Tag Archives: movies

May 2, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Brook Tells Tracy Everything, A Soap Bubble, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Pending Awards, New Dead, Outside the Usual, An Eight-Spot of Quotes & Month

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Alexis asked where Kristina got the papers, and Molly said she got her files mixed up with Diane’s and went to Kristina with it. Alexis wanted to explain, but Kristina said obviously Alexis thought she was crazy and needed to be committed.

Anna found Felicia at the hospital and asked why she wasn’t dressed to go out. Felicia said there had been a slight change in plans.

At the Savoy, Curtis saw Trina with Kai, and said it was a big night. Trina said Kai’s surgery was coming up tomorrow, and Kai said he wanted to celebrate. He asked to speak to Curtis, and Trina stepped away. Kai said he owed Curtis an apology.

As Josslyn walked down the street, someone grabbed her from behind. Vaughn asked if she was already rusty.

On the phone, Carly said she was happy too… No complications… The doctor says he’ll make a full recovery… Sonny is going to be fine.

The shady nurse got a syringe ready to plunge into Sonny, when Sonny opened his eyes. They looked at each other and she smiled. Sonny went back to sleep, and as she was about to inject his IV, Brick walked in. He said he was sorry to interrupt, but he needed to see some ID.

At Bobbie’s, Sonny sat at the counter and asked for a menu. Mike turned around and said it was good to see him. He missed Sonny. They hugged and Sonny said he couldn’t believe it had been five years, and Mike said, time flies when you’re having fun. Sonny asked if this meant he didn’t make it through surgery and… Mike said, he’s dead? No. The surgery was a complete success. Sonny asked how he was there, and Mike said Sonny had been sedated pretty good, and he’d seen an opportunity to visit… if that was okay. Sonny said he could visit any time, and Mike said he tried to show up when he was needed. Sonny said there was something he wanted to talk about. Mike was right about all of it.

Alexis said the last thing she wanted was to commit Kristina, but Kristina said the papers suggested otherwise. Alexis said she didn’t sign or file them. She’d changed her mind and realized she couldn’t do it. Molly asked, then why draw up the papers? and Alexis said she appreciated Molly’s support for her sister, but needed to speak to Kristina alone. Kristina and Molly said, no, in unison, and Molly said Kristina wanted her there. She wasn’t going to abandon her. Kristina said Alexis had prayed for them to stick together and anything Alexis had to say, she could say in front of Molly too.

Josslyn said she thought this was a meeting, not an al fresco training drill, and Vaughn said he had to keep her on her toes. She asked, what if the cops had seen him? and he suggested he was an overly affectionate boyfriend. Josslyn said, in his dreams, and he asked what her problem was. She said she’d spent the entire night catching up in Dalton’s class. He asked if she’d made any progress on getting the research assistant position, and she said she was doing everything she could, but the competition was stiff.

Trina said she was glad Emma had come out to join them, and Emma asked how she and Kai were doing. Trina said, for the most part, things were great. Did Emma know Kai was having surgery? Emma said it was an experimental thing that would give him the potential to play football again, and Trina said, or it could go very wrong.

Kai said he’d asked for Curtis’s advice, then did the opposite. He valued Curtis’s opinion and hoped he wasn’t offended. Curtis said Kai had been under no obligation to take his advice and he admired Kai thinking for himself and pursuing his dreams. He wished Kai nothing but the best and prayed it all worked out.

Tracy asked if Gio was registered to vote in Port Charles, and Gio said he was registered in Bensonhurst. She said he needed to rectify that so he could vote for Laura Collins for mayor. And while he was at it, vote yes on the Measure C proposal to put the McConkey esplanade on Piers 55 and 56. He said those were his Uncle Sonny’s piers, and she said she knew they were on opposite sides in regard to his benefactor. She gave him a tablet and told him to read the website. He’d think twice about supporting Sonny.

Brick said, ID now, and shady nurse said, of course (🍷). Instead, she pulled out a gun, but Brick was faster and shot her with silencer. She slumped across the bed and Brick got on the phone. He said, yeah… Got a body here you guys might be interested in.

Anna hoped Felicia wasn’t backing out on having drinks with Jordan. She’d been looking forward to it. Felicia said, so had she. She was just going to be late. She was waiting on authorization from a patient’s insurance company. They couldn’t move forward until it was resolved. The minute it was, she’d put her party clothes on and come to the Savoy. Plus, the Nurses Ball was soon, and they were going to rock the red carpet in all their glory. She told Anna to go ahead, but Anna said if Felicia didn’t get the authorization in the next 15 minutes, she’d go.

Jordan got a text from Anna saying: Felicia and I are running late.

Emma said she got that Trina was worried, but it sounded like Kai’s mind was made up. Trina said, 100%, and Emma said she had to stay positive for him. He was lucky to have her by his side. Trina was great at her protest. Trina said, that reminded her. She’d run into ADA Turner, who had a bunch of questions about why Emma was expelled. Emma asked what Trina told her, and Trina said, nothing. She didn’t know anything, but thought Emma should know. Emma asked if Trina had any idea why the ADA was interested, and Trina said she got the feeling it was less about Emma and more about grandmother. Professor Dalton came by and said he hoped he wasn’t interrupting. He wanted to say hello. (Is he a creeper too?)

Curtis asked what brought Jordan to The Savoy, and she said she was meeting Felicia and Anna for drinks, and they were running late. Curtis asked if he could keep her company, and she said that would be great. She needed to give him a heads up. There was a new development where she and Drew were concerned, and she wanted him to hear it from her.

Brad brought a humongous folder to Portia’s office and said it was Drew’s entire medical history since he’d arrived in Port Charles, including the Jake Doe files. He didn’t know what she was looking for, but there was nothing scandalous. She said she was sure it would still come in handy still have another assignment for him.

Carly walked into Sonny’s room and said, oh my God. Brick told her to keep her voice down. Sonny was fine. She said she wasn’t fine. What the hell happened? Brick said they’d had a little situation.

Felicia said Anna and Emma seemed to get along better, and Anna said they’d had some nice heart to hearts lately. She practically had to force the details out of Emma, but she gained insight on her granddaughter and her sudden transfer to PCU. Bottom line, Emma had been involved in something reckless that could have resulted in a horrible outcome. She’d said it was in the name of protecting animal rights, but she didn’t think Emma looked before she leapt and got in over her head. She blamed Robert. Felicia said she wouldn’t argue with that, especially since he wasn’t there. Anna said she’d realized Emma was still the granddaughter she knew and loved, and Felicia asked if she was willing to cut Emma some slack. Anna said she was still going to keep a close eye on her.  

Emma introduced Dalton to Trina, and he asked for a word with Emma. She said, of course (🍷), and they went over to the bar. Dalton asked how her extra credit was going, and she said she’d been working on it for weeks and was almost done. He said it was needed to be considered to the research assistant position, and she said she hoped he’d be impressed. He said he did too.

Vaughn said the whole mission hinged on her securing a spot close enough to Dalton to gain his trust, and Josslyn said she was trying. Besides having to catch up in the class, there were three other applicants already. He asked if she was saying she couldn’t do it, and she said she couldn’t just snap her fingers and become Dalton’s assistant. He told her to do something to make herself stand out, so when the time came for him to choose, she’d be the first and only student Dalton considered.

Gio said the website was a total hit piece and painted his Uncle Sonny as a ruthless criminal mastermind, but Tracy said she thought Ezra Boyle’s PR firm nailed it. She was working with a committee whose common goal was to devest Sonny of his waterfront property. Gio asked, why? and she said, without it, Sonny couldn’t do business, and she wasn’t talking about his coffee business.

Sonny told Mike that he should have gotten out a long time ago. They used to fight about it and he should have listened. Mike said, why? He hung Sonny out to dry for years, then swooped in and told him how to live his life. That’s the reason he was living that life. Sonny said, nobody told him what to do, but Mike said he’d put Sonny on the path to begin with. Sonny said he should have listened, but he was stubborn, and Mike said, he was young. Sonny said, Mike was right, and he should admit he was wrong, and Mike asked, why the change of heart? Sonny said he’d been thinking about getting out for a while, and Mike asked, what drove it home? Sonny said, what happened to Michael, and Mike said he was sorry about that. He wished he could help. Sonny said it wasn’t Mike’s job, and it was his fault, and Mike said he knew Sonny wanted to beat himself up. Sonny said, someone came after him and Michael paid the price. It wasn’t the first time someone he loved was caught in the crossfire, and it was the second time for Michael. It was going to be the last. This had to be the last time.

Carly asked how Brick knew something was going on. He was headed for Dubai. Brick said he was leaving and saw a drop of blood in front of the supply closet. He looked inside and found a woman in her underwear. She was breathing and he called a nurse, then went to Sonny’s room and found the woman. Carly said, she would have killed Sonny if Brick hadn’t shown up. He saved Sonny’s life. They hugged.

Molly asked, why commitment? and Alexis said none of them could deny how difficult this year had been. Molly said, but why now? and Kristina said she’d been doing better. Alexis said she noticed Kristina’s progress when they had girls’ night and changed her mind, and Kristina said Alexis did it without talking to her. It was like something out of a horror film. Now, when she was finally stable and grounded, Alexis went behind her back. Alexis said Kristina left her no choice.

Gio asked why Tracy was going after Sonny, and she said she’d lived in Port Charles longer than he had and seen the violence and crime Sonny brought to the city and her family. He said, Sonny did good things for other people and had been nothing but great to him. She said she hoped that was always the case. Sonny was a dangerous man, and if you were in his life, you were exposed to danger. She didn’t want that for him. He asked what she thought would happen, and she said she didn’t know, but she knew Sonny took advantage of the people who trusted him. If you were pulled into Sonny’s world, you either ended up in prison or in the ground. It would devastate her if that happened to him.

Felicia looked at her tablet and told Anna the insurance wanted more forms. Anna should definitely go, and she’d do her best to catch up. Have a cocktail for her. Anna said Felicia could count on it and left.

Emma told Dalton that she’d been fascinated by today’s lecture, when she received a text from Gio: Need you at the Qs. ASAP. She told Dalton that she had to run and left.

Vaughn said Dalton was going to be at The Savoy, and Josslyn asked what he wanted to know. He said, who Dalton talks to and what are his interests besides physics. Just be smooth. The last thing they needed was for anyone to figure out what she’s up to. She said smooth was her middle name, and left.

Portia said Brad needed to get her some ketamine, and he said he didn’t know that’s how she rolled. She said it wasn’t for her, and he asked if it was for Congressman Cutthroat. Portia said, please, just do what she asked, and he said he could get fired. She said, don’t get caught. If he didn’t do what she asked, he’d get fired. Brad said their new arrangement sucked, and she told him, better pucker up then. She opened the door, and he left.

Jordan said, to be an effective COO, she had to bury the hatchet with Drew, and Curtis asked if they were friends again. She said, yes, and she’d likely be helping to further Drew’s agenda, to which he and Curtis were on opposite sides.

Kai said Curtis was nice about him not taking his advice. He was lucky to have Curtis in his corner, and luckier to have Trina. He knew she wasn’t all in about him having surgery. Trina said she was all in for him achieving his dreams, and he said the surgery was going to work. Even if it didn’t, he’d know he did everything he could to get back on the field.

Molly said, Alexis was blaming Kristina? and Alexis said Kristina wasn’t doing as well as Molly thought. Kristina said she was standing right there. What did Alexis mean? Alexis said Kristina had a difficult year. She’d lost the baby, post-partum, Sam, then Michael. Anyone could crack under the strain. Molly said, Kristina hadn’t and was still standing, and Alexis said she sensed Kristina was covering. She was saying the right things, but not feeling them. She thought if Kristina had to work that hard at putting on a façade, she could break. That’s what happened when she tried to cover up her alcoholism. Kristina said Alexis never asked her if she needed help, and Alexis said she knew Kristina would refuse and push her away. Molly said, this is better? and Alexis said Kristina would be in a place where she could be honest and up front about her feelings. She was trying to protect Kristina. Kristina said because she was a danger to herself and society, and walked out.

Sonny told Mike that he couldn’t find a way out and keep his family safe, and Mike asked, what were the options? Sonny said, if he disappeared, it would be like Nixon Falls and his family would be in even more danger. Mike asked if Jason could take over, but Sonny said, Jason was out too. Mike said he was sorry. He wished he had the answer, but have faith. He knew Sonny would find a way. Sonny said, if he stepped back, he’d be thought of as vulnerable. If he showed more strength and went in deeper, he’d need to find a solution, or his family would never know what it was like to live in true peace. Mike put his hands on Sonny’s shoulders.

At The Savoy, Anna sat next to Dalton at the bar. N’neka brought him a continental sour, and Anna said it used to be her favorite. Dalton ordered another one for his friend, and she asked if that’s what they were. He said, here’s hoping.

Brad put a vial of ketamine on Portia’s desk and asked if there were any other crimes she wanted him to commit. She said he wouldn’t be in this position if he hadn’t blackmailed her to begin with. Lose the attitude. He left and Portia called Nina. She said she’d gotten what they needed… Of course (🍷) she had reservations, but Drew left them no choice.

Curtis said he understood Jordan’s delicate position and admired her taking down Sidwell. She said if Drew and Sidwell did anything that would negatively impact him, she’d try to let him know, but he told her not to jeopardize herself. His main concern was that she stayed safe.

Jack said he’d heard about the attempt on Sonny’s life, and Carly asked if Brick called Jack for back-up. Brick said he called the WSB, and Jack said he was already in the LA office for a west coast meeting. The Bureau would take it from here. Brick asked if Carly was good, and she said, because of him, and hugged him. He said he’d do anything for Sonny and her, and left. She asked Jack if no one knew anything had happened and he said that was precisely why he was here. She hugged him and said she was relieved and grateful, and he said he felt the same way Brick did – anything for her.

Mike said he let Sonny save himself his whole life, but even when Sonny was furious with him, he saved him. When Sonny was Donna and Avery’s age, he dropped out of Sonny’s life. He surrendered to the choices he made, but Sonny not only lived his, he triumphed over them. He knew in his heart that Sonny would find a way to protect his family… their family.

Kristina went to Adela/Irene’s grave and said she missed Adela every day. Mama messed up this time. Something really bad. She tried to kill Ava, and doing so, she hurt Ric and Elizabeth, the kindest soul ever… Molly would never forgive her if she found out. They were finally in a good place and like sisters again. She didn’t want to lose that, but their mom had misinterpreted her guilt and thought she’d lost it. She didn’t know. Maybe she had.

Alexis said she thought she was helping Kristina, but Molly said she wasn’t. Kristina had been her rock since her dad’s accident and didn’t act like she was falling apart. Alexis was doing what she’d done Kristina’s entire life. In order to protect Kristina, Alexis undercut her and it didn’t help. It did the opposite. Alexis said she’d made a mistake and hadn’t filed the papers, but Molly said the only thing that mattered was that she’d had them drawn up in the first place. Molly snatched up the papers and left.

Alexis’s assistant Suzanne brought in a box and told Alexis it had just been delivered. She left and Alexis opened the box. She took out a note and read: Despite the intriguing history, it didn’t feel right keeping a family heirloom. It’s better in your hands. She opened the box inside and took out the dagger.

Molly said she thought she’d find Kristina at the cemetery, and said she was sorry. Kristina thanked Molly for having her back, and Molly touched the gravestone. She said they were all that was left. They might need to work on some things, but they were sisters. They didn’t have Sam and didn’t have their baby girl, but they had each other. Did Kristina know how important that made her? Kristina said she did, and Molly took her hand and said, me and you, forever. Kristina said, me and you, forever.  

Curtis said the new job suited Jordan, and she said it was like old times. He said, be careful, and she promised she would.

Kai told Trina there was one thing he hadn’t told her about the surgery. Drew was having it documented and hired a camera crew. She asked how he felt, and he said, a little weird, but to be honest, he felt like he had to say yes. It was a small price to pay considering. She said, to everything going his way, and he said he could definitely toast to that. 

Dalton introduced himself to Anna and said, judging from her accent, she wasn’t from around there. She said she’d lived in Port Charles a long time. Him? He said he’d moved there in January and took a teaching gig at PCU. Anna said her granddaughter went there, and he said it was a bit of a change, since he’d moved from California. Josslyn came in and saw them together.

Gio brought Emma to Tracy and said Emma had earned Tracy’s respect when she’d defended the crypt. Tracy said she owed Emma a debt of gratitude, and Gio said he hoped Emma could talk her out of her plans. Tell Emma what she was planning on doing to Uncle Sonny.

Carly asked if the west coast meeting was planned before or after Jack knew she was coming to LA, and he said, both. He’d been putting off being there and when he found out she would be, he pulled the trigger. He hoped he could take her out to dinner, and it may have been an excuse to check up on her. On the off chance something happened with Sonny’s surgery, he didn’t want her to be alone. She asked if anyone ever told him that he was extra thoughtful, and he said, not as often as she’d think. She said sometimes words weren’t enough. Actions mattered the most.

Mike said, speaking of families, Sonny had to get back to his, but Sonny said they had a lot more catching up. Mike said they had time. Until then, know he was always with Sonny. Sonny said he loved Mike and promised to try and be the man Mike saw when Mike looked at him. Mike said he already was. He always had been. They hugged and Sonny woke up. He said, thank you, dad, when the door opened. Carly said he was awake. Thank God. How was he feeling? He said he was still out of it, but all right. Was everything okay? She said he missed a lot.  

Tuesday:

Anna said, so Danton transferred to PCU from the Bay area. Why did he come there? He said they had the funds for his research, and he couldn’t pass it up, and she asked what he taught. He said, environmental sciences, and Anna said she had a feeling it was something like that.

Gio asked what his Uncle Sonny did that was so bad, and Tracy said Sonny had been a plague on their family for decades. Jason walked in and she said, exhibit A.

Lucas congratulated Marco for officially landing the job. He thought it was a good time to move on to the getting-to-know-you phase of the date. Marco said he knew what Lucas was getting at. He’d heard more about Marco’s dad. That’s not what he wanted to do on their date. Sidwell and Lucy walked in.

Cody met Lulu at The Savoy and apologized for being late. He’d been kicked by a horse. She said they could have done it another night, but he said he was happy for a reason to leave the stables. Aside from hanging out with Dante, his social calendar wasn’t booked.

Curtis said he was glad Jordan came out and wouldn’t ask any more questions about her new job. He always cared about her safety, and truth had a way of coming out.

Nina called Portia and said she had the ketamine and had the trap set. They just had to decide when and where Drew would be lured into it. Drew walked into Portia’s office and said they needed to talk, and Portia said she’d call Nina back. She said Drew couldn’t just barge in. She had a job she had to do. He said, unless she did what he told her, she’d be fired anyway. Did he need to remind her that he held her career and her relationship in his hands? Both were hanging by a thread.

Nina thanked Jacinda for coming on short notice, and Jacinda said, money talks. Nina said, as long as Jacinda didn’t. This needed to stay between them. Jacinda said, discretion was a given in her line of work, and Nina took out the ketamine. She said, here’s what they were using to drug Drew Cain.

Lulu asked Cody to let her buy him a beer, but he said he needed to get her a drink for giving him something fun to do.

Curtis said it sounded like Jordan was on her own and it wasn’t a small-time operation. Going after international criminals like Sidwell was another league. Jordan said he was looking at it the wrong way. It wasn’t whether she could handle Sidwell, but whether Sidwell could handle her.

Lucas said he hated to be the bearer of not so good news, but Marco’s dad just walked in, and Marco said he guessed they were doing this. Sidwell came over to their table and said, what a lovely surprise. He introduced Lucy to Marco, and Lucy said his name sounded familiar. She thought she’d emailed him some paperwork when his father purchased Windymere. Marco said Lucy had a good memory, and Sidwell said Marco was one of his many attorneys and happened to be his son. He just moved to Port Charles. Lucy welcomed him and said Port Charles had lovely, amazing people, and obviously, Marco had good taste like his father. Lucas said, good seeing her, and Sidwell told them to have a good evening. They left and Lucas said they couldn’t have asked for a better segue. Now they had to talk about their dads.

Dalton asked how a lady so beautiful could get a job like that, and Anna thanked him and said it was a long story. He said he had nowhere else he needed to be, but Anna said she had a rare night off. The last thing she wanted to talk about was work. He said he understood and asked what she wanted to talk about, as Josslyn watched them.

Tracy said she was just about to tell Gio and Emma about the suffering Sonny had wrought on the family, and Jason asked, what prompted it this time? Gio said that Tracy was supporting the campaign to steal the piers from Sonny, and Emma said they were trying to talk her out of voting for it. Jason said, good luck, and Emma told Tracy, please don’t. Tracy had said she owed Emma for saving the crypt. Tracy said she did owe Emma and was grateful Drew… There’s an idea. Gio asked what she meant.

Drew asked how many times Portia thought she could fail before he pulled the plug on their little arrangement, but Portia said it wasn’t easy to convince Curtis to change course about anything, especially when it came to Drew. She’d tried repeatedly. He said, that was why she had to pivot. Get Curtis to go after Sonny. He wanted to get Aurora to his Sonny with every media outlet. The referendum on the esplanade location was really a referendum on Sonny. They were going to yank him away from the waterfront and maybe even Port Charles. She said, Curtis and Laura were good friends and Laura supported Sonny. Curtis wasn’t going to go against Sonny that way. Drew suggested she reframe it. Sonny almost got Trina killed. She said he wanted her to use their daughter against Sonny? and he said he wanted to get results, or he would expose her secret. She said she’d try, but needed time, which he said was in short supply. His phone rang and Tracy said she needed to speak to him on a matter of their mutual interest. She could assure him it was of the utmost importance to him. He said, the PC Grill in a half hour, and she said fine. He told Portia that he wanted her to press Curtis again about Sonny and she had a week to make it happen. If she didn’t, he’d go to Curtis and tell him everything he knew.

Gio said Tracy was working with Drew, the man who nearly bulldozed her parents’ grave? They hated each other. She may not like Sonny, but he’d seen the good Sonny had done for the city. She said if Sonny was no more than the man he saw, she’d be fine with it, but he wasn’t. She wasn’t taking the risk of him harming anybody else in the family, including Gio. She was sure Jason was about to embark on telling some heroic and heartwarming stories, but don’t forget to tell them what Sonny did to his brother.

Jacinda said, ketamine was dangerous, and asked Nina where it was sourced. Nina said it was 100% clean, pharmacy grade. Jacinda would have to take her word for it. Jacinda said, she’d take it from here then, and Nina said, as soon as they heard back from Portia. She wanted to Drew to have a night he never remembered and a night everyone in Port Charles would never forget.

Portia joined Curtis and Jordan, and Anna told Dalton it looked like her plans had been canceled. It was just as well. She could use the sleep. He asked if he could interest her in showing him around town, but she said tour guide wasn’t in her job description. He said, how about giving him her phone number so he could take her out to dinner or coffee? but she said Port Charles wasn’t as big as it seemed. She was sure they’d run into one another somewhere. She left and Dalton asked for his tab. Josslyn sat next to him and introduced herself, and he said, the latecomer.

Lucas told Marco that Tony Jones was his adoptive father, but the one he was talking to Marco about was Julian Jerome, his biological father. Marco said he didn’t know Lucas was adopted, and Lucas said it was a long story. His adoptive parents were amazing and made sure he had a loving home and a loving extended family. When he found out about his biological parents, that family got bigger. Marco asked how Lucas’s parents reacted to him coming out, and Lucas said his dad was fine with it. His mom took a couple of minutes, but looking back, it wasn’t the judgement thing. He thought she was worried that she didn’t know how to protect him. Ultimately, she was his fiercest supporter. Was Marco comfortable sharing more of his experience? Marco said his dad accepted him with no problem. His mom couldn’t and still can’t. The only downside of living in Port Charles was that she lived here. Last year, she made headlines with her homophobic rant against his sister who happened to be gay as well and it went viral. Lucas asked who his sister was, and Marco said she was a singer. Her stage name was Blaze. Lucas said, his mother is Natalia Ramirez?

Emma told Gio that she wished she could stay, but she had to meet her grandmother. He said he appreciated her coming, and she said she was dying to know what she meant about Sonny and Jason’s brother. Gio said he was going to ask Jason when he came back, and she said she hoped that chatterbox told him something. Text if he found out anything. She left and Jason came back. Gio said, obviously, Tracy had a grudge and was angry when she was talking about Jason’s brother. What did Uncle Sonny do to him? If Jason didn’t tell him, he’d find someone who would. Jason said Sonny killed his brother.  

Tracy said she was bringing Drew an opportunity. For once, they had a common goal, to rip the piers out of Sonny’s hands and take the criminal element elsewhere. Drew said it would be waging public war, but he could make that happen. What was the proposal? She said, to join forces. If they put their differences aside and rid Port Charles of Sonny, it would send a powerful message. Together, they were unbeatable. Drew said he couldn’t argue with that, but he didn’t come cheap. Tracy laughed and said she didn’t expect he would. Name his price. Drew said, the Quartermaine name.

Portia told Nina that Drew just left for the Port Charles Grill and Nina said everything was set. Jacinda was here and knew what to do. She was sending her over now. Nina told Jacinda that if everything worked according to plan, she’d see her for the final payment, and Jacinda said, then she’d leave town and go far away from there. Nina said, exactly. And no one would ever know what really happened.

Cody asked what was new, and Lulu said her job as Brook’s assistant didn’t work out. He said, shocking turn of events, and Lulu said she still needed a job, so she decided to go back to her roots – journalism. She hadn’t done it for a while, obviously, but she loved it. She pitched some ideas to the Llanview Banner and got the green light on one. He asked what she was writing about, the abundance of handsome men in Port Charles? She said, weirdly, they didn’t pick that one. They picked the adoption story. Cody said it was a subject near and not so dear to his heart.

Curtis said Jordan did an amazing job as Deputy Mayor and Police Commissioner. He had no doubt she’d excel in her new job. She was always happiest undercover… He wasn’t saying that’s what she was doing. He was just making an observation. She said her life felt stagnant. When she caught the guy in Isaiah’s hospital room, chased him down the stairwell, and took him down, she felt alive again.

Lucy said Sidwell’s son was as handsome and charming as he was. It must feel incredible to have him in town. Sidwell said he did, and Lucy said she couldn’t believe Natalia never mentioned she had a son. She did not know Natalia at all.

Marco said his parents divorced when he was young and his father was barely around, so he didn’t have much of a relationship with him. Lucas asked if he and his mom were close then, and Marco said, very close. She was incredibly strong. She remarried and had Allison and things were great. He thought he could tell her anything Lucas said, until he came out, and Marco said, exactly. He was just a teenager, and she had a look on her face he’d never forget.

Dalton said Josslyn was facing an uphill battle after coming into the class late, and she said she had to work hard to a catch up, but it was worth it. He said he’d seen how engaged she was, and she wasn’t afraid to participate, and she said she was very into the class, but she wanted to make a strong impression. She wanted the summer research position. He said he didn’t think that was going to happen.

Portia met with Nina, who said Jacinda was on her way to the PC Grill. Was Portia sure the ketamine couldn’t be traced back? Portia said, absolutely. The less Nina knew, the better. Was everything set at Drew’s place? Nina said, the kids were sleeping, and Willow wouldn’t be back until morning. Portia said, the plan came ether quickly, but it seemed to be working perfectly, and Nina said, who knew when they’d get another opening? It would break her daughter’s heart, but she had to believe that in the end, it would all be worth it.

Jacinda walked into the PC Grill, noticed where Drew was, and went to the bar. The server went to get Drew’s drink, and Tracy said she wasn’t surprised at Drew’s asking price. Drew told her that he’d never said she was stupid. She knew what the terms would be. Did they have a deal or not? The bartender put Drew’s drink on the bar and Jacinda took the ketamine out of her purse. She poured it into the drink, and the server came back to take it. Tracy said when the vote passed and Sonny was driven from their fair city, she would rescind the obstruction. The Quartermaine name would be his. By agreeing to join the family in getting the piers from Sonny, he was worthy of the name, which he’d never been able to do before. They shook hands.

Nina looked at her phone and said, Drew had the laced drink. Portia said there was no turning back now, and Nina hoped Willow would be okay. Believing he cheated was going to devastate her. Portia said, he’d given them no choice, and Nina said, after tonight, she’d have be no more problems with Drew, and believed Portia wouldn’t either. Portia said, after tonight, Drew’s reputation would be beyond repair. Even if Aurora Media kissed the ring, it wouldn’t be enough to fix it. He’d have no more use for her and would move to DC, out of their lives for good. She had to meet Curtis at The Savoy, and Nina said, after tonight, no more worries. Portia said she hoped not, and left.  

Drew told Tracy that he looked forward to taking Sonny apart piece by piece. If Carly and Jason felt the sting, that was okay too. Tracy said she had no interest in Drew’s personal vendettas, but she was gratified he was using his talents for the common good as opposed to destroying his nephew’s marriage and the family mausoleum. She left and Drew finished his drink. Jacinda came over to his table and asked if the seat across from him was free. He said, sure. This is a strong drink. She asked if he was okay, and he said he was good and getting better all the time. He asked her name, and she said, Jacinda. He asked why she came over to join him, and she said he looked like someone she’d like to get to know. He said, likewise, and she said, this place is dead. Why don’t they go somewhere livelier? He said he knew just the place and drained his glass.

Dalton said it wasn’t Josslyn’s fault. It was the timing. He’d have to give the position to someone who’d been doing the work all semester. She asked if there was anything she could do to improve her chances, and he said, keep working hard. He didn’t want to discourage her, but wanted to manage her expectations. She said, fair enough, and he asked if he could give her some advice. Do her best on the assignment, but know it wasn’t likely she was going to get the position. There were plenty of other summer jobs. She was intelligent and charming and could find a position that matched her abilities. She thanked him, he said he’d see her in class, and she left.  

Gio said he didn’t believe it, and Jason said he wasn’t in town, but Sonny walked in on AJ attacking Ava. To save Ava’s life, Sonny had to shoot AJ. Gio said, Ava, Trina’s boss, and Jason said, that was the story. The trouble was, Monica and Alan loved AJ, but it was Sonny’s story and it’s what he believes. The Quartermaines, especially Monica, questioned Sonny’s version of events and there was a difference of opinion. Gio said, if Jason wasn’t there, how did he know? and Jason said he chose to believe what Sonny told him.

Marco told Lucas that his mother’s reaction devastated him, so he reconnected with his dad, who welcomed him with open arms. If not for his father’s love and support, he doesn’t know what would have happened to him. His father was his rock. Lucas thanked him for being open and sharing, and Marco said it was good to talk to someone who understood. He suggested they switch it up and hit a club, but Lucas said, no way. He was retired from dancing. Stripping in front of the whole town for charity could do that. Marco said he wanted to hear that story on the way to the club. He was taking Lucas out of retirement.

At the café, Emma apologized for being late, and Anna said since her plans were mostly cancelled, she thought she could salvage the evening by meeting Emma. Emma said she was thrilled to be Anna’s second choice. She needed the caffeine, since she was pulling an all-nighter with her project. Anna asked if it was her environmental physics project, and Emma said, that’s the one. Anna said she met someone at The Savoy who Emma might know – Professor Dalton.

Lucy told Sidwell that she couldn’t imagine a mother rejecting a son who she loved. She was so glad the ladies at Deception learned about Natalia’s deception and fired her. Sidwell agreed and said Natalia robbed herself of a relationship with her wonderful son. He was smart, determined, and passionate about what he did. Sidwell was a man with few regrets, but missing Marco’s childhood was the biggest one. She said she liked seeing the softer side of him, and he said there were many sides to him. His brilliant son was just one of them.

Portia said Jordan and Curtis looked like they were having fun, and Curtis said he was just congratulating Jordan on her new job. Portia said, already? and Jordan said she was working with Sidwell as his COO. Curtis said, that meant she’d be working with Drew sometimes, and Portia said, congratulations. Good luck.

Marco and Lucas walked into The Savoy, and Lucas said he was having flashbacks about his Magic Milo days. Marco said they were going to have fun, when Josslyn joined them. Lucas introduced Marco and said Josslyn went to PCU. Marco said. college students knew the best clubs. Josslyn was here, so he knew they chose wisely.

Lulu said, so meeting his adoptive father made Cody’s life better? and Cody said when he met his biological father, Mac changed his life. He was one of those dads that he was jealous about his friends having. But when he saw Mac with James, he felt a twinge, like it was a glimpse into what he missed out on. He was grateful for the time now, but it hurt knowing he couldn’t get the time back. Lulu looked sad, and he asked if she was okay.

Jason said he knew how Gio was feeling. The Quartermaines warned him about Sonny too. It got so bad, he completely cut ties with the family. He went to work for Sonny and Sonny became his family. It made the Quartermaines angry. they felt Sonny took him away from them. Now he had Danny and some life experience and saw things differently. He did think Sonny had always been his friend and was genuinely supportive. Gio said that’s how he felt, and Jason said it was a decision Gio had to make for himself. Did he trust his relationship with Sonny or did he listen to everybody else?

Emma said, Professor Dalton was at The Savoy? and Anna said he shared that he’d transferred to PCU from the Bay area. Now he and Emma were both at the same school at the same time. Emma said, it was just a coincidence, but Anna said in her line of work, she didn’t believe in coincidences. The last time they talked, Emma swore she was there for a fresh start, and she was just wondering if Emma had something she wanted to tell her. Emma said, fine. She deliberately made sure she was in Professor Dalton’s class.

Drew and Jacinda came into The Savoy, and Drew looked higher than a kite with his shirt half untucked from his pants. Curtis asked what the hell was going on. Did Drew forget he’d banned him? Portia said it looked like he’d forgotten a lot of things, and Drew went into extreme PDA mode with Jacinda. Curtis said he had to stop this, but Portia said, drunk Drew was making a fool of himself. Curtis said, let him bury himself, and Drew said, a round of shots for the bar – on me, and the patrons cheered. Jordan said she didn’t know what Drew was doing, but it was going to be a disaster for her new position with Sidwell. She had to get him away from that woman and out of here.  

Emma said, Dalton’s class at her old school was too difficult to get in. When she saw his name on the list, she jumped at the opportunity. It felt like fate. Anna said she might not believe in coincidences, but that didn’t mean they don’t happen. Emma said Dalton told her that he was eager to see her data model and she had a good shot at his summer research position. Anna hugged her and said she was so proud.

Gio said he respected Tracy, but had to trust his instincts about Uncle Sonny, and Jason said, Sonny wouldn’t want him to alienate himself from the Quartermaines because Gio was defending him. He’d faced worse than Tracy and Drew or any politician trying to take the piers away. Sonny was going to be okay, but Tracy chose to align herself with Drew and had already lost.

Drew got loud and said, this was so much fun, and Cody said he knew he was right about that SOB. Lulu said, that SOB was going to land her the top story tomorrow morning, and Drew said they should do body shots. Jordan went over to Drew and said he’d had enough, but he said he felt fine. He felt happy. Jacinda said they were just having fun, and Jordan said this was a really bad idea. Drew said, did she know what a really good idea was? Body shots! It would help her to relax. He lifted Jacinda onto the bar, and she stretched out. He went behind the bar and got out a bottle. He poured a shot into her belly button and slurped it out. (Yuck.) On the phone, Portia told Nina that Drew and Jacinda had shown up, and Nina asked how it was going. Portia said, better than they’d hoped. Much better. Lulu took a photo and Drew did another shot.  

Wednesday:

Willow was headed to the house while leaving Drew a phone message. She said reporters were camped out in front and wondered what was going on. She saw a high heel, picked it up, and looked at it.

Sonny woke up and said Jack was still there. Jack said, only as long as he had to be.

Jason arrived at the hospital and asked Carly how Sonny was. She said, alive and safe, thanks to Brick.

Kai found Trina waiting at the hospital, and she said she took the day off to give him moral support. He told her that the documentary film director was coming up. He was hoping Drew was here. Trina said Drew might not be there and asked if he’d seen The Herald. Felicia joined them and asked to steal Kai so she could get him checked in and go over paperwork.

Curtis went to Laura’s office and said he assumed she’d seen The Herald, complete with Lulu’s photo footage, and she said she couldn’t wrap her head around how Drew made such a huge error in judgment. He said if he hadn’t seen it, he wouldn’t believe it. Thank goodness Lulu was there to put it on record.

Lulu thanked Alexis for agreeing to meet with her. She was doing a piece for the Llanview Banner on the experience of adoption. Alexis said she had to postpone their meeting to take care of her granddaughter. Lulu said she didn’t write the piece in The Herald, but she did forward the footage. Alexis said none of it was Lulu’s fault. The mess was Drew’s mess, and she couldn’t let Scout know what her father had done.

Nina asked if Portia had seen the video, and Portia said she wanted to put it on loop to watch when she was having a bad day. She’d been hesitant about Nina’s plan, but hiring Jacinda was pure genius.

Willow approached the bedroom and saw clothing on the floor. She found Drew in bed half naked, and Jacinda came out, buttoning up a man’s shirt. She asked if Willow’s mom had taught her to knock.

Carly told Jason that Brick had to go to Dubai, so she’d called him. Then she went to check on Sonny and Brick was there with the woman they thought was Sonny’s nurse. She’d been shot dead. If Brick had shown up five seconds later, Sonny would have been dead.

Jack told Sonny that Carly explained that Brick had killed the assassin, so he called in a few favors, ran interference, and did clean up. Sonny said he appreciated it and thanked Jack for taking over his security. Jack said it was just until Jason arrived, and he had. He wished Sonny a speedy recovery and left.

Curtis told Laura that he thought it as best for Aurora to hold back until the story was picked up elsewhere. Lulu did him a massive favor. Laura said Curtis and Drew hostility wasn’t a secret, so he’d want to avoid the appearance of bias, and Curtis said he wanted it public before he moved forward. Drew was now radioactive politically speaking. Laura said, even Ezra Boyle was keeping his distance, and Curtis said her Drew problem may have been solved by Drew himself.

Alexis said Drew was many things, but she’d never known him to be reckless, and Lulu said he was very intoxicated. Alexis said she didn’t recall ever seeing him drunk, and Lulu said she wasn’t the only witness. There were a lot people recording on their phones, and Drew and his… date were hard to ignore. Alexis said it was out of character, and Lulu said that’s why she forwarded it to The Herald to alert them that their representative wasn’t just tipsy. He was out of control.

Nina said there was no way Drew could spin the video, and Portia said he’d be too busy doing damage control to meddle in other people’s lives. Nina said Willow would be home soon and was going to be devastated, but Portia said, a little pain now would save her a ton of misery down the road. Nina had to get Drew away from her daughter and grandchildren no matter the cost.

Willow said this was her bedroom, and Jacinda said Drew told her that Willow would be away. She wouldn’t have stayed over otherwise. Don’t be hard on him. Men needed to let off steam now and then. She took her shoe out of Willow’s hand and left. Willow slammed the door and shading his eyes, Drew asked if that was her.

Laura said she longed for the days politics was about issues and criticism was based on that (me too), and Curtis said Drew had neglected his duties. She said Drew was too busy picking fights and making friends who could carry out his vendettas. Whose lives had he bettered? Nobody. She’d love to debate him on the issues and not based on one night of bad behavior. Curtis said she had to admit it revealed Drew’s true character. He was self-serving, disloyal, and hypocritical. How could he be trusted? Shed said something felt like it was a distraction, and Curtis asked if she wasn’t going to comment publicly. She said she was being criticized for the company she kept, and couldn’t do that to anyone else, and he said that’s why she’d always get his vote. Kai’s surgery was today, so he was going to the hospital to wait with Trina. On the bright side, Laura was on safer ground with the referendum. With any luck, Drew would be voted out of office. Had she considered congress?

Lulu told Alexis that she wanted to give Drew a platform to explain, but when his team reached out, they couldn’t find him. Alexis said she used to be Editor-in-Chief of The Invader, and Lulu didn’t need to apologize for anything. Drew was a congressman, not a private citizen. His constituents had a right to know how he behaved in public and who he spent time with. But someone had to keep Scout away from it and if Drew wasn’t up to the task, she had to intervene.

Felicia said a gentlemen came to the hospital and had equipment with him, and Kai said Drew had arranged to film a documentary about his surgery. He said it was an inspiring story that would help people. Since he was paying for the surgery, it was the least Kai could do. Felicia said it was more Kai’s project since Drew wasn’t there. He was the star of the show. If he wanted privacy, just signal her and she’d make it happen. She was scrappier than she looked and happy to be the bad guy. She could just say it was hospital policy. Trina came in and Felicia left. Kai asked if there was any word from Drew, and Trina said, not yet. Was he still going along with the documentary without Drew?

Jacinda told Nina and Portia that the ketamine didn’t take long to kick in. After that, it was easy to get Drew to go to the club, but what happened there was all him. Portia said, what happened after? and Jacinda said when they got home from the club, Drew passed out cold in the bedroom. She set the scene and crashed on the couch, making sure she was awake when Willow arrived. She got an eyeful. Portia asked if anyone saw her leave, but Jacinda said she slipped out the back to avoid the reporters. Nina said now was the time for her to leave, and handed Jacinda an envelope. When she got to Sydney, she was to go underground. No social media or texting. Jacinda said she was happy to leave that behind too, and if anyone tracked her to the Australian Outback, she’d tell them the truth… that Congressman Drew Cain solicited her company at the Port Charles Grill, took her to The Savoy, then back to his place where the party continued. Nina thanked her, and Jacinda said it was a pleasure doing business with them. She left, and Portia said she should go too. Kai’s surgery was today, and Drew had a documentary director filming. Nina said of course (🍷) he did. Keep her posted. Portia said she would. Nina needed to be there for Willow, who needed her now more than ever.

Drew asked, what happened? and Willow said his date just left. She couldn’t believe he did this to her. She ran out, and Drew said, wait, then grabbed his head.

Carly told Jason that Brick showed up just as the assassin was about to inject Sonny’s IV, and Jason said, but she didn’t. Brick shot her. Jack came out and Carly said she’d been filling Jason in. Jason thanked Jack and Jack said Sonny was awake. Carly left, and Jason said he’d take it from here. Jack asked if Jason knew the woman who tried to kill Sonny, and Jason said, not yet. Why? Jack said because he did.

Carly asked how Sonny was feeling, and Sonny said, could be worse. She said, good news. Jason got a red eye and was there. He said that meant she could head home. There was nothing for her to do there. She said he’d almost been killed, but he said Brick came back and the assassin was dead, not him. She said, what if they send another assassin? and he said Jason was there and nothing would happen on his watch. Carly wanted to stay, but Sonny said he didn’t need her right now, but there was somebody else who did.

Director Josh asked Portia how likely it was that Kai would play football again. The surgery was risky. She said all surgeries had some risk, especially experimental ones. Josh said some patients had been left paralyzed. Was the risk worth it? She said it was a groundbreaking procedure, and they were lucky to have Dr. Mohinder as a guest surgeon. If it was a success, Kai could continue his athletic career. As the doctor refined his technique, it could improve the lives of people everywhere. Josh asked if the risks had been discussed with Kai, and she said, all parties involved had been informed, but she had full faith in the team at General Hospital and Dr. Mohinder. She saw a bright future for Kai. 

Kai said he’d already agreed, and Josh had shot footage, but Trina said he could stop it. He asked if she meant the documentary or the surgery, and she said, the documentary. He said he thought they should continue recording the procedure, and she said she’d help him every step of the way. He said he might have an idea. Josh wanted to interview him, and he might say she’s his girlfriend. She said she liked the sound of that, and they kissed.

Looking messed up, Drew stumbled around. There was a knock at the door, and when he opened it, reporters fired questions at him. He let Alexis in and asked what was going on. She said she was here to pack a bag for Scout. Scout was staying with her.

There was a knock at Nina’s door, and she opened it to a crying (weeping?) Willow, who fell into her arms. 

Jack told Jason that the assassin was well known in the intelligence community, but was the type that usually went after political or military leaders, not Sonny. Jason said, like Soliski, and Jack said they had similar backgrounds. They’d started in intelligence and branched out to the private sector. Jason asked if Jack knew who hired her, and Jack said, the WSB was investigating. She’d been found on the dark web and paid in crypto like Soliski.

Sonny said he was grateful for the support, but their daughter needed Carly more, and she said that’s why she wanted to stay, to make sure he got home safe and sound. He said Jason was handling that. Their daughter knew her father was sick and needed mommy by her side to tell her it would be okay. She said, fine, but only because he wasn’t supposed to be stressed, and he said he’d enjoy it while he could. He was already feeling better. He thanked her for getting him through this, and she said she wouldn’t have been anywhere else.

Lulu went to Laura’s office and Laura said she’d missed her. Curtis had been singing her praises about her piece in The Herald. Lulu said it wasn’t her piece. They did give her a byline, but she only sent the footage, so they knew the person sitting in congress and his friend were enjoying their night out. Lulu said she thought she detected an air of schadenfreude, and Lulu said she was worried that people would think she was a tabloid journalist, but Laura said people knew she was a responsible journalist. Lulu said she’d rather focus on her adoption story. She was interviewing a ton of people, and their stories were fascinating. She was wondering if she could interview Laura.

Willow told Nina that she came home to find every reporter in Port Charles on the front lawn. Her phone was dead, and she had to charge it on the way home. Nina said, so Willow had no idea. She was so sorry Willow was blindsided on top being betrayed. Willow asked how Nina knew what happened, and Nina said, everyone knew. It was in The Herald and all over social media. She showed Willow her phone and the headline, Congressman Cutthroat Cuts Loose!!! along with a photo of Drew doing body shots off Jacinda. Willow said, oh my God. That’s the woman she found in her bedroom.

Alexis said she refused to allow her granddaughter to deal with the gauntlet of reporters, and Drew asked why they were there. She said he really had no idea, and he said he couldn’t find his phone and last night was a blur, Alexis said, let her enlighten him, and showed him the body shot video.

Carly said Sonny wanted to see Jason, and Jason left. Jack said they’d had a productive conversation, and Carly asked if that was code for quietly threatening each other, but he said, no threats. He was handing over the reins and moving along with the plan. She asked what the plan was, and he said he was heading back to Port Charles. She said, what a coincidence. So was she.

Jason said he should have been there, but Sonny said Jason was where he’d asked him to be. Brick handled it. Their team wasn’t looking for someone like her. Jason said, somebody with ties to intelligence. They added more security to keep Sonny’s family safe, and Sonny said someone gave him an important message that had him looking at the big picture. They’ve talked about it before. They had to get out of this business. Jason asked, who sent him the message? and Sonny said, Mike

Lulu said she wasn’t sure Laura wanted to talk about her history and didn’t want to put her on the spot, and Laura asked if Lulu was concerned about her privacy. Lulu said she was keeping all of her sources anonymous. It was less about privacy, and more about Laura never talking about her adoption. Laura said that was because she wasn’t really adopted. She was switched in the hospital at birth. She had two families. It was very complicated. Lulu asked if Laura was sure that it wouldn’t open old wounds, but Laura said she thought she could talk about it. Lulu put her phone on record, and suggested they start with Laura telling her what it was like when Grandma Lesley entered her life. Laura said she didn’t understand who Lesley was, but knew she had a really great connection to a woman who was a stranger, and Lulu asked if she thought the Vinings saw it. Laura said it was possible, but she didn’t know. Eventually, Lesley told Laura that she was her mother, and in that moment, she felt a sense of relief, because it all made sense. The ease she felt and the connection she had to a total stranger. Lulu asked what it was like building a relationship with her birth mother, and Laura said she thought it would be easy and natural, but it wasn’t. They had challenges and there was a time she didn’t want anything to do with Lesley at all. She eventually ran away from home at 14 and joined a commune. Rick and Lesley found her, and Rick explained that her mother made all her choices about Laura based on love for her. Laura wanted to talk to her again and wanted to listen, she did, and then things got better. Lulu asked if she ever wished that she didn’t know any of this, and Laura said she still sometimes found herself wondering what it would have been like to have a normal childhood, but she loved both her mothers and couldn’t imagine her life without Lesley in it.

Curtis went to the hospital, and Portia said Trina was in with Kai. Josh, the director of Drew’s documentary, was also in there. He’d interviewed her and actually asked thoughtful questions. Kai was taking it in stride, even though it was unnecessary added stress before his surgery. But who cared what she thought? She was just a doctor. Curtis asked if Drew had shown his face, and she said, Trina told her that Drew promised to be there. He said, Drew made a lot of promises, and she said she was sure he promised to be faithful to Willow. He said, even after everything Drew had done, he found it hard to believe Drew would hurt Willow that way.

Josh asked how Kai was feeling, and Kai said, hungry, but good. He was ready, but he was glad Trina was by his side. Josh introduced himself to Trina and said he was wondering if she’d participate. He’d love to include her perspective. Trina said, sure, and Josh said she was an important part of Kai’s story. She said she’d try not to be boring, and signed the release. Josh asked if Kai was ready, and Kai said he couldn’t wait.

Willow asked if the kids knew anything, and Nina said Amelia was with her playgroup and too little to understand. Wiley and Scout were in school and not allowed to access their phones during class. Willow said she needed to get them home before lunchtime. Even if they were kept from their phones, their classmates would have theirs. How was she going to explain this? Nina said they’d figure something out. Willow just experienced a terrible shock. Give herself a minute to process. Willow said none of it made sense. Drew would never hire a prostitute. Nina said it looked like he did, and Willow said nothing about this seemed like the man she knew and loved. Drew had to be able to explain.

Drew said he had no idea who the woman was, and Alexis said, clearly, she knew him. He said he didn’t remember, and she said she had her share of mornings when she didn’t remember the night before. Was this the first time he’d had a blackout? He said, yes, and she said he was in big trouble. So do the right thing and let her pack a bag and let Scout stay with her. He said, for how long? and she said, tonight for sure. Preferably until he got this big old mess sorted out. He said, Scout should stay with her, and she said she’d do what she could to shield Scout from his bad press. He thanked her and said he’d get to the bottom of this. She suggested he do it quickly. She went to pack Scout’s bag, and he found his phone under the couch along with a red bra. He stared at it like he was considering putting it on.

Lulu asked if Laura could argue that children and their birth parents should be reunited, and Laura said, each case was different. Lulu said, it worked out for her, and Laura stopped the recording. She asked why the subject was so important to Lulu right now. This was about more than the article, wasn’t it?

Carly said Sonny wanted her to go back and be with Donna, and Jack said Sonny was right. She asked if maybe he could give her a ride to the airport pick. She’d have to stop by the hotel to pick up her stuff and book a flight. He said, commercial?… Absolutely not. She was flying as a VIP guest of the WSB.

Sonny told Jason that Mike said he’d find a way out of the business. Mike was proud of him for putting his family first. But he couldn’t make a move without someone coming after him. Jason said they had to get rid of whoever was coming after Sonny, and Sonny said, and whoever was giving them their marching orders. Jason said, the first step was getting Sonny back to Port Charles in one piece. 

Curtis told Portia that Drew seemed sincere in his commitment to Willow. He was so sloppy, showing up in public in that condition. The last thing he thought he’d see Drew do was hurt Willow in public with another woman. Portia said she never thought Drew would double-cross him, but here they were. Drew was a master at hiding his true nature and he dropped the act.

Nina told Willow that it seemed like Drew lost control. Had he been drinking more than usual? Willow said she’d only seen him have a cocktail every so often, and Nina told her that she wasn’t saying Drew was an alcoholic. Willow said, what if Nina was right and she’d been blind the whole time? Maybe her being out of town was a chance for Drew to cut loose. Was that who Drew really was? There was a knock at the door and Drew called for Willow. He said, please, they needed to talk. Willow looked at Nina.

Thursday:

Josslyn found Emma on her laptop at the hospital. Emma said Kai was having surgery and she was there to support Trina. Josslyn said, small world. Her too.

Josh asked what Kai’s hopes were for the surgery, and Kai said he wanted to play football again, get back on the field, be with his teammates, and feel the rush of the win. Deanna popped in and said it was time to prep Kai for surgery.

Dante fixed something while Danny and Rocco helped. Dante said afterwards, they’d go to the Woodchucks game with Lulu. Dante’s phone rang and he said, they did what?

Laura said Lulu was her daughter and she knew Lulu wasn’t being forthcoming about the subject of adoption. What did the topic have to do with her?

In the nook, Tracy laughed as she looked at her tablet. Brook wondered what was so funny, and Tracy said she was reading the article in The Herald. Lulu had gotten the ball rolling and sent footage of Drew’s debauchery at The Savoy to the paper, who sent a representative to cover it. Thanks to Lulu, Drew was no longer Congressman Cutthroat. He was Congressman Cad. Lulu was a national treasure. Chase and Gio walked in, and Brook wondered if they could go one day without Tracy giving an ode to the glories of Lulu. She couldn’t take it. She left, and Tracy wondered if it was something she said.

Drew said he knew Willow was in there. Please let him in. Nina told Willow that she’d call security, and they’d make him leave, but Willow said she needed to face this head on. She opened the door and asked what Drew wanted.

Gio asked what that was about, but Tracy said she had no idea. Did he see the news about Drew’s public meltdown? Or should she say, hoedown? Gio said, the video went viral on social media, but didn’t it mess up her plans to take down Uncle Sonny? She said it was a minor setback, but wasn’t going to stop her from making Port Charles a Sonny-free zone.

Drew begged to come inside, asking Willow to hear him out. Willow let him in and he wanted to speak privately, but she said she wanted Nina there. He said it was a huge misunderstanding, but Willow said she found him in their bedroom hooker. He asked if that sounded like him, and Willow said she didn’t know who he was, but she knew what she saw. And right now, she trusted her eyes more than him.

Josslyn told Emma that they were taking Kai in at 3. Did she want to get coffee? Emma said she had to finish her data model for Professor Dalton. It was the extra credit required to apply for the research assistant position.

Deanna told Josh, that’s a wrap, and he left. Trina asked if she and Kai could have a moment, and Deanna went out to the hallway. Kai said he thought they’d never leave, and Trina said he was doing great. Then again, he was pretty great. He took her hand.

Brook told Chase that if she heard one more person extol the virtues of Lulu, she was going to tear her hair out. Lulu was holding the truth about her and Dante’s child over her head and tormenting her with it. Lulu wanted to drive her insane and she though it was working.

Lulu told Laura that the Banner chose the topic out of three that she pitched, but she may not have been honest as to why she wanted to tackle that particular subject. Laura said she knew how to keep a confidence, but Lulu said it wasn’t her secret to tell. She wasn’t supposed to know. Laura said, so she stumbled on it? and Lulu said, stumbled, snooped, stuck her nose in where it didn’t belong. It depended on who you talked to. Laura said she couldn’t help unless Lulu told her what it was, and Lulu said she had knowledge about a child given up for adoption, but not all parties were aware of it and she could change that

Josslyn found Vaughn in a hallway, and he said he hadn’t heard from her in a while. Was anything going on? She said she was getting caught up in Dalton’s class, but she saw Dalton here. She followed him to a lab. He was carrying a briefcase. She didn’t know what was in it, but she got the lab number, and you needed a keycard to get in. She also saw Dalton speaking to Anna at The Savoy. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she knew they didn’t exchange numbers or information. Vaughn asked if the position as research assistant was hers yet, and she said, no, but she had a lead on that.

Drew asked again if he and Willow could have privacy, but Nina said she was staying. He had some nerve, barging into her home and demanding privacy after publicly humiliating Willow. He said he didn’t remember any of that. He would never do that. Nina told him, the entire internet says otherwise, and he said he didn’t remember anything. Nina said that was convenient, and he said he barely remembered anything after he left the office. Something was wrong.

Gio said he and Tracy didn’t agree about Sonny, but he got it. He spoke to Jason, who told him why she held Sonny responsible for AJ’s death. Tracy said, AJ was murdered, and he was her brother’s son, and Gio said Jason told him that Sonny shot AJ to save Ava. Tracy said, of course (🍷). To justify Sonny’s crimes. Gio said Jason lived in the house and had come back to the family, and Tracy said he took a long road to get there.

Chase suggested they stop the harassment right now by going to Dante and telling him everything, and Brook said she’d been tempted. She was tired of getting beaten up over the secret. But it wasn’t just about her comfort. It was about her child. She had a son out there and a big part of her wanted to find him, but a bigger part, the better part, wanted to protect him and not disrupt his life. She respected Lulu’s right to make her own choices, but she wished Lulu could respect hers. Chase said she would. He was putting an end to this once and for all. He walked out.

Laura said, a child was involved? and Lulu said, technically. Laura asked if they were in physical danger, and Lulu said, not that she was aware of. Laura said, so there was no threat to anyone, and Lulu asked, what about emotional threat? Laura said, to whom? and Lulu said, everyone. She thought they deserved to know the truth, but all she kept hearing was, it wasn’t her secret to tell. Laura said, yet she knew and carried it, and Lulu asked if that didn’t make it her secret to share. Laura said, no. She could see it was weighing on Lulu, but as a mother, she felt she had to advise Lulu to be really careful playing God with someone else’s life.

On the phone, Dante said he had this. They were here, but they’d see him soon. He told the boys that it was Yuri. They’d left such a mess in the boathouse, he felt he had to call. Danny and Rocco apologized, but Dante said, sorry wasn’t going to cut it. They were back to clean up or there would be no games in their future. They were old enough to know if they made a mess, they had to take responsibility and clean it up. Then they’d go to the game.

Kai said he was glad Trina was supporting his decision despite the risk, and she said she knew how much it meant to him and admired him for it. Deanna said it was time, and Trina said she’d see Kai on the other side. He thanked her for everything, and Trina left. Outside, she looked worried.

Emma told Josslyn that she had to turn in her work in the morning. She promised Gio that she’d go to the bonfire with him. She thought it was a nice way to blow off steam. Josslyn should come. Josslyn said maybe she’d meet Emma there. Trina joined them and said she was freaking out, but Kai was surprisingly excited and calm. It didn’t help that Drew’s documentary director kept shoving a camera in Kai’s face. Josslyn said Drew shouldn’t send a camera after anybody after his performance at The Savoy. He should hide under a rock.

Willow said the footage was out of Drew partying with the woman she found half-naked in their bedroom, and Drew said he had no idea who she was. Willow suggested there wasn’t much conversation and said neither one of them looked like they were there against their will. Nina said Drew was lucky Willow was speaking with him. He was angry that Willow wouldn’t ignore what she saw in her home with her own eyes simply because he said it didn’t happen. Drew said he loved Willow with all his heart and was asking her to trust that, and Willow said all she’d been doing was trusting him. She’d given up her life and her marriage because of him, and now she was going to lose her kids. 

Lulu said she wasn’t playing God, and Laura said, not intentionally, but it wasn’t her child. Lulu said, no, and Laura said, so she wasn’t going to be directly impacted by the information coming out. It sounded like she had a luxury perspective. She could step back and look at what she did without having the burden of angst after making the choice to give up a child. If she can’t imagine that, imagine having her agency taken away and being told what’s best for her and her child. She hoped Lulu didn’t take the position lightly.

Tracy gave Jason credit for being honest about his version of the truth, and Gio said, her version was different. She said her version was the truth. Jason’s perception was seen through the distorted lens of too many years at Sonny’s knee. He wasn’t the boy she knew and was largely Sonny’s work. Gio said there was a lot to admire, and she agreed Jason had a lot of admirable qualities, but he had more potential before Sonny robbed him. She hated that Sonny stole from Jason and a lot of people would be better off when Sonny was gone.

Chase knocked at Lulu’s door and Dante answered. Chase asked if Lulu was there, and Dante said, no. Was there something he could do? Chase said, tell Lulu to back the hell off his wife.

Josh hunted Trina down and wanted to film, but couldn’t unless Emma and Josslyn signed release forms. They sat close on either side of Trina, and Josh said he needed them to sign before he could film Trina with them. Josslyn said she didn’t like the camera and Emma said, talk to her agent. Josh asked if Trina would consider moving, and they just looked at him. He said he got it, and left. 

Dante said Chase was coming in hot, and Chase said he got hot when someone tried to hurt his wife. Dante said it was just the Brook and Lulu thing. They had history and both gave as good as they got. Chase didn’t want to get involved. Chase said, that wasn’t an option. He and Brook were planning on adopting and expanding their family. Lulu knew they were trying to have a baby and knew it was a sensitive, painful matter. Also private. In spite of that, she had to write an article on adoption. It was no coincidence. Dante asked if Chase didn’t think that was an overreaction.

Brook found Tracy in the solarium and apologized. She said she didn’t mean to snap. Tracy said she didn’t need an apology. She needed an explanation. She was sick of Brook and Lulu’s tit for tat. They weren’t teenagers anymore. Why was Brook so threatened by Lulu?

Lulu told Laura, in lieu of playing God, what should she do? What would Laura do? Laura said the family didn’t meet Nikolas until he was a teenager. That was a choice she made. Lulu said, there were extenuating circumstances, and Laura said, there always was with these decisions. She made a choice, then Lulu became ill and there was a chance to save her life, so Laura chose to bring Nikolas back into their lives. Lulu said she was grateful, but it cost her Laura, and starting to cry, Laura said, all choices in life cost something. Some of it easy, some of it took the rest of your life to pay. Choosing to expose someone else’s secret or truth was hubris and Lulu would be responsible for everything that happened after that. She hoped Lulu would think long and hard before she did anything. Lulu thanked her and they hugged.

Danny told Rocco that he wasn’t going to the game. There was a bonfire party on the beach. It was on the lake and they could walk from there. The kids at PCU were having it because of the heatwave. Rocco said they wouldn’t be able to get in, but Danny said it wasn’t an official party. They could just show up. He wanted to have some real fun.

Nina asked why Willow said she’d lose her kids, and Willow said she hadn’t had a chance to tell them how things went with Michael in Germany. He refused to even see her, much less talk. He hated her and blamed her. He was going to do everything to hurt her, and he was going to take her kids. Drew said he wouldn’t let that happen, but Willow said he couldn’t stop it. Not after this. She risked everything to be with him. He promised to protect her and her children, and he ruined everything.

Trina said she owed them, and Emma said she was done with her data model and Trina didn’t owe them. They were happy to be of support. Josslyn said, of course (🍷). Always. Emma said she was going to back-up her work later, but wanted to take a minute to take in this beautiful moment. Trina said it was nice to see someone as into their major as she was, and Emma said she wasn’t letting it out of her sight. She was going to call Gio to pick her up now. Josslyn said she could stay with Trina, but Trina said she could handle Josh. Josslyn said she’d see Emma at the bonfire, and stood by Vaughn at the elevator. She quietly told him that she needed help with something tonight, and they got in the elevator.

Drew said he’d fix this, and Nina asked why they should believe his meaningless words. Willow came to her in tears when she found another woman in the home he shared with her and her children. She wasn’t going to stand there and watch Drew gaslight Willow. He needed to leave. Drew told Willow, don’t listen. Go with what she knew. Nina said what Willow knew was what she’d seen with her own eyes, and Drew asked if Willow ever knew him to drink excessively or take drugs. Willow said, no, and he said he had to explain what happened. All he was asking was for her to give him a chance to prove it.

Brook said she wasn’t threatened by Lulu, and wasn’t jealous, and Tracy said, make her understand. She could see why Lulu would be threatened by Brook. She was a successful businesswoman, had lots of talent, and a wonderful husband who was devoted to her. They were at the beginning of starting a family. Yet with all that, Lulu’s mere existence riled Brook. Why was that? 

Chase said Brook asked Lulu not to write the article, and Drew said he could see how sensitive the issue was, but Lulu came up with three ideas to present to the editor at the Banner. She chose the article. It was a think piece, and the names would be changed. Lulu was just trying to be a journalist again. She got a gig and couldn’t turn it down. Chase said Lulu wasn’t just doing a job. She was intentionally hurting Brook. Dante said there was no proof of Chase’s accusation, and Chase said he was asking as a friend. Could Dante get Lulu to back off? 

Vaughn stopped the elevator, and Josslyn said Emma was the leading candidate for research assistant. She was going to the college bonfire and had a thumb drive with the data model she was turning in tomorrow. She needed to get the drive, copy it, corrupt the drive, and get it back without Emma noticing, and before Emma had a chance to back it up. He asked if she needed back-up, and she said, possibly. Did he think he could come up with a reason to be on King’s Beach? He said he had one question. Was she prepared to sabotage a friend?

Emma said, maybe Josslyn wasn’t so bad, and Trina said there was more to Josslyn than Emma gave her credit for. Gio arrived.

Danny said now that Rocco lived with his mom and sister, it wasn’t the same. Rocco’s phone rang, and it was Dante. Rocco told Danny that his mom and dad couldn’t go to the game and were going to have Yuri take them. Danny said it was fate, and Rocco said, fine. He’d go to the party.

Laura found Trina and told her that her dad said her friend Kai was having surgery. She thought Trina could use a friend to keep her company. Trina slid over and put her head on Laura’s shoulder.

Drew told Willow that he’d go to GH and get a blood test. All he asked was for her to wait and see what the test said. Come with him. She could make sure nothing was tampered with. Nina said Willow didn’t have to feed into his lies, and Willow said Nina was right. She didn’t want any more lies. That’s why she had to find out the truth for herself. She’d come with him. He held out his hand, but she ignored it and said, let’s get this over with. She walked out and Drew followed. Nina was obviously frustrated.

Lulu told Dante, sorry she was late, and said hi to Chase. Chase barely looked at her and left. Lulu said she’d just grab her stuff, and they could go, but Dante said he didn’t know if they should. He needed her help with something. They needed to help Brook.

Brook said Tracy wore blinders when it came to Lulu. She didn’t see Lulu as she was. She saw Lulu as the last remaining tie to Luke. Tracy said she was wrong. Lulu was so much more than her father’s daughter. She saw Lulu and knew her as she was, warts and all, and wouldn’t apologize for loving her. Lulu was trying to rebuild the life taken from her and finding her place in the world and reconnecting to her children. Why did Brook begrudge her? Brook said she didn’t, but Tracy said it seemed like Brook didn’t want Lulu to have anything. She didn’t want Lulu to have a house, a family, or a job. Brook said she didn’t care about that. She cared that Lulu knew she’d gotten pregnant in high school and gave the baby up for adoption. She cared that Tracy’s precious Lulu had been holding it over her head and threatening to blow her life up. Tracy was in shock.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada….

Arriving at the beach, Emma tells Gio, it looks like things are getting started, and Gio says, people are swimming. She says, why not? when Josslyn runs over and she and Emma hug. Emma says she’s glad Josslyn came, and Josslyn says her too. Gio asks if Josslyn would go swimming in this, and Emma tells him, give it up. All she wants to do is dance. Josslyn says, sounds great, and Emma says, looks like everyone is dancing. Vaughn approaches and Emma asks, who’s that?

Carly goes to Nina’s and asks if Willow is here, and Nina says, no. Carly says, did Nina deliver or what? She has to admit she didn’t think Nina would come through. This is amazing. Nina says, excuse me? and Carly says, come on. This was her, wasn’t it? She shows Nina her phone with the video of Drew acting the fool.

In the nook, Lucy, Maxie, and Lois are having a meeting. Lucy says, they need to take the Nurses Ball to the next level. Right now, Port Charles is a divided city, and they need to pull everyone together with song and dance and as many wardrobe changes as possible. Maxie says, people are going crazy over the referendum, which is about a sidewalk, but Lucy says, it’s not a sidewalk. It’s an esplanade. Lois says, call it what she wants, but what it really is, is a vote on supporting Drew screwing over Sonny. Lucy says, which reminds her. She disinvited Drew. Maxie says, she can’t disinvite someone or make the decision by herself, and Lois asks if Lucy also means she’s refusing his donation. Lucy says, of course (🍷) not. It’s for charity. Fine. She’ll heed the conventions of common courtesy, but does that mean she can’t have a silent protest deep in her soul when she appears on the red carpet… if he’s still a congressman by then.

Drew thanks Willow for coming to the hospital with him. He hopes to prove… She tells him to stop trying to sell her. She’s not one of his staffers. He says he knows. He’s sorry. He needs to prove that he wasn’t in his right state of mind. He’d never disrespect her or their relationship in that way. (Does that mean he would in other ways?) She says she can’t get the image of the half-naked woman in their bedroom out of her head, and he says he promises he’ll get to the bottom of this. Amy is talking with an orderly nearby and says she can’t believe they’re here together. The orderly says, maybe Drew is there to take care of his hangover, and Amy says, or tested for an STI.

Dante says, hear him out, and Lulu says, all right. He says, she’s already got a big win with Drew’s story. She’s shown what a great journalist she is. She says she’s already gotten calls from news outlets, and he says, she’s already on her way. Maybe now she doesn’t need to write the adoption thing. She says, don’t, and he says, she was using it to get her freelance career back up and running, but she has Drew’s story and doesn’t need it anymore. Do it for him. Maybe choose to write something else. She says, no. She’s a journalist and won’t let Brook dictate who or what she writes about.  

Tracy says she wants to make sure she heard correctly. Did Brook say she had a baby? Brook says, in high school, and she gave it up for adoption. Her father doesn’t know, and the baby’s father doesn’t know. Tracy asks, who does know? and Brook says, until recently, the only person she told was her mom.

Vaugn says, Josslyn is standing on his towel, and she moves. He asks, what’s going on? and she says, a PCU party. Gio says, there’s going to be a bonfire, and Vaughn says, nice. Emma says he’s not here for the party? and he says he was getting in his daily swim. She says, the water is super cold, and he says, that’s the point. Swimming is great. It strengthens the immune system and does a body all kinds of good. They should try it. Emma says, right now? and asks Gio, what about him? Gio says he has no swimsuit, but she says she’s not afraid if he isn’t.

Carly tells Nina that it took her a minute to figure it out, but the woman is Jacinda. She used to work at the MetroCourt sometimes. Drew can’t be stupid enough to hire a professional escort, so how did Nina swing it? Nina says, when Drew was at the MetroCourt, she saw an opportunity with Jacinda, and Carly wonders how she got Drew to do it. Nina says, it was super simple. Jacinda slipped something in his drink and once it hit, Drew did the rest. Carly says, so The Savoy was his idea, and Nina says, it was. The original plan was for Jacinda to go home with Drew. That’s why she had the kids for a sleepover. Jacinda was never going to sleep with Drew, just stage the scene for Willow to walk in on. Which she did. Carly asks, how bad a scene? and Nina says, she found a half-naked woman in her bedroom with Drew passed out on the bed. What else would she think but that her knight in shining armor slept with another woman? Carly says she knows how hard it must have been to hurt Willow, and Nina says she just kept telling herself it had to be done. Willow can’t lose her children. But when Willow showed up here with tears in her eyes, she just hated herself.

Brook says she’s so sorry she lied, but Tracy says she didn’t lie. It’s her life and her choices and she gets to decide who she wants to tell. Brook says she didn’t want to tell anyone. She knew the only way of dealing with the pain of giving up her child was to force herself never to think about him. Tracy says, she had a boy, and Brook nods and says her mom and Grandma Gloria didn’t tell her, Lulu did, but it got to the point where she couldn’t keep it from Chase. Tracy asks how he took it, and Brook says, he was wonderful. Tracy says, of course (🍷). Like father, like son… Wait a minute. How did Lulu find out? Brook says, she broke into Martin Grey’s hotel room, and Tracy asks, why? Brook says, he’s Valentin’s lawyer and Lulu was looking for leads on Charlotte. Instead, she found Martin’s notes about her baby and Lulu hasn’t let up on her since.

Dante asks Lulu to please listen to him, and she wonders if Chase asked him to talk to her. Obviously, he listened to Brook’s sob story about her delicate feelings. Dante says he’s worried about his wife, but Lulu says he doesn’t have to be. Brook is overreacting as usual. She pitched three stories, and the editor chose this one. Dante says, she told him that, and she says, that should have been the end of the discussion. He says, whether or not she thinks Brook is overreacting – Lulu says, she is – the bottom line is, Brook is truly hurt by the article. So why can’t she entertain using another idea? Lulu says she was hired to write this one and she’s not willing to risk her credibility at this stage of her career for Brook’s sake. He says, what about his? His friends, Brook and Chase, are struggling for real. The same way they were when they thought about getting a surrogate, harvesting eggs, and doing IVF with Maxie. It was hard. She must remember how hard it was. She says, it felt awful, waiting through Maxie’s pregnancy, only to find out Georgie wasn’t theirs; she was Maxie and Spinelli’s. He says, Brook’s not behaving rationally, but were they being rational? How can you be rational with kids? There’s too much love and it runs too deep. It’s too important. She says she couldn’t have made it through that time without him, and he says he couldn’t have made it without her either.

Gio says, let’s do this, and Emma asks if Josslyn is coming. Josslyn says she thinks she’ll grab a drink first, and Emma asks if Vaughn is going back in. He says, absolutely. Let’s go. Emma says, they’re doing this? and Gio says, yeah, they are. They strip down to their underwear, and run to the water, holding hands. Josslyn looks through Emma’s stuff, finds the thumb drive, and takes it.  

Tracy says she doesn’t understand how Martin is involved, and Brook says her mom went to him for legal advice. Tracy says, that’s what Lois was doing in his room. Go ahead. Brook says her mom wanted to make sure the adoption couldn’t be unsealed. Lois was trying to protect her, but instead left a paper trail for Lulu to follow. Tracy says, Martin shouldn’t have left sensitive paperwork lying around, and Brook says, Lulu shouldn’t have broken into his room. She knows Tracy doesn’t like Martin and loves Lulu, but she can’t keep make excuses for Lulu. Not to her. Tracy says, enough. Go on. Brook says, despite it being none of Lulu’s business, Lulu confronted her and accused her of doing everything wrong. Tracy asks what Lulu thought was wrong, and Brook says she insisted the father had a right to know. Maybe she should have told him, but she was scared. She didn’t know… Tracy says, stop. Don’t keep second guessing herself. She completely supports Brook having given the baby up for adoption. If that’s what she truly wanted.  

Carly tells Nina that she’s sorry Willow had to go through that. She knows what it’s like to find the man you love in bed with another woman. (D’oh!) Nina says she knows Carly does, and Carly says, Nina did the right thing. Willow is better off without Drew. They all are, especially their grandchildren. Now that Drew’s spell over Willow has been broken, she and Michael can reach an agreement that puts the children first. Nina said she thought so too, but that’s not going to happen.

Danny and Rocco see the makeshift bar, and Danny tells Rocco, relax. It’s not like anyone is going to be asking for ID. They’ll be fine. They’ve just got to blend in. Rocco asks, how? and Danny says, follow him. He goes over to the bar, says, what’s up? and he and the guy tending bar fist bump. The bartender asks what he can get them, and Danny says, a beer, but the bartender suggests they stay away from that. The keg was dropped and there’s a lot of foam. Try the grog instead. He hands them solo cups, and as they walk away, Rocco asks, what’s grog? Danny says, punch, and sniffs it. Spiked punch. Rocco says he’s not drinking it, and Danny tells him to just hold it. That’s how they blend in. Everyone has a cup. Two girls join them and ask if they go to PCU. Rocco just looks at them, and Danny says his brother is an extrovert introvert. Or is it introvert extrovert? One of the girls asks, what’s the difference? and Danny says he has no idea. Once the punch kicks in, Rocco will tell them all about it. The girl says, his name is Rocco? That’s so cute. She’s Zoe. Rocco says he’s Rocco and holds out his hand. She says she knows, and the other girl says she’s Keri. Danny says, nice to meet them. He’s sure the girls can tell they’re both freshmen.

Looking at the seating chart, Lucy says she thinks she needs to add another table, and Maxie says she knows Lucy wants to sell more, but bringing more people together doesn’t mean forcing them to sit on each other’s laps. Lois says, she can make more room, but they’re already pretty jammed in, and Lucy says, proximity breeds pleasantries, so patrons will get to know the strangers at their table. Maxie says she’s all for reminding people what they have in common is greater than what divides them, but this is the Nurses Ball. Lucy asks what she means by that, and Maxie says, they’ll be lucky if no one throws a drink in someone else’s face. Lucy says, sad, but true. Which begs the question., do they think maybe there’s a tactful way to ask Carly to stay backstage the whole night?

Amy says she wants to tell Willow how brave they all think she is. She’s willing to be seen with Drew after the display he made of himself. She’s a saint. Willow thanks her, and Amy says, of course (🍷). So they’re all on the same page and they’d hate for rumors to start, Willow’s not actually staying with him. Willow says, it’s none of her business, and starts to walk away, but Amy says she totally understands if Willow feels she has to. She did wreck her marriage to be with him. But don’t let embarrassment or regret make her feel obligated to keep a man who cheated on her. She could do better.

Brook asks what Tracy meant by, if it’s what she wanted, and Tracy says, she was forced to make a very difficult decision at a very young age. She guesses she’s asking if Brook regrets the choice. Brook says, all the time, but then she thinks about it and remembers how difficult it would have been to raise a child. She had her music. Hearing herself say that seems selfish. Tracy says, she would have been a child raising a child, and Brook says she knew she wasn’t ready to be a mom for sure. She told her mom, and she agreed. She came home from camp and told her mom two things. One, that she was pregnant and she didn’t want to terminate the pregnancy; and two, she wanted to give her child a better life than she could as a teenager. Tracy says, that’s a mature decision for a teenager to make. She’s proud of Brook. She knew her mind and that’s a good thing. Brook says she hopes so. Her mom made arrangements for the adoption, and it was a huge relief. It was a huge responsibility and when her mom needed help, she told Brook’s Grandma Gloria. When Brook found out that Lois told her, she was floored, but she realized her mom wasn’t just helping her deal with her baby, she was giving up her own grandchild. Tracy says, Lois needed support, and Brook says, she knows. Tracy says, Brook never told her father, and Brook says, no. She feels terrible, but feels it’s too late. Or she’s telling herself that to feel better. Be honest. Does Tracy think she’s a coward?

Danny tells the girls that he’s more of a basketball guy, and calls Rocco over. He says, the girls want to play volleyball, but Rocco says, it’s almost dark. Zoe says they have a glow in the dark ball, and Danny says, just come with them, but Rocco tells him, go. Danny says he’ll stay with Rocco, but Rocco says, just go. Danny says, if he’s positive, and gives Rocco his cup. Danny leaves and Rocco drinks.  

Dante thanks Lulu and says he knew she’d understand, but Lulu says she’s not going to drop the story. Dante says she just said she agreed with him, and she says she agrees there’s nothing rational about having a child. What he said proves the story she’s writing is important and deserves attention. As a journalist, she can’t walk away from it. He says he hates it when she does this. She gets fixated on something and barrels through with no consideration for other people’s feelings. She says, this is her career. She needs this to get her life going again. What she wants to know is, why Brook’s needs are more important than hers. He says, they’re not, and she says, it feels that way. Brook isn’t a damsel in distress who needs to be rescued. If Dante knew the things she knows… Dante asks what she knows. He and Brook had a fling as teenagers and he didn’t tell her because it was way before they met. She says she knows more than that, and he says, it was a fling that meant nothing and wasn’t important, but she’s still mad. Fine. Be mad, but it’s not about Brook. It’s about him and her because… She says, what? and he says, because she’s still in love with him.

Maxie says, it’s Carly’s hotel. She can’t ask Carly to make herself scarce. And she’s not forcing Carly to hide in a closet, so don’t ask. Lucy says, wherever Carly is, they’ll still hear her. Bear in mind, Carly is Bobbie’s daughter – may she rest in peace – so she’s keeping in mind that Bobbie was never afraid to call someone out. Neither is Carly. What if she goes off on Drew and Willow and causes a big, fat scene? Maxie says, Lucy has caused more scenes at the Nurses Ball than Bobbie and Carly combined, and Lois says, true. Lucy says, that can’t be true… Boy, is it dark out. That means she has to go. She’s got lots of stuff to do and it’s very, very dark. She leaves and Maxie says, great meeting. She wishes Brook was here, and Lois says, speaking of Brook, how is she doing at work? Is she okay? Maxie says she thinks Brook is going through something, but doesn’t confide in her, and Lois says she’s sure Brook will. In the meantime, she’s thankful Brook and Maxie are good friends. She’s glad they’ve gotten so close. Maxie says, they’ve been through a lot and Brooks friendship is important to her, and Lois says she thinks Brook is going to need a friend like Maxie now.

Tracy says she doesn’t think Brook is capable of cowardice. She was strong then and she’s strong now. She takes Brook’s hand, and Brook asks if she really thinks so. Tracy tells Brook that she’s often said Brook is the best Quartermaine, and Brook says, she has? When? Tracy tells Brook that she says it behind her back. Now she is saying it to Brook’s beautiful face because she’s more convinced it’s true. For the record, Brook does not owe it to Ned to tell him about the baby. Brook didn’t owe it to her to tell her, but she’s glad Brook did. She wipes a tear from Brook’s face, and Brook says she’s glad too. Tracy says, now she has to ask, with everything Brook and Chase are going through, has it occurred to her to find her son? Brook says, it has. It’s tempting, but the whole point was to give him a better life. If she barges in now, it goes against that. The only way she’ll see him is if he comes looking for her. Tracy says, so generous, and Brook says, Lulu doesn’t agree. Tracy says, Lulu doesn’t get a say, and Brook wonders why Tracy always takes Lulu’s side. Tracy says she’s not. She knows Lulu can be arrogant and self-righteous, but she’s frequently wrong, like her father. Loving somebody doesn’t mean you agree all the time. Brook says Tracy is just telling her that to make her feel better, but Tracy says she’s not. She’s sorry Brook was heartbroken and afraid to tell her, but she never wants Brook to doubt how much she loves her. Brook says she loves Tracy too, and they hug, Tracy now in tears.  

Lulu says, of course (🍷) she loves Dante. She always will. They have a child together. Dante says, that’s not what he means, and he thinks she knows that. Is she saying it isn’t true? She says, no. Who told him? He says, it doesn’t matter. He shouldn’t have said anything. Lulu says, he did, so talk, and he says he’s grateful she’s back, but ever since she woke up, she’s had him at wit’s end. So he went to Maxie. She says, of course (🍷), and he says, Maxie told him what she was going to say before she collapsed. She says, fine. When it happened, she was on her way to find him to tell him that she wanted to be with him. He says, that’s a lot to hear. He wanted her back then. She says she never got a chance, and the next thing she knew, four years had gone by and he was in love with Sam. He says he didn’t know she felt that way and thought she’d moved on with Dustin. He didn’t set out to fall in love with Sam. It just happened. Is she saying he should have waited for her?

Nina says, Willow forgave Drew already. She could tell Willow wanted to believe it when he said he didn’t remember what happened last night. Carly says, that doesn’t change the fact that it did, and Nina says she knows, but Willow went with him to get a blood test at GH. Carly asks what the blood test is going to prove, and Nina says, it’s going to prove there are traces of ketamine in his system. Carly asks why she didn’t use a drug that left the bloodstream faster, and Nina says, ketamine is a recreational drug, and it can’t be proved Drew didn’t take it voluntarily. Carly says, if seeing Drew in bed with another woman didn’t prove it and the blood test proves it’s in his system, Willow will believe he was drugged and she’s going to forgive him. Nina says, hopefully, his constituents won’t. At least it’s something. His political career won’t survive the scandal. Carly says, if Willow thinks Drew’s the victim, it will just tie them tighter. And if she finds out Nina did all of this, it’s going to be one big disaster.

Willow tells Amy that her relationship is her business, and Amy should know better than to believe everything she sees on the internet. Amy says she’s just trying to help, and Willow says, if she wants to help, stop gossiping and start nursing. Amy jets, and Drew comes back. He says, security is keeping the press at bay. He can get her a bodyguard… She says she’s fine and doesn’t need a bodyguard. He says, if it becomes a problem, he’ll do it in a heartbeat, when Isaiah comes out with the test results. Drew asks if the results prove he was drugged.

Rocco gets another drink and a guy says they need one more. Is he up for it? Rocco says, yeah, sure, and goes with him. Emma, Gio, and Vaughn come out of the water, and Emma says, that was great. Gio says, at first, now he’s freezing. Vaughn gives Emma his towel, and she wonders where Josslyn is. Josslyn joins them and Emma asks where she was. Josslyn said she took a walk and watched the sunset. She surreptitiously shows Vaughn the thumb drive in her hand, and he says he’s going to the bonfire to warm up. Do they want to come? Josslyn says, sounds great, and Emma says she’s got to get dressed first.     

Isaiah says, the tests show that ketamine was in Drew’s system, and Drew says, what? He knew he’d been drugged. Can he get a copy? Isaiah says, there’s a copy in his patient folder and he can have this hard copy. He hands the papers to Drew, and Willow thanks him for handling it personally. Isaiah says, his pleasure, and leaves. Drew asks if Willow believes he was drugged now, and she says, yes, she does. He thanks her and says, she has no idea how much that means to him. She says she’s glad. She just wants to get home. Drew says he has one more thing to do. Take the car and he’ll call a Ride Share. She says she’ll see him at home, and he says, their home or Nina’s home. She says, their home, kisses him on the cheek, and leaves. Drew sees Mac talking to Felicia and goes over to him. He says he needs to report a crime.  

Nina tells Carly, there’s no way Willow can find out. Partly because Jacinda is halfway around the world by now and there’s no one here to corroborate the story. (Yeah, except for Portia whose known to be wishy-washy AF.) There have already been calls for Drew to resign. The more pressure they put on the man, the harder it will be for him to play Prince Charming to Willow. At some point, he’ll slip up, and when he does, Willow is going to see who he really is. Carly says, they can’t sit back and wait for that to happen. The photos and the video have gone viral and they’re invaluable. Nina has to use them to convince Willow that Drew got high on purpose and cheated on her the first chance he got. Nina says, Willow can’t know how much she hates Drew. Willow will think she did something and turn on her. Carly says, Nina has to take the risk. If she doesn’t, they could lose everything. She promises there’s no way in hell Michael is going to let Willow raise his children with that man.

Lulu says, of course (🍷) she didn’t want Dante to wait. No one even knew if she was ever going to wake up again. She’s glad he moved on with his life. He asks if she’s sure, and she asks why it’s so hard to believe that she wanted him to be happy. (I dunno. Because she’s usually selfish?) Dante says, for what it’s worth (🍷), it wasn’t easy moving on, and she says she’s sure it wasn’t. Hard as it was to imagine him moving on without her, she’s truly happy Sam was there for him and Rocco. He says, Sam would appreciate her saying that. Him too. She says, it turns out she’s not jealous of Brook. She’s jealous of Sam and Sam died saving her life. She feels like that makes her a horrible person.

Vaughn asks, what happened? and Josslyn says she got here as fast as she could. Why didn’t he keep them in the water longer? He asks if she has any idea how cold the water is. Maybe he’s overthinking it. Maybe she could make Emma think it got lost in the sand. She can make another. Josslyn says, it’s got to be this one. Emma’s work is it and it’s corrupted. She has to give Dalton the corrupted one. He says, Josslyn will have to plant it on Emma, and she says she knows. Any ideas? Josslyn turns and sees Danny right there.

Carly says, Nina knows Diane will use the video and photos for Michael to get full custody, but Nina says she can’t push Willow. If she pushes any harder, she’ll lose Willow and she’ll be isolated with Drew. They’ll never get her away. Carly says, the longer this goes on, the more Willow will be hurt, and Nina says she can’t risk making Willow suspicious. Willow walks in.

Mac says, ketamine is a recreational drug. Any chance Drew took more than he could handle? Drew says he’s never taken drugs, and he doesn’t remember the woman in the photo. Mac asks, who was the last person he remembers talking to? and Drew remembers talking to Tracy at the MetroCourt. He flashes back to them shaking hands.

Lois finds Tracy and says, they need to talk about the Nurses Ball, since she’s a member of the hospital board, but Tracy says, there’s only one thing she wants to hear. Where is her great-grandson?

Brook finds Maxie and thanks her for sticking around, and Maxie asks, what’s going on? Brook says, just Quartermaine insanity, and Maxie asks if she’s sure. She wants to help. Just tell her what to do. Brook says, one thing, and Maxie says, name it. Brook says, pick a side, and Maxie says, what? Brook says she hates to do this to Maxie, but she can’t confide in her as long as she’s friends with Lulu. Maxie says, Lulu is her best friend. So is Brook. Brook says she cherishes that, and Maxie says, Brook knows she tries to stay neutral. Brook says she thinks things have gone way too far. Maxie’s got to decide. Is she Brook’s friend or Lulu’s? Brook walks out.

Josslyn tells Danny, neither one of us was here. Deal? Danny says, deal, they shake hands, and he leaves. Vaughn asks if he’s going to be a problem, but she says, absolutely not. The last thing he wants his parents to know is that he was at a college party. Emma and Gio come back, and Emma asks what Josslyn was talking to Mr. Aquaman about.  

We see Rocco passed out near the rocks on the beach.

Dante says, Lulu isn’t a horrible person, but he can’t pretend he wasn’t in love with Sam. Lulu says she’d never ask him to. She knows he’s still grieving, but she needs to get on with her life without him. She’s trying, but losing four years and being stuck in the past, sometimes she just feels so lost… It’s not his problem. The painful truth is… She’s in love with him, but he’s still in love with Sam. He says, yeah, but he’s still in love with her too.

On Monday, Emma says her thumb drive is gone; Brad says he’s come to collect; Drew says, as soon as he knows, Mac will; and Danny tries to wake up Rocco.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

For there being so much last week, there was nothing new for GH this week. So in lieu of that, some sad news. She was on Dallas, so it counts.

https://ew.com/priscilla-pointer-dead-carrie-dallas-star-amy-irving-mother-100-11724668

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I could definitely vibe with a circus theme.

The Valley

Michelle said, Jesse was worse than Jax, but how is that even possible when Jax has a winning streak in being Worst Human Being Ever? Sandoval usurped the throne for a hot minute, but Jax is back to wearing the sash and crown. Michelle was all upset because Jesse had said she’d slept with a billionaire for money. I wish a billionaire was offering me money. True, $1500 sounded a bit cheap for a billionaire, but still.

Summer House

Kyle and Schwartz said they’d be good dads. Definitely, if the kid wants a younger brother. I guess I’m going to have to live with this toe thing for the rest of the season. Lexi claimed to be done, but Jesse wasn’t, and I’m still no sure if they’re still together or not.

Random Reality Items

I would not be heartbroken.

I would expect no less.

Get your reservation now. Men not included. Or the $25,000 taco.

👀 Weekend Watch…

Patient Zero. Amazon Prime. Purchase or rent. I still can’t believe after over a year of trying to hunt this down, I debated whether or not I should spend the $3.99 to watch it. I spent it and got my money’s worth. The zombies aren’t zombies in the usual sense, but super strong, super intelligent killers. An underground team has been assembled to try and find a cure, and one of them, Morgan (Matt Smith), can communicate with the infected, having been bitten, but not turned. There’s the usual cast of characters, like the beautiful scientist who has a romantic relationship with Morgan and a military brute who just wants to kill the infected, to hell with a cure. But the best character of all is The Professor. Stanley Tucci gives a stellar performance as he tells the tale of how he got infected and tries to discourage the search for a cure.

https://collider.com/matt-smith-stanley-tucci-patient-zero/

A Different Man. Max. You likely already know what this film is about – an actor with a deformed face a la The Elephant Man undergoes surgery to make himself look, for lack of a better word, normal. The twist is that he ends up being jealous of a man with a similar condition who is happy with himself as is. The bottom line, you can change all you want about the outside, but if you have issues inside, it ain’t gonna make a difference. Definitely worth a watch.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-different-man-film-review

I was happy to hear this got Adam Pearson, who plays the happier of the two, another job. Now I’m jealous.

Bright. Netflix. Apparently, the reviews weren’t great, but I thought this was a fun escape. Similar to Alien Nation, the main characters are partners on the police force – one human, one an Orc – in a world where all kinds of creatures exist. It’s like an extended version of the Cantina scene in Star Wars, and who doesn’t love that? There is an actual plot about hunting down a certain fairy and a magic wand on the loose, and the action scenes were great, but I’d watch this again just to look at the details.

https://www.cracked.com/article_40602_the-best-will-smith-movie-is-bright.html

https://www.cbr.com/netflix-bright-negative-reviews/

Tau. Netflix. Imprisoned by a rich inventor to work on technology, a grifter befriends the computer who is supposed to help keep her there, by hurting her if necessary. While it had many good moments, some cool special effects, and Gary Oldman voicing the computer Tau, there were one too many trips to the cornfield for me.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/tau-2018

Black Mirror: Season 7. Netflix. The individual episodes.

Common People – Usually the theme is technology gone bad, but this was more like merchandising gone mad. In this world of the future, there’s a company that has the ability to keep you alive and mobile even if you’re practically dead, for a monthly fee. No surprise, you need to keep upgrading and the price climbs as you do. Sound familiar? Even though the premise was slightly amusing, it was nonetheless depressing.

Bête Noire – A woman working for a food company finds out an old schoolmate, who is also their co-worker, isn’t who they seem to be. They have an ability that’s both awesome and dreadful. I loved the ending to this one, although I don’t know if I’d call it happy.

Hotel Reverie – The very definition of bittersweet. Futuristic technology allows an actress to replace the lead actor in a Casablanca-ish old film and she falls in love with the lead actress who has been dead for years. It made me cry.

Plaything – a lot of the episodes had a melancholy tone and this was one of them. A man invents a video game back in the Donkey Kong days and becomes personally involved with his tiny minions. Then tragedy strikes.

EulogyPaul Giamatti is magnificent as a man asked to participate in a memorial service, but to do it, he has to relive his memories through a few photographs. Again bittersweet.

https://collider.com/black-mirror-season-7-episode-5-eulogy-explained-paul-giamatti/

USS Callister: Into Infinity – If you know, you know, and know it’s the follow-up episode fans have been waiting for. A nerd invents a video game based on his favorite show that’s not quite Star Trek. He becomes part of the game and drags his co-workers in against their will. This time, other real players are added to the game. It was a relief after all the angst of the other episodes.

https://ew.com/black-mirror-season-7-episode-guide-11712277

⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…

Season 2 of Dead City premieres this Sunday, May 4th. Be there or be a stiff.

https://bleedingcool.com/tv/the-walking-dead-dead-city-season-2-preview-negan-has-big-plans/

🏆 Awaiting the Honors …

The Tonys.  

https://extratv.com/2025/05/01/tony-nominations-2025-the-complete-list/

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

🍹 Three Dogs and a Fish Walk Into a Bar…

🦈 And then the fish ate the diver. Just kidding. This is pretty cool.

https://people.com/living-fossil-fish-thought-extinct-for-70-million-years-photographed-for-the-first-time-in-2025-11724699

📸 One way to meet the neighbors.

https://people.com/woman-offers-portraits-to-neighbors-one-brings-dog-exclusive-11725264

🐕 The big and the small of it. What’s really funny is how the Great Dane is the one who looks worried.

https://people.com/guinness-world-records-tallest-shortest-dogs-meet-11724914

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. – Marcel Proust

Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. – Marilyn Monroe

The more you are grateful for what you have, the more you will have to be grateful for.Hilary “Zig” Ziglar

Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye. – Helen Keller

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

If you always do what interests you, at least one person is pleased. – Katherine Hepburn

I don’t have any anger. Stop pissing me off.Florian Sukaj, 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort, Tell All Part 5

As mad as he gets, his hair is perfect. – Big Ed Brown, talking about Florian Sukaj, Pillow Talk: 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort

💐 It’s Gonna Be May…

Until next week, stay safe; stay off your phone while you take a walk and enjoy how spring has sprung; and stay not taking it lightly if you’re in a luxury position.

April 25, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Drew Keeps Willow From Michael, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Shenanigans In the Wild, A Revolutionary Number Of Quotes & Day

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What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Josslyn heard Emma’s voice coming from a dumpster. She asked if Emma was okay, and Emma said she was fine. Josslyn could go. Josslyn asked if she was sure about that.

Maxie asked if Anna was going to arrest Sidwell, and Brook said, if she did, his assets would be frozen, and they wouldn’t be able to fulfill pending orders. Maxie said Anna had to tell them – how bad is this guy?

Jason asked why Sasha sold out to Sidwell, and she asked what he was talking about. He said she claimed to have a stash of money. Yes or no, did the money come from Sidwell? She said, yes.

Sidwell asked when Sonny was getting heart surgery, but Natalia said she didn’t know, but soon. She happened to walk in when Sonny was having an episode and got him his medication. Sidwell asked if she was saying it was fatal and the surgery would be lifesaving, but she said she didn’t know. She told him everything she knew. Now she had to do damage control after what he’d told Lucy.

Lucas met with Marco, who said he wasn’t sure Lucas was going to show since he didn’t answer Marco’s text. He knew Lucas was thrown by finding out Sidwell was his father. Lucas said he wanted to give Marco a chance to explain before judging him.

Isaiah said, now that Jordan had decided to infiltrate Sidwell, they were done? and she said, yes. He said he didn’t want them to be over (me neither). He’d been having a good time. Wasn’t she?

On the phone, Alexis asked what Sidwell wanted, and he said he understood there’d been an impending job offer for his son, but it had hit a snag when they’d found out he was Marco’s father. She said they thought it was pertinent information that should have come out in the interview, and she had no time for this. She hung up, startling Sidwell.

Sonny said, Carly was coming to LA? and Carly said he’d need someone there and that someone was going to be her. He said she couldn’t do that, and she gave him a look.

Jordan said she’d enjoyed their time together, and Isaiah asked why they couldn’t keep doing what they were doing. She said she couldn’t take the risk. She had to focus on her new job and Sidwell would probably have eyes on her. He asked if she was DEA, but she said, no. He said, so she was just on her own? She was going to disrupt her life and put herself in danger for the possibility of bringing Sidwell down? She said it wasn’t about ego, but she was in a unique position to stop him, and he said Sidwell had been operating under the radar for decades. Anywhere he went, he committed crimes, but his rap sheet was clean. Her chances of incriminating him were slim to none.

Lucas said Marco’s father hurt a lot of his friends and family, and all of them thought he was a criminal. Marco said he didn’t grow up with his father. His parents had divorced when he was young and his mom wouldn’t let him see Sidwell. When he was in high school, he and his mom had a falling out. She didn’t want a gay son and definitely not one who was openly gay. Lucas said he was sorry Marco went through that, and Marco said that’s why he reached out to Sidwell. His father didn’t care who he was or that he was coming out. His father was there for him. Lucas said he didn’t know his father until he was older, and Marco asked if they were close now. Lucas said, Julian died four years ago, and they were estranged at the time. Were Marco and his father close? Marco said they were. When his father was moving to Port Charles, he suggested Marco move there too, and he said yes. Lucas asked if Marco knew who he was and that he lived in Port Charles when he offered to buy Lucas a drink in Miami.

Emma said she was fine, but Josslyn said she didn’t sound like it. Emma said she was just trying to get her foot unstuck, and Josslyn told her to hold out her hand. Emma insisted she was fine, but Josslyn said she didn’t look it. Come on. Emma took her hand, and she pulled Emma out of the dumpster.  

Carly told Sonny that she’d say she was scouting hotels because she wanted to expand the MetroCourt. It was believable that he’d give her a ride to LA. Wishing he could bring the moss bowl 🎍 instead, he said they couldn’t stay in the same room, and Carly suggested they say they’re interviewing doctors for Michael’s follow-up treatment. Sonny said he didn’t want to use Michael as a cover, but she said, Michael would approve, and it would explain their presence at the hospital. She thought it was perfect and that it would work.

Anna told Maxie that she had no reason to investigate Sidwell. Since he’d distanced himself from Africa, he’d broken no laws. Maxie asked if they should distance themselves from him, and Anna asked if that wouldn’t destroy their business. Sidwell had every incentive to keep his dealings with them above board. He was looking to establish himself in Port Charles as a legitimate businessman. Ultimately, it was their decision and their company, but if it was her, she’d stay the course. She thought that was the safest thing, but whatever they did, don’t trust him. She left and Lucy came in. Lucy said they were never going to believe what she heard. Natalia is Jenz Sidwell’s ex-wife. In unison, Maxie and Brook said, Jason told us.

Jason asked why Sasha would take anything from Sidwell. He kidnapped her and held her at gunpoint. They barely got her out alive. Why take money from him and lie to Maxie and Brook? He thought they were her friends. Sasha said they were, and she didn’t exactly lie. She told them that it had been Sidwell’s response to her mother conning him and stealing diamonds from him worth hundreds of millions. She wasn’t saying he wasn’t dangerous, but he was provoked. Deception needed Sidwell’s zincite and Maxie said Deception wouldn’t use him because of what he’d done. They could have lost everything. She downplayed it because she wanted Deception and her friends to succeed. She didn’t think he was a danger, and they could make up their own minds. Jason said she didn’t have to take Sidwell’s money, but Sasha said she did.  

Sasha said she wanted to know that she could support herself and her child. She grew up with a mother driven by money, who transformed herself into whatever her mark wanted her to be. She didn’t want her child to think it was a valid way to live. He said, but her mother was acting alone. She had family and friends. Sasha said she didn’t want charity. This was compensation for what Sidwell had put her through. She took it and they’re done. Jason asked if she’d be okay if Maxie and Brook knew she took it, and she said, he wasn’t going to tell them, was he? He said, no, but the fact she didn’t want to, told him that she wasn’t okay with it.

Jordan said there was no evidence that Sidwell was doing anything illegal, and Isaiah said Sidwell was dangerous and ruthless, and too smart to leave a paper trail. She said, all the more reason to get close, and he said he was afraid for her. If Sidwell found out, she’d just be gone. She said she assumed as much, and he asked why she was hellbent on risking her life with no back-up. She said that was why she was saying goodbye now. If they’d been in a relationship she would have had to make him understand. The cold, hard truth was that it was her choice own and no one was talking her out of doing what she needed to do. He took her hand and said, please be careful. He left and Anna came along. She asked Jordan, what’s wrong?  

Sidwell walked into Alexis’s office and thanked her for seeing him, but she said she already told him that she had no time for him. What did he want? He said, they were on the verge of hiring Marco, and the presumed the stumbling block was him. She said, the fact he was Marco’s father was a factor, but Marco wasn’t the only candidate they were considering. He said none were as well qualified, and Alexis said Sidwell was one of Marco’s clients. Did he possibly know that Sonny and Jason were their clients and brought Marco in to infiltrate them? He said it wasn’t even a remote possibility, and she said, did he ask Marco to relocate? He said, yes. He was moving stateside and looking forward to being close to his son, but it was Marco who wanted to work at the firm. What could he do to alleviate their concerns? She’d be a fool not to hire him.

While downing gummi bears, Lucy told Maxie and Brook that they’d be fine. Brook said they could invoke the morals clause and sever ties with him, but Maxie said he’d never been implicated. Brook said, that would imply they knew something was illegal, and Lucy said if they cut their losses, it would take them months to build up a new supply chain. They’d have to postpone their global launch and would lose all momentum. If they stayed with Sidwell, they could keep an eye on him. They didn’t have to like him to do business with him. Maxie said, which brought them to their CFO. What were they going to do about Natalia?

Sonny said he didn’t want Carly to disrupt her life because of him, but she said left to his own devices, he’d push himself and his recovery would suffer. He said she wasn’t going to tell him what to do, and she said she had a better shot at it than anyone else. Sonny trusted her judgement enough to listen to her, and she was worried that Natalia knew as much as she did. Sonny said he he’d known Natalia was Sidwell’s ex, he would have acted differently, but he didn’t think she’d wish harm on him. His phone rang and Brook asked if he could come to Deception right away. They had to talk about Natalia.

Emma noticed Josslyn was limping and asked if she was okay. Josslyn said she was fine. She’d twisted her ankle during a hike on Easter Island. She’d been fine until she put weight on it hauling Emma’s ass out of the dumpster. Emma said Josslyn did not just call her fat, and Josslyn asked why Emma was always so angry with her. Emma said she was so sick of Josslyn getting everything she wanted, Easter Island, Dalton’s class, even though it already started. Everything always worked out for her. Josslyn said, when they were kids, she was jealous of Emma. She was perfect and could do no wrong. She was never in trouble. Emma said, because she was being who everyone wanted her to be, and Josslyn said, look where that got her. She had a criminal rap sheet. Emma said, public enemy number one, and they laughed.

Anna said that Jordan seemed tense, and Jordan said she’d just broken up with Isaiah. Anna said she didn’t realize they had something going on, and Jordan said, not anymore. She liked him too. Anna asked, what happened? and Jordan said, Jenz Sidwell came to town just when things were getting interesting. Anna said, so given his and Isaiah’s history, she cut Isaiah loose. She didn’t want Sidwell to be suspicious while she was cultivating him. Jordan said, exactly, and Anna said she’s cultivated targets in her lifetime. Jordan said she and Isaiah tried to see each other on the downlow… Anna asked, what changed?

Jason arrived at Sonny’s old kitchen and said he’d gotten Carly’s text. She said she found out Sonny was having open heart surgery, and he asked if Sonny told her. She said, just now, and asked how long he knew. He said he’s known for a while, before the penthouse. Sonny didn’t want anyone to know. Isaiah knew because he was monitoring Sonny’s condition, and Brick knew because he got the specialist in LA. Carly asked what Natalia brought to the party, and Jason said, she found out when she walked in while Sonny was having an episode. She got his pills, and he confided in her. Jason didn’t like it. She said, now it came out that Natalia is connected to Sidwell. Why didn’t he tell her what was going on? He said, Sonny didn’t want her to know, and she said, that never stopped him before. Why didn’t he trust her now? Was it because of Jack?

Marco said he dropped his card because he knew Lucas would find it. Once he did, he knew Lucas would get so drunk, he’d have to carry him back… Lucas said, stop. He didn’t know why he constantly embarrassed himself. Sorry. Marco said he didn’t know who Lucas was. He was just relieved to get his card back and intrigued by the cute boy who found it. Lucas caught him off guard and the next morning he had no reason to think he’d see Lucas again. Surprised again. Lucas asked if Sidwell being Marco’s father was a good surprise. Did Marco work for him? Marco said Sidwell was one of his clients, and Lucas asked if Sidwell was a criminal. Marco said he had no knowledge of his father doing anything illegal, and Lucas said, interesting phrasing. Was that because his father is legit or is Marco being willfully ignorant because he doesn’t want to know?

Brook said Natalia had been in Port Charles over a year, and Lucy asked if she believed Natalia said anything that could hurt them. Natalia walked in and said she wouldn’t have even if there had been something to tell. They had a right to be upset, but she asked that they hear her out. Maxie said, go ahead, and Natalia said her ex had been out of her life for decades. They broke up when their son was a baby. The last she heard, he was in East Africa. She had no reason to think he’d be in Port Charles. Brook said, but he was, and Maxie asked why she didn’t say something, but Natalia said it had nothing to do with their business decisions.

Emma said she’d been envious of Josslyn when they were kids. Josslyn was the super cool girl who lived part-time in Australia, surfed, and never cared what people thought. She pushed boundaries to go after what she wanted. Josslyn said they remembered things differently, and Emma said she was bugged that Josslyn was so fearless, while she was stuck being good. Josslyn said she was jealous of Emma. She had everything figured out and didn’t need to break rules or push boundaries to get what she wanted. Emma said now she just wanted to fight for what was right, and she was covered in paint and gum a tiny child put there. How did Josslyn get into Dalton’s class when there were at least 10 people on the waitlist?

Marco told Lucas that his father was powerful and ambitious. He knew there were parts of his father’s business that his father kept from him, and he preferred it that way. Lucas said he understood too well. He ignored everything his father did until he couldn’t. That’s why they were estranged when he died. Marco said, that’s new. He would tell Lucas his life story on date three. Lucas asked if this was a date.  

Jordan told Anna that after she resigned, Sidwell offered her a job as his personal lobbyist. It wasn’t official and she’d appreciate it if Anna didn’t say anything, especially to Curtis, and Anna said, of course (🍷). Was Laura in on this? Jordan said they’d come up with the plan together. She knew Boyle couldn’t resist grandstanding and putting her on the spot and he didn’t disappoint. And any good cover story works if there’s an element of truth. She’d never been comfortable with Laura’s closeness to Sonny.

Carly said she’d never tell Jack that Sonny needed help, and Jason said he knew she’d never divulge Sonny’s secrets to Brennan. She had a right to have a life, separate and apart from Sonny. In the past, she’d try to distance herself, and he’d pull her back. She said, those were her own choices, and he said, Sonny cost her a lot. She changed after Sonny and Nina. He saw how painful it was, and it wasn’t fair to ask her to come through for Sonny again.

Alexis asked why Sidwell was working so hard to get his son hired, and he said maybe he was overcompensating. He and Marco’s mother divorced when Marco was young. As a father, he was mostly absent. Marco’s mother had him – Natalia Ramirez. Alexis asked if he was Allie’s father, but he said, no. Natalia remarried and their divorce was so acrimonious, he missed out on Marco’s childhood. She asked when they reconnected, and he said, Marco reached out when he was in high school. He was happy to pay for Marco’s college and law school. He was grateful for the chance to bond with his son and was looking forward to living in the same city. Alexis said she could see he loved his son. Unfortunately, his feelings had no bearing on the firm’s hiring decision. She’d have her assistant see him out.

Natalia said she should have told them the second she walked in. She was sorry, but when she saw Sidwell, she froze. She didn’t know he was in North America, let alone Port Charles. Maxie said she was sure it was a shock, and Brook said, it was two months ago, and Natalia continued to keep quiet. Natalia said, Lulu was so passionate with her objection, she didn’t think they’d be able to move forward, and too much time had passed… Sonny walked in and said he didn’t know Natalia would be here. Natalia said, of course (🍷). She owed the women an explanation and an apology. Maxie said, Natalia explained why she kept her ex a secret, and Sonny asked what they decided. Lucy asked if they were still all in agreement, and Maxie said, yeah. Let’s not drag it out. Effective immediately, they were terminating Natalia’s contract.

Anna asked what happened when Jordan got Sidwell, and Jordan said they both knew he was up to something. He hired her to be his public facing, but once she was inside, she’d been in the perfect position to keep an eye on him. Anna asked if she thought she could get evidence against him, and Jordan said, maybe. She was hoping her presence in his organization would make it harder to pull something. Anna said it sounded too good be true, she and Laura having a man on the inside.  And she couldn’t think of a better man for the job.

Sonny said he’d made the decision, and Brook said that’s why she’d asked him to come. Maxie said, except they had a CFO they couldn’t trust, but in the light of things, it was a necessary evil. Lucy said they couldn’t have Sidwell’s ex-wife near their financials, and Natalia told Sonny that he knew she could be trusted. Don’t let it happen. He said he was sorry, but she needed to understand and accept the decision. She said, after all she’d done. Where was his loyalty? He said, business is business, and Natalia left.  

Lucas said he had no idea Marco’s standards were so low, and. Marco said it wasn’t the worst date he’d been on. Lucas said him either (me neither), when Marco’s phone rang, and he said his mom didn’t usually call him. Lucas said he was looking forward to date three, and left.

Carly thanked Jason for taking her life into consideration as she gazed at the moss bowl🎍. It seemed like it had been forever since Sonny’s name had come up in their conversations. She’d always love him. They had kids together. But she loved Jason for thinking about her and supporting her choices even when he didn’t agree. It was her choice to go to LA. She wanted to be there for Sonny. They’d been through a lot, and he was always there for her, just like she was going to be there for him. Jason said he was glad Sonny told her. Sonny was going to need a lot more help than he thought.

Josslyn told Emma that she didn’t know how she got in the class, but she did know she didn’t ask for a special favor. Emma said the school would do what it took to keep her dad happy. They could pay for a new sports center. Josslyn said she knew it was unfair that she got into class when there was a long wait, but now that she was in it, she was going to work her ass off. Emma thanked her and left.

Anna said she supported Jordan’s reasoning, but thought the bottom line was that Jordan missed the action. She was good undercover, but what was worse was that she loved it. Anna was worried that if Jordan focused on Sidwell, it would cost her, and Jordan said it already had. Anna said Sidwell wasn’t an easy target. He was dangerous, and for someone in town for a short time, he had powerful connections.

Alexis came into her office to find her assistant telling Sidwell that he needed to leave. Alexis said she’d take it from here and asked Sidwell if she needed to call security. He said, no, but he wanted to tell her one more thing. Marco had never done anything remotely illegal. He was proud of his son and loved him. Did she think he’d condone any form of criminality? Alexis said she had no idea, but she’d take it under advisement. Sidwell said she was a hard woman to impress, but Marco could rise to the challenge, as could he, and he left.

Jason said Carly had her work cut out for her. Keeping Sonny still while he was recuperating wouldn’t be easy. She said she’d gotten him through the original injury 25 years ago, and they’d get through this too. She was more worried about what Sonny had shared with Natalia. Did he think Natalia had told Sidwell Sonny’s secrets? He said Carly was Sonny’s ex. How much did she tell Sonny? She said, everything, and he said there was her answer. They’d have to assume Natalia told Sidwell everything.

Marco met with Natalia, and she said she didn’t know who she was angrier at – his dad or Sonny. His dad just blew her life to hell and after all she’d done for Sonny, he just fired her like she was nothing.  

Lucy said she was going to look for a new brand scout, and Brook said she was sorry. Natalia was furious. Sonny said she was, but they couldn’t ignore her connection to Sidwell. Since he brought her to Deception, he felt it was right for him to be involved in letting her go. Maxie said, but what happens now? and he said, they just deal with it.

Tuesday:

Ava visited Rick wearing a (faux) fur coat and said, Ava Jerome is back.

Alexis apologized to Diane for being late, and Diane said she couldn’t keep living like this. They needed to revisit the idea of having Kristina committed to a psychiatric hospital. Alexis said she couldn’t do it, and Diane asked if prison for Kristina was okay.

Lucky opened the door to Kristina who wanted to make sure Elizabeth was okay. Lucky said he told her that Elizabeth was fine, but Kristina said the guilt was eating her alive. She couldn’t last like this.

Trina met Curtis at the café, and said she had a feeling her mom told him about the conversation they’d had about Kai. He said he thought she might want someone else to talk with. He knew she was nervous about Kai having surgery. She said Kai was excited, but there was a good chance of it not working out. It would break his heart if that happened or worse. Something could go horribly wrong, and he wouldn’t be able to walk.

Kai went to Drew’s place and Drew said he was sorry about the other day, but Kai had all his attention now. Kai said he thought over Drew’s offer and wanted to have the surgery.

Nina walked into Sonny’s old kitchen and told Carly that she’d gotten a call from a friend in DC. Drew had been asking for the name of a realtor there. Hoping for a calming effect from the moss bowl 🎍, Carly said they couldn’t let that happen, but Nina said, first things first. What was Carly thinking with that ridiculous outburst? They were supposed to break up Willow and Drew, and Carly pushed them closer together. Carly said she was beginning think that’s what Nina wanted.

Willow went to see Jason, and he asked why she wanted to see him. She said she needed his help, and he sighed. He said he didn’t think it was a good idea, but she said he was her last chance. He’d gotten through to Tracy and Tracy compromised. No one knew Michael and Carly better than he did and he was the only person Carly would listen to. She begged him to tell Carly not to take her kids away.

Nina asked where the hell Carly got that idea, and Carly said she thought their alliance was about breaking up Drew and Willow. Now Drew was shopping for a real estate agent, and Nina just stood there after she laid into Willow. She could have used some back-up. Nina said Carly barely took a breath, and Carly asked if it was Nina’s plan all along to be there to comfort her daughter. Nina asked if Carly was done.

Curtis said he was surprised Kai wanted the surgery after Portia told him that she didn’t recommend it, and Trina said Kai ignored Portia’s professional opinion even though he’d asked for it. She thought he’d made up his mind the second he heard about it. It was Kai’s call and she knew she needed to be there to support him even if she didn’t agree. She didn’t want to be dishonest or lie, but she thought he was making a huge mistake.

Drew said he was hoping Kai would go through with it, and Kai said his fear got in the way of him saying yes. Drew said it was normal to be afraid to get his hopes up, but the doctor said he was an excellent candidate. He could call the doctor now if Kai wanted. Kai said he was amazed how generous Drew was, and Drew said, what was the point in having money if you didn’t use it to help people? Just give him a shout out when Kai won the Heisman. Kai said Drew was changing his life and had given him the best gift he could ask for – hope.

Alexis told Diane that Kristina and Molly were closer than ever. It was almost like it used to be. The only thing missing was Sam. Molly was now able to move forward, and Kristina was over the hump. If the truth came out, they were done, and she couldn’t let that happen. Diane said if she had Kristina committed, they would have secured an insanity defense as back-up, and she could keep Molly in the dark about the accident. Alexis said Molly was too smart and would keep digging until she found out and nobody would recover. The best option was to leave it alone and pray the truth stayed buried. So far, it had. Diane said that was all well and good except for one thing – Ric.

On the phone, Ava said she’d take the Maserati… Rose gold of course (🍷)… Fabulous. She couldn’t wait. Ric asked what she was doing, and she said she had plenty of the money left and more was coming, but he said she couldn’t be blowing it on lavish gifts for herself. She said she didn’t forget him, and gave him a giftbag, a thank you gift for standing by her. It was a limited-edition watch. She’d seen his was damaged in the accident. He said, no. It all had to go back. She couldn’t keep anything.  

Nina said Carly could trust her and she didn’t want Willow and Drew together. She wanted the relationship over permanently, but she was in a delicate position. If she was too obvious, she risked alienating Willow and didn’t want to blow it for the likes of drew. If Willow pulled away, she had no influence. Now she was in Willow’s ear. Barely, but it was better than nothing. Carly said Nina had to do more, and Nina said she was trying. Carly was a better mouthpiece anyway and most of what she said was spot on, until she brought up Nelle. Nina refused to let Nelle be weaponized, and moving forward, Carly needed to respect that. Carly said that was fair, but the slow approach wasn’t working. Willow had moved in with Drew and they were running out of time. Nina said she wanted Willow out of Drew’s house as much as Carly did, and Carly said she was done waiting. She was going to get Wiley and Amelia out of Drew’s house with or without Nina’s help.

Jason told Willow that Carly was angry, but meant what she said. Wiley and Amelia meant everything to Michael, and Michael meant everything to Carly. Michael couldn’t fight for himself, and Carly wasn’t going to back down. Willow said she knew no one approved of what happened, but it wasn’t fair for her to put her life on hold. He said that was her choice, but she was wrong about him being her least chance. Her last chance was herself.

Lucky asked if something happened, but Kristina said, nothing new. She kept replaying the accident in her mind and could barely sleep. She had nightmares and when she woke, she realized it was her life. She almost killed two people. Lucky said it was fine. Everyone was healing and would eventually move on. Kristina said she couldn’t move on from this. The only way to free herself was to confess

Ava said Ric couldn’t tell her how to spend her money, and Ric said he got it. He was happy for her and glad her luck was turning, but if she showed her wealth, people would notice and he expected her to be smart. Instead of Alexis transferring the money directly to her account, they needed to set up an offshore account and needed to put the money in Ava’s account slowly, make it look like the galleries were getting stabilized and doing well. She had to fly under the radar if she wasn’t going to get caught. She said, all right. She’d cancel the car and send everything back, but she was keeping the coat. She closed the blinds and said she found it kind of sexy when Ric gave her financial advice. Money was her aphrodisiac. She got in bed with him, and he said, blackmail was his. She said, it would be foolish to waste this serendipitous event, and they kissed.

Alexis said Ric didn’t remember the accident, and Diane said, yet. He’d remember the failing brakes or Elizabeth would, and Kristina would be in for a world of hurt. Did Alexis want to take that chance? Alexis was her best friend and Diane loved her. This was as close as she’d ever come to begging. Please take her advice. Alexis said she could handle Ric, and she loved Diane too. She thanked Diane, but told her to shred the papers. Alexis left and Diane put the papers in a folder.

A nurse gave Portia some paperwork to sign, and Portia noticed they were hosting a guest surgeon, Dr. Mohinder… and the patient was Kai Taylor. The nurse said, yes, the football star.

Drew said the hospital should be receiving the surgeon’s request shortly. If all went well, the doctor was optimistic that Kai would fully recover before the first game in the fall season. Kai said he didn’t know how he’d repay Drew, but Drew said it was the best use of his money… There was something Kai could do for him though. Kai said, anything, and Drew said he came across a documentary producer who did thought provoking work. He thought Kai could do a documentary story – from surgery to recovery to return to the field, a hero’s journey. It was a story that would inspire people. Defying the odds was something people wanted to see. Kai said he’d do it. He owed Drew and if Drew thought it was a good idea, he was in.

Curtis told Trina that deceit didn’t sit well with him, but sometimes in life, circumstances forced your hand. She said she’d been thinking of all the things that could go wrong and how much pain it would cause because Drew thought it was a piece of cake and a sure thing. Curtis said Trina had one choice, to stand by Kai’s side and support him, no matter the outcome.

Lucky said he was sorry it was hard, but he couldn’t tell Kristina to confess. It wasn’t his decision. Kristina said she knew that, but thought if she did, she’d feel lighter and be able to sleep. He said, but at what cost? and she said Molly would never get over the fact she almost killed her father, and she’d lose the only sister she had left. Her whole family would implode. It would destroy all of them. He said, the question was, what was more selfish? Her keeping the secret and protecting herself or confessing and hurting everyone she cared about?

Nina said she was completely committed to breaking up Willow and Drew, but she and Carly had to change their approach. Fighting only reinforced their romantic delusion of them against the world. Carly asked, what if Willow never sees the light or the real Drew? They couldn’t just hope she came to her senses. Nina asked what the alternative was, and Carly said, going to court to fight for custody of her grandchildren, but Nina said, no judge would give a grandparent more rights than the mother. If Carly did that, she and Michael would lose the kids for good.

Willow said nothing she’d done seemed to work and they were in this endless cycle of fighting, but Jason said that was because she surrounded herself with people who shoved their opinions at her. None of that mattered. They were her and Michael’s kids and the rest was noise. She had to shut it out and stop listening. He thought she should go to Germany and see Michael. They needed to meet face to face and end this war once and for all.

Lucky told Kristina to remember one thing. She’d been incredibly lucky. Everyone survived. She’d made a terrible mistake. She couldn’t change that, but she could learn from it. Make almonds amends in any way she could and let her family have peace. Stop letting her emotions rule her. Kristina said she’d been reckless and completely running on emotion, and he said, and more than anything, let go of her vendetta against Ava.

Alexis went to see Ric and said she thought she’d check in. He said she seemed nervous and asked if she was okay.

Portia went to see Drew and said she couldn’t believe Kai was going through what Drew was willing to do to him, and Drew said, nice to see her too. She said she saw the schedule and wasn’t going to sit by while he toyed with this kid’s life. The surgery was dangerous and not going to happen. He said it was, and Kai was the ideal candidate. She said, Kai was young and his whole life had been upended. He wasn’t thinking about the repercussions or how his life could be worse after the surgery. Drew said Kai was just there and was feeling excited, and she said that would end quick if Kai was left in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. How would Drew feel if he did that to Kai? (My guess is, Drew would say, oopsy, and move on.)

Carly told Nina that nothing was going to change until Michael came home. Then everything would change. Nina said that’s what she was hoping. The more room they gave Willow and Drew, the more they’d get complacent and comfortable. When Drew screwed up – and he would – she would be in Willow’s ear and tell her all about it. She’d agree to 50/50 custody and everyone would win, especially Wiley and Amelia. Were they in agreement on the plan moving forward? Carly said they were, and Nina said she’d keep Carly in the loop, but she had to stay away from Willow. She’d be in touch. Giving a last look at the moss bowl 🎍, Nina left, and Carly made a call. She asked if they were busy. She needed to talk to them.

Ric asked if Alexis was sure she was okay. He knew her and she was never this stressed unless it had something to do with Kristina. Alexis said she was fine, and Ric said she could talk to him. Their truce extended to him listening. She said she appreciated that and asked how he was. He said, better every day. He’d actually started to remember things about the accident. She said, like what? and he said she was too smart to be this dumb. She wouldn’t be there if she didn’t think he knew her lunatic daughter tried to kill Ava and almost killed him and Elizabeth instead.

Diane walked into Sonny’s old kitchen and asked, what fresh hell was she here to prevent or cause? Carly said, Michael and Willow’s custody case.

Willow said it seemed drastic to go to Germany, and Jason said he did it. He needed to hear something directly from Michael, so he flew over, talked to him, and got a clear answer. She said she and Michael hadn’t spoken since he left. Kristina set up the video chats with the kids. Michael probably hated her. Jason said he saw Michael before the explosion, and Willow said that was the day she was served in DC. He said he saw Michael’s face and it wasn’t something he wanted. He believed Michael loved her and the kids and wanted the best for them. She said she never doubted it, but Michael came out swinging and asked for sole custody. Jason said they were in this situation because they stopped communication. She had to see Michael face to face, and they had to be on the same page once and for all. It was the only way.

Alexis said, Ava and Ric were in this blackmail scheme together. Of course (🍷) they were. He said she was damn right. If she wanted to thank him for not turning Kristina in, he was all ears. She said he’d never change, and he asked if that meant their truce was over. Kristina belonged in prison. She could call if she preferred. She could end this. Alexis said it would kill Molly, but he said Molly deserved to know the truth. The horrible way Kristina behaved during Irene’s death was the person her sister was. It would break her heart, but at least she’d be free of Kristina. Alexis said, what about the money? and Ric said the money was nice, but for Molly to see who Kristina really was and that Alexis would always protect Kristina over Molly was the best gift he could give his daughter.

Trina sat next to Kai in the park as he watched some guys practicing football. He said everything was set for next week. He talked to his parents. They were out of the country, but supported his decision. He knew Trina wasn’t sure about it, but he appreciated her caring about him and looking out for him. She said she did care about him, and he said if he had the surgery, it would give him a shot at playing football again. It was a long shot, but that was all he needed.  

Drew said he would feel terrible if something happened to Kai, but the doctor was an incredible surgeon and wasn’t going to let anything happen. Portia said, every surgery was a risk, but this was a massively high stakes procedure. She was a doctor and the Chief of Staff. Maybe he shouldn’t argue with her. Drew said, maybe she shouldn’t throw her medical license and credentials around, since she knew she shouldn’t have them. She only did because of him. She said, now the threats, and he said it was a reminder, but he didn’t know why he was keeping her secret. She hadn’t helped him with Curtis at all. It was clear she had no sway with her husband. Maybe it was time Curtis, and the world found out the truth. There was a knock at the door, and it was Curtis. He asked what Portia was doing there, and Drew said they’d just talking about him.

Curtis asked what they were saying about him, and Portia said she’d come to tell Drew that she didn’t support Kai’s surgery. Curtis said he’d come about the same thing, but Drew said they were both wasting their time. He wasn’t going to yank the chance away from Kai. He promised them, the surgery was happening. Curtis said they’d just have to pray the surgeon could pull off a miracle. Not for Drew’s sake, but for Kai’s. Drew asked if they were done, and Portia said, absolutely. She and Curtis left, and outside, Portia said they’d have to pray the surgeon pulled it off and Kai became one of the rare success stories. Curtis said he hoped so for Trina’s sake as well, and Portia said, if it went well, it would prove Drew’s intentions were good and they could put it behind them and move on. Curtis said that wasn’t likely.

Trina said, the last time she saw Kai smile like that, he was in a football uniform, and he said football always made him happy. She said she remembered when she snuck in the tunnel and saw him smiling, and he said it killed him that he couldn’t play now, but the chance for the fall was keeping him going. She said she’d be on the stands supporting him, no matter what, and he put his arm around her.

Kristina thanked Lucky for listening, and he said he hoped it helped to clear her head. She said, it did. She wasn’t going to confess. It wouldn’t accomplish anything, and she didn’t want her family to suffer more than they already had. If anyone should suffer, it had to be her. She learned from it and was going to let go of her vendetta against Ava. She just wanted Elizabeth and Ric to get better. She wanted the people she’d to be okay and the people she loved to never get hurt.  

Alexis said she and Ric had a long, horrible history, but one thing she was sure of was that she thought he loved Molly. When he left, it was her who took care of Molly, raised her, and wrapped a loving family around her, including Kristina and Sam. Could he acknowledge that? He said, sure, why not? and she asked why he would purposely do something to hurt her by taking away her family. She gave in to Ava’s demands and funneled money from the Cassadine estate. Please don’t expose Kristina. He said, since she begged so nicely. He always enjoyed watching her smug moral superiority crumble when it came to Kristina. The blackmail wasn’t the best part. The fact that she had to embezzle from a child to do it was the gift that kept on giving. (Like Ace would even miss it. He could probably live off the interest alone.)

Willow said she didn’t know how it all spiraled or if Michael would want to hear from her, but Jason said he thought Michael would. They owed it to each other and the kids to talk. Somebody had to make the first move, and it had to be her.

Carly asked what the status of the custody case was, and Diane said it was at a standstill until Michael was back in town. Carly said Willow was served in DC. Could they move forward on Michael’s behalf? Diane said, not at the moment. It was hard to have a custody battle when the plaintiff was halfway around the world. Carly said she could handle getting Michael there as long as they were ready to go. Diane said they would be, and Carly said, good. Drew could decide to move at any time, and she wanted to get a court date on the books for the hearing. Diane said she didn’t keep the court’s calendar and there was a good chance they wouldn’t get one until later. Carly said that was okay. She wanted to keep it quiet until a date was found. She wanted Drew, Willow, and Nina to think the hearing was far off in the future. She wanted reality to blindside them.

Wednesday:

Laura goes to visit Lulu and see her new house and thought it would be a wonderful home. She couldn’t stay, but she could come back to help. Lulu said she thought she was good, and Dante came out. He said he thought he heard Laura’s voice.

Boyle stopped by Tracy’s table at the MetroCourt, and said he hoped they could let bygones be bygones and put their unfortunate property dispute behind them. She asked if he meant when he tried to bulldoze her deceased relatives. Did he want something? He said if she ever needed a friend in city hall… and she told him to sit. She said despite his unfortunate relationship with Congressman Cain, she did find herself liking some of his positions. Actually, just one position. The one where he put Sonny Corinthos out of business.

At another table, Nina thanked Portia for meeting with her. Drew was out of control, and they had to do something to stop him before he cost Nina’s daughter her children.

Carly was chopping vegetables in Sonny’s old kitchen, when Jason came in. She said they had something to talk about before she went to LA. She finally figured out how to get Michael’s kids away from Willow for good. Jason said he needed her to put the knife down.

Drew told Willow that he’d talked to his lawyer about the kids. If something happened to her and Michael, they could stay with him. She didn’t have to worry they would end up with Carly. His lawyer would make sure they wouldn’t. Willow asked if he could stop them.

Boyle said the locale of the esplanade should be left up to the people, but Tracy said she didn’t want to talk about the esplanade. No one gave a damn about the esplanade, and if she never heard the word esplanade again it would be too soon. Boyle said that’s what the referendum was about, and she said not to talk to her like she got her news from social media. The referendum had absolutely nothing to do with a sidewalk. He asked what she thought it was about, and she said she thought it was about getting rid of and extremely dangerous criminal in Port Charles. Sonny had wormed his way into the graces of important people. Her only regret is that it took this long to find the perfect way to shut him down. Boyle said he couldn’t agree more and asked if she was willing to put her money where her mouth was.

Dante said the garbage disposal was now working, but not some of the outlets, and asked where the panel was. Lulu said she didn’t even know her zip code, and he said he’d find it. He left, and Laura said Lulu really didn’t need her help. Lulu said Dante’s handyman skills had been a lifesaver, and Laura said she was sure they had. Lulu said, fine. She was enjoying his company, but she’d always need her mother. Laura said, nice save, and she was only a phone call away. She’d miss having Lulu and the kids there, but was thrilled Lulu had found a home for her family. Just don’t forget that her home was also Lulu’s home – always. They hugged and Laura left. Lulu found a giftbag among the boxes and took out a vase. Dante came back and said the outlets were working, and she said, don’t tell her that he picked out the vase. He said, Tracy did. He was just the messenger. She took out the card and read, Love, Your Stepmonster. Dante said, new house, new vase, and old, but functioning, garbage disposal. It looked like Lulu was back on her feet. Lulu said, not quite, but soon.

Brook told Lois that she and Chase would like to start a family, so they decided to explore adoption. Chase said Brook thought it would be a nice way to pay it forward, and Lois said she thought it was an amazing idea. She’d do what she could to help. Brook said, one thing they knew for sure was that they wanted to use the same agency where Lois placed her baby.

Carly told Jason that she wasn’t going after Willow with a knife. Michael served Willow with divorce papers when she was shacking up with Drew in DC, but there was no follow through because of his injuries. While he was in Germany, Willow was living out her romantic delusional fantasy with no consequences, like losing her children. She told Diane to prepare for Michael’s custody battle. Jason asked if they were going to inform Willow, and Carly said when they got a court date, but Diane thought it was far off. Jason said, what if Michael wasn’t ready? and Carly said they’d postpone it, but if and when he was ready and back in Port Charles, they’d have tons of evidence that Willow was an unfit mother. Jason said, but they didn’t know what Michael wanted.

Willow said she didn’t think extreme action was best, but Drew said it wasn’t extreme. Willow still had Michael’s medical proxy. She said she wasn’t using that as leverage again, and Drew said Willow had to consider her position. No one was filling her in on Michael’s medical condition. She said, Carly updated her when she asked and Michael was doing better, but Drew said, all they had was Carly’s word. What if he was getting worse? What if something happens to her? She said she didn’t want to talk about that, but he said, consider the possible outcome. That if Michael succumbed to his injuries and she became incapacitated? She needed to make it super clear in the eyes of the law that the kids wouldn’t end up with Carly. She said before they went any further, there was one more person she needed to face – her husband.

Brook said either she never knew the name of the agency or didn’t remember, but she was sure Lois and Gloria vetted them within an inch of their life. Chase said Lois told them she was grateful to the nuns, and Brook said, that’s why they thought it would be a great place to adopt a child of their own. What was the name? Ned came in and asked what he just heard about a child.

Portia said she was confounded by Willow’s faith in Drew, but it seemed to be a pattern. People fell under Drew’s spell. Nina said it was because he was a master manipulator, and Portia said Drew used half-truths and subtle pressure to convince people to do what he wanted, then made them think it was their idea. Nina said he had Willow convinced it was the two of them against the world and Willow never questioned it despite other people’s warnings. Portia said he tried to manipulate Curtis into giving him controlling interest in Aurora again, but when Curtis saw who Drew really was, it changed his perception for good. Nina said Drew would never show Willow any side of himself except the hero. If only she knew what he was capable of. Portia said, if Nina knew what Drew was hiding, the simplest way was to tell Willow.

Carly said her son wanted his children back, and Jason asked if she’d talked to Michael. She said, early in his treatment, she’d talked to him on the phone, but he was tired and in pain and she didn’t want to push it. Did he talk to Michael? He said they’d had two conversations that lasted about three minutes. He just wanted his kids to be okay. The only two who could fix this were Michael and Willow. She said, Willow was too enthralled with Drew. She didn’t even remember she had a husband. Jason said, she remembered. Willow was going to Germany to see Michael.

Drew said, Willow was going to visit Michael? and she said, that was the plan. He didn’t approve? He said it wasn’t that. He was surprised. She said she should have gone a long time ago, but didn’t know for sure what his condition was. She needed to see it for herself, so she was going to Baden-Baden. If Carly was lying about his progress, they’d know what legal action to take. The sooner she knew his current condition, the better, and if he was improving, they could have a productive conversation. Drew said, Michael filed for sole custody. Did she think he wanted to talk? She said, when she was served, it was petty and cruel, but Michael wasn’t. He’d had no chance to explain, and they only had Carly’s take on it. She needed to hear it from him. Drew said she might not like what he had to say, and she said, maybe not. There was a reason their marriage didn’t work, but they had cared for each other and the one thing they could always agree on was the kids. He said, the kids Michael was trying to take away from her, and she said, which was also not like him. Even when the video was shown, he stood up to Carly and let her take the kids because he knew they belonged with her. Drew asked, what changed? and Willow said she spoke to the one person who knew Michael better than anyone. She talked to Jason.

Boyle looked at a check and said he couldn’t thank Tracy enough. She said she didn’t want thanks, just results, and he said he was confident the referendum was going to go their way, but it wasn’t a slam dunk. Sonny had powerful friends who were fine with the status quo. Tracy said she wasn’t and she wasn’t the only one. Boyle said, if she aligned herself with them, she would be going up against Sonny’s powerful friends – Laura approached the table – such as their illustrious mayor.

Laura asked if Boyle was making amends to those whose family he tried to have disinterred, and Tracy said he promised to make every effort to make it up. Boyle said Laura should know he got the internal polling on the referendum. Sonny Corinthos’s days on the piers were numbered. Laura said, then they were. Excuse them. Boyle said given the way the wind was howling, Laura should jump on board with their position, but she said, unlike him, she didn’t choose her position based on polls. She did what was best for Port Charles. Tracy said Boyle had his money. Go put it to good use, preferably as far away as he could get. Boyle left and Laura sat down. She said, Tracy gave him money? She couldn’t trust him. Tracy said he was loathsome, but she thought they needed to listen to him.

Lulu told Dante that she was looking for a new job to go with her new place, and she’d found something perfect. He asked what she was going to do, and she said she reached out to her old contacts at The Invader. She was pitching herself as a long form journalist. She was starting as a freelancer and had a great call with the managing editor at the Llanview Banner. She felt good about this one. She got to make her own hours, so she’d have plenty time for the kids. Dante said, they’d love that, especially Rocco. He felt Rocco could use his mom.

Carly said, Jason told Willow to see Michael in Germany? and Jason said he did. She asked why he was talking to Willow, and he said Willow had tracked him down and wanted him to stop her from taking the kids like he’d stopped Tracy. He told her that only she and Michael could figure out their marriage and needed to have a face-to-face conversation. Carly said it was a bad idea. Michael was in no condition to figure things out. He was still in love with Willow.

Willow told Drew that she took the kids to see Monica and ran into Jason. They talked and he asked why she hadn’t reached out to Michael. The truth was, she was afraid of what Michael would say and do, but Jason said he’d be willing to hear her out. Drew said she couldn’t trust anything to do with Michael, but she said she couldn’t make decisions based on fear. She had to face him and try to find common ground for the kids’ sake. Was there something she wasn’t seeing? He told her that he couldn’t believe he was saying this, but he thought Jason might have a point. He was in favor of anything that brought the family peace.

Nina told Portia that she could expose Drew, but had no tangible proof. If she openly challenged Drew, it would just push them closer. Portia said that Drew wasn’t just a manipulator. He was impossible to call out. You could try, but it could backfire. Nina wondered if she was talking about Curtis, but Portia said Curtis could hold his own. She was worried about Trina’s friend Kai Taylor. Nina asked if he wasn’t the spokesperson for Drew’s Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷). Didn’t he play football? Portia said, he was football until he got hurt. Drew convinced him that he could play again if he underwent an incredibly risky surgery. Nina said, if it was a success, Drew would be the hero for saving a young man’s future, but if it didn’t work… Portia said, Kai could end up paralyzed. Trina was terrified and they’d both tried to talk to Kai. Nina said, but he bought Drew’s act, and Portia said, if it didn’t work out, Drew would say he never promised anything, like making Curtis CEO. Nina said Drew could weasel himself into anything, and Portia said he lured them in until they were trapped, then convinced them they did it to themselves. Nina said then they’d just have to set a trap of their own.

Tracy said, a broken clock was right twice a day, and Laura said Boyle pandered to donors and polls. He was eager to get back and Sonny. Tracy said it was worth working with him to get rid of the blight on her family. Sonny stole Michael from AJ, then murdered AJ. There was no love lost between her and AJ, but he was Alan and Monica’s son, and it was a murder. She could understand Laura’s conflict and it wasn’t her intention to put her at odds with Sonny. That’s why she wanted to meet. She wanted to give Laura a heads up before she made her position public. She apologized for the timing. Laura said she didn’t care about that, but Tracy aligning herself with Boyle was a mistake, and Tracy said if Boyle was willing to go head-to-head with Sonny Corinthos, she had no choice but to support him.

A beautiful woman went to the bar and asked Boyle if the seat next to him was taken. Portia wondered how she and Nina would pull it off. Councilman Boyle was here. He was Drew’s lackey and did his dirty work. They looked over to Boyle and the woman laughing and clinking glasses, and Nina said maybe they could use that. Portia wondered what that woman was doing with that troll, and Nina said she’d seen that woman here before several times.

Lulu asked if Dante was concerned about separating Danny and Rocco, and he said, a little. He was more worried about Danny being without Rocco’s influence. Danny also let Rocco loosen up, but she shouldn’t worry. Rocco wouldn’t get in as much trouble as he did at Rocco’s age. Lulu dropped something and Dante suggested they take a break.

Ned hugged Brook and said adoption was wonderful. He adopted Leo and considered it a great joy, the gift of life. Chase said he hoped they were half as lucky, and Ned said the child they adopted would be happy and lucky. He’d do everything he could to help. Lois said, absolutely, when her phone rang. She said it was a lighting director she was trying to nail down for the Nurses Ball and left. Chase thanked Ned in advance and said they didn’t know if they wanted to adopt an infant or an older child. Ned said, the proper mindset was an open mind. You never knew who your child would be until the day you met them.

On the phone, Lois told Gloria, Bingo can wait. Brook was asking what agency they used to place the baby. What was she supposed to tell her? Clearly, there was no agency.

Lulu said they were using the glasses they’d got when they took Rocco to Disneyworld, and Dante said they were the first glasses he’d found. She said she remembered how excited Rocco was to meet Goofy, and Dante said he did too. That’s why he made sure they were still around. When she got sick and he packed up her house, he made sure he got what he thought she’d find important. He was hoping they’d get use one day. Lulu’s phone rang and she said it was the Llanview Banner.

Lois came back and Ned said he had to get to a meeting. They’d talk more tonight. He couldn’t wait to meet his grandchild.

Laura said she felt there was nothing she could say to change Tracy’s mind, and Tracy said there wasn’t. She was sorry it was going to create friction between them and understood it put Laura in a bad position. She hoped Laura understood the wisdom of ridding Port Charles of a mafia boss. Laura said Tracy thought driving Sonny out of town was going to rid them of organized crime, but it wasn’t. Somebody else would slip in behind him and she thought she knew who – Jenz Sidwell. She asked what Tracy knew about him, and Tracy said she wasn’t a fan. Unfortunately, Deception needed him and his rare mineral. Laura said he wasn’t just that Sidwell was a dangerous criminal, she believed he wanted to take Sonny’s place in Port Charles. By driving Sonny out, they were inviting someone worse in.

Carly said, if Willow saw Michael, she’d try everything to get what she wanted, but Jason said it was Michael’s decision. Carly said he was in no condition to decide and couldn’t have a full conversation. Willow wasn’t the woman he remembered and would put her person put selfish desire ahead of the kids. The Willow that Michael loved was gone. Jason said, if that was true, Michael needed to see it for himself, but she said he wouldn’t see it. Willow would cry and do what she could to get what she wanted. He told her to try to have faith and trust that Michael would see through that and figure it out, and she said he would if he was 100%, but he’s not. Jason said he was still Michael.

Drew said he only wanted what was best, and Willow said she was going to book her ticket now. Drew said he’d do it. They’d fly first class, and he’d find an incredible place for them to stay. He could take a couple of days off. Willow said as amazing as it sounded, she needed to go on her own, and he said she didn’t want him to go? She said, if it was a holiday or a long weekend, but she was seeing her husband who was in a burn clinic. On top of it, if Michael found out Drew came, he could take it the wrong way, and he wouldn’t exactly be wrong. She needed to focus doing what was best for the kids. He said if that was what she needed to do, he was behind her 100%, and they hugged.

Nina went over to the woman and said she didn’t mean to interrupt, but she was Nina Reeves, editor of Crimson. Boyle said he was off the clock, but she said she was talking to his friend. The woman introduced herself as Jacinda, and Nina said Jacinta must already be represented by an agency. She assumed Jacinta was a model. Jacinda said she was a freelancer, and Nina handed her a card. Boyle said they had to get going and asked for the check. Nina said, of course (🍷). Call her. She gave Jacinta a wink and went back to the table. Portia thought it was no time to scout models for Crimson, but Nina said, that woman was no model.

Laura said Sonny kept certain elements away from Port Charles, and Tracy said, like drugs. She understood he was the evil they knew, but she was willing to roll the dice on a brand-new devil. Laura said if she couldn’t sway Tracy, could she talk her out of aligning herself with Boyle. Boyle asked her to resign… Is that what Tracy wanted, for her to step down? Tracy said, of course (🍷) not, but why didn’t she distance herself from Sonny. Don’t let that man take her down with him.

Lulu told Dante that the Llanview Banner accepted her 2000-word article, and he said, which one? She said she pitched three and they went with the adoption story.

Brook said she felt terrible that Lois never met her own grandchild, but Chase said their child would still be a new member of the family. Lois said she’d welcome them with open arms – the whole family. Chase said, Tracy might complain, and Brook said, at the beginning, but then she’d be happy there was another Quartermaine, or adjacent. What was the name of the agency? Lois said, Saint Ignatius, and Brook said she’d give them a call. Lois said, unfortunately, they closed down 15 years ago.

Jason told Carly that they weren’t married to Michael. Willow was. Carly said, not for much longer, but he said, until that happened, Michael would say how and when the marriage ended. Carly said she wasn’t calling off Diane. They’d lay the groundwork for Michael to get his kids back and there was nothing Willow could do about it.  

Drew said he was proud of Willow for facing Michael alone, but she said he seemed to have his doubts. He said, never about her. He was going to miss her a lot. They hugged and she said she wasn’t gone yet. They kissed and moved to the bedroom where they got busy.

Boyle left with Jacinta and Portia asked how Nina knew she wasn’t a model. Nina said she recognized Jacinda from the hotel security footage. When she was co-owner, she had to have Jacinda removed from the premises several times for plying her trade. Portia said, she’s an escort? and Nina said, she was, and they had a job for her.

Thursday:

Brook brought Cody to the hospital and he told Felicia that Hades had kicked him. He’d made a rookie mistake, and it wasn’t the horse’s fault. Felicia said she’d find a doctor.

Lucas went to Lulu’s place and thanked him for meeting her. She wanted to interview him for the Llanview Banner. He asked if she needed a medical expert, but she said it was more personal. How did he feel about being adopted?

At the batting cages, Jason told Danny that Rocco was going to be late. Danny said Jason didn’t have to stay, but Jason said he hadn’t planned on leaving. He suggested Danny take some swings.

Alexis thanked Marco for coming back to the office, and Diane said she wanted to cut to the chase. They’d extended him an offer and wanted him to work there, but before they could consider moving forward, there was one thing she had to make abundantly clear.  

Molly walked Ric down the hall at the hospital, and he said he wasn’t the most popular guy. His only regular visitor besides her, was Ava. She said that’s what she was afraid of.

Dante came by Sonny’s old kitchen to see the moss bowl 🎍 Kristina. She said she’d made pancakes with Donna, but was crawling out of her skin a little bit. Dante said he was worried about their dad too.

Brick asked if Sonny was ready to do this thing, and gave Carly a hug. Sonny smiled.

Dante told Kristina that their dad appreciated her staying with Donna. Carly and Sonny were lucky. Kristina said since Carly was going with Sonny to LA, she was grateful she could help out, and he said Donna was here and safe with her. He was grateful too, that she got Sonny to tell him about his health issues. They were family and their dad needed them, especially now.

Brick asked how Sonny was doing, and Sonny said, better now that Brick was here. Brick said he already seemed to be in good hands. He was glad Carly came with Sonny. Sonny said Brick had connected him to the cardiologist, set up the appointment in LA, and kept it discreet, and Brick said, you know I got you.

Jason said Rocco had a great swing, and Rocco said his mom taught him. It was more Rocco’s sport, but he liked it. Jason asked how he felt with Rocco living at Lulu’s half the time, and Danny said, Rocco had missed his mom, and he was happy for him, but it was already weird enough with Scout gone. They were supposed to stick together. Jason said, like mom wanted, and Danny said, now that she was gone, he guessed it didn’t matter.

Molly said Ric was doing great. He’d come a long way. She’d been terrified when she got the call. He said he was tougher than people thought, but Molly said she thought people knew he was tough. She would have lost it if not for mom, Kristina, and Cody. Ric said, Cody the horse guy? and she said, actually, he’d shown up for her a couple of times and turned out to be a good friend. He said, good friends were hard to come by, and Molly said she was grateful Cody got him and Alexis to make a truce. She was concerned about his support system and worried that Ava was the only person showing up for him.

Diane said she didn’t like slip-ups. She introduced Marco to a valuable client, when she wasn’t aware of his controversial parentage. While he hadn’t been obligated to tell them, it was absolutely pertinent. Alexis said it wasn’t a disqualifier. Marco was an excellent attorney, and considering her background, she made it a point to not hold anyone’s lineage against them. While they appreciated the billable hours and Marco bringing in his client list, they needed assurances. Marco said, that his father’s business wasn’t a conflict in working with Jason and Sonny.

Felicia came back and told Brook and Cody that she’d thought Lucas was there, but there’d been a schedule. As soon as a doctor was free, she’d let them know. Brook got an ice pack and said Cody had to get the swelling down. She opened his shirt and said, let’s go, big baby, and put on the ice pack.

Lucas said his parents handled things the right way. They never hid that he was adopted, and he knew he’d been chosen and loved. He didn’t feel they love was any different than their love for BJ, his dad’s biological child. His mom loved both of them. Lulu asked if it made him more receptive to being an adoptive parent, and he said he didn’t know, but he had no hesitation. She asked if the aftermath changed how he felt, and he said, not at all. Adoption was the greatest gift to give or receive. Lulu said that might be the title of her article. He’d been an adoptive parent and been adopted. What was it like when his biological father came into his life as an adult?

Jason said he knew Danny missed his mom and felt he had no one to talk to except Scout, but Scout was young, and he wasn’t seeing her as much as he’d like to. Danny said he was happy about Rocco getting his mom and sister Charlotte back, and Jason said it made sense that Rocco would be feeling mixed up with losing his mom. Rocco could talk to him about how he felt missing her. He missed her too. They were similar and stayed in their heads too much and didn’t talk. He and Danny’s mom did. Nobody got him to talk like she did, and it helped, so he was there. Anything and everything Danny wanted to say, whenever he needed.

Lucas said Tony Jones would always be his dad, but Julian was part of the reason he existed. Despite not being raised by Julian and his many flaws, he found he had room in his heart for his father. He asked if that was awkward or terrible, but Lulu said, neither. She appreciated his honest answers. Julian was a flawed man, but if Lucas could choose, would he still have Julian re-enter his life or would he have been better off never knowing him. Lucas said their relationship was a rocky road filled with highs and lows, and Julian fighting demons until the day he died. He knew Julian loved him and he was grateful for that and Julian, so yes. He was glad Julian came back into his life.

Cody said he thought Brook was annoyed at him for running his mouth to Lulu. Now she was staying in the lounge with him. Brook said she’d told him that she wasn’t mad, and she meant it. She was mad and annoyed at Lulu for manipulating him and digging into something that was none of her business. He said he was sorry, but she said, don’t be. He was there when it counted. She was scared and didn’t know what she would have done without him that summer. He said he was glad to help, and she said she was there for him now and glad to help.

Brick said Dr. Abbott was the best cardiologist in the country, and Sonny said, whoever tried to kill him and hurt Michael was still out there. Brick said he’d find out who it was. He gave the order and got a security team together in case Sonny was under surveillance. He was going to check in now. Carly was in charge, so behave himself. Try to do what the lady says.

Dante told Kristina that he thought Sonny would be around forever. It made him realize he was taking the people he loved for granted and needed to tell those people how much they meant. Kristina said she needed to get better at it. Their dad was her anchor when she bottomed out and didn’t judge her. He just loved her. Dante said Sonny did the same for him after he lost Sam. Kristina told him, both Sam and their dad said they weren’t their mistakes. They did bad things, but were still worthy of love. Dante said, true, and Kristina was super loveable. Donna ran in and asked if Dante wanted to go to the park, but he said he had to pick up Rocco. Her big sister was there though, and she was a blast. Donna said, Kristina was the best, and he said she certainly was.

Marco said he could keep his work for his father siloed and had no problem representing Sonny or Jason, but Diane said, him representing them was highly unlikely. Marco said if a situation was a conflict of interest, he would recuse himself, and Alexis welcomed him aboard. She had to leave for a meeting with Kristina, and Diane would take it from here. Alexis left and Diane handed Marco a folder, saying the cases were still in the preliminary stages. He pulled some papers out and asked if she was sure she wanted him to work on this. He handed her the involuntary commitment papers for Kristina.  

Ric said Ava was his client and friend, but Molly said he wasn’t talking to a ten-year-old. She knew Ava was more than a friend. He said he and Ava had an understanding, and she said that scared her. Ava appealed to the worst parts of him. He said that wasn’t fair, but she said, Ava was never fair. Or she’d never seen it. While Ava wasn’t directly responsible for Irene’s death, she was responsible for a lot of bad. She wanted better for him and wanted him to be batter. He asked if having Ava in his life meant she wouldn’t be, but she said she wasn’t giving him an ultimatum. She just wanted him to think long and hard about being involved with Ava before she wrapped him up in something he’d regret.

Diane told Marco that the paperwork had obviously been misplaced. It was a private matter that she assumed he’d regard with discretion. He said he understood and was going to his office to work on the prelims. He left and Diane wrote Davis on a manila envelope and put the papers in it.

Donna and Kristina did some coloring, when Donna asked for a glass of water. When Kristina went to get it, Donna picked up Kristina’s phone and called Sonny. Sonny answered and when he saw it was Donna, he asked where her sister was. Kristina popped in and said she was there, but Donna shouldn’t take other people’s phones without asking. Donna said she wanted to call her daddy. Where was he and what was he wearing. Sonny said he was at the hospital for a check-up. Mommy was here with him. Carly said hi, and Kristina said they should let their father focus on his check-up. She had things under control despite what it seemed like. Sonny said he loved them. When the call was over, Sonny asked if Carly thought Donna was scared, but she said she thought Donna was more afraid he was getting a shot. Sonny said Kristina looked terrified even though she was trying to act like she wasn’t. Dr. Abbott came in and Sonny introduced Carly as his friend, and she said, friend and ex-wife. Sonny told the doctor that whatever he had to say, he could say in front of Carly. Let’s hear it.

Felicia brought Lucas to Cody and said he’d been kicked by a horse. Lucas asked if Cody could walk, and Cody said he could and left with him.

Rocco asked how Lulu’s interview went, and she said, fantastic. Lucas opened up about how it felt to be adopted. Rocco said that’s how he felt, like Danny, him, and Scout adopted each other when they moved in with Sam. She asked what it was like blending families and having new siblings, and he said, weird at first, but they figured it out. It was mostly bathroom schedules and what they liked to eat, but it didn’t take long. Lulu said when she and Dante agreed he’d live with her part-time, she thought it was important that they spend time together. They’d missed out on so much. She knew he had a real family who loved him – his dad, Danny, and Scout. She knew he had that with Sam too… Rocco said he’d spent years praying for this, to see and talk to her. He loved his family, all of them – dad, Danny, Scout, and Charlotte – but when he was here with her, it’s exactly where he wanted to be. They hugged.

Dr. Abbott said he was going to repair Sonny’s heart damage from the shrapnel. It sounded scary, but he’d survived a great deal, and the doctor expected him to heal well. Carly said he was a fighter and incredibly stubborn, and the doctor said that would help too.  

Donna asked if Kristina was mad at her, and Kristina said, of course (🍷) not. She could never be mad at Donna, but she shouldn’t take anyone’s phone without asking. Donna asked if their daddy was going to be okay, and Kristina said he’d be just fine and back before they knew it. She suggested they made Sonny a get-well card, but Donna said she couldn’t find her glitter. Kristina (who probably hid the glitter, as anyone whose made crafts with kids would) said she had the feeling it would be just perfect without glitter, and Donna said she was glad Kristina was here with her. Kristina said she was too.

Diane went to Ric’s hospital room, and he asked what brought her by. She said she was filing a request in family court. Sonny wanted to take Avery on a trip to the island this summer. She thought he should have a hard copy so there were no inconvenient delays. She dropped the folders she was carrying, knocking down Molly’s folders with them. She said she was sorry. She guessed it was one of those days. She and Molly picked everything up, and Molly said they all had those days. Ric earned some rest, so she was going to leave him to it. She left, and Ric said, about that trip out of the country with his client’s daughter…

Dante picked up Rocco, and said he was sorry he was running late, but Lulu said it gave her more time to work on her adoption piece. There was a chance it might reach a lot of people and hopefully change some lives.

Lucas came back and Brook asked how Cody was. Lucas said Cody was in radiology. He wanted to take some x-rays to be on the safe side. He should be fine, but he’d be sore for a bit. She said she was glad to see him, since they were told there was a change in schedule, and he said he had to step out for a quick interview. Brook said, tell her more. Was he being asked what it was like to be a sexy, single doctor? He said, sadly, no one asked that. Lulu was writing a piece for the Llanview Banner, her first piece for her freelance gig. Brook asked what it was about, and he said, adoption. She pitched the subject to the editor, and they gave her the green light. She was excited about it and it seemed like she was doing a really deep dive.

Jason said, either he was getting slower, or the pitch machine was faster, and Danny said he remembered when Jason first came back, his mom didn’t want him hanging out with Jason. He thought she was more worried that Jason wasn’t sticking around. She changed her mind when she figured out Jason could take care of him. Jason said he would, always, and Danny said it was cool to have people who cared. He was glad he had Jason and hoped his knew Jason had always been there and he hasn’t felt so alone. Jason said he bet she did and hugged Danny as he looked up.

Molly saw Cody and asked what he was doing at the hospital. He said he was kicked by a horse, and she said, the same one he rescued her on? Cody said it wasn’t the horse’s fault, but she said she knew it. She could see kicker in his eyes. Cody said it was a natural reaction to being startled. He was a good horse. He was waiting for his x-ray results. Brook was here, but she disappeared. Why was Molly here? Molly said she was visiting her dad and guessed she had work she could do here. He shouldn’t have to wait alone. She asked him to button his shirt, and they flirted a little. (I’m not really feeling these two.)

Diane said Ric was obviously bored and enjoyed squabbling, but she didn’t. If he wanted to contest the response, he could do it in family court. Until then, happy healing. Ric said he thought she was a proponent in calling a truce, and she said she was, but any interaction that had to do with Ava was inordinately exhausting. He said she was being overly dramatic, and she said, he might enjoy helping his financially strapped clients by doing pro bono, but she didn’t. On the day Avery turned 18 and was finally an adult (which, in soap years, should be about five years from now) there would be no one more excited to handle their client’s interests, through the proper channels. Truce or not, he needed to give Alexis a break. Ric asked, why?

Alexis asked why they were meeting in Sonny’s old Carly’s kitchen, and  Donna said they were making a get well card. She was going to get her markers that smelled like fruit. Kristina said that was exactly what the card needed, and Donna went upstairs. Kristina told Alexis that she was staying while Sonny was seeing a doctor in LA. Carly went with him so she was helping out. Alexis said all she wanted to know is if Kristina was okay, and Kristina said she’d been scared out of her mind. Donna was so sweet, she was glad she was there. It made her realize that she was glad Alexis was here too. Kristina had been so close to not being there.

Carly said she was thinking about the gunshot that almost killed Sonny. It was 25 years ago, but she remembered it like it was just yesterday. Sonny said, things like that got seared in your memory, and she said, he flatlined. They’d lost him. He said she wouldn’t let him go, and she said they made him keep fighting and he knew he was fighting. Do not give up. Not for anything. She didn’t care if St. Peter was waving him in at the Pearly Gates. Turn around and come back. He was going to make it through this. Sonny said he promised he would, and the nurse came to prep him for the OR. She said Carly would need to go outside, and Carly told Sonny that she meant what she said. He said he never doubted it and promised he would. She left.

In the waiting area, Carly told Brick that Sonny was gone, but he said he came back to see if she’d mind some company. She said she’d like some company, and he took her hand.  

The anesthesiologist asked Sonny if he was ready for a great nap. Think of good, positive things. Count back from ten. Sonny said, ten… nine… eight… seven… six… … five… He thought of making pancakes with Donna and Kristina saying he was the only one she could turn to. He remembered Dante saying he was going to keep his oath, and Sonny saying, even if Dante had to arrest him, he’d always love him, and them hugging. He thought of Donna asking him to show her his father’s picture and them looking at a picture of Mike. Donna asked if he missed Mike, and he said, every single day. The anesthesiologist said, he’s ready.

Marco found Lucas at the hospital and said he’d been officially hired by Miller and Davis. Lucas said, congratulations. He owed Marco dinner. Marco said he’d be happy to collect.

Danny asked Rocco how his new house was, and Rocco said cool. The boys went to do some batting, and Jason said he knew Rocco meant a lot to Danny. Dante said the same with Rocco. They were brothers. They had to make sure the boys didn’t lose their connection. Jason said, Sam would love seeing this, as the boys used their bats like light sabers.  

Lulu looked on her computer at a list of facts and questions about Brook’s pregnancy and the baby’s adoption. There was a knock at the door, and Lulu opened it to Brook who asked what the hell she was trying to pull.  

Ric asked for a reason he should take it easy on Alexis, and Diane said, aside from common decency? No. Their truce or lack thereof was none of her business. She was going to file the petition. Do as he will. She left and in the hallway, she banged herself in the head with her hand. In his room, Ric said, nice try. Alexis told you the truth.

Kristina told Alexis that she’d been a mess since the baby died. Losing Sam was hell and she’d been putting Alexis through hell since she was ten or so. She was so grateful, but more than that, she was grateful for her life and to see how much good she had waiting. Alexis said she’d wanted Kristina to let the past go. In knowing the good that was waiting, she was putting herself in a position to receive it. They hugged.

Molly looked through some papers and Cody suggested she get out more. She said paperwork was comforting. Sometimes she went to a restaurant, ordered a glass of wine, and worked for hours. It’s a world she understood and where she was in control unlike him and his devil horse. She took out the paperwork for the involuntary admission and said, oh my God.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

At the MetroCourt, Sidwell thanks Jordan for sitting in on his meeting with Congressman Cain. He knows she’s not his biggest fan. Jordan says, true, but as Sidwell pointed out, he’s a powerful ally. He hired her to make the right connections, so she’s going to grin and bear it. Sidwell says he appreciates that. He’s determined to make this fair city his home, especially since his son put down roots here too.

At the office, Alexis says she’s glad she caught Marco. She wanted to talk over some concerns she had about work he’d be doing for his dad. Marco says, as he promised when they hired him, all his services to his father’s company are completely above board. He wouldn’t involve the firm in anything illegal. She says she certainly hopes not, but this is about something entirely different. It’s about a deal he’s already made.

Molly looks at the commitment papers and says she can’t believe this, and Cody asks, what’s wrong? She says, according to these documents, their mom wants to have Kristina committed.

Kristina tells Donna, it’s the best get well card ever. Dad is going to love it. Donna says she thinks it needs more dino stickers, and Kristina says, of course (🍷) it does. Everything needs more dino stickers. Donna asks if daddy is really going to be okay, and Kristina says, yeah. He’s going to be just fine. He’ll be home before they know it.

Carly brings Brick some coffee and says she thought he could use the caffeine. She owes him big time for taking care of Sonny and getting him in to see Dr. Abbott. Brick says, Sonny is in great hands. Dr. Abbott is one of the best cardiologists in the country. She says, and he’s in LA, far away the people who want to take advantage of Sonny’s vulnerability. Brick says, even so, they can’t take their guard down. The person who firebombed Sonny’s apartment is still out there.

Lulu asks what Brook wants now, and Brook walks past her. Lulu says, please, by all means, come in. Would she like a tour or is Brook just going to start ripping into her? Brook says she’s so angry, and Lulu says, about what? Brook says she wants Lulu to stop using her baby to torture her, but Lulu says she hasn’t said a word to anyone about Brook’s baby. Brook says, stop playing dumb. She knows Lulu is writing an article on adoption. Lulu says, so? and Brook says, obviously, Lulu chose that particular topic because she had a child with Dante when she was a teenager and gave him up. It was her not so subtle way of letting Brook know that she could tell him about it anytime she wants. Lulu says she pitched three ideas to the editor, and they decided she should write about adoption, and Brook asks why she suggested it in the first place. Lulu says, it’s an important topic that a lot of people are interested in. Brook isn’t the only person whose given up a baby for adoption. Brook says she’s sick and tired of Lulu’s twisted little games. Fine. Tell Dante the truth if it means so much to her, but be ready for the consequences.

On the phone, Willow says she just got to the clinic. She’s a lot more nervous than she thought she’d be. Nina says, when she sees Michael, she’ll relax and they’ll both feel the old connection they had. Willow says, maybe… until she tells Michael that she and the kids are moving in with Drew, and Nina says, it will be hard for him to hear. They both know he may be angry at first, but stay calm and focus on the kids, and she’s sure they can work something out. Willow says she hopes Nina is right. She’ll call later and let her know how it went. Nina says, please do. Good luck. She’ll be thinking about her. Nina tells Portia, sorry. Where were they? Portia says, Nina was telling her about how they can hire a prostitute to solve their Drew problem.

Drew arrives at the MetroCourt, and tells Sidwell that he didn’t realize Jordan would be joining them. Sidwell says, Drew probably knows that Jordan recently resigned as Deputy Mayor, and Drew says he was lucky enough to have a front row seat for the fireworks. Sidwell says, the city’s loss is his gain. Jordan has agreed to join him as his COO. Drew says, wow. Congratulations. Jordan thanks him and says she’s excited for a fresh start. If she’s being honest, she was hoping they’d have one too.

Marco asks which deal Alexis is referring to, and she says, Sidwell’s contract with Deception. Marco asks, what’s the problem? and Alexis says, Lucy Coe. She’s known Lucy a long time and she’s a lovely woman, but just a little flighty. She may change her mind 15 times. Marco says, thanks for the warning, but the contract was already executed, and Alexis says, somehow, she doesn’t think that’s the end of it. Keep that in mind. Also, Tracy Quartermaine is shrewd and could pull a fast one. He needs to stay ten steps ahead of her. He says he’ll keep a close eye on Tracy, and Alexis says he’s got his work cut out for him. He says he got a sense of Tracy from his mother too. She went on an epic rant after Tracy fired her. Alexis says, Natalia was fired? and he says he didn’t realize she knew Natalia was his mother. She says his father told her in passing, and he says, after the way his mother treated Kristina, was sure Alexis wasn’t shedding any tears about it.

Cody asks if Molly is sure she’s reading it correctly, and she says she knows how to read the papers and they clearly state her mother’s intention to have her sister committed to a mental facility, even if it’s against Kristina’s will. He says, that’s extreme, and wonders where it came from, but Molly says she doesn’t even… Her and Diane’s files got mixed up and she must have picked it up by mistake. He says, Kristina has no idea? and Molly says she doesn’t know how she would. Just the other night, they all hung out and had a great time. They watched a movie and ordered food. Her mom wasn’t acting like somebody committing their daughter and Kristina wasn’t acting like somebody who needed to be committed. Cody says he feels bad for Kristina. He knows what it’s like to be held against your will in a mental facility and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. She say she wants to hear that story another time, but she needs to do something right now, and Cody gets up. She says, he shouldn’t do that, but he says, it’s just his ribs. Don’t worry. He’s been kicked before and bruised. What can he do?

Carly says, having Brick here makes it easier, and he says, it’s the least he can do. Sonny wants him to find the person responsible for hurting Michael. He promised he would, but so far, no luck with the electronics found in the man’s apartment. It’s driving him crazy. She says, if there’s anything to find, he will, and he says he appreciates that. What’s going on with Michael? How’s his progress going at the clinic? She says, as far as Michael and his doctors tell her, he’s doing great, but she can’t help worrying that he’s going to have some kind of setback. He says, she’s a mama and worry comes with the territory. Unless something else is in play to cause it. She says, there is. Apparently, his cheating wife is on her way to Germany to visit him right now.

Willow asks the reception nurse at the clinic if she speaks English, and the woman asks how she can help Willow. Willow says she’s Willow Corinthos and she’s here to see her husband Michael.  

Nina tells Portia, Willow is enthralled with all things Drew. She won’t be able to get Willow away from him until she sees him for the sleazy master manipulator he is. Portis says, so they’re going to hire a sex worker to seduce him, and Nina says she hates giving Drew the tiniest bit of credit, but she doesn’t think he’d cheat on Willow. Not this soon anyway. They have to frame him. Portia asks how that would work, and Nina says, that’s where Portia comes in. She’s counting on Portia to concoct something, just enough to knock Drew out. Portia says, a mickey, and Nina says, call it what she will, but when Drew is out, their friendly escort will climb into bed with him just in time for Willow to come home to her knight in shining armor with another woman. Portia says she can’t believe she’s saying this, but it’s not a bad plan. She only has one issue. She can see how it benefits Nina, but what about her?

Lulu asks if Brook is threatening her, but Brook says, not at all. She’s just pointing out that if Lulu reveals the truth, it won’t just hurt her. Lulu will be hurting everyone involved, first and foremost, Brook’s son. When he was born, her mom gave him to the nuns at St. Ignatius who found him a loving family. He may not know he’s adopted. Lulu says, Brook is worried that if Dante tracks him down, it will uproot his life. They’ve been over that. Brook says she thought about what would happen if he rejects Dante, or worse, hates Dante for telling him that the only parents he’s ever known have been lying to him his entire life. Dante just lost Sam and he’s still grieving. If she tells him, that could make it worse. Lulu says, Brook doesn’t know how it will play out. Maybe her son has known his entire life. Brook says, Lulu is taking a huge gamble with her own son. How will Rocco feel about finding out he has a new older brother? Lulu says, maybe he’ll love it, but Brook says, maybe he won’t. That’s her point. Lulu is just guessing at everything. Go ahead. Tell Dante the truth. She’ll take the fall for her gut-wrenching decision she made when she was a teenager, but she’s an adult now. Lulu will have to tell everybody why she so cavalierly blew up everyone’s lives. Lulu says she’s not being cavalier. If she was, she would have told Dante the day she found out. Brook said, it must be so fun to have something to hang over her head, but Lulu says, not enough to make up for her having to keep lying to those it directly effects – Dante and Rocco. Every time she sees them, she hates this thing. Brook asks, then why can’t she let it go? and Lulu says, because Brook decided it’s best it stay buried forever? She doesn’t necessarily agree. Dante walks in and asks, what’s going on in here?

Alexis says she has no ill will against Marco’s mother. She made amends to Kristina. That’s all that matters. Marco says, then maybe that means there’s still hope for his own relationship with her, and Alexis says she’s sorry. They’re not close? He says, not really. They had a falling out when he was in high school. They had different ideas of what his life should look like. She says, given Natalia’s relationship with Allie, she has an idea of what that means, and Marco says he’s sure. He’s sorry about all the problems she caused Kristina and her sister. Alexis says, no need to apologize. None of it was his fault. It wasn’t even entirely his mother’s fault. Kristina was going through some difficult things and got through it. She had a tough go of it. He says he’s glad she’s better now, when there’s a knock at the door. Ava asks if Alexis has a minute, and Alexis asks what she wants.

Kristina tells Donna, this is amazing. It’s the best get well card ever. Dad will love it. Donna thanks her for helping and says she’s the best sister ever, but Kristina says, that’s impossible since Donna is the best sister ever. There’s a knock at the door, and Kristina asks if Donna ordered ice cream again. Donna says, no, and Kristina asks if she’s sure. She opens the door to Molly and Cody, and Molly sees that Donna is there. Kristina asks, what’s going on? and Molly says she ran into Cody at the hospital, and he was telling her how he was teaching James… Cody says, how to tie knots, and Molly says she thought it sounded like so much fun, Donna might like to learn too. Cody asks what Donna thinks. Does it sound cool? Donna says, not really, and Cody laughs and says, okay. One of these – he shows her a lollipop – for every type of knot she learns to tie. Donna says, I’m in, and he says, let’s do it. They need to find some rope or cord… or shoelaces. Donna says she has those, and he says, all right. Let’s go. Donna leads him away as he grips his side with his other hand. Kristina says, okay, tell her what’s really going on, and Molly says there’s something she needs to see. She shows Kristina the papers and Kristina says, what the hell is this?

Kristina says, this can’t be real. Their mom is acting to have her committed? Did she ask Molly to file this? Molly says, no, and she wouldn’t have if their mom did. She doesn’t even know Molly has seen them. Kristina asks where Molly got them, and Molly says, Diane’s envelopes got mixed up with hers, and she came as soon as she saw them. She swears she didn’t even know their mom was thinking about this. Kristina says she’s an adult. Can their mom have her committed without her consent? Molly says, she can have Kristina held for observation, and Kristina says she doesn’t get why their mom would do this to her.

Alexis says she doesn’t believe Marco has met Ava, and he holds out his hand, saying, Marco Rios. Alexis says, he’s new to the firm, and Ava says, he’s a lucky man. Alexis is one hell of a lawyer. Every time she’s had the pleasure of working with Alexis, she always delivers. Alexis asks Marco, do you mind…? and Marco says, of course (🍷). Nice to meet Ava. He leaves, and Alexis asks why Ava is here. Ava says she needs to make a change in their payment schedule.

Nina tells Portia, when Willow kicks Drew to the curb, there will be nothing left to keep him in Port Charles. She guesses he’ll take Scout and move to DC permanently. Portia says, as nice as it would be not to run into him, it doesn’t solve her problem. He’ll still have leverage over her. Nina says, true, but what good is Portia to him in Washington DC? He’ll be so busy with his new life as congressman, he won’t even remember her. He’ll move on to terrorizing someone else. Portia says, what if he doesn’t? and Nina says, then they’ll arrange to have salacious pictures taken of Drew’s indiscretion. Portia says, now you’re talking.

Jordan says she regrets letting herself get dragged into the disagreement between Drew and Curtis. It was never any of her business. She’s just hoping they can put it behind them and get back to what they used to be. She’s missed their friendship. Drew says he appreciates her saying that and he’s certainly open to it, and she says she fought hard for him during his campaign because she believed in him. And no matter what’s happened between them, she still does. He thanks her and says, that means a lot. Sidwell says, isn’t that delightful? (I absolutely love him at this moment. He’s just such a happy guy.) Speaking of delightful things, can they all agree the McConkey esplanade should be moved to the piers currently owned by Sonny Corinthos? Jordan sort of nods, and Drew says, True. Yes. Sidwell says, in that case, Drew should double down on his opposition to Sonny. He was a very persuasive and powerful man and could sway the majority voters over to their side. Drew says, can do, but Jordan says, before he says yes, there’s something to consider.

Brick tells Carly, maybe seeing Michael face to face is a good thing. Maybe Willow will come to her senses, and they can agree on a reasonable compromise they can live with. Carly says, there’s nothing reasonable with Willow lately, and he says, it’s a lot easier to deal with a person when you don’t have to be face to face. Maybe when she sees Michael, he can convince her to do what’s in the best interest of the children. Carly says she’d like to believe that, but she’s lost all faith in Willow’s ability to do the right thing. She’s worried this trip to Germany is going to be one big disaster.

The reception nurse apologizes for taking so long, and Willow asks if Michael is having a good day. Can he have visitors? The nurse says, yes, and Willow asks if she can have his room number. The nurse says she doesn’t quite know how to say it, but Willow’s husband doesn’t want to see her.

Lulu wonders why Rocco isn’t with Dante, and he says, after the batting cages, Rocco and Danny went to see a movie. He could have gone, but didn’t know he was going to walk into World War III. Something is going on. What are they arguing about? Lulu asks if Brook wants to tell him, and Brook says she heard Lulu was writing an article on adoption and it’s a problem for her. Because the truth is, it hits way too close to home.

Alexis asks what change Ava needs, and Ava says, another transfer as soon as possible. Alexis says, how much? and Ava says, 150 thousand. Alexis says, she’s kidding. What does she need the money for? Ava says she has her reasons, just like Alexis has her reasons for giving Ava’s money to her. Alexis says she can’t just blatantly skim from the Cassadine trust and not get caught. And if she gets caught, they both go down. Ava says she’s sure Alexis can come up with a way to do it, and Alexis says, she’s being completely unreasonable. Ava says, that’s one of the downsides of being blackmailed, isn’t it? and Alexis says, just take more time between transfers or settle for an amount that’s smaller. Ava says, if it’s not something Alexis feels she can do, Kristina will be the one to pay the price.  

Molly says, maybe their mom wasn’t planning on filing, but had it drawn up just in case, and Kristina says, what case? In case she had some sort of mental breakdown? Molly says, Kristina had been going through a lot. Maybe their mom had them drawn up after the baby died. She did have post-partum, and they were all worried about her. Kristina says, no. She had them drawn up a couple days ago. The date is the same day they had their Davis girls night. She did this then and hung out with them like everything was completely fine. She asks if Molly remembers Alexis being nervous. She was planning on having Kristina committed. Molly says she’s so sorry. She can’t imagine how betrayed Kristina feels. Kristina says she feels betrayed, confused, and devastated, but grateful. She thanks Molly for bringing her the papers, and Molly says she wasn’t going to let her sister get ambushed. Kristina says she’s surprised, and Molly asks, why? Kristina says, usually her and their mom have the same perspective and it’s her against the two of them. Molly says she’s not a psychiatrist, but if a person came to her and said they’d decided they wanted take to take a break from life and work on themselves, she would support it 100%. But she doesn’t support going behind their back and taking the decision out of their hands, even if she agreed. She doesn’t want Kristina to feel ganged up on ever again. Kristina thanks her and says she’s grateful to hear Molly say that, and they hug.  

Jordan says, it’s fine if Drew comes out against Sonny, but she cautions him against attacking Mayor Collins, if that’s his plan. Drew says, Jordan quit her job, so why does she care if he went after her? and Jordan says she’s concerned about what Laura might do. She still has a high approval rating and people love what she’s done for Port Charles. The only thing badmouthing the mayor will do, is make him look bad. Drew says, for the record, despite their disagreement, he loves what Laura has done as mayor. Very much so. He also doesn’t feel she needs to defend Sonny. Sidwell says, that’s a wise stance at the moment, and Drew says, if anyone is going to attack Laura, it’s Councilman Boyle. Sidwell says, that’s perfect to keep the blowback far away from himself. He doesn’t know about them, but it’s clear to him that the three of them make a great team. With the congressman’s pull and resources, they can be assured Sonny loses control of the piers. Drew says, that’s good news for everyone.  

Willow tells the nurse, please. She has to let her speak with Michael. She flew here from New York. The nurse says she’s so sorry, but she has to respect the patient’s wishes. Willow says she understands, but it’s important. It’s about their kids. Just tell him that. Please. The nurse says, honestly, she doesn’t think it would make a difference. He made his feelings clear that he wants nothing to do with her. (Um… Doesn’t she still have his medical proxy?)

Brick tells Carly that he’s heard great things about the burn clinic in Baden-Baden. From what he understands, it’s pretty close to impossible to get into. How did she get Michael in? She says, John Brennan from the WSB pulled a few strings, and he asks if they’re friends. She says she’s seeing Jack Brennan, and he says, damn. Another one slips through his fingers. Jack is a lucky man. She asks if Brick knows him, and he says, a little, mostly by reputation. She says, what reputation? And he says, he’s very smart, a heavy hitter in intelligence communications, and apparently has great taste in women. Carly laughs, when the doctor comes out. Carly says she didn’t expect Sonny’s surgery to be over so soon… Is Sonny okay?  (Before a commercial, the doctor always looks grim no matter the outcome.)

Dante asks what the article has to do with Brook, and she says she and Chase are exploring the idea of adopting a child. Dante says he didn’t know. He thinks it’s great. Brook says, Chase hasn’t told anyone. They’re just at the beginning stage and feeling it out. She heard Lulu was going around interviewing people about adoption and the whole thing felt too coincidental. Lulu says she had no idea Brook and Chase were thinking about adoption, and Brook says, now she does. Can she think about another subject? Lulu says, why? If anything, maybe Brook will learn something. Brook says, or Lulu could use it to stick her nose in other people’s business under the guise that it’s work related. Dante says he doesn’t think Lulu would do that, and Lulu says she wouldn’t. Truly, she wishes Brook and Chase the best, but she’s also trying to get going as a journalist again. If the Llanview Banner wants her to write about adoption, that’s what she’s going to do. Brook says, great. Knock herself out. Brook leaves, and Dante says, that could have gone better, but he guesses they’ve had worse. It’s just them. Is there any truth to what Brook said?

Jacinda arrives at Nina’s office and Nina says, lovely to meet her. Have a seat. She thanks Jacinda for coming, and Jacinda says, arriving is the easy part. Let’s cut to the chase. As much as she’d like to believe she was going to be the next Crimson cover model, something tells her not to write home about it just yet. Nina say, she is a stunning woman, but she’s right. They have a slightly different job in mind that she guesses is more in line with Jacinda’s current profession. Jacinda says, Nina doesn’t need to beat around the bush. They’re all adults. She’s a sex worker and she’s proud of that. Portia says, in that case, she won’t be offended at their offer. Jacinda says she’s been doing this a long time. It’s not the first time two women have brought a proposition to her. Portia and Nina trip over themselves saying no, and Portia says, the job doesn’t involve sex at all. Nina says, but it does require pictures.  

Jordan says she’s going to make some calls to get the ball rolling on their agenda, and Sidwell says, that’s what he likes to hear. Drew says he’s glad they had a chance to talk, and Jordan says, her too, and leaves. Drew says, Jordan is very smart and motivated. Hiring her was a great move. Sidwell says, the key to making Port Charles his new home is having the right friends. Jordan has become one and he’s hoping Drew will become another. Drew says he believes they have a mutually beneficial relationship, considering Sonny is a thorn in both their sides, and Sidwell agrees. He says he looks forward to the day Mr. Corinthos is no longer a problem to anyone.

Carly asks if Sonny is okay, and Dr. Abbott says, he’s fine. (What I said.) They repaired his heart with no complications. Brick asks if that means he’ll have a full recovery, and the doctor says, he needs to avoid strenuous activity for several weeks, so his body can heal completely. Carly says she’ll make sure he follows the doctor’s instructions, whether he likes it or not. Can she see him? Dr. Abbott says, he’s still settling into his room. He’ll let them know when he’s done. Carly thanks him, and he says, of course (🍷), and leaves. Carly says, Sonny’s okay, and Brick says he never doubted it for a second. They hug.

Alexis tells Ava that they both knew she’s not going to expose Kristina, since she and Ric are milking this tragedy for millions of dollars. Ava says, Ric? and Alexis says she knows he’s part of her blackmail scheme. He couldn’t help throwing it in her face that he was getting a cut. Ava says, Kristina did almost kill him. It’s the least Alexis can do. Alexis says she’ll give in to this installment, but Ava is to stay the hell away from her office and her daughter. Ava says, Kristina is the one who has to stay away from her. As far as coming by, she’ll pop in when she sees fit. Alexis isn’t the one calling the shots. She is. Don’t forget that. She leaves.

Kristina tells Molly that she’s done things that she deeply regrets in her life, but she’s seeing a therapist. She’s getting help and their mom would do this after she’s getting help, and didn’t talk to her. It’s just wrong. Molly says, their mom would never intentionally hurt Kristina. As bad as it sounds, she thinks it was coming from a place of love. Their mom had never been able to find the balance between loving Kristina and controlling her. She watched it for years. Kristina says she thought their mom was finally out of that pattern and trusting her to make her own decisions. She guesses not. Molly asks what she’s going to do, and Kristina says, what choice does she have? She’s going to confront their mom – now. Molly says she’s going with Kristina. Cody can watch Donna. Kristina says she doesn’t need to. It’s not her fight. Molly says she wants to be there to support Kristina… unless Kristina doesn’t want her to, and Kristina says she does. It means a lot to her.

Dante says he thought Lulu agreed to go easy on Brook, and Lulu says she has been. She had no idea Brook and Chase were thinking about adoption. And Dante knows the editor chose the topic, not her. He says he knows. Obviously, she should tread carefully as adoption is a touchy subject with Brook. Lulu says, clearly.  

Jacinda asks if their telling her that her mark is a US congressman, and Portia says, trust her. He’s not a good guy. Jacinda says, that’s the problem. She’s seen that movie before and people like her who do things like this tend to end up dead. Nina says she’s not stealing state secrets or bomb codes, and Portia says, they promise she won’t be harmed. Jacinda says, they expect her to take their word. That’s a big ask. It’s going to cost more than her usual rate. Nina says, how much more? and Jacinda says, six thousand. They laugh and Nina asks if she didn’t hear them say they don’t want her to have sex. Nina’s phone rings, and she says she has to take it; it’s Willow.

Nina asks how it went, and Willow says, Michael wouldn’t even see her. Nina says, maybe he’s just not prepared and needs time to pull himself together before he sees her again, but Willow says, no. They have nothing left to say to each other. Obviously, he’s cutting her out of his life. That’s fine by her. She’s going to fly home tomorrow morning. Nina tells Willow to hold on a second and puts the call on hold. She tells Jacinda that they have a deal, then goes back to the call. She tells Willow that she’s so sorry, and Willow says she never should have come here, and she can’t wait to get home. Drew would never treat her this way. They communicate when there’s a problem. Michael shuts down on her. She’ll call Nina when she lands. Willow leaves and the nurse makes a call. Drew asks, is it done? and she says she did exactly as he asked. He says, she lied to Mrs. Corinthos, and she says she told Mrs. Corinthos that her husband refused to see her. He says, excellent. Her payment is on the way.  

Donna gives Cody a cup and tells him that her mom says it helps the medicine go down. He says, her mom is a smart lady. He takes his pill and says, she’s right. It did help. She says, Kristina was upset. Does he think her daddy is okay? He says, of course (🍷). Kristina just had to run an errand with Molly. They’re lucky. They get to stay here and tie knots. Show him her square knot. She asks if he has lollipops.

Alexis makes the transfer to Ava when Kristina and Molly walk in. Alexis says, a nice surprise. What’s going on? Kristina says, you tell me, mommy dearest.  

Brick says he’s sorry to hug and run, but he has to race to the airport. There’s a security issue in Dubai… Unless she needs him to stay. Carly says, no. Go. He’s done so much already. Brick tells her to keep him updated and they hug. She says, thank you so much. Safe travels. He leaves and she calls Jason. She says, Sonny is out of surgery. The doctor said it was a success. He’s going to be fine… She hasn’t seen him yet, but she’s so happy. There were no complications, and the doctor said he’d make a full recovery. There’s a nurse skulking around, listening, and Carly says she’s sure Sonny is going to be fine. The shifty nurse goes into Sonny’s room and turns off the monitor. She takes out a syringe, and Sonny opens his eyes.

On Monday, Brad tells Portia. this new arrangement sucks; Tracy tells Gio to think twice before supporting Sonny; Vaughn asks if this is Josslyn’s way of saying she can’t do it; and Carly goes into Sonny’s room and says, oh my God.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Here’s hoping she’s good at her assignment.

I want one too!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospitals-finola-hughes-is-a-real-doll

I want to start watching Will Trent. This gives me one more reason.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-alum-jophielle-love-reveals-her-new-gig

I don’t watch this, but kudos to them. His untimely death was so sad.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/how-suits-la-honored-billy-millers-character

If his last two projects are any indication, I can’t wait.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/nicolas-alexander-chavez-lands-a-prestigious-new-project

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I’m not sure why these crews are always at odds. They’re busy AF and when they’re not working, they get to have fun in magnificent places, and spend big, fat tips.

The Valley

Jax finally recognized his coke problem that the rest of us have been talking about for years. Or has he?

Summer House

One of the most annoying things this group does is discuss another couple’s relationship on the side while watching the couple talk, analyzing every word and giving commentary. I did, however, learn that yellow flags are a thing. Unfortunately, so is Toegate. A lot of this episode was the Jesse/Lexi flirting-or-not thing. I’m already over it, but glad Lexi is starting to get a clue that this might not be her true love. There was another theme party, Snoozefest. No comment. Oh, and there was Schwartz.

He’s been at this rodeo before.

Random Reality Items

I haven’t kept up with this, but I might start now.

Maybe she’s desperate to meet Boy George.

A pleasant surprise. Their whole parting of the ways was just messy.

I’ll watch anything with this guy in it, especially when he’s being himself.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

2073. MAX. Well… This was an odd film and not exactly what I’d expected. It takes place in a grim future, but interspersed with what-got-us-here footage. Some of it real, some of it taken from other films about a grim future. I got the point about two seconds in, and let me say it this way, I could have read the plot and it would have been good enough.

Companion. HBO/MAX. I found this one endlessly amusing. I don’t want to give much away, since there are some fabulous twists and turns, but a non-spoiler is that Iris is a robot. She’s also a good time and Sophie Thatcher is wonderful in the role. I appreciated all of the unexpected moves in the plot and a few little tugs at the heartstrings didn’t hurt.

https://wrif.com/2025/02/05/companion-non-spoiler-movie-review/

https://www.cbr.com/jack-quaid-companion-hit-max/

Discuss among yourselves.

One of Them Days. Netflix. This was great. Pure escapism and fun, with a message about friendship wrapped in slapstick, capers, and characters you know are based on somebody’s auntie/uncle/cousin/the guy on the corner. A female buddy movie, two roommates and best friends have to make the rent in a few hours or be evicted, and hijinks ensue. The cast is excellent, and it will make you forget about your troubles. I loved the female friendship aspect.

https://www.purewow.com/news/netflix-one-of-them-days-movie

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/one-of-them-days-review

I also finished Black Mirror: Season 7, but it’s been one of them weeks, so coming soon.

🐾  Animal Hooligans…

🐶  Valerie has been captured! She is now living her almost best life in captivity again.

https://people.com/missing-wiener-dog-valerie-rescued-from-rugged-island-after-529-days-11722228

🐦 I know a cardinal who could give this woodpecker a run for its money. He peck at my gazing ball when he sees his reflection. I haven’t figured out if he’s trying to fight with the other bird or he’s gay and trying to spark a romance.

https://people.com/massachusetts-woodpecker-vandal-destroyed-25-car-mirrors-exclusive-11721462

🙉  Can you blame them? Sometimes you need a break from throwing poop at each other.

https://people.com/wild-chimps-filmed-bonding-over-alcoholic-fruit-11720149

🐘 Quotes of the Week

Don’t be afraid of missing opportunities. Behind every failure is an opportunity somebody wishes they had missed. – Lily Tomlin

If you are not where you want to be, do not quit. Instead reinvent yourself and change your habits.Eric Thomas

Thinking will not overcome fear but action will. – W. Clement Stone

The worst walls are never the ones you find in your way. The worst walls are the ones you put there. – Ursula K. Le Guin

I don’t believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be. – Ken Venturi

The good we do today becomes the happiness of tomorrow. – William James

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. – Vince Lombardi

Slow down just a kiss. I can’t understand you.Alec Baldwin, The Baldwins

If you’re covering up cracks, you missed a big one. – Samuel (Nyambi Nyambi) seeing Mike bent over while doing basement reconstruction, Mike & Molly

🤸‍♀️  A Little Madness In the Spring…

Until next week, stay safe; stay not planting before Mother’s Day (trust me); and stay keeping in mind that any good cover story works if there’s an element of truth.

April 11, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Josslyn Gets Her First Mission, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watch, Future Watching, Awarding, Fluffy Tales, Novenary Quotes & Believe

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Weekday bites, Friday’s whole GH enchilada & media minutiae)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Jack went to Anna’s office and she asked if something happened. He said she was trapped. Lucy asked if Trina wanted to perform at the Nurses Ball with Kai or do another duet with Josslyn. Carly hugged Josslyn, saying she didn’t know Josslyn was coming home, and Jason told her, welcome home. Carly wanted to hear about Easter Island, but first, Josslyn wanted to talk how Carly almost died. Elizabeth thanked Lucas for checking on her and he said the guy he met in Miami was in town and they’d gone for a drink. Ava came by wanting to talk to Elizabeth about the accident. Molly said it was a miracle the ambulance got there as quick as it did, and Ric had a hazy recollection of seeing Kristina there. He told Molly that he just remembered something about the accident. Kristina said she didn’t mean to hurt Elizabeth, but Lucky said, she almost died. Kristina said Ava kept pushing her (bad choice of words), but he said she needed to take responsibility. She hadn’t even apologized for almost killing two people. She said she was glad they were both okay and she was sorry. He said she’d gone too far and needed to pay for it. Elizabeth and Ric had to know what she did.

Kai said he’d have to pass, and Trina said she didn’t know if she could perform, but Lucy said she was always a huge hit. Trina said a lot had changed since the last Nurses Ball. Carly told Josslyn about the poisoned champagne, and Josslyn asked if Carly and Jack were sleeping together. Jack told Anna that ADA Turner had asked for every file the WSB had on her. He sent them, but between what was confidential and redacted, what he’d sent was her birth date and shoe size. He’d come to warn her. It was disturbing that the ADA was asking about her at all. Molly asked what Ric remembered, but he said it didn’t make sense. He lost control of the car and swerved all over. Molly suggested it might have been black ice, when her phone rang. Ric said, the law never sleeps, and to take it. Molly left, and Alexis said they’d finally made a truce and Ric got in an accident. He’d rather die than be on good terms with her. Elizabeth said it was still fuzzy, and Ava said Ric had been at her apartment – they’d gotten close – and Elizabeth dropped by to bring him some paperwork. Elizabeth said her kid had her car and Ric offered to drive her home, but all she remembered was the car swerving and that no one else was involved. Why was Ava asking? Kristina begged Lucky not to tell anyone. She wasn’t thinking straight and tried to stop it when she came to her senses. Lucky said she wasn’t fast enough, and Kristina said he was the one who told her not to leave the scene and not to tell anyone. He said that was before he knew she’d almost killed the mother of his child and the love of his life. He couldn’t look the other way. Kristina needed to turn herself in or he would.

Anna said she thought she could handle an ADA, but Jack said if she wanted to oust Anna as Commissioner, it wouldn’t be hard considering the company she kept. She asked why he cared, and he said he didn’t want to deal with another Commissioner. She was a pain in the ass, but a pain he was familiar with. Carly said it was none of Josslyn’s business, and Josslyn took that as a yes. Carly had been down that road with Sonny, and she wanted to know when Carly was involved with a dangerous man. Carly said she and Jack had gotten closer, and Jason wanted to leave, but Josslyn said Carly wouldn’t lie if he was there. Carly wanted to talk about Easter Island, and Josslyn said she’d drop the Jack thing for now. The trip was amazing. She showed Carly the pictures on her phone, and Carly wondered why she wasn’t in any of them. Josslyn said the trip was for school, not the Gram. Jason asked if she’d hiked the crater and looked at her pictures. Ava told Elizabeth that she hadn’t been able to talk to Ric and she was confounded since he was a good driver. Elizabeth said the only unusual thing was that they’d taken Route 42 to miss the traffic. Maybe it was icier since it was less traveled. Ava said she was glad they were both okay, thanked Elizabeth, and left. Lucas wondered what that was about, and Elizabeth asked if it wasn’t obvious. Kristina asked Lucky to just hear her out. Ava found out personal information about her dad that no one could know. Ava threatened to blackmail her dad and use it to get full custody by going public. Lucky said it would jeopardize Sonny’s whole family, and she said Ava was going to let her dad die and threw Morgan and Adela in her face. She lost it and snapped. She saw Ava’s car in her parking spot and found some wire cutters. Before she knew it, she was cutting the wires to what she thought was Ava’s car. She guessed Ric was in Ava’s spot. He said it was attempted murder, and she said she wasn’t in her right mind, but when she realized, she raced to Ava’s apartment. Just because someone survived an accident didn’t mean it couldn’t destroy their lives and she wouldn’t wish that on anyone, not even Ava. Did he believe her?

Kai said Lucy’s excitement got him excited, so he’d do it, and Lucy said the sports fan niche was a tough nut to crack, but now they had their very own Josh Allen. If Trina changed her mind, she always had a spot. She’d be in touch. She left and Trina said she didn’t take Kai as the type of guy who Lucy terrified. Why did he agree? He said because of her. Josslyn asked when Jason went to Easter Island, and he said during his time away from Port Charles. Jack arrived, and Josslyn said, this guy. He almost got Carly killed and she was still seeing him. Turner went to Anna’s office and said she assumed it was about Emma, but Anna said, no, it was about herself. Why did Turner ask the WSB for her files? If Turner had a problem with her, she preferred to be dealt with directly. Turner said she was gathering evidence against Anna. She was tired of Anna letting her friends like Jason get away with murder. Lucky said, had it been him, he would probably have gone crazy, but it didn’t excuse Kristina. She couldn’t walk away from this… Maybe there was a way for her to be held accountable without any legal consequences. If she talked to her mom, maybe Alexis could cut her a plea deal. Kristina said she couldn’t take that chance. Alexis would tell Molly and Molly could never know about this. Elizabeth told Lucas that it was Ava’s not so subtle way of staking a claim on Ric. Lucas asked if she cared, and she said, if Ric fully embraced his good side, maybe there might be a world where she’d change her mind about him. Lucas said Ric and Ava were both comfortable in that grey area, and Elizabeth said she was no different. She used Ric to find out more about what was going on with Portia and Brad. They were putting it together when they crashed. Ava told Ric that Elizabeth was no help. She went to see his car at the impound lot, and the mechanic told her that someone had cut the brake line. It was no accident. Somebody tried to kill him.

Anna asked what Jason had to do with it, and Turner said nothing came of his arrest for Cyrus’s murder. Anna said there was no body and no other evidence of a crime being committed. They had to let him go. Turner said, there was also Sonny Corinthos, Duke Lavery, and Valentin Cassadine. Anna had a habit of keeping questionable company. Anna said it had no bearing on her professional life, but Turner said she believed it did. Anna was misusing her power to protect them. Now that DA Scorpio was on leave, she was investigating it. She knew how close Anna and Robert were and would never put him in an awkward position. Anna said she’d dedicated her entire career to law enforcement, but Turner said that didn’t make less true. She was sure Anna would do the same for her granddaughter. Anna said she’d brought Emma in herself. She also brought in Valentin, Sonny, and Jason several times. She did everything by the book. Turner said she hoped so. Unlike Anna, she never looked the other way. She left. Josslyn said Jack had a lot of nerve showing up after almost killing her mother, and Jack said she had a reason to be upset. He wanted to discuss it further, but he needed to talk to Jason about something alone first. They went to another room and Jack told Jason to contact Anna, but be discreet. Jason left, and Jack told Josslyn to let him have it. Alexis told Molly that Ric would be back to his old self in no time – God help them – and Molly said she couldn’t have gotten through this without Alexis. The last few times she needed Alexis, Kristina did too. It was nice to have Alexis to herself and nice to have Kristina to lean on too. Kristina told Lucky that she and Molly were finally in a good place. Molly couldn’t know she was the reason Molly’s father was in an accident. Molly would never forgive her. Her mom already lost Sam and if she lost another daughter to prison, she couldn’t survive that. Lucky said his family would always be grateful to Sam for saving Lulu, and Kristina said losing Sam almost broke them. If they lost her on top of it, it would break them. He said, thank God Ric and Elizabeth were okay, and he didn’t see how Kristina going prison would help anything. Her family had been through enough tragedy and Kristina had to live with the guilt of almost killing two innocent people. If she was anything like him, that was punishment enough. She thanked him, they hugged, and he left. She texted Alexis: In the chapel. Can you and Molly meet me? Ava wondered who wanted Ric dead and he asked how much time she had. It couldn’t be Alexis. Sonny would be at the top of the list if it had been her car. She said, the day of the accident, he parked in her spot. The spot has her name on it and their cars look almost identical… Oh my God. His car wasn’t the target; hers was.

Kai said if he hadn’t volunteered, that lady would still be there talking. They way she talked, Trina’s past performances must have left an impression. Trina said she loved performing and guessed she was like Marshall. On stage, you connect with the music and the audience goes with you. There was nothing like it. He said that was how he felt on the field and hoped he got a chance to see her in her element. Don’t give up her chance to be in the spotlight. Maybe he couldn’t do the thing he loved because of his injury, but she could and should. Trina agreed and said she’d perform with him. Lucy went to Elizabeth’s room to discuss the Nurses Ball and Lucas tried to jet, but Lucy said she needed his help. When he did Magic Milo, he was a huge hit. He said it was his final bow. He’d bared it all and literally had nothing more give or show, but he’d cheer in the audience. Lucy said she’d circle back to him, but Elizabeth was the heart and soul of the nursing staff. She had to perform. Elizabeth said she’d be in a cast for six to eight weeks, but Lucy said that fit in her schedule. She would put both of them down for a duet.

Josslyn asked how she was supposed trust Jack. What if someone hurt her or Donna? Carly said it had been a terrible mistake and not Jack’s fault, but Jack said Josslyn had a reason to be angry. It was important to him to protect them both. Josslyn said she couldn’t control who her mother chose to date, but Jack needed to promise to take Carly’s safety very seriously. He said she had his word, and Carly suggested Josslyn stay the night, but she said she was dying to see Trina and wanted to sleep in her own bed. Carly said Donna had gotten Josslyn a gift and left to get it. Jack said Josslyn gave an impressive performance. He almost believed she wanted him to have nothing to do with her mother. She said, who told him that she was performing? Carly came back with a giftbag, and Josslyn left. Jack said it was unanimous. Carly’s entire family hated him. Jason met Anna in the park, and she said she was in ADA Turner’s crosshairs. Turner had questioned her about releasing him after his hair had been found at Cyrus’s cabin. She thought Emma’s arrest had brought her front and center. Jason said Robert was also gone, and Anna said she wasn’t worried, but Turner would use any excuse and might find something hidden in her career. Jason said their friendship meant a lot and he didn’t want her to get into trouble for protecting him. If she had a reason to bring him in and build a case against him, do it. Alexis asked if Kristina had been in the chapel the whole time, and Kristina said she’d been going over it and wanted to apologize to Molly. They hugged and she told Molly that she was so sorry for everything. Ric said he didn’t believe Sonny would try to kill the mother of his child, and Ava agreed. Sonny would never risk Avery being in the car and she doubted Sonny would go that route. Too many variables and he wasn’t sloppy. She did know someone who was that sloppy though. Ric said, Kristina, and Ava said before he left with Elizabeth, Kristina had been in her apartment. He heard what she’d said. She was furious. We flashed back to Kristina saying Ava had taken her brother and daughter and wasn’t going to take her father. Ava said Kristina blamed her for what happened to Sonny and Morgan and got feral when she suggested Michael’s injuries were Sonny’s fault. It was like the fight at the MetroCourt all over again, but this time it didn’t end with Kristina falling out a window. We flashed back to Kristina saying she would stop Ava, and Ava said, Kristina threatened her. Kristina must have cut the brakes thinking it was her car and tried to kill her. Ric said, and Kristina almost killed him.

Elizabeth told Lucy that even when she got the cast off, she’d have to take it easy. She was sorry, but she couldn’t perform. Lucas said she couldn’t have the whole staff in the audience. He’d help out. Lucy said he wouldn’t regret it. She was good at finding hidden talents for a good cause. He said he had none. He’d help, but not perform. She said he didn’t have to perform, she promised, and crossed her fingers behind her back. Carly said, not everyone in her family hated Jack, and he said, name one. She said Donna loved him, but the only approval that mattered was hers. They’d agreed to keep their relationship separate from the WSB and the further the WSB was away from her life, the better. Kai and Trina were kissing when Josslyn came in. She said Trina was probably sorry to see her, but Trina said, never, and they hugged. Anna said everything would be fine. She and Jason could continue to work together, but he needed to keep his head down. He said he’d do his best not to put her in a position where she needed to look the other way. She said they had to be strategic and couldn’t be seen in public for the foreseeable future, and he said they could meet in his room above Bobbie’s. Anna said she wanted to make it clear that their friendship would stay the same, and he said, they just had to keep it private.

Lucky went to the impound lot and asked if there was any way he could check the crashed car for his girlfriend’s wallet. The mechanic said they were lucky to be alive; the car had been totaled. He made a call and told Lucky that the car had no location at the impound, so it had gone to the crusher. Lucky said, so it was already destroyed, and the mechanic said he was sorry. Molly asked why Kristina was apologizing again, and Kristina said she’d been thinking about how much Molly had lost. Losing Sam… losing their daughter… She couldn’t stop thinking about how selfish she’d been. Consumed with her own grief, she didn’t think how Molly had lost her daughter too and lost her sister too. She didn’t even see that; she was so selfish. She said she was so sorry, and Molly thanked her. Kristina said she’d caused everyone pain and she was really sorry. Alexis said she’d been hoping to get to this place, and now that they had, look at them, all taking care of each other. Sam would be happy. They had a three-way hug. Ava said the garage camera showed Kristina looking at her car and reaching for some wire cutters, and Ric said he remembered Kristina being at the crash site. It didn’t make sense, but now it did. Ava said, she was checking to see if the deed was done, and Ric said it would destroy the relationship Molly had with Kristina. Truce or no truce, Alexis needed to see Kristina for who she really was as the cops dragged her away for attempted murder. He was calling the police now and was going to nail Kristina’s ass to the wall. Ava said, no, Uncle Ric. Don’t be so hasty.

Tuesday:

Chase and Brook thought things were quieting down, and Chase asked if Lois leaving was a good call. Brook said they’d needed space, when Olivia came in and said she had a surprise – Lois was back. Lulu went to the stables to apologize to Cody. She lied to him when she said she’d known about Dante and Brook. Dante came in and asked for an explanation. Alexis went to the office, and Diane said she was perky and early. Alexis said she’d gone to the gym and worked out, and Diane wondered who she was. Did Ric die? Alexis said, as far as she knew, he was still alive, but she’d gotten her girls back. Kristina brought flowers to Elizabeth, and said she was sorry this happened, but Elizabeth said she and Ric were both okay. Kristina said Elizabeth had been there for her and she wanted to do the same, when Lucky came by. Ava told Ric that it was a rare opportunity. Kristina was certifiable. Ric thought they should go to the police, but Ava wanted to aim higher and use the information to their advantage. Ric said blackmailing Sonny would get them nowhere, but Ava said she had something far better in mind.

Lois said, Olivia wanted it to be a surprise, and Brook said, mission accomplished. Brook said she needed to leave for a Deception call and Chase said he’d help her with the technology. Olivia wondered why Lois and Brook couldn’t be in the same room together. What the hell was going on? Lulu told Dante that she’d tricked Cody into telling her. She had a hunch Dante hadn’t been open about his and Brook’s history. Cody said he’d thought she already knew, and apology not accepted. He left to feed the horses, and Dante asked, why dig up old dirt? Lulu asked, why lie for years? Alexis told Diane that Kristina was able to put aside her animosity toward Molly and they’d connected. Lucky was sneaking in contraband to Elizabeth, baked goods from Aiden. He told Kristina that he had to speak with her about a Charlie’s thing, and they left. Ava said Alexis would be the one to pay, but Ric said Kristina would go free. He almost died and Elizabeth could have been paralyzed. Ava said Elizabeth could handle herself, but Ric thought she should have her day in court. Ava asked how Molly would feel if her remaining sister was sent to prison. Chase found Brook outside and she said she’d gone into fight or flight mode. Seeing her mom got her fired up again. Chase wondered if she was a reminder of the secret Brook had kept from Dante. Dante said he and Brook were teenagers and it was nothing, and Lulu wondered, why lie? She rehashed Brook trying to break them up, and Dante wondered why she was laser focused on Brook. Lulu said she’d always thought there was something more and had been made to feel like she was crazy. She didn’t know if she could trust him. Alexis told Diane that Kristina and Molly had different grieving processes, but now Kristina realized she couldn’t heal without her sister. Diane said Alexis had weathered the storm and there were fairer days ahead. Ava said if Kristina had been made to pay for her mistakes, she might not be such a trainwreck, but Ric said by covering for Kristina and blackmailing Alexis, Ava allowed Kristina to escape culpability. It wouldn’t take much for her to try and kill Ava again. Lucky asked why Kristina was visiting Elizabeth, and Kristina said she wanted to make sure Elizabeth was okay. Lucky asked if she’d thought about confessing, and Kristina said, maybe. Elizabeth almost died and she almost killed her sister’s father. She didn’t know if she could live with that.

Lois told Lois that she’d made decisions where Brook was concerned, thinking they were in her best interest, but Brook had every right not to agree. She couldn’t handle the distance. Brook told Chase that she didn’t need Lois to remind her that she had a son out there. It hit her how many people would have loved her child. It was easier when she was younger. Adulting stunk. Chase said if it was a secret she wanted to keep, he’d go to his grave with it, but she had to do a better job of hiding the truth. Dante said he omitted a detail he didn’t think mattered, but he should have told her even though it amounted to nothing. For one summer, he and Brook were training to be camp counselors and hooked up. It was over before it started, and they made lives with other people. Nothing that summer mattered. She said, what if it did? Lucky said guilt meant Kristina wasn’t a sociopath, but she couldn’t put the guilt on Elizabeth. It would end up getting her caught. Was that what she wanted? Kristina said she didn’t want to put Elizabeth in any more harm, and Lucky said she could go to her mom and work on a confession to get a plea deal that didn’t send her to prison for the rest of her life. Elizabeth called Deanna and asked for help getting into a wheelchair. Ric said Kristina could make another attempt to kill Ava, but Ava said she was on her guard and did her best to steer clear. She wanted them both to have a peaceful path forward, but it was the last grace she was extending. Ric said, how generous, especially when she was extorting Alexis. Ava said, that was business. She was willing to work with Alexis on a beneficial transaction… or multiple transactions, steady, like an IV drip. Marco arrived at the office and Diane introduced him to Alexis. Diane had been called to the judge’s chambers, and it would give them a chance to get to know each other better. She told Marco that Alexis was the good cop, and left. Alexis said, on most days.

Olivia said she could be objective and help sort things out, but Lois said, it might make things worse. She thought it was something they needed figure out for themselves. Olivia said if Lois needed help with anything, she would always be there for her. Chase said someone else would have noticed the tension, and Brook wondered if she should avoid Lois, but he said they needed to fix it. She loved her mom. Brook said her mom was her ride or die. That was why it hurt so much. Chase said he’d give anything for one more day, hour, or even minute with his dad, and the last thing he’d want to do is spend it fighting. If Brook wanted to keep the secret, she had to get over the hurt and forgive Lois. Dante thought Lulu was grabbing onto Brook because of the changes in her own life, and Lulu said she had Doc if she wanted psychoanalysis. Dante said it wasn’t rooted in anything real, and she was making Brook out to be more than she was. They were two kids with a crush. Lulu asked if there were lingering feelings when Brook came back to Port Charles, but Dante said the only woman who truly had his heart was Lulu. Alexis told Marco that their goal was to strike a healthy balance between being rainmakers and justice seekers. She leaned toward pro bono work, while Diane leaned into billable hours. Most of their income came from criminal law retainers, which was his specialty. Marco said, at one point, but now he was focused on entrepreneurial clients. She asked how he’d feel about a client involved in an alleged illegal enterprise, and he said it depended. Lucky told Kristina that he was putting himself on the line lying to the woman he loved, which he hated, but would do because he believed she was a good person who made a mistake. He’d made a few and he’d help her cover it, but it would only work if she got help. Elizabeth went to see Ric, and he said he was relieved to find out she was all right. He’d been driving and if anything happened and he’d lost her… He would have never forgiven himself.

Olivia said Lois would work it out with Brook, and Lois said she didn’t know what she’d do without Olivia. What they had was special. Olivia said what they had was ancient, since before they were in pre-K. they weren’t just friends; they were family. When Lois was ready to open up, she was a vault. Olivia left to check on Monica. Brook told Chase that her grandma had lied to her for decades and it hurt. Her mom let her think they told each other everything, which made it the ultimate betrayal. It also made her the biggest hypocrite on the planet, since she did same thing to Dante and about a million other people. Chase said it wasn’t the same thing, and she said she was glad she could be honest with him. He said if the secret ever got too big, too heavy, or too anything, he’d be by her side when she came clean. Dante said he should have told Lulu so it wouldn’t have blown up like this, and Lulu said her gut had been right again. He said it had also given her a reason to distrust Brook. He wanted them to be able to trust each other. It was important for Rocco. No more secrets between them. Lulu said they were good, and he left. Cody asked what Lulu was trying to pull. Elizabeth told Ric that her surgery went well, and she’d be walking the halls in no time. She’d been worried about him and asked if he remembered what happened. Alexis told Marco that said client masked their alleged illegal activity behind a thin veil of hypotheticals, and he said, so they’d have legal deniability. As long as it didn’t put them in legal jeopardy, the client was entitled to a defense. But if the client crossed the line of a deeply held belief, he had no problem recusing himself. All money was not good money, and sometimes it’s best just to say no. Alexis thanked him and said she’d confer with her partner, but it was safe to say a job offer was forthcoming. He said he’d look forward to it and thanked her for the meeting. He left, and Ava knocked at the door. She told Alexis that they had business to attend to.

Lulu told Cody that she said she was sorry, and he told her that he said he refused to accept it. She implied that Brook had told her already. She spun a lot of stores to a lot of people and he knew a con when he saw one. What was really going on? Dante went to the nook and saw that Lois was back. Brook came in and said she needed to talk to Lois. Ric asked what Elizabeth remembered, and she said, not much. She remembered getting in the car and buckling her seatbelt. They were talking about helping Portia when the car swerved. Ric said he remembered wanting to avoid traffic, so he took Route 42. They were going along fine when he lost control of the car. They must have hit black ice or something. Kristina told Lucky that she couldn’t confess. Her parents were going through too much. Her father had health issues and her mom had gone through enough. She couldn’t add Kristina goes to prison to the list. But what would she do if someone found out? Lucky said there was no police investigation and they were treating it like an accident. He went to the impound lot and the car went to the compactor already. As long as they both kept their mouths shut, it was over. Alexis asked if it wasn’t exhausting showing up in places where she wasn’t wanted, but Ava said she didn’t give it much thought. She thought Alexis would change her tune once Alexis heard what she had to say. She was sure Alexis could make time to discuss Kristina, couldn’t she?

Wednesday:

Brook said there was something she needed to tell Dante, but Lois interrupted with news about the old neighborhood. Dante felt that wasn’t what Brook wanted to tell him. Cody asked Lulu what was really going on. Clearly, it was eating her alive. Spill. Isaiah cooked a three-course meal for lunch at Jordan’s apartment, and she said she’d make herself available anytime he wanted to cook. He asked how much longer they needed to keep hiding. Marco was waiting for someone at the MetroCourt, when he saw Sidwell. Curtis met with Laura and said he had bad news, but Sidwell interrupted saying that Laura was just the person he wanted to see. She wondered if he was part of the bad news. Sonny and Kristina lunched on the MetroCourt terrace, and Kristina said she had a confession Sonny wasn’t going to like. Alexis told Ava to go away, but Ava thought she could make time to discuss Kristina’s future. Alexis told her to get out and that Kristina’s future was none of her business. Ava said she could make it the business of the police.

Sidwell said he’d been trying to set up a meeting, but Laura’s office wasn’t calling back. She said then it was safe to assume she didn’t want to meet with him, and Curtis said they’d been having a private conversation. Sidwell said if she changed her mind, call him, and left. Laura asked Curtis to distract her with the bad news, and he said Ezra Boyle had it out for her and he didn’t know how much longer he could protect her. Kristina said she’d invited Dante to lunch because he needed to know about Sonny’s heart issue. Sidwell saw Natalia and told her that Marco was waiting. If possible, show some tact when she talked to him. Jordan said Isaiah knew Sidwell couldn’t know they were together. That hadn’t changed. He said all he was asking for was a timeline. Was it weeks? Months? She told him that she couldn’t say, but was he asking because they couldn’t go public, or he was concerned for her safety? He asked if it couldn’t be bother. Her phone dinged and she said, guess who was asking if they could see her? Lucas looked at the text he’d sent Marco: Had a great time. Maybe I can show you around town sometime soon. LMK. He saw the usual three dots, then they disappeared. Marco put down his phone, and Natalia said she was sorry she was late. They made small talk, and Marco told her that he’d had a great interview at Miller and Davis. He was expecting an offer and if the terms were satisfactory, he’d be staying in Port Charles. She said, practicing law was a tragic waste of his talent. Alexis asked what Ava was alleging, but Ava said she wasn’t alleging anything. Kristina had tried to kill her, and she could prove it.

Cody said he was invoking the code of the lollipop, and Lulu said, whoa. He told her it was just them and if he told her in confidence, he’d honor that. What couldn’t Dante know? She said that she was still in love with him. Dante left to meet Kristina and Sonny, and Lois said she couldn’t imagine Brook was going to tell him about the baby. Natalia said Marco could be on tour, selling out venues, but he said he wasn’t having that conversation again. He’d been a lawyer for ten years and any other mother would be proud. She said, proud that he threw away everything he’d worked so hard for because he was angry? He trashed his career to spite her. He said he told her that he was gay, and she tried to shove him back in the closet, and she said she wished she’d handled it differently. He said it wasn’t about who he loved or what he wanted to do with his life. She didn’t accept who he was. She said she just didn’t want him to waste his potential, and he said she couldn’t accept Allie either. He guessed she wasn’t answering Natalia’s calls. She said Allie was busy on tour and she respected that, and he said she didn’t respect him, but she said it was his choices. He was a talented musician and could have been a star. Instead, his father manipulated him into going to law school so he could mold Marco into one of his flunkies. She blamed him, but she also blamed herself because she didn’t fight hard enough for him. At Jordan’s place, Sidwell thanked her for meeting him. He wondered if a civil servant’s salary met her needs. He needed someone he could count on and would like her to work for him.

Lulu told Cody that the last thing she wanted was to divorce Dante, but he went completely off the rails and dropped out of his own life. She couldn’t stay married to him and moved on. She met a great guy who asked her to marry him, but then she realized she hadn’t moved on. She couldn’t because she still loved Dante. She realized the night after the explosion, then she woke up and four years had passed for Dante, but for her, nothing had changed. She was glad Dante met Sam, and they built a life together. He and Rocco were happy, but now Sam was gone, and Dante was still grieving. Cody asked if she thought Dante still had feelings for her, and she said she thought Dante loved her, but wasn’t in love with her. Did Cody think she should tell him how she felt?  Brook said she was going tell Dante that they’d patched things up and she was glad Loise was home. She and Chase discussed how people would talk, and those same people were good at finding answers. Lois said, Tracy and Ned, and Brook said Tracy was already asking questions. Tracy would nudge her dad until he helped find out what was going on. Lois said Olivia had been grilling her, and Brook said trouble had already stated and eventually they’d find out about the baby. Lois said they’d want to know who the father was, and Brook said she didn’t think she could lie, especially to Dante. She loved these people, and didn’t want them to be hurt because she’d been keeping a secret. Lois said it sounded like Brook was leaning toward coming clean, but Brook said she also didn’t want to hurt Lois.

Marco said Natalia wanted him to be a musician, but he wanted something different. She wanted him to be straight, but he wanted to stay true to himself. She said she wanted him to be happy, but he said, on her terms, not his. He’d been away a long time, and this was a reminder why. She trashed her relationship with her daughter because of her bigoted opinions that she shared with the world. She hadn’t learned. She said she’d learned so much and if he gave her a chance, he’d see how much she’d changed. He asked how she could say that when they were still having the same conversation. Charge whatever she wanted to the room. He was done. He left and she ordered a vodka gimlet – a double. Curtis said Boyle published an editorial about Laura’s friendship with Sonny. He was trying to draw a line between her refusing to move the esplanade to Sonny’s piers and the firebombing in the penthouse. Laura wondered how they were connected, and Curtis said, Boyle made a point in saying, if someone could attack the penthouse, what was stopping them from blowing up the docks next? Laura asked if he made an argument that the threat would be eliminated by moving the piers, and Curtis said, exactly. She said it was absolutely maddening, since Sidwell was the first to propose moving the esplanade for his own selfish reasons. Curtis said, unfortunately, the appearance of impropriety was just as damaging as actual impropriety. Even though she backed the original plan, Boyle would say she was pulling strings to protect Sonny.

Dante joined Sonny and Kristina, and asked Kristina how Molly was doing. Kristina said she was doing better now that her dad was going to be okay. Sonny said he was happy for Kristina’s sister. She loved her father. Dante said the family had suffered enough loss, and Sonny said, Ric should be more careful on the road. Alexis asked what Ava was talking about, and Ava said Kristina came to her apartment and Ric was there. She barged in, hysterical over a minor custody dispute Ava had with her father. Kristina was out control and accused Ava of taking her daughter and brother away. She said she wasn’t going to let Ava take her father too. She and Ric drove cars that were almost identical, and on the night in question, Ric parked in her spot. Elizabeth came by with papers for Ric and he offered her a ride home. They know what happened next. Ric’s brakes failed, and Kristina had the perfect opportunity to tamper with them. Alexis asked what proof she had that the brakes failed or that Kristina had something to do with it, and Ava took out her phone. She showed Alexis the footage from the garage and asked if she should do her civic duty and give it to the police or could they come to an understanding.

Curtis said he’d do what he could to make sure Laura’s voice was heard, but prepare herself. It might be hard to justify. Sidwell told Jordan that he was solidifying his position in Port Charles and the United States and needed an ambassador. Someone to do PR or public service, a righthand man… or woman. Someone to smooth the way. Jordan said he wanted her to be his lobbyist, and he said she was well-liked, well-connected, and respected by all the players – Mayor Collins, Curtis Ashford, and Congressman Cain, to name a few. She said she and the congressman weren’t seeing eye to eye these days, and he said he could add honesty. He was sure she’d repair her relationship with the congressman. It was no secret she’d proved herself indispensable to the mayor, but she must have her own aspirations. Let him help her achieve them. Jordan said it was a generous offer… He said she didn’t know how generous, but she said she wasn’t interested. Isaiah asked if Lucas could take his shift in the ER tomorrow, and Lucas said he thought he’d be showing a guy he met around town, but the guy hadn’t gotten back to him… Could he give Isaiah an answer in a couple of hours? Isaiah said, no rush, and Marco walked in. Cody said he advised against it, for now, but Lulu had to shift her attitude. Not telling Dante was selfless and she was showing restraint by giving him space to heal. It showed how much she cared, but as with everything else, it was temporary. Just give Dante time. Sonny said he had something he needed to tell Dante, and Dante asked how worried he should be. Sonny said he had health issues, heart stuff. He’d been shot years ago, and it damaged his heart and it got worse. He was taking medication, but it wasn’t a permanent fix. Kristina said Sonny needed surgery, and Dante asked why Sonny hadn’t told him. Sonny said he didn’t want his enemies thinking he was vulnerable, so he left them out of it. Dante could thank his sister for Sonny telling him. Dante said he did. He was happy to be looped in, but why now? Sonny said, Ava knows. Alexis said, how much? It was obviously an attempt at blackmail, so she was trying to get an idea of how much. Ava said, a great deal, possibly millions, and Alexis said she didn’t have close to that. Ava said, good thing she was administrator of the Cassadine estate, and Alexis asked if Ava thought she could embezzle funds from it. Ava said, yes, but Alexis said she couldn’t. She asked for proof, but all Ava has is circumstantial evidence. She had nothing to show Kristina tampered with the car. Ava asked what she thought the wire cutters were for. A manicure? Alexis asked what proof she had that the brakes were cut, and Ava said she had the car. It was moved from impound and was in a safe alternate location. Alexis said, congratulations on breaking the chain of evidence. Maybe Ava cut the wires and was framing Kristina. Why not go to the police? Didn’t she think they’d buy her theory? Ava said, Ric knows the brakes were cut and he was a witness to Kristina threatening her, but Alexis said, neither one was proof. Ava said all she had to do was point the police in the right direction, and they’d prove the brakes were tampered with. While they built a case, she’d let the DA’s office know about the investigation. How did Alexis think Molly would react when she learned Kristina nearly killed her father?

Marco said he got Lucas’s text, but he’d been in the middle of something. He wasn’t avoiding Lucas. Lucas said he’d been busy and hadn’t realized Marco didn’t reply, and Marco asked if the offer still stood. Lucas asked how much time he had, and Marco said, quite a bit. A job offer is imminent and he’s moving to Port Charles. Sidwell said they hadn’t discussed compensation or what Jordan’s role could be, but Jordan said she didn’t want to waste either of their time. She was happy being Deputy Mayor. He said he understood, but if she changed her mind, the offer was still on the table. He left. Lois said she was relieved, but was the real reason Brook wanted to patch things up because people would talk? Brook said she didn’t like that Lois told her grandma, and Lois said she was so sorry. Brook said, but she understood that Lois needed someone to confide in, like she’d needed to confide in Chase. Lois said Brook had every right to tell him. It was her truth. Brook said she doesn’t know what she would have done without him, but it dawned on her that when she told Lois that she was pregnant, she’d expected Lois to have all the answers. It turned out that Lois needed her ma like she needed Lois. Lois said she did try to steer Brook in the right direction, but she wasn’t a teenager anymore. Did she want to tell the family about the baby? Brook said, what was done was done, and she didn’t want to hurt her relationship with Lois, but Lois said it was about Brook. If she thought it was important to tell the family about the baby, Brook had her full support. Brook said she’d given it a lot of thought to telling Dante what happened, but then what? They can’t change anything and all that’s left is disappointment and a huge gaping hole. Letting the past stay in the past and focusing on the future was what was best. Lulu told Cody that she was conflicted. She was alive because of Sam. Cody said she wasn’t taking anything away by her feelings, and she said she would love Dante even though she couldn’t be with him. Cody said, right now, and she said she recognized that he was still grieving, and it was all he could deal with. Cody said, right now, and gave her a lollipop. She asked if that meant she was in the clear and not running a con, and he said he thought she was just a woman in love. She said she didn’t think there would ever be a day she wasn’t in love with Dante Falconari, and left. Sonny said he was with Ava when he had an extreme panic attack. Dante asked if they were arguing, and Sonny said he was doing what he could to avoid stress, but they started going at it about their custody agreement. We flashed back as he spoke, and he said he couldn’t breathe. He tried to take his pills, but couldn’t reach them. Luckily, Kristina was in with Donna and came out at the exact right time. Kristina said, their dad was struggling. She gave him a pill and he was okay. Sonny said now Ava knew information she shouldn’t. She could go public, and he had to be one step ahead of that. He was having surgery a month from now in California. Laura came out to let them know she’d be able to be there for Rocco’s debate tournament, then went back to her table. Dante said all that mattered was that Sonny took care of himself and that he was around a long time for Avery, Donna, and Rocco. Kristina said, and Wiley and Amelia, and Dante said, all of them. Curtis said he guessed Laura wasn’t distancing herself from Sonny, and Laura said they shared a grandchild and had decades of history together. She’s never tried to hide that they’re friends. Boyle was just using that fact as a way to amass power. Curtis said he was doing a good job, but she said she didn’t care. She cared about the people of Port Charles. If they decided they didn’t want her to serve, they were free to vote her out. She wasn’t going to suddenly hide her and Sonny’s friendship and start lying. She wasn’t doing that for one bad opinion poll. Curtis said, then remove herself from the equation. Put the esplanade location up for a vote. Let the people decide.

Brook said she was grateful for Lois. She didn’t scream at her or shame her, but helped her. Lois said she loved Brook, always and forever, no matter. Brook said she was sorry they fought, and Lois said her too. Brook said she was glad Lois was home, and Lois said she was Brook’s ma. She’d always come home. On the phone, Isaiah asked what Sidwell wanted, and Jordan said he offered her a job as a lobbyist for his company. Isaiah said, and she turned him down, but she said she started tomorrow… She was just kidding. He said he hoped she was done and got the dirt on Sidwell, but she said she had Sidwell just where she wanted him. Marco said it was a great city and he and Lucas would have a chance to get to know each other better. Lucas said if Marco didn’t think they would jinx it, they should celebrate, and Marco said he could use a celebration. Alexis said the way she saw it, what Ava had were baseless allegations. She had a video out of context and a witness with a head injury. If she went to the police, that was on her, but be careful. She might end up in the hot seat for tampering with evidence and wasting law enforcement’s time. Ava said maybe Alexis was right. Maybe she should head straight to Molly. She knew it was a lot to process, so she was giving Alexis until 9 am tomorrow to decide what she was willing to do to protect her daughter’s future. If she didn’t hear from Alexis by 9 am, then she’d go right to Molly. She walked out, leaving the door open. Laura said, Curtis wanted her to hold a public referendum on the location, and he said, let them decide if they wanted to use eminent domain to seize the pier. Laura said they wouldn’t just vote on the location, but it would end up being a vote on Sonny. While waiting for the elevator, Sonny noticed Natalia at the bar and told Kristina and Dante to go ahead. Sonny went to the bar, and Dante told Kristina that they’d get through this. She said they had to. Ava had done enough damage. Natalia asked Sonny, how was the lunch with his kids? and he asked what she was doing with Jenz Sidwell.

Thursday:

Josslyn met Gio and Emma at the Surf Lodge and told them she had to say thank you to Emma. At the MetroCourt, Carly told Jack that she’d missed Josslyn so much, and he said Josslyn was a remarkable young woman. He was sorry he ruined her homecoming. Carly said she’d come around about them being together. She and Jason also had a heart to heart and although he didn’t approve, they weren’t going to let it affect their friendship. In the nook, Tracy said she needed a word with Sasha’s baby daddy, but Sasha said she had no idea where he was. Tracy said Sasha needed to keep better tabs on him, when Jason walked in. Sasha said Tracy needed a word with him and she needed to put a tracker in his jacket. Tracy said Jason was conspicuously absent when the family crypt was threatened by his odious brother. Jason said he knew she could handle it, but she said his presence would have been appreciated. Now that he lived there, he needed to step up and help protect the family. A man knocked at the door and said he was from PC Moving & Storage. They were picking up boxes from the gatehouse and delivering them to 419 Crestview Lane. Tracy said that was Drew’s new place. At Drew’s, Willow said Drew had made Wiley so happy and she’d never been happier, and they kissed. Laura went to Jordan’s apartment, and Jordan said she needed Laura to do her a favor, but it needed to stay between them. She needed Laura to fire her. Sidwell met with Maxie and Lucy at the MetroCourt and asked if Tracy would be joining them. Maxie said she would. They needed to make sure they were on the same page. Sidwell asked, what page is that? Sonny and Natalia went to Pozzulo’s where Sonny said Sidwell couldn’t monitor them. He said he’d seen Natalia talking to Sidwell at the MetroCourt. It was obvious they knew each other outside of Deception. What was her connection to Sidwell? She said Jenz Sidwell was her ex-husband.

Laura asked why she should fire Jordan, and Jordan said she had a unique opportunity to find out what Sidwell was up to, but she couldn’t in her current position. Sidwell had shown up and offered her a job as his lobbyist. She didn’t want to seem eager, so she turned it down, but he left the offer on the table. Now she needed a reason to accept it. Laura said it would be hard to justify her termination, and Jordan said there was one thing she and Laura didn’t see eye to eye on – Sonny Corinthos. Sonny said Brick did a background check on Natalia and wondered how her and Sidwell’s marriage was missed. She said, probably because they’d eloped decades ago before there were digital records. The marriage was a disaster and didn’t last long. The only good thing to come out of it was their son. Sonny asked if that’s who she’d been talking to at the MetroCourt, and she said Marco had come to town last week. Their relationship was worse than hers and Allison’s. Sonny said he could see why she didn’t tell him about her son, but why didn’t she tell him about her ex? Lucy told Maxie that they’d agreed on the terms, and they’d been incorporated into the contract. There was nothing to discuss. Maxie said she was grateful that Sidwell was willing to sell the zincite to them, but Deception was a legitimate business, and they needed to make sure their imports were screened. Sidwell said he had nothing to hide and welcomed their protocols and safeguards. Lucy said she agreed, but Maxie asked if they shouldn’t wait for Tracy. Lucy said they could still get the ball rolling. Tracy told the moving guy that if he moved a single item, she’d have him arrested for trespassing and theft, and he said he was going to go now. He left, and Tracy said she couldn’t believe Willow was moving Michael’s kids to Drew’s house. Jason said he’d handle it, and she told him, good luck with that. She left, and Jason said he was going to tell Willow that she couldn’t move in with Drew, but Sasha said that was a bad idea. Drew opened the door to Nina, who handed him a package for Congressman Cain. Willow said she hated that he was forced to give up his name, and Nina said, cutting ties with Monica was a huge mistake. Josslyn thanked Emma for stopping the crypt from being bulldozed and getting arrested, especially since Michael didn’t need any more heartache from his disgusting uncle. Emma said she couldn’t have done it without Gio, and he said he was happy to be there. The Quartermaines had been good to him. He asked Josslyn how Easter Island was and if she saw the big heads. She said it was amazing and showed him the pictures, when Vaughn walked in. He and Josslyn exchanged a glance. Jack said his schedule was clear and Carly could have him to herself if she was interested. She said she was definitely interested, and he asked if she’d like to do dinner and a movie. She said she had something else in mind, and he said he was very interested in that, as he felt her leg under the table. From the terrace, Sidwell showed Maxie and Lucy that his ship had docked. They just needed Tracy’s signature to conclude their business. He took out a vial and showed them a sample of the core component of their miracle cream in crystal form. Lucy said it was so stunning; it was a shame they had to crush it up into a powder. Sidwell said anyone who appreciated how beautiful it was deserved a piece of it for their own, and Lucy said, if he insisted, taking the vial. She wished she could see the look on Erica Kane’s face when she found out they’d snagged her supply. Sidwell said they hadn’t quite closed the deal. Drew said, Monica had cut ties with him when she took away his leverage over Tracy and saved the crypt, and Nina said threatening her wasn’t the way to go. Even so, Wiley and Amelia adored their great-grandmother, and they were the ones being punished by cutting Monica out. Willow said she had a point and they’d been asking about Monica. She knew they missed her. Nina said it would behoove them to play nice with at least one family member, and that person may become an ally. Willow said, true, and the Quartermaines listened to Monica. Wiley came out and hugged Nina. He told her about his new room and asked Willow for help with the sheets. Willow left with Wiley, and Drew said he didn’t need Nina coming there with helpful advice. Nina asked if he was throwing her out, and he said, not yet, but watch herself. This was his house, and she didn’t want to wear out her welcome. Tracy found Carly and said she thought Carly should know that while she was doing… this, Willow was moving her grandchildren into Drew’s house.

A server brough Vaughn a take-out bag and he left. Josslyn looked at her phone and said she’d forgotten she needed to meet her lab partner so they could show her what she’d missed. She left, and Emma said she gave credit to Josslyn for thanking her for something other than her leaving town. Gio asked what was up with the frenemy vibe, and Emma said it started when they were kids. She had a crush on a guy named Cameron when she was around 10 and they hung out for a while, but he and Josslyn got together in high school. Gio said, a playground love triangle, and she said when Cameron found out Josslyn had cheated, it broke his heart. He was past it, so she supposed she should be too, but Josslyn was an entitled girl who created chaos, then threw money at it to make it go away. She never faced the consequences of her actions. he said Emma could create chaos, but paid the price, like getting expelled. She said she knew he’d understand, and he said he’d understand more if he knew why. Jordan said she and Laura differed in their opinion about Sonny, but she’d chosen to steer clear of Laura’s relationship with him. Laura asked if she was saying that now was the time to voice her concerns, and Jordan said they could find a way to publicly disagree about Laura’s ties to a notorious mob boss. Laura said she thought she knew how they could do that. Natalia said she was sorry she didn’t tell Sonny. She’d hoped Sidwell would go away for good. Sonny asked how likely that was, especially since he was involved with Deception, and she said she thought it was too late and didn’t want to ruin the trust he had in her. It meant everything. He told her that she should have said something. How did he know she wasn’t feeding Sidwell information about him? She said, no, and swore they barely talked. They parted after Marco was born and had barely spoken since Marco was grown. They hated each other. She hadn’t told anyone about his heart condition and would die before she told Sidwell. He said he still needed discretion. He’d told Kristina and Dante what was going on and was going to tell the rest of the family. She said she was glad he let his family, and he would be able to lean on them, and he said he appreciated her support and wouldn’t forget it, but it was time their association came to an end. Sasha said if Jason gave Willow an order, it would make things worse. No matter how civil and sweet he was, she’d see what he said as an attack. She saw herself as a victim in this star-crossed lover story and it worked perfectly for Drew because he could play the hero. Jason would only be moving them closer together. He asked what he should do then, and she said, nothing. He didn’t have the legal authority. She got that it was hard for him as a man of action, but he had to stand down and let this go. Nina said she thought the house was Drew’s and Willow’s, and Drew said it was. She said she was just trying to keep the peace and do what was best for the children. He said she’d helped them sneak off in the middle of the night, but she said it was to establish physical custody. Now that Willow had that, she’d have to play her cards carefully. The move didn’t help, and she couldn’t antagonize the Quartermaines further or they’d fight back with a vengeance and Michael would do the same. Drew said he wasn’t afraid of them. He had the power and connections to make sure Willow got custody. He would protect her himself. She said what he wanted was a showdown with the Quartermaines so he could ride in and rescue Willow and be her savior, so she’d be forever in his debt. He said all he wanted was for Willow to be happy and Nina couldn’t stand that Willow was happier with him than with her. Carly told Tracy that she thought the situation had been handled and Willow was moving out on her own, and Tracy said, it had to be stopped. Jason said he’d take care of it, but she had her doubts about trusting him to take the right steps to rectify it. Jack asked if Carly thought Michael should know, but Carly said she didn’t want to upset him. Tracy said, for Michael and Monica’s sake, this cannot happen. Tracy joined the Deception team and apologized for being late. Maxie said they’d signed the contract and just needed her signature, but Tracy said the deal was not going to happen.

Emma said she couldn’t talk about why she was expelled. She couldn’t even tell her grandmother. Gio asked why the school wanted to silence her, but she just looked at him, and he said, got it. Before they ordered, he thought she had the wrong idea about Josslyn. She’d been though stuff since them. She’d dealt with boyfriends dying and Trina told him that she’d been the target of revenge porn. She’d been knocked hard, but got back up, and she’d been nothing but kind and helpful since he got there. Emma said he was a fan, but he said he was a friend. Didn’t Josslyn donate to Emma’s charity? Emma said, so she didn’t have to volunteer and actually do something. She didn’t see Josslyn believing in anything enough to risk putting herself or her future on the line. Josslyn found Vaughn in the park and said she’d followed the scent of onion rings. She asked what he was doing in Port Charles, and he said Brennan had put him on as her handler. Was that a problem? She said, not at all, and he suggested they go over the assignment.

 Laura told Jordan that Boyle published an editorial about her and how she allegedly favored and protected Sonny. Curtis killed the story, although she was sure Boyle would go to another outlet. Curtis also gave her great advice, suggesting she have a public referendum and let the public vote on the location of the esplanade and if they wanted it move. Jordan said, Sonny and the public wouldn’t have a reason to be mad at her. Smart move. Laura said when she made the announcement about the referendum, Jordan could take that moment to publicly criticize her and say she was too buddy-buddy with Sonny. She could say she didn’t support Laura’s decision to hold a referendum. Jordan said, then Laura would have grounds to fire her for insubordination. She loved it. Let’s do it. Sonny told Natalia that he had a lot going on. He had to be able to trust his inner circle completely. Natalia said she understood, and he said, for what it was worth (🍷), he misspoke. He said they had an association, but they had a friendship. He’d miss it. Through her tears, Natalia said she would too. She told him to take care of himself and left. Maxie said they already took a vote. Remember? Tracy said, and she abstained. Remember? She spoke to Lulu and Lulu told her that Sidwell kept Lucky locked up on his compound. Maxie said Lulu told them and Tracy said, and they still wanted to do business with him? Sidwell said he didn’t like friction. He could take his business elsewhere. Lucy said everything was fine. Lucky was a Spencer and used to being kidnapped. Maybe it was his fault. And this wasn’t about Lucky. It was about Tracy wanting to destroy and sabotage her company. Tracy said, that she owned 51% of, and Lucy said, to Tracy, Deception was a whim. If everything tanked, Tracy had a lot to fall back on. She didn’t. Deception was her baby, her livelihood, and she wasn’t letting Tracy destroy it. Tracy said she wasn’t. She was trying to protect them from doing business with an international criminal. Carly said, obviously, Willow didn’t reveal her plans, and Jack said he gathered she wasn’t going to tell Michael. She said she wanted Michael to focus on getting better and coming home. The doctors didn’t want to give a timetable. She should have kept an eye on her grandkids. They’re going to be confused, and Michael was counting on her to look out for his kids. Willow needed to be told there was no way in hell she was moving them in with Drew. Jack suggested she do it.

Sidwell told Tracy, the tales were told about his work in East Africa. His business in Port Charles is completely legitimate. Maxie said they’d vetted Sidwell as best they could and made it clear they were going to monitor his business activity closely. There was a morals clause, which they all signed. They just need Tracy’s signature. Tracy asked if they were going to ignore his criminal past, and Lucy said, they ignored Tracy’s. Tracy said, Lucy was one to talk, and Maxie said they’d all broken the law at one time or another. This was Sidwell’s chance to prove he was legit, and the future of Deception depended on it. Laura said before she and Jordan put their plan in action, she needed to know something. Did Jordan really want to do this? She’d talked to Lucky about his encounters with Sidwell. Sidwell was ruthless and really dangerous. Jordan said she was sure, but was Laura? Their falling out would be a fabrication, but the political consequences would be real for Laura. She was worried it would backfire and Laura’s close relationship with Sonny would her constituents’ focus. It could cause problems in the future. Laura thanked her and said Boyle was going to cause her problems, whether they did this or not, but Jordan said, this could make it worse. It could cost Laura her career. Laura said, if this would keep Port Charles safe from Jenz Sidwell, they had to do it. Sasha told Jason that he had to be strategic. Let Willow move in and settle in, and let Drew think he won. From a custody standpoint, Michael held all the cards. Jason said, Michael cheated too, and Sasha said, that’s why he was pretending to be the father of the baby. If Willow found out Michael was really the father, it would be all the ammunition she needed. Jason said he wished he could talk sense to Willow, but Sasha said it was like Willow had fallen for another cult. Not Dawn of Day, but Dawn of Drew. Willow said Nina was right. Wiley missed Monica and the dogs and the staff. Now that they were settled, they’d make sure to visit Monica. Drew asked if she was sure it was a good idea, and she said the kids deserved a relationship with their great-grandmother. Drew said, of course (🍷), but it would be better if Monica came there. The kids might be confused if they go back to their old home. Carly wondered if she should confront Willow and Jack said, as an experienced agent, appeasement never worked. You had to go in and show force. Let the opposition know you were willing to fight to the death. She said, what if she made it worse? and he asked if it was worth the risk. Willow needed to know that just because Michael was laid up, it didn’t give her carte blanche. Carly had Sonny and the Quartermaines on her side, and she could let Willow know that she had the WSB office at her disposal. Carly said he sounded sexy when he talked like that, and he said, Willow needed to know that she was in for the fight of her life. This was the moment she needed to find out you don’t mess with Carly Spencer.

Emma told Gio that there was a class she didn’t want to miss. Environmental Physics with Professor Dalton. Josslyn told Vaughn that she had to go back to PCU and pick up her classes, and he said she had another class she was taking, but she said, the semester already started. He said her enrollment was taken care of. All she had to do was show up. She said, what class? and he said, Environmental Physics with Professor Dalton. (Like we didn’t see where that was going.) Tracy signed the contract and said she hoped they were satisfied. Sidwell thanked them and said it was the beginning of a very profitable association. Lucy said she’d be in touch about the Nurses Ball, and he left. Lucy thanked Maxie for getting Tracy to see reason, and Tracy said this had the potential to go very, very wrong. Lucy said, or very, very right. By the elevators, Jack told Sidwell, a word to the wise. The sole suspect in the penthouse bombing was found with his neck broken in Toronto. Sidwell said he’d heard. It had nothing to do with him. Jack said, people who cross Sonny have a way of coming to a bad end, and Sidwell said he didn’t know the WSB cared. Jack said they didn’t. The WSB was continuing their investigation of him. Sidwell asked if Jack was going to call a drone strike. They weren’t in Africa, and in the US, Jack didn’t have as much authority. Jack said, try him, and find out. (More sexy talk!) Laura called Sonny and said she needed to give him a heads up. He was about to be at the center of a political hurricane. Jason told Sasha that he appreciated the advice, and she said, enough to take it? He said he’d stand down for now, but in the meantime, they’d have to ride this out together. Sasha said, the together part was tough. She’d been putting it off, but she was still planning on moving out. Willow said she didn’t want to confuse the kids about home, but Monica had been so ill and the kids did miss being there. She thought it was better to go to the Quartermaines. Nina said that was smart. With Monica being ill, it was more pragmatic. Willow thanked Nina for suggesting an olive branch. She’d let Monica and Michael know she wanted peace, not harm. The doorbell rang and Wiley ran to answer it. It was Carly, and he asked if she came to see their new house. She said she sure did. When she heard about it, she couldn’t wait to visit him and his mommy.  

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Portia finds Curtis in her office and asks if he’s okay. He says, yeah, and she says, liar. Let her guess. It has something to do with Drew. He asks how she knows, and she says, because most things do these days. What did the congressman do now?

Willow says, Nina is distracting Wiley and Amelia, but who knows how long it will last? and Drew tells Carly to say what she has to say, then leave. Carly wonders if Willow is sure moving in with the kids is what’s best for them, but Willow insists it is. Carly says, Willow can move in with her or with her mom. She could stay at the MetroCourt or find her own place. Willow says, Carly has no right to dictate their lives, but Carly says, Michael does. She’s here because he can’t be here. They’re Michael’s kids too, and if he can’t be here to fight for them, she’s going to do it for him.

Kai meets Trina at the Surf Lodge and says, sorry he’s late. She says, there must be a good reason, and he says, it’s all thanks to her. He’s going to play football again.

Sasha tells Jason that she’s been thinking a lot and decided moving out of the Quartermaines is what’s best for her and her baby. He asks why, and she says she has to walk the walk. She’s been saying she wants to be independent and make a life for them on her own, but it can’t happen while she’s living there. Is he mad? He says, no. She gets to raise her baby however and wherever she wants. He guesses he was hoping the wherever would be here.

Emma comes in and says, hi, grandma, and Anna says, they need to have a little chat about her prior arrest in California. She won’t be violating the NDA and has the WSB to thank for that. The particulars don’t matter. What matters is, she got ahold of Emma’s sealed arrest records and knows everything.

Josslyn says, the WSB wants her to get enrolled in Environmental Physics? That’s her mission? Vaughn says, that’s right. They want her to get close to her instructor, Professor Dalton. She wonders why they want her to cozy up to him, and he says, she’s on a need-to-know basis. She says, then tell her what she needs to know.

Alexis walks into the office and Diane says, the Longeron deposition was a complete scene. There she is, grilling the louse of a husband about his alleged infidelity, when Mrs. Longeron goes rogue, leaps across the table, and tries strangling him with her bare hands. She loves her job… Guess you had to be there… What’s wrong? Alexis says, it’s bad, really bad, and Diane asks, what is it? She tells Diane to close the door before she tells her. First, she needs to hire Diane as her lawyer.

Anna says, everything Emma told her since she arrived has been a lie, but Emma says, not everything. Anna says, so she wasn’t thrown out of her previous school because a party got out of hand? and Emma says, no. The party happened. Anna says, as a distraction for the actual crime she got kicked out for. She has it here – breaking and entering, trespass, assault… Has she missed anything?

Vaught tells Josslyn that he can say the WSB arranged for her enrollment. Her mission… She says, should she choose to accept it… Sorry. He says, her mission is to secure a spot as Professor Dalton’s research assistant. She says, how? She’s starting the semester late. He’s got to have other students lined up for the position. He says he suggests she make her way to the front of the line, and she asks if he has any suggestions. He says, they recruited her for a reason. She’s received instruction and the tools. It’s her school and she’s resourceful. It’s up to her to do the rest. She can handle that, can’t she?

Curtis tells Portia that he and Laura agree the original location for the esplanade is what’s best for Port Charles, but Ezra Boyle – who’s obviously in bed with Drew and Sidwell – wants to move it to Sonny’s piers. Portia says, Boyle wants to make it look like Laura is doing Sonny’s bidding and hiding behind her position to do it, and he says, if Laura wants to be seen as not abusing her power by protecting Sonny, she’s going to have to do what Boyle wants. She says, that’s what Drew wants, and Curtis says, exactly. She says she knows Sonny and Laura have history, but she’d never put her friendship with Sonny over her duty as mayor, and Curtis says, they know that, but perception is reality. Boyle will get the story out and it could likely end Laura’s career. She says, but it’s Drew doing this. Boyle is just his puppet. Curtis says, pretty much, and she wonders if there’s anyone’s life Drew’s not trying to ruin. He says, that’s why he’s trying to keep Drew away from Kai, and she says, what does any of this have to do with Kai?

Kai says, the hope and goal is for him to play football after his surgery, and Trina says she thought he was waiting to decide until her mom did some research. Then he’d figure out if he wanted to go through with it. Did he consult with the surgeon? He says, not yet, but he realized his hesitation, his asking for advice, was fear talking. What if it doesn’t work out or what if he’s not as good as he was before the surgery? He can’t let what ifs hold him back. Trina says, fear can be healthy and is evolution’s way of keeping us safe in some situations, like this one. If there’s the smallest chance of getting his dream back, he should take it, but football is the reason he got there in the first place. He agrees there are risks, but says, it’s what makes his life worth living. It’s been that way since he was a kid. She says she doesn’t know. She thinks it’s a big decision and feels like he’s making it really fast. He wonders if he can ask her something, and she says, of course (🍷). He says, is she worried about the actual surgery or that it’s a gift from Drew?

Willow tells Carly, her children, her decision. She doesn’t need permission to do anything. Carly says, child. Wiley isn’t technically hers. Drew says, wow, and Willow says, that might be the worst thing Carly has ever said to her. Carly says, it’s true. Michael made her Wiley’s mother. He didn’t have to, but he gave her that gift because he thought she was a good person, one who would put the kids’ needs before her own. Willow says, that’s exactly what she’s doing, but Carly says, she’s not. She’s repaying Michael’s extraordinary kindness by shacking up with his uncle and uprooting and confusing the kids in the process. Willow says she is a good person. (I trust no one who says that about themselves.) At the bare minimum she’s safe. Carly chose Sonny to be Michael’s father and look how that turned out. Carly tells Willow, say her romantic story works out. What will she tell Wiley and Amelia when they get older? What is she going to say? Sorry she blew up their lives and abandoned their father, but she couldn’t keep her hands off their great-uncle? Willow says she didn’t abandon… The children love Drew. Carly says, of course (🍷) they do. He’s family. Drew says, Carly wouldn’t know about getting involved with multiple family members. He could start listing them, but he doesn’t think they have the time. Carly says, the Willow that Michael married wouldn’t do this to him, and Willow says she’s sorry for hurting Michael. She truly means that, but it didn’t happen in a vacuum. Carly says, as she recalls, it happened in the Quartermaine nursery, and Willow says she and Michael were having problems before she got together with Drew. She’s not apologizing for wanting to be with Drew and certainly won’t apologize for falling in love with him.

Sasha asks why Jason wants her to stay so badly, and he says he thinks it’s good for her to be here and he knows it would be good for the baby. He knows the Quartermaines drive each other crazy, but underneath, they love and take care of each other. She asks if he really believes that, and he says he does. She says, then why has he spent most of his life avoiding them.

Curtis tells Portia that no one knows better than he does how cutting-edge surgery can change your life, but he hates that the offer came from Drew. He doesn’t like it. Portia asks what he thinks Drew wants from Kai, and he says he doesn’t know yet, but he doesn’t want to stand in the young man’s way. She says, Drew has proved nothing but untrue and questionable motives, and he says he knows that and knows they’re biased. Why did Kai want to talk to her? She says, he asked about the surgery, and she looked into it like she said she would. She has to say, it’s a great option. He says he knew she’d give her honest assessment as an objective third party, and she doesn’t owe Drew anything.

Trina says, if the surgery is a success she’s afraid Kai might get hurt if he plays again. And if it isn’t successful, she knows his hopes and dreams will be gone and he’ll be devastated. Kai says he has a lot of the same concerns. What about the Drew part? She says, he wasn’t concerned, but she is. She’s worried about the Drew of it all. He says, Drew has only been decent to him. His dream was over, and Drew gave him hope that it might not be. He knows the risk. She says he had to make the decision quickly, and he says, it increases the success of the surgery. If he gets over his fears – the surgery and recovery – then it was all worth it, as long as he has her cheering him on. He takes her hand, and she says she knows football is his dream. If there’s a chance it can happen again, he has to pursue every option. He thanks her and says he couldn’t do it without her. She says, he could, but he doesn’t have to. She needs to take care of something for Ava. She’ll text him later. She leaves, Kai looks at his phone, and she peers at him from around the corner.  

Diane says, engagement signed, and asks why Alexis needs a lawyer. Alexis says she doesn’t, and Diane says, Kristina. With everything she’s been through, what’s happened to her now? Alexis says, nothing happened to her. Something happened because of her. Diane tells her that she has to come out and say it, and Alexis says, Kristina caused Ric’s car crash. She’s the reason Ric and Elizabeth were almost killed. Diane says, that can’t be true, but Alexis says, Kristina cut the brake lines on Ric’s car. Diane asks, why? She knows there’s no love lost between Ric and Kristina… Alexis says, Kristina wasn’t trying to kill Ric. She was trying to kill Ava.

Nina says, the kids are okay. She got them settled down with a movie. She turned the volume up, but it would be great if things would settle down in here. Carly says, Nina missed the big announcement. Willow is in love with Drew. Does she realize she doesn’t know him? Drew asks what she means, and Carly says, he has many different personas. No one knows what they’re getting at any given time. Willow says she knows who Drew is and how he makes her feel, and Carly says, and she’s not apologizing for any of it. She’d think at least using Michael’s burnt body as a bargaining chip might merit an, I’m sorry, my bad, but no. Willow says, everything she’s done is in the best interest of her children. She’s a mother like Carly. Carly says she would never keep her kids away from their father, but Drew says he thinks AJ would have something to say about that. Carly says, if he thinks Michael is anything like AJ, he’s too stupid to be standing in this room (HA-HA-HA!), and Drew says, what he’s seeing is mind blowing. Carly says, what Willow can’t see that everyone else sees is that he’s a liar. It’s repulsive. Willow says, for the millionth time, Carly doesn’t get a say, and Carly says, but Michael does. And she’s going to make sure there’s no doubt of his position. Drew says, if Michael has something to say, he needs to stop using his mommy as a mouthpiece. He has to heal, get back here, and say it for himself.

Anna suggests Emma start with the party, and Emma says she thought Anna knew everything, but Anna says she wants to hear it from her. Amma says, fine. They invited everyone they knew because they needed the crowd to be big. Anna says, because they wanted to distract campus security so they could break into the lab? and Emma says, because they suspected the lab was doing animal testing. Once they were inside office, they could see everything was totally true. The animals were banging around in their cages. It was heartbreaking. Their plan was to get the animals out, but building security caught them before they could start. Anna asks, what happened then? and Emma says, when security got there, it was total chaos. The animals were trapped in their cages and people were tearing off in all directions and she was one of them. Anna asks, what happened next? and Emma says, she tried to get out, but a guard grabbed her and swung her around. The crowbar she used to break in hit him, but she didn’t mean for it to. It was an accident. Obviously, she was arrested. Anna says, and charged with multiple counts, and Emma says, the school didn’t want the testing exposed, so they offered her the NDA to drop it in exchange for her expulsion. It’s ironic. She thought the party was the perfect cover for her, but it turned out to be the perfect cover for the school. She’s telling the truth. Anna says, her account is consistent with her arrest record, but she doesn’t think Emma is grasping the severity of the situation. She believes Emma when she says hitting the security guard was an accident, but he could have been severely hurt. What if he’d died? Emma says she knows. Things spiraled so out of control. Anna says, because of her choices and the way she handled them, and Emma says, what Anna is doing is why she didn’t want Anna to find out.

Josslyn asks if she was hired because of her resourcefulness, and Vaughn says, that’s one of the reasons. She says she’ll find a way to get in with Professor Dalton. She’ll have him begging her to be his assistant. He says, that’s the spirit. See how smooth things go when you nod and say, yes, sir? She says she didn’t do any of that and doesn’t think she will in the future, and he says he hopes the professor likes spunk. They have no other agent for this mission. She asks if the reason they recruited her is because she attends PCU, and he says, Brennan is the best of the best. He saw something special in her. That’s why she’s here. She says, okay. She guesses she should be relieved that her first mission is doing something she knows how to do – be a college student. He says, she’s not a student anymore. She’s an agent posing as a student.  She says, on to a new life and new beginnings.

Jason tells Sasha, it’s true he’s been estranged from the Quartermaines for most of his life. But since he’s been back, he thinks he finally understands what it means to suck things up for the family’s sake. She says, he does his share, and he says, there is value in living here, especially for Danny. He’s around his relatives and he loves that it’s a big, crazy family, emphasis on crazy. Even when they’re annoyed at each other, Jason can still tell they love each other. He thinks they’d love the baby too. Sasha says she always wanted a big family, but never had one. She’d hoped to give her kids one. He couldn’t give Danny that on his own, but she can. He says he doesn’t mean to guilt trip her… She says, he’s about to bring up Monica, and he says, yeah. She may not know who the real father of the baby is, but the baby is still her family. He thinks it would be nice for the baby be close to Monica, especially since Michael’s other kids can’t be. Danny comes in and says he wanted to make cake pops for Scout. They’re her favorite and she misses having them. He promised to make them using Sasha’s recipe, but it’s not go too well. (They look like UPS drop kicked them there.) He’s not a baking person and it’s harder than he thought. Jason’s phone dings, and Sasha says she’d be happy make a new batch, but Danny says he told Scout that he’d make them, so they have to be from him. Sasha says, how about if she oversees things? Jason looks at a text from Nina: Come to Drew’s. It’s Carly. 911. Danny says, that would work great, and Sasha says, excellent. Jason says, good. He’s got to go. Good luck with those. Danny thanks him, and Jason leaves. Sasha says, let’s get started. It will be fun.

Carly asks if Drew is faulting Michael for not being here when he’s recovering from nearly dying, and Drew says, as much as his heart breaks for Michael, despite what she thinks, Michael can’t be a father from Germany. Carly says, he’s fighting to get back. They both know that. Willow says she wanted Michael to stay close. She advocated for Maryland. Remember? Carly says, she’d have Michael get subpar care because his cheating wife thinks that’s what’s best? and Willow says, it didn’t matter what she thought. Michael chose to go to Germany. Carly pushed it and Michael did what she wanted. Now she’s whining about the fallout. Carly says she can’t believe Willow is the woman she walked down the aisle. If she had it to do again, she’d drag Willow as far away as possible. She can’t believe she didn’t see it. Willow has been like her all along. Willow says, like who? and Carly says, Nelle.

Alexis tells Diane that Kristina tried to kill Ava. Apparently, things got heated between them and Kristina went into a rage. She cut the brake lines of Ava’s car – or at least what she thought was Ava’s car, because it was Ric’s car, who happened to be in her space at the time. Apparently, their cars are similar. Diane asks if Molly knows, but Alexis says, just herself, now Diane. She guesses it’s a blessing. Diane says she’s so sorry. She knows how thrilled Alexis was to have her girls close again. Alexis says, maybe Kristina was doing it because she felt guilty. This cannot get out. Diane says, if it does, her girls may not recover, and Alexis says she can’t think straight. She needs Diane to come up with some legal options. Diane says, Kristina is facing three counts of attempted murder, the failed attempt on Ava and the two nearly successful attempts on Ric and Elizabeth. Alexis says, there’s no way out. She can’t think of a way to begin, a way to defend Kristina. Diane says, she can. Alexis needs to have Kristina committed.

Brad goes to Portia’s office, and she tells him, close the door. He says, saying please wouldn’t kill her, but she says, it actually might. Sit down. He says, it was a lot more fun when he was blackmailing her, but she says, those days are over now. He’s going to do what she says or get fired. He asks what she wants, and she says, every file, test, and screening related to Drew. Brad needs to go back all the way to when Drew arrived in Port Charles. Don’t forget the John Doe files. Brad says, that’s going back ten years. It’s not even his job. She says, it is now. The only alternative is finding employment elsewhere, somewhere far, far, far away from his precious Lucas. He says, Lucas wants nothing to do with him, and she says, that could change, but it probably won’t if he’s not here. He says, fine. He’ll do it. What is she looking for? Drugs? She says she’ll know it when she sees it. Don’t forget… He says he knows. Shut the door behind him. He leaves, shutting the door behind him.

Kai sees Curtis at the Surf Lodge and says, he just missed Trina. Is he here for lunch? Curtis says, no. His auntie dropped hints about how wonderful the fish tacos are, so he thought he’d surprise with some takeout. Kai says, the food is great, and Curtis says, Portia told him that Kai had asked for her advice. Kai says he did, but he made his decision. He’s going to do it. He thinks it’s the right choice. Curtis says, if Drew has taken an interest in Kai, he’s got to believe there’s an ulterior motive. Kai says he knows Curtis and Drew have a history and he respects that, but all Drew is doing is connecting him to the doctor, and Curtis says, be careful. Kai saw what Drew did to his nephew and he threatened to bulldoze the Quartermaine family crypt. If he can betray his family like that, what does Kai think Drew could do to him?

Alexis says, Diane wants her to commit her own daughter? but Diane says, of course (🍷) not, but this is the best way, the only way out. Alexis knows this. Alexis says she doesn’t know anything. She can’t do it. Diane says, even if she gets the charges reduced to attempted murder, second degree, that’s three stacked charges. In the state of New York, she’d be looking at 15 years in prison. That’s the best-case scenario. Alexis says, maybe it won’t come to that. Nobody knows. There’s no investigation, no charges, and the police don’t know anything. Diane says, they both know whatever is done in darkness always comes to light. The question is when. Does Alexis want to live like that, jumping out of her skin every time there’s a knock at the door or the phone rings? Is it the cops, or isn’t it? This is Kristina’s best chance. Take it.

Nina says, Carly went too far and needs to leave right now, but Carly says, no. Willow’s good, right? Using her own voice, making her own choices. She’s fine, right? Willow says she and Nelle are nothing alike, and Carly says, she’s right. As sick as Nelle was, she actually loved Michael. She can’t say same about Willow. Willow says she did love Michael and part of her always will, and Carly says, she has an interesting way of showing it. At least with Nelle, she knew who she was dealing with, but with Willow, she had no idea who Willow was. Willow asks if she hears herself. Nelle told Michael that his baby was dead and gave it to another couple. Carly says, she’s right. Nelle stole Michael’s child, but Willow stole two. She guesses that means Willow is the winner. Willow says, how dare she? and Carly says, how dare she? Drew tells Carly, get out or he’ll have the cops take her out, and Willow says, Carly has a lot of nerve coming into their home and speaking to her like that. The days of Carly telling her what to do are over. She can say she’s here for Michael, but she’s here for herself. She’ll do what she wants with her kids, so shut up already. Everybody here knows Carly’s altruistic mother act is about as fake as she is. Carly pulls her hand back to smack Willow, but Jason grabs it.

Alexis tells Diane that she can’t do it. Kristina would never go along with it. Diane says, after everything Kristina’s been through lately – the fall, losing the baby, Sam, Michael’s accident – she wouldn’t need to get permission. Alexis says, what? and Diane says, Kristina is in therapy. Alexis can have her committed involuntarily. Alexis says she can’t. No. Kristina would never forgive her. Diane says she thinks Kristina would, and Alexis says, on what planet? Diane says, on the planet where she understands it’s a far cry between a few months in Ferncliff and 15 to 25 years in Pentenville. Alexis says, Sonny would never go along with it, but Diane says, Sonny has shared his mental health struggles and was the one who suggested Kristina seek a therapist to begin with. Alexis says, a therapist is a far cry from a mental institution, and Diane says, Sonny also understands the law better than most, and sometimes you have to think outside the box to protect yourself and those you love. Alexis says she can’t do this to her family, but Diane says, she’s not doing it to them, she’s doing it for them. Besides, it sets up Kristina in the perfect position for a great defense when the truth comes out, and it sets up Molly to forgive her sister when everything is exposed. Even without those reasons, Kristina needs help. Alexis went on trial for a murder she didn’t commit because she disposed of Kristina’s gun. There’s a pattern here. Kristina gets herself in trouble and Alexis comes in and cleans it all up. It’s not helping. It’s having the opposite effect and it’s time to take drastic action.

Emma asks if Anna wants to know what she was thinking about when she was in that jail cell. You. Anna says, me? and Emma says she wasn’t thinking about her mom and dad or her record or her regret. She was thinking about Anna and how disappointed she’d be in her. She was thinking about how Anna is looking at her now. Anna asks how she’s looking, and Emma says, like sad. Like she can’t believe Emma turned into this thing or something. Anna knows she loves her mom and dad so much, but she was raised to believe if she did everything right and followed the rules, life would fall into place. It’s not true. Playing by the rules doesn’t stop injustice. She wants to spend every day of her life fighting for what’s right. Anna says, she’s not giving her parents enough credit. That’s exactly what they do, help people. Emma says she knows. Trust her when she says what they do and who they are is absolutely amazing. Anna says, they agree on one thing at least, and Emma says she’s more like Anna. She does what’s right and fights for people who can’t fight for themselves. Sometimes that means stepping over the line and breaking the rules. That’s why she thought of Anna when she was in her cell. They do what they think is right, don’t they?  

Carly says, Drew must be happy. Everyone thought he was the master manipulator in this situation, but it’s been Willow all along. She made her choices. Willow says, she doesn’t need anyone to make choices for her, and Carly says, she wants everyone to believe she’s the victim and heroine in this fairytale, but she’s nothing but a selfish little bitch. They deserve each other, but they don’t deserve those kids. Willow says, Carly crossed the line and almost slapped her grandchildren’s mother, and Carly says, for now. Willow asks what she means, and Carly says she’s going to help Michael get his kids back and Willow is never going to see them again ever. She and Jason leave.

Anna says, whatever she thinks Emma is, she has a lot of admiration for her. She helps people and animals in need, but she wonders if Emma is remorseful for her actions. She got lucky. Nobody was hurt – this time. Emma says she knows. She’s not saying it’s a bad thing to hurt animals and an okay thing to hurt people. If something had actually happened to the security guard… Believe her when she says she doesn’t always sleep well at night. Anna says she’s been there and has to live with the consequences of that. She thinks they are alike in many ways, except there’s one profound difference. She always has a fine-tuned plan and significant resources and training to back her up. For her, it’s been the PCPD and the WSB. Emma says she sees what Anna is saying. She knows they had a rocky start, but she’s determined to do better. She still wants to change the world, but going to do it Anna’s way. It’s safer. Anna says, and smarter, and Emma says she’s already enjoying her class with Professor Dalton. She thinks he’s touched on some pretty cool ideas. Anna says, thank goodness. She found a class she can stand. That’s a good start. Emma says she’s sorry being here has stressed Anna out, but Anna says, her being here is a gift. She loves Emma profoundly, without any hesitation, and no conditions. So never forget that. She just wants Emma to be safe and smarter. Emma says, safer and smarter, and they hug.

Josslyn asks, what happens after she secures her position? and Vaughn says, keep gaining Professor Dalton’s trust and wait for further instructions. Josslyn says, okay, got it, and he says, just remember what he said. It might feel the same going to class, going out with her friends, and getting assignments in, but this isn’t school anymore. There are no makeup exams or extra credit. If she fails her mission, there will be serious consequences for all of them.

Trina is waiting in Portia’s office, and Portia says, a visit from Trina’s father and now Trina. What did she do to get so lucky? Trina says she wishes the reason was good, and Portia asks, what’s wrong? Trina says, Kai isn’t waiting for Portia’s opinion about the surgery. He’s made up his mind. He’s going through with it.

Kai says he appreciates the warning and appreciates Curtis’s family looking out for him, and Curtis asks him to promise to be careful. Drew is shrewd and manipulative and there’s always something in it for him. Kai says he doesn’t see what Drew could possibly get from him. He’s in college and the guy is a congressman. Curtis says he wishes he could tell Kai what Drew is after, but he hasn’t figured it out. Just know that the favor Drew is doing will come at a cost, maybe higher than Kai could ever imagine.

Willow says she can’t believe that just happened, and Drew says, she did great. Nina says, holding your own against Carly is no small feat, and Willow asks if she can really take Wiley and Amelia. Drew says, Carly has her resources, but so does he. He promises with everything in him that he won’t let her lose her kids.

Carly says, Jason doesn’t need to drive her home, but he says, she’s too upset right now. Carly says, did he text you and tell you to come and get me? and he asks what she was thinking. She says, is that a real question? and he says, attacking Willow is going to push her and the kids further away and make Drew look like a savior. She says she doesn’t care. She gave Willow space to make the right decision, and it didn’t work out. Now it’s time to fight and she can fight a hell of a lot harder than they can.

Diane says she knows it’s a lot to take in. Alexis doesn’t have to decide this second, but don’t take too long. Diane is about to leave, when Alexis says, do it. Draw up the papers and have Kristina committed.

On Monday, Willow tells Nina that she’s scared there’s some truth to it; Ric tells Ava it may not be the done deal she thinks it is; Sonny asks if someone is pressuring Laura to come after him; and Carly tells Jack that she may have just handed Michael’s children over to Willow.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It’s about time.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-van-hansis-dishes-lucas-new-romance-with-marco

Amusing, but not life changing.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-line-you-didnt-get-to-hear-on-yesterdays-gh

I love this storyline too.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/why-ghs-eden-mccoy-loves-josslyns-new-spy-storyline

Ric gets roughed up.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/behind-the-scenes-of-rics-accident-on-general-hospital

The professor is in.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/daniel-goddard-cast-on-general-hospital-as-professor-dalton

So cool how they found certain items. That happened to me after the flood, and it was really weird how certain things that ended up under water emerged unscathed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-shares-an-inspirational-post-fire-update

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

This boat just sounds so messy.

Captain Jason attempts to clean up.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Memes and jokes were revisited, no doubt to be forever remembered like Erika’s panties and Crystal’s ugly leather pants. Lots of blah-blah-blah about Kyle and Morgan, and no surprise, Jennifer was the highlight of the entire Reunion. Snacking while watching the ping-pong match that is part of every rehash, she didn’t disappoint. She talked about a necklace considered the most important piece of American jewelry that she’d worn for a photo shoot and explained that it had once belonged to Cole Porter. She’d fallen in love with it before she could afford it, and when she could, chased it around until she scored it. The best part of the story? I could tell Erika and Dorit were just boiling with jealousy. Another highlight was Kathy managing to find her seat without getting lost. She did bring her pocketbook with her as we all would.

Aww. This is what I like to hear.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/how-denise-richards-jennifer-tilly-sutton-stracke-supported-garcelle-beauvais-career-move

Because inquiring minds want to know.

Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

In this week’s finale, Sami thought her car had been stolen when it had really been repossessed. Even though she makes a ton of money on OnlyFans, she literally forgot to make the payments. And this is the second car this has happened with. Good to see she learns from her mistakes. On the upside, Denise brought her feuding daughters together with a photo shoot. I hope this show gets another season. It’s funny enough, relatively harmless, and rather charming.

https://people.com/denise-richards-daughter-sami-sheen-car-repossessed-season-finale-11711617

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/where-denise-richards-family-daughters-are-today-april-2025

Summer House

Jesse invited the group to Shabbat, and he was very impressive with his singing. This is the kind of reality thing I enjoy, observing a culture other than my own. Since Lindsay will never, ever really let go of Carl, she continued to harangue him about speaking to some girl before they’d broken up. Carl had receipts, but Shabbat prohibited him from using his phone. However, Jesse spoke to God, who said it was okay. Problem solved and Carl exonerated.

This was possibly one of the most surprising things I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot

Random Reality Items

This has possibilities as long as their mother’s footsteps aren’t followed in and no Solo cups, tableware, or actual tables are thrown.

https://ew.com/bravo-next-gen-nyc-real-housewives-gia-giudice-brooks-marks-nyc-chaos-exclusive-11707585

I still feel badly about Kenya. She twirled her way into my heart.

https://www.essence.com/op-ed/kenya-moore-brit-eady/

So what’s up with those Top Chefs now? And wasn’t Brooke Aaron Phyper’s hall pass?

https://www.eonline.com/news/1415807/bobby-flay-brooke-williamsons-basketball-date-night

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Deadpool & Wolverine. Disney+. Yes, I watched this again even though I saw it in the movies. Not only is it one of those films you can watch a hundred times and still see something new, it was all I had the bandwidth for that day. I love this movie and already posted ad nauseum about it, so here’s something new.

https://collider.com/deadpool-and-wolverine-hugh-jackman-breathing-video/

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me. Netflix. Probably nothing you haven’t heard before, but she was an icon, and her story is just so sad.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/anna-nicole-smith-you-dont-know-me-release-date-trailer-news

Upgrade. Netflix. This wasn’t at all what I thought from the preview, but it was interesting nonetheless. In the future, a quadriplegic plays amateur detective investigating his wife’s murder. Somewhat humorous with a relatively satisfying ending, and kudos for actually being something different.

https://movieweb.com/upgrade-netflix-sci-fi-thriller-top-10/

Talk To Me. Hulu – also on Netflix and Paramount+. An interesting take on possession with a good cast of newcomers. An embalmed medium’s hand becomes a tool to open an entrance to the dark side. My jury is still out about the ending.

https://movieweb.com/terrifying-debut-talk-to-me-streaming-success/

https://www.slashfilm.com/1434605/talk-to-me-haunted-hand-true-story-inspiration/

🔮 The Future Is (Almost) Now…

It’s finally here. Season 2 of The Last of Us begins April 13th. Oddly enough, it hasn’t even started yet, and it’s been renewed for a 3rd season.

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-gabriel-luna-rutina-wesley-tease-season-2-infected-attack-11709833

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-season-3-official-renewed-11711769

Season 7 of Black Mirror began on April 10th. I’m hoping to catch a few episodes this weekend. I can’t wait to see what’s happening on the USS Callister.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/black-mirror-season-7-review-netflix-sci-fi

🏆 All the Awards All the Time…

All the awards dates you need to know.

https://deadline.com/feature/awards-season-calendar-oscars-emmys-golden-globes-list-1234814076/

This year’s Emmy nominations and predictions.

https://ew.com/2025-emmy-nominations-predictions-main-acting-categories-11706398

🐾 Game Of Bones, Thrones, and…

🐈‍⬛ It’s Choupette!

https://people.com/karl-lagerfeld-s-former-housekeeper-reveals-how-his-cat-choupette-lives-as-a-multi-million-dollar-heiress-11712255

🐕 Be still my heart.

https://people.com/glen-powell-dog-brisket-meets-demi-moore-tiny-pup-pilar-exclusive-11707737

🐺 Yes, you heard right.

https://people.com/joe-manganiello-seen-the-future-after-dire-wolves-brought-back-de-extinction-exclusive-11711202

📲 Quotes of the Week

Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time.George Bernard Shaw

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of taste, swim with the current. – Thomas Jefferson

To know how much there is to know is the beginning of learning to live. Dorothy West

Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.Theodore Roosevelt

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.Vernon Sanders Law

A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.Dwight D. Eisenhower

Happiness is not a goal… it’s a by-product of a life well lived.Eleanor Roosevelt

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.Margaret Mead

I understand. I just don’t care. – Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), General Hospital

👒 Donning My Easter Bonnet…

Until next week, stay safe; stay respecting others’ beliefs, even those who have none; and stay remembering, whatever is done in darkness, always comes to light.

March 14, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Charlotte Comes Home, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Wild In the Wild, 4+4 Quotes & Cheap Seats

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites:

Monday:

Isaiah said he’d leave if Jordan wanted, and she said she didn’t want, but he had a problem with her investigating Sidwell. He said he’d prefer she stay away, but she said Sidwell liked her, giving her an advantage law enforcement didn’t have. If their being together hinged on the investigation, she guessed that was it. Dante asked Maxie about James, and she said it was a clean break, and they were good until James did something else stupid. Dante said he needed her help with Lulu. He was worried she was going to get in a situation she couldn’t get out of. Brook said Lulu was willing to step on lives regardless of consequences. Telling Dante would blow up lives. At the Quartermaine family crypt, Tracy promised her parents to protect the Quartermaine legacy, but Drew was outside with a county surveyor and a demolition guy. (FYI: That’s not how any of this works.) Drew told the guy to blow it up, and Martin said they’d best make sure they could back up their claims. Drew wished he could see Tracy’s face when she found out, when Tracy came out of the crypt and asked what was going on. Ned asked why Lois was okay with Gio becoming Sonny’s charity case, but she said Gio was family. In Buenos Aires, Anna and Jason did surveillance on Valentin, but there was no sign of Charlotte. Anna said, if they were in there, they were alone. Inside with the curtain’s drawn, Charlotte said she didn’t like it there, but Valentin said they weren’t staying long. It was time they said goodbye. Jason said they had a fifteen-minute window to get Charlotte and get out when the guards changed, but Anna thought it was too easy.

Ned said taking money from Sonny came with a risk, but Lois said it was minimal and Gio wasn’t alone. It took Sonny’s financial support to make sure Gio’s talent was cultivated. Ned asked why Lois hadn’t come to him instead of Sonny. Martin said the building had been seized and should be vacated, Drew adding that they had a court order. Tracy ripped it up and said she was calling the police, but Drew said the law was on their side. Dante said Maxie knew something, but Maxie said Lulu wasn’t returning her phone calls and Martin had no clue Lulu had broken into his hotel room. Dante said he didn’t want to know. Lulu was out of control. Brook told Lulu that her son was an adult by now and might not know he was adopted. It was the child’s choice if they wanted to know their birth parents, not hers, Dante’s, or Lulu’s. If Dante knew, he would want to find his child. Lulu said, give him that standing. Drew said it was public land, and Tracy called her surveyor. Drew said, as congressman, he’d gotten someone to protect the public interest. Edward had to steal public land, even though he already had plenty. The area was protected, and Tracy wasn’t getting her way. Emma and Gio showed up, and Emma said, leave the old lady alone. Valentin told Charlotte that this was his fault. They were a good team, but it was dangerous for her to stay with him. He’d texted Rocco pretending to be her, and Lulu was probably on her way already. Charlotte admitted missing Lulu, but didn’t want to leave him. Anna said Valentin had to know the WSB was looking for him after attacking Jack, and Jason said he was expecting them. She said he was expecting someone, when a car pulled in. Anna said that meant the WSB was there, and they had to move. Isaiah said he accepted Jordan’s terms and asked if she’d walk away the second they disagreed. She joked that it depended on the disagreement, but no. He said they’d need to do grocery shopping then.

Drew said the Quartermaines had appropriated public land, and Tracy was interfering with county business. The mausoleum was on protected land. Tracy said she was being denied access to her parents’ final resting place. Emma said Edward had saved her life, and Drew said he was Congressman Drew Quartermaine. Tracy said, Cain. He would never be a Quartermaine. Emma said none of them had jurisdiction and were trespassing, and Tracy called Chase. Lois said Ned was generous, but Sonny didn’t have family or support growing up. He had a good heart, and it was up to Gio who supported him. Gio ran in and told Lois and Ned what was going on at the crypt. Drew said Lulu kept tearing into Brook and he had to defend Brook, but it hurt Lulu. He’d asked Lulu to have patience, but she’d said he was taking Brook’s side. The problem was, they couldn’t talk anymore. Maxie said, because of Sam, and Dante said he was trying to keep the family together. Something was going on with Rocco too. He thought it was the tension between him and Lulu. Brook said she’d do anything to protect her son’s happiness, but Lulu said Brook just didn’t want Dante to hate her. Brook said she’d choose her child’s happiness over all. Lulu had always been threatened by her relationship with Dante, and she should ask herself if exposing Brook to Dante was worth hurting him. How could he miss a son he didn’t know he had? It was agony for her and if Lulu told Dante, Lulu would subject him to the same agony she’d lived with for 21 years. Dante would try to find their son, like Lulu did with Charlotte. Where did that leave Rocco? He knew his dad was there for him, but he’d be abandoned both parents. Charlotte asked if Valentin was letting them find him, and Valentin said she deserved a better life. Anna ran in with Jason and said the kill squad was behind them. Take Charlotte and go.

Tracy told Chase to arrest the trespassers, but Drew said the county surveyor’s preliminary findings shows a portion of the property extended beyond the property line. Tracy said her surveyor found differently, and Emma asked if they had to tear down the crypt. Drew said they could move it, but Tracy thought that was obscene. Gio asked, what was the difference? and Martin said the land was protected and it was illegal to build. Tracy said Drew hated the family, and Emma said he was abusing his power. She started to film and told Drew that he should be helping his constituents instead of traumatizing them. Lulu told Brook not to throw her son in her face, and Brook said she lived with him. When Lulu was in Prague, he was afraid she’d get hurt. He’d just gotten his mom back and she left him again. Lulu said Brook was using her kid to justify lying about her own son. It was lucky she’d given him up and a good thing she was nobody’s mother. Brook took a swing at her, but Lulu grabbed her hand. Dante said Rocco had been struggling since Lulu woke up, and ever since she went to Prague, he was terrified that he was going to lose her. He couldn’t talk to Lulu, but he could talk to Brook, which didn’t make Lulu less mad. For fifteen years, their feud had been going on. Maxie said it wasn’t because of that. Lulu was still in love with him. Anna said, let her handle the WSB, and told Jason not to fire his weapon. Valentin made himself scarce, when two guys arrived. Anna told them that she was the Police Commissioner of Port Charles, New York. Don’t shoot. They asked where Valentin was, and she said he’d just left. One guy told the other to search, but Anna told them to call Jack. The guy said Jack wasn’t running the op.

Anna said, the mission had changed, and they needed to talk to Brennan. Since they obviously weren’t buying it, Jason grabbed one guy, knocking him out, and Anna took care of the other. She thought Valentin was long gone, but he came out with Charlotte and said, not this time. Drew said Tracy wasn’t a downtrodden member of his constituency, but an entitled bully used to getting what she wanted. Tracy said he was using his public office to retaliate against the family that threw him out. Still filming, Emma said, congress was in session now, yet Drew was still here. Your votes in action, Port Charles. Lois and Ned arrived, and Lois said she thought Drew’s constituents had bigger problems. Drew was there when Alexis and Martin tried to work this out, and Tracy had been willing to bend. Drew said he was following the law, and Tracy said his surveyor’s findings were preliminary, yet he got an order without confirmation to seize the building. Emma continued to film. Isaiah showed Jordan how buy groceries online since they had to stay in, and he promised to make cooking with him worth her while. Her phone rang and it was Ned. Dante said Lulu was going to marry Dustin, but Maxie said, the night of the explosion, Lulu broke things off because she was still in love with Dante. Lulu told her and was about to tell him, when she collapsed. She wasn’t telling Dante now and instead, pushing him away and trying hard not to love him. Classic Lulu. Dante said, Lulu had been gone so long, he fell for Sam, and Maxie said Lulu didn’t want him to know. She thought Dante needed to be patient with her. Lulu was doing the best she could. Brook cried as she told Lulu that she was a mother. She went through 12 hours of labor and gave her baby to a stranger from an adoption agency. She couldn’t even let herself hold him. She didn’t know if she’d had a boy or a girl until Lulu told her. Lulu said she was sorry. She assumed Brook knew. Brook said, and Lulu assumed it was easy for her, but it wasn’t. She loved her baby with all her heart and still did. She had to believe she gave him a better life. Lulu asked if Brook didn’t want to know for sure, and Brook said, more than anything, but not at the expense of her child’s happiness or Dante’s. If he wanted to find his birth parents, he would. Brook begged Lulu to leave it alone.

Maxie said Rocco needed both of his parents, and Dante said he knew Lulu was a great mom and she loved their son. Maxie said Lulu knew he was a great dad. They needed to come together. Rocco needed extra assurance. Lulu said she didn’t agree with any of this, but didn’t want to be the one to blow up Dante’s life or her child’s. She wasn’t going to tell Dante. She thought he should know, but thought Brook should be the one to tell him. Brook said she needed the past to stay in the past, and Lulu said Brook should know, she never would have found out if Brook’s mother hadn’t talked to her Uncle Martin. The secret wasn’t in the past. It was now. Brook said she knew, and Lulu left. Brook texted her mom that she needed to see her asap. Ned said he’d called Jordan to help him keep the peace, but Drew said there was nothing to negotiate. The law was the law. Tracy wondered why Martin said Drew was willing to drop it if she allowed him to retain the name, and Emma said, busted. Tracy said she was referring to the meeting where Lois was a witness, and Jordan said she felt Drew was provoking the family and using public funds to fight his personal battle. That wasn’t who he was. Drew asked who he was. Cain or Quartermaine? Valentin thanked Anna and said he was expecting Lulu. Anna asked if he knew about the text, and he said he sent the text. He needed charlotte to be safe. They were going to send another kill squad when the first one didn’t check in. Charlotte asked where her mom was, and Anna said she’d explain it on the way. Charlotte said she didn’t want to go with them, but Jason said he promised Rocco that he’d bring her home and that’s what was going to happen. Valentin said, je t’aime, mon petite, and Charlotte said, je t’aime, papa. He held her for a moment, and then she went out with Jason. Valentin told Anna that he felt like this was the last time he’d see her, but she said it didn’t have to be that way. Come with them and let her bring him in.

Lulu knocked at Maxie’s door, saying she needed to talk to her, but Dante answered. Charlotte asked Jason if Anna was going to kill her father, but he said she wouldn’t do that. They came to bring her home. She probably wanted to try and save Valentin too. Valentin said Anna always came through for him. He was glad he got to say goodbye. She said it didn’t have to be goodbye. Come back. They could make a plea deal. Valentin said he knew too much, and he’d tried to kill Jack. They both knew the WSB wasn’t going to let him live. For Charlotte’s sake, he was free to do what he had to do. Anna told him not to throw his life away, and he said there was a time he thought she loved him, and they were the best months of his life. She said she didn’t think she loved him, and took his hand, saying, part of her always would. He thanked her for that and told her, take care. Charlotte left with Anna and Jason. Tracy said Drew could call himself Smith for all she cared, but he’d never be a Quartermaine. Emma said Drew made his decision based on Tracy’s and had abused his position for his own petty revenge, then searched for, how to recall a congressman. Tracy said he liked that she had grit, and Gio said he did too. The surveyor tried to mark the ground, but Tracy knocked his wheelie thing out of his hand. Drew said that was assault, and Chase asked if the surveyor wanted to press charges. Because he was obviously being paid off, he looked at Martin, who nodded. Chase said he’d forego the handcuffs, told her the Miranda rights, and led her away. Back at the Quartermaines’, Brook walked into the living room and Lois followed. She said she’d gotten Brook’s text. Brook closed the door, and Lois said she looked upset. What could she do to help? Brook asked how much she hadn’t been told about the baby.

Tuesday:

Buenos Aires. Anna brought Charlotte to a room, and Charlotte said her papa was running for his life and it was all Anna’s fault. Sasha went to Carly’s office and Carly asked if she was coming to work at the MetroCourt. Sasha said she was tempted, but decided to stay at the Quartermaines, and Carly said it was Sasha’s life, and she could do what she wanted. Sasha said that was a refreshing take, and Carly asked what had changed Sasha’s mind. Portia went to Curtis’s office and said Drew was probably missing the place, but Curtis said Drew had nobody to blame but himself. At the station, Drew said he hoped there was a free cell in case nothing could be done until morning. Tracy said she didn’t touch the surveyor. It was despicable. Alan was taken way too soon, but the silver lining was, he never had to meet Drew. Laura met Martin, who said Drew was rapidly spinning out control. At the crypt, Emma said she doubted they were going to bulldoze it at night, but Gio said he was staying. Emma said she had the best idea and would be right back. Lulu said she was looking for Maxie and didn’t expect Dante to be there. Dante said James broke his arm and got a cast, so Spinelli and Maxie took him and Georgie out for ice cream as a consolation prize. He was babysitting Bailey Lou. Lulu said she wasn’t surprised, since he was an amazing father. Brook asked what Lois hadn’t told her about her child. Martin had an entire file on her baby and knew Dante was the father. Why? Gloria came in and asked, what in the Bensonhurst is going on here?

Dante told Lulu she was a great mom. It was incredible seeing her and Rocco connect again. Lulu said the last few days had been weird, like Rocco couldn’t be in the same room with her. She’d been preoccupied with finding Charlotte and wondered if Rocco felt like she was choosing his sister over him. Charlotte said she’d never forgive Anna for using her papa and driving him away, and Anna said Charlotte didn’t understand… but Charlotte said Anna had ruined their lives and she hated Anna. Jason came in and asked Anna to give them a minute. Anna left, and Jason said Anna was the reason Charlotte and her father were still alive. Portia told Curtis that she had been grateful to Drew for saving Trina, but she was astonished at how he was treating his family and friends. She didn’t think it was possible for someone to change that much, but Curtis did what needed to be done and won. Curtis said, here’s hoping, and Portia asked if he really wanted Drew as an enemy. He got what he wanted. Maybe now was the perfect time for a truce. Curtis said he wasn’t the one continuing the fight. She needed to talk to Drew. Laura asked how Drew found out about the property line, and Martin said he may or may not have mentioned it. It was his job and his duty to represent his client. Chase came out and told Laura that he’d been ordered by the congressman to lock up his wife’s grandmother in a cell. Laura asked what she could do to help. Drew said he was sick of the hypocrisy, and Tracy said she was sick of the sound of his voice, yet here they were. Drew said, after all the horrible things the Quartermaines had done, all he did was fall in love. Tracy said, falling in love was one thing, and acting on it was another. She loved the way he always left the detail out that it was his nephew’s wife. He said she held him to different standards and she said she did. He blew up Willow’s marriage, betrayed Michael’s trust, and severely hurt the woman who welcomed him with opened arms in to her home – Monica. Brook told Gloria that it was a personal legal matter, but Gloria said it was her Brook was talking to. Brook had been talking to her mother about her baby.

Emma brought chairs, blankets, and a lantern to make Gio’s stakeout more comfortable. She said Drew was a jerk, laying into poor, old Tracy, and Gio suggested she not let Tracy hear any part of that. Tracy could handle herself. Don’t jump into the Quartermaine mess. Emma said it was her thing. Her mom said she was a born crusader. Gio said at least he knew where his mom was and could visit. If someone threatened to move her, he’d be in a cell next to Tracy. Brook said, Lois had told her grandma? and Lois said she’d needed to confide in someone. She didn’t know how to navigate the situation and wanted to make sure Brook and her baby were protected. Gloria said she’d left Brook’s past in the past, and Brook asked, then why talk to a lawyer? Lois flashed back to talking to Martin and asking if it was possible for Brook to find her child. Brook said Lois had told her, everything was fine, but she wondered if that was true. It must not be, or why else would she talk to Martin? Gloria said she’d told Lois to talk to him. Martin told Laura that he was sorry. He’d wanted to use the property as a bargaining chip, so Tracy would drop the cease and desist. Laura said, now the crypt would have to be moved and asked if Chase thought the charges would stick. Chase said, they could, and Martin said she should have just given in. Laura asked if he’d met Tracy, and he asked, what was so special about the Quartermaine name? Laura said Tracy was protecting the family in the only way she knew how.

Tracy said Drew had repaid Monica’s generosity by destroying her grandson’s marriage and happiness in favor of his own. He didn’t deserve Monica’s generosity and should leave Port Charles. Drew said Tracy had been kicked out of Port Charles by the family more than once. What made her think it wouldn’t happen again. Sasha said, the truth was… and Carly said Sasha liked working for the Quartermaines. Sasha said she thought they needed her, and Carly said, of course (🍷) they did, but don’t put herself on the back burner. Sasha said she was in a better financial position. She’d negotiated her way to the beginning of a nest egg. Carly said it was an achievement, but the one thing that made her situation different from the other single mom’s – the baby’s father. Jason said Anna saved Charlotte and Valentin’s lives, but Charlotte said they didn’t need her help. Jason said Anna was the first one to warn her dad. He wanted to turn Valentin in, but Anna convinced him to give him a head start. She’s the reason he had a chance to run and she tracked Charlotte to keep her safe. Charlotte said that Anna felt guilty for shooting her, and he said that was part of it, but Charlotte was her dad’s whole world. Anna was protecting her for him. She cared about them both. Charlotte could feel however she wanted, but Anna at least deserved her respect. Charlotte asked if the WSB would have really killed them.

Jason told Anna that Charlotte was sleeping, and Anna said she needed a favor. Take Charlotte back to Port Charles in one piece. She was going to get a room and make her own way back. It was too hard for Charlotte to be around her, and it felt cruel to force it. Jason said he thought Anna was making a mistake. Portia told Curtis that she remembered the old Drew, the good guy, the hero. That’s why he ran for congress in the first place. Curtis said, Drew’s motives changed, and she agreed 100%. But maybe Curtis could afford to let him keep some of his dignity and back off. Curtis said, Drew’s reputation had been tarnished, and it wasn’t on him to fix. She said, but he didn’t need to rub it in Drew’s face. if he could accommodate Drew a tiny bit, it might work out in his favor. Curtis said he was furious with Drew, but not interested in payback. Aurora was a non-starter, but if there was a path to peace, he was here for it. As long as the terms were reasonable. She said that was all she was asking for, when Jordan came in and said she needed to speak with Curtis. The situation with Drew had gone from bad to worse. Drew was officially out of control.

Drew told Tracy that things were going to change. He was the black sheep now, but not for long. He was a Quartermaine and would get his way. Then she would be on the outside, wondering how she got there. The answer is him. Chase told Drew that the mayor would like a word. Drew went into the squad room and said he was sorry Tracy dragged Laura down there, but Martin said, that was him. Laura urged Drew to do the right thing. Stand down and drop the charges against Tracy. He asked, why? and she said, to be blunt, if he didn’t, it wouldn’t bode well for him, politically or otherwise. Dante told Lulu that he didn’t think Rocco was jealous of Charlotte. Rocco was perceptive, like Lulu, and he could see that she was worried about Charlotte and was trying to give her space. Lulu said it was strange. She was Rocco’s mother, but she’d missed a pivotal stage and was out of the loop. She knew nothing about parenting a teenage boy. Dante said parents never felt like they were doing the right thing. She and Rocco both had to make up for lost time, and she was doing it with grace, love, and patience. He wouldn’t handle be close to handling it as well. Emma said she’d bring a file if Gio and Tracy were locked up and Gio said he liked Tracy. She gave it to you straight, even if you didn’t want to hear it. And she could take as good as she gave. She actually listened to him. Emma said she thought Tracy was smart. She wished she could stay with Gio, and Gio said the lab animals couldn’t free themselves. Emma said she wanted to take him real camping, but in the meantime, stay warm. Gloria told Brook that she’d advised Lois to consult a lawyer to make sure Brook and her baby protected were protected. They’d decided on a closed adoption. Brook said, so her baby could have a happy and stable life, and Gloria said, Brook too. They wanted her to have time to grow up, fall in love, and have a family of her own. Brook said she wasn’t 16 anymore. It made sense then, but made less sense now. She needed to know who adopted her son and where he was.

Sasha said her experience with Jason was different, and Carly said Jason would never tell Sasha how to be a mother, but if she needed anything, he’d be there in a heartbeat. He was the most loyal person she knew. Don’t do him a disservice by cutting him out of the baby’s life. Sasha said the father respected her wishes and said he’d support her in any way he could. It was the second greatest gift he could give her. Curtis said he never thought he’d be sympathetic to the Quartermaines, but Portia said it was family drama. Stay out of it. Jordan said it wasn’t about the Quartermaines. It was about how Drew was abusing his power. First, he blocked the esplanade, then wanted to move it for his personal gain. Now he was focused on settling the score with his family when he needed to be doing his job – enacting laws, securing school funds, and fulfilling his campaign promises. Curtis said, public outcry was the only thing that would stop him, and Jordan said, good thing she knew the head of a media company. Curtis said he made no promises, but he’d see what he could do. Drew told Laura that he wasn’t making this up. They broke the law. The land was public, and they took it. He owed his constituents not to turn a blind eye just because they were family. Laura asked if he thought putting Tracy in jail overnight was the pathway to justice, and Martin said it seemed like more trouble than it was worth. Drew said, fine. Tracy could go home. He’d talk to the surveyor and get the charges dropped, but this was far from over. Gloria said Lois didn’t know the details, and Brook said, but Gloria did. Gloria said she hadn’t been contact since the papers were signed for the closed adoption. Brook said, what if she wanted to find him? They knew she and Chase were trying to start a family. What if she gave away the only child she was going to have? Gloria said, Brook was his birth mother. Act like it. Let the young man be. Don’t put her pain on her son. She made the right decision. Abide by it. Brook said Gloria might be right, but it didn’t feel that way now, and she left. Lois told Gloria that Brook couldn’t know Gio was her son.

Jason told Anna that the only person to blame for Valentin’s situation was Valentin. He may not get out of this one. Anna said, if Charlotte needed someone to blame, it might as well be her, but Jason said Charlotte needed an example. She saw Anna’s mistakes and saw what she did after her mistakes. She saw Anna was accountable and keeping her word. She didn’t need Anna to disappear. Anna said she wasn’t sure she could do that, and Jason said he’d never seen her run. Don’t start now. Gloria said they couldn’t tell Brook. It wasn’t fair to her or Gio. Gio knew who he was and worshiped his mother. They couldn’t take that away. Lois said, Camilla was dead. His birth mother was right here. Don’t they need each other? Brook saw Gio outside the crypt and asked what he was doing. He said his grandma got in a fight with a surveyor and Chase arrested her, and Brook said, it must have been interesting. Gio said he was standing guard, and Brook asked if she could join him. He said he’d love some company. He was keeping his word to Tracy. Why was she here? Brook said, to clear her head. Her other grandmother was here. Gio said, that’s great… unless it wasn’t, and Brook said she knew her grandmother would do anything for her. Gio said Gloria was solid and could be trusted, and Brook said she could trust her grandmother and her mom, but what they were asking her to accept was hard to live with. Lulu said she owed Dante an apology. She was short with him at the Quartermaine’s. He said he was sorry too, and she said they were acting like grown-ups. He said he didn’t think he’d made it better by defending Brook. He didn’t think he’d said enough about how it was a miracle having her back after all this time. He didn’t want to take her being here for granted. She said she needed to tell him something, when Bailey Lou started crying. He said duty called. Hold that thought.

Anna asked if Jason was calling her a coward, and he asked if she was going to run. She said she was going to see it through and keep an eye on Charlotte. Charlotte was smart, resourceful, and believed she was invincible. It was a dangerous combination and Anna thought they’d come after Valentin. He was a target and she was saving Charlotte from herself. It would be a challenge. Jason said he’d take the first watch, and Anna lied down on the couch. Sasha told Carly that she was aware she had it better than most single moms. She asked the father to step back and he didn’t fight her. Carly said that might change when the baby was born, and Sasha said she promised if she needed help from the father, she wouldn’t hesitate to ask. Portia told Curtis, let Drew implode on his own. Let Tracy handle the Quartermaines. Curtis said Drew was failing to represent the people who elected him, and that included them. He wasn’t going to stand by and watch. He got on the phone and said, Brian, rally the troops. There was going to be a big Aurora Media push to expose Drew Quartermaine’s abuse of his office. Martin said Drew was a US Congressman, and didn’t need an enemy like Tracy, but Drew said, everyone else might be afraid of Tracy, but not him. He was going to break her.

Laura asked if Tracy would like the good news or the bad news first, and Tracy said, good. Laura said Tracy could go home tonight, but she didn’t think Drew would back down. Tracy was going to have a battle on her hands. Tracy said, give her the bad news, and Laura said she felt Tracy’s parents would say, choose her battles wisely. Tracy said she was. She wouldn’t allow some grifter to steal the family name and force her to move her parents’ final resting place. If Drew wanted a battle, bring it on. Bailey Lou played with some toys and Dante said, extra play time made it even for the ice cream. He asked what Lulu wanted to say, but Lulu said she couldn’t remember. It must not have been that important. Gloria told Lois that if they told Brook that Gio was her son, it would ruin three lives – Brook’s, Dante’s, and Gio’s. Think of why they made that decision. Lois said, to protect Brook and her child, and Gloria said, nothing has changed. They needed to protect them now. Lois started to cry. Brook apologized for being cryptic, and Gio said they were at a crypt. (BA-DUM-CHH!) Brook said she trusted someone, and they didn’t tell her something they should have. She couldn’t tell him anything else. He said she didn’t have to. They could just sit, look at the stars, and dream of heat. For what it was worth (🍷), Lois and Gloria loved her. Brook said she knew, but they were a lot. He must miss his mom so much. He said, so much every day, and Brook said he had people looking out for him. He had a whole crazy family, like it or not.

Wednesday:

In the steam room, Chase told Dante that he could tell something had changed, and Dante said he and Lulu talked. The Golden Bachelorette guy was in Nina’s office, and she said she’d been a fan of his (Jeffrey Beckett) for a long time. She never read anything like his work as a wildlife journalist. Crimson’s nature and travel series was lucky to have someone of his caliber involved. Plus, he cleaned up nicely for man of the wild. Elizabeth helped Lucky into the house. His condition needed to be watched for the next 24 hours and since Doc and Laura were working, he was stuck with her. He said he guessed it was okay, and she said, just okay? They moved closer on the sofa and the doorbell rang. It was Carly with a food basket, asking, how’s the hero? At the café, Kristina asked if Alexis read the smack piece on Congressman Cutthroat, Drew’s new nickname. He’d used his political influence to get exhumation of esteemed members of the Quartermaine fam and in his quest for revenge, had Tracy arrested. Alexis wondered, what the hell he was thinking and how did they protect Scout? In Curtis’s office, Laura asked if he was behind the article and Curtis said he was. She told him, way to go, and they high-fived. Drew brought flowers to Willow at the hospital, and she suggested they go to the breakroom. He asked if the article got to her and was she embarrassed seen with him. Portia asked Ric to tell her that he found a way out without her losing her career or marriage, but he said it was much worse than she thought.

Carly thanked Lucky and Elizabeth for figuring it out and bringing Cyrus to justice. She asked what Lucky was going to do now that he was home, but he said he had no plans. Carly said she was leaving so they could get into the basket (is that what we’re calling it now?), and she left. Lucky asked Elizabeth, where were we? Nina said although Jeffrey was there for a fitting and photoshoot, she was glad they had time to meet, and he said he didn’t get many calls from magazines. She said they were branching out to satisfy their readers interest in travel and nature, and they talked about his next trip to Turkey. (BTW, dude is no actor.) Nina asked how his wife felt about him being gone all the time, and he said he wasn’t married, but had the feeling he was going to meet someone special soon and had learned to trust his instincts. Nina was straightening his tie, when Ava came in. Alexis looked at the photo of a mean faced Drew on her tablet, and told Kristina, of course (🍷) DeWitt wrote it. That seedy little worm would write anything for clicks. Kristina said she remembered too well when he wrote about her and Blaze, but Drew deserved it. Alexis said, Scout didn’t. There had to be something she could do to protect Scout. Willow told Drew that The Invader was nothing but lies, but she felt like all eyes were on them and wanted to keep a low profile. It had nothing to do with her feelings for him. She asked if he knew who was behind the article, and he said, no, but he had his suspicions. Ric told Portia that if she’d just altered the results, she might lose her job, but the results were tied to a criminal trial, and she faced the possibility of jail time. She could be charged with obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, fraud, and criminal negligence. If he hadn’t gotten independent tests done, Heather could have wrongfully ended up in prison. Keep playing by Drew’s rules and make sure he never tells anyone. Portia said it was too late. Drew was going to expose her today.

Dante told Chase that he and Lulu ended up babysitting Baily Lou together and both let their guards down. It was their first real talk since she’d woken up. The first time he felt they’d been in sync and had an honest conversation. They talked about Rocco, Charlotte, and Brook. He’d been defending Brook, and it made Lulu feel like he was picking her side. He had to stop doing it. Chase said he never would have thought the animosity would still be there, and Dante said, him too. It had been four years, but he had to be okay with it and let Lulu be Lulu. He didn’t want to be in the middle, but wanted to focus on Lulu being back in their lives and being happy again. Ava said she and Jeffrey had met when she had a Joel Sartore exhibit, and Jeffrey said he remembered. Nina said he was doing a new series for Crimson, and he asked how they knew each other. Ava said they were good friends, and he said good friends were hard to come by. Ava said they certainly were. Kristina said she had a favor to ask Willow. She’d had a video chat with Michael and he missed the kids. Willow said, the kids missed him too, and Kristina asked it would be okay for her to take videos of the kids sending messages to their dad and send them to Michael. He needed all the support he could get. Willow said the kids would love it and she appreciated the update. She had one condition – please focus on them and Michael and say nothing negative about Drew. Kristina told her that she’d never say anything bad in front of the kids. It wasn’t easy for them. Willow said she wished everyone was a bit more like Kristina. Portia told Ric about the article in the Invader. Drew would assume Curtis was behind it and if she couldn’t influence Curtis, Drew had no reason to keep her secret. But wasn’t what Drew was doing illegal? Ric said she couldn’t expose Drew without exposing herself, and she said it was going to be impossible to hide. He said she had two choices. Convince Drew that Curtis had nothing to do with the article or tell Curtis everything now. She might lose her job, but it was a chance to save her marriage. She said maybe she could save both. Lucky suggested he and Elizabeth have a date later, but thought they could get a head start. They kissed, when the door opened and Aiden walked in.

On the phone, Portia asked Curtis to stop by her office. It was important. Laura told Curtis that her opinion of Drew had changed. She hadn’t seen him do one thing he said he’d do during the campaign. (Welcome to politics!) All she’d seen him do was pose for the camera and abuse his power. She applauded anyone willing to expose him. Curtis said Drew’s biggest weakness was his need to be seen as a hero, and she wondered if they could use that to get him act like a hero. Alexis interrupted, but Laura said she was late again and left. Curtis said it was always a pleasure, and Alexis said she hoped he felt like that after what she was going to ask. Jeffrey left, and Ava said she could see Nina had moved on from Drew. Nina said she definitely had, but she wouldn’t be with a rugged wilderness man any time soon. She asked Ava, what’s up? and Ava said she’d had difficulty regarding her finances lately. Nina wondered if Ava was there to ask for a loan. At the hospital, Kristina was about to get in the elevator, when she saw Ric and turned around, but Ric followed her. He told her that her trip to the ballet with Avery wasn’t happening. Carly approached Willow and said she didn’t want to fight. She wouldn’t be there if she didn’t still genuinely care for Willow. She was worried how the negative press would affect her grandchildren. Wiley was old enough to hear things in school. Willow said she’d explain it was untrue, but Carly said it wasn’t. Drew was really doing these things. He’d sunk to a new low. Drew came out of nowhere, since he doesn’t do his actual job, and said, leave Willow alone. Did Carly ever mind her own business? Carly said if it affected her grandchildren and it was her business, but she’d be happy to talk to Congressman Cutthroat.

Dante told Chase that Lulu thought Rocco was acting strange because she was focused on finding Charlotte, but he didn’t think so. Chase said he was kind of the fun uncle and could talk to Rocco. Dante told him to go for it, and Chase said when they were Rocco’s age and distracted, it was about girls. Dante said he’d walked in on Danny and Rocco having an argument over girl. He never talked to his mom about that kind of thing. Chase asked if Dante thought his mom would have liked the girls he was with, and Dante said, one in particular. Elizabeth told Aiden that his dad was staying the night, and Aiden said he was sorry he’d miss it since he was staying at a friend’s house. Ava said she hated asking Nina for a favor. When she married Nikolas, she spent quite bit and thought she’d always have money. She had a generous settlement until the Cassadine curse kicked in. Nina said, of course (🍷) she was willing to give Ava a loan. She’d been waiting for Ava to ask. What took her so long? Drew told Carly that he didn’t care what names he was called. He wasn’t in the wrong. The Quartermaine crypt was on public land. She wondered how he could be the same man who held her at Virginia’s grave (irony!), and he said that was wrong, but this was wrong too. Carly said, it destroyed her and he was doing the same thing. Did family mean nothing to him? He said he was doing it to keep his place in the family that Tracy was stripping him from, and she said that wasn’t the way to do it. If he continued to justify his actions, she saw a recall in his future. Willow said Tracy was no saint. Drew was only fighting fire with fire. It was the only language Tracy understood, and Carly knew that better than anyone. Carly said she came to have a calm conversation with Willow, but there was no point, so she’d leave them to it. Kristina asked Ric, why not? and Ric said it wasn’t her dad’s day. She said it was a special one night only performance and it was impossible to get tickets. She’d talk to her dad and they could switch days. He said it would just confuse Avery, but Kristina said he was going to upset Avery just to get back at her. He said maybe she shouldn’t promise what she couldn’t deliver. Next time check a calendar.

Nina said, it wasn’t a loan, it was a gift, but Ava said she couldn’t. Not even from Nina. She’d have Ric draw up paperwork and a repayment schedule. Money could change things, people, and friendships, and she wouldn’t let it change theirs. Nina said it wouldn’t, but Ava said she’d lost their friendship once and didn’t want to risk it again. Nina said she felt the same way, when Carly came in and said she needed to talk to Nina. Ava said she and Nina would talk later and left. Nina asked, what’s the emergency? and Carly said it was about Drew and Willow. They had to put their plan in motion now. Sasha was waiting in an examining room when Willow came in. She said, Sasha was her next patient, and Sasha said if Willow had a problem with her, say it. Willow asked how Sasha could be such a hypocrite. Sasha turned on her the second she saw Willow kissing Michael’s uncle on 4th of July. Sasha said she didn’t, and Willow said Sasha did way worse. She dated Michael and now she was pregnant by his other uncle. (Wow. That’s a stretch to say that’s worse.) Drew went to Portia’s office and said he was disappointed in her. He thought she’d get Curtis to see reason and move on. Instead, he’s the one behind the article. Portia said she didn’t think so. The Quartermaines were a huge family. It could have been anybody. Curtis had Aurora Media, so why would he use a rag like The Invader when he had reputable sources at his fingertips. Drew said she had a good point, but it could be a great point if she could convince Curtis to do a series of articles focusing on him being a family man, a hard-working congressman (ha-ha-ha! he’s never at work), and an ex-Navy SEAL. Portia said if she defended him any more than she was, it would tip off Curtis, and he said that was unfortunate for her. She said it was one thing to go after Curtis directly, but it was a whole other thing to go after him through his wife. If he found out Drew was blackmailing her, he’d go to a whole other level. Was Drew sure he was ready to take that on? Alexis told Curtis that it was about the article in The Invader. Drew came across as a villain and Tracy a hapless innocent. Nothing could be further from the truth. Curtis asked, which part? and Alexis said, DeWitt wasn’t going to publish a retraction, but she was hoping Curtis might write an article present Drew as more balanced to protect his image. She was worried about the public turning on him and how her granddaughter would feel. Curtis had the resources to help. He said he was sympathetic about Scout, but Drew made himself look bad, not the article. He valued her friendship, but couldn’t help. Did she ever think that by shielding Drew from the consequences of his actions and not holding him accountable, that she was enabling him? Aiden told Elizabeth and Lucky that he was meeting his friends at the movies. It was nice having them together. Aiden left, Lucky said, alone at last, and they started kissing again. Ava came back to her apartment to find Kristina waiting outside her door.

Elizabeth and Lucky began to get busy, when the doorbell rang. Laura said she was sorry she didn’t call, but wanted to thank Elizabeth for bringing Lucky home. She hugged Lucky and suggested they all have dinner tonight. Lucky said, that would be perfect, and he and Elizabeth forced smiles. Ava asked what brought Kristina by, and Kristina said she ran into Ric, and he said she couldn’t take Avery to the ballet. Ava said it was her day and Avery’s schedule had to stay consistent. Kristina said it wasn’t about Avery. It was about getting back at her. Ava was going to deprive Avery of a magical night that would be a core memory lasting a lifetime. Ava said Avery was still going, but with her. The theater owner was a friend, and she got front row center. Kristina said, bitch, and Ric popped out, telling her to watch her temper. Remember the last time she lost it. She said there was a special place in hell for both of them. Chase told Dante that Rocco would grow out of it. They did. He was glad Dante talked to Lulu. Dante said he was relieved. He asked how things were going with Brook, and Chase said, the same. They didn’t know how they were going to become parents. Dante said, take their time. Whatever happened, Chase was going to be a great dad. He was a natural. Chase said it meant a lot coming from him, and Dante said Chase could come to him with everything. Chase said with his dad gone and Finn in Seattle, there weren’t a lot of guys to talk to. His friendship with Dante was important to him. Dante said it was to him too. Sasha said her and Willow’s situations weren’t remotely similar. She and Michael were long over. Willow said she thought there were more similarities than Sasha was willing to admit. The one big difference was, her mom was never a con artist. (Um…) Sasha said Willow didn’t know her mother, and Willow said when Sasha’s plan didn’t work out with Michael’s money, she went after Jason. Sasha said Willow was so, so wrong, and suggested they talk about Willow landing her husband’s very wealthy very uncle. Coincidence? Speaking of coincidence, she thought the article about Drew was what was bothering Willow. It made her realize she’d thrown her life away. She blew up her life and family over a sleaze and couldn’t admit she was wrong.

Portia told Drew that there had to be another way she could help that wasn’t about Curtis writing a puff piece. Drew said they could do a press conference. He could discuss his pediatric sports initiative (🍷– new drinking game! you’ll see) and she could represent GH. Portia said she didn’t see how it would help, but Drew aid, her being there would force Curtis to cover the story and paint him in the best possible light. Curtis walked in and asked what the hell Drew was doing there. Carly told Nina to stall Willow. Keep Willow at her place or find her a place of her own. Whatever it took to keep her and the kids from moving in with Drew. Drew was pushing it and they had to believe somehow Willow knew it was a bad idea. The longer they could keep Willow from moving in with Drew, the better. Meanwhile, they’d work on exposing Drew. Nina asked how she suggested they do it, and Carly said they needed to get in his house and find something so undeniable that Willow would never look at him the same way. Nina asked, what if there was nothing to find? and Carly said they’d make sure there was.

Thursday:

Jason and Anna were flying back to Port Charles with Charlotte. Charlotte wanted to call her mom, but Anna said, hold on. Maxie, Lulu, and Carly were at a table at the MetroCourt, when Jack came in with Jordan. Jordan told Jack that she was the liaison for the WSB, and he said he didn’t think the mayor was his biggest fan. Jordan said, if they eased the tension, it would be better for sharing information. The WSB possessed information that was helpful. Jack asked what she’d like to know, and she said, not what, but who. What did he know about Jenz Sidwell?  Portia wondered if there was another way for her to help Drew that didn’t involve Curtis writing a puff piece, and Drew said he was having a press conference to discuss his pediatric sports initiative (🍷) and she could represent GH. It would force Curtis to print a story painting him in a positive light. Curtis came in and asked what the hell Drew was doing there, and Drew said he was presenting a business proposal to Curtis’s wife. Curtis asked Portia to tell him what was going on. Sasha said, when the article dropped, Willow realized she blew up her life and family over a sleaze and couldn’t admit she was wrong. Willow said she was absolutely wrong to cheat on Michael, but who was Sasha to judge her? No one knew what led up to it except her, Drew, and Michael. Sasha asked if she was sure about that. Lucas was about to leave the bar in Miami when he found a credit card on the floor. As he looked at it, a man approached and said he believed it was his.  Elizabeth asked if Lucky was expecting anyone else to pop in, and he said, no. Her? She said, nope. It was just them for the rest of the night. He said he liked the sound of that and she said she did too, and they kissed.

Anna said she wanted to wait until they were in Port Charles before letting Lulu know Charlotte was back, and Charlotte asked if Anna thought those men would find her papa. Jason said Valentin made the right call by letting her come with them. He could move faster alone. Anna said there was no one better at disappearing and the men didn’t stand a chance, but she knew that didn’t make it hurt less. Jack told Jordan that Sidwell’s dealings in rare earth and minerals weren’t just gold and diamonds. The minerals he spoke of were strictly regulated by those in weapons manufacturing. Jordan asked if he thought that’s why Sidwell was in Port Charles. Did he want to use their port to smuggle his goods? He said there was no evidence of it, but it was in both their interests to keep an eye on Sidwell. Was there something she wanted to share with the class? She said she had one interesting tidbit. Carly was making a valiant effort not to notice him, but failing miserably. Lulu asked, what’s so fascinating? but Carly said, nothing. Lulu asked why she was staring at Jack, but Carly said she was just making sure her patrons were happy. Why would she care who Jack spent time with? While Portia was busy on the phone, Drew told Curtis that he was spearheading a pediatric sports initiative (🍷). He was surprised Trina hadn’t mentioned it since her friend Kai was involved, lending them his local celebrity status. Curtis said, and Drew was in his wife’s office because… Drew said she was Co-Chief of Staff and the initiative involved GH. Portia had already agreed to be at the press conference. Portia said she wished Drew wouldn’t put words in her mouth.

Elizabeth’s doorbell rang and she said it was like Grand Central Station. She opened the door to Ric and told him it wasn’t the best time, but he said it was important and would just take a minute. Lucky said he thought this night couldn’t get better, and Ric said he wanted to start by thanking Lucky. In Miami, the man said that Lucas found his card and offered to show Lucas his ID, but Lucas said it wasn’t necessary. The man introduced himself as Marco and offered to buy Lucas a drink as thanks. Sasha said everyone saw Willow mooning over Drew. She found excuses to be with or around him and even Michael noticed. Willow said her and Michael’s issues started before Sasha moved in and they all made mistakes – her, Drew, and Michael. Sasha said she thought the only mistake Michael made was trusting Willow. Willow told Michael that it was just a harmless crush, that her heart was still with him and the kids. He believed her and when he found out she acted on her feelings, he was devastated. So yes, Sasha would judge her and not feel bad about it. Willow said Sasha got pregnant at the beginning of November, around the time Jason was mourning Sam, and Sasha said, Jason and Sam hadn’t been together in years. Willow said, but their love story was epic and an obstacle to anyone who wanted Jason. (Is she confusing Sam with Carly?) Sasha saw an opening and took it. (This is possibly the most difficult suspension of disbelief for me, since Sasha could so get Willow fired.)

Jason asked why Anna didn’t want Charlotte to call Lulu, and Anna said she didn’t think the WSB would go after Charlotte, but if Brennan didn’t send the men, someone else had a vested interest in shutting Valentin up permanently. Jason said, it might be easier to use Charlotte to lure Valentin than find him, and Anna said, Charlotte’s phone could be tapped. She needed to contact someone else first. Marco said he was in Miami for a client meeting, and Lucas said he was there for a medical symposium. His ex was also on the trip, and it didn’t end well. Portia said she hadn’t given Drew an answer yet, and Drew said, it was just wishful thinking. Portia said the program was his baby and he should take all the credit, but Drew said it was a partnership. What happened to one of them would happen to the other, and the intention was to benefit the kids. Portia said then she’d do it, and Drew said it was a worthy cause. It would also generate a ton if positive publicity for GH, creating an influx of donors, which would help all of the patients. He knew how quickly things would change, and bringing money in would help her keep her position. Curtis said it would also help people forget Congressman Cutthroat, and Drew said he’d like to offer Curtis and Aurora the opportunity to cover the kick off. Willow said, while she was acting on her sincere feelings, Sasha acted out of greed. Jason was wealthy and adding the Quartermaine connection, her having his baby was the best con she ever pulled. Sasha wondered, what about Willow telling Michael that she would love, honor, and cherish him until death they did part? Think what she wanted about Sasha’s choices, but she didn’t break any vows or hearts. Willow said, give it time, and left. Anna called Jack and told him that she had Charlotte Cassadine. He said he didn’t suppose she had Valentin as well, and she said, negative. They were on a jet and would be at the Sussex airfield in an hour. She needed him to bring Lulu there without alerting anyone. Was it something he could do? He said, not a problem, and Anna told Jason that Jack was going to meet them on the tarmac. Jason asked if she was sure about trusting Jack. How did she know the men weren’t lying, were there under Jack’s orders, and they were delivering him the means to eliminate Valentin?

 Anna said, Jack may be on the hunt, but he knew if anything happened to Charlotte on his watch, Carly would never forgive him. Jason said Jack didn’t care about Carly, but Anna said he did. When it came to Carly, he didn’t have an ulterior motive. She thought he was smitten. She wasn’t saying he was a good guy, but he wanted to see Charlotte reunited with her mother as much as they did. Ric thanked Lucky for saving Elizabeth and gave Elizabeth a manila envelope. He said it was a hard copy of the Medical Review Board’s final decision. She was officially exonerated from responsibility in the deaths of Sylvia Mullen, Dex Heller, and Sam McCall. He also got her back pay for the days of work she was forced to miss. She thanked him, and he said his only regret was that Terry had to call him to represent her. It was good to have such a good friend, but Elizabeth should have called him in the first place. She said she didn’t know Terry had called and didn’t know how serious it was until she was in the middle of it. He said if she ever needed a lawyer or wondered if she might, he should be her first call. He couldn’t bust down doors or duke it out with lunatics, but if she called, he’d always pick up. Lucky rolled his eyes. Marco said Lucas’s ex being there couldn’t be easy, and Lucas said, ex-husband. Marco asked how long they were married, and Lucas said, three years and they had a son. He apologized and said, Marco offered to buy him a drink, not listen to his sob story, and Marco ordered two more. He said he loved long stories, the sobbier, the better. Tell him about his son.

Curtis said Aurora wasn’t the only game in town and Drew could find another media outlet, but Drew said, Curtis’s wife was on board. It would look bad if Curtis didn’t cover it. It was a win-win for all of them. Curtis said he needed time to think about it, and Drew said, fair enough. He left, and Curtis said, what the hell was that? Maxie, Lulu, and Carly discussed the Quartermaine crypt incident, and Jack told Jordan that he hated to cut the evening short. Jordan’s phone rang, and she said she’d be there as soon as she could. Jack went to Lulu and said he was sorry to interrupt, but she had to come with him. It was urgent. Lulu asked if it was about the search for Valentin, but he said he couldn’t give her any details. She’d have to trust him. Carly said she could trust Jack, and Lulu left with him. Maxie asked Carly, what was going on with her and Agent Brennan? Anna thanked Jason for coming and having her back. He didn’t need to get involved. He said he did, but Anna said she let Valentin escape. Jason said he went along with it, and she said, because she asked him to. He said he chose to. It was on him too. They both let Valentin take Charlotte. Anna said, and now they were bringing her back. Lucas told Marco that he gave Wiley back to his father, he and Brad got divorced, and Brad spent six months in prison. Marco said Lucas’s ex must have loved him. He did a terrible thing, but believed it was to spare Lucas pain. He risked his freedom. He risked everything. Lucas said Marco was the first person to hear the story and have that reaction, and Marco asked if Lucas disagreed. Lucas said, no. That was the part that killed him. He knew Brad did it because Brad loved him. He’d always wanted a family of their own, and Brad thought it would break his heart not to have a child, so Brad gave him one. Marco said, and broke his heart anyway, and Lucas said, it hurt a lot of other people, and no amount of love or good intentions can change that. Marco said, it couldn’t erase Lucas’s time with Wiley or Brad either. Wiley may not be his son, but was still a part of him. He was a child of Lucas’s heart and always would be. Lucas said he had a year and a half of being a dad. The memory was his forever, and no one could take it away. Ric told Elizabeth to put the papers in her records asap, and she went upstairs. Lucky suggested Ric send a messenger next time, and Ric asked if he detected hostility. Lucky said, just impatience, and Ric said he meant it when he said Lucky was a hero. And it got him a nice comfy spot to recover. Lucky said it was harder when random people kept dropping by with unnecessary things, and Ric asked if he could drop Lucky off at his mother’s so she could tuck him in. Lucky said thanks for the offer, but he was solid, and Ric said, that was the first word that came to mind when someone thought about Lucky – solid and reliable. Elizabeth could do so much better. Lucky said, like with Ric? Portia told Curtis that she agreed with Drew about the initiative. It would be good for the kids and for the entire hospital. As a doctor and as a mother, she had to support it, no matter what she thought or felt about Drew.

Curtis said if it was just Drew, there was no way he’d get involved, but did Portia want him to cover it? She said she did, for the reasons she said, but also for Trina. Kai was involved and Curtis’s support would mean so much. Don’t let Drew’s awfulness keep him from contributing to a good cause. Don’t let Drew have that kind of power. Jordan went to Drew’s office and said she didn’t have much time. Make it quick. He told her that he was having a press conference to announce his pediatric sports initiative (🍷). Portia agreed to be part of it and he was hoping Aurora would provide coverage. He’d love for her to be there as a representative of the mayor’s office. Jordan said, give her a break. Drew was trying to get himself a nice bouquet to cover the stench of The Invader article. Drew asked if she was going to help organize the support of the community or walk away just to spite him. Jordan said she’d take it under consideration, and left. Lulu asked why they were watching a jet landing and Jack said her daughter was on it. He didn’t have any details, but Anna told him to bring her. He assumed it was to secure her safety. Lulu started to cry and said she couldn’t believe it. Her daughter…

Marco asked if Lucas was doing better, and Lucas said he wasn’t in Boston drowning himself in work. He’d gone to Boston, didn’t date at all, and barely had contact with his friends and family. Marco asked, what changed? and Lucas said his mom died. Marco said he was sorry to hear that, and Lucas said, it was a wake-up call. Our time here was so limited, and they had to do as much with it as they could. Love people while they were still here. Marco said, so he went home, and Lucas said he still worked a lot. There was no action on the dating front, but he wasn’t hiding from life, so there was that. Marco said it was a lot. It took courage to face the things that scared you. How was it? Lucas said his family and friends were great. Shockingly, it hadn’t been so horrible seeing Brad. Marco said, it stirred up old emotions, and Lucas said, sort of. He remembered why they fell in love and how happy they were once upon a time. Brad helped him through a terrible time and made him less lonely. Marco said someone who did that would always have a place in your heart. Not the place they used to, but a place. Lucas said, when he found out Brad was at the symposium, he thought it was a sign. Brad was the kind, supportive person he fell for, and he started to feel something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. They were just at the brink of putting it back together, but then Brad decided to tell him how he got to go on the trip, and he’s still the same lying manipulative person he was. Still driven by love for him, but maybe that was the problem. Marco said, love? and Lucas said it couldn’t be the only answer to loneliness. Marco said, companionship came in all shapes and sizes, and Lucas said maybe it was as simple as finding a gorgeous man and taking it from there. He added, more accurately, from here, and kissed Marco. Jordan went to see Portia and said she spoke to Drew about his new pediatric sports initiative (🍷), and Portia said he asked her to be at the press conference. Jordan said she heard Portia was on board. Drew also said Aurora might get involved. Is that the truth?

Carly told Maxie that she and Jack’s lives were incompatible, and Maxie asked how he took it. Carly said, quietly. He walked away and she hasn’t seen him until now. Maxie said it sounded like the rejection hurt his feelings, but Carly said Jack had a woman in every city. She was just the one in Port Charles. She couldn’t go down that road when Jack would never commit. Maxie asked, to what? What kind of commitment was Carly looking for? Sasha got her ultrasound, and the nurse (not Willow) asked if she’d like to know the sex. Coming out of the elevator, Drew saw Willow and asked if she was okay. She seemed down. Willow said she was coming from a difficult patient, and Drew said he wouldn’t blame her if she’d let the Congressman Cutthroat nonsense get to her, but she said she already told him that she didn’t read that garbage and didn’t listen to anyone who told her about it. He said it seemed like there was more than just a difficult patient that got to her. Anna and Jason brought Charlotte to Lulu.

Ric said he’d get out of Elizabeth’s hair, and she thanked him for everything. He told her that he meant what he said, and she asked if he wasn’t trying to annoy Lucky. He said it was an added bonus, but he wanted her to be happy. He left and Elizabeth said, finally, they were alone, but Lucky had fallen asleep. Maxie asked what Carly was looking for. Did she want to settle down and get married? Carly said she would be happy never to be married again, and Maxie wondered if she could possibly be overthinking things. If she died tomorrow, would she regret not sleeping with Jack? Curtis said he was going to cover the press conference, and Jordan said, if they were on board, she’d be there. She left, and Portia thanked Curtis. Curtis thanked her for helping see the right thing to do and they hugged. Willow told Drew that she could handle it and so could he, but Scout and Wiley were a different story. Drew said he was working on reminding everyone of the good work he was doing on behalf of the citizens. The old headlines would be gone and forgotten. It was going to work out. Willow told him that when he said it, she believed it, and they kissed. Sasha came out and looked at her sonogram, then saw Drew and Willow. Lucas asked Marco, what now? and Marco said he thought Lucas should give him his room key. Lucas slid the key to Marco. Charlotte and Lulu hugged, and Lulu said, Charlotte was finally home.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

We see bingo cards and tchotchkes being set out. Yuri says, O-65, retire and thrive… Correct? Gloria says, perfect, and Gio says he never heard that before. Got it! Lois says she’s got nothing, and Gloria says she taught Yuri all the bingo lingo. That man is a natural. Gio says he can’t believe she brought her bingo kit from Bensonhurst, and Gloria says she never leaves home without it. Yuri says, call your doctor. Time for a shot of B-12. Gio says, bingo! and shows his card. Gloria says, a four-corner win, and Lois says she’s impressed. It’s hard to beat ma. Gloria says, they all know Gio is a star and can do pretty much anything, when Brook walks in. She says, of course (🍷) Gloria brought her bingo set with her, and Gloria says she can’t risk getting rusty. Gio says, Brook can take his spot. He’s got to meet Emma. Gloria says, Brook is lucky. That seat is hot. Yuri says he’ll bring the car around for Gio, and Gio tells them, see you later, and leaves. Gloria says, Emma? and Brook says, Emma Scorpio Drake. She’s the Police Commissioner’s granddaughter. Gloria asks, what’s going on with them? and Brook wonders if they’re all going to pretend they just found out, when all along they knew the baby was Dante’s.

On the phone, Laura says she doesn’t want to be interrupted… Yes, it’s that important.

Lulu brings Charlotte home to Laura’s apartment and looks at her. Charlotte says, it’s okay. She’s really here. Lulu says she can’t believe it. She’s been dreaming about this for so long. She smooths Charlotte’s hair and says, there’s so much she wants to tell her, but she wanted to wait until they were alone. They hug, and Lulu says, thank God she’s here and safe. Charlotte says, don’t thank God. Thank papa.

Sonny thanks Isaiah for making a house call, since doctors don’t do that anymore, but Isaiah says, some do for some patients. Sonny says he appreciates it. He doesn’t want his children knowing about his condition. Isaiah says, he’s welcome. His blood pressure is a lot better. Sonny actually seems to be listening to his advice. Sonny says he’s been taking his medication and reducing stress. He even called a truce with his daughter’s mother. It seemed to help. Kristina walks in with Rocco and asks, what’s going on? Rocco asks if Sonny is okay.

At Trina’s apartment, Kai asks if their third date is living up to their first, and Trina says, when he asked her to the museum, he didn’t say it was a date. On Valentine’s Day, she didn’t know it was a date, so it doesn’t count. And since they’re staying in tonight, this doesn’t either. He says, Valentine’s Day was definitely a date and so was painting. They were good dates too. What can he do to make tonight feel more datelike? Would a kiss help? She says, it might, and they kiss. She says, yeah. It definitely feels like a date now, and they kiss again.

On the phone in his hotel room, Jack asks, what’s the update on Josslyn Jax… Is that right? Good to hear. Keep pushing her. There’s a knock at the door and he says, they’ll talk tomorrow. He opens the door to Carly and says, if he remembers correctly, the last time they spoke, she wanted nothing to do with him. So what is she doing here now? She says, fixing a huge mistake, and kisses him.

Trina’s phone rings, but she says she’ll ignore it. Kai says, what if it’s an emergency? and she answers. She asks Ava, what’s going on? and Ava says, thank God. She locked herself out of the gallery and can’t find her key. It’s freezing and her phone is dying. Can Trina come quickly please? Trina tells Kai that Ava locked herself out of the gallery and needs to be let in before she freezes. He says he gets it. Ava is her boss and friend. He was about to head out anyway. Trina thanks him for being cool about it. She’ll see him tomorrow. He says, for sure, and leaves.  

Gloria says, no one is pretending anything. Brook’s been avoiding her all day and she thought that meant Brook didn’t want to talk about it. Brook tells Gloria that she didn’t know what to say. Finding out Gloria knew all along knocked the wind out of her. Gloria says she’s sorry to hear that, and Brook says she told her ma alone. She had no idea Lois ran off and told Gloria. It makes her wonder who else knows.

Lulu says she’s glad Charlotte’s father kept her safe, but she wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place if he hadn’t taken her on the run. Charlotte asks why it matters. She’s here now only because of her papa. Lulu says she didn’t even know Charlotte was coming until before the plane landed. How did Anna and Jason know where she was? Charlotte says, papa texted Rocco and told him where they were. He thought Rocco would tell Lulu and Lulu would come and get her, but Jason found out. Lulu says, Valentin wanted Charlotte back in Port Charles because he was worried about her safety after someone took a shot at him in the Prague café. Charlotte says, he was trying to do what was best for her, even if it means he doesn’t see her every day anymore, and Lulu says, Rocco didn’t tell her that he’d gotten the text. She would have been on the first plane. Charlotte says, papa thought so too, and Lulu says, Rocco’s been avoiding her and she couldn’t figure out why. It makes sense now. She never once gave up hope that Charlotte would come home. Charlotte says she knows, and Lulu says she wishes it had been her that came to get Charlotte, not Anna and Jason. Charlotte says, actually, she was glad Lulu wasn’t there.

Jack says he thought Carly didn’t want to do this, but Carly says she overthought it. It’s what she does and it’s not great. She shouldn’t have thought the worst about him. He says, she changed her mind and he’s supposed to forget and be at her beck and call? How does he know she won’t change her mind again tomorrow? She says, he doesn’t, but she won’t, and he says, he knew she had doubts, but he thought it was about the WSB and how dangerous his job is. She’d be putting herself at risk. But she questioned his character and his feelings for her. That’s a very different thing. She says she knows, and he says he was very clear and very consistent about the way he feels. If she still doubts his intentions, she was right to end whatever it is they had. She says she was completely wrong. That’s why she’s here. He asks, what changed her mind? They haven’t not spoken, so it’s not him. Why the change of heart?

Sonny tells Kristina, everything is fine. He’s just under the weather and called Lucky to get ahold of Dr. Gannon to check him out. They know each other? Kristina says, they met at Charlie’s. Nice to see him. Isaiah says, her too, and she says she brought Rocco by to see the new place. Rocco says, it’s not new. He’s been here, but not since Charlotte lived here. Sonny says he made some changes, especially in the backyard. Does Rocco want to check it out? Rocco says, cool, and he and Sonny leave. Isaiah says he’s going to go, but Kristina says, if her dad had a cold, he would have had Isaiah call in a prescription, not have him come to his home and examine him. What’s really going on with her dad?

Trina lets herself into the dark gallery and says she got here as fast as she could. She turns on the light and her family and friends yell, surprise! She says she can’t believe they did this, and Curtis says, she didn’t think they’d forget her birthday. Trina says she knows her parents are successful and driven and figured they’d be running the hospital and Aurora, but Portia says, they’re never too busy to celebrate their birthday girl. Stella asks if she can get in on that birthday love, and hugs Trina. Trina thanks her for coming, and Stella says she wouldn’t miss wishing Trina a happy birthday. She knows Trina is going to have an incredible year, and it will only get better. Trina says she likes the sound of that, and Stella says she was supposed to be a distraction, but she thought of someone better for the job. Trina sees Kai, who smiles at her, and Stella says, was she right or was she right? Trina says, she was right, as always.

Charlotte says she’s glad Lulu wasn’t there. It was so dangerous. After papa sent the text, Jason and Anna showed up and told them to run. Lulu says, it must have been terrifying, and Charlotte says, it was. She and papa hid, but they could hear everything. The WSB came in and Jason and Anna had to fight them off. She doesn’t think Lulu could take them on like that. Lulu says she’s scrappier than she looks and would do what it takes to keep Charlotte and her brother. Charlotte says she knows. She’s happy to be home, but it feels kinda weird. Lulu says, good weird or bad weird? and Charlotte says, good weird. Lulu says she knows the feeling. It will feel normal soon, she promises. Charlotte wonders how, without her papa.

Outside, Sonny asks what Rocco thinks, and Rocco says, looks good. Sonny asks if it’s missing anything, and Rocco says, Charlotte. It feels weird being here without her. Sonny asks if they’re close. Does he miss her a lot? Rocco says he does. Can he tell Sonny something? Sonny says, anything, and Rocco says he got a text from Charlotte, but didn’t tell either of his parents. He remembered how dangerous it was last time. He told Danny, who told his dad, and Jason promised to bring Charlotte home. Sonny says, he did the right thing. He was looking out for his family and in a tough spot, but he handled it like a champ. Rocco says, but he hasn’t heard from Jason. What if he can’t find Charlotte? Sonny says, Jason is good at finding people, but if Rocco doesn’t hear from him soon, he’ll step in. Rocco thanks him, and Sonny says, you’ve got it.

Isaiah says, whatever questions Kristina has, the answer is the same. Talk to her dad. Kristina says, since he’s here, there must be something to ask about that he’s not telling her, and he says, ask her dad. Kristina says she thinks he’d tell her if it was bad, but he doesn’t have to. Obviously, it’s bad if he’s here. If Sonny was fine, he wouldn’t be trying to cover it up. Isaiah says he’s not covering up anything. He’s respecting the oath he took and doctor/patient confidentiality, which is the law. She says she’s Sonny’s daughter. He’d tell her if Sonny was in the hospital. Be honest. It’s kind of the same thing. Isaiah says, it’s not, when Sonny and Rocco come back. Sonny asks, what’s going on? and Kristina says, Dr. Gannon confirmed something serious is going on. What is it? Sonny looks at Isaiah, who shakes his head.

Jack asks, what changed? and Carly says she realized that life is short. If something happened to either one of them, she’d regret not exploring whatever this is. She’s sorry. She was wrong. And she doesn’t usually admit to either. He says, sorry for what? and she says, not trusting him. She saw him with Vivian and Vivian was flirting. He was so nonchalant, it threw her, and she dismissed all the good things he’d done. But she realized ending things had nothing to do with him. He says, what about Vivian? and she says, that was just an excuse. She got so scared because of how much she was starting to feel for him. She tried to push him away and that’s not her. She’s not the kind of person to run from her feelings. He says, or much of anything else. Exactly what kind of person is she? She says, stick around and find out, and they kiss.

Lulu says, Charlotte knows she wishes Valentin could be here, for Charlotte’s sake. She’d love if it was different, but Charlotte is safer here and has stability. She can’t live life on the run. Charlotte says, it wasn’t that bad. She and papa saw a lot of different places and he made sure she had everything she needed. Lulu says, now that she has Charlotte here, there’s so much she wants to ask. She has so much to tell her and not just about Charlotte’s time away. Her time too. She missed so much in the last four years. Charlotte says she can’t wait to tell Lulu everything. She’s happy to be back home. It might not seem like it, but it is. Lulu says she knows Charlotte had a crazy day. Who is she kidding? Charlotte had a crazy year. Charlotte says she knows things were weird, but her papa always kept her safe and brought up Lulu whenever he could. Lulu says she knows how much Charlotte loves her papa, and she’s so grateful he kept her safe. She’s more grateful that he sent the text, so Charlotte would be brought home. She knows how hard it was for him. Charlotte says she couldn’t believe it when he told her, and Lulu says she’s sure it was lonely being out there with just her dad, and Charlotte says, it was. Lulu says, they need to make up for that. She’s going to make a quick call.

Gloria says she swears on the family bible. No one else knows about the baby. Brook asks how she can be sure, and Gloria says she’d never betray a trust that way. Lois says, listen to her grandma. Gloria knows all the family secrets and never let any of them slip. Gloria says she sensed something was eating away at Lois, and Lois says, Gloria had to pull it out of her. Brook asks why Gloria wouldn’t tell, and Gloria says she was respecting Brook’s privacy and the privacy of Brook’s mother. She never talked about it. Brook says, never? Not even at confession? Gloria says, not a word. She put it in the vault, and it stayed there where it belongs, and she suggests they do the same.  

Laura tells Trina, happy birthday, and hands her a giftbag. She says, these are from Ace. He made the card himself. Trina says, it’s ridiculously cute, and thanks Laura for letting him make it for her. She thanks Laura for being here, and Laura says, there’s no place else she’d rather be. Besides, she thinks it’s what Spencer would want, for her to be here. She knows last year was tough and she’s very glad to see Trina in a better place and willing to celebrate her birthday. Trina says, that doesn’t mean she forgot Spencer or doesn’t miss him every day, and Laura says she’d never think that about her. Neither of them will ever forget Spencer. He was one of a kind. Trina says, yeah, and Laura says, he loved her so much. He would be so happy to see how happy Trina is. She missed seeing the light in Trina’s eyes and she’s glad it’s back. Spencer would be very glad it’s back. Her phone rings, and she says, sorry. It’s her daughter. Trina moves on and Lulu asks if Laura can come home. She has a surprise for her.

Jack leads Carly to the bedroom. They get busy and there’s a song part.

Kai says he’s in a group of athletes who are working at the hospital, visiting sick kids in the pediatrics wing. He tries to spend as much time there as he can. It’s fun in the middle of the hard stuff. Trina says, it’s sweet of him to get involved, and he says he met the guy who came up with the program. He’s a congressman. Emma says, the guy who slept with his nephew’s wife? and Kai says, he seemed okay. He doesn’t know about the guy’s personal life and doesn’t care. The program is changing lives. Emma says, that part is great. Is he sure that he’s not taking on too much? If he wants to back out of her animal fundraiser, she understands. He says, since he’s not playing football, he has plenty of time, when Curtis comes out. He says, it’s time for cake, and the cake is brought out. Trina says, it’s gorgeous (agreed), and Portia says, sing Happy Birthday! They sing and Trina smiles. Kai says, make a wish, and Stella says, make it good. Trina blows out the candles and everyone applauds.  

As they bask in the afterglow, Jack says, this isn’t at all what he expected when he opened the door and saw Carly standing there. She says, he showed up at her hotel room and gave her one hell of a kiss in Germany. She thought she’d return the favor. He says he’s glad she did. He’s been thinking about this for a long time. She says, her too.

Laura comes into the apartment and is immediately absorbed in taking off her coat. She says, sorry she’s late. She got stuck at the party saying goodbye to so many people…  She sees Charlotte, quietly freaks out, and they hug.  

Gio gives Trina a giftbag and says, it’s from Josslyn. She’s sorry she couldn’t be here, but she’s still in Easter Island. She made sure she had it sent to the Quartermaines’ in trust of him delivering it. Trina takes out a sleep-aid set and says, Josslyn is amazing. Josslyn knows she has a hard time sleeping. She loves Josslyn so much. Stella says, here’s the last one, and Emma says, it’s from her. The guy in the bookstore said it’s a must have. Trina opens the present and it’s the same art book Spencer got her shortly after they met. She thanks Emma and says, it’s amazing. She thanks everybody for all the thoughtful, amazing gifts and says, go have another slice of cake and more to drink and just party. Portia tells Trina, happy birthday, and kisses her cheek. Trina looks sadly at the book.

Isaiah says he didn’t tell Kristina anything, and Sonny asks if Rocco doesn’t have homework. Kristina says, since Isaiah is on his way out, could he drop Rocco home at the Quartermaines’? Isaiah says he’d be happy to, and Rocco thanks Sonny for the tour. Sonny says, anytime, and Rocco leaves with Isaiah. Kristina says, Sonny knows she’s going to find out. What’s going on? She can always tell when he’s lying, so tell her. Whatever it is, it’s worse in her head. What she’s imagining isn’t good. What’s going on? Sonny says he doesn’t want her to worry. What he’s got is treatable. He’s fine. She says, treatable? Just tell her what’s going on. He says, there’s something wrong with his heart.

Lulu asks if Charlotte is sure she’s all right, and Charlotte says she’s fine. Just tired. She’s going to go shower. Laura suggests she lie down and get some rest, and Charlotte says, that’s probably a good idea. Laura says, they can catch up tomorrow. She wants to hear about everything Charlotte was doing. Charlotte says, most of it was boring, and Lulu says, don’t get too comfortable. She’s got the idea there might be more visitors. Laura says she’s really happy Charlotte is home, and Charlotte goes to shower. Laura asks if they found Valentin, but Lulu says, no. He’s still out there somewhere, but he’s the reason Charlotte is here. Charlotte said he took good care of her and made sure Charlotte didn’t forget her. Laura says, that doesn’t surprise her. She knows how much Valentin loves Charlotte, but she’s still better off away from him. Lulu agrees and says she hopes he stays away for Charlotte’s sake.

Brook says, all these years, she thought she was keeping the secret from Gloria, but Gloria was keeping the same secret from her. Gloria says, if the devil himself was mad at her for not telling, so be it. She would do anything for Brook. She would suffer anything. As long as her girls and their future was protected. She loves them both so much. Lois says, they love her too… even though sometimes she makes it hard, and Brook says, yeah, but this brought up so many things she wasn’t letting herself think about for so many years. It’s going to take time to wrap her head around it. (Hello 1960s!) Lois tells her, take all the time she needs. They’ll be here when she’s ready. Brook leaves.

Jack tells Carly that he needs to refresh and is taking a quick shower. He gets out of bed and heads for the shower and says, that was an invitation to join him. She says she knows, but someone has to answer the door for room service, and she’s a little bit thirsty. He says, suit herself, and she stays in the bed, looking all happy. She hears him singing in the shower and gets up.

Gio says, Emma’s been great lately, and she asks what he means. He says, she put an activist group together and moved forward. She kept him company at the crypt and gave Kai a good pep talk. She asks why he’s surprised, and he says, the first times they met, she didn’t come across as someone who would do that. She seems different. She says, this is who she is now, and he says, it makes him wonder who the real Emma is. She says she’d like to know her too.

Stella asks Curtis about meeting with Congressman Henderson, and Curtis says, he helped with some obstacles. Drew is now focused on his pediatric sports initiative (🍷) and he’s planning a press conference. Portia is going to talk, and Aurora Media is covering it. He hates that he’s helping rehab Drew’s image. Stella suggests he pick his battle. He can elevate Portia, but if he gets in the way, he could hinder her success. She deserves to shine. Drew be damned.

Portia thanks Ava for referring Ric and being there, and Ava says, of course (🍷). She thanks Portia for confiding in her. If the truth came out, it could hurt Trina. Portia says, it could have been devastating.

Trina slips out of the party.

Ava tells Portia, Drew has a lot of powerful enemies – Nina, Carly, Curtis, Jason, Michael. All the Quartermaines hate him and it’s only a matter of time before his house of cards collapses and one of his many other enemies takes care of him for her. Portia says, someone needs to do something and do it soon.

Curtis can’t find Trina and hopes she’s okay, but Stella says she was here quite a while. It was almost like having the old Trina back, but she might have gotten overwhelmed. A party like this might have had her thinking about Spencer. Curtis says he hates to think it put a black mark on Trina’s special night, but Stella says, it didn’t. Grief doesn’t have a timeline and it’s often felt in our happiest moments.

Kai looks around the party, then sends a text.

Sitting on the window seat in her dark apartment, Trina takes out the art book Spencer gave her. She looks at the inscription and holds the book to her chest.

Lois checks to make sure Brook is gone, and Gloria says, if Brook is this upset about finding out she knew about the baby, imagine how angry she’ll be that they know who the baby is. Lois says she knows, and Gloria says, Brook can never know, and what they did tonight proved why.

Rocco comes home and Lulu asks, how was grandpa’s house? Rocco says, he changed stuff, and it was weird without Charlotte. Charlotte comes out and says, it doesn’t have to be weird anymore, and they hug.

Carly joins Jack in the shower, and he says he had a feeling she’d change her mind. She tells him, make room, but before she can take her robe off, there’s a knock at the door. She says she’ll be right back, and he gives her a kiss and says, hurry.

Kristina says, Sonny has a heart condition? How long has this been going on? He says he’s okay. He’s fine. She says, then why didn’t he want to tell her? and he says, she’d worry for no reason. She says, of course (🍷) she’d worry. What did Dr. Gannon say? He says, it’s from an injury that happened a long time ago and Isaiah put him on the right path. He’ll have to do a procedure, but everything will be fine. He just has to reduce stress. She says, that’s why he agreed to joint custody. he didn’t want the stress of a trial. He says, that’s part of the reason. He didn’t want to watch Ric put her and Avery on the stand. He didn’t want to put either of his daughters through that.  

Carly finds a serving cart in the hallway with a bucket of champagne and two glasses on it. She makes a happy sound, brings them into the room, and closes the door. Valentin comes out from around the corner, and boy, does he look pissed.

On Monday, Anna says, the marshal is here to serve an arrest warrant; Brook says, Drew picked a fight with the wrong broad: and Jack tells Carly, don’t! and knocks the glass out of her hand.  

🧼  All the Soap News Fit To Print…

It looks like there will be a new lawyer in town and maybe a love interest for Lucas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adrian-anchondo-cast-as-marco-on-general-hospital

Gloria returns!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ellen-travolta-returns-to-general-hospital-2

Maybe he had a good time, but it was painful to watch. This guy is no actor. He sounded like he was reading it and didn’t even read it well.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/the-golden-bachelorettes-guy-gansert-guests-on-gh

Two requests of the fans.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-cameron-mathison-makes-a-special-request

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/eva-larues-warning-to-her-fans

Side gigs. I haven’t read Jon Lindstrom’s book yet, but I want to. Although now I can just wait and see the movie. Well done!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstroms-book-to-become-a-movie

I don’t know how exciting this is, but if she’s happy, I’m happy.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-monaco-announces-an-exciting-new-project

This was weird/sad, but it sounded like he was getting treatment.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rick-springfield-learns-he-has-brain-damage

Victor has moved on from the building.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/days-of-our-lives/charles-shaughnessy-returns-to-days-of-our-lives

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I didn’t see this, but it seems to fluctuate between dangerous accidents and nookie.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz was hosting a trip to St. Lucia and informed us that it’s the only country named after a woman. We watched as the women packed, and I’m not sure why Erika called my shorts ho shorts, but I was offended. Aren’t shorts supposed to be short? When getting a less than enthusiastic response about an outfit from son Phoenix, Dorit told him, it’s Poca Rabone, like that meant something to him. Boz said getting them all together to travel was like herding cats, so they were meeting in Miami. In her interview, Boz said, beautiful views, delicious cocktails, a steel drum band. Who would complain? Really? Has she met them? In Jennifer’s interview, she talked about not fitting in when she was young, and Sutton cried over her long road with the women and how Garcelle had been the only one to support her. Kyle would say, you two, but never point the finger at Dorit alone. Mauricio visited Kyle and talked about going on  It was the usual, just in a different vacation setting. PK met with Dorit, where the D-word was used, yet Dorit is still in the denial phase. Kyle, however, was sliding into acceptance after Mauricio visited and told her about his quest for weed spiritual healing.

Some non-news. Maybe she’s a girlfriend; maybe she’s not.

Denise Richards and Her Wild Things

I love this show so much. A lot of episode 3 revolved around a Cuban iguana named Godzilla who had passed away at age 30. He’d belonged to Charlie’s ex, Brooke, and was dropped off at Denise’s house when Brooke went to rehab. He liked Fig Newtons and had an entire suite to himself. They had him for nine months, and a memorial was planned. There were a lot of flowers, as well as some heartfelt speeches. Denise also met with Erika (RHOBH) and they clinked glasses and made up. Another thing I love about Denise is her love of animals. She even got a little picnic table for the squirrels outside, one of whom she called Fat Fred, but she insisted she wasn’t fat shaming him. Sami was getting a nose job and said she’d been bullied in school about looking like her dad. Recently, someone had made a comment that she’d never be as pretty as her mom. WTF? Ugh. It’s one of the things I hate about the internet. Anonymity has created mean AF a-holes.

Summer House

Kyle discussed his misdirected rage texting with Paige and said he was super upset. Aww. Poor baby. He’s always super upset about something. I’m pretty sure he lives off of super upset energy. One thing I really hate about this group is their tendency to play telephone. Really, their tendency to just make sh*t up to suit themselves. Lexi had asked Jesse not to be so flirtatious in his comments on the other girls’ social media and somehow this got changed to her demanding he not comment at all. And that literally came from horse Jesse’s mouth. She needs to dump this dude asap. One minute he’s all in love like never before, and the next, he’s making it up as he goes along. The tail end of the show was in NYC with Paige and Craig. When Paige said she never wanted to live a slow life, that said everything. While no judgement about relationships that are ephemeral, if you’re not on the same page regarding commitment, it’s for certain someone is going to get their heart broken.

Southern Charm

Craig told Paige about making up with Austen and how he thought his admission that he couldn’t drink was like holding up a mirror to Austen. He might not be wrong. Paige complimented Craig on his self-awareness. Austen later came by for a visit, and I forgot which show I was watching for a moment. The big topic once again involved JT. Venita wanted him to be her plus one at a summer soiree Madison was giving. JT was hesitant, but said he’d think about it. He talked to Leva about it and said he didn’t know if it was appropriate while he had a girlfriend, and also admitted he’d probably encouraged Venita by flirting. But the best was yet to come when Leva told him that Ryan used the same barber, who apparently told him that JT said some Black girl was trying to bust up his relationship. Once again, although I’m no fan of JT, I couldn’t see him saying something like that. Neither could Leva or Venita, but in Venita’s interview, she said, Ryan’s husband was Black, so why would he lie? Why indeed. JT was livid, since it made him sound racist. On top of it, racist about someone he cared for. Leva said he should call the barber immediately and get it cleared up for Venita’s sake. Translation: So we can get it on the show. He did and the barber seemed surprised, saying, the only thing he remembered JT telling him was that there was a cute Black girl named Venita on the show. When JT called Venita to tell her, I’m pretty sure all she heard though was that he loved her.

On the upside, Brett got the cancer all-clear on his last test and Molly and Taylor took their dogs out for ice cream.

What’s JT up to? Not much. No surprise. I can’t blame him for jetting though. The Reunion should be interesting.

Random Reality Items

VPR 2.0 is on the way.

This is the weirdest thing ever and I can’t believe it’s still going on.

Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.

What a shame. Hopefully, those left in the cast invested in real estate.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Extinction: The G.M.O. Chronicles. Amazon Prime. I am a die-hard zombie fan and I did enjoy this. There was precious little info out there and this review is less than stellar. There is the trailer though.

Okay. This guy liked it more, but there are a few small spoilers.

The Night Eats the World. Amazon Prime. This film won awards, and I didn’t hate it, but there were long stretches of not much going on and the main character chatting with – or rather, to – a zombie he had corralled in a stalled elevator. Be forewarned, the ending is not a happy one.

https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/night-eats-the-world-review-zombies-tribeca-1201954987/

Beyond the Gates. CBS/Paramount+. I finally got serious about watching this and I’m hooked on watching it with my dinner now. It’s oddly old-fashioned and trendy at the same time. Beautiful people, an inclusive cast, fabulous wardrobes, and a gun drawn at a wedding. You can’t really ask for more.

https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2025/03/cbs-beyond-the-gates-promo-tv-critics

🙀 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🦒 I’m not letting my dogs read this. It might give them ideas.

https://people.com/athletic-giraffe-escapes-arizona-zoo-to-get-snacks-11695093

🐻‍❄️ Pretty as a picture. Oh wait, it is.

https://people.com/photo-sleeping-polar-bear-wins-nature-photography-contest-11690907

🐾 It’s a ferret! It’s a ferret’s ghost! It’s a stoat!

https://people.com/rarely-seen-animal-caught-on-camera-in-pennsylvania-11693659

👄 Quotes of the Week

Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult. – Charlotte Whitton

You’re in pretty good shape for the shape you are in. – Dr. Seuss

You are not your resumé; you are your work. – Seth Godin

Life is the art of drawing sufficient conclusions from insufficient premises. – Samuel Butler

You aren’t learning anything when you’re talking. – Lyndon B. Johnson

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together. – Vincent van Gogh

Remember: Always walk in the light. And if you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the light. – Roberta Flack

The mosquitos are d*ckheads out here. – Channelle (Aisha Dee), Apple Cider Vinegar

🍀 Top O’ the Month To Ya…

Until next week, stay safe; stay not using St. Patrick’s Day to be a green beer drunken mess (also don’t be another kind of Karen and drive drunk); and stay loving people while they’re still here.

March 7, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Lulu Threatens To Out Brook, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Awards Corner, Streaming Excellence, In the Pink, Only Five Quotes & Turn Back

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Sonny met with Lucy at the MetroCourt, and Lulu met Spinelli at Bobbie’s. Spinelli said he was always at her service, and she asked for his help finding Charlotte, but he said he’d been looking and there was nothing. She said there was one place they hadn’t searched. Alexis told Tracy that she was all Tracy had, and Tracy said she was delusional. Alexis was insisting her parents were interred on public land. Brad sent a drink over to Lucas in a bar in Miami, and at the MetroCourt Curtis told Portia they were going to St. Georges. Drew approached their table and asked if Curtis thought he’d never find out.

Brad joined Lucas at the bar, and they talked old times. Brad said he’d just wanted to make Lucas happy. In the nook, Sasha told Jason that Carly had offered her a job and free housing until she could afford her own place. Jason said he’d give her what she needed, but she told him again that she wanted to be independent. He said he wanted her to be practical too, and she said, of all people, he should understand. Sonny told Lucy that he wanted to start over someplace new. It had to be comfortable for the kids, with high gates and state of the art security. She said she knew exactly the place. Lulu told Spinelli that she thought the police might have missed something in Valentin’s house, but she had to get past the security system. Dante and Gio came into Bobbie’s and Dante thought Spinelli looked nervous, but left them to it. Dante told Gio that Lulu and Spinelli were up to something because they were awake and together. Lulu was on a mission and could convince anyone to do anything. Lulu told Spinelli that helping a mother find her daughter was worth the risk. Drew said he was being iced out of the House Appropriation Committee, and he knew Henderson was friends with Stella. He said he knew Curtis got her to do his dirty work, but Curtis said Drew screwed himself over. Tracy told Alexis that it wasn’t about property lines; it was about the cease and desist. Martin had gotten his own survey, which she insisted was forged. It was an obvious attempt to extort her. Lois said Drew calling himself a Quartermaine wasn’t a big deal, but Tracy said she had a family to protect. Martin joined them.

Drew asked if Curtis spoke to Henderson, and Curtis said he’d told Henderson to do his own research about Drew and the esplanade. If Drew’s seat was blocked, it meant Henderson saw something he didn’t like. Drew said Curtis made a mistake. If Curtis took something from him, he’d take something from Curtis. Portia told Drew to stop it. Curtis would have stood by him, but Drew betrayed his friend. Drew said Curtis had betrayed him. Spinelli jammed the security signal and told Lulu, there was a 70% chance she’d be fine. Lulu liked the odds and went into Valentin’s old house, Spinelli following. Gio said he needed to talk away from the house and told Dante that he was still trying to figure out how to fit in, but Dante said everyone liked having him there. Gio said, not everyone. Alexis told Tracy that she was hoping to sort through the matter in a calm and rational way, and Lois hoped she had a Plan B. Tracy said she could bankrupt the city, but Alexis asked if she wanted her loved ones removed from their resting place. Tracy said, remove the cease and desist, but Martin said he was going to report her.

Lucas said he was worried Brad tried to change for him, and Brad said he’d wanted to be a better person and to be worthy of Lucas. Instead, he ended up hurting Lucas. Martin said the crypt was a hazard to public health, and Tracy said she’d have him disbarred and disemboweled. Alexis said he was just being vindictive, and he agreed to back off. Alexis wanted Martin to sign an NDA, but he refused. Tracy told him to report her. Gio told Dante that he was on Tracy’s bad side. He didn’t care about Drew, but he cared about Scout. She would either have to change her name or have a different one than her dad. Dante said he and his dad had different names – a lot of people did – but Gio said he couldn’t imagine how he’d feel if someone took his name away. Tracy shut him down for not being a Quartermaine. Dante said he thought Tracy respected Gio for his opposing opinion, when Dante got a call from Tracy. Lucy and Sonny arrived at the house while Lulu and Spinelli were inside, and they hid. Sasha asked why Jason didn’t take any money from the Quartermaines, and he said he didn’t want them running his life. Sasha said, if she took money from him and they found out, they’d want her to bring her baby into the fold. She never got the chance to give her first baby the best life. Jason said the baby had a father, but Sasha said she wasn’t having that conversation, especially not here. He left, and Sidwell slipped in the back door.

Lucy told Sonny about the house and that it came furnished. She wanted to give him a tour, but he said he trusted her. Kristina showed up and asked if he was seriously considering Valentin’s old house. Portia said Curtis believed he was going to be CEO, but Drew said he’d offered Curtis something else. Curtis said he would have been happy with that, but Drew chose to lie. Drew asked if Curtis was getting back at him, but Curtis said Drew didn’t care about the people of Port Charles needing the esplanade. The Committee could approve funding without him or his spite getting in the way. Drew left. Tracy wanted Martin arrested for trespassing, but Dante said no. He suggested Martin leave and Tracy leave it alone. Tracy said she couldn’t. Gio said, 555. When he was upset, his mother asked if he’d feel the same way in 5 minutes or 5 months. In 5 years, would he even remember what he was angry about? Tracy said her mom would say, will it really matter in the end? Lois walked Martin out and Tracy thanked Gio for giving her a lot to think about. Sasha said she’d scream, but Sidwell said he wasn’t there to hurt her or debate the past. He wanted to discuss a business opportunity that was very lucrative. Put down her weapon (a spatula) and let him tell her about it. If she persuaded Deception’s leadership that the warehouse incident was a huge misunderstanding, he’d pay her $250K.

Lucy said she was going to tell Sonny, but wanted him to come there with no misconceptions. The sale was being handled by Martin. Sonny wondered, what if Valentin wanted the place back? but she said Martin assured her, Valentin wasn’t returning. They had to be in some sort of contact. Lulu and Spinelli listened in. Kristina liked the house, and Lucy gave them a tour. Sasha said she cared about Deception and didn’t want to lie. He said her mother had stolen his diamonds and he couldn’t go the police. He knew if he incentivized it, she’d return his property. The one thing her mother understood was the power of money, and he assumed Sasha did too. Portia told Curtis that she thought Drew could end up being a problem. He was going to make new friends in DC, and he was going to come after Curtis. Curtis said Drew could dig all he wanted, but wouldn’t find anything on him. Drew went to see Selina and asked for something on Curtis. She said she had nothing. However, Portia was another matter. Lucas said seeing Brad hurt, so he’d cut him off. It was the good memories that hurt. He couldn’t shake the feelings, so he kept his distance, but found himself looking for Brad. He was there for Lucas when Sam died. Brad wondered if there would be another chance, and they kissed.

Brad and Lucas got busy, but Brad stopped him. He said he had to tell Lucas the truth. Drew told Selina that he was happy to do what he could for all his constituents, providing what she had was good. She showed him how Portia had tampered with a GH patient’s test results and said, if it got out, Portia could lose her license and more. Drew said it would do nicely. Curtis told Portia, Drew had no play here, and he wanted to plan their trip. Alexis asked what Tracy really needed, and Tracy said, file the cease and desist. She was taking Gio’s advice. The family name would matter 5 years, 5 decades, and 5 millennia from now, and Drew could never be associated with it. She was getting her own property survey done and it would say what she wanted it to. Dante said Gio did good, although Tracy wouldn’t take the advice. Gio’s mom was a cool lady. Outside, Lois told Martin about Gio being her grandson and Dante being his father. Martin said the information was covered by attorney/client privilege. No one would ever know. Kristina encouraged Sonny to take the house and said, Avery would love it. Sonny told Lucy that he was sold, and they left, Sonny saying, remember, Fort Knox. Lulu told Spinelli that she shouldn’t have doubted her instincts. One way or another, Martin was going to lead her to Valentin. Sasha was concerned about Sidwell drawing Deception into some criminal enterprise, but he said he wanted to give Deception the resources they needed and make a respectable profit. Jason looked in the window and saw them. He ran in and told Sidwell, get away from her!

Tuesday:

Jason pulled a gun on Sidwell, who said it was a misunderstanding, but Jason told him, let’s go now. Sasha said, please stop, but Jason escorted Sidwell out. Dante found Gio at the stables helping Cody. Willow met Nina and Carly at the MetroCourt and said she wanted to discuss something in person with both of them. Anna met with Emma and Maxie, who wondered why she was here. Anna wanted Maxie to give Emma an internship at Deception. Curtis met Portia, who was checking that everything in Miami was going according to plan. Lucas asked Brad, what truth? and Brad said he made Portia invite him on the trip. Lucas asked him to define made. On the phone Lulu told Spinelli they’d gotten an actual lead, and she knew Martin had information on Valentin. She walked into Laura’s and Laura was there with Martin.

Cody suggested bringing out some beers he managed to hide from Tracy, but Gio wanted to make sure the gates and fences were locked up and left. Cody said something was bugging Dante. Start talking. Dante said the closure he’d gotten with Sam’s death hadn’t helped. Laura asked if Lulu wanted to have dinner, but Lulu said she was meeting Maxie at the Surf Lodge. Martin apologized for failing to realize how sick Cyrus was, but Lulu said she didn’t blame him and left. Sasha called Jason and said, whatever he was about to do, please don’t. Tracy came in and told Sasha that Jason was unreliable, but the family wasn’t, and Sasha said, one minute Tracy treated her like staff and the next minute, it was all about the next generation of Quartermaines – the legacy. Tracy said the fact Sasha was having a Quartermaine baby changed everything. Willow said she knew Nina and Carly weren’t going to be happy, but she and the kids were moving in with Drew. Carly said she thought Willow would keep things stable for the kids while Michael focused on his recovery. This was pushing Michael too far and he wouldn’t stand for it. Emma said she declined the offer, and Maxie said she didn’t make one, but why wasn’t she interested? Emma said she was not not interested, but it wasn’t something she’d thought about. Anna asked if work in cosmetics wasn’t mostly chemistry, and Maxie said it was a huge part, but she wasn’t hiring Emma as a favor. It had to be something she wanted. Brad told Lucas that he did Portia a favor, and she was inclined to do one for him. Lucas asked if it was like the favors he did for Brit, but Brad said he’d found out something private and agreed to keep it to himself.

Martin told Laura that he was sorry, and she asked why. He said he’d chased Lulu out, but Laura said she had dinner plans, and it obviously had nothing to do with him. He said he thought it was his connection to Cyrus and didn’t blame her, but she said, give Lulu time. He said he was lucky to have her for a sister and she hugged him, saying. she was lucky too, but she wished she and Cyrus had never crossed paths. Her assistant phoned and said there was a call from the US Congress Appropriations Committee. Sasha asked why Tracy was focused on her. Tracy didn’t even like her. Tracy said, of course (🍷) she did, and Jason was proving more valuable. Sasha suggested she focus on Jason. All she wanted was to be left alone. Tracy said too many people were invested in her and the baby. If she disappeared, they’d track her down. Sasha asked if that was a threat, but Tracy said it was a reality check. Raising the baby on her own was a dream and she needed to wake up. Anna had to leave and told Emma and Maxie to think about it. Maxie told Emma not to go against the idea because it was Anna’s; it was a great opportunity. Laura called Curtis and asked him to stop by the apartment. There had been a big development. Brad said when he found out, he went immediately to Portia, and Lucas said he didn’t want to hear about the blackmail. Brad said he just asked her for the trip to Miami, and Lucas said using something as leverage was the very definition of blackmail. That Brad could see it showed him why this was a mistake. Sidwell said Jason was too smart to kill him, since he was a suspect in another murder. Jason said he wanted the truth and was giving Sidwell one chance. Did he blow up Sonny’s penthouse?

Sidwell told Jason that he did not blow up the penthouse. Another truth was, what happened in Africa was unique. Jason and Anna infiltrated his camp under false pretenses. Jason said, Sidwell was holding their friend captive, but Sidwell said Lucky also infiltrated his camp. The lines were blurred. Now he was in Port Charles to build a legitimate business and intended to obey the law. Why would he start a conflict with Jason and Sonny? Jason returned his diamonds, and he had no problem with him. Jason suggested he keep it that way and stay away from Sasha. Anna came by and said it was for an evening stroll. Tracy said Sasha was smarter than Willow. She would figure out what part of her life could coexist with them. Willow lived in a world of her own creation. Willow said she told Carly now because she didn’t want Carly to be blindsided. She wasn’t asking permission. Carly said she’d be blindsiding Michael, and Willow asked if Carly thought they’d be reconciling. They were way past that point. Carly said she was asking Willow to wait until Michael was home before shacking up with the uncle who betrayed him and destroyed his marriage. Willow asked what difference it made, and Nina said, Willow had a point. Carly said Willow would be starting a war. Brad said Lucas told him that he wanted honesty, and Lucas thanked Brad for being honest before he made a mistake. Brad said it wasn’t a mistake. They were getting closer, and he didn’t want that hanging over them. Lucas said, everything was hanging over them – their history, this. Brad hadn’t changed and was never going to. Drew went to Portia’s office, but she said she had nothing more to say to him. He said he’d do the talking. Dante told Cody that however Cyrus departed, it didn’t bring back Sam, but at least he didn’t have to see Cyrus. That was something, but it didn’t make things easier. There was a wall between him and Lulu. Sam did a beautiful thing. Lulu wasn’t part of it, but Sam’s death would always be there. Dressed in a housekeeper’s uniform (from 1950) and carrying a stack of towels, Lulu was about to let herself into a room, when Maxie came by and asked what she was doing.

Emma came by the stables and told Gio that she thought she’d meet some horses, but Gio said Cody was inside talking to Dante. She told Gio about Anna wanting her to intern at Deception and how she felt it was Anna’s attempt at supervising her. Dante told Cody that Lulu was reaching out, but he couldn’t grieve Sam with her. Cody said he couldn’t do it alone either and Dante had him, and Dante said it was easy to talk to Brook. Cody said they’d been friends a long time, and Dante said, Brook knew Sam and wasn’t wrapped up in everything, but it hurt Lulu. Cody said, Dante and Brook’s history was deeper than Lulu realized, and Dante said he regretted that he’d never told her about that summer. Cody said, the summer he was in love with Brook. Lulu said she had no time explain and told Maxie to forget she saw her. Maxie asked if she was meeting someone. Was she role playing. Lulu asked if Maxie thought this was her big fantasy, and Maxie said she didn’t judge. Lulu said it was her Uncle Martin’s, and Lulu asked why she was breaking in. Lulu said she wasn’t if she had a key, and Maxie said she was if she stole the key. Lulu said it was in her pocket and this was about Charlotte. Maxie asked how she could help, and Lulu told her to be the lookout.

Nina told Carly, in Michael’s absence, the children’s mother decided what was best and she thought they needed to trust Willow. Carly told Willow that she’d thought Willow would put the kids interests first, but she misjudged her. Willow was selfish to the core, and she and Drew belonged together. Willow said she was sorry Carly felt this way. She’d tried to do the right thing. She thanked Nina for the support and left. Carly asked how Nina thought it went, and Nina said, about as well as expected. Anna said she understood Sidwell had paid a visit to the Quartermaines, when the launch came and Sidwell told them to have a good evening. When he was gone, Anna asked Jason, what the hell was he thinking showing up at the Quartermaines? Jason said he wanted to make sure Sidwell didn’t mess with Sasha again. Anna said she understood why he was being protective of Sasha. Tracy said Sasha told her that men targeted her for her money. It took a long time to accept, but it was her reality, and when she accepted her reality, the love of her life came after her… for money, but they fell in love. Luke. When you accept your reality, you know who you are and what you want, and the whole world opens up in ways you never expected and can offer more than you ever realized. She was done and asked Sasha to make her some tea. Her throat was parched from all the yapping. Brad told Lucas that he’d given in to his worst impulse. He slipped. He thought if they could be alone, they could get back to them, and he had to take the chance. He still loved Lucas and knew Lucas felt it too. Lucas said, of course (🍷) he did, and he still loved Brad too, but love meant two different things to them. Portia said Drew came to her office uninvited and she was leaving. He blocked her way and said he still cared about Curtis, and she was the only person who could help him fix it. Curtis went to Laura’s, and she said the City of Port Charles had been given approval to move ahead with the McConkey esplanade, the original as pitched by Aurora. Curtis said it was huge for Aurora and Port Charles, and Laura said she had one question. How did he get around Drew?

Anna said Jason was the prime suspect in Cyrus’s murder. If he helped Sidwell off this mortal coil, he’d be taken in. She had Sidwell under surveillance and saw them. He said he had nothing to do with Cyrus, but she said it wouldn’t help his case if Sidwell’s body was found floating in the river. He said he wasn’t going to kill Sidwell. He wanted to ask Sidwell if he blew up Sonny’s penthouse. He said he didn’t do it, and Jason thought he was telling the truth. Maxie texted Lulu: Hurry up! and Lulu went through Martin’s stuff. Maxie knocked at the door and said, please hurry, causing Lulu to drop a bag, the contents going everywhere. Martin arrived and said he thought Maxie had the wrong room. Gio said Emma’s passion for chemistry was obvious, and Emma said, that’s how it was pitched to her earlier, the value she’d bring to the brand. Gio said they were right and there were benefits to working with family. She could rack up family credits. They came in handy when you pushed the boundaries. She was doubtful that he pushed boundaries, but he said she’d be surprised. Lucas said he didn’t expect perfection, but needed to trust that his partner’s failures and flaws weren’t ultimately destructive to him. To him, love meant trust. He knew honesty was scary, but in the end, you couldn’t let fear outweigh your love for that person, and Brad never did that for him. Brad said, Lucas never let him. He made a mistake and owned up to it, but Lucas still rejected him. All he wanted was to be with Lucas, and all Lucas did was use the truth against him. Lucas said he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t trust Brad, then punish him for being honest, and he couldn’t allow himself to accept another lie or half-truth. He opened the door. Curtis told Laura that the credit went to the greatest mastermind ever – Stella. She went way back with a high-ranking member of the Appropriations Committee. Laura said, well done, and asked if he was concerned about fallout from Drew if he found out. Curtis said, Drew already knew, but everything was above board, and he hoped they could move forward. Portia said she could see why Curtis wanted nothing to do with Drew. He didn’t respect boundaries and only cared about what he wanted and not who got hurt or inconvenienced. This was between him and Curtis. Drew said he was surprised at her judging him so harshly, considering how hard she tried inconvenience Heather Webber.

Brad said before he had a chance to tell another lie and break Lucas’s heart, he’d get out now. If they got too close, Lucas might fall harder. He might find someone he could trust, who practiced perfect honesty at all times with no shades of grey or dark edges, but he’d always love Lucas. Brad left and I felt tears in my eyes. Laura told Curtis, all politics were local, but she also thought they were personal. She understood the value of knowing who her true friends were and she was lucky he was one of them. He said, likewise. He was shown a side of Drew he didn’t know existed and he hoped Drew stayed in his lane. Drew asked Portia if Curtis knew she’d tampered with the test results. It seemed unlikely she’d stay on as Co-Chief of Staff if it came out. She’d also lose her license. She said she had no idea what he was talking about, and he produced the papers Selina gave him. He said, it showed her logged on to the GH database and she changed the results of the blood test. Was she trying to keep Heather in prison? That sounded unethical. It might even be criminal. Nina said, it might make it easier with Willow moving in with Drew, and Carly said Willow was moving in with their grandchildren and Nina put herself in the position of Willow’s chief support. Nina said they couldn’t push against Willow and Drew’s love. It would make Willow isolate with Drew more. Carly said Nina would have to keep approving of Willow’s awful decisions, and Nina said it didn’t feel good. Carly said Drew was the problem. No matter how it happened, he had to go.

Anna said she didn’t think Sidwell would admit it, but Jason said he didn’t think Sidwell did it. Anna said maybe that was true, but did they agree that his legitimate act was bull? He showed them who he was in Africa. Jason said they didn’t know why Sidwell was here, and he didn’t want to wait until he hurt someone else. He was dangerous. Anna said they had something more pressing to deal with. Sasha felt the baby move and talked to it. She picked up Sidwell’s card and called him, asking if the offer was still on the table. He said it was, and she said they had a deal. Cody asked if Dante ever thought about coming clean to Lulu about that summer, but Dante said it was a long time ago and over before it began. They were kids. It was a summer thing and nothing came of it. Cody asked, what if something did? and Gio came in with Emma. Martin suddenly came back to his room and saw Maxie in the hallway. She said she was hoping to find him. She had a bone to pick with MR. MARTIN GREY. Lulu heard her and frantically looked through some papers. Maxie said, since Martin dumped Lucy, things weren’t the same at Deception. They needed to reconnect or find closure. The future of the company depended on it. She suggested they discuss it in his office and started to steer him away, but he stopped and said, what exactly is going on? Lulu looked through Martin’s notes and saw that Dante was the father of Brook’s baby.

Wednesday:

At the MetroCourt, Felicia asked if Carly had time for a drink since Mac canceled on her, but Carly said she had plans. Jack walked in. Ava went to Portia’s office and Portia thanked her for coming. She made a huge mistake and if Ava didn’t help her fix it, her life was over. Jason said Sidwell got past Quartermaine security and needed to be handled, but Anna said he couldn’t do that from prison. She had him under surveillance. She needed Jason to work with her again and didn’t think they could wait any longer to look for Charlotte. The longer she was out there, the danger increased. Danny walked into the nook and asked what Rocco was looking at. Rocco said Charlotte texted him and she was in Buenos Aires. Danny asked if Rocco was going to tell his mom, but Rocco said he couldn’t. Cody asked if Dante ever thought about what happened that summer, but Dante said, it was a long time ago and over before it started, They were kids, it was summer, and nothing came of it. Cody asked, what if something did? when Gio and Emma came back. Gio said they needed to warm up and Emma wanted to see the horses. They went to the back, and Dante asked what Cody had been saying. Maxie said, since Martin had dumped Lucy, it wasn’t the same at Deception. They should reconnect or get closure. The future of the business depended on it. She wanted to discuss it in her office, but Martin asked what was really going on and where was Lulu? Lulu looked at Martin’s notes and said, Dante Falconari, father?… No birth certificate?

Jack said hello to Felicia, but she ignored him. She told Carly not to do anything she wouldn’t do and left. Jack said Felicia didn’t like him much, and Carly said Felicia was her mom’s best friend, but never fixed her plumbing. She wasn’t easily swayed and made up her own mind about people. Jack’s phone dinged and Carly said she was going to see how Josslyn was doing on Easter Island. Jack’s text showed Josslyn’s fitness and marksmanship results, and she had high test scores. Portia told Ava that Brad knew she’d altered Heather Webber’s test results and was blackmailing her. She’d been at his whim, and he was at a medical symposium in Miami because he knew. Ava said it had to be awful being under that little worm’s thumb, and Portia said, even worse, Brad told Drew, and he threatened to go to the police. Anna told Jason that there was a kill order on Valentin since he attacked Jack. Carly was there and saved his life. Jason wondered why he was hearing it for the first time, and Anna said, if a WSB assassin was looking for Valentin and Charlotte was with him, she could be collateral damage or watch her father get killed. Jason said he’d talk to Spinelli again and if something come up, he was ready to go. Anna said they just needed a lead. Rocco said Charlotte had called at Christmas and his mom almost got shot looking for her. It was all for nothing, since Charlotte went with Valentin anyway. She wouldn’t accept that her dad was bad news. Danny said, maybe not to her and wondered if Rocco was going to keep quiet. Cody told Dante, everything changed. Dante never came back to camp. Dante said he got a job and Brook disappeared without saying goodbye. Cody said they were just kids back then and if they had an idea, they went for it. Emma and Gio joined them, and Emma said the horses were great. Cody asked if she rode, and she said she’d taken lessons. Cody said, so did Dante when they were at camp, but he was hopeless. Dante said, camp was cool, aside from the horses. He, Cody, and Brook were counselors in training. Lois came in and he said, Brook ended up at their sister camp. Emma said she was sure they had all kinds of stories.

Maxie loudly wondered why Martin was asking about Lulu, and Martin said she told him that she was having dinner with Maxie at the Surf Lodge. Maxie said she forgot because of the Lucy stuff. See? It was costing dinner and probably a fight with her bestie. She’d like to discuss it in her office where no one would overhear. Lulu nearly hyperventilated as she read, Brook Lynn… mother… high school… baby boy… adopted. Martin told Maxie that he and Lucy were done, and he was getting a headache. He was about to go in his room, when Maxie said, wait. Lulu grabbed up all the papers, and Maxie said she need to talk to Martin. Not about Lucy, but she wanted to hire him to deal with nuisance lawsuits. He said with Tracy at Deception, that wasn’t going to happen. They had a love/hate relationship – they loved to hate each other. Maxie said she made the decisions and wanted to discuss billable hours. He said, why didn’t she say so? She could have led with that. Maxie said she wished she had, and Lulu listened as they left. She spread the papers out on the bed.

Ava asked what Drew wanted, and Portia said he was chasing a seat on the Appropriations Committee, but Curtis influenced a congressman to block the appointment. Ava said, so Drew wanted Curtis to go back and say he made a mistake. Drew was an awesome guy after all and should be on all the committees. She didn’t have anything to use on Drew. Portia said she only cared about Curtis. She told him that she’d altered the results, but didn’t tell him that Brad was blackmailing her. She was afraid because Curtis hated secrets. When he found out Trina was his daughter, it almost destroyed their marriage. Ava said Curtis forgave Portia, but Portia said he gave her a second chance. She didn’t know if he’d give her a third. She needed advice on what to do. Ava said she could keep quiet about Drew or tell Curtis the truth. Lois said she needed to get going, and Cody asked if she needed something. She said it was colder than she thought, and she just wanted to get warm. She left, and Emma said she’d wanted to compliment Lois on being the Face of Deception. Wasn’t Cody the guy…? Dante said, yes. He was the company’s male model. Cody said, brand ambassador. Emma asked if he thought interning would be fun, and he said Brook and Maxie were great. Lucy was high strung, but for the most part, they were great bosses. It just wasn’t him. He wasn’t like Gio. Gio said he loved making music, and Dante said Brook did too. Cody said, it must be a family trait. At the MetroCourt, Martin said, what about Deception’s legal team? and Maxie said she felt like they were kind of lacking. Martin said it was in his wheelhouse, but why the urgency? and Maxie said, because of Lulu. Jack asked how it was going with Josslyn, and Carly said the pictures were amazing. Josslyn was at Easter Island because someone cancelled. It was perfect timing, and she seemed to be having a blast. Jack said he was glad it was working out.

Lois knocked at Martin’s hotel room door as Lulu took pictures of the notes. Portia didn’t know how she’d live with herself if she was forced to manipulate Curtis on Drew’s behalf. Ava suggested she might feel better if she just told Curtis the truth, even if it cost everything, even her marriage. Maxie looked at the tons of texts she’d sent Lulu and told Martin that Spinelli said they were out of peanut butter, and she blew off Lulu. Tragedy abounds. Martin didn’t think Lulu would be comfortable with him working there. She didn’t like him. Maxie said he would get to spend more time with her. Whatever it took to convince Lulu that he was nothing like his brother. Martin said it was worth a shot, and she said, welcome to Deception. He said it had been a long day and got up, when Maxie spilled red wine on her white blouse. She asked him to hurry and get her some club soda. He left and she texted Lulu again. Lois knocked one more time, then left. Lulu gathered up the papers and put them back in the file case. She put the case back, picked up the towels, and left. Anna met Felicia at the MetroCourt bar, and Felicia said, what’s wrong with that? nodding toward Carly and Jack. Anna asked if that was why she brought her gun, and Felicia said she told Anna not to, but Anna said she thought it was code or something. Felicia said, Bobbie wouldn’t want Carly near Brennan and Anna had known him a long time. What did she think of him? Anna said he was a ruthless agent, concerned with getting the job done. He lived in a grey area, legally and morally, but he was brilliant and obviously charming. Felicia said she got the same vibe and wondered what to do about it, but Anna said, nothing. Carly was a grown woman and when had anyone succeeded in stopping her from doing something she wanted to? Like, never. Jack asked why Josslyn should have all the fun and suggested he and Carly take the private WSB jet and have dinner in Paris. They could stay over and maybe squeeze in. A woman came over to the table and said, Jack doesn’t call; he doesn’t write. What’s a woman to think? Gio said he watched Brook perform when he was a kid and Emma wondered why she didn’t sing anymore. Dante explained she was attacked, and her vocal cords were damaged. She still wrote though and she was great. Cody asked what Emma would do at Deception, and she said, chemistry. She’d work in the lab developing new products. Speaking of fun, she needed to go home. She and Gio left, and Cody asked what Dante thought about them. Dante said Gio was in over his head. He didn’t know what to do when Rocco fell in love. Let Lulu handle it. Rocco said he didn’t want to lose his mom again and wondered if he was being selfish, but Danny said he’d do anything to get his mom back. What if something happened to Rocco’s sister? Rocco said he didn’t know what he’d do, when Jason came in. He asked, what’s up? and Danny said, Charlotte messaged Rocco. They knew where she was.

Portia said she couldn’t imagine life without Curtis. The last time, she lost him and almost lost Trina. What if Trina felt like she had to pick sides? Ava said she was getting ahead of herself. Was she sure that she’d lose her license and be prosecuted if Drew talked to the police? She should talk to Ava’s lawyer. Portia said Ric was Heather Webber’s lawyer. It was a conflict of interest. Ava said if Portia’s scheme had worked, it would be a different story. Until she talked to somebody and had a plan, let Drew think he’d won, that she was doing more than she was. Her secret was safe, and she could minimize how much she manipulated Curtis. Jack said it was a pleasure to see the woman, and she said it had been far too long. Jack introduced her as Vivian to Carly, and said Carly was co-owner of the hotel. Vivian said she loved to see a woman in charge of a fabulous hotel and asked if Jack still had her number. Use it and call her. She left, and Jack said, what about Paris? but Carly said she couldn’t go. She was owner of the establishment and there were many things she had to do right now. He could stay. She was comping his meal. She walked away, leaving him confused.  comp meal walks. Anna told Felicia that she was worried about Charlotte. The longer she was out there with her father, the more dangerous the situation became. She wished she had played things differently where Valentin was concerned. Her phone rang, and Felicia said there was no one better to get the job done, so get it done. Take action. Lulu showed up at the stables, and Cody said she’d just missed Dante, but she said she came to see him. Things were simpler with him. He went to get her a beer, and she texted Maxie: All clear. Maxie told Martin that he should go relax. They could go over details tomorrow. Martin left, when Lois intercepted him and asked to talk. He said he was going to his room, and she said she’d come with him. Felicia sat with Maxie and asked if Maxie was going to tell her what that situation was about. Lulu and Cody clinked beer bottles, and Lulu asked what Dante was like in high school. He said he only knew Dante at camp, and she said she had a hard time picturing that. Did she hear right that Brook was there too? He said she was, and Lulu said it was hard to imagine two people less suited to woodland activities. He said it was only one summer, and she said, one was all it takes. Jason asked if anybody knew, and Danny said Rocco was worried his mom would get hurt if she went after Charlotte. Jason said Danny did the right thing. He’d go get Charlotte, but they couldn’t tell any more people. The more people who knew where Charlotte was, the more they were at risk of things going wrong. He would bring Rocco’s sister back. He promised. Danny told him, be safe, and Jason said he’d see Danny soon. He left, and Rocco yelled, how could Danny do that? He had no right to tell his dad. Outside, Jason called Anna and told her to stay at the MetroCourt. He had a lead a Charlotte.

Danny said, Jason was the perfect person to go, but Rocco said it wasn’t Danny’s secret to tell. He’d wanted advice, not having it blurbed out. Danny said, family helps family, when Dante came in and asked, what’s going on? Lois told Martin that she’d walked in on Dante telling Gio how it went at summer camp together. If it got out that Dante and Brook were Gio’s parents, it could ruin everything. She asked if she could have his notes back. It was too risky. He said they were safe in his hotel room. What was wrong? Cody said, that was a weird thing to say, and Lulu said she and Brook never got along. Brook was possessive about Dante and their Bensonhurst roots, and she felt left out. Now that she knows what happened, she understands where that came from. Brook told her about it and she can’t imagine going through that as a teenager, but it explains a lot. Cody said, it was intense. He never thought Brook would tell anyone, much less her. Lulu said, everything Brook and Chase were going through trying to get pregnant stirred it up. She happened to be there, and it came out. He said, it was a rough time. On the pier, Carly called herself stupid, when Jack joined her. She asked how he found her, and he said he was a spy. She said, of course (🍷). Please go. It was humiliating enough. Jack said he didn’t understand. Was this about Vivian? She said, no… yes. They were feeling two different things, which is fine. She had no expectations… Please go. He asked where this was coming from, and she said he should be with someone like Vivian, fun with no strings. She couldn’t do that. He said he thought something else was going on, and she said, there was.

Lois looked through the papers and said she was just making sure they were all there. He said, her secret was safe. Maybe she was overreacting. She said, probably. Did he have matches or a lighter? Lulu said, poor Brook, and Cody said he’d never seen Brook so scared. She came to him and begged him to take her to the bus station. She wanted to go home. Lulu asked if she never told Dante, and he said, no. Neither did he. Brook disappeared. She never wanted Dante to know she’d been pregnant, and he promised he’d never tell, and he never did. Rocco said he told Danny that he liked Renee and Danny told her. Danny said he didn’t. He was just trying to see if she was interested in him. He didn’t give Rocco up. Rocco said he didn’t ask if it was okay, and it wasn’t okay. Danny told his secret. Danny said Rocco was his brother and he cared about him. He’d always have Rocco’s back. Dante asked if they were cool, and Danny and Rocco shook hands. Dante said they were family and had to stick together. Portia said she couldn’t imagine pretending to be compliant and complicit with Drew. It made her sick to her stomach. Ava said there was no good solution, and Portia said, unless Drew was dead. Ava said, please talk to Ric. He might have an idea they haven’t thought of. He’s an unconventional thinker. Portia said she’d think about it, and Ava asked which was more awful, doing Drew’s bidding or losing Curtis? Jason told Anna that Charlotte reached out to Rocco and was in Buenos Aires. Anna asked if anyone else knew, and he said, no. They had to find Charlotte before Lulu found out. She said, if she could bring Charlotte back to Lulu… and he said, maybe she could forgive herself. They went to the elevator, and Jason said they’d get her back. Jack said, when Carly told him that she didn’t want a fling, that was his cue to leave, but he asked her out to dinner. Carly said he acted available when Vivian was hitting on him, and he said he knew how to work a woman – it was part of his job and instinctual – but he had no idea how to act with her. She said they wanted two different things, but he insisted they didn’t. He didn’t want to let her go. She asked what he wanted. She couldn’t do casual. His phone chimed and she told him, just get it. She stepped away and he saw a text from a private caller: Charlotte Cassadine located in Buenos Aires. Assets in route.

Thursday:

Felicia brought James to the hospital and said she didn’t know who Maxie was going to kill – him for doing it or her for letting it happen on her watch. She told Willow that they needed to see a doctor. James might have broken his arm. Willow got Isaiah and Felicia told James to spill it and tell the truth. Ric met Portia in her office, and she said she needed his help. She was desperate. He said she’d have to be if she was talking to him. Alexis went to see Sonny at Valentin’s old house and asked why he bought it. At the hospital, Drew said he knew Elizabeth would be able to help with the pediatric sports program, and she said she couldn’t wait to get started. Gio said he had something to tell Tracy that he didn’t think she’d like, and Tracy said if it was that Gloria was coming to visit, she knew already. He said, no. There was a guy at the gate. He thought the guy was surveying the property. Carly found Lulu in her office and said it was a nice surprise. Lulu said she might not think so now and handed her the room key she stole. She told Carly that she posed as housekeeping to break into Martin’s room. She thought she could figure out where Charlotte was. She didn’t, but she found out something else that was huge. Dante had a child he knew nothing about.

Drew told Elizabeth that he wanted to focus on long term pediatric patients. He wanted them to feel like they had hope in their lives. She said Oscar would be proud, and Drew said he was more than his illness. He wanted the kids to know they were too, that they had role models and the possibility of a brighter future. He was going to dedicate the program to Oscar. Trina saw Kai at the hospital, and he said his ex-coach thought it would be good for him to be part of the pediatric sports program, and she asked who he was there to meet. He said, a congressman, Drew Quartermain, and she pointed Drew out. Portia said her only problem with Ric was his defense of Heather, and he said, being a parent himself, he understood she was just trying to protect her daughter like any good mother. Heather was no longer in Port Charles, and he considered it water under the bridge. He was open to working with her. What exactly was going on? Isaiah asks how James hurt himself, and James said, sledding. Felicia said, off the roof, and James said it was fun until… Felicia asked what the diagnosis was, and Isaiah said they’d have to wait to see the x-rays, but he guessed it was broken. James asked if that meant a case. His mom would see it and his life would be over. Was Felicia going to rat him out? Felicia said they weren’t going to lie or keep things from his mom, and Isaiah said that wasn’t the kind of man James wanted to be. Besides, she’d find out anyway. She’s a mom and they had ways. Willow said his classmates would want to sign his cast. It would be cool. James said, if she ever let him out of his room again, and Isaiah suggested they go and get the x-rays taken. Natalia walked into the living room at Windymere, and Sidwell said it was a delight to see her. Was it business or pleasure? She said, neither. She wanted answers. She needed to know what Sidwell wanted from Deception. He said it was what Deception wanted from him, access to the rare mineral they needed. She said, zincite, and he said his relationship with Deception was based on supply and demand. She said she knew him, and he wasn’t there for a collaboration. He was there for a hostile takeover. Sonny told Alexis that Kristina and Jason thought the house had more security than the MetroCourt. It was temporary until he got back in the penthouse. Alexis gave him the paperwork he requested from Diane about Gio’s education trust. Tracy told Gio that the surveyor was there at her request. She didn’t trust Martin’s claim that the family crypt was on public land. Dante wondered what if her guy said the same thing, and she asked if he was suggesting Martin knew the property better than she did. Lois said Tracy could afford to move the crypt, but Tracy said she didn’t understand the sanctity of the Quartermaine legacy. She was going to use every resource to make sure her mother, father, and brother stayed where they were. Carly asked how Lulu found out, and Lulu said Valentin trusted Martin and Martin knew how to get in touch with him. She broke in to see if he had info on Charlotte and wasn’t going to apologize for doing what she had to in order to find her daughter. Carly said she would too, and Lulu said she found nothing on Charlotte, but found out about the baby. A paper had said, Dante Falconari, father, and it also said, Brook Lynn, mother.

Tracy asked Gio to stay for coffee. She appreciated his vigilance and thoughtfulness. He said he’d stay, and she said the morning was turning out to be quite lovely. Sonny walked in and she said she spoke too soon. Trina introduced Kai to Drew and said Drew had saved her life along with her dad. Drew said he was a big fan of Kai’s, and the kids would be thrilled. Kai said he knew other athletes who would be excited to be part of it. Any friend of Trina and her parents was a friend of his. Carly said she knew Dante and Brook had history, and Lulu said, Cody told her, when they were teenagers, he, Dante, and Brook were training to be camp counselors, and Dante got Brook pregnant. She had a boy and gave him up for adoption. She thought Lois was involved, but she wasn’t sure. Carly said she was shocked Brook would keep it from Dante, but Lulu said, typical Brook. She had to tell Dante, right? If she kept this huge, life changing secret, wasn’t she just as bad as Brook?

Sidwell told Natalia that he had no interest in dragging Deception into anything. He was a changed man. She said she could see that he had some new suits and cleaned up his act, but she saw through the façade. Sidwell said he wasn’t interested in anything in Port Charles, and Natalia said she got it. It made sense that he wasn’t after something, but someone. She guessed it was Sonny. Sidwell said he wasn’t pursuing Sonny. That was her. Alexis came in and Sidwell said, welcome. He was sorry to cut things short with Natalia, but he needed to speak to Alexis alone. Natalia said, of course (🍷), and left. Sidwell said he was happy Alexis accepted his invitation. It was nice to see her at Windymere. Alexis said the feeling far from mutual. Carly said she knew there was tension between Brook and Lulu, but Lulu couldn’t judge Brook when she’d made a similar decision. Lulu said it was the hardest thing she’d done, but she told Dylan about her decision. Brook never mentioned it to Dante. Carly said she didn’t know the circumstances then. Brook made a difficult decision, but that didn’t mean she was a bad person. Lulu said she thought Dante deserved to know he had a child, but Carly said this wasn’t just about Dante. The baby would be grown up now. What if they had a happy life and didn’t know they were adopted? It could destroy them and cause complications for Brook and her family or Dante and his. The fallout could destroy a lot of lives. Was she ready for that? Tracy told Sonny that if he was here about Deception, he should go to their offices. Sonny said he was here about Gio, and Tracy said, since Gio lived there, she was entitled to know his business. Sonny told Gio to get his coat, but Tracy said she wanted a lawyer to look things over. Sonny said Diane already did, and Gio said he’d look at it later. Tracy put her hand out, and Sonny gave her the envelope, saying, it was Gio’s educational trust. Tracy said, absolutely not.

Drew told Trina and Kai that Elizabeth was the hospital liaison, and he thought she’d love it. He started the program to honor his son Oscar who died of cancer as a teenager. Trina said she hadn’t told Kai about Oscar, but she and Josslyn talked about him all the time and missed him. She thought he’d love it. Drew said they’d lost some amazing people, and Trina said, too many. She asked if Drew was going to see her mom before he left, and he said he might. Ric said, Portia was being blackmailed? and she said, by two people actually. A lab tech found out she’d altered Heather’s test results, but he was just asking for little stuff. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t her biggest concern. Someone else found out – Drew Quartermaine. Ric said, the congressman? and Portia said, at one time, Drew and Curtis were best friends, but Drew changed. He turned into a horrible person and now he and Curtis were at war, especially about Aurora. Drew was holding this over her head and wanted her to broker a sit-down between him and Curtis and convince Curtis to end the war. Ric asked how much Curtis knew, and she said Curtis valued honesty, so she told him that she tampered with the test results, but he didn’t know about the blackmail. She wondered if she should betray Curtis on Drew’s behalf or tell Curtis she’d been keeping this secret. Ric said she was what the legal community called between a rock and a hard place, and she said she was scared of losing her job and medical license, but didn’t want to lose Curtis the most.

Carly wondered why Martin had this information, but Lulu wasn’t sure. She knew Brook and Chase were trying to have a baby and Chase found out he was sterile – which was not public knowledge. Maybe Brook was thinking of finding her baby. Dante thought Brook was a good person. Carly asked if this was about their rivalry, but Lulu said, not at all. She wasn’t that petty. Dante deserved to know he had a son. Carly said if Lulu told him, he might be inclined to shoot the messenger, and Lulu said she knew, but the child was Rocco’s brother and a Quartermaine. He was Tracy’s great grandson, and Lois, Ned, and Olivia were his grandparents. Carly said, and Sonny, and Lulu said if she kept it a secret, Carly had to keep it a secret too. Was she sure she could keep it from her kids and Sonny. Tracy told Gio, don’t sign it, but Brook said, stay out of it. Loise agreed and said, Sonny had been paying Gio’s tuition already. Gio said since he was 12, when his mom died, and Sonny said he wanted Gio to pursue his dreams. He deserved a trust if he needed money. Tracy said, that was before. Now Gio was here, and his education would be managed by them. Dante said, Sonny did the same thing for Rocco, and Tracy said, what Sonny provided for his grandchildren was his business, but she wasn’t allowing Gio to be the beneficiary ill-gotten gains. It was bad enough Brook got Sonny involved in Deception. Now he wanted to finance Gio? Absolutely not. She wouldn’t allow Gio to be hurt by Sonny. She’d born witness to the chaos he’d wrought, like in the lives of Stone, Karen, Jason… Sonny said, enough. It wasn’t about his past. It was about Gio. He gave Gio the envelope and said sign it when he could, but Gio said he’d sign it now. He signed the papers and Sonny left with Lois. Tracy approached Gio. James came out in a pink cast and said it was his mom’s favorite color, but she was still going to be mad. Isaiah said she’d mostly be happy that he was okay. It was a clean break, and he’d be back in no time. Felicia told James that it was time for them to face the music, and on their way out, Kai asked, what happened? James said he sledded off the roof and realized Kai was the football guy. He’d seen him on TV. He was a star.  Ric told Portia, if there was fallout later, he’d be there, but in the meantime, don’t tell Curtis. Not right now. Stall Drew. String him along and make him think she was giving in to his demands. She said Curtis knew how she felt about Drew. If she was suddenly sympathetic, he’d know something was up. Ric said, be subtle, but make Drew think she was pressing Curtis as hard as she could. She told him that Ava said the same thing, and he said, Ava is a smart woman. Convince Drew that she was playing by his rules. Sidwell said he got the feeling Alexis didn’t like him, and she said she didn’t know him, but didn’t like what she’d heard. Such as he held her grandson’s father captive in Africa. That wasn’t nice and she hated Windymere, so why was she here? Sidwell said he made a mistake in Africa, but in his defense, that’s how business was done there. Alexis said, interesting that he referred to kidnapping and human rights violations as a mistake, and he said business wasn’t conducted the same everywhere. She said she didn’t care. She had no plans to do business with him. He said it wasn’t what she could or couldn’t do for him, it was what he could do for her. He brought out a box and said, it was what he had to give her. Tracy told Gio that it was impressive. It took nerve to defy her, and he’d done it twice. There was more to him than met the eye. Her family could learn from his example. Gio thanked her and said he knew there was a reason she felt the way she did about Sonny, and so did he. Sonny made sure he was okay after his mom passed. Lois helped, but Sonny made sure he was always good. Tracy said Sonny was loyal to the people he cared about, and Gio said, Sonny was supportive of his love of music. It gave him a purpose and he didn’t know what he would have done without Sonny. She said, it didn’t matter how old you were, it was always painful to lose your mother. She was also loyal to the people she cared about. This had less to do with her obvious dislike of Sonny, and more to do with her concern about Gio.

Kai signed James’s cast, and James said the kids at school would be jealous. Felicia said they were big fans. She hoped his physical therapy was going well and he’d be back next season. Kai said he had new opportunities coming up that he was excited about, and Trina said the pediatric wing was one of them. Felicia said he’d be as big a success there as the football field. They’d be rooting for him. Elizabeth asked if Ric found who he was looking for, and Ric said he did. He’d been looking for Portia. Drew got a text from Portia that she’d given his offer a thought and he went to her office. He asked if she meant it, and she said, as long as he didn’t tell what he knew, she’d absolutely do what he asked. She’d convince Curtis to meet with him to bury the hatchet and mend their friendship. Drew said he was glad she came to her senses. Alexis said there was nothing Sidwell had that she wanted, and he said he had Windymere, Spoon Island. Wasn’t it her family’s estate? Alexis said he obviously didn’t know much about her family. Feel free to burn whatever he had. He said he’d never burn anything as beautiful and intriguing as this. He opened the box and revealed a dagger. Gio said he was glad they talked, and Tracy said her too. She misspoke in giving her opinions and she was sorry. Gio said he overstepped, and she said he’d been looking out for Scout, and she understood the reasons for his loyalty to Sonny. She hoped it didn’t cost him someday. Sonny left a message for Alexis to give him a call when she could. Gio signed the documents, and he wanted to send them over. The doorbell rang, and Sonny opened the door to Lois. She said she was there to apologize for everyone who wasn’t Tracy. Tracy had no right to stick her nose into his and Gio’s business. Sonny said he didn’t give a damn what Tracy thought. He wanted Gio to have the best possible life he could have, but thought Gio had to stay away from him. Carly told Lulu that in the past, she would have rushed out, gone to Sonny, and told him everything because family was everything to him. She wasn’t going to do that now because family was everything to her. In this situation, Brook is Bobbie. She knew how hard it was for her mom to give her up for adoption. It haunted her. She thought Brook had been through enough and she wasn’t going to add to it. Lulu said she didn’t think she and Brook were similar, but Carly said, not just that. She may not have given up her baby, but Lulu knew about making hard decisions to protect her children. That’s why she passed Michael off as Jason’s to protect him from AJ. Robin blew the secret up and wrecked lives. Lulu asked if that’s what Carly thought she was doing, and Carly said, was she? Lulu said she what was best for her kids, and Carly said, like her mom, like Brook, like Lulu when she broke into Martin’s room looking for information on Charlotte. They were moms doing what they could for their kids. Lulu said she couldn’t argue a single word. She wished she could. Carly took her hand and wondered if there was anything she could say that would help, but Lulu shrugged and said she wasn’t sure. She thought she’d get clarity when she looked into Dante’s eyes. One look, and she’d know whether to keep Brook’s secret or if she had to tell him everything. (Sounds like a poor barometer to me.)

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

At Valentin’s old house, now Sonny’s new one, Sonny tells Lois that he watched Gio grow up. Gio is a great kid, but maybe the best thing is for him to stay away from Gio. Lois says, Gio is old enough to make his own decisions. It’s up to him if he wants to take Sonny’s support or not, and clearly it looks like he’s made his choice. Sonny says, Lois didn’t answer his question. Does she trust him around Gio? She says, as much as she did that first day in Bensonhurst when she invited him over to meet Gio, and he thanks her. The doorbell rings, and Sonny opens the door to Carly. She says she’s glad he’s here, then she sees Lois.  

Lulu walks into the Quartermaine mansion and sees Brook and Dante in the foyer. Dante asks if everything is okay.

Alexis asks where Sidwell got the dagger, and he says he found it in a cabinet in the downstairs living room. The workmanship is exquisite. It’s also valuable. Alexis says, it’s impossible. The dagger should be at the bottom of the harbor.

Isaiah knocks at Jordan’s door, and she says, just a minute. She opens the door wearing a facial mask, and he says he likes the look. She says, sorry, but he says, it’s nice to know she’s a mere mortal and not a goddess 24/7. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he thought they could get lunch. She says she’s got lunch coming, but he says, not anymore.

On the phone, Jack asks Colette what this is about. He was just going to grab lunch… Fine. How is she doing?… Good. He wants hourly updates on her progress. He flashes back to telling Josslyn that she’s special. She has the qualities the WSB is looking for – ingenuity, initiative, mental and physical fortitude. She’s willing and able to what’s necessary. She says, necessary for what? and he says, the WSB. He wants her to become one of them.  

Josslyn sits on the floor and flashes back to sitting by dead Dex’s bedside. She says she’d do anything for him to wake up. Or someone to wake her up and tell her this is a nightmare, but that’s not going to happen. He’s gone… He’s really gone. Her handler Vaughn comes in and says, break’s over. She looks tired. Is she sure she wants to stick around? Josslyn says, absolutely, and he shoves a protective vest at her and says, for the next phase.

Sonny asks what brings Carly by, and she says she wanted to check out him new place. She hopes she’s not interrupting something important. Lois says, it’s just family stuff, and Sonny says, they were talking about Gio.

Dante asks again if everything is okay, and Brook says she’s glad Lulu is here. Lulu says, that’s a first, and Brook says, granny is on a tear. Lulu is one of the few people she lets get away with murder. Maybe Lulu can calm her down. Lulu says she’s not doing Brook any favors. Not after what she’s done. Brook says, what? and Lulu says she thinks Brook heard her. Dante asks if Lulu is okay, and Lulu flashes back to seeing, Dante Falconari, father. Not on the birth certificate. She remembers telling Carly that Dante deserves to know he has a child, and Carly saying, in a perfect world, she’d agree, but it’s not just about Dante anymore. Lulu tells Dante that she’s just saying she doesn’t want to get involved. Whatever issue Brook has with Tracy, she’ll have to solve it herself. Brook says, far be it for anyone to ask Lulu for help. She tells Dante that she hopes things are okay with his dad. Next time, maybe Lulu could call before she drops by. She leaves, and Dante says, what was that? They talked about this, and he thought she was going to cut Brook some slack. She says she’s done with that. They can coddle Brook all they want. Dante says he thinks he’s done. He doesn’t want to referee anymore. Did she come to talk about Rocco or Charlotte? She says, no… and he says, then he’s not interested. Something happened with his dad and Gio, and believe it or not, Tracy. If she’s not into helping, he’s going to deal with that if she doesn’t mind. She says, absolutely. Go handle it. Dante leaves.

Carly asks if everything is okay with Gio, and Lois says, Sonny generously made an educational trust for Gio to go to grad school after PCU. Carly says, that’s great. What’s the problem? Sonny says, Tracy told Gio not to take his money, and Carly says, of course (🍷) she did. Lois says, Tracy is biased against Sonny, but she’s barking at the moon. They’ll always be family and the entire Cerullo clan will always be grateful what he’s done for Gio. Sonny says, family is family, and he’s happy to do it for Gio, but the real reason is that he can’t say no to Lois.

Jordan says, let her get this straight. Isaiah ran into her food delivery guy. Isaiah says, literally. There was Pad Thai all over the pavement. But don’t worry. He helped the guy clean up and tipped him. She says, that’s great, except now she has no lunch, and he says, no problem. He’ll fix her something. She asks if he cooks, and he says he cooks. She says, good luck. She doesn’t think there’s anything in her fridge except baking soda and a packet of soy sauce. He says he’ll see what he can do with what she’s got. He’s been known to work a miracle or two. He goes to the kitchen.

Vaughn asks Josslyn if she’s feeling tired. She’s been up for 48 hours. She says she’s good, and they get ready to spar. He asks if she’s had any training, and she says, a little kickboxing. He throws a punch, she feints, and they continue to spar. He says, nice. She has good instincts. It’s not industry standard, but a decent starting point. It’s not bad for not having slept and being in the middle of nowhere. Why is she doing this? She says, kicking his ass?

Sidwell tells Alexis, the dagger has some significance. He expects it’s providence. She says she’s only aware of two owners, her stepmother and the person she bequeathed it to – her. He guesses it was an unwelcome gift, and she says, it’s not a gift; it’s a curse. Helena Cassadine was her stepmother and used the dagger to slit her mother’s throat.

In her bedroom, Brook leaves a message for Gio, saying, she’s so sorry things got intense this morning. She hopes her grandmother didn’t offend him more than usual. She means well even when she’s doing wrong. There’s a knock at the door, and Brook says she’ll see him at home or give her a call back if he wants to talk. She opens the door and Lulu is there. Brook says she thought they were done, but Lulu says, they’re far from done. Brook says, they have no real connection other than Lulu being a terrible assistant and leeching off her grandmother. Lulu goes past Brook and into the room, and Brook says, so they’re doing this. Lulu says, Brook is going to want to close the door. She doubts Brook wants everyone hearing their private conversation. Brook asks what it’s about, and Lulu says, it’s about how Brook has been lying to Dante for years.

Sonny asks if he and Lois have anything else to discuss. He wants to let Gio know that he’s not pressuring him to take the money. Lois says she doubts he feels that way. He knows Sonny is generous. They all do. She’ll be in touch. She leaves, and Carly says, an educational trust fund for Gio. That’s an investment. Sonny says, education is very important. He’s certain that Gio’s family won’t be able to afford it. He’s funded Gio’s music education in the past and he’s happy to do it. Carly says, that doesn’t surprise her. Sonny takes care of the people he loves. He says, Tracy reminded him that the same people are hurt by him, and Carly asks if he’s sure she wasn’t talking about herself. Tracy doesn’t get to remind him of anything. He says, maybe she has a point, but Carly says, she doesn’t. Gio is an adult and he and Sonny have known each other most of Gio’s life. Gio gets to decide – not Tracy – if he wants help. Sonny says, Michael didn’t decide to be his son and look at where he is, and Carly says, Michael is the other reason she stopped by. She actually talked to him on the phone. He called her. He said he’s doing better. It’s slow, but he’s doing therapy and moving in the right direction. Sonny asks her to do him a favor. The next time she talks to Michael, tell him that he loves him. She says she will, but she knows Michael is going to call him and he can tell Michael himself. She knows Michael loves him too.

As they eat, Jordan says she still can’t believe Isaiah made this terrific pasta out of whatever he had to work with, and he says she had three ingredients in this place. She says, that’s why she orders in, and he says he sees why now, but he’s glad she’s enjoying the meal. She asks why he stopped by. To assault her delivery driver or impress her with his culinary skills? He says, the cooking is a bonus, but he’s glad to see her. She says, is that so? and he says, it is. He thought the idea of her going after Sidwell was for them to pursue whatever this is in private.

Vaughn says he read Josslyn’s file, and she asks, what’s in it? He says, Josslyn John Jax, PCU pre-med, switched to an environmental science major. A volleyball player. She says, former, and he says, former. A rich girl who could do anything or be anywhere other than here, and in five minutes, she’ll wish she wasn’t. Why isn’t she on a beach in Cancun having a fancy drink? She says, maybe because she’s not some rich girl who enjoys suntans and dysentery, and he says, why the WSB? She says she’s seen people die. She’s seen people take advantage with their power and wants to use hers to balance the scales and get a little justice. He says, if she means that, there’s the door.

Brook tells Lulu, understand something. She respects her grandmother and Dante, so she’s allowed Lulu to push her boundaries, but that ends now. She’s happy for Lulu’s children and family that she’s awake, but Lulu’s gone way too far with her. She has zero grace left to give Lulu. If Lulu has something to say to her, dare to say it. Lulu says, okay. How about this? Brook had Dante’s baby and never told him.

Alexis says she’s surprised Lucy didn’t fill Sidwell in on the sordid history of the property and its former owners, and he says, Lucy told him some history, but clearly omitted a few important details. To be clear, the dagger was used to murder Alexis’s mother? She says, yes, and he says, in light of that, at least let him offer her a drink, but she says, no thanks. She’s sober. He says, in light of that, he’ll make himself one, and she looks at the dagger. He says, forgive him, but did she witness her mother’s murder?

Isaiah says he doesn’t want to put pressure on Jordan or put her on the spot, but if now isn’t the right time or she’s not interested, he gets it. They’re cool. But he doesn’t want there to be any misunderstanding. He’s very interested in seeing what this can be, even if it’s here in her apartment – just her and him.

Dante goes to Sonny’s and asks how he’s liking the place. Sonny says, it’s not bad. As Dante can see, it’s bigger than the penthouse, and Dante says, it’s great. Did he deCassadine the place? Get a priest to exorcise it? Sonny laughs and says he had concerns, but it’s all good. He just needs it to be comfortable for his daughters. Dante says, Donna and Avery will love it, and Sonny says, that’s the plan. Does Dante want a drink? Dante says he’s good. He came to see Sonny to apologize for all the crap with Tracy. He should have said something sooner. Sonny says, Dante doesn’t have to defend him. He can handle himself. Dante says he knows, but what Sonny is doing for Gio is generous. He should have spoken up. Sonny says, he doesn’t have to apologize if he agrees with Tracy.

On the phone, Ned says, so the new edition of the [Photo Ark] book is out tomorrow?… Fantastic. His son Leo loves it. Thank you. Lois comes in and says, where is she? Ned’s mother. Ned says, hello to her too. His mother is out for a ride. Why? Lois says she’ll give Tracy a ride off a dock, and Ned asks what she’s done this time. Lois says, this time she’s gone too far. Does he want to know what she did? He says, it doesn’t matter. She’ll tell him anyway. She says she absolutely will. Sonny was very gracious and created a trust for Gio’s music future, now or whenever he needs it. Ned says, that was generous, and she says, it was. When he came over with the paperwork for Gio to sign, Tracy stuck her face into their private business. She told Gio not to sign it. Ned says he sees the problem, and she says, of course (🍷). Can he imagine the gall? But he says, this time, his mother is right.  

Lulu says, this is new. A speechless Brook. Brook says, whatever Lulu thinks she knows… and Lulu says she knows the truth. Don’t bother denying it. Brook says she didn’t deny it or confirm it, and Lulu says she doesn’t need Brook to do that. She saw the paperwork. Brook says, what paperwork? and Lulu says, from her lawyer. She saw Martin Grey’s files. Brook had a son and Dante was the father. She gave him up for adoption. Dante never knew the child existed, but Brook did. She kept Dante’s child from him. Brook says, I had a son?

Josslyn asks if Vaughn has the power to throw her out, and he says, no, but she has the power to walk away. She asks why she would do that, and he says, what she described was idealism. Take it to the Peace Corps. She says she’s not going anywhere, and he says, idealists who are in this line of work end up dead or worse. She says, what’s worse? and he says, she needs to understand this. The world and the WSB changes people. Ideals are shattered and people get corrupted, and there’s no one more corrupt in this world than a person who used to have ideals. He walks out.

Carly walks into Bobbie’s and sees Jack at a table. She flashes back to telling him that he should be with someone like Vivian, with no strings attached. She couldn’t do that. She goes to his table and says she didn’t expect to see him here again.  

Lulu says, if she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, she might buy Brook’s act. It’s not bad. But it was clear by Martin’s notes that she was trying to track her son or find out something about him, since she went to Martin. Brook says she never went to Martin. She never talked to a lawyer. She never talked to anyone. Lulu says, give it up. She saw Martin’s notes. She shows Brook the pictures on her phone and says, Brook had a baby when she was a teen. Dante’s baby. At least admit that much. Brook looks at the phone and hands it back. On the verge of tears, she leans on the desk and says she had a baby. She gave birth in San Francisco. She didn’t know if she had a girl or a boy. She couldn’t know. She never even held him. She’s never looked for him. She’s never talked to a lawyer. Lulu says, well, her mother did because she showed up at Martin’s hotel room.

Lois tells Ned, forget it. He never liked Sonny. She should have known better. She starts to leave, but Ned says, wait. He knows she and Sonny go back to the old neighborhood and the Cerullos and Sonny are rock solid. Their relationship goes back before Columbus. Lois says, that’s right and that’s never going to change, and he says, honestly, he doesn’t love it, but it’s none of his business. She says she wishes his mom understood that, and he says, what she doesn’t get, his mom did. Why encourage Gio to tie himself to Sonny? Sonny is a known criminal, and especially knowing where the money is coming from? She says, please. It has nothing to do with Sonny’s businesses. He says, yet in letting Sonny create a trust, Gio will feel indebted to him. It’s that simple. What if Gio decides to follow in his beneficiary’s footsteps? Or what if Sonny asks Gio to do him a favor and he gets caught in the line of fire? How will her loyalty help Gio then?

Dante tells Sonny that he didn’t agree with Tracy. He thought Sonny did a good thing when he came over. Sonny says he’s got to admit, it’s good to hear, and Dante says he can’t think of one time he agreed with Tracy about anything. Sonny should know that. And if he doesn’t, ask Jason or Stone and they’d tell him the same thing. They’re happy to have him in their lives, as is he. Sonny asks if he thinks his brother feels the same way, and Dante says, Michael got hurt at the penthouse, but Sonny is his dad and he loves him, The thing Sonny is doing for Gio should be appreciated, not picked apart by Tracy or anyone else. He appreciates the hell out of Sonny.

Jordan says, when she suggested she and Isaiah spend time together clandestinely, she thought it would be sexier, and he says, excuse me? He thought he was bringing the sexy. She says, he is, but she’s in sweats and wearing pedicure pads, and he says he’s seen grown men stop mid-sentence when she enters a room. Now he sees a side other people don’t get to. If she wants him to even the playing field, he’ll run home, get on the treadmill, run a few miles, and get super sweaty. She says, he could, but she can think of a better way to get sweaty. She kisses him.

Jack says he came in hoping to see Carly. Then again, he’s always hoping to see her. Carly sits down, and he asks, what happened? They seemed to be heading in a nice direction. What changed? She says, remember what happened on their date? and he says he explained about Vivian. She says, he was clear above board, and he asks, what’s the problem? She says, this is the problem. He was upfront about Vivian and his lifestyle, but she was just fooling herself into thinking their lifestyles were compatible. They’re just not.

Josslyn says, so Vaughn doesn’t care about anything and has no ideals, and he says, sometimes you have to do bad things to prevent worse things from happening. She says, that’s cynical, but he says, it’s pragmatic. He has no illusion about lighting the way for truth and justice. They’re not the same. She says she can do this, and he asks if she’s sure about that. He flips her and she falls to the ground. He says, rule number one, never fight fair. She gets up and they spar some more. He says, rule number two, see rule number one. He flips her down again and asks if she still thinks she’s got what it takes.

Sidwell apologizes for asking Alexis such a difficult question. Sometimes his curiosity comes across as a lack of common courtesy. Alexis says, it’s a tragic story with all too common a theme. Her father was Mikos Cassadine, and he fell in love with her mother Kristen, an opera singer and also his mistress. When Helena found out, she came to their home and murdered her mother in front of her. So yes, she watched it. Sidwell shakes his head and says he’s so sorry. It’s a horrible thing to witness and odd for someone to share openly, with a stranger no less. She picks up the dagger and says, sometimes it’s easier to talk about something with a stranger, especially something this barbaric. Now the dagger keeps reappearing, like it’s haunting her. She knows the weight and it’s not a replica. He says he wouldn’t know, and she says she threw it in the harbor. Sidwell says, maybe she misremembered. Such trauma wreaks havoc with memories. She says, maybe. In any event, looking at it and holding it is horrific. She tosses it onto the table.

Jordan says, this is the last thing she expected when she ordered Pad Thai, and Isaiah says, normally, he’d never stand between a woman and her take-out. He hopes she’s not too disappointed. She says she does love Pad Thai, but it’s okay. He asks if the way things turned out was a pleasant surprise, and she says, yeah, definitely. They kiss again.

Dante asks why Sonny thinks the Gio thing bothers him so much, and Sonny says he thinks Tracy’s words hit home. Gio might feel obligated to take the trust because of his loyalty. Dante says, and maybe it has nothing to do with that, but Sonny says, he doesn’t want Gio to feel forced to take the money. Dante suggests Sonny talk to Gio. Tell him that he can take it or leave it, and it won’t be at the cost of their relationship. Sonny says, forget the trust money right now. How is he doing? Dante says he doesn’t know. He thought if he knew what happened to Sam, he’d get closure, but he hasn’t. Sonny says, he misses Sam. That’s not going to change, but it will get more manageable. Dante says he thinks the reason he’s having a hard time is managing Lulu.

Brook says, her mother was in Martin’s hotel room and Lulu saw it? but Lulu says, not exactly. Brook wonders what Lulu was doing in there. She’s pretty sure Martin didn’t just hand her his notes. Lulu says, no, he didn’t, and Brook asks how she got the pictures. Lulu says, what matters is the truth, and Brook says, the truth is, Lulu broke in and got the information illegally. If Carly gave her the passkey… Lulu says, Carly had nothing to do with it, and Brook says, Lulu has nothing to do with her child. Lulu says, the child Brook gave birth to is her son’s half-brother and Dante has another child out in this world. Dante cares about Brook and believes she cares about him. How could she give birth and never tell Dante that his son existed?

Sidwell asks what Alexis would like to do. The dagger is hers to take with her, but he totally understands why she may not want to. She says, it came with the house. It’s his property now. She heads for the door, and he says he’ll walk her out, but she says she knows the way. She leaves and he takes a napkin, picking up the dagger by the blade with it. As he sips his drink, he looks at the handle.

Jordan guesses they could see where this goes, and Isaiah says, absolutely. She says, they need to be careful. Sidwell can’t know. He asks if she’s sure she wants to cozy up to Sidwell, and she asks if that’s what this about? Does he want to change her mind? He says, no. He just doesn’t understand why she has to be the one to expose him. The WSB and the PCPD already have eyes on him. She’s not in law enforcement anymore, so why involve herself rather than… She says, date him rather than bust Sidwell? He says, the simple solution would be to opt out.  

Jack says, to be clear, Carly doesn’t want to see him anymore because of his lifestyle. What type of lifestyle does she think he’s leading? She says, one where he diffuses bombs and sparks revolutions and sleeps with women without commitment or consequences. He says, what if he wants commitment and consequences? and she says, don’t do that. It’s not fair. She doesn’t want to have to be honest with herself. He says, all right. Take care of herself. He leaves and she frowns.

Vaughn says he had Josslyn on the floor because she didn’t pull out all the stops. Rule number three, do what you have to, to survive. Claw, scratch, bite… She kicks him in the groin, and he falls. She says, something like that? and in obvious pain, he says, yeah, something like that.

Dante tells Sonny, Lulu is trying to help, but the person who’s been the biggest help grieving Sam has been Brook. Sonny says, she stepped up? and Dante says, she’s been great, but it hurts Lulu. Sonny says he doesn’t get it. Dante and Brook have known each other their whole lives. They have history and trust, like him and Brook’s mother. There’s a kinship there.

Lois says, Ned is being unfair, but he says, not this time. He’s confused with her take on this. She was always loyal to Sonny in the past, but her loyalty had guardrails. She went out of her way to extricate a business relationship with Sonny from L&B Records. She even encouraged Brenda to wear a wire and record Sonny. Eventually she saw the financial conflict. Lois says, every penny Sonny put in was legit, including the money he put into Deception. He says, now the trust is fine because Sonny said so? What changed? Where did her due diligence go? What’s the is the difference with Gio?  

Brook says, Lulu is calling her a hypocrite when she got pregnant in high school. Remember? She certainly does. Lulu made a choice that was right for her and had people to support her, as she should have. Brook made a different choice. She gave birth and gave her baby up for adoption so they could have a better life. She wasn’t ready to be a mother. If she’d told Dante the truth, that choice would have been taken away from her. So get off her high horse. They both made a choice. Does she regret hers? Lulu says she made the choice that was right for her at the time, and Brook says she’s glad Lulu feels that way. She’s not judging Lulu’s choice, so don’t dare judge hers. Lulu says she’s not judging Brook’s choice. She’s judging Brook for her lies. Dante has a son out in the world, and because Brook lied, he doesn’t know. No matter the circumstances then, he deserves to know now. And if Brook doesn’t tell him, she will.

On Monday, Jordan tells Isaiah, that gives her an advantage that law enforcement doesn’t have; Dante needs Maxie’s help with something; Ned asks why Lois would go to Sonny rather than come to him; and Anna tells Jason, it’s too easy. Something is wrong.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I have the feeling he’ll be handling more than just Josslyn’s WSB  training.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/meet-bryce-durfee-general-hospitals-newest-cast-member

A glimpse at the woman behind GH’s head nurse.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-rebecca-herbst-shares-a-rare-family-update

I would hate to see her leave GH, but it sounds heavenly.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/rena-sofer-opens-up-about-wanting-to-semi-retire

He’s officially Beyond the Gates.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/beyond-the-gates/jon-lindstroms-beyond-the-gates-debut-date-revealed

Who knows? Maybe I’ll see him in NYC. Along with Lois. We can all hang out.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chad-duell-books-an-exciting-new-role

💉 A Dose of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Thank God Harry’s thumb is safe.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The glamor was coming back to Erika. And apparently the cash, since Martyn the designer/decorator was pretty pricey. She had a bigger moss bowl than the one in Sonny’s old kitchen and they cost a small fortune. Yes, I checked them out once and did end up getting a moss wreath for my front door which was a slightly smaller fortune on sale. She gave her mom a tour. Meanwhile, Kathy and Kyle got mammograms. Kyle thought Mauricio was freaking out from everyone seeing the pic of him and the new girlfriend, but I’m thinking he probably just smoked a fatty. In Garcelle’s interview, she said she didn’t think things would ever be resolved between Sutton and Dorit. However, she and Dorit were making a fresh start of their friendship. She related to Dorit separating with small children, and thought the other women lacked compassion because they forgot.

Sutton had a fashion show and just before it started, Kathy decided to ask Sutton if Dorit could narrate. Sutton was pretty startled, but explained that there was no narration. Kathy took her sweet time getting back to her seat, greeting people as she went, and ended up nearly walking the runway with the first model. Sometimes I wonder if Kathy is smoking Mauricio’s leftovers. In Boz’s interview, she said she’d never seen crashing the catwalk in her experience. Garcelle’s son Jaid walked his first modeling gig in the show and Jennifer walked also, wearing the last outfit of a red sweater dress. The clothes were cute, casual, and sporty. I love Sutton. I don’t care if she’s mean sometimes. It’s always to those who have pushed her to that point and deserve it IMO. Sutton’s mom tried to make it, but after spending a million hours at the airport, could not catch a flight. She still made sure Sutton knew she was proud of her. It was an oasis of a sweet moment.

Denise Richards and Her Wild Things

I loved this, but I knew I would. I love Denise’s sense of humor and how down to earth she is. I’d thought she and Aaron separated, but they agreed they’d stay together even if they grew to hate one another because it was still better than getting a divorce. (See below.) There were two episodes, and the main takeaway point was: Now she knows how her parents felt. Yep. She’s friends with Tori Spelling, so we got to go to dinner with them, where Tori got the information that Patrick Muldoon had once dropped Denise for her. She said she’d always wanted a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but was fine with that. Camille Grammer also made an appearance, but the morally corrupt Faye Resnick was not in attendance.

What’s up with Aaron and his BDE.

Summer House

Lindsay had a gender reveal where the housemates had to find clues that eventually led to a box of pink balloons. Big baby Kyle got into it with Paige, leading to an unhappy Amanda. Bowling for Soup said it best: high school never ends. Amanda told Kyle that everybody didn’t need to know where he was coming from all the time, and he whined about his feelings being hurt. <sigh> On Watch What Happens Live, Kyle said certain companies don’t allow you to be on Summer House if you want to work for them. Why am I not surprised? I’ve been saying for years that I’d never hire someone who was on this show.

Southern Charm

Shep gave Sienna a megalodon necklace, but it still wasn’t enough to get her to like him. To make it worse, Taylor said it was like the necklace Shep gave her, although he insisted that was a Great White. After he was kinda sorta officially dumped, Shep bemoaned his situation to everyone, even telling his story to the bartenders. Austen and Craig kissed bro hugged and made up, and Craig rented some flamingoes to wander around during lunch. However, they freaked Madison out as they didn’t understand personal space.

Villain? Are they kidding? It was the highlight of my week, telling Shep the TV repeatedly, she doesn’t like you, and watching karma get him good.

Southern Hospitality

The Republic staff had their prom and… Man bun alert! No, Oisin. Just no. I’ll say it again. The only two men who are allowed to wear a man bun are Roger Howarth and Sensei Guillermo Gomez. Emmy might cry a lot, but I’d be crying too, if my so-called friend group kept following me around at parties – as a group – demanding answers about my love life. Needless to say, Maddi and Joe were prom queen and king, respectively.

No Will. Apparently, he was there somewhere in the periphery to support Emmy, but not on stage. I’m curious about Grace’s Burning Man inspired clothing line. Like is it all raffia and batik prints along with leather moto jackets? I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to this because it’s just a rehash of the same old. The big reveal was something about someone’s sister’s cousin’s boyfriend starting a rumor. Or something.

Random Reality Items

A surprise to no one that Jax has a cocaine issue.

Also probably a surprise to no one, but apparently this was about some old grudge involving GG’s ex-husband, who took up with Paulina. I wonder if GG kicked his ass too. But seriously, how old are we now?

https://people.com/shahs-of-sunset-paulina-ben-cohen-restraining-order-golnesa-gg-gharachedaghi-alleged-attack-11690931

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch

I’m still slogging through Lost and imagine my surprise to hear Nina’s (Cynthis Watros) voice. I’d been multitasking and nearly got whiplash looking back at the screen. Is everyone eventually going to show up on that island?

Venom: The Last Dance. Netflix. What can I say about this film? It was funny, the special effects were great, and there were lots of heads bitten off and such. A good time from start to finish. What more could I want?

https://collider.com/venom-the-last-dance-review/

Everything you’d ever want to know about the film.

https://screenrant.com/venom-the-last-dance-netflix-global-top-10-chart/

https://www.koimoi.com/television/venom-the-last-dance-ott-verdict-makes-a-thunderous-debut-on-netflix-at-1-with-an-impressive-number-of-views/

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke. Hulu. I’m a big fan of documentaries and people like this boggle my mind. It’s definitely an argument for being suspicious of people who present themselves as perfect. An influencer who racked up viewers on YouTube with videos of her happy Mormon (again?) family, abused them all behind the scenes. After a so-called family therapist came into their lives, things got even worse.

https://people.com/ruby-franke-docuseries-devil-in-the-family-hulu-11678978

🏆 And the Award Goes To…

Post Oscar talk.

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2025

100+ photos!

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37556/vanity-fair-oscars-2025-party-red-carpet-fashion

Timothée Chalamet looks like he’s getting ready for prom.

https://pagesix.com/2025/03/03/style/melissa-rivers-on-the-best-and-worst-oscars-2025-looks/

The best and the worst moments. Probably up for debate.

https://ew.com/oscars-2025-best-and-worst-moments-11688617

https://people.com/best-and-worst-moments-of-the-oscars-2025-11689298

And a crossover!

👠 Best and Brightest…

How to watch this year’s Essence Black Women In Hollywood Awards.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/where-to-stream-2025-black-women-in-hollywood/

It’s not an awards show without the fashion.

https://www.essence.com/gallery/celebrity-looks-essence-black-women-in-hollywood-awards-2025/

🐩 Barbie Would Be Proud…

I’ll bet they keep her that color from now on.

https://people.com/runaway-pink-haired-poodle-rescued-after-jumping-into-freezing-river-waters-11692243

🐡 Quotes of the Week

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Focus on the journey, not on arriving at a certain destination. – Chris Hadfield

Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner. – Lao Tzu

Austen: You are an embellisher.🔹Craig: I’m a lawyer and a storyteller. – Austen Kroll and Craig Conover, Southern Charm

You can observe a lot by just watching. – Yogi Berra

🐍 Coming In Like an Anaconda…

Until next week, stay safe; stay remembering to SPRING AHEAD THIS WEEKEND (Sunday 2 am); and stay accepting your reality. When you do, you know who you are and what you want, and the whole world opens up in ways you never expected.

February 28, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Sidwell Makes Deception an Offer, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watching, And the Rest, Exact Last, Award News, Full Of Surprises, 8 Quotes Is Enough & Winds

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

🧴 Weekday Highlights…

Monday:

Waking up with Ric, Ava felt like things were looking up. Dante, Kristina, and Molly showed up at Alexis’s office. Anna called someone to come in about Cyrus. She told Chase she had one lead – Jason. Jason met Sonny at Bobbie’s, and said, if somebody killed Cyrus, it wasn’t him. He had to think of what Sam wanted. Trina told Josslyn to call her mother, but Josslyn said she lost her phone. Trina said something was up with Josslyn that was making her worry and asked, what happened last night?

Brook told Lois that Chase was being vulnerable and honest, so she thought she should too, and told him about having the baby in high school. At the Surf Lodge, Kai told Quinn that Trina’s dad owned The Savoy. Josslyn told Trina that she’d gone to Dex’s apartment and threw her phone against the wall in frustration. Trina said her date with Kai was nothing special and she was heading to Ava’s. At the hospital, Martin asked Laura about Lucky, and she said he was expected to make a full recovery. He told her Cyrus was missing, and she told him that Cyrus tried to kill Lulu more than once. He blamed himself for believing Cyrus had changed. Ava said Ric had nothing to do with Sonny offering a deal, but he begged to differ, saying, Sonny doesn’t fight; he settles. Dante said they knew who killed Sam. Alexis guessed correctly, and said, now they needed to know why.

Laura blamed herself for not barring Cyrus from visiting sooner and told Martin about Sam, Dex, and the patients at Turning Woods. Anna said she had nothing on Jason and nothing on Cyrus. She thought only someone as good as Jason could keep things so clean – it screamed professional. She wanted to bring Jason in. Gio apologized to Josslyn for Emma, but Josslyn said they had a strange history. She was happy Emma and Gio were friends. Jason went to the counter and Gio sat with Sonny. Josslyn asked to speak with Jason in private, but Anna called and said she needed him at the station – now – and he left. Dante told Alexis and the girls about what happened at Elizabeth’s and why Cyrus killed Sam.

Quinn tried to discourage Kai from a relationship with Trina. He’d told Trina to stay away from Kai. If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t have gotten injured. Trina told Ava about going out with Kai, but she wanted to keep it quiet because Josslyn was still grieving Dex. Ava said, for the first time, Trina was talking about her grief in the past tense. Brook said Chase was calm and non-judgmental, and Lois said he was a unicorn. Brook said she left out telling him that Dante was the father, and Lois said she made the right choice. Brook felt she could finally put the past behind her. Gio said he was glad Sonny was in his life, and he was thankful. Sonny gave Gio tickets to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and some cash, so Lois had extra for the trip, and he left. Martin said he and Cyrus fought about releasing their mother, so he’d taken over her care. Cyrus couldn’t save her, so he figured he could save others. He told Laura that he just made a formal complaint about Jason, thinking Cyrus was the victim, and Laura asked if the police thought Jason had something to do with Cyrus’s disappearance. They weren’t safe with Cyrus out there. Martin said they might not be safe until someone like Jason took care of Cyrus.

Sonny joined Laura at the hospital, and she said Lucky was stable now. Dante said Cyrus had vanished and Kristina said the justice system had failed again. Anna asked why Jason had gone against everything they’d discussed, and he said he’d thought about doing it, and wanted to, but didn’t because she’d asked him for a favor.  

Kai said his injury was an accident; he’d been at the top of his game. Quinn said he wasn’t the same, but Kai said the injury made him see there was more to him than football. Trina was the only reason he wasn’t losing his mind. Brook told Lois that Chase asked if she wanted to find her baby, when Gio interrupted. Ric came by the office looking for Diane and asked Alexis if there was something wrong. Felicia came into Bobbie’s and Josslyn asked if she had any leads on Cyrus. Molly said the system still did good, but Kristina said she’d never believe in it again. She didn’t see a world where Cyrus would pay for what he’d done. Anna told Jason about Cyrus’s cabin being immaculate. Only someone with his skill could leave a crime scene that clean, but maybe Cyrus was on the run. Jason said, if it was that clean, someone killed Cyrus, and she wondered who the hell did it if it wasn’t Jason?

Gio gave Lois the money and said he didn’t know how he’d ever pay her and Sonny back. He felt they were closer than cousins. Kai said Trina made him feel like there was more to him than just football and told Quinn not to speak on his behalf again. Trina told Ava that she still wasn’t ready to get involved and Kai just saw her as a friend. Then her friend called and asked if she was free. Laura said Luke would be happy she and Sonny were there for Lucky, and Sonny said he’d always be there for her. Alexis told Ric that Cyrus had killed Sam, and they hugged. Felicia told Josslyn that she didn’t think there was much evidence, and that Anna was convinced Cyrus had been killed. Jason was in custody. Chase told Dante the forensics report was back, and Dante looked baffled when he saw it. Chase said there were no fingerprints and almost no DNA, but there were two hairs, and they were Jason’s.

Tuesday:

Kai took Trina to the Modern Art Museum where he had a surprise. Jordan told Portia that Cyrus was gone. Jason said he was never in Cyrus’s cabin and had an alibi. Alexis joined Maxie at Drew’s because she wanted input on Scout’s bedroom and Alexis told him about Cyrus. Carly went to see Jack to thank him for fixing the plumbing and asked about the call he got. Josslyn asked why Jason had been brought in and ADA Turner said he was a suspect in Cyrus’s possible murder.

Drew wondered what to tell Scout and Alexis said it was his decision, but she didn’t think he should say anything right now. He agreed and said he was sorry for everything. Jordan said Portia could exhale because Cyrus wasn’t considered a threat anymore. Brad was talking to Lucas when Selina came into the hospital. Carly said if Jack hadn’t left, she would have asked him to stay the night, but it would have been a mistake. He said he would have stayed had she asked. Drew said he wanted Willow to have final say. She and Nina showed up. Jason said he was at Drew’s ADA Turner said Anna was being removed from the case due to lack of objectivity. They had multiple witnesses to Jason threatening Cyrus, there was evidence from the cabin, and the DA’s office was charging him. Josslyn said he didn’t do it.

Kai said the museum had an immersive experience for an expression from the community. Art was about taking chances and seeing what happens. Felicia called Portia to come to the nurses’ station and Selina gave Brad his letter of resignation. He was coming back to work for her. He said he and Lucas were going to Miami, but Selina blamed him for Cody’s losses. The debt was as much his as Cody’s and he had to work it off. Portia came by and suggested Selina leave. Maxie asked for Willow’s opinion on some window treatments, and they left. Drew told Nina that one day this would be Willow’s house. It was only a matter of time before they married. Carly said she wouldn’t be comfortable with Jack spending the night because she didn’t know what they were. If it was a fling, it had to stop. Josslyn said the DA was making a huge mistake and Turner told her to stay out of it. She went in to talk to Jason and Anna asked why Josslyn was so sure Jason hadn’t done it. Turner told Jason, this time he wasn’t getting away with murder.

Selina said she thought hospitals welcomed support from the community, but Portia said they couldn’t welcome the strings. In Mandarin, Selina told Brad not to be bullied and she’d keep in touch. Brad thanked Portia again and she asked if he took care of the matter they’d discussed. He said he had and he got a text from Selina: Meet at the Surf Lodge. We’re not done.  Nina said Drew was rushing Willow and taking advantage of her. She wondered if the Jason/Sasha situation was making him think he had something to prove. Drew said she was jealous. Josslyn told Colette that an innocent man was going to prison for something she did, and she needed to see Jack now. Jack told Carly to choose the time and place and he’d be there. She asked how long he could wait, when Colette called, and he told her about Jason being in custody.

Brad begged Selina not to make him quit his job. He was trying to be a better person. She said if Lucas didn’t respect him, he could find someone to appreciate him. One way or another, his debt would be paid. He said, what if he had another way? Portia told Jordan that a huge weight had been lifted. Lucas told Alexis that it seemed unlikely Sam’s death was a mistake, and Elizabeth and Lucky found proof linking Cyrus to the murders. Alexis wondered why no one told her. Josslyn asked why Jason was being charged and how his DNA was in the cabin. Jack said they’d put it there. Jason asked for his attorney, but Turner said they didn’t need a statement. Willow said the whole place was gorgeous and Drew asked if Willow wanted to go with him to pick up Scout’s bed. Drew got a call to come to the station and Willow went with him. Nina said Maxie had to help her stop Willow from moving in.

Trina and Kai painted, but it was difficult for him to work with his left hand. He said he had no idea what he was going to do next. Lucas told Alexis that he didn’t want to say anything without proof, and she deserved the truth. She said after Sam’s death was a blur and asked if she’d blamed him. Was that why he didn’t go to Sam’s funeral? Nina wanted to break in Drew’s safe. He was definitely hiding something. Maxie said he was hiding that he’d slept with Nina, but Nina said if she told Willow the truth, Willow would be on her own. Maxie said if Nina kept trying to break them up, they’d grow closer. Jack said they had no choice but to give the police another suspect, and Josslyn said she couldn’t let Jason go to prison. Jack said he wouldn’t. Without a body, there was no crime. Josslyn said it was wrong, and Jack said Cyrus’s body could be found and a proper investigation could happen. Did she want that? Josslyn asked him to promise Jason wouldn’t go to prison. Cyrus should stay gone for the greater good. Anna told Carly what was going on, but Carly said Jason wouldn’t make a mistake like that. Anna said he had an alibi, when Drew and Willow came into the station.

Trina said Kai was more than football, but he wasn’t so sure. She said he had an innate understanding of color and composition, and he said what got him interested in art was her. Lucas told Alexis that Danny asked him to leave when he’d come to the church, but they were good now. He might not have caused harm, but he shouldn’t have been Sam’s surgeon. Alexis said they’d been lucky to have him. He had a sense of justice like Sam had. He said he didn’t regret missing the funeral, but regretted the chance to say how much he loved Sam. Jordan said Cyrus’s disappearance was too neat. He was gone for good, but his case wasn’t closed. Brad gave Selina proof that Portia tampered with test results in exchange for his debt being paid. Maxie told Nina to learn to trust Willow, but Nina said Drew broke up her marriage. Willow played a part, but he’d started a relationship with her and then her daughter. Maxie said, nobody was blameless, but Nina said only one person didn’t care this was ruining people’s lives. Maxie suggested Nina look in a folder when she was gone. Turner told Drew that Cyrus disappeared, and Jason’s DNA was there, but Jason claimed he was with Drew. Could Drew corroborate? Jack said Josslyn might be the right person for a job, but she said she wasn’t WSB material. He said he was asking her to serve, protect, and do her part for the greater good.

Wednesday:

Jack told Josslyn that they’d train her, but she already had some WSB attributes. She was intelligent, brave, had good perspective and instincts, and she could think on her feet, but most important, she wanted to make a difference in the world. Tracy got a cease and desist order to prevent Drew from using in the Quartermaine name. Curtis met Stella at the hospital, and she said she thought they had a way for him to take down Drew. No surprise, Drew lied like a rug and said Jason wasn’t with him.

Kai and Trina continued to paint. Kai included possibilities for his future. Trina wondered if they hadn’t met if kai wouldn’t still be playing football. Chase suggested they ask Finn to be the sperm donor so the baby could be related to both of them. She asked if he’d talked to Finn. Jack said Josslyn asked all the right questions about Dex, but she said she lost it in the station and alerted Cyrus. He said, after that, she did the right things, and he’d shared indicators with her. He didn’t anticipate her bringing a gun. Cyrus would have gone on killing if she hadn’t stopped him. Tracy said she had to protect their brand, but Lois protested. Stella said it was her civic duty to help stop Drew from abusing his power. Congressman Henderson had agreed to see him. Drew said Cyrus had threatened Jason’s son, but he couldn’t lie for him. Turner was called away, and Carly said Drew used to be a decent man, and asked if he’d seen what he’d done. He said he didn’t need to prove anything, and Jason was taken to booking. Carly asked Willow, what the hell happened to her?

Chase said they could talk to Finn tonight, but Brook said they needed to think about it. She didn’t want his brother’s baby; she wanted his. Kai said nothing Trina did caused the injury and he’d spoken to Quinn. Sometimes Quinn needed someone to blame so he could tell himself the same thing wouldn’t happen to him. He’d been playing the best game of his life before getting tackled. If it wasn’t for her, he’d be losing his mind. Stella said Drew was looking for a seat on the Appropriations Committee, and Curtis said he’d have to convince Anderson that Drew was only interested in his personal agenda. He asked what best approach was. Drew said Jason just wanted to bring him bad press, and Carly said he was going to let a murderer go free for spite. They wouldn’t look for real murderer now that Jason was in custody. She told Willow to wake up. She was having an affair with a man who didn’t exist. Drew said he’d give his statement tomorrow and they left. Anna said it wasn’t enough for a case and Turner said Bennett was now in charge. It was out of Anna’s hands. Jack told Josslyn that working with the WSB meant leading a double life. She could never tell anyone, not even her mother. He’d provide cover stories she must stick to. Covert work shifted the arc of the universe toward justice.

Jack said he was offering her a career where she could use her skills and natural talents. How did it feel knowing she’d stopped Dex’s killer? She said she did something that mattered and he said she’d saved many lives. There were others as dangerous out there and sometimes you had to go outside the system for the greater good. She had him to determine that. Curtis practiced what he’d say to Anderson and told Stella that Drew had stated he’d use his power to scuttle Aurora’s projects in congress. Aurora was a major source of jobs and revenue, and Drew was already blocking the McConkey esplanade. He put his bruised ego ahead of his constituents and they would get hurt by his need for revenge. Stella said it sounded good. Brook reminded Chase that Kristina and Molly’s relationship was almost ruined. What would it be like when their child learned their uncle was their father? Chase asked if they had to know. Diane wanted her see client and told Turner that anything he said prior to her arrival would be tossed out. Anna told Carly that she was kicked off the case for bias, and Carly asked Anna to use her position to get Jason out. Anna said Diane would do that. Diane wondered who killed Cyrus, but Jason said he didn’t know. She said, the cabin was spotless, but he said he was never in the cabin. She said that begged the question, who wanted to frame him?

Kai said he told Quinn to back off, but Trina said she felt like she was steamrolling him. He said she was a little pushy, and she said, welcome to me. He took her hand and said he needed pushing and liked the way she challenged him. Lois asked where this left Scout, and Tracy said Scout was Alan’s granddaughter and would always be a Quartermaine. Gio said, she wouldn’t have same name as her dad. He’d never known his dad, but his last name made him feel close to him. Lois asked if Scout hadn’t been through enough. Drew bitched to Willow about Carly and wondered if Willow had anything to ask him. Chase thought telling the child would help reassure them that they were family, but Brook said she didn’t want their child to feel like consolation prize. Jason said Cyrus’s DNA wasn’t there, but his was. He was an easy target. He was angry, got careless, and threatened Cyrus. Diane thought his priorities had shifted. He was putting being a dad over work. He said, somebody used it against him. Anna told Carly that they’d uncovered another victim – Michael. Cyrus confessed he’d injected Michael with digitalis in the burn unit. Carly said, find the killer so she could thank them. Josslyn said she wasn’t killing people, but Jack said they had plenty of people for that. Her skills lay elsewhere. She was young, beautiful, and not afraid to talk to people. She could get in places he couldn’t and ask questions he couldn’t. She said she couldn’t say no. He’d covered for her in a murder. If she didn’t cooperate, he could send her to prison.

Ned asked if Monica knew, and Tracy said, leave Monica out of this. She told Lois to butt out, and Lois left. Brook told Chase that she wasn’t saying no. She just wanted to be sure. Chase left to go to the boxing gym. Carly asked to talk to Jason and Turner asked why an innocent man would lie about an alibi. Carly said Drew knew they’d never believe a career criminal over a US congressman. She added that there was no body, but Turner said it was preferable, but not essential. Jason told Cyrus that they’d never find his body. She suggested Josslyn not interfere, and Carly said she was making a huge mistake. Turner said Cyrus had killed the mother of Jason’s son. Anna told Jason that she was off the case, but determined to find the body. Jason said she wouldn’t find it or any other evidence. Cyrus was taken out by a pro who didn’t leave tracks. Jack said a coerced agent was no good to them. You had to commit to the job, or you’d get yourself or others killed. He was offering the rarest of opportunities, the chance to make a difference in the world and challenge herself. Whatever she chose, he asked her not to mention this to anyone ever. Act like it never happened.

Jack said he hadn’t been wrong yet, but it was a time sensitive offer. Josslyn said she’d do it, for the reasons he said, but also for Dex. He was a good man who had a hard life. All he wanted to do was help people. Jack said she would leave tonight. Kai said he was impressed by Trina, when she fell off the stepladder, but he caught her, and she kissed him. Gio said he thought what Tracy was doing was wrong. You couldn’t kick out family. He didn’t like what she was doing. Olivia said it was going to hurt Scout, but Tracy disagreed. Defending the family name could only help Scout. Gio had no right to weigh in because he wasn’t a Quartermaine. However, he’d still be a better one than Drew. Brook told Lois about Chase wanting Finn to be their sperm donor and asked what to do. Curtis thanked Stella and promised he’d make his one shot count. Stella said, the citizens would be proud, but his aunt was worried Drew would retaliate. He said she and mama stood up for what was right. Willow told Drew that they had a connection, and she made her own choices now. She chose him completely. <gag> Drew said he chose her and Willow said she wanted the world to know it. She’d love to move in. Diane had a court order for Jason’s release and told Turner that Judge Green agreed they had no case. She was filing a motion to dismiss at arraignment. Turner said, Jason was free to go – for now – and Anna said, they still didn’t know who killed Cyrus. Carly said, who cares? and Anna said Jason was set up to take the fall. She was going to find out who they were and stop it. If they went to all this trouble to set Jason up, they weren’t going to stop.

Thursday:

While Lulu sat by his bedside, Lucky opened his eyes. Chase met Dante at the boxing gym. Brook told Lois about Chase wanting Finn to be the sperm donor, and she said, wow, wow, wow. Brook said Chase hadn’t been that optimistic since he found out he was sterile, and she didn’t give him the reaction he was hoping for. She could tell he was upset, but she wanted Chase’s baby, not his brother’s. Laura told Sonny they had a problem, and his name was Jenz Sidwell. Lucy met Sidwell at Charlie’s. He said he had an ulterior motive for meeting her. Carly met Jack at Charlie’s, and Martin met with Tracy at the Quartermaine mansion. She wondered if he found a new way to work her last nerve, and he said she might want to find another way to work her last legal maneuver.

Trina told Stella about painting with Kai. Carly told Jack about Jason’s DNA being found in the cabin and that his brother refused to corroborate his alibi. Sidwell asked Lucy to deal with Sonny regarding the property by the water. Sonny said he didn’t think Drew would be so stupid to team up with Sidwell, and Curtis told him about them wanting the property. Laura said they were planning on invoking eminent domain. Chase felt he’d blindsided Brook and put her in an awkward position, but Dante said it wasn’t his fault. Lois said it would bring up complications to ask Finn and thought Brook was trying to convince herself. If she had to work that hard, maybe it wasn’t right. They were talking about a baby, not a pair of stilettos. Brook said it wasn’t the right choice, but didn’t want to burden Chase. Tracy said she was sick of Drew incorporating the Quartermaine name and legacy, and Martin asked, when was the last time the estate was surveyed? Elizabeth said Lucky was her hero and risked his life to save her, and Felicia said, she saved him back. The best kind of love was when you took turns rescuing each other. Lucky asked Lulu, what happened? Was Elizabeth okay? She said everyone was fine, and he asked to see them. She wondered what he’d been thinking.

Lucky said he had to do something, and Lulu said she couldn’t lose him too, but she didn’t blame him. He told her that he wanted to make Cyrus pay for trying to kill her too. He asked if Cyrus had been taken care of, and she said, someone did. Martin said there was an error that went back decades. Tracy’s father had misjudged the boundary of the property that contained the family crypt.

Lulu said, Cyrus disappeared, and they arrested Jason, and Lucky wondered if Jason did it, but didn’t want to know. Cyrus being gone was all that mattered. Elizabeth said she couldn’t count on Lucky staying, when Lulu announced Lucky was awake. Lois said Brook and Chase had to make a choice best for both of them, and Brook said she didn’t think she could keep such a huge secret from her child. Elizabeth ran in to see Lucky. Curtis said Drew and Sidwell knew what they were doing in teaming up, and Sonny said it was the stupidest idea ever. Jordan said it was a way to screw him and Jason over, but Sonny said he wasn’t rolling over and playing dead. Laura said she couldn’t allow the city to become a battleground between them. They’d agreed the original site was best for Port Charles and there was no room for him to retaliate. Felicia called to tell Laura that Lucky was awake, and Sonny drove her to the hospital. Stella asked how Kai was handling his injury, and Trina said he was coming to terms that his future had changed. Stella said Trina had turned her life around after Spencer’s death. Sidwell told Carly that what happened with Sasha was a misunderstanding and he hoped she had the continued good sense not to alert authorities. Jack introduced himself and said if Sidwell troubled Carly again, he’d drop a bomb on him and finish the job he’d started. (Bazinga!)

Elizabeth thanked Lucky for saving her and kissed him. He said knowing she was all right made it worth it. She said she’d bring Aiden by in the morning and Lucky said they had a lot to talk about. She said they had plenty of time later. Lucy told Sidwell that the commission was Birkin bag tempting, but she had to decline. Carly asked what Jack told Sidwell, and he said, nothing remarkable, but he hoped they had an understanding. Sometimes there was no other option than being ruthless. He was going to give her all the time she needed because she was worth waiting for. Stella asked if Kai and Trina were on a date, and Trina said, by the end of the night, it changed to a date. Martin told Tracy that this was common in old money families. It would stay between them because she’d drop the cease and desist, or there would be bulldozers there asap. Tracy said she wasn’t dropping anything and calling Drew’s bluff.  

Dante said he didn’t know if he could biologically father a child and keep them at a distance. He didn’t think he could be a donor to someone close to him and didn’t think Finn could either. He also had to think about Violet. He didn’t want what happened to Molly and Kristina to happen with them. Chase thanked Dante for helping him understand Brook’s perspective better. Brook told Lois that the discussion made her think about the baby she gave up and she had questions. She couldn’t stop thinking about how they might feel about her. Laura went to see Lucky, and he said it didn’t matter how old you get, you still need your mom. He felt better when she was around. Martin asked why Tracy had to complicate everything, when Lulu interrupted with the news about Lucky. Martin told her that he still hadn’t heard from Valentin. He’d gone through everything but there was nothing to help. Lulu asked if she could see his records, but he said he could be disbarred. He told Tracy, this isn’t over, and left. Tracy said he was lying to Lulu. He was an arrogant nuisance before she arrived, then became the doting uncle, and she thought he was hiding something.

Curtis told Jordan about Congressman Henderson, but it would do nothing to stop Sidwell. Jordan said, knowledge is power, and thought she could get something out of Sidwell. She was having dinner with him this week. Lucy said Sonny would never sell his properties, but she could introduce Sidwell to other property owners. He said he was pursuing other avenues to acquire it. Carly believed Josslyn was away on a bogus trip and told Trina that she thought this trip was going to change Josslyn’s life. Chase apologized to Brook for just throwing it out there and agreed Finn wasn’t the right choice. He didn’t want her to feel she couldn’t be honest with him. Laura told Elizabeth that she felt like she could breathe again and wondered if Lucky felt differently about staying. Lucky told Sonny there was a moment when he couldn’t breathe, and he thought it was the end. In that moment, he heard his dad’s voice say it wasn’t his time. Not yet, cowboy. Not yet. He wondered if it was crazy, but Sonny said Lucky’s father always had the best timing. Lucky had it too. Like father, like son. Dante asked if something was going on, and Lulu said Tracy thought Martin was hiding something. Dante thought no good could come out of Lulu investigating Martin, but she thought he was the key to finding Charlotte.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Sonny and Kristina walk into Bobbie’s and see Alexis with Molly. Alexis asks if they want to join them, and Sonny says, Kristina is calling the shots, but Kristina says she has to talk to her dad about something. She and Sonny go to another table, and Molly asks what Alexis thinks that’s about. Alexis says, your guess is as good as mine, and Molly asks what her guess is about Cyrus. Alexis asks if she means who disappeared him. Her guess is Jason, but it’s frustrating because she begged him not to do it. Molly says, for his sake and Danny’s, and Alexis says, especially Danny’s. Danny just lost his mother. He doesn’t need to lose his father too. Molly says she’s picking Danny up to take him to a movie, and Alexis says, that’s sweet. Molly says she’ll do a subtle check in… as subtle as she can be. She’ll see how he’s holding up. Alexis asks how Molly is doing. Their family seems to have jumped from one disaster to another since Sam died. Molly says, before then, and asks if Alexis thinks life will ever feel normal again. Alexis sees Ric and Ava walk in and says, not likely.

Isaiah goes into Lucky’s room, and Lucky says, good. He needs a doctor’s expertise. Is it possible to die of boredom? Isaiah says, it’s rare, but it’s great to see Lucky is recovering nicely. Lucky says he has a favor to ask, and Isaiah says, name it. Lucky says, get him out of here.

At the MetroCourt, Jordan texts Sidwell: At restaurant. On the elevator with a stranger, Sidwell hears Natalia tell them to hold the door. She gets on and Sidwell smiles at her. The stranger gets off, and Sidwell asks, how things are at Deception? Natalia says, none of his damn business, and he says he understands her concern, but he has no intention of telling her co-workers that they used to be married. Her secret is safe with him. The elevator stops and Maxie gets in.

Olivia goes to Carly’s office and asks how Michael is doing. Carly says, slow and steady, but he’s moving in the right direction. She thanks Olivia for asking and wonders, what’s going on? Olivia says she needs Carly’s help, and Carly says, with what? Olivia says, rescuing Sasha from the Quartermaines.

Jason comes into the nook and asks if Sasha is okay. She says, his mother is driving her crazy. She doesn’t know how much more she can take.

Ava says, all she wanted was a cup of coffee, not a face full of their drama, and Ric tells her not to let them drive her out. Besides, it could be fun. Sonny asks if Kristina is all right, and she says she’s letting them distract her from what she came to discuss. He asks if she’s going to let him in on it, and she says, they need to talk about his living situation. Ric goes over to Alexis and Molly’s table and says, hi.

Sidwell says, how lovely to see Maxie again, and they all get out of the elevator at the restaurant. He says, excuse him. He doesn’t want to keep his breakfast companion waiting. He leaves, and Natalia asks if Maxie got an SOS from Lucy. Maxie says, many, many times. Does Natalia know what it’s about? Natalia says, no – Lucy comes in – but they’re going to find out.  

Olivia asks if there’s any chance Carly got Jason to admit he was the father. Don’t act like she’s above it. Carly says she’s not. He hasn’t said and she promised Sasha that she wouldn’t pry. If Jason wants her to know, he’ll tell her. Until then, she’s staying out of it. Olivia says, that’s some serious personal growth, but Carly says, don’t give her credit. Sonny talked her into it, but she doesn’t want to admit he’s right. Olivia says, great. That means her plan is going to work. Carly asks if the Quartermaines are really suffocating Sasha, and Olivia says she’s afraid so. They’re intrusive and she’s afraid Sasha will bolt and they’ll never see her or that little baby again.

Sasha says she adores Monica and knows she means well… Jason says, but she’s driving Sasha crazy. Sasha says, the whole family is. It’s like she has no independence. She’d like to think it’s all in her head, but look at Willow. She’s not condoning what Willow’s done and her relationship with Drew, but the Quartermaines are being really relentless in trying to bring the kids back into the fold – Willow’s kids. He says, they’re Michael’s kids too, and she says she never wants to be in the position of having the family calling the shots on how she lives her life or how her children live. What doctors they see, what schools they go to, and what sweaters they wear. He says, sweaters? and she takes a little sweater out of a giftbag. She says, from Monica. Green because they don’t know the sex. Jason says he’ll talk to Monica, but she says, no. She doesn’t need him to. From the day she found out she’s been prepared and wanting to be a single mom. She wants to do it on her own and figure it out. She knows she will. He says he doesn’t doubt they’ll respect her boundaries, but sometimes in life unpredictable stuff comes out of nowhere. In that case, she might need support. She says, from him? and he says he made the commitment. He won’t tell her how to live or how to raise her kids, but he’ll be here to make sure she’s okay. And there’s one thing he can always offer if necessary – money.

Isaiah says he’s not Lucky’s doctor. He can’t sign Lucky out. He should just wait it out. He’s sure Lucky’s paperwork will come through soon. Besides, it might not be the worst thing in the world to give it a minute and recover. Lucky says, Isaiah has seen him in way worse shape, and Isaiah says, true. But all those times, he was never knocking at death’s door. Lucky says, this time, he was halfway through.

Kristina asks how house hunting is going, but Sonny says, it’s on the back burner. He’s been busy. What does she want him to do? She says she knows he’s busy, but he needs to prioritize getting a home for Donna and Avery. Ric hugs Molly and asks how it’s going. She says she’s busy. Him? He says he can’t complain. He’ll call her later. He tells Alexis, enjoy her breakfast, and she says, him too. He leaves, and Molly says, that went okay. Alexis asks how badly she wanted to suggest he leave, and Molly says, so badly. Maybe it was the new laid back her. Alexis says she’s wondered what it would be like if one of them was laid back, and Molly says, the laid back her is super chill and not controlling. Alexis says she likes it, but Molly’s been like this since she was a girl. Molly says she’s going to focus her energy where it will do the most good – Danny and Scout – and Alexis says she loves that, but save some of that energy for herself. Ava tells Ric, here’s to an equitable custody arrangement. What it should have been all along. He may not admit it, but she thinks Sonny is happy too. Ric suggests she not press her luck, but she says, it’s not luck. She and Sonny are in a good place. Watch. She’ll show him. She goes over to Sonny’s table, where Kristina is saying that Donna and Avery will need their own bedrooms, and says, good morning. They both just look at her, Kristina’s look more of a glare.

Lucky tells Isaiah, it was a moment that could have gone either way. Ironic, isn’t it? All his talking about staying or going. Isaiah says, in Port Charles? and Lucky says, it turns out the real decision to stay, whether his heart would beating keep or not, was decided. Someone decided with Isaiah’s help. They’ve seen enough death and most of the time there’s no choice, but there was this strange overwhelming feeling that he wasn’t done yet. That he had too much here. People he loves, a son he wants to see grow up, his mom and his sister. Isaiah says, anyone else? and Lucky says, Elizabeth. Isaiah says, he’s a lucky man. Elizabeth is a remarkable woman.

Olivia tells Carly that her plan is to keep Sasha in town. She was thinking they could give her a job at the MetroCourt. She could start out in the kitchen and go to the front of the house when her due date is closer. Maybe they could comp a room to make her life easier. Carly says she likes it. She’s in. Olivia says she’s glad. She was about to extend the offer, but wanted to run it past Carly first. Her phone dings, and she says, of course (🍷). One parent who was supposed to chaperone Leo’s field trip can’t go and she’s first on the reserve list. Carly says, go. She’ll talk to Sasha. Enjoy the field trip. Where are they going? Olivia says, the Port Charles Historical Society, and Carly says, it should be interesting. Olivia says, from her lips, blesses herself, and leaves.

Sasha says, if she’d been running a con on Jason and it worked, she’d be fine taking his money. She never understood about her mom, but now she does. Her mom earned that money. She swindled it fair and square. Jason says, if he gives it to her, it’s charity, and she says, which she hates. Because the charitable person can decide to take away their charity for whatever reason. It’s their money and they’re in charge. He says he gets it. She wants to be the one to call the shots. She says, for all his laid-back vibes and the doing his own thing persona, he thinks he’s in charge too. He’s stealthy about it, but at the end of the day, he gets his own way. Not this time. Not with her. Now if he’ll excuse her, she needs to get back to work.

Sidwell says he understands Cyrus has gone missing and foul play is suspected, and Jordan says, the PCPD is still trying figure out what happened. He says he read a quote from her in The Invader and was aware she was once Police Commissioner, but didn’t realize Cyrus was such a problem during her tenure. She says, problem is putting it mildly, and he asks how she feels having Cyrus seemingly no longer around. She says, relieved that he can’t hurt anyone anymore, but it’s not the way she wanted it to happen. For someone to play God and do him in because they felt like it gives her no satisfaction.

Lucy asks if they remember the zincite dealer in Helsinki that Lulu got into it with, and Natalia says, he didn’t get his payment in time. Maxie says she thought Brook took care of it, but Lucy says, that didn’t happen, and he sold their zinc to… Maxie tells her, don’t say it, and she says, Enchantment. Natalia says, it’s the key ingredient needed in their new overnight wrinkle cream. They need a new dealer. Maxie says, if they drop it after Enchantment does, it will look like a cheap knockoff. They need a new connection. Natalia says, it’s rare. It’s important they find a new supplier. Lucky looks at Sidwell, and Maxie says, no, no, no, no, no. She knows that look. Lucy says she just happens to know someone who works in rare minerals, and Natalia looks at her.

Jordan says, as much as she loves discussing the criminal justice system, she doesn’t believe this is what Sidwell wanted to discuss. Sidwell says he wanted to discuss the esplanade. He waited for confirmation from the mayor about moving it to the new location, but so far, he’s heard nothing. Jordan says, the mayor feels Port Charles is better served by keeping it in the original location, and he asks if Jordan thinks it has nothing to do with Laura’s personal relationship with Sonny. Lucy says, sorry to interrupt. Jenz, her dear friend. She’s got a business opportunity for him, and he happens to be here. Jordan says, they can pick this up later, and Sidwell asks if she’s sure. Jordan says she has another meeting to get to anyway. Good luck. She leaves and Sidwell asks Lucy if he’s going to need luck for this.

Sasha finds Cody in the nook, and he says, the coffee machine at the stable is busted. She tells him to do what he wants, but don’t leave on her account. It’s a novel concept, doing what you want. He says, rough day? and she says, the Quartermaines have been breathing down her neck. It’s like the baby gave them an all access pass. He says, sorry. He knows it’s his fault. She says, no. It is how they found out how and when, but it wasn’t realistic for her to think she could hide it. She may have been engaged in more than a little wishful thinking. He says, does that mean they’re…? and she says, he apologized, she accepted, it’s all good.

Ava tells Sonny, sorry to interrupt. She just wanted to confirm the Tuesday exchange. Sonny says, sounds good, and she asks if he knows it’s Avery’s recital. He says he got an email, and she says, Avery tried on her costume and she’s adorable. He’ll melt when he sees her. Kristina says, it’s nice that Ava can spend time with her daughter out in the world instead of visiting her at the cemetery because Ava killed her. Ava says she’s sorry Kristina feels like that, and Kristina says she’s going to feel like that forever. What is Ava sorry about? That she’ll never get to go to her daughter’s recital or that her daughter is dead because Ava killed her and got away with it? You conniving bitch. Ric comes over and says, enough. Let him outline basic law. When a jury acquits someone, they’re free. Kristina says she’s painfully aware, and Ric says, then she doesn’t need a lawyer. She needs a therapist since she’s incapable of accepting reality. She tripped and fell. She bulldozed her way into Ava’s room and forced an altercation. Either it was a horrible, tragic accident or Kristina caused it. Kristina says, he wasn’t there. Her anger is about Ava’s guilt for killing her child. He says, Molly’s child actually, and Sonny tells him, back off.

Ric says, Sonny’s daughter thinks her feelings are the most important. She’s self-indulgent and self-involved. Alexis joins them and suggests he and Ava walk away. She asks Kristina, why is she engaging with Ric? He’s a horrible, petty person. She tells Ric, go to hell, but he says, not today, and he and Ava go back to their table. Sonny thanks Alexis for intervening. He was going to punch Ric and then Ric would sue him, so what’s the point? Alexis asks if Kristina is all right, and Kristina says she’s got to go. Sonny says he’ll walk her out, and they leave, Kristina thanking Alexis on her way out the door. Alexis says, anytime… Hopefully, never again. Ric says, Alexis hasn’t even noticed Molly is gone, and she says, Molly probably didn’t want to watch him be an ass. He says, she knows better than that, and Alexis leaves.

Jordan meets Isaiah and tells him that she met with Sidwell. He says, that’s something he definitely didn’t want to hear. She says, it was unsettling, and he says, of course (🍷). Sidwell is as dangerous as they come. Not because he’s an ogre or a sadist. He’s not interested in gratuitous torture. He’s interested in making money and if you get in the way of that, he’ll get rid of you. She says she knows what she’s doing, and he says, with all due respect – and he truly respects her – she’s beautiful, smart, and competent. Any guy would fall for her, but trust him. Sidwell’s not just any guy. She says she knows it might not be easy, and he tells her he guarantees it won’t be.

Sasha says she’s supposed to meet Olivia at the MetroCourt, and Cody asks if he can say one thing. She says, make it quick, and he says, the Quartermaines have the crazy, uncanny ability to work a person’s last nerve, but he thinks they care deep down, sometimes even on the surface. She says she does think they care, but there’s a fine line between caring and controlling and she refuses to let them control her. He says, you go, cuz… Too soon. He’s got it. It felt gross coming out. He almost choked. She leaves.

Maxie asks if Natalia is okay, and Natalia asks, why? Maxie says, she seemed off in the elevator, and Natalia says she’s pretty concerned about that Sidwell guy. She did some research on him and thinks they’ll regret working with him. Lucy brings Sidwell over to the table and says, ta-da! The answer to their prayers. Sidwell says he understands they’ve decided they’re willing to do business with him after all.

Molly comes into the nook, and Cody asks, what’s up? She says she’s taking Danny to a movie, and he says, very cool, but he thought he saw Danny take off on his bike five minutes ago. Molly says, he texted her. He needs to get a textbook at a friend’s house, so she’s waiting here for him. Cody says, cool. Coffee? She says she’s good, and he asks how she is. He hasn’t seen her since they’re trip to the roof. Does she think they fixed the lock yet? She says, certainly not. She’s sad to say she’d rather spend a week on the roof than a minute where she was. He asks where she was, but she says she doesn’t need to whine about her life. He says, she doesn’t need to, but he wants her to if her whine muscle hits a high note only dogs can hear. She says, there’s not that much to it. Her parents can’t stand each other and there’s nothing to be done about it. He says, it hurts like hell to see it play out, right? and she says, yeah. He asks if she’s ever told them, and she says, tell them that their actions are actively hurting her and risk them feeling bad? No. He says he gets her. It’s one reason he waited so long to tell Mac about being his dad. He didn’t want Mac to be disappointed. It’s his job to manage Mac’s feelings. She says she’s the queen of that, and he says he’s the king. As long as Mac didn’t know, he couldn’t have negative feelings about it. She says, not positive feelings either, and he says, exactly. She asks, what happened? and he says he finally told Mac and it’s been amazing. There have been hiccups. She says, there always are, and he says, it taught him that being part of a family is being aware of everyone’s feelings. The flipside is, you need to tune into your feelings too.

Kristina visits Lucky, and says, he’s really okay. She’s grateful to him and Elizabeth. Now they know killed Sam and why, as sick as it is. Lucky asks if they were able to find Cyrus, but she says she doesn’t think they ever will. He says, Jason? and she says, he’s Sam’s ex and Danny’s father. He says, it makes sense. It’s just that… Does it bother her? She says, as long as he gets away with it and Danny doesn’t lose another parent. She thinks it’s a horrible idea for Danny to trust the system, waiting, then watching a killer walk free.

At his hotel room, Sonny asks Jason, what happened? and Jason says, they arrested him for Cyrus’s disappearance. There was physical evidence in the cabin. Sonny says, he didn’t do it? and Jason says he even had an alibi. He was with Drew, but Drew denied it and lied to the cops. Sonny says, son of a bitch, and Jason says, whoever killed Cyrus planted his hair. Sonny says he needs to get into another issue. Sidwell and Drew teamed up and want to take the pier. Jason says, what? and Sonny says, Drew is doing the driving. Sidwell was there and if they don’t get the pier through eminent domain, Drew will go through congress. If that doesn’t work, all bets are off. Jason says he doesn’t see Drew resorting to violence, but Sonny says, Sidwell can. Jason says, maybe he had something to do with the fire, and Sonny says, he had the means and motive. Jason says, Anna told him it wasn’t the same device at the warehouse and the penthouse, but Sonny says, he could have used two separate devices. Jason says he doesn’t buy it, and Sonny says he doesn’t either. Sidwell’s first effort would have been to try and kill him. Why go through legal channels? Anybody smart would know to do it in reverse and Sidwell doesn’t seem like a stupid guy. Jason says, no, but the timing is suspect. Sidwell came to town the same day Sonny’s penthouse went up in flames. Sonny says he doesn’t like coincidences. This not adding up.

Sidwell says he has access to zinc, but Enchantment made him a compelling offer. Lucy says, Erica Kane doesn’t need his zinc. She already has theirs, and they’ll pay him more. Name it. Maxie says, Lucy… and Sidwell says, breaking his deal will require more than meeting their price. He wants 5% of Deception. Maxie says, let’s all take a minute. After he left the meeting, Lulu had some things to say about him. Lucy says, they heard and don’t need more details. They need zincite. Got it. Keep your eyes on the prize. Maxie says she understands, but isn’t sure this is the prize. Lucy says, if they can get their product out before Enchantment, it will be a game changer. How rare is it for someone to be in the right place at the right time with what they need. Maxie says, Lulu would have something to say if she was here, but Lucy says, Lulu’s not on the board. She’s an assistant and has no stock in Deception. Sidwell says he deals with dozens of mineral essences for cosmetics. His professional worth is more than 5%. Carly sees Sasha and says she knows Sasha was supposed to meet with Olivia. She steers Sasha to the Deception table and asks what they’re doing sitting with this guy. Lucy says, Maxie told them what Lulu said. Even more obvious is that Lucky has some sort of issues with this gentleman. But why should they stop doing business with him? Sasha says, he kidnapped her and held her in a room with a bomb. He’s not the guy you want to do business with. Trust her.

Molly tells Cody that sometimes she feels like her parents are judging her for loving the other one. She can’t stand it. He says, no one should feel ashamed for loving their mom or dad, and she says, maybe one day she can work up the courage to say that. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s her mom. She wonders if Alexis’s ears are burning, and he says, now’s her chance to tell Alexis that she’s disappointed. He gestures for her to talk, and she tells Alexis that she had to pick up Danny. Alexis tells her to give Danny a hug, and she says, will do. Alexis says, love you, and she says, love you too. She tells Cody, it’s a process.  

Ava asks what Ric meant by Alexis knows better than that? and he says, she’s the one who drove Molly off. She’s been doing it since Molly was born. It’s noticeable that she gave considerable favor to Kristina. He thinks it’s because she despises him as a father, and the sun rises and sets in Sonny. The reason doesn’t matter. She chases after Kristina, cleaning up her messes, and once in a while deigns to remember she has another daughter. Molly trips over herself to get Alexis’s attention and stands there grateful for any she may get. Ava says, she’s an equal opportunity offender, and he says, she stands on her lofty perch, gazing down with moral superiority. Ava says, yet she favors one daughter over the other, while treating him in a vile manner. She gets on her high horse, trotting around, defending justice. Ric says, after the transgressions she’s made, and Ava says, like helping the Cassadines rob her of her money, right? Sentencing her to a lifetime in a shoebox. He tells her, you know what they say. Being at the top, there’s no place to go but down.

Sasha says, Sidwell kidnapped her and held her at gunpoint, and Carly says she was there when it happened. Deal with him at their own risk. She and Sasha leave, and Sidwell says, for all their colorful accusation, there are no pending charges, no investigations into him, and no arrests made. Maxie asks if he’s saying they’re lying, and he tells her that he’s saying it’s subject to interpretation. Lucy says, back to the issue at hand. How much zincite does he have? Maxie says, she’s seriously still considering this? and Lucy asks what Natalia thinks. Natalia says she thinks they need zincite and being first in the market will have a profound financial effect for the company. Lucy says, see? and Sidwell says he’ll let them think his offer over, but they should know it won’t be on the table long. He leaves.

Carly brings Sasha to her office and says she’s so sorry to make Sasha deal with that. Sasha says she realized she’s never thanked Carly for going to the WSB when she was kidnapped. If not for that, she might not be here. Carly says she was happy to help, and Sasha asks why Olivia wanted to meet. Carly says, it’s about the baby, and Sasha says she’ll tell them what she’s told everyone. She’s not discussing it. Carly says, it’s not like that. Olivia knows she’s having a tough time at the Quartermaines. Olivia thought, and she agreed, that maybe Sasha could use a change of scenery. Sasha asks, how so? and Carly says, instead of dealing with the Quartermaines every day, why doesn’t she work here?

Sonny says, Sidwell or not, his penthouse was burned, and Michael was almost killed to get to him. Jason says, that’s what makes him more uneasy about the trouble they’re having securing the suite, and Sonny asks if he’s spoken to Kristina. Jason says, no. Why? Sonny says he spoke to her earlier and she lectured him… The issue is security is the most important thing. Donna and Avery can’t stay here. They need a home. Jason asks if he’s started looking, and Sonny says he needs to make a call he doesn’t want to make.

Jordan says, first of all, she wants to thank Isaiah for the compliments, and he says he’s pretty sure there all true. She says, second, she’s not sure he appreciates true undercover work, and he asks if she’s doing this to doing prove she’s more than Deputy Mayor. Or does she just miss undercover work? She says she’s not trying to prove anything to anyone, and he says, someone could wind up dead. She says, someone did and if it could have been prevented, it’s not okay. She’d rather do what she could. Even if it’s risky, if it gets Sidwell out of the way… He says, she can sleep at night? and she says, she’s going to need her beauty rest if she deserves those compliments. She’s doing this for her. He says she sounds like she’s going to be busy. Is there going be any time for little fun? She says, what kind of fun? and he says, maybe they can work on that together.

Kristina tells Lucky that maybe she’s wrong about the Cyrus/Jason situation. What does he think? Lucky says he doesn’t know. When you take things into your own hands, you’re acting solely on the information you have. He’s not saying it’s wrong in every circumstance, but he doesn’t want to be responsible for ending a life because it’s what he wants or desires. Because at the end of the day, that’s basically what Cyrus did. She says, it sounds like he hasn’t had the legal system fail him the way it did her. She’s had to watch Ava flaunting her smirk like she has some kind of right to be here when she’s put three people in the ground, one of them Kristina’s daughter.

On Monday, Sonny says, there’s something Lucy can help him with; Drew says, if Curtis takes something from him, he’ll take something from Curtis; Lulu tells Spinelli, it’s definitely worth taking the risk; and Sasha tells someone to leave now, or she’ll scream.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

All the feels about Emma 2.0.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/braedyn-bruner-opens-up-about-the-new-emma-on-gh

It ain’t as easy as it looks. And I visited one of those sets. The lights are hot AF.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tabyana-ali-spills-the-tea-about-working-on-a-soap

Saying goodbye to legends young and old. Not to belabor the point, but when are we saying goodbye to Monica on GH? It’s starting to get weird like it did with Bobbie.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/family-and-friends-celebrate-the-life-of-gh-star-leslie-charleson

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/stars-pay-tribute-to-michelle-trachtenberg

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Can’t tear myself away from TLC on Mondays, but here you go.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Jennifer hosted the women at Caviar Kaspia, where there’s caviar on everything and you hope someone else picks up the tab. The morally corrupt Faye Resnick joined them, as well as friend-of Kathy. Everyone wore a caftan except Dorit, and in Garcelle’s interview, she wondered if it was because Chanel didn’t make them. Dorit continued to be an a-hole toward Sutton – during the caviar party of course – and we flashed back to seasons ago when Sutton suggested she let the mouse go. Dorit insisted she had apologized, and we flashed back to her saying she didn’t know if Sutton had a drinking problem. Apparently, she considered this an apology. In Jennifer’s interview, she said she didn’t want them to get in a caviar food fight. It would be messy and expensive. Agreed.

Keely went with Boz to check out how many eggs she had, and it was good news. Pregnancy was definitely possible. Not so good was the photo that came out of Mauricio and a new lady love slobbering on each other at the airport. It was hinted at that maybe he’d done it on purpose, but Kyle said, no way. I’m not so sure he’d be capable of it, since he’s stoned all the time. I love how Kyle’s dogs are always unruly. Pets, the great leveler.

I just love her.

Summer House

I’ve been to a big party or two. There was this Halloween party in a Manhattan loft where my friend threw up in an ashtray… Never mind. Let me just say, despite the ashtray incident, at none of those big parties did the guests get sloppy, messy like they do on this show. Messier still are the relationships. I like model Lexi, but I think she can do better than any of the guys in the house. Certainly better than Jesse who is suddenly deep in love after five minutes. Danielle showed up and Kyle was his usual a-hole self, rage texting Paige about things she had nothing to do with.

Southern Charm

I didn’t get why Venita wasn’t angry at JT. He legit led her on and I don’t think one person in the cast knew he had a girlfriend. The only conclusion I could come to was, she’s hoping to be the rebound chick when it fails. Which it no doubt will, since he’s a moron and a truth slanter. He’s so awful, Salley couldn’t even fake her way through a dinner with him and needed to change seats. Shep was still delusional, thinking that Sienna didn’t want to lose the way they clicked. She’s not even being cagey about it – she’s not interested in a relationship with him. The food porn, however, was incredible. I’d just had dinner and was salivating. I went to Nassau once, but it was on a family trip as a teenager, and I didn’t appreciate it. I just wanted to get home to my friends. However, I’d appreciate it now, so if ever get there again, I’m eating at this place. I’ll give JT this, he didn’t want to deal with any issues at the table, and Salley was being a bit pushy. Craig suggested he just apologize to people, but here’s where I’ll give TJ something else. I don’t think he called Patricia a bitch. At least not at the Carolina Cup. Yet, Craig needed to beat that dead horse into its two lives. I walked out of the room for a hot minute and when I came back, the guys were arguing. JT told Venita to chime in any time, but she just looked at the table. When Austen said JT was literally a piece of sh*t on [his] shoe, JT left. Luckily, this was after the seafood towers. Way to make a vacation suck.

What happened after dinner was verboten to the cameras, but we got it from the interviews. Venita went to JT’s room and, according to him, threw herself at him, but he said he couldn’t do it because he was supposed to be in a relationship. Again, according to JT, he removed her from his person more than once. In Venita’s interview, she said she got the message. I’m wondering if she did, and if that isn’t the reason JT left the show. Craig put Paige on the phone to translate for Shep, since he and Austen weren’t getting through about Sienna. Paige said what I’ve been saying – she doesn’t like you. If she liked you, you would know it. Shep nearly missed the boat trip for three dots on his phone. I might understand if Shep was in his 20s, but he’s nearly 50. He made it to the boat, but Austen said he was Charlie Browning it, whatever that means. Shep pouted and said it didn’t make sense. Yes, it does. She doesn’t like you, but for whatever reason, wants to string you along. Since JT decided to jet, Rodrigo said, plot twist. JT is with Sienna. Dude! Molly said she felt like she was at a middle school dance, with everyone pressuring her to dance with Shep.

Two relationships that weren’t.

Southern Hospitality

The honeymoon, fake or otherwise, seems to be over for Maddi and Joe, and the observers seem to be enjoying themselves a little too much. There was a bit of schadenfreude going around. Leva, in keeping with her LVP 2.0 role, sat Joe down for a talk about his own career, suggesting he not set it aside. Otherwise, he’d resent Maddi in the future. The best part was a heart-to-heart between Michols and his stepdad. I’m also all in for a prom theme and finding homes for kittens. They’ll never be Vanderpump Rules, but they’ve grown on me. A little. I tend to zone out during the relationship/weepy stuff.

Random Reality Items

I can’t say I blame her.

Andy is shuttin’ it down.

Teresa I felt sorry for. She’s a dimbulb who followed her husband’s instructions without question. But I don’t know how sorry I feel for the Grande Dame. An MLM scam makes my skin crawl, taking advantage of people who don’t know any better. I also believe she thought she could skate. I get the vibe that she’s one of those don’t you know who I am? people.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1411380/rhops-karen-huger-sentenced-to-one-year-in-prison-in-dui-case

https://people.com/karen-huger-sentenced-after-dui-11686764

Not that exciting. It’s the back of her head.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Zero Day. Netflix. A limited series political thriller, I felt this was worth my time for the cast alone. Robert DeNiro is an ex-President asked to investigate a national cyberattack that caused over 3000 deaths and the threat that it will happen again. Unfortunately, his mental health is also in question and he’s still coming to terms with the death of his son. It keeps you guessing and often on the edge of your seat.

https://www.stylist.co.uk/entertainment/tv/zero-day-netflix-review/965531

Some spoilers.

https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/netflix-zero-day-irl

⌚️ Weekday Watches…

Big Family, Big City. TLC. This was interesting. A couple with 11 children – you read that right – moves to Manhattan – you read that right again – to pursue better opportunities for the kids. Even more intriguing, they’ve escaped a cult. They want to keep the positive core values without the control and manipulation. All of the kids, and dad, play stringed instruments and do busking in the city – i.e. they play music on the street for tips. It’s enjoyable and insightful, but I’m hoping it doesn’t go the way of the Plathville clan, where everything just kind of fell apart. I’m rooting for this family to stick together and stick it out.

https://people.com/family-of-13-learns-chaos-rules-in-new-tlc-special-big-family-big-city-exclusive-8782858

The Baldwins. TLC. I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d like this. But I did. I think if Alec acted more like he does as a dad when he’s outside the family fold, people might be more sympathetic toward him. I guess it’s a chicken/egg situation. No argument that the paparazzi, and sometimes general public, harass this guy, so is that why he’s cranky? Or was he cranky to begin with and that’s why they harass him? They don’t shy away from talking about the killing on the Rust set either.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1413621/the-baldwins-hilaria-and-alec-baldwin-share-glimpse-into-chaotic-home-life-with-7-kids

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/baldwins-premiere-recap-rust-halyna-hutchins-hilaria-accent-1236143150/

Beyond the Gates. CBS, Paramount+. Great cast and soap suds to match. My problem with this is going to be remembering it’s on since there hasn’t been a new soap in over 20 years. While daytime TV, with the exception of GH, is usually background noise while I do other work, I wouldn’t mind this being in the lineup. I did catch one episode, and it was enough to make me want more.

https://ew.com/beyond-the-gates-review-cbs-soap-opera-11682240

Lots of info here.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beyond-the-gates-cbs-soap-opera-review_n_67bdf2a3e4b0d509934a65bf

🌁 Upcoming Watch…

Last of Us. HBO, MAX. We knew we were looking forward to it. Now we know when. The second season premiere is April 13th.

https://www.inverse.com/gaming/last-of-us-season-2-release-date-spring-2025-hbo-max

🏆 Winners and Potentials…

SAG winners.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1413648/sag-awards-2025-complete-list-of-winners-live-updates

SAG fashion.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/23/style/sag-awards-red-carpet-fashion/index.html

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Academy Awards.

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2025

🦤 Things You Don’t See Every Day…

🐶 I love when a pup gets emo.

https://people.com/pug-that-wants-pup-cup-has-funny-reaction-at-wrong-drive-thru-11682283

🐕 Wow. I wouldn’t have thought this was possible, even for a big dog. I did have a Peke who needed a sonogram once and I was sure his stomach would show a pile of driveway rocks.

https://people.com/dog-saved-by-vet-after-eating-24-socks-and-other-items-11687692

🚦 He must have wondered, WTF? As did the people who saw him, I’m sure.

https://people.com/baby-seal-found-alone-on-busy-connecticut-street-being-monitored-closely-in-aquarium-11682919

🐬 That’s a lot of dolphins.

https://people.com/whale-watching-group-captures-rare-video-of-2-000-dolphins-playing-off-california-coast-11687881

🐾 The longevity news every pet parent wants to hear.

https://people.com/anti-aging-pill-for-dogs-one-step-closer-to-being-on-the-market-11687470

🗿 Quotes of the Week

The difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline, a plan, and accountability.Dr. Phil

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. – Alexander Graham Bell (Ouch!)

To be an overachiever, you have to be an over-believer. – Dabo Swinney

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. – Albus Dumbledore

I don’t have talent. I have tenacity. – Henry Rollins

Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat. – F. Scott Fitzgerald

The whole point is to live life and be – to use all the colors in the crayon box. – RuPaul

I come from a long line of quitters… I was raised to give up. – George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Seinfeld

🍻 I Didn’t Come Here and I Ain’t Leavin’…

Until next time, stay safe; stay springing forward on Sunday, March 9th (2 am); and stay remembering, if you have to work that hard to convince yourself, maybe it’s not right.

February 21, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Cyrus Meets His End, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watching, Watching Soon, Last Release, Those Who Merit, Turning It Around, Pithy Quotes Of 8 & Christmas

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

🛁 The Weekdays…

General Hospital

Sonny told Carly about the shared custody. She asked if he was going to tell her what was really going on. Kai texted Trina asking if she was free tonight. Laura was meeting with Drew about eminent domain and asked Curtis to sit in. Laura felt Drew was using the esplanade plan to retaliate against Jason through Sonny. Anna told Mac that while Jason was at the station, he couldn’t kill Cyrus. Elizabeth snuck into the interrogation room to see Jason and told him that she and Lucky found evidence against Cyrus.

Curtis gave a bunch of reasons Drew’s idea was a bad one, including a lawsuit from Sonny. Laura said Drew wanted to bring in Sidwell. Mac said with Cyrus gone, he couldn’t hurt anyone, but Anna said she’d rather bring Cyrus to justice. She felt they were getting closer. Elizabeth told Jason that they didn’t know Cyrus’s motives and she wasn’t sure the PCPD was up to the job. Cyrus consulted the Bible.  

Trina said it was Josslyn’s first Valentine’s Day without Dex, and she missed Spencer, but Josslyn told her to go with Kai. It was time for her to get back out there. Carly thought there was a reason behind Sonny’s reason for the compromise and he said he had to find where the threat was coming from and wanted to help Michael when he came home. She asked if Jason had mentioned Sasha. Sasha went to see Jason at the station. Martin told Willow that Elaine was out of commission, and he still needed dirt on Michael. Willow didn’t want to blame Michael or hurt him. Laura said Jordan would be at the meeting and Curtis said he’d seen her with Sidwell. When Jordan arrived, she said Sidwell could be legit, but they needed more information. She was going to get it. Drew showed up and said he could tell it was going to be a tough room. Elizabeth told Anna how she and Lucky collected evidence against Cyrus.

Carly said Drew accused Jason of fathering Sasha’s baby, but she didn’t know if it was true. Willow said maybe there was a way to make peace, when Nurse Mindy called her. Her car had been impounded. Laura said Drew gave her a lot to think about and he said there would be matching federal funding. He said if Sonny using piers for criminal activity was the priority rather than the esplanade, let it ride. Elizabeth told Anna about everything that happened at Turning Woods and GH with Cyrus, and said Anna had the authority to exhume the bodies. Sasha went to see Jason, and he said Anna was just trying to keep him away from Cyrus. She said she thought Willow suspected Michael was the father of her baby. Kai told Trina to meet him at The Savoy dressed to impress.

Willow told Mac that Tracy had her car towed after she’d put it in the street. She was starting to see how much she’d lost in becoming a part of Michael’s family and was done letting the Quartermaines run her life. Sasha told Jason about Elaine and said she didn’t want her child raised in the Quartermaine environment. Letting people draw their own conclusions wasn’t enough. She wanted Jason to come out and say the baby was his. Jordan said it could cost jobs, and the project could get tangled up for years, and Curtis said the city shouldn’t get entangled in Drew’s personal vendetta. Drew asked if the potential benefits were worth the risk. Elizabeth brought Anna a bag of stuff and said they’d gone through Cyrus’s trash in the dumpster. Anna saw an order of syringes from Paul Damascus, and Elizabeth said it was a biblical reference. It made sense for Cyrus to use it as an aka. Elizabeth thought digitalis had been in another box, but they couldn’t find an invoice. Meanwhile, Cyrus readied a syringe.

Carly said, if it was true, she needed to support Jason, but Sonny suggested they stay out of it. Anna said Elizabeth was good as an amateur detective, but they couldn’t link Cyrus to anything. Laura said it would be easier if she didn’t have to consider Sonny. Sonny said Jason would tell them if they needed to know, and Carly agreed to wait until Jason said something. Trina left to meet Kai and Josslyn brought out a box with a gun in it. Cyrus put the syringe in his pocket and called GH. He asked to talk to Elizabeth, but she was gone for the day. He said he was sure he’d run into her later. Drew brought roses to the hospital, but Willow wasn’t there. Willow saw Jason and Sasha talking, and Sasha said go with her on this and kissed him. Anna told Mac that they might have a new lead. He saw Sasha and Jason kissing and said, no, no, no!

Tuesday:

Valentine’s Day was happening at The Savoy and Curtis said they had a special surprise performer, when Trina walked in with Kai. On the phone, Spinelli told Maxie that he’d play cupid for Lucas since she was under the weather. He told Lucas that he was pinch hitting for Maxie, and she’d found him the perfect guy. Carly was cleaning up the cookie baking mess in Sonny’s old kitchen, saying, it’s the memories, not the mess. Jack came in bearing roses. Lulu was leaving Eckerd’s Valentine’s Day cupcakes for Rocco in the nook, when Dante came down. TempLucky went to Elizabeth’s, and she said Anna listened to her and was going to arrest Cyrus. She thought they should celebrate, and they discovered Aiden had made a cake. Mac had a migraine, and Anna was working on one. She told Jason that she had to release him, but wanted to convince him not to kill Cyrus the minute he left.

Portia said Trina seeing someone was a big deal, and Curtis said it was one they’d have to watch from afar. Trina asked if Kai had to pull strings to come, and he said, a few. Spinelli introduced Lucas and Gunther the model, and Brad saw them sit together. Carly’s faucet went nuts, spraying water everywhere. Dante told Lulu that Rocco was ice skating and crashing at a friend’s, but he’d barely touched the cupcakes Dante brought home years ago because they reminded him of Lulu. Aiden introduced Tobias to Elizabeth, and she asked if they wanted to join her and Lucky. Aiden said they were going to the Valentine’s Day skate and asked to talk to Elizabeth in private. Mac didn’t buy that Jason was the baby’s father, but then he saw Sasha kiss him. He thought Jason took advantage of her hurt over Cody, but Felicia said, the heart wants what the heart wants.

Anna asked for a BOLO on Cyrus and told Jason. She had enough evidence to connect him to multiple murders, including Sam’s, and hoped the judge would sign off on it right away. She could get justice, but only if Jason let her do her job. She asked him to stay away from Cyrus for her sake. Jack turned the water off and said luckily for Carly, her knight in sopping wet armor had arrived. Spinelli told Maxie that the chemistry between Lucas and Gunther was palpable, and Trina told Kai that she had a confession to make. The owner of The Savoy was her dad. Elizabeth told Aiden that she liked spending time with his dad and to go enjoy himself. Lulu said she didn’t know their son, but Dante said she did and told her to ask questions. She asked about Rocco’s first crush, if he was hard to wake up, how was he doing in school, and did he have friends. He knew about Rocco, and she didn’t. He said she’d catch up, but she said she’d neglected the child she had and was failing as a mother. he said that wasn’t true. Aiden left with Tobias, and Elizabeth said he’d offered to be their chaperone. Anna said she and Jason were friends and people noticed. If Cyrus disappeared, it would perpetuate the idea that there were people above the law who got away with it because of their friendship with her. Jason said he understood, but it didn’t matter when she was talking about the sick bastard who murdered Sam.

Kai complimented Curtis on the club and Curtis said they had to stick around for the surprise musical act. Anna asked Jason to trust her that they’d get justice. She’d taken chances on him, and she was asking him to take one on her and have faith. He wouldn’t regret it. Felicia said she and Mac had their ups and downs over the years. Mac had even left once, but he was her happily ever after. It wasn’t for them to decide who Sasha’s was. They’d make sure the only way Scorpios could. Lucky wondered if Aiden was worried that he and Elizabeth were getting too close, but she said Aiden just wanted to make sure she was treated well. She’d make it clear that she didn’t need protection from him. Dante said Lulu was a good mom. He shouldn’t have made it seem like she was choosing between Charlotte and Rocco. She said she didn’t know what Rocco needed, and Dante said, his mom. She’d made his pain and sadness disappear.

Lucas said the only reason he was on the date was because of Maxie, and Gunther said he understood Lucas wasn’t ready. Get his number from Maxie and tell him when he was. Gunther left and Brook and Chase showed up. Jack fixed Carly’s sink, which surprised her, and he said his father was a plumber. She said she’d envisioned him descending from a long line of super spies, but he told her that his dad always said, even if the world ends, you’re always going to need a plumber. She asked if anyone else knew. She liked knowing something about him that no one else did. He said, knowledge is power. Anna said the trust she and Jason had was unexpected, but real, and also obvious. No one would believe she hadn’t looked the other way, or worse they’d think she helped him cover it up.

Lucas asked if Brad wanted company. Spinelli told Brook that Gunther ditched Lucas, then saw Brad with Lucas. Chase left to check on Brook’s surprise. Curtis told Portia that he loved The Savoy, but Aurora presented a challenge, and he felt like he was growing there. N’neka said it was time, and Curtis introduced Chase. Dante promised to guard the cupcakes with his life, but thought he should take a couple off of Rocco’s hands. Lulu said, don’t you dare. Jack said he’d learned to expect the unexpected with Carly. Lucky said Elizabeth was as beautiful as the day he met her, and they kissed. Anna found out the warrant couldn’t be signed until the morning, and Jason said whatever happened to Cyrus, her office would respect her for the same reasons he did – her strength, courage, and willingness to put herself on the line. He knew she understood why he wanted to kill Cyrus, but didn’t think anyone else did. She said it was because they were alike, and he agreed. She asked him, as her friend, please don’t kill Cyrus, and he said she was a good friend, and he appreciated her friendship. She said that wasn’t an answer.

Chase told the audience that his singing career had been brief, but he’d met his wife through it and was grateful. He said the song was for her and sang one she’d written (Won’t You Stay with Me). As he sang, Lucky left Elizabeth’s, Jack and Carly had champagne, Felicia fed Mac Valentine cookies, and Lulu smushed a cupcake on Dante’s face, then helped wipe it off. Jason left the station. Elizabeth noticed that Lucky left the piece of cake he was taking home. There was a knock at the door, and she assumed it was him, but it was Cyrus.

Wednesday:

Cyrus told Elizabeth that he had an urgent matter that couldn’t wait and walked in. She’d been asking around about him and now had the opportunity to ask questions to his face. Emma asked Josslyn to be part of the benefit. Lulu was rude to a client on the phone in Helsinki and said he’d specifically asked for Brook or Maxie. It was Maxie and Spinelli’s first Valentine’s Day together and she didn’t want to ruin it. Brook said Lulu had no problem ruining it for her and Chase. Drew showed up at The Savoy with Willow, and Portia said, that’s a choice, but Curtis said it was beyond disrespect. It was a throwdown. Portia wondered how Willow couldn’t see through Drew (me too), but thought they should let it go. Willow wondered why Lucas was with Brad. Seeing Willow with Drew, Brad told Lucas that he was in no position to judge, but… and Lucas said it wasn’t their call. Cyrus asked what Elizabeth was trying to find out, and she said, fine. She’d start at the beginning. Why did he try to kill Lulu?

Donna called for Carly, interrupting a kiss with Jack. Emma wanted Josslyn to be an underwriter, but Josslyn said she had no time. She was going through a lot, but she’d be more than happy to donate. Emma argued with her, but Josslyn was unrelenting. Chase told Dante that he couldn’t give Brook the family she wanted to have. Curtis told N’neka that Drew was no longer welcome. Willow said she’d never forgive Brad (wow), and Curtis told Drew that he didn’t want him there. Cyrus said there was no sign of Lulu having an improvement. Just because someone could be kept alive didn’t mean they should be. Elizabeth said she’d watched families make that decision and it was awful, but in the end, it’s a gift. He said she understood, and she asked, what about the others? He said they were all God’s children, and she said, so from one family. He said he’d seen people trapped in their own hell and God gave him a mission to free imprisoned souls. He wept as he asked if Lulu wasn’t entitled to that, and she said, that’s why he turned off the ventilator, but he said, no, that was much later.

Brook said, the client threatened to cancel the shipment of the key ingredient in their cream. Lulu couldn’t talk to people that way. Lucas said he wasn’t sorry for Willow, but they all made mistakes. Curtis told Drew that Michael’s wife was more than welcome to stay, but he reserved the right to refuse service. They were playing the same game. Brad said, once the denial goes away, Willow will be miserable. One thing he’d learned was, lonely is lonely, whether deserved or not. Drew told Willow that he had a surprise for her, and they left. Donna asked why Jack was out so late and suggested he go to bed. She wondered why we have bad dreams, and Jack explained dreams to her. He said when we had bad dreams, something was bothering us. Cyrus told Elizabeth, in his first attempt to free Lulu, he used the wrong medication and drew unwanted attention. She said, that’s why Lulu’s liver failed. He freed Lulu, just not in the way he intended. She understood that, but why kill Sam? He said, Sam got in the way of him carrying out the Lord’s. Her donation would keep Lulu going, but not free her from her prison. Elizabeth asked if it was punishment, but he said it was a consequence of obstructing the Lord’s will. He also discovered that digitalis was the best way to free everyone else. She said it was fast, effective, and relatively painless. But what about Dex? He’d been young and healthy.

Cyrus said, Dex had been in the vicinity of Sam’s room and seen him, and Elizabeth said, it sounded less like God’s will and more like something the old Cyrus would do. He said Dex almost killed him on Sonny’s orders, but he had no malice in his heart. Cyrus flashed back to taking Dex’s hospital wristband when Dex was in the morgue. He said he had to remove Dex, and Elizabeth said, because of his mission. What would happen to the souls that needed to be freed? He said she understood, and she said he was able to help try to free Michael. He said he wanted to liberate Michael from his physical suffering, and she asked if there wasn’t another reason. He’d spoken about how his mother was suffering. He said, that’s what awakened him to his purpose. Martin had her living what barely qualified as a life. If he could set her free, he would. She said, it was a different type of healing, and he thanked her for understanding the importance of his mission.

Emma thanked Josslyn for her donation, but pressure her again for her presence. A worker came in to relieve Josslyn and she left. Gio told Emma that her approach needed work, and Emma said, friends speak the truth. He said she was a great salesperson, and he appreciated her passion. Chase told Dante that it wasn’t Brook, it was him, but Dante said there was more than one way to have a family. Chase said Brook deserved to be a mom and he’d do anything to be a dad.

Elizabeth said Cyrus’s purpose was not unlike hers, to help and heal, and he said nothing was going to jeopardize his mission. She should understand why he had to do this. He brought out the syringe and came toward her, when Lucky burst in. He told Cyrus, get away from her!

Lucas left and Brad sighed. Curtis told Portia about asking Drew to leave. There were no threats, but he wanted to make it clear whose club it was. He didn’t need Drew to ruin his evening. Drew showed Willow his new house and she said she loved it. Brook said it was part of Lulu’s job to answer the phone and be warm and courteous, especially to those who had a rare ingredient that was impossible to get. Lulu said she was at first, and Brook asked if she ever thought of anyone besides herself. Lulu said Brook got everything she wanted. She had the perfect life, job, and husband, and would have the perfect children. If she wasn’t getting what she wanted, it was her own fault. Dante walked in and asked, what’s going on?

Cyrus told Lucky not to get in the way, and Elizabeth broke free. Cyrus tried to stab Lucky with the syringe, and they struggled.

Dante told Brook where Chase was, and she left. He asked what Lulu said, and Lulu told him that she’d said Brook’s life was perfect. If she wasn’t getting what she wanted, it was her own fault. Dante suggested she back off, and Lulu said, all Brook did was complain about her perfect life. She woke up after four years in a coma to a life she didn’t recognize. By comparison, Brook’s life was heaven. Dante told her to cut Brook some slack. She found out she and Chase couldn’t have children. Emma thanked Gio for his patience, honesty, and commitment to the cause, and he said he enjoyed her company too. Portia asked if Brad had a nice Valentine’s Day and he said, better than expected. She said she was glad to hear it and would see him at work. She told Curtis that she wanted to put the bad stuff behind her and was focusing on what was right in front of her. Willow said she was sure Drew wanted to find a home for Scout, and he said, also for you and our kids, and asked her to move in with him.  While Carly put Donna back in bed, Jack’s phone rang. By the time Carly returned, Jack had his coat on. She asked if something was wrong and he said, unfortunately, something came up at work. They agreed to another time and kissed.

Lucky got the better of Cyrus, but Cyrus stabbed Lucky in the leg with the syringe. Elizabeth called 911 as she came down the stairs and saw the syringe sticking out of Lucky’s leg.

Thursday:

 Brook came home to find Chase, rose petals, and champagne. Dante told Lulu that there was a fertility issue with Chase.

Lucky slugged Cyrus and got a syringe in the leg for his trouble. Cyrus jumped up, tried to strangle lucky, and fled, while Elizabeth called 911. Jordan met with Laura, who wanted to make the esplanade happen, but still protect the city. Anna joined them and Laura said, in a potential battle between Sonny, Drew, and Sidwell, who was the biggest threat? (It’s like, Superman vs. the dinosaurs.) Drew asked Willow to move in with the kids. Jason went to Sam’s grave and said he needed to make a choice between what he wanted and what he thought she wanted. Josslyn snuck around Cyrus’s apartment and looked through his stuff.

Stella came to The Savoy to have a nightcap with Curtis, who had a special Valentine’s Day cocktail for her. Portia left and Stella asked if there was something else going on. He said there may be a favor only she could provide. Lucky was unconscious and Elizabeth did chest compression. Brook and Chase kissed, but she pulled away and said she couldn’t believe she was so lucky. He said, but he couldn’t give her a baby. Lulu felt terrible for Brook and Chase, and Dante said Brook had been nothing but supportive. He said being a father was one of the greatest joys of his life and Lulu said, the same for her with being a mother. Laura asked if Anna would bring Sonny down if she found evidence to do it, and Anna said, Drew was encouraging it. Jordan said that worried her because Drew wanted to align himself with Sidwell. Anna and Laura agreed and said he wanted the port to move his illegal merchandise. Jordan said Drew had a lot of influence, but she’d rather deal with the devil she knew than Sidwell. Willow thought the kids had been bounced around enough and Drew said he wanted all the kids to have stability. He tried his best to talk her into moving in.

Jason told Sam that he could kill Cyrus and get away with it, and he wanted to kill him. One thing held him back. He knew Sam wanted him to put their son before his need for vengeance. Josslyn continued to toss Cyrus’s place. Lulu said Brook knew things about Dante that she didn’t and it was hard, but he said, it shouldn’t be. Carly used their history to break them up, but Brook knew it was wrong and still felt terrible. It was a long time ago and time to let it go. They were friends and that was it. Brook said she meant their vows from the bottom of her heart, but Chase said she couldn’t have expected this. She said it was hard, but sometimes plans changed. It didn’t mean they still couldn’t be parents. Willow told Drew that nothing about their situation was perfect. For one, she was still married. Drew said Michael had filed for divorce and was out of the country, and Willow said he was fighting for his life. Drew said she was alone with the kids, and she said Wiley adored his father. She hadn’t told Wiley that they were splitting up, so moving in felt wrong. Jason promised to always put Danny first.

Josslyn almost left, but kept looking until she found an envelope with hospital wristbands in it, particularly Dex and Sam’s. Laura said they couldn’t have Port Charles in a territory battle and Jordan said Drew was different and not in a good way. Anna said Drew’s willingness to align himself with Sidwell was worrisome, and Laura asked if they could no longer trust him. Anna left to take a call about Cyrus, and Laura got a call from Elizabeth, who told her to get to the hospital right away. Lucky was in trouble.

Curtis said he understood Stella was friends with Congressman Douglas Henderson and she said they went way back. They agreed he was a good man and influential in Washington. Curtis said he needed Stella to introduce him, and he needed to develop a relationship before Drew destroyed everything he was building. Willow said she cared about Drew so much and he said he didn’t want to pressure her. They had the rest of their lives. He thought when she was ready, they should tell the kids about their relationship together, but she said she didn’t want to talk to them while Michael was recovering. Lulu said part of her was threatened by Brook. Not because of Dante, but she lost four years, and it was like Brook stepped into the important parts of her life. Dante suggested she felt like Brook took her place in all their lives and she said, maybe. She was starting to wonder if she had a place there at all. Chase said Brook was a natural at being a mom and she said, however they brought a child into their lives, it would be together, and it would be a part of both of them. Anna arrived at Elizabeth’s where an officer filled her in on what happened and said Cyrus fled the scene. They had an APB out on him and Lucky was in the hospital. Elizabeth told Isaiah that Lucky had been given digitalis and Laura showed up at the hospital. Josslyn said, Dex didn’t deserve this, and took photos. Cyrus walked in.

Lulu said she sounded selfish, but Dante said she wasn’t. She said it was hard to realize the family you wanted wasn’t going to happen and wanted to apologize, but he said Chase told him in confidence. Her phone rang and she told Dante that it was Lucky and ran out. Anna said they’d waited too long to arrest Cyrus and now Lucky could die. On his way in, Aiden overheard. Elizabeth told Laura about Cyrus attacking Lucky because she and Lucky suspected him of killing people, including Sam. He’d said it was a divine calling, saving them from their suffering, and he was the reason Lulu’s liver failed. Cyrus got an ax and said Josslyn shouldn’t have come. Josslyn said he’d killed Sam and Dex and wasn’t getting away with it. He said they’d gotten in the way of his mission, and she had too. He came after her and she shot him.

Cyrus said now Josslyn was the murderer and died (I think). Anna brought Aiden to the hospital and talked to Elizabeth. Chase said if they adopted it wouldn’t be fair to Brook, but she said she didn’t look at it that way. Families were created all different ways, and none was better than the other. He said he was robbing her of the experience. Curtis said Drew was gunning for him and wouldn’t hesitate to stop projects from going through at the federal level, even if they helped his constituents. He’d changed and become vindictive. Stella said he’d backstabbed Curtis and Curtis said Drew would bring the same dark energy to Washington. Would she help him?

Drew came home and Jason was there. Lulu and Dante arrived at the hospital, and Lulu went to see Lucky. Dante wanted in on finding Cyrus and Anna said okay. Josslyn moved the ax, then checked Cyrus’s pulse. She looked at Jason and Jack’s numbers, then made a call. She said, I need your help.

Stella said Drew was gunning for Curtis and she needed to let Doug know what a snake Drew was. There were few people she held in as high a regard. Curtis could count her in, but a word of advice. Drew didn’t like a mirror held up to him. She asked why he was coming after Curtis. Drew said he wasn’t in the mood for another battle, but Jason said he was here to make peace. Drew asked why the hell he would want to, and Jason said, for Sam. Chase said it was because of him that Brook wouldn’t experience a miracle growing inside her and she cried for him to stop. She’d had a baby. She’d been pregnant before. Isaiah came out and Laura asked if her son was alive. Anna found out Cyrus was heading southeast in his car. Josslyn paced the apartment when someone came in. It was Jack. 

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada:

Chase says, what does Brook mean, she had a baby? Is she talking about Bailey Lou, when she pretended to be pregnant? She says she wasn’t pretending. She got pregnant in high school and had a baby. She gave the baby up and never told anyone except her ma, not even the father. Chase asks if Ned knows, but she says, no. She knows it’s a lot to take in. He says, she got pregnant when she was a teenager and has been carrying the secret ever since.

Tracy wants to go over the menu for the library board dinner with Sasha and asks for some tea. Sasha asks if she wants her special blend, and Tracy says, yes. Sasha says, but first, she thought Tracy should know a P.I. has been snooping around. She’s pretty sure it’s to get dirt on Michael. Tracy asks, what makes her say that? and Sasha says she had an encounter with a woman named Elaine and her dog outside Bobbie’s and then in the park. Eventually, Elaine told Sasha herself that someone was looking into her. Tracy asks what Sasha told Elaine before she knew.

Drew says, Jason, of all people, walks into his house demanding peace, and Jason says he wants to respect Sam’s wishes that Danny and Scout stay together, but it’s never going to happen when they’re at each other’s throats. So he’s here about a truce for the kids. Drew says, now he wants to honor Sam’s wishes? He’s just asking because Jason clearly didn’t care when Jason ambushed him the night before the funeral and he’s trying to figure this out. What changed?

Isaiah tells Laura and Lulu that they were able to stabilize Lucky, but he’s in guarded condition. Aiden asks what that means, and Isaiah says he gave Aiden’s dad medication to counteract the digitalis. Since they don’t know how much digitalis is in Lucky’s system, it’s too soon for a definite prognosis. Aiden asks if that’s bad, but Elizabeth says, they can’t say yet. Aiden says, dad might not make it, and she hugs him.  

Portia tells Lucky, hang in there. He made it all the way home from Africa in one piece. Now he has to make it through this.

Anna tells Dante that they tracked Cyrus’s car to Route 41, and Dante wonders why he’s headed in that direction. There’s nothing out there. Does she think Lucky will be okay? She says she doesn’t know. She hopes so. She’s just grateful Elizabeth wasn’t hurt. Dante wonders, why go after Elizabeth, of all people? and Anna says, Cyrus found out that she and Lucky were asking questions at GH and Turning Woods. He didn’t want them to connect him to the murders. He says, did they? and she says, they found evidence that proves it, and he admitted to Elizabeth that he killed Dex and Sam, among others. She asks if Dante is all right, and he says, yeah, because they got him. Anna says, they did, and Cyrus knows that. If he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life in prison, he’s going to disappear. Dante says, he can run, but there’s no way that bastard can hide.

Jack walks into the cabin and tells Josslyn to hand him the weapon. Josslyn gives the gun to him, and he checks it over. He checks Cyrus’s pulse, and Josslyn says she already did that. He’s dead. Jack says, yes, he is, and she says, Cyrus tried to attack her. He was going to kill her. Jack says he knows. He was outside when it happened. Did she call anyone else? She says, no, just him, and he says, good. They still have a small window in which to clean up. She asks if they shouldn’t call the police, and he says, they could. Or they could take care of it themselves.

Brook says she’s so sorry she never told Chase. It was a strange time. When she realized she was pregnant, she was terrified. She didn’t know what to do. She wasn’t ready to be a mom. Chase says, of course (🍷) not. She was just a kid. He can’t imagine how scared and alone she felt. She says, at least she had her mom, and he asks if Lois stepped up. Brook says, big time. She was incredible. She wasn’t thrilled Brook got pregnant in the first place, but once the shock wore off, Lois was in her corner 100%. He says he’s glad, but not surprised. Was it hard to decide? She says, terminating the pregnancy didn’t feel like an option at the time. She knew she’d be having the baby and the decision not to keep it came to her pretty quickly. There was just no way she could be a mom. He says he gets it, and she says, when it came down to it, she knew the rest of the family could never find out. She was already so overwhelmed, the last thing she needed were the judgements and opinions of the family. So she went on tour with her mom for five months, had the baby, and went back to her life. Her mom made all the arrangements. He says he assumes it was a closed adoption, and she says she never even saw the baby. She was afraid if she did, she couldn’t give it up. He says, so she doesn’t know if she had a boy or a girl? and she says, no. He says, it must have been insanely hard, especially at that age, and she says, he isn’t angry with her?

Isaiah says he wishes he could promise Aiden’s dad was going to be okay, but they just don’t know. He’s in ICU and being closely monitored. Elizabeth says, they’re doing everything they can, and Isaiah says, they know how strong Lucky is. Lulu says, the absolute strongest, and Aiden says he’s sorry for freaking out. Isaiah says he gets it. Lucky is the best friend he’s ever had. Laura asks if it’s possible for someone to sit with Lucky now, and Isaiah says, absolutely. Laura tells Elizabeth and Aiden to go first and tell Lucky that his mother and sister love him. Aiden and Elizabeth leave to go to Lucky’s room, and Lulu says, Lucky is going to be okay. Laura says she knows. He’ll survive Cyrus like Lulu just did. They hug.

Jason says, Scout and her siblings just lost their mom, and Drew says he’s aware. Jason says, they need to be together, so he and Drew need to work together. Drew says, Jason doesn’t play well with others, and Jason says, Drew doesn’t like how he lives. He doesn’t like how Drew lives. But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that it’s okay for the kids because they’re family. Drew says, and Jason knows all about family.

Sasha says she told Elaine her approximate due date. That’s it. She’s not sure what Elaine was looking for, but she assumes Willow’s lawyer hired her. Tracy says, good guess, and Sasha says she just thought Tracy would like to know that somebody is being investigated. Tracy thanks her for the intel, and Sasha says she’s welcome… Tracy is holding something back. She can tell. Tracy says she’s been known for that, and Sasha tells her, say it. Tracy says she promised not to ask invasive questions, and Sasha asks if she has one. Tracy asks, if Jason is the father, are they planning on getting married? and Sasha says she gets it. Tracy wants to know what she’s looking to make off the Quartermaine name.

On the phone, Anna says, let her know if they turn up anything, and Dante says, it was smart of her to contact Pentenville. Cyrus was in there a long time. He must have made connections. Anna says she was thinking a former associate could tell them where Cyrus might go. The longer they’re without a lead, the less likely they are to track Cyrus. He asks if Elizabeth said why Cyrus killed the patients, and Anna says she thinks it was some kind of divine mission to release them from their suffering. From what he told Elizabeth, he’s been doing it since he got out of prison. Dante says, it doesn’t make sense. Dex and Sam were healthy. Why target them? She says, they got in his way.

In Lucky’s room, Elizabeth asks how he’s doing, and Portia says, he’s holding his own. Elizabeth says, that’s good news, and Portia says she’ll let them have time alone with him. Portia leaves and they go over to the bed. Elizabeth says she’s here. So is Aiden. He needs to hang on and come back to them. She’s going to say it again when he opens his eyes, but she thanks him for saving her life tonight. Aiden says, mom’s safe now and he has to wake up.

Jack says, they don’t have to call the police, and asks where Josslyn got the gun. She says, it’s Dex’s. Everybody knows how much she hates Cyrus and that she thinks he killed Dex. Now she killed him with Dex’s gun. Who will believe it was in self-defense? Jack says, coming in the cabin with a gun does imply intent, and she says, he knows what happened. He says he wasn’t in the room. Technically, people could say he didn’t see what happened. She says, he doesn’t believe her, and he says he does, but it won’t hold up in a court of law. He can take care of it, but once the WSB is involved, no one can know what happened, not even her mother. Can she do that? If not, they’ll call the police right now. She looks at Cyrus’s body and nods. She says she can do it. Stay quiet. Jack says, they’re leaving… and she says, but her fingerprints… He says, now. If anyone asks her, she was never at the cabin. Does she understand? She nods and they leave.

Drew says, ever since he found out he and Jason were twins, his whole life hinged on one moment. What if Susan Moore had brought him back to Port Charles instead of Jason? He would have grown up with Monica and Alan and would have lived the life of luxury as a Quartermaine. Instead, he got Betsy Frank, a group home, and he was on his own at 18. Jason says he had no control over that, and Drew says, they loved Jason, despite his never having appreciated it and hurting their parents, breaking their hearts over and over. He had no need of anything Quartermaine. Jason says, they’re done, but Drew says, it’s his house. He’ll tell Jason when they’re done. Jason wants to come back home? Now that Drew has made a place for himself and took the Quartermaine name. Now he wants to come back? That’s perfect. He and the Quartermaines can have each other. He’ll be over here with his daughter. Jason says, he’s okay with Scout losing Sam, Danny, and Rocco all at once? and Drew says, what Scout is going through breaks his heart, but as her father, he’ll do what’s best for her – always.

Jordan asks if Anna had any luck, and Anna says she had them run the name Paul Damascus and Cyrus never used it before, but when they were running the DEA list of Cyrus’s associates, a name jumped out – Gatlin. Jordan says, Cyrus has a connection to a Gatlin family based in Pautuck, and Anna says, a deep connection? Jordan says, decades, and Anna says, a doctor at GH was shot dead in 2023 who was from Pautuck. Dante says, the murder was never solved, and Jordan says, the doctor had several properties in Pautuck. Anna makes a call, and says she’ll need a list of properties southeast of Port Charles rented or owned by a Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt.

Josslyn walks into Jack’s office, and he asks if anybody saw her come in. She says, no, and he tells her to go to the bathroom and shower. Wash away all the evidence. Leave her clothes, jewelry, and phone, anything she brought to the cabin, in the bathroom. There’s a change of clothes for her in there. Can she handle that? She says, yeah, and when she leaves, Jack takes out the gun, wipes it, and puts it on his desk. Colette comes in and says she got his message. Jack says, Cyrus Renault is dead, and she asks, what the hell happened?

In the bathroom, Josslyn flashes back to Cyrus coming at her and her shooting him. She throws up.

Jack tells Colette that Josslyn had a gun he wasn’t aware of, but it’s fine. She only called him. She says, still, the clean-up might not be as easy as he thinks. Renault attacked Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Baldwin tonight. Lucky is in the hospital and there’s an APB out on Renault. Who knows how long it will take Anna to find the cabin?

Laura says, does Lulu remember her saying how Cyrus visited her? and Lulu says, it was too creepy to forget. Laura says, Cyrus told Elizabeth that he had plans to free her from her coma, and Lulu says, aka kill her. Laura says, something went wrong, and it only affected her liver, and Lulu says, Cyrus caused her liver failure? Laura says, yes. She’s very sorry. Lulu says, why? and Laura says, because Cyrus is her brother. Lulu says, it’s not exactly her fault, and Larua says she knows that, but in retrospect, she can see that strange fascination he had in her. Lulu says, no one could predict he would do this, and Laura says, he’s a very sick man, but if Lulu hadn’t woken up when she did… Oh my God. Laura hugs her, cries, and says, they would have lost her.

Aiden says, it’s been cool having Lucky home. It made him realize how much he missed him. Thanks for showing up and being on his side. And grandma and Aunt Lulu want him to know they love him. Elizabeth says, they all think he’s had enough beauty rest now. Come out of this. Aiden says, he has to wake up. He just has to. Suddenly, an alarm goes off.

Jason asks if Drew is really going to keep Scout from her brothers, and Drew says, Scout’s got him. And they’ll have Willow and her kids. It’s all the family they need and she’s going nowhere near the Quartermaines. Jason says, because Drew got his feelings hurt? but Drew says, because the Quartermaines are terrible people. He did all he could to fit in. He did everything he could to keep the family going. The second he does something for himself, they can’t turn their backs fast enough. Because he fell in love with the wrong woman. Compared to what they’ve done? To a murderer hitman, it’s always home. Jason says, Drew is making a huge mistake, but Drew says he doesn’t think so. The Quartermaine name, he’s got it. The Quartermaine money, it’s in the bank. He doesn’t need the people and headache that go along with it. We’re done. He opens the door and says, get out of my house. Jason walks out.

Sasha says she is not discussing her personal life, and Tracy says, good. Just listen. She didn’t get knocked up by some random guy at a bar, a one-night stand with a Quartermaine. Sasha says, allegedly, and Tracy says, allegedly a Quartermaine, but not just any Quartermaine, a family favorite. Sasha says, not hers, and Tracy says, absolutely not. She’s wanted nothing to do with him for years, but her mother adored him, as did Monica. He could do no wrong in their eyes. Sasha asks how many times she has to say it. She doesn’t want or expect anything from the family. Tracy says, what does the family expect from her? and she asks, what happened to her right to make decisions for her own baby? Tracy says, she does, but she can’t keep going ahead like the baby is exclusively hers. Not if it’s a Quartermaine.

Chase tells Brook that he’s not angry with her. Just the opposite. He hates that she had to keep the secret for so long. She says she hated keeping it from him, when she let herself think about it. She trained herself not to. He says, she compartmentalized, and she says she put it in a box and rarely took it out. He says, it makes sense. How is she supposed to move on? She says, the baby was with her for 9 months technically. She loved him or her so much. She wanted to give them the best life possible. He says, she has no idea where they went? and she says, no. She trusted her mom, who worked with the agency to find a good home. She’s so sorry for lying. He says, show him the lie. All she did was keep part of her past private. Just because they’re married, she doesn’t have to share every little thing. She says, it’s not little, and he says, maybe not, but she gets to choose who she shares it with and who she doesn’t want asking questions. He does want to know one thing.

Josslyn wipes the steam from the bathroom mirror. She flashes back to looking at dead Cyrus and leans on the sink.

Jack says, Anna’s not aware of the cabin, and Colette says, not yet, but it’s just a matter of time. He asks if they’re monitoring the PCPD radio, and she says, Renault was spotted on Route 41. The police know his direction and it’s not a densely populated area. He says, the cabin is one of the few options, and she asks if he honestly thinks Josslyn can keep quiet. She’s just a kid. She’ll want to tell someone. He says, let him worry about Josslyn. It’s her job to get a team to the cabin before Anna finds it. She says, a total clean-up? and he says, with one exception.

Isaiah runs into Lucky’s room and Elizabeth hustles Aiden out. Isaiah uses the defibrillator on Lucky.

Lulu tells Laura that Dr. Gannon said her body’s reaction to the liver transplant could be why she woke up after four years. If Cyrus hadn’t tried to kill her, she probably wouldn’t have woken up. Laura says she guesses Lulu is right, and Lulu says, if she hadn’t needed a liver transplant, Sam would be here. Laura says, they’ve been through this. She can’t let herself think like that. She’s not responsible for Sam’s death. That’s on Cyrus. She doesn’t care about his crazy savior story. He’s been killing people. If she needs to point a finger, put the blame where it belongs, on Cyrus. And the people he paid off or blackmailed to get out of prison. He never should have been let out.

Elizabeth and Aiden come out and Elizabeth says, Lucky’s heart stopped. He’s in defibrillation. Aiden says, his dad is dying.

They continue to use the paddles on Lucky, and Isaiah says, come on. Don’t do this to me. He begins chest compression.

Jack puts the gun in a bag, then in a bin. Josslyn comes back and he tells her to have a seat. She asks, what happens now? and he asks if she told anyone where she went. She says, no, and he asks if she told anyone the address. She says, no, she didn’t tell anyone. Why did Colette give her the address? He says, she set everything in motion when she asked to see the footage from Rice Plaza, and she says, when she was finding out who killed Dex? He says, it was strategic thinking on her part, and she says, it got her nowhere. The footage was gone. He says, no, it wasn’t, and shows her a still shot of Cyrus. He says, it shows her instincts were spot on, and she says she doesn’t understand. He knew the whole time and didn’t go to the police? He says he wanted to see what she’d do.

Brook says, ask anything, and Chase asks if she’s okay. She says, that’s his one question? and he says he can’t imagine going through something so huge. In high school, his biggest stressor was if he’d make varsity or not. She had to choose a future, not just for her, but her child. She’s amazing. He was already thinking she’s so strong and he didn’t know the half of it.

Isaiah says, Lucky never quit on him before. Don’t quit now.

Anna suggests Dante go see Lulu and find out how Lucky is doing. He says, she put him back on the case, and she says she told him that he could work on the case, not personally apprehend Cyrus. He asks if she thinks he’d go rogue and kill Cyrus. He’s thought about it and death is too easy an out. He’ll follow protocol. Anna’s phone rings and she asks, what’s the address?… Send units. She’ll be right there. Dante says, that’s off Route 41, and Anna says, let’s go now. Dante asks Jordan to keep them posted on Lucky, and she says, will do. Good luck.

Portia says, they got him back. Lucky is stable. Aiden says, he’s going to be okay? and Portia nods. Lulu says, his dad is strong and hugs him. Elizabeth hugs Aiden and Laura hugs Lulu.

Sasha says, privacy is starting to be impossible in this house, and Tracy says, starting? Too funny. Sasha can keep playing the who’s-the-daddy game all she wants, but she’s inclined to believe Cody. Sasha says, fine. Jason is the father. Happy? Tracy shrugs, when Jason walks in. Sasha says she is so done with this day and walks past him and out. Tracy says she guesses congratulations are in order.

Josslyn says, Jack knew Cyrus killed Dex and did nothing? but he says, on the contrary. He fed her clues and followed her. She asks if he’s playing some game because he’s into her mom, but he says, it’s got nothing to do with Carly. It’s clear Josslyn is special. She’s got all the qualities necessary to make a great agent – ingenuity, initiative, willing and able to do what’s necessary. She asks, necessary for what? and he says, for the WSB. He wants her to become one of them.

Brook says, truly, Chase isn’t upset? If he were, she would understand. He says, stop and think. Would she be? She says, so many of their past problems were because of her lying, and this is another one of those times, but he says he doesn’t consider this a lie. He’s curious. Why tell him now? She says, he was beating himself up about her not getting pregnant naturally. She couldn’t stand it. He says, once it had a bearing on their relationship, she told him. She can tell him anything. She says she kept it buried so long, and he thanks her for sharing such an intimate part of herself. She says she loves him and trusts him with her life, and he says, right back at her. They kiss.

Laura says she can’t thank them enough, and Portia says, Lucky is still being monitored closely, but the danger has passed as of now. Aiden thanks her for saving Lucky’s life, and she says she had a lot of help. Isaiah says, Lucky refused to give up, and Aiden says he wants to thank Isaiah too.

Isaiah goes into Lucky’s room and says, it’s not cool making him sweat like that. He guesses it wouldn’t be Lucky if he wasn’t a colossal pain in the ass. He thanks Lucky and says he doesn’t know what he would have done if he’d lost him.

Tracy says, Jason isn’t planning on moving out. This is Danny’s home, and he needs stability. Jason agrees he does, and he’ll do whatever it takes to give that to Danny. Tracy says she knows the living situation is not his first choice – or second or third – but she’s glad his priority is Danny. It shows his loyalty is to the family, because they are family. Despite the past, he’s one of them. Jason says, just not one she wants around. Drew is coming for him.

Josslyn says, Jack set her up to kill Cyrus so he could hold it over her head to join the WSB, but he says he didn’t know she had access to a gun. Did anyone else know? She says, no, and he asks why she brought it. She says, to protect herself – obviously – which does not make her a spy. He says, it does. She shields herself not by hiding, but by acting. What happened in the cabin? Tell him. Josslyn says she found the patients’ ID bracelets and saw how many Cyrus killed. There was one for Dex. Cyrus was going to attack her with a hatchet and she shot him in self-defense. He says, if Cyrus hadn’t attacked her, would she have not pulled the trigger, and Josslyn cries and says she doesn’t know. He says, good thing they didn’t call police then.

Anna’s team approaches the cabin. Anna nods and Dante kicks in the door.

Brook says, it was stupid not to tell him sooner, but Chase says, she told him when she was ready. He wonders if she’s judging herself for her decision, and she says, a decision that shouldn’t have happened in the first place. What if she gave up the baby and it didn’t give them a better life? He asks if she wants to try and find her child, but she says she doesn’t know. He asks if she ever tried, and she says, no. He asks if she thought about it, and she says, of course (🍷), but wouldn’t it be unfair to crash into the child’s life after letting them go? He says, having Brook in their life could only make It better. Trust him. It’s 100% her decision, but if she decides to try to find them, he’ll help in any way he can.

Tracy says, Drew is coming after all of them. She assumes he’s the one who convinced Willow to hire a P.I. to find something that she can use against Michael in the divorce. Jason says, Drew blames the whole family for turning against him, and she says, they’ve made Drew the enemy. She can’t believe she’s saying this, but she’s so glad he’s here. They need him. Welcome home. She pats his shoulder and leaves.

Aiden says, they’re all here. Laura and his mom are here. Lulu says, hey, big brother, and Aiden says, they love him and can’t wait for him to wake up. Lulu tells Lucky, hurry up. Patience is not her strong suit.

Jordan says she heard Isaiah saved another life. Congratulations. Isaiah says, it was a close one and he’s not responsible. It was difficult and he thought he’d lose Lucky. Jordan says she speaks for all Lucky’s loved ones. She’s grateful he fought so hard for his friend. Isaiah says, he’s grateful to Lucky. He’s too stubborn to die.

Inside the cabin, an officer tells Anna, the surrounding area is clear, and Anna says, expand the radios. She tells Dante, aside from everything being completely dust free, no one has inhabited this cabin lately. Dante says, there’s no sign of anything, and Anna tells the officer, get forensics here asap. He leaves, and Anna says, if Cyrus was in the cabin, he left something behind. They have to find what it is.

Josslyn says, what about the evidence in the cabin? and Jack says, it’s been taken care of. Josslyn says, even if she doesn’t accept the offer? and he says, even if. But he strongly urges her to consider it. She’d make one hell of an agent. As far as tonight goes, she needs a story. He hands her some cash and says, buy herself a new phone. Say she lost hers. Her car was driven here. Can she drive home? She says, yes, and he says, be in touch. She leaves, and Colette comes in. Colette says, she gets to walk out, just like that? and Jack says, yes. When she comes back, it’s better if she thinks it’s her idea.

On Monday, Anna needs someone at the station right now; Kai says Trina is the only reason he’s not losing his mind right now; Kristina tells Molly that she’s never going to believe in the system again; and Brook tells Lois that she told Chase everything.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I was kind of surprised they didn’t go the whodunit route, but it was still a great end. Loved him pouring his heart out to Elizabeth. We’ll miss you, Jeff Kober!

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/behind-the-scenes-of-cyrus-death-with-eden-mccoy

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jeff-kober-says-goodbye-to-gh-with-the-best-death

Maybe Lucky will be waking up a different man.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-temporarily-recasts-lucky-with-guy-wilson

Finally, we meet Tobias.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/charlie-besso-cast-as-tobias-on-general-hospital

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/colin-cassidy-thought-he-blew-his-audition-for-aiden-on-gh

It does really sound like a goodbye.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tajh-bellow-shares-a-special-message-for-his-gh-fans

Picking up the pieces.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/cameron-mathison-shows-off-his-new-house

She left behind a body of work to be proud of.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-and-oltl-alum-alice-hirson-dead-at-95

Beyond the usual soap.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstrom-and-cady-mcclain-join-the-cast-of-beyond-the-gates

How they celebrated with their sweeties.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/see-how-the-stars-and-their-sweethearts-spent-valentines-day

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

While I didn’t watch this, I did read about Harry’s accident. Yikes!

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The trip to see Sutton’s mom ended, and Sutton finally heard I love you from Reba. In Sutton’s interview, she said she hadn’t felt like this with her mother since her sophomore year in college on Mother’s weekend. Dorit was having a 4th of July barbecue, per tradition with her kids, but adding the women. In Dorit’s interview, she said it felt like there was definitely something missing because PK wasn’t there, and she wanted to have fun with her friends and kids. Good luck with that first one. Sutton got there first, and there were zero people to greet her, a huge party faux pas, no matter who you are. You don’t just leave people to wander around on their own. Kyle came next, Dorit still nowhere to be found, and they noticed a table of framed photos that they dubbed a shrine to PK. It was 40 minutes before Dorit made her appearance. Although she still couldn’t be bothered to greet Sutton. When she finally did, she snatched Sutton’s bag and insisted Sutton give it to her, literally not giving it back. In her interview, she said it was about Sutton interrupting her talking about Jagger – we flashed back, and Sutton had good reason – but giving her the bag would equal forgiveness. It was a hard no.

The spread was amazing, and things were good for like, five minutes, until Dorit made a jab at Sutton about drinking alcohol. What is wrong with that woman? Sutton said she was a bitch, which caused Dorit to spiral because Sutton had called her a bitch in her own home. Here’s a hint. If you don’t want to be called a bitch, don’t be one. In her interview, Sutton said Dorit had never apologized for insinuating she had a drinking problem, and we flashed back to Dorit’s various comments about it. Sutton decided she was going to jet, and in the bitch’s Dorit’s interview, she intimated that there must be something to it if Sutton was making such a big deal. No. She’s just sick of you calling her an alcoholic. In Kyle’s interview, she tried to compare her tirade and walking out of Boz’s spa day, even though it was not at all the same thing. Boz thought Sutton leaving was rude, and Garcelle told Boz to quit being Dorit’s spokesperson. Kyle was also irritated with Dorit agreeing with everything Boz said, but they ended up hugging it out. For now.

Where are they now?

Let’s talk about the husband.

Summer House

They toasted to how mature they were. Here’s where I would look at the camera if there was one. Ciara brought up West’s New York Times article at dinner, which is where sensitive, anger inducing topics are always broached. Lindsay broke the tension by needing to run to the bathroom. West kinda sorta apologized to Ciara, Paige avoided getting together with Craig, and it was the same old except for Lindsay being pregnant.

This picture is so weird. It’s like they were suddenly plopped in from different climates.

Southern Charm

Molly, Taylor, and Rodrigo did flamingo yoga, which is like goat yoga but with flamingoes. Biggest reveal? Craig watches a lot of 90 Day Fiancé. Me too! The biggest non-surprise? Sienna is so not interested in a relationship with Shep. I would say it was painful to watch, but seeing him get a taste of his own medicine was too delicious.

Southern Hospitality

It was back from Vegas and back to reality after Maddi and Joe’s fake wedding by Elvis impersonator. She seemed to be wearying of Joe’s attention. The best quote: I’m the bitch that runs the bitches who think they run the bitch.Michols Peña

Random Reality Items

Now there will be no let up about him proposing. Not from Dolores, but everyone else.

Do we really need another branch of the franchise? They’re always intriguing in the beginning. Then they degenerate into a screaming match.

In a surprise twist, Lady Gaga has time to watch TV.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Cassandra. Netflix. My favorite horror genres are in this order: Zombie apocalypse, any zombies, any apocalypse, technology is evil, large monsters like Godzilla and/or dinosaurs, and sharks. This imported miniseries from Germany falls under technology being evil, but with a twist. Cassandra is the face behind a smart house and she’s out of control. The surprise is, she has a backstory, that’s told parallel to the nightmare of the family who moves in.

Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End. Amazon Prime. And in my favorite genre, reveled clearly in the title, this was one exciting zombie romp. A Spanish thriller based on a book, the story revolves around a man and his cat who are trying to make it to a safe place. The action and the special effects were impressive. It wasn’t 2 hours of my life I wanted back and it gave me the zombie fix I so desperately needed. No spoilers here:

Lots of spoilers here. Turn back if you do not want to be spoiled.

https://www.cinemablend.com/streaming-news/i-watched-amazons-new-zombie-movie-holy-cow-i-have-things-to-say

👍One To Watch…

While the words love story aren’t usually in my viewing queue, these two make it look like it will be a fun time. This show also looks like an enriching learning experience about those who are different. One of the things reality TV should foster more.

🌁 Upcoming Watch…

It’s been decreed. The second season of The Last of Us will premiere on April 13th.

https://winteriscoming.net/the-last-of-us-season-2-release-date-revealed-and-we-called-it

🏆 Awards Corner…

BAFTA winners.

https://deadline.com/2025/02/bafta-film-awards-winners-list-conclave-emilia-perez-2025-1236291491/

Warming up for the Academy Awards on March 2nd.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/oscars-2025-red-carpet-events-parties-pictures-1236141330/

https://people.com/oprah-selena-gomez-and-ben-stiller-and-more-announced-as-2025-oscars-presenters-11682130

A new addition to the Daytime Emmys. Actually, it’s more of a pivot.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/daytime-emmys/the-daytime-emmy-awards-adds-a-new-category

It’s definitely her year. You’ll have to wait until June to see her Tony hosting skills though.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1413663/cynthia-erivo-set-to-host-2025-tony-awards

🐶 It’s Not How You Start…

Dog makes better than good.

https://people.com/abandoned-puppy-left-to-die-makes-finals-most-prestigious-dog-show-uk-crufts-11681282

🍯 Quotes Of the Week

Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. – Laozi

I pay no attention whatever to anybody’s praise or blame. I simply follow my own feelings. – Mozart

Freedom from desire leads to inner peace. – Lao Tzu

You’re only as young as the last time you changed your mind. – Timothy Leary

Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going. – Sam Levenson

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it. – Niccolò Machiavelli

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not making decisions. – Catherine Cook

You know what they say, candy is dandy, but yay weed. – Victoria Flynn (Katy Mixon), Mike & Molly

🧊 Colder Than a Well-Digger’s…

Until next week, stay safe; stay dressing for the weather, not the runway; and stay remembering, friends speak the truth.

February 7, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Cyrus Finds a New Target, Soap Suds, This Week’s Reality, Weekend Watch, Rebirth, Coming Soon(ish), Nixed, Wins, Two Different Bowls, A Half-Dozen Quotes & Dust

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Laura told Jordan that Sidwell was charming and cordial and was going to be a big problem for her and the city. Elizabeth and Lucky discovered a Turning Woods patient who had dementia, but was otherwise healthy, had died of heart attack. Lulu said Dante owed her no explanations and he told her about Anna not letting him near Sam’s case.

Laura was worried about Lucky going after Sidwell and told Jordan that Anna thought Sidwell was behind the fire. At the Surf Lodge, Maxie gave Emma advice on living with Anna, but when Sasha came in, she told Emma to find another table. Alexis told Sonny that nothing helped, but pain helped fuel her rage of injustice over Sam’s death.

Trina asked for Curtis’s help in talking to Kai, and Kai told his friend/ teammate Quinn that he wouldn’t be coming back. Lulu apologized to Dante for what she did in Prague and for seeming ungrateful for Sam’s sacrifice. She said he could talk to her about anything. He said he felt badly about not being home much in the weeks before Sam died, and Lulu said it was because he’d been by her bedside. Laura told Lucky about Sidwell being in Port Charles, and Jordan told Isaiah. Emma eavesdropped on Maxie and Sasha. Maxie said some people thought Jason was Sasha’s baby daddy.

Kai asked Quinn to step up because he could lead. Brook met with Lois and said the last thing Dante needed was to find out he’d fathered a child in high school. She wondered if the child even knew they were adopted. Dante told Lulu about proposing to Sam. Sonny said he was there for Alexis, and they hugged.

Sasha wondered why people couldn’t just leave her alone to live her own damn life, and it was no one’s business but hers who the father was. Emma told Gio about what she’d overheard, and Quinn blamed Trina for splitting Kai’s focus. Curtis told Kai his story and said Kai had to live his. He was never going to know if he could fully recover unless he went through the process. Lulu said she was happy Dante had a love like Sam, and he said he didn’t blame her for anything.

Trina told Quinn to check himself. Looking for something to blame wasn’t going to help Kai, and maybe he was the one giving up. Kai said everything he’d planned for was gone and Curtis said Kai’s bravery against the defensive blitz told him who Kai was as a person, and it extended beyond the field. Laura asked what Alexis knew about Sidwell, who showed up at the MetroCourt. Jordan introduced herself and asked what brought him to Port Charles and what he planned to do there. Elizabeth asked Lucky what it was like to be Sidwell’s prisoner, and he said, it was hell.

Curtis suggested Kai accept help and Kai said he couldn’t face the disappointment of his family. Curtis said, focus on healing his body and mind, and Kai said Curtis had given him a lot to think about. Curtis left his number and Kai texted Trina to come by. Emma wanted to tell Anna that Jason was the baby’s dad and Gio had a bad feeling. Maxie said, the more Sasha stonewalled, the more people would talk, but Sasha said she owed no one any explanations. Laura filled Alexis in on Sidwell and said Anna had opened an investigation about Sam. Sidwell told Jordan that he was an importer of gems and rare earths. He knew how to find things of value. Lulu said she got why she couldn’t be the person Dante turned to right now, but if that changed, he knew where to find her.

Tuesday:

NuJack (Pfft! He looks like Nathan Lane and has no accent – very disappointing) and Carly took a private plane back to Port Charles. Anna called Josslyn into her office. Drew got busy with Willow after jumping the fence to get to the gatehouse, and he said nothing could keep him from seeing her. Cody continued to pay off his debt to Selina and she told him she had a proposition for him. Lucky told Elizabeth that he’d stopped Jason from killing Sidwell in Somalia, and Isaiah went to the MetroCourt and saw Sidwell with Jordan. He asked if Sidwell was back to kill him personally. Brook set up a table at the MetroCourt for a Deception meeting.

Sidwell said he and Isaiah had an unfortunate misunderstanding while working together, but Isaiah said, it was no misunderstanding, and Sidwell had sent someone to kill him in Port Charles. Jordan said Isaiah was interrupting and Isaiah told her about Lucky being held prisoner. Lucy came over, having sensed tension, and asked if they all couldn’t get along. Drew said he and Willow shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to see each other, and Willow said everyone was just biting their tongues, but she didn’t want to cause more pain. Selina said she was setting up a high stakes poker game and wanted Cody to play with house money. She would also cancel his remaining debt. He asked for a cut of the winnings and reminded her that Mac was his father. She said anything could be negotiated and his discretion would be honored. He said he’d think about it. Lucky told Elizabeth that Jason killing Sidwell would have been purely about revenge, and he didn’t want to carry that burden. Anna told Josslyn about Dex and Sam being murdered, and that Dex had listed only Josslyn as family. Josslyn asked if Anna said they suspected Cyrus. Collette called Jack on the plane and said there was something he needed to see when he got back.

Lucky told Elizabeth about the poker game and how it had unlocked something in Sidwell, who became fixated on beating him. He’d been infuriated that Isaiah escaped, and when Lucky lost, he would die. Anna told Josslyn that they didn’t have proof, but Portia had banned Cyrus from the hospital. She knew Josslyn wanted justice, but to get it, they’d need evidence. Willow told Drew that she wanted to make things work. The kids adored Monica and this was their home. She also still cared about Michael and thought this would help his recovery, but the toughest person to deal with had been Sasha. Even though she was pregnant by a random guy, Willow felt constantly judged. Drew left, but forgot his tie on the couch. Sasha met Felicia at the MetroCourt, and Isaiah told Jordan, whatever money Sidwell brought in was blood money. Jordan told him to handle the conflict on his own time. Lucy joined the Deception meeting, and Jordan asked what Isaiah’s issue was with Sidwell.

Sidwell said that Isaiah had been his personal physician, but didn’t like the conditions and departed. He wanted to buy Jordan dinner to make up for interruption, and she said, call her office. He left and she texted Isaiah to meet her. Brook told Tracy that Natalia and Sonny went to LA to handle financing. The sales had dropped because of Lois losing her accent. Drew went to see Selina and asked about her previous association with Curtis. He asked if she was a silent partner in the club. She said she could provide interesting insight, providing their exchange was mutually beneficial. Cody came back and asked if Drew got lost helping blind orphans, Seeing Drew there confirmed that Drew was exactly who Cody thought he was.

Lucky told Elizabeth it had been like his dad was guiding him during the poker game, and Elizabeth had helped him too. Josslyn told Anna that she’d volunteered at Turning Woods and Cyrus had everyone there fooled. Anna told her that she was interfering with the investigation and don’t go back. Carly visited Willow, bearing gifts for the kids from Germany. She told Willow that Michael started treatment and wanted the kids to know he loved them. He also wanted to thank Willow. Willow asked if Carly wanted tea and Carly said she did, but when Willow went to the kitchen, Carly found Drew’s tie sticking out of the couch cushion.  

Selina said it was none of Cody’s business, and Drew said he was addressing a constituent’s concern. Cody asked if Willow knew and said Drew and his brother were alike. Drew was sleeping with his nephew’s wife and Jason got Sasha pregnant. Selina told Cody to get out and had her bodyguard escort him.  

Collette showed Jack a cabin where Cyrus had been hiding out, but she hadn’t wanted to go inside without his authorization. Josslyn told Anna that she’d do whatever it took to stop Cyrus and get justice for Dex, but Anna said, the more Josslyn entangled herself in the investigation, the more likely Cyrus was to get away. They needed proof and he already knew he was being watched. If he found out, he’d cover his tracks. She told Josslyn to let the PCPD take it from there. Jordan met Isaiah at the Surf Lodge. He said Sidwell was dangerous and hired assassins to take out those who crossed him.

Lucky told Elizabeth that he’d been close to escaping, but guards caught him and worked him over. He thought it was the end, then he saw her, and she told him that he shouldn’t quit. He should get up off the floor and fight. Jordan said, it was like Sidwell’s crimes had never happened, and Isaiah said it was because he’d committed them in war torn regions where there were no laws. She said she was going to spend time with Sidwell and find evidence to put him away. She’d had experience going undercover and Sidwell was interested in her, so she’d take the opportunity. When Willow came back, Carly was gone, and so was Drew’s tie. Drew went to the MetroCourt to meet with Anna, who had a wish list from the PCPD for federal support. Drew said he’d be happy to suggest funding as long as organized crime was the top priority – i.e. arresting Sonny and Jason. Carly came in and called out Drew for leaving his tie while he was having sex with Michael’s wife.

Jack said they’d tail Cyrus, and Collette asked if he wasn’t curious about the cabin. She wanted to insure their special project wasn’t put at risk. He said it wasn’t their objective to catch a killer, but to see what action Josslyn would take if she found the cabin. Lucky said, Elizabeth had gotten him through a lot, and she said she was glad, but she couldn’t be anybody’s angel. He said he just needed her to be her. He told her about a song he’d heard on a jukebox in Mogadishu that reminded him of dancing with her at Luke’s. He played it on his phone, and they danced.

Isaiah said he thought Jordan liked the rush better than pushing papers, and she said she’d need his help. He’d have to stay away from her because Sidwell couldn’t know about their connection. He said, no way in hell was he staying clear of her. Their connection would also go undercover. Willow left a message for Michael, saying, the kids loved him and talked about him all the time. They couldn’t wait for him to get home.

To add insult to injury, Carly said she’d bought the tie for Drew and found it in the couch. He wanted to talk privately, but she said, no. His nephew was fighting for his life while Drew was sleeping with his wife on property he’d been banned from. She wanted everyone to know he was pathetic. He wasn’t half the man Jason was. Drew said the joke was on her. Jason had knocked up Sasha – the family cook. Wow. He’s outdone himself at being an ass on so many levels.

Wednesday:

Brad confronted Cyrus at the hospital. He said Cyrus was trying to convince the world he was a changed man, but was considered a danger to the patients. Josslyn convinced the custodian at Turning Woods to let her in Cyrus’s room. Willow told Nina about Carly disappearing on her. At the MetroCourt, Sasha told Drew to make a disaster of his own and Willow’s life, but leave her and her baby out of it.

Ric told Elizabeth that she was back to work immediately. Carly told Drew that he had no right to get involved with Sasha’s private life. Tracy said she was going to warn Willow that if it Drew showed up again, she’d be out on the street without her children, but Brook said she’d convince Willow to do what was best for everyone. Anna told Drew that it was inappropriate for him to influence a case against Sonny and Jason. Kristina wanted to wait to tell Danny that Sam was murdered, but Alexis said if he found out from someone else, they risked losing him. Cody told Molly that he was sorry to hear about Sam and that he and Sam were kindred spirits, and she took Danny to see Alexis. Cody told Dante that he should be there for Danny since Danny’s dad was worthless, when Sasha walked in.

Brook told Willow about what happened at the MetroCourt and asked what she was thinking. Lucy said she didn’t see it coming that Jason was Sasha’s baby daddy, but didn’t hate it. She loved spectacles when she wasn’t at the center of them. Drew asked to talk to Maxie. Lucky asked Ric to find out Cyrus’s parole terms and Elizabeth said it would be a personal favor to her, so he agreed – on the house. At the hospital, Lucas told Carly that Jack had been there as his patient and asked if she was dating him. She said, maybe, and he asked if she’d slept with him, but she said they hadn’t crossed that line yet. Valentin had tried to kill Jack, and she’d saved his life. Sasha asked where Cody got off telling everyone Jason was the father and Cody asked if he wasn’t. Josslyn searched Cyrus’s room and noticed a pressed flower in his Bible. The custodian came back, and she said she found what she was looking for.

Sasha said it was none of Cody’s business and asked where he got the idea. He said after seeing them at the boathouse, and she told him to let it go. Brook asked, why wave a red flag at Tracy? and Willow said this was her home, but it was an easy fix, and asked to move back in with Nina. Drew asked Maxie to share her opinion, and she said she felt sorry for Michael. She didn’t think it was cool for him to pull Sasha into the drama. He said he needed a mother’s advice. Lucy pumped Felicia for information, and Lulu asked Anna where Jack was. Lucas said Carly didn’t want to be with somebody who didn’t tell her the truth.

After Ric left, Lucky said, if they got specifics, he could find a way to get Cyrus busted, and Elizabeth said he meant frame Cyrus. Tracy said everything was Sasha’s call. She could fight and would with Tracy’s support. Brook told Willow to take a step back and that Drew was the problem. When she got involved with him, her life fell apart. Nina suggested Willow take some time alone to figure out the direction of her life. Drew asked Maxie to speak to a decorator about his new house. She said he sounded like a great dad, and she’d help him. Anna suggested Lulu call Jack’s office. Lulu said she already had with no luck, but she’d get Carly to intervene. She asked if Anna had heard anything about Charlotte.

Tracy said every woman had the right to live life on their own terms and she’d do her best to watch out for Sasha. Sasha needed to have a game plan. Nina said Willow could stay with her as long as she needed, but Brook said that wasn’t the agreement. Willow said she didn’t care. Anna said she didn’t know where Charlotte was and neither did the WSB. Lulu said Jack was lying because of some spy reason and a lot of people would be sorry when she got her daughter back. Carly said Jack wasn’t like Sonny, but Lucas told her to walk away while she could. It was Jack’s literal job to keep secrets, and she shouldn’t make the same mistake twice. Elizabeth said Cyrus needed to be stopped no matter what. If they had to frame him, so be it. Cyrus noticed his Bible had been touched and the pressed flower was moved.

Thursday:

Brad asked to leave early, and Portia said okay, but Curtis wondered what was up with that. Brad showed off his muscles, and Lucas said, whatever training program he was on was clearly working. Jack met with Josslyn at Bobbie’s, and she said that she was going to prove Cyrus killed Dex. Lois went to see Martin and told him that she really needed a lawyer. Willow told Nina that deep down, she knew Brook was right. She shouldn’t have been in the gatehouse with Drew. Alexis told Danny that the authorities believed his mom’s death wasn’t an accident.

Brook blamed herself for Willow leaving. Willow said when Drew left, all she could think about was Michael, and Nina said the accident robbed her of closure. She could now focus on her next steps. Then like a bad penny, Drew showed up. Portia told Curtis that Stella seemed to like Brad, so she was willing to give him a second chance, and Curtis thought it was time for him to have a chat with Brad. Josslyn told Jack about getting into Cyrus’s apartment, but not finding anything. He said that might indicate Cyrus had a second location. While Rocco listened in, Dante asked Chase who the person of interest was, but Chase wasn’t talking. Alexis told Danny that the police and hospital believed Sam was murdered.

Molly said, Sam wasn’t the only victim, but it was being kept quiet to not alert suspects. Chase made Dante promise not to do anything reckless and told him the suspect was Cyrus. Jack said, even the best criminal left a trail and evidence would surface, and Josslyn asked him not to tell her mom, when Carly and Lucas walked in. Gio told Brook not to blame herself for the actions of others. Tracy showed up and Brook told her it didn’t go as planned. Tracy said it was time to call the lawyers.

Curtis asked if Brad was still working with Selina, but Brad said they’d cut all ties. He would never do anything to jeopardize Portia and Terry’s faith in him. Carly and Jack shared a table, and he asked her not to tell Josslyn about them. Lois told Martin that Brook had a baby with Dante and she needed to make sure no one found out. Danny agreed Scout shouldn’t know about Sam being murdered and asked if his dad knew. Chase said, circumstantial evidence pointed to Cyrus, but Dante said it made no sense. Tracy interrupted and asked Chase and Dante to check for security flaws on the property, and Rocco snuck away. Nina said Drew had put Willow in a position to lose her children, and suggested he move to DC, but he said he’d take Willow and the kids with him. Nina said if he wanted a fight, she was ready to oblige.

Alexis said it wasn’t their job to get involved in the investigation. When Danny left, Alexis said she found it unsettling that he’d brought up his father. Lucas said it looked like Jack and Carly were getting close, and Josslyn said, as long as it wasn’t Sonny, she was on board. She asked if Lucas had ever heard of Austin Gatlin-Holt. Lois told Martin that the baby had been placed with a member of her extended family, but Brook didn’t know. (Is it Gio???) She asked if Brook could find out, when Tracy knocked at the door. She asked why Lois was there.

Stella told Curtis that she believed Brad had turned a corner. Brad asked if Curtis knew about their arrangement, but Portia said, no and don’t tell him. Josslyn said Austin had testified for Cyrus at his parole hearing, and Lucas told her to stay out of it. Lois told Tracy that she’d heard what happened with Willow and that was why she was seeing Martin. Martin said the deal wasn’t legally binding and the blame lay with Tracy. Lois suggested they leave. Brook told Chase and Dante that Willow moved out. Nina told Drew that Willow still cared about Michael and Willow told Drew it was a mistake for them to meet at the gatehouse. She was still processing the end of her marriage. Drew said it would be unfair to deny their feelings, but they were free to be together since it had been made public – if that’s what she wanted.

Willow said of course (🍷) she did. They kissed and Nina saw them. Alexis was worried that Jason would seek vengeance, and Kristina said, some people didn’t look at vengeance the way Alexis did. Rocco talked with Danny and told him that Cyrus was a suspect. When Carly took a call, Josslyn asked Jack to help her find out if Austin had leased or bought a place nearby. Nina called Carly and said they had to end a problem once and for all. After seeing Tracy to her car, Lois came back to see Martin again. He said there were two ways the truth could come out. If the child came of age and requested their birth certificate… Lois said there was no way they knew they were adopted, and he said, also, if Brook met with whoever handled the adoption and asked to meet her child. Lois said it would blow his world apart, and Martin asked if she was in contact with them. She said, Brook’s son was her grandson Gio. (Ha! I was right.)  

Friday’s Enchilada:

Lulu thanks Laura for meeting her at Bobbie’s and Laura says she’s always happy to meet her beautiful daughter, but what’s so urgent? Lulu says she met with Jack Brennan, and she has news, and Laura asks if Charlotte and Valentin have been found. Lulu says, no. Valentin surfaced briefly in Germany, but disappeared before they could track him. Jack wouldn’t give her any other details. Laura says, of course (🍷) not. It’s Jack and it’s classified. Lulu says she’s got to find Charlotte soon. She knows something bad will happen if she’s with Valentin. Laura says she’ll do what she can, but Lulu says, there may be another path she can follow.

Carly brings a folder to Lucas at the hospital because he left it at home, and he says he’s glad she didn’t come to him for dating advice. He sticks by his assessment that dating a spy is a bad proposition. She says she has more important things to deal with than taking the time to point out Lucas’s questionable taste in men. Nina called and wants to see her. She needs him to convince her that it’s not a good idea to work with Nina.

Nina gives Maxie two tickets to the NYC Winter Fashion Formal and tells her that she can take who she wants. Maxie asks what Nina wants, and Nina asks what she means. Maxie says, Nina only gives her stuff when she wants something, but Nina says, that’s not true. Maxie says, Nina gave her Chanel boots when she wanted Maxie to get a million Christmas gifts for Wiley, and Nina says, fine. She needs help. It might sound crazy, but she needs advice on how to convince Carly to work with her. Maxie asks what she wants to work on, and Nina says, breaking up Drew and Willow.

Willow tells Elizabeth, happy first day back, and hugs her. She says, the doctors and nurses missed her and every one of her patients asked about her. Elizabeth says, it feels good to be back and be missed more than she should admit. Portia joins them and welcomes Elizabeth back. Elizabeth says, it’s good to be back, and Portia asks to speak to her before her shift. Portia heads for her office and Elizabeth makes a face at Willow.

At the Grill, Sidwell thanks Drew for meeting him, even if he’s interrupting Drew’s breakfast. Drew says he’s happy for the company and to welcome a new constituent to Port Charles, and Sidwell says, this constituent doesn’t want to waste more of his time than necessary, so he’ll get to it. Drew may not know, but he imports rare gems from around the world. One of the reasons he chose Port Charles was the pending development of the esplanade. He asks what the status is on its progress, and Drew says, unfortunately, it’s being held off because of environmental concerns. Sidwell says, forgive him for being blunt, but did Sonny Corinthos have anything to do with the delay?

At a hospital in Los Angeles, Sonny says he doesn’t like waiting, and Natalia says, it shouldn’t be much longer. Sonny says he owes her for coming to California with him, and she says she was just thinking, how is Sonny going to pay her back?  

Jordan asks if Anna remembers the microdot recorders she bought for the department, and Anna says, they’ve used them successfully already. Jordan says she needs to borrow one, and Anna asks, who will be wearing the device? Jordan says she will.

In her office, Portia says, as Co-Chief of Staff, she wanted to apologize to Elizabeth for suspending her, and Elizabeth thanks her for saying that. She admits it was a relief, and Portia says she never believed Elizabeth would harm her patients. Elizabeth says she knows Portia had to follow protocol, and Portia says she did, but she hated it. As much as she’s not a fan of Ric’s, in watching him fight for Elizabeth, she never realized he was such a good lawyer. He didn’t give the hospital lawyer half a chance and she came to win. Elizabeth says she’s grateful for everything Ric’s done for her, and wonders if she’s allowed to ask the status of the hospital investigation. Portia says, Elizabeth can, but she doesn’t have any new information. Everything they had on the three, almost four, deaths was turned over to the police. It’s officially a criminal investigation. Elizabeth asks if she’s sure it was only three, and Portia says, they had the lab techs go over all the deaths in the last few months and didn’t find any others. Elizabeth says, that’s good to hear. Does Portia know if the police have a suspect? Portia says she hasn’t touched base with them, but prays they catch whoever is responsible, so they don’t destroy any more lives.

Nina says, it’s ridiculous for Drew to be sneaking in behind everyone’s backs, but Maxie says, Willow is an adult. Even if they think her choices are stupid, she has the right to make them. Besides, she doesn’t think Drew would do something to hurt her. Nina says, sorry. She didn’t realize Maxie was a fan of Drew’s. Maxie says, she’s neutral. She’s Switzerland. Nina asks how she can be when Drew’s over-the-top romantic gestures and horrible advice drive Willow to make disastrous decisions? Like moving out of the gatehouse and back in with her. Maxie says she thought Nina would be happy having Willow and the kids living with her, and Nina says, of course (🍷) she wants them with her, but if the entire Quartermaine security staff can’t keep Drew and Willow apart, how can she? Maxie says, she probably can’t, and Nina says, if Drew didn’t live in a hotel room, he’d probably have Willow and the kids move in with him, and that would be a disaster… What’s wrong? Maxie says she has the feeling Drew won’t be in the hotel much longer, and Nina says, because…? Maxie says, because he’s in escrow on a new house… and she told him that she would help him find a decorator. Nina says, Drew is buying a new house and Maxie is helping him with it?

Lucas asks why Carly is considering working with Nina, and Carly says, to break up Willow and Drew. Drew wants to keep Willow to himself, and his schemes are so obvious, even Nina noticed. Jason brokered a living arrangement with Willow and the Quartermaines, and Drew blew it up. He asks, how? and Carly says she visited Willow at the gatehouse and when Willow went to the kitchen, she saw a tie she’d given Drew sticking out of the couch. Part of the arrangement was that Drew wasn’t allowed on the property, and he snuck in like they were star-crossed lovers. Of course (🍷) she loudly confronted him in public at the MetroCourt. He says, of course (🍷). He guesses it didn’t go well. She says, it was a disaster, and Lucas says he can’t talk about being on the moral high ground. He lit into Willow at Christmas, and it was a disaster. Ava had to talk him down. She says, clearly, they’re people who act first and think later, and he says, maybe it’s time they learn from their mistakes.

Natalia asks if Sonny is worried about what the doctor is going to tell him, but Sonny says he tries not to think about it. He hopes it’s not serious, but right now he has to focus on finding who put the firebomb in the penthouse.

Lulu says, it occurred to her to search in a different way, and Laura says, how so? Lulu says she and Rocco were talking about how Charlotte loved riding, and she knows Valentin let Charlotte have a phone. So she started following popular equestrians on social media. It’s a longshot, but she might find a follower with an account that belongs to Charlotte. Laura says, so her focus has changed from where Valentin could be to where Charlotte would want to go, and Lulu says she’s also looking at the best stables and riding facilities in Europe. Valentin wants Charlotte to be happy, so maybe he’ll let her take lessons. Laura says, it sounds promising. She might get a real lead. Laura’s phone rings, and she says, tell her that she got a meeting with Congressman Quartermaine… Ugh. Okay… They’re saying they think he’s there now?… Good job. She thanks them and tells Lulu that she’s got to get to a very important meeting, but keep her in the loop. Lulu says she promises. Fingers crossed it works. Laura says she’s proud of Lulu. She’s smart. Good job. Lulu thanks her, and Laura leaves.

Elizabeth calls Nurse Gail at Turning Woods and thanks her for her help when she and Lucky were there. She hopes she didn’t get Gail in trouble with her boss. Gail says, not at all. Director Furner had no issue with it. Besides, she knows the head nurse at GH wouldn’t ask her a favor if it wasn’t important. Elizabeth says she knew Gail would understand, and Gail says, they’ll talk soon. Cyrus walks in and asks how Gail is. She says, fine, and himself? He says, the same. He was about to visit Mrs. Brown. How is she doing? Gail says, the same, and he says, the poor dear. He’s going to pray with her. Gail says she’s sorry, but he can’t see patients. Not until he talks to Director Furner.

Furner thanks Cyrus for his help and says, they’re grateful for the time he’s devoted to the patients, but feel its best he not visit them going forward. Cyrus says, the decision is sudden, and Furner says, there was a complaint lodged by Mayor Collins about him misrepresenting himself as Lulu Spencer’s medical proxy. Cyrus says he couldn’t help overhearing Nurse Gail talking to Elizabeth Baldwin earlier. Might she have influenced his ban? Furner says, all he knows is Miss Baldwin was here with Lulu’s brother Lucky, and they were upset about his access to Lulu. He was also informed that Cyrus has been barred from volunteering at GH. Cyrus says, it’s a big misunderstanding, but Furner says, that’s not what he heard. Cyrus says, from whom? He’d like to know who’s spreading these lies. Is the source Elizabeth Baldwin? Furner says, Turning Woods is a private facility, and they have the right to decide who they allow to see patients, but Cyrus says, the patients need him. He refuses to abandon them. Furner says, sorry. He’s afraid they’ll have to make do without him, and Cyrus leaves.

Lucas says, the reason he let Wiley go was to make peace and he knew Michael would be a great father, but when Willow took him away from Michael, he had to confront Willow. Carly says she understands that kind of anger. When she found the tie, she lost it. It was in the house Michael shared with Willow and the kids, and it was like a slap in the face. Drew was there having sex with Willow, and she felt she needed to speak up for him. Lucas says he gets it, but don’t do anything to give Drew an excuse to come swooping in like Willow’s knight in shining armor. Carly says she can’t stand that Willow thinks he’s her hero. She’s sure her confronting him just solidified their us against the world thing. He says, they need to stop making an already bad situation worse, and Carly asks what she should do about Nina. He says, if her goal is to stop escalating the conflict with Willow and Drew by working with Nina, do the opposite of that.

Maxie tells Nina that she’s jumping the gun. Drew hasn’t even purchased one piece of furniture yet. Nina says, she’s right. They still have time. Maxie needs to do what she needs to do to delay Drew moving in. Pretend she can’t find a decorator or distract him with terrible color swatches. It will give her time to come up with something to keep them apart. Maxie says she’s not going to be Nina’s underhanded minion on this one. She doesn’t like what Willow and Drew did because it hurt Michael, but they’re adults and they can do what they want, questionable choices and all. Nina says she’s not going to sit by and watch Drew take advantage of her vulnerable daughter, and Maxie asks if she’s doing it because she thinks Drew is bad for Willow or because Willow is now with the man Nina once wanted for herself?

Drew says, Sonny has no sway in the decision. It has to do with his constituents. Sidwell asks if Sonny Corinthos isn’t one of his constituents, and Drew says he could argue that Sonny is a resident, but his business doesn’t necessarily help make Port Charles better. Sidwell asks if he’s considered Pier 55 and the surrounding area as a new location, and Drew says, Sonny owns the building there and has a legal coffee company. Sidwell asks if that isn’t what Eminent Domain is for. (Don’t even get me started on that, Jenz.) Can’t the government claim land if it’s to help revitalize the city? Drew says he’s explored moving the location, but it costs money and time, and Sidwell says, as a future businessman and tenant, he’d be willing to make a large financial commitment if it solves the funding issue. Drew says he’ll keep it in mind, when Laura walks in. She says, just the man she was looking for, and Sidwell says, how nice to see her again.

Anna asks why Jordan wants to wear a wire, and she says she met Jenz Sidwell a few days ago. Anna says, lucky you, and Jordan says, Laura was talking to her about how dangerous he is and not long afterward, he walked into the MetroCourt, so she introduced herself. They talked, and she got the idea he was interested in her, interested in a way she could use to her advantage. Anna says she’s sure Sidwell is interested in Jordan, and Jordan says, apart from what Anna’s already told her, does she have any information that would be useful to get closer to him? Anna says she doesn’t and asks what outcome Jordan is looking for. Jordan says, no law enforcement agency can connect him to his crimes, and Anna says, unfortunately, that’s true. He’s clever and has resources. He was running a small army in Somalia. Jordan says she needs to figure out why he came to Port Charles and what he plans to do, and Anna says, no one has established a real reason. Jordan says, if she can get close… and Anna says, she’ll find a way to catch him.   

Nina says she had an ill-advised short-lived fling after getting caught up in the spell Drew wove over his admiring constituents. That’s all it was. Maxie says, so Nina is really over him, and Nina says, absolutely. 100%. She saw the terrible effect he’s had on Willow, and she’s done. Willow is kind, gentle, and sweet, but with Drew’s help, she’s made one bad decision after another. Drew has a talent of bringing out the worst in people. He did with her. Maxie says she never thought she’d hear Nina say that, and Nina says she should have listened to Maxie. It was a horrible idea, trying to distract Drew from Willow by sleeping with him. Maxie tells Nina that she hates to say I told you so, but Nina tells her, say it. Maxie says, it’s not as much fun when Nina agrees. There’s only one real reason Willow is so out of character and crazy. She’s in love with Drew. Nina says she keeps telling herself it’s infatuation or hero worship thing, but she thinks Maxie is right. It’s something deeper. Maxie says, in all fairness, they’re not in a position to judge what someone will do for a person they love. Nina did stupid stuff when she loved Sonny. How is it any different with Willow and Drew? Carly stands in the doorway.

Drew says, it’s nice to see Laura, and starts to introduce her to Sidwell, but Laura says, they’ve met before. Drew says he didn’t realize they knew each other, and Laura says, that must mean Sidwell didn’t tell Drew that he held her son captive and nearly killed him in Somalia. Drew says, is that true? and Sidwell says, once again, he has to point out that his version of events differs greatly. Laura says, her son has no reason to lie about the man Sidwell really is, and Sidwell says, a more sensitive person might react to the mayor making negative accusations in public with a defamation suit, which would be terribly costly to the city. Thankfully, they have cooler heads, don’t they? Laura says she hears the threat, and Drew suggests it might not be the time or place to discuss it. Sidwell says, nonsense. He’s sure if the mayor joins them, she’ll have plenty to add to their conversation. He’d love to show her that his goal is to contribute to her fair city.

Cyrus walks over to Lulu’s table at Bobbie’s and says, it’s truly a miracle to see her back on her feet. He knew she’d woken up, but to see it for himself fills him with great joy. His prayers have been answered. She says, God does work in mysterious ways, and he asks if she’s fully recovered. She says, nothing about her is any of his business, and he says he didn’t mean to upset her. He just came in for a bite to eat. She says she doesn’t care why he’s here. Her family has a restraining order against him, and if he takes one step closer, she’ll call the cops.

Carly says, Maxie poses a good question, and Maxie thanks her and says she thinks she’ll go now. Please don’t break anything. She leaves, and Nina says, Carly will probably think she’s a hypocrite and she wouldn’t blame her. Carly says she wants to sit for this, and Nina says, watching Drew bulldoze his way into Willow’s marriage was incredibly eye opening. Because it’s what she did to Carly with her marriage to Sonny. Carly says she never thought she’d hear Nina admit she did wrong, and Nina says she did. She can’t go back and change what’s done, but at the end of the day, she’s just a mother like Carly. And like Carly, she loves her child with everything she has. She can’t sit by and watch her daughter destroy her life for a man who’s not worthy of her.

Willow asks if Lucas needed a nurse, and he says he needs to order tests, and he’d appreciate it if she’d deliver the folders. And if they could rush the results, that would be great. She says she’ll see what she can do, and Lucas says, wait. He needs to say something. She says, if it’s about Drew or her relationship with the kids, she’d rather they keep things professional. He says, actually he wants to apologize for what he said the last time they saw each other. He had no business judging her choices or telling her how to live her life. He’s very sorry. She thanks him, and he says, if she or her kids need anything, he’s here for her. No strings attached. He promises. She says she appreciates that very much, and leaves.

Laura says, actually, she’d love to hear what they were discussing, and Drew says, in light of the environmental concerns, Mr. Sidwell proposed they relocate the esplanade to Pier 55. Sidwell says, transforming a blighted area to an esplanade full of shops, restaurants, and new housing developments would be beneficial to Port Charles. Laura says, if he has a proposal, submit it to her office. She’s sure he’s only concerned with what’s best for Port Charles. Drew says he’s looking forward to working toward that end, and she says, that’s part of the reason she voted for him. He says he’s thrilled to know he earned her vote. He’ll do everything in his power to justify her faith. She says, good, because he should know that she doesn’t believe a partnership with Sidwell is the solution to making Port Charles a better place. Sidwell mimes clutching his pearls, and she says, the drama, and leaves. (Sidwell is always a good time, but I want my husband Jack back.)

Anna says she never told Jordan the full extent of what happened when she and Jason were in Somalia to rescue Lucky. Jordan says she knows they barely got out alive, and Anna says, they were almost killed. It’s clear how dangerous Sidwell is, because she believes he’s behind the firebomb at Sonny’s apartment. Jordan says, so she believes Sidwell’s arrival in Port Charles so close to the attack on Sonny is too much of a coincidence not to mean something, and Anna says, exactly. Jordan says, Anna isn’t going to lecture her on how she’s no longer a cop and using a wire undercover isn’t in her job description as Deputy Mayor? Anna says, no. She’s giving Jordan the equipment. If she needs to go undercover to bring Sidwell down, Jordan has her full support. Anna leaves to get the recorder.

Natalia asks if Sonny is going to tell his kids, but he says, they’ve been through too much already. Kristina and Dante are still mourning Sam. Michael is in Germany fighting for his life. He doesn’t want to worry them. She says she understands, and Sonny says, if his business rivals hear about it, it will give them an invitation to come after him and his family. That can’t happen. The nurse says, the doctor is ready for Sonny, and Natalia asks if he wants her to go with him. He holds out his hand, she takes it, and they walk in together.

Maxie tells Willow that she needs help with her son, and Willow asks if he’s sick. Maxie says, no. He’s great, but he’s driving her nuts. He wants her to plan a playdate with Wiley. Willow says she would love that, and Wiley would too. She’ll check her schedule, and they’ll make it happen, Maxie says, it will get James off her back. Nina told her that Willow and the kids moved back in with her. How is Willow doing?

Carly says, the only reason she’s here is because Nina convinced Willow to let her and Sonny see Michael in the hospital. Nina says she thinks they need to work together to keep Willow and Drew apart, and Carly says, okay. Don’t get her wrong. She despises them as a couple, but she doesn’t see how tearing them apart will help. The damage is done. If they find out, Willow will never let them see the kids again. Nina says she thought about that, but thinks it’s a risk worth taking. If they do nothing, that’s a worse option. Carly says she’s not sure about that. She confronted Drew in public at the MetroCourt about how he snuck onto the Quartermaine property to see Willow. It didn’t go over well. Nina says, Willow moved back in with her. At least when Willow was at the Quartermaine’s, Drew didn’t have free reign. Now that Willow is back, she can’t keep them apart. She needs help. Carly asks if they won’t be making a bad situation worse, and Nina says, worse than Drew moving Willow and the kids in with him? How would Carly feel then?

Elizabeth tells Lucas that she talked to Portia about the investigation, but she never said anything about Cyrus. That means Lucas never said anything to Portia about Cyrus being a suspect. He says he didn’t, but Cyrus was banned from volunteering at Turning Woods, and Elizabeth says she did hear that. She was wondering if his name was off the suspect list. He says he doesn’t know, but he does know they want him caught. Some people have lost too much because of him. Elizabeth says, some more than others. She and Lucky are close to finding something that will prove him guilty.  

Lulu says, Cyrus is violating the restraining order. Stay away from her. Cyrus says, it pains him that her family jumped to terrible conclusions about him. This is all a misunderstanding that’s kept him from doing his good work at Turning Woods. She says, the place where he lied about having power over her medical care, and he says, she was alone, and he cared for her. She says, when she woke up, she didn’t hear him caring. She heard him talking to the doctor about transferring her to another state where she’d be far away from the people who love her and truly alone. He says, she’s confused, but for good reason. He’s not the man he used to be. She missed his transformation from his past circumstances. He wants only the best for her. She says she sees him clearly when she opened her eyes at Turning Woods. He’s the reason she had to run away while she was still weak and recovering. She knew she had to get away from him and his sick plan for her. Cyrus says he sat by her hospital bedside. He read the Bible to her and prayed for her. She has no concept of the devotion he showed her. No one has done for her what he has. Lulu starts digging in her bag for her phone and calls Anna’s office. She says she’d like to speak to the Commissioner. Her family has a restraining order on… She looks around and Cyrus is gone.

Natalia says, getting a pacemaker and on a medical regime is no small thing. Sonny needs to do this. Why put it off? Sonny says he needs to find who put the bomb in the penthouse. It’s all he can focus on right now. He doesn’t find out who’s responsible, his family isn’t safe. After that, he can focus better. She says she hopes he can do it in the next three months. She can come with him for support when he gets it done. He says he’d appreciate the company. It has to be done. She suggests they get out, and they leave. A guy in the waiting room follows and, in the hallway, he takes out his phone. It’s the man who tried to kill Isaiah at the hospital.

Nina says, Drew is in escrow for a new house and wants there to be enough room for Willow and the kids, and Carly says, no. Even if he did, that doesn’t mean he would ask Willow to move in already. Nina says she wouldn’t put it past him, but Carly says, no. Nina says, whether they like it or not they’re connected because they’re Wiley and Amelia’s grandparents and want what’s best for them. Michael is out of the country receiving medical treatment, so for now, Carly is his proxy. As much as she loves Willow, she’s not blind to how easily Willow was convinced to go along with Drew. Carly asks what she suggests, and Nina says, what if she told Carly that they could have access to Drew’s new house. It could be useful. So what does she think? Is she in or out? Will she help do whatever it takes to protect their grandchildren?

Willow says, Maxie is one of the only people to ask how she’s doing. She’s getting lectures on her relationship with Drew and Maxie isn’t judging. She didn’t realize until now how lonely it’s been. Maxie says, they’ll schedule a playdate, and the boys can run around while they catch up, and Willow says, it will be nice. Maxie asks, who’s place? and Willow says, Maxie’s. Nina’s isn’t the best play space for kids. Maxie says she hopes the kids exhaust themselves to the point where they pass out, and Willow says, it sounds amazing. She’s grateful having a place to stay, but she needs to look for her own place with a kid friendly backyard.

Sidwell says he has no control over how people choose to see him, but hopes Drew sees him as an ally. His phone rings and he says he should take it. Drew says he’s got to get going anyway. Sidwell has given him a lot to think about. Sidwell says, that’s all he can ask, and Drew leaves. Answering the phone, Sidwell says, so? The man at the doctor’s office says he followed Natalia to a medical office. The man who she’s with is seeing a cariologist. Sidwell asks, who would that be? and the man says, Sonny Corinthos. (Rut-roh.)

Lulu goes to Anna’s office and says, Anna’s not going to believe what she saw. Cyrus was at Bobbie’s and violated the restraining order by talking to her. Anna asks Lulu to tell her exactly what happened, and Lulu says, he claimed he was just there to get a bite to eat. She was told he was banned from volunteering at Turning Woods, and she told him to leave her alone, but he just kept talking. Anna asks what he said, and Lulu says, he told her that he spent a lot of time with her when she was in a coma. It really freaked her out. Then he said, no one has done for her what he has. What does he mean? What does that lunatic want from her?

Elizabeth tells Lucas, if they find irrefutable evidence against Cyrus, they’ll hand it over to the police. Until then, it’s important that as few people as possible know he’s a suspect. Lucas says, Cyrus already knows. Josslyn ran into him at the PCPD and accused him of killing Dex. Anna must be aware or at least suspicious about Dex’s death. Elizabeth says she knows it sounds easier said than done, but he needs to keep Josslyn away from Cyrus. If he feels cornered, he’ll get more dangerous. Cyrus walks into the hospital and sees Elizabeth talking to Lucas. He flashes back to finding the flower in the Bible moved and gives Elizabeth a nasty look.

On Monday, Kristina asks Ava where she thinks she’s going; Martin asks if Willow really wants a divorce; Jason asks why Tracy would believe anything Drew says; and Carly asks how far Nina is willing to go to get Drew out of the picture.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

I would never put down Chris McKenna’s acting skills, but he’s no Jack Brennan. If it was a matter of money, they should have given Charles Mesure whatever it took to keep him. And really, not even an accent? Come on. They could have done better here.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/gh-recast-shocker-mesure-out-mckenna-in-as-brennan

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/laura-wright-on-ghs-brennan-recast

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/chris-mckenna-opens-up-about-taking-over-as-brennan-on-gh

This is for the G’s and this is for the Hustlas.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/donnell-turner-on-snoop-dogg-guesting-on-gh

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

I didn’t watch this since I’m Below Deck-ed out, but here you go.

Deck OG Kate parlays her Traitors money into real estate.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/kate-chastain-new-florida-house-exclusive-photos-interview-details

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Sutton asked Garcelle to go with her to Agusta to visit her mother, and Mauricio took Kyle to a shooting range. She cried because everything was different, and in her interview, she said she was grieving the loss of someone who was still here. Kyle joined Sutton and Garcelle, while Boz, Erika, and Dorit went to Kathy’s for dinner. Kathy called PK PJ which was pretty funny. Erika told Dorit that she had to be proactive. If she didn’t make decisions, life would make them for her. Everything Dorit had told them indicated that PK didn’t want her back.

The Real Housewives of New York City

While on break, Brynn told Jenna that everyone hated her, and she was afraid of everyone. Janna said she was apologizing but not acknowledging what she’d done. Rebacca joined the group, and Brynn said she didn’t share her real life the way the others did. Erin said Rebecca was the most self-involved human she’d ever met. The topic of Scientology was bandied about, and we flashed back to Brynn basically calling Rebecca a snake oil salesman. I don’t know what they have against Rebecca. I like her and I actually thought the prank was funny. For being New Yorkers, this is one sensitive bunch. The Brynn/Ubah situation was rehashed and it’s another drain I didn’t think had to be circled so hard. To quote Erin, it was f***ed up, but Brynn corrected herself pretty quickly. Ubah said she forgave Brynn, but they would never be what they were. Two seconds later though, they were hugging it out, so who knows? These girls hate and love each other in the same breath. If I had to pick a best dressed – they’re all beautiful, even Jenna in her robe, turban, and sunglasses – it would be Racquel. Andy said he hoped it was the first step forward. Yeah. Until next season.

Apparently, Rebecca has had enough.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Britani joined the Reunion Part 3000. She’d been wearing the same dress as Angie, but graciously changed. She probably didn’t want to be included in a Who Wore It Better? list. She said she’d broken up with Jared, who sounds like a real piece of work. After their break-up, he’d gotten on social media and talked quite a bit of smack about the women. He called Bronwyn a low vibrational human being, whatever that means. Britani followed that topic with saying Bronwyn’s flying monkeys spread smack about her to her estranged daughters and Bronwyn had things to pay for.

Andy said he never thought he’d be talking about slut shaming at a Bat Mitzvah, and there was much ado (again) about Britani bringing the wine to Angie’s prayer meeting. I honestly thought it was more of a place and time thing, but I guess not. It was about the Mormon rule of not drinking alcohol. So then why does Angie say she stays pretty sober. (See below.) What does that mean? Just a glass of champagne at weddings? Just weed? So much is just overreaction. Bronwyn’s dog bite was revisited, and not only did she not sue over it – it was a rescue whose owner she knew in a dog park – she paid for the dog to be checked out. There had been a medical issue, and he was now healthy and living where he has room to run. Having dealt with this issue myself, not only do I commend Bronwyn, I suggest anyone who has an overly aggressive dog have it thoroughly checked out by a vet. End of PSA. There was a lot of talking over each other. At the end, they all said nice things about each other and toasted with Mary’s favorite, Miller High Life.

Southern Charm

Venita told Leva about JT having a girlfriend, and Leva said he was a jerk. Agreed. Craig wanted to be a farmer, but his community wouldn’t allow chickens, so he went for the next best thing – bees. FYI: Bee suits are white because dark colors remind bees of a bear. How anyone knows what bees are reminded of is beyond me, but I wouldn’t test that theory. They went to a bee ranch or whatever it’s called, and Craig was pumped. Paige was not as thrilled, but said, if he liked it, she loved it. They checked out the goats and Craig fantasized about living on a farm. Paige said she loved making up fake scenarios in her head – she was a girl – but she had a realistic streak and Craig was more sentimental. She told him that she was only 31, but he sometimes made her feel like she was 75. Yeah, she’s a New Yorker and not ready for waving from the porch in a rocking chair. I honestly think Paige just needs someone closer to home, although Craig might have moved if she’d stuck it out. Throughout the conversation, it really seemed like she was unhappy, but didn’t want to admit it. Shep was still insecure about Sienna and expressed concern in his interview that she was on a higher level than him. Aw, poor Shep. It must be tough being on the receiving end for once.

Patricia had the annual gentlemen’s dinner. Whitney’s hair looked like he’d stuck his finger in a light socket, and he didn’t find it amusing that Patricia had taken the car out with Shep when she hadn’t driven in 40 years. She told the guys that they were using Napoleonic china and Craig said he shouldn’t touch any of it. We flashed back to his previous mishaps, like spilling red wine on a white sofa. She suggested Craig propose, and in Patricia’s interview, she said, in her day, you met, dated, got engaged, and got married. With these guys, it seemed very murky, and they had a schedule with no end to things. The back broke on Whitney’s chair, and Patricia said they never had a dinner where a chair didn’t get broken. And no matter what theme she chose, the dinners turned into arguments, accusations, and breakage. Whitney said the overriding issue with Sienna was that Shep wasn’t rich enough, he was boring, and not famous enough. Ouch. Craig said it was like having dinner with your granddad who had no filter.

The JT plot thickens.

Aww! She’s ready to show her bump. As much as I’ve disliked Madison, I do like Brett, and they deserve some happy news.

Southern Hospitality

I tried to pay attention, but only a few things stood out. They went to Vegas for Maddi’s DJ gig and her face was on the side of a building, which both freaked her out and pumped her up. I’m not sure if it’s because of the cameras, but reality stars seem to get overexcited about hotel rooms. Like they’ve been living in huts and never seen one before. Except for Ramona (RHONY OG), who always complains. This group is obsessed with Will’s cheating and looks like there’s more crying from Emmy to come.

Random Reality

The two Lisas have spoken.

I really hope this works out for her. I loved It’s Complicated.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

I’m still losing myself in Lost, plus doing a Swedish I’m-Not-Dead-Yet house cleaning, so the only extra thing I watched was The Menu on Netflix. It was horror, it was humor, it was surprise after surprise. A group of wealthy diners is taken to a remote island to have a meal at one of the most exclusive restaurants on earth, paying $1200+ a person. Each course becomes increasingly odd, and the final course is a nightmare. It’s detailed – a text describing each course pops up on the side – and was like nothing I’d ever seen before.

In simple terms.

A review without spoilers.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/the-menu-netflix-review

The particulars.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-menu-release-date-news

Obviously major spoilers.

https://ew.com/the-menu-ending-explained-8783965

🦕 Can’t Wait To Watch…

I never care about the plotlines. I just come for the dinosaurs.

https://people.com/jurassic-world-rebirth-trailer-scarlett-johansson-8712343

🦥 Awaiting New Seasons…

Coming February 16th.

https://www.cbr.com/yellowjackets-season-3-release-date-and-delay-reason/

Coming in April.

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-creators-set-stage-dense-episodes-season-2-exclusive-8783868

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-premiere-month-2025-8769682

Remember them? Coming this spring.

https://undeadwalking.com/walking-dead-dead-city-season-2-features-the-return-characters-villainous-ways

No date set yet.

https://www.cbr.com/everything-we-know-about-walking-dead-daryl-dixon-season-3/

Coming never.

https://winteriscoming.net/agatha-all-along-won-t-get-a-second-season

🚫 Boo Hiss…

Mean parole officer. She should still host. I haven’t watched it in years – too busy streaming – but I’d watch that one.

https://ew.com/martha-stewart-reveals-snl-hosting-opportunity-was-nixed-by-parole-officer-8781521

🏆 For the Win…

The full Grammy winners list.

https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list

The best, worst, and WTF? moments. Note to Rolling Stone: Not everything has to be political. Maybe people are poliweary right now.

The fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/37508/grammys-2025-red-carpet-fashion

🏈 Bring On the Bowl…

Who’s performing.

https://people.com/all-about-the-2025-super-bowl-performers-8784892

Breakout shark.

https://people.com/left-shark-from-katy-perry-super-bowl-halftime-reflects-on-performance-exclusive-8779782

The commercials.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/best-super-bowl-commercials-2025

🐕 A Bowl Of Puppies…

Everything you need to know.

https://people.com/everything-to-know-puppy-bowl-2025-8785179

Everything you need to know and more.

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

☄️ Quotes of the Week

Happy accidents are real gifts, and they can open the door to a future that didn’t even exist. It’s kind of nice sometimes to set up something to encourage or allow happy accidents to happen. – David Lynch

If you want to succeed, double your failure rate. – Thomas Watson

You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending. – C.S. Lewis

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all. – Dale Carnegie

Advice is like snow – the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind. – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

You can roll manure in powdered sugar, but it still ain’t a jelly donut. – Berta (Conchata Ferrell), Two and a Half Men

🧉 Sticking To the Punchbowl…

Until next Friday, stay safe; stay remembering, it’s just a game (unless you bet money on it, then cry if you lose); and stay not acting first and thinking later.

January 31, 2025 – Lulu Confesses Her Love For Dante, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Performing, Animal Tales, An Even Number Of Short Quotes & Mountain

Standard

What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

Tara from Turning Woods had info for Elizabeth, but when she and Lucky showed up, Tara was out sick. Natalia told Lucy that she could land an account in LA, but the contact only wanted to meet with her and the silent partner – i.e. Sonny. Kristina went to see Sonny and asked him if everything was okay since he didn’t show up at Charlie’s. She said they had to keep Avery away from Ava and she’d decided to testify at the custody hearing. Anna told Jason about Sidwell being in Port Charles. She asked if he or Sasha were willing to go on record about Sasha’s kidnapping.

Curtis told Nina that Drew was going to undermine the company in congress if he didn’t get his stock back. Chase visited Willow, who whined about Drew being ostracized by his family. Drew met with Martin and told him that Monica wasn’t speaking with him. He was her first truly lost cause, and he wondered if he’d ever really been a part of the family. Anna told Jason not to go after Sidwell on his own. Lucky told the Turning Woods rep that Cyrus wanted a list of his patients who had died so he could send condolences to the family. Curtis told Nina that things had a way of getting out and encouraged her to tell Willow that she’d been sleeping with Drew. Drew told Martin, if they thought banning him from the Quartermaine grounds would keep him from Willow, they had another thing coming.

Jason told Anna that he couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Mr. Furner came in while Lucky and Elizabeth were there. Lucky distracted him by threatening a lawsuit while Elizabeth waited for the printout. Chase told Willow that he and Brook were trying to have a baby.  Nina told Curtis that she’d made the devil’s bargain with Drew. She couldn’t tell Willow about Drew, nor he about her. She hoped with time, Willow would trust her more than Drew. Curtis said he had a plan and needed Nina’s help. Anna said the best way of getting Sidwell was to get criminal charges that would stick, but Jason said he had to do it for Michael.

Natalia conferred with Sonny about the LA trip. Anna asked if Jason could guarantee he would be the only target for retaliation. He could break the cycle of violence by not retaliating. Curtis told Nina that he wanted to sabotage Drew’s connections in DC. Chase showed Willow his lab results and she told him to see his doctor. According to the results, he couldn’t father a child.

Tuesday:

Ned told Tracy to show some respect to Willow or she’d be out on her high-class derriere. Tracy said two fingers of bourbon for everyone, and no one was leaving until they figured out what to do.

Felicia took Anna for a manicure and told Anna that she’d seen Emma clubbing. Emma joined them and Anna questioned her. Emma said, it wasn’t a spa day; it was an interrogation. Carly couldn’t figure out Jack’s angle. He said when he first came to Port Charles, he was on a mission. He had no intention of pursuing her until she visited him in prison. He considered her a friend, not an asset. Kai told Trina that his vertebrae was cracked, and he couldn’t play football because he’d risk a spinal injury. She suggested he talk to her mom. Portia told Alexis that Sam had been murdered and how they came to that conclusion. It had been a pattern. Alexis said she wasn’t leaving it to the police and was going to find answers.

Ned said the mess was all on Drew and they should give Willow a chance to create distance. Tracy said they had to make rules and asked what Chase thought. Brook told Lois that she was able to have a baby. Lois asked if she regretted giving her baby up, and Brook said it was the hardest choice she ever made, but she never regretted it. Chase said Willow was a good person and they should respect her. Tracy said Drew would use Willow to his own ends, but Ned said, if they pushed things, Willow would run back to him. Sasha said Tracy was being dramatic, then Tracy screamed because she saw a mouse. She said Sasha was out if she didn’t climb up and get it (like the mouse wasn’t in Chicago after Tracy screamed), but Sasha said she wasn’t climbing anywhere because she was pregnant, quickly adding, it’s not Cody’s.

Sasha said if anyone had complaints or judgements, oh well, and Gio said he didn’t grow up with a father and turned out fine. Alexis talked to Isaiah about Sam. Trina asked Portia to talk to Kai. Anna said Emma was allowed a social life, but not allowed to lie to her and sneak around. Emma said she’d been to a fundraiser and wondered, since when was Anna so uptight? Jack offered to have Michael’s cultures forwarded to Germany from the WSB to expedite things for Carly.

Tracy wondered why they offered daycare to everyone, and Ned said she’d just kidnapped two more. Portia said Kai wasn’t necessarily sidelined. Anna said there was a difference between uptight and responsible, and she was the latter. Emma said she never saw Anna because she worked so much. Carly called Felicia about the cultures, and Felicia told her to proceed with caution when it came to Jack.

Emma made a deal that if she got straight A’s, Anna would go clubbing with her. Jason asked Sasha if Michael knew about the baby. Chase told Brook that his tests came back, and he couldn’t get her pregnant. Portia suggested Kai get a second opinion from a specialist in sports medicine. Kai said Trina’s mom was amazing and he knew where she got it from. Alexis said she wasn’t going to stop until she found the killer. Jack went to the hotel spa and Felicia warned Carly that Jack had an agenda, but Carly said Jack was intriguing and she wanted to know more. Valentin showed up at the spa to kill Jack.

Wednesday:

Chase told Brook that he was sterile and couldn’t be a father. Olivia and Lois took Tracy for a manicure to destress. Sasha told Jason that Michael knew she was pregnant, and he was the father, but they had a deal that he’d stay out of it. At the hospital, Anna told Lulu that she was glad no one was hurt in Prague. Lulu said she was glad her daughter didn’t get shot a second time. Valentin pretended to be a masseuse and tried to strangle Jack while he was on the table.

At the Quartermaine mansion, Emma told Gio that she wanted to do a fundraiser to stop animal testing. She wanted him to play at it because something classic and boring would get the old people and boomers to contribute. Olivia said asking invasive and intrusive questions was Tracy’s love language, but she should let up on Sasha. Martin came into the beauty salon and said, good luck with that. Sasha said it was none of Jason’s business, but he said Michael had a right to know. Anna said she didn’t have the words to tell Lulu how sorry she was, but Lulu said she could see how it was an accident because of the circumstance. She thought Valentin was dangerous and bad things happened when he was around. Carly went looking for Jack at the spa.

Anna said she had an eye open for Valentin, and Lulu thanked her. Gio agreed to play at Emma’s fundraiser, but wondered if it was a scam to get extra cash. Jason told Sasha that Michael had asked for her and thought it was because he knew she was carrying his child. Sasha said if he wanted to help Michael, make sure no one else found out. Chase didn’t want Brook to miss out on the experience of being pregnant, but she said she loved him more than anything and they’d get through it together. Tracy said Martin would defend anyone and she’d been trying to protect the kids. He said she had a bad habit of rolling over people’s lives and just wanted to hurt Drew. Lulu told Dante that she was the best judge of what she could do, but he said, obviously not. Carly heard a noise in Jack’s room, but an employee said it was nothing.

Jack was lying on the floor when Carly came in and cracked something over Valentin’s head. Chase said he didn’t deserve Brook, but she said he was stuck with her. Emma said she was sick of people treating her cause like it was a joke, and Gio said he was only kidding. She said she’d volunteered for a shelter when she was younger. Some puppies were bought by a lab, and it stayed with her. Cody showed up looking for Tracy. He wanted to apologize for missing their ride, but Gio said she was pretty upset, so Cody should wait on that. Martin said just because Tracy disliked someone didn’t make them disreputable, and Brook called Lois, asking her to come home. Portia told Anna about the pattern of suspicious patient deaths and that someone had injected the patients with a large, unprescribed dose of digitalis that resulted in a heart attack. Carly told Jack to wake up or she’d tell the world he died wearing his bathrobe, and told the employee to call an ambulance.

Brook told Lois about Chase and said she felt like her soul was broken. Gio told Cody about Sasha being pregnant and Jason promised not to tell anybody that Michael was the father. Sasha had no doubt Willow would use her pregnancy against Michael, and she’d do what it took to keep her baby away from the Q’s. She also wanted Sonny to be kept in the dark. Anna told Portia about the Angel of Death syndrome, but Portia said two of the cases involved healthy patients, Sam and Dex. Lulu said she was no longer helpless, but Dante said she was human and had limits. She said he focused on someone else to ignore his own pain and didn’t want to think about losing Sam. Jack said he was fine and the WSB would handle Valentin. Carly asked what he was going to do now, but he said, that’s classified.

Jack made a call to have Valentin killed on sight. Tracy asked what Martin’s problem was with her, and he said she had an obnoxious misguided sense of entitlement. She felt entitled to judge him and Willow and had prevented him from having a relationship with Lucy. Tracy said he should thank her instead of ruining her zen. Lois said Brook and Chase could be as sad as they wanted for as long as they wanted. Brook said Chase suggested IVF, but he was just sacrificing his feelings for her. She thought she should tell him that she’d been pregnant before. Dante said he didn’t blame Lulu for Sam’s death and she asked what he was doing for himself. She knew her presence was a complication in his life. He said he’d never be sorry she was here. Anna asked to talk to Dante. Jason said Sasha didn’t have to do it on her own and he was on her side.

Anna told Dante that Sam was murdered. Sasha let Jason feel the baby move. Carly and Jack kissed.

Thursday:

Hitting the heavy bag, Chase flashed back to his and Brook’s baby journey. Brook told Lois that Chase was mourning the life he’d imagined for them. She wanted him to know the pain and anguish she’d felt giving her baby up so he didn’t feel so alone. Alexis told Diane that Sam had been murdered, while Lulu told Maxie. Cody listened in on Sasha talking to Jason about the baby, but slipped away before he heard Michael was the father. In Baden Baden, Jack went to Carly’s suite and kissed her. She said she needed a minute, and he apologized if he’d read things incorrectly, but she said he didn’t. She just didn’t want to do something she regretted. He said he wasn’t there to sleep with her and had something much different in mind.

Molly visited Cody at the stables to drop off his paperwork from the station. He was less than hospitable. He said his feet were held to the fire while career criminals got away with everything. Jason wanted Michael’s side of the story, but Sasha said she didn’t owe Jason anything. He said she owed Michael. Lulu said she owed Sam everything, but Maxie said, feeling guilty over something she had no control over would go nowhere. Lulu admitted still being in love with Dante. Brook said she’d have to tell Chase the whole truth, that Dante was the father of her child. Dante told Chase about the murders at GH and that Sam was one of the victims. Alexis didn’t know what to do with her feelings about Sam being murdered, and she threw stuff around the office.

Jack brought Carly to the rooftop, where he had a fire going and they had champagne. Carly said, it was cozy, beautiful and private. He toasted to her changing her mind about coming to the spa. Jason told Sasha that he’d back off the second he talked to Michael. Sasha said they were done, but if he talked to Michael, tell him that she was thinking of him and praying for his recovery. Cody said, clearly Molly had an agenda, but she said she was there as a favor to Mac. He said he appreciated it and she left. Diane wanted to say the right thing, but Alexis told her that there was no right thing to say. Diane said, whatever Alexis wanted, she was all in – whatever she needed, whenever she needed it. Alexis said she had to tell Molly and Kristina, who were on their way there. Diane got a text from Jason and promised she wouldn’t tell him anything. Kristina came in and wondered what had happened.

Brook said if she told Chase, she’d have to tell Dante, and she felt sick. Dante told Chase about the digitalis murders, that Dex was one of the victims, and Michael had been saved by Isaiah’s quick thinking. Maxie said she was surprised Lulu admitted she still loved Dante, but it would be weird if she didn’t. Jason met with Diane and told her about Sasha’s pregnancy. Alexis told Kristina and Molly that Sam was murdered. Carly wanted to know what was going on between Jack and Valentin. She thought it was crazy that Valentin tried to kill him. Jack said, Valentin had been a friend, but after tonight, he wasn’t protecting Valentin any longer. He figured Valentin assumed he was the one who fired the shot in Prague. He hadn’t, but he was at that point now. It was a winding, complicated story. Carly told him to order another bottle of champagne.

Dante unloaded on Chase about Lulu and said she had to stop taking risks and be careful for her sake and Rocco’s. He was happy she was there, but Sam was gone because of it. Every time he looked at Lulu, he’d think of Sam and what they’d all lost. At the MetroCourt, Cody saw Diane with Jason. He apologized to Maxie about the other night and told her that Sasha was pregnant. Then he realized she knew already. Jason said Carly couldn’t know anything about this. He was going to the clinic to see Michael, but wanted Diane to keep an eye on Sasha. Jack told Carly that he wanted to rise in the ranks at the WSB and an alliance with Valentin was a smart move, so he sought out Valentin’s friendship. Valentin was the iron fist, and he was the velvet glove. Valentin needed him as much as he needed Valentin, and they became true friends.

Diane promised to keep an eye on Sasha and let her know when Jason got clarity. The fact Michael never told her spoke to Sasha’s credibility. Jason said if he was wrong, he’d gladly admit it, and she said she wanted a ringside seat for that. Maxie asked how Cody found out, but he said it didn’t matter. Maxie said Sasha was clear that she had no plans to tell the father, and Cody said the father was Jason. Sasha told the baby that they could do this on their own and promised she’d always be there. Lois said she didn’t want to influence Brook’s decision, but Brook said she needed Lois’s advice. Lois said Brook was a grown-up now and it was only her choice to make. Brook said she and Chase had to be open and honest and she had to tell him. Dante asked Chase what was up, and Chase said he’d talk when he was ready. Alexis promised they’d find out who did this to Sam. They were going to shield the truth from Scout and wanted to wait for more information to tell Danny. She’d ask Anna to keep it away from the public for as long as possible. They’d have to stay strong and present a united front for Sam.

Carly said there was more to Jack than met the eye. She admired his loyalty. He said there was a big difference between them. She was a good person. She said he wasn’t the bad guy he wanted people to think he was. To her, he was the guy who’d done awesome things for her and expected nothing in return. They kissed by the fire.

Friday’s Enchilada:

In his hospital room, Kai struggles to put on a brace belt and Trina walks in.

Jordan is surprised to find Drew at Volonino’s, and asks if he’s allowed through the doors of Aurora these days. He asks if she means his company, and she wonders if he’s trying to drive away anyone who ever thought they knew him.

Curtis meets Portia at Beradino’s and says, Aurora’s new CEO is looking fine. He says he aims to please, and she asks, what’s with the good mood? He says he’s at breakfast with his beautiful wife. Why wouldn’t he be? She says she saw on the news that there’s a holdup with the McConkey esplanade. It was a big project for him and Aurora. Curtis says, it still is. Don’t worry. He’s steps ahead of it. Since no one eats at home, at another table, Ric says, even though it was gruesome, the fire strengthened Ava’s case. She asks if it’s strong enough to rescue her daughter, and he says he thinks it should. Given her present financial situation, he has a proposal to present to Diane. With any luck, it will convince Diane to wrap things up with her and Sonny. Ava says, that would be ideal, and thanks him. His generosity had been so helpful. He says, what generosity? and she says, him representing her pro bono. He says he’s not doing her case pro bono, and she says, he’s not? Since he stopped hounding her to pay, she assumed… He says, that his service was gratis? Why? Because they kissed?

Lulu meets Laura at the bistro and apologizes for being late. Everything she does seems like something she has no chance with. She was here with Rocco and her baby boy is now a coffee drinker. Laura says, he’s a coffee snob, and Lulu says, he gets that because of Sonny. Dante is so good with Rocco. He’s a great dad, but… Laura says, she’s still in love with him, isn’t she?

Dante bursts into Anna’s office and asks, what the hell is going on? Mac said she ordered him locked out of Sam’s murder investigation. She says, he’s correct, and he asks, why?

Brook goes to the stables and asks Cody if they’re alone. He says, yeah, and she says, good. She needs to talk to him. He says, about what? and she says, the summer romance she had with Dante, and he asks if she means the summer she got pregnant.

In Diane’s office with Kristina, Sonny says he’s going to LA on business for Deception, and she says, that’s a long way to go for a silent investor. He says, Natalia wanted him to go and he wants to go over some things before he leaves. Diane says, that’s why Kristina came, and he says, there are things they all need to discuss.

At Volonino’s, Brad does push-ups, and his trainer suggests a break, but he says, no breaks. The trainer hands him some water and says, he needs to hydrate. Brad takes a drink and says, if he’s going to hit his goal before Miami, he can’t afford breaks.

Ava asks if Ric thinks she kissed him in exchange for legal fees, and he says he hopes not. It was a good kiss, but hardly covers his retainer. He’s attracted to her, but business is business. He’s extending her grace in deferring his payment. She says, he’s a beacon of charity. At this juncture, it’s like the kiss never happened and it’s not likely there will be another. He says, ever? and she says, not until she gets her daughter back. After that, they’ll see what’s on the table. He says he guesses he should be going then, and leaves.

Curtis tells Portia that Drew is stalling the project, and she says, that’s so sad. He says he can think of two other strong words, and she says, Drew is using his office to exact petty revenge. She’ll stick with sad. Tell her about his next steps. He says he’s going to need an ally on Capitol Hill who has more connections than Drew. Nina is setting up something, but if it doesn’t work, he has a back-up. Meanwhile, his focus is on the next step with Aurora, and it involves her, him, a beach, and daquiris on a tropical island.  

Drew says he understands that Jordan is upset about the esplanade, and she says, he brought the project to her, and they worked on it together. Now he’s stalled it. He’s damn right she’s upset. He says, for what it’s worth (🍷), he’s sorry, and she says, explain why he’s doing this. He says he’s just trying to hold onto what’s his.

Brook says, of course (🍷) she’s referring to that summer, and Cody says he thought the subject was verboten. She says, it was, and it is. Did he ever tell Dante? He says, she swore him to secrecy, and he drove her to the bus station. She left and he didn’t see her again until he started working here. She asks if he ever told Dante, but he says, no. He hasn’t even thought about it since then. She says, thank God, and thanks him, and he says, no problem. She says she’s sorry to make a big deal out of it, but she had to be sure. He says he gets it, but it was like, a million years ago. Why bring it up now?

Anna says she wants to reiterate how sorry she is, but Dante says he doesn’t want her sympathy. He wants Sam’s file. She says, he barged into her office and asked for access to a case… He says, because Sam  was his fiancé and he loved her, and Anna says, that’s precisely why she can’t let him get anywhere near the case.

Trina offers to help Kai, but he says he’ll do it himself. He struggles some more, and she says, it will be easier when his arm isn’t in a sling. He finally asks her to help him, and she puts the belt on him. As she wraps it around him, they gaze at each other for a moment.

Lulu tells Laura that she loves Dante, but not… He’s still grieving Sam… They were already divorced, but she ended things with Dustin. She was planning on telling Dante that she never stopped loving him, but unfortunately, she never got the chance. Now she’s finally awake, but Dante is grieving Sam… He totally should. Laura says, good to know, and Lulu says, it’s probably better. Things between them are worse. Laura asks, how so? and Lulu says, they fight all the time. When she went to Prague, Dante brought it on himself to follow. It’s a habit and they know how she doesn’t like being handled. Laura says, they do indeed, and Lulu says she wants to try and get along, but he makes it impossible. Laura says, maybe she’s pushing him away, but Lulu says, it’s not that. If anything, she thinks she’s holding herself back.

Sonny tells Diane that he’s concerned Charlie’s is going to be scrutinized. The business is clean, but he did sell it to Kristina. Diane says, she’ll stay ahead of it and tells Kristina to call if there’s a problem. Kristina says, if the Feds tap her phone, she’ll ask for a copy of the recording to help her keep track of things. Sonny says he doesn’t want what he’s done to interfere, and Diane says she’ll make sure of it. She’s about to leave when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it to Ric and Ava, and Ric says, good. They’re already here. That makes it easier.

Brad kisses his bicep (he’s pretty jacked) and says, woo!

Kai thanks Trina for her help and says he’s sorry for snapping. She says she gets it, and he says he appreciates her coming, but he’s not in the mood. He’s still trying to rap his head around what he’s going to do with his life. She says, that’s why she’s here. Since he was injured in a game, PCU can’t revoke his scholarship. She brought him some catalogs for inspiration. He says he can’t think about classes. He’s barely managed to schedule his rehab. She asks if that means he got a second opinion that was positive, and he says, they told him, no promises.  

Drew tells Jordan that he’s the ultimate team player. He’s dealt with Tracy, navigated Ned’s fragile ego, and sat through his fair share of family squabbles disguised as ELQ board meetings. He does one thing the family doesn’t approve of… Jordan says, he had an affair with his nephew’s wife, and Drew says, and the rest of the Quartermaines are saints compared to most people. Monica banned him from the grounds, and he was pushed out of his own company. Jordan says she gets it. His life as a rich congressman is in shambles. Welcome to politics. They’re not here to talk about Quartermaine infighting. He’s stalling the progress for the good of the city he’s been chosen to represent. He says, it could still happen. That depends on what Curtis chooses to do with Aurora.  

Portia says, Curtis’s plans for Aurora involve them on a beach? and he says, not just any beach. St. George Island, potentially the first site of Aurora’s new resorts. Portia says she loves it, and he says, of course (🍷) he wants to experience the island before moving forward and he can’t without her. What does she say? She says she can feel the sand between her toes, when Curtis’s phone rings. Jordan says she’s calling in a favor, and Curtis says, which one? She tells him to meet her at Volonino’s as soon as he can.  

Anna says, when she told Dante that Sam was murdered, she was speaking to him as a private citizen. That’s why he can’t be involved. He says he can help find out who killed her, and she says she’d let him if the victim was anyone else. He says, because it’s Sam, and she says, imagine if he finds the killer and it goes to trial. What does he think the defense is going to do? He says, object because of his conflict of interest, and she says, they won’t need to. We won’t have a case. It will be thrown out because he was involved in the investigation. He asks if that’s what she wants, but she says, no, but she has to look at it. What if he finds the killer and decides to take the law into his own hands? He asks if she thinks he’d do that, and she says, in this instance, she doesn’t know. He asks what she means by in this instance. Does she have a suspect?

Brook says she’s sure everybody knows she and Chase are trying to start a family, and Cody says, word got around. She says, it’s bringing up a memory for her, living in the same house with Dante. She needs to be sure. He says he never told Dante. He hasn’t even thought about it in years. If she had told Dante back then, he’s sure Dante would have stepped up, unlike other guys. She asks what he means, and he says, it’s an obligation and the guy has to step up. He can’t leave the woman hanging. Brook asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Sasha is pregnant and she shouldn’t be in it alone.  

Drew works out with the weights, when Curtis comes in. He asks if this is why Jordan needed him, and she says, Drew told her that the future of the esplanade depends on Curtis. Care to elaborate? Curtis says, Drew wanted to push Michael out of Aurora, and Jordan says, while he’s in Germany, recovering from third degree burns? Curtis says, yeah. And if Drew doesn’t get what the wants, he’s more than willing to sabotage Aurora. Hence the delay on the esplanade. Jordan says, is that right? and Drew says, Curtis couldn’t be more wrong.

Kai tells Trina that the doctors told him to manage his expectations and set reasonable goals. Don’t get ahead of himself. She says, that’s good advice, and he says his teammates’ doctors said the same thing. She asks if they played again, and he says, one did. The rest never set foot on a field again. She says she’s sorry, and he says him too. He knew it was a possibility, but he told himself that it would never be him. How could he be so stupid?

Lulu tells Laura that Dante would jump in to save any chance he got, whether she needed him to or not. Laura says, Dante just lost someone he loved and maybe he doesn’t want to lose someone else. Lulu says, maybe… probably. She hates seeing him and Rocco in pain and not be able to help. Dante sees her as the woman his fiancé died trying to save. What is it going to be like for the rest of their lives? Laura says she knows what Lulu thinks, but unless she’s spoken to Dante directly, she doesn’t know how he feels.

Anna says she has no suspect yet, but there’s a person of interest, and Dante asks, who? She says, it’s not his case and she’s not disclosing more information. He says, she hasn’t told him anything. Dammit! She needs to tell him… She says she thinks he should go home. She’s placing him on one week’s paid leave and would like him to see the department psychiatrist. He asks if he can say no, but she says she thinks he knows the answer to that. He says, fine, and leaves.

Diane tells Ric to come back when he’s made an appointment, but he says he has an offer regarding the custody hearing. Sonny says, let’s hear it, and Ric says, the recent incident at his domicile caused the destruction of property and injury to his son. Ava says, it was obviously an attempt… and Ric says, it’s obvious Sonny can’t provide a safe home for Avery. At best, Sonny is going to lose. He’s made an effort to save them time and expense. He gives Diane the paperwork and she laughs. She says, visitation every other weekend and Ava has sole custody and all major holidays? Ava says she’s willing to give up Arbor Day, but Diane says she won’t even entertain it. Ric says, then they’ll go to court, and Sonny says, let’s do it. Ric says he’s going to call Kristina to the stand, and Kristina says, no problem. He asks if she’s sure. He’s going to ask about her father’s brutal assault on Dex Heller and his long list of mental and emotional instabilities. He’ll also bring in her impulsiveness and hot-headed temper that led to the attack on Ava and also the death of Kristina’s child. Sonny says, that’s enough, and Kristina says she looks forward to making sure Avery ends up with the right parent. Ric says, it’s impressive, but her keeping it together in her attorney’s office for five seconds doesn’t hold a candle to keeping it together on the witness stand… which she knows. Ava tells Sonny to spare the agony for both him and his daughter and take the deal. Sonny leans on his desk and asks, when’s the date? Diane says, February 25th, and Sonny tells Ric, see you there. Ric says, it’s their final offer, and Sonny shrugs. Ric says, it’s over, and he and Ava leave. Diane says she knows one thing, and Sonny says, they’re desperate. Diane says, right, and he says, Ava’s funds have dried up. Kristina says, Lucy mentioned to her the other day that Ava took a place far below her standards, and Sonny says, Ava wouldn’t trade down if she didn’t have to. Kristina says, that’s good news. If Ava can’t afford it, all they have to do is wait, but Diane says, they can’t rely on that. Ric and Ava’s argument is stronger than theirs.

Dante sees Brook at the stables and asks if Cody is around. She says, he was, then he wasn’t. She doesn’t know if he’s coming back. Is Dante okay? He says, obviously not, and she asks if there’s anything she can do. He says he doesn’t know. Sam was murdered and Anna won’t let him find the bastard who did it.

Lulu says she knows Dante loved Sam, and Laura says, and Sam loved Dante. She’s grateful they gave a good home to Rocco. Lulu says her too, but she’s a little jealous. And by little, she means really jealous. Laura says, Sam is gone now, and Dante has to find a way to live with the loss, and Lulu says, it’s a big loss and here she is, swooping in. Laura says, Lulu is entitled to be here, and Lulu says, Sam is too, but she can’t be. Laura says, but Lulu can, and Dante is afraid he’s going to lose her too. He practically camped out by her bedside and fought like hell for her. She says she knows, and Laura says, from her own life, she knows it’s possible to love two people at the same time. Dante absolutely loves Lulu. Maybe not in the same way she loves him right now, but there’s definitely a place in his heart for her. Lulu says she knows it’s not rational, but she feels like it’s her fault Sam died. If she feels that way… Laura says, maybe Dante does too?

Trina says, Kai isn’t stupid. He doesn’t know how rehab is going to turn out. His first orthopedist told him that he’s never play again. He says he doesn’t feel like a lecture. He needs to figure out rehab now. As for class, he doesn’t know if he wants to go back. She says, why? Even if he never plays again, he’s been given an amazing opportunity. A scholarship most kids would kill for and PCU is an amazing school. He says he knows Trina thinks she’s helping, but she’s not.

Drew says, when he pitched the esplanade, he did it on behalf of his company. Now he’s pitching for his constituents. Jordan asks, then why hold up the project that will give his constituents jobs? and he says, the environmental report was of concern, so it’s been put on pause for review. She says, it’s going to die because he has an ax to grind, and he says, it’s Aurora’s project. Curtis is the CEO and it’s up to him to clear up the issues. Curtis says, Aurora will be fine without the esplanade, and Drew says, there you have it. Curtis says, Drew is screwing them over, and Jordan says, it was a project for the constituents that was supposed to carry on the name of the man who gave Drew a seat in congress. (Good point!) Drew says, Curtis seems tense. What does he say to them working it out in the ring?

Diane says she hates to admit it, but Ric had good points. It’s of public record that the penthouse fire was deliberately set. Sonny says, Avery was at Carly’s, and Diane says, that’s the only reason Sonny still has custody. As for Kristina, she was magnificent back there. Kristina thanks her and says, hate is a powerful motivator. Diane says she has to advise Kristina, no matter how cool and calm she is on the witness stand, Dex’s assault is going to count in Ava’s favor. Sonny says, Ric is all about money. The only reason Ric is representing Ava is to hurt him. He’s going to use Kristina to do that. Kristina says, let him try. She can’t allow Ava to have Avery. Diane says she knew Kristina would say that. She’s going to let them talk. Take all the time they need. She leaves and Sonny says, Diane is right. Ric is going to hammer her on the stand like last time. Kristina says, let him. Ava’s not going to win this case. She doesn’t get to have her daughter back after she took Kristina’s from her.  

At the MetroCourt bar, Ava says, Sonny is itching to take them to court, but Ric says he’s not so sure. Ava says, he has enough money to drag this on forever, and Kristina, with her hair trigger temper, didn’t take the bait. Ric says, no matter. It comes down to Sonny. If he doesn’t want to move forward, it’s all over. She says, too bad he and Diane are determined to do that, and Ric says, maybe he’s wrong, but he thinks something is going on with Sonny.  

On the phone, Anna says, come back to my office and we’ll go over your allegations about Cyrus. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, it’s open. Cody comes in and asks if she’s seen Mac, but she says, he’s out on a call. Is everything okay? He says he needs to get a message to Mac’s brother and doesn’t have a way to reach him, and she says she can reach him. He says, it can wait, and she says, is he sure? It seems urgent. He says, it is… It isn’t important. It’s not like they need to contact international law enforcement. Anna tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is in trouble and it’s Jason Morgan’s fault.  

Brook tells Dante that she’s sorry, and he says, the minute he found out Sam was murdered, he wanted to hunt down the piece of garbage who did this. He’s a cop. She says, the best, and he says, Anna told him under no uncertain terms that he’s too close to the case. She says, maybe he is, and he says, obviously. He went to Anna’s office to show her how he’d handle it, and instead, he proved her right. He lost it on her. He yelled at his boss, and she sent him home. Brook says, Anna made the right call, and he says he knows that. For Sam to die like that, in a hospital bed, confined, unable to fight… If she could have gotten up, she would have fought tooth and nail. Brook says, damn straight, and he says, Sam was there because of him, and she’s gone because of him. He doesn’t know how to live with that.

Lulu asks Laura, how does she not feel responsible? The only reason Sam was in a hospital bed was because of her. Laura says, it’s human to feel like it’s her fault, but it’s completely untrue. She’s not responsible for Sam’s death. Only one person is – the murderer. Lulu says she knows that. It’s just so hard to silence the voice telling her that it’s her fault and to think about how Dante sees her. Laura says, he’s grieving, so she can’t assume to know how he feels, but she could ask, and Lulu says, just like that. Laura says, with the connection they have, yeah. It may not be the best time to tell him the full breadth of her feelings, but she can love him as friend.

At the hospital on his phone, Brad orders the deluxe spa package, while Portia tries to quietly go past him. He trots after her and asks if she has any idea where Dr. Jones is. She says, he switched his shift. She can imagine why. He says, speaking of schedules, is there any chance he can get an extra vacation day in Miami?

Curtis says, Drew wants to see him in the ring? and Jordan says, she brought them together hoping they could compromise like the adults she assumed they were, and Curtis says, it was a noble thought. But they both know Drew makes decisions based on what Drew wants. Drew says, and Curtis never misses the opportunity to get on his high horse. Curtis says, it must be real difficult for Drew to see that high up, being so damn lowdown, and Drew asks what Curtis says when the common denominator of the people keeping secrets from him is himself.

Anna asks how Jason is involved with Sasha, but Cody says, forget it. She says, he doesn’t barge into her office saying Robert’s daughter is in trouble and then drop it. He says he wants to talk to Robert directly, but she says, they’re close. What happened? Is Sasha in danger? He says, no. It’s not a crime or a legal thing. She tells him, just say it, and he says, Sasha is pregnant, and Jason is the father.  

Ric tells Ava, the thing about having a brother as an enemy is, they can read each other. He has a strong feeling something was off with Sonny just now. She asks how he can tell, and he says, Sonny may talk tough, but he has the sense Sonny doesn’t want to see this through. She says, when he dreams, he dreams big. Sonny doesn’t give up. He says, Sonny knows cutting her out will hurt Avery. Maybe he’s starting to care a little. She says she hopes he’s right. She needs to have Avery with her. The sooner he can make that happen, and the sooner she’s back on her feet, the sooner she can pay him. Once he gets paid, maybe after that they can see where things stand between them.

Kai tells Trina that he figured out how to put the brace on and it’s an accomplishment. He appreciates Trina coming, but he needs time to himself. She says, okay. She’ll leave him to it. She goes to the door and says, just so he knows, he doesn’t need to do this alone. She leaves, and he gets on the bed with his phone. He puts on an old game, and the announcer says, PCU is down three and going for a Hail Mary pass… They win, thanks to the golden arm of quarterback Kai Taylor! He puts the phone down, and Trina sees him through the window. She takes out her phone and makes a call. She says, when you get out, come and meet me at GH. Nothing is wrong. I just need help.  

Portia says she’s made accommodations for Brad, and he knows why. Brad says, just because he forced her doesn’t mean it’s not appreciated, and she says she does have limits and if she sticks to them, they shouldn’t have a problem. He says, understood… That said… She says, if he starts asking too much too often, people will start to notice. Don’t push his luck any further than he has. He says, so… is that a yes? and she says, enjoy your vacation day. She jets, and he says, thank you.  

Curtis says, his friendship comes with loyalty and wonders if it’s too much to expect in return, and Drew says, so his friendship is transactional. He’s not applying undue influence to sink Aurora. They’re not in court. Curtis says, let him remind Drew that he’s brand new to congress. He’s alienated his backers by seducing his nephew’s wife. He overextended himself and left himself wide open. Curtis and Jordan walk out.

Sonny asks what Kristina wanted to see him about. Is everything okay? She says, actually, no. The hospital investigated Sam’s death, and it turns out it’s not an accident. Sam was murdered. He asks if they know who, and she says, no, but they know how. She was given a drug she wasn’t supposed to have. Digitalis killed her. He says he’s going to ask a question she might not be able to answer. Does Dante know? She says, probably. The police are looking into it. Should she worry? He says he doesn’t want her to worry. Let him worry. Everybody has a breaking point and she’s carrying too much.

Brook says, it’s not Dante’s fault. She knows he can’t see it, so she’ll let him get there on his own, and he will. He says, she’s right, and she says she knows he’s saying that to get her off his back. She’s here if he needs anything. He says, she’s a pretty good friend when she tries, and she says, don’t tell anyone. He says, they wouldn’t believe him anyway, and they hug. Lulu walks in.  

On Monday, Laura tells Lucky that she has some news; Gio tells Emma that he has a bad feeling about something; Maxie tells Sasha that the more she stonewalls, the more it looks like she has something to hide; and Lulu tells Dante, nothing can be further from the truth.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Looks like a good time. Especially for that random dog who’s probably been stealing food all night.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Sage advice for any condition you might be suffering from: If you are suffering, you have to be your own advocate to keep going… If your doctor doesn’t get it, find a new doctor that listens to you and believes in you, and doesn’t just want to stick you on an antidepressant.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/gh-star-tabyana-ali-celebrates-her-birthday-see-the-party-pics

Side gig. I still say Adam Huss was the best Nikolas and they should bring him back.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-huss-wraps-a-movie-with-tuc-watkins

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

In making a sushi dinner for multiple people who don’t eat fish, Cloyce said he had nothing to do but laugh, bang his head against the wall, and innovate. It must be tough for any woman who dates Cloyce to get past him giggling like Anderson Cooper. Captain Glenn joined the guests for dinner and was impressed. Glenn said he still believed in Gary, which is beyond my scope of understanding. In his interview, the captain said, if Gary wanted to step up the ladder, he’d have to grow and mature. Good luck with that. Mixing his metaphors, Captain Glenn said, the crew knocked it out of the park and suggested they put this baby to bed. He’d seen growth and thought they finished the season on a high. The tip was $21K or 2000 euros each, and they’d made a total of $188K for the season. Gary told Daisy that he wanted them to live a fairytale life. She was like, hard no, and wondered why they couldn’t get to a level they could agree on. After the crew night out, Gary waited alone at the jacuzzi while everyone else went to bed. He had a lightbulb moment in his interview, where he said if he was going to be in Glenn’s position, he’d have to start taking more responsibility for his actions. I still can’t figure out what the problem was with the stews and Daisy, except that she wanted them to work. Gary thought there was still hope for him and Daisy, and we flashed back to them over the years. He was intrigued to see what the future held. Glenn said, it was a crazy season and it was done. Margarita time.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

In Kyle’s interview, she said she was alone in the house more often because the kids wanted more time away from her. Um… yeah, that’s how it works when kids get older. Boz and Dorit have gotten tight, which surprises me, since Boz doesn’t seem like she’d suffer fools or rambling talkers gladly. Garcelle pointed out that Kyle saying she’s never shared anything PK has said to her sounded like it was more than memes, but Kyle insisted that they’d never discussed PK and Dorit’s marriage. Kyle apologized to the group for yelling and leaving, but in Sutton’s interview, she wanted Kyle to apologize for acting better than everyone else and not being accountable. Kyle used the old it’s not who I am backpedal. I hate when people say that because, if not you, who? It was who you were in that moment and to say that is distancing yourself from accountability.

Dorit and Kyle went for a walk on the beach, and Dorit asked where Kyle’s loyalty lay, with her or PK. Dorit wanted the same respect from Kyle that Kyle would expect from her. In her interview, Kyle said she understood and if it was what Dorit needed, she’d do it, but IMO, she should have understood it without Dorit having to tell her. Dorit was also wrestling with Jagger having asked if she and PK were divorced, since he’d gleaned it from social media. In Erika’s interview, she said it was impossible to shield children in this day of the internet, but I wonder if you even should in the first place. By all means you should explain things at their level and make sure they know you’re there for them (and your partner too, if that’s a factor), but I’m not so sure kids should be shielded from negative situations entirely. God forbid they hear it from someone else like this poor kid. The show ended on an up note for once.

Real Housewives of New York City

It was the Reunion Part 1, so… There’s never a lot to say about these, since it’s just a rehash of the season’s arguments and them getting mad all over again. There was Jenna coming out in robe and turban, which was… original. Brynn spoke more about her assault, and sad to say, it’s someone she’s required to inhabit the same space with on a regular basis. It seemed hard for Erin to understand how difficult it is to out someone like that when it’s a he said/she said situation. There was a big deal with Brynn having said Pavit wasn’t the love of Jessel’s life, when they’d been talking about crazy hook-ups. Jessel was pretty upset about her family seeing the show. It looks to be a lively Part 2.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

Ugh. The Reunion Part 2. In a word, tedious. Meredith almost walked off because… Okay, I lost track of the whole thing, but it had to do with something she said or didn’t say and who said she said or didn’t say it. You see how I could get lost, right? Angie said that for a new Housewife, Bronwyn put herself out there and that’s why everyone loved her. Agreed. Seth was a jerk, trying to explain away why he called Whitney a bee-yotch during a dinner. No excuse for that, dude. As NeNe so succinctly put it, stay out of women’s business. Period. End of story. With the exception of RHONJ, where the men should have their own show, the husbands need to stay quiet. It’s not called Real Househusbands. Still this season’s MVP, Mary was the exception. Lots of tears over Robert Jr.’s story, even from Andy. And it shut the other women up for once. That’s quite a feat. Whitney said it helped her kids understand why they didn’t have a grandpa as she hasn’t spoken to her (addicted) father since Season 1.

Southern Charm

Poor JT. I almost have to feel sorry for him. Almost. He’s so clueless as to how he’s going wrong. Although Venita doesn’t see it. She admitted to having a crush on him and I thought, oh, just do it already. Craig called Austen and wanted to hang out, which surprised me, but it didn’t seem to surprise Austen. Shep hadn’t heard from Sienna, who texted that she needed a moment. It made Shep nervous, which made me laugh. He said he wanted beautiful babies and a Bahamian house, making me laugh harder. Patricia and Madison had a pajama party, complete with caviar in bed, making me rethink my friend group, and Patricia said Sienna had approached Whitney on Raya before meeting Shep. Venita invited JT for dinner, and he told her that he was seeing someone. It wasn’t the answer either one of us was hoping for. I don’t like him, but she does, so I felt bad for her. He professed faithfulness, but IMO, he’d been leading Venita on. Not a gentleman.

I don’t remember this guy from Summer House, but I’m not always paying attention.

Southern Hospitality

I tried to watch this. I really did. But it’s just a bunch of relationships that are more complicated than they need to be. I’ve seen enough to know Emmy is a drama queen, so I can just imagine when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her. Red flags have been thrown her way before, which she’s put her fingers in her ears and gone la-la-la about, but this seems to be irrefutable evidence. Rut-roh.

There was this priceless quote though: Even though I’m 33, that’s like 50 in gay years, so I’m basically dead. – TJ

I feel the opposite. While the diversity is commendable, the personalities aren’t so diverse. We even have Maddi being James Kennedy 2.0. Sans the alcoholic rants. Wait for VPR’s reboot if you want to relive the glory days. Or actually watch the original glory days on several streaming services.

Random Reality

The latest in Atlanta. Twirl on, Kenya. Twirl on.

Why not? And I actually don’t mind Slade. They seem to be a good match. Maybe he’ll marry her on his deathbed.

Get your lemons ready.

I’m sporadic in watching this, and like with Survivor, I get lost with the challenges, but when I see it, I enjoy it. Alan Cumming is the best host, all theatric and Scottish.

Take the tour.

https://ew.com/the-traitors-host-alan-cumming-season-3-castle-tour-exclusive-8766966

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Sleep. Hulu et al. I was a fan of Korean cinema long before it was popular, and Netflix had a Korean for beginners category. While this wasn’t one of my favorites, that didn’t make it less intriguing. A story of possession masked as a sleep disorder, it has creepiness a plenty. I wasn’t thrilled with the ending, which left me kind of hanging, but the style and atmosphere were worth the time spent. I hadn’t thought of it as a metaphor for a deteriorating relationship, but there’s that too. Those of you who feel, if I want to read, I’ll get a book, be forewarned; this one has subtitles.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sleep-korean-film-review

https://nofspodcast.com/sleep-review-new-korean-horror-is-a-methodical-slow-build-of-simmering-scares

Saturday Night. Netflix. This is the telling of the story of the first episode of SNL, and how no one thought it would get on the air, much less stand the test of time it has. A dramatization for sure, but the real-life drama may have seemed heightened since there were so many roadblocks. From John Belushi refusing to sign his contract while ice skating in a bee costume to Milton Berle flashing his legendary junk, it’s a fun watch.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/saturday-night/

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/saturday-night-netflix-review

The truths and the nots.

https://people.com/how-much-of-saturday-night-is-true-8725801

Some of this is a stretch to connect to SNL, but six degrees and all that.

🎸 Who’s Playing For Who…

The Super Bowl performers.

https://ew.com/super-bowl-2025-performers-kendrick-lamar-halftime-sza-jon-batiste-8779483

The Grammys performers.

https://ew.com/everyone-performing-at-2025-grammys-charli-xcx-sabrina-carpenter-more-8779877

🐾 Send In the Furbabies…

🐶 It’s always nice to see a celebrity using their powers for good. This must have been incredibly rewarding. I’ve loved Paris since Tinkerbell wrote her book.

https://people.com/paris-hilton-reunites-her-foster-dog-from-l-a-fires-with-the-dog-s-family-8781373

🐎 What would the Super Bowl be without the Budweiser Clydesdales?

https://people.com/super-bowl-2025-budweiser-clydesdale-horse-commercial-8780322

🐕 And don’t forget the best Bowl of all.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/2025/pb-xxi-gallery

https://www.discovery.com/shows/on-tv/puppy-bowl/see/2025

🐐 Quotes of the Week

Anyone who wants to achieve a dream must stay strong, focused and steady.Estée Lauder

A dead end street is a good place to turn around. – Naomi Judd

Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. – Groucho Marx

If your dreams don’t scare you, they are too small. – Richard Branson

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working. – Pablo Picasso

You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old. – George Burns

Words are the clothing of our thoughts.Jonathan Swift

A ship in a harbour is safe, but it’s not fulfilling its potential. – Susan Jeffers

If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment. – Carlos Santana

I don’t know why they say alcohol is a depressant. It fixes everything. – Joyce (Swoosie Kurtz), Mike & Molly

🍫 Like a Box Of Chocolates…

Until next week, stay safe; stay being adaptable in social and professional settings; and stay managing your expectations, setting reasonable goals, and not getting ahead of yourself.

January 24, 2025 – Sidwell Meets Laura, Soap Suds, Not My Reality, Weekend Watching, Nom-Noms, Animal Endeavors, 10 Concise Quotes & Freeze-Out

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What I Watched Today

(The whole GH enchilada & entertainment minutiae on Fridays)

General Hospital

Monday:

No soap, inauguration.

Tuesday:

Kristina waited at the launch with Alexis who was going to Spoon Island to meet with Sidwell about Windymere. Drew wanted to charge Tracy with kidnapping because she wouldn’t tell them where the children were even though Martin had a court order. Anna looked like she had a headache when Tracy feigned innocence, and Tracy asked if she looked like a nanny, but Anna said, only one in a Grimm’s fairytale. Tracy told her that Yuri had taken the children and nanny out for the day. Maxie met with Natalia about a new testing facility for Deception. She wanted the closing pushed back to give Sonny time to be with Michael and told Natalia that it wasn’t safe to be in Sonny’s orbit.

Michael was brought to consciousness and told Carly that he wanted to go to Germany. He also wanted to see Sasha. Drew horned in on Anna talking to Tracy, and Jack showed up at the station with info about the incendiary device. Ava was also going to Spoon Island to see Sidwell and badgered Alexis about the settlement money.

Jason went to track Sasha down and Carly told the others that Michael wanted to go to Germany, but Willow wanted to speak to him to confirm and apologize. Tracy claimed they were taking the kids from Monica, but Drew said it killed Tracy that Alan gave the house to Monica, and it was just a power play. Jack told Anna that the WSB was familiar with the device, and it had probably been developed for black ops. She asked if he ever used it and if he was the one who planted it.

Willow went in to see Michael and confirmed he wanted to go to Germany. She apologized for everything, and said the kids missed and loved him and he had to get better for them. She said she’d always love him, and he suddenly clutched in pain.

Ava said her daughter wasn’t safe with a man whose enemies tried to incinerate him and wanted Kristina to testify at the custody hearing. Alexis told Ava to stay away from her daughter or Ava would answer to her. Jack told Anna that he’d be more discreet than setting a luxury high rise on fire. She said the attack was sophisticated and not a usual mob hit.

Carly freaked out about Michael, when Jason arrived with Sasha, but Portia had to sedate Michael again to ease the stress on his system. Carly blamed Willow, but Jason told her not to take out her anger on Willow and focus on Michael. Carly said she’d be going to Germany with him, and Anna called Jason, telling him to get to the station.

Alexis said that Ava didn’t ask, but taunted and badgered. She wondered if Ava would want anyone treat Avery the way she treated Kristina, and Ava left since the truth is hard for her to hear. At the station, Anna told Jason that it was his family, so deal with them. Sasha told Maxie that she’d had a prenatal checkup and thought of Liam. Drew horned in at the hospital and told Willow that he thought Carly had finessed the situation. Sonny advised him to leave, but Willow wanted to talk to him.

Sidwell met Alexis at the dock, and she said she didn’t need to see Windymere again. The Cassadines weren’t known to be sentimental. Maxie offered to go to appointments with Sasha, who said she wasn’t ready to tell the world, but she was glad Maxie and Felicia were there for her to talk to. Maxie asked if Sasha was allowing herself to be happy.

Drew told Willow that he’d had Tracy arrested, but they didn’t know where the kids were, and they didn’t have Michael to use as leverage this time. Willow didn’t like the thought of using Michael as leverage, but was worried she’d messed up in cooperating with Sonny and Carly.

Tracy didn’t want Drew near the kids, but Jason said it was Willow’s call. Tracy said, Willow no longer had a mind of her own and was Drew’s puppet, but Jason said, Michael would want them with their mother. Tracy told him that she wouldn’t go to jail because she had too much money. Ava went to see Sonny and said if Avery had been where Michael was standing, she would have been killed.

Anna said she didn’t have time for the Quartermaines’ petty feuds and had real crimes to deal with. Alexis gave Sidwell the title to Spoon Island and told him that if isolation and excess were what he was looking for, he found his perfect dungeon. He said valued his privacy. Carly thanked Jack for getting Michael into the clinic and arranging for a medical jet. He told her to focus on her son and he’d take care of everything else. Anna told an officer to take Tracy to booking and told Tracy that sometimes the best way to win was to bend.

Drew convinced Willow that Sonny and Carly had been manipulating her. As he chatted her up in the chapel, Jason walked in. Sonny said he wouldn’t let Ava poison his daughter against him, and she said she was going to show the judge the charred remains of the penthouse and photos of Michael’s burns and she was going to get her daughter back permanently. She left and Sonny tried to take his heart meds, but keeled over.

Wednesday:

Charlie’s was reopening and Kristina and Lucky toasted to their dads who were great partners back in the day. Natalia found Sonny, got some medication in him, and called 911. Jason thought there was a compromise if Willow stayed in the gatehouse with the kids and Monica could have access. Lulu wanted to speak to Tracy, but Dante said, no. Lulu said she was fluent in Tracy Quartermaine and asked to have a crack at her.

Spinelli said they might have lost a gastropub, but gained the essence of cool in the new Charlie’s. Willow said if Jason could get Tracy to agree, she’d move back to the gatehouse, even though Drew told her not to negotiate. She had all the power she needed. Felicia told Sasha that the q’s thrived on toxic shenanigans and not to get caught up in it. Lucky told Elizabeth that he may have found a lead in their case.

Brick hit on Jordan going into Charlie’s, but she was meeting Isaiah. Kristina told Brick that him being there officially made it the coolest place in town. Sonny came to while Natalia was on the phone with 911, but he insisted no help. Jason asked to speak to Tracy who asked what the catch was. Drew said Tracy was using Monica to bully Willow. She said her kids were traumatized enough and she wanted to bring the kids back to their home. Jason said it was Tracy’s only chance to make a deal that would keep the kids close to Monica, and Lulu agreed he was right. Would Tracy rather be right or free? It was her turn to be strategic and play the long game. Be smart and take the win.

Sonny asked Natalia to call Isaiah and ruined his date with Jordan, but Brick took his place. Lucky told Elizabeth to follow his lead. Sasha told Felicia that she didn’t even recognize Willow anymore and she’d used Michael as leverage. Felicia suggested they show her some grace. Cody acted like an ass at Charlie’s and told Spinelli that if he wanted to stay out of prison because of Society Set-Ups (which none of us even remember anymore), he’d pony up some $75K. Brick asked if he should be jealous. Isaiah went to Sonny’s, and Sonny explained what had happened with Ava. Isaiah said the pills were just a stop gap measure and Sonny needed to see a cardiologist. Drew tried to talk Willow out of living at the gatehouse, no doubt for his own selfish gains, but Willow wasn’t having it. He said if the Quartermaines saw a way to get her children, they’d do it. Tracy agreed to take the deal.

Lucky talked to Martin about Cyrus, who said it was their mother who inspired Cyrus’s vocation. Isaiah said Sonny couldn’t be there for those he cared about if he didn’t take care of himself. Natalia said she’d stay with Sonny. Jason let Willow know that the kids were waiting at the gatehouse. Martin’s mother said if it had been up to Cyrus, she would be gone, but Cyrus just hadn’t wanted her to suffer. Lucky said they were still missing something because neither Dex nor Sam were terminal. Spinelli said Cody was the same sketchy grifter he’d always been. Lucky told him to take a walk, and Cody told Lucky to take a nap and punched him. Brick intervened, and Maxie thought she’d have to save Cody from himself.

Drew told Martin that Willow needed to be freed from the Quartermaines and Martin asked if Drew meant free to be with him. Drew said he’d do anything to protect Willow. Cody was brought into the station as Tracy was being released. Kristina said bar brawls weren’t the vibe she was going for. Willow came home and all was right with the world. For now.

Thursday:

Both Cody and Lucky were arrested, and Elizabeth tended to Lucky’s wounds in the interrogation room. Mac wondered what the hell was going on with Cody. The more he tried to get through, the more Cody pushed him away. Molly went to see Cody, who thought Lucky should have to pay for damages too, since he’d also been arrested. Molly said he was the only one throwing punches. Ava went to see Laura and Brick went to see Sonny. Kristina told Alexis about the fight, and Jordan said Brick had to step in to stop the fight, but the police thought Lucky was involved. Laura told Ava that a lot had changed and she couldn’t be Ava’s character witness. It was better if she wasn’t involved.

Josslyn told Lucas that she knew Cyrus had stabbed Dex and how she’d messed up at the station. Lucy brought Sidwell to Charlie’s and the thought it was distinctive and inviting. Lucy paved the way for a meeting with Laura.

Molly said no charges would be filed if Cody paid for the damages, but he said he had no money. Mac asked what the hell was wrong with him. Mac asked if Cody’s drunken fights were part of a bigger problem. Ric showed Ava an apartment since she had to establish a permanent residence, but she thought the square footage was lacking. Natalia told Brick what was going on with Sonny’s health, and Sonny filled him in on the rest. Brick said they had to make sure a close call like this never happened again.

Sidwell had to jet. Kristina said he seemed nice, and Alexis said nice and peculiar, since he thought Windymere was charming. Jordan went to see Laura and told her about Sidwell being in town. Cody promised he was done with booze and bar crawling. Mac said Cody was in a spiral that was getting worse, and he wanted to know why. Molly told Felicia that Cody was being a five-star ass. Lucky wanted to talk to Felicia about Cyrus, and Lucky discussed Cyrus with Josslyn. He said all they had were theories and suppositions and they needed evidence.

Lucky and Elizabeth talked to Felicia who said she thought it was the right choice to ban Cyrus from the hospital. Cody told Mac it wasn’t about Sasha. He trashed things when they were good. Mac said he had a family to rely on now and couldn’t push them away. Natalia went to Charlie’s and told Kristina that Sonny and Brick were discussing business. Brick arranged for Sonny to see the best cardiologist in the country in Los Angeles, to keep the diagnosis from the Five Families (marinara sauce). Ric said Ava didn’t have the means for a long-haul custody battle.

Kristina said she was worried about Sonny as she’d gotten a new date for the custody case. Anna said there were no outstanding warrants on Sidwell and even Interpol’s tag had been dropped. Laura got notice of the meeting and said it might be time to give Sidwell what he wants. Ava told Ric that Laura backed out of being a character witness and he told her to never doubt he was on her side, then they kissed. Josslyn said she was going to find the tie between Cyrus and the murders.

Mac left Cody in jail to think. Ava agreed to take the apartment. Laura called Sidwell and made a date to meet. Molly said, as long as people like Cody were saved from the consequences of their actions, there would always be a next time. Lucky wanted to talk to the Turning Woods staff and check their records, but Elizabeth said he’d stepped on a lot of toes there, so he agreed to let her do the talking. Lucas asked Josslyn to promise she’d stay away from Cyrus.

Friday’s Enchilada:

Baden-Baden, Germany. Carly goes into her hotel suite breathing heavy. She almost throws a bottle, but decides against it. Instead, she sits down and cries.

Willow leaves a message for Drew telling him that she’s back at the gatehouse and just wanted to hear his voice. There’s a knock at the door, and Nina says she brought breakfast. She asks how it is being back, and Willow says she’s afraid she made a huge mistake.

Drew asks if Curtis has a second to talk, but Curtis says he doesn’t know what Drew could say that he’d want to hear.

Trina sees Josslyn at the hospital and asks what she’s doing here. Josslyn says she’s trying to stop a murder.

Stella visits Kai, who’s watching a game tape. She says she came to check on him and see if there are any more flowers or gifts that he wants her to distribute. He says, the volunteers took care of it, and she asks if he’s sure he doesn’t want to keep some of it. He says he won’t be here long enough to enjoy it. He’s getting out soon.

Lulu goes to Maxie’s office, but Maxie’s not there. The phone rings, and she answers it. Maxie comes in and mouths, who is it? and Lulu mouths back, Blair Cramer. Maxie says, no, and Lulu asks if she can have Maxie return the call. Maxie says, Lulu has improved since she worked at Crimson, but she’s overqualified for the Deception job and wouldn’t be happy. Lulu says, happiness is overrated, but Maxie says, Lulu isn’t into beauty or cosmetics and needs to be challenged to keep her interested. Lulu says she just wants to earn her own money on her own terms and not rely on what Tracy and her mom decide, but Maxie says, she’d be miserable if she took the job. Lulu asks, what’s going on? Is Maxie trying to get her to withdraw her application, so she doesn’t have to turn her down? Brook walks in and asks what Lulu is doing here. Didn’t Maxie tell Lulu that they’re not hiring her?

Sidwell knocks on Laura’s office door and tells her that he’s looking forward to their meeting. Laura invites him in, and says she thinks he knows Anna. Anna certainly knows him. Anna says she and Sidwell met when he tried to have her killed while she was in Africa. He also tried to have Laura’s son killed.  

There’s a knock at Carly’s door, and she opens it to Jack.

Sidwell says he feels terrible about the situation with Lucky in Africa, and Laura asks if by situation he means holding Lucky captive and forcing him to play poker in order to stay alive. Anna says, he tried to execute her and Jason, but he says, the incident differs vastly from his perspective. His business was threatened. Anna and Jason lied about who they were, as did Laura’s son, and Holly stole from him. Laura asks if that justified holding them captive and torturing them, and he says, when his livelihood was threatened, he took any steps the law of the land allowed to protect it. He was in a country that had no law and nothing he did was illegal. Anna says, they have a fairly strong law here. He abducted Sasha, held her for ransom, and blew up a building – a trifecta of illegality. Sidwell asks if someone accused him. Is there a witness or evidence? He has no idea what she’s talking about. Anna says, they have nothing at this time, and he asks them to allow him to explain why he asked for a meeting. He’s an exporter based in Europe, but wants to expand to the North American market. Laura asks, why Port Charles? Llanview, Pine Valley, or even New York City would be a better choice. To be clear, they don’t want him in Port Charles.

Lulu says, this isn’t about the job, and Brook says she’ll handle it. She’s an officer of the company and has an interest in its success. The job at Deception is to be her assistant. Lulu says, they already established that, and Brook says, given a choice, she wouldn’t choose to work with Lulu. She’s uncomfortable to have around and it makes for a difficult work environment. Lulu says she gets that Brook doesn’t like her, but doesn’t understand why. She’s not the one who came between Brook and her boyfriend. Brook was the one who did that to her.

Willow tells Nina that she didn’t think moving back to the gatehouse would be that big a deal. She’s lived here for years, and it was great, but that was before this ugliness. Tracy walks in, looks at Nina, and asks why she’s not surprised. Nina says, nice to see her too, and Tracy says she saw Wiley getting on the bus to school and Amelia is out for a walk with the nanny. She thought it was the perfect time to go over new ground rules.  

Drew says he didn’t like the way he and Curtis left off. They’ve been friends for a long time, and he didn’t intend to double-cross Curtis. He thought he was doing right by him and Michael, but he failed. He should have handled it differently. Curtis says, ya think? and Drew says, things are different now. Michael is out of the picture, and they can use the opportunity to pivot from his mistake and do something that will work for them both. Curtis says, given what Drew’s done, whatever he’s thinking isn’t going to work, and Drew says he had that coming. He understands why Curtis is angry, but he never meant for it to come to this point. They’ve known each other a long time and go way back. They’ve been through so much together. He’s just asking Curtis to hear him out.

Josslyn tells Trina that she’s trying to see if anybody has any information on Dex, but she’s not getting anywhere. Trina says she gets that Josslyn wants answers and doesn’t blame her for being frustrated, and Josslyn says she had to do something to honor Dex’s memory. She asks if Trina is here to see her mother, but Trina says she’s here to see Kai.

Kai tells Stella that he’s had an MRI and every scan possible. He wishes they’d hurry with the results. The sooner they do, the sooner he’s back on his feet. She says she knows patients who would enjoy a break from enormous men chasing and tackling them, but Kai says he loves football and wants to get back as soon as possible. She says, he still has a lot of work ahead, but first he needs the paperwork. He thanks her for taking care of everything, and him, and she says she’s happy to, but he doesn’t want to push too much too soon, or he’ll set his recovery back. Listen to his doctor. He says he’s not going to do anything to jeopardize his full recovery. He wants to be back for next season.

Carly asks what Jack is doing here, and he says he had a meeting in London. He swung by to see how she’s doing. She says, normally, she’d ask him to wait downstairs so she can pull herself together, and he says he’ll wait wherever she wants. Or if she’s not up to a visit, he can leave. She tells him, come in, and asks if they can order room service. He says, yeah.

Nina says, Tracy can’t barge into her daughter’s house, but Tracy says, it’s Monica’s house because Alan gave it to her and Monica wants her great-grandchildren close by. It’s for her sake Tracy agreed to Willow living here. Willow says she agreed to the compromise because of the kids and Monica, not Tracy. Tracy doesn’t even like her kids. She kidnapped them and kept them from their mother, convincing herself that it was in their best interest, but it wasn’t. Willow withdrew the charge because it hurt too many people, but she could easily change her mind and have the charge reinstated.  

Curtis says, because of the friendship he and Drew used to have, he’ll hear Drew out, and Drew thanks him. He sits down and says he doesn’t like that he’s not in control of a company he started, and he wants it back. He suggests they set up a stock sale so he can get that back. He’s not going to throw his weight around. All he wants is ownership of his own company back. Curtis says, Michael is out because he’s recovering from third degree burns, but Drew tells him that he’s not saying that. Curtis says, it sure as hell sounded like it, and Drew says, Michael has wealth beyond belief. Curtis has a contract to be CEO for five years and he’ll honor that. Curtis says, he’s suggesting the orchestrate a stock sale, Drew gets controlling interest, then steps back and lets him run it without interference. Drew says, Michael did what he did to get back at him for Willow. It had nothing to do with the business. He’s seen the incredible things Curtis is doing and knows he cares about Aurora. Curtis says, of course (🍷) he does, and Drew says, as a courtesy, he wants it acknowledged that he founded the company and it’s running successfully. It makes sense since he’d be the majority shareholder. Curtis says, Drew makes good points, but he’d rather resign than take the deal.

Trina says, she wants Kai to know, if there’s anything she can do, he can count on her, and Josslyn says, it must be rough for him. She thinks it’s good for him to see Trina. Kai’s identity and everything in his life revolves around football. She’s not in that world and brings a different perspective to the conversation. She’s a good friend. She asks, what’s in the bag? and Trina says she went to the wellness center and got power bars and electrolyte water. (I drink that!) It’s good to stay hydrated while in the hospital. It was no big deal. Josslyn says, Trina could have done it later, but Trina says, sometimes later is taken away. They both know that. Josslyn says, that’s why they’re best friends. They get each other. Trina says, they really do, and Josslyn says she’s heading out. They hug, and Josslyn says, let her know how it goes with Kai.

Stella tells Kai to take time to heal. He has his whole life ahead of him and needs more than an arm and shoulder to throw a football. He says, ironically, he’d been debating whether to enlist in the draft or play his senior year. The decision’s been made and he’s glad he has another season at PCU. Stella says, that’s a good way to look at it. And she has one more season to watch him. He asks if she likes football, and she says she loves it. This season was the first time she followed PCU. Their quarterback is a phenomenon. He says, if she wants tickets, just say the word, and that goes for when he’s in the NFL. She says she’s always wanted to go to the Superbowl, and he says he likes the way she thinks. They laugh, when the doctor comes in. He asks if now is a good time to talk, and Kai says, perfect. Stella leaves, and Kai says, so what’s the good news?  

Brook says she feels like Lulu is just waiting for her to mess up and it’s stressful. Nothing kills creativity more than criticism. Lulu says she doesn’t sound critical all the time, but Maxie says, they both do it. Lulu says she doesn’t intend to be critical, and Maxie says, maybe it’s a habit, but it’s not fun to be around and she doesn’t like it. She loves them, but she’s just being honest. Deception has had a lot of ups and downs. Hiring her to work as Brook’s assistant when it’s obvious they don’t like each other seems like there would be complications.

Jack asks how things are with Michael, and Carly says, the doctors at the clinic say he’s doing fine, but they won’t let her see him. She understands that it’s cutting edge and intense. He needs to be isolated because he’s injured and in a lot of pain. But they’re in a foreign country and she has no control. He says, she can leave and go to Johns Hopkins where she’d be allowed to visit, but she says, Michael needs to be here. She’s hoping he comes out like Ava and won’t need surgery or skin grafts. She gets it. He needs to be here. Jack says, even if it means following their rules? and she says, it’s what Michael needs and what she wants. It’s the first offer of hope, and she wants that for Michael. More important, Michael wants that for himself.  

Curtis tells Drew that he wouldn’t betray Michael if he was completely healthy and down the hall in his office. He’s not going to do it while Michael is recovering. Drew says, he had no problem seizing the company Drew co-founded, but Curtis tells him not to rewrite history. Michael gave him the score about Drew double-crossing him. Drew asks why Curtis doesn’t see it from his perspective, and Curtis laughs. He says he’s not going to try and explain it to the man used to know. This Drew in front of him, he doesn’t recognize him. What the hell happened to him?  

Tracy asks if Willow was so dazzled by Drew’s faux hero persona that she had to have him at any cost or was she more conniving than Tracy gave her credit for. Was she trading up from Michael to Drew when he went to congress? Willow says, that’s not what she was doing, but Tracy says, either way, she’s proved untrustworthy. She thinks Willow is little more like Nelle than she realized.

Jack says he respects Carly’s decision to leave Michael where he is, and she says, it’s the right call. She’s been emotional since she got here. He says, if there was ever a time, this would be it, and she says she feels like it’s her fault. He says, she’s Michael’s mother and it’s normal to feel responsible, but she says, it’s more than that. Michael was burned because he was at Sonny’s, and it was her decision to bring Sonny into Michael’s life.

Stella sees Trina and says, what an unexpected treat, and Trina says she came to see Kai. How is he doing? Stella says, he’s in good spirits and getting ready for next season, and Trina says, he’s staying at PCU and she’s not sad about it. Stella says she doesn’t think Kai is sad either. He’s missing out on the draft, and she’s impressed with his attitude. It will get him through tough times. Trina says, Kai surprised her. She prides herself on not making snap judgements and she did with him. He wasn’t what she thought. Stella asks what she thought, and Trina says she thought he was a shallow arrogant jerk who only cared about football. Stella says she’s glad to know that. She’s really liked him ever since his terrible downward dog in yoga class. Trina being in his corner will do him a world of good.

Lulu says, the last thing she wants is to cause complications at Deception. She’s sorry she imposed on her and Maxie’s friendship. It won’t happen again. Brook says she knows they’ve all been through hell. Being in a coma for four years and having liver failure must be a complete nightmare. Maxie says, they wanted to do anything if it would help Lulu get better. They were all tested for compatibility, even Chase and Brook. Lulu says she didn’t know, and Brook says, there are a lot of things she doesn’t know. While all of that was happening, Maxie was running Deception and managing Lucy, which is a full-time job, and dealing with the lawsuit that almost took them down. Lulu asks who sued them, and Brook says, her grandmother. Lulu says, Tracy? and Brook says, the details don’t matter. Her point is, Deception survived in large part because of Maxie’s creativity and hard work. Lulu has no idea how much Deception means to Maxie.

Sidwell says he didn’t choose Port Charles randomly. He’s invested in property. Laura says, he’s an intelligent guy. He must know she’s going to keep a close eye on the man who hurt her son. Anna says she’d think he’d cut his losses and leave, but he says he prefers to prove that he’s a law-abiding citizen, and Laura and Anna laugh. He says he’s sure Anna and the PCPD will be checking up on him on a regular basis, and Anna says, he can count on it. And they’re not the only agency who will be keeping tabs on him. He says he welcomes all the attention and knows in time they’ll decide he’s an asset to this fair city this. He thanks Laura for the meeting, and she says, he may find it difficult to do business in a town where he’s not welcome. He says he looks forward to proving them wrong, and leaves.  

Drew tells Curtis that when he was given the opportunity to go to congress, he thought he’d have a chance to achieve something he didn’t believe possible. The more he was around politics, the more he wanted it. At the time, he and Willow’s relationship changed. Curtis says, Willow is his nephew’s wife, and Drew says he knows. It just happened. They weren’t trying to hurt Michael. Willow saw what he was trying to achieve, and they developed a connection. One she doesn’t have with Michael. Curtis says, whatever he has to tell himself to feel better, and Drew says he’s not the first person to be in this position. Not all marriages last forever. His didn’t and neither did Curtis’s.

Nina tells Tracy, enough. It’s not right for her to use Nelle’s name. Tracy says, Nelle cut a wide swath of damage and that one is the same. If she sees the opportunity, she’ll step in on the children’s behalf. Willow asks what she means, and Tracy says, act responsibly or she’ll lose them. Nina says, they belong with their mother, and Willow says she’s made a genuine effort to compromise. If that doesn’t work, she’ll take the kids back to her mother’s apartment and Tracy can explain to Monica and the rest of the family why they’re gone. Tracy says, fine. However, there’s one condition and it’s non-negotiable. Willow’s boyfriend may not visit on the property. If she’s compelled to look into Drew’s lying eyes, she’ll have to do someplace else. Drew is banned from the property permanently. She leaves.

Carly tells Jack that she and Michael’s biological father didn’t get along… except once. He laughs, and she says, his family, the Quartermaines, didn’t like her very much. She had feelings for Sonny at the time, and he helped her get custody of Michael. She got what she wanted and ignored the very real danger of making Michael a part of Sonny’s life. Their kids have been paying ever since. Jack says, she’s being too hard on herself. Michael is strong and capable and an excellent businessman. Carly says, he wouldn’t have been at Sonny’s except for her choices, and he says she can’t let herself think that way. Hindsight is always 20/20. There’s no point in dwelling on past mistakes. That way, madness lies.

Lulu says she would never do anything to hurt Maxie. Maxie is one of the most important people in her life and she loves her. Maxie says she knows and loves Lulu too, and Brook says she knows how much Lulu cares about Maxie, but she needs to realize what Maxie has been through and how far she’s come. Lulu says she knows things have changed and she’s got a lot to catch up on. She’s trying as fast as she can. She’s been focused on getting a job, so she can gain independence and search for Charlotte on her own terms, but she’s only been seeing things from her perspective. She didn’t take a second to look at it from Maxie’s. It’s not fair and she’s sorry.

Jack tells Carly that early in his career a mission went wrong and an agent, a friend, was killed. One colleague left the WSB and wallowed in guilt. It destroyed his marriage. Jack didn’t outwardly react, so people assumed he didn’t care. Carly says she’s sorry for what he went through, and he says he lost a good friend that day. He tears up and says, there’s nothing he could do to change that. The only way forward was to learn from what went wrong. You can’t life according to what if. You never know what a different decision would have brought. She says, you can’t change the past. She’s been down that road when she lost her son Morgan, and it leads nowhere good. He says, it never does.

Drew tells Curtis, what happened with Michael’s marriage and his injuries are two very different things. He didn’t cause Michael’s burns, and he didn’t help push Willow away. Curtis says, right, and only the doctors can help Michael’s physical injuries. Drew says he made a mistake in placating Michael because he felt guilty. He knows what’s best for Aurora, and if he’d stuck by Curtis, they’d be in a different place. Curtis says, Drew had to do what was best for himself. So does he. When Michael recovers – and he will – he’ll actually respect Michael’s business sense, maybe better than Drew’s. Drew says, wow, and Curtis says, if Drew’s ultimate success is in stealing Willow from his nephew, he’ll have got what he wanted and will find a way of life for himself.

Nina says she’s proud of Willow. Few people can say they stood up to Tracy Quartermaine. Willow says she couldn’t have done it without her mom by her side, and Nina says, it’s where she belongs. Willow says, Drew is right. The Quartermaines treated Michael terribly. She saw how they hate Drew. She should probably do what Drew said and move back in with Nina. (What is wrong with this woman?)

Lulu says she knows Maxie and Brook got close over the past four years and she guesses she felt threatened. She saw the opportunity to have Maxie on her side. Maxie says she doesn’t want side either one of them. They’re both her friends. She can’t force them to like each other, but she does reserve the right to love them both. Brook says she’s worked hard not to be the person she was. Part of her issue is that Lulu reminds her of her past regrets. Lulu says she’s not alone. They all have regrets. Tracy walks in saying, she’s had a bad day, so don’t… Lulu! What is she doing here?

Anna tells Laura, according to her search, Sidwell has no outstanding warrants, and the property transaction was legal. Laura says, what if Anna, Lucky, and Jason submitted an international complaint to the court? but Anna says, that’s no good. Sidwell was doing business in an area that’s completely lawless with zero authority to back them up. Laura says, what about Sasha’s kidnapping? Maybe she can tell them something they can use against Sidwell. Anna says, unfortunately, for various reasons, it wasn’t reported. There’s nothing on the books and nothing tying Sidwell to the property that blew up. Laura says, a man like Sidwell doesn’t change overnight, and Anna agrees. Laura asks what Anna is thinking, and Anna says, Sidwell’s arrival coincided with the fire in Sonny’s apartment. Laura asks if Anna thinks Sidwell was behind the fire, but Anna says she doesn’t know. It’s too soon to say. She’ll have the CID check the warehouse that blew up after Sasha’s abduction. If there’s a match, they might be able to pin it on Sidwell.

Drew tells Curtis that a freshman in congress is a good friend to have, but he has no reason to help the company succeed. Curtis says, he’d rather sink his own company that see it succeed without him, and Drew says, Curtis has one final chance to reconsider his offer. Curtis says his answer stands and opens the door. Now get the hell out. Drew leaves and Curtis slams the door.

Nina says she saw Willow stand up for herself in a way she hasn’t seen before. She compromised with Carly and Sonny because it was the right thing to do. She could tell Willow was more at ease. She has to continue to trust herself and her instincts. The Quartermaines and Monica appreciate the effort she’s put into the kids and Michael will appreciate it when he gets back. Willow says she hopes so. She doesn’t want to hurt Michael more than she already has. Nina says, the effort she’s making is a huge step toward an amicable resolution for them both in the future. Willow wonders if she should stay here. She’s going to miss Nina. Nina says, not a chance. She’ll be here all the time. Willow says, good, and they hug.

Maxie says, Lulu was thinking about applying for the assistant position, and Tracy says, she’s hired. Lulu says, they were just talking and she’s not sure she’s a good fit, but Tracy says, of course (🍷) she is. Lucy says the company is run on beauty and creativity, and Lulu has a boatload of both. Lulu says she thinks she’ll go see if Carly will hire her at the MetroCourt, but Tracy says, absolutely not. She’s the majority shareholder and the final decision is hers. She wants Lulu here. Lulu says, that’s nice of her and thanks, but she’s good. Tracy says she’ll pay Lulu double what the last assistant made, and both Maxie and Brook say, what?! Tracy says, Lulu is worth twice what Gladys Corbin was, and Brook says, Wade was her last assistant. Tracy says, Lulu is worth double what Wade was making. What does she say. Lulu says, it’s a great environment and it would give her a chance to work with people she respects and loves. She guesses she has to accept it. Tracy says, woohoo! Welcome to Deception. The phone rings and Tracy asks what Lulu is waiting for. Lulu answers the phone. Maxie Jones’ office…  

Trina goes into Kai’s room and says her Aunt Stella told her that he was impatient for rehabilitation. She brought him some power bars and electrolyte water. He thanks her, but his tone is flat, and she says she knows it’s silly. He probably has tons. He says, it’s not that, and she asks if something is wrong. He says he saw the orthopedist and he’s never going to play football again.  

At Turning Woods, Josslyn tells the reception nurse that she has a light load this semester and was looking to do something more meaningful with her time. She was hoping there were extra slots for volunteers. The nurse checks and says, there’s one slot not covered. It’s all hers if she wants it. Josslyn says, absolutely. Sign her up.

Jack asks if Carly wants him to find out why she’s being denied access to Michael, but she says she can handle it herself. He says he’s disappointed that she doesn’t need him, but not surprised, and she says she’ll get in to see her son whether they like it or not. He says he doesn’t doubt it for a second, and she says, but she would like a ride. He says, done. Consider him her chauffeur.

(Mrs. Jack Brennan… 💘)

On Monday, Laura says, Lulu might be headed for trouble; Drew tells Martin that they have another thing coming if they think he’s not seeing Willow; Kristina asks if Sonny thinks it’s really the best time for him to be traveling right now; and Jason needs Anna to do something more for someone now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Good news! And a reminder that mental illness and addiction don’t discriminate.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/vinessa-antoine-shares-her-brothers-been-found

She must get tired of fielding this question.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/is-carly-leaving-general-hospital-laura-wright-speaks-out

So did he take the subway? Nothing says NYC like that smell.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/steve-burtons-weekend-to-remember-in-nyc

Too bad they didn’t get much of a final scene.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-katelyn-macmullen-says-goodbye-to-chad-duell

This is a better tour than you get from the adults.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/general-hospital/go-backstage-at-general-hospital-with-gary-james-fuller

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Gary acted like someone held a gun to his head to drink so much, when Captain Glenn was being nice. The punishment was forfeiting 500 euros of the tip, which was $23K, so they still got $2055. Gary apologized, and he and the captain hugged it out. The charter was 8 women, all with a different food restrictions, which made Cloyce’s head explode. Next time, the finale.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Boz told Dorit that she thought there were more than memes between PK and Kyle, but Erika told her that it was nothing. When cornered into sharing her text with PK with the group, Kyle read it and then stormed out saying, I’m done! Memegate lives on.

Yeah, I never thought for a moment LVP was coming back to RHOBH. She’s a busy woman what with all her restaurants, a hotel, and single-handedly ridding the world of the dog meat trade.

The Real Housewives of New York City

Ubah is a real disappointment, suggesting Brynn slept her way into the Housewives. That in itself is an insult. If I was going to sleep my way into something, it would not be this show. This is where the big kerfuffle happened. The women were all upset, since Ubah saying such a thing was beyond insensitive given Brynn’s history. Then Ubah got super upset and claimed she never knew Brynn’s history, or she never would have said it. The fourth wall was broken all over the place – although I did question whether or not that was some kind of ratings Hail Mary pass – and Brynn suddenly wasn’t sure if Ubah actually knew her history. It literally took me the rest of the show to follow this, so don’t feel bad if you’re lost. Apparently, this was some kind of friendship breaking point, but TBH, I didn’t think it was all as big of a deal as they were making it, especially since the only two people involved should have been Ubah and Brynn.

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

It was the Reunion and literally ten minutes in, everybody was talking over each other and Andy was yelling. However, kudos to the women for their gorgeous outfits – the ladies in shades of red. Whitney said Bronwyn didn’t claim her publicly as a friend, which I thought was really weird. Do we need to confirm friendships on Instagram now? A viewer suggested Heather had become a mean girl when she lost weight, but I don’t think that’s quite it. Heather was always a mean girl (to which she concurred), but IMO, she lost her authenticity along with the weight and becoming a Housewives clone, like Jen in RHONJ. It ended with Todd and John looking like they might get into a battle royale.

Southern Charm

Whitney said the coffeemaker was so complicated, you needed a Ph.D. in astrophysics to run it. Highly doubtful. You probably just need to not have a hangover. It was much of the same, the usual if you’re friends with them, you can’t be friends with me. Austen was sour grapes over Craig wanting to move on from their friendship and podcast, but hey, sometimes it just isn’t forever. I have plenty of friends I’m no longer friends with for various reasons, but that just means we went in different directions. It’s not an insult. I think if Paige had really wanted to make it work with Craig, she could have been bi-state or however you put it. But again, sometimes it just doesn’t work out. Shep wanted to be Jimmy Buffet without the guitar, living in the Bahamas with Sienna, and in his interview, he said, you don’t have those fantasies if you’re not serious about it. I dunno about that. Molly is the MVP so far, playing the euphonium – i.e. tuba – in the Charleston Concert Band, coincidentally directed by her high school band teacher. Imagine. An actual interesting person with an interesting focus. Or even any real focus. She said, music changes you, as all art should. She also thought tantric sex was too much work. Same. JT tried to tell Taylor some truths about Gaston, but she wasn’t having it. I get covering her ears and going, la-la-la, but I’d want to know. JT wasn’t understanding that there’s a time and place and that wasn’t it.

Southern Hospitality

Emmy had another breakdown and I’m over it. Although she did bring Tammy Faye raccoon eyes, which I applaud.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night on Peacock. This is an interesting foray into what goes on behind the scenes of a sketch comedy show that’s been on since the beginning of time. Or at least the mid-70s. A four-part miniseries, it’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but it’s interesting to see how a show with that kind of longevity works. Personally, I think I’ll enjoy Saturday Night – which I’m hoping to catch this weekend – more, but this still held my interest. I’m there for a documentary, and the third episode focusing only on the More Cowbell sketch is well worth it.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-secrets-cast-writers-cowbell-1236110501/

https://www.thewrap.com/snl-50-beyond-saturday-night-ep-morgan-neville-interview-peacock/

Wicked at the movies. Yes, I actually ventured out in the world to see it, since I’d won a ticket in some instant win internet contest. There was no way I was battling children for a seat, so I skipped the first weekends after it opened. Then I got whatever was going around as a Christmas gift, but I managed to squeak in before it was gone entirely. I’m glad I did, since this really should be seen on a big screen. As I’m sure you already know, it’s magnificent. I’d never seen the Broadway play and the score isn’t my favorite, but the story is bittersweet, the casting is perfection, and it’s beyond lavish with the special effects. One of my favorite parts was the reunion of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, the original Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, and I wondered how it felt after all those years. My only question was, in a world where there are bears who are nannies, a goat who’s a professor, Munchkins, peacocks who wear hats, flying monkeys, and a place literally called Emerald City, why is a green woman considered strange?

https://collider.com/wicked-oscar-nominations-best-original-score-john-powell/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/cynthia-erivo-best-actress-wicked-oscar-nomination-interview-1236266022/

https://deadline.com/2025/01/ariana-grande-best-supporting-actress-oscars-interview-1236265006/

🏆 Awards Corner…

It’s that time again. The Academy Awards will be airing March 2nd.

https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/2025-oscar-nominations-see-full-130201914.html

🦁 Four-Legged News…

🦛 Yet another pygmy hippo influencer.

https://people.com/how-to-watch-pygmy-hippo-poppy-livestream-8773741

🐩 I never thought about this. It’s kind of weird.

https://www.cuteness.com/1737908/dog-breeds-dont-exist-why/

🐶 Best Bowl in town.

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2025-record-breaking-142-puppies-8772392

🐕 I love a special needs pup.

https://people.com/11-puppies-with-special-needs-puppy-bowl-2025-8772912

🥠 Quotes of the Week

We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic. Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, different dreams. – Jimmy Carter

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. – Jim Rohn

When someone tells me no, it doesn’t mean I can’t do it, it simply means I can’t do it with them. – Karen E. Quinones Miller

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. – Thomas Edison

He has all the integrity of a coat rack. – Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), General Hospital

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone. – Michael John Bobak

It is far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness. – William L. Watkinson

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. – Stephen Covey

The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge. – Thomas Berger

Don’t be a Gino. – Jasmine Pineda, 90 Day Fiancé: The Last Resort

🐻 Hibernation Mode…

Until next week, stay safe; stay driving extra carefully in weather you’re unfamiliar with; and stay not waiting for later, since sometimes later is taken away.