Tag Archives: movies

Aug29

August 28, 2024 – Laura Calls In a Favor, A Petition, Powerful, This Week In LA, Test Flirt, Her Date, Rails Residue, Post Deck, New Apes, Where’d He Go & Sadness

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Alexis tells Sonny what happened at Irene’s funeral; how Molly tore into Kristina and Kristina ended up falling on the grave. Everyone was hysterical. Sonny asks what Molly was thinking, and Kristina walks in.

In a hotel room somewhere, Ava says she knows John is headed back to Port Charles and asks when he’ll be back. He says he won’t be gone long, but she says she doesn’t feel safe without him. He says, she’ll be fine, when there’s a knock at the door. He says, Agent Boyle will watch over her, and Boyle walks in.

At the hospital, Anna says, Tracy looks pale. Is she all right? Tracy says she’s not, and Anna asks if she can get Tracy something. Tracy says, it’s not her. It’s Lulu. She needs a miracle.

Laura tells Doc that Nikolas was crushed. That leaves Lucky. She’s got to find him. He travels a lot doing humanitarian work, but she hasn’t heard from him in months. She’s waiting to hear back from the place he last worked. She’s also going through some back channels. Her phone rings, and she asks if Robert has an update.

Gerard (a guard who has a name) says, they’re going in five minutes, and leaves. Lucky says, they did it. It worked. Isaiah says, it played out just like Lucky said, and Lucky tells him that they’re getting out today.

Kristina says she keeps wishing she hadn’t gotten so angry and stormed into Ava’s suite. Sonny says she didn’t know how Ava was going to react. She can’t blame herself. She says, not according to Molly. Molly said she chose to protect Sonny instead of her child and that she was selfish. Alexis says, Molly doesn’t mean that. She was lashing out. Trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense. She’s grieving too, and Kristina was the easiest person to blame. Kristina says, Molly thinks she was going to steal her baby after it was born, but you can’t steal what belongs to you. She was never more certain than at the funeral. When Adela was lowered into the ground, a part of her died too.

Ava says, John told her that he’d keep her safe, and he says he’s held up his end of the bargain so far, but she says she needs to know about the future. When is he bringing Avery? Are they going to be put in the witness protection program? He asks if that’s what she wants, living in some backwater town trying to fit in, and she says she wants to survive. Isn’t that the best option? John says he’s doing what he can. If the plan goes right, she’ll be able to go back, and Sonny will never threaten her or Avery again. She asks if she can give Avery a call, but John says, she’s having a wonderful time with the nanny. If Ava calls, it will just make Avery miss her. She asks if she can at least have her phone, but he says, it’s too risky. Her location could be compromised. Ava says she’s feeling cut off, and he says, that’s the whole point. It’s keeping her safe. Everything is going according to plan. Be patient. Does she trust him? She says, of course (🍷), and he says he’ll see her soon. He leaves with his suitcases.

Anna says, if Nikolas isn’t an option, what happens next? and Tracy says, they have to find Lucky. Anna says, it won’t be easy, but Tracy says, it has to happen unless some donor was overlooked. Anna asks if they have to share DNA or just the same blood type, and Tracy says, they don’t have to share the same DNA, but it’s the best chance for a match. Time is of the essence. If it doesn’t happen soon…. She says she has to take care of something, and leaves.

Robert says, the WSB said Lucky was participating in humanitarian efforts. He saved several doctors and patients in an area under siege. The organization decided to relocate to a more friendly part of the world, and Lucky found himself an area where his talents could be used. Laura asks if the WSB knows where he is, and Robert says, they believe he was headed toward East Africa, to a refugee camp. But it was months ago and nearly impossible to get a message to him. She asks if they have the location of the camp, but he says, the camp is always in flux and isolated. He’ll let her know if he can do more. Keep him in the loop. Doc says he’s sorry, and Laura says, it’s a setback. She’s not giving up. She thinks it’s time to call in a favor.

Isaiah says, Sidwell is complaining of stomach pain. He’s known toddlers who whine less. It’s just indigestion, but he told Sidwell that he needed to get a full panel of tests that require equipment they don’t have, so they’re leaving. Lucky says, all they need to do is make it off the compound. Once they lose the guards, he can get ahold of his contact, and they’ll be on their way. It’s not going to be easy, but it will work. It has to.

Anna goes to Portia’s office and says she learned from Tracy that Lulu’s condition is declining, and she needs a liver transplant. Is that true? Portia says she can’t discuss a patient’s condition without permission of the patient or family, and Anna says, of course (🍷). She doesn’t need information about Lulu’s condition, but needs information about the donor search. Portia says, the potential donor needs to be in good physical and psychological condition. They need to be a non-smoker for six weeks prior, understand the risks of the procedure, and have a compatible blood type. Anna says, what about age? Can they be a minor? Portia says, it’s rare. They prefer it be an adult, but in special circumstances, it’s possible. Anna says, that’s all she needed to hear, and leaves.

Laura goes to Jack’s office, and he asks, to what does he owe the honor? She says she needs his help, and he invites her in. She says her daughter was badly injured in an explosion and has been in a coma ever since. Her health has taken a sudden turn for the worse and she needs a liver transplant in order to survive. He says he’s sorry, but she says she’s not here for sympathy. She’s here for information. He asks what he could possibly know that would help, and she says, he’s a very high-ranking member of the WSB and she’s here to ask him to help her find her son.

Lucky says, Isaiah knows the plan. Wait for his signal, then move. Gerard comes back and says, let’s go. They pick up their bags, and Gerard says, just the doctor. Lucky is staying.

Kristina says she falls asleep and dreams about Adela, and Sonny says, she named the baby after his mother? She says, it’s not what TJ and Molly would have named her, but if she’d lived, that’s what she would have named her. Sonny says, it’s beautiful, and thanks her, and she says, in her dreams, Adela is so beautiful, so tiny, and so sweet. Kristina cries and says she’s so full of joy. She holds Adela and she’s laughing and kissing her face. Then she wakes up and remembers Adela is gone all over again. It’s like a knife to her heart and she can’t breathe. That’s why she’s not sleeping. When she sleeps, she can be with Adela, but when she wakes up, she remembers again that Adela has been taken away from her. There’s a knock at the door, and Alexis says she’ll get rid of them. She opens the door and asks what John is doing here again. He says he’s sorry to intrude, but he has a few more questions for Kristina.

Laura tells Jack that Lucky has been away from Port Charles for several years doing humanitarian work. He’s been providing security for aid workers in East Africa, and it isn’t easy getting in touch in an emergency. Jack says, it’s a chaotic part of the world, and Laura says she needs to bring him back. A donor that’s a full sibling is the best chance for a match. Can he help? He says he’ll do what he can, but he doesn’t want to lie. Finding Lucky will be a challenge. Laura says she realizes that, but he has more resources than she does, and he says, the WSB isn’t popular in that area. Inquiries will have to be made under the radar. Otherwise, it will be considered interference. She says she expects the WSB is expert in covert operations. She’s asking him to give her daughter a chance at life and to locate her son. He says, if it’s in his power to help, he will. He gets up, and she thanks him for his time. Before she goes out the door, she says, her family has done more than their share of favors for the WSB. When they had the power to help, they did. It’s time the WSB repaid the favor. Good day. She leaves.

Isaiah says, Lucky needs to come. They need protection. They’ll be transporting expensive equipment. If it’s stolen, is Gerard going to tell Sidwell it’s gone? Gerard hears something, and he tells Isaiah to be ready by the time he gets back. He leaves, and Isaiah asks what they do now.

Alexis says, no way in hell is John speaking to her daughter, but Kristina says, maybe she should just answer the questions. She has nothing to hide. Alexis says, as her attorney, she’s advising Kristina that it’s a bad idea. As her mother, she forbids it. John can’t come here without scheduling it in advance, and when he does, she’ll be present as Kristina’s attorney. Sonny says, John didn’t come to talk to their daughter. All John has to do is ask him. He’ll talk to John. John says he does have a few questions for Sonny, and Sonny tells him to come to his office tomorrow, but John says, Sonny doesn’t get to pick the time and place. The PC Grill in 20 minutes. Don’t keep him waiting or he’ll come back and take Kristina into custody. (Ugh. His schtick is getting so very old.) He leaves, and Kristina says, he’s just trying to get Sonny to say something. It’s a trap. Sonny says he can deal with it. He knows how to handle Agent Cates.

Ava asks how long Boyle has been with the Bureau, and Boyle says, five years. Ava asks if she’s been working with John, and Boyle says, some of the time. Ava says, John is high up, and asks if he has a lot of power, but Boyle says, they don’t divulge those things to the public. Ava says, nice shoes. She would wear them. Cartullo? Boyle says, good eye. She got them at a sample sale. Ava says, they still must have cost a lot. You can usually tell a cop or a Fed by their shoes. Those are chic. Boyle asks if she needs anything, and Ava says she’d like to have her phone, but Boyles says she meant to eat or drink. Ava says, that depends on how long they’re going to be here, and Boyle says she doesn’t think that long.  

On the phone, Alexis says she’ll be right there. She tells Kristina that the hospital has a problem with her insurance. She’ll be as quick as possible. Will she be okay? Kristina says, yes, but she’s worried about dad. Alexis says, Sonny can take care of himself, but Kristina says she’s upset that she’s the reason John has leverage over him. Alexis says, she has nothing to do with it. John would use any excuse to go after Sonny. When she gets back, they’ll have a snack watch harmless movie. She leaves, and Kristina makes a call. She asks if they can come over. She needs their help.

Lucky tells Isaiah to take the gun. If he gets a chance to stop the guards, run to the airfield and meet his contact. He’ll get Isaiah to Mogadishu. Isaiah says he’s not leaving with Lucky, but Lucky says, unless they shoot their way out, that’s not happening. If he had the chance to get out, he’d leave Isaiah in a heartbeat. Go save himself to save him.

Tracy goes to Laura’s apartment, and Laura asks what she can do for her. Tracy says she wants to help Lulu.

Kristina says she didn’t know who to call, and Jason says, Sonny kept him updated, but it’s good to see her. How is she feeling? She says, physically, she’s healing. She’s just scared. Cates came looking for her and her mom stood up to him. She knows Cates is working with Ava, who’s lying and making up everything. Ava is blaming her, but that’s not accurate. Jason says, it’s hard to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit. She has to fight the impulse to do something. Cates wants her to react and make a mistake so he can find something to charge her with that sticks. Please do not give him that chance. Kristina says, she can’t sit around and wait. She has to do something, but she can’t do it alone. She knows it’s a lot to ask, but he has to help her stop Cates and find a way to make Ava pay.

Ava says she knows a little bit about guns and the one Agent Boyle has, isn’t what Feds typically carry. Boyle says, female agents have their choice of weapons now, and Ava says she could use a coffee. She’ll run down and get one. Boyle says, you never know who’s out there. She’ll go. Ava says she’d like a macchiato, and Boyle says she’ll go to the coffee shop lobby. Sit tight. She leaves, and Ava picks up Boyle’s bag. She says, all right. Who are you?

Sonny meets John at the PC Grill and John says, Kristina seemed upset. How is she doing? Sonny says, John doesn’t care about Kristina or the fake crimes he’s charging her with. Stop playing around and tell him what he wants. John says, Kristina’s not looking too good. She probably won’t make it through the trial, let alone a 20-year sentence. Sonny says, it’s not going to come to that, and John says, Sonny can make his daughter’s troubles go away. Sonny asks, how? and John says, he’s going to confess.

Anna goes to Jack’s office (I’m starting to feel sorry for him), and he says, what an unexpected pleasure. What can he do for her? She tells him to stop playing games. She needs to know Valentin’s location. He says, the WSB doesn’t currently have it, but if he learns anything, she’ll be his first call. She says, he’s lying. She’s conducted run arounds herself. He asks if she’s rethinking letting Valentin escape. Browbeating him won’t help her find him any quicker. She says she needs to find his daughter for Lulu. His phone rings, and he tells them to send him the information immediately. Anna says, he knows Lulu is dying and Charlotte might help save her mother’s life. He needs to give her the courtesy of his full attention to discuss it. He says, she always sees him in the worst possible light, and she says she has reason to. He says, she can badger him or save Lulu. That’s what the phone call was about.

Tracy says she knows Laura is looking for Lucky, and she can use any of the Quartermaines’ resources to help bring him home. Laura thanks her for her generosity, but she’s waiting to hear from the WSB. She spoke to Jack Brennan, the station chief in Port Charles. Tracy says, they should be able to find Lucky, and Laura says, he told her that it was a chaotic part of the world, when her phone rings. It’s Jack, and she says she’s putting him on speakerphone. He says he has good news. He has a location for Lucky. She thanks him, and he says, Lucky was last seen at refugee camps in Somalia and Ethiopia a week ago. She asks if he’s there now, but Jack says he’s not sure. His contact doesn’t currently have eyes on Lucky and he can’t get satellite information for 48 hours. By then, it will be a long shot, since they move frequently. She asks if she can get a message to him to let him know it’s urgent, but he says, communication is sketchy to non-existent. Her best bet is to send someone, but whoever she sends needs to be prepared for the substantial risk. It’s a dangerous part of the world.

Alexis thanks Portia for helping with the insurance, and Portia says, no problem. She knows Alexis has a lot on her plate. How is Kristina doing? Alexis says, she slept last night, so there’s that. She’s got a long road ahead of her. Portia says, she’s a strong woman and clearly has a lot of support. It’s not easy, but she will get through it. Alexis says she takes it Portia heard about the scene between Kristina and Molly after the funeral, and Portia says she thinks they’re in a lot of pain. She imagines Alexis is too. As a mother, she truly feels for Alexis. It’s a terrible position to be in. She’d do anything for Trina, and she just has one daughter. Alexis is stuck in the middle, having to choose. She doesn’t know what she’d do.

Jason says he totally gets where Kristina is coming from, but it’s not her fight. If Cates hadn’t used her, he would find another way. Ava is a means to an end. He’s using Kristina, so don’t give him anything else he can hold over her head. He’s obsessed with getting Sonny. Being obsessed makes him crazy and it makes him dangerous. It also makes him weak. He has tunnel vision. He wants revenge for something that happened decades ago and will risk everything to get it. At some point, he’s going to make a mistake and leave himself open. Sonny knows when to make a move and Cates will never see it coming.

Sonny asks what he’s supposed to confess to, and John says, everything last thing. On the record of course (🍷). No trial, witnesses, or plea bargain. He’ll confess to the smuggling, money laundering, counterfeiting, and murder. Last but not least, he’ll tell them how he groomed an innocent underage girl and put her to work as a stripper. Sonny says, that’s a pretty big swing John’s taking. What if John misses? John says he won’t, and Sonny says, all he’s got is a phony statement from Ava that any lawyer can poke holes in. John asks if he wants to test that theory. If he’s wrong, Kristina will go to prison for a long, long time. It’s her freedom or his.

Isaiah says he’s not leaving Lucky in this mess, and Lucky says he came to rescue Isaiah. Isaiah says he didn’t ask, and Lucky says, he’s asking Isaiah to rescue them both. They’re out of their league and Isaiah needs to get out of here, get back to the states, and bring backup of the three letter kind. Isaiah says, don’t say the CIA, and Lucky says, no. Never go near them. But the WSB owes his family a favor.

Anna tells Jack, time is of the essence. She doesn’t know why they’re pinning their hope on Lucky when there’s another viable donor out there. He says, for the last time, he doesn’t know where Valentin and Charlotte are, but she says she doesn’t believe him. Jack is robbing Charlotte of the chance to save her own mother’s life and putting his efforts into a desperate search for a single man in a strife torn part of the world. When this fails, he’ll have to face the fact that he chose to protect the WSB rather than save the life of an innocent woman. She leaves and Jack ponders.

Tracy tells Laura that they can hire a mercenary or an extraction team. There are security contractors. Laura says, no. She doesn’t want a stranger to find her son. She can do it herself. Tracy says, it’s too dangerous, but Laura says she’s aware of the risks. She has a contact, the man who runs the last organization Lucky was working for. Tracy says she understands the impulse for Laura to go herself, but professionals would be better qualified. Laura says she doesn’t agree. Blood is thicker than water. Tracy asks if Doc is okay with this, and Doc says he knows better than to argue… because he’s going with her. Tracy says, fabulous. The mayor and her psychiatrist husband. What could possibly go wrong? Laura says she appreciates Laura’s concern, but they’ll be okay. Tracy says she hopes so, and Laura says, there is something Tracy can do to help. Look after Ace. Tracy wonders if he shouldn’t be with a family like Elizabeth’s. She has a child who’s Ace’s cousin. Laura says she thought Ace would be more comfortable with Tracy’s family. Don’t they have a nanny on staff? Tracy says, two, and Laura says she hopes throwing Ace into the mix won’t be overwhelming. Tracy says, Ace is welcome to come stay at Monica’s house, and Laura says she couldn’t do this without knowing he was safe. She trusts Tracy. Tracy says she’ll make sure Laura’s grandson has excellent care, and Larua says, then it’s settled. Let’s go find Lucky.  

Kristina says, so Jason isn’t going to stop Cates? but he says, something will be done. He can’t talk about it. She thanks him and says she knew he’d come through.

Sonny says, John has a lot riding on Ava. If she finds a better offer, she’ll recant her statement, and his case will fall apart. John says he’s not worried. Ava is in no position to recant – ever.  

Ava looks in Boyle’s bag. She takes out a pair of sunglasses and says, these cost a fortune. You can’t afford them on a government salary. She takes out a phone, thinks a moment, then puts it back. She finds a wad of cash and says, this is not right. She flashes back to Sonny telling her that John wants her dead and will try to frame him for her murder. The only thing John wants is her dead. Ava puts the bag back and opens the door. Boyle is there with the coffee and says, going somewhere?

Tomorrow, Violet asks when Chase and Brook are having a baby; Willow tells Drew that she’s so sorry; and John tells Kristina that she has a way to make this go away.

📋 Don’t Let Her Go…

You never know. Could work.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/general-hospital-fans-rally-to-save-kelly-monaco

Here’s the petition. I signed and commented.

https://www.change.org/p/retain-kelly-monaco-in-the-cast-of-general-hospital

🎭 No Drama Outside the Lines…

Kudos to them for the tough scenes they’ve been doing so well.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kate-mansi-opens-up-about-the-powerful-drama-on-gh

💰 Fancy Crossover….

JoshA showed Fancy Pants Heather from the OC a mansion. In his interview, he explained that the Dubrows moved fast and didn’t mess around. That made them his kind of people. The house on a hill had 8 acres and amazing views of pretty much everything, and it was priced at $20 million. A steal Heather couldn’t resist.

There was trouble in his paradise between JoshA and his Heather. HeatherA was being spread too thin between work and family, especially now that the office had expanded to include Orange County.

JoshF went to Fashion Week in Paris, which left Tracy to handle their co-listing. In an odd twist, she showed it to a couple who were JoshF’s clients, meaning she might have to negotiate against Josh, which she said would be fun… for her.

Next time, a 20-car garage and doody on the curtains.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles Season 15, Episode 8 Recap: Mo’ Mansions, Mo’ Problems

🐩 Looking For a Fabulous Match…

While I think a dog park is a great place to meet a potential date, it was weird when a guy asked if he could buy Whitney and her friend a drink. Are there bars in dog parks now? She finally made the smart move to use a matchmaker.

https://parade.com/news/my-big-fat-fabulous-lifes-whitney-thore-hones-flirting-skills-dog-park-exclusive-clip

🥂 Two Firsts In One Night…

I have to admit, it surprised me that Olivia spent the night with her first ever date. No judgement at all. As a matter of fact, good for her. I just didn’t expect it. If she doesn’t cut out that nervous laughing though, she might not get a second date.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-recap-olivia-plath-spent-night-on-first-date-post-divorce-8702802

👠 Down the Not Quite Shore…

Melissa says she’s done with the drama.

Melissa Gorga Fine With Leaving RHONJ if Teresa Giudice Returns to the Franchise

https://www.nj.com/entertainment/2024/08/longtime-rhonj-star-promises-to-leave-if-castmate-stays-on-show.html

RHONJ: Melissa Gorga Calls Jackie Goldschneider ‘Desperate’ For Fueding With Margaret Josephs

And Danielle is putting on her big girl pants.

Danielle Cabral Says RHONJ Finale at Rails Was ‘Worst Form of Abuse’

🛟 After the Deck Is Over…

We need Chef Ben to come back and save the Med.

What Are the Below Deck Season 1 Cast Doing Now?

🦧 Their Kingdom…

I watched this last weekend. Nice plot twists and phenomenal effects. The story wasn’t bad, but I didn’t exactly come for the drama. It did not disappoint on the action/FX front.

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ reigns on Hulu

Behind the curtain.

https://ew.com/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-side-by-side-raw-cut-with-unfinished-vfx-clip-exclusive-8697941

🦍 Find the Chimp…

Coincidentally, I started watching Chimp Crazy too. The takeaway point being, don’t keep wild animals as pets. It’s abusive to the animal and it could backfire on you.

https://people.com/where-is-tonka-from-chimp-crazy-now-all-about-florida-sanctuary-8703367

🚓 Giving Summer a Speeding Ticket…

Join me tomorrow for soap and a seat in the OC shade. Until then, stay safe, stay keeping an emergency vehicle kit in your car, and stay not trying to make sense of something that doesn’t make sense.

Aug16

August 15, 2024 – Felicia Calls Out Mac, Nepo Walk-Ons, Marathoning, Finally, Oh Say Can OC, VPs Vs NYCs, Tag Who You, He’s a Hot One, A Win Either Way, Good Cover Boy & Spill

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

James looks for Cody at the boathouse. He picks up a frisbee and flings it, but it goes into the water. He reaches for it, but hears Willow coming toward the boathouse on the phone and runs inside.

Mac calls the station to have them help look for James, and Felicia says she thinks he’s on his way to the Quartermaines.

At the stables, Maxie says, there’s no sign of James, and Cody says he and Sasha will search the stables. If they can’t find him, they’ll search the rest of the property. Sasha suggests they go in separate directions, then meet at the stables later. They’ll find him. Maxie says, the only one in more trouble than James is his grandfather.  

Tracy says she won’t allow Sonny to invest in Deception, and Brook says she can see the potential challenges. Tracy says, it will be exposing them to criminal liability and damage the brand, when Lucy comes in. She says she’s glad to see them all so hard at work. If Natalia hadn’t called her, she might have missed it. What’s the agenda? Brook says, they’re deciding on a multimillion dollar offer from Sonny, and Lucy says she loves Sonny. Tell her more.

Lois says she knows Sonny has the best intentions, but she won’t expose her daughter to RICO charges because he wants to impress a woman. Sonny says she sounds like she did when she was 12 years old, and she says, he can’t change the subject. He says he wouldn’t dream of it, when there’s a knock at the door. Sonny lets Jason in and says, if Lois can’t trust one of her oldest friends, does she think she can trust Jason?

John goes to the gallery and tells Ava that he thinks he’s got Sonny. He’s using Clement as bait. Sonny will come for him, and John will nail him in the act. It’s that simple. Ava says, Sonny is rarely simple, and he says, after all this time he’s finally got Sonny where he wants him and it’s all thanks to her. He hugs her.

Nina finds Willow at the boathouse, and says, the gardener told her that Willow was headed here. Willow says, she and the family are going to the beach, and she forgot her hat, and Nina says, it sounds like fun. Willow says, between chasing the kids and covering them in sunscreen, it will be, and Nina says she’s been thinking about Willow since seeing her outside the MetroCourt elevator. Willow says she’s so sorry she ran off. She must have looked ridiculous. Nina says, no. She imagines being stuck in an elevator is high on the list of things people want to avoid. Willow says, it wasn’t the most fun, but they both know not why she rushed out. She’s resigning from the New Tomorrow Institute and going back to GH. Nina says she’ll miss working with Willow, but Willow needs to do what she thinks is best for herself, and Willow says she has to get out of there. She starts to cry and says she’s feeling guilty for kissing Drew. James hears them from inside the boathouse, and Willow says she can’t risk that happening again.

Tracy says she won’t allow Sonny to invest, but Lucy says, an investor with deep pockets. How foolish is that? Tracy says, there’s no world where Sonny would be a silent partner. Otherwise, why bring in a stage mother who said horrible things about her daughter as his mouthpiece? Natalia says, so many insults in one sentence, and Tracy says she heard what Natalia said about her daughter and the LGBTQ community. Natalia tells her that she said things she regrets to someone she never should have confided in. It’s a lesson she won’t forget, but it has nothing to do with her navigating her daughter’s career. Tracy asks if outing Blaze was part of her master plan, and Natalia says she regrets outing Blaze, but that has zero to do with Blaze’s portfolio. Brook admits Tracy has a point. The things Natalia said are the antithesis of what Deception stands for. Natalia says she’s happy to do a public mea culpa campaign, but being CFO has nothing to do with their image. She’ll have no media presence. Lucy says she needs to go with her first reaction. She thinks it’s a great idea. Tracy says, of course (🍷). Because she’s opposed to it. Lucy says, in this case, she feels Tracy isn’t thinking it through. It’s about what’s best for Deception.

Sonny says, Natalia’s daughter left town, and she has no friends, but Lois says, she has one at least. Sonny says, it’s good for Natalia and will help Deception grow, and if it grows, it helps Brook. Lois says she appreciates that Sonny wants to do good, but donate money to an animal rescue or adopt a dog. He and Natalia would look cute with a puppy. Don’t use Deception money to park mob money. Sonny says, the money earmarked for Deception is absolutely legit and accounted for. If she wants to know where it’s coming from, Jason will tell her. Just ask him.

Ava says, John’s plan is great, and she loves it, but out of curiosity, what is his Plan B? He says he doesn’t need one this time. Someone made Clement mess with Sonny’s medication, and Sonny is going to want to know who that is, so he’ll look for Clement. John will be waiting when he does. She asks, what if Sonny kills Clement? but John says, he won’t. She says, if that happens, she’ll lose any leverage she has to protect herself, and he says, she has him.  Scotty walks in and says he wanted to talk to Ava about the case, and Ava says, Scotty is a brilliant strategist. John should tell Scotty his plan. He’s not friend of Sonny’s. Scotty says, that’s a polite way to put it, and Ava says, Scotty will give John an honest objective opinion. John can trust him.

Cody and Sasha come back, and Maxie says she thinks James is on the property. Felicia and Mac join them, and Mac asks if there’s been any sign, but Maxie says, not yet. Sasha says, they should split up, and Felicia says, they’ll stay here in case James comes back. They leave, and Mac says, she can stay. He’ll go look. She says, the others have that covered. She wants to have a chat. This nonsense with Cody ends now.

Cody tells Sasha that he feels like garbage. James ran away because of him. Sasha says, James is a little kid. Running away is how they solve their problems. Cody isn’t the problem. Cody says he created the problem, but Sasha asks if he saw how frosty Maxie was with Mac. It doesn’t matter. They’ll find James together. He says, she has a nose like a bloodhound, and he has a voice that carries for miles. Together, they’ve got this. If she was a tiny cowboy, where would she go?

Willow tells Nina that after their kiss on the 4th of July, she doesn’t trust herself to be around Drew. She never thought something like this would happen. She loves her family. They’re her everything. Nina says, Willow never thought part of her could have feelings for anyone else, but she did, and Willow says she hates the feeling and it’s not going away. Nina says she’s in no position to be giving relationship advice, but she thinks the feeling will pass with time. Willow says, that’s what she thought, but this doesn’t feel like a crush, and Nina suggests they talk it through. What about Drew gets to her? Willow tells her that she wishes she could say one thing. She could get over one thing. But she’s attracted to all of him. Nina asks for an example, and Willow says she knows it sounds cliché, but part of her is attracted to him because he’s not her husband. She doesn’t have to ask him to do things around the house. She feels horrible saying it, and in the grand scheme of things, it’s nothing. Nina says, the feeling is normal, but Willow says, Drew doesn’t seem like every day normal. He risked life to save hers. His kind of courage and strength are pretty rare. Nina says she’ll be forever grateful, and Willow says, her too. Drew fought to put himself back together after Pentenville, and all he wants to do is give back and be a good dad. Sometimes she feels like there’s a part of Michael’s life that he keeps from her. It’s not like that with Drew. He gives his whole self to things… She just made a list about the man she’s attracted to who’s not her husband. Nina says, Willow can talk to her. She knows Willow loves Michael, and Michael loves her. Willow says, Michael has withheld things from her, but Nina says, the things he was withholding aren’t necessarily bad. Willow says she knows when Michael keeps things from her, he’s trying to protect her, but Drew treats her like she’s strong enough to know the truth. She knows he’d never lie to her.

Lucy says, Deception’s leadership is heavily weighted with Creatives, which isn’t a bad thing, but they’ve never had a CFO, and they need one. Tracy says she agrees. She’ll contact some people and get suggestions and set up interviews. Lucy says she needs to remember to let the candidates know they need to be ready, willing, and able to invest a large amount of cash. The last report she saw had a lot of sad arrows pointing down and she doesn’t want to see that again. Natalia says, that’s what she’d be solely focused on. It would be totally about the numbers. Brook says, it will free them up to explore the expansion initiatives they’ve been talking about, and Lucy says, they could use a large infusion of cash. Tracy says, once they accept Sonny’s offer, why stay legitimate? and Lucy asks if any of them know anything about smuggling, being a bookie, or counterfeiting. She understands that Tracy isn’t comfortable working with Sonny, so she needs to pick up the phone and call people who can come up with millions to match Sonny’s offer.

Jason says, the money set aside comes from Corinthos Coffee, and Sonny says, it’s a legitimate business, in good standing with the IRS. Jason says, the Feds audit them all the time, but they’ve always passed, and Lois says she appreciates Jason being honest. He’s also selective with what he says, and it’s nice to talk to someone who doesn’t just like to hear the sound of their own voice. She’ll tell Brook about what they discussed. Sonny says he looks forward to doing business with her, and she says, we’ll see. She leaves, and Sonny asks what Jason found out about the pharmacist.

John says, as long as he’s got the pharmacist, he can get to Sonny. Sonny has gotten away too long without paying. It’s their chance to get justice. Scotty asks if John thinks he can pull this off, and John says he does. Scotty asks how he can help.

Jason says, Ava admitted she knew about the tampering, but wouldn’t say who was behind it, and Sonny says, assuming it’s not Ava. His judgement became cloudy after she moved in. Her story is convenient. Jason says, she wants them to think she has something of value to trade, but the only way to know is to question the pharmacist.

Scotty says, Sonny is a two-bit criminal and he’ll shed no tears, but John says, he’s more than that. He’s involved in money laundering and extortion, and he’s got to be honest. There’s something personal to this piece – Karen. Scotty says he’s glad John said it. Karen deserves justice for what Sonny did to her and it’s about time she gets it. Ava clears her throat to get their attention and says, she thought they wanted Sonny to pay, but it seems to be more than that. It’s a little risky. Scotty says, they’re throwing in with the Feds. Is John going to give him a gun? John says, no, and Ava says, if this works, Clement is eventually going to disclose to the Feds that she knew he was tampering with Sonny’s medication. John says he can’t see why that would come up, and Scotty says, they’ll make a deal in exchange for giving them Sonny. John says, they need to get Clement in a secure location first. That part will be tricky. Scotty says he can handle that.

Nina says she supports any decision Willow makes. She just wants Willow to do what’s best for herself. But do her a favor and not be so hard on herself. No one is perfect and she’s trying to do what’s best for her family. Willow says, if she was trying to do that, she wouldn’t have kissed Drew, but Nina says, one tiny kiss doesn’t have to change anything. James continues to listen, and Willow thanks Nina and takes her hands. She says she doesn’t know how Nina knew the exact words she wanted to hear, and Nina says, because Willow is her daughter. Willow says, they should go back to the house, and Nina grabs Willow’s hat and says, she has a beach to get to. They leave, and James comes out. He says, huh.

Mac asks why Felicia is looking at him like he’s responsible, and she says, James adores Cody. He ran away because Mac wouldn’t let him see Cody. Mac says he just told Maxie that James could go back, but she says, Maxie should have been allowed to make her own decision about James’s association with Cody. By the time Mac issued his decree, it was too late. James is just a child. He doesn’t understand what happened in the first place. He says, it’s not something you discuss with a child, and she says, and apparently an adult. It seems like he’s deliberately punishing Cody. Mac knew Cody adored James. His ego was bruised, and he decided to get between them. It’s true and he knows it and look where got him.

James reaches for the frisbee, then thinks for a moment. He balances himself on the wall, but when he reaches out, he falls in the water. He yells for help and calls to Cody.

Maxie calls to James and says, he’s making her nervous. He’s not in trouble. Come out. Her phone rings, and she says she hopes it’s someone with their hands on James. She looks at the phone and says, sorry, Tracy. For once, you’ll have to handle the decision on your own. Spinelli joins her and she asks why he’s not talking. He says he overextended his larynx while yelling for James, and she says she should have known what would happen. She knows how James’s mind works. He says, no one could have predicted this, but she says, James was sad because he and Cody were being kept apart. Like his dad Nathan, James is loyal to the core. Mac is upset that Cody worked his way into James’s heart, but Cody’s not going anywhere.

Mac asks if he’s the only one who thinks James shouldn’t be spending time with some grifter, and Felicia says, Mac isn’t the patron saint of honesty. He came to Port Charles with his own agenda and was always working an angle. Sound like someone else? Has he conveniently forgotten the missteps he took with Robert? Robert rescued him from the water only to push him back in. He says, that was a long time ago, and she says, Mac changed. He grew up and matured, and he’s the most trustworthy person she knows. A lot of people gave him a second chance. She’s disappointed that he won’t he extend the same grace to his own son. She walks out.

Natalia is talking finance, when Lois comes in. She asks if she missed anything good, and Brook says she doesn’t know if it’s good, but Natalia is holding her own. Tracy says, the offer looks good, but it’s supposed to. It seduces you into thinking there’s a brighter future ahead. Lucy says, it’s business, not one of Tracy’s many marriage proposals she accepted from fortune hunters. Tracy says, Lucy knows all about fortune hunting. Maxie isn’t here, so it falls on her to be the voice of reason. They need to think about the company and its employees. Lois says, from in the cheap seats, she thinks Tracy is making an excellent point, and Tracy says, finally someone besides her is willing to engage in rational thinking.

Jason says, Clement worked a shift the other day at GH and hasn’t been seen since. He’s not at home, and Brick is going through GH’s security tapes to see what time he was last seen. Sonny says, he has no other talents or identities? and Jason says, no. Sonny says, he’s going to want protection, and Jason says, or a ticket out of town. Sonny says, he’ll lead them to whoever he’s working for, when Jason’s phone rings. Jason asks if Brick has something… Is it a positive ID?… Okay. Call when he finds him. He tells Sonny that Brick looked at the hospital footage, and Clement was last seen being escorted out of GH by John Cates.

Jason wonders why the FBI would take the pharmacist into custody. Why get involved? Sonny says, Ava’s been spending time with Jagger, and Jason says, maybe Cates ordered Clement to switch Sonny’s medication. Sonny says, Jagger is capable of doing a lot of things he didn’t think he was. Jason looks at his phone and says, Cates is with Ava at the gallery. Scotty is there too. Sonny says he wants eyes on all of them.

John says, Scotty thinks he can scoop up Clement and take him to a secure site? and Scotty says he knows he can. John asks, where? and Scotty says, Windymere. Ava doesn’t live there anymore, and nobody has moved in. John says, it’s perfect. It can only be accessed by boat and there are no nosy neighbors to give them up to Sonny. Okay. They’ll meet there once Scotty gets his hands on Clement. Scotty says, he’ll see them soon with the package, and leaves. Ava asks if the FBI isn’t supposed to protect the public, and John says, Clement will be fine. She says she’s not worried about the pharmacist. She’s worried about herself.

Tracy suggests they table the conversation until they calm down and Maxie is available, and Brook asks if she’s saying they’re the ones who are too emotional. Tracy tells her that she’s saying, upon further reflection, letting Sonny in is like inviting in a vampire. He’s a duplicitous crook who would sell his mother to make a deal. Lois says, whatever faults Sonny has – and he has many – Sonny is a man of his word. Lucy says, it’s his bond, and Lois says, if he claims the money is clean, she believes him. Brook says, Sonny would never invest tainted money in Deception, and Natalia says, she’ll do the forensic accounting, and if it doesn’t seem legit, she’ll kill the deal herself. Lucy says, it looks like they have themselves a brand-new CFO.

Nina and Willow find Michael back at the house, and Nina tells Michael that she was hoping to talk to Willow about the PSAs, but Willow told her that she’s going back to nursing. She thinks it’s wonderful, and Elizabeth will be so happy to have her back. She knows that GH and every patient of Willow’s will be thrilled.

Cody looks for James at the boathouse, and says he needs James to come out. He needs help with the horses. James yells, help me, and Cody takes off his shoes. He says he’s coming, and dives in.

Maxie tells Spinelli, the first thing she’s going to tell James is that he can take all the riding lessons he wants. Then she’s going to strangle him. Spinelli says, she should walk him through the consequences of his actions, and she says she wants him to learn from this and feel bad. He says, that’s reasonable. He’s a lucky kid to have so many people worried about him. She says, there could be a thousand people out looking for him, but nobody will find him unless he wants them to.

Cody grabs James and brings him back to shore. He asks if James is okay, and James says, Cody saved him. They hug, and Mac sees.

Nina says she’ll miss working with Willow, but she’s proud that Willow is choosing what makes her happy. Willow thanks her for everything. And on that note, she’s putting her hat in her bag along with all the sunblock she can find, and she’ll join them on the beach. She leaves, and Michael thanks Nina for keeping their conversation between them. Nina says, Willow didn’t need to know about it the way things are going. She hopes he has a great time at the beach with his family. He deserves it. She starts to leave, and he asks if she’s busy on Friday the 30th. The Quartermaines are having a dinner for extended family. Willow and the kids would love to see her. Drew will there too, of course (🍷). Nina says she’d love that, and she’ll be there.

Tracy says, they’ve thrown rational thinking out the window over misplaced loyalty to Sonny. What about those of them who didn’t grow up with him? Lois says she trusts Sonny and he wouldn’t put Deception in jeopardy, and Brook says she knows Tracy is nervous. Tracy says, everybody should be nervous. If they let Sonny in, it will be the end of Deception, and they’ll be lucky not to be escorted out in handcuffs.

Clement paces in a basement, when Scotty comes in. Clement asks, who’s he? and he says, Scott Baldwin. He’s here to rescue him.

Ava says, John is placing everybody at risk except himself. He’s using Clement and it’s dangerous. Now John wants to hide him at Windymere, putting her in more danger. John says, it’s ideal, and she says, if it doesn’t go the way he wants, it’s also an ideal place to dump her body. Even if she survives, she’s being charged with attempted murder. There are photos of the incident with Kristina, one of the many things that keep her up at night. He says he’s seen them. Hold on… It’s possible they don’t prove what everybody thinks. If you look at the photos another way, they could tell a different story about what happened in the hotel room. (Ugh. He’s such a jerk.)

Jason wonders how much the FBI knows about what Cates is doing. His assignment was about Pikeman. How would he explain what he’s been doing all along? Sonny says he doesn’t care. It’s personal. Jagger hates him and crossed lines to get to him. Sooner or later, Sonny is going to cross lines too.

Tomorrow, Laura tells Jack that she thinks they have a unique opportunity; Mac admits to James that it’s his fault; Ava tells John that it’s a stretch to make her the victim; and Sonny tells Jason that if Jagger forces his hand, he won’t have a choice.

👯‍♂️ New Faces of Rice Park…

It’s cute when the actors bring their family members into the fold.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/bradford-andersons-daughters-make-their-gh-debut

🏃🏻‍♀️ Run, Kelly, Run…

She’s a better woman than I am. I ran for two years and I hated it. I could always tell how well it was going by how quickly I started thinking about the cup of coffee I was going to have when the run was over.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/kelly-thiebaud-tackles-a-new-challenge

⚖️ Justice For Johnny…

It’s good news we never should have needed in the first place. They’re practically children, but I hope they rot.

https://ew.com/johnny-wactor-killing-arrests-8696211

🍊 A Split Of Oranges…

I must be a masochist on some level. Otherwise, why would I keep watching these Housewives? Nearly everyone is equally awful, but in different ways. I still kinda like Emily. I don’t believe she’s become meaner since she’s become friends with Tamra, as Gina said, but I have to admit, the friendship puzzles me. Why anyone would be friends with Tamra puzzles me. The women split into two groups to take girls’ trips. Tamra, Jen, Katie, and Alexis – who could only talk about Johnny J. and it’s getting seriously old – went to Tamra’s house in Big Bear; while Gina, Emily, Shannon, and Heather went to La Quinta to stay in a house that Gina was going to be showing. It’s beyond me why Gina would have a party in a house she doesn’t own and is the broker for. No surprise, every time someone committed a housekeeping sin, she nearly had a heart attack. Shannon told Emily about Gina’s mean girl comment, which didn’t sit well with Emily, but when she tried discussing it with Gina, Heather quickly made it about herself, and we were in the middle of the paparazzi thing again. There was some discrepancy about the time frame between Katie telling Gina what she allegedly knew and Gina telling Katie to keep her mouth shut, and Gina asked if she’d ever lied to Heather before. Heather said she didn’t know, which should probably always be the answer to that question, since if they’re a good liar, no one would. Heather decided to give Gina the benefit of the doubt, but this will only last until she doesn’t. You know it will come up again. Heather is never letting this paparazzi stuff go even if she’s the one who has to bring it up. It’s now joined the ranks of Munchausen, Pantygate, and Lucy, Lucy Apple Juicy. While I was a little jealous of them riding saucers down a snowy hill in Big Bear, I can’t even talk about Jen putting her foot in an apple pie and then… No. I can’t. Let it suffice to say she’ll be making money on OnlyFans.

Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 6 Recap: Loose Lips Sink Ships

I wouldn’t use the word traitor, but IMO, you can speak hard truths without being an a-hole.

Is Tamra Judge ‘A Traitor’ or Just Speaking Hard Truths to RHOC’s Shannon Beador?

🗽 Hard Choices…

Oh no. What will we do?

Vice-Presidential Debate Clashes With RHONY Season 15 Premiere

🪪 Wearing Humility Well…

I love how down to earth she is. This is a great idea too. I wish everyone would wear nametags all the time. I can remember what somebody said 20 years ago and memorized the entire score of Hamilton in a few weeks, but I’m terrible with names, zip codes, and phone numbers.

https://ew.com/jamie-lee-curtis-asks-crew-wear-name-tags-on-set-8692789

🔥 Avoiding the Heat…

Sean Evans was on Watch What Happens Live last night and told this story.

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-joked-about-avoiding-hot-ones-for-years-says-host-sean-evans-8695795

🎬 Battling For Bucks…

So do you think things are frosty at home? Or are they too busy counting their money?

https://ew.com/blake-lively-ryan-reynolds-battle-for-box-office-supremacy-8693731

🐕 You Dogue You…

Another precious nugget gracing the cover. I totally get his desperate need for Brisket. I saw my rescue chihuahua El Wray’s picture and had to have him.

https://people.com/glen-powell-reveals-how-desperate-he-was-to-adopt-his-pup-brisket-8695639

🌇 On Manhattan Island Time…

Start your downtime here tomorrow with soap, a spot of tea, a few wise (or not) words, and a little music. Until then, stay safe, stay being thoughtful about how your actions affect those around you, and stay being selective about what you say. Don’t talk just because you like to hear the sound of your own voice.

Oct31

October 30, 2020 – A Stormy Halloween In Port Charles, a RHONY First, Northern Steal, Turning Points, For Your Halloween Viewing, Entertaining Costumes, Watching Them Watch, a Pumpkin Full Of Quotes & Nightmare

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason meets Sonny at the gym, and Sonny says Sasha’s been meeting with Cyrus, and Carly seems to think she’s using drugs. If she is, he broke the damn truce.

Julian tussles with Darth Vader at an otherwise empty Charlie’s. Darth’s mask comes off, and it’s Taggert. Julian says, You. I know you.

Ryan comes into the visiting room. They pick up the phones. He says he’s surprised to see her on this stormy Halloween night. Is this a trick, or a treat? She says, a treat, and he asks if she did what he said. She says she did. She divorced Nikolas.

Elizabeth tells Nikolas, when he and Ava were playing Franco and her, they were playing him and Ava. She was the one blackmailing him.

Franco asks Terry if Elizabeth asked her to check on him, but she says Elizabeth doesn’t know she’s there. He asks what’s going on, and if she’s seeing a bunch of kids today. She says as much as she’d love to hang out, she’s there in a professional capacity.

Peter asks who it is on the phone, and a female voice asks if he doesn’t recognize her. It’s his old friend, Helena Cassadine. He’s stunned, and tells Maxie and Spinelli, work emergency. He jets to the hallway, and says she’s dead. She says, is she? Then she’s certain chosen the perfect night to deal with some unfinished business. And they have much unsettled between them.

Valentin asks if Anna has an answer, and she says, Faison doesn’t have the genetic marker for rheumatoid arthritis. Which means she’s not Peter’s mother. Alex is.

Valentin tells Anna to sit; it’s a lot to process. She asks how he felt when he found out his whole life was lie. When he found out Mikkos wasn’t his father, and Helena was his mother. He says, like the bottom dropped out of the world, and she says she kind of feels like that. He tells her, take a minute. There’s no more shame; no more guilt. She didn’t sleep with Faison. She didn’t have pregnancy, or give Peter up for adoption. She says, it still feels real, and he says, it isn’t. She says she blamed herself for sleep with Faison and giving away his child. She put herself through hell, and for what? It’s nothing but lies.

Peter asks who is she really, and why is she doing this? Helena says, they both know she’s eluded death before. Why should now be any different? He says because she contacted him. What about Nikolas? Or Spencer? Or her son Valentin? She says she needs him, not them. He asks, why? and she says she needs someone to help her stay dead until she’s ready to reveal herself. Nikolas and Valentin can’t be trusted, but she has leverage over Peter. She can expose his role in abducting Drew in Afghanistan. He says he doesn’t know what she’s talking about, and she says she has documentation to spark his memory. He asks what she wants, and she says, a meeting. Call when he’s ready to talk. If she doesn’t hear from him, there will be consequences. Maxie and Spinelli join him, and Maxie asks if he’s okay. Spinelli says he looks like he’s seen a ghost.

Jason tells Sonny, a lot more patients have been admitted to the hospital for ODs. Sonny says it’s not uncommon in the country overall, but Jason says it’s uncommon in Port Charles. He wonders if the opiates Neil OD’d on came from Cyrus. If Cyrus is bringing drugs into Port Charles, he found the ultimate way and the ultimate route. Sonny says, the hospital.

Julian says he knows Taggert from the pier. He was there when Julian was trying to stop Nelle from taking Wiley. Taggert says he doesn’t know what Julian is talking about. He’s not that guy. Julian apologizes, and says let him make it up. What’s his poison? On the house. Taggert takes off, and Julian runs after him.

Ryan says Nikolas was never her Prince Charming, and she says he thinks he is? He says he knows he is. She can’t expect him to take her word; he needs proof. She takes out the fake papers, and holds them up against the glass, saying, signed, seal, and delivered. She flashes back to telling Nikolas that they’ll have to do something about the divorce papers, and he says, it doesn’t matter. She didn’t think he’d risk everything, did she? Ava tells Ryan, it’s what he asked for; her divorce papers. Signed by both her and Nikolas, sealed by the state of New York, and delivered to him. She’s officially single, without a title, and the Cassadine fortune, all for him. He says it wasn’t for him. She did it to save her brother’s life. She says, if he thinks so. Now it’s his turn. Give her Nelle’s letter.

Nikolas asks Elizabeth if she’s covering for Franco. Was Franco having him followed? She says she led him on with Franco’s knowledge and support, and he asks, why? She says, the night of the Nurses Ball, she overheard Ava telling Nina that she was trying to push them together, because if Nikolas cheated, the post-nup would kick in. Everything started to make sense. She’d felt like she and Franco were drifting apart, but they were being pulled apart him by him. He admits he pushed Ava toward Franco, and she says he played a game with her marriage and her happiness, when he swore he wanted their friendship back. He says he’s sorry, but she says he can’t apologize for using her. He says he didn’t use her; the feelings were genuine. She says she loves Franco, but for some reason, he can’t accept that. When Scotty suggested they blackmail him and Ava, she was all in. She thought they would be taught a lesson, and she could take back her life and marriage. 

Franco says, propensity doesn’t sound great, and asks Terry where Portia is. Terry says Portia asked her to review his CT scan, and he says, start with the good news. She says she confirmed Portia’s finding that there’s a malignant growth in his frontal lobe, and he says his brain tumor is back.

Jason asks if Sonny wants him to get Brando out of Cyrus’s organization before it blows up, but Sonny says, nothing has blown up yet, especially not the hospital. Jason says he knows the drugs are run through legitimate pharmacy companies, but Sonny says if they get on that, the Feds will come in, and they don’t need the attention. Jason says the hospital makes Cyrus look legitimate, and he knows they won’t put innocent people in harm’s way. Sonny says, they need to take their time getting Cyrus’s drug operation out of Port Charles. The lights go out.

Valentin tells Anna not to pick up the glass with her hands, and asks if she has a dustpan. She says, in the kitchen, when the lights go out. She says, oh no, but he says, it’s all right; they can pick up it up later when the lights come back on. He asks if she needs to check on Violet, but she says Violet is out trick-or-treating with Chase, and then has a sleepover. He asks if she has a flashlight, and she says she’s not going break, but he says she’s not unbreakable. She’s been through a shock, and needs to feel it. She says, it’s not just that Peter isn’t her son. Alex is probably laughing at her. He says she’s laughing at him too. She knows he gave Peter to Faison, thinking he was Anna’s son, and knew the shame he felt. He wanted to be connected to the boy, and she knew the resentment he felt toward the only woman he cared about. She knew there was nothing he could do, and she was laughing at both of them. Anna says, maybe they didn’t deserve that kind of pain, but they’re better equipped to deal with it than Peter. She’s terrified what it’s going to do to Peter, and that he’ll lose faith in himself and his life. Valentin says, Peter is a big boy. They need to find Alex, and eliminate the threat. Anna says, Alex knows Maxie is carrying her grandchild, and they need to be prepared.

Peter tells Maxie that he wanted to go live with a story, and time was of the essence. Now the server is down. Maxie asks if Spinelli can fix it, but Peter says, IT is on it. She says she thought he might leave her stranded on her birthday. The storm probably canceled Georgie’s plans for trick-or-treating, and she was hoping for pictures. Spinelli says, Georgie does make a beautiful Elsa. Maxie says she’s going to check on Georgie, even though Georgie is with her mom. Spinelli says he hopes she only gets the happiness she deserves, and Maxie says she will.   

Franco says, so his tumor is back, and Terry tells him, it seems to have reoccurred in the same area. She’s sorry. He says he doesn’t have any symptoms, and he’s nothing like the person he was last time. She asks if he’s had any vivid dreams or nightmares. Besides fainting, has anything unusual or unexpected happened? He flashes back to his nightmare about Ava, and thinks about when Ava’s painting was defaced. He says, none; just fainting. She says, the symptoms are likely to increase as the tumor progresses, and the preliminary findings show that the tumor is inoperable.    

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, he paid Scotty by check, but it was never cashed. Did she change her mind about blackmailing him? She says she realized she went too far, and Nikolas says, she can try as hard as she can, but she can’t beat him. And he’s very grateful for that.

Ryan asks, what letter? and she says he promised to give her Nelle’s letter when she divorced Nikolas. He says Nelle wrote him so many letters. One describing her beautiful new house, and a very sad one where she said how much she loved her son, and was going to be devastated if she didn’t get custody. And one telling him that Julian knew about Brad replacing Willow’s poor deceased newborn with Sonny’s grandson. She says he knows that’s the one she means. He tells the guard, be a pal and get Mrs. Cass… Sorry. Get Miss Jerome the letter he gave him earlier. Ava says he has the guards doing him favors, and he says, considering he doesn’t know when he’ll see the outside world again, it helps to pay certain people to do certain things. The guard gives Ava an envelope that’s been opened, and Ryan asks if it’s what she wanted. She says he knows it is, and I wonder why she isn’t checking to make sure it is. She tells him, take a good long look. it’s the last one he’s ever going to get. She hangs up the phone, and takes out the letter. It says, do you think I’m stupid? Ryan says, oops. What did I just say? I can’t believe Ava is that stupid.

Franco wonders why the tumor can’t be removed, and Terry says her preliminary assessment is that they can’t remove it, but it’s just the first step in a complex process. They need to take more tests; a biopsy, and a PET scan. They have to get all the viable information before discussing options. Franco says, if they do all that, and still can’t operate, what happens to him?

Nikolas tells Elizabeth, he was hell bent on winning back the Cassadine fortune. He didn’t care what he did or who he did it to. That’s how he got in this mess in the first place. She said both of them were blackmailed. Does that mean there are compromising pictures of Franco and Ava?

Ryan asks if Ava really thought she could fool him with fake divorce papers and no wedding ring. His cellmate was a forger, and taught him all the tricks of the trade. Ava insists it’s not a forgery, but he says she can’t convince him it’s real, or that she’s divorced that cloying puppy dog. He starts yelling that the women he’s loved are all alike. She thinks she can use him because he loves her. The guard grabs him, and he yells that she’s a liar and traitor. She’ll pay. He screams her name as the guard drags him out.

Julian sees Taggert’s mask on the floor, and picks it up, saying, who the hell are you, buddy? He sees the phone, and looks at the picture of Taggert and Trina.

Sonny tells Jason to get a flashlight, and Jason says he’ll check on the generator. Jason leaves, and someone comes up behind Sonny. Without turning around, Sonny asks, who are you? He turns around, drawing his gun, and sees it’s Taggert.

Valentin tells Anna, he left a message with an associate who’s an excellent tracker. No more delays or second thoughts. They need to find Alex. Anna asks if they’re going back to their original plan to lure Alex to Port Charles, but Valentin says, that’s not enough. They need to neutralize her. She asks if it’s strategy or revenge because Alex hurt him, and he says he doesn’t think that’s relevant. Alex was prepared to kill her, and still wants her dead. She thinks he should go now, but he says, when he’s gone, nothing changes. It’s a question of who lives; her or Alex. He’s playing the game too, and chooses her.   

Maxie tells Peter, the storm is moving. Georgie and James will still get in some trick-or-treating. Can they get in some more birthday celebration, or does he need to check the server? He says his phone is off. He has it on silent. He’s all hers. She says, sooner or later, the storm will clear up, and he says, it certainly will. We see an incoming call to Peter from Anna.

Spinelli sneaks down an office corridor, and goes into a room. Sam is sitting at a computer, and startles him. He apologizes for keeping her in suspense; he wanted to check on his daughter’s Halloween plans. She says, did it work? and he says, like a charm. She smiles.

Anna gets Peter’s voicemail, and says, damn you, Alex.

Peter asks what Maxie is thinking, and she says, not only does Peter make a handsome groom, he’s going to make an equally handsome groomsman at Anna’s wedding. He says she’ll be an equally beautiful bridesmaid, and a stunning bride. She says, that has a nice ring. She meant what she said about the wedding and the baby. They have a lot to forward to next year.

Sam thanks Spinelli, saying, it’s brilliant. Once they got real usable audio, they were able to generate a duplicate voice, and all the rest fell into place. Peter thinks Helena is alive and well. Spinelli says, it’s reasonable to assume Helena was aware of Drew’s abduction in Afghanistan, and most likely recruited Peter to facilitate the order in the first place. Sam says, anyone who’s found out about it, ends up dead. Peter’s tied off a lot of loose ends. Spinelli says, if he thinks Helena is a threat, he’ll want to tie her off permanently. Then they can show Maxie who her fiancé really is.

Sonny tells Taggert, nice of him to dress up, and Taggert says, happy Halloween. Sonny asks if he isn’t too old for trick-or-treating. Jason comes back, and Sonny tells him, check the building security; make sure no one is lurking around. He asks Taggert why he came back, and Taggert says he heard what’s been going on. How many have to die before they do something about Cyrus? Sonny says he can’t abracadabra and make Cyrus disappear. Even if he could, they don’t know Cyrus is responsible for Neil’s OD. Taggert says, the body count keeps rising, and he’s not watching while his daughter gets caught in the crossfire again next time.

Julian looks at the phone and asks himself, what’s the connection? Is there a connection? Ava comes in, and he says, that doesn’t look like a happy face. She says she doesn’t have happy news. She needs a double vodka straight. He asks, what happened with Ryan? and she says, Ryan saw right through the phony papers. He’s not happy. She chugs the vodka.

Nikolas says he and Elizabeth have been friends for so long, he can read every expression. What happened with Franco and Ava? She says, they kissed, and he says, spontaneous combustion? She says he manipulated them like she did him. The plan worked. Both he and Ava broke the contract, so neither one of them can use it against the other. He’ll have to find another way to end his marriage… if that’s what he’s going to do. He has to go, and she says, don’t tell her that he’s sorry; show her.    

Terry tells Franco, the side effects will increase as the tumor grows. His sense of taste and smell; he might lose time, or have a personality shift. He asks if there’s a time limit, but she says, not until they run all the tests. She knows it’s a lot to take in. She’ll give him some time to talk to Elizabeth. He asks her not to tell Elizabeth about it; not yet. She says Elizabeth is his wife, and it’s going to impact her life. She has the right to know. He says Terry thinks he doesn’t know that? He needs her to promise him that she won’t say anything to Elizabeth about this.

Terry asks how he can’t tell Elizabeth? They’re potentially talking life and death. He says, please. He just needs a little time. She says the doctors and nurses will do everything in their power to help him, but he has to meet them halfway. Let his family go through it with him. He says he doesn’t want it at all. Cameron is looking at college; Aiden is his little sous chef; and he helped Jake with his costume. Jake wants to be Jack Sparrow; that’s where his head is at. They have beautiful, loving hearts, and he doesn’t want them to worry or be sad. He’s asking her to not tell Elizabeth for a little while. There are things he needs to work out first. Elizabeth comes in, and says, sorry it took her so long. She asks what Terry is doing there.

Ava slides her glass down the bar for a refill. Julian asks how Ryan saw through her deception, and she says, he claimed his cell mate was a forger. She thinks he was expecting a double-cross, and he’s furious. He was making threats that he’s going to tell Sonny. Nikolas walks in, and she says, as usual, Julian is complaining about unreliable liquor distributors. Nikolas says, as usual, she’s lying to him. She says she went to Pentenville, and brought the phony papers to convince Ryan that they were divorced. He asks if it worked, and she says, what does he think? It doesn’t matter. Ryan can’t hurt her; not physically anyway. But he can do damage to her family. Nikolas says, Julian, and she says she doesn’t suppose Nikolas will take pity on her and divorce her for real.

Sonny says the point of Taggert playing dead was to protect Trina; Cyrus would have no leverage. If someone sees him, Trina will be in more danger than ever. He needs to stay gone. Sonny promised he’d protect her. Taggert says, he doesn’t doubt that, but if there’s a full-scale war, Sonny might not be able to keep his promise. Sonny asks if that means Taggert is staying, and Taggert says he’s just giving Sonny a heads up that he’s going to protect his daughter. Sonny says, it has to be on his terms. He’s going to stash Taggert where he and his people can keep an eye on him.

Valentin calls Anna, and says, Alex used Berlin as a starting point. She was there, and must have left a trail. Anna says, that was weeks ago; she could be anywhere now. He says he’s afraid so, and she thanks him for the update. She says she’ll be in touch. The lights come back on, and when Anna turns around, Alex is there in the black witch costume. She says, happy Halloween, sister, and knocks Anna out.

Franco tells Elizabeth that Terry stopped by to make sure he’s all right. Elizabeth thanks Terry, and Franco says, the technical diagnosis was that he’s dehydrated and exhausted. She hopes Terry read him the riot act, and Terry says, Elizabeth knows her; always looking out for Biz. Elizabeth says they have to get going. Violet is spending the night, and they’re going to have a full house. Franco says if a bunch of kids are going to be there, that means he can eat all the candy.

Nikolas tells Ava, sorry. He sees she’s taken off her ring, and she says, it was just for Ryan. She’s not ready to divorce him. He says, sorry it didn’t work, but he’ll find another way to get Ryan off her brother’s back; he promises. Julian approaches their table, and says, isn’t this the cutest? Maybe they could take their eyes off each other, and make an actual plan. Nikolas says, as soon as Julian tells him what Nelle said. He gets silence, and says he didn’t think so. He says he has calls to return, and steps away from the table. Julian tells Ava, there’s nothing to stop Ryan from showing the letter to Sonny, and Ava says, as soon as he does, he’ll have no power over her. Julian says, Ava betrayed Ryan, and he’s going to want to punish her. Sonny is the perfect revenge.

Sonny excuses himself to take a call privately. He answers, and it’s a collect call from Ryan in Pentenville.   

Taggert wonders if Sonny is going to put him in a safe house, but Jason says, safe houses can be compromised, especially if someone is staying there a while. Taggert asks where he’s going, and Jason says, Sonny bought Kate Howard’s old place. It’s adjacent to Sonny’s house, so Sonny can keep him there without alerting the rest of the family. Taggert says he’ll be Sonny’s neighbor. 2020 has been a helluva ride. He ain’t kiddin’ there.

Maxie tells Peter, she can’t wait to see pictures. She knows she’s biased, but Georgie and James are the most adorable kids on the planet. Peter says, and soon to be joined by another most adorable kid on the planet. Maxie says she’ll be right back. She gets up, and says she knows Peter is worried about work, but whatever problems he’s having, he’ll find a way around them. She leaves.

Sam tells Spinelli that Peter never confirmed his involvement when he spoke to Helena. Spinelli says, Peter is too cagey for a direct admission. That will come when he reacts to Helena’s call. Sam says, speak of the devil, and hooks the computer into a phone. Peter is calling.

Sam and Spinelli listen in as Peter tells faux Helena, if she is who she says she is, they need to meet. Tomorrow night. Sam and Spinelli fist bump.

Alex answers the door to the trick-or-treaters, and says, don’t you look to die for? She passes out candy, while Anna lies unconscious in the basement.

On Monday, Carly tells Josslyn, today is her first election; a mock election involving woman’s suffrage is held; and Trina tells Josslyn, they’re making choices and making their voices heard.

🗽 Rookie Season…

What it’s like to be new girl on the RHONY block.

https://pagesix.com/2020/10/27/eboni-k-williams-on-being-the-first-black-rhony-cast-member/

❄️Corbett Exposure…

I loved this show.

https://pagesix.com/2020/10/27/john-corbett-stole-a-20k-moose-head-from-the-set-of-northern-exposure/

⚰️ Definitive Dead…

The episodes that shook us.

https://tv.avclub.com/10-episodes-that-show-how-the-walking-dead-turned-into-1845335889

📽 More Brains Movies…

I listed a few of my favorites yesterday, but also adding Cabin In the Woods today. It’s a relentless masterpiece. I’d read the book before I saw the film, and remember thinking, there’s no way they could get the grand finale on film, much less make it look believable. Yet, they did.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/best-halloween-movies

👑 Let the Dressing Up Begin…

Celebrities, they’re just like us. With several million more dollars.

https://guestofaguest.com/new-york/halloween/the-best-celebrity-halloween-costumes-for-some-last-minute-inspiration

https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes-2020-photos-of-their-outfits/

And the Consistently Outstanding Award goes to…

https://www.purewow.com/news/heidi-klum-halloween-costume

It’s a tie.

https://www.purewow.com/news/neil-patrick-harris-halloween-costume

👠 Watching Them Watch…

They might be in drag, but Trixie and Katya are never a drag. And they have a lot to say about some horror film classics.

🦇 Halloween Quotes of the Week

It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared. – Vincent Price

Darkness falls across the land, The Midnight Hour is close at hand. – Rodney Lynn Temperton

Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see. – Edgar Allan Poe (And I’d always thought it was an old Navy saying.)

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for out wits to grow sharper. – Eden Phillpots

Villainy wears many masks, none so dangerous as the mask of virtue. – Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), Sleepy Hollow

I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly. – Elizabeth (Nancy McLoughlin), Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives

We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones. – Stephen King

A person should always choose a costume which is in direct contrast to her own personality. – Lucy Van Pelt, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves. – Elvis Duran

If human beings had genuine courage, they’d wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween. – Douglas Coupland

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night. – Steve Almond

I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color. – Wednesday Addams (Christina Ricci), The Addams Family

Where there is no imagination there is no horror. – Arthur Conan Doyle

The moon has awoken with the sleep of the sun, the light has been broken; the spell has begun. – Midgard Morningstar

When the witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers ’tis near Halloween. – Unknown

Werewolves howl. Phantoms prowl. Halloween’s upon us now. – Richelle E. Goodrich

Every day is Halloween, isn’t it? For some of us. – Tim Burton

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. – L. M. Montgomery

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam, may luck be yours on Halloween. – Unknown

Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story. – Mason Cooley

On Halloween you get to become anything that you want to be. – Ava Dellaria

There is a child in every one of us who is still a trick-or-treater looking for a brightly-lit front porch. – Robert Brault

The farther we’ve gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we’ve come to need Halloween. – Paula Guran

🎃 It’s Here, Charlie Brown…

It might not be the same this year, but don’t let the pandemic bring down your Halloween spirit. Play by the rules, but by all means, do some playing this weekend. Zoom your Halloween, TikTok a Halloween dance, enjoy the wide array of horror films available, carve a pumpkin or make a pie with it, eat all the candy if you have no trick-or-treaters, but be smart about passing out candy if you do.  Stay safe, stay responsible, and stay conjuring up the kid in you, and being creative on this most creative of holidays. Most of all, have a Happy Halloween!

Jul3

July 2, 2020 – When Michael Gave Back Avery, Character Reference, LuAnn’s Halloween Party, New Trek, Pride Pics, Drunk Rainbow, Academy Goals & Rhapsody

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

The deck was shuffled, and a GH Flashback from June 29th, 2015 was pulled out.

Nina went to Ric’s hotel room, and asked Ric if he was Madeline’s new lawyer, while Madeline hid in the other room. At the MetroCourt, Franco asked Denise (Ava’s presumed sister) if they were a couple in public, and she said it suited their ulterior motive. She suggested they practice their canoodling. Michael and Sabrina brought Avery to Sonny’s. Sonny asked if it was a visit, but Michael said he was bringing Avery home. Dante told Valerie he didn’t know how he was going to get through the night, and Valerie said she was there for him. Lulu was in a hotel room with Dillon, and wanted to call her parents with their room number, but Dillon stopped her. Luke and Laura busted into another hotel room, guns drawn. Luke said, freeze, and they saw it was Holly, also holding a gun. Laura told her to put the gun down. Someone had broken into their hotel room, and they’d gotten word their son had been kidnapped. She asked what Holly knew about Lucky, but Holly was legit surprised.

Lulu told Dillon that Dante had sounded distant and cold when she’d last spoken to him, and she needed to make sure they were okay. Dante started putting the moves on Valerie, and she asked what he was doing. He said, the same thing Lulu had done. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see Lulu and Dillon together. He said Valerie had to admit, there was something between them. Ric told Nina that Madeline was a miserable excuse for a human being, and he would never do anything for that monster. He was Nina’s husband, and would never side with someone who had hurt her. Nina said she shouldn’t have listened to Franco. He got to her, and her imagination was running away. She thought it was strange that Madeline was walking around free, and told Ric that Franco had seen her in Port Charles. Ric said Franco could be lying, but Nina asked what the point would be for him to lie. She wondered, if her mother was out of prison, where was she? Why wasn’t she showing her devious head? Kiki asked Denise and Franco to join her and Morgan for dinner, and Morgan said he accepted that Kiki and her aunt were a package deal. Denise left to powder her nose, and Morgan followed her. Kiki told Franco that both she and Morgan were afraid he was going to hurt her aunt, but Franco insisted that he and Denise were the real thing, and told her to relax. Morgan told Denise that they needed to talk. He said Franco was dangerous, and wrong for her. Michael told Sonny that he was returning Avery to him. Even though Sonny’s life was still dangerous, Sonny was Avery’s father, and her family; he couldn’t pretend that didn’t mean anything. Carly asked if Morgan had talked Michael into it, but Michael said Sabrina had helped him to look past his anger, and see what was right. Sabrina said Michael already knew what he needed to do, and Michael said he was giving Sonny’s daughter back to him.

Nina told Ric that she thought Madeline was planning a sneak attack, but Ric said the thought she was trying to keep a low profile. Nina said Madeline didn’t know the meaning of a low profile, and thought she must be scheming with someone to get her hands on Nina’s money. Ric said Nina had to regain control of her finances before Madeline found a way to access them. Nina started to panic, and Ric suggested they meet in the restaurant. Nina said Franco was there, slobbering over his new girlfriend. Michael told Sonny that losing ELQ had a lot to do with why he was there. Lucy had been the deciding vote, and sided with Nikolas because of what Michael had done to Sonny. He didn’t want to take Avery out of spite, or to use as a weapon, and had talked with Sabrina. He told Avery this didn’t mean he didn’t love her. He didn’t want to trade one tragedy for another and tear the family apart. He’d thought giving in meant he was giving up, but his father would have been the first one to tell him to do what was best for Avery. The cycle had to stop. He told Sonny not to make him regret it, and Sonny promised to look out for Avery with everything in him. Michael handed Avery over.

Valerie told Dante he was a great guy, and had helped her with the death of her mother. He wasn’t a guy who cheats. He said he hadn’t thought Lulu was that way, but people surprise you. Valerie said if Lulu was hooking up with Dillon, she was the dumbest woman in the world, and he owed it to himself to confront her, and not be as wrong as she was. She also didn’t want to lose Dante’s friendship if he resented her later. Lulu decided if she called Dante, she’d have to lie, and she couldn’t; she was already sick over it. Dillon said she was doing the right thing, and he had a better idea. Holly told Luke and Laura that Ethan had also been kidnapped, and Luke suggested they all calm down and deal with it together. Holly said she and Ethan had been going after a mark in South America. When she went to pick him up, he wasn’t there, and the whole place was a disaster area. Luke asked if there had been signs of a struggle, and Holly said Ethan had put up quite a fight. He was gone, and she had no idea where or why. Their son had vanished. Laura said it was the same with Lucky. His room had been ransacked, and there was no sign of him. An anonymous person had called, and told her to find Luke, and they were led there. Luke said Holly was the last person he’d expected to see, and asked if she’d searched Ethan’s room for clues. She showed him a matchbook, saying there was no reason Ethan should have one from a hotel in British Columbia. She wondered how the matchbook had ended up there.

Carly told Michael that she’d never been more proud of him. She was sorry for times she’d hurt him when she seemed to be siding with Sonny. When AJ was killed, she didn’t want the family torn apart, so she lied, but he deserved better. She didn’t expect forgiveness,  but wanted him to know she loved him. Michael said he loved her too. He’d grown up believing Sonny was a man of honor, and wasn’t sure if their relationship would be the same again. He warned Sonny that if he felt Avery was ever unsafe, she’d be gone, but Sonny said he’d guard her with his life. Kiki wasn’t so sure if Franco was good for Denise, since he was on the rebound, and asked if Franco was sure he wasn’t using her. Franco promised that he and Denise were good for one another, and Kiki hoped it helped him get over Nina. Nina told Ric that she didn’t care what Franco did, she just didn’t want to watch it. Ric told her not to let Franco win, and suggested she flaunt her bliss with her new husband. He told her to show Franco that the best day of her life was when she kicked him to the curb. He told Nina to meet him downstairs, and when she left, he told Madeline to be gone by the time he got back. She said to be sure to get Nina’s signature giving him power of attorney, and let everyone know Nina had descended into madness again. He said it was touching how much she loved her daughter. Michael told Avery that she’d be living with her dad, but he loved her more than he thought possible. He’d always look out for her, even when she couldn’t see him. He told Sonny and Carly to take care of Avery, and left with Sabrina. Denise told Morgan that it was the only choice, and they went back to the table. Denise said she wanted to spend some time with her baby niece. Carly told Sonny, despite their faults, they’d raised a wonderful son, and had proof of that tonight. She knew Michael giving Avery up broke his heart, but she’d also known it would happen because of who Michael was. Sonny told Avery, welcome home, and Avery fed him a biscuit, which was super cute. Back at his apartment, Michael said he didn’t think out of sight was out of mind. He missed Avery already. His phone rang, but he ignored it. He thanked Sabrina for going with him, and giving them both space. She said he always knew it was the right thing to do. Dante told Valerie that he sucked at marriage, but Valerie said he was an exceptional father and husband. He said he was a lousy friend, and hoped he hadn’t ruined it. Valerie told him that he hadn’t. Dillon gave Lulu his script to read, and asked how he stacked up on a scale of one to ten. She said he practically held her at gunpoint to get her to read it, but wouldn’t shut up and let her. She had some notes.

Holly was surprised to find out that Jennifer Smith had lured Luke out, but Luke said she had nothing to do with Lucky’s kidnapping. Laura said Jennifer had used Luke’s desperation about his son to get close to him, and yes, she meant that way. Holly said, cow, and Laura said, idiot. Laura said whoever contacted Holly would be contacting them, but they hadn’t heard anything. In perfect soap timing, her phone rang with an unknown caller. Laura put it on speaker, and answered, asking where her son was. Holly said, and hers, and the caller said, good; Holly was there, and found his matchbook. Luke asked where their son was, and what the hell the guy wanted with them. He said he’d tell them everything they needed to know tomorrow.

Lulu told Dillon that she didn’t buy the relationship in his script at all, but he said it was true; those people were him and his first girlfriend after Georgie died. She’d stomped his heart into the dirt. Valerie suggested she and Dante forget the kiss, and Dante said, business as usual? She said, absolutely, and decided to go back to Windymere. She still had a room there until Nikolas said otherwise. Sonny fed Avery her bottle, and Carly said Avery looked more like him every day. She didn’t see Ava in Avery, but did see Ava in her crazy sister. At the MetroCourt, Denise said it was important for her to have Avery in her life. Morgan said there had been a truce with Sonny, but Franco stopped her from leaving by kissing her. Ric and Nina walked in, and Nina grabbed Ric, kissing him, while Madeline lurked around the corner. Sabrina asked Michael if he was okay, and he said he was trying to look on the bright side. He and Sabrina could spend more time together, now that he was out of a job. She said she was too, but things were starting to look up. He said he was trying not to think about Avery, and maybe they could help each other think about something else, so they got busy.

Ric told Nina that he wasn’t complaining, but why? She said she felt hot for him, and he suggested they table that, and get back to the issue at hand. Now that her mother was out of prison, they had to make sure Nina was protected by getting her funds released. He said he would have to act on her behalf, and needed her to sign something. He gave her some paperwork, and she signed it without even looking at it. Morgan said Franco and Denise might want to get a room, but Denise wanted to keep her panties on, at least until she talked to Michael. Carly told Sonny that Avery needed to sleep, and she would be there in the morning. Sonny said, and every morning after that. Basking in the afterglow, Michael said he’d wanted Sabrina for a long time, and she said she felt the same way. His phone rang, but he didn’t pick up, and Denise left a voicemail saying she’d like to come by and see the baby. She felt a connection to her sister’s baby, like she was Avery’s mother, which was fitting since Avery didn’t have one. Sonny told Avery that she was home with him, and never going anywhere again. Valerie told Dante that she thought it was best to give both of them space. Dante said he was sorry, and she said he was forgiven, if he’d stop apologizing. She left without looking back, and Dante looked at his and Lulu’s wedding photo. Dillon said now that Lulu knew the truth, what did she think? She said he seemed to think highly of himself; the character was perfect. He said he’d give him a flaw, and Lulu said, just one? Dillon said he chews with his mouth open, and only listens to Top 40, and she said maybe he was perfect. It was a good distraction for her from worrying about her brother for a while.

Holly told Laura to try *69, but Laura said she’d tried everything. They needed to get some rest, and pray the kidnapper followed through and contacted them. Luke told them, the contact said to wait, so they would wait. Laura and Holly agreed.

🏥 In Case You Don’t Know Them…

Meet Ava’s alter-ego sister Denise.

https://www.celebdirtylaundry.com/2015/general-hospital-spoilers-gh-avas-identity-revealed-who-figured-out-denises-dirty-secret/

And Valerie Spencer.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/abc/general-hospital-valerie-spencer-brytni-sarpy-167403

And Jennifer Smith.

https://www.soapcentral.com/gh/whoswho/jennifer.php

The Real Housewives of New York City

With the first interview, I got a clue why they haven’t been showing new ones, even though they were filmed before the pandemic. The interviews were done remotely, so those must not have been edited in yet.

Leah goes to the Halloween store, and calls Rob, asking him if he wants to be a clown or a priest. In her interview, she says Rob isn’t typically her plus one, but he’s an important person in her life, and she wants to see what he thinks of the women, and more important, what they think of him. Dorinda and LuAnn join her. In LuAnn’s interview, she says her good friend Evan got her a fabulous venue for her Halloween party. She wants to enjoy it with the girls, and have a great time, so she’s not performing. Dorinda says she was Ramonasized again, and tells them, Ramona is planning a birthday party and invited her and Sonja along to see Larry Scott. We flash back to that, and I realize he reminds me of Michael Madsen in a size large. Dorinda swears Ramona barely spoke to them, and they were just there to take pictures for Larry’s social media. Three hours of her day. In her interview, Dorinda says it wasn’t bad enough that Ramona used them to swindle a free party, but she thought they were too stupid to notice. She tells LuAnn, since Ramona actively disinvited Sonja last year, she thought Ramona should do a joint birthday party, but she said no; it was only her and her coming out. She never even spoke to them again afterward. LuAnn asks if Ramona wanted their advice, and Dorinda says, not really. In Leah’s interview, she says she understands, but Dorinda has known Ramona for twenty years. She shouldn’t be surprised. And she needs to chill with the judging stuff. Dorinda is still skeptical about Tinsley getting engaged, and LuAnn says she and Ramona went out for drinks with Tinsley, and she’s 100% sure. In her interview, Dorinda says, everyone deserves to be happy. Tigers and rabbits don’t get along, but that doesn’t mean they can’t scamper away and be happy. They try on some costume armor, and Dorinda suggests they wear it to Ramona’s birthday party. LuAnn says they can show up as gladiators.

Ramona meets matchmaker Rori for drinks. In her interview, Ramona says Rori set her up with Brian, better known as Red Scarf Guy. She thought he was great in many ways, and fit everything in her box. Excuse me? We flash back to Brian, and to the dud date Ramona had with the guy who thought monogamy wasn’t natural. Rori asks if Ramona is looking for love or money, and Ramona says she wants a best friend who makes her laugh, and someone who travels. Rori says, that’s not cheap, and some women accept a little older and heavier for the lifestyle. Ramona says she wants both. In her interview, she says she wants someone who’s worth is the same as hers, or they get intimidated. She tells Rori that when she moved into her new place, it felt awkward. We flash back to Ramona wailing in the bar that she might never find a man. She says she had a renaissance. She feels more comfortable in her home, and loves herself. (That’s clear.) She wants someone in her life who adds to it, but it’s okay if she doesn’t find it. Rori says, happy finds happy, and Ramona is a great catch. Yeah. Until she opens her mouth. Ramona says, age is just a number. Wake me when she’s done promoting herself.

Sonja meets Elyse for drinks at Dakota. Sonja says Halloween isn’t her favorite holiday. She doesn’t like to get dressed up and be around people she doesn’t recognize. You could have fooled me with that one. She tells Elyse that Ramona bought a voodoo priestess costume and got her a matching one. Elyse wonders, why not her? and thinks Ramona is afraid of losing control. In Elyse’s interview, she says when Ramona need emotional support, she comes to her. She tells Sonja that Ramona called her, and said she was thinking of coming by. Meanwhile, her doorman was buzzing her that Ramona was on her way up. In her interview, she says she doesn’t have a house in Aspen and can’t do plastic surgery, so Ramona doesn’t need her now. Sonja says she tried to tell Ramona about becoming the Century 21 chief lifestyle officer (that’s a thing?), but Ramona eclipsed the conversation and made her feel like an upstart. Elyse says, Ramonaville is filled with one-way streets. In Sonja’s interview, she says she doesn’t recognize Ramona anymore. She has to one-up everyone with her fake friends and fake parties. Shut up, Ramona. Elyse tells Sonja to call Ramona out with her, and Sonja says she has a lot of dirt on Ramona, and she’s sure Elyse does too. Elyse says she’d never do that, but Sonja says Ramona doesn’t need to know that.

Dorinda meets daughter Hannah for lunch, and says she’s not dressed warm enough. Dorinda insists on giving Hannah her coat, and they go to Jimbo’s Hamburger Place, which looks like an old school diner. Dorinda asks for everything on her burger, and Hannah adds, and all the sauces. In Dorinda’s interview, she says if she was stranded on a desert island the one thing she’d bring is Hellman’s. Mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard are part of every meal, and Russian dressing is a holiday. Hannah says, no burger, just sauce, and I wonder why they’re calling condiments sauces. Dorinda shows Hannah a picture of Richard’s son Aidan that he sent to her. Hannah says Dorinda used to get sad, wondering who her person was. She’d always had an anchor that shaped her sense of self. Hannah looks up to her more now, and says Dorinda is a better role model than ever. She was given a bad hand, but didn’t turn it into a streak, which is worthy of pride. In her interview, Dorinda says everyone has seen her go through changes and grow. She’s a different Dorinda today. Hannah says it’s the first time she’s seen Dorinda be herself. She’s managing herself, and not desperate to be married. Hannah says she feels guilty that she hasn’t gotten it right yet. Dorinda tells her about Ramona’s party, and suggests she and Hannah have a birthday lunch. She confuses Riker’s Island – known for a prison – with Randall’s Island – a cute residential island that you can get to by an aerial tram. Sylvester Stallone and Rutger Hauer had it out on the tram in Nighthawks.

Leah, Rob, and Kier go to Chinatown for dinner. In her interview, Leah says, when you’re from New York, you know all the spots to eat; it’s not all about the Upper East Side. She says this is normal for her and Rob. They’ve been co-parenting longer than they were a couple. She hadn’t wanted to be in a relationship; she wanted to spread her wings and fly. She specifies, not those wings, and we flash back to Dorinda discovering how Leah grooms downstairs. She says Rob has been her rock. She tells Rob that she went to lunch with Bunny and Brian (her parents), and we flash back to Bunny saying alcohol is a slippery slope for Leah. Leah says they talked about Rob. It’s weird. They’ve been broken up for eleven years, yet neither one of them has moved on. She feels like her parents wouldn’t accept another person; he’s like their son. Rob says he has no mother figure, so it’s definitely her mom. Leah says she should give Bunny more credit. In Leah’s interview, she says her sister likes to say she and her mother only communicate and show love through arguing. She tells Rob she still has resentment. Imagine telling Kier to live on the street at seventeen years old. Kier asks if Leah was really that young, and Leah says her mother claims she was nineteen, but whatever. Kier wonders if nineteen is a little old to be living with your parents, and Leah says, most people are in college then, and still being taken care of.  Kier asks why Leah didn’t go to college, and if she couldn’t get in. Leah is like, please, and in her interview, says she’s no saint, and she can be an a-hole. She tells Rob that she should be better to Bunny, and Rob says she knew that. She says, don’t be a d*ck. He’s so I-told-you-so, like her mother. She tells Kier, a lot of women marry men like their fathers, which Kier finds disgusting. Leah says she married someone like her mother, and Kier makes a face.

In Leah’s interview, she says she doesn’t normally dress up, but she found a see-through mesh jumpsuit, and she’s going as a voodoo slut. She goes to get her makeup done by LuAnn’s makeup artist, who says LuAnn is on her way. In her interview, Leah says, LuAnn has her own timeframe. LuAnn goes to the venue to check things out, and the décor is phenomenal. LuAnn tells Evan that it’s incredible. In LuAnn’s interview, she says, last year was sexy nurse, and this year, it’s voodoo. It has to be shocking. Evan shows her one room that’s like a cemetery, and tells her that it’s going to be filled with smoke, like a different world. LuAnn meets the chef, who says the menu is over-the-top. His seafood platter looks like it’s escaping. In her interview, LuAnn says, it’s not a Halloween party unless someone is grossed out. She says, the girls will love it, and moves on to makeup. Leah tells her about the jumpsuit, but says she’ll be covered in the strategic places. She doesn’t want to give anyone a heart attack. LuAnn says, it’s Halloween. You’re supposed to give people a heart attack.    

Ramona tells Missy, her plus one, that she hasn’t liked Sonja’s costumes, so she got one for her. They’re the first to arrive, and they check out the decorations. Ramona says her priest wouldn’t like it, and Missy says, don’t tell him. Ramona examines a goat head on the buffet table, and in her interview, she says, who would want to eat looking at that? Her friend Ron joins them, and we flash back to her meeting him at the bar when she was having drinks with LuAnn and Tinsley. She says he looks scary, and he says he takes Halloween seriously. Ramona calls LuAnn, asking where she is. LuAnn says dinner isn’t until 8:30, and Ramona tells her the room is gorgeous. Ramona tells Missy that she’d even sent a group text about starting early. A male friend of hers has a private table at Omar’s downtown, and she wants to go. Like this is her party. Sonja, Dorinda, and Elyse share a limo to get there. In her interview, Sonja says she got lit with her hair and makeup team. Halloween is a national holiday in their in group. If it’s not to you, stay home because you’re dead meat. She tells Dorinda and Elyse that Ramona doesn’t feel her pain or struggle. Dorinda says Ramona wants everyone orbit around her. Sonja gets animated with the voodoo doll she’s holding, and the driver looks nervous. At the party, Ramona tells Sonja’s friend Andrew that his paunch looks real. He tells her it is, and in her interview, she says, oops. Sonja, Dorinda, and Elyse arrive, and in her interview, Dorinda says, it’s a Dorinda set-up. She’s a little jealous. They took a page from her book.

Jill Zarin shows up to get her makeup done. In LuAnn’s interview, she says she’s been friends with Jill a long time. She’s been on tour, and Jill has a new love, Gary, so they don’t get to see each other often. When she has a chance to invite Jill to a party, she does. Jill asks the makeup artist if she can be pretty, or does it have to be weird? The artist says she’ll make Jill pretty. Sonja whacks at her voodoo doll, invoking Ramona’s name. Ramona says Sonja is scary looking, and Sonja says the doll’s name is Ramona. She’s mad because whenever she  talks to Ramona, Ramona brings the conversation back to herself. In Sonja’s interview, she says, the other three vodka sodas will be kicking in soon. She tells Ramona that she loves her, but she’s an a-hole. Ramona gives Sonja a kiss, and Dorinda says Ramona should apologize. Ramona thinks Dorinda should stay out of it, and in Dorinda’s interview, she says when she’s told to stay out of something, it just makes her more eager to jump in. Sonja tells Ramona that she’s mean to Elyse, and Elyse is always at the bottom of the totem pole. Elyse admits she does feel like that, and says Ramona might have a lot of friends, but they’re different kinds. There are the ones that knock you when you’re on top, and kick you when you’re down; and the ones who celebrate when you’re on the top, and catch you when you fall. Which one is she? Ramona asks which one she wants to be, and in her interview, says she thinks Elyse is jumping on the bandwagon. Elyse says she’s asking Ramona, and Ramona says she doesn’t give a sh*t at this point. She tells them that she has to use the restroom, and walks off. Sonja tells Elyse, Ramona wants her to do well, but not better than her. In Elyse’s interview, she says she’s watched Ramona being an a-hole to other people, but at the end of the day, what do a-holes give you? Ramona goes over to Dorinda, and tells her not to repeat this out of the group. Why do these women always assume any of them will keep a confidence? Ramona says Dorinda and Sonja are her most important friends. In her interview, Dorinda makes a face, and says she doesn’t buy it. I literally lol. Dorinda wonders why Ramona can’t have a joint birthday party with Sonja, and Ramona says she’ll throw another party. Dorinda says, that’s silly. In Ramona’s interview, she says Dorinda would have no one to invite, while she has 80 girlfriends because she’s a good friend. I see that number has gone up by 20 since the last count an episode ago. Dorinda says Ramona just wanted a free party, and Ramona insists that she’s paying for everything. Dorinda tells her to swear on her daughter’s life that Larry is charging her, but Ramona won’t do it, and tells Dorinda, she’s whacked. Dorinda says Ramona is out of her mind, and sounds ridiculous.

Leah and Rob arrive, and Leah introduces Rob to the women. He says he feels small, and wow, they are tall next to him. Dorinda wastes no time, and asks why it didn’t work out. In LuAnn’s interview, she says Rob seems easy-going, and she sees why Leah hooked up with him. Sonja slinks over, and LuAnn says Sonja started Halloween early. In her interview, LuAnn wonders who came with Sonja, and who was at the pre-game? Sonja probably should have gone to bed. Missy says maybe Ramona should talk to Dorinda, but in Ramona’s interview, she says, Dorinda can’t talk when she’s angry. She’s going to stick it out for a while, and go to Omar’s. She tells Leah that she looks absolutely stunning. Sonja says Leah is an effing weirdo, and Leah says Sonja looks hot as hell. Sonja says she likes Leah, but she’s a weirdo. Leah goes over to Sonja, and gets nose to nose with her, and Sonja says they’re artists. Can they keep it real? Leah doesn’t know. In her interview, Leah says she and Sonja are having a fresh new start, and she loves everything about it. Sonja tells her, don’t be divisive be inclusive. In Leah’s interview, she says she understands drunken Sonja language, now she needs to learn to speak sober Sonja. It’s agreed alligator does not taste like chicken. Ramona tells Missy that Sonja is like Jekyll and Hyde. She flips, and it’s scary. Dorinda tells LuAnn, Ramona is a selfish, self-serving person who’s always thinking about herself. LuAnn can’t believe Ramona brought Missy; a girlfriend of her ex-husband’s. Ramona says Dorinda doesn’t have Tinsley to attack, so she’s getting it. We flash back to the engagement party, where Tom told Missy that wearing a wedding ring was like being a dog with a collar. In her interview, LuAnn says, Ramona doesn’t give a sh*t; she’s insensitive. The problem with people is, they always disappoint you, but Ramona never ceases to disappoint. Dorinda remarks that Ramona changed seats quickly to be next to Rick. Is she happy Dorinda brought him? Ramona ignores her, but Dorinda repeats the question, and Rick looks pretty uncomfortable. In Ramona’s interview, she says, the best thing is to ignore someone who’s being mean to you. It makes them more angry, and more reflective. I dunno about the reflective part. It probably just makes them angrier and meaner.

Dorinda stands up, and clinks her spoon against her glass. She says she has a question. Is it nice if you have a good girlfriend who, when they don’t like something you said, asks if you’re drunk? Sonja yells, why did you say that, Ramona? and Dorinda says Ramona has been there an hour and a half, boozing it up. Ramona is sad and mean to her – schadenfreude. Dorinda says, she’s not nice, and Sonja says, Ramona is terrible to her. Dorinda tells Ramona, don’t do that, and Sonja repeats it. LuAnn gets up, lifts her glass, and says, how about them Mets? Happy Halloween. In her interview, LuAnn says she understands Dorinda has had it, but she’s taken it to a whole other level. LuAnn actually feels bad for Ramona at this point. Jill asks if this is how it always is; you walk in, and Dorinda attacks someone? Elyse asks if Ramona is okay, and says she still loves her. Ramona says she has a lot right now. In Ramona’s interview, she starts to talk, and daughter Avery tells her, stop wasting her energy talking about Elyse. She hears Ramona telling her friends; she can’t get enough of it, and it’s annoying. Ramona tells her, shut up. Elyse asks if Ramona is good, and Ramona says she is. Dorinda carves the pig, for which LuAnn is glad. In her interview, Ramona says, who in their right mind, after witnessing that speech, would give Dorinda a knife? Leah pulls an octopus out of the seafood tower, and LuAnn tells her, don’t f*** with the seafood tower, which I predict will be the next, don’t be all, like, uncool, along with, 1985 is over. Leah introduces Sonja to Rob while still holding the octopus. She plops it back on top, and pulls out something else, asking, what is this? I don’t know what it is either, but it looks gross. LuAnn says, this is where it goes wrong, and Leah throws whatever-it-is on the table. In Ramona’s interview, she says, someone put voodoo on this party, and she’s out of there. She’s going to Omar’s, which will be a lot more fun than this party.

The music starts, and everyone dances, except Sonja who looks sullen and clutches her voodoo doll. Leah asks Rob if he’s okay, and he says he’s fine, but he’s not sticking around. She tells him that she loves him so much, and he says he doesn’t know how life ended up like this, but here they are.

Next time, a return to the fish room, Ramona blocks Elyse, Dorinda finally corrects Ramona’s mispronunciation of narcissistic, and LuAnn tells Sonja that she doesn’t need her and to eff off.

🛸 For the Trekkers…

A new animated comedy series. It sounds kind of weird, but I dropped out after Deep Space Nine.

https://www.startrek.com/news/star-trek-lower-decks-sets-release-date

🌈 For Those With Pride…

Lots of fun pictures.

https://www.manrepeller.com/2020/06/brooklyn-bushwig-2020.html?mc_cid=c16f404248&mc_eid=3e76ab4a64

🤹 But Don’t Let This Happen To You…

GoHomeRainbow

🎭 A Diverse New World…

The Academy is moving forward.

https://www.instyle.com/news/oscars-diversity-goals-new-members

🗺 How’d We Get Here Again…?

We’re back at Friday, or day 103 if you’re going by the pandemic calendar. Just think, we have so much to look forward to when this is over. Like wishing for a seat on public transportation, traffic, and people invading your personal space. In the meantime, stay safe, stay civil, and stay not like Ramona.

Jun19

June 18, 2020 – A Best Of Flashback, Top Chef Crowned, Fan Fave, Juneteenth Ideas, Is She Or Not, Thirsty, Watching Stars, Coming Up, a Mansion, Gordon’s Back, Say It Three Times & Dad

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

And the GH Flashback roulette wheel says… October 15th, 2015. I heard on an ad that this week is the best of Sonny and Carly, which brings cohesion to the randomness. Sonny surprised Carly with a wedding in the hospital chapel, that Maxie jumped through hoops to put together in record time. Josslyn and Kristina looked like babies, Sabrina attended with Michael, and Josslyn played the Wedding March on the flute. I assumed it was actually her playing, and was impressed, since the flute is very difficult to master.

Paul showed up at the gallery, while trying to set up Anna via text using the name Sloane. Paul told Ava to be prepared for the dismantling of the Corinthos organization. His plan was about to come to fruition. He told Ava that Carrrlos’s fate and Anna’s were going to dovetail (who uses that word, except in reference to carpentry?). Ava asked if it was a coincidence, but Paul said it was careful planning. He wanted Ava to launder some money via art collectors he was going to send, but Ava wasn’t keen on the idea. Paul asked if she wanted to go to prison for Connie’s murder, since he had her confession on tape. Ava said she was afraid of losing Avery, and Paul relented, saying he wasn’t heartless, and Ava would be of no use to him if her mind was elsewhere. He told her to deal with the custody case first.

Old Jordan wanted to talk to Anna about Carrrlos’s disappearance, since Anna was the last one to see him. Jordan said her leads had gone cold, and Mayor Lomax was breathing down her neck.

While talking to Dillon at the pier, Maxie saw a body in the water, and Dillon called the police. Jordan determined it was Carrrlos, which wasn’t hard since he’d had his wallet on him. When Paul showed up, she said Carrrlos had been shot at close range. That explained why he avoided detection for so long – he was dead. Yep. That will do it. Paul suggested Sonny had gotten his revenge.

Sonny and Carly said their vows. Sonny told Carly that she saved his life every day, and he was blessed that she chose him. Carly said she’d had a taste of life without him, and promised that neither one of them was going anywhere without the other. Dante’s phone rang during the vows, and he stepped aside to take it. Bobbie suggested Sonny make a change, so no one else would get hurt. Dante told them that Carrrlos had been pulled from the harbor, and he was dead. Sabrina freaked, and Dante went to the station. Morgan told Sonny and Carly that Carrrlos had gotten what he deserved, and Sonny said he didn’t ask for retaliation. Morgan said they were looking at him like they thought he did it, and told them they could think what they wanted to; it was his wedding gift to them, and enjoy it while it lasted. When he left, Sonny told Carly that he thought Morgan wished he had shot Carrrlos, but he would have heard about it if Morgan had done it. He explained that Ava had let the Five Families (not a restaurant) that Carrrlos had shot Sonny and acted alone. The only one who could dispute it was Carrrlos, and he wasn’t talking. Carly said that was convenient for Ava, and Sonny said she was up to her lying neck in it. Sabrina told Michael that she’d known Carrrlos most of his life, and Carrrlos had done awful things, but didn’t deserve to get shot.

Anna went to the gallery, and told Ava that she knew it wasn’t Carrrlos who shot Sonny, since he was on the run for killing Duke. Why would he escape Port Charles, then come back to shoot Sonny? She said Ava claiming that’s what happened implied she had something to hide, and asked who Ava was covering for. Paul called Anna, and told her to meet him at Pier 54.

Nathan assumed that Valerie was pregnant after Maxie found a positive pregnancy test in the trash, and Valerie gave him the business about jumping to conclusions. Valerie saw Maxie in the interrogation room after she gave her statement, and Maxie told her it was like a scene from a scary movie, and kept playing in her head. She told Valerie that she knew Valerie and Dillon were having sex, and Valerie said Dillon was a great guy, but that was a no, and had never happened.  Maxie asked whose baby Valerie was worried about carrying. Valerie said she didn’t know what Maxie was  talking about, and didn’t think Maxie did either. Maxie said Valerie had thrown a positive pregnancy test in the trash, and Valerie said Maxie had assumed because she was near the trash can, it must be hers. She suggested the next time Maxie decided to go snooping, get her facts straight. In the meantime, Dante told Dillon to stay the hell away from his wife.

Sonny joked that he and Carly were going to Iowa for their honeymoon, and Lulu told Bobbie that she and Dante were in discussion about expanding their family.

Ava told Paul that Sonny knew she’d lied about Carrrlos, and was asking inconvenient questions, but Paul said he had everything under control.

Carly cuddled with Sonny in his hospital room, and Sonny said it wasn’t the way he’d pictured their honeymoon, but it did feel like Des Moines. She thought it was more like Cedar Rapids.

Top Chef – Finale

The chefs were challenged with cooking the meal of their lives. The final three were Bryan, who the crown had eluded for more than a decade; Melissa, who had more wins than anyone; and Stephanie, the private chef underdog, who had proven she had skills to be feared. The prize was a feature in Food and Wine magazine, an appearance at the Food and Wine festival in Aspen, and $250K. Not bad. I love that magazine, and that’s a nice chunk of change. Bryan said he’d slap them in the face with heart and soul, and we flashed back to the Italian chefs saying there was no soul in his food. Padma tasked them with making the best progressive four-course meal of their lives – no twists. They would be serving it to the best chefs from all over world. Kevin, Lee Anne, and Brian full of Malarkey came out to give their support as sous chefs. Gregory would have been there instead of Brian, but he was still battling back issues. The chefs drew knives for picking order, and Stephanie was first, choosing Brian full of Malarkey, for his enthusiasm and skills. Stephanie also admitted that during Restaurant Wars she fell in love with him. Not literally. Brian chose Kevin, who said, let’s get the band back together, which left Melissa with Lee Anne. Melissa said they’d never worked together, but Lee Ann knew Asian flavors, and was a beast in the kitchen. She thought they’d do well. Padma told them they’d be shopping in the food hub of Florence, and would have five hours to prep and cook back at the Renaissance Tuscany. They were to make the meal as cohesive as possible, and Tom said the judges expected nothing but the best.

Melissa said her mission was to marry Asian flavor with what she’d learned in Italy, bringing Italy to her heritage, so it would portray her adventure. While this isn’t Project Runway, I have to mention that Lee Anne was wearing the coolest fried-egg-and-bacon crocheted scarf. If I was crafty that way, I’d be making one starting tonight. Bryan said he and Stephanie were yin and yang; their minds were one. In the evening, the judges turned the tables, and Tom, Padma, and Gail did the cooking. The chefs were met outside by Tom, who was doing some rustic farmhouse cooking on the grill, which gave Melissa an idea for her main course. They all sat down to eat together, and Padma wished them luck, telling them to cook their hearts out. After dinner, Stephanie called best friend Kristen, who was also the Season 10 winner. Stephanie said she thought her chances of winning were one in three. Melissa called her mom, and Bryan called his brother Michael.

After three hours in the kitchen, the judges were served the first two courses. You knew it was good by the way they were shoveling it in, especially one guy who reminded me of the drive-in guy Joe Bob Briggs and was wearing a shirt with steer on it. Later, I found out he was an Italian butcher named Dario. Gail said Bryan was a great technician, but this time showed soul and love in his food as well. Drive-in Bob Dario said, mama mia! and the main course came out. Melissa made grilled squab; Bryan went with blackened monkfish; and Stephanie made a veal dish. Padma said the food was universally wonderful, and food editor Nilou Motamed said she didn’t like squab, but was now a convert. At this point, I was pretty sure Melissa was going to win. Then, OMG THE DESSERTS CAME OUT. They were all to die for, and I’m not sure which one I wanted more; Bryan’s dark chocolate and ice cream thing, to which Dario responded, mmm… cardamom; Stephanie’s sticky toffee pudding (I don’t know what the hell that is, but give me two servings); or Melissa’s tea-infused tiramisu with a crunchy topping. When the dinner was done, the chefs applauded themselves, and then the judges applauded them when they were called back out. During the final discussion, Dario teared up over how Melissa respected the Italian traditions with her dessert. He said, a butcher who cries, how embarrassing, prompting one of the other guest judges to come over and give him a hug.

When the chefs were brought out to meet with the usual judges, plus Nilou, for the final time, Tom said he thought they all cooked the best meal of their lives, and Padma said she saw the story of their lives on the plates. She relayed that Hunter Lewis from Food and Wine found Bryan’s beets beguiling. Say that three times real fast. Tom said Bryan had erased the impression that he couldn’t cook with soul and heart. Gail said that Melissa had joined the Asian and Italian cultures, and told her about Dario getting emo over her tiramisu. Melissa said they were all artists who loved hearing that their journeys were understood. Stephanie joked that she was going for fan favorite. She had done damage to people who loved her by being sad, and this showed them that she was okay. Tom said, sometimes the voyage is more important than the destination, because you find out what you’re made of. You have to go deeper, and what comes out is who you are. They all made that journey, but there could only be one Top Chef. Arriving for the announcement were Melissa’s mom, Bryan’s brother, and Stephanie’s husband.

With that, Padma told Melissa, she was Top Chef. In Melissa’s interview, she said it had been a wild adventure, but this time she’d done it for herself, and wasn’t trying to earn her father’s approval. She wanted to prove to herself that she could achieve a goal that she’d set. In Stephanie’s interview, she said she accomplished what she’d wanted to do. She hadn’t felt good about the mental space she was in since her brother died. This would give everyone something else to talk about for a while. In Bryan’s interview, he said he’d learned a lot about himself. There were sixteen Top Chefs, but he was the only one who’d done what he did. He’d been runner-up three times, but was never doing this again. Melissa said, once you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you. She knew it sounded cliché, but the world was her oyster. She could do anything now.

👓 On Watch What Happens Live (@home in the Hamptons – @must be nice), Padma and Tom were guests, and Melissa made an appearance. Padma announced Melissa was also the fan favorite, netting her another $10K. Melissa donated that win to Black Visions Collective, the Trevor Project, and Asian Americans for Equality. And for that, Andy gave the night’s mazel.

🥧 Baking For the Teenth…

An idea to celebrate Juneteenth.

https://thechalkboardmag.com/juneteenth-bake-sale

📺 Watchlist…

Some Juneteenth suggestions for your viewing pleasure.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/shows-and-movies-to-watch-for-juneteenth/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

📚 For the Bookworm In You…

A Juneteenth reading list.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/juneteenth-books/#546891

🍑 Pour the Nene Tea…

A Twitter user suggested her ego has become bigger than her entertainment value. I think they might be right.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/nene-leakes-fired-real-housewives-atlanta/

https://people.com/tv/nene-leakes-denies-shes-not-returning-to-rhoa/

🥃 Give That Lady a Drink…

Like not every single one of them is thirsty. It’s not like they’re on the show to educate people about… anything.

https://hollywoodlife.com/2020/06/17/kelly-dodd-slams-tamra-judge-thirsty-firing-comments-rhoc-feud/

🛸 Where No Man Has Gone…

But you can go for free.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/star-trek-movies-streaming-free-imdb-tv/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

📑 Head Start…

A list of what’s coming to the small screen, and not.

https://www.tvguide.com/news/features/abc-2020-2021-fall-tv-lineup/?ftag=NLS-04-10aaa2i

👠 Sometimes She’s All Of Us…

While probably none of us will ever have her closet, or will even be able to afford one of her shoes, Sutton sometimes reminds me of how the audience feels. Kind of horrified.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1162587/rhobh-s-sutton-stracke-lists-bel-air-mansion-for-almost-9-million-tour-inside-the-estate?source=email&medium=daily

🛶 Unchart This…

You can catch Gordon in Uncharted on the National Geographic (NatGeo) channel on Sundays at 10 pm. It’s also free on YouTube.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1162499/watch-jason-kennedy-go-crawfishing-with-gordon-ramsay-try-not-to-laugh

📽 Who Can Take a Sunrise…

Candyman returns in a spiritual sequel. Tony Todd and Vanessa Williams will be making return appearances, and Jordan Peele wrote the screenplay, so that’s enough for me.

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/candyman-nia-dacosta-new-teaser/

🤸‍♀️ Is It Friday Again Yet…?

Father’s Day is coming up this weekend, and here’s hoping you have/had a good relationship with yours. My dad was the best. He had a wonderful sense of humor, was ahead of his time, and the fairest person I’ve ever known. Stay safe, stay celebratory, and stay in touch with your family, be they blood relatives or chosen.

Jun13

June 12, 2020 – Ryan Gives Scotty a Hand, Emmy Reels, Tea For 90, The Tins Breaks Out, 80s Gems, Yacht Baby, Move It George, Entertaining Pride, Ten Solid Quotes & That’s Miss Ross To You

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

In today’s GH Flashback, the 2019 Nurse’s Ball kept going with an episode from May 22nd, 2019. Chase found out that Ryan had killed the owner of the cabin in Canada, and set a trap for Laura and Curtis. Ava said they all knew where he was headed next. Nina griped about Willow to Michael, while Shiloh accosted Willow in the hallway. Willow said she didn’t answer to him, but he got in her face, shaking his finger at her. She admitted that she was pregnant when she left Dawn of Day, but said she’d lost the baby. Olivia and Ned did a duet of Get Closer as themselves (no Eddie Maine this time). Sonny told Josslyn about Stone, and how Stone was still with him. He said when times get tough, Stone inspires him, and Oscar does the same for her. She just didn’t know it yet.

Backstage, Scotty told Ava that she deserved better, and asked her who was there when she came off the stage. (Hint: It was him, not Doc.) Ava called her Cedar Mountain house property managers, and asked that the property be opened, adding she’d pay generously for the inconvenience. Shiloh grabbed Willow, but Michael intervened, and said if Shiloh wanted to get to her, he’d have to go through Michael first. Michael decked Shiloh, and told him to get out of town, but Shiloh said he wasn’t going anywhere because he was a father. Back at the Ball, Lucy introduced Valentin, saying she didn’t know if he was the second, third, or fourth most infamous Cassadine, but she knew he was the most talented, and he sang Nothing Without You to his ladylove (old) Nina. Scotty confronted Ryan, who he thought was Doc, and when he grabbed Ryan’s arm, he ended up with Ryan’s fake hand in his. And I don’t mean they were holding hands; Ryan’s hand literally came off. Ryan knocked Scotty out with a wrench, saying, never let it be said he never had the upper hand. Freddy Krueger’s got nothing on Ryan. Shiloh told Sam about his child, but said he didn’t believe Willow had lost the baby, and he was going to find it. Sam pretended to be empathetic, saying she knew what it was like to have a child kept from you. Josslyn stalled, and thought she was letting everyone down, but Jax told her that she wasn’t, and the only opinion she should care about is her own. She didn’t have to prove anything to anyone, and if she followed her heart, she’d know what to do. She said doing the right thing is really hard, and Jax said he was in her corner, no matter what, and Oscar was too. Mac asked Lulu when she’d last talked to Laura, and Ryan watched as Ava slipped out.

Chase told Olivia and Ned that Ryan was presumed alive and on his way back to Port Charles. Epiphany found Scotty on deck, and thought he’d had too much fun. Sam used Shiloh’s own crap on him, telling him to breathe, and let peace flow through him. He thanked her for her commitment, and said he needed her to be in the Trust. Lucy was excited, happy, and proud that Josslyn decided to return, and Josslyn sang the song she and Oscar had written, A List of Things To Do. It kind of reminded me of Burn from Hamilton. Josslyn saw Oscar in the audience as she sang.

Ava went to her mountain cabin, and said, come and get me, Ryan. Lucy said Josslyn reminded her of why she’s honored to be part of the event. It makes you laugh, and makes you cry. It’s about great big feelings, and she hoped great big money. Shiloh told Sam there was a fight coming, and to give him her strength. Willow confessed to Michael that she told Shiloh that she’d lost the baby. Brad tried to get Lucas to leave, but Lucas had put two and  two together, and said Willow and Shiloh were Wiley’s birth parents. Chase put out an APB for Ava, and Scotty said he wasn’t liquored up; he’d been clubbed over the head by Ryan. When Lucy called for the crew to bring down the rigging, along with the rigging came Doc, hanging there in a straitjacket.

At the cabin, Ava ignored her phone, and got her gun ready, along with a martini. No surprise, Ryan showed up.

📽 Reeling You In…

You can watch all the reels submitted by the actors for the Daytime Emmys here:

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/category/abc

💍 For Those Who 90…

A retrospective and update on the couples of 90 Day Fiancé. According to his Instagram, Jesse is traveling as an actor, entrepreneur, and speaker. Translation: he doesn’t have a real job.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1159644/which-couples-are-still-together-after-90-day-fiance-before-the-90-days-season-4

How did it happen?

https://nypost.com/2020/06/11/how-90-day-fiance-become-a-tv-hit-and-pop-culture-phenomenon/

👒 Bye, Tinsley…

I’ll miss her, but I’m thrilled she got her happily ever after.

https://people.com/tv/rhony-tinsley-mortimer-moving-to-chicago-scott-kluth/

One of the perks will be putting distance between her and Dorinda.

https://tvdeets.com/dorinda-medley-tinsley-mortimer-rhony-exit

📼 If You’re Still Stuck At Home…

The best of the movies from the 80s, which birthed quite a few good ones.

https://parade.com/1047441/gwynnewatkins/best-80s-movies/

A short list of 80s classics.

https://parade.com/1014397/walterscott/classic-80s-movies/

🍼 Hannah Hannah Baby…

That was fast.

https://tvdeets.com/below-deck-mediterranean-hannah-ferrier-pregnant/

⚔️ Game Of Write Faster…

I swear George RR Martin better be inside writing away. If anything happens to him before the final books come out, I will be really pissed.

https://nerdist.com/article/the-winds-of-winter-george-rr-martin-announcement-august/

🌈 Taste the Rainbow…

Pride month has gotten somewhat lost amid more immediate issues, but it can still offer another opportunity to broaden your horizons. On the entertainment front, from true stories like Prick Up Your Ears, Boys Don’t Cry, and Milk, to the brilliantly written Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and TLC’s latest effort Dragnificent, there’s a whole host of colors in the rainbow. At present, I think we could all use a pick-me-up, and while conventional romcoms are not my thing, one of my favorite films is Trick. I actually saw it by accident, stumbling on it when it was on rotation on LOGO years ago. The title might lead you to believe it’s on the sleazy side, but not at all. It’s about a poor young dude, living in NYC, named Gabriel (Christian Campbell), who’s just trying to get alone time with his date Mark (J.P. Pitoc). Gabriel is also a playwright, working to get his musical off the ground with the help of his best friend Katherine (Tori Spelling). Katherine has one of the funniest monologues about sh*t I’ve ever heard, and Enter You from Gabriel’s musical will be stuck in your head for days, if not for life. You can check out the particulars here:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162710/

✒️ Quotes of the Week

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn’t matter which color does the hating. It’s just plain wrong. – Muhammad Ali

No human race is superior; no religious faith is inferior. All collective judgments are wrong. Only racists make them. – Elie Wiesel

Be genuine. The world is watching. – Tank Sinatra (aka George Resch)

Instead of looking at the past, I put myself ahead twenty years and try to look at what I need to do now in order to get there then. – Diana Ross

If no one has ever heard of you, can you really be canceled? – Anonymous poster regarding MTV’s cancellation of Taylor Selfridge’s special. I have no clue who she is either, so this resonated.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. – Alice Walker

What I don’t understand is why they had to dress like extras from Coming to America 2. – Trevor Noah regarding Nancy Pelosi, et al, wearing African kente cloths to a memorial for George Floyd.

You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen. – Michelle Obama

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. – Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

If there is a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it. – Toni Morrison

🛴 Rolling Into the Weekend…

Yes. We still call it that. With things not back to normal – or whatever that’s going to be now – everyone is still figuring it out as they go. So don’t feel bad if you’re feeling bad, but if you’re feeling accomplished, roll with it. Regardless, if you’ve got the time, use it wisely. Stay safe, stay supporting one another, and stay finding the humor in things.

May21

May 20, 2020 – The Custody Hearing Begins, An Astrological Evening, Goodbye Basement Artie, Farewell To the Best, Child Reunion, Togetherness, King Costume, TNT Train & Raining

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Sonny tells Jason, the disease takes away everything that makes you who are, and you’re left with an empty shell. When he asks what Mike wants, Mike doesn’t say anything. Sonny doesn’t know if Mike doesn’t want to say anything, doesn’t understand, or he doesn’t know. If his dad wants to stay and fight, he has every right to do that. Jason says, of course (🍷), and Sonny says, then again, what is Mike fighting for? He has no quality of life – the doctors made that clear – and he has nothing to look forward to. His heart is still beating, but his brain can’t hold his memories. He’s lost his appetite, and they’ll have to feed him by putting tubes in him. Sonny doesn’t know how much more he should do, and his dad is confused. That’s where they’re at. Jason knows Sonny wants answers, but can only tell him what he’d want if he was in Mike’s place.

Laura opens the door to Lulu, who holds up an envelope. She says, see this? Nikolas and Ava are having a party to celebrate the unveiling of Franco’s portrait. Laura says she got one, hand delivered; fancy stuff. Lulu says she can send regrets for both of them if Laura wants, but Laura says, actually, it’s not what she wants.

At the MetroCourt bar, Nikolas tells Ava that he saw some of Avery’s drawings. She’s quite the artist. Ava says she can’t wait to show Avery’s stuff at the gallery, and he says, speaking of art, he ran into her favorite painter at the gym. She hopes he didn’t use Franco as a punching bag, and he says, why? Is there something or someone they should be fighting about?

Elizabeth tells Franco that Nikolas is trying be the person she used to know; trustworthy and loyal, and someone who values honor and integrity.  If he ends up being that person, she’ll most likely be friends with him again. Franco says Nikolas is also the person who ran her sister out of town, and Violet has no mother now. Does she want to be friends with that guy?

Diane tells Michael and Willow to go ahead; she needs to talk to Carly. She asks if Carly is ready to be cross-examined by Nelle’s attorney. It’s not going to be pretty. Carly says she’s going to present herself as a loving grandmother and mother, who wants the best for Wiley, which happens to be true. The judge needs to know Nelle should never get custody.

Willow looks at a picture of her and Chase. She asks if Michael still has photos of Sasha, but he says he’s deleted them. Willow says she knows Michael is hurting like she is, but what makes it bearable is not being alone; they’re going through it together. Michael says when he needs a reminder of why they married, and why they’re there, he looks at this. He shows her a picture of Wiley.

Nelle practices her testimony. She say she doesn’t claim to be perfect, but has been given the most precious thing anyone can possess. She’s not asking for custody for herself, but for her son Wiley. Martin says, too saccharine, and not enough sincerity. Once more, with feeling.

Lulu asks if Laura is thinking of going to this charade. It’s just Ava’s excuse to patronize the little people, now that she’s queen of Spoon Island. Laura says Nikolas is still her son and Lulu’s brother, and Lulu says, he brought Ava into their family, and brought it on himself. She doesn’t see why he should inflict her on the rest of them. Laura says it’s important to show they still love him and he’s still part of the family, but Lulu says Laura wouldn’t be attending that ostentatious overblown party as Nikolas’s mother. She’s the mayor, and represents the city of Port Charles. Laura doesn’t think it’s a big deal, but Lulu says attending is giving Ava her stamp of approval; knowing Ava coerced Nikolas into marriage, and they’re both miserable, and that Spencer would rather stay in France than be there. Is she sure she’s prepared for that?

Ava tells Nikolas, like most talented artists, Franco is moved by powerful emotion, and she’s promoting his art. He says she’s promoting Franco’s ugly past, but Ava says he doesn’t mind. Nikolas says, Elizabeth does. She asks if he showed Elizabeth the letter from Spencer, and he says he told her that Spencer is willing to restore their relationship if he divorces Ava. Ava says Elizabeth must have loved that. Did he tell her how he responded to Spencer’s proposal? Did he choose his son or his fortune?

Nelle asks if Martin has any other unwanted advice. Is her dress too short? He says, just tell the truth, and let it stand up next to Michael, Carly, and Willow’s version. She says she’ll have Nina as a character witness. Julian comes in, and she says, her husband. He says, hello darling, and Martin asks if he’s been drinking. Julian says he had one shot for court, and Martin gives him a tin of mints. Martin leaves, and Nelle tells Julian that if she wins, Sonny need never find out that Julian knew about the baby switch. Stick to the script. Losing is not an option.

Diane asks Carly if Sonny will be in court, but Carly says, no; he’s with his father. Diane says it’s probably for the best, since his presence in the courtroom might be construed as intimidation.

Michael asks if Willow is ready to go head to head with Nelle’s attorney, and she says she has nothing to hide. He says he can’t say the same. He and his family are going to be dragged through the mud, and some of it is bound to splash on her. She says, for better or worse, and he says, they’re starting off worse. She asks if he means the honeymoon is over, and he says, when this is over, they’ll take Wiley and go somewhere fun. She says she’ll take him up on that.

Jason says he told the doctors before his first surgery, he didn’t want tubes and machines keeping him alive. Sonny says Jason didn’t have kids then. How would he feel for his kids to lose him? Jason says he’d never want his kids to go through what Sonny is going through; seeing him in bed, knowing he can’t recognize them, and can’t even feed himself. Sonny asks if he’d want them to sign a DNR, and Jason says he wishes Mike hadn’t put it on Sonny. Sonny says there’s a lot he and his dad didn’t talk about; a lot they didn’t share. Now it’s too late.

Ava says she’ll take Nikolas’s silence to mean he hasn’t talked to Spencer. Nikolas says, what if Spencer doesn’t want him without his money? Is Spencer really willing to lose the money and prestige that comes with being a Cassadine? She says, Spencer is still young. He’s still figuring out what’s important. But if he didn’t care, he would have been indifferent upon Nikolas’s return. Spencer loves Nikolas, and wants him, money or no money. He says, she’d like that because she gets it all. Guess again.

Elizabeth tells Franco, she knows Nikolas can be selfish, but he’s also incredibly sensitive, kind, and patient. Franco says it sounds like she’s already halfway there in forgiving him, and she says she’s trying to understand why one minute he’s a stranger, and the next, she sees flashes of the friend she used to know. He says, sorry; they don’t have to talk about it, but Elizabeth says they should talk. He admits they can’t pretend their feelings don’t exist, and she says her feelings for Nikolas are complicated. Like his for Ava.

Carly takes the stand, and Diane asks what the nature is of her relationship to Michael. She says she’s Michael’s mother, and Diane asks where she was when Michael got engaged to Nelle. Carly tells her, Ferncliff, a hospital for the criminally insane. Diane asks what was the reason she was there, and Carly says Nelle accused her of pushing her down a flight stairs at her baby shower. She was forced to plead temporary insanity. Diane says, with the help of friends, she managed to escape; isn’t that criminal as well? Carly says it is, but when the truth came out, she was exonerated, and her sentence vacated. Diane asks if Nelle ever visited, and Carly says she did, when she and Michael became engaged. Nelle said Carly was trapped, and she was going marry Michael, and in time, the family would forget Carly, and she’d be left to rot. She wanted Carly to know she’d won. Martin objects, saying her testimony is highly inflammatory, and Diane says, withdrawn.

Martin asks Carly what kind of business she’s in, and she says, hospitality. She owns the MetroCourt. He asks what business her husband is in, illegal or otherwise, and Diane says Sonny isn’t there to testify. Martin says, withdrawn, and asks Carly to explain what happened on April 24th, 1988. She tells him that Tony Jones kidnapped Michael, and received a suspended sentence. He asks what happened to Tony next, and she says she shot him. He asks what punishment she received for shooting her former lover, who was also her stepfather, and she says she went to Shadybrook mental institution. He says, and she’d believe her grandson would be safe in her less than stable care? Diane objects, and he says, withdrawn. Diane says, it’s a matter of public record that Nelle perjured herself in an attempt to secure a conviction against Carly for attempted murder. In simpler terms, Nelle lied to cause Carly grievous harm. She asks if Carly tried to retaliate, but Carly says, no. She would never do that. She loves her son and grandson too much to stoop to Nelle’s level. Michael is called to the stand.

Laura says Lulu always looks out for her, and Lulu says, translation; Laura appreciates her concern, but she’s going anyway. Laura says, someone has to look out for Nikolas, and Lulu says, he has a wife for that. Laura says, she’d love it if Ava would be the person to bring out the good out in Nikolas, but they know that’s not going to happen. Lulu asks if Laura thinks there’s still good to bring out, and Laura says, of course (🍷). Nikolas just needs the chance to show it. Lulu says Laura sees it that way because she’s Nikolas’s mom. What if he’s become a Cassadine through and through, and is as deceitful as the rest? Laura says, not Nikolas. She would never give up on him, just like Lulu wouldn’t give up on Rocco or Charlotte. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s Nikolas bearing flowers.

Franco tells Elizabeth, there’s nothing complicated about his relationship with Ava. She cares about his career. Elizabeth says, second only to Ava’s concern for herself. Ava comes by, and says that sounds like something her husband would say, and she wouldn’t put too much stock in someone who pretended to be dead for two years. She says she has something for Franco, and reaches into her bag. He says she doesn’t have snakes in her bag, does she? but she says, no; a check. It’s the balance due on her portrait, and he deserves every penny. I try to read it, and it looks like $16K.

Martin asks when Michael got to know Wiley. Michael says when he was asked to be Wiley’s godfather. He was honored to be included in Wiley’s life. Martin asks if that’s all he felt, and Michael says he felt a connection to Wiley; nothing supernatural, just the instinct that Wiley needed him. When he learned Wiley was his son, the bond grew stronger. He made a promise – a vow – to never let Wiley down or let anyone hurt him. Martin says, no one doubts his love for Wiley is true. He submits Michael and Willow’s marriage license as evidence, dated yesterday; the ink barely dry. Diane objects, and Martin says, he’ll rephrase. Given the timing, does Michael love his wife? Michael says, Willow is loyal and generous, and inherently decent. She’s courageous and compassionate, and sees the best in people, but she’s nobody’s fool. Yes, he loves her. Martin asks, then why didn’t he marry her earlier? Which begs the question, is he in love with her?

Michael says he loves Willow, but he’s not in love with her. Nelle whispers to Julian that she loves it. Martin says, Michael didn’t marry for love. He married to put on a show for the court; to project an image of a loving, stable couple. Michael says, it’s not that at all. He married for love. Willow’s love of Wiley is equal to his. Martin says he’s not asking if Michael loves his son. He’s asking if there’s mutual love that’s the bedrock of a genuine marriage. Absent of that, it’s a marriage of convenience.

Sonny tells Jason, he wonders if Mike is listening to music, something in his head, or nothing. They watch Mike, and Sonny says, they didn’t get lot of time when Mike left him and his mom. Jason says, Sonny got him back, and Sonny says he’s grateful for that. Jason says, not everyone gets a second chance. Look at Michael, fighting for the son he thought was dead. Now here Sonny is, fighting for his father, so Sonny will have him in his life. Sonny says he’s losing Mike a little more every day.

Nikolas asks Lulu how Charlotte is, and Lulu says, fine. He says, of all the mistakes he made, one of the worst was letting Charlotte believe he was her secret bodyguard. He hears Lulu is fighting again to keep her safe from Valentin. Does she have a court date yet? Lulu says she and Valentin agreed to continue with their 50/50 custody agreement, and Laura says she’s proud of Lulu, putting Charlotte’s needs first. Lulu hopes Nikolas doesn’t intend on giving her advice about raising children, and he says he supposes he can’t, but that’s why he’s there. He’s hoping they can give him some advice. Laura asks if something is wrong, and he says Spencer said he’s willing to welcome Nikolas back into his life if he dumps Ava. Nikolas gives Laura the letter, and she asks if Nikolas answered him. He says, not yet, and Lulu asks what he’s waiting for. His son in his life, and the wife he despises kicked to the curb. It’s a no-brainer. Laura asks, what’s stopping him?

Franco tells Elizabeth, check it out. Maybe they can plant the check, and get a money tree that will pay for Cameron’s college. Ava says the unveiling will be a huge success, and he’ll be swamped with business. Elizabeth says, along with a reminder of the past he worked hard to put behind him. Ava agrees it’s unsavory, but there’s no such thing as bad publicity. Elizabeth suggests Ava try working on bringing out the best in Nikolas, and Ava asks what makes her think it’s there? Elizabeth says she’s seen it.

Michael says he and Willow will work to provide a loving, stable home for Wiley. A marriage of convenience? Far from it. It came at a cost, but Wiley is worth it. Martin has no further questions.

On the stand, Willow tells Diane, adoption was the hardest thing, but she had to protect her baby from his father. Diane says, who was? and Willow says, David Henry Archer. He changed his name to Shiloh when he founded the cult Dawn of Day. Diane says, and before he married Nelle, he was previously convicted of murder, drugging women before he raped them, and kidnapping. The trial transcripts show the depositions of the women this man drugged and raped; this man whose widow wants to assume sole custody of Wiley. How did Willow feel when she learned another child was alive and her son was dead? Willow says, the grief was unbearable, but at the same time, she was so happy for Michael. Diane asks why she didn’t stay away, and she says Michael asked her to stay in Wiley’s life. Wiley had already been through so much, and been through so many changes, Michael knew the best thing he could do for Wiley was to give him a real family. One with the both of them. Martin asks if there was another side, a darker side of her involvement.

Laura says, so if Nikolas divorces Ava, he loses his money, Windymere, and Spoon Island. Nikolas says, Spencer’s legacy, and Lulu says, Ava is no dummy. Spencer is a good kid with expensive taste, and a long list of necessities. Laura says, all Spencer needs is his father. He felt betrayed because Ava backed up Valentin, and he’d do anything to punish her. Nikolas doesn’t need them to tell him what to do. Just be a father, and everything else will take care of itself. Lulu says she needs someone to translate, and Nikolas says their mother will. He leaves, and Lulu asks, what was that about?

Ava hopes Elizabeth can put aside her misgivings, and join Franco. Not for her, but for Nikolas. Elizabeth suggests she and Franco go back home together after work. She goes to finish up, and Ava says she thought by promoting Franco it would be good for him and his family. If he feels like he’s being exploited, or that it will have any negative impact on the boys… He says the boys know who he is, and the mistakes he’s made. He wants to be honest, and a good stepdad. He hopes one day they forgive him for who he was.

Martin says, Willow became a teacher of the third grade, and he asks if she’s still employed by the school. She says, no, and he asks, why not? She says her employment was terminated because of parental complaints. They said she kept inserting herself in her student’s lives, and disregarding their parent’s wishes. He asks if that’s how she intends to care for Wiley; ignore the wishes of the woman who gave birth to him. What if she decides she knows better than the father himself? Who will be there to protect Wiley from her?

Diane says the principal must have refused to give Willow a letter of recommendation, but Willow says, no; she received one. Diane submits into evidence, Willow’s glowing letter of recommendation, and asks who Willow’s current employer is. She says she’s part of a pediatric teaching program at GH, and Diane submits her current performance evaluation. She has Willow read it out loud, and it says she’s compassionate, caring, and respectful of other employees, her students, and their parents as well.

Jason asks if Sonny remembers when Mike was bartending. He could always connect, and find something to talk about; some crazy story. Jason didn’t realize it then, but he can see now that Mike was trying to win back Sonny’s trust, and be someone Sonny could count on. Then he’d gamble, lie, and get in trouble, and after that, Sonny would shut down. The disappointment was like a wall between them. And then Mike would go back to work, and try to find something else to talk about, trying to tear down that wall. Sonny says he should have been more forgiving, and not so hard on Mike. Jason says maybe he’s not saying it right. Mike never gave up. He just accepted the wall, because he knew it was his fault it was there in the first place, but he kept trying to tear it down because he’s Sonny’s dad. Mike loves him, and wants him to be okay. What Mike wants is for Sonny to be okay. If Sonny wants to keep him there or let him go, he’s going to be doing what Mike wants. Jason wipes his eyes (!), and says he’s going to take off. Sonny decides to stay a while longer. He wants to be with his dad. He tells Jason that he appreciates it.

Sonny says, all right, dad, taking the earbuds off Mike. He asks if Mike wants to watch TV. Maybe the Yankees are on, and continuing their home run streak. He knows Mickey Mantle is up there, looking down on the Yankees, cheering. He says, guess what? He still has the baseball card Mickey signed and gave to Mike. He’ll never forget Mike telling him it was going to be worth more than gold. He remembers that.

Laura tells Lulu, she’s just reminding Nikolas not to underestimate Spencer. She thinks if he’s open and completely honest, Spencer won’t disappoint him. Lulu asks if there’s something Laura isn’t not telling her, and Laura says she can’t see into the future; she could be wrong. Lulu says, even if she is – which is highly doubtful – her capacity for forgiveness and understanding are amazing. Lulu is in awe of her. Laura says she’s in awe of Lulu, her sweet, loving, and smart daughter. She hopes Lulu’s brother has learned his lesson and is willing to change.

Nikolas calls Spencer. He says he got Spencer’s letter, and he’s ready to respond.

Ava says she looks forward to seeing Franco at the party, and kisses him on the cheek. She says, Nikolas is hoping to see him as well. She leaves, and he asks if Elizabeth is ready. She says, yeah, but seems distant, and walks past him. He takes the flowers, telling her not to forget them. They get into the elevator, Elizabeth still being weird.

Martin calls his first witness – Nelle. Willow takes Michael’s hand, and squeezes. They look at each other.

Tomorrow, Brook accuses Olivia of having an affair, Valentin says nothing is ever as black and white as it seems, Nina tells Jax that she doesn’t know if she should stand up for Nelle, and Martin asks Nelle why she deserves sole custody.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Garcelle got together with her equally gorgeous group of non-Housewives girlfriends. They talked about Garcelle’s divorce, and Garcelle said she’d been blindsided by her husband’s cheating, but her girls had been there for her.

Kyle said Denise would like them to think nothing ruffles her feathers, but Kyle wasn’t buying it. She was seeing another side of Denise, and wondered where it came from. I guess Kyle is so one-dimensional, she can’t understand that people can have different facets to them.

At Denise’s house, Sami was getting ready for her Homecoming date. Last year, she had gone with friends, but this time around, she had a real date with a boy she’s crushing on, and was getting pink hair for the occasion. In Denise’s interview, she said she was  struggling with parenting. Sami was starting to behave badly, hoping for a reaction. She said she and Charlie hadn’t been the wild couple people thought. He was sober when she married him, and she was six-months pregnant when they divorced. Erika griped about Denise having an issue with her talking about the threesome in front of the kids, when Denise was free with her happy ending story, and no one judged her. Man, this issue is really pissing me off. For one thing, Denise isn’t coming from a place of judgement. She didn’t want her kids hearing an adult story. And apparently, Erika doesn’t understand, it was a different audience when Denise talked about her sex life. It was just the women on a camping trip. Like, is it really that hard to grasp? Erika had a private dance rehearsal for Chicago, because, you don’t want other people to have to work doubly hard to make your ass look good. The cast also sent her a welcome video that was really sweet.

Harry Hamlin was off doing a play with Stephanie Powers. He was loving it, but sorry he couldn’t go to the DNA launch. Dorit and PK had a meeting with the restaurant guy, as Dorit was going to design a room in one. PK said by the time she was done, she would design the whole restaurant, put on another level, and add on a hotel. Dorit said she always gave 120%, which is mathematically impossible, and always irritates me when someone says it. I know, very Sheldon of me. PK was all interested in whether LVP knew about Dorit’s project (the guy said he had no reason to be telling her, and rightly so), and Dorit said she wasn’t trying to compete with or follow in LVP’s footsteps.

Erika invited everyone over to her house for a meeting with her astrologer friend, Shawn. LisaR showed up in the exact same pink jacket dress Erika was wearing, which caused LisaR to scream at the top of her lungs. Tom hung out for a drink with the girls, and was quite charming, telling a story about how he was in a John Wayne movie. He played a guy who was shot, and fell off a roof. In her interview, LisaR thought the evening could either be fun or an epic disaster, and we flashed back on several of the parties that were the latter, including the dinner party from hell. When Shawn arrived, Tom wisely took that as his cue to leave. Shawn talked about each woman’s sign, their moon sign, and ascending sign. He said Denise had an intensely complicated side, hidden to most. Kyle’s eyes bugged out, and got even buggier when Shawn said that if you break Denise’s trust, inside, she’d be figuring out how to even the score, and taking her time with it. In Denise’s interview, she said, she’s never plotted revenge. At least not yet. In Kyle’s interview, she wondered what Denise had in store for her. Because even in Denise’s sign traits, Kyle has to be the center of attention. Unless there was a lot we didn’t see, it seemed like all Shawn did was tell the women what kind of people they were, which seemed like a waste of time. He pointed out that Teddi gravitated to one person, usually an earth sign (Kyle), and Dorit said, if Kyle would just admit the rules that apply to the others don’t to Teddi, it would be all good. In Garcelle’s interview, she said that Kyle wants to be liked by everybody. They went over the Dorit freaking out because Sutton said she might freak out issue. Sutton said she didn’t deserve the way Dorit reacted, and Dorit said they weren’t friends yet, so she didn’t know if Sutton would make a scene. In a voice-of-reason moment, Kyle said that was the dumbest thing ever.

In her interview, Garcelle said, the more she got to know Kyle, she could tell Kyle was great with surface stuff – like, I love your bag – but she didn’t care enough to get to know people. These women were so wrapped up in themselves, she could do naked cartwheels on the table, and they wouldn’t notice. On the way back from Erika’s place, Garcelle, Denise, and Sutton shared a limo. Denise said Kyle always comes back to Kyle. In Garcelle’s interview, she said they were being catty, but that’s what girlfriends do. And Kyle deserved it. I like Garcelle. So far. Denise said Kyle talks at you, not to you. Back at Erika’s house, she said she thought the relationship between Kyle and Teddi was strange because Teddi could do no wrong, and Kyle claimed Erika had no close friends. Erika said she had plenty of close friends, and considered Kyle to be one of them.

Next time, a trip to Santa Monica, Teddi thinks Dorit possibly dislikes her, and LisaR confronts Denise – who can’t catch a break – about allowing Charlie’s hookers into her children’s lives. Unreal. Even Jesus ate with hookers, and I’m sure Denise doesn’t introduce them that way.

🗽 The Real King Takes a Final Bow…

Jerry Stiller left behind some fine work, and watching him in King of Queens never gets old.

https://pagesix.com/2020/05/11/jerry-stiller-seinfeld-actor-and-comedian-dead-at-92/

And the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

https://people.com/movies/ben-stiller-reflects-final-days-dad-jerry/

🐕 One Of the Best…

I was surprised to find out Fred Willard was 86 years old, and then I realized how many things I’ve enjoyed him in for so long. It’s like he’s always been there.

https://pagesix.com/2020/05/16/fred-willard-best-in-show-comic-actor-dead-at-86/

https://extratv.com/2020/05/16/modern-family-mockumentary-star-fred-willard-dead-at-86/

🧼 Reunion Of Children…

On Friday, May 22nd, Pine Valley will be taking an online meeting.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/all-my-children/online-reunion-2

😎 Some Good News…

Not everyone is going stir crazy.

https://nypost.com/2020/05/13/coronavirus-pandemic-may-actually-be-bringing-families-together-devine/

🐯 It Saves On the Red Paint Bill…

I don’t agree with PETA on everything, but this was pretty clever.

https://nypost.com/2020/05/13/peta-mocks-joe-exotic-with-160-tiger-king-halloween-costume/

🚝 A Virtual Train…

Snowpiercer is one of my favorite films, so I definitely want to put this on my must-see list.

https://pagesix.com/2020/05/16/tnt-series-snowpiercer-hosts-virtual-premiere/

Speaking of films, I caught The Joker this weekend on cable. Hey, I know I’m behind, but I’m not going to put a second mortgage on the house to go to the movies – God forbid I want popcorn. I thought it was well worth watching, but I did wonder if Joaquin Phoenix was allowed to direct himself. Just do what you want, Joaquin. I have to make some calls.

🌧 When It Rains…

I have a second sick dog. Thank God for small favors, it’s not as bad; an old eye injury has come back to haunt her. But it’s like, come on already. Entertainers are dropping like flies, along with the general public, but at least it looks like we’ll be able to venture out soon. How weird will that be? Stay safe, stay alive, and stay true to your school.

May12

May 11, 2020 – Michael Pops the Partnership, a Charter With Meaning, Date For Deck, Some New Crew, Tour the Boat, Reading Harry, a Legend Leaves Us, MIA, a Queen’s Visit & Shake On

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

On the phone, Brook says, disturbing the peace… Yes, it was Chase again… No; I’m not making a habit of it… Hello? Dad? Chase says, tough love, and she says her father is a busy man. She asks if she can make one more phone call, but he says she only gets one; like last time, and the time before that. She says, too bad there’s no loyalty program. He tells her, go ahead, and she asks, what’s the catch? He says, none. He’s just curious. If her father won’t help her, he wants to see who will.

Nelle goes into Charlie’s, and tells Julian that he’s just the man she wanted to see. He says they’re closed, but she says, the door is open. He says they’re just closed to her. She says, of all people, she thought he would understand her struggle to put the past behind her, while the Corinthoses hold it over her head. He says he doesn’t even sell Sonny’s coffee anymore, and asks what she wants. She says she wants to make him a generous offer. From the heart.

Diane tells Michael to repeat what she said. He tells her, I will not let Nelle bait me in court. She says, now, Willow, and Willow says she won’t let Nelle bait her either. Diane says, let Nelle roll out her manipulation and histrionics, while they remain calm and stay the course, and Michael will be the same loving, committed, stalwart presence that he’s always been. Michael asks if she thinks he can manage that, and she says, of course (🍷). But she’s seen Willow give way to anger in the courtroom against Shiloh. Nelle is just as bad, if not worse. Willow says she understands, and she’s ready for Nelle. Diane says the two of them make an excellent team. They both know Wiley’s favorites, how to put him down for a nap, and his first words. Nelle is practically a stranger. Michael asks if that doesn’t support Nelle’s argument that she deserves more time with him. Diane says, let Nelle argue what’s best for Nelle, and they’ll argue what’s best for Wiley. After all the trauma Wiley has been through, it’s crucial that he stay with people he loves and trusts. They’ve already proven they’ll do what it takes for him.

Julian tells Nelle, she has five seconds. She asks why he’s in such a rush. There’s a light crowd, and it’s not like he has any family to get back to. Is anyone even speaking to him, besides Lucas and Wiley? He says, time’s up, and she tells him, don’t be a baby. They have one horrible thing in common. They’re both victims of Brad. He left Nelle unconscious by the side of the road after she gave birth to Wiley. It’s too bad she didn’t remember until after it came out. Julian says, bad timing. What he finds tragic is that she expects him to believe Brad pulled a number on her. She asks if that’s a compliment, but he says, no. What does she want? She says she wants to offer him a spot in her son’s life. On one condition.

Brook says, Dusty, pick up, but gets voicemail. She hangs up, and Chase says, don’t tell him that she’s run out of people to turn her down. She says, cut to the chase, Chase, and he says, according to the report… She asks if says anything about abuse of power or false arrest. He didn’t like her calling him out for betraying his girlfriend, and if he had any decency, he’d admit she’s not the only guilty party, and let her go. She might have a big mouth, but she’s not a lying jerk like him. He flashes back to lying to Willow about having his pretend affair with Sasha, and he says Brook is right. She says, what? and he says, about him; about everything. Goodbye. She says he can’t just leave her there, and he says she still broke the law. She tore up the citation, and disturbed the peace. Being right doesn’t change that.  She asks if she’s supposed to sit there until tomorrow, and he says she has a phone. Either find someone to get her out, or spend the night in custody. Either way, he doesn’t give a damn.

Diane says, Nelle’s lawyer might try to discredit Willow, as a woman unwilling to relinquish a child that’s not hers, but no one, aside from Michael has shown more backbone and been willing to sacrifice more than she has. And they have the legal documents to prove she’s put Wiley’s needs first. It’s gold. Willow and Michael thank her, and Diane leaves. Michael says, Willow heard her; she’s gold. Willow says he’s not so bad himself, and he says the only way she’d be a better advocate is if she married him.

Julian tells Nelle to run it by him one more time. She says, what’s complicated? Wiley’s custody suit is tomorrow. She wants him to testify on her behalf, as Wiley’s former grandfather and character witness, and tell them what a wonderful mother she is. He says he’d be lying under oath, but she says he knows the truth is that Wiley would be better off with his mother than with Michael, who’s not Julian’s favorite person. He laughs, and he says, the child in question, who he used to believe was his grandson, is better off with the same woman who left his father to die in a burning car? She says she was under stress because Michael was trying to take the child from her, and her hormones were raging. He says he’s not going help her, and she says he will if he wants to stay in Wiley’s life. When she has sole custody, Wiley can call him grandpa again if he wants. Again, it’s a very generous offer. Once she has sole custody… He says she likes saying that, like it’s a possibility. She says, it’s a lock. Once she has Wiley, he’ll never see a Corinthos or Quartermaine again – not even Willow – but he’ll have access. Julian says he can’t imagine Sonny being too happy, and she says, Sonny and Carly will suffer even more; they’re on the same page. He says, they’re not even in the same book. He loves Wiley, and cares about what happens to him. If anybody asks, he’ll say Wiley is better off with his father, and his mother is a heartless monster who only uses him as a weapon. So by all means, invite him to court to testify on her behalf. His phone rings, and he asks what the hell they want. Absolutely not. On second thought, he’ll be right there. Nelle asks if everything is okay, and he tells the waitress that he needs her to watch the bar. And don’t serve Nelle. She’s done here.

Chase goes into Charlie’s, where Nelle sits without a drink at the bar. He flashes back to Willow coming home, and telling her that he has wine and takeout, whatever she wants. She asks him to just hold her. Nelle says he looks like he could use a drink and some company. He says, no thank you, and she asks if he’s that afraid of her. He says that’s not the word he’d use to describe how he feels about her. She says, so he does have feelings for her. Now they’re getting somewhere.

Michael tells Willow, when they talked about getting married to protect Wiley before, it wasn’t an option for her. She says, it turns out, her situation has changed. She flashes back to seeing Sasha and Chase making out on the couch, and telling Chase that, never in a million years did she think he’d do this. When he said he loved her, she thought he meant forever, but she didn’t know him at all. She tells Michael, drastically, and Michael says, he knows it’s not how they imagined their marriages or futures, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make a partnership that works. She says, if they do this, she needs to be upfront, and he says he expects nothing less. She tells him, despite what he did, she’s still in love with Chase. He’s the first man she loved, and until they broke up, she didn’t plan on loving anyone else. She’s not sure she’s even capable of it. Can he marry a woman who will probably never be in love with him? He says if they commit themselves to loving Wiley, and raising him together in a family that respects and supports each other, that’s all he can ask for. She says, okay then, and he says she needs to know she’ll be marrying a Corinthos and Quartermaine. Two powerful families, unique in their traditions and customs, with a lot of secrets. It’s like joining a club you can’t resign from, and life will be very different if they do this.

Julian says he paid Brook’s bail; let’s go. She promises to pay him back, and he says, damn straight. She thanks him, and he says, don’t mention it. He might have left her there, but she stopped him from throttling someone.

Michael tells Willow, they may not love each other romantically, but she knows how much he profoundly values her friendship. He flashes back talking to her about the grief group and her introducing herself; him saying he was nervous about speaking in the group, but then saw her face, and talked about Jonah; her telling him that she’s wiling help Kristina by telling her about Shiloh; Willow telling Michael about the adoption, and him saying he’s glad Wiley has her. He remembers Willow in jail, and then playing with Wiley. She tells him that she feels the same way. He’s helped her so much, from the support group to everything since. He’s been her rock. He says she’s been there for Wiley, which means she’s been there for him, so she’s been his rock too. He relies on her honesty. She says she relies on his too. She wishes there was a better way to say it, but she’s in awe of his integrity. He says, some people call it self-righteousness, and she says, there’s that in there too.

Chase tells Nelle that he can pay for his own drink, and no one should accept a beverage from her without a toxicologist checking it first. Nelle asks if he wants to sit down, but he says, no. Life is short; he doesn’t have time for her games. She says, one would think he wasn’t single, and had a hot teacher warming his bed. They’re both single, so who knows? Maybe she’ll give him a second chance. We flash back to Nelle going to his hotel room in Florida, and seducing him. He wonders how it is she’s become more delusional. He would have thought she’d reached a threshold by now. She says she gets what she wants. She’ll get Wiley, and if she wants Chase, she’ll get him. Anyone who underestimates her, including his friend Michael, is delusional. Chase stomps out, and Nelle heads the other way. To the bathroom?

Finn calls Chase, and asks where he is. Chase says, Pier 55; why? Finn says he talked to Willow, and Chase clearly didn’t take his advice. Chase says he’s not in the mood for a lecture, and Finn says, what about a beer? Does he want to meet at The Rib in fifteen? Chase tells him, some other time. He hangs up, and looks at the water.

Julian hears Brook come into Charlie’s, and says they’re closed. She says she doesn’t want a drink, and he says he figured she’d be on her way home. Why did she decide to call him to spring her? Isn’t there a houseful of Quartermaines who will send a butler? She says they used to have a butler, but he left in the 90s; it’s just housekeepers now. He says, bailing her out isn’t in the job description? She says he wasn’t her first call. Or her second or third. She got tired of reaching out, and hearing, I told you so. He suggests she should have called her father, and she says he was her first phone call, and her first, I told you so. Julian asks what made her think he’d get her out? and she says she has leverage. He proved that when he showed up, but he says, it was a good excuse get out of a bad conversation.

As Chase looks at the water, he remembers meeting Willow when she was crying in her car, and seeing the pamphlet for the grief group. He flashes back on bringing her home for the first time, and her saying she has no interest in being in his lair; her apologizing for overreacting, and him telling her that he likes her, and wants to spend more time together as a couple; her saying she wants that too. He remembers her throwing away her letter of resignation, and saying she’s staying; her saying he’s her first relationship, and thanking him for standing by her through the Shiloh trauma; and him saying she’s the hero, and he was just the backup, and kissing her.

Finn finds Chase at the pier, and says he can see why Chase didn’t want to meet at The Rib. It’s much better ambiance there. Chase says, it’s perfect, and Finn says, the smell of fish… and whatever that is. Chase appreciates Finn coming and wanting to help, but he can’t. Willow is gone because he wanted her to go, but knowing it was right doesn’t make it hurt any less. Finn says, believe him, he knows.

Willow tells Michael, it’s just her way of saying she knows he’ll always be straight with her, and treat her with the respect she never had until she met him. Michael says, and Wiley. He loves everything about Wiley, of course (🍷), but he especially loves the way Wiley smiles at her. We flash back to Michael introducing Wiley to her as his godson, and her saying she’s not able to stay away. They smile.

Chase says he appreciates Finn tracking him down. He’s sorry he acted like a jerk. Finn says, if it’s any consolation, Willow probably thinks it’s a family trait. Chase asks what he said, and Finn says he mistakenly believed Chase took his advice, and told Willow the truth. They talked for a while at cross purposes, and she probably thinks he’s okay with what Chase did. Why didn’t Chase tell her it was staged? Chase says, that would have been selfish. It’s not about how bad he feels, but what’s right for Wiley. He knows what Nelle is capable of, and whatever it takes is worth it. Finn asks what he can do, and Chase says, not a damn thing. It’s already done. Finn gives him a beer, and Chase toasts to Willow, a beautiful and kind woman, who he will always love. He could have been happy spending the rest of his life with her, but she wouldn’t have been happy if Wiley was suffering or hurting. So this is what he had to do; this is how he shows his love. He drinks.

Brook tells Julian, if he’d turned her down, she would have called his bluff and gone to Sonny with her suspicions. He says thanks for reminding him how she holds his life in her hands. She says, fortunately, she doesn’t have to use her leverage. It’s best for everyone, especially Lucas. It would break his heart, and he’s been through enough. They toast to Lucas, and Brook says, accommodate the occasional favor, and she doesn’t have to tell anyone that he tampered with Brad’s car. They clink glasses, as Nelle listens in.

Chase tells Finn, the first time he and Willow met, she was sitting in her car crying. She didn’t seem helpless or fragile. She’s beautiful, even in tears, and he could tell there was something rare and strong about her. Then he got to know her. People must have thought he was trying to rescue her, but she didn’t need rescuing. She’s so determined, and so fierce in her quiet way. He laughs, and says, it took a long time for Willow to love him, but he was a goner in the first ten seconds. Finn says he hears that. Chase says he got used to thinking they had a lifetime, and part of him still can’t stop thinking they won’t. He tells Finn, thanks, and Finn says, for the beer? Chase says for respecting his decision, even though he doesn’t agree with it. Finn says he thinks Chase is a well-intentioned idiot. Love has a way of making fools out of all of them. Chase says, he appreciates Finn coming, but… Finn says, he’d rather be on his own? and Chase says, yeah. Finn tells Chase, call him, even if he just wants Finn to sit with him. Chase thanks him, they hug, and Finn leaves.

Michael tells Willow, his son loves her, and he knows she loves him. So if she agrees, they’ll still have a marriage based on love; for each other as friends, and love for Wiley. She gets up, and he asks what she’s thinking. She flashes back to Chase asking if she still considers his apartment his lair. She says she considers it the place where he is; the place she feels happy and safe because she’s with him. She remembers them telling each other, I love you, for the first time, and him saying he knows what a good person she is, what a good mom she’ll be, and how he definitely wants kids with her. She tells Michael, it’s not the marriage she imagined, and he says, him neither. She says, but she has faith they can make it work. He says, if that’s what she wants. If not, no harm, no foul. She says, Wiley deserves a safe, happy future. One with parents who love and care for him, and care about each other, and she would like to be part of it. So her answer is yes. She’ll marry him.

Tomorrow, Cyrus is sure he and Jordan will cross paths again; Lucy tells Sasha that she knows what it’s like to be labeled the town tramp; Nelle tells Martin they need a counter move now; and Michael asks if everyone is ready for a wedding.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Adam tells Jenna, he’s used to flying solo, and it scares him to change it. Jenna says, this isn’t what it should be like. It either needs to be fixed or he pissed all over something she believed was there. She’s put him first in a lot of things, and it hasn’t always been reciprocal. Adam says he can be closed off, and she says he’s not used to supporting a partner. He says she’s probably right. He shuts down. She asks if there’s a reason why, and he says, maybe it’s because he traveled so much as a kid. She says he readily showed her affection, so it’s there, but he needs to trust her, and she needs to trust him. He says he has hard time with that, and she says she does too. She’s scared. He says he’s sorry for what he said, and they hug. In his interview, Adam says emotional attachment is hard for him. His parents worked internationally, and he was moved all the time. He’d go in and out of schools, make friends, and then goodbye. He wants a great relationship, but didn’t think he was capable of it. A producer asks if he thinks he’s the problem, and he says he knows he’s the problem. He tells Jenna that he’s going to make a valiant effort not to clam up. He’s sorry for that.

Guest Dina tells Kerry, tomorrow is going to be her day, and Kerry says she’s going to bed. Jenna sits on Adam’s lap in the crew mess. Georgia comes by to ask Jenna a question, but says, sorry, as you were, and keeps going. In Ciara’s interview, she says, they’re so wrapped up in each other, they’re not paying attention to anyone else. It gives couples in yachting a bad rep. Georgia comes back, and says, trying this again. She asks when they’re starting in the morning. Everyone goes to bed.

Byron drains the oil that had leaked. Guests Jennifer and Mark meet with Glenn and Jenna. Jennifer says this is probably never going to happen again, and they want to make sure to get the most out of every moment, and do activities. In Glenn’s interview, he says, it’s heart wrenching. The guests could ask for anything. He wants to make it the charter of a lifetime. Jenna tells Georgia, sorry about last night. Georgia says she’s not changing her vote, but Jenna says, it’s complicated. They need to work out some things, and there’s more to it than Georgia knows. In Georgia’s interview, she says, since they’ve gotten on the boat, Jenna’s half the person she thought she was, and Adam is showing his true colors. This guy is going to screw Jenna up later.

Breakfast is served, and Jenna tells the guests they’re going to do water skiing, tubing, and waterboarding, then have cocktails on the beach. Georgia and Madison straighten up the cabins. Madison says, someone has to do the work, instead of sitting in the galley. Jenna pops in, and Madison isn’t sure if she heard. Jenna tells them she’s going to clear everything from breakfast. When she’s gone, Madison says Jenna makes her uncomfortable. Paget and Chris work on deck, and in Paget’s interview, he says, Chris has brought a new lease on life to the boat; he’s very spongy. Little does he know he has very small shoes to fill. The guests jump off the boat into the water, and Jenna asks Madison to relieve Georgia in the laundry room, so Georgia can go on break.

A guest asks Byron for some vodka, and he tells Jenna. She asks why they told him, and he says, because she’s not up there. Jenna tells Adam that she’s going to lie down, and he asks if she wants him to come; he’s got some free time. He asks if her minions are lying down, and she says, Georgia is on break and Madison is on laundry. She asks Madison if she wants be on service. In Madison’s interview, she says, whew! We’re good. Adam tells Jenna, it’s his first break all season. In Madison’s interview, she says, Jenna isn’t in her bed, and Adam isn’t in the galley. We’re supposed to be working, not sleeping on someone’s d*ck. Madison gripes to Ciara, and in Ciara’s interview, she says, if someone isn’t doing their job properly, someone else has to do it, and it’s not fair. Madison says she knows there’s just one more charter, but still… Chris watches the guests in the water, and in his interview, he says, it’s astonishing that Kerry has cancer. She’s such a positive, vibrant person. He’s always been positive, but it’s a reminder that, no matter how sh*tty your life can be, there’s always something to be positive about. In Jenna’s interview, she says, given that she’s given the majority of her life in yachting, at some point, she needs to be selfish. She deserves this feeling, and she’s enjoying every minute of it.

Glenn asks who’s on service, as he helps Madison. In Madison’s interview, she says, thanks for being a third stew. In Adam’s bunk, Adam tells Jenna, he wishes they could do this every day. Ciara tells Glenn, Madison is on service and laundry, so Jenna can take a nap with Adam. She left the guests. Glenn asks if the guests are okay, and she says, they are, but they can’t have no one on service. In Ciara’s interview, she says, it’s none of her business, but she can give her opinion if the captain is asking for it. She’s been working in yachting a long time. She tells Glenn that Jenna spends more time in Adam’s lap than working. She adds that the guests want the inflatable hotdog. Madison asks Georgia to check the cabins while the guests are in the water. Several of the guests try to get on the hotdog at once, and fall off. Glenn asks Madison if there’s a problem. She says she thinks as adults, they should be able to handle it, but it happened a lot this weekend. Although they just have one charter left. Jenna and Adam hug. The guests finally manage to get on the hotdog, and it takes off, pulled by the tender with Chris driving.

Jenna asks about the evening’s weather, and Glenn says, it’s not supposed to be windy. She tells him the guests are having a PJ party. Chris helps Paget lift a water vehicle called a seabob, and in his interview, he says, as he was lifting, he felt his back go out. He’s spent his life playing rugby and working on yachts; two of the worst things for your back. He’s used to just getting on with it. Guest Dino tells Kerry that she’s a role model for him; so positive and living in the now. Kerry says it’s a shame she had to go through this to wake up. Jenna tells the stews that at 6:30, the guests are going to the beach. Then they’re having a PJ party tonight. She tells Madison to get the PJs for the crew. Adam and Jenna go out on the tender, and Mark passes out the PJs they’ve gotten for everyone. In Chris’s interview, he says he has a high threshold for pain, and when he’s got a job to do, he just gets on with it.

Jenna comes back, and tells Madison, the guests are ready to go. She’ll clean up, and Madison and Georgia can go with them. In Madison’s interview, she says Jenna’s tone is demoralizing. I dunno. She sounds like a normal boss to me. Chris, Paget, and Ciara also go with the guests. Glenn looks over his glasses at Adam and Jenna goofing around. In his interview, Glenn says the last thing he wants to do is upset people who are face to face with the guests on charter, but he doesn’t want lovey-dovey stuff in the crew mess. It’s unprofessional, and needs to stop.

Georgia welcomes the guests to their private beach. Chris tells Paget, Georgia’s shorts are particularly short. Paget says Chris noticed, and Chris says, every day. Back at the boat, Adam cooks, and Jenna cleans up. On the beach, Georgia brings out her guitar. Kerry suggests Paget sing and take his clothes off. Georgia says they’ll do one of Paget’s songs. In Chris’s interview, he says he’s picking up flirtatious energy from Paget and Georgia. The tender starts to float away, and Chris runs to grab it. It’s time for the guests to go back to the boat, and Paget tells them that they’re the most fun guests yet. As Paget dismantles the umbrella, Georgia says something suggestive about getting it in the hole, and Paget says her mind is in the gutter. He asks, what’s going on with Chris? and she asks, why? Is he curious? He says he begs her pardon. In Georgia’s interview, she says, it’s difficult, because she finds him endearing. She has moments where she wonders how it’s possible someone is so like herself. She hasn’t found anyone she’s had a weakness for. Knowing the season is ending is torture for her.

Kerry tells the guests to put on their jammies. Glenn and Byron set up the dining table on deck. The stews put their PJs on, and they’re cute. Button down short sleeve tops and matching shorts, maroon with pinkish piping, and various sleep masks to go with them. Chris blows up helium balloons, and inhales some, giving a weather report in a helium voice. Ooh, the table has fairy lights; my favorite. Byron says Madison has been in a grumpy mood, and she says just because she isn’t perky doesn’t mean she’s in a bad mood, which definitely makes her sound like she’s in a bad mood. Byron tells Glenn that he looks like Aladdin in his PJs. Everyone comes up, and stands in a line in front of the guests. Jennifer tells them to take their walk, and they’ll judge them. The winner gets a prize. Everyone does a crazy dance or model walk, and the guests take pictures. Chris says if he’s going to do it, he’s doing it properly. He does a bump and grind, slides into the hot tub, and ends with taking his shirt off. In his interview, he says, did it hurt? Yeah, but it was worth it? 100%. Chris gets the prize of a fancy robe and $200. In his interview, he says, it’s fantastic. It will probably go into a massage for his back. The guests are served risotto to start, which always makes me think of Gordon Ramsay yelling at chefs.

Georgia tells Madison that she’s taking a break, and Jenna calls Madison to the galley to help serve the main course; surf and turf, with chateaubriand and lobster. One of the guests says, if food shuts the table up, it’s good. Kerry says she’s going to cry when they have to leave. Guest Jacque says, it’s a special gathering, and Jenna says, it has a lot of meaning. It’s nice to be part of it. Kerry says she’s never eaten so much good food in her entire life.

Chris takes some meds in the morning. Guest Mark dives off the boat. Paget drops his radio while lifting the seabob (which is now officially a pain in the ass), and slips. In his interview, Paget says he felt his hamstring go. In Chris’s interview, he says he swears their crew has been cursed. They have to just push through the pain or they’re screwed.

It’s the last day of charter, and some of the guests jump off the side of the boat into the water. Jenna tells Georgia that someone is leaving clothes piled in a ball in the laundry room. Adam says, it’s because clothes keep being left in the washing machine. In Madison’s interview, she says, Jenna and Adam are the Kim and Kanye of yachting. They’re pretty to look at, but you don’t want to be in a room with them for more than three seconds. Ciara asks if Paget is okay, and he says, it really hurts. Glenn wants to look over everything. In his interview, he says, after the oil accident, he wants to make sure all the i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed. He doesn’t want anything else to bite them in the ass. He tells Byron that he wants to send Chris up the rig. In Chris’s interview, he says, it’s dangerous, going up 60 meters on the mast. He’s putting his life in the hands of someone else. There’s a lot of potential for things to go wrong, but it’s what he lives for. Should he be doing this? Absolutely not. Does he want to? Hell yeah. He gets into a harness, and goes up, Byron holding the rope below. In Glenn’s interview, he says, the mast is 62 meters from the water, or 190+ feet. In his interview, Chris says he feels most alive doing scary, fun, adrenaline filled stuff like that. It’s the way life should be lived. He finds that a light isn’t working, changes the bulb, and comes back down.

Glenn asks the deckhands to put away the swim platform. Adam makes breakfast, and Kerry calls it, the last supper. Jennifer says her favorite part of the trip was seeing them in the hotdog, and Kerry says she doesn’t think she’s laughed that hard in a long time. Glenn docks the boat. Madison complains about helping with the luggage, and Georgia says, it’s part of the job. In his interview, Paget says, life’s not fair. As rich as you are, you might not be here. You need to live every moment like it’s your last breath. There’s no excuse not be grateful. Jenna says their favorite part was making Kerry happy, and Kerry says, laughter is the best medicine. Dino says they’ll never know how much the trip meant. They leave, and Glenn blasts the horn.

Chris tells Glenn about hurting himself when he was lifting the seabob. He says he can still do the job, just slower. Glenn suggests seeing a doctor, and tells Chris about getting an injection when he was injured. In Chris’s interview, he says, it sucks. There’s no mercy when it comes to an injury. If you hurt yourself, you’re off the boat. Glenn tells him, keep an eye on it, and let him know how he’s progressing. Jenna tells Madison to start making beds. Glenn radios everyone for a charter debrief.

Glenn says, it was charter number eight, and the ultimate charter. It was the most challenging, having the hydraulic oil spill on the deck. He tells Chris a doctor will be coming, and they’re going to retire the seabob. He thinks service has dropped a little compared to earlier, and wants to talk with them about that. He wants to make sure they iron out any issues moving forward, and finish on a high note. In Jenna’s interview, she says, it’s complete bullsh*t. The guests are always happy, and that’s a result of her guidance. Glenn says, they have another charter tomorrow, and need to flip the boat quickly. Their tip was $12,700, or $1400 each. Georgia says, it was the sweetest charter. They made such an effort to help each other enjoy themselves. In her interview, she says, she’d love to have a friend group like these people. They’re her kind of people. Glenn tells them to eat lunch, and get back into it. They have a quick glass of champagne, and some food. Chris tells Madison to have a seat, but she says she has a lot to do. In her interview, Madison says she doesn’t think Jenna wants to accept responsibility for what transpired this season. She should have been called out long ago. Jenna tells Adam that she’s pissed. They should have come to her. Tell her what the guests said. She’s trying to control her rage.

Glenn requests a doctor for Chris. Chris finds Georgia in the laundry, and asks if she’s back in her hole already. She says it’s safer in there. Paget lies down. Georgia suggests to Madison that she shouldn’t have spoken to Ciara about her issue with Jenna, since Ciara will go directly to Glenn. Madison says, don’t flip on this; she needs someone in her corner. In Georgia’s interview, she doesn’t know if Madison likes to play the victim, or thinks she actually is the victim. We flash back to Madison bitching, and she says, they’ve all been effected. Madison isn’t the only one who has to deal with this sh*t. Madison says she’s not saying anything against Jenna. Georgia says, it’s a combination of things. Jenna’s lack of performance has gotten progressively worse, and Paget and Chris have been hurt. They’ll have to pick up the slack on the last charter. Jenna is on the defensive, so let her be angry, and when she calms down, they’ll see how she acts.

Glenn asks if Jenna has a minute. In his interview, he says Jenna made a choice to get involved with Adam, and now her work life and personal life have run together. He tells her, a couple of things have come to his attention, and they’ve got a big problem.

Next time, Chris needs an MRI scan, the last charter of the season, Glenn is concerned about illegal substances on board, and says a guest will be in deep sh*t if he finds drugs in one of the cabins. Captain Lee kicked someone’s ass off the boat for that once.

🛥 FYI, Below Deck Mediterranean will return on Hannah, Hannah, June 1st.

🧜‍♂️ Meet the Cast…

And be sure to catch the trailer.

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/below-deck-med-season-5-crew-includes-a-published-author-and-former-professional-model.html/?amp=1

⛴ A Three Hour Tour…

Check out the new boat on Below Deck Med.

https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=cFutByQkG2C&brand=0

🔮 Keeping You Busy…

Harry Potter reads Harry Potter.

https://nerdist.com/article/daniel-radcliffe-reads-harry-potter-recording/

🎤 Good Golly…

My best memory of him is when he officiated at Bo and Nora’s wedding on One Life To Live.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1150088/rock-legend-little-richard-dead-at-87?source=email&medium=emn-content-1&cmpid=evening&content=emn-news

🏰 I watched the Downton Abbey movie over the weekend. Twice. It was great to see the Crawley’s back again, and all the servant politics. It’s the usual suspects, with the plot revolving around a visit from the queen. If you loved the show, you’ll love the movie.

🔎 Still Missing…

The Shahs of Sunset reunion. And absolutely no info. Zilch. Zero. Nada. What is it? A lawsuit? A restraining order? Everyone’s computers crashed on the same day? What?

🕯 Oh Say Do I See…

There seems to be the glimmer of hope on the horizon that we’re going to have a soft quarantine opening soon. Someday, you will know what day it is again. Until then, stay safe, stay following the guidelines, and stay remembering that giving yourself a haircut is a bad idea.

May2

May 1, 2020 – The Scene Of the Crime, Today In GH History, the Real Story, Ciao To Juicy Joe, Porsha Dishes, Goonies Reunite, One Dozen Quotes & Grooving

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

 

Shahs of Sunset

Vida fauns over Baby Shams while out to lunch with MJ and Tommy. MJ says she had to cancel her baby shower because she was on bedrest, so she’d like to have a Sip N See to introduce the baby to everyone. In MJ’s interview, she says, traditionally, a Sip N See is having a few ladies in the living room to meet the baby. (Not according to Phaedra, RHOA. It’s more like a wedding with a baby, instead of a bride and groom.) She says, Persians put their own spin on things. They have it catered, decorate onesies, and tweak it a little. She tells Vida and Tommy that she wants a county fair theme. She’s thinking about having it at the Houdini mansion. Vida asks if that’s not better for Halloween, but MJ says it’s a gorgeous place. Tommy says it’s a beautiful mansion, and he thinks MJ can pull it off. MJ tells Vida that she talked to Reza, and saw everybody. Reza seemed genuinely remorseful, and said he was dropping the charges against Tommy. Vida asks if she’s inviting him to the shower, and Tommy jumps in, saying, no. She says she can’t because of the restraining order. In her interview, MJ says, in a perfect world she wishes Reza would be welcome, but there’s no way she can even entertain the thought until he drops the restraining order.

Reza and Adam go to a pottery making class. Adam asks if it beats Reza’s beekeeping thing, and Reza says the bee thing was amazing. He wishes Adam had been there. He had a really nice time, but then MJ said something to Paulina that upset her. Adam says, MJ is making a lot of people upset. In Reza’s interview, he says the reentry into his and MJ’s friendship is a bumpy flight. The attendants are still able to serve you, but there’s a lot of turbulence. He tells Adam, if his and MJ’s friendship is limited or not, Tommy having a felony record along with a newborn isn’t cool. He thinks karmically, the right thing is to not pursue criminal charges, and he’d rather do the right thing. Adam agrees, and says, at the end of the day, they’re in a great place, and everything is positive. He doesn’t care if Reza doesn’t go through with the criminal charges, but he still wants the restraining order in place. Reza says he totally forgives MJ and Tommy, and wants things comfortable for everyone, and to co-exist, but Adam says they’re where they’re at because of MJ and the Tommy situation, and he’s sticking by the restraining order. In his interview, Reza says he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do. He’s caught between two people he loves. Adam says he’s glad they’re in a better place, and moving forward.

Destiney takes her pup Frank Sinatra with her to look for a baby gift. She calls Mike while she’s at the store, but he says he’s not going to the Sip N See. He says he was going to come, but then MJ made Paulina feel some sort of way. That shouldn’t happen. Destiney says, sometimes the stuff comes out of MJ’s mouth is toxic. In Destiney’s interview, she says, when they were in Hawaii, they were talking about bonds and how friendships matter. Does Mike want to lose that? She buys $250 worth of baby stuff.

Assistant Sienna tells MJ, everything is good. MJ asks her to text the guests that she’ll see them at 2:30, so they’re not late. Everyone starts to arrive, and it’s an amazing set up; games, all kinds of fair food, a donut wall. Reza says, it’s very MJ, and Nema says, it’s the most Iranian thing in the world; a three-month-old having a DJ at their party. Mike texts Nema that he decided not to come, Destiney arrives, carrying a load of balloons, trying to navigate the million stairs up to the party in her heels.

Mike and Reza have some batting practice. At the party, Shervin tells Nema, GG isn’t coming either, and we see her having some dental work done. Nema says, what the hell?  In Nema’s interview, he says, whatever their personal drama is, this is about MJ’s son. Party planner Lenora tells everyone that MJ and Tommy are coming, as Destiney finally makes it to the top of the stairs. Nema tells her, Mike’s not there, and she says he felt some type of way (the phrase of the night) about MJ’s comment to Paulina. He’s feeling that she disrespected him; that’s his woman.

MJ tells Shervin, she’ll love GG from afar, until things change. Shervin says, Mike isn’t coming either, and wonders what happened to their ten year friendship. MJ says she feels bad about what she said to Paulina. She had her guard down, and it was in the moment, but she thinks Mike doesn’t want to show up. She thinks it’s a deeper emotion than hurt. She thought he cared, but he’s shown her nothing. He wants to look good in front of his girlfriend, and she’s glad he’s not there.

Nema tells Sara, he can’t wait for Mona to have kids. He won’t be having any, since his parents effed him up too much. Sara says, break the cycle, and Nema says, easier said than done. He’s afraid he’ll repeat the mistakes his dad did. Mona says, it’s his choice. Sara takes Nema aside, and says she lost her dad suddenly in a car accident. He’d just dropped her off at work, and her dad got T-boned in a high speed police chase. He died instantly. When she hears him say he can’t get over it, she thinks he still has a dad. Cherish that. Nema says, a lot of people chime in, but only a few get him to stop and think. He wants to think about what she said.

Tommy takes the mic, and says, his wife is the most legendary creature that has ever graced the planet. When he sees his son, he falls in love with her ten times more. MJ thanks everyone for coming. If they’re there, it means they love them, and it means a lot. Having her son is everything, and she hopes she gets to pass along the things her father taught her. Tommy says if Baby Shams grows up to be half the man MJ’s father was, they’ve done their job as parents. In MJ’s interview, she says, it’s a dream come true. She’s sad that some of her friends have shown that whatever they’re doing in their lives is more important than her baby. She toasts to Baby Shams.

Mom Fatima visits GG, bearing Persian herb stew, among other groceries. In her interview, GG says her mom is her best friend, especially through the pregnancy process. Her mother has been her human punching bag, but GG appreciates that Fatima has been there for her. She tells Fatima that she went to the doctor, and she’s starting the process again in a month and a half. She’ll be doing injections for five weeks. Fatima tells her, congratulations. In GG’s interview, she says, there was a crack in the road, and she stumbled, but she’s going to keep going. She shows Fatima the needle, and it looks gigantic. Fatima tells her, say it’s for the baby, so she can do it with satisfaction. GG says she’s getting emotional, and Fatima says she wishes GG will be a good mother. GG says she had a good teacher, and hugs Fatima.

Mike tells Paulina, he’s going to Sara’s freedom party. We flash back to the disaster of a pool party, and in his interview, Mike says, the last one sucked. Oh sh*t; here we go again. Paulina asks if everyone is going, and says, at some point, they all have to take responsibility for their own actions. Mike says he’s concerned about not going to the Sip N See. They meet Mike’s parents for dinner, and Mike wears a gold medallion that his grandfather had gifted his dad, and his dad passed to him. He thought, why put it in a safe, when he can wear it proudly? Mom Sue asks how his project is coming. In Mike’s interview, he says his parents have doubts about his capabilities. He tells her, it’s going really well, and his dad asks if he’s got proof. Mike says his project manager emails him several times a day on the progress, and it looks good. Sue says he’s almost there, and Mike says, it’s going to be a good year. Sue says she’s proud of him. It’s a big deal. Mike set his mind to it, and he’s doing it. In his interview, Mike says, all he’s wanted is for his parents to be proud. It only took 41 years.

Nema goes to lunch with Mona, half-sister Sara, and dad Fred. In his interview, Nema tells us that his dad had another child with his stepmother, but he’s always looked at her like a full sister. She’s starting at UCLA in the fall, and he’s proud of her. He tells a story about Sara shutting off the X-Box in the middle of them playing, when she was two, and him thinking, he can’t do this parenting sh*t. Mona asks Fred if Nema should have kids, and he says, every dad wants grandchildren. Nema says, no way, and apologizes for bumming everyone out. Fred comes around the table, and hugs him. Nema gets emotional, and goes outside, and his dad follows. Nema says he’s tired of being angry. In his interview, he says he didn’t cause this. The actions of his mom and dad did. We flash back to Nema talking to his therapist, and saying he’s more angry at his dad after reading his mom’s letter. He tells us, he’s had twenty-five years of small talk with his dad. Fred says he knows how much he hurt Nema, and doesn’t want him to suffer. Nema means everything to him, and he hopes Nema can give him room in his life, because he loves him. Nema says, they don’t talk, but his dad says Nema is his son, and he loves him. Let’s fix this. Nema says, at this point, it’s too late, but Fred says, they’re ready for it. He wants them to be close, and wants to help Nema. Nema hopes so. In his interview, Nema says they have had a sincere moment of closeness in years. It’s been like a game of chicken. When they get back to the table, Fred says he loves all of them, and Nema says he forgives him and his mom. He doesn’t want to carry it anymore. He can’t spend the next 35 years like the last ones. He suggests they have more regular meetings as a family.

Tommy asks MJ if Reza is going to be at Sara’s party. MJ says, the scene of the crime. Tommy says he has a bat in the car; he’s got a softball game. MJ tells him, no jokes like that.

In Reza’s interview, he says he left Hawaii thinking he’d be dropping the charges. But Adam is clear that dropping the restraining order isn’t an option.   

In Destiney’s interview, she says she has no issue with Sara. She dated Sara’s brother; however, the last time, it was a disaster. We flash back to that. She says she can still be nice and sweet; that’s who she is. Plus, she can rub it in his face that she’s cute. When MJ arrives, she says, do-over, and in her interview, she says she has hella PTSD just walking in. In Reza’s interview, he says talk about going back to the worst experience. He hopes he gets three, four, or five sheets to whatever wind. He blows a kiss to MJ, who tells Vida not to attack him. Vida swears she’s not going to attack anybody. GG sees Sam, and in her interview, she says she needs to have a talk with Destiney. She doesn’t know what Destiney saw in that guy. The way she talked, GG thought he would look like James Bond. WTF?

Reza and MJ step away, and he says he’s trying to avoid her mom. He says he was glad they’re in a good place, making forward motions, but when he walked in, he heard Vida talking about him to Nema. MJ says she wants Reza to say hello; just acknowledge her. Reza gives Vida some polite conversation, and moves along to the bar. Mike tells Nema, he’s yet to get an apology from MJ, and Nema says he thinks it was wrong of Mike not to show up for the Sip N See. Mike says there’s plenty of time for them to catch up. Reza joins them, and Mike says he wasn’t there either. Reza says, it was because of the restraining order. He’s not going to file charges; he doesn’t want a felony case for Tommy, MJ, or the baby. But as far as the restraining order goes, Adam feels safer with keeping it in place. They don’t want to risk another moment of impulse control. Nema asks if MJ knows, and wonders how their relationship can survive. In Reza’s interview, he says, Adam wants him to take a stand for him and their marriage. He’s going to respect his husband’s wishes. How can he not?

Nema asks MJ how it went with Reza, and she says she hasn’t asked if everything is dropped, and Nema tells her that Reza isn’t dropping the restraining order. He just said it. In MJ’s Interview, she says she’s really hurt. She doesn’t believe Reza would make that choice, to double down on something that damaged their friendship beyond recognition. He’d assured her that he was dropping everything in his power. She tells Nema that their friendship is built on lies. Destiney joins them, and Nema says, there’s drama. Reza comes in, and Nema says, perfect timing. A conversation came up about the restraining order. MJ says, everything they talked about was a lie. Nema tells her, that’s not what he said, and she says Reza also talked to other people, and she doesn’t like anyone else being involved. Reza says, what transpired in his household… and MJ says, he changed his mind? He says they’re not pursuing the felony charges, but what if Tommy comes back in six months with a gun instead of a bat? MJ says, so he’s worried about the future? and Reza says, 100%. MJ says if there’s going to be a future between them, please don’t do this. He needs to give her credit for 30 years of being his friend. That’s why she apologized. She’ll burn this house down if he doesn’t lift everything. He says he’s sorry, and she says she can’t do this. In Reza’s interview, he says he doesn’t want the restraining order to be the nail in the coffin of his friendship with MJ. But at the same time, he had to pick between two people he loves. He’s still married, and picked his husband.

On the balcony, MJ yells, these people are full of sh*t, and she doesn’t need to be there. In Mike’s interview, he says, they’re not a bunch of fair-weather friends. This has gone too far. How did they get to this place? In her interview, GG says, certain people will find a happier ending, and certain relationships are completely done. Reza yells for everyone to come and take a family photo, and the guests all gather by the pool. In MJ’s interview, she says she’s heartbroken and gutted. She was open to fixing the friendship, but wonders how they can ever get back from this. She leaves the party.

Next time – the Reunion.

💿 For the Record…

Today on GH’s Flashback Friday, it was an anniversary episode from 2014. I don’t remember seeing this, but I might have still been dealing with repairing the house after Hurricane Sandy. AJ died after Sonny shot him, Lucy was still married to Doc, Noah had broken up with Bobbie, and the Nurses Ball was on the horizon. Since there were flashbacks within this flashback, we saw three different Carlys, and saw Sonny when he was practically an infant. At the end, AJ was met by Emily, Edward, Lila, and Alan, and took the stairs up to heaven. Which is really questionable.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/flashback-friday-51st-anniversary-episode?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=14195

🩹 Ouch…

TJ got roughed up IRL too. At least he doesn’t have to go to work right now.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/tajh-bellow-tj-using-crutches

👋🏼 Goodbye Joe…

For at least the third time. I feel bad for the kids, but it’s probably time to quit now. Face it, he’d just be a thorn in Teresa’s side.

https://pagesix.com/2020/04/29/rhonj-star-joe-giudices-deportation-appeal-denied/

🍑 Past the Peach…

For some reason, my brain translated Phaedra to Rosa. Probably because of Porsha’s misunderstanding of the Underground Railroad. History and pop culture have somehow meshed in my brain.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/porsha-williams-on-relationship-with-phaedra-parks-after-rhoa?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_Dish

🧗🏼‍♂️ A Gathering Of Goonies…

One more fun, creative get-together to keep you amused during quarantine.

https://www.upworthy.com/goonies-reunion-with-josh-gad

🎺 Quotes of the Week

Remember, No one’s more important than people! In other words, friendship is the most important thing – not career or housework, or one’s fatigue – and it needs to be tended and nurtured. – Julia Child

There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. – Soren Kierkegaard

David is not a terrorist. He’s a Catholic. – woman being catfished on Dr. Phil

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. – Oscar Wilde

It is never too late to be what you might have been. – George Eliot

It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then. – Lewis Carroll

Well-behaved women seldom make history. – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

The most common form of despair is not being who you are. – Soren Kierkegaard

Nobody wanted to be in this situation. It is how we react to it that will define us as people. – David Toborowsky, 90 Day Fiancé: Self-Quarantined

You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life? – Rumi

Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. – Voltaire

I had to think of a new and creative way to embarrass my children. – Sarah Michelle Gellar on why she dyed her hair pink during quarantine, TheSkimm. (She sounds like my father.)

📝 Summing Up the Week…

PandemicClint

You made it through another one. And I’ve added more things to my list of what I never want to hear/see again, like WFH (I’d actually thought it mean what fresh hell when I first saw it), and #alonetogether (I just want to be alone). The doors are slowly starting to open, and you’ll be out there again soon. See you when it’s time to sail away on Monday. Until then, stay safe, stay on your good behavior, and shake your groove thing like nobody’s watching. Unless they are.

Nov27

November 26, 2019 – Hayden Meets With Nikolas, the OC Takes On Miami, Kelly Sets Things Straight, Finally It’s Happened To Her & Almost T-Day

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What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

Alexis appreciates Neil’s concern, but she’s concerned. She was poisoned by something banned in the 60s. Does he really think Kendra did it? Neil says he doesn’t know Kendra, but assessing the information he does know rationally, everything points in one direction. Her life coach poisoned her.

Lulu finds Dustin and asks if he’ll sign her hall pass. He asks when she started attending the school, and she says she’s not officially enrolled, but she heard there’s an amazing English teacher, and she wants to audit the class. He says students can tell when a teacher is distracted, and she’s nothing if not distracting. He kisses her, and she says she’s not really there for class. She has a Thanksgiving card from Rocco for him. He says maybe he can wish Rocco a happy Thanksgiving in person. What are they doing on the holiday?

Cameron tells Dev, come on, dude. Just tell us. If he’s not Sonny’s cousin, who is he? Trina says, no secrets; house rules. Josslyn says, maybe some secrets are secrets for a reason. Cameron asks if she knew about this.

At the pier, Hayden flashes back to Valentin offering her a quarter million dollars to tell him what’s so important about the portrait. If she doesn’t want payment, he can exert influence in other ways. He has a skill set that he’s experienced in using, and once the money is off the table, it will get unpleasant. He’s asking her one more time if they have a deal. Her phone rings, and she asks what they want.

Valentin tells Hayden that he’s ready to wire the money, but she says she’s still setting up the account. He asks what the delay is, and she says she’s juggling a million things. He says breaking a deal with him causes substantial penalties, and she says she’ll call him. Charlotte comes in, and Valentin asks if she’s ready. She asks when she can go back to school; she misses her friends. He says he thought they weren’t taking any chances after what happened. Charlotte flashes back to Nikolas telling her that he works for her father, but the next time, he’ll be faster to save her. He wants to stay on as her bodyguard. Charlotte tells Valentin that she doesn’t have to worry. She knows she’ll be safe.

Nikolas comes downstairs, and Jax asks where he’s off to. He says he has an appointment, and Jax asks if he realizes that every time he leaves, he risks their operation. Jax wonders if Nikolas has a secret desire to be found out. Nikolas says Jax gave him a deadline for wrapping things up before New Year’s Eve. Laura comes to the door, and Jax says Nikolas is welcome to get that. Nikolas jets, and Jax says he didn’t think so. Laura says, it’s important. The situation is heating up.

Jax answers the door, and asks what brings Laura by. She says she’s assuming he got one of these, and shows him the invitation to Valentin and Nina’s wedding. Jax tells her that Nina and Valentin are going to try to get married again. She says she wasn’t invited to the first one. Does he have any idea why they requested the pleasure of her presence this time? Jax says she’s Charlotte’s grandmother, but she says, something is up. Maybe Valentin is rubbing her nose in the fact that what he has belongs to her son.

Alexis asks if Neil is giving up psychology for detective work. He wonders if she’s doubting his amateur sleuthing, and she says, emphasis on amateur. He says there was no question that thallium was in her bloodstream; the questions is, where did it come from? He asks if Julian told her about the dead rats in the alley, and she says he did. Neil asks if Julian told her that he ran into Kendra there the day before.

Lulu tells Dustin that Charlotte will be spending Thanksgiving with her father and Nina, so she and Rocco are going to the Quartermaine’s for Thanksgiving dinner. She hopes being there might keep Rocco from feeling sad about missing his dad. He asks what time dinner starts, and she says, between three and four. He says that means she has the morning free. Can he interest her in going to the Port Charles parade with him?

Dev tells them to leave Josslyn out of it. It’s his secret to tell – or not. Trina asks if Josslyn is covering for him, and Cameron asks if she’s covering, or is Dev pressuring her. Josslyn tells them, calm down. They’re all friends. Dev says he thought so. Josslyn tells Dev, they have to tell them or they’ll keep digging. Cameron asks, what’s going on? and Trina asks if there’s something wrong. Josslyn says everything is okay, but Dev isn’t exactly Sonny’s cousin.

Valentin says, after the horrible experience with Cassandra, he thought Charlotte didn’t want to rush back to school. What changed? She flashes back to telling Nikolas that she doesn’t want to lie to her papa. He says it’s not a lie if she just doesn’t tell. Please. He just wants to prove himself, and that he can keep her safe. Charlotte tells Valentin that she was afraid at first, but she knows he’ll make sure she’s safe. He says he always will; she’s his whole world. Charlotte hopes he and Nina get married this time. She wants Nina to be in the family forever. Valentin calls her his princess, and says once they make Nina the queen, they can guard the castle and make sure no dragons harm their family. He hugs her.

Nikolas shows up at the pier, and Hayden tells him, two more minutes, and he would have been there by himself. She could be spending time with her little girl and her father. What was the urgency? He says, her first. Anything to disclose? She asks what he’s talking about, and he says he got impatient yesterday. He decided to take advantage of the fact that he’s dead, and eliminate Valentin. He’s known, one way or the other, it would come down to Valentin or him, so he went to Spoon Island, and let himself in through the secret passage. But Valentin wasn’t alone; she was there. He heard every word. She should learn to negotiate. A quarter of a million dollars is nothing. She says he might think otherwise if he’d heard everything else, but he says he doesn’t know why anyone would be fool enough to trust Valentin. They could meet the same fate as Cassandra. She says she had no choice. Valentin knows that she knows something, and he won’t back off. Why did he drag her into this? He says he got her into it; let him get her out.

Jax says he assumes Laura isn’t there to discuss the invitation, and she says, no. As mayor, it was brought to her attention that for a brief time, he was a person of interest in Cassandra’s escape. He says his credit card was used to rent the van she escaped in. It was dismissed, since it was a case of identity theft. She says what she has to ask is, why his identity? He asks what her point is, and she says whoever helped Cassandra escape might have wanted to implicate Jax when she died. Then he’d be an accessory, and they’d get rid of two enemies at once. Does he think Valentin would frame him? Valentin might have figured out the potential value of the portrait. He says, all the more reason to step up their game, and find out what Ava knows. The doorbell rings, and she asks if he was expecting someone else. He says he wasn’t expecting her. It’s Colonel Sanders Martin, who introduces himself, and walks right in. He’s glad to see Laura there too, and asks if there’s any chance they could discuss a matter of mutual interest. Laura asks what that would be, and he says, a work of art. More specifically, a portrait of a lady.

Dustin tells Lulu than the band and cheer squad have been practicing for weeks, but she says he doesn’t have to go for the hard sell. Rocco loves parades. He says, what about Rocco’s mom? and she says she loves them. He asks if he can pick her up or should they meet, and she suggests he come over early. She can make pumpkin spice pancakes. He says he’ll be there, and asks how Charlotte is. She says, it’s amazing how well she’s doing, and he says, she has a strong family around her. Lulu says he’s perceptive, and he tells her, it’s the company he keeps. He knows a hotshot journalist. He’s looking forward to getting together.

Dev tells Josslyn, Sonny isn’t going to like this. Trina asks if this is a godfather situation. Is that the kind of family Dev comes from? Josslyn tells Dev that if  they don’t say anything, Trina and Cameron will think it’s worse than it actually is. Cameron says, just say it. Who is he? Dev says he’s not Dev Corbin. He’s Dev Cerci. It’s a Turkish name. Trina asks why it’s a secret, and Josslyn says, Dev is from Turkey, and he met Sonny when Sonny was searching for Dante. There was trouble, and Dev put himself on the line, so Sonny owes him. Trina asks if Sonny brought him back, but Dev says he got there on his own. Josslyn says Dev is in the country illegally, and has a fake passport. Sonny arranged for him to have a US ID, but if anyone looks too close, there could be serious trouble. Dev could get deported.

Alexis tells Neil that murder needs a motive and opportunity. He asks if Kendra didn’t supply the supplement, but Alexis says she had it tested. He says, when she first started taking it. She says she had her doctor check on the ingredients, and he says, from the first batch. She says she liked it, and it made her feel good, so she had Kendra refill it. He asks why she didn’t just order it herself, but she says it’s from Italy and she doesn’t think it’s distributed here. He wonders if Kendra told her that, and she says she didn’t see it anywhere. He asks if she saw Kendra take it, and she says she saw Kendra mix it herself from her container. He asks if she saw Kendra drink it, or could she have substituted something? She tells him, hang on, Sherlock. He’s forgetting motive. Why would Kendra want to poison her? They met randomly at a fitness boot camp for charity. He says he has to see a patient, but while he’s gone, think of the day she first felt ill, and the day she last saw Kendra. Maybe she can remember what’s wrong or right. He leaves, and Alexis ponders.

Kendra shows up, and says she’s glad to hear Alexis is on the mend. She felt inadequate, just sending her a smiley emoji. She’s been worried about Alexis, and thought she’d come and see for herself if Alexis is feeling better. Alexis says, much better. And don’t worry about the emoji. She’s used to it; she has three daughters. Kendra asks if there’s anything she can do, but Alexis says, no. Everything is good. People have been kind; her doctors, her family, Neil, even Julian. Kendra says, obviously, he still cares about Alexis. Alexis says Julian came by to talk about… She wants to change the subject. Does Kendra go to Charlie’s sometimes? Kendra says, it’s true. She does enjoy the occasional Manhattan. She hopes that doesn’t make Alexis doubt her commitment to a healthy lifestyle. She says Alexis should elongate her spine, and starts messing with the pillows.

Trina asks what about Dev’s family? Don’t they miss him? Dev says it was better for him to come there. Sonny said he’d help him, and give him a shot at a better life. Josslyn says, they can’t mess up with Dev’s story, even for a second. Cameron says Dev hasn’t perfected it yet. What about political asylum? Josslyn says, it’s too late for that. Dev got in with a fake passport. To apply legally, he’d have to leave, and then apply under his real name. It could take years. Cameron says he’s stuck with being Dev Corbin forever. Josslyn says, only a few people know. Her mom, Sonny, her dad, Jason, and now them. They have to be together. No one says anything; no one makes a mistake. Dustin comes to the door, and Dev blocks it. They scramble into their seats, and Dev jumps into his, leaving the door. Dustin comes in, and says, okay. What’s going on?   

Lulu goes to Windymere to get Charlotte, and asks how Charlotte is feeling. Charlotte says she’s fine, and Valentin say,s she’s nothing if not resilient. Charlotte says she wants to go back to school, and Lulu doesn’t see why not, but Valentin says he’ll send Lulu a text about it later. Lulu says Spencer girls are fierce. Valentin tells Charlotte to stick close to her mother, and they leave. Valentin looks at his phone, and says, the clock is ticking, Hayden.

Martin says he represents a client who prefers to remain anonymous. They’re an art lover with eclectic taste, and acquired a portrait by J. Garran, purchased from the Jerome gallery. He’s heard they share an interest in the artist, and his client is open to hearing their best offer. Jax says he’s not making an offer sight unseen. How does he even know they’re in possession of it? Martin opens his briefcase, and says, seeing is believing. He shows them a picture of the portrait. I’m wondering why this should be enough to prove it.

Nikolas gives Hayden his jacket, and she asks why he’s being so nice to her. He says there was a genuine connection between them once. That’s why he contacted her. He needed allies in Port Charles, so he could roam freely, but he also wanted to make amends, and give her a cut of what he stands to get from Valentin. It’s significantly more than $250,000. She appreciates his good intentions, but says that’s not going to protect her from Valentin. He says he can protect her. She can leave before Valentin knows she’s gone. He can have her identity scrubbed clean, and she can have a fresh start where Valentin will never find her. How soon can she leave? She says, never.

Hayden says she’s come too far and sacrificed too much. Her daughter has finally met her father, and their future is there. Nikolas says, it’s a fantasy. The only way to keep her daughter safe is to disappear. She says he brought her there knowing the risk. Now he says it’s too great? Why should she trust him? She still has the scar from when he tried to kill her. He says, it cuts both ways. That’s the past, and they need to look at what’s happening now. Her best, her only option, is to leave, and he can make that happen. She says, thanks, but no thanks. She has too many reasons to stay. She starts to walk away.

Martin says, J. Garran isn’t known for his brushstrokes or lighting. It’s the puzzles he puts in his paintings; the riddles his devotees love to solve. Jax asks how he knows it’s even intact. Laura asks if the canvas and frame are in pristine condition, and Martin says, authentication will be provided when an offer is made. Laura asks the name of his client, and Martin says, as he explained, they want to remain anonymous. Laura says she has a problem with that. She holds public office, and needs to know who she’s doing business with. Martin says she’ll be doing business with him. Think about it, but don’t wait too long. The painting is in great demand. He tells them that he’ll see himself out. He leaves, and Jax and Laura look at each other.

At the café, Lulu shows Charlotte pictures of Donna, Wiley, and Rocco. She tells Charlotte that Olivia claims she’s cooking a turkey dinner, but she doesn’t believe it. Charlotte asks why she thinks Olivia can’t cook turkey, and Lulu says, the Quartermaines have a terrible track record when it comes to Thanksgiving. When Charlotte is eating dinner with her papa and Nina, they’ll be eating pizza. (One of the things I look forward to every year, along with how Lucy will lose her clothes at the Nurses Ball.) Charlotte says, Leo loves pizza. Lulu says she and Rocco have a busy day planned, and asks if Charlotte wants to join them at the parade. Charlotte says she and her papa have a whole day planned too. She asks if Dustin will be at the parade, and Lulu asks how she knows about Dustin. Charlotte says he’s Lulu’s special friend, isn’t he? Lulu says, he’s a friend, and he’s special, but they’re still getting to know each other. Is Charlotte okay with that? Charlotte says, she likes Dustin, and Lulu says she’s glad to hear it. She likes Dustin too.

Dustin asks if Mr. Rosenberg is on a break, and Train says he is. He asks for how long, and she says, a while. He ask if they’re planning on taking over the lunchroom, and staging a walk-out because there’s no sushi, and Josslyn says, that’s it. Dustin says they broke the rules, and they’re here to learn to take responsibility for the consequences when they make bad choices. The choices they make could cause harm to them or someone else. Have they thought about that? Cameron says they have, and Dustin says Cameron was already on probation, and stands to lose the most. Does he have anything else to say? If there are any other choices they’re wrestling with, now’s the time to say so.

Kendra says, now that Alexis is on the mend, she’ll be out soon, and back on her feet in no time. Alexis says she’s not rushing back into working out without doctor’s orders. Kendra asks if it was a bug, and Alexis says she was poisoned by thallium. It’s been banned for decades, but was used as rat poison. The police believe that it was deliberate. Someone is trying to kill her.

Nikolas tells Hayden, some people have been blown to bits. That’s how far Valentin is willing to go to protect himself. Once she tells him what he wants to know, she’s expendable. She says she can’t leave. Violet has never had a real home, or known her family. Now that she’s been introduced to her father, Hayden isn’t taking that away. It’s not fair. Nikolas says, it isn’t, but it’s temporary. Once he’s found the codicil, and reclaimed the estate, Valentin will be powerless. He won’t be able to touch her. Right now, the closer Violet is, the more danger she’s in. 

On the phone, Valentin says he’s a patient man. He wants them to move on this. They know what to do. Do it.

Jax tells Laura, something’s not right. They were just talking about what Ava did with the painting, and Martin shows up wanting to sell it. Laura says, it’s convenient. An anonymous client bought it to sell it to them? Jax says he should act quickly. Martin said there was a lot of interest. It has to be Valentin. He could know the codicil is in the portrait. Laura says he didn’t know when he had it thrown out. He did ask about it a couple of times, so he must have realized it’s important. Jax doubts he realizes the codicil strips him of the estate. Martin rings the bell again. He apologizes, saying he was in such a hurry to report back, he left the picture. He picks it up off the coffee table, and I’m betting there’s a mic in the frame. He says he hopes he hears from them soon. He leaves, and Laura wonders what they was about. I say, what that was about is, you stupid.

Cameron tells Dustin that he thinks he can speak for everyone in saying they’re totally committed to making the right choices, even if those choices are unpopular. Trina adds, and even if their friends don’t understand the cost. Josslyn says, that’s what real friends do. Dustin is glad they’re willing to hold themselves accountable. They seem to have gotten something out of it. He tells them if Mr. Rosenberg isn’t back by the end of the period, they’re free to go. He leaves, and Dev thanks Cameron. Cameron says, not so fast. Dev might not like what he has to say next.

Kendra wonders who would do such a thing, and Alexis says she keeps wondering that herself. Kendra says it’s going to cause stress, and it’s the last thing Alexis needs while she’s recovering. She suggests doing cleansing breaths, but Alexis says she’s feeling tired. Kendra says, before she goes, she has something that will help Alexis relax, and give her a sense of well-being. She hands Alexis a capsule, but Alexis doesn’t think it’s a good idea to mix it with the medication. Kendra says, it’s totally holistic, like this makes a difference. She tells Alexis, just swallow, and she’ll start to feel more alive. Neil comes back, and asks what Kendra is doing there. Kendra says she was just checking in, and Neil says, the doctors were pretty clear that Alexis needs rest. Kendra says she was just on her way out, and tells Alexis, get better soon. She can’t wait for them to get back to work. She leaves, and Neil asks if Alexis is okay. She says, she didn’t swallow it, and Neil says, what? She shows him the capsule, and says Kendra gave her something to relax. He’s glad she didn’t take it, and she says his suspicion is contagious  That doesn’t make Kendra guilty though – yet. She asks him to take it to the lab and have it analyzed. See if he’s right.

Cameron is sorry he pressured Dev to tell his secret. Obviously, it would be better if they didn’t know, but there’s no turning back. Trina says, if Dev goes down, they all do. Josslyn says they have to make sure he’s not caught. Cameron says they have each other’s backs, and need to trust each other not to tell another living soul – no matter what. They touch hands, and they swear.

Lulu tells Charlotte that she’s grabbing their order, and to stay there. She’s going to be two feet away, and make sure Charlotte is safe. Charlotte says, she’s perfectly safe, and Lulu says, she’s a Spencer girl after all. Charlotte looks at Lulu’s pictures, and sees one of Nikolas. She flashes back to him saying there are bad people out there, and he promises to get rid of every last one of them.

Hayden throws Nikolas’s jacket back at him. She says it’s her life and her child. Get out. He says he’ll go, but know that the more she drags it out, the more danger she’s in. In spite of their rocky past, he doesn’t want to see her or her daughter in harm’s way. He leaves her alone on the pier.

Jax tells Laura, they can’t look too eager. He’ll have to offer below market value. Laura says when Valentin finds out, what’s to stop him from making a counter-offer? She looks at Martin’s card.

Martin arrives at Windymere, and Valentin asks if he was successful. Martin says, tell him, and plays a recording of Jax saying, the codicil to Valentin’s father’s will is hidden in Helena’s portrait. Told you.

Hayden stands on the pier, and flashes back to telling Finn about Violet being born, and how she was named after his favorite flower. Every smile, every expression reminded her of him. She takes out her phone, and says, Finn, pick up. He’s the only one she trusts. Someone grabs her from behind.

Tomorrow, Lucas tells Brad to come clean, Sasha talks to Willow, Valentin has no intention of losing anything, and Nikolas tells Hayden that she has to leave now.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Kelly meets Braunwyn who said woke up 6 am, and was already running late. The only time I see 6 am is when it’s because I’ve stayed up until then. Braunwyn says she and Sean are going to Miami on Sunday, and she’s not prepared. Kelly says she doesn’t want go. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says Kelly is her friend, and she wants Kelly to go. She tells Kelly that she doesn’t have to hang out with Tamra, Vicki, or Shannon. In Kelly’s interview, she says, that’s not a vacation; it’s Game of Thrones. She tells Braunwyn, they’re like The Witches of Eastwick. In her interview, she says they have all the characteristics of witches. They have the cackle – we flash back to each of them… well, yeah, they’re cackling – and they plot and plan. She tells Braunwyn, these bitches better stay in their lane and stop picking on her. Braunwyn knows they won’t, and Kelly says, Tamra is so two-faced, it’s ridiculous.

Tamra and Gina go shopping for bathing suits. I’m going to be the first to say it tonight. Gina needs to lose that blonde hair. The shade is bad for her, and it looks over-processed. I don’t know if she didn’t spend enough on a hairdresser, did it herself, or what, but it’s a huge no. Tamra says her competition days are over, and we flash back to her strutting her stuff. Gina asks how long they’re staying, and Tamra says, it’s only one night in Miami. Gina asks if she’s talked to Kelly, and Tamra says she hasn’t. It’s been three weeks since Kelly trash talked her to everybody. The first time she sees Kelly, it’s going to be totally awkward.

Kelly tells Braunwyn, they have a gang mentality. Tamra’s been talking about Kelly’s mom and repeating rumors. She yelled at Vicki, saying repeating a rumor is the same as telling one, and then does it herself. Braunwyn says something about these women as a group brings this out. She thinks if Kelly dealt with them individually, they can get through it. Kelly says they’re obviously not her friends. Braunwyn tells her, stop engaging with them, and just hang with her. Kelly says it doesn’t work, and she doesn’t like it. They say she fights dirty. They should shut up first, then she will.

Tamra tells Gina, something flips in Kelly. When she thinks someone has done something to her, if it’s true or not, she goes ballistic. In Gina’s interview, she says, Kelly gets mad, and tries to destroy people. She involved herself in Jim Bellino’s lawsuit. Kelly has been reaching out to Jim. We see tweets from Kelly with hashtags to Jim. Tamra says she’s not stooping to that level, and I laugh so hard, I almost fall out of my chair. In my head. Gina says, step away, have some shots, and some hot Miami men. Tamra says Gina can do the last one; she can’t.

Braunwyn says she knows Tamra loves Kelly. You only get that angry at people you love. Kelly says Tamra doesn’t love her.

Tamra says, Kelly doesn’t think. She’s only as smart as the last person she’s talked to. She feels Kelly has crossed the line.

Braunwyn says if Kelly is done after the trip, she won’t talk her out of it, but she wants Kelly to give it one more shot. At least then she tried. Is she in? Kelly says she is. In her interview, Kelly says, she’s not letting the three amoebas (ha-ha-ha!) get in the way of her fun.

Shannon calls lawyer Ben from the car, and tells him that she’ll be there in ten minutes. In her interview, she says the divorce was filed two years ago. It’s such a shame they had to fight. It should have been easier to move on. The first few days, you try to settle, and today is the last day. Either they settle or go to trial. The process has been so nasty and emotional, she can’t wait to clean her hands of the marriage and move on with her life. We flash back to David being a jerk, moving on to being fake, and then being a jerk again. We see Shannon at the reunion, saying they’re not together anymore, and they’re getting a divorce. She says it makes her want to pull her hair and cry her eyes out, knowing there are people who want her to get nothing. It frightens her to death.

In another car, Tamra tells Gina that Vicki has a surprise for them. Gina says Vicki invited everyone over, except Kelly. Tamra says, and Braunwyn. She nearly said something, and Braunwyn didn’t know about it.

Emily arrives at Vicki’s first, and Tamra and Gina follow. In Gina’s interview, she says she had no idea what Vicki’s surprise is. It could be an I’m taking you on vacation surprise, or a COTO insurance education class surprise, where they have to buy insurance at the end. Vicki says Shannon is going to be late, and makes a big deal of fanning herself because it’s hot. Gina grabs Vicki’s hand, saying, is she serious? Vicki says she got engaged. In her interview, Vicki says, this happened, and shows us her ring. In Tamra’s interview, she says, Vicki’s love tank is full. In Emily’s interview, she says Vicki sold a lot of insurance to buy that ring. Vicki tells them, two nights ago, Steve suggested they just have a quiet dinner. In her interview, she says that Steve told her that he just wanted to be with her, and they both started crying. She tells the women that Steve said he loves her, and his family loves her, and he wants her to be his wife. Shannon joins them. Tamra tells Vicki the pictures don’t do the ring justice. In Shannon’s interview, she says she’s over the moon for Vicki. She believes in love and romance, and knows she’ll get married again, and has a happy life ahead. Shannon says, it’s done; she signed the papers. Things were contentious, but today, David was being nice. In her interview, she says the final settlement was about in the middle of the high and low points she thought she’d be. Today, she was coming from a place where she might get nothing. She tells them, before she got there, she got an email from David. He said he’s proud of what she’s done, and hopes they can move forward. He wants the best for her. She says it’s what she wanted him to say when they were married. Emily says, validation, and they toast. Vicki says they’re going to have fun, eat, and then celebrate. They go inside to eat. Tamra says Shannon is going to piss all over Key West. In Shannon’s interview, she says it’s going to be Shannon Storms time there, and she’s not thinking about David’s affair. Gina tells them about Matt bringing her breakfast in bed and flowers. In Gina’s interview, she says Matt is bringing his A-game. He’s trying to woo her. Emily asks if she feels the change is permanent, and Gina says he’ll never sh*t on her again. In Emily’s interview, she says, Gina and Matt are the worst divorcing couple ever. They want a divorce, and want to get back together. As a former divorce attorney, she hasn’t seen this. People who come for a divorce, usually want a divorce. Shannon tells Vicki that she forgot about Braunwyn, even though Braunwyn invited her to Miami. Vicki says she doesn’t know Braunwyn, and Tamra says, you really get to know people when you travel together. Vicki asks about Kelly, and Tamra says she doesn’t know. Legally, she and Shannon can’t talk to her. In Tamra’s interview, she says their attorneys advised them not to talk to Kelly, which isn’t the same thing, so as usual, Tamra is making it up as she goes along. Shannon says, anything they say can be used against them, and Tamra says she’ll never be Kelly’s friend again.

Braunwyn asks Sean for Miami outfit advice. They’re going early, and she’s looking forward to a few stress-free days with her husband. She doesn’t wear a lot in Miami. Everything she has is Vegas stripper. She says Sean learned about fashion with her careful tutoring. When she met him, he was wearing overalls, with one side unbuttoned. Sean asks if she thinks Kelly is coming, and she says she’s hoping they work through it. Vicki just got engaged. She invited everyone over but her and Kelly. Vicki is mad at Kelly, and to quote her, Braunwyn doesn’t exist. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says she and Vicki don’t have a relationship, but they have mutual friends. Braunwyn wants Vicki to be nice and pleasant, and maybe learn her name. Sean says, the trip will help. They can laugh and have fun. Braunwyn doesn’t understand how they can be so intense with each other, but still close. It’s almost like they’re married. She and Sean fight, but then have sex, and it disappears. Because of Tamra, Braunwyn can’t make out with the others.

Tamra bikes to Vicki’s. Briana, Ryan, Michael, Owen, and Walter the pug are there. In vicki’s interview, she says Briana moving away was her worst nightmare. In Briana’s interview, she says her life in North Carolina is amazing. It’s been her best year healthwise in ten or twelve years. She’s getting good medical care from the best lupus practice in the nation. She’s been on the keto diet, and lost sixty pounds, and there’s less stress. Vicki tells Steve, they went from a quiet house to dogs and kids. Vicki asks when Steve thinks they should get married, and he says, next year. Briana asks if Vicki is changing her name, and Vicki says, absolutely. Tamra jogs in, and hugs Briana. In her interview, Tamra says Briana is like a daughter to her. They met when Briana was young. She ask if Briana thinks they’ll ever move back, and Briana says, f*** no. Tamra asks when they’re having another kid, and Ryan says, last night. Vicki says, they consummated their marriage downstairs? and Briana says, they’ve been married eight years. Vicki leaves to get her camera. In her interview, Tamra says, she and Briana came together when Vicki was dating Brooks; they knew he wasn’t good for her. We flash back to them discussing him. She’s happy Vicki is with such a good guy. She tells Briana that Vicki has changed since she’s been with Brooks. She’s said before that Vicki is a chameleon dater. In Briana’s interview, she says Vicki’s relationship with Don was good. They got married when she and her brother were still little, and Vicki and Don raised them. But she doesn’t feel they were ever truly in love. Brooks was all passion (ew! thanks for the visual), but there was nothing else. No respect; nothing else that makes a true relationship. Vicki comes back out with the camera, and Tamra takes a family picture. Steve wonders if he should stand where he could be cut out of the photo later if something happens.

Braunwyn and Sean are already in Miami. Sean says, it’s so cool. It’s like group therapy for the women. Braunwyn says if they can’t have fun in Miami, they can’t have fun. In Braunwyn’s interview, she says when she and Sean lived in Miami as a couple, they always wanted to be fun, and have crazy nights and days. The city was made for her. She says, it’s the right environment, and there’s tons of alcohol. Sean says it’s awesome there. Braunwyn seriously lives in a dream world. Maybe she has to, with all those kids. With tons of alcohol, it’s never going to be the right environment for these women.

Tamra calls Braunwyn while she’s packing, and asks what she needs other than a bathing suit. Braunwyn says, a sexy dress. It’s humid, so no matter what, she’ll be sweating. Bleh.

Vicki dumps sand out of her suitcase from wherever she went last time.

Sophie suggests Shannon bring lingerie, and a T-shirt with a motorcycle that says, put something exciting between your legs. Shannon says, honest to God.

In the car, Emily says she knows Kelly doesn’t want to go. Kelly says she’s not scared of Tamra or Shannon. Braunwyn was her friend first.

Tamra tells Shannon, she doesn’t know how to predict Kelly will act. She’s not even having any eye contact with her. In Shannon’s interview, she says, it should be an interesting trip, with no talking. Shannon says Kelly is afraid of them, but Tamra says she doesn’t think Kelly is afraid of anything.

Everyone gets to the airport. Shannon says, come on. Florida, we’re coming for you.

Braunwyn gets champagne and flowers for Vicki. In her interview, she says, Vicki has found love, and it’s a peace offering. Question mark over my head, since Braunwyn didn’t do anything to Vicki.

Shannon is not excited to see Kelly. Braunwyn meets them in Miami, with two convertibles to take them to the hotel. In Gina’s interview, she says she’s not surprised about the two Maseratis. Braunwyn tends to be bougie, but she’s not upset about it. Kelly says Gina had better hold on to her hair, but everyone’s hair is whipping. This is why I hate convertibles.

They get to the hotel, and are met with welcome mojitos. Braunwyn says everyone has their own room. They can freshen up, and then she’s taking them to her favorite club. Vicki sees the flowers and champagne, and says, fancy. She opens the card, and it says, congratulations on your engagement – welcome to Miami. She calls Steve, and tells him about the card. She pops the champagne, scaring herself. Sean tells Braunwyn, so far, so good. There’s magic in the Miami air. Tamra and Shannon check out the terrace, and Tamra says, don’t let Kelly out on the balcony, or stand too close. You never know who could get pushed off. Kelly calls Brian, and says they’re clubbing it up tonight. Emily tells Gina the room is very Miami, and wonders if she should move there. Vicki goes to Braunwyn’s room to thank her, saying it was super cool. Braunwyn hopes they get it right this time. In Vicki’s interview, she says she’d like to start fresh. She and Braunwyn have nothing in common, but if she gets presents, she’ll take it.

They women meet in the lobby. In Kelly’s interview, she refers to Shannon, saying, women over fifty don’t need to be wearing extensions. It looks ridiculous. They go to the Club Eleven, which Braunwyn says is a strip club. Well, there are strippers, but I wouldn’t consider this a strip club. They drink, take selfies, and dance. Gina is liking Miami. They make it rain for the strippers, and in Emily’s interview, she says she likes to further education for women. You make that money. You pay that tuition. Tamra dances on a ledge, and Vicki says, it’s Tequila Tamra, telling her to get down. In Kelly’s interview, she says Tamra still thinks she’s twenty. Have some decorum, at least for your grandchildren. Kelly asks Shannon why she’s mad at her, and Shannon says she can’t hear over the music. In Shannon’s interview, she says, it’s classic Kelly. She starts sh*t, then wonders what’s going on. She’s not having this conversation right now. On the way to the taxi, Shannon says she doesn’t go to the club, but tonight she went to the club. Some of them put on hats from the club. Kelly says she’s all about change, but Gina should get rid of the blonde. She tells Shannon that she needs to cut her hair; it looks like sh*t. Shannon asks if she can’t be nice for a second. She was trying to be different because they’re in Miami, but she’s glad Kelly told her that she looks like sh*t. Kelly says sorry if Shannon is offended. She was just trying to make her look better. She’s like sixty, and has to cut it short. Geez. I wasn’t crazy about it either, but that’s a pretty ageist and across-the-board remark.

The next morning, Braunwyn is saying goodbye to Sean. Gina calls, and says she and the others are by the pool, talking sh*t about them. Get down there. Sean tells Braunwyn, she’s on her own, and she’ll be fine. She says she misses him already. She’s going over to Shannon’s room once he leaves.

Shannon tells Braunwyn that Kelly said her hair looked like sh*t. Braunwyn says she thinks Kelly meant it as constructive criticism. Shannon says a lot people thought she looked cute. She doesn’t give a f*** what Kelly thinks. At the pool, Gina say she had fun with Kelly, and thinks she has a good heart. Tamra says, Kelly is mean. Gina says she thinks it has something to do with Kelly’s childhood, and Tamra says that’s why she kept sticking up for Kelly, but when it doesn’t stop and you’re in your forties, you can’t fix it. There need to be boundaries. Braunwyn joins them, and says Shannon isn’t happy about Kelly’s comment that her hair looked like sh*t.

Gina goes to the bar, where Kelly is sitting, and asks what she’s doing. Kelly says, working, and Gina sits down. The bartender asks what she’d like, and she says, a good time. Braunwyn tells Kelly that she wants her to be included. She feels bad, since she begged Kelly to come on the trip. In her interview, Braunwyn says she wants everyone to get along. She wants miracles. Braunwyn tells Shannon that she and Kelly have a friendship; they should talk. Shannon says she didn’t do anything, and Braunwyn tells Kelly that her talking to Jim hurt Shannon. We see a clip of Shannon saying that what Kelly did is financially devastating to her and Tamra. I wish they’d explain this better. I doubt anything Kelly said caused Jim to appeal. He seems like a sore loser, and if he’s using her tweets as the basis, he would have just found something else. Kelly says she didn’t do anything wrong. In Kelly’s interview, she says the case against Shannon was dismissed. She’s just looking for a way to be mad at Kelly because Tamra is mad at her. Braunwyn calls Shannon over, and says she’s upset because of the Jim thing. Kelly says she didn’t say anything, and Shannon says Kelly immersed herself in the case. Kelly says she was backed against a wall. People need to shut up. Shannon says it has nothing to do with her. Tamra says it has to do with her, and Kelly repeats that she was backed against a wall. Tamra brought up the train, and said she’d broke someone’s hand. She said it to Shannon. Tamra also said she threw her mom down the stairs. Tamra says, Vicki said that, and screeches that she was sticking up for Kelly. What doesn’t she get? Kelly says, Tamra was repeating what was said. Shannon says they have real live sh*t going on, and Kelly says, don’t talk about her. People who tell lies, get sued. Tamra walks away, and Braunwyn sits down. Tamra says, Kelly is dirty AF. Shannon says this is why they don’t want to talk to Kelly. Tamra tells Kelly to s*ck d*ck for money, since that’s what she does best. Because Tamra wants another lawsuit on her hands. These women are getting so tiresome. They’re making Beverly Hills look good.

Next time, Key West, Kelly feels stupid for taking the bait again, and Gina finds out Vicki contacted the woman Kelly got in a fight with. Kelly says Michael has a lot of dirt that could implode Vicki’s engagement.

👂 Repeating a Rumor Is Just As Bad…

But how about listening to it in the first place?

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/kelly-dodd-says-she-never-pushed-her-mom-down-the-stairs?cid=soc_tw_Bravo_RHOC_Dish

💍 She Finally Did It…

Congratulations, Tinsley! I hope it sticks this time.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1086435/real-housewives-of-new-york-s-tinsley-mortimer-is-engaged-to-scott-kluth

🍗 Almost Here…

The four-day weekend.