anytime. Terry comes back, and says, the Committee was influenced by what Finn had to say, but Finn says, it wasn’t just him. There were a lot of people willing to vouch for Nurse Baldwin’s commitment to this hospital and nursing. Elizabeth says, and Epiphany, but Terry says, fortunately, the Committee didn’t need to hear directly from her supervisor since she’s out of town, and there are several testimonies from Epiphany already in her file. Her support for Elizabeth is well known around here. So no excuses. She expects to see Elizabeth here tomorrow in uniform for her first shift. Terry leaves, and Finn asks if Elizabeth wants to call the boys with the good news, but she says she wants to tell them face to face when she gets home. This is her home too, and she almost lost it. He says he hated the thought of doing his rounds without her here having his back, and she says he’s managed without her in the past. He says he didn’t know what he was missing.

Cody says, Gladys was there for the music and the dancing. He was there because when it’s ladies night, there’s bound to be a few unattached ladies. Maxie asks if he got lucky, and he says, she knows how it is. It comes and goes. Right, Gladys? Gladys coughs, and says, went down the wrong pipe. She sips some coffee, and Cody says, be careful. Maxie says she has an offer for Cody that will change his life, and drags him outside. Sasha says she knows Cody upset Gladys, and she knows why.

Curtis says, Jordan doesn’t have to worry. He tried drowning his sorrows in a bottle on his wedding night; didn’t work. Tonight he’s just blowing off some steam. She says she’s probably not the best person for him to be talking to about this. If she hadn’t opened up to Stella, Trina might never have confronted Portia. He says, she wasn’t trying to sabotage his wedding. She knows him, and knows the kind of lies that… She says, the kind that blew up their marriage. She didn’t want the same thing to happen to him and Portia. He says he believes her. He’s just afraid it’s too late to do anything about it now. She says, as long as he meant the vows he said when he married Portia, there is something he can do. He says, which is? and she says, do what he couldn’t do with her – forgive her.

Trina says she hopes Esme knows how lucky she is to have someone like Laura looking out for her and her baby, and Esme says she did have her doubts when Spencer suggested she move above Kelly’s while Ace stayed here. She won’t be separated from her son. Laura says she never wanted that, and Esme says she did have a hard time believing that part, and that Laura’s loyalty wasn’t to Nikolas and Spencer. When she suggested they both stay here, Laura was so kind and quick to say yes, it reassured her. Laura says, they all want what’s best for Ace. Don’t we, Spencer? He says, it’s the only thing that matters, and Trina says she hopes it all works out for them. She has to go. Spencer says he’ll walk her out. In the hallway, Trina says, there’s no need to walk her to her car, and Spencer says he’s sorry. He didn’t want to spring this on her. She says, he doesn’t owe her an explanation, and he says, he wants her to understand the only reason he’s going along with this… She says she gets it; she really understands. Spencer and Esme get to raise him together. He says, that’s the last thing he wants, but if Esme and the baby hadn’t moved in here, he would have lost his brother for good. It was a necessary evil. Esme has the law on her side, and the power to keep his brother away from him. She says, moving Esme into his grandmother’s house was the only way to keep him close; she understands.

Esme and Laura come back from putting Ace down for his nap, and Esme says, the way Laura sang to Ace was so pretty. Laura says, it was the same lullaby she used to sing to her children, and Esme says, somehow she can’t picture Heather, or Ryan, singing to her, even if they had the chance. Laura says, fortunately, her biological parents didn’t raise her. She’s sorry Esme doesn’t have more good childhood memories, but it’s not to late to make sure her son will.

Trina says, in other words, Spencer is counting on Esme being someone completely new; a totally different girl than the one who was trying to do her crazy father’s bidding, and harm as many people as possible. He says, she has no memory of that time, and Trina says, she doesn’t seem to. When she visited Esme in Spring Ridge, she didn’t get the feeling Esme was putting on an act. But just because she doesn’t remember doesn’t automatically make her a good person. What if the new Esme is even worse than the old one?

Curtis asks what that makes him, and Jordan says, a loving husband, but he says, no. It makes him a hypocrite. Their marriage ended because of lies Jordan had been telling him for barely a year. So how is she okay with Portia’s even bigger lie that she told for 20 years? She says, he’s forgetting it wasn’t her choice to end their marriage.

In the breakroom, Portia says, Dr. Samuels is sure Marshall doesn’t have any of the markers for the disease? He says, not a single one. Of course (🍷) that doesn’t prove he doesn’t have schizophrenia, according to the doctor. She says, it makes it less likely because he doesn’t have any of the genetic markers, and he says, exactly. She says, it also explains why, after his original diagnosis, he never experienced another episode, and he says he can’t say he’s not pleased, after walking around for 40 years being afraid of a ticking time bomb in his head. He doesn’t know what he has, or if there was even ever anything wrong with him at all. She says, it seems like you’re stumbling around in the dark, and he says, it sounds like she knows the feeling.

Gladys says she hopes it hasn’t made Sasha doubt her. She couldn’t love Sasha more if Sasha were her own daughter. Sasha says she loves Gladys too, and knows Gladys is grieving Brando as much as she is. She just hates Gladys going out alone when they could be together. She suggests they make the Nurses Ball their coming out party. They’ll get all glammed up, and wow them on the red carpet. Gladys says, Sasha will have to wow them without her. She’s seen the fancy gowns they all wear, and she doesn’t have anything like that. Sasha thinks it’s a good excuse to buy her one, and Gladys says, with what? Sasha says, her money. What’s the fun in having it if she can’t share it with her? (Truth. I had money for a hot minute, and looking back, the things that made me happiest were doing things for other people.)

Cody keeps looking inside at Gladys and Sasha, and Maxie says, hello. Cody. Woman right here, giving him a great idea. Is he even listening to her? He asks if she wants him to ride in on a horse at the Nurses Ball. Do some rope tricks; what? She says, when she told him that she needed a cowboy, she meant to dance with the others, and he says, what others? She says, Magic Milo and the Magic Wands. Great music, they get to do this choreographed dance, all the women in the audience are screaming for him, and his costume is… simple. He gets a shirt that he gets to wear for about a minute, and he has these breakaway pants. He says, so this is a strip show. She wants him to take off all his clothes. She says, of course (🍷) not. He gets to keep his boots on.

Gregory tells Alexis that he’s going to say this one more time. He doesn’t have a drinking problem. Yes, he stumbled at the MetroCourt. Everyone stumbles now and then, even her. She claims he was slurring his words, but maybe it’s a case of confirmation bias on her part. She wanted to believe he was drunk, so she saw and heard what she expected. What she didn’t see was him pouring vodka into that orange juice. She says, just because no one saw, doesn’t mean… He asks if she’s ever seen him over his limit or out of control. In all the time they’ve been together, has he ever been drunk in her company? She says, no. Will he please explain to her why he got fired… He says, he wasn’t fired (told ya); he quit. She asks why he’d do that. That doesn’t make any sense. He loves to teach and loves journalism, yet he walked away from both. She can see something is really wrong here. Will he please let her help him? He says, he’s sick, and she says, is she allowed to ask what’s wrong? but he says, no. He already told her more than he intended. Next, she’ll want to see his medical chart. She says, no. He has someone to help him. Finn will get him the best hospital or whatever care he needs. He says, Finn doesn’t know, and it’s going to stay that way. She says, that doesn’t make any sense. Finn is one of the best doctors in the country. Why wouldn’t Gregory tell him? Gregory asks if she really wants to help him, and she says, she does. He says, there’s one thing she can do for him, and she says, name it. He says, give him back his car keys, and holds out his hand.

Elizabeth sends a text to Epiphany: I have some good news. Can we talk? Finn comes out of the elevator with Violet, and says, look who just got dropped off. Violet and Elizabeth hug, and Violet says, they’re going to Beradino’s for spaghetti and meat balls. Does Elizabeth want to come?

Maxie says she knows what Cody is thinking. This will be cheesy and embarrassing, and they’re exploiting men, but it’s not like that at all. It’s good, clean fun, and everybody loves it. He’ll be shaking his bootie for a fabulous cause. He says, for her, he’ll do it, and she says, that’s it? He says, no worries. He’s been a body double on location shoots before. He’s even shot a whole scene naked, on horseback. Just him; the horse still had his saddle on. She says, he’s still amazing, and they hug. Her phone dings, and he looks inside again.

Gladys says, Sasha is so sweet, but she wouldn’t feel right using Sasha’s money on herself. Sasha says she’s been doing some research. Traditionally, the conservator of a guardianship gets paid a salary. Gladys has been managing her finances this whole time for free. It’s only fair she get paid for all her hard work. Gladys says, that’s nice of her, and Sasha says she knows how hard Gladys has been trying to honor Brando’s memory. He would want her to do this. Maxie comes back with Cody, and says, who’s ready for some great news? but Sasha says, her first. They’ve got some shopping to do. Guess who’s going to be the belle of the Nurses Ball? She puts her arms around Gladys.

Portia says, she’s fine, but this is about Marshall right now. She’s sure Dr. Samuels explained that they’d be weaning Marshall off his medication, and monitoring him in case he had any unusual reactions. Marshall says, or that he doesn’t have any more episodes. Blah-blah-blah. What does that even mean? Were they that careless 40 years ago when they diagnosed him? Or did they just call it schizophrenia when he might have had something else? She says, Dr. Samuels is the expert in this field; she isn’t. He says, but she’s family, and he trusts what she tells him. She says she appreciates that. What she can say is the understanding of diseases like schizophrenia has evolved greatly over the last four decades. But she doesn’t want to second guess his original doctors, or hypothesize a theory, until they know more. He says, seems to him, she already knows more than she’s saying. Haven’t they learned keeping things to yourself does more harm than good?

Curtis says, if Jordan didn’t want their marriage to end, why didn’t she fight harder for it? and she says she fought as hard as she could. In the end, his happiness meant more to her than her own, because… She sips her drink, and he says, because he pushed her away. He was furious at the secrets she kept, but what if he wasn’t so quick to judge her? What if he’d handled things differently? Would they still be together? She says, they would.

Spencer tells Trina, that’s another good reason for Esme to stay here with the baby. If she starts to show her true colors, he’ll be the first to know. She says, Esme fooled him in the beginning, but he says, that was a long time ago, before he knew Trina. It’s like imitation vanilla; imitation anything really. Like that buttery stuff they put on your popcorn. Imitation crab, like a California roll. She asks if he just compared her to a California roll, and they laugh. He says, it’s easy to settle for an imitation of something, but everything Esme gave him, or pretended to give him in their relationship – support, understanding, connection – it was all fake, and he bought it and believed in it. Until he experienced the real thing. Trina showed him real support and real understanding, and a real connection. She gave him something that Esme could never give him – honesty. He may not always like what she has to say to him, but he never has to question whether it’s the truth.

Esme tells Laura that she wants to do right by her son; give him all the things she never had. Heather… her mother warned her not to trust Spencer… or Laura. Laura says, Esme’s mom isn’t anyone she should be taking advice from. Ace cries, and Laura says she’ll get him.

Trina says, the baby’s crying; Spencer should go. He says he’s sure the baby has all the help he needs, and she says, so does he. He says, does he? and she says, he knows he does. They move toward each other for a kiss.

Esme has her hand on the doorknob, when Laura brings out Ace, and says, she thinks this sweet little boy just missed his mommy. She gives Ace to Esme, who says, he should be sleeping.  She doesn’t know what’s keeping his brother. Laura says she’ll go warm up a bottle, and Esme thanks her. Laura leaves, and Esme opens the door, seeing Spencer and Trina. She says she thought Trina left.

Jordan tells Curtis, there’s no point in reliving all this again. The past is the past. Curtis says, but they’re still here, and she says, and drinking, which always makes people sentimental. He says, she knows good and well, it ain’t the blues, and she says, it’s been a long time since they’ve talked like this. He says, too long.

Portia thanks Marshall for his concern, but she thinks she’s burned all her bridges. In fact, she’s torched them. He says, she and Curtis need to build new ones, but she says she thought they were talking about him. She thinks if he wants answers, he should contact the original medical team that diagnosed him way back then. He says, if any of them are still around, and she tells him, it’s like he said, if a bridge is burned, build another one. She leaves, and he takes out his phone.

Sasha says, this is so exciting. She and Gladys are walking the red carpet together. Gladys says, and Sasha insists on buying her a fancy dress. How lucky is she to have such a generous daughter-in-law? Cody says, she’s lucky all right, and Maxie says, actually, they’re all lucky here, because Cody has decided to join Magic Milo and the Magic Wands, and bare almost everything for charity. He says, it’s for a good cause, and Maxie says, exactly. Now that her work here is done – she takes Gladys’s hand – let’s figure out something for Gladys to wear. She leads Gladys to another table, and says, she wants to know what Gladys is thinking as far as designers.

Sasha and Cody sit down, and Sasha says, he really made Maxie’s day. He says, same as she did with Gladys. So things are okay between her and Gladys now? Sasha says, they’ve both been struggling with their grief. That doesn’t always make for the best communication, but they’re working through it. Their conversation was so good today, she decided to start paying Gladys a salary. He asks if she thinks that’s a good idea, and she says, why not?

Gregory says, he asked Alexis to leave his keys – which, by the way, she had no right to confiscate – with the concierge, but once again she decides she knows best. She says she took his car keys because she cares about him. Whatever this is, he doesn’t have to go through it alone. She promises he can trust her. She promises, whatever he says to her won’t leave this room. He takes his keys, says, he hopes she meant what she told him about it never leaving this room, and leaves.

Elizabeth tells Violet, spaghetti and meatballs are her favorite. How could she say no? Violet asks if Jake and Aiden can come too, and Finn says, of course (🍷). What about Cameron? Violet says, he’s still too sad about Josslyn, but Finn says, maybe a night out would cheer him up. Violet says, then he can come too, and Elizabeth says, all her favorite people. That’s what she calls a celebration. Finn and Elizabeth each take one of Violet’s hands, and they leave.

Cody says, if Sasha thinks she can trust Gladys, who is he to say otherwise? and Sasha says, there’s a but in there somewhere. And she doesn’t mean the one he’ll be showing off at the Nurses Ball. He tells her, all he’s saying is, if she’s going to put Gladys on the payroll, trust, but verify.

Maxie tells Gladys, the more she knows Cody, the better she likes him. Yes, she’s grateful he agreed to be a Magic Wand with minimum fuss, but she knows Cody has flaws; everyone does. Maybe it’s that he doesn’t pretend otherwise. He’s got that whole broke cowboy with a sweet side thing. They look over at Cody and Sasha laughing, and Maxie says she sees a lot to like in him. She thinks Sasha would understand what she means. Does Gladys think there’s something going on there? Gladys says she hopes not, and Maxie asks, why? Doesn’t she like Cody? Gladys’s phone dings, and she sees a text from Selina: Your favorite poker buddies are in town for tonight’s game. You in?

Portia asks Terry if the Committee has made a decision about Elizabeth yet, and Terry says, she’s been reinstated. Portia says, what a relief. Elizabeth must be so happy. Terry says, it’s about time we had some good news around here, right?

On the phone, Marshall tells Stella that he knows she’s been avoiding him… since the wedding. He needs a favor… Does she still have all of Irene’s papers?… Are his medical records among them?

Jordan and Curtis are about to kiss, when an officer tells Jordan that her car is outside. Curtis says he thinks he’s about reached his limit, and she says, her too. Scotch is a lot stronger than she remembered. Her driver is ready. He says, a very good thing, and Jordan tells the officer that she’ll be right out. Curtis says, the drinks are on him, and Jordan thanks him. She tells him to have a good night, and leaves.

Trina says, she and Spencer were just… Spencer says, Trina was telling him how PCU has daycare in case he wants to take classes during the summer. Spencer is starting to really irritate me, the way he acts like Esme doesn’t even exist in the equation. Esme says , that’s very kind of her, but he won’t need to take care of Ace. She’s perfectly capable of taking care of her son. She goes back inside, saying, isn’t that right, Ace? Mommy’s going to take care of you. Trina presses the elevator button, and Spencer thanks her for stopping by. They say goodnight, and she leaves.

Tomorrow, Anna says, none of them are free; Esme tells Laura that she gets a really bad feeling when Victor Cassadine is around; and Victor asks what Spencer wants to happen to Esme.

🛸 Craziest…

This was one of my all-time favorite storylines. It was also when Faison was introduced, although we didn’t know he was Faison. When he arrived in Port Charles, he was romance writer PK Sinclair.

Finola Hughes Picks Her Craziest Storyline on GENERAL HOSPITAL

📺 Whatta Tease…

As usual, not much info, but I watch so little on network TV, I didn’t even know they’d revived Quantum Leap.

William deVry Teases His Exciting New Role!

👗 A Good Kind Of Goodbye…

I’m a big fan of the wardrobe on GH, and hope her retirement doesn’t mean things will go downhill. Hmm… Maybe they’re also fans of my wardrobe. I’ve seen sweaters I own on the show a few times.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-says-goodbye-to-a-beloved-friend

🏖  Thought So…

Yeah, I didn’t think Melissa just told Gia no with no explanation. I don’t blame her for not wanting a bunch of kids there alone. If there’s excessive drinking and anyone gets in an accident, NJ law would hold the homeowner responsible.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/22/why-melissa-joe-gorga-didnt-let-gia-giudice-stay-at-their-beach-house/

⛵️ Next In the Deck…

Captain Glenn rocks, but if you want some truly awful people, set sail.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 4 Trailer Teases A Love Triangle

🤼  Awful Speaks On Awful…

Yep. It’s pretty bad when the most awful human being on earth calls you out for being awful.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/22/jax-taylor-claims-tom-sandoval-cheated-on-ariana-madix-multiple-times/

Oh, I didn’t realize he was 40. It’s a midlife crisis thing. Menopause for men. Or Tomopause if you will.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/21/jax-taylor-controlling-tom-sandoval-preyed-on-raquel-leviss/

🍸 Reunion Build Up…

LVP and Ariana get the coveted seats. Both deserving.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/23/2-vanderpump-rules-reunion-seating-charts-revealed-amid-scandoval/

Let’s have a kiki.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/22/ariana-lala-scheana-get-together-before-facing-raquel-leviss-at-vpr-reunion/

The gladiators enter the arena.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/23/vanderpump-rules-cast-arrives-to-reunion-taping-pics/

I’d be willing to bet Raquel wrote them up herself.

https://pagesix.com/2023/03/23/raquel-served-scheana-papers-with-no-legal-meaning-at-vpr-reunion/

🛣  About the Last…

What’s up with Season 2.

https://ew.com/tv/the-last-of-us-season-2-everything-we-know/

Fun, but useless, trivia from Season 1.

https://ew.com/tv/jason-ritter-clicker-wife-melanie-lynskey-the-last-of-us/

🎸 Lolla This…

The latest on Lollapalooza. I always think I’d love to go to one of these festivals, but then I think porta-potty, and don’t.

https://www.billboard.com/music/concerts/2023-lollapalooza-festival-lineup-1235290621/

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/lollapalooza-2023-lineup-headliners-chicago-full-lineup-red-hot-chili-peppers-billie-eilish-kendrick-lamar/3100043/

☔️ Making It Rain…

Double back tomorrow for a dose of soap, a dash of tea, a liberal sprinkling of quotes, and a dollop of music. Until then, stay safe, stay never body shaming anyone, including yourself, and stay not being imitation anything. You don’t want to be that buttery stuff they put on your popcorn, or the crab in a California roll.