Tag Archives: Melissa McBride

September 25, 2024 – Sidwell Makes It More Interesting, On Call, Salty Talk, Returning Sisters, She Had Input, Squid Nouveau, Films To Scare You, Double Launch & Blame

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Carly tells Lulu to hang in there. Jason is going to bring Lucky home and get her what she needs. She sees Sam in the hallway, and says, Dante just left. Sam says, Dante told her that Carly was here, and Carly asks, what’s up? Sam says she needs Carly’s help. Help her save her mother.  

Martin says he doesn’t think Alexis is taking this seriously, and she says, if she gave him that impression, she apologizes. He needs to keep Kristina out of this. He tells her, if that’s what she wants, let him do the next best thing, and she says, point them in the direction of another suspect. He says, the perfect suspect – Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny goes to Kristina’s apartment and tells her that Diane said she needed help. She said Chase was here. Did he force her to answer any questions? Kristina says, no, but she may have screwed up anyway, and he asks if she said she had the gun. She says she knows better than that, but he asked her how she got around that night and she thinks she might have said too much. He says, that’s why you can’t talk to the police without an attorney, and Kristina says, all that matters is that he knows the truth. All of it.

Jordan brings Isaiah a donut for breakfast, and says she expects a five-star review. He says she and the staff are taking good care of him, and she says, when he’s allowed to leave, there’s a lot more of Port Charles for him to explore. Has he been given a discharge date? He says, not yet. He’s getting stronger every day, but her son might have a different assessment. Her phone rings, and she steps away to take the call. She asks if they’ve double checked that it’s the correct spelling… She’ll make pickup arrangements. She thanks them, and Isaiah says, important package? She says, it is, and he asks if she wants to talk, but she says, talking won’t help.

Holly says she hopes Anna and Jason are comfortable, and Anna says, when Sidwell and Holly invited them back to their camp… Sidwell asks if she thought they’d sit by the fire in the dirt drinking boiled water out of animal skins, and she says she guesses this is a step up. Holly asks if she should order drinks or something to eat while they prepare for their game, but Sidwell says, it’s not necessary. First, they have to find out why Anna and Jason are really here.

While Lucky is picking the lock, he hears someone and hides the penknife he’s using.

Alexis says, going with the-other-guy-did-it defense sounds like Martin wants to take it to trial, and he says, he wants the prosecution looking at Sonny. He’ll use every arrow in his quiver to exonerate her. She says, he can’t take it to trial. Kristina is going to be in the courtroom. He asks what’s wrong with her? Her license was just reinstated. The jury wants to see family in the courtroom. She says, it’s another chance for Kristina to incriminate herself and she will. If she sees it’s going badly, she’ll stand up and do what it takes to protect her mother at her own peril. He says, unless Alexis is willing to take a deal, which won’t be generous, their only option is going to trial and pointing the suspicion in Sonny’s direction.

Carly asks what she can do, and Sam says, tell the truth. She said she was Sonny’s alibi when Cates was killed. Carly says she gave her statement, but Sam says, there’s no way in hell she and Sonny slept together in Tracy’s bed. Carly says, we all have moments were not proud of, and Sam says, if it wasn’t so ludicrous, it would be funny. There’s no way she and Sonny are getting back together. She’s begging Carly to come clean and clear her mom.

Kristina says she didn’t tell Sonny everything. She went to the Quartermaines that night. He asks, why? and she says, to kill John Cates.  

Isaiah says, Jordan helped him, and he’d like to return the favor. She says she wishes talking would help, and he asks if she can think of a time it didn’t help a situation. He understands if she can’t discuss work. She says, it’s not work, and he says he doesn’t want to overstep, but he’s not used to not doing anything. She says, he’s healing, and he says, doctors make the worst patients, but they’re great listeners. She says, her son and his partner were having a baby by a surrogate. There was an altercation, and the surrogate fell out a hotel window. The baby didn’t survive. He asks, how far along was she? and Jordan says, a week away. It was a girl. He says, her granddaughter was stillborn. He’s so sorry. She says, the call was about the headstone. It’s ready. He says, is she ready? and she says, TJ and Molly are suffering. She’s just helping them pick up the pieces. She’s only the grandmother. This is their loss. He says, that’s not true. It’s hers too.

A guard brings Lucky some food, and Lucky wonders if it’s steak, lobster, or surf and turf. He asks if the guard wants to join him. The food and beatings are pretty good here. The guard says, Lucky deserved it, and Lucky says he usually does. Should he psych himself up for another all-night card game? If the answer is yes, he wants to start praying now. The guard says, his prayers were answered tonight. Sidwell came back with some fancy guests. Lucky says, fancier than you and me? He asks if the guard can smuggle him a scotch and a few canapés, but the guard walks away. Lucky says he knows they’re friends, but he can’t read the guard’s silences yet. Fancy guests means there’s one vehicle on the site at least, and he only needs one to get out. He gets the knife that came with his food, and picks at the lock. (Kind of strange that they gave him a knife, but okay.)

Sidwell asks if Anna and Jason are in the habit of accepting invitations from strangers, and Anna says, the company is nice, and although it wasn’t her preferred mode of transport, any good business transaction requires a certain degree of sacrifice. He asks what business she’s in, and she says, platinum, gold, diamonds. They have that in common. He says, possibly, and she says, good. She wants in.

Alexis tells Martin, it’s not as simple as pointing a finger at Sonny. If he targets Sonny, Kristina will defend him too. He says, Kristina only has one parent in prison. He’s trying to do his job, but she’s tying his hands. She says she’s sorry. She knows she’s making it a challenge, but Kristina will defend both of her parents, and she’ll do it in a way that will ruin her life. He says, Kristina is an adult, and she can’t control herself or be controlled in a courtroom? and Alexis says, yeah. He asks if she has any plans for a defense, and she says, trust the system. She’s innocent. The truth will prevail. He says, the whole truth or half of it? If she doesn’t come forward and say what Kristina was doing the night of the murder, it’s not an arrow in their quiver. She says, how about the fact that John Cates was hated by everyone? His list of enemies is impressive. Find one and point his finger. It’s not that hard.  

Sonny says he knows where Kristina’s head was at. John Cates was harassing her and tormenting her for weeks. Her feelings were all over the place. She probably felt like the only way to stop the pain was to end Jagger’s life. She was going through a mental health crisis. Not a lot of people understand, but he does.

Sam and Carly go to Lulu’s room, and Carly says she’s sorry for Sam and Alexis. She knows Sam’s family is going through hell, but Alexis tossed the gun. Alexis made a choice and got herself in this situation. She and Sonny didn’t. She gets that it’s easy to blame Sonny, but this time it’s not Sonny’s fault. Sam says she doesn’t believe that, and Carly says she believes Alexis is a good lawyer and can get herself out of this. Sam says, Alexis loves and wants to protect her children at all costs. Carly would do the same for her kids. Carly says, absolutely, and Sam says, then show some empathy. It won’t clear Alexis, but the truth will. Sonny is a professional with resources. His people will get him out. She knows he and Carly share history. So much, that protecting him is like breathing to her. She gets it, but the alibi isn’t only keeping Sonny out of prison. It’s keeping her mother in.

Jordan tells Isaiah that she was most excited about seeing her son with her granddaughter. He’d be an amazing father, and she wanted to see that. Isaiah asks if she’s talked to anyone, and she says she’s talking to him. He says he’s flattered, but she’s dealing with something so big, it can be hard to find her way through it. She says, and find closure? and he says, if it exists. She says, maybe she should try, and thanks him.

Holly asks if the evening is going to descend into business chatter. It was supposed to be fun. Sidwell gave her his word. Sidwell says, they’ll return to the fun, and Holly says, while he hammers out whatever, she’s going to freshen up. She leaves, and Sidwell says, assuming they have business interests in common, what does Anna know about that? She says she knows he sells his materials in Dubai, but the market there for precious metals and jewels is inundated. He tells her to make her pitch, and she says she’s in a position to help him move his materials through Switzerland, where he’ll get a substantially higher return on his investment. He asks what Jason moves, and Jason says, her. Anna says, he’s her security, and Sidwell asks about the cuddling at the club. Anna says, there’s always perks. He can secure a profit in a Swiss bank, which has more flexible and transactional speed than a bank in the Caymans. He says, this might be his lucky day… or maybe something else entirely. Give him a reference.

Anna gives Sidwell a number to call and give her information, and says, then maybe they can get back to the evening as planned. A guard makes the call, and Sidwell says, Jason is quieter than he was at the poker table. Would Jason like to have a drink to accidently soak him with? Jason says he’ll have what Anna is having, when the guard comes back and whispers something to Sidwell. Sidwell says, Anna’s references checked out. He thinks doing business with her would be both profitable and interesting. She asks if he would have preferred the alternative, and he says, no. He would have preferred something less convenient.  

Lucky hears the lock click, and says, baby, we are out of here. He runs into Holly outside the cell, and she says, perfect timing. She’s come to rescue him.

Kristina says she spoke to Felicia who referred her to a counselor and a support group, and Sonny says he’s extremely proud of her. A lot of people are afraid and ashamed of what people think, but you gotta do what you need to do to take care of business. She says she knows. Someone she respects, admires, and loves very much gave her an example to follow. He puts his arm around her, and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly says she can’t give Sam what she wants, and Sam asks if Carly is going to let her mother go to prison, maybe for the rest of her life, for a crime she didn’t commit. She’s that loyal to Sonny. She can warn Sonny and let him and Diane get their ducks in a row, as long as she comes clean. Carly says her cousin is fighting for her life. That’s the only thing she cares about, saving Lulu’s life. Sam says she’s not sure what Carly is doing to save Lulu, and Carly says, Sam needs to leave. Sam says, Carly is doing what she always does. Nothing. Jason is the one saving Lulu, risking his life going to Africa to find Lucky, but Carly already knew that, right? Because she asked him to.

Jordan goes to see Alexis, and Alexis asks if she’s visiting as Deputy Mayor. Jordan says she’s here as a grandmother, and Alexis says, anything new? Jordan says, Irene’s headstone is finished, and they’ll be placing it soon, and Alexis says, maybe it will be some closure for TJ and Molly. Jordan says, and them, and Alexis says, they were going to spoil their grandchild together until everything happened. Jordan says, that covers a lot. They both haven’t had much time to deal with the loss. Alexis says, Kristina has been in crisis since she went out that window, and Molly isn’t far behind. Her feelings are inconsequential. Jordan might be the only one who knows how she feels. Jordan says, TJ told her that Kristina was going to sue for custody and was planning to take Irene away from him. Was Alexis going to help?

Martin meets Molly in an unidentified restaurant, and she says she saw him listed as her mother’s attorney and thought they should meet. He says he doesn’t think they can ignore the obvious potential for a conflict of interest, but she says she’s not here as an ADA. She’s here as a concerned daughter. He says he’s not sure the court will see the difference, but she says, only he needs to see it. She was wondering who hired him. He says he can’t give her that information, and she says she’s guessing it was Uncle Sonny. She already knew before they he sat down. He says, then why ask to meet with him? and she says, his misgivings about Sonny’s involvement in this case, and Sonny hiring him proves she was right to worry.

Sonny says, no matter what you’re dealing with, killing someone is never the answer, and Kristina says, never? He says, when you make the decision to kill someone, even if it’s a piece of garbage like John Cates, it marks you and you carry that burden for the rest of your life. He doesn’t want that for her. She says, what about for him? Is he carrying that burden?

Carly says, Lucky is their best chance at saving Lulu, so yes, she asked Jason to find him and bring him home. She’s not apologizing. Sam says she doesn’t expect Carly to apologize for anything. She’s just asking Carly to think about somebody else’s family besides her own. Danny couldn’t be prouder that his father went to find lucky. Carly asks if Sam is proud, and Sam says she’s terrified for Jason. She prays he comes home safe, and she doesn’t have to tell her son for the second time that his father is dead. She prays Jason is as invincible as Danny thinks. Carly says, what happened to Lulu is killing Dante and Rocco, but Sam says, that’s not the point. Carly asked her son’s father to risk his life again, so she’s asking for something in return. Please recant her statement. She’s not asking Carly to lie or frame anyone. She’s just asking her to tell the truth. Carly says she knows the right thing to do, and leaves.

Holly tells Lucky that the guests can’t stall Sidwell for long, and he asks if those are the fancy guests. She says, come on, and he asks if it’s the WSB. Do they have a vehicle? He won’t even need keys. She says, they have to grab the guests. They can’t let them twist, but Lucky says he doesn’t care who twists. Holly says, trust her, and grabs his hand, but Sidwell and a guard arrive. (I literally gasp out loud.) He says, oh my darling English, how you’ve disappointed me.

Alexis says, when Kristina drew up the petition, she told Kristina to keep her out of it. She didn’t want to be in a position to choose. Jordan says, there are no winners there, and Alexis says, Kristina still came to her for advice. Jordan asks if Alexis gave it to her, but Alexis says, no. She took the petition and hung onto it. That’s how Molly found it. Jordan asks, why hold on to it? and Alexis says she believed when the hormones and emotions calmed down and Kristina saw how happy TJ and Molly were… Jordan says, she was hoping Kristina would change her mind, and Alexis says she never thought Kristina would go through with it. Jordan says, what if she had? but Alexis says she can’t answer that now. All she knows is they had a granddaughter who is now gone. Jordan says she was looking forward to meeting her, and Alexis says, her too. She was looking forward to being a grandmother with Jordan.

Molly says, the best way to free her mom is to turn the indictment on Sonny, and Martin says, hypothetically, one could see the merits of it, but hypothetically, it could be a conflict of interest that Sonny paid to retain him. He’s going to give her mother the best possible legal defense. Molly says, the best chance he has at defending her mother is to point the finger at Sonny and prove he killed Cates.

Sonny says, Jagger would have continued to punish Kristina to get to him. That’s no longer a problem. Kristina says, because of him, and he says, she knows how much she means to him. She says, yes, and he says, that’s all that matters. She says, what about mom? and he says, let him worry about that. She’s going to be okay. Kristina has got to trust him.

Carly asks if Isaiah is up for some good news, and he asks if Lucky was freed. She says, if everything goes as planned, it could happen any minute, but he says, Sidwell has a way of making things go wrong. She says she believes Lucky is coming home, and if anyone can do that, Jason can. Isaiah says, when she told him Lucky was being rescued, he thought she meant by a SEAL team or the WSB. One guy can’t bring Lucky home.  

Holly is brought into the game room where Anna and Jason are handcuffed. She says, the handcuffs are chafing her and he promised her a diamond bracelet. Sidwell asks how she knows them and what’s her connection to Lucky? She says she was bringing him to the game. She knows Sidwell loves a challenge. Sidwell says, it was going so well. All she had to do was amuse him. She says, it’s a simple misunderstanding, but he says, don’t insult him. They were all made at the club in Nairobi. How is she connected to Anna? Holly says, Anna is a horrible woman. She’s the ex-wife of Holly’s ex-husband. She was happily married to a handsome man – she clearly has a type – and Anna did what she could to ruin her marriage and her life. Anna says she’s horrible, yet Holly is the ex, and Holly says she saw Sidwell catch Anna’s eye and thought Anna was doing it again, that it was history repeating itself. Sidwell asks why she didn’t say something, and she says she presumed he knew who she was and he was trying to make her jealous. He vets anyone and everyone around him. She didn’t think she knew something he didn’t. He asks what her connection to Lucky is, and she says she already told him. He says, tell him again or they’ll beat it out of her. Lucky says, she was just being nice. All he wanted was to work for Sidwell, and Sidwell threw him in a cell. He didn’t do anything and neither did Holly. Sidwell says, that remains to be seen. Does Lucky know what’s going on with Jason and Anna? Lucky says, they’re trying to take hm for everything he’s got.  

Jordan says, some days, she’s almost okay. She has a lot of sadness, but doesn’t want to show it, especially in front of TJ and Molly. They’re grief isn’t bringing them closer. If they break up, it’s another tragedy. Alexis says, they’ve grown up loving each other, and Jordan says, they could lose that. Alexis says, or get to the other side together and be better for it, and Jordan says, no matter what, TJ and Molly will always have them. Alexis says, always. She’s loved TJ forever. Jordan says, when they got together, she knew TJ was happy, and he has been, and Alexis says, so has Molly. If something does happen, and she prays it doesn’t, know that she’ll always love TJ. He’ll always be a son to her. Jordan says, and Molly will always be a daughter to her.

Sonny says, Kristina’s mom will be fine. Concentrate on her treatment and don’t worry. She asks if he can make her a promise, and he says, anything. She says, promise mom won’t go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit. He says he gives her his word as her father. Her mom is going to get out of this. They all will.

Molly says, there’s got to be a weak link around Sonny. Martin has to find it and exploit it. Martin asks if she has any idea where to start… hypothetically. She says, he can cross Jason and Michael off the list, and Kristina obviously. But Carly could be something. If Sonny is guilty and she’s been lying about his alibi… Martin says, target the alibi, and Molly says, target Carly.

Carly tells Isaiah that Anna is with Jason. She’s a former WSB agent and Police Commissioner. He says, it’s crazy. Two people against an army of security. She says, the WSB can’t assist in an official capacity, but they have eyes on the ground and are helping unofficially. As it turns out, Anna and Jason didn’t have to infiltrate Sidwell’s compound. They were invited in. He says he’s not sure that matters. Her friends had better be as capable as Carly is saying. If they’re not, they’re going end up dead, right beside Lucky.

Sidwell says, it would be so easy to kill all of them, but it would be more interesting to give them a chance to keep breathing. Jason asks, what’s the game? and Sidwell says, three plays. If Jason wins, he and Anna get to live another day. If Lucky’s name proves to be accurate, he and Holly live. If he wins, they all die. Lucky looks at Holly.

Tomorrow, Tracy says, if Stella doesn’t agree, they might have to rethink their arrangement; from behind bars, Anna says she needs to ask a favor of someone; Willow says she needs creeper Drew to leave her alone; and Jason says lucky has to get home as soon as possible.

⚾️ Put Him In, Coach…

As much as I like him, I once dated somebody who wanted to be NYC’s baseball commissioner (whatever the hell that is), and I’ve had enough of baseball to last me a lifetime. We went to every single home game of the Mets and Yankees that year, including an endless Mets game where every inning was the same and I swear we were the last people in the stands.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-adam-huss-shares-a-sneak-peek-at-his-new-series

🧂 Passing the Salt…

A lot of the episode was focused on newbie Bronwyn making a remark about Whitney, and Heather waiting until a group dinner to call her out. I was more interested in Bronwyn, Heather, and Lisa going to Wendy’s. Apparently, Lisa has a partnership with them, and they were also featured in this season’s first episode. I love Wendy’s burgers, but their buns are the worst. They’re cheap and fall apart easily. Can I call Lisa about this? And why was weird Omen music playing in the background when Lisa went to meet Angie? What I was more interested in was Whitney hosting a drag night at Trixie Mattel’s bar in Milwaukee. She invited (I think) everyone, and they’re going by private jet. I’d give my bouffant and heels for an invite like that. But I suppose the closest I’ll get is next week’s episode.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhoslc-episode-2-recap-everyones-fighting-with-lisa-barlow

👯‍♂️ More To Lose…

Kudos and more kudos to Tammy for her 500 pound weight loss. I’m struggling with 15. While I don’t clear my schedule to watch it, I’m kind of fascinated with this show. More with the family dynamic than anything else, but I’m always down for a massive weight loss tale. I’m also a fan of My 600-lb Life. I love Dr. Nowzaradan. He’s so cranky, yet quirky funny. The new season of Sisters premieres October 8th.

https://people.com/tammy-slaton-skin-removal-surgery-new-season-1000-lb-sisters-exclusive-8707174

It’s amazing how many times she’s been knocked down, and has gotten back up again.

https://parade.com/news/1000-lb-sisters-tammy-slaton-inspiring-message-mental-battle-instagram

⚰️ Let’s Hear It For the Girl…

There was never any question in my mind that both co-stars had a lot of say. After all, it is their show.

https://ew.com/melissa-mcbride-input-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-8716833

🐙 Ready For the Game…

The basics.

https://blackstarnews.com/squid-game-season-2-release-date/

The poster.

https://gizmodo.com/squid-game-season-2-new-poster-netflix-release-date-2000500294

A tease.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/squid-game-season-2-trailer-lee-jung-jae-1236007425/

The director speaks.

https://ew.com/squid-game-season-2-details-director-hwang-dong-hyuk-star-lee-jung-jae-exclusive-8714251

🎃 Movies To Get You In the Mood…

Not a bad list of scary movies to stream. My take on their list: Nightmare on Elm Street – a classic; The Amityville Horror – good, but a lot of lost opportunities to be better; American Werewolf in London – I love, love, love this movie; Arsenic and Old Lace – old films aren’t usually my jam, but this one is funny; The Babadook – I am the only person on earth who was disappointed, but you do you; Beetlejuice – the detail is amazing and how can you not love him; Bell, Book and Candle – love the 50s NYC vibe; Bodies Bodies Bodies – very funny with an unexpected ending; The Cabin in the Woods – one of the best horror films ever made and I was astonished at the special effects; The Conjuring – maybe I’m jaded, but meh; The Craft – great female ensemble film, like Jawbreaker, but with magic; Death Becomes Her – two great actresses and broad comedy; Evil Dead 2 – love Bruce Campbell, but all of the Evil Dead films have run together in my mind at this point; Frankenweenie – kind of precious; Halloween – another classic; Halloweentown – surprisingly, I never saw it; Hocus Pocus – more fun than a barrel of newts, and nothing is better than Bette Midler singing I Put a Spell on You; Kiki’s Delivery Service – never saw it, but not so surprising since I’m not that into animated films; Late Night With the Devil – I loved the premise, but wasn’t thrilled with the ending; The Night of the Living Dead – hail to the beginning of zombie greatness; The Nightmare Before Christmas – absolutely magnificent and I love Zero so much; The Return of the Living Dead – a helluva lot better than you’d think from the title; Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – I haven’t seen it, but it looks intriguing; Scream – so much fun; Tigers Are Not Afraid – I haven’t seen it, but if it’s going to make me cry, I’m not sure I want to; Us – Jordan Peele is a genius master of horror; The Wailing – haven’t seen it, but putting it on my short list; and The Witch – I loved it as a period piece, but wanted something more. I’m not sure what, but something.

https://ew.com/best-halloween-movies-streaming-now-8718114

🐕 Clydeo To the Rescue…

She’s a woman of many talents. I love her motivation for writing her book series too.

https://people.com/jennifer-aniston-launches-fund-to-help-animals-exclusive-8717723

🍂 Falling Into a New Season…

Join me tomorrow for soap and some OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay savoring seasonal flavors (like those Trader Joe’s roasted vegetables they dole out like methadone during the autumn months); and stay doing what you need to do to take care of business, and don’t be afraid or ashamed of what people think.

September 19, 2024 – Anna Steals Sidwell’s Phone, Reunited, An Open Book, A Cloud Over the OC, Full Circle, Trick Or Tasty, Modern Gods, Working Hippo, Donate & Dogs

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Dante asks if Isaiah wants company, and Isaiah says, that depends on who he is. Dante introduces himself, and says, Lucky is his ex-brother-in-law. He was married to Lucky’s sister Lulu. Isaiah introduces himself, and says, Lucky is the best friend he’s ever had. He heard about Lulu’s condition. He’s sorry. Family wasn’t Lucky’s favorite topic, but it was clear he loved his sister. If he knew she needed him, he’d move heaven and earth to get home.

Going into Lulu’s room, Cyrus asks, how’s his favorite niece? He knows he’s not being fair and deserves to be called out for how long it took him to see her since she was moved to GH. He had good reason. He provides comfort to the needy and he’s been trying to help others. He knows it’s hard to believe, but he’s trying to be a better person. The jury’s still out.

Josslyn gets Jordan’s takeout order at Bobbie’s, and Jordan says, it’s not for her. She thought Isaiah could use a break from hospital food. Josslyn says, they appreciate the lead about Lucky and hope Lulu hangs on. Jordan says, where Lucky is and who he’s with, he’s not going to be easy to find or bring home, and Josslyn says, Jason and Anna are on their way to find him. Jordan says she doesn’t know Jason well, but she’d put her life in Anna’s hands any day of the week.

Sidwell and Holly are in a secret gambling establishment resembling something in Monte Carlo where everyone is dressed in formal attire. They have a champagne toast, and Sidwell says, only an extraordinary woman could put up with such primitive conditions. Holly says, he’s worth it, and he says, it won’t be much longer, and they’ll be off top Dubai. She says she’s enjoying this last-minute excursion, and he says, it’s difficult to find if you don’t know where to look. She says, he always knows where to look for everything, and she notices Jason and Anna sitting at a table across the room.

Anna orders champagne and Jason orders, beer, bottled. Anna says she thinks Brennan’s intel was spot on. They see Sidwell and Holly, and Anna says, that must be Sidwell’s girlfriend. Why is she not surprised? Jason says, Holly? and she says, yeah. When Isaiah said he called his girlfriend English, it didn’t occur to her that it was Holly, but it makes perfect sense for her to be involved with someone like Sidwell. Jason wonders if they caught a break, but Anna says, not necessarily. He asks if she doesn’t think Holly would want to help, and she says, Holly’s signature goal is to help herself.

Cyrus says he never intended to neglect Lulu, but he’s sure she’s had a lot of visitors. This is a nice change from the long-term care facility, but he wishes the reason for the transfer was more positive. He’s sorry he’s not able to be a donor, but that doesn’t mean he’s not here for her. Family never abandons family, no exceptions. (Ah, if only that were true IRL.)

Jordan tells Josslyn that she’s sorry. She knows what her family went through when she was waiting for a transplant. Josslyn says, they’re trying to hold on to hope, as long as Lucky is still out there, and Lulu is still breathing. Jodan says, hope is everything, and Josslyn says, organ donations are amazing. Jordan says, it’s the most generous donation and a debt to be honored and make good on. Josslyn says, it’s an incredible gift and makes you want to live life to the fullest to make the sacrifice worth it. Jordan says, Josslyn is doing a great job, and Josslyn says, her too. The food comes, and Josslyn says, Jordan’s money is no good. Isaiah’s meals are on the house for years and so are hers. Jordan thanks her and leaves with the to-go bag.

Dante says he wanted to talk to someone who’d been with Lucky, and Isaiah says, he could still be there, but operations were winding down at the site. Dante asks how he and Lucky met, and Isaiah says, Lucky was doing security for humanitarian organizations, but most of them aren’t strip mining. Dante says, that attracts a certain person, and Isaiah says, a ruthless and powerful one. He was coerced into treating Jenz Sidwell. He wasn’t sick, but he’s vigilant and paranoid. He was given the option to take a position or be killed, so he took the position. Even though he didn’t ask, Lucky decided to rescue him, but when they escaped, he was the only one who got out. Dante says, they’ve sent help, and Isaiah says, if Lucky will wait for it. Dante says, it’s not his style, but if anyone can get out of that mess, it’s Lucky.

Cyrus says he knows he bears the responsibility for Lulu being here. He was in such a dark place and made terrible choices, but he never meant for this to happen. If that snake Julian hadn’t botched the job… Julian is the one responsible for Lulu being taken away from her loved ones. He’s so sorry. He knows the pain of being kept from your family, but what’s here is worse. She’s caught between two worlds, and it’s not fair or natural. He puts a daisy near her hand and says, people gave up on him, but he won’t give up on her. Somehow, he will help her. He leaves.

Ric and Elizabeth go to Bobbie’s, and he says he appreciates her allowing him to buy her coffee. She says she’s just glad they’re not at the PCPD, and he thanks her for helping him interpret the lab results. She says she doesn’t understand. The differences are staggering and problematic. She’ll send the sample out to different labs if Heather is willing to cooperate. He says, Heather will do anything to have a relationship with her grandson. He identifies with that sentiment. She says she knows, and he wonders if they’ll graduate from coffee. He understands it might take a while, but she says, the speed doesn’t matter. They’re not going anywhere.

Isaiah asks if Lucky and Lulu have always attracted this type of loyalty. Several people are traveling to Africa to find Lucky, and there’s a line outside Lulu’s door, including her ex. Dante says, they have a son Rocco, and Isaiah says, so he’s here for Rocco, but Dante says, and Lulu. Not that she knows he’s here. Isaiah says he’s heard stories about patients hearing loved ones while they’re in a coma and he’s had patients say they loved the music he played during surgeries. Miracles aren’t scientifically proven, but he believes in them. Dante asks what kind of surgery he did, and Isaiah says he’s a transplant surgeon. Dante asks if he’s any good, and Isaiah says he thought he was. Lucky is a great match for Lulu. Full siblings usually are. The one thing that might be a difficulty is the condition of his liver. Dante asks if he thinks it will be a problem, and Isaiah says, Lucky drank beer on occasion, but if there’s anything he knows, it’s that anything is possible.

Looking at Anna, Sidwell says he’s never seen her. And that’s not the kind of woman you’d forget. Holly says she’s sitting right here, and he says, she pales in comparison to Holly. She says, too little too late, and he asks if he can earn her forgiveness with the sparkling things she loves. She says, how sparkling? and he says, very. He wonders who Jason and Anna are, and says, perhaps they should invite them over. Holly says she thought this was a private celebration, but he says, there’s plenty of time for that. She says, fine. If he’s so keen on making friends, she’ll order another bottle and make new friends. He says he loves that she’s possessive. He doesn’t like to share things.

Jason says he thought Anna and Holly were friends, and she says, sometimes. It’s complicated. It’s possible Holly’s interests don’t align with theirs. He asks if she doesn’t think Holly would be interested in saving Lulu’s life, and Anna says, yeah, but in her bones, Holly is a con woman. The odds that she’s pulling a con now are extremely high. He says he wonders if she knows Lucky was being held at the compound, and she says she’d like to believe if Holly knew, she’d try to get the word out. She’s resourceful. He says, so are they. Should they hit the tables? Anna says, yes. It’s time she bumped into an old friend.

Holly tells Sidwell that a spot opened up at the tables, and Sidwell takes the seat. Anna says she guesses an old friend just screwed them.

Josslyn brings over a plate of fries, telling Elizabeth that she made too many. Ric says, he may be jealous, and Elizabeth says, of French fries? but he says, she accepted food from Josslyn, but not him. She says, his food comes with questions and hopes. He should know where she stands about a romantic relationship. He says he knows, he’s just not clear on why. She says she had a hard time moving on from losing Franco. Her relationship with Finn was rock solid, or so she thought. It ended badly, and she doesn’t want to do that again to herself or her kids. He asks, who says it will end badly? and she says, odds, history, life… He says, sorry about Finn. He can beat him up. Elizabeth says, he went to rehab and she’s sure he’s beating himself up enough. Ric says, he should be. He can say that because he’s been there.

Anna says she shouldn’t be disappointed or surprised. Holly will make things interesting. Jason says, they need a new strategy, and she says, they can’t come directly at Sidwell. They’ll have to find a different way to get Lucky’s location. He says, what about Sidwell’s phone? and she says, it should have the information to find Lucky. If they can get his phone, she can copy the chip with the device Brennan gave her. Sidwell’s phone rings, and they watch as he takes it out of his pocket, then puts it back when he’s finished. Anna says she has to grab his phone, but she needs Jason’s help to do it.

Gio goes into Bobbie’s and asks Josslyn if it’s okay for him to sit at the counter. Josslyn says, of course (🍷). Why wouldn’t it be? He says he didn’t know if she was still upset, and she says she’d be doing a lousy job if she didn’t serve anyone who’d pissed her off. He orders a BLT and says he’s really sorry. He shouldn’t have said that stuff about Uncle Sonny and her mom. Josslyn asks if he means them sleeping together. He doesn’t need to apologize. It wasn’t the best news to get, but she’s glad she got it. He says, they don’t even know if anything happened. Tracy was ranting about it, but she rants about everything. Josslyn says, this time, she was ranting about something real, and he says, are they…? She says she doesn’t know what they are, but they’re something.

Dante sees the flower on Lulu’s bed, picks it up, and leaves. He stops a nurse and says he found this in Lulu’s room. Does she know who left it? She says she just came on shift, and he says he doesn’t want random people visiting his ex-wife. She says she’ll alert security, and leaves. Rocco comes out of the elevator, and Dante asks, what’s going on? What is he doing here? Rocco says he needed to see his mom.

Cyrus goes to Isaiah’s room and says, he’s awake. He thought he heard the doctor say he was unconscious. Isaiah asks if he’s a surgeon, and Cyrus says he visits patients to provide spiritual comfort and pray with them if they want. He was just visiting Lulu. Isaiah says, Spencer? Her ex was just here. Cyrus asks if he can get Isaiah anything. He’ll be happy to pray with him if he likes. Isaiah says he’s not religious, and Cyrus says, understood. Isiah says he knows he prays when the Bills play, and Cyrus says, he must pray a great deal. Isaiah asks if he’s a Giants fan, but Cyrus says, Seahawks. Isaiah asks if he needs to remind Cyrus about the Seahawks/Patriots game, but Cyrus says, it’s still too fresh.

Dante asks how Rocco got here, and Rocco says he asked Matt’s mom to drop him off. Dante asks if Sam knows, and Rocco says he told her that Dante asked to meet him at the hospital. Dante says, that’s not true, and Rocco asks if he’s mad. Dante says he doesn’t like Rocco lying, but he can’t wander around with them not knowing where he is. Rocco says he had to come. He’s the only one who hasn’t seen her since she transferred to GH. It’s not fair. Dante says he’s sorry. Rocco can come anytime. Just let them know. Why did he feel he couldn’t tell the truth? Rocco says he thought Dante didn’t want him to see his mom and he’s been more worried than usual. Dante says he’s trying to be strong for Rocco, and Rocco says, Dante has been keeping everyone together. Dante says, Rocco has the right to know what’s going on with his mom, and Rocco asks if it’s bad. Dante says, since she was transferred, she’s gotten sicker. He wants Rocco to be prepared. Rocco asks if Dante will go in with him, and Dante says he will.

Gio asks if Carly said she and Sonny were together, and Josslyn tells him, she said they were involved… whatever that means. Gio says he heard their last split wasn’t friendly. She doesn’t have to tell him anything. She says, it’s not a secret. Sonny disappeared for months and when he came back, he said he was in love with another woman. She gets the impression Gio only hears good stories about Sonny or what he wants to believe. But no matter what they think, Sonny and her mom are like a rubber band. No matter how far they’re pulled apart, inevitably, something happens, and they snap back together. He says, it’s romantic, and she says, it would be if it wasn’t toxic. He says, her mom is smart and successful. He wouldn’t have pegged her as a victim. Josslyn says, she’s not, and he asks why she keeps going back. She says she doesn’t know.  That’s what drives her crazy. He says, maybe she shouldn’t let it.

Cyrus tells Isaiah that Lulu is his niece. His sister is Lulu and Lucky’s mother. She’s formidable and wonderful, and she happens to be mayor. Isaiah says, formidable and wonderful sounds like the Deputy Mayor. She saved his life. Cyrus says, thank the Lord, and Jordan walks in. She says, he can thank Him somewhere else. Out. Now. Cyrus says, nice chatting with Isaiah, and leaves.

A seat opens up next to Sidwell, and Anna says, it’s time for Jason to put his poker face to good use. Nab the seat, and she’ll come over to wish him good luck. She’ll lift the phone, copy the chip, and put the phone back. He asks how long she needs, and she says, it’s going to take some time. He says, it’s a lot to pull off with the security cameras and bodyguards, but she tells him, just stay in the game or they’ll be done for. He can’t lose to quickly. Don’t worry. The WSB will pay his bet. He says he can pay his own. Shall we?

A woman takes the seat next to Sidwell, and Anna tells Jason, hang on. She goes over to a man near the bar and says she hopes his friend had better luck than the previous player. She lost everything. The man goes over to the table, whispers something to the woman, and she leaves. Jason sits down and tells the dealer, 50,000. He moves Sidwell’s champagne glass to the other side, and Sidwell says, that was his drink. Jason says he’s sorry, and signals for a server. He assumed the champagne was for the lady. His mistake. The server brings over a new glass, but Jason knocks it off the tray. Some of it spills on Sidwell’s jacket, and Jason says he’s sorry. The woman’s friend tells Anna, she wasn’t kidding. That chair is jinxed. Jason says he’s sure Sidwell doesn’t want to play wet, and Sidwell takes off his jacket. A guard helps to put it on the back of his chair, and Sidwell says, a little spill won’t stop him from clearing out Jason’s bank account. Deal. Jason looks at Anna.

Josslyn follows Gio outside and says, he had a point. She loves and respects her mom and will never understand why she runs back to Sonny. But it’s not her choice to make.

Ric asks if there’s any exception to a romantic relationship with them sometime down the road, and Elizabeth says, no. He says he accepts that and respects her wishes, and she says, if he’s just saying that to bide his time until the next time he asks, please don’t. She has shields up. He says, she doesn’t have to shield herself from him. Other than Molly, she’s the one person he cares about and would do anything for, even if it means leaving her alone.

Isaiah asks, what just happened? and Jordan says, stay away from him. He’s a dangerous man who’s done horrible things. He says, to her? and she says, and to the people she cares about. She used to be in the DEA and went undercover to infiltrate his drug organization. They nailed him and he went to prison. In return, he killed two agents and attempted to kill another one. Isaiah says, he said he was visiting his niece Lulu, and she asks if he told Isaiah that he was the one who ordered the explosion that put her in a coma. Isaiah says, he left that part out, and she says, there’s nothing she wanted more than to take him down. She thought she’d be the one, but she failed. Isaiah says, if you fail people, they die. He gets that equation. Is that food for him or is that delicious smell for torture? She says, for him. She’s not that heartless. He says, she shouldn’t have, and they laugh.

Rocco says, she still looks like mom, and Dante says, she still is his mom. He suggests Rocco say something, and Rocco asks what he should say. Dante tells him to say what he wants, and Rocco sits next to Lulu’s bad. He says, Jason went to Africa to find Uncle Lucky. She has to hold on until he gets back. He knows it’s hard and she’s probably tired, but she can have some of his strength. He’ll be strong for both of them.

At the bar, Holly quietly says she hasn’t told Sidwell that she and Anna know each other, and Anna says, that much is blatantly obvious. Anna goes over to Jason, wishes him luck, and lifts Sidwell’s phone. She leaves, and Holly watches. Jason looks at his cards.

Isaiah tells Jordan that she can have some fries as a reward. He’ll have to get used to her being Wonder Woman. She asks if he can find a way to pay her off, and he says, one French fry at a time.

Elizabeth says, Ric doesn’t have to completely leave her alone. She has the bandwidth for a friend. She doesn’t know about him, but she could use one. He says he’s honored to take the title. He’ll take what he can get with her. Can he have a French fry? She asks if he means a friend fry, and he says, that’s bad. They laugh. (Today’s theme: French fries.)

Dante suggests Rocco tell Lulu about school, and Rocco says he has a teacher who’s a real try-hard, but he thinks they’ll be okay once they loosen up. He’s got a new unit in science and Abby Samuelson is his partner. She checked him out the other day. Dante puts his hand on Rocco’s shoulder.

Sidwell puts more chips in the pot and looks at Jason. Jason puts in more, and Sidwell says, this club and its patrons frown upon those who don’t honor their bets. The penalty is quite severe on the rare occasion it happens. Jason looks over at the guard, who moves his jacket so that Jason sees his gun. Jason says, understood, and Sidwell says, a straight flush, laying down his cards.

In a darkened hallway, Anna loads her gun, and Holly says, excuse me. Anna seems to have her hands on a phone that doesn’t belong to her.

Tomorrow, Nina tells Drew that it’s time to turn over the reins of Aurora; Ned tells Michael that he can find him; and Sidwell says he doesn’t cheat, but Jason says he doesn’t lie.

🫂 Feeling Fraternal Again…

The second guy this year who came back with an ages old grudge against Sonny.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rick-hearst-on-reuniting-with-maurice-benard-on-gh

👬🏻 That Boy Is a Monster…

I don’t know as I’d call this a period piece. True, the 90s were before we became dependent on electronics, but I think of a period piece as more of a costume drama. I realize I’m being some kind of nitpicky. This looks excellent.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicholas-chavez-opens-up-about-playing-lyle-menendez-in-monsters

🍊 Follow the Bouncing Orange…

Yep. I ask myself the same question every time. Why am I watching this? It might not be as bad without Alexis in the mix, but hopefully I’ll feel it was worth it when Johnny J. dumps her. Fancy Pants Heather was co-presenter with Meredith Marks at the GLAAD Media Awards. No surprise, for Outstanding Reality Competition. In Alexis’s interview, she talked about being here to create a world that was loving, kind, and accepting. Here’s where I look at the camera like Jim from The Office. Does she ever hear herself and understand how hypocritical she is?

Vicki and Shannon rehearsed for the Dos Amigas at a comedy club. Brava to them for hanging onto their side gig despite Tamra leaving them high and dry. I get her reasons, but it is an income source. What we saw of the show was a Q&A with Shannon and Vicki, and a musical number where they were wearing little hats, like the Men On Films guys on In Living Color. Too bad I wasn’t watching that. Now that was a fun show.

Emily had enough of Alexis, saying in her interview that Alexis was annoying and looney, which is a perfect description. Jenn had an evening get together with the group – minus Shannon, who was with Vicki – at Ryan’s big ass house. Jenn has several cute dogs, one of which looks like a Pekingese mix, which would have been my comfort focus had I been at this gathering. It wasn’t long before Emily brought up her issues with Heather’s fashion event last week. Emily noticed that she was the only one asked to bring her own jeans and felt singled out. Even worse though, was that she and Alexis were given the same dress to wear. I dunno about the jeans, but I’d be pissed if I was the only one in a fashion show who wore the same thing as another model. It’s like seeing someone in the same dress as you at the prom.

Emily had legitimate gripes, and it wasn’t like she said Fancy Pants did it on purpose personally, but Fancy Pants immediately went on the defense. In Katie’s interview, she hit the nail on the head when she said, anytime Heather was viewed as less than perfect, she got defensive. Fancy Pants said she wasn’t the one who doled out the details, which was true, but IMO, she should still bear some responsibility for how Emily was treated by the staff. Or at the very least, just say she’s sorry and it shouldn’t have happened. I have to add, too, Emily was informed that a jacket she was given was oversized about 12 times. Fancy Pants whined that Emily was blaming her and it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

Before Emily could even attempt to get her point across, Alexis jumped in and wailed that Emily was blaming her. Huh? Adding insult to injury, in Alexis’s interview, she as much as said she couldn’t help being thinner and prettier than Emily. In Katie’s interview, she said, maybe she should have gone to Shannon’s show instead. She added that instead of listening, apologizing, and moving on, Fancy Pants made it about herself. Fancy Pants had nothing on Alexis though, who went into full spiral mode, crying that she was already a broken bird. Another look at the camera. She screeched that Emily had dragged her into this when she’d clearly dragged herself in. In Tamra’s interview, she said, Heather didn’t single Emily out to fat shame her, proving she also wasn’t listening to what Emily said.

Fancy Pants refused to discuss the issue with Emily because apparently the feelings of a Snuffleupagus don’t count. Alexis would not stop ranting about how she was being blamed, and no matter how many times Emily told her to STFU, she wouldn’t. Gina said it was like there was a cloud over the group, but when hasn’t there been? The only difference is, this season, the cloud is named Alexis.

https://people.com/rhoc-recap-emily-simpson-calls-out-heather-dubrow-for-giving-her-size-12-clothes-8715653

⚰️  Another Day Another Dead…

A puppy needs to earn Daryl’s love? What? It took Dog all of ten seconds.

https://ew.com/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-norman-reedus-melissa-mcbride-cover-story-8713756

🎃 Cooking Up Some Halloween…

Those who can’t do watch other people doing it. Two of my favorite seasonal treats are Halloween Wars and Halloween Baking Championship. The creations are absolutely magnificent, and I actually get a little depressed when the season is over.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-wars

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-wars/meet-the-teams-competing-on-halloween-wars–season-14

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-baking-championship

https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/halloween-baking-championship/photos/meet-the-competitors-of-halloween-baking-championship-season-10

☄️ Something Else To Watch…

I started watching Kaos last weekend, and it’s a lot of fun. I love Jeff Goldblum as the narcissistic Zues, pouting because he’s not being worshipped enough. However, Dionysus (Nabhaan Rizwan) is my favorite character, the god of all things frivolous who wants a promotion to a more serious position.  His adoption of a kitten who he brings with him everywhere didn’t hurt either.

https://www.cbr.com/kaos-gods-myths-explained/

The cast overall is stellar.

https://www.thewrap.com/kaos-cast-characters-gods-netflix/

🦛 Move Over Doug…

You can’t blame her really.

https://people.com/viral-baby-pygmy-hippo-moo-deng-working-on-patent-8715387

🌼 Welcoming Summer’s Ghost…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a Friday foray into entertainment. Until then, stay safe: stay investing in wardrobe pieces like coats and boots, and not trendy items (get those at Old Navy); and stay considering being an organ donor. It’s the most generous donation.

https://www.organdonor.gov/

September 12, 2024 – Carly Asks Jason To Find Lucky, One Down, Not Interested in the OC, Potomac Premiere, Dead Talk, Coming Up Emmy, Reverse Prediction, Demi’s Delight & Sweater

Standard

What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts, recaps, and the whole GH enchilada on Fridays)

General Hospital

Cody goes to the boathouse and says he got Sasha’s text. He’s here at her disposal. She asks if he’s ready for something fun and exciting, and he says, always. She says, surprise! and Mac, Felicia, James, and Georgie come out.

In the solarium, Tracy chastises Brook for being late to the meeting she called, and Brook says she was getting the kids ready for breakfast. Lucy says, a good boss would have served them breakfast or at least coffee, and Tracy says, Deception is under threat from Sonny Corinthos. An FBI agent was murdered on the property and obviously Sonny did it. Lois says, that’s conjecture, and Tracy says, Deception is vulnerable, and their friendly neighborhood kingpin could take them all down. Lois tells her to think rationally. Sonny hasn’t been charged and there’s no evidence linking him to the crime.

On the phone in his office, Michael asks someone to let him know when it’s fixed, when Josslyn walks in. She says, they need to save their mom from herself.

Carly tells Lulu that she hates feeling helpless, especially when she knows what needs to be done. Bring lucky home and get Lulu a transplant. The first part is difficult. Jason comes in, and she says, Lulu is running out of time.

Diane meets Sonny at the Pozzulo’s, and he asks if there’s a problem. She says, a big one. Alexis just framed herself for murder. A murder Diane is quite sure she didn’t commit.

Sasha says she’s prepared brunch and asks where Maxie and Bailey Lou are. Felicia says, Maxie is at a Deception meeting and Bailey Lou has the sniffles. James suggests they eat, and Sasha says, enjoy. Mac asks if she’s not joining them, but she says, it’s a family thing. Felicia says, she has to eat and they don’t want Cody to be lonely. Cody says, they can’t have that.

Maxie asks, who is she and what has she done with Lois? and Lucy asks if it hurts speaking like that. She thinks Lois is having a stroke and tells them to call 911. Lois says she’s okay. Tracy offered to pay for a dialect coach who gave her the tools to make her accent more palatable to buyers. Maxie says, she got rave reviews for her personal appearances and was a hit on Home & Heart. Natalia says, the ratings were through the roof, and Lucy says she feels they all should have been consulted. Maxie agrees, but Tracy says, it was Lois’s choice. They consult together all the time, and last time they ended up with a mobster investor who installed his moll and made them an accessory to murder. Lois says, Tracy is still upset that Sonny and Carly were doing boom-boom in her room-room, and Tracy says, don’t remind her.

Michael says, their mom is fine, and Josslyn asks if he thinks their mom and Sonny reuniting in Tracy’s bed sounds fine. She said it was a one-time thing, but they know her history, and he’s not concerned? He says he doesn’t think it’s their business, and she says, their mother being hurt, betrayed, and sent to prison isn’t their business? She tried to let go and let Carly make her choices, and it had serious consequences. No way did she suddenly forgive Sonny. She doesn’t buy that they’re back together, but she does buy that their mom gave Sonny an alibi, and it could blow up in her face.  

In the hallway, Carly tells Jason, communication with Doc and Laura is nearly impossible. They were on their way to a camp they think lucky is working at. Jason says, maybe he’s still there, but she says, he’s not and they can’t get in touch with Doc and Laura. Isaiah gave them Lucky’s recent location where he’s being held captive, but they found out the camp was abandoned and moved. Jason asks, who’s telling her this? and she says, Jack Brennan. He heaves a sigh.

Diane says, as an officer of the court, she suggests she and Sonny choose their words carefully, and he asks what Alexis’s status is. She says, they sent her home, and Alexis thinks that’s the end of it. He says, Diane doesn’t? and she says, of course (🍷) not. He asks if Alexis has been charged, and she says, not yet. He asks why she’s acting like he sent Alexis to Pentenville, and she says, evidence. It’s circumstantial, but Alexis has no alibi, and according to her sources, Alexis publicly threatened Cates, and she’s yet to provide an explanation for where and why she procured a firearm that two onlookers saw her chuck off the bridge at Blackstone Canyon. He asks, who? and she tells him, Elizabeth and his brother Ric.

Maxie says, she didn’t come here to discuss Sonny and Carly’s sex life. Let’s get back to why Tracy called the meeting. Tracy says, Sonny is a person of interest in John Cates’s murder and probably killed him, and Lois says, for the millionth time, they don’t know that’s true. Tracy says, it’s natural, reasonable, and accurate to assume, and Deception doesn’t need that kind of publicity. Natalia says, he’s a silent investor, not the face of the company, but Tracy says, if it leads the authorities to their books, they’ll have to explain where the money came from. If Sonny didn’t pull the trigger, he could have hired a hitman. Maxie says, so far, these are just baseless accusations. Sonny might get media attention, but when doesn’t he? They got a wonderful CFO who’s worked wonders with their books. Natalia is a gift Sonny gave them, and she thinks they should all remember that.

Sonny says, leave it up to Ric to insert himself. He’ll pay Ric a visit. Diane says, no need. It’s a matter of record, corroborated by Elizabeth. Alexis told her that they saw her chuck something off the bridge. He asks if she’s representing Alexis, and she says, no, because she’s representing him. He has a solid alibi. Alexis has none. He asks if she’s been charged, and Diane says, no, but she’ll be charged soon, tried and convicted. What is he going to do about it?

Josslyn says she knows Michael is thinking she’s on another anti-Sonny crusade, but she cares about mom. She just got off the RICO charges and now she’s an accessory to murder. Michael says, Josslyn is dealing in hypotheticals, which is not a good idea. Cates was a garbage human. He was an out-of-control animal, a coward with an ax to grind. Whoever killed him did the world a favor. She asks if he’s excusing murder, and he says he’s excusing killing a man who tried to hurt their family. He had Kristina arrested for killing her unborn child because of an ancient grudge. That’s the kind of man Cates was, and he’s not shedding a tear over that bastard’s death.

Jason says, Carly needs to stay away from Jack Brennan, and they go back into Lulu’s room. She asks, why? and Jason says, he’s dangerous. She says she can handle Jack. He gave her what she wanted. Jason asks, what was the cost? and she says, nothing. He says, nothing is free in that world. There’s an agenda. Do not get involved with Jack Brennan.

The family raves about the food, and Georgie says she wishes they could live by the lake. James says, this is where Cody saved him, and Georgie says, he’s told then a million times. Cody says he’s glad he was in the right spot at the right time, and James asks if Sasha sleeps over Cody’s every night. Cody wonders why he asks, and James tells him that Violet said they took a nap, so they must have sleepovers. He wonders if his mom would let him sleep over like Aunt Sasha does.

Maxie says she’s joining her family for brunch, and leaves. Natalia says she’s out too, and Tracy says, tell Sonny to review the morals clause in his investment agreement. Natalia says she will, and leaves.

Josslyn tells Michael that she’s sorry. She didn’t know. Is Kristina okay? Michael says, she’s devastated. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen her this broken. But instead of getting the space to get herself back together, she’s been hustled in and out of the PCPD, and now her mom is being investigated as a person of interest in John Cates’s murder. Josslyn says, who would think Alexis killed somebody? and he says, she’s being questioned, so the worst thing Josslyn can do is run around shouting conspiracy theories. If they think Alexis is fair game, what does she think that makes their mom?

Sonny asks what Diane is asking him to do, and she says, nothing. She’s his attorney and his interests take precedence, but she knows the man he is, and he won’t sit idly by and the mother of one of his children railroaded for a crime she didn’t commit. He says, it’s an impossible situation, and wonders why Alexis didn’t dispose of the gun better or come to him. She says, it’s a shame Alexis didn’t know how to dispose of a gun properly. Alexis is her best friend. Sonny says he knows, and she says, and they both know how Alexis’s mind works. When it comes to her children, she’ll act on instinct. If forced to choose between herself and her children, she’ll choose her children. He says, it’s a complicated situation, but it was under control, and she says, only he would classify this as under control. He says, it was. Now what does he do? Diane says, Alexis was protecting her and Sonny’s child. How do they get her off the hook?

James promises he’ll be good and actually sleep, but Felicia says, that’s a question for his mom. Maxie arrives and says, then it’s a good thing she’s here… or is it? Felicia says, of course (🍷) it is, and Maxie thanks Sasha. James says he wants to sleep over with Cody like Sasha does, and Maxie says she was definitely not prepared for that. Cody says, they don’t have sleepovers, but James says, Sasha is Cody’s friend, right? Cody says, Sasha is his girlfriend. Or at least he’d like her to be.

Jason says, Brennan has a powerful agenda. He tried to abduct Carly. She says, it was a miscommunication, and he says, when she was dealing with the Five Families (alfredo sauce), what did it cost her? She says, almost everything, and he says, the WSB has no honor or loyalty. They’re out for themselves. She says she doesn’t care. The only thing that matters is finding Lucky and saving Lulu. He has to understand that. He says he does.

Lucy tells Tracy that the dialect coach is good. Has she considered taking lessons? Tracy says, get out, and Lucy says, gladly. She leaves, and Tracy says, now she can have the quiche she’s been smelling all morning. She leaves, and Lois says, she’s in a mood. She asks if Brook is okay, and Brook asks, why? Lois says, she seems off her game this morning, and Brook says she’s distracted. Lois asks if it’s the whole Sonny thing, and Brook says, it’s concerning, but she’s sure they’ll figure it out. She can’t get a conversation she and Chase had with Violet out of her head. Lois says, she misses her dad, and Brook says, it wasn’t about Finn. Violet wanted to know when she and Chase are going to start a family.

Diane says, if no one takes responsibility, Alexis could spend the rest of her life in prison, and Sonny says, whatever happens with the case, he wants to know everything. She says she can relay the information as a friend. She expects a call soon and hopes they’re able to help outside the confines of a jail cell. She leaves.

Josslyn tells Michael, whatever is going on has to remain a secret for their mom’s sake, but Josslyn doesn’t understand how she could lie. Michael says, they don’t know she is, and she says, their mom supported Sonny, and he cheated and broke her heart. How can she stick her neck out for him? How did Michael repair his relationship with Sonny? Michael says, it’s pretty simple. He realized hating his father and cutting himself off from him cost more than finding a way to forgive him.

James asks why Sasha wouldn’t want to be Cody’s girlfriend. He’s the best. Georgie says, you don’t ask that kind of question. It’s private. Sasha and Cody go into the boathouse, and Cody says he’s sorry for putting her on the spot in front of an audience. She says, his family, and he says, for better or worse. She says she doesn’t know about that, but she knows she thinks she’d like to be his girlfriend. He says, thinks? and she says she knows that she knows. He says, so they’re doing this? and she says she guesses so. They kiss, and outside, Tracy says, so this is where breakfast is.

Carly asks if Jason thinks she and Lulu have similar personalities, and he says he never thought about it. But he can safely say no one in the world is like her. She says, Dante called her out and said she and Lulu weren’t particularly close in the years before Lulu’s coma. It’s a shame. They were tight once. They got each other. She saw a lot of herself in Lulu. Jason says, she could be tough, and she says, you wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. She was funny and could make or take a joke. She was smart and it was easy with them until… He says, it wasn’t? and she says she misses that Lulu, the one who got her, and she got into trouble with. She misses her cousin and wants her back.

Cody comes out with Sasha, and Tracy says she wanted Hades saddled, but she can see he’s otherwise engaged. And here’s the quiche she’s been smelling, but then was met with a box of instant oatmeal in the kitchen. Sasha says, there’s more than enough, and Tracy thanks her for the offer of food made in her kitchen. She’s just curious. Who asked Sasha to cater a brunch for the Scorpio people? Sasha says she asked Olivia, but Tracy says, it’s not Olivia’s to offer. She doesn’t pay Sasha to feed people who’ve wandered onto the property. Sasha says, it’s her day off. She invited them and paid for the food. Cody asks, what’s the problem? and Tracy says, he’s overstepped his bounds. She starts berating him, and Mac says, that’s enough.

Lois asks if Brook and Chase have talked about having a family, and Brook says, of course (🍷). They both know they want children. That’s not the issue. Lois asks, what is? and Brook says, they have no timetable or plan. Lois says, when they’re ready, they’ll figure it out, but Brook says, what if they’re not on the same page? Lois says she doesn’t see that happening, and Brook says, they both have professional goals. What if they don’t reach them at the same time? Lois says, they’ve barely been married 6 months. They’re young and have plenty of time. Brook says, it keeps running on a loop in her head non-stop, and Lois says, her biological clock is ticking? Brook says, sometimes it’s deafening, and Lois says, other times? Brook says she gets scared. They already have so much going on with their jobs and taking care of Violet. And they’re not married that long. If they throw a baby in the mix, what if it’s too much?

Michael tells Josslyn that he tried to punish their father for over two years, but it didn’t make him feel better. It amplified the pain, and he almost lost Willow. She asks if he’s telling her to just let it go, and he says, she can’t control their mom any more than their mom can control her. Just trust she knows what she’s doing. Josslyn says, it’s hard, but he says, she can do it. He has faith.

On the phone, Sonny says, find out where Ric is staying and let him know if he leaves. Natalia comes in and he asks what brings her by. She says she was at a meeting for Deception and the dead FBI agent came up. He says, what a tragedy, and she says she’s not so sure about that, but the murder isn’t what she’s concerned about. It’s the repercussions of his investment. He says, how so? and she says, Tracy Quartermaine is under the perception that he’s involved in the shooting. He laughs and says, she’s not the most reliable source. She says, Tracy thinks he’s a person of interest and he says, a lot of people are of interest. Cates had a lot of enemies. She says, be that as it may, Tracy may be able to invoke the morality clause, and he says, that’s where she comes in to protect his investment. She says, they have to face reality and move forward accordingly, and he says his daughter lost her child and might be charged with manslaughter. How does he move forward from that?

Carly says she keeps wishing her mom was here, and Jason says, she was the ultimate family matriarch. She say she thought that was Lila, and he says, they both earned the title. So will she. She says, that’s why she feels it’s important. Bobbie kept them all together and now that she’s gone, it’s her job to step up and do anything possible to bring Lucky home. She’s okay with cozying up to Jack. He says, then he guesses he’s done talking. She doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to. She says she’s about to now. She’s about to ask him to go to Africa and bring Lucky home.

Mac says, if that’s the way Tracy treats her staff, it’s surprising anyone works for her. She should be ashamed. She hasn’t learned that no one likes a bully. James tells her to take his quiche. He gets cranky when he’s hungry too. He thinks she’s hangry. Tracy thanks him, but tells them to enjoy their brunch with the family. She’ll go back to the house and see what she can scare up. She leaves, and Georgie says she can’t believe James called Tracy hangry. Felicia says, and lived to tell the tale. Mac and Cody go inside, and Cody thanks Mac for stepping in to defend Sasha. Mac says, it was no big deal, but Cody says, it was to him. Maxie says, Tracy shouldn’t use her authority like that, not with Cody or his girlfriend. Cody says, thank God she said yes. He’d be embarrassed if she hadn’t. Mac says he’s glad he was here to witness it, and Cody says, him too. He’s glad for all of this. He thanks Mac for welcoming him into the family, and Mac thanks Cody for his patience until he could, and they hug.

Carly says, Jason is going to hate this. Jack is getting her Lucky’s location and when he does, she’ll give it to him. He has to find Lucky and bring him home. He says he will, and she says, Lucky knows and trusts him, and he has mercenary skills. He tells her that he said he’d go, and she says, he’s not the one she’s trying to convince. He already spent time away from his sons. She and his sons can’t lose him again. He says he promises to do everything to bring Lucky home, and she says, you too. He says, me too, and her phone rings. She says, it’s Jack.  

Josslyn says she thought she and Michael would be on the same page about Sonny, but he says, sometimes you’ve got to turn the page. She says, dad let him down, but he’s still loyal despite everything. Is it worth it to him? He says, his family is worth it, all of them, and dad is a part of it.  

Natalia says she’s so sorry. She knows this is low on Sonny’s list, especially with everything going on. How is Kristina? He says, Natalia is doing her job and doing it well. He’s seen the numbers. She thanks him, but says, still more important, how is Kristina and how is he? He says he’s worried about his little girl. Just when she gets her feet on the ground, they’re taken out. Cates did everything he could to her, but it wasn’t about Kristina. He’s glad Cates is gone. She says she doesn’t blame him, and he says, Kristina’s mother may take the fall. She says, that’s crazy, and asks if he can keep it from happening. He says, Alexis will not go down for murder on his watch.

Lois says, it sounds like Brook and Chase holding off for now is the most comfortable, but Brook says, it’s not. Ever since Violet brought it up, it’s all she can think about. She’s wondering if they should start trying. How does Lois feel about becoming a nonna sooner rather than later?  

Tomorrow, Tracy says, tell her it’s a lie; Alexis asks if Sonny is afraid that she’ll incriminate Kristina or him; and Carly tells Jack that Lulu’s life is on the line. There’s no time to waste.

⚖️ Justice For Johnny…

No surprise, he’s the one not actually charged with murder. Hopefully, the judge and/or jury takes this cowardice into consideration when the others are sentenced. Even better, I hope this second-string player testifies against them.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/johnny-wactor-murder-case-suspect-pleads-guilty

🍊 8 Oranges + 9 Lemons = …

Tamra felt Alexis needed as much support as Shannon. If I’d been on the show, here’s where I would look at the camera like Jim in The Office. Alexis said she’d stayed in her room for 13 hours because she didn’t want to kick Shannon when she was down. Another look at the camera, and I ask, why did you bring up those videos then? One group, including Alexis, went to a cooking class, while another, including Shannon, went to be zen in the forest. For sure I’d take the latter rather than baking with Tamra and Alexis. Alexis claimed she wanted to find a way to coexist, yet that’s definitely not what her actions are saying. We flashed back to Johnny J. saying he’s never loved anyone as deeply as he loves Shannon, and in Shannon’s interview, she said she felt stupid. She shouldn’t. Both Johnny J. and his new lady love are a-holes.

Heather didn’t give a flying what was going on. She was solely focused on her Family Equality fashion event and only cared if the women were still walking in it. Katie felt Gina had set her up, but Gina insisted she’d done nothing. Yeah. She only pushed Katie to say something to Fancy Pants about the paparazzi thing, then backed away not so slowly.

Emily pressed Shannon and Alexis to talk. Shannon said she’d had two days from hell, and the trip put her over the edge. I still can’t believe I’m on Team Shannon for any reason, but this whole thing is, as Emily so aptly put it, dirty and salacious. Shannon told Alexis that she wasn’t interested in talking, and I’ve got to admire her honesty. She said it with no malice, just told her truth, and Beador walked out the door.

From a different angle.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhoc-recap-heather-and-gina-face-off-at-gay-rights-weekend

Random OC event.

👠 Not Quite DC…

Was it St. Patrick’s Day? Premieres October 6th.

⚰️ Dead Happenings…

 I didn’t even know Carol had a last name. Wednesday September 18th, 7 pm, Industry City Courtyard, Brooklyn. Get the rest of the deets here.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/the-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-the-book-of-carol-special-advanced-screening-01j7k56qvz1e

Friday October 18th at the Javits Center in NYC.

https://www.thepopverse.com/live-the-walking-dead-twd-universe-dead-city-daryl-dixon-book-of-carol-nycc-2024-announce

This season, they braid each other’s hair.

https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-walking-dead-reedus-mcbride-on-that-friendship-bracelet-scene/

Random Dead item. This looks like your typical slasher film with a little historical storyline thrown in. I’ve found a lot of good and good/bad horror films on Tubi, and I’d definitely give this one a whirl. The trailer looks good, but it could go either way.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/watch-walking-dead-actor-in-devilreaux-horror-movie-for-free-on-tubi-01j7dtx6vhr4

🏆 Small Screen Kudos…

September 15th, 8 pm, on ABC.

https://ew.com/2024-emmys-everything-to-know-8708379

🌟 Guess They Were Wrong…

Don’t let these people pick your ponies for you.

https://ew.com/lady-gaga-responds-stefani-germanotta-never-famous-facebook-group-8711221

🐕 Nothing Eccentric About It…

My favorite chihuahua. Aside from my own of course.

https://people.com/demi-moore-says-sleeping-with-her-dogs-is-part-of-eccentric-nighttime-routine-8709867

The tiny and the mighty. Pilaf and Bing sitting in a tree…

https://people.com/demi-moores-tiny-chihuahua-pilaf-meets-great-dane-from-the-friend-8708705

🐎 Stay Gold, Ponyboy…

Stop in tomorrow and wind down with soap and a cornucopia of entertaining elements. Until then, stay safe, stay not rushing the season, and stay knowing that sometimes you’ve got to turn the page.

October 13, 2023 – The Wedding Is On, Thought, Back, Fitting, MIA, A Goodbye, Salty Talk, Postscript, Hard Times, Back To the 80s, Dead Stuff, Costumed Pets (!), Totally Ten Quotes & Monster

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Curtis lifts weights, when there’s a knock at the door. He wheels himself over to open it, and Stella asks if it’s a bad time. He says, not at all, if she doesn’t mind waiting for him to finish another set. She says, not at all, and comes in. She asks if somebody else is here, but he says, no, just him, picking up one of the weights. He asks if she thinks they shouldn’t have left him alone, and she asks if she said that. He says, no, and she says, he’s been on his own for a while now, and he’s doing just fine. He works with the weight, and says, she’s been tracking him, huh? She says she always has; she’s not going to change now. He’s working hard; very impressive. He says he’s just trying to keep it all together, and she says, he’s doing more than keeping it together. She’s very proud of him. He thanks her and says, all these exercises, in fact everything he does, is for Trina and Portia and Marshall. She says, how’s that? and he says, every morning there’s a part of him that doesn’t want to get out of bed. Then he thinks about his family. They need him, and he will not let them down. There’s a knock at the door, and Stella says she’ll get it. She opens it to Selina and says, what do you want?

TJ tells Portia he heard a rumor going around. The buzz is totally positive. She says she has no idea what he’s talking about, but he says, spill. She says she doesn’t want to talk about it yet. Not until she gets a chance to tell Curtis, and she wants to tell him in person. He’s going to be so hurt if he finds out everyone at GH knew before he did. She’s trying to sneak out of here so she can see him. TJ says, he’s going to be thrilled.

Josslyn knocks on the door at Windymere, and Giles answers. He asks if he can help her, and she says, he probably doesn’t remember her, but she’s Josslyn Jax, Avery’s older sister. He says, of course (🍷). What can he do for her? She says she’s looking for Ava. She never picked Avery up from the nanny last night. Giles invites her in.

A guard walks Cyrus to the visiting room, and Cyrus says, another visitor during off hours? He sees Laura, and she says, hello, Cyrus.

Austin sits at his desk and flashes back to him telling the judge that Cyrus is weak because of his heart attack, and no longer a physical threat to anybody. He says, yeah, weak like a great white shark is weak. He remembers telling Mason that he did what was asked and to let Ava go, and Mason saying, neither one of them call the shots. There’s a knock at the door, and Dex says, sorry to bother him, but has he seen Ava Jerome?

Puerto Rico. Here Comes the Bride plays as Nina walks to Sonny, and everyone looks all happy. The priest welcomes everyone and says, they’ve been blessed with a beautiful day to witness the joining in matrimony of Michael Sonny Corinthos and Nina Reeves. This is a joyful occasion, and a solemn one. Marriage as a traditional ceremony is an honorable one, not to be entered into lightly, but a pledge between two people to honor, support, and love one another for the rest of your lives. Is that the pledge they’re willing to make? Nina says, we are, and Sonny says, yeah, we are.

Selina says she’s here to see her friend, but Stella says, she doesn’t have any friends here. And no way she’s buying any with that gift basket. Stella looks at the bodyguard holding a basket of fruit behind Selina, and Curtis says, it’s okay. Selina’s a business associate. Stella says, uh-huh, and Selina walks in. (Oooh. The bodyguard has a bakery box too.) Selina says, his aunt is very protective. She admires that in a family. Stella excuses herself, and Curtis asks what Selina is doing here. She says, he’s been back home for a while now. She thought she’d give him some time to get accustomed to his new life. He says, that was considerate, and she says she hopes now he’s come to his senses and is ready to sell her The Savoy.

Cyrus says, what an unexpected and wonderful surprise. He didn’t know Laura was back from her trip. She says, they just got back, and he says, and she chose to come and see him. He’s touched. She says, he cut his hair, and shaved, and… He says, since he found his true calling, he didn’t find the need to hide behind appearances, and she says, he looks great. So tell her, how is he feeling? He says, their brother told her about his little medical problem, and she says she doesn’t know that she’d call a heart attack a little medical problem, and she’s glad Marty told her. He asks if Martin also told her that it was her aura that pulled him through in his darkest hour, but she says, it was Drew Cain who saved his life. He says, without the will to live, his CPR might not have been effective, but he is a good man. She says, he’s a very good man. That’s why it’s such a shame he’s in here with… Cyrus says, with men like me. He gets the feeling checking on his health isn’t the only reason she’s here. She says she heard about his application for early release, and he asks if she’s here as his sister or the mayor.

Giles says he’s also concerned about Miss Jerome’s whereabouts, and Josslyn says, so she hasn’t been here? He says, she was home when he left. That was night before last. She didn’t mention any plans to be away, but when he came to work yesterday, she wasn’t here. She never came home. Josslyn says, so no maid or no housekeeper has seen her, and he says, no one on the staff has seen or heard from her, but he did find a broken martini glass on the floor here. He points near the fireplace, and says, it could have been an accident. Perhaps she’s staying with her friend Miss Reeves? Josslyn says, no. Nina’s in Puerto Rico getting married. He says, Dr. Gatlin-Holt’s been a frequent guest recently. He was under the impression the doctor and Miss Jerome might be close.

Austin says, recently, no, he hasn’t seen Ava, and Dex asks if he remembers the last time he saw or heard from her. Austen says, two or three days ago. Why is Dex asking him this? Dex says, she hasn’t been to her art gallery, and no one has seen or heard from her, and Austin says, Dex works for Sonny Corinthos; is he right about that? Dex says, yeah, and Austin says, a couple of days ago, Ava mentioned she was thinking of maybe taking a trip to New York. She said there was an artist she was interested in signing. Dex says, that could be very helpful, and thanks Austin for his time. Austin says, no problem, and as he walks past Dex, Dex punches him in the stomach and gets him in a headlock. As Austin struggles to breathe, Dex says, Sonny has a daughter with Ava Jerome, so he cares about her. If he finds out Austin has something to do with her disappearance, he’ll be back, and he won’t be asking questions. He lets Austin go and walks out.

In the hallway, Dex’s phone rings, and Josslyn tells him that she thinks she might have found something.

The priest says, it’s his understanding Sonny and Nina have elected to say their own vows, and Nina hands her bouquet to Willow. Sonny says he guesses Nina wants him to go, and she says, yeah. They join hands, and Sonny says he spent all morning writing his vows. They’re in his pocket, but when he looked in Nina’s eyes, he felt like he didn’t need to write his vows because he can always speak from his heart to her. He thanks her for trusting and loving him, and for seeing the better man in him than he ever saw in himself. He appreciates her kindness and her strength and her willingness to fight for their love, even though everybody was against them. When they doubted they should be together, they did everything they could to get through it, and here they are. He’s convinced more now that they belong together, because of how he feels right now in the moment. How he always does; she makes him secure. He knows she loves him and he loves her that much more, and he always will.

Selina asks Curtis to just hear her out. She’ll keep the entire staff at The Savoy – Stella walks back in – and the entire name of the club will remain. He and his entire family will have VIP memberships for life, and she’ll increase her original offer to twice what he paid for the club. He says, that’s an extremely generous offer, and she says she agrees. So what does he say? He thinks a moment and asks why she’s determined to buy his club. Why doesn’t she start her own and find a location that’s half the price? Stella says, good question.

Cyrus says, in case Laura is wondering, he has no idea how the judge is going to rule. He hasn’t heard anything yet. Now that she’s back, will she oppose his release? She says, he looks as strong and healthy as the day he got in here, but that said, she’s not a doctor. And as the mayor, she doesn’t interfere with judicial decisions. He says he supposes putting in a good word for her brother is out of the question, and she says, yes. He asks if Marty also told her that he gave away all of his money.

Dex arrives at Windymere, and Giles lets him in. Josslyn introduces Giles, and says, Giles told her that Ava hasn’t been home since night before last, and nobody on the staff has seen or heard from her. Dex says, she told him that she found something, and she says, this cellphone and this lollypop. The cellphone was under the coffee table, and the lollypop was just kind of sticking out of the couch. And Giles found a broken martini glass on the floor. Giles says, Miss Avery must have dropped the lollypop last time she was here, but Josslyn says, this isn’t Avery’s. Dex asks how she knows, and she says, because it’s grape and Avery hates grape. So somebody else had to have been here. And Ava would have never left her cellphone in case Avery needed to get in touch with her. Dex says he saw cameras everywhere as he walked up to the house. There have to be more, right? Giles says, yes, and Dex says he needs to see the footage from the minute Giles left Ava.

Nina says, to be honest, she never imagined she’d be here right now with Sonny. It’s actually the last thing she ever expected or wanted, and she fought it for a very long time. She kept telling herself that they would never work, and as she kept saying that, her heart kept falling deeper and deeper in love with him. And she couldn’t fight her heart anymore, could she? Or him. His charm, his humor, his compassion, his courage, his loyalty… his dance moves. What more could a person ask for in someone they love? Then she saw him parent his children, who he fiercely loves, and how he’s willing to fight for them, for their protection. She’s always wanted that family, since she was a little girl. Her daughter is now a part of her life – she looks at Willow – and the two of them are part of his family. He’s given her so much. He’s given her a family. And she wants to give him something. She’s going to surround him with love for his entire life; she promises him that. And they can leave all their mistakes behind them. She’ll walk with him, hand in hand, right beside him, loving him, for the rest of his life.

Selina tells Curtis that she doesn’t have the time or the inclination to open a new club. It’s too much work and she has a busy schedule. The Savoy is already established; that’s why she’ll be paying him top dollar for it. Stella asks if he heard how Selina made it sound like it’s a done deal, when Portia walks in. Selina tells her, good afternoon, and Stella says, she got here just in time. Miss Wu brought them a basket filled with treats. Why doesn’t Portia have a seat and she’ll make them some tea so they can all get to know each other better. She asks what kind of tea Selina would like, and Selina says, that’s kind of her, but she has another appointment. Stella says, that’s just too bad. Maybe another time then. She opens the front door, and Selina nods to her bodyguard. She tells Curtis that she’ll be in touch, and he thanks her for the basket. I want to know what’s in the bakery box. Selina leaves with the guard, and Stella closes the door, putting her back against it, and says, amen.

Dex looks at a tablet, and Giles says, he can see the front entrance is well-covered by several cameras. Dex says, there Giles is, leaving. This is the night before last. Ava was alone when he left? Giles says, yes. Feel free to examine the rest of the footage. He must check on a delivery. Please help Miss Jerome. He leaves, and Dex points at the tablet, saying, there. Someone’s coming in. Josslyn says she sees him, but she can’t see his face; he’s wearing a hood. They keep watching, and Dex says, they’re at about twenty minutes later. Josslyn says, there’s Ava. She’s with him, but Josslyn can’t tell if her hands are tied or if she’s just walking super close to him. Dex suggests they check the dock camera around that time… They didn’t use the launch. Josslyn says, he would still have to go back to Port Charles, no? and Dex says, right there. He has his own boat. That’s what they left on. If he and Josslyn want to see where they came ashore, they need to see the harbor security cameras and the traffic cameras from that time. They can’t do that without going to the cops. Josslyn says, there’s another way.

Josslyn knocks at an apartment door, and a voice asks, who knocks? She looks up at a camera and says, Spinelli, it’s Josslyn. You’re watching us through the security camera. Spinelli opens the door and says, greetings, clever girl. What brings them to his door?

Austin gives TJ a folder and says, the prognosis was very impressive. He coughs and drinks some water, and TJ asks if he’s all right. Austin says he’s fine. He went to a concert last night and he was very enthusiastic. TJ asks, who was the band? when Mason walks in. He says he’s sorry. His cousin here wanted to see him.

Cyrus tells Laura that he’s seen so much suffering in here, he thought his money could do more good trying to help these poor souls. She says, Marty did mention to her that he’d given some of his money to a recidivism organization, but he says, not some of his money, every dime. He says, she doesn’t believe that, and she says she guesses they’ll see, won’t they, if he’s granted his early release. He says, how little faith she has in her brother. They were ill-gotten gains. He’s come to realize and appreciate that. She says she hopes so, and he says, she doesn’t seem to doubt the generosity of her friend Sonny Corinthos when he gives away his dirty money. He’s not wrong.

The priest says, Sonny and Nina’s vows were so clearly from the heart. Now please repeat after him. They say the traditional vows; in sickness and health, forsaking all others until death do us part. The rings are exchanged, and the priest says, in the presence of God and these witnesses, they’re now husband and wife. What God has joined, let no one put asunder. He thinks they know what happens next. They laugh and Donna says, you’re supposed to kiss. They do, and everyone smiles.

Portia asks what that was about, and Stella says, that woman was trying… Curtis says, Selina came to talk business, but what is Portia doing here in the middle of the day? She says she wanted to tell him something in person, but she wanted it to be official. Stella says, for what to be official? and Portia says she’s been named Co-Chief of Staff at General Hospital. Curtis says, congratulations, and she says, it’s going to be a lot more administrative work and a lot of emails, but… Stella says, Portia knows she can handle all of that, and Curtis says, she’ll be great. Portia says, and it’s going to be a little extra money. Stella says, as it should be for all that extra work, and Curtis says, they’ll be very lucky to have her. He couldn’t be more proud of his intelligent, accomplished, and very gorgeous wife. She kisses him and says, thank you.

Dex tells Spinelli that they couldn’t download the video from the system at Windymere, so all they have is the footage he had access to. Josslyn says, they also found Ava’s cellphone at Windymere, but she doesn’t know how to get in. Can he break in? He says, he can, but it will take time Ava doesn’t have, and Dex says, let’s get back to what we’ve got. The butler departed the house at 10:57 that night. At 11:18, an unidentified figure, likely male, entered the house. There’s no footage from the interior, so we don’t know what happened inside, but at 11:59, the hooded figure left by the front door with Ava. They were close together. He appears to be leading her, and from her posture, it’s likely her hands were tied. They arrived at the docks at 12:03 am and left in a single engine outboard. That’s what we have. Spinelli says, well done, and Josslyn says, what they really need to know is where they docked the boat in Port Charles. Does he think he can get access to the harbor security and traffic cameras?

Austin tells TJ that the apologizes. His cousin is unaware of hospital protocol. Mason could have just interrupted a consultation with a patient. Mason says he’s sorry. He’s just a truck driver and doesn’t know anything about hospital protocols. So he hopes TJ can forgive him. TJ says, no problem. They’re finished. He thanks Austin and is about to leave, when he says, so Mason is a truck driver? and Mason says, used to be. Now he kind of does a little bit of everything. TJ says, it was good to see him again, Mason says, him too, and TJ leaves. He pauses for a moment outside the door, then walks on. Mason tells Austin, do not get high and mighty with him about manners. Austin said he needed to see him right away, so what’s going on? Austin says, Sonny Corinthos knows.

Laura says, Sonny has nothing to do with the way she views Cyrus, but he says he’s well-aware of that. He and Sonny were in the same kind of business for years, and he ever thought much about Sonny. But then he’d see Sonny treated with such reverence, an honored member of the Port Charles community with a respected family when he’s no better than Cyrus is. Again he’s not wrong.

Kristina congratulates Nina and welcomes her to the family, hugging her. Donna goes over to Sonny and says, her turn. He says, come here, girl. Give me a hug. He wants her to know something. Daddy always loves her. She knows that, right? She says she loves him, and they hug again. These two are too cute together. Donna asks Nina if she can call her Mama Nina now, and Nina says she would love nothing more. She hugs Donna.

Willow tells Sonny, congratulations, and hugs him. He says, her mother is the best thing that ever happened to him. He just wants her to know that she means everything to Nina. Willow smiles at him, and tells Nina, congratulations. Nina thanks her, and says, it means so much that she’s here. Willow hugs her, and I feel sick thinking about this all falling apart. Michael hugs Sonny and tells Nina, congratulations. Welcome to the family. He kisses her on the cheek.  

Stella says, this is definitely cause for a celebration, and Portia agrees. Stella says she’s taking the two of them out for dinner tonight to celebrate. Marshall and Trina too. Portia says, they can actually have dinner in here tonight, have some champagne. It’ll be a little bit more relaxing, right? Curtis says, no. Auntie’s right. This is a big deal and they should celebrate it, right? Stella tells him, you said it, baby.

Laura tells Cyrus that she supposes she and Sonny have the sort of friendship that surprises some people, but she had no idea it upset him that much. He says he’s sorry. He’s not upset at Sonny. He supposes he just envies Sonny’s life, and how Sonny seems to have a closer relationship with his sister than he does. She says she’s known Sonny for a very long time, and he says, he knows it’s unlikely, but if he does get his release, perhaps he and Laura can build a bond that’s even stronger than the one she has with Sonny. She kind of shrugs and smiles, and the guard says, time’s up. Cyrus says, wish me luck, and she tells him, good luck. He laughs and pats her hand. He thanks her so much for coming. He hopes to see her again very soon. He leaves with the guard.

Just for the record, I’m aware they spell the prison Pentonville on the show, but I think Pentenville looks more like penitentiary, so, artistic license. Like with Windymere.

Dex says, there. That was the boat. Josslyn is surprised he can see it, and Spinelli says, keen powers of observation. Here they are. Dex says, Pier 17, and Spinelli, the abductor, if that’s what he is, chose his spot well. See what’s around the pier? It’s all warehouses. They’d be deserted at that hour, so even if Ava were to call for help, he doesn’t think she’d be heard. Josslyn says, wait. He took off his hood. Dex asks if Spinelli can tighten it, and Spinelli says, yes, of course (🍷), but the cameras are not high res; it might be grainy. Dex says he knows that guy. That’s Austin Gatlin-Holt’s cousin… Mason.

Austin says, one of Sonny’s guys was here asking about Ava, and Mason says, so? Austin says, what does he mean, so? No one’s heard from her in a couple of days. Mason says, because she’s locked in a basement somewhere. Who cares? Austin says he cares. He cares very much. Mason says, that’s sweet. His cousin is in love. Austin says he’s not joking around here. Don’t you hurt her. Mason says, Austin knows better than to threaten him, and Austin asks if it isn’t enough that Ava spent all this time thinking she killed Nikolas, and Nikolas is alive and well. He’s fine; he’s in Europe. Mason says he didn’t tell the guy to take off. He and Cyrus were the ones who kept him alive in the first place. Austin says, Nikolas is Cyrus’s nephew, and Mason says, forgive him. Cyrus has never struck him as the sentimental type about family, but Austin says, maybe they’re wrong about that. Mason needs to convince Cyrus to leave Ava alone. If that guy comes back for him… Mason says, put him off, but Austin says, no. He thought he already had. He punched Austin in the gut and grabbed him in a chokehold. He said, if anything happens to Ava, he’s coming back for Austin. Mason says, looks like you’ve got a problem, cuz.

Sonny and Nina, and Michael and Willow slow dance, while Kristina dances with the kids. Michael’s phone dings, and he says he has to take this real quick. He’ll be back. Willow calls Wiley over to dance with her, and Sonny asks if he can dance with his little girl. Donna says, yeah, and much cuteness happens. Willow suggests Wiley ask his grandmother to dance, and Wiley asks Nina if she wants to dance. She says, does she? Yeah. They dance as much as you can dance with a three-foot height difference. On the side, Michael says he’s at a family function. He can’t talk long. So, they have the name of the person who turned Drew Cain in to the SEC?

We don’t see his face, but a man tells Michael, the SEC was contacted by a lawyer named Martin Grey, acting on behalf of a client. Michael says, Grey was just a go-between. He needs the name of the person who pointed the SEC to his mom and Drew… He turns around and looks at Nina having a grand old time with Wiley. Ugh. I mean, I get it. She did wrong, but I still feel badly about it since it all finally came together, and everyone is so happy.

Curtis reaches for his water, and Portia tries to help, but he says he’s got it. Doesn’t she have to go back to the hospital, Co-Chief of Staff? She laughs and says she does actually, and he says he’s going to take a shower and he’ll see her tonight. She says she can’t wait, and he wheels himself out of the room. Stella suggests Portia take the basket over to the hospital for the nurses to enjoy, and Portia says, okay. When she gets closer, Stella lowers her voice and says, Portia doesn’t have to do everything. She just got a wonderful well-deserved job and she’ll be making more money. Portia says, right, and The Savoy is making money, and Stella says, but Curtis isn’t there. In his mind, he’s not making a dime. Curtis needs her, he needs all of them, to live out their lives as normally as possible and not walk on eggshells around him. He can go out the restaurant and have a fine time. Portia says she was just thinking he’ll be more comfortable here, that’s all, but Stella says, if something is making Curtis uncomfortable, he’s a grown man and he can tell them himself. Believe her. She knows Curtis and he will. Portia says, okay, and thanks her. They hug, and Stella hands Portia the basket. Portia asks if she’s sure, and Stella says, absolutely. They don’t want nothing that woman has to offer, but she will be keeping the baked goods. Portia takes the basket and leaves.

Josslyn asks if Dex is sure that’s the same guy, and Dex says, positive. Maybe Mason has ties to someone working against Sonny; he’s not sure who yet. Josslyn asks how he can tell from this picture, and Dex says, when he was following Mason, he always had a lollypop in his mouth. Josslyn says, that would explain the grape lollypop at Ava’s, and Spinelli says, here we go. The vehicle that Ava and Mason got in is registered to a Pautuck Trucking Company, Pautuck, New York. Dex says he’s going to need a list of all the employees employed by the trucking company and their addresses, as well as any properties owned or leased by the trucking company. He tells Josslyn, that’s where they’ll find Ava.

Austin says, Mason’s right. He has a problem. Because for some reason, Cyrus hates Sonny Corinthos. Can Mason please explain that to him, because he doesn’t understand. Isn’t there enough to go around for everybody? There’s plenty there. At least there used to be. Mason says he doesn’t get it either. Honestly, he thinks the whole thing started when the boss found out Mayor Collins was his sister. Austin asks, what’s that got to do with anything? and Mason says he doesn’t know. He’s just telling Austin, that’s when Cyrus started mentioning Sonny more and more. He would rant on and on about Corinthos and the life he had. Austin says, what life? They both have the same life. They’re mob bosses. Mason says, he called Sonny respectable. It’s almost as if it’s something he wanted for himself and doesn’t have. Austin says, so his life is in danger because Cyrus is jealous of Sonny Corinthos, but Mason says he thinks it goes deeper than that. Austin says, if that guy comes back, Sonny’s guy, he’s going to spill his guts. And they’re next move is to come after Mason, and then Mason will be as dead as him. Mason tells him, don’t do anything stupid. Austin’s only protection from Sonny is the boss, so just do as he’s told. Let the boss handle Sonny. He leaves.

Wiley and Donna chant, cake, cake, cake, and pound on the table. Sonny and Nina get ready to cut the cake, and Michael watches from the sidelines.

The guard says, this is it, opening the door, and Cyrus goes out into the sunshine wearing civilian clothes. He takes an envelope of the possessions he came with from the guard, and the guard says, he knows his way out. Cyrus says he certainly does, and tosses the envelope into a trashcan on his way to the gate.

Sonny and Nina cut the cake, and Sonny feeds Nina a piece. Michael watches.

Before going through the gate, Cyrus takes a deep breath and smiles.

Sonny and Nina wipe icing off of Donna and Wiley’s faces. Michael glares at Nina. This is bad.

The prison gate opens, and Cyrus walks out. He turns to look back at the prison.

Sonny and Nina kiss and drink champagne. Michael glares some more.

Cyrus gets in a car, and it drives away.

On Monday, Cody wonders if Sasha is going to walk away from her life after just getting it back; Willow says, Michael never told her who he was talking to; and Kristina asks what someone is doing here.

💭 A thought: Interesting that Nina and Cyrus have parallel goals of wanting a family and are both going about it all wrong.

🩺 The Doctor Was Out…

This is embarrassing. He’s my absolute favorite soap actor and I didn’t even realize he’d been gone for so long. Well, nice to have him back.

🧳In Sonny’s Defense…

The punishment fit the crime; being exiled to Bridgeport. And one of the funniest interactions ever, starting with her opening the door to give Sam the boot and him standing there.

🕵🏾 The Latest in Waldos…

It’s time to put him back on the canvas. Taggert is definitely underused.

🥀 Ringing Down the Curtain…

He had a wonderful run.

🗽 Her Face Is Irrelevant…

Doubtful she was joking considering her ego. Tribecca does not need her endorsement.

🧂 Four Teaspoons Of Salt…

This week in RHOSLC.

The slam.

The non-clap back.

To be filed under don’t care.

https://people.com/jen-shah-husband-sharrieff-shah-sends-50th-birthday-well-wishes-prison-exclusive-8303004

🍊 Orange You Done Yet…?

Fancy Pants Heather’s hint.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/style-living/rhoc-season-17-reunion-recap-heather-dubrows-new-house

It was pretty bold for one just released from banishment.

Apparently not too bold though, since the status quo stays the same.

💎 Possible Final Word…

So, they’re separated, but not divorcing, and it’s no one’s fault.

👠 Those 80s Ladies…

Normally, this wouldn’t be my type of film, but I do like an 80s flashback.

https://ew.com/tv/ladies-of-the-80s-lifetime-movie-first-look-photos/

https://people.com/ladies-of-the-80s-a-divas-christmas-lifetime-first-look-photos-8305219

⚰️ News Of the Departed…

Reddest herring in the world.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-daryl-dixon-melissa-mcbride-season-2/

It makes sense since Jadis was a huge part of the Rick story.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-adds-terry-o-quinn-pollyanna-mcintosh-teaser-photos/

There better be some good explanation of why Victor went from antihero to antichrist.

https://bleedingcool.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-season-8-scene-madison-victor-reunite-kinda/

Dead at the con.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/new-york-comic-con-2023-recap-the-walking-dead-universe-rick-michonne-daryl-dixon-carol-fear/#1

🐩 Best In Costume…

I could look at this stuff all day.

https://www.thelist.com/646383/the-best-celebrity-pet-halloween-costumes-ever/

https://www.hola.com/us/lifestyle/20211022325485/celebrity-halloween-costumes-pets-roundup-gallery-1/

📣 Quotes of the Week

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. – Bertrand Russell

If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content. – Leo Tolstoy

I could not tread these perilous paths in safety, if I did not keep a saving sense of humor. – Horatio Nelson

Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character; and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man. – Schopenhauer

Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension. – Joshua L. Liebman

Our experiences don’t define us. It’s what we’ve learned from them that matters. – Monkey D. Garp (Vincent Regan), One Piece

A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave. – Mahatma Gandhi,

Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence. – Henry David Thoreau

Few things will make you feel better than a job brilliantly done. – Robin S. Sharma

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping. – Gertrude Stein

🪄 Putting a Spell On You…

Visit again on Monday really Tuesday for soap and what’s happening in the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay never blowing out a Jack O’Lantern before midnight on Halloween, and stay being aware of hospital protocol before you barge into a doctor’s office.

June 23, 2023 – Judge Kim Overrides Drew’s Sentence, Sketchy, Memorable, VanderFilming, Ranks On Deck, Next Fear, Back In, Other Gigs, Shark Boss, Super Rescue, Twice Three Quotes & Out

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Judge Kim sentences Drew to three years, and Carly jumps up, saying, no! You can’t do that.

Ned says, Deanna seems like a really nice person. Trust him. He doesn’t belong here. He feels fantastic. Ask the shrink. Deanna says she just needs to check his vitals, and she’ll be out of his hair, calling him Mr. Quartermaine. He says, Eddie. It’s Eddie Maine.

Doc goes over to the waiting area, and Olivia asks if she’s getting her husband back. Brook asks if her dad is going to be okay, and Doc says, those are all valid questions. He’s afraid he doesn’t know how to say this… Brook says, no. Her father really believes he’s Eddie Maine? Doc says, he doesn’t just believe it. He is Eddie Maine.

Tracy says, so Brook’s solution to rid her son of his delusions is to lean into them? and Alexis tells her, she’s simply saying, if Tracy would let Ned try to work this out on his own, in his own time without constant opposition from her – Gregory comes down the hall and ducks behind the corner, listening – it might help him get better a little faster. Tracy asks when Alexis got her therapist certification. Did they hand it out with her last sobriety chip? Alexis says, you’re impossible, and Tracy says, you’re an idiot. Alexis says, charming, and Tracy says, and by the way, you’d think Alexis’s twelve steps would teach her not to impose her neuroses on Tracy’s son. Gregory comes out, and tells Tracy, he was too much of a gentleman to say it last time, but back the hell off.

Lucy tells Sasha that she wants to apologize for bringing up all that Cody stuff earlier. She was bad, and promises to never do it again. Sasha thanks her, and Lucy says, except it would be great if… Sasha says, Lucy… and Lucy says, Cody could be just snapped up like that by somebody else. Sasha says, don’t be greedy; she has a guy. Lucy says she does, and she wouldn’t trade Marty for anything. At the beginning, it’s kind of delicious, when you’re wondering, not knowing… Sasha says she always found it torturous, but Lucy says, not her. Even as a little girl, she’d get a daisy and do that old petal pluck thing. He loves me, he loves me not… Martin shows up with a bouquet of daisies, and says, he definitely loves you, kissing her.

At The Savoy, Sonny says, nothing’s too good for the woman he’s going to marry, and he and Nina clink champagne glasses. She says, he’s making her blush; no easy task. He tells her, get used to it, when Dex walks in with Josslyn. They come over to Sonny’s table, and Dex says, it looks like they had the same idea. Josslyn asks if Sonny knows how it’s going for Drew and her mom.

Judge Kim says, one more outburst and he’ll have Carly removed, and Carly says she’s sorry, but there must be some kind of mistake. There was a deal on the table. They agreed six months in Spring Ridge, not three years. The judge says, there was a deal in place, however, sentencing is up to the court; not just duration, but location. Due to the gravity of the charges, the court has decided Andrew Cain will serve out those three years in Pentenville Penitentiary.

Tracy says, Gregory has a habit of sticking his nose in other people’s conversations, and Alexis thanks him, but says she doesn’t need defending from Tracy. She’s had years of practice. She sees Gregory has had some experience with her too. Gregory says, they just met the other day, when she was berating his son Chase, and Tracy asks if he means when she was reminding Chase of everything her granddaughter did to get him reinstated as a cop. And they’re back together, so you’re welcome. Feel free to apologize any time. He says he was hoping to clear the air when he saw her again, but after seeing how she treated his friend here, he thinks she’s entitled to something else from him. Tracy asks what that would be, and he says, a lesson in etiquette. He’d be happy to teach her free of charge. Alexis smiles.

Brook says, it’s only temporary, right? Her dad will be her dad again. Olivia says, of course (🍷) he will. He’ll be back to being impossible and lovable as ever… Right? Doc says he wishes he could tell them everything will be back to normal in no time, but he can’t. As she knows, Dr. Ashford ordered a battery of neurological tests, and the team has gone over the results. They’re dealing with a traumatic brain injury. But the neurological indicators and the behavior of the patient himself would indicate something else, something more than a simple case of memory loss. Olivia asks him to break it down, and Doc says, for everything they’ve learned about the human brain, it’s still a mystery. For some reason, Ned’s brain has superimposed over the thoughts and feelings of Ned Quartermaine, with the thoughts and feelings of…

Ned tells Deanna, Eddie Maine. M-A-I-N-E, like the state. He’s telling her, there’s nothing wrong with him – Deanna reaches into her pocket for a syringe – that some fresh air and a room of his own won’t cure. So please, get him out of here. She says, of course (🍷) she will, and injects him. He asks what she gave him, and immediately conks out.

Lucy asks how Martin knew she was thinking about daisies, and he says, it’s a lucky coincidence. He’s using her favorite flower to apologize for being so incredibly busy lately. After today, he promises his clients are going to be breathing a whole lot easier, and he can spend time on them. She says, he is a winner. He’s definitely the best lawyer in town. He says, it’s not his client’s case, but they definitely have a stake in the outcome, and Sasha asks who they are; anyone she knows? Martin flashes back to telling Nina that he’ll do everything in his power to make sure no one knows it was her who tipped off the SEC about Drew and Carly, and tells Sasha that he’s sorry. Attorney/client privilege, and he’s already said too much. What are they up to? Lucy says, Deception and more Deception, but specifically, The Deceptor. Sasha says, sales are through the roof. It seems their clients really appreciate a product that does what it promises to do. Lucy agrees, and says, she promises The Deceptor is going to change the lives of women, men, and human beings everywhere, especially the three humans sitting at this table. And to think she owes it all to him.

Sonny says he hasn’t heard anything from the courthouse, and Josslyn says she’s just glad her mom isn’t facing prison time, thanks to Drew. Nina says, it was very noble of Drew, and Josslyn says, some people know how to put aside their needs for the sake of others. Sonny asks if he can talk to Josslyn a second, and she says, sure. They step away, and Dex sits down. Nina says, they really haven’t had a chance to get to know each other. Now that she and Sonny are… Why don’t they start at the beginning. Please call her Nina. Despite what he might have heard about her, they want the same thing.

Carly asks why the judge would sentence Drew to Pentenville. He hasn’t committed a violent crime; he hasn’t committed a crime at all. This is one big mistake. Judge Kim tells Carly, sit down before I knock you down he holds her in contempt, and Drew asks her to sit. She does, and Zeke says, Miss Spencer may be out of order, but the point she made is valid. His client has admitted to insider trading. He’s taken responsibility for his actions, and the US Attorney has agreed to sentence him to a minimum-security facility; standard practice for a non-violent crime. Judge Kim says, standard practice is subject to circumstance and interpretation by the presiding judge. Zeke says, Mr. Cain is not a common criminal. He’s a respected member of the community. He’s a decorated Navy SEAL. Recently, he even worked with the government to save hostages taken by Victor Cassadine. Are all these things just going to be ignored and forgotten? The judge says, on the contrary. It’s actually because of all those things that he can’t look the other way. There aren’t two sets of laws in this community. One for the privileged – yes, that includes heroes – and one for the rest. No one is above the law. That’s why he’s having Mr. Cain taken from this courthouse and remanded to Pentenville immediately.

Zeke asks the judge to give Mr. Cain time to get his affairs in order. Mr. Cain has a family, including a young daughter, in addition to all the people at his business, Aurora Media, who depend on him. He’s not a flight risk. The SEC lawyer says, the government has no objection to counsel’s request, and Zeke says he agrees with the judge; no one is above the law. The days of privilege superseding accountability are rightly numbered. With that being said, he also believes justice without mercy is hollow and meaningless. Wouldn’t Judge Kim agree?

Martin says, Lucy is giving him way too much credit. The Deceptor is 100% her baby. The credit is 100% hers. Sasha says, Lucy just walked into the office that morning and started spinning this new idea. Could Martin have had something to do with it? Martin says he didn’t, but Lucy says, he did. Stop it. She loves the fact they did this together. Sasha says she wants details, and Lucy says, as she probably knows, every good story begins in bed. Isn’t that right, my magic man?

Tracy says, if anyone needs an etiquette class, it’s Gregory. Maybe he could get his other son to give him lessons, because Finn knows how to… Alexis says, all right. That’s enough. Take a breath. Everyone to their neutral corner. Tracy says she’ll leave Alexis to her friend, because she has real issues to deal with; her son and her family. Real issues that need real compassion. Something Gregory wouldn’t understand. Gregory says he understands a lot more than Tracy thinks. Do them both a favor and stay away from Chase. Tracy says, if he’s as smart as his son – and she means Finn, not the other one – he will stay the hell away from her. She walks off, and Gregory asks Alexis, friend of hers?

Brook says, her father’s brain wants him to be Eddie Maine? and Chase says he doesn’t understand. Ned has everything a man could want; a lobing family, a successful job, standing in the community. Why would he want to give up all that just to relive his glory days? Olivia says, this is all her fault, and Tracy joins them. Olivia says, if she’d just believed Ned about turning in Carly and Drew to the SEC. If she’d only believed him sooner… Tracy says, please. Leave it to Olivia to make this all about herself. Brook tells Olivia not to listen to her. She’s just as scared as the rest of them, but granny’s fear comes out as mean. Tracy says, scared? Her? What Ned needs is a cold splash of water and a good talking to. Olivia says, that is the last thing he needs right now, and Doc says he understands emotions are running high, but turning on each other won’t help anything. Brook says, no wonder dad wants to be Eddie Maine. Can they blame him for wanting a break from this family? She leaves, and Chase follows her.

Brook and Chase go into Ned’s room, and Brook asks if he’s okay. Deanna says she had to give him a sedative to calm him down. Deanna leaves, and Brook says, poor daddy. This whole thing started when they thought he blew the whistle on Carly and Drew. If someone else is to blame, why won’t they come forward?

Nina says she and Dex both care about Sonny. And don’t tell her it’s just a job when Dex took a bullet for him. Thank you for that, by the way. He says, boss dies, he loses his health plan, and Nina says, Dex likes him, she loves him. That makes them both Team Sonny. Now that she and Sonny are getting married, she hopes he keeps an open mind, despite what others say about her. He says, by others she means Josslyn? and she says, all she’s asking is that he reserve judgement until he realizes she wants to keep Sonny safe and happy even more than he does. He says, and she wants him to convince Joss to give her a chance.

Sonny says he’s surprised Josslyn and Dex are still together, and she asks, why? He says, she came to his office and wanted him to fire Dex. She didn’t like Dex working for him. She says, Sonny told her it was up to Dex to ask him that, and Sonny says, it was, but Dex wants to stay in the organization. He wants more than a paycheck; he wants to belong. Dex made peace with him. How about her?

Judge Kim says he’s granting Mr. Cain one week to get his affairs in order. However, he must surrender his passport and remain within the city limits of Port Charles until he turns himself in to the authorities for transport to Pentenville. Zeke thanks the judge, and Judge Kim says, should Zeke’s client not appear, he will be treated as a fugitive, and those three years in Pentenville will seem like a long weekend. This hearing is adjourned. The bailiff says, all rise, and the judge leaves. Zeke gives over Drew’s passport, and Carly hugs Drew.

Carly asks, what happened? It was supposed to be six months in Spring Ridge. Zeke says, this isn’t over. He knows with Drew’s skill set, it’s tempting to disappear, but Drew says, when he gives his word, he keeps it. Zeke leaves, and Drew says he’s going to be around here for a while, so why doesn’t Michael take his mother… Carly says she’s not leaving, but Drew says, it’s going to be a while. She says, they have seven days, and hugs him. Michael says, whatever Drew needs. If there are any resources he can provide, he’s here. Just like Drew has been for him and Willow. Michael leaves, and Carly and Drew hug some more.

Lucy says she remembers there was a half-moon shining through the window, and she was lying in Marty’s arms. It was almost like the moon was winking at her; like it knew something. She remembers thinking, this is so yummy, and maybe a little sad because they missed out on time together when they were apart. She wished they could just stop the clock. It was so interesting. All of a sudden, she guesses Martin heard her because he was awake. He said, what if there was a formula or product that could just stop time? Martin says, for heaven’s sake. He was just thinking out loud. She says, he’s being modest again. He was buzzing with so many ideas, and she fell asleep with all that going on in her head. Sasha says, and then? and Lucy says, and then, that’s the best part. Because when she woke up, she knew it wasn’t a dream. It was a product that could actually conquer time, or at least delay it. That was when The Deceptor was born, and Marty was her magic muse. Sasha says, wow, but Martin tells her, don’t dare believe what Lucy is telling her. He swears it was Lucy Coe who took a raw idea, a concept, and perfected it. She’s the one. She made it her own. She’s one sexy genius. He kisses Lucy, and she says, and he’s a handsome, sexy, gallant muse. Sasha says, all this story needs is a fairytale ending. How about it? When are they getting married? They both look at her and say, never.

Gregory says, Finn warned him that Tracy can be quite the dragon, but as Alexis can see, Tracy barely laid a claw on him. She asks if he’s okay. What Tracy said about him not dealing with any real issues was awful. She has a heart of stone, but even she wouldn’t have said that if she actually knew… He says, there’s no reason Tracy should know anything about him. But what he doesn’t understand is why Tracy came down so hard on Alexis. There’s obviously history there. What did Alexis do to her? (I literally lol.) Alexis says, it’s what Tracy did to her. Did he ever hear the expression, first hurt, then hate? That’s Tracy to a T. That’s her M.O. He says, go on. How did Tracy hurt her?

Tracy says she’s going to see her son, but Olivia says, no, she is not. Now sit down and shut up. Tracy says she’s his mother, and Olivia says she’s his wife. What he needs is love and understanding right now; the kind he can get from his daughter, not some horrendous, bitchy monologue from Tracy. Doc says he thinks they may have just gotten a window into why Ned might prefer to be Eddie Maine, and Olivia says, to get away from his mother? Tracy says, or his marriage? Doc says, let’s not look at it as an escape, but rather a journey to find his true self. Tracy rolls her eyes.

Brook says, he looks so peaceful, like all his problems are a things of the past, when Ned grabs her wrist. He says, she wants to solve his problems? Bust him out of here – now.

Drew says, seven days is like a lifetime. They just have to put it in perspective, and think about everything Willow and Michael have been through and how they live day by day. She kisses him, and says she wants more time. He says, they’ll just have to live every day, every minute like it’s their last, and create enough memories until he comes back. She says, what about Scout? and he says he’ll spend time with Scout. When he’s not with her, he’ll be with Carly. He kisses her, and she says she can’t believe this is happening. He says, let’s not think about it like three years. They’ll think about it like 36 car payments. She says she’s so sorry, but he says, it’s going to be okay. She hugs him.

Nina asks if a good relationship between her and Josslyn isn’t good for Sonny as well, and Dex says, no disrespect, but while he’s loyal to Sonny, he’s also loyal to Josslyn. and she gets to make up her own mind. Nina says, but they’re talking about peace, and that’s always a good thing. She wouldn’t even suggest for him to intervene if she didn’t think it would be helpful to everyone, including him. He says he’ll think about it, but just to be clear, he’d never let anyone hurt Mr. Corinthos or Josslyn. Nina says, or Sonny’s wife, I trust, and he says, that goes without saying. As long as she’s important to Mr. Corinthos, she’s important to him.

Josslyn tells Sonny, Dex had this job before she knew him. It’s his life and his decision. She was wrong to go behind his back to Sonny and ask Sonny to fire him. And Sonny was right to turn her down. So yeah, she has made peace with Dex working for Sonny. He says he’s glad to hear it, but that’s not the question he asked. Has she made her peace with him?

Sasha asks, what’s wrong with marriage? and Martin says, nothing, says half the population. It just so happens, he fell into the other half. Over and over again. Know what they say about baseball? Three strikes you’re out? He’s out. He asks if Lucy understands, and she says, I do. I have a history of saying I do when I wish I didn’t. What she and Marty have… He says, is perfect. Why spoil it with a prenup and a trip to Reno? He says he has a conference call, and has to leave. After that, he’s going to relax by the pool. In the meantime, Lucy should put the daisies in water. He leaves, and Sasha says she thought Lucy was the marrying kind. What changed? Lucy says, nothing. She was hoping when she said no, Marty would talk her into saying yes.

Alexis tells Gregory, then wouldn’t you know it? Chase was the arresting officer. He says he can’t believe what he’s hearing; that’s diabolical. Alexis says, Tracy thought she was saving Ned from her evil clutches. She and Ned almost got married a long time ago, and then a couple of years ago, he was married, and she was drunk, and they had a regrettable evening. Two lost souls. He says, say no more. He hopes Chase was smart enough to see through Tracy’s scheme and clear Alexis’s name. She says, it took a village, but in some way, Tracy did her a favor. She didn’t do any of the things Tracy was framing her for, but she was out of control. From that moment, she turned her life around. He says he admires her for rising from the ashes, but Tracy’s frame up could have had a very different ending. Alexis says, let it go; she’s not worth it. He says he agrees, but his son is.

Chase tells Ned that he’s a police officer, and he’s asking Ned to let go of Brook’s wrist. Brook says, he’s not hurting her, but Chase says, let her go. Ned releases her, and she says she promises, as soon as the doctors release him, she’ll take him home. He says, to Vegas? but she says he has a home in Port Charles too. He says he needs to get to Vegas, and she says she understands the need to perform; getting love back from the audience. He says, there’s nothing like it, is there? and she says she can think of some things. Like the love of the people who know you best. Your family.

Tracy says, the only journey she wants Ned taking is the one back to his senses, and Doc asks if she’s considered the possibility that in Ned’s mind, he’s being sensible. Olivia asks if he’s saying Ned being Eddie Maine is a good thing, but Tracy says, Eddie Maine isn’t real; it’s a stage name. Doc says, to her, but to Ned, Eddie Maine represents freedom, gratification, simplicity. And maybe just a touch of the fantasy he needs. Olivia says she needs Ned. She knows it might be selfish, but she just wants her husband back, warts and all, and Leo needs his father. Isn’t there any way they can coax him back? Tracy says, coax him? He needs another bump on the head.

Zeke comes back to the courtroom, and tells Drew that he’s requested a meeting with the judge. Carly asks if the judge is willing to listen to reason, and Zeke says, he is willing to listen, but only after Drew is remanded to Pentenville. Drew says, okay. As long as he’s being held accountable, and not above the law. Carly says, that could take months, or even a year, and the whole time he’ll be locked up in Pentenville. Drew says he’s been in Afghanistan. He’s a Navy SEAL. He’s not worried about Pentenville. Zeke says, the minute Drew goes to prison, he’ll be lobbying for that meeting, and Drew says, anything to expedite this, please. Zeke says, got it. He’d offer Drew a ride, but he has the feeling Drew has better things to do with his time. Drew thanks him, and Zeke says, this isn’t over. This is a significant setback. They’ll talk soon. He leaves, and Drew tells Carly, enough about him. She’s about to face a very stiff financial penalty. She says, that’s her problem, but he says, it’s their problem, and he knows how they’re going to solve it.

Josslyn says she’s working toward acceptance. Sonny is who he is, and he did what he did, and she doesn’t have the power to change that. When she’s angry at him, she hurts some of the people she loves, who also happen to love him. So she doesn’t know if that counts as making peace, but that’s the best she can do right now. He says he hopes someday they can both do better, but for now, he’ll take that. Michael comes in, and Sonny asks, what’s going on? Michael says, Josslyn texted him and said she’d be here with Dex. He wants them all to know, he just came from Drew’s hearing, and the judge gave him three years in Pentenville. Sonny says, son of a bitch, and Nina says, it wasn’t supposed to be that way. Josslyn says, oh really? How was it supposed to be?

Sasha says, it’s her fault for bringing up marriage in the first place, but Lucy tells her, don’t feel bad. She can’t believe Marty said, never. She thought if she said, never, Marty would say, my little snookums, never say never, but he didn’t say that. Sasha says, with three marriages and divorces, you can’t blame the guy for being a little gun-shy. Lucy says, maybe. According to Marty, those wives made his life a living hell, but she wishes she could exorcise it out of his head, and he’d be open to the idea of marriage again. Sasha says, Martin loves her. He’s not going anywhere. Not every guy would stay up late encouraging their partner to follow their dream, then help make that dream a reality. Lucy says, she’s right. He hasn’t asked for any share of the profit; not one single penny. Sasha says, that’s true love for you.

A text says, An electronic deposit of $50, 000 was credited to your account, and sitting with his feet in the pool, drink in hand, Martin says, every month, like clockwork. Trust me, Lucy. Marriage would only spoil everything.

Ned tells Brook, no offense, but the more he hears about her father, the less he envies him. Family life is nice and all, and he can tell she really loves the guy, but corporate life and all the ulcers that go with it, not his style. He has the feeling it’s not hers either.

Doc tells Tracy that he’s not aware of any traumatic brain injury being cured by another traumatic brain injury, and Olivia says, if Tracy is even thinking of taking a hammer to her husband… Tracy tells them, calm down. She was kidding. Olivia says, there’s nothing funny about this situation, and Tracy says, money is no object; whatever it takes. Doc says he’s in unchartered territory as well, but he knows a few experts. He’ll consult with them, and draw on every resource and database he can find. In the meantime, he does think Ned should start therapy. Tracy says, Ned or Eddie, because they’re supposed to be calling him Eddie now, right? How long do they have to buy into this fantasy? Doc says, and there’s the disconnect. Not Ned’s, hers. She can call it a fantasy, but to Ned, it’s his life. Whatever they do, don’t deny his reality. Give him space. Brook and Chase join them, and Brook says, he wants more than space. Olivia asks what he wants. Tell her. Brook says, a one-way ticket to Vegas.

Nina says, there was supposed to be a deal in place, wasn’t there? and Michael says, there was, but the judge overrode it. Josslyn says, mom must be devastated, and Sonny says he’ll reach out to Drew and help in any way he can. Michael says he already did. The US Attorney was as shocked as the rest of them. This is completely on the judge. Nina’s phone rings, and she goes to the table to answer it. She says, Ava heard… She just did… She knows. It’s awful, isn’t it?

Drew says he’s just going to get his affairs in order, and he’s going to put Aurora Media up for sale. They’ll use the proceeds to pay for Carly’s financial… She says, absolutely not. Aurora is his creation. It’s his legacy for Scout. He says, Scout is too young to care about that. She’s going to be fine; she’s got ELQ shares. He’s made other investments… Carly says she’s not going to let him give Aurora away. He’ll need it when he comes back. Whatever the penalty is, she’ll figure it out. He says he doesn’t like that, but she says she doesn’t want to think about this right now. She wants to make the most of whatever time they have left. He kisses her.

Lucy tells Sasha, okay. She’s thinking, you know how Marty planted the idea for The Deceptor in her head? Why can’t she plant the idea of wedding bells in his? Sasha says, why not? and Lucy says, okay. To the future, and may all those ex-wives and the damage they’ve done, be a thing of the past. They clink glasses.

Martin’s phone dings, and he says a text from Ex #3: You’ve been avoiding me. That’s a serious mistake. He says, oh God. He swears, the only thing worse than number two at the swimming pool is number three. He rolls over a little too far, and into the pool with his phone.

Alexis tells Gregory, don’t faint, but she’s going to the gym. Maybe they could meet for dinner afterwards. She’s thinking Thai food. He asks if she’s worried he’s going to track Tracy down and put the fear of God in her, but she says, first of all, he’s assuming Tracy fears God. Second of all, he’s too civilized for this… right? He says, Chase can hold his own, but what after she and Finn have told him, it’s clear that woman fights dirty. Alexis tells him not to sink to Tracy’s level. He has more important things to worry about. He says, there’s nothing more important than his sons.

Tracy says, her son thinks he’s a Vegas lounge lizard. This has gone on long enough. Doc can keep his therapy. She’s going old school. She starts to walk, and Brook asks where she’s going. She says, to knock some sense into Brook’s father.

Carly asks how Drew can be so calm, and he says, after weeks of uncertainty, now he knows what he’s facing. He can prioritize. He can do what means most in the time he has left. She says, they have to be strong, and he says, they will be. Seven precious days before he turns himself in. Let’s not spend another second in this courtroom. He kisses her hand, and suggests they get out of here. She looks like she might cry, and nods.

Tracy busts into Ned’s room, Brook, Chase, and Olivia following her. The bed is empty except for Ned’s pressure cuff and the links to the other medical equipment.

Josslyn says, her mom’s not responding to anything. Her phone must be off. Dex suggests they find her, and they leave. Sonny asks Michael how Carly is handling this, and Michael says, how does she think? She’s ready to go to war for Drew. Sonny says, war with who? Even if Ned’s responsible, he doesn’t even know who he is. Michael says, that’s convenient for Ned, and the worst possible outcome for Drew.

Having moved to the back of the club with the phone, Nina tells Ava that she didn’t plan for this. But now that it’s happened, there’s a tiny part of her that almost feels sorry for Carly. Ned comes into the club, and Nina says, what is Carly going to do without Drew for three long years?… She knows. She just feels awkward. Ned sees her, and comes toward her.

On Monday, Esme is afraid this is all going to fall apart; Felicia tells Robert, no matter what, don’t take no for an answer; Anna doesn’t believe her work is done; and Ned says, just the person he’s been looking for.

🚩 Flags Flying High…

Everything that makes Luis sketchy is… everything.

💎 Beverly Hills Memory Lane…

If you want to relive this sort of thing. Although the dinner party from hell is pretty entertaining. It did not benefit that psychic’s reputation.

🍸 Moving On…

You didn’t think I could let it go yet, did you? I’ve got the feeling Sandoval didn’t cancel shows because of filming. Not when he’s been giving twofers.

Who’s Your Boat Daddy…?

Captain Lee will always be my Stud of the Sea, but I have to admit, Captain Jason is quite easy on the eyes. Interesting how the Med lost viewers after the Hannah debacle.

💣 Fearsome Villain Afoot…

I wasn’t thrilled about how they made Victor so awful. Hopefully he doesn’t get eaten to even things out.

https://movieweb.com/fear-the-walking-deads-latest-trailer-reveals-the-return-of-an-old-villain/

⚰️ She’s On Again…

Carol is apparently back in the game.

🤹🏾‍♂️ Busy Guy…

And I swear he’s the voiceover on that Twizzlers ad where the guy on the beach ponders wearing white after Labor Day.

🦈 His Domain…

After zombies and the internet is evil, my third horror sub-genre favorite is giant sharks.

https://comicbook.com/horror/news/shark-week-jason-momoa-trailer-2023-streaming-details-discovery/

🐶 Real Life Superhero…

From Batman to Dogfather.

https://people.com/batman-actor-burt-ward-went-from-robin-to-dog-rescue-7547542

🧘🏽‍♀️ Quotes of the Week

People who are trying don’t vocalize it; they just do it. – John, Extreme Sisters

Hope is the destination that we seek. Love is the road that leads to hope. Courage is the motor that drives us. We travel out of darkness into faith. – Dean Koontz

A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life. – William Arthur Ward

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.Henry David Thoreau

A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts. – Joshua Reynolds

I got a lot more respect when I was dead. – Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), General Hospital

💃🏽 Blaming It On the Bossa Nova…

Since Fear the Walking Dead is on a break, so am I, although I’ll be watching Dead City. Judging from the first episode, it looks extremely promising. But I’ll be here on Monday really Tuesday, dishing out soap and a double dose of Deck. Why does Bravo insist on being a pita? One episode a week is quite enough. Until then, stay safe, stay treating what you borrow as if it were your own, and when given the choice, stay going with love and understanding, rather than a horrendous, bitchy monologue.

September 9, 2022 – Yesterday Once More, Real Band, Smoltz, Salty Talk, United, Another Deck, Future Carol, Final Dead, Regulate This, Mooning, New Stars, Exactly 10 Quotes & There She Was

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

GH was preempted yesterday, so yesterday’s was today’s. You can find it at:

And on Monday, Chase asks Brook if she thinks going after Linc is still worth it; Elizabeth wonders if Nikolas wants to protect her or himself; Curtis asks what Selina is doing at the club; and Cody has a proposition for someone.

🎸 Side Gig Within Main Gig…

Apparently, Cameron has a band IRL. It is really good of GH to let him perform his own material on the show. The ultimate in product placement.

📰 So Am I…

He’s annoying AF, but I think they should start an ongoing thing like Seinfeld had with Newman, and every time he shows up, someone goes, Smoltz!

🧂 Hence the Guilty Plea…

So she chose to say this in media outlets, but not in court. Okay. I believe it if you believe it. You can also catch the trailer for the new season.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-of-salt-like-city-season-3-trailer-jen-shah-played-by-stuart-smith-fraud-case/

🥤 They’re Still Here…

Former cast members united in thirst.

https://okmagazine.com/p/leeanne-locken-braunwyn-windham-burke-vulnerability-real-housewives-important-cause/

Because We Need Another One…

No crossover cast here. Check out the new crew and trailer.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1345245/heres-your-first-look-at-below-deck-adventure-bravos-thrilling-new-spin-off

💀 Life After Dead…

Carol gives you some flowers to look at.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-melissa-mcbride-carol-future-interview/

⚰️ Wrapping Up Dead…

The final season approaches.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-final-season-on-set-cover-story/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-exclusive-comic-con-images-daryl-carol/

📽 Another Notch In His Film Belt…

Originally written under his pseudonym Richard Bachman, this is actually one of my favorite Stephen King books. I’m shocked they’re making it into a movie, since I haven’t met one other person who’s read it.

Stephen King Horror-Western The Regulators Being Adapted as a Film

https://www.fangoria.com/original/stephen-kings-the-regulators-is-becoming-a-movie/

🌖 A Moon Out Tonight…

I caught this the other night on IFC, and it’s not bad.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/amc-plus/moonhaven-review/

💃🏽 Latest Dancers…

Love Wayne Brady, but hoping Teresa gets the first boot.

https://ew.com/tv/dancing-with-the-stars-season-31-cast-reveal/

🏌🏽‍♀️ Quotes of the Week

There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain. – Plato

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. – Aristotle

Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.Joshua J. Marine

We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing and inclusion. – Max de Pree

Popularity should be no scale for the election of politicians. If it would depend on popularity, Donald Duck and The Muppets would take seats in senate. – Orson Welles (Well…)

A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.Charles Darwin

We don’t apologize for our mistakes; we erase them. – Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Jurassic World: Dominion

We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past. But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here now, with the power to shape your day and your future. – Steve Maraboli

A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. – John Stuart Mill

Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form. – Rumi

🎶 If That’s All There Is, Then Let’s Keep Dancing…

See you on Monday, when I assume the soap will be readjusted, and we’ll see what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay always moving forward, and stay being wise, prudent, and sensible. Most of the time.

May 1, 2022 – Daniel Looks For Ofelia, Backstory, Daniel Talk, Good For Each Other, Popular, Minus One Carol & First

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

Daniel plays a matching game with Luci. He says she’s letting him win, but she says she wouldn’t do that. He picks up a card, and says he’s seen this before. Luci says, they’ve played a bunch of times before, but he says, that’s not it. Wes comes in, and says he’s going to leave without them. Luci tells Daniel to keep at it; it’s helping him. Daniel says he should be the one helping her, and calls her Ofelia. She says she’s Luciana. Ofelia is no longer here, and Daniel says, she left. He tells Luci, you be careful out there too.

On the USS Pennsylvania, Sarah says, hoofing it, they could make it in two days, maybe one. Morgan asks what they’re up against, and she says, there are a hundred dead outside; maybe more. Luci comes in, and Morgan asks how Daniel is doing. She Luci says, he’s making progress, but it’s slow. Morgan thinks it’s best she stay there, and work some on the memory exercises with Daniel. They need him to get into the tower. He knows how Victor thinks, and why he’s doing this. He’s gone up against Victor in ways none of them have. They have to make sure they get in. Wes tells Luci that Daniel’s not on the sub. The front hatch is open, and a suit is gone. Luci says she’ll look; she’s got this. Wes says, not alone, and Morgan says, they’ll both go. If they have any trouble, send up a mayday.

Out in the nuclear semi-wasteland, a masked Daniel speaks in Spanish. He asks if she can hear him. A merry-go-round in a nearby playground squeaks, and Daniel sees a zombie stuck in it. Another grabs him, and his mask falls off. It gets him down, but he stabs it in the head. He gets back up, and asks, is that you? He knows he’s close. Tell him where she is. He hears footsteps, and gets all excited. He sees two people emerge, and asks if that’s Luci. He tells them to take their masks off, and fires a warning shot. The pair take off their masks, and it’s Luci and Wes. Daniel says, he knows who they are, and Luci asks what he’s doing out here? He shows her the card with the boat, and says, she needs me. Luci says, who? and he says, Ofelia The last time he saw her, she was on a boat. She’s trying to send him a message. She says, he’s out here because of the card? and he says, because of what she told him in the submarine. She said, Ofelia’s not here, which means she’s out there. Luci says, that’s not what it means. His daughter is dead. She died in Mexico years ago. He says, no, she’s alive, but Luci says, that’s impossible. They all know what they saw. Wes says, Daniel is confused, and Daniel says, Luci told him that he was doing better. She says, he is, but he’s wrong about Ofelia. He says, Ofelia is alive; Luci is the one who’s wrong. In Spanish, he says he cares about Luci, but Ofelia is his daughter, and he cares more about her than anything. Is Luci trying to help him, or trying to take Ofelia’s place in his life? He’s sorry she’s alone, but she’ll never replace his daughter. Luci says, he doesn’t mean that, but he says, he does. Wes asks what he’s saying, and Luci tells them, let’s go back. Wes says, zombies are coming, and Luci says, the gunshot must have alerted them. Wes says, that’s not the dead, and tells them to run, but a masked Arno steps out and says, boo. They’re surrounded. Time to take a little trip. He puts a mask over Luci’s face.

In a boat graveyard, boats are linked together by walkways, and the nuclear dead hope for someone to fall underneath. Luci wonders where they are, and Daniel says, they wouldn’t be here if she’d just let him look. Wes says, they wouldn’t be here if Daniel had stayed in the damn sub. Daniel says he was a soldier trained by the CIA. He’s not scared of these people. What’s scary is what he’s going to have to do to them. Eli says, we’re screwed, when Arno comes in. He tells them to remove their gear and hang it up. Luci asks how they know it’s safe, and Arno tells them to test for themselves. Wes confirms that it’s safe, and Arno says, they’re lucky the wind hasn’t brought anything nasty their way. They want to keep it as such. Luci tells Wes that she recognizes Arno, and Wes says, they’re the ones who were following Teddy. Luci says, that’s not going to help them make friends.

Outside, Arno says, home sweet home, and tells his people go inside. Their guests aren’t as interesting as they think. Luci asks if they all live here, and he says, thanks to Alicia. They don’t have to remind him who they are. Daniel asks why they don’t use the walls, and Arno says, they tried, but they didn’t hold. At least where they are keeps the living away. Victor got one thing right with the tower. Arno tells Sage he wants to talk to them one at a time, and Daniel tells Luci that he should be looking out there for Ofelia. Luci tells Arno to let them go. Maybe they can help him. Arno says, not likely, and Daniel grabs Arno’s gun and says, he’s going to look for his daughter. Let them out. Sage steps forward, but Arno says, he’s got this. Daniel says he’ll kill Arno, and Arno says, go ahead. Daniel shoots, but the gun just clicks. The men rush Daniel, and Daniel laughs. Wes says, they’re out of bullets? and Arno says, they’re hard to come by. The empty clip works on people; the dead don’t scare. He tells Daniel that he heard their radio chatter from the sub. They might want to stop broadcasting their plans. He knows they found the weapons cache, but doesn’t know the coordinates. Luci says they’re not going to tell him, and he says, then they’ll end up down there. Daniel looks at a boat across the way, and says, The Abigail… Ofelia. Arno tells him, quit daydreaming, and tells Sage, save him for last. He pats Wes’s shoulder, and says, this one first. Lucy says, they’re not telling Arno anything, and Arno says, if they don’t, they’ll up down there.

Daniel and Luci are shoved into a room, and Daniel looks outside, his eyes lighting on Victor’s old yacht. Luci says she knows he thinks he can get them out, and Daniel says, they don’t have to escape; this is perfect. He takes out the card, and says, Ofelia is on the boat. Luci says, it’s not the boat he’s thinking of, but he insists it is, and calls for the guard. Daniel says, all he has to do is tell them where the weapons are, and they’ll return Ofelia. She says, he doesn’t have the coordinates, but he says he knows where Dwight is. The guard tells him, this better be good, and Daniel says, he has information for Arno. The guard says, if he’s playing tricks, they’ll be thrown in with the zombies, but Daniel says, he doesn’t play tricks with his daughters life. Luci says she has to come too. Daniel’s English isn’t as good as it used to be, and she needs to translate. In Spanish, Daniel tells her, don’t try to stop him, and she says, don’t make things difficult. The guard leaves, and Luci says, Daniel is right about her not having anyone. If she’s being honest, she hasn’t been right since she lost Nick. Meeting Daniel made her feel less alone, and she doesn’t want to lose him. When he discovers Ofelia is dead, she worries about what will happen to him. He says, don’t worry. He’ll find her, and none of them will be alone again. The guard comes back, says, let’s move, and they leave.

Arno has put Wes in a cage that hangs over the zombies. He asks where the weapons are. Wes isn’t talking, and Arno says he’ll see if Wes changes his mind down there. It’s his last chance. Wes says he’s not betraying his people, and Arno says, he betrayed Derek. Derek was Arno’s friend and Wes killed him. Wes says, Derek was his brother, and he loved him, but Derek killed some of his friends, and was going to kill more. Arno says, Wes has another choice right now. Answer the question or die ugly. Where are the weapons? Wes says he’s not telling Arno sh*t, and Arno says, he would have done this anyway, when the guard arrives with Daniel. Daniel tells Arno to let Wes out, and they’ll talk. Arno says he’s the one with the leverage, but Daniel says he knows how to make people talk; that won’t do it. Arno says, it’s worked so far, and Daniel says, he probably kills everybody who comes in here. He kills them, he has nothing. Arno asks if he really knows where the guns are, and Luci says, don’t do this, in Spanish. Arno asks what Daniel wants in return, and Daniel says, his daughter. Arno asks where she is, and Daniel says, in that yacht, The Abigail. Arno says he doesn’t know what Daniel is talking about, but Daniel says he thinks Arno does, and grabs him, holding a knife to his throat. He wants his daughter back. Arno tells Daniel to let him go. He’s right. Maybe he does have Daniel’s daughter. Daniel says, now start talking, but Luci says, don’t. Daniel doesn’t even know if what he’s remembering is real. In Spanish, Daniel says, they can’t trust him, but Arno says, not true. Do they think they can get over on him by speaking Spanish? They’re not fooling him. Daniel is right, He has Daniel’s daughter; she’s on the boat. Daniel says, he knew it, like he told Luci. Arno better not have hurt her. He wants to see her. Arno says, tell him where the weapons are first. It’s the least they can do after consigning them to this life. That’s not okay. Wes says, there are worse places, and Arno says, Alicia and Morgan will get them killed. Luci asks him, what’s coming? and Arno asks, where are the weapons? He’s protecting his people, the ones Alicia couldn’t. Daniel asks how he knows Arno has Ofelia, and Arno says, give him the coordinates, and if they’re correct, he’ll get his daughter. Luci says, Arno can’t give her back, but Daniel asks, what choice does he have? He writes the information down, and Arno tells Sage to send a patrol. In Spanish, he tells Daniel, old man, if you lie to me, all of you will end up down there. Daniel tells him to let Wes out, they release Wes, and Arno tells Wes, it’s his lucky day.

Back in the room, Wes says he’d die before he’d give them information, and Daniel says, if he’d died by the hands if that man, he would have been a fool. Wes says, Daniel can’t use whatever is going on in his head as an excuse to hurt people, but Daniel says, he’s done what he needed to do; no one got hurt. Luci says, their people can get killed if Arno’s people get there first, and Daniel says, he just sent half of Arno’s people 20 miles in the wrong direction. Wes says, Arno is going to kill them when they get back, but Daniel says, they won’t be here. It will take them 24 hours to get there and back. Wes says, half as many guards, and Daniel says, without weapons. They can’t stop them. He shows Wes and Luci a knife, and says, he got it from the idiot who shot him. They’re badly trained, these people. Luci says she knows Daniel thinks this will work, and Daniel says he knows it will. He knows his memory’s not improving, but when he thinks of rescuing Ofelia, everything becomes clear. The problem with his memory is because he didn’t tell Ofelia the truth about his past. When she found out, he didn’t give her an explanation or an apology for his lies. His mind has to be clear when he does. Luci says, that’s not going to happen, but he says, it is. He and Ofelia will thank Luci, and she’ll be welcomed into their family. Now let’s get the hell off this boat.

Daniel pretends to be out cold, and Luci yells for the guard. She says she told him that Daniel wasn’t well. He’s not breathing. If he turns. its on him. The guard asks if she checked his pulse, and when he leans over, Daniel grabs him, and holds the knife to his throat. He says, that’s what he gets for calling him old man. He tells the guard to get up and take them to the yacht, and the guard says, his daughter’s not here. Daniel says, then where is she? and the guard says he doesn’t know, but she’s not here. Daniel says, he’s lying, and Wes says, they need to leave. Daniel says he’s not going without Ofelia, and Luci says the guard heard him. Take them to the yacht. She tells Wes that Daniel won’t leave. It’s the only way to get him to understand, so they can get out. On their way to Arno, Luci asks what Arno was talking about. What’s coming? The guard says, the dead. They’re gathering in a crater. After the warhead detonated, they’re more dangerous. Daniel asks why Arno is scared, and the guard says, Arno doesn’t tell any of them very much. Daniel pushes him onto the yacht, and Luci and Wes follow. Daniel asks where she is, and the guard says he told Daniel; she’s not here. Daniel starts pushing him over the side of the deck, and the guard says, don’t do this. She was never here. Arno wanted to know where the weapons were. Daniel says, the card was a message, but Luci says, Daniel needs to accept the truth. Ofelia died in Mexico. Daniel told her that he buried Ofelia himself. She’s sorry, but Ofelia is gone. Daniel says, he has to tell Ofelia who he is, and apologize for his lies. Luci says she knows it’s what he wanted and still wants, and his mind is telling him that he can, but he can’t. Daniel looks at the zombies, and says, that’s why he’s confused. The guard says, this wasn’t his idea. Arno lied. Daniel says, and he went along with it. A mind is a fragile thing. It’s easy to break, but hard to put back together. The guard tells Wes that he knew Derek, and Daniel slits his throat. Wes says that wasn’t Daniel’s call, but Daniel says, Wes is better off not knowing. The truth about people is always disappointing. Daniel walks out on the bridge, but takes out a piece, so they can’t follow. Luci asks where he’s going, and he says, Arno has to pay for what he did. He doesn’t want them to stop him. He knows Luci doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him, and he feels the same about her. He’ll be back. He walks away, and there’s nothing they can do.

Luci asks if Wes is okay, and he asks if she found anything. She says, nothing that will hold, and tells him that she’s sorry. Wes says, he was hoping the guard would tell him that Derek knew he was in Tank Town, but launched the attack anyway. She asks, why? and he says he killed Derek. It’s the only way he can live with that, and not wake up every day feeling like a POS. He knows he deserves to die. Luci says she doesn’t think that will make him feel better, and he says, there’s got to be another way off this thing.

Sabrina spears a zombie climbing up the wall, and Arno says, that’s the third one. She says, they’re building up the gate, and he suggests they think of something to draw them away in the meantime. He thanks her, and she leaves. He watches the zombies, when Daniel says, boo, and holds the knife to Arno’s throat. He makes Arno go into the cage, and Arno says, he’s making a mistake, but Daniel says, Arno’s mistake was lying to him, and Arno says, Daniel will anything to protect his daughter. He as doing same his people. Daniel says, they’re not Arno’s family, and lowers the cage, telling Arno that his Spanish is very good. The zombies reach in, and pull at Arno, and his whines turn into screams as they begin to feed on him. Lucy and Wes run over, and Luci asks what Daniel is doing. Daniel tells her, what Arno said made him do this. Wes brings the cage up (why bother), and Arno tells Luci, there’s no new beginning. They’re going to die because of them. Luci asks, who? and he says, the people Alicia was supposed to take care of… the ones he promised… the ones he…. She says, listen to her. She’ll make sure they’re okay, she promises, but he has to tell her what’s coming so she can help them. He says, the dead in the pit… they’re escaping. Someone’s letting them out. You can’t touch them… you can’t go near them even. She has to get everybody to the tower. There’s nowhere else… nowhere else… He dies, and Wes takes a spear to his head. Daniel says, he’d be alive, but he lied. Things are simple in Daniel’s world. Wes tells Daniel not to lose any sleep over this a-hole. Arno tried the same thing to him. Daniel says, this is  the second time he almost got Luci killed. She should leave him. Luci says she understands why he did it, but Arno manipulated him. That’s why he still needs her help. He says, no one knows his background. Ofelia never understood, but Luci does. She’s seen it, but she’s still here. Why? Luci says, they all make mistakes, and in Spanish, he says, even though she’s not of his blood, as of today, they’re family. She thanks him, and Wes asks what they’re going to do about everybody who lives there. Luci says she doesn’t know, but what about the zombies? Wes says, she heard Arno. You can’t touch them or get near them. She says, they need to leave now – all of them.

Luci tells Arno’s people, she knows they’ve been enemies. She knows some of them hurt people they care about, and they did the same to them. They all need to escape the dead and this land, and need each other now more than ever. They need to fight Victor, and take the tower. Only then can they have a new life, a new beginning, together. Who’s with them? Sabrina says, it’s what Teddy would have wanted, and everyone is like, yeah, and put on their masks. Wes asks if Luci thinks they can trust them; they killed their leader. Luci says, Alicia would want it, but he says, she couldn’t convince them and they couldn’t convince Arno. Daniel says, none of it will matter when they find out Luci can’t deliver on what she promised. Luci says, they can take the tower, but Daniel says, the last time, there was a nuclear war. She says, they didn’t have what they do. Someone who knows what Victor is thinking before he does. Daniel can get them there. He says he can’t get simple things straight. He lost his cat before this mess, and almost got them killed leaving the sub. Luci says, he freed them from prison and made it to the yacht. How did he do it? He says, when he wanted to get Ofelia, his mind was clear because his daughter gave him focus. Wes calls Luci over, and says, she’s not thinking what he thinks she is. She says, all of these people and everyone on the sub are depending on them. This is the only way. Victor’s outsmarted everyone else, and Daniel will get himself killed if he goes by himself. Wes says he can’t, and leaves. Daniel asks, what’s wrong with him? and Luci sits next to Daniel. She says, Arno told her something before he died. Ofelia is alive, and he told her where she is. Daniel says, Luci told him that she was dead, and she says, that’s what she thought, but Arno knew where she was. Victor has her in the tower. He asks why she didn’t tell him before, and she says she was afraid he’d go alone and get himself killed. He asks why she’s telling him now, and she says, because of what he did here. If knowing Ofelia is alive gives him clarity, he can lead all these people and take the tower from Victor. Daniel says he wants to believe this, but his mind isn’t clear. Luci must be certain, because if she’s wrong, if this is not true, if this is another lie, it could break him for good. Is she sure? Luci says, it is true, and he says, then we’ll get in the tower. Her, him, and Ofelia. They’ll always be together right? She says, yeah.

They come out, and Wes tells Luci, they’re ready. Luci suggests they head out, and walks with Wes. Wes says, he and Derek had this thing used to say, people are people. She asks what that means, and he says, it means people suck. Victor and Alicia tried to make him see things differently, and they did for a while after they found him, but then they were at each other’s throats. Morgan hasn’t done much better. What she was doing for Daniel made him want believe he might be wrong and there’s hope, but what she just did is proof she’s no better. She says she’s sorry, but that’s not what this is, and he gives her his radio, telling her to take it in case needs to call the sub. He’s not going with them. She says, don’t do this, and he tells her, good luck. She asks where he’s going, and he says he doesn’t know. What does know is, he can’t be around somebody pretending be someone they’re not. Daniel is confused. He’s not right, but he can’t help it. She knows exactly what she’s doing. He leaves, and Daniel asks, what happened? Where is he going? Should they go after him? Luci says, no. She doesn’t think they can change his mind. Wes walks down the road.

On the sub, Sarah looks at the weapons, and says, that’s a lot of heat. Dwight says he’s glad it worked out, and Morgan says, it more than worked out. It might make all the difference. They should take inventory. Dwight says, now they just need the soldiers to carry them. Luci walks in, and Morgan asks if she found Daniel. She says, not just Daniel; Arno’s people. They want to help. He says, no Wes? And she says, he’s not coming. Morgan says, but he’s okay? She says she hopes so. She thinks he needs some time. Daniel says, they found the weapons, and Morgan says, yes, they did. Daniel says, all they need to do now is plan how to overthrow Victor.

Wes goes to the tower callbox, and I say, no… no. He says he needs to talk to Victor. Tell him it’s Wes. Tell Victor that he wants to make a deal. The man who answered asks why Victor would want to deal with him, and Wes says, because he can help save Victor’s tower.

So I guess Wes sucks too?

Next time, John thinks he found the right opportunity, Victor wants to be shown they believe in this place, and someone else is thrown off the roof as Victor laughs, and twirls his metaphorical moustache.

I Forgot Too…

What happened to Ofelia.

https://www.distractify.com/p/how-did-ofelia-die-fear-the-walking-dead

🔬 Dissecting Daniel…

Ruben Blades talks life and Fear.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/walking-dead-ruben-blades-daniel-salazar-end-rcna26436

👩‍👧 Mother/Daughter Act…

More on Madison’s return and how Alicia figures in.

https://screenrant.com/fear-walking-dead-alicia-leader-madison-return-good/

⚓️ Water Works…

Apparently, viewers are enjoying the sub spin-off, but it’s not like it’s on Netflix.

https://www.cbr.com/ftwd-dead-in-the-water-popular-why/

💔 She’s Out…

Looks like the spin-off of Carol and Daryl is going to be just Daryl. I wonder why they couldn’t be more accommodating here. Or why she agreed in the first place.

📅 Another Page Off the Calendar…

Join me tomorrow in saluting a brand new month with some soap and Deck shenanigans. Until then, stay safe, stay straightforward, and stay not being a person who sucks.

September 12, 2021 – Daryl Gets a Blast From the Past, Turning Down Glenn, Kang Talks Dead, Spinoff Update & the Twelfth

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

Daryl and Dog run through the woods. They come to a brick building, and a Reaper comes out, but Daryl throws something to get him to go in the other direction. A Reaper comes out of the woods, and Daryl fights with him. He grabs Dog, and I can’t look.  

It’s daylight now, and Daryl puts guts from a body on his hands. He looks for Dog, who is okay, and sniffing around near the building. Daryl hears Dog bark, and runs to find the Reaper standing with Dog. He says, let him go, and the Reaper takes off their mask. It’s Leah, who says she never thought she’d see him again. He says he felt the same, and she asks what he’s doing there. Is he alone? She saw him with some people; who are they? She points a shotgun at him, and asks if he’s one of them. He says, it’s a small group, and no, he’s not one of them. He travels light, as always. He calls to Dog, but Dog doesn’t budge. He says he knows who she’s fighting, but he’s not part of it. A couple of Reapers come out. WTF?

Daryl is brought into Meridian, hooded and bound. Dog is oblivious, and walks behind with Leah. Well, he was her puppy first. Daryl is brought to an attic room, and left there. Leah comes in, and he says he came back for her. He looked everywhere for her. He’s sorry she ended up with these people. She says, these people are her family. They never stepped looking for her, and when they found her, she came home. He says, his family picked the wrong fight with the wrong people a long time ago. Like he told her, he’s alone. She says he found her, and gets a bucket of water. She wipes his face, then puts the cloth over his nose and mouth.

Two Reapers waterboard Daryl, who is back in the hood. And by that, I mean he’s literally wearing a hood again. Leah tells the guys, up, and Daryl coughs. One of the Reapers says, again, and asks Daryl if the others are still out there. Daryl says he doesn’t know, and the Reaper asks who their leader is. The woman? Daryl says he ain’t one of them, but the Reaper says, bullsh*t, and dumps more water on Daryl’s head. Leah says, enough. She’ll handle it. The Reaper says Daryl will crack. He just needs more time. She says she gave him enough time already. She said, up. The two Reapers leave, and Leah takes off Daryl’s hood. She says she needs him to cooperate, and he says he told them everything. She says, he told them nothing. Talk. He says he traded with the group for food, and knew them less than a week. Go ahead and kill him if she wants. He has nothing else to say. She leaves.

Daryl is is dragged to another room, and put in a cage. The men leave, and Leah looks at Daryl for a moment, then follows.

Daryl seems to be alone, but he hears someone say, sh*t, and some groaning. He sees Frost from Hilltop in an adjacent cage. Frost starts talking about Maggie and company, but Daryl says he doesn’t know who Frost’s friends are, and doesn’t care. Just because they shared a bag of grain doesn’t make him give a sh*t. He wants no part of the beef Frost has with these people. Does Frost hear him? Shut up, and leave him alone. Got it? Frost says, yeah, he’s got it, and calls Daryl an a-hole. Some people come in, and take Frost out. Daryl is alone again.

Leah comes back and shakes her head. She says he’s just as stubborn as ever, and Daryl asks if that’s what she thinks; this is him being stubborn. She says, fine. Hard-headed. He needs to tell her the truth. He says he never lied to her. Never. They have nothing else to talk about. She asks what he knows about the people he was with, but he says he doesn’t know sh*t. He’d help her if he could. Just give him Dog, and let him go. She’ll never see him again. She asks if that’s what he wants, when Frost is drug back in, and he’s not in good shape. One of the Reapers comes back, and says something to Leah, and she asks if it’s about Turner. She and the Reaper leave, and follow the sound of a man moaning in another room. Reaper Bossie is crying, and says he tried. The Reaper he’s talking to says he picked the right family. He brought Turner home. A man, who we come to find is Pope, chants over Turner’s dead body in what looks like a makeshift chapel. Leah is all sad, and Pope says, God is here. God is angry, and he’s angry. Does she feel that? The volume is so low, I think the boom person was on vacation. There’s no problem hearing the commercials though. There never is.

Leah stands in front of Daryl’s cage, then sits next to it on the floor, He asks, what happened? and she says, one of her brothers is dead; Michael Turner. They traveled world together, becoming mercenaries after fighting in the war together, and could actually pay their bills. Daryl is surprised at this information, and she says, Michael was like her, no family. He was the little brother she didn’t have and always wanted. She’s lost a lot of people, but not like this. He was the first person she was close to in a long time. Daryl says she didn’t lose him. He came back and she was gone. She says he left her. She asked what he wanted, and he left. He says he got scared, and she asks, of what? He says, letting go, and she ponders this. She says, it doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t have worked anyway. They couldn’t have been happy in a world like this. He suggests they talk about her family, and she says, don’t tell her that he’s never done things like kill people. She knows what he’s done, and he has no right to judge. This is her; the good and bad, all of it. He says he doesn’t believe her, and she says she can’t help the bad, but she can help him save himself. In spite of everything, she cares about him, and doesn’t want anything bad to happen to him. Just tell her anything. If he keeps silent, she can’t stop them. They’re angry about Turner, and want someone to pay. He says, a woman is the leader, but they spoke in code because he was an outsider. There’s a tall skinny guy who never shuts up, and a priest that carries a shotgun. They have the numbers. One of their soldiers slipped up, and they lost fighters, but they still have more than she has there. He asks when he’s going to meet this Pope.

Pope sits sharpening a knife, and Leah tells him that he was right. Daryl was hard to break, but he told her there are a lot more out there than they thought. She thinks he’ll be good there. They need the manpower, with Turner gone, and the other two missing. She tells him, say something. He knows she hates it when he does this. He says, do what? and she says, freeze her out. He asks if it’s about her and Daryl, and she tells him that she never said it was, but he says, yet here they are. She had to go on a fishing expedition for an old boyfriend. He sits in front of her, and says, go on then; tell him. Did she find what they were looking for? She says she told him Daryl would be useful, and she was right. Carver saw it, and he sees it. He says, he sees a guy who wants to get in her pants; someone who loved her. She says, fine, but she never said Daryl told her that he loved her. Pope says she could have handed Daryl over, but she didn’t; why? She says, at one point, he meant something to her, but that ended the day Pope found her. He showed her the family, and she never regretted her decision. She doesn’t want him to either. Does he? He touches her face, and says he believes in her more than the others. She says she knows.

Daryl sits in a chair in another building, and the two Reapers who waterboarded Daryl are now verbally harassing him. One asks if he has something to say. Come on; don’t be shy. He’s about to be a man. The other says he bets Daryl’s girlfriend wears the pants. Leah walks in, and tells them to knock it off. They leave, and Leah unties Daryl’s hands. She hears the door lock, and runs over to it. She tries the handle, but no luck. The lights go out, and fire comes out from under the door. She throws a chair at the door, and Daryl tells her, stay back. He starts ripping at the boards over a window, then breaks something, making a tool to pry them off. He breaks the window glass, and grabs Leah’s hand. He pushes her out first, and follows. All the dudes in the pack stand there watching, and Leah joins them. They all face Daryl, as the building he and Leah were in collapses. Pope says, forged by fire. Ordained by God. They welcome him. Welcome to fortitudo salutis.

Pope asks if Daryl believes in God, but Daryl says, not anymore. He guesses he only believes in himself now. Pope says, Daryl passed the test, but he’s not God, and pours drinks for himself and Daryl. Daryl asks what else Pope wants from him, and Pope saying he wants Daryl to understand. He gives Daryl the drink, and tells him to sit down. He says, they all met in the Valley of Death, the hills of Afghanistan. They carried their fallen brothers off the field so many times they lost count. Politicians wrote the checks, but they were just props. Today, they talked about God. He thought there ain’t no God; he never saw Its face. But they saw God everywhere; in the blood, horror, and death. God was there, telling them where to go. They didn’t have much else to hold on to in those days. They held on to each other. Pope lights a cigarette, and gives one to Daryl. He says, that war ruined all of them for good. They couldn’t find real jobs. People called them mercenaries. They did the dirty work that no one else wanted to do, and were paid handsomely for it. The real dirty work started after the fall. They’d never been in a war like that; had never seen that kind of chaos. The things they did… All that death, day after day after day. After a while, he started feeling like Daryl, wondering where God was, until He showed his face again. The politicians had one last war to get behind, this time, coming for them. The bombs came, and they lost some of their own. They found a church in a little town, and holed up there. When the chaos died down, he looked at his people, and couldn’t believe it. Not a trace of blood or burn marks; not even a scratch. They were the chosen ones. These men had no power over them. Daryl came out of the fire alive, and look at him now, sitting right there. Is he hurt? Any burns? A scratch? Daryl says he’s been through worse before, and Pope gets up. He asks if Daryl is coming, and Daryl nods.

Everyone is gathered around a campfire, eating, and Daryl joins them. Pope says Leah was right about this one, and she says, of course she was. Pope says, he’s family now. He goes over to Bossie and says, Bossie walked ten miles with his dead brother on his back. The strength that took. Does Daryl have any idea how crazy they are? Turner will have a proper burial. Bossie says he did what any one of them would have done, and Pope asks if he’s still hurt. Bossie shakes his head, and Pope says, he just has one question; something that’s been bothering him. The wounds are on his back. Leah says, it’s been a rough day, and Pope asks Bossie where he was when Turner was being attacked. Bossie says he was right there. Leah says, enough, and Pope ruffles Bossie’s hair. He says, it takes divine strength to face fear head on. They all saw what Daryl did. He got Leah out of the fire first. He kept her safe. Today, God baptized Daryl in that fire, and made him one of them. One thing he forgot to tell Daryl; never turn your back on your brother. God doesn’t only use fire as baptism. It’s also his wrath. He grabs Bossie, and throws him into the fire, holding his face in it until it’s charcoal. Daryl is like, oh, wow, and Pope says, they run into the battle. Into the fire. Always. Daryl looks at Leah.

Next time, Judith teaches the kids of Alexandria how to fight, Eugene says they can’t stay at the Commonwealth, Stephanie wants to help Eugene, and Negan says, the only way it works is if they trust each other.

👎 Turn Down…

I’m sure it’s frustrating, but First World problems.

https://ew.com/tv/steven-yeun-turned-down-roles-after-the-walking-dead-glenn/

🏃🏻‍♀️ Running the Show…

Angela Kang talks TWD; what might have been, what was, and what’s to come.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-rendition-leah-daryl-pope-reapers-angela-kang-showrunner-interview/

🏍 Those Two Crazy Kids…

What’s happening with the Carol and Daryl spinoff.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1299525/the-walking-deads-melissa-mcbride-gives-a-coy-update-on-the-daryl-carol-spinoff

🏇 Leaving the Scene…

Join me tomorrow for a medical drama and a yacht in the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay exercising your mind, and stay not picking the wrong fights with the wrong people.