Tag Archives: Next Gen NYC

July 31, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Drew Wants Justice, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Latest In Dead, Crashing the Party, Animal Happenings, A Half Dozen Plus Two Quotes & First

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What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

Nina pushed Drew’s wheelchair into the lake… with him in it.

Jack wanted to know how Valentin had the black box, and Valentin said, right place, right time. Jack flashed back to telling Nina that if Valentin found the box before they did, they were screwed. Jack asked what Valentin would want in return, and Valentin said, immediate access to all his accounts and his assets unfrozen.

When Britt saw Jason come into the hospital, she said he was home. He said he’d been let go, and she said she didn’t think she’d see him again. He asked if they could talk somewhere, and she cracked him across the face.

New Ethan met Ava at the pool for a drink, and she asked what he was after. He said the truth about her visit to Brook. Did she tell Brook anything about Phoebe’s father?

Gio sang to Phoebe, when Brook came into the solarium. He asked if things were good and she said everything was perfect.

Willow asked if she was under arrest, but Chase said the PCPD just wanted her to answer some questions. It was about her connection to Sidwell.

Nina freaked and grabbed her phone. She screamed Drew’s name and ran off.

Josslyn said Valentin had already been set free. Did he want to push it? He said he thought he was on a roll, and Jack said the box was stolen property and he didn’t have to negotiate. He just had to enforce the law. Valentin said, but then Jack and the WSB would have to explain how he’d gotten it. Could he imagine the fallout? A good time would not be had by all. Jack said he thought they could work something out.

Molly said she was subbing for Turner in questioning Willow, and Dante said he’d sent Chase to get her. He was trying to rebuild trust with Chase.

Willow said she barely knew Sidwell, and Chase said they were just being thorough and she’d had dealings with him as a congresswoman. She said she was in the middle of something important. Could he tell them that he couldn’t find her?

Brook thanked Gio for babysitting, and he said he loved it, and besides, Brook had set up a record contract for him. She said she’d just set up a meeting and Simon had agreed to a 90 day out in case he wanted to bail. He said that wouldn’t happen. He wasn’t changing his mind, but it meant a lot that she was looking out for him.

Britt brought Jason into an exam room, and he asked if there was a particular reason for the slap. She said, so she could treat him for an injury. He might have a concussion. He said, the slap wasn’t that hard, but she said it was the only way they could have privacy, since she was on probation at the hospital. She was in shock and sorry she’d slapped him. She’d been scared for him. He said it was nothing he couldn’t handle. The important thing was, he was home now for good. She hugged him.

Ava asked if Ethan was spying on her, but he said Tracy mentioned it when she’d invited him over for backgammon. The guy from the stables she normally played with wasn’t available. She’d said Ava dropped a gift by for Phoebe. Ava said she wasn’t entirely comfortable keeping Ethan’s secret and wanted to know more about Phoebe’s situation. He said it was for Phoebe’s protection. Her father was a really bad guy who couldn’t know she existed and the fewer people who knew, the better. She said she hadn’t said anything, but he said that didn’t mean she wouldn’t, right?

Gio told Brook that he wasn’t giving up the violin, but wanted to concentrate on playing guitar and singing. He had to pack since he was moving back in with Sonny tomorrow. She said he could stop by anytime, even to swim in the lake, and should grab one more swim before he left.

Valentin brought the box in, and Jack said he had to examine the contents, but in the meantime Josslyn would take him to start the process of unfreezing his accounts. Valentin left with Josslyn, and Jack opened the box.

Dante and Molly waited in the interrogation room, and Dante said he’d heard Molly was taking on Sidwell’s trials. Molly said Turner wanted her to focus on the Lucas Jones shooting first, and he said Boyle had been vague about the reason Sidwell and Willow were working together. She said if they could connect Sidwell’s illegal activities with a sitting congresswoman, it would strengthen her case. Turner believed Willow should be behind bars and maybe she was right.

Chase said he couldn’t lie for Willow, and she apologized. It wasn’t like she had anything to hide. He said she could say no, but it would raise suspicions, and she said they probably thought she was guilty. He said if he went back without her, they’d just send someone to her house later, and she left with him.

Jason told Britt that they’d pulled him out of his cell, cleaned him up, and put him on a plane back to Port Charles. He was only told the charges were dropped. She asked if he knew Cullum was dead, and he said Danny filled him in. He’d taken Danny on a road trip. She asked when he’d gotten back, and he said, about two weeks ago. She asked how long it took to send a text to her, but he said he wanted to do this in person. Was she mad? She said she’d let him know, and he asked how she was. She said it had been a nightmare, but some good came out of it. It turned out she wasn’t going to die. She didn’t have Huntington’s and never did. He hugged her.

Ethan asked why keeping his secret was hard for Ava, and she said because a baby was involved. She was afraid that Brook and Chase would lose Phoebe at some point. He said that wasn’t going to happen as long as Phoebe’s father stayed in the dark, and she said Brook was curious about the father and worried he’d come forward later and ask for money. Ethan said he was pretending to be the father, so that wouldn’t happen, but she said she didn’t think Brook was going to drop this. Brook asked if she knew who he was and she said she didn’t know, but she’d feel better if Ethan told her who the father was.

Dante thanked Chase for bringing Willow in, and Chase left. Molly said Boyle told them that Willow took multiple meetings with Sidwell and asked Willow to tell them about those.

Jack took out the folder about Drew, when his phone rang. He said, send her in, and Nina ran into his office. He told her that he just found the evidence against Drew, but she said it was too late. She’d just killed him.

Gio went to the boathouse, looked in the lake, and said, what the hell?

Jason asked if Britt had been misdiagnosed, but she said she’d just been manipulated for years. Cullum’s doctor told her and she believed it because of genetics. Then later, Cullum offered her a fake miracle drug to incentivize her working for him. Jason said she’d had a test when they were on the run, but she said Cullum had been keeping tabs on her, playing the long game, but she’d taken another test to be sure. She’d done a lot of terrible things to keep herself alive, and hurt a lot of people. Marco died trying to help her, then she found out it was all for nothing. What was she supposed to do with that?

Ethan said it was too dangerous to reveal the identity of Phoebe’s father, both for Phoebe and for Ava. Ava didn’t want to be on his radar. She wondered if he was really the father, but he said he and Delilah were just friends. She’d gotten involved with a scary guy and he helped her get away. She asked if the scary guy had known Delilah was pregnant, and Ethan said, yes, but once the adoption papers were signed, the adoption would be sealed and he’d never find her. It was what was best for Phoebe. Ava said she made up her mind.

Chase went home and told Brook that Anna was giving him a chance to make detective again. She wanted him and Dante to be partners as well, and they were both open to the idea. He also wanted Brook to know that Willow had been brought in for questioning, but it was unrelated to Jordan’s accident. He wanted to tell her because Dante gave him the opportunity to bring her in and he took it.

Molly said, according to Boyle, Willow and Sidwell met at each other’s homes, and Willow said they had busy schedules, so it was easier. Molly asked what the meetings were about, and Willow flashed back to telling Nina that Sidwell was providing the paralytic drug keeping Drew in check. She told Molly that it was mostly about how Sidwell’s company intersected with various public works in Port Charles. Molly asked if Sidwell ever tried to bribe her, but Willow said, of course (🍷) not. She hardly knew him. Had the councilman made a specific accusation against her? Molly said, no, and Willow told her that their time there was done.

Jack said, Nina pushed Drew’s wheelchair into the lake with him in it? and she said, of course (🍷) he was in it. Willow told her that Jack had given up on finding the black box and offered to get them out of the country. At the moment, she’d thought there was no hope and it was over and she snapped. They were on the dock and she’d released the chair brake. He spoke to her in that threateningly smug way he had, and she lost it. She regretted it as soon as it happened and was going to call 911, but he didn’t resurface. Jack said it wasn’t her fault, and she said he had to help her. Please.

Ava told Ethan it had been obvious Phoebe was where she belonged. In spite of her concerns, she’d stay silent. She believed he wanted the best for Phoebe. Their business was concluded and he’d never have to deal with her again. He told her, who said he wanted that?

Brook said she understood, but Chase said he realized he was involving himself in Willow’s life again and didn’t want to give her the wrong idea. Brook and Phoebe were his priority. She said she knew that and would never ask him not to be himself and help people, including Willow. He said, full disclosure. She should also know Willow had asked him to accompany her to DC for a conference on police reform, but he said he had to be there for her and Phoebe. Brook asked how Willow took it, and he said she understood and respected his decision.

Molly said they still had a few questions, and Willow said, then they’d have to schedule a meeting through her lawyer. She was there in good faith. It was too bad the same couldn’t be said for them. Turner had already falsely accused her of attempted murder and leaving the scene of an accident. Now they were trying to connect her to Sidwell, which was a huge reach. It was bordering on harassment. If they needed anything else, they could contact her through her lawyer. She left.

As they waited, Valentin said Jack must not know Josslyn’s part in his release, but Josslyn said he did. He hated Valentin, not her. He said her mother was worried about her, and she said she was worried about her mother. Being with him was a huge risk. He said he’d thought Josslyn was warming up to him and in part she’d had him released out of gratitude. After all, he had saved her life.

Jason said Britt had been lied to. None of what happened after that was her fault. She said she should have put the medication under a microscope. She would have seen it was only saline. He said she had no reason to believe the diagnosis wasn’t real, and she said he should hate her for dragging him into this mess. He was locked up in a hellhole and probably beaten up on the daily because of her. He said, because of Cullum, and she asked, why he didn’t tell her that he’d been protecting Rocco? He said, there wasn’t time and he’d had to keep it simple, and she thanked him for the sacrifice he’d made for Rocco. Rocco was pretty beaten up about it. He said he’d talked to Rocco and hoped his guilt had been eased a little, and she said Rocco came with her when she took off. He hadn’t wanted her to be alone. He said Rocco told him, and she said it was selfish of her to let him. She’d wanted to spend time with Rocco because she thought she was dying and wanted to protect him from Cullum. She guessed her motives were a little messy. He said she didn’t have to defend herself to him. She still wasn’t giving herself enough credit. She said he had a serious blind spot when it came to her, but he said he didn’t. He saw her for exactly who she was.

Ethan said he’d taken a bullet for Ava. The least she could do was have another drink with him. She said she’d waited on him hand and foot during his convalescence and had more than repaid her debt, and he said, then stay because he wanted her to and because she wanted to. She sat back down and said she supposed she could stay for one more drink.

Brook said Willow wasn’t the easiest subject, but Chase said, because Brook trusted him, it was. It was also necessary for their marriage. She said, and their family, and he said, both of which meant the world to him. She said her too, and they kissed.

Jason asked, what was the story with Britt’s brother? He heard her brother turned out to be Nathan’s twin. She said, he was Cassius… when a nurse came to the door and said a patient was waiting for delivery. Britt said it turned out Mr. Morgan didn’t need to be admitted and she’d be right there. The nurse left, and Britt told Jason, sorry. Babies had no respect for other people’s time. He asked her to text him when she was done, and she asked if he remembered what she said before the WSB whisked him away. He said she’d told him that she loved him, and she said she meant it. He said, that’s good. Because he loved her too. She smiled and left. (Collective sigh from the viewers.)

Josslyn said Valentin had saved her life. He’d managed to convince Z that Cullum was a double-agent. Z and his rescue team got to her just in time to get her to GH before she bled out on the loading dock. So yes, she was very grateful to him. But that didn’t mean her gratitude didn’t have limits, especially when it came to his relationship with her mother. Her phone chirped and she told him, congratulations. He was solvent again. His accounts were unfrozen and he was free to do whatever he was going to do next. She left.

Molly asked Dante for his take, and he said the fact that Willow stonewalled her raised more questions. Like, how often did they connect? When were they meeting? Molly said, and more importantly, what were they meeting about?

Jack and Nina ran down to the dock, and Jack said he’d get Drew’s body out of the water. He took off his jacket, and Nina pointed to where Drew went off, when Gio came running up. He asked if they were looking for Drew, and Nina said she’d gone to get some air and put him there, but when she came back, he was gone. Gio said he found Drew. He went for a swim and found Drew in the water. Nina said Drew couldn’t swim. He was paralyzed. Was Gio saying he was dead? Gio said, no, no, no. He was sorry. That wasn’t what he was saying at all. Drew was alive and he was okay.

Back home on the phone with Obrecht, Willow said she had to pick up the kids from camp and was going to do it herself, but she had an unexpected visit from the PCPD… Yes, again. If they questioned someone else, they might actually solve a crime… No. She hadn’t murdered anyone. Please tell Wiley and Amelia she’d be there soon. She thanked Obrecht and began to gather up her stuff, suddenly seeing a muddy footprint on the floor. She was about to examine it, when the door opened, and dripping wet Drew stood there.

Tuesday:

Drew said, hi, honey. I am home. (I’m so glad they didn’t miss the opportunity for him to say that.)

In his old kitchen, Sonny asked if Carly’s special friend was in the attic, but she said the moss bowl 🎍was right there she didn’t owe him an answer. Jason walked in, and Carly ran to hug him. Sonny told him, welcome home, and they hugged.

Isaiah held the baby, and Portia thanked him for being understanding at the hospital and giving Curtis his moment. Isaiah said he knew who Dez’s father was, and she said, Dez would know Isaiah and love him.

Josslyn saw Trina at the pool and suggested a cocktail, when Emma approached with drinks and asked if Josslyn wanted to join them.

Gio said Drew was struggling and he’d helped him get to shore. He was walking and talking. Jack asked where Drew was now.

Drew told Willow that this moment was all he’d been dreaming about for months.

Isaiah took photos of Portia with Desmond, and Portia left to change the baby. There was a knock at the door, and Isaiah assumed it was Curtis, but it was Marshall.

Carly asked why they’d let Jason go, but he said he had no idea. Nobody told him anything. Carly thought that was weird, but Sonny said he was just glad Jason was back. Jason said he was sorry he hadn’t checked in with them, but he’d needed to spend time with Danny. How’d Danny do while he was away? Carly said, he struggled. They all had. They had no information about him. Jason said he’d tried to answer Danny’s questions, but wasn’t sure how it went. Danny had a rough year because of the choices he’d made.

In the solarium, Charlotte welcomed Danny home, and he said he’d be living there with his dad now. Rocco came in and said he’d thought Danny and Scout left. Danny said they came back, and Scout said she’d be doing her swim training there and Danny would be living there again. Danny asked if Rocco was okay with that.

Josslyn told Emma that she had a job in an office. It was full-time, so no graduation for her. She was sorry she hadn’t been able to watch Trina do her thing, but Trina said it had been one more thing to stress about and she was glad it was done and over with. Emma asked where Josslyn was working, and Josslyn said, the WSB.

Gio told Jack that he’d wanted to call 911, but Drew kept saying he was fine. He offered to bring Drew to GH, but he said he had to see Willow, so he drove Drew to his house.

Willow asked how Drew got there… Where was her mother? What did he do to her? He said, nothing… yet. He wanted to come home and see his loving wife before he did anything else. Willow tried to talk, but he said he’d listened to her for so long and all he could do was sit there and blink like a desperate idiot. Now it was his turn, so blink all she wanted while she still could.

Jason said he thought he and Danny came to place of peace, but Danny was angry and had a right to be. Sonny said everyone knew what it cost Jason to be separated from his son, but Jason said Danny was a kid. He felt like his dad was always going to leave or put somebody else first. Sonny said, this time, the somebody was his grandson and he wouldn’t forget that. Carly said, you were protecting Rocco? and Jason said, Rocco shot Cullum.

Scout wondered what was going on, and Rocco explained that he and Danny had been fighting. Danny said he’d done something he shouldn’t have, especially to family, because he’d been freaked out about his dad. Rocco said he’d talked to Jason and it was over. He was good with Danny living there as long as Danny was cool with seeing him when he was there. Danny said he was cool, and Rocco asked, what about Charlotte? Charlotte said she just wanted them to stop being angry idiots and be friends again. She wasn’t mad at anybody. They should enjoy the rest of the summer. (Summer should be fun!)

Isaiah introduced himself, and Marshall said he was there to meet his grandson. He’d come straight from the airport. Portia came out and Marshall said she looked radiant and hugged her.

Willow took out her phone, and Drew told her to make sure she told 911 that she’d shot him in the back at close range twice. She asked if they could please talk, but he told her, put the phone down now. She set it on the table and said she had an explanation, but he said he’d listened to her try to justify her actions enough for a lifetime. He could understand why she’d snapped, but after he’d helped convince the jury she was innocent, she stabbed him in the neck, drugged him, and kept him a prisoner in his own body for months. Then today, her mother tried to drown him. She rolled his wheelchair off the dock after she got a phone call. Did she tell Nina to try and kill him? Willow’s phone rang, but he wouldn’t let her answer it. He saw it was Nina and said he’d like to tell her the good news that they were home alone together and he was so excited about what came next.

Jack asked, how long ago did Gio take Drew home? and Gio said, about an hour ago. Nina said Willow wasn’t picking up. They had to go. Jack told Gio, thanks, and he and Nina ran off.

Drew said, Nina didn’t even leave a message. Now where were they? Willow said, if he killed her, he’d be throwing the life away he just got back, and he said he knew, but he’d been imagining wrapping his hands around her neck and squeezing the life out of her for so long. But… no. He wasn’t going to kill her, but she was going to wish he did.

Drew said the hardest part for him had been not being able to tell Willow how stupid she sounded lying to herself and trying to justify her actions. (Now he knows how we all felt about him.) Did the woman he loved ever exist? She said he never loved her. He loved the person he was trying to mold her into. He said now he knew better. And the whole world would know what a conniving, heartless psychopath she was. He was going to tell Wiley and Amelia himself so they didn’t get confused. She said he didn’t need to hurt them to hurt her, but he said it would hurt so much more if he did. Could she imagine Michael’s reaction to her being in prison for life? He’d get full custody and make sure her kids didn’t remember they ever even had a mother.

Josslyn told Trina and Emma that she was no longer undercover and worked in the office. She thought she could do good as an agent, but sometimes the means to those ends were awful and she’d hated lying to them. She was on assignment when she’d stolen that internship from Emma. Emma said she didn’t care about that. Did Josslyn know what was happening with her grandmother? Josslyn said she was trying to find out what Director Cullum knew about Anna, and Emma asked if Josslyn was on Spoon Island when he died, but Josslyn told her that she wasn’t at liberty to say. Emma asked if her grandmother knew Josslyn was WSB.

Carly said she knew Jason was covering for someone, but would have never guessed it was Rocco. Jason said Rocco followed Britt to the pier and when he got there, Britt was on the ground unconscious and Cullum was about to kill her. He fought with Cullum and Cullum lost his gun. Cullum pulled out a steel baton and was about to crack his head open, when he heard the gunshot. Cullum fell to the ground and Rocco was there with Cullum’s gun in complete shock. There was no time, so he told Nathan, or Cassius, to get Rocco out of there now, and they got out. Not knowing how to handle a gun, Rocco had hurt himself, so he replicated the same injury on himself to cover up Rocco’s blood on the gun. Britt started to come to and Dante was almost there, so he told her to tell Dante that he was the one who shot Cullum. He thought him protecting Rocco was what hurt Danny the most.

Charlotte suggested going to see a DJ at Rice Plaza, and Rocco asked Scout about her swimming. Scout explained it was to raise money for breast cancer research, and Charlotte asked if that was why she’d swum to Egret Island. Scout said, it was, but she’d checked out the island another time. It didn’t seem like anyone went there and there was a lot of wildlife. Danny suggested taking the speedboat there and building a bonfire on the beach, but Rocco said it was a terrible idea.

Willow said she wasn’t losing her children again, but Drew said she’d done this to herself. He was going to give her everything and she tried to murder him. He swiped some things off the table, and Willow squealed. Drew said she didn’t stand a chance against him, but she said he’d had a lot of physical activity today. Was he sure he had the strength to fight her off? He said, let’s find out, Nina ran in with Jack, who had his gun drawn.

Marshall fussed over Desmond and said it took him back to when Curtis was a baby. He had that same frown. He’d missed a lot of Curtis’s life, but wasn’t going to do that with Desmond. He was going to watch him grow up into a fine man just like his dad.

Rocco said if they built a bonfire, someone would notice and call Harbor Patrol, but Charlotte said they could still go. Scout suggested they just hang out at the Qs tonight and go tomorrow, but Danny said he’d rather go now. Unless Rocco was going to tell on them. Rocco said telling on people was Danny’s thing, not his, and Charlotte and Danny left.

Jason told Carly and Sonny that he’d told Danny the truth. He couldn’t let the WSB take Rocco and he was glad he was the one in that cell. They’d done everything they could to keep him disoriented and off-balance, and he hadn’t even known where he was until he was released. He’d spent a lot of time in isolation. Carly hugged him and said they were just glad he was back where he belonged. They missed him. Sonny said, a lot happened, and Jason said he heard Sidwell was in jail. Charges gonna stick? Sonny said, definitely. He and Laura made sure of that.

Josslyn told Emma that Anna knew she was WSB, but couldn’t say anything because she was still undercover, and Emma said Josslyn was an idiot for joining the WSB. Her grandmother was the strongest person she’d ever met and the WSB almost broke her. She hadn’t been tethered to reality at all. The WSB took people, drained them of everything they had, and then dumped them. Why would Josslyn want that for herself? Josslyn said she got why Emma felt that way, and Emma asked if Trina would like to weigh in. Trina said she was worried about Josslyn, but loved and believed in her. It was her decision and her choice. Josslyn’s phone rang and she left to take the call. Emma said Trina couldn’t possibly be okay with this.

Willow ran to Nina, and Drew said Gio knew he didn’t drown, but Nina said no one would care how he died. They’d just be thrilled he was gone. She told Jack, shoot him, but Jack said it wasn’t necessary now that they had a way to control him. Drew said there was no way they were going to drug him again, but Jack said he had something better. Evidence that Drew misappropriated federal funds allocated to the McConkey Esplanade to fund his campaign, which was a federal offense. He also had proof Drew bribed a nurse at the German burn clinic to keep Willow from Michael. When her former in-laws found out, he bet they wouldn’t be pleased. And he had proof that Drew bribed the judge who later turned up dead. Drew said that wasn’t him, but Jack said he didn’t care and neither would anyone else once they heard all this. By the time Drew got out of prison, he’d be a pariah. Drew said turn him in. It would be worth it to take them all down with him.

Scout said it was a dumb idea to go to the island and Charlotte and Danny ganging up on Rocco was super annoying. She was about to show Rocco the route to the island, when he saw her list of sponsors and said Monica would be really proud of her. She said she was also doing it for her dad. He’d taught her how to swim. Being stuck in that chair had to be a nightmare for him. It was for her.

Jack said the evidence was airtight, but Drew said a white collar crime was nothing in comparison to what they’d be facing. He’d get a few years, while they’d be locked up for life. Jack said Drew should have read the congressional fine print a little more carefully. Each count could carry up to 20 years and there were several. Willow said Scout would grow up with Alexis and when she found out he was going to prison, the light in her eyes would just go out and her spirit would die. He’d probably see it when she visited him in prison until it and she faded away forever. Nina said, and this part was mostly a gift for her. Please let her see Tracy’s face when she found out he was going to prison. And Michael would have a field day. Willow said, but none of that had to happen. Scout didn’t need to lose her father. Wiley and Amelia could keep their mother and they didn’t have to destroy each other. They could decide right now to just walk away.

Sonny told Jason about how he’d saved Turner from Sidwell. The case against him was strong and Sidwell would go away for a long time. Jason said it seemed strange that Sidwell would grab Turner as a hostage, but Sonny said she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Carly said maybe the DA’s office would stop assuming he was behind all crime in Port Charles, and Sonny said it would be kind of nice to have a friend in the DA’s office.

Trina told Emma that she didn’t love Josslyn lying about the WSB, but she got why. Maybe now things would be better. Gio came in and said they weren’t going to believe this. Drew was talking and walking.

Drew asked what was on the table, and Jack said it was Willow’s show. Willow said, what happened before is forgotten and never spoken about again. He could announce his recovery however he wanted and they’d get an immediate divorce. Drew asked what it was going to cost him, but she said, nothing. He could keep his house and his money. All she wanted was him out of her life. Nina said, one more thing. He was to leave Willow’s political career alone and not run for office to get his seat back. His days in congress were done. Jack said he’d release the evidence at a moment’s notice, so Drew would do well to remember what was at stake. Willow asked if they had a deal.

Marshall asked if Isaiah was living there, but Portia said he was staying there to help out. He had a place of his own. She just wanted to warn him that things were a little bit tough between her and Curtis right now, but they were putting the animosity to the side for the sake of Dez. Marhsall said he hoped so. Dez deserved the best they had. Isaiah came back and said Dez was out like a light, and Marshall said he should push on. He and Portia hugged and she thanked him for coming. Isaiah said it was nice to meet him and he hoped they got to know each other better in the future. He held out his hand, and Marshall said let him be straight. His loyalty would always lie with his son, but he was willing to take Isaiah on his own terms. They shook hands, and Marshall said Isaiah made Portia happy which was good for his grandson. There could never be too much love in a child’s life. Maybe after the trial, they could all move on. Portia said she thought that would depend on the outcome of the trial.

At the boathouse, Danny said he and Charlotte had gotten back. No cops. No trouble. Charlotte said he had to admit, not building a bonfire was a good call on Rocco’s part, and Danny said Rocco was just mad at him for telling Brennan that he’d shot Cullum. He didn’t want to cause trouble between her and Rocco. She said Rocco was doing that, not him. Their dads were free, Cullum was gone, and the WSB never wanted to talk about any of this again. It was finally over and if Rocco was still mad, that was a Rocco problem.

Emma said Drew was incredibly lucky that Gio found him. He would have drowned otherwise. Gio said he didn’t know how much longer Drew could have held onto the dock. He was too weak to pull himself out of the water. Trina said, so he was walking around and talking? and Gio said it was amazing. Emma toasted, to Gio, who doesn’t know the meaning of the words off duty. Around the corner on the phone, Josslyn said she needed to make a secure phone call to the Berlin office.

Carly told Jason that Josslyn refused to leave the WSB, but at least she wasn’t undercover, and Jason said, small victories, right? Sonny said he didn’t know if Jason had heard, but Valentin was a free man. He and Carly were in front of GH talking. He pulled up and she beelined toward Valentin and started kissing him. They were kissing. Carly asked if they couldn’t save this fight for another night. Jason was home, they’d all been through hell, it was over, and the three of them were together. Jason said he was good with that, and Sonny said him too. (Everyone was all happy, but you now it won’t be for long.)

Drew said they had a deal, and Willow said her lawyer would deliver the divorce papers. She expected them to be signed and returned without delay. Drew said, fine. He didn’t want to be married to her one more second than he needed to be. She laughed and said the feeling was mutual, and he said the only way she was getting away with this was because she had the WSB on her side. He knew them and she had a double cross in her future. It was only a matter of time. Now all of them get out of his house. Jack and Nina left, but Willow stopped at the door, turned, took her ring off, and mic dropped it on the floor. She said, ah, the sound of freedom, and left. Drew said, enjoy it while it lasts, you treacherous bitch, and the cheese stood alone.

Wednesday:

Jason was back at the Quartermaines, and Olivia wanted to create a welcome home celebration. Ned told him that there had been significant damage to the hull in the speedboat, and Tracy said, here comes the prime suspect, when Danny walked in.

Ava woke up next to Ethan.

Nina went to see Jack and said she wasn’t sure if he’d see her after she’d almost made him an accessory to murder.

Trina met Kai at the pool, and he asked what was wrong. She said it was Drew. He was back on his feet again and she thought everything was about to change.

Alexis told Molly that they’d postpone her book launch party. Right now, she just wanted Molly to make an airtight case against Sidwell. Molly said she planned to, and Alexis said the system didn’t work unless people were held accountable and the guilty were brought to justice. She opened the door and Willow was there.

At the hospital, Felicia asked about Drew’s communication devices, and Elizabeth said she thought she’d finally convinced Willow that it would be good for Drew. Felicia said something told her that he wouldn’t need it anymore, and Drew walked in with Martin.

Ethan woke up, and Ava told him that he should get checked for sleep apnea… like now, today. He said he’d be more quiet this time.

Nina wondered what it said about her that she’d pushed a paralyzed man into a lake, and Jack told her that it said there really was nothing she wouldn’t do for her daughter.

Trina said Gio claimed Drew could walk and talk after he’d pulled Drew from the water, and Kai wondered how he got in the water in the first place. She said, he wouldn’t go to the hospital. He’d just wanted Gio to take him home so he could speak to his wife. Kai said, maybe because she was the one who tried to drown him.

Felicia was surprised Drew could walk, and Elizabeth asked how it was possible. Drew said he suddenly realized he could talk and he figured maybe he could stand. Elizabeth said it was miraculous, and Drew said he thought maybe a neurologist could give him some insights. Felicia said she’d take him and left with Drew. Elizabeth asked if Drew said anything else about what happened, but Martin said all he knew was he’d woken up to the sound of Drew’s voice on his phone. He ran over and found Drew in the doorway leaning on his cane. Elizabeth wondered where Willow was.

Alexis said Scout was at swim practice, but Willow said she needed a lawyer. She and Drew were getting a divorce. As of last night, Drew was no longer locked in.

Danny said he’d taken the boat out to Egret Island just for fun, and may have grazed a sandbar, but he didn’t think he’d done any damage. Tracy said the entire hull had to be repainted, and Jason said Danny would pay for it out of his wages. He was getting his job back at the pool, if it was okay with Olivia. Olivia said she’d garnish his wages herself, when Gio came in. He said it would liven things up having Danny back at the pool, but after the whole Drew thing, he’d had enough excitement. Michael asked, what happened with Drew? and Gio said he found Drew in the lake and had to pull him out of the water. Tracy asked if he was dead, but Gio said, no. He’d saved him. Tracy gave a disappointed, oh, but Ned said he’d done the right thing. Gio said, the craziest part was, Drew was walking and talking. It was like he was good as new.

Ethan ordered room service, when Ava took the phone from him. He said he was paying, but she said she didn’t have time for breakfast. He said he’d wanted to enjoy each other’s company a little longer, but he could see she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.

Michael took off, and Gio asked if they were upset that he’d saved Drew, but Olivia said, no. Jason asked how Drew ended up in the water, but Gio said he didn’t know. He wouldn’t say. He’d tried to get Drew to go to the hospital, but he just wanted to go home. Tracy said, at least Gio got Drew off the property. Now that he was mobile – and worse, audible – his lifetime ban from the property was back in effect.

Martin said he didn’t think Willow was at the house, and Elizabeth wondered if she knew what was going on. He said she definitely did. According to Drew, they had quite the reunion.

Nina said it wasn’t premeditated, and Jack said he believed her. She said Drew knew she was upset and chose that moment to reveal he could speak. She knew he was about to tear Willow’s life apart and she snapped. She was the only person between her daughter and Drew. She had to protect Willow, so she just pushed him off the dock. Jack said she was provoked, but she said Drew provoked everyone. She was just upset that she fell for it. He said if there was anyone to blame for this, it was him.

Molly wondered how Drew recovered so suddenly, and Willow said she didn’t think even Drew knew, but a small percentage of people did recover. They’d had their first real discussion in months and agreed they no longer wanted to be married. He could keep the house and she didn’t want alimony. She just wanted to make sure her interests were protected. Alexis said she couldn’t represent Willow. She’d represented her in the custody agreement under the proviso she’d have access to her granddaughter. Molly said, now Drew could speak for himself, and Alexis said they didn’t want to alienate him. Willow said she was sorry it couldn’t work out and left.

In the elevator, Felicia said she’d be in touch with Drew about occupational therapy, and he thanked her. She and the hospital staff had gone above and beyond. She said she was sure it was nothing compared to the help he got at home. Willow was the real hero. He said he was very aware of everything Willow had done. Now they just had to find the best way to thank her. They got out, and Drew told Martin that they had another stop to make. This time, Martin wouldn’t just be driving him. He’d explain on the way. They left, and Elizabeth said, Drew just made this miraculous recovery. Where was his wife?

Gio said he was still mad about what Drew did to Ned, but even so, he thought Tracy should consider giving Drew a second chance. Maybe being locked in had changed him. Olivia said, even Vegas wasn’t taking those odds, and Tracy said there was no force on earth that could change that man for the better. Jason said there used to be a good side to Drew, but after everything he’d done to the family, especially Michael… He wanted the kids to see each other, but Drew shouldn’t have unlimited access to the house. Keep him away, if only for the peace of the family. Tracy said Drew tried to steal this house, not just from her, but from all of them, mostly her. He’d tried to steal or destroy the very cornerstones of their lives and when it came to Michael’s marriage, he’d succeeded at both. Gio said he just felt bad for Scout, and Tracy said Scout was welcome there anytime. Gio said, but Drew was her dad. They were all about family and Drew was technically… They all said, no! in unison, and Ned said Gio was the kind of person they should all aspire to be. Tracy said, but they were who they were and Drew on this property wasn’t happening.

Elizabeth told Felicia that Willow definitely knew about Drew’s recovery. She was at her office calling divorce lawyers. Didn’t it seem a little sudden to Felicia? Felicia said, maybe, and Elizabeth said, they’d seemed so devoted to each other. Felicia said, maybe they were and now they weren’t, but Drew had come there as a patient. Maybe they should just let his personal life lie.

Trina told Kai that they didn’t know if Willow tried to drown Drew, but they did know she shot him. Kai said being around a body of water with no witnesses gave Willow the opportunity to finish what she’d started. But if she did push him in, why wouldn’t he go straight to the police? She said, when he could blackmail her? That was totally his M.O. If she did try to drown him, he’d hold it over her head forever. Kai wondered what Drew would want from her, but Trina said, who cares? Drew had recovered and they could finally put this whole twisted situation behind them.

Alexis said, for all they knew, Willow was planning on divorce, but waited until Drew recovered, and Molly said there would be less political blowback for her. A year ago, it would have seemed to mercenary for Willow, but she wasn’t shy about holding Scout over their heads. Alexis said if she had to deal with Drew or Willow, she’d pick Willow any day.

Michael walked into Willow’s office and said he’d heard Drew was mobile again. She said he was, and he said he was tearing apart their custody agreement and taking the kids full time. There was no way in hell he was letting his children near Drew. She said it wouldn’t be necessary. He’d been right about Drew. He had no business being near Wiley and Amelia. That was one of the many reasons they were ending their marriage. He said he was glad she’d finally come to her senses, and she said now that Drew was out of her life, she was sure he’d have no problem adjusting the terms of their custody agreement.

Ava said she didn’t know what she was getting with Ethan. On one hand, he’d taken a bullet for her and gone to extraordinary lengths to protect Phoebe. But at the same time, he was always looking for an angle he could take advantage of. He said, if it unsettled her, it was because she was the same, and she said that was why she was trying to figure out what he had to gain by sleeping with her.

Jack said he was the one who initially suggested Nina kill Drew. Perhaps she’d heard his voice in the back of her head. She said, as much as she’d like to blame someone else, this decision was hers. Even though Drew deserved it, she was grateful she hadn’t killed him. And she was grateful for Jack. He hadn’t shamed or interrogated her. His first instinct was to clean up her mess, no questions asked. He said the Bureau had protocols in place to dispose of an inconvenience, and she said, so it was just another day at the office. He said the job did have its perks, and she asked why he was helping her this much. He said he supposed he was helping her because of Willow.

Tracy said she made a decision for the people who lived on this property and Scout wasn’t one of them. She could still train there, just without Drew. She didn’t see why it was a problem. Gio said it could just be about supporting Scout, and Tracy asked what Danny had to say. She wanted to know what was bothering him. Danny said maybe it made him a bad Quartermaine, but he didn’t think she should ban Drew.

Alexis told Molly that it was lucky Jason came back and took Danny to live at the Quartermaines. Drew might be more amenable to Scout coming there. Molly said, maybe the experience had mellowed Drew out a little, when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to Drew and Martin, and Drew asked if Scout was there, but Alexis said she was at practice. Drew said he’d wait, and Alexis said he was more than welcome. They’d just been told about his recovery. It was miraculous. He asked who told them, and Molly said, Willow just stopped by. Drew said Martin was acting as his attorney in case they caused a fuss, and Alexis said, about what? He said, Scout obviously. He was taking her home today.

Felicia told Elizabeth that she was going to miss Maxie and the family, but she thought it was the right move after everything that happened with Nathan’s brother. Elizabeth said, for what it was worth (🍷), she knew what it was like to be a mom with a child traveling abroad, and Felicia asked how Jake was doing. Elizabeth said he was great, and Felicia asked if she had any advice. Elizabeth said, video calls are a godsend. Never underestimate the power of a good care package. And if distance becomes a problem, remember they wouldn’t have made this huge move unless they were certain it was going to make their lives better. Felicia thanked her and left.

Jack told Nina that Congresswoman Cain had helped secure millions in funding for the WSB. It would be in their best interest keep her happy. Nina said she never thought about it that way, and he said that was how he justified his actions to the higher ups. As for his personal motives, disclosing those wouldn’t be good for his career. She asked what those motives would be, and he said Nina had saved his life and he was a man who repaid his debts.

Trina told Kai that Drew was up and walking. He could do or say whatever he wanted, so now their obligation of protecting him from Willow was over and done with. Kai asked, what about what they knew? and she said the only person who knew what they knew was Alexis, and she couldn’t say anything. So write his letter of resignation, submit it to Willow’s office, and they could say peace out to this whole mess. He said he’d love to wash his hands of it, but there were two innocent kids stuck with those two terrible people. They had to be the ones to protect them.

Drew asked Martin to tell them, and Martin said when Willow allowed Scout to stay there, she did it against Drew’s explicit wishes and making it worse, was Danny being allowed to stay there. He was sorry, but it was in direct violation of the restraining order. Drew said every boundary that he’d set for Scout was broken by Alexis. As such, he was never letting her anywhere near Scout again. Alexis said the terms had been clear. If she got Willow acquitted, she and her daughters would have access to Scout, and she kept her end of the bargain. Drew said he and Willow were no longer together, so anything Alexis had done for his soon to be ex-wife no longer carried any weight with him. Alexis asked, what about what she’d done for his daughter?

Willow said she’d been thinking 50/50, but Michael said they’d agreed 60/40 and it wasn’t changing. Unless she wanted to take her chances in court. She said maybe she would. The judge would look at her and see a woman who stayed by her incapacitated husband… He said, and dropped him the second he could walk and talk again. It would probably raise a few questions. She said not about her fitness as a parent. And what had she done lately? He said, that depended. After she shot her husband or after she tried to drown him? She said she’d been ably representing her district and his in the House of Representatives. Then the judge would look at him. He said, a successful businessman that provided a stable home for his children, while their mother knowingly immersed herself an admittedly toxic marriage. She said, a spoiled guy born into money with a prior conviction for killing a defenseless woman. A criminally questionable father and a hooker for a girlfriend. She had to say, she really liked her chances.

Ava wondered if Ethan was making sure she’d keep her mouth shut about Phoebe, but he said if he didn’t trust her, last night wouldn’t have happened. She asked if Sonny didn’t have something to do with this, but he said Sonny didn’t know anything about this and he preferred it to stay that way. She said, then what was his angle? and he said he did have an ulterior motive, two actually. One, she was beautiful, and two, he liked her. She asked, why? She’d been consistently mean to him on purpose. He said he thought she was flirting. She could slap him or throw a drink in his face, and he’d survive, but not knowing would be tougher. Was she sure she wasn’t hungry? She said she guessed she was a little puckish. Eggs, soft scrambled, avocado toast, please. He said, coming right up.

Nina said, so Jack was willing to call in a clean up team to cover up the murder she’d just committed so they could be even, but he said, actually, the opposite. He wanted her to know that when he asked her to dinner, it wasn’t because he owed her. She wondered if he was asking her out on a date, and he said he was asking her to dinner. She said she didn’t know, and he asked if that was a no, but she told him that she hadn’t said that. He said if she wanted to accept his invitation, but didn’t want to admit it, he could always blackmail her into a yes, but she said she’d been blackmailed enough for one lifetime. This time, she’d rather be on equal footing. He pulled her to him, and they kissed.

Michael said Drew was obsessed with Willow. She’d left him at the altar and he still wouldn’t let her go. Now she was trying to tell him that the second Drew was out of that chair, he’d agreed to a divorce. She said, it was a mutual decision, and he said take him to court. He’d love to have Drew depose so he could explain exactly why he was so willing to walk away from their marriage. She said, 50/50 was the best he was going to get, and he said they’d see about that. He left, and she picked up a photo of the kids and said, you see that? Mommy won and there is not a thing your father can do about it.

Trina told Kai that she wanted to say Wiley and Amelia weren’t their concern, but Drew and Willow were so… Kai said, toxic, and she told him that she was going to say psychotic, but that worked too. He said it wouldn’t take much for those two to get into a tit for tat fight and he didn’t want the kids trapped between them, and she said, if Michael knew all the facts, maybe they could get the kids out of the situation. What if they told Michael for a fact that they knew Willow shot Drew?

Tracy said before Drew became indistinguishable from a piece of furniture, he went out of his way to keep Danny’s sister away from him and the rest of the family. She didn’t understand. Why was he taking Drew’s side? Danny said he wasn’t. He was taking Scout’s side. If he came between her and her dad, he was no better than Drew was. She said, he could burn down an orphanage and be better than Drew, and he said he just got his dad back. So did Scout. So for her sake, he thought they should at least try tolerating Drew. She said Danny wasn’t the one Drew framed on one of his little visits there, and he said maybe Drew would do something terrible again, but he wouldn’t let Scout come there without him. Jason said if it was up to him, he’d never see that guy again, and Tracy said he had that choice, but Jason said, not really. He couldn’t stop Drew from seeing Scout while she was there, then turn around and ask if Scout and Danny could see each other. She said, between Danny and Drew, there was a universe of difference, and Jason said he knew, but he had to make the first gesture as a father, not just a Quartermaine. Tracy said the problem with that gesture was that he was asking all of them to support it and it’s repercussions, and Jason said he knew. With difficulty, Tracy said, all right. What if Drew was welcome there only when he was with Scout and she kept him on a literal leash? (I’d pay to see that.) Ned said he didn’t know how Drew would feel about the leash part, but he liked it, and Danny said he thought it was great. He and Tracy hugged.

Alexis said, another man, a decent man, would be grateful to the people who loved and cared for his child when he couldn’t. But not Drew. He was as spiteful and arrogant as ever. Drew said she might want to watch her tone, but she told him to watch his damn tone. This was her house. He’d had all this time to think about what he could do with his life now and what kind of person he could be now. He said that was all he thought about, and she said, and this was the conclusion he came to? To use his own daughter as a weapon to hurt people who love and care about her. He hadn’t learned anything. Just like before, he was going to keep pushing and pushing until someone else took a shot at him. He asked if that was a threat, but she said it didn’t have to be her. It wouldn’t be her. She could just sit back and wait for somebody less patient to take a shot at him. And given his winning personality, it was just a matter of time. They’ll just keep trying until they finish the job, and they will. Scout walked in and ran to Drew, crying. They hugged, and she said, dad. Drew said he wanted her to know that they’d never be separated again.

Thursday:

Ava and Ethan lounged at the pool, when Chase and Brook came in. Ethan said, if it wasn’t for them, he and Ava wouldn’t be together. Chase asked if Brook didn’t want to meet Michael somewhere else, but she said they could discuss Deception business anywhere. Besides, she was following his lead in putting him and Phoebe first.

Stella had tea with Tracy at the mansion, and Tracy told her about Maxie moving to Australia. She’d sold her shares in Deception to Michael, who’d formed an alliance with Brook. She and Brook were supposed to be a team. She’d only gotten involved with Deception because of Brook. Torturing Lucy Coe was just a perk.

Felicia met Lucy at the MetroCourt Gardens and apologized for being late. She’d been on the phone with Maxie. Lucy said she was still upset with Maxie, but asked how she was, and Felicia said, good. It sounded like moving was the best decision they could make. Lucy said that was peachy keen lovely for Maxie. She was stuck there with a mess of Maxie’s making.

Isaiah told Tristan that he’d be gone for at least a week, but Stella would answer any questions he had. Tristan left, and Britt asked if Isaiah was going on vacation, but he said he was going to court to testify against Curtis Ashford.

Trina told Curtis that Portia was napping, and he said he wanted to spend as much time with his son and daughter as possible. She asked if he meant before the trial, and he said, in general, but yeah. The doorbell rang, and he said he was expecting his backup. Go see for herself. She answered to the door to Marshall and they hugged.

Peter asked how much evidence Anna needed. It was plain as day Cassius and Britt were responsible for what happened to her. She said she knew, but had to be certain, and he said she was. They were Faisons through and through. And like their father, they would never stop coming for her. There was a knock at the door and Anna opened it to Jason.

Felicia said she was sorry if Maxie put Lucy in a bind, but Lucy said she couldn’t stay mad at Maxie for very long. Besides, it must be hard on Felicia. Felicia said it was, but she and Mac were planning lots of visits. Lucy said that kind of made her feel worse about this. Felicia was missing her daughter, and something Lucy had dreamed about for so long was finally coming to fruition. Felicia asked what it was, and Lucy said she’d show Felicia instead of telling her. Ta-da! Serina came in and Lucy hugged her. Serina said she was glad to be home.

Stella said Tracy still held plenty of shares in Deception and Michael was family. It would be different if they’d sided against her with Lucy, but they didn’t. This way, the Quartermaines retained the upper hand. Tracy said she supposed so, but she didn’t invite Stella there to dump her problems on her. They were celebrating Stella’s promotion to hospital administrator and the birth of her beautiful grandnephew. She asked Stella what was wrong.

 Curtis held the baby, and Marshall said, hello, little man. (And he is little. I’m pretty sure he was born on set.) Marshall asked how Dez was doing, and Curtis said, excellent. Marshall said, eating? Sleeping? Curtis said, yes to the first. When he feels like it to the second. Which was why his mom was upstairs sleeping. Marshall asked if Trina had signed her deal yet, and Trina said she was officially a signed recording artist with Gio. Marshall congratulated her and said he was proud, and Curtis said so was he. Marshall said noise cancelling headphones were his number one tip for being on the road, but she said she wasn’t on tour yet. He said she would be. It was in their blood. It was their family gift. He played the clarinet; she had the voice. Curtis wondered what Dez’s gift would be.

Ava asked if Ethan wasn’t jumping the gun by saying they were together, and he said he wanted her to know last night wasn’t just a fling for him. He hated the word, but felt a real connection between them. He was willing to explore it if she was.

Michael met Brook and said he’d been with Willow, and Brook said, what now? He said Drew had recovered. He was walking, talking, and wasting no time. He and Willow were getting divorced.

Jason said it was good to see Anna, and she said him too. She invited him in and said she’d been lost in work. She was playing catch-up and imagined he was doing the same. He said, actually, he’d been focused on his family. He’d taken Danny away for a little while and hadn’t thought about much else. She said she was glad. He had a lot of time to make up, as did she. She’d just learned the WSB had him in custody and was sorry for what happened to him. He told her that he was about to say the same thing. It seemed like they’d both been through a lot.

Felicia hugged Serina, and Lucy said her beautiful baby was all grown up. Felicia said, last she heard, Serina was off changing the world with her environmental pursuits, and Serina said it never felt like enough. Felicia asked if saving the whales wasn’t her passion, and Serina said it was, but she’d learned it was more paperwork than actual saving. She was a little burnt out and needed a break, when her mom called and suggested a visit. So here she was. Lucy said she thought Port Charles was exactly what Serina needed.

Brook asked why Michael thought the divorce would take, and he said, trust him. They were done. That meant Willow was free to take a shot at Chase. Brook said her husband had free will. Willow didn’t call all the shots and would get her claws into Chase over her cold, dead body.

Ava told Ethan that she supposed a connection wouldn’t be so terrible, but she was surprised. The Ethan she’d met months ago didn’t seem very interested in a relationship. Ethan said he wasn’t, but that changed. She asked, what brought about this change? and he said she did.

Stella told Tracy that she loved her nephew, but Isaiah was her colleague. He was a brilliant surgeon and a compassionate physician. The man she knew bore no resemblance to the one Curtis was describing. Tracy said Curtis was resolute that Isaiah knew about his and Jordan’s accident and left the scene without helping. Did he have any evidence to back it up? Stella said he thought he did, but it was all flimsy to her and apparently to the PCPD and District Attorney as well. Portia was going to testify to Curtis assaulting Isaiah and her account could put Curtis in prison. It was a worry, and her instinct was for Curtis to cut his losses and take the plea deal, but he was determined to fight it out. Tracy said Stella would just have to support him, but Stella said she didn’t know if she could.

Isaiah told Britt that the last thing he and Portia should be looking at was a trial. They should be soaking up every newborn Desmond minute. Britt said she was surprised Curtis didn’t work out a plea, and Isaiah said, he was offered one. He turned it down. Now Portia had to suffer the witness stand – again. She asked how Isaiah was doing, and he said it was all starting to get to him. He was sick of walking on eggshells around that guy. That’s why it was his goal to nail Curtis to the wall in court. She said if he came off this aggressively in court, Curtis was going to walk.

Anna asked how bad it was, but Jason said nothing he couldn’t handle. He was in a cell. No communication, no way of knowing what time of day it was. She said, white torture, and he said at least he knew what was happening. He would focus on a clear line from one situation to the next. Britt, Sidwell, Cullum, the pier, Danny, the WSB taking him. He would do this with different times in his life and was able to not lose his sanity. He guessed that’s why he was able to hold onto it. Anna said she certainly didn’t.

Ava said Ethan made her sound powerful, inspiring change in him, and he said he could tell her the exact moment. When she’d decided to leave Phoebe with Brook and Chase. She could have used what she knew against him, but she didn’t. She only cared about the baby’s well-being. She said every child deserved a safe home and loving parents. She hadn’t always delivered on that, and he asked if she was saying she was flawed. She said there was flawed and there was her, and he said he loved that she was so honest about it. People who weren’t perfect, but did good when they were given a chance to were rare, and it spoke to him. She knew how he felt. Now it was her turn.

Brook went back to sit with Chase and Phoebe and said the company was fine, but Michael had some other news to impart. Apparently, Drew had recovered and he and Willow were getting a divorce. Chase said, I’m sorry. What? Brook said, it just happened and Drew was already up and walking around. Unfortunately, he was talking too. Chase said, he recovered just like that. It was unbelievable. He stood up like nothing happened and his first word in months was divorce? That couldn’t be right. Michael had to be wrong. She said Willow filled Michael in herself. She was shocked Willow hadn’t told Chase any of this first.

Stella told Tracy that her nephew was a good man, but he was a protector. That’s what got him into this mess. He was prideful and hugely stubborn, so he was never going to admit he’d made a mistake by assaulting Isaiah. She was afraid not taking the plea deal was another one. Tracy asked if she thought the trial would result in a worse outcome, and Stella said, far worse. She knew she should support Curtis, but had to be true to herself. She wanted to be a worthy role model for that beautiful baby and Trina. Tracy said she already was.

Marshall asked if Curtis was prepared to prove to a jury that Isaiah left him and Jordan on the road to die, but Curtis said his lawyer told him that all he had to prove was that his belief was reasonable. Marshall asked if he thought of reconsidering the plea deal, and Curtis asked if Marshall thought he couldn’t win. Marshall said he thought 8 months in prison would be hard, but years would be harder, and Curtis said he didn’t plan on going to prison at all. Marshall said, but that was the point. It wasn’t up to him. Curtis said he couldn’t just let Isaiah move in with Portia and raise his son, and Marshall said Isaiah was there yesterday when he came. Curtis said, of course (🍷) he was. The guy had no concept or respect for boundaries. He’d even told Curtis that he’d be a better father to his child than he could ever be. So there was no way he was going to let that happen.

Isaiah said he wasn’t talking to Britt the way he’d talk in court. He was talking to her as a friend. She said she guessed she had so few, she didn’t pick up on that. Her bad. Jack approached the desk, and Britt asked what he wanted from her. She was holding onto her job by a thread. The last thing she needed was attention from the WSB. Jack said it was a good thing he wasn’t there to see her then.

Anna told Jason that the doctors said anything she had experienced or thought she had wasn’t real. It was a delusion. Jason said he was sorry for not looking into her disappearance. He should have found her. She said she understood why he didn’t. She was an unreliable source to anyone. He said he wasn’t anyone. He would have known if she was telling the truth, but he was helping Britt escape from Cullum and Sidwell. She said, they were carrying out Faison’s project, and he said, yes. She said she was still trying to figure out how they made her believe Faison was still alive, and he asked if she’d actually seen him. She said, something like him. Maybe like a deep fake or something. Jason said, they could replicate the voice pretty easily, but she said the things he knew about her could only be recreated by someone who knew him. Like his offspring.

Felicia asked what Serina’s dad was up to, and Serina said he was living his best life in Key West. Felicia said, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and now Scott Baldwin, but Serina said he wasn’t writing as much as kayaking and hunting for the best key lime pie. Lucy said they had key lime pie there too, and Felicia said Serina’s mom wasn’t the only one who would be glad to have her home. Cody too. Serina said she was excited to meet her brother, when Lucy gave Felicia an exit sign. Felicia said Serina’s mom was giving her very subtle hint that she wanted alone time with her. They hugged and Felicia left.

Marshall said he got where Curtis was coming from, but actions had consequences, and Curtis said he knew that, but he also knew he was provoked. Marshall said it might be better to sacrifice the 8 months so he didn’t lose time down the road, and Curtis said, for the greater good. Marshall said, for the whole family, but Curtis said he didn’t see how taking the plea deal helped anyone. Marshall said he didn’t see how a trial would either. A not guilty verdict wouldn’t remove Isaiah from Desmond’s life. That boy might wind up being Desmond’s stepfather, but Curtis would always be his father. He’d stayed away from Curtis and Tommy and Irene because all he could see was the worst case scenario. Do what he couldn’t. Find a middle ground and compromise. Don’t see the extremes. They never let anyone win.

Ava said she’d be open to seeing if there was anything there with Ethan. After all, he did spoil his derriere for her. It was the least she could do. He said he thought it bounced back pretty nicely, but she said she’d seen better. He said, liar, and was about to kiss her, when Trina walked in. She said it was official. Her timing was terrible. She was so sorry. Ethan said he was about to grab a drink anyway. Feel free to talk about him while he was gone.

Jason told Anna that he didn’t really know Cassius and couldn’t vouch for him, but he did the right thing in that moment. Anna said, and Britt? and he said, Cullum blackmailed her, made her believe that she had Huntington’s so she’d do what he wanted. She said she knew, but wasn’t convinced, and he said she knew what the WSB was capable of. Cullum was highly ranked and had the resources to study Faison to learn what he’d say and do. She said, all on his own, without any help from Faison’s children? and he said he didn’t know. Maybe Cassius was involved in what happened to her. He couldn’t say, but he knew Britt wasn’t.

Tristan opened an exam room door and saw Jack. He said he’d get another physician, but Jack said, no. Don’t worry. He wasn’t there for medical attention. He just wanted to see how Tristan was settling in. How was he liking Port Charles?

Tracy asked if there was a reason Michael ducked out of the family meeting, or was he just bored, and he said he went to see Willow. She asked why he’d do that voluntarily, and he said to tell her that he wouldn’t stand for Drew being around their kids. Turns out it was a wasted trip. Drew and Willow were getting a divorce. Tracy laughed and said Yuri owed her fifty bucks. They had a little bet about whether the marriage would last a year or not. He said, congratulations, and she thanked him. He said the problem was, he didn’t think it would play out as well for Brook as it had for her. Now that Willow was free, he guaranteed the first move she made was a beeline straight for Chase.

Chase said, at the end of the day, it was really none of their business, and Brook said she knew. She was just surprised Willow didn’t make it his business. He said, if it was true, he was happy for Willow. Now she could get on with the rest of her life and they could get on with theirs. She said she liked the sound of that, and he said he told her that his focus was on her and Phoebe. They meant the world to him. They kissed, when Ethan approached and asked how they were today. Brook said, as if he cared, and he said she was right. He only had eyes for Phoebe.

Lucy said she was thrilled Serina was there and doing so well, but Serina said, except she wasn’t doing that well. Lucy asked what was wrong, and Serina told her, let’s just say I’ve lost my trust fund. All of it. Lucy asked, what happened? and Serina said she’d made some bad choices, trusted people she shouldn’t have. She didn’t want to get into it right now, but thought Lucy should know. Lucy took her hand and said whenever Serina was ready and able to talk about it, she was there. Actually, it was excellent news. Serina said, yes. Her being destitute was just a joyous occasion. Lucy said, no. It just made what she was about to ask Serina exponentially easier. Serina said she knew Lucy summoned her there for a reason. What was she really doing in Port Charles?

Stella went to Portia’s house and hugged Marshall and Curtis. She went to Desmond’s bassinet and asked how he was doing, and Marshall said she was right. He had Irene’s eyes. He wished Irene was here to meet her grandson. Stella said, she was. She was in every one of them – she took their hands – especially him.

Isaiah said Britt’s interaction with Chief Brennan was kind of intense. Was she good? She said, just a little jumpy around the WSB after they made a total dumpster fire of her life. She was just aiming for simplicity these days. Keep her head down, do her probation time, get her life together. He said, a huge part of that life was being the equipment manager for the softball team, right? and she said an honor she’d never dreamed of. He said he couldn’t bat, obviously, but he’d be the best pinch runner GH had ever seen. Was she going to the game later? She asked if she had a choice, and he said it would be exactly what she needed. When she saw that ball coming at her, just picture Brennan’s face on it and swing for the fences.

Tristan said he was getting settled in and committed to building a career at GH. And FYI, visits from Jack weren’t helpful. He didn’t want Jack or anyone from the WSB showing up at the hospital. Jack said, and his reports? and Tristan said, would be reported when there was something to report. Until then, the Bureau left him alone. Jack said he’d certainly pass along that message, but he was afraid Tristan wasn’t the one who got to set those terms.

Jason said, Britt was a victim, just like Anna, but it was over now. Cullum and Cassius were dead. Sidwell wasn’t going to see the light of day again, so he guessed the only thing to do now was to move forward. Anna asked if that’s what he was doing, and he said he was trying to. She said she’d work to follow his lead then, and he told her that he just wanted to say he was there if she needed him. She thanked him, and he said he was glad she was back. She said she was glad they both were, and Jason left. Peter said, he was obviously lying about Britt. Not to mention everything else.

Stella said the trial had her nervous, and Marshall said she wasn’t alone there. She said she wanted Curtis to take a good, long look at what he had there. Three generations of Ashfords under one roof. Over the years, their family had endured a lot of loss. They may have bent under the weight, but they didn’t break. Marshall said, because they were strong, and Stella said she wanted Curtis to use that strength. Draw from it. Marshall said they were there for Curtis, and Curtis thanked them both. Stella took Marshall to the kitchen, and Curtis said Dez had his word. Nothing or no one would take him away from his son. Not ever.

Lucy said she called Serina because she loved her and missed her terribly, and Serina said her too. And? Lucy said, and she needed Serina’s help. There was a snake in the grass. Michael Corinthos filched a very significant chunk of Deception stock, stock that should have been hers. Before Maxie moved away, she sold the stock to Michael. Maxie should have sold it to her because it was her company. She founded it in the 90s. Serina said she knew and knew how important it was to Lucy, and Lucy said it was, but for far too long, she’d left it in the hands of the enemy. Serina said, the Quartermaines, and Lucy said they’d looked down on her so long and now they were more united than ever. Michael and Brook and Tracy. They fought like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day, they stuck together. Serina asked if Lucy thought they would force her out, and Lucy said she knew they would in a heartbeat. Except she wasn’t going to let that happen. Serina asked, what’s the move? and Lucy said she was going to take back her company and Serina was going to help her.

Tracy told Michael that there was a time she thought her granddaughter’s marriage was doomed, but she didn’t think that anymore. She thought Brook knew exactly what she was doing. Michael said Brook wasn’t the one he was worried about, and Tracy said she understood, but so far, Chase had followed through on his promise to prioritize Brook and the baby, and that baby was about to be theirs. Tomorrow, they were signing Phoebe’s adoption papers and would officially be a family. And Willow, whatever plan she was concocting, was too late. Michael said, doubtful. He knew her too well. She wouldn’t back off. She hated being alone. Tracy said, evidenced by her serial husband hopping, and he said Willow was the type who needed a man in her life and she’d do whatever she needed to secure one.

Chase said he’d believe it when they signed the paperwork tomorrow, and Ethan said the three of them just fit as a family. He told Phoebe that she was a lucky girl. She had Brook and Chase waiting for her. Good luck tomorrow. Chase said he had to take off and would see Brook at home, and he left.

Trina said there seemed to be a sizable spark between Ava and Ethan, and Ava said he’d like to pursue it. Trina asked what Ava would like, and Ava said she was a little apprehensive. With Ric and Jenz, it was all about opportunity, mutual interests. With Ethan, it was different. For the first time in a long time, she was simply enjoying the company of a man and it felt fantastic. Trina said anyone who could make Ava smile like that got her vote, and Ava said she was eager to see where it went. Trina said she’d give them some privacy and see Ava later, and she left. On his way back to Ava, Ethan saw a man telling an attendant that it was his first time at the MetroCourt, and Ethan didn’t look happy.

Tristan said he had a patient that he needed to consult with Britt on. He wouldn’t be there if there was another option, so he was hoping they could put their differences aside. She said they could have their differences anytime. Patients came first. He showed her the chart, when Jason came in and saw them together

Peter told Anna that Britt was his father’s daughter. Hell, she helped him flee the country, spent all that time with him, it was on the run. Of course (🍷) it was her and Cassius who held Anna prisoner. They broke her by torturing her, the same way Faison tortured her and Robin. For all they knew, Noah and Emma could be next. Anna said, no, no, no, no, and he said Cassius was dead, but the only way this cycle ended for sure was if Britt met the same fate. If she really wanted to protect her loved ones, she knew what needed to be done. Britt Westbourne must die.

🌞 Summer Friday…

At the park, Dante said he’d seen Fitzpatrick play for his old precinct. His scouting instincts said that Fitzpatrick was going to hit the cover off the ball, and that’s what they needed. Fitzpatrick said he’d try not to let them down.

Ric went to Sonny’s place dressed casually, and Sonny asked if he was going to the gym afterwards, but Ric said he was catching up with Elizabeth later on. She was playing softball for GH this afternoon.

Lucas hoped he didn’t embarrass himself too badly, but Elizabeth said it was just a softball game. Their team wasn’t usually a playoff contender anyway. He said, still, he should probably warm up and take a few practice swings. Did she have any idea where the bats were? She said that would be a question for Britt, but she didn’t see Britt anywhere. They certainly couldn’t practice without equipment.

At the hospital, Britt told Tristan that she’d like to meet with his patient before they discussed the next steps, and he said he’d let her know. He left, and Jason approached. She said her day just got a lot better, and Jason asked how much she knew about the doctor she was just talking to.

Carly met Valentin at the MetroCourt gardens, and seeing a table with champagne and hors d’oeuvres, she said it looked like he had a nice afternoon planned. She hoped she wasn’t interrupting. He said, not at all, but she was a little early. He wasn’t going to call her until the caviar showed up. She said her assistant manager told her that there were some significant charges made to his room, the one she was comping for him. He said he’d decided he was going to enjoy being a kept man.

At the pool, Ethan noticed a man telling an attendant that it was his first time using the pool, and Ethan looked concerned. (I assume this new guy is Hudson, but they haven’t confirmed yet.) Brook saw Drew walk in, as well as Danny coming in to work. Drew walked over to Ava, who said he looked a lot better than the last time she saw him. He said he felt a lot better too, and she said she guessed a miracle like this left a person refreshed. He said he didn’t know why his body did what it did, but the neurologists said everything checked out, so he was happy to call it a miracle. She said she was happy to see him like this, and he thanked her. He said he was guessing not many people were, so he appreciated it. Was she meeting Nina there by any chance? She said, no. She was with someone else. He was right over… She looked around and saw Ethan was gone.

Anna told Peter, shut up. She wasn’t going to kill Britt. She wasn’t a murderer. He said, yet she’d taken many, many lives as a WSB agent. They both knew no one in her family would be safe as long as a single Faison was left alive. Never.

Ava wondered where Ethan disappeared to, when Drew asked an attendant for an iced tea and flopped down on the chaise next to her. He asked if she minded. He was still getting his strength back. She said, okay, but he’d have to move when Ethan came back. Ethan Lovett? He was Lulu’s half-brother, the guy that Sidwell shot in her gallery. The stranger listened in, and she said Ethan was perfectly fine now. Drew said he guessed he missed out on a lot during his illness. He was very eager to get his life back. Ava said she was sure. Why was he looking for Nina? She wasn’t exactly his biggest fan. He said he was aware. She and Nina were very close. Was she in on it? Exactly how much did she know about what Nina and Willow did?

Elizabeth asked Lucas about various properties, but he had a reason for not liking any of them. She asked if what he was saying was that he’d like to spend the rest of his days living in Ava’s guest room, and he said he was used to having martinis with her every night. Besides, it was nice having someone else around. He couldn’t face going home to an empty place. She suggested a roommate, someone other than Ava Jerome, when they heard, heads up! and a ball came flying their way. Fitzpatrick said, sorry about that. Everyone okay?

Sonny asked what the story was with Sidwell’s legal situation, and Ric said he had two trials coming up and his assets had been frozen. The DA’s office had a strong case and Sidwell was going to see some time. The second he set foot on the bus to Pentenville, all of his assets would go up for auction. Sonny said, including Windymere and his piers.

Britt said she knew Tristan had just started there and could be completely annoying, and Jason said he also had ties to the WSB. Britt said that couldn’t be correct. He was a heart surgeon. Jason said, a heart surgeon he’d met while he was a prisoner in Jakarta. After they released him, the doctor was on a plane with him back to Port Charles. She said she knew she’d never be completely free of the WSB, but she didn’t think they’d go as far as planting someone on staff to spy on her, and he said they didn’t know that yet. He just wanted to tell her this guy was involved with the WSB. He had no idea what the doctor was doing in Port Charles. She said she did. He was there to keep eyes on her. It didn’t matter what she did. She was going to pay for being Faison’s daughter for the rest of her life.

Peter said Anna was still so fragile. His sister was dangerous. If she didn’t stop Britt, Britt would stop her. Anna said Britt wasn’t out to get her. Jason said Britt had nothing to do with her kidnapping and he didn’t lie. Peter said Jason would say anything to protect Britt. He was in love with her. She knew that. She said she needed to see Valentin, but he said, no. That would be a mistake. She couldn’t trust him. She said that wasn’t true. Valentin would help her. He understood her and would believe what she had to say. Emma came in and asked who Anna was talking to.

Valentin said he was glad Carly could join. He’d spared no expense. She said she could tell. He was going to treat her in her hotel where she paid the bill? He asked what she was implying. That he couldn’t pay? She said she knew he couldn’t pay, but he said she was going to have to keep up. Things changed pretty quickly in Port Charles. The WSB came through. His assets had been unfrozen. He wanted to give her what she deserved – he kissed her hand – because now he could.

Emma said she heard Anna talking. It kind of sounded like somebody was with her. Anna said she was just dictating case files. She was trying to get up to speed. Emma told her not to push herself too hard, but Anna said work was good. It focused her and gave her purpose. But she was grateful for Emma’s concern. She was grateful for Emma. Emma said she was glad Anna was home and that she got to see Maxie and her family before they left for Australia. Anna said she was going to miss them, but thought Maxie was right. It was probably good for James to have a fresh start after the whole Cassius debacle. Emma said she thought it was going to take them all a while to get over that, and Anna said he’d deceived a lot of people. Emma said it kind of seemed she’d been in the dark about a lot of things, like Josslyn being in the WSB, and Anna said, Josslyn told her? Emma said, mm-hmm. She kind of wished Anna had.

Carly told Valentin, congratulations. Jack had accepted his offer? Valentin said, without hesitation. Whatever was in the box, he wanted it very, very badly. She said he’d gotten his money back. So what happens now? He said, after he bought her something expensive? and she said, obscenely expensive. He said, after that, he keep a promise to Charlotte.

Elizabeth asked, who hit that? and Dante said he did. Sorry if he almost hit them. They remembered Joe, right? Lucas said, nice to see him again, and Fitzpatrick said, likewise. Elizabeth told Lucas, don’t talk to the enemy, and Fitzpatrick said he was new, but guessed what he’d heard was true. These games get pretty heated, huh? Elizabeth said, some of them took it more seriously than others, and Dante said he just didn’t want Corinthos Coffee to win again. This was law enforcement. She said she was glad she played for GH. Nobody cared that she was an outfielder that couldn’t catch… you know. Dante said, a fly ball? She just needed time on the field. Come on, lets’ go. She said he couldn’t help her. She was his enemy. He said, just don’t tell anyone, and they left. Fitzpatrick asked Lucas how long those two had been together.

Sonny told Ric that he was going to keep the Rochester Piers until he got Piers 55 and 56. Then he was going to expand his business. Rick said they should reacquire those piers discreetly. They didn’t need Boyle making it a political issue again. Sonny said he’d send a proxy over to the auction who could bid on his behalf, and Ric said, start with a high bid. A bidding war would only put more scrutiny on the winner. Sonny said he had a better way to keep the bidding to a minimum.

Jason said all he knew about Dr. Roberts was that he was the one who brought him back from Jakarta, and she asked if he thought the hospital board knew they’d hired someone with ties to the WSB. He said he had no idea, but he thought it best if she kept that information to herself. Just keep her eyes on him and see how he behaved. She said, on a brighter note, what brought him to GH? and he said, her. He thought maybe they could take the boat out and spend some time on the lake. Maybe get some dinner. She said she would have loved that, but she had to play softball, and he said, what? She said she was on probation and had to prove she wanted to work there, and he said, so she was going to do that by playing softball? She said, being the equipment manager will, and he said it sounded like a fun gig. Who didn’t love softball? She said, her, but he said she could change that if she learned how to play. He could give her some pointers. She asked if he wanted to come to the park with her and check on her form, when his phone rang. Sonny said he needed to see him, and Jason said he was on his way. He told Britt that he was sorry, but he had to go see Sonny. She said that was okay. Sonny spared her the humiliation of showing how uncoordinated she was. Could they get together later? He said he’d call her and left.

Danny brought Britt some ice water, and they both looked at Drew. She said it was going to take a minute to get used to Drew being up and around again. Scout must be thrilled. How was she doing? He said she was super happy, which was great, but she was back living with Drew and he didn’t think Drew was going to let them see each other anymore. She said she was sorry, and he said him too, but he was going to try hard to get along with Drew for Scout’s sake.

Ava told Drew that she knew Willow was determined to care for him at home and Nina did everything she could to help. Willow must be relieved to see him back on his feet. He said he thought she was going to faint the first time she saw him standing, and she said his condition was hard on everyone. Scout most of all. She was impressed with how Scout handled it. He should be proud of her. She knew Scout’s grandfather Julian would be. He said he was always proud of Scout and was thrilled to have her home with him. His only regret in divorcing Willow was yet another upheaval in Scout’s life. She said, he and Willow were getting divorced? Nina must be out celebrating. He said he wouldn’t miss Nina either, and Ava said this was so sudden. He was so devoted to Willow. Did he mind if she asked what happened? He said his long illness showed him that his marriage to Willow wasn’t exactly what he’d thought it was. She said, traumatic circumstances could expose the cracks in any relationship or make you think a good connection was there when it wasn’t.

Lulu came home to find Ethan coming down the stairs with his bag. She asked if Sonny was sending him on a last minute trip, but he said it wasn’t a trip. He was leaving – for good.

Lucas said Dante and Elizabeth had just been friends forever, and Fitzpatrick said, they seemed very friendly. Lucas said she was with someone else, but now that he thought about it, maybe Fitzpatrick had noticed something the rest of them had missed. Fitzpatrick said he was a cop. He was trained to observe and size people up, and Lucas said he hoped Fitzpatrick was right because Dante was a much better guy than the one she was seeing.

Elizabeth said, okay, go, and Dante threw the ball, but she held up her glove and it bounced off. She said, no, wait. She wasn’t ready. Sorry. He asked if she was open to a few pointers, but she said, GH always lost anyway. He asked if that’s what she taught her kids, and she said, actually, she taught her kids to always try their best, but she also taught them to have fun, which they did. She’d had fun at Cameron’s soccer games and watching Jake play T-ball. He said he used to love watching Rocco’s Little League games. Rocco would get so hyped up when they won. So would he. He guessed Rocco got it from him. She said, if winning was so important, why was he helping her? They were opposing teams. He said he always kept forgetting that.

Anna said she really regretted she was able to tell Emma anything about Josslyn, but Emma said it was okay. Josslyn told her that she was undercover at the time and Anna had to keep her secret. Anna said she did, but if Emma had ever been in any danger, she would have told her about Josslyn, no matter what the WSB wanted. Family came first and she was sorry if she’d ever given Emma the impression otherwise. Emma said Anna never had. She’d always known Anna loved her. Always. Anna said that would never change.

Tristan went into an exam room and found Britt there. She closed the door, and he said he was called for a consult. She said, that was a lie, just like his presence at GH. She knew the WSB sent him there to trick her into working with them again. So he could go back and ask his superiors to reassign him, because that was never going to happen. He said everyone had their limits, and she said he was giving her no choice but to turn him into the board and they’d fire him. He said Jason Morgan must have told her that they’d met, and she asked if he really thought Jason was going to keep his little secret. They were very close. He said, good for her. To start, he wasn’t a WSB agent. So telling the board wasn’t going to get him fired. They knew he’d worked at a WSB medical facility, and that wasn’t a secret. Lastly, get her facts straight before she opened her big mouth.

Ava said she’d noticed Brook talking to Ethan earlier. Did he mention where he was going? Brook said he’d just popped by to congratulate her and Chase for signing the paperwork to adopt Phoebe, and Ava said that was wonderful. She was so happy for them. Brook thanked her for helping Alexis make it possible, and Ava said, of course (🍷). Take care. She left, when Danny walked by with Drew’s iced tea, stumbled, and spilled it on him. He said he was so sorry. He was just trying to deliver Drew’s iced tea. Drew said Danny shouldn’t even be serving drinks. He was a pool boy. He jumped up and said, this right here was why he couldn’t trust Danny with Scout. He wasn’t even aware of his own surroundings. Brook said, that’s enough. Don’t you dare talk to Danny that way.

Lulu asked if Ethan was in trouble. Was one of Sonny’s enemies after him? He said, nothing like that, and she asked why he was leaving then. He said because an incredible opportunity just fell into his lap. It could put him on Easy Street for the rest of his life, but he had to leave right now. He couldn’t risk missing this flight. She said he couldn’t leave. He worked for Sonny now. People just don’t up and quit on Sonny Corinthos.

Jason arrived at Sonny’s, and Sonny thanked him for getting their so quick. Ric said, glad to have him back, and Sonny said he wanted to talk to Jason about buying his piers back from Sidwell. Ric said he was going to head to the park, but Sonny said, hold on. They had to have a discussion. It was obvious there was no love lost between Jason and Ric and they had their reasons why they didn’t like each other, but it had to end. They had to leave the past in the past. Ric was his brother and had proved himself. They were working together now. He told Ric that Jason was also his brother. They’d been working together and Jason was his righthand man. That wasn’t going to change, but he didn’t need them at each other’s throats. Jason said, that won’t be a problem.

Brook told Drew, calm down. He was causing a scene and disturbing other guests. Drew said he didn’t care. Either Danny was incredibly clumsy or did that on purpose. He knew which one he was betting on. Danny swore it was an accident, and Brook told him to go back to work. She’d handle this. She told Drew that he needed to relax. She’d hoped his illness would have given him some perspective, but he was still the same petty tyrant he’d always been. He said his recovery must have ruined the family’s day, but she said, it didn’t. What he went through must have been hell. He said she had no idea. Was she happy? She said, no. Because unlike him, she didn’t revel in other people’s misfortune. He said, Tracy did, and Brook said he’d be happy to hear that despite her grandmother’s feelings about him, everybody decided to tolerate his presence for Scout’s sake because she was part of the family. He said his family, and she said, but he wasn’t part of the Quartermaine family and he never would be.

On the phone, Ava said, where are you? She hoped Ethan had a good excuse for leaving without saying anything. If he wasn’t back in ten minutes, don’t bother coming back at all.

Lulu said Ethan used their father’s name to get Sonny to give him a chance. If he left now, Sonny wouldn’t give him a second one. He said it was a risk he’d have to take, but she said, no, he didn’t. Sonny was counting on him. Because of their dad, Sonny wouldn’t track him down like he would someone else who crossed him. Was he sure this opportunity was worth the risk? He said this was more than a job. He was keeping a promise.

Emma said she used to think it was cool that Anna was a WSB agent, but now she saw that the WSB wasn’t just this force for good that she always thought it was. The secrets Anna was forced to keep were like some barrier between them getting in the way. She hoped Anna was done with them. Anna promised she was going to do everything she could to put that all behind her.

Carly told Valentin that going after Windymere was going to be a legal nightmare. With Sidwell in jail, his assets had been seized. Was he sure it was worth it? He said whatever made his daughter happy was worth it. Charlotte loved Windymere. It was a beautiful place. She asked if he knew how many people had been murdered in that beautiful place, or kept prisoner in that beautiful place’s subterranean rooms, and he said, no house is perfect. She said, fine. You do you. But she meant what she’d said before. That place creeped her out. She wasn’t staying over at Windymere. He had to come to her. He said she knew he could work with that.

Britt said it wasn’t some random coincidence that Tristan landed on staff at the same hospital she worked at, and he said, with hundreds of other doctors. Was she always this hysterical? She asked if he was always this sexist. (Thank you.) She was done with the WSB playing God with her life. How could he work for people who made her believe she had Huntington’s, a terrifying disease, when she didn’t? He asked why they told her that, and she said, to get her to do what they wanted. He said that was unconscionable. It sounded like she’d been through a lot, and for that, he was very sorry, but his presence there had nothing to do with her. He was hired as a cardiologist, so he was going to get back to treating real patients. Had she ever considered therapy? It can work wonders… So can decaf. He left.

Dante said he really wasn’t like one of those winning means everything kind of guys, and Elizabeth said he did seem a little intense. He said, sorry. Maybe he was channeling his worry for Rocco. Rocco was still struggling a little bit, but he was doing good. She asked what was going on, and he said Rocco and Danny were having some problems. Danny was pissed off that his dad went to prison for Rocco, and now that Jason was back, he thought everything would be cool, but they were still having problems. She said she was sorry to hear that. How were things for him and Rocco? He said, good actually. He didn’t want to screw it up. He had the impulse to jump in and fix things with Rocco and Danny, but he wasn’t going to do that. He was probably taking the summer league thing a little too seriously when he was putting more pressure on his team than himself. She said she couldn’t speak about the way he handled his team, but his strategy for Rocco seemed solid. She thought it was wise to give Rocco some space, but if Dante ever needed someone to coach, she was all in.

Ric said he had no problem working with Jason. They were different, but valued many of the same things and the same people, like Sonny’s son. He held out his hand and said he was happy to put the past behind them. Jason shook Ric’s hand, Ric said he was going to the park, and left. Sonny said he knew it wasn’t easy and appreciated Jason making peace, but Jason said there would never be peace between him and Ric.

Ethan said he had to go, but please tell him that she understood, and Lulu said he’d always had her back. When she needed to leave town with her son, he’d come through, no questions asked. It was her turn to have his back. Did he need her to cover for him? He said, no. Just tell everyone he left town. She told him to be careful and keep in touch. He said, sure thing, and they hugged.

Anna told Emma that everything that had happened since October had been such a revelation. Before then, she would have said nothing could shock her, but she would have been wrong. Emma said she was sorry Anna had gone through so much, but Anna said it didn’t matter. She was back with her family now and was going to do everything she could to make sure they were never parted again. Emma asked if she really thought the WSB would leave her alone now, and Anna said she was going to talk to someone who was going to help her make sure of that.

Carly and Valentin clinked glasses, and she said, to you and getting the best of Jack. He said he just hoped he didn’t sell himself short, but she said he got what he wanted, right? His assets were unfrozen. He said, it was all too easy. Jack didn’t put up much of a fight. Whatever was in the box was obviously very valuable to him. Maybe somebody else. Maybe he should have talked to somebody else. Maybe he should have found another buyer. She asked if it wouldn’t have been treason if he’d sold the WSB secrets to the highest bidder, and he said, if it was a foreign government. He was talking about Nina. Remember when he and Charlotte went to Windymere? Nina and Jack were there. Carly said she thought Nina went with Jack because she felt guilty for sticking him with that paralytic drug, but Valentin said he thought it was more than that. He thought it was personal and that Nina would have paid for what was inside that box. She said he got his money back. Take the money. He said she was right and he was taking it, but he was just curious. What was inside that box that both Jack and Nina wanted? What did the two of them have in common?

Brook said she knew it was useless to appeal to Drew’s sense of decency since he had none, but she did hope for Scout’s sake that he kept his visits to their house few and far between. He said, don’t worry. He had no plans to spend time with anybody in that house, but he couldn’t say the same for Willow. He couldn’t talk and he couldn’t move, but he could sure listen. Willow wanted Chase back and from personal experience, she would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. Brook said it was ironic that it was her son who saved him from drowning, while he walked away from that same son’s father while he was having a heart attack. Her father could have died. He said, faking a heart attack came right out of the Quartermaine playbook. How was he supposed to know Ned really needed help? She said he was lucky Gio was a better man than him, but he said, no. He was lucky Gio wasn’t raised a Quartermaine and was nothing like the rest of them.

Lucas asked if Fitzpatrick ever played in a league, and Fitzpatrick asked if a movie fantasy league counted. They were surprisingly competitive. What about Lucas? Did he ever play softball? Lucas said, not in a while. So he was just hoping for a blowout either way because the last thing he wanted was to be up at the plate with the game on the line. Fitzpatrick’s phone chimed and he said he couldn’t believe it. He’d just made arrangements with a realtor to look at apartments today and forgot. He’d been blowing it off. Lucas said he knew what Fitzpatrick meant, and Fitzpatrick asked if he was looking for a place too. Lucas said, as Fitzpatrick knew, his living arrangements recently changed, but Elizabeth was determined to help him find the perfect place. She’d lived there practically her whole life and had a ton of ideas. If Fitzpatrick wanted, he could airdrop him the information she’d sent. (I smell either a budding romance or bromance here, and I like it.)

Elizabeth said she could never see the ball when it was in the air, and Dante said she had to use her glove in a way that blocked the sun, but not the ball. She said, then it would hit her in the head, but he said not if she did it right. He went around behind her to show her, lifting up her arm, when Ric saw them.

Fitzpatrick was about to leave and told Lucas that when he was up at the plate, choke up on the bat a little. It would add more control to his swing. At least that’s what Dante told him.

Ava told Danny that if Ethan showed up, throw a drink on him and tell him he blew it. The stranger made a call, and said he was calling from Express Shipping. He had a package for Mr. Ethan Lovett, but the address label appeared to be damaged. Is his address 247 Maple Street or 241 Maple Street? Lulu said, it was 247 Maple Street, but don’t bother delivering the package. Nathan Lovett doesn’t live here anymore. He asked if there was a forwarding address, but she said there wasn’t. He left the country. So it could be returned to the sender. The stranger looked annoyed.

Brook said Drew had been given a second chance, but he was just going to let petty grievances run his life. He said what had been taken from him was far from petty and he demanded justice. She said it sounded like revenge to her. Stay away from her family. He said, by the time he was done, the Quartermaines would be the ones who would lose everything, and she walked out.

Dante continued to coach Elizabeth while Ric watched from a distance. Britt arrived, struggling to carry all the equipment, and said, oh, help, as all the softballs tumbled from the bag. Elizabeth said Britt was late, but Britt said she was only one person. Elizabeth said they couldn’t play without the bases. Seriously, Britt needed to be on time so no one was waiting. It was rude to them and the other team. Dante said it was nice to see Britt was finally taking this seriously, while Ric continued to watch them.

Sonny said he got that Jason hated Ric, but he thought Jason understood that he needed them to work together. He thought that wouldn’t be a problem. Jason said it wouldn’t be… because he couldn’t work for Sonny anymore.

Valentin said he didn’t know what Nina and Jack were up to, and Carly said it was bad enough when they had to talk about Jack. She had absolutely no interest in anything Nina did. He said she and Nina had history, but she wasn’t jealous of Nina, and she said she would never be jealous of Nina. He said he wished he was as evolved as she was. He hated thinking that Sonny could talk her into dumping him for the sake of their daughter. She said no one told her who to be with. She took a huge chance at being with him and so far it had worked out. He said, so far. He took a huge chance too. She said it was a good thing they were right, and he said they had good instincts. They kissed, when Anna walked in.

On Monday, Dante tells Elizabeth that he used the power of office for personal gain; Josslyn tells Jack that he’s making himself vulnerable to a huge liability; Anna tells Valentin that he just got his freedom back and now was throwing it all away; and Jason tells Sonny that he’s going to prison if he’s lucky.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

What Scotty’s been up to and how Serina feels.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-finally-reveals-what-happened-to-scott-baldwin

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-kelly-kruger-playing-serena-baldwin-feels-right-to-me

This startled me and I’m wondering why Soap Opera Digest didn’t have an article on it. Like, what happened? I liked that Ethan.

https://parade.com/news/general-hospital-ethan-role-recast-fans-reactions

Nope. Bring Vaughn back. It’s not like they haven’t worked around rules before.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/meet-general-hospitals-hudson-troy-lennon-appel-is-he-josslyns-new-love-interest

Geez. Give it a minute. I’m sure she’ll get what’s coming to her eventually. How about Drew? How long must we wait for his comeuppance?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-fans-outraged-as-willow-escapes-consequences-for-drugging-drew

The ultimate soap hop.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/13-general-hospital-stars-who-were-on-the-young-and-the-restless-first

I don’t remember him being with Kristen Alderson, but regardless, there’s some kind of irony or something here.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/chad-duells-exes-courtney-hope-and-kristen-alderson-collab-on-the-netflix-doc-trend

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Luke made the decision to leave the boat and Gen claimed she was going to be Zen Gen next charter. Joy was disappointed that Luke chose to leave, as she’d been hoping they could fix things throughout the rest of the season. He told her that they’d meet again, but she seemed pretty doubtful. In Luke’s final interview, he said, I hope I get to come on Captain Sandy’s boat again… You know what I mean. (BA-DUM-CHH!) Maybe he can get an interim gig as a stand-up comic. Suzanne found a match in Will, and apparently was pretty happy, since the crew got a $25K tip ($1900 each). In Cooper’s interview, he said part of him wanted to have fun being single, and when Eyebrows Joe asked how it was going with Kat, he said he wanted to take it slow. The crew night out was uneventful, except for Kat, who cornered Cooper in the rain on the restaurant terrace and dry begged for him to act like she was special. It seemed like he’d rather spend more time with random people than her, and she thought they’d been having fun. He must have said the right thing, since they cuddled on the boat later, but then again, it seems like these girls ultimately don’t care how the guys actually feel. They are on the same page, dammit! Being sleep deprived, Gael was having it rough and texted Nathan to get back to the Air BnB asap, and he left the group early. After a bad storm with very close lightning, in the morning, Nathan was late, not showing up until 10:30, but no one seemed to actually worry – like, maybe something happened to him in a foreign country or Gael murdered him – except for Captain Sandy. In the captain’s interview, she said, it’s very disrespectful, it’s unacceptable, and frankly, it’s out of character. She hoped everything was okay, but if he might have some explaining to do. Eyebrows Joe had a lot to say about Nathan in his interview – like it was bad behavior for a bosun and what kind of example was he setting – but sh*t sometimes happens and he’s the last dude who should judge anybody for anything. Starting to get nervous, since they were already a man down, Captain Sandy texted Nathan, who said he was on his way back. When Nathan arrived, he made a beeline to change and talk to the captain. My guess was that things did not go too well with Gael, the baby, or both, but to be continued…

In the City – Reunion Part 2

Andy asked if Danielle resented Lindsay for dating Carl after her, and Danielle said she’d rather have someone hate her to her face than behind her back, but she felt like Lindsay wasn’t done punishing her. I don’t remember Danielle dating Carl, but I have to admit I don’t always pay attention. Lindsay said she’d protected Danielle, but now that she had a kid, she had no time for this. Danielle had just popped up on the show. Danielle was like, there it is, and the topic of her dress for the wedding was brought up, the whole white/pink fiasco. Yvonne said Danielle had texted her a picture of the dress and she’d said it was fine, but Danielle had put her in an awkward position. This made no sense, since Danielle clearly asked if it was okay, giving Yvonne the option to say, no. And everyone knows the wedding is really for the bride and she gets whatever she wants. I had a friend who got married in Manhattan and the reception was at an upscale hotel. Black has also been considered a no when it comes to a wedding, but I’d wanted to wear a black cocktail dress. I asked first, she knew the dress, and said it was fine with her. I’m quite sure if it hadn’t been, she would have said so. No surprise, the topic of Amanda and West came up, and Danielle said Amanda had made a mistake. She never should have had a relationship with West when there was more sh*t to sort out with Kyle. Agreed, but I also think a good rule of thumb is to not date inside the friend group. This seems to cause nothing but problems. Amanda apologized for how she’d handled things and tried to justify shutting down at the Summer House Reunion. Eoin said no one asked about his divorce after the cameras were off, which is interesting since he was grilled about it at every opportunity during the season. We revisited Amanda moving out and rehashed that whole thing. The best thing – and perhaps worth watching for – was Kyle’s drinking being brought up and Andy saying he thought it was a problem. Thank you. I’ve been saying that since dinosaurs ruled the earth. Kyle tried to justify it, but Andy was not having it tonight. They ended with Kyle saying, summer should be fun.

The Valley

Brittany’s Victorian Vampire Masquerade Halloween party happened and the costumes were fabulous. So was the décor. Zack was called out for talking sh*t about Janet, and in Janet’s interview, she suggested Zack try being less full of sh*t and it won’t pop out unexpectedly. She thought he secretly liked her, but was struggling with it because Kristen and Nia didn’t want him to. Jesse was pissed that Janet introduced Isabella to a guy, but Janet said she’d brought Isabella to a real estate listing. When Lake called one of these interchangeable women, probably Michelle, a bitch, she said she was from New Jersey and they called everyone a bitch. I wasn’t born here, but I beg to differ. Maybe on the Jersey Shore show, which has a cast of people like I have never seen at the Shore. Nia said Zack was flip-floppy when it came to Janet, and Jason and Janet remarked on Danny’s drinking. Danny asked if Jason had never blacked out, and Janet said he’d never grabbed a woman’s ass while drunk. It escalated until Janet threw a cup at Danny, and Lala said she was just overshadowing his horrendous behavior. Brittany brought out a birthday cake for Janet, and Danny wondered why they were so obsessed with her. In Danny’s interview, he said he was a man of character and integrity. He didn’t want to be around people who brought out the worst in him. He was done. After I choked on my coffee, I thought, if you have to say you have character, you probably don’t. Here’s hoping Andy calls this one out too, come Reunion time.

Next Gen NYC

In Rowan’s interview, she said Charlie had a chokehold over the group. She could count on one hand the times they’d talked, but he was always talking about Emira. Shai tried to get Ava to model for his clothing line, but in Ava’s interview, she said she didn’t know if she had the capacity to put herself out there. Ariana said Shai told her that Rowan and Ava agreed he should tell Hudson about Liam, when – roll the video – they clearly hadn’t. In Brooks’s interview, he said he was seeing a side of Shai he hadn’t known existed. There was a spa day at Emira’s, and Ava said she and her boyfriend had broken up after she’d found out some info on him. She cried and the friends gathered around her. What did she expect from a guy named Hook. She was concerned since she’d never been financially responsible for herself. Alrighty then. Gio moved out, bringing her dog Bella with her. In Gia’s interview, she said she thought Bella had schizophrenia for dogs. She also talked about missing her dad. Ariana was meeting Liam’s parents, bringing along her roommate Austin and Brooks. It was also Liam’s birthday, but she felt it was too soon to bring a gift, so she brought a bottle of wine. Georgia went shopping with her brother Chuck, and in Georgia’s interview, she said he was a year and half older. They were Irish twins. Rowan met with her dad and showed him her script. He seems like a cool guy. Emira asked if Charlie said what Georgia said he did, that Kevin was a gay man, and Charlie said he didn’t remember, but might have. It depended on the context. What? Emira forgave him because she’s stupid. Seriously, all of them need to stop hanging around with this leach who is in the wrong age group anyway. He does nothing but cause trouble and spend other people’s money.

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-arianas-hook-up-with-charlie-confirmed-gia-addresses-trump-backlash-more-vrt-unpacks-episode-6

Real Housewives Of London

This show makes me miss Ladies of London: The New Reign. It’s not the worst, but not high on the list either. I do like seeing all their fancy sh*t and the clothes… the clothes… Nessie was excited about the London Book Fair as she’d written a dinosaur cookbook for children. Juliet dressed up in dinosaur hoodie and surprised her. Panthea said she’d always wanted to be a fashion designer and was launching a line, and UK Juliet met Caroline Stanbury for some shopping. They mostly discussed their children going off to uni. Nessie met with Panthea for lunch, choosing a public space because, what’s the worst that could happen? Panthea said she saw through UK Juliet, but Nessie said everyone had been shocked by Panthea’s toxic behavior. Karen had a dinner party in a private room at upscale restaurant Isabel. Panthea wasted no time, questioning Amanda about her children and citing rumors. In Nessie’s interview, she said she thought Panthea got off on it, but at the end, Juliet and Panthea kinda sorta hugged it out.

Real Housewives Of Orange County

In Gina’s interview, she said you should follow your passion and she was passionate about making her and best friend look stupid on the internet. She and Emily were doing TikToks. Emily came over and Gina gave her birthday gifts of a double hoodie (for the two of them) and a candle called Smells Like My 40s Are Over. Emily told the Dior clutch tale, and Shannon and Fancy Pants Heather joined them. Fancy Pants said she’d needed to do an intervention with Shannon about her social media, and Gina suggested she do more TikToks. The group joined Tamra for her friend Fernanda’s class, the BBL workout. Afterward, Jenn talked about son’s delayed reaction to her divorce, and Fancy Pants said every situation and every kid was different. Vicki bemoaned her empty nest, with Michael in Spain and Breanna in Oklahoma. In new girl Carmella’s interview, she said, hustle was an understatement in the real estate game. It was a grind. The group went whale watching, sans Carmella, and Vicki told Fancy Pants to stop with her perfect self.  Shannon went early to Tamra’s taco party to help set up, and Fancy Pants told Emily that she thought Jenn was obsessed with Tamra. Again with this? Tamra had everyone decorate a box and anonymously put in each person’s box how they felt about them. This went out the window when they read the papers and everyone said which one was theirs. Although it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been. Not even close. Actually, surprisingly not insulting.

Random Reality Items

The most ironic restaurant name ever.

Stassi’s in the house.

https://www.justjared.com/2026/07/29/stassi-schroeder-addresses-issues-with-scheana-shay-on-vanderpump-rules-whether-shed-appear-on-new-show-house-of-stassi

https://www.glamour.com/story/stassi-schroeder-is-making-reality-tv-fun-again

All I need is $1,199,999 to go. Anyone want to kick in?

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

The Sheep Detectives. Amazon Prime. Cutest. Movie. Ever. Hugh Jackman is a shepherd named George who loves his sheep, even the winter lamb no one wants. He reads them mysteries as bedtime stories and when he turns up murdered, they decide to solve the crime, relying on what they’ve learned from the books. Using the hybrid live-action and CGI animation technique, the animals seem real, which alone makes this film fascinating. The story is clever and surprisingly lighthearted for a crime drama, although there are some poignant scenes, like when a sheep in his last moments sees George. The cast is perfection, and humor is sprinkled throughout. When the sheep have to cross the road – preceded by a chicken – it’s difficult since some of their feet have always touched grass. There are times when it’s even somewhat deep, like when they discover God is a shepherd and also a sheep. It’s a sweet film without being saccharine and I just loved it.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fantasy-movies-july-2026-amazon-prime-video-the-sheep-detectives

https://omnivorous.substack.com/p/film-review-the-sheep-detectives

Willy’s Wonderland. Hulu. For this film, you need a lot of suspension of disbelief, but that doesn’t make it bad. Nicolas Cage has often chosen interesting vehicles (no Ghost Rider pun intended) and this is no exception. A drifter whose car has driven over a traffic spike strip, supposedly a teenage prank, gets his car fixed in a small town close by in exchange for clean-up duty at Willy’s Wonderland, an abandoned amusement center much like Chuck E. Cheese. A place with a bad reputation and the scene of several murders, a group of teenagers is bound and determined to burn it down. In trying to get the drifter out first, they become trapped along with the him, and have to fight their way past the mechanical animals – and a fairy! – to get out. Not quite an hour and a half, it’s a quick and fun, albeit gory, free-for-all. I’ve always found both abandoned places and mechanical animals creepy, and this combines them nicely. And I now have the answer to my eternal question: Who’s gonna clean up this mess?

https://scholastic.nd.edu/issues/review-willys-wonderland

https://www.southernthing.com/where-was-willys-wonderland-filmed-2652634923.html

My Grandfather Charles Manson. Hulu. In this documentary, Sophia Maddox is on a quest to find out more about her bloodline as her father is Charles Manson’s son. There probably aren’t many facts we don’t know already, but there are plenty of interviews from people who were there back in the day to hold the viewer’s interest. I was always somewhat fascinated with The Family and Manson’s hold over many impressionable girls, and thought I’d heard everything there was to hear, but I was wrong. It also tugs at the heartstrings, as this poor girl is so sweet, yet so concerned she might be like her grandfather in some way. I don’t need to have a psyche degree to be able to tell her that she’ll be just fine.

https://stephensilver.substack.com/p/my-grandfather-charles-manson-is

https://www.tvinsider.com/1276613/my-grandfather-charles-manson-hulu-documentary-explained

https://people.com/la-woman-shocking-discovery-grandfather-charles-manson-exclusive-12020641

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

This sounds totally bizarre. I’m in.

https://ew.com/alexander-skarsgard-nipples-wicker-trailer-exclusive-12030562

⚰️ Bring Out Your Dead…

Some trickles of tea from The Walking Dead franchise.

https://ew.com/jeffrey-dean-morgan-lauren-cohan-respond-walking-dead-romance-rumors-12026816

https://ew.com/the-walking-dead-dead-city-massive-change-season-3-exclusive-11966287

https://ew.com/emily-kinney-walking-dead-return-as-beth-first-photos-footage-exclusive-12024893

🦹‍♂️ And Your Deadpool

Or in this case, Jeanpool.

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-crashes-avengers-doomsday-comic-con-panel-jean-pool-12027056

https://ew.com/ryan-reynolds-went-undercover-as-deadpool-to-walk-comic-con-floor-with-fans-12027702

🐶 Three Interesting Tales…

🐾 What better place to find your soulmate?

https://people.com/stars-who-adopted-animals-they-met-at-work-11948956

🦈 He was happy about Shark Week.

https://people.com/great-white-shark-leaps-behind-boogie-boarder-off-california-beach-12030476

🦔 And who doesn’t love a hedgehog?

https://people.com/firefighters-break-through-concrete-to-free-a-hedgehog-stuck-in-a-drain-12027752

🦚 Quotes of the Week

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. – Thomas Jefferson

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me. – Steve Maraboli

Chase down your passion like it’s the last bus of the night. – Terri Guillemets

You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past.Richard Bach (I’m not too sure about that past thing… Maybe a different viewpoint of the past.)

I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. – Vincent van Gogh

Real difficulties can be overcome; it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. – Theodore Vail

No eating the crime scene. – Lilly (Julia Louis Dreyfuss), The Sheep Detectives

🧗 Hanging At the Top Of Summer…

Until next time, stay safe; stay never leaving a pet in a car when it’s hot (or just never period); and stay finding a middle ground and compromise. Don’t see the extremes. They never let anyone win.

Video > The First Day In August

July 24, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Nina Makes a Decision, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Spicy Wedding, Breaking Internet, One Less Than Ten Quotes & Shell

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

Molly met Laura in the interrogation room and said she was going to do everything she could to make sure Sidwell was convicted, but she’d need Laura’s help. Boyle tried to get Laura’s attention through the window, but Fitzpatrick said she couldn’t help him now.

Brook and Chase had coffee in the Nook, and Brook said the main reason she was so happy was because of him.

Willow found Tracy in the stables, and Tracy said if Willow was planning on falsely accusing her of something else, she may want to rethink that. She smacked her riding crop on her palm.

Lulu met Sonny and Ric at Sonny’s house and said Dante wanted to be there, but got called away on a case. Rocco could be in serious trouble.

Charlotte went to see Carly and asked to talk. Carly said, of course (🍷), and Charlotte asked if it would be okay if she moved in.

Valentin was playing basketball, when Brick came along and said the old movie was right. White men really can’t jump. Valentin asked if he could help Brick, but Brick said he was there to help Valentin.

Molly asked if Laura would be willing to testify in court about the Lucas set-up, and Laura said, absolutely. Molly said it would greatly improve their chances of putting him away for good.

Boyle wanted to wait for Laura before he answered questions, but Fitzpatrick said she was busy and they should get started. Boyle wanted to postpone until he found proper representation, but Fitzpatrick asked what his constituents would think if he’d shirked his duty helping the police put away a would-be murderer. Besides, he didn’t have anything to hide, right? Boyle said, of course (🍷), not.

Brook thanked Chase for convincing her to tell him about her role in framing Willow. She knew what she did was wrong and if he decided she should tell Willow… He said Willow wouldn’t be charged for a crime, but if Brook came forward, she could be, and they couldn’t let that happen. He and Phoebe needed her. She said she needed them and promised to only focus on their family from now on. He said, same here, when her phone rang, and she left to take the call.

Willow told Tracy, put that thing away. She didn’t come to fight. She called to Scout, and Tracy accused Willow of using Scout to come there again, but Scout said she’d asked Willow to bring her over. She needed to ask Tracy for a favor. Willow left to let them talk in private.

Carly told Charlotte that her dad was now at the MetroCourt, and Charlotte said she knew that, but had gotten in a huge fight with her mom about living with him. She wanted Charlotte to live with her, but Charlotte had no interest in doing that. Carly said she thought Charlotte should work things out with her mother, but Charlotte said it was like talking to a wall. Carly said Lulu was just trying to protect her, but Charlotte said she didn’t need protecting from her own father. Carly said plenty of people wanted to hurt Valentin and Lulu didn’t want her to end up as collateral damage. Even though she disagreed with Lulu, she was coming from a place of love. Charlotte said her mom wouldn’t be happy until she cut her dad out of her life, and that was never going to happen. If she cut anyone out of her life, it would be Lulu.

Sonny asked, what kind of trouble? and Lulu said, the kind that could get Rocco sent to prison for a long time. That’s why she’d wanted Ric to be there. She needed legal advice. She asked if this conversation was under attorney/client privilege, and Ric said, of course (🍷). He was Sonny’s family attorney, and she was family. She said, Jason didn’t shoot Director Cullum on the pier.

Scout said she wasn’t apologizing to Tracy for bringing Willow. Willow had been there for her since her dad got sick. Tracy said Scout was always welcome, and Scout said she’d like to spend more time there this summer.

Brick said it looked like Valentin could use some help, but Valentin said he was just waiting for his daughter. He was going to pass her the ball while she took shots. Brick asked if he was a Stockton or Magic, and Valentin said he guessed neither. Brick said, pass him the ball, and Valentin did. Brick gave him a basketball tip, then told him to take the gift the WSB had just handed him. Go away. Start a new life, far away from Port Charles. Valentin asked who he was, and he said his friends called him Brick. Valentin asked if that included Sonny Corinthos,

Lulu said, Cullum was going to kill Jason and probably Britt, so Rocco picked the gun up and shot Cullum, and Sonny said it was making sense now. Lulu said Rocco felt so much guilt, both from shooting Cullum and the pain he’d caused Danny as a result. She was sorry. They should have told Sonny, but they were just trying to keep the truth from getting out. In spite of their best efforts, more people were finding out, which meant there was a greater chance for the authorities to hear about it. Sonny asked Ric, from a legal standpoint, how bad is it for Rocco?

Nina woke up in Jack’s hotel room, and said she knew she hated whiskey. Jack brought her some coffee, and said it had been unexpected. She said, no kidding. She hoped he was still thinking about finding the black box before Drew sent her and Willow to prison, and he said he’d already told her that he’d help. She didn’t have to sleep with him for him to do it.

Willow found Chase in the solarium and said she’d brought Scout there to ask Tracy a favor, so she made herself scarce. He said he wished Tracy would treat her better, especially since she’d declined to press charges when Tracy pushed her in the lake. She’d been gracious and Tracy was… Willow said, Tracy. She was glad she’d run into him because she wanted to ask how he felt about taking a trip with her to DC.

Fitzpatrick said it had been clear to him that Boyle was aiding and abetting a known fugitive, but Boyle said he was mistaken. Fitzpatrick asked how long Boyle and Sidwell had been working together, and Boyle wondered why he was being interrogated. He’d saved Fitzpatrick’s life by calling an ambulance. Fitzpatrick said he was grateful, but still needed Boyle to answer, when Laura came out. Boyle said he needed to speak to her, and she asked Fitzpatrick if it was all right. He said, sure, and Boyle hustled her back into the room. He said she had to save him.

Brook arrived at the stables, and Tracy said Scout wanted to use the lake for swim practice. Scout said she was training for an open water swim for charity. The distance was one-mile, the distance from there to the island. Tracy thought it sounded dangerous, but Scout said she was a strong swimmer. Her dad taught her. Navy SEAL, remember? Tracy asked if she was doing this for her father, but Scout said she was doing it for Grandma Monica. The money she raised would go to breast cancer research. Tracy said it sounded like a worthy cause. What’s the catch?

Willow told Chase that it would just be one day. She was attending a conference to learn more about local police practices for a bill she’d be voting on. The people putting on the conference were all lobbyists with their own agendas and she needed someone she could trust who could explain things to her in layman’s terms. There was no one she trusted more than him. He said he was flattered, but had to decline.

Brick said Sonny was a dear friend of his, and Valentin said he’d heard about Brick. He was ex-CIA. Brick said, among other alphabets. Hadn’t Valentin walked in that world? Valentin said he used to, and Brick said Valentin’s reputation preceded him. Valentin said, so did Brick’s. He was surprised Sonny would use someone of his stature as a messenger. Brick said he and Sonny went way back, but he was also friends with Carly, and Valentin said Brick was sent to protect Carly from him. Carly knew he was no saint and knew all that was in his past. Brick said Valentin had made a lot of enemies. If he truly cared about Carly and his daughter, he’d leave Port Charles and never look back.

Carly said Charlotte couldn’t cut ties with her mom or run away, and Charlotte said all they did was fight and she was sick of it. Carly said it wouldn’t last forever, but Charlotte said it would, because neither one of them would change their minds. Carly said she and her mom were the same, but eventually worked through their differences and their relationship became one of the most cherished things in her life. She didn’t want Charlotte and her mom miss out on something like that. Charlotte said she’d always choose her dad over her mom and her mom knew it, and Carly said Lulu was afraid of losing her. Charlotte said all parents stuck together. The only one she could really talk to was Danny, but he was on some trip with his dad. Carly asked what she was talking about, and Charlotte said, she didn’t hear? Jason was back.

Molly asked how it was going with Boyle, and Fitzpatrick said Boyle was tap dancing pretty good, trying to stall, but it was clear he’d worked with Sidwell in some capacity. He just couldn’t get anything concrete so far. Molly wondered why Boyle wanted to talk to Laura, and Fitzpatrick said, maybe he thinks she can help get him out of this mess.

Boyle said Fitzpatrick knew that he’d been helping Sidwell the day Sidwell was arrested. What should he say? Laura said, tell the truth. Tell Fitzpatrick that he was being coerced. They needed people to testify against Sidwell. Boyle said, if he testified, he’d end up in a cell next to Sidwell and he wouldn’t do well in prison. She said the person they were really interested in was Sidwell. If he told them that he could provide evidence for some of Sidwell’s crimes, she bet he could strike a deal with the DA. He asked if she couldn’t say he was part of the sting operation that brought Sidwell down, but she said she wouldn’t lie for him, especially since he’d been involved with Sidwell from the beginning. He said it was a mistake he regretted and he’d tried to walk away, and she said she’d advocate for him to get immunity, but he had to testify against Sidwell.

Nina said she didn’t make it a habit of prostituting herself, and Jack said she was desperate to save her daughter. She said she wasn’t that desperate. If he’d thought she was playing him, why would he go along with it? He said he wanted to see how far she’d take it, and she said he was a disgusting pig, shoving the coffee cup into his hands.

Carly asked if Charlotte was sure Jason was back, and Charlotte said Danny had texted her yesterday. His dad said the WSB just let him go, and showed up at the Quartermaine boathouse. Then they took off on some father/son road trip. Carly checked her phone and asked, how long would it have taken to send a text or a phone call? It’s unbelievable. Charlotte said, he seemed okay though, and showed her a selfie of Danny and Jason. Carly said, he still could have called, and Charlotte said they did look happy. Carly agreed and said Jason had focused on what was most important – his son. That’s the way it’s supposed to be. Charlotte said she would have loved to have done that when her dad came back, but her mom would never allow it.

Ric said, from what Lulu told them, the only two witnesses were Jason and Cullum. Cullum was dead and they had no reason to believe Jason would change his story. Lulu said, Rocco already told some people, including Britt, but Ric said it was hearsay and not admissible in court. Sonny asked about the evidence, but Lulu said Dante was certain there was nothing to link Rocco to the shooting. Ric said as long as all the parties involved kept quiet, based on the evidence, or lack thereof, Rocco was pretty much in the clear.

Valentin said, if Brick had done all this research on him, Brick knew he was capable of protecting those he cared about, but Brick said Valentin had this pattern. He’d be sitting pretty, like he was now, and suddenly came up with a grand scheme, like stealing diamonds in the Ukraine. Valentin asked if a guy couldn’t change, and Brick said, some do. Most don’t. Valentin said he had two real incentives, his daughter and Carly. They both lived in Port Charles and he wasn’t going anywhere. Brick said he got that Carly was an amazing woman and Valentin seemed like a devoted father, but so was Sonny and he’d do anything to protect his family. Valentin said he had no intention of putting Sonny’s daughter in danger, and Brick said he hoped not. Otherwise, Sonny would get more intense and aggressive toward him, and nobody wanted that.

Laura told Molly that Boyle wanted to cooperate with the DA’s office. As part of a plea deal, he might be able to provide evidence for some of Sidwell’s crimes. Molly said she assumed Boyle would be implicated in some of those crimes, and Boyle stammered. Laura said she’d witnessed Sidwell threaten Boyle on more than one occasion. She was convinced he was coerced and deserved leniency. Molly said she’d hear him out, and Laura left.

Brook wondered why there had to be a catch when Scout wanted to swim in a charity race, and Tracy said she believed there was more to it. Scout said she was right, and Tracy said, let’s hear it. Scout said Tracy had banned her father from the estate, but she’d really like him to be able to watch her swim. Was there any chance she’d let Willow bring him over? Tracy said it wasn’t a good idea, but Scout said, please. Her dad used to go to all her swim meets. It would mean so much to her dad and to her.

Willow said she should have given Chase more notice, but he said it wasn’t that. He and Brook made a mutual decision to prioritize their family over everything else. He needed to be there for her and Phoebe. His focus had been split and he needed to fix that. Willow said she knew he’d come to her rescue more than once and asked if he’d prefer if she kept her distance.

Nina hurriedly dressed, and Jack handed her a shoe. He asked her to wait, and she wondered if he hadn’t demeaned her enough for one day. He said he was sorry. What he’d said was unkind and not how he felt. She asked why he said it, and he told her, self-defense. His defense mechanisms were up with everything that had gone on, but he’d greatly enjoyed their evening. She said she had too, and he said maybe they could do it again sometime.

Lulu thanked Sonny and Ric for putting her mind at ease, and Sonny said she should have come to him sooner. She said she did have another worry. Now that Valentin received a full pardon, he was saying that he wanted to stay in Port Charles and wanted Charlotte to live with him, but she wouldn’t allow it. Charlotte wasn’t safe with him. Sonny said that’s exactly what he’d told Carly. He didn’t want Donna anywhere near Valentin. Ric said, Carly was dating Valentin? and Sonny said, unfortunately. Carly didn’t listen to him, but he was working on another way to get rid of Valentin.

Laura told Fitzpatrick that Boyle needed a little push sometimes to do the right thing, and he said, or maybe a good old-fashioned shove, when Boyle and Molly came out. Boyle said he and the DA’s office had come to an agreement on a deal, and Molly said, in exchange for immunity, Congressman Boyle had provided some information that she believed would be helpful in convicting Sidwell… provided it all checked out. Laura thanked her, and Molly left. Laura hugged Boyle and said she was proud of him, and he thanked her.

Nina said she thought she and Jack could agree that were in a very precarious situation and it would complicate their lives if they took this any further. He said, makes sense, she agreed, and left.

Chase said if Willow was ever in trouble, she could count on him, but for right now… She told him, say no more. She got it and totally respected his decision. He thanked her for understanding, and she said all she wanted was for him to be happy.

Tracy said it was a worthy cause, so she’d make an exception for Scout’s father, and Scout said, one more thing. Tracy said there was always one more thing, and Scout said if Tracy could also make a donation to sponsor her, that’d be great. Tracy said she’d be delighted, and Brook said she’d be delighted too. Scout thanked them and ran off to tell Willow the good news. Tracy said, that girl is definitely a Quartermaine. Scout knew she couldn’t say no when she said the words Monica and breast cancer. She had to give Scout credit for hustling her. Brook said, or Tracy did it just because she wanted to make Scout happy, but Tracy said, no, she didn’t. Brook said Tracy had a heart, but don’t worry. She wouldn’t tell anyone. They hugged.

Charlotte said she guessed she wasn’t moving in, and Carly said, no. Charlotte was going to go home and work on a compromise, a way to have a relationship with both her parents. Charlotte said she didn’t see that as happening with her mom anytime soon, and Carly said her dad was a free man now. He didn’t have to worry about taking off at a moment’s notice, and that meant her parents had plenty of time to work things out with her together. The moss bowl🎍approved.

Lulu said as much as she wanted Valentin out of Charlotte’s life, she didn’t want anything to happen to him, but Sonny said that wasn’t what he meant. If all went as planned, Valentin would make the wise decision to leave Port Charles on his own.

Valentin thanked Brick for the advice on basketball and everything else, and Brick said he’d tell Sonny that Valentin was passing on it. Valentin said maybe Brick could convince Sonny to take the loss, but Brick said he didn’t think so. Remember, it ain’t over till it’s over. As he walked away, Brick threw the basketball over his shoulder and made a basket.

Tuesday:

Gio tried to get the kids at the pool to settle down, when Charlotte handed him his whistle. Lulu walked in looking for Charlotte.

Dante introduced Fitzpatrick to Anna. She said she was shadowing Dante for a few weeks to get up to speed before she went back to being Commissioner. Dante stepped away to take a call, and Anna said she heard Fitzpatrick was instrumental in arresting Sidwell, but he said all he did was get pistol whipped. She said she wanted to review all the high profile cases that took place while she was away, starting with the shootout on Spoon Island, and all the major players involved. He said, that would be Jenz Sidwell, Ross Cullum, Nathan West… or Cassius Faison, and Anna said, and his sister, Britt Westbourne.

Stella said she hoped Tristan was settling in okay, and he said the people at the hospital had been pretty welcoming. Elizabeth said the people there were pretty friendly, and seeing Britt, she added, mostly. Lucas asked if Britt had met Tristan. He was GH’s newest cardiac surgeon.

Sonny thanked Turner for coming by the secret apartment, and she said she wanted to give him a heads up. They were coming for him and he was going down. This time, law enforcement was ready and they’d been practicing. She’d been working with a coach. He said Corinthos Coffee was going to take her down, and she said only if they didn’t cheat – again. Sonny said he was going to pretend he didn’t hear that because no one was stealing the base coaches signs. And he had to ask her a favor. Were there any pending charges against Valentin Cassadine?

Valentin went to Laura’s office and said he wasn’t sure she was going to see him. She said they had too much family in common for her not to.

Brick went to see Carly, bringing her flowers. She said she knew why he was really there. Sonny wanted him to warn her away from Valentin.

Elizabeth told Tristan that he was all set, and Stella gave him his assigned parking space. He asked if he could get something closer to the building, and she said she’d see what she could do. Down the hall, Britt told Lucas they were coming for her parking space. Why don’t they just throw in the Mercedes and be done with it? Lucas said she seemed more impatient than usual, and she said she was. Dr. Randolph wouldn’t reinstate her until she met with the new Chief Administrator and the head nurse. They wanted to conduct some stupid conduct review. He said it was bold that she thought she could just walk in and get her job back. She’d disappeared for weeks. She asked if it meant nothing that she was being hunted by some rogue government agent. Besides, what did he care? She thought he was done with her since she wasn’t dying anymore. He said if she told anyone he said this, he’d deny it, but they’d be fools to let her go. That being said, if she didn’t approach this with humility, that could be exactly what happened.

Laura said, it must be nice not to be on anyone’s most wanted list anymore, and Valentin said it was a nice change of pace, but not everyone was as thrilled as he was. She said she was sure Charlotte was happy and Lulu didn’t have to worry about him taking her on the run again, provided he stayed on the right side of the law. He said he’d been given the opportunity to raise his daughter in a safe and stable environment, but he might lose that opportunity without her help.

Lulu suggested she and Charlotte talk and come up with a solution, but Charlotte said she already had one. Let her live at Carly’s.

Turner asked what business Sonny had with Valentin, and he said Valentin was seeing his ex-wife. She said he wanted her to compromise her career because he was hung up on his ex-wife? but he said it was about Donna. Carly was hiding Valentin in her attic for months and his daughter was sleeping under the same roof. Valentin was a danger to his daughter then and he was now. She said the WSB had cleaned Valentin’s slate and set him free. No one was coming after him anymore. He said, someone was always coming after Valentin. That’s why he wanted Valentin away from Carly and his daughter as soon as possible.

As Carly put the flowers in a vase and the moss bowl🎍winked at them, Brick said he had his own concerns about Carly being around Valentin. She said he should talk to Valentin, and he said he already did. She asked how that went, and he said he’d advised Valentin to get a fresh start far, far away. She asked if Valentin was packing his bags, but he said Valentin was sticking around. She said, why shouldn’t he? He had no reason to leave. The WSB cleared him. Brick said that wouldn’t stop another agency from snapping him up if evidence of his other crimes came to the surface, and she asked if he had evidence. Was this a heads up that he was going to destroy Valentin’s life, then hers? He said he’d never do that to her. She was his friend and he loved her. But he couldn’t sit by and let her get more involved with this man. Not without a full accounting of what Valentin has been doing all these years.

Tristan told Britt, we meet again, and Lucas said, they’d met before? Tristan said, briefly, and asked how the apartment hunt was going. Britt said, not great. Someone swiped the only thing she could afford. He said he had good news. Her room above Bobbie’s was available again. Unfortunately, he’d misread the listing for the room and it wasn’t what he was looking for. He talked to the owner and she was very understanding about the mix-up. She even offered him a room at the MetroCourt at the same price. Britt said, no, she didn’t. She’d saved Carly’s daughter from a hook wielding psychopath and all she did was let her rot in that greasy spoon and got rid of all her stuff. He asked if she was sure it wasn’t her sparkling personality, when Lucas asked him for a consult on the fourth floor. They left, and Elizabeth said they were ready for Britt.

Anna said Fitzpatrick seemed like a good hire, and Dante said it was one of the few decisions he’d made where he didn’t second guess himself. She said it was part of the job. If you’re not questioning every decision, you’re probably messing it up. He said he must be one hell of a Commissioner. He knew how tough it was to reenter this job after a difficult absence. She’d been there for him, so he wanted to be there for her. He promised no judgements. He’d just listen.

Valentin said Lulu had been placing obstacles between him and Charlotte, and Laura said she knew Lulu didn’t want Charlotte living with him again, but he should have this conversation with Lulu. He said he’d tried, but Lulu just dug in her heels and it was just going to place a wedge between her and Charlotte. She said she still didn’t know why he was there, and he said he thought she could get through to Lulu. She said she believed Charlotte had the right to have both of her parents in her life, but she wasn’t advocating for his relationship with her until he acknowledged what he’d done to undermine her relationship with her mother.

Lulu figured living with Carly was Valentin’s idea, but Charlotte said it was hers. Lulu didn’t have to blame him for everything. She’d already talked to Carly. Lulu said living with Carly was a non-starter, and Charlotte asked, why? Carly’s was the perfect middle ground. Lulu said Carly wasn’t her mother, and Charlotte asked why Lulu even wanted her there. It made her miserable and all Lulu cared about was keeping her away from her dad. Lulu said they’d talk later and left.

Carly reminded Brick that Valentin accidentally poisoned her when he was going after Jack and she was still choosing to be with him. He said, next to some of the things on Valentin’s resume, that actually qualifies as adorable, and she said she wasn’t trying to deny or minimize what Valentin had done, but the past was the past. She could only go by what he’d done now, not just for her, but for her family. He went to the WSB to warn them that Cullum was a double agent, knowing he could go to Steinmauer for the rest of his life. Because it was the only way to stop Cullum and save Josslyn. He said, one good deed didn’t erase a lifetime of sins, but she said Josslyn was alive because of Valentin. That would always carry more weight than anything he’d done in the past.

Sonny said there had to be a warrant for Valentin out there somewhere, but Turner said the WSB confiscated all the evidence they’d had against him. All pending charges, regardless of jurisdiction, had been dropped. He said he wasn’t thrilled with Carly going out with Jack, but Valentin was a new low. He didn’t know why she couldn’t see she was going out with the man who was going to destroy her life. Turner said she asked herself that very question every day.

Lucas asked what drew Tristan to the hospital, and Tristan said, GH’s reputation preceded itself, but some of them weren’t the way he’d pictured them. Lucas said, if he was talking about Britt, she wasn’t a reflection on the rest of them, and Tristan said that made him feel a lot better. Lucas asked how Tristan felt about softball.

Stella said, given Britt’s history of unethical behavior, the board had deep reservations about letting her come back, but Elizabeth said, despite the board’s legitimate concerns, Britt’s achievements as a medical professional spoke for themselves. Stella said, as such, the board felt she should be afforded the opportunity to explain her conduct and appeal for her return, and Britt said she’d love to. Stella suggested she start by letting them know why she’d locked Nurse Baldwin in a bathroom.

Anna told Dante that her homecoming hadn’t been as smooth as she’d hoped, when Lulu came in. She said she wasn’t there to report a crime… not yet anyway. She wanted to confirm she was picking Rocco up from the Quartermaines. Dante said she could have sent a text, but Lulu said she wanted to talk to Anna. Would now be okay? Anna said the city PR team asked her to go on record with the press to address any concerns as to whether she was fit to go back to duty, and Dante said, feel free to use the interrogation room. Anna and Lulu went in and sat down. Lulu looked at a picture of Rocco on her phone and asked what Anna’s relationship with Robin was like. Anna said, fine. Why? Lulu asked how it was impacted by her kidnapping, and Anna asked if it was what her readers wanted to know. Lulu said, they might, if they’re a mom who can’t communicate with her daughter.

Gio asked if everything was okay between Charlotte and her mom, and Charlotte said, no. Things hadn’t been for a while. Her mom hated her.

Turner asked if Sonny really didn’t see the contradiction. She jeopardized everything she worked for nearly every time she talked to him. He said it was dangerous for him too, but unlike Carly and Valentin, they took precautions so nobody knew what was going on with them. Carly and Valentin were out in the open. She said, if it was any consolation, she was ready to bring the hammer down on Valentin if he so much as jaywalked, and he said he appreciated that. It would be simpler if they had criminal charges, but he had other ways to deal with Valentin. She said if he was suggesting what she thought he was, they were going to have a problem.

Anna asked if things were a little challenging with Charlotte at the moment, and Lulu said, all the moments. There was this distance between them. It was like Charlotte didn’t want to be close with her. Anna asked if Lulu meant the way Charlotte was with Valentin, and Lulu said she just wanted to make up for the years she’d missed, but Charlotte just wanted her dad. Anna told her that she wasn’t saying it was fair, but coming back into a child’s life after losing so much time was a painful process. Don’t give up. Just keep showing up for Charlotte. Eventually, the good times would outweigh the bad and all the fighting would just be a distant memory. Lulu asked if they could reschedule, and Anna said, of course (🍷). Lulu thanked Anna and left.

Gio said Charlotte’s mom didn’t hate her. She might get upset, frustrated, or angry, but hate? No. Charlotte said her mom totally despised her dad and she was just like him, and Gio said, for a while, Dante wanted nothing to do with him and there wasn’t much he could do about it. To be honest, there wasn’t much he wanted to do about it. She asked how he dealt with it, and he said he listened to music. She asked who he listened to, and he said his favorite was Augustin Hadelich. She said she and her dad saw him in Zurich. He was incredible. Gio said, his technique is flawless, and she asked who else he listened to. He said he’d share his playlist with her, when Emma joined them.

Laura said, clean slate or not, trouble had a way of finding Valentin. If Charlotte was with him, it would find her too. He said it wasn’t an issue anymore, but she said he didn’t know that. All Lulu had done was try to protect his daughter, and he’d made sure Charlotte saw her as a villain for it. He said it wasn’t his intention, and she said, prove it. Stand up for Lulu with Charlotte. Then maybe she’d stand up for him with Lulu.

Britt said, when Elizabeth saw the passport, she freaked. She and Rocco were in immediate danger and she didn’t see another option. She was truly sorry she did that to Elizabeth. Stella said, after that, Britt fled the country for several weeks, and Elizabeth said, with a minor in tow. Stella said, and this wasn’t so long after it came to light that she’d faked her own death, and Elizabeth said, all this happened just only in the past year. Stella asked why Britt deserved another shot, and Britt said because she was an excellent doctor and GH was the only place she actually got to help people without screwing up. Elizabeth said, speaking to that, Dr. Westbourne recently delivered Delilah Wilson’s baby. Not all doctors could have handled the situation the way she did. Little Phoebe was alive and well because of her. Britt thanked her and said, saving lives was their business after all. So what did they say? Could she get her job back?

Sonny said if he was going to make Valentin disappear, he wouldn’t be hinting in front of Turner. He’d never want to compromise her any more than he already had. He thought she’d know that by now. She said she wouldn’t be there if she didn’t, and they kissed.

Brick said he hoped Valentin realized how lucky he was to have Carly in his corner, and she said they were in each other’s corner. Brick said, if that changed and Carly decided she needed Valentin out of her life, this should do the trick. He held out a flashdrive, but she said if it didn’t work out with Valentin, she’d just end things, and he said, just like she did with Jack?

Emma said it had been a slow day at the rescue, so she clocked out early. She was glad she caught Gio because she’d grabbed a couple of chaises. He asked if Charlotte wanted to join them, but she said she had to get going. Gio said he’d send Charlotte the playlist, and he and Emma walked off.

Fitzpatrick asked if there was anything Anna needed, and she said she was missing the Ross Cullum shooting. It was March 23rd, Pier 55. He said, that’s weird. He’d thought he’d pulled everything, but he’d go back and check. Anna thanked him, and he left.

At the Quartermaines, Lulu asked Dante if Rocco was ready, and he said Rocco asked if he could stick around there a little longer. She asked, why? and he said Rocco wasn’t saying much, but he thought things were tense between him and Charlotte. She said, too bad. If they were having issues, Rocco could come home and work it out with her. Dante asked if she was sure that was the best idea.

Valentin walked into Sonny’s old kitchen and kissed Carly. She said, wow. He was in a good mood. He said he just came from Laura’s office. it was going to take some work, but he thought Laura was going to broker peace with Lulu so he could spend more time with Charlotte. She said that was great, and he looked at the flowers and said he didn’t have to ask how her day went. Did he have competition? She said, yes, Brick, and he said, Sonny’s friend? She said, yes, and he said it was funny. Brick paid him a visit too, but he didn’t bring flowers. She said Brick told her that he’d spoken to Valentin, and Valentin asked if Brick also told her that he’d tried to scare him out of Port Charles. She said he tried to scare her too, and it worked, and Valentin asked what he said, She said Brick offered to fill her in on everything Valentin had ever done to end up on the WSB’s most wanted list.

Stella told Britt that they’d come to a decision, and Britt said, don’t sugarcoat it. Just rip off the duct tape. Elizabeth said they’d decided to recommend that the board reinstate Britt as a doctor there, and Stella said, however, she’d be placed on probation – again. Her initial probationary period lapsed, and based on recent events, she was now looking at an additional six months. And during that time, if one toe was out of line… Britt said she was going, and Stella said, mm-hmm. Britt said that was fair and she promised from now on, she’d stay on the straight and narrow, but Elizabeth said that wasn’t all. Because Britt was a repeat offender, her probation would consist of extra responsibilities. Stella said Britt would be working nights every Friday and Saturday, and inventorying the lab, and working with the children in the art therapy room, and… It would be easier if she just emailed this to Britt. Britt said, sounds doable. Anything else? Elizabeth said there was one other matter that required Britt’s attention.

Tristan said he never played softball before, and Lucas said that was great. If he had no aptitude for it, that was even better. It wasn’t about being good. They’d play a few innings and hit up the Brown Dog for some drinks. Tristan said he didn’t know, but Lucas said Tristan wanted to meet people and bad softball was a great way to do that. Elizabeth came by and asked if they had a new recruit, and Tristan said it didn’t sound like he had a choice. Elizabeth said, don’t worry. He was in good company. Allow her to introduce their new equipment manager. Britt came out wearing a baseball cap.

Gio said he was hoping to get in a few laps, and Emma asked if he didn’t just spend his entire day at the pool. He said, if a lifeguard does their job right, they never even touch the water. Today was annoy the lifeguard day, so there was nothing but tension for hours and hours. She said she thought she could help, and kissed him. Charlotte watched.

Dante said, according to Rocco, he and Lulu were good. It was Charlotte he had a problem with. Lulu said he felt Charlotte had sided with Danny over him. She got that, but it was over. They had to let this go. he said he liked that the Spencers didn’t hold grudges. The Cassadines and Falconaris did the same thing. It was one thing they all had in common. She asked if she was supposed to do nothing while they slammed doors and avoided each other, and he said, if they need to cool off, let them. She said, in the meantime, Rocco felt like he couldn’t come home, and he said she could give Charlotte what she wanted, which was to go live with her dad.

Laura welcomed Anna back, and Anna said it was wonderful to be back, on so many levels. She had a lot to catch up on, but thought she could manage. She did read up on how Laura took down Sidwell. Bravo. Laura said she had a lot of help, when Fitzpatrick came in. Anna asked if he found it, but he said he didn’t. The records and the physical evidence were gone. She asked if he went to the warehouse, and he said he did. It was never submitted. She said, and the digital records? and he said, gone. Like he told her, there was nothing. Laura asked what case this was in regards to, and Anna said, the Cullum shooting. Anna asked if it was possible everything had been misplaced, and Fitzpatrick said, anything was possible, but everything else was exactly where it was supposed to be. Anna said, then someone took it, and he wondered, who? She said she didn’t know and suggested they go through it all again. Laura flashed back to Lulu telling her, Rocco shot someone.

Sonny’s phone rang and he asked Brick how it went. Brick said, as well as expected. Sonny said, she didn’t want to hear it? and Brick said, not a word. Sonny thanked him for trying, and Brick said, don’t count him out just yet. Sonny asked what he did, and Brick told him, let’s just say I put something in motion. It might take a while, but eventually Valentine would be out of Carly’s life and she would be the one to get rid of him.

Valentin said there were many things he’d done in his past that he wasn’t proud of, and Carly said she could understand why, but she was going to tell him what she told Brick. He was willing to give up everything to save her daughter. That’s what mattered to her. He said he was very glad to hear her say that, and they hugged as the moss bowl🎍hit on the flowers. Carly clutched the flashdrive in her hand behind Valentin’s back.

Wednesday:

Dante told Lulu that Valentin being pardoned didn’t make it safer for him to be around, but it made it harder for her to justify not letting Charlotte be near him. Why couldn’t they just move forward?

Carly hid the flashdrive in a drawer and asked if Valentin found out what was in the black box, but he said, not yet. He was sure it had a self-destruct mechanism and he didn’t want to destroy the contents before finding out what was inside. He was sure it was valuable. He wasn’t the only one looking for it.

Jordan saw Michael at the gym, and he said he wanted to know something and she was the perfect person to ask. She said she was thinking the same about him.

Isaiah fussed over Portia’s baby, and she said he was a natural. He said he’d had practice overseas, and she said his compassion was one of the reasons she loved him. He said he loved her too, when Curtis came to the door.

Simon met with Brook, Trina, and Gio at Deception, and said before they finalized anything, there was a serious legal matter that needed attention.

Britt told Stella that the equipment manager gig came with a longer to-do list than her practice, and Stella said Britt had to see a patient who’d requested her healing touch.

Jack met Anna in the interrogation room and said it was good to see her. She said she didn’t believe that for a second.

Simon said the original plan was to sign Trina and Gio as a duo, but after discussing it with his colleagues, the label wanted to go in a different direction. They wanted them each as solo acts.

Curtis came into Portia’s room, and Isaiah left.

Stella said Portia wanted Britt to perform her exit exam, and Britt said she’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be wanted as a doctor. She was hoping they could talk about the every weekend part of her reinstatement, and Stella said maybe it wasn’t the right hospital for her. Britt said she wanted to be there, but the schedule felt almost like a constructive dismissal, but Stella said Britt saw their offer as a punishment instead of an opportunity to prove she wanted to be there. Britt said they should have confidence in her, and Stella said Britt was a brilliant physician, but had an established pattern of reckless behavior. This was her chance to break it and get herself right with GH. If she didn’t like it, the elevator was right there.

Lulu said Charlotte’s safety was still at risk, but Dante said she couldn’t keep Charlotte away from her father forever. She said now that Valentin had been pardoned, she’d have to split custody. It worked for her and Dante because Rocco wanted to be with both of them. Charlotte didn’t. Charlotte couldn’t stand being near her right now. He said maybe if she let Charlotte choose, it would bring them closer, but she said, or it could just mean more time away from her. She’d already lost enough time and didn’t want to lose what was left.

Carly wondered who else was looking for the box, and Valentin said when he and Charlotte were at Windymere, Jack was there with Nina. Nina said she was there to find anything to shed light on what happened to Cassius the night he died. Carly said she didn’t buy it, and Valentin said he didn’t either. It crossed his mind that they were looking for the box, and Nina must have been there helping Jack, which meant Jack was desperate. It was probably Cullum’s unless Cullum took it from Jack’s office. Either way, Jack would want what was in it.

Jack said Anna must have heard about their former Director’s extracurricular activities, and she said she had. He said he should have seen through Cullum’s façade sooner and questioned her disappearance, but she said, Cullum fooled a lot of people. Jack said he’d heard whispers about Cullum, and then there was Nathan West’s mysterious return from the grave. Then it turned out he wasn’t Nathan at all. Anna said she’d been trying to piece together whose actions belonged to who, what was Cullum’s and what was Cassius’s, and Jack asked why it mattered since they were both dead. She said, Cullum and Cassius were members of a much larger conspiracy. Others were out there who needed to be brought to justice. He asked if she was speaking about Sidwell, and she said, among others. He said he was sure she knew Sidwell was in custody for unrelated charges, and she said she was aware. Had he managed to find anything connecting Sidwell to what happened to her? He said he couldn’t say for sure who was behind her kidnapping, but if he had to guess, he’d say it was Cullum. He’d strapped Jack to a bed and pumped him full of carbon monoxide, which seemed in keeping with psychological manipulation and kidnapping. She said, but if the goal was to make her believe Faison was alive, it seemed the best person to do that would be his son.

Michael asked if Jordan could give him feedback on the gym, and she said, of course (🍷). He asked what he could help her with, and she said her favor wasn’t as easy and it might be painful for her to bring it up.

Quinn met Kai at the Surf Lodge and said he wasn’t sure Kai would meet with him. Kai said he almost didn’t after how Quinn had treated Trina.

Brook asked where this was coming from, and Simon said he’d seen a clip of Gio performing at the Nurses Ball and he was brilliant. Brook said they both were. He was talking about a pretty big change, so she’d need some time with her clients. Simon said, of course (🍷), and left. Gio said it wasn’t what he’d signed up for and he had no interest in being a solo act, but Trina said Gio had worked hard for this opportunity. She’d just have her own deal. Brook said her advice to the both of them to consider the possibilities, but whatever they wanted to do was what she’d do. Trina said, although Gio’s relationship with music was rocky, he came alive when he played. She didn’t want to be the reason he walked away from it. Gio said he wasn’t walking away from anything, but it had to be them together or there was no deal.

Lulu told Dante that when she and Charlotte reunited, she told herself she’d make up for the lost years and be the mother Charlotte never had. But all she’d done was chase years she’d never be able to recover. Dante said he knew from his experience with Gio and Sonny that there was no catching up. Meet Charlotte where she was. Otherwise, she’d risk losing Charlotte forever. (As usual, Lulu was all about Lulu.)

Jordan said she was hoping Michael could tell her about his recovery experience at the clinic in Baden-Baden, and he said the clinic saved his life. He’d never regret going. She said, they did an incredible job, and he asked if she was thinking about seeking treatment there. She said she was, and he said admittance could be exclusive. He’d gotten in because of Jack Brennan, who’d done it because of his mother. She said Sidwell told her about the exclusivity and offered her a spot… in exchange for a favor. He asked if she’d turned him down, and she said, of course (🍷) she did. He asked if she was having regrets about that.

Curtis and Portia tossed around some baby names, and Portia said, if all went well, she’d be discharged tonight. He asked if she and the baby would like a ride home, and she said they’d love it. He said he was thinking since it was the baby’s first night home, maybe he could stay too. (The baby is adorable, but very noisy. I could barely hear them.)

Simon asked if they had a deal, but Brook said her clients weren’t interested in pursuing solo deals. They wanted to stick with the original deal and perform as a duo. Gio said, it’s either that or nothing at all, and Trina said, they started this together, and whatever they did next, they were doing together.

Quinn said, nothing that happened was Trina’s fault. He admitted he was way out of line and hated what it had done to his and Kai’s friendship. Any chance Kai would want to hang out again? Kai said he wanted to get past this, but Trina had become a big part of his life. It only worked if Quinn apologized to her and treated her with the respect she deserved.

Lulu said Valentin warned her that if she tried to keep Charlotte away from him, it would destroy their relationship, and Dante said he didn’t like agreeing with him, but Valentin knew Charlotte. He was also biased about where she lived. She said the space might be good for their son. He was far from over the shooting and the fallout, and needed more of her time. Dante said she had to do what was best for Charlotte too, and whatever she decided, he’d support her. She said she knew what she had to do, but wasn’t sure she could do it, and he said the Lulu he knew could do anything and hugged her.

Valentin said Jack was looking bad. He couldn’t imagine the higher ups at the WSB were too pleased. Carly said it would be worse if they found out the WSB box was in somebody else’s hands and their secrets got out, and he said, a former fugitive, no less. He was going to float a trade. His funds, his assets, unfrozen, released in exchange for the box. She said he was going to have to surrender the box to get his money. What was to stop Brennan from killing him the second he got the box?

Anna told Jack that she believed Cassius had the strongest motive to shoot Cullum that night on the pier. Cullum was in charge of Faison’s final project and Cassius might have taken issue with that. In order to inherit his father’s empire, he may have needed to take his rival off the board. Jack said that tracked, but he was certain it wasn’t Cassius. He knew who did it.

Isaiah said he’d heard they had a new equipment manager in the house, and Britt said she was declaring a moratorium on softball talk. He said he wanted to discuss his uniform number, and she said she’d let him know. She heard congratulations were in order. Portia had her baby. He said she’d heard right, and she asked how mom and baby were doing. He said Portia was exhausted, but doing well, and the baby was incredible. He just didn’t know how any of this was going to work. She said, support his head, don’t drop him, and don’t let him eat dirt. Isaiah said he knew that. He and Curtis just had another awkward run-in. Curtis came into Portia’s room while he was there with her and the baby. She said she didn’t see any fresh bruises, and he said he walked out as soon as Curtis got there so they could have space to bond with the baby. She said, smart move. Avoid altercations. He said the next time he wanted to take a shot at Curtis, he’d remind himself how Curtis ruined his life doing exactly that. Curtis’s trial was coming up and he’d refused a plea bargain. With any luck, he’d pay dearly for that mistake.

Quinn said he had no issue with Trina and hoped she had none with him, but Kai said they’d have to see. Quinn said he’d seen Kai’s socials. Trina was singing now? Kai said she and Gio were in negotiations for a record deal, and Quinn said he’d congratulate her after he apologized. Kai said Trina was swinging by to pick him up, but before she got there, he had to ask. Why was Quinn reaching out now? It had been over a year. Quinn said now that football wasn’t consuming him, he could see the game wasn’t worth their friendship. How did Kai move on? Kai said it seemed impossible, but he managed to get through it because of Trina. Trina approached and asked if she’d heard her name.

Portia told Curtis that it was a kind offer, but she thought they needed to set up some boundaries for everyone’s sake. He was more than welcome at the house, with notice, but no overnights. He wouldn’t expect her to stay with him and Jordan. He said she was right, when Britt came in. She took a peek at the baby and said it was time for Portia’s discharge exam. Curtis left to deal with the paperwork, and Britt said she’d heard Portia requested her. Portia said Stella told her that Brit was back and she thought Britt could use a friend.

Valentin told Carly that he’d be prepared. He needed money now. Lulu was gearing up for a custody fight. She said he could always borrow money from his rich girlfriend, but he said he had no interest in being a kept man. Besides, the money was rightfully his and he wanted it back. She said she got that, when Lulu knocked at the door. She said she’d been doing a lot of thinking and thought Charlotte should decide who she wanted to live with.

Jordan said, no matter what happened, she’d never regret turning down Sidwell, and Michael said he wasn’t sure if he had much sway at the clinic, but he’d stayed in touch with the doctors and staff. If there was anything he could do, let him know. She thanked him and said she didn’t know if it was appropriate to ask, but he said it was beyond appropriate. Curtis always had his back, so if he could do anything for Curtis or her, he was going to do it.

Stella asked how the baby was doing, and Curtis said he was great. He was healthy and strong. She asked how he was doing. She’d seen Isaiah exit Portia’s room earlier. How did that go? He said it was uncomfortable, but he listened to her and just focused on his baby. She said she was proud of him. Sacrificing for his family. Putting them first when everything inside of him wanted something else. That’s what it meant to be a father. She knew he was thinking she’d never even been a parent, so how would she know? but he said he wasn’t thinking that. He knew she wasn’t asking anything of him that she wouldn’t ask of herself. She was his auntie, but she’d always been more like a mother to him. They hugged.

Britt said everything looked great and Portia was cleared to go home. She thanked Portia again for requesting her. It was her first exam since she’d been back and it felt really good to be doing doctor work again. Portia said Britt was her OB and she knew what Britt was going through. She’d been given a second chance and didn’t see why Britt didn’t deserve one as well. She understood the power of starting over and was hoping she and her family could do the same one day.

Valentin asked, what’s the catch? but Lulu said there was none. If Charlotte wanted to live with him, she’d go along with it. He asked if she’d talked to her mother, and she said, no. Why? He said, no reason, and she said she’d been doing some soul searching and decided Charlotte should be given the choice. He said that was very magnanimous, and she said, especially since they both knew who Charlotte would choose. She did have some conditions. He’d have to provide an actual home for her – not there and not a hotel suite. He said, consider it done, and Carly said it was generous of her. Lulu said the way she saw it, as long as Charlotte was fighting her, she’d lose. She’d do anything for her daughter’s happiness. Even break her own heart.

Anna asked, who was Cullum’s shooter? but Jack said, sorry. Classified. She said she didn’t know why she was surprised. She’d asked to pull the case file and there was no evidence. The Bureau must have wiped it clean. Jack said it wasn’t him, and she said, Cullum perhaps. He had every reason to want to bury that file. Maybe he wanted to take care of the shooter on his own terms or just protect the operation. He said, it wasn’t Cullum either, and she asked how he knew all this. He said, when Cullum was discharged, he wanted the evidence, but the PCPD didn’t have it and it was never produced. She said, so it was missing even then?

Portia was wheeled out with the baby, and Curtis gave Stella the paperwork. She said the baby’s name was missing, but if they didn’t have one yet, she could list him as Baby Ashford. Curtis said the baby’s middle name would be Robinson, but they were still working on first names. Portia said she liked the name he’d suggested earlier. The one he’d said was his favorite. It was a strong name. He said allow him to officially introduce Stella to their son, Mr. Desmond Robinson Ashford. Stella said, hi, Desmond, as Isaiah watched.

Michael said he wasn’t out in public like Jordan, but had an idea of the burden she was carrying. If she ever felt she needed to talk, he was there for her. She said she had to get going and left, when Michael’s phone rang. He said, hey, Maxie. How are you doing? It’s been a while… Okay. Listening…

Valentin said he knew he’d harmed Lulu’s relationship with Charlotte, but would always let her know how much Lulu loved her. She said if Carly ever found out Valentin was putting her daughter in danger, she expected Carly to tell her. She glanced at the moss bowl🎍and left. Carly looked toward the drawer where the flashdrive was, and Valentin said now all he had to do was deal with Jack.

Anna told Jack, someone at the PCPD made the evidence disappear. It just fueled her suspicion that it was Cassius that shot Cullum. Yet Jack was telling her that he wasn’t the shooter. What did he expect her to do with this? He said, let it go. It didn’t matter who the shooter was. Cullum was an embarrassment to the Bureau and they never wanted to hear his name again. If she kept digging, she was only going to ruin the life of someone who just wanted to keep people safe. He left, and Peter said Anna was wasting time. Why didn’t she ask him about Britt?

Dante asked how it went, and Brook said, Gio and Trina signed their deal as a duo. Dante said that was amazing. Congratulations. The whole world would see how great Gio was, just like they had. Gio thanked Dante and Brook for being patient with him. He’d turned his back on them and music, but letting them back in opened the door to music again and he was happy he did.

On the phone, Simon said he’d stayed behind to finish up some paperwork. It was a done deal. They wouldn’t agree to sign as solo acts, so he’d signed them as a duo… Well, he’d rather have them that way than not at all. Trina Robinson. She’s the one to watch.

Trina asked if Kai was ready to go, but Quinn said, wait. He wanted to apologize for blaming her for Kai’s injuries and how he’d treated her even before that. He knew how much Kai liked her and he never really gave her a chance. He was sorry for that. He hoped she could accept his apology. She said she knew how tight he and Kai used to be, and she’d never want to get between them, and Quinn said he appreciated that. Maybe they could all hang out together sometime. Quinn went to another table, and Kai asked how it went. Trina said there was a little hiccup, but it was official. She and Gio signed a deal. She appreciated Kai and wouldn’t have been able to do it without him. He said he’d always have her back, but right now, he thought it was time to celebrate. Quinn watched.

We saw a big collage of photos of Trina, something like a stalker would put together.

Thursday:

Emma saw Gio at the pool and said she was glad he hadn’t forgotten his humble beginnings now that he was a huge rock star. Sonny came in and found Rocco folding towels. He asked how it was going, and Rocco said, pretty good, so far. Sonny asked if he could take a break. He had to talk to Rocco about something important.

Dante went to Laura’s office and said he’d gotten her message. It sounded important. She said it was. It had been a while since Lulu told her that Rocco shot Cullum. Anna was back and looking into the evidence. Should they be worried?

Chase went to Anna’s office and she asked why one of her best detectives had been demoted to beat cop.

Tracy left her 14th message for Maxie and said her not returning the calls was unprofessional and not up to company standards. She’d devested her self of Deception’s stock and Tracy wanted it. Call her. 14 messages, Maxie. Brook asked if that was really necessary.

As she let herself into the office, Lucy left a message for Maxie saying it was very important Maxie call her back about the shares. She walked in to find Tracy and Brook, and Tracy said, you.

At Bobbie’s, Cody told Molly that Spinelli had accepted an amazing job offer in Australia and the family was moving there. They were leaving tomorrow night. He thought the family was itching to get out of Port Charles as they’d been traumatized by Cassius’s lies. James most of all.

At the boathouse, Michael watched as Alexis got ready to time Scout’s swim practice. She said if Scout did a mile in under 45 minutes, she was checking her for gills. Accompanied by Nina, Willow wheeled Drew up onto the deck, and Scout said she couldn’t believe he was actually there.

Gio told Emma not to worry. He wasn’t turning into a rock star anytime soon. He’d promised Carly and Olivia he’d stay until they had someone to replace him. She said she loved a man who honored his commitments, and they kissed, when Charlotte came in.

Sonny said Rocco’s mom told him what Rocco had been going through, and Rocco said she’d told Sonny that he’d shot Cullum. Sonny said it was a hell of a thing to have to keep from the people he loved. He was sorry he wasn’t there for Rocco. He understood why Rocco didn’t tell him, but Rocco never had to keep anything from him.

Dante said there was no evidence tying Rocco to Cullum’s shooting, and Laura said she wouldn’t ask how that happened, but there was no evidence in the case at all and that could be a problem. Anna was back and noticed the file was missing. She’d been asking a lot of questions.

Anna asked if Chase was telling her that he’d undermined the case against Willow Cain, a case she’d built and had Willow arrested for. He said he’d simply conducted an independent investigation on his own time. He’d felt there was a rush to judgement and investigated other suspects. She said it sounded like he’d targeted Michael, and he said he believed Michael framed Willow so he could get custody of his kids back. He deserved a closer look then and still did now, but he knew he was wrong. She asked about the footage of Willow driving down Drew’s road the night he was shot. Did he get rid of it to help Willow?

Scout said she wouldn’t know how to swim at all if it wasn’t for Drew. He’d taught her everything she knew. So whenever she was in the water, she was doing it for both of them. Willow suggested Scout get started, and Alexis said she was ready. They all said, three… two… one! and Scout dove into the water.

Lucy said Tracy was puffed up and proud of herself that she’d snaked Maxie’s shares out from under her, and Tracy said Lucy had taken advantage of Brook’s dissolving marriage to steal shares from her. So what was preventing her from using a grieving child to steal Maxie’s?

Molly said Maxie’s family had been through a lot lately between Maxie’s coma and Cassius, and Cody said, who wouldn’t want a fresh start somewhere far away from the reminders of what Cassius did? She said she knew part of the reason he was sad James was leaving was because it wouldn’t give James the chance to be here to forgive him. Felicia and Mac came in with James, and James pointedly ignored Cody. Molly said it looked like they’d all had the same idea. She told James that she heard they were moving to Australia. Was he a kangaroo or wombat guy, or both? He said he’d never seen a wombat, and Molly took him aside to look at pictures of them on her phone. Mac said he was sorry James was taking out the whole Cassius mess on Cody, but they were grateful for what Cody had done for him. Felicia said, telling James the truth proved how much Cody loved him, and Cody said he was going to miss the little guy, but maybe a change was what was best for him. Mac said, but James leaving Port Charles estranged from Cody wasn’t good for him. So for both their sakes, they needed to try and fix this.

Brook said she and Chase were stronger than ever, and Lucy said, thanks to her. She did help them get back on track, so it was only fair Tracy sell her all her shares, including the ones she’d just procured from Maxie. Tracy said she hadn’t procured anything from Maxie and neither had Lucy, and Lucy wondered who Maxie had sold them to.

Charlotte asked if Gio had gotten a bonus from saving that kid last week, and Emma asked, what kid? Gio said it wasn’t that big of a deal. A little kid got rowdy, fell in the pool, and he fished him out. Charlotte said Gio was being too modest. The kid’s mother freaked out, but Gio just dove in and got him. He’d totally saved that little boy’s life.

Sonny told Rocco that Brick said he was in the clear. Legally, he could put this behind him. But he knew a situation like this stayed with you. It stayed with him. He’d managed it on his own, but Rocco didn’t have to. If he ever felt overwhelmed and needed to talk to somebody, come to him and they’d work things out together. Rocco thanked him.

Dante said Anna would be looking into Cullum’s shooting and anything that had WSB involvement, and Laura asked if she’d find anything. He said he owed Laura the truth. He’d used his position to shield his son. He was the one who destroyed all the evidence in Cullum’s shooting. He did it to protect Rocco.

Chase told Anna that he’d never destroy evidence. Internal Affairs found nothing to tie him to it because he’d had nothing to do with it going missing. She said his independent investigation was a serious infraction. He was lucky they’d given him the option of a demotion. He said he’d accepted it because he loved being a cop and his conscience was clear, but she said she needed to know she could trust him.

Inside the boathouse, Willow said she hadn’t expected Michael to be there, and Nina said if Willow wanted to leave, she’d stay until Scout finished, but Willow said they both needed to be there to make sure Drew didn’t pull anything. Nina wondered why she’d agreed to bring him, and Willow said it meant so much to Scout. Once Tracy agreed, how could she not? They’d just have to keep their eyes on him.

Alexis told Michael, regardless of the prognosis, Scout believed her dad was going to recover. Maybe if he did, it might change him into a better person. Michael said he didn’t see that happening. He didn’t think it had changed Drew at all.

Cody said he appreciated what Mac and Felicia were trying to do, but thought they should stay out of it. One of the reasons he’d told James about Cassius was because he didn’t want James to be angry at them. Mac asked if Cody expected them to do nothing while he sacrificed his relationship with James for them, and Felicia said they’d respect his decision, but she thought he should consider giving it another try with James before he left. Cody said he didn’t want to force James to do what he didn’t want to and James didn’t want to talk to him. Mac said, Cody told James the truth and one day he’d be grateful, but right now, Cody had to show James how much he loved him by showing up, no matter how angry James was. Otherwise, James might think Cody had given up on him. Felicia said they knew Cody would never do that.

Gio brought Emma the highest SPF he could find, and she said he was a hero. Apparently, Charlotte’s too. Admit it. A little hero worship feels good sometimes. He said, Charlotte was just being nice.

Charlotte asked if Rocco still wasn’t talking to her or was folding towels that riveting. She didn’t get why he was so mad. Danny’s dad was free and home and no one had arrested him. What was the issue? Rocco said Danny was supposed to be his friend, his brother, and sold him out. Danny turned him into the WSB and she took his side. She said she’d been Switzerland this whole time, but if he was just going to keep whining and not move forward, then she was definitely siding with Danny.

Willow asked if Nina had heard from Jack about the box, and Nina said, no. If he’d found it, he would have contacted her. Willow said she was running out of time. Once Drew was up and running, he’d tell everyone what she did and Michael would use it to take Wiley and Amelia away from her. Nina said she knew Willow didn’t like the idea, but they were running out of options. They might have to take the kids and run. Willow asked where they would run to. Michael and his father would use their resources to hunt her down. If Jack couldn’t give her what she needed, she’d have to get help from someone else. Nina said, like who?

Chase said he was willing to do whatever it took to prove himself to Anna and this department, and Anna said, good. He was an excellent detective and she believed him when he said he hadn’t gotten rid of the footage. However, given what he’d admitted to doing, his demotion was appropriate, but she wanted to offer him a road back. She was interested in uncovering any evidence related to Cassius Faison’s and Britt Westbourne’s conspiracy with Cullum. Cassius masqueraded as Nathan for months and Britt was involved up to her neck. She wanted everything he could find for any open investigations they may be part of, including their investigation into Cullum’s shooting. The evidence from that case was missing. See if he couldn’t find it. Find what she needed, and she’d see about getting his detective shield back.

Dante told Laura that the WSB seemed happy to accept Britt’s account that Jason shot Cullum and be done with it, but he’d looked into it and found out Rocco was the shooter. He’d done it to stop Cullum from shooting Jason and Britt. His son’s blood on the gun tied him to the shooting, so he got rid of it, but he also got rid of everything else too. He knew it was wrong, but in that moment, he was a father, not a cop. She said he was a good cop and a good father and there weren’t any easy answers there. Knowing Jason willingly sacrificed himself to protect Rocco, she would have done the same thing. However, Anna didn’t know any of this. The evidence was missing and she was going to keep digging until she found answers. Dante said he’d handle it, thanked Laura, and left.

Brook said, Maxie wouldn’t sell her shares to just anyone, and Lucy said Brook was right. Shame on her for thinking Maxie would sell her shares to an old battleax like Tracy. Tracy said, nor would she sell them to a grifter like Lucy, when Michael came in. He said they were both right. Maxie sold her shares to him.

Cody told Molly that they had to check on the new arrival at the stables. He’d forgotten to tell her. They had a new arrival last night. James asked if Daffodil had her foal, and Cody said, sure did. She had a little colt. James said she wasn’t due until next week. Was he okay? Cody said he was perfect. James told Molly that they’d been worried because Daffodil was colicky. He’d helped walk her around and kept her calm. Cody said, because of James, she had a healthy, strong son, and James said he wished he’d been there to see him being born. Cody said he had the next best thing, a video of him standing for the first time. Did James want to check it out? James said, yeah, and they looked at the video. James fist bumped Cody and said, it was so awesome, and Cody said James helped make that happen.

Emma said she bet Charlotte was lonely. She loved the way Gio was able to look at how what someone was showing the world wasn’t their full story. He said he was interested in her story.

Charlotte told Rocco that he was being a real jerk. Danny’s dad went to prison for something he did. Rocco asked if she meant saving his life, because that’s what he did, and she said, yeah. Jason repaid him by sacrificing himself. Rocco could have been in that prison. So he didn’t get to be mad at Danny for that. She would have done the same thing. He said her dad would probably end up doing something awful and get arrested again, so she might have to.

Michael said Maxie called him last night. She wanted to divest herself of her shares in Deception before they moved. Lucy said he didn’t know anything about cosmetics or the global beauty market. Why would Maxie go to him? He said, Maxie wanted to sell her shares to someone who would make decisions the same way she would, for the good of the company. He gave her his word that he would. Lucy said he was a Quartermaine and Maxie knew that the Quartermaines ultimately rallied around each other. How could Maxie do this to her? Tracy said, easily and profitably. She thought Maxie made a wise choice. Now she, Michael, and Brook could be a voting bloc. Michael said, not so fast. He’d be making his decisions for the good of Deception.

Nina told Willow not to give up hope. Jack was committed to getting them out of this. Willow said Jack was a spy who lied for a living. Why did Nina have faith in him? Nina said he got rid of the footage of Willow being on Drew’s street the night of the shooting and didn’t rat them out after he was injected. He was going back to Windymere to search for the box with a special infrared device. He was proving to be quite determined and thorough. Willow said, oh my God. Nina slept with Brennan.

Sonny went see Laura and said Lulu filled him in on what happened with Cullum. According to Ric, without any physical evidence linking Rocco, there was nothing that could hurt him. Unless Jason or Britt came forward with the truth. Laura said she didn’t think that was likely to happen, but maybe there was still one loose end – Anna.

Chase said he’d get Anna what she needed as soon as possible, when Dante came by. Chase left, and Dante said he understood Anna was looking for the evidence in Cullum’s shooting on Pier 55. She said she was. Did he know where she could find it? He said she wasn’t going to find it. It was lost.

Cody said he got to name the colt, and James asked what he chose. Cody said he didn’t know. There were so many to pick from, but what did James think of the name West? James asked if Cody wanted to name the colt after him, and Cody said he did, but only with James’s permission. James said it was cool, and Cody said, West it is. Would James be okay with him sending pictures of West growing up? James said, yes, please. His mom said it was really hot in Australia, so he’d have to wear his hat all the time, but he didn’t have it anymore. Cody said, hold that thought, and left.

Willow asked why Nina thought sleeping with Brennan was a good idea. Did she suddenly think she could trust him because she’d slept with him? They’d seen how that worked with Drew. Nina said she couldn’t compare the two, and Willow said if Brennan was going to help them, it had to be now. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to control Drew without taking drastic action.

Dante said the evidence disappeared on his watch and he took full responsibility, and Anna said it wasn’t like him to be sloppy. He agreed, and she said she understood there were a lot of unanswered questions regarding Cullum’s conduct in Port Charles, and his death meant maybe they would never know the full scope of what he was involved in. Maybe it was best if they just left that particular case closed.

Charlotte said her dad was free because he’d risked everything to protect all of them, and Rocco’s parents were protecting him from the consequences of his own actions. She and Danny were the ones who created the distraction that gave Carly the time to save Josslyn. Would he have been up for that? Or would he have stayed home where he could be safe and protected? He said the next time she and Danny screwed up and got themselves in trouble, don’t expect him to take the fall, and he walked out.

As Charlotte walked by, Gio said things looked a little intense with her and Rocco. Was everything okay? She said everything was fine, and Emma said Gio just signed with a record label. He was about to become a superstar. Charlotte said that was amazing. Congratulations.

Cody came back, and James said, Cody saved his hat? He was so mean to Cody, he thought Cody probably threw it away. Cody said, no, never. He was going to drop it off with James’s grandparents, but now he could give it to James himself. James asked if Cody thought he’d like Australia, and Cody said he thought James would love it. There were so many adventures to have, and James was just the guy to have them. He wondered if they could do a weekly video call, and James said Spinelli could help him set it up. How did cowboys say goodbye? Cody said they didn’t. We say, see you around, partner. James said, see you around, partner, and they hugged.

Lucy said Michael couldn’t tell them how to run their company on the first day, and he said he was aware that he didn’t have the majority, but only needed one of them to vote with him. Tracy said it wouldn’t be her, and Lucy said, or her. Michael asked if Brook trusted him, and she said he was making a lot of sense. He said, let’s put it to a vote then. All those in favor of his proposal. Brook said, aye, and he said, sorry, ladies, looks like the ayes have it.

Laura told Sonny that Anna had questions about the evidence in Cullum’s shooting, but Dante told her that he felt he could take care of it. Sonny said he trusted Dante to do it, but his concern was how Rocco would deal with this in the future. She said she was concerned about that too. She knew the kind of trauma shooting someone caused. She was only 16 when she killed David Hamilton. It didn’t matter if it was accidental or not. It took a long time to forgive yourself. Sonny said she didn’t want to know what he did at 16. He couldn’t take it back. You had to carry the weight of regret and it was one of the hardest things to go through. She said they were uniquely prepared to help their grandson and she wanted Rocco to know he could come to them for help, but he’d have to heal in his own time. Sonny said they’d be ready for it.

Anna said she trusted Dante. If the evidence disappeared on his watch, that’s all she needed to know. He thanked her and said if things changed and she wanted an explanation, he’d give it to her. She said, noted. There was one more thing. Did he think he could try to be a little warmer to Officer Chase? If she had her way, they might be back as partners again soon. He said, okay, and left. Sitting at her desk, Peter said, so she figured it out, and Anna said, he was protecting his son. There couldn’t be any other explanation. Peter said, then she had her answer. Now she could put her attention back where it belonged. She said she had Chase looking into Britt, and he said she’d see. Britt and his brother were the reason she’d experienced the hell she went through. They were just like him. And they were all just like their father.

Rocco arrived at the boathouse as Scout came out of the water. She asked what her time was, and Alexis said, 44 minutes and 30 seconds. Rocco said he was sorry he missed it, but Scout said, no big deal. She was going to be practicing there every day if he wanted to come watch and help time her.

Willow told Nina that if she didn’t find a way to control Drew, he’d be swimming next to Scout next week, while she was being shipped off to Pentenville. They went outside, and Alexis told Scout to be careful. She didn’t want to get her dad’s wheelchair too close to the edge. Nina stared hard at Drew.

🌞 Summer Friday…

At Bobbie’s, Valentin said he’d take it as a good sign that Alexis was meeting with him, and Alexis said it was nice to see him out in the wild again. He said it was good to be a free man, and she said, for now at least. He said, sorry? and she said, given his track record, she was wondering how long this freedom was going to last.

Lucas was about to leave the hospital, when Elizabeth asked if he’d seen Britt. He said, no. Don’t tell him she was late for work. What was her excuse? Elizabeth said, the excuse she didn’t bother to give? and he said, she didn’t call in? Elizabeth said, no call no text, nothing. For all they knew, she’d taken off again. Elizabeth couldn’t even take an alien abduction off the table with her. He said, if that was the case, she was going to be in a mood when she got in, and Elizabeth said, I can’t with this woman. Lucas asked if she wanted him to stay, and she said, if he was offering. She needed someone to stop her from losing it, if and when Britt decided to show up.

Josslyn went to Jack’s office and he asked how she was feeling. She said it was weird not having a cover story, but she was fine. He said he was referring to her gunshot wound, and she said, also fine. He said, good. He wanted her to sit in on an interview and wanted her take, provided she could be objective. She asked if there was anything she needed to know beforehand, but he said she was ready on the subject, when Britt came in.

At the station, Dante asked if Chase had a minute. It was about Willow.

At the boathouse, Scout talked to Drew about her swimming and said he could help her when he got back in the water. Rocco brought out some electrolyte drinks and said she’d looked awesome out there. He would have needed those floaty things on his arms to go as far as she did. Danny arrived and hugged Scout. He said, look who he brought with him, and Jason joined them.

Valentin said he knew he was lucky to get pardoned and had incentives to stay on the right side of the law. He wanted to do right by those he cared about, and to that end, he owed Alexis an apology. She said, finally. For what? He said, as his relative, he knew she’d been under intense scrutiny from local law enforcement and the WSB and was sorry her privacy had been invaded. She said she’d been questioned multiple times by multiple authorities, and mostly, it didn’t go beyond that. She was just glad she wasn’t involved more. She was also glad he didn’t come knocking on her door and asking her to hide him. He asked what she would have done, and she said she would have had to close the door in his face and it would have come at a great cost to her.

Dante told Chase that they were moving on the case against Sidwell. Boyle was cooperating. He mentioned a connection between Willow and Sidwell, and Turner wanted Willow brought in for questioning. Chase said Dante didn’t have to tell him to stay out of it, but Dante said he was telling Chase the exact opposite.

Scout said she was glad Jason was home, and Willow said it was a surprise. Jason said he got back a couple weeks ago, then left on a road trip with Danny, and Danny said, it was awesome. They made it all the way up to Montana before heading home. Jason said, if Willow had a minute, he’d like to talk to her about Danny and Scout’s living arrangements, and Willow suggested setting up a time for next week, since her schedule was so hectic. Jason said whatever worked for her, and Willow asked if Nina could get Drew home. She had to make a phone call to the WSB. Nina said, of course (🍷), and Willow told Scout, great job. She’d been impressive. Willow left, and Nina said she’d take Drew home, but Scout said she wanted to talk to her dad first. Scout sat next to Drew and said they were all family and had been through so much, him most of all. Maybe they couldn’t start over, but shouldn’t they at least try to get along? Jason said Scout was right. It was time for a new chapter.

Elizabeth asked how Lucas was doing, and he said he was holding up. Throwing himself into work helped a little. Besides, helping patients fulfilled him and it was a nice way to avoid thinking about where he was going to live. She asked what he was thinking on that front, but he said he didn’t know. He was avoiding it. She said Felicia needed some time off to help Maxie with her move and asked her to take over getting Drew set up with a communication device, but Willow wouldn’t make the appointment. She put it off like, six times. He said, that’s a little weird. Most families would be begging to have access to that kind of technology. She said she needed to see Willow in person and find out what was going on. She was going on a break and going to Willow’s office, but their conversation wasn’t over. When she got back, they’d look at real estate listings. Unless he wanted to move in with her. He said he’d take the listings, and Elizabeth left.

Jack said Agent Jax would be observing the interview, and Britt said it looked like she was recovering well. Josslyn said Britt looked pretty healthy herself. It must be a relief to know she didn’t have Huntington’s. Britt said, a relief and about a million other things. Why was Josslyn there? She didn’t think the WSB was pursuing charges. Jack said, that’s true. At the moment. What happened next depended on her level of cooperation. Britt said she was a victim in all of this, and he said, a victim who elected to involve herself in a criminal conspiracy. She asked if he’d always be holding charges over her head, and he said, make herself useful to the WSB. Extremely useful.

Alexis said she may not trust Valentin as far as she could throw him, but she cared what happened to him. It was a huge relief that he wasn’t a fugitive anymore. Just be smart about that freedom. He said he was always smart. Sometimes his risk assessment was too optimistic. She suggested he engage in an activity that didn’t require risk assessment. She was sure the WSB was counting on him not to keep his nose clean. He said they had their concerns and would be watching him for the foreseeable future, and she said, but he wasn’t going to give them anything to see, right? He said, that’s the plan, and she said, good. He told her, that being said, he wasn’t going to let it stop him from taking back what was his.

Jason said, whatever problems he and Drew had shouldn’t involve the kids. They needed to work it out for their sake. Scout said, that would be amazing, and Jason asked Rocco to go for a walk. He wanted to clear a few things up. They left, and Scout asked what Danny’s dad wanted to talk to Rocco about, but he said, it’s complicated. A lot had been going on. She asked if it had to do with Rocco taking off with Britt, and he said, something like that.

Britt asked what Jack wanted to know, and he said, Director Cullum absconded with a secure file container. A black box. The WSB wanted it back. There was reason to believe he’d left it at Windymere. Had she seen it? She said, no. She was stuck in a lab. She kept her head down, did her job, and tried to avoid Cullum as much as possible. That guy was one crazy psychopath. He asked why he should believe her, and she said if she had the box and knew she could do something with it, why would she be sitting there talking to him? Her phone chimed and she saw a text from Lucas: You’re 2 hours late! Where are you? Jack said she could be selling the box to the highest bidder, and she said she knew she’d forgotten something. Let her check her eBay account… Oh bummer. No bites from the DVX. He said, very funny, and she said she didn’t know what to tell him. She didn’t have his box. She’d never heard of a box. She didn’t know anything about a black box. So if he wasn’t going to arrest her, please let her go. He said, that’s all for now, and she said, sorry she couldn’t help, and left. He asked what Josslyn thought. Was she telling the truth?

Willow tried to call Jack and asked that he call her back as soon as possible. It was an urgent matter. There was a knock at her office door, and she opened it to Elizabeth. Elizabeth said she wanted to apologize for being overly cautious and notifying the county about a possible toxin in Willow’s home, but Willow said she appreciated Elizabeth’s diligence. She’d be relieved to know the house was clear. Elizabeth said that was great news. She was also there to check in about the communication device for Drew. They were set up and ready to go, but according to them, Willow kept putting it off. She was trying to understand why Willow wouldn’t want Drew to communicate. Unless Willow was afraid of what he might say.

Lucas said, at long last, she’s arrived, and Britt told him not to start with her. She’d had a horrible afternoon. He said, and an equally bad hair day, and she said, hilarious. He asked, what happened? and she said she got dragged into the WSB for questioning. Because she knew no one would believe her, she got a note from the front desk. She handed him a paper and said it was signed and everything. He said it wasn’t fifth period gym. She had responsibilities and patients who relied on her. She said she was summoned. It wasn’t her fault. He said nothing was her fault – ever. She was a perpetual victim in a world that was just out to get her. She said it would be easier for him if he still thought she was dying. Sorry to disappoint. She was going to live. Deal with it. She walked off.

In the solarium, Jason said Danny had told him everything, including what he’d done, and Rocco said he believed Danny when he said he’d just done it to protect Jason. Jason said he did too, but he shouldn’t have done it and he was sorry that Danny did. Rocco said he appreciated that and asked if Jason thought they were going to arrest him, but Jason said, no. Cullum was dead and the fact that they released him was a pretty good indicator that the WSB wanted this behind them. But if it came to that, he had Rocco’s back. He’d tell them that Danny would say anything to get him home. He was going to take full responsibility for shooting Cullum. Rocco asked, why, when it was his fault the WSB took Jason away.

Alexis said if Valentin was talking about the Cassadine estate, Ace was the heir, but he said he wasn’t talking about Ace’s inheritance. He was talking about his hard-earned assets. She said, hard-earned, ill-gotten. Who can really say? He said all he wanted was what belonged to him, and she asked how he proposed to reclaim these belongings. He said, by going through the WSB.

Josslyn said it seemed to her that Britt was telling the truth, but Jack said she didn’t sound too confident. She said she wasn’t the best gage when it came to Britt. The night after the shooting on the pier, she and Britt decided to share information with each other. She thought they were being open and honest, and it turned out Britt was working with Cassius the entire time and she didn’t pick up on that. That error was what got her locked up at Windymere. He said she wouldn’t make that error again, and she said, not a chance. He said she’d had her own dealings with Cullum. Did she ever see the black box? She said she would have included it in her debrief if she had, but he said she might have seen something and not understood its significance. She said she assumed he was looking for something like the box he used to keep in his office. Was he looking for Cullum’s secrets or trying to uncover his own?

Dante said he wanted to give Chase the option to bring Willow in, and Chase asked if it was a courtesy or a test. Dante said it was neither. He wanted to take this back to when he trusted Chase before the trial, and Chase said, past tense. Dante said this was him trying to trust Chase again, but it was his call.

Willow asked what Elizabeth was accusing her of, but Elizabeth said she wasn’t and she wasn’t judging Willow even a little. She just wanted to help. She knew what it was like to be a caregiver and it was understandable if Drew’s condition was putting a strain on their marriage. How could it not? Willow said it hadn’t been easy, but she thought she was doing a better job of hiding it, and Elizabeth said Willow didn’t have to hide anything from her. They were friends. Willow said she and Drew had a lot to work through and she couldn’t fathom the thought of trying to hash things out while he was talking through a machine. Was it awful of her? Elizabeth said, no. She got why Willow would feel like that. But at the same time, no matter the state of their marriage, Willow had to let him have a voice. Or did she honestly not want that?

Rocco told Jason that he could have refused to go with Nathan or Cassius or whatever his name was, or he could have told his dad the truth at any point. He shouldn’t have let Jason cover for him. Jason said Rocco was in shock, so he made the decision for him. Everything that happened after that was on him. Rocco did nothing wrong. Rocco said, if Jason had known what the WSB was going to do to him, send him away from Danny, from everyone, would he still have said he was the shooter? Jason said the WSB was definitely tough on him, but it wasn’t because of that night. It was because of who he was and the things he’d done in his life. None of that was Rocco’s fault. Rocco said, but he was a minor. If he’d come forward, they would have gone easier on him and Jason would have been free. Jason said they had no idea what the WSB would have done, but he wasn’t taking that chance, and Rocco asked how he could ever repay Jason. Jason said Rocco didn’t owe him anything. It was the other way around.

Lucas said he was sorry, and Britt said, for what? Because she had multiple grievances with him. He told her, for what he’d said at Bobbie’s. It was uncalled for. She said, uncalled for, cruel, completely out of line, but she forgave him. How could she not? He was the only one who recognized she’d been through a really hard time and she was doing the best she could. He said, was she really? Or was she just doing what she always did? Per usual, instead of showing grace and gratitude, she was acting just as entitled as ever. She said she’d thought they were bonded, and he said they were. She said she’d thought they were on the road to becoming friends, but he was still judging her. He said he was just calling it as he saw it. She was fearless. She said what was on her mind. She was an excellent doctor, but he refused to give her a pass for her bad behavior. He wasn’t Brad. She said, duh. Brad would have her back and wouldn’t send her cringy messages every time she was late for work. He said, fine. No more messages. But it went both ways. No more requesting him to get her out of jail. No more asking him to cover for her with Elizabeth when she was late. She was on her own. She said, what else is new? and he said if she didn’t want to be there, leave. But if she did, she owed it to herself and everyone else around her to show up. Otherwise, what was the damn point? He walked off.

Jack said the contents of the black box were classified, and Josslyn said, above her pay grade. He said, but retrieving the box was of the utmost importance. She’d just never know why. Was that going to be a problem for her? She said the rules were there to protect the Bureau’s agents and assets. She planned to follow them. She was given a choice. She could have left the Bureau and she chose to stay. That meant she accepted her rank. It didn’t mean she liked everything expected of her, like keeping her mouth shut as he threatened Britt. He said, fair enough, and she said it was her way of saying, if she wasn’t told what the contents of the black box were, it must be for a reason. He said it seemed she’d learned some valuable lessons since her day as a recruit. She was free to go. She left, and in the hallway, Valentin said, look at her. Back to work already.

Scout said she got that Drew was angry with Danny. He messed up. She loved living with him at her grandma’s house. The only part she didn’t like was knowing he was against it. Danny said, not much she could do about that, and she said, don’t talk about her dad like he wasn’t there. It might be hard for him to communicate, but he was still her father and got upset. Nina said sometimes it was hard to figure out what Scout’s dad was thinking, but she knew he loved her very much and wanted her to be happy. Isn’t that right, Drew? Drew blinked once, and Danny said he was sorry he’d said that and for everything else. He’d talked a lot about this with his dad and wanted to do better. Scout was his sister and he loved her. So for the record, Scout could always count on him.

Chase asked if Dante would be making this offer if Anna hadn’t come back, and Dante said it didn’t matter anymore, but Anna wanted Chase reinstated as detective. She also had an idea of who she wanted to be Chase’s partner – him.

Willow thanked Elizabeth for calling her out. It meant a lot that Elizabeth was always honest with her, even when it was difficult. Elizabeth thanked Willow for hearing her out and asked if she could set up an appointment for next Tuesday to install the devices. Willow said, that would be great, when her phone rang, and she said it was the WSB calling about a congressional matter. Elizabeth said that was her cue to get out of there, and left. Willow asked Jack to tell her he’d found what she needed. Drew couldn’t speak, but she caught him moving and she was out of medicine. She was out of time. He said he was sorry, but they’d hit a dead end. The box wasn’t at Windymere, which meant Cullum either destroyed it or he shipped it off. Either way, he couldn’t get his hands on it. She said it was over then. Drew would regain his mobility, his voice, everything. There was nothing she could do to stop him from coming after her. Jack said, not necessarily. He owed her mother and Willow had done everything she said she would for the WSB. So to settle that debt, he would put her and her children on a plane tonight. They’d provide the means and she could escape with her family.

Dante gave Chase a cup of bad station coffee and said he was down with them working together again if Chase was. Chase said his goal was to get his gold shield back. The trial put them both in difficult positions, but he never felt Dante was out to get him. Dante said he wasn’t, and Chase said that was his roundabout way of saying he’d like to be partners again too. Dante said that left the question of Willow and whether or not Chase wanted to be the one to bring her in. If he chose not to, no one would hold it against Chase, including him.

Jason said Danny saved his life. And Britt’s. He’d never forget that. He was sorry for what it cost Rocco. Rocco said, don’t feel sorry for him. There were so many people who did, he couldn’t handle it anymore. Not that he wasn’t grateful for everyone who protected him. He was. Jason, his parents, Michael, Ethan, even that Cassius guy. But the person who seemed to really understand how he felt was Britt. Jason said Danny told him that Rocco took off with her, and Rocco said, she didn’t want to work for Cullum anymore, so she decided to run. Between what happened and keeping it quiet, he felt like he was making everyone’s life hard and miserable. He knew Britt had some health stuff going on, so he didn’t want her to be alone. Jason said he was glad Britt had Rocco, and Rocco said he was glad they had each other. Now that they were back, it was so weird. It felt like everything changed and he didn’t know what to do. Was he supposed to pretend that nothing happened? Jason sighed and said he didn’t think it was ever a good idea to pretend. Rocco was forced to carry a lot of heavy stuff. He didn’t have to anymore. Rocco cried, and Jason said it was okay. He knew Rocco couldn’t forget it, but he just had to put it down. He had to try and find a way to let this go. Rocco asked if that was what Jason was doing, and Jason sighed again and said he was trying.

Britt apologized to Elizabeth for being late and said she’d gotten called into the WSB last minute, but she knew that was no excuse. She should have told someone. Elizabeth said Britt didn’t have to explain it to her. She had to explain it to Stella. She’d notified Stella and HR that Britt was a no-show. It was policy. Britt said, Elizabeth couldn’t have given her the slightest benefit of the doubt and waited?

On the phone, Nina said, this can’t be happening, but Willow said she’d spoken to Brennan herself. The evidence was gone. It was over. Nina asked what they were going to do now, and Willow said Brennan told her that he could get her and the kids out of the country. They would leave tonight. She just needed to swing by the house, pick up a few things, and pick up Wiley and Amelia from Lila’s Kids. Then they were headed to the airport. Nina said Willow told her that Michael and Sonny would be able to find her, but Willow said Brennan told her that he could arrange for new identities for all of them, including Nina. But she completely understood if Nina didn’t want to come with them. Think it over. Nina had a life in Port Charles, but for her, Drew could be talking any day now, maybe sooner, and she had no choice but to run. Let her know what she decided. She had to go. Nina came out of the boathouse, and Scout said they were meeting up with their grandma at Bobbie’s. Nina said she’d make sure Scout’s dad got home, and Scout and Danny left. Nina looked at Drew.

Britt saw Elizabeth and Lucas looking at real estate listings on Elizabeth’s phone, and walked around the corner. The hospital doors opened and Jason came in. Britt smiled.

At Bobbie’s, Scout said Danny came to the boathouse after her swim, and Alexis asked if her father was still there. How’d that go? Scout said, Danny was great. He said how much he loved her and would always look out for her. Danny said Scout told him how much she loved living with them, and Scout said, together, they explained they were brother and sister and wanted to be in each other’s lives. Alexis asked if Drew was receptive, and Danny said, it was kind of hard to tell. Alexis said, of course (🍷), and Scout said she thought it would take some time for him to get used to it, but he understood. Her dad just wanted her to be happy.

Josslyn let Valentin into the office, and Jack said, Valentin Cassadine, free at last. Valentin said he was a lucky man. Here to pay it forward. Jack asked, how’s that? and Valentin said he’d come into possession of a certain WSB black box. And to prove that he’d turned over a new leaf, he wanted to return it – for a price.

Willow was about to leave, and when she opened the door, she saw Chase. She asked what he was doing there, and he said he was sorry, but he’d been asked to escort her to the police station.

On the phone, Nina said she needed to hear from Jack. She’d already heard from Willow. He needed to call her back before anyone did something they couldn’t take back. She undid the lock on Drew’s wheelchair, and he said, what’s wrong, Nina? Get some bad news? She said, not for her. Worse for him. She pushed his chair into the lake.

On Monday, Willow asks Chase to tell them that he couldn’t find her; Jack asks what Valentin expects in return; and Britt slaps Jason in the face.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

But the door is still open.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-officially-writes-out-maxie

I was thinking Quinn, but Simon did say she was the one to watch.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-who-is-trinas-obsessed-fan

So far, she’s doing swimmingly. (BA-DUM-CHH!)

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-kayden-brenna-tokarski-opens-up-about-becoming-scout-cain-exclusive

Mid-year roll call.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/in-loving-memory-the-beloved-soap-actors-who-have-passed-away-in-2026

Something happier.

https://ew.com/real-life-soap-opera-couples-11965728

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

I tuned in late, just as Nathan was telling Captain Sandy that Luke ejaculated on his sheets. Perfect timing, I thought. The captain said that the rest of the crew knowing was not okay either and she had to do something. Primary Suzanne’s dog Sugar Baby took a dump on the white rug in the hallway, which might have been a statement about the men matchmaker Amy brought for his owner. In her interview, Gen said she hated boat dogs. She told a story about a dog on a different cruise who stared at her as he peed on the white curtains. Mr. Feathers knew what he was doing. The captain texted Norma about deckhands, but none were available. Cooper accidentally ate something with peanuts in the ingredients when he’s highly allergic. Captain Sandy called the medic, and I wondered why they didn’t keep an EpiPen on the boat. Joy nearly freaked out, but the doctor said Cooper would live. A horseback excursion was set up for the guests. In Luke’s interview, he said he’d lost Nathan’s trust and respect – I said, all of us. You lost it from all of us. – and he’d rather be fired than work with a bosun who thought he was a POS. He told the captain that his presence was causing disruption and interrupting the flow. He wanted to be removed from the equation. So she shot him. Just kidding.

Side note: I saw Cooper on Watch What Happens Live and I don’t know who told him that his outfit was a good idea. It was a somewhat clingy shirt opened halfway, showing his hairless chest, along with a choker and medallion. I got the vibe that he’s a guy trying to be cool, but it just comes off as awkward.

The Valley

Michelle and Jesse signed a million divorce papers, and Jesse said it was a lot of work. I’m sure, but no doubt not as much work as being married to him was. They had champagne. I couldn’t see the brand but wondered WTF it was since it looked almost orange. Lala thought Kristen’s hatred for Janet was clouding her judgement, and Kristen and Luke went to couples’ therapy. Britttany decided to host a Halloween party with the theme Victorian Vampire Masquerade. That sounds right up my alley, but I’m sure someone will find a way to dampen everyone’s spirits. No pun intended.

In the City – Reunion – Part 1

The Reunion took place in Andy’s clubhouse, where everyone was pretty cramped. There was some talk about Amanda and Kyle, and Amanda said their marriage had been over before West, but Andy said they’d revisit the topic later. Kenny’s reunion with his dad was discussed, and the single mom card debacle. Whitney said she’d misspoke (a word I’m starting to hate) about the mom card and it was more about entitlement. Lindsay said she wanted to date just for fun, and Danielle said she’d learned her lesson about commenting on Lindsay’s relationships. Georgina said she was looking to date for keeps. Whitney cried about people thinking she was riding Kenny’s reality show coattails for fame and said she and Kenny had talked engagement, but still, no ring.

Real Housewives Of London

Not to be confused with Ladies of London: The New Reign, this is a reboot of the original RHOL show. American Juliet is the only one of the old cast returning, but it’s now confusing since there’s another Juliet. A good portion of the show was introducing the cast, all of whom were incredibly wealthy and most of whom had dogs, so upside. Amanda was hosting an International Women’s Day party, and pointing to a powder room, told her housekeeper, this loo needs to be checked every 15 minutes because it will be carnage in there. Besides pets, I guess the bathroom is the great leveler. The party was fabulous, all designer dresses, caviar, and champagne that wasn’t orange. Nessie, who owns Chelsea Cake Company, contributed a cake, but it was no Betty Crocker mix, since she’d made the cake for the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday. It looked simple and elegant, definitely a reflection of Queen Elizabeth. Color me impressed.  In the preview, we saw Dorinda (RHONY) and I wondered, why? I haven’t found a whole lot on this show, which reenforces my belief that the Housewives franchise is dead, but Andy won’t let it lie down.

Next Gen NYC

Ariana said Hudson giving off d*ckish energy. Agreed. In Emira’s interview, she said Georgia was like a germ. You couldn’t avoid her, you were going to catch her eventually, and she made you sick. Not so much agreement on this one. I find her kind of amusing. The groups went to see the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but most of them were ignorant of the whole cult status of it and we didn’t see much. Afterwards, they attended a party where lots of sh*t hit the fan. Ariana was annoyed with Gia for telling Shai about her interest in Liam, and in Gia’s interview, she said Ariana told her to give Shai a chance, then got mad because he’d talked to Hudson. She thought Ariana had spoken too soon about Shai. I think Shai is just trying to fit in, but yeah, don’t tell him everything. Ava tried to get Brooks and Charlie to have a convo, but Charlie was his usual idiot self and whined about Brooks’s dad, saying, f*** his dad. He was the least respectable house husband. Brooks walked, and Charlie said Brooks made him uncomfortable. Poor baby. Rowan and Brian saw a fortune teller, who told them nothing, but Rowan was a bit tipsy and thought she was brilliant. Ariana talked to Shai about him spilling her tea, but he claimed that he and Charlie had just wanted to warn Liam that he was stepping in glue. This made zero sense since Ariana and Hudson had broken up. When Ariana let Hudson know what Shai said, he told her that Ava and Rowan agreed, but the flashback said no, they definitely did not.  Emira confronted Charlie about relaying to Georgia that she’d thought Georgia was being flirty with Kevin, he admitted it. But when Emira boomeranged back to Georgia, she told Emira that Charlie had repeatedly said Kevin was a gay man, so the flirting was a non-issue. Emira went off mic and just plain went off, saying Charlie had said some nasty sh*t and she was out. Brooks wondered what just happened, since he’d never seen her like this, but Charlie feigned ignorance. By then, Emira was really wound up and told the others that she’d defended Charlie and never talked about his crypto sh*t, but she wasn’t protecting him anymore. He was dead to her. Shai and Liam talked about Ariana within her earshot, and she gave the best quote of the episode: I can hear everything. What are you saying?

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-the-cast-calls-out-charlie-over-egregious-comments-about-brooks-dad-emiras-boyfriend-more

Say it ain’t so.

Real Housewives Of Orange County

Things got emotional between Jenn and her son Greyson, who got pulled over for doing 105, Tamra was emotional about Sophia moving out, and in Carmella’s interview, she said being in Playboy was a wake-up call making her overly cautious with her kids. Emily went to Jenn’s place and said Ryan’s closet was more interesting than hers. He seemed to be in his pink era and had a floral section. I wish I was that organized. Tamra went to see Teddi and expounded on their friendship. She claimed the other girls didn’t care, and then somehow made Teddi’s illness about herself. Gina spilled the CO tea to Travis and in her interview said a prenup was non-negotiable. It wasn’t about her making more money than Travis, but about protecting herself and her kids. Shannon met Tamra and Vicki at The Quiet Woman, where Vicki tried to get the Tres Amigas back, but in Shannon’s interview, she said her hopes weren’t high for Tamra acknowledging the hurtful things she’d done. They sat in silence for a while, when an artichoke was placed in the middle of the table. Shannon finally said that the last time they were there, Tamra said she was a drunk, would never get a man, and had no money. In Vicki’s interview, she talked about Shannon blowing up at the same restaurant on the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th. She said walked out when things got too toxic, but Tamra fed on it, and she was scared of Tamra. The Tres Amigas hugged it out and Vicki said her job was done.

Random Reality Items

I’d actually forgotten all about her. When are the Valley Shahs coming back?

Aww. This made me feel sad.

We’ll see how long his repentance lasts. Shep is getting old along with his schtick.

Speaking of, this is at least a gallon of tea in one post.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Obsession. Peacock. If you’ve seen anything on this film, you probably already guessed the theme – be careful what you wish for. Lonely, music store clerk Bear has feelings for his co-worker Sarah, but not the cojones to tell her. While looking for a crystal necklace to replace the one she lost, Bear finds a novelty item called One Wish Willow. Crack it in half and you get one wish. He buys one (only $6.99!) intending to give it to his friend Nikki, but instead breaks it open and wishes for Sarah to love him more than anything else in the f***ing world.  He’s surprised when he gets his wish, but more surprised when it’s not exactly what he bargained for. Both disgustingly gory and funny – You can’t cook the cat, okay? – it’s also a little sad. While it’s an old trope, it’s given a new spin and is well-worth watching, especially for Megan Lawless’s performance as Sarah. Since the Academy is more apt to give an award to a horror film these days, she’s deserving of one, running the gamut of emotions as Nikki obsesses over Bear, while her true self is… we really never find out where. That was actually my only question about this film. If she’s not quite the real deal, did Bear really get his wish? The film is also left open-ended, leaving the path to a sequel a possibility.

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/obsession-review-1236747795

https://theeverygirl.com/obsession-movie-review

Teach You a Lesson. Netflix. In this series, the Korean education system has broken down with kids left fending bullies off more often than learning, some of them even committing suicide under the pressure. Enter Hwa-jin (Kim Mu-yeol) from the Educational Rights Protection Bureau, a department that’s determined to turn things around, sometimes using a literal good swift kick. While at times it feels like an upscale After School Special, the fight scenes are incredible, with Hwa-jin and his female counterpart Jin Ki-joo (Im Han-rim) kicking ass and not bothering with names. Each episode is different and a story unto itself. Given the seriousness with which Koreans view education, I did find it a little unbelievable that any of their schools have eroded to this point, but here in the US, we need to only look at the nightly news to find the problems depicted in our own backyard. I’m only halfway through the series, but I’m in for the whole ride.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurasirikul/2026/06/07/netflixs-teach-you-a-lesson-may-be-one-of-the-best-dramas-this-year

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20260605/netflix-drama-teach-you-a-lesson-serves-as-reality-check-for-koreas-broken-education-system

And for those who finished The Human Vapor (reviewed last week), how hard is Ellie My Love (Southern All Stars) stuck in your head?

⛹️‍♀️ Sporty Finds Her Match…

Nice to hear the girls are still joining forces.

https://ew.com/spice-girls-reunite-at-mel-c-wedding-without-victoria-beckham-12022304

🦄 Sharks and Belugas and… Oh My…

🦈 It’s here.

https://www.discovery.com/shark-week

👽 Beam them up, Bruce.

https://people.com/forrest-galante-reveals-details-recent-alien-shark-encounter-exclusive-12022262

🐋 Not their week, but I signed petitions about these poor things, and any whale named Bertie Botts deserves sanctuary.

https://people.com/6-belugas-saved-from-shuttered-marine-park-reach-their-new-homes-12024668

🦝 And if you haven’t met him by now, let me introduce Jimothy.

https://people.com/seattle-short-spine-raccoon-jimothy-goes-viral-after-5-million-views-12021835

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-unusual-looking-raccoon-nicknamed-jimothy-is-winning-hearts-across-the-internet-for-his-short-round-body-180989157

🍿 Quotes of the Week

Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.Babe Ruth

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. – Unknown

I think one day you’ll find that you’re the hero you’ve been looking for. – Jimmy Stewart

Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm. – Winston Churchill

Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important. – St. John Paul II

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable. – Ludwig van Beethoven

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. – Naeem Callaway

Is this a church or a disco?Annabelle Chua, 90 Day Fiancé

If there was a vampire bat in the US it would make sense for it to come to a slyvania… like Pennsylvania. – Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), The Office

🦗 The Cricket Is Singing…

Until next time, stay safe; stay carrying a reusable water bottle; and stay showing up. You owe it to yourself and everyone else around you.

Video > Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)

July 17, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Sonny Wants Valentin Neutralized, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Last Farewells, Mid-Year Hauntings, A Clique Of Quotes & Where’s the Salt

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

In the hospital boardroom, Laura said she had something to discuss with Tracy before the board meeting. Outside at the desk, Elizabeth told Sonny that she thought Laura’s idea to have him fill the 16th seat on the hospital board was brilliant.

Charlotte met Gio and Emma at the pool. Gio saw Rocco and went over to talk to him. He asked if Rocco hadn’t felt like answering his texts, and Rocco asked if Gio expected him to after ratting him out to their dad. Charlotte told Emma that it was hard to tell how Rocco felt about anyone right now, when Danny walked in.

At Bobbie’s, Britt thanked Lucas for picking her up from the hospital.

Brook asked why Chase did everything to protect Willow over her, but he said that wasn’t what he was doing. She said his actions said otherwise. He just dropped everything and went when Willow called. He’d left her and Phoebe at the pool. Chase said she’d told him that was okay, and she said she lied. He asked if it wasn’t a test and she said it was both. She asked if he’d go to Willow if she called right now for his help, and he said, yes.

Jack saw Carly at the hospital and he told her that she should let Josslyn rest, but she told him not to tell her what was best for her daughter.

Valentin told Anna that he was a free man and she said it had to be quite a story. She asked how Charlotte was and he said, fine, 16 going on 30. He gestured to her new hairdo, and she said she wasn’t allowed to keep a comb, so she had it chopped off. He said he liked it (my jury is still out) and that he’d been worried about her. She said her too, but now she was home and had a firm grip on reality.

On a plane, a man read Welcome to Port Charles, and asked the attendant how the arrival was looking. She said they’d be landing in about an hour and 16 minutes. She asked if the man next to him needed anything, but Jason said he was good. Soon he’d have everything he needed.

Chase said it was no reflection on how he felt about Brook, but she said, every time he stepped in to rescue Willow, it felt like he was slipping further away. He said she’d never been in Willow’s position. She had a family. Brook said Willow had her mother and had the whole Quartermaine clan before she’d slept with Drew, but he said Willow had spent most of her life with no one to count on and needed him in a way Brook didn’t.

Britt thanked Lucas for breakfast, and he asked if Fitzpatrick told her out of nowhere that the WSB was letting her go. She said, pretty much, and he said not only was she free, she didn’t have Huntington’s, but she said it hadn’t sunk in yet. He asked what she was going to do with her wide open future.

Gio said he’d stood by twice when Rocco got into serious trouble, and Rocco said he knew now that he couldn’t trust Gio. Gio said he was Rocco’s older brother and would always help him, but telling Rocco what he wanted to hear wasn’t the same thing as helping him. Gio said, even if Rocco stayed mad forever, he’d be there for him.

Danny started to leave when he saw Rocco, but Charlotte said, don’t do this.

Carly asked if Jack was briefing Josslyn on her next mission when she hadn’t recovered from the last one, and he said Carly’s life would be hell if she didn’t accept Josslyn was a WSB agent. She said Josslyn had made her choice, but what she couldn’t accept was Jack’s role in all this. He’d taken advantage of her trust and lured Josslyn in. He said he hadn’t and his feelings for her were 100% real. He’d regretted recruiting Josslyn, but she was an excellent agent. When he was sidelined, Josslyn had ended up stopping the most dangerous threats the WSB had ever faced. They were doing an internal investigation to make sure another Cullum never happened again. He was sorry her fear and desperation to get Josslyn out of the WSB drove her to get involved with Valentin Cassadine. That was always a mistake.

Valentin told Anna about trying to reach her in France. How bad was it? It had sounded like she was convinced Faison was alive. She said the last time she’d seen him, he was being hauled away. What was he thinking with the polonium poisoning? He said Carly had forgiven him, but Anna said Carly had never met a grudge she couldn’t hold onto. He said, if she hadn’t forgiven him, she wouldn’t have hidden him in her attic for the last 7 months and 16 days.

Tracy asked if Laura lost her mind. There was no place for Sonny Corinthos on this hospital board. Sonny walked in.

Brook said Chase was her husband and they were building a life together. She couldn’t do it without him and wouldn’t want to. He said he felt the same way, and she wondered if he’d started to look at her differently when she’d asked to put the adoption process on hold because of Gio, but he said he’d understood that. She asked if he’d felt she was choosing Gio over him and if she’d pushed him toward Willow.

Britt told Lucas that she had to replace everything that was in her wallet. Technically, she didn’t exist as far as society was concerned. He asked if she was still coming back to GH, but she said she didn’t know. She needed a shower before making any big decisions. Don’t tell Carly, but she’d hid a key under the hallway planter. She went upstairs.

Emma asked how it went with Rocco, but Gio said, not great. Rocco thought he’d let him down, but it was the right thing to do. She said Rocco would come around. He was lucky to have his big brother.

Charlotte said Danny couldn’t avoid Rocco forever. He should have been honest about shooting Cullum, but his parents had sworn him to secrecy. He said Rocco should have stepped up and stopped his dad from going to prison, but she said he’d made a mistake like Danny did when he told Brennan that Rocco shot Cullum. He said he’d never apologize for trying to save his dad.

Jason flashed back to being taken, then being thrown in a dark cell in handcuffs. His seatmate said the 11 hour time difference meant they were in for brutal jet lag, but he was sure Jason would just be glad to be home.

Jack told Carly not to align herself with Valentin just to spite him, but she said her relationship with Valentin had nothing to do with him. Except for the fact she went to Valentin when she’d needed an ally to get her daughter out of the WSB, thanks to him. She’d seen the kind of man Valentin truly was.

Anna asked how Valentin ended up on Carly’s doorstep, and he said he’d intended on finding Anna to warn her that Brennan was asking questions about Faison and see if she’d help him. He was told she was on assignment with the WSB, but she was being held prisoner under Windymere. She asked how the hell he knew that.

Tracy said she had no intention of changing her mind. She’d been on the board a long time and when she spoke, people listened. Sonny said she didn’t give them a choice, and before Tracy could speak, Laura said, that’s enough. Sonny had given generously to the hospital for years, and wasn’t Tracy glad Sidwell was behind bars? Sonny helped with that, and she’d thought Tracy would recognize a man who actually thought about the city and the hospital. Tracy said Sonny should never have a say about what went on in the hospital. He’d killed Alan and Monica’s son.

Chase told Brook that he’d been disappointed at first, but it had all worked out. The only reason he’d gotten more involved with Willow was that she’d been in trouble. He’d felt bad and wanted to be there for her as a friend, but he’d never considered how it would affect their marriage or Brook. She was his everything and he was so sorry he’d taken their bond for granted.

Charlotte said she’d never ask Danny to apologize for helping his dad. She didn’t tell Rocco what he’d done because she didn’t want Rocco to worry. Rocco approached and said, worry about what? and Danny asked if Rocco’s overprotective parents were there babysitting him. Rocco said they’d been babysitting him the night he’d saved Jason’s life, and Danny said Rocco’s dad did nothing when his dad was hauled away by the WSB. Charlotte said, enough. If they didn’t get past this, they’d lose each other and lose her too.

Jason woke up breathing heavily and asked his seatmate how long he was out. The man said, a few minutes, enough to have a pretty good nightmare though.

Tracy said, both Alan and Monica had served as Chief of Staff while all Sonny did was kill their son and get away with that. In their honor, she’d never let Sonny serve on the board. Sonny said he appreciated what Laura was trying to do, but GH needed a unified board and that wasn’t happening right now. He left, and Tracy said it was easier than she’d expected.

Lucas heard a shriek and jumped up. Britt came downstairs and said his bitch of a sister had changed the lock.

Carly said her idea of who Valentin was had been based on Jack’s version of him. The old friend who’d ruthlessly betrayed his partner in crime to save his own skin. But Jack was the one who’d betrayed his partner in crime. He’d set up Valentin and condemned him to a life in prison, while he got a slap on the wrist. Jack said Valentin was no innocent, and Carly agreed, but said, when it mattered the most, Valentin was willing to sacrifice his life in ways Jack never would have.

Valentin said he knew Anna had been held at Windymere because Josslyn was held in the same room and had seen her message on the wall. Anna showed him the drawing Obrecht made and said she would have given anything to know that what she’d remembered was real. The doctors kept trying to sell her this WSB cover story and she’d hallucinated some things, so she wasn’t sure. Finally, she just gave in and told them what they wanted to hear. Now she knew being in that room wasn’t a delusion she’d conjured up. Peter said, see Anna? You were right all along.

Danny said he couldn’t let this go. His mom was gone and his dad was in prison because he’d covered for Rocco. Rocco said he didn’t make Jason do that, but Danny said Rocco didn’t have to go along with Jason when he did, and walked out.

Jason remembered being told he was being released and being dragged to his feet. The plane was about to descend, and Jason’s seatmate said there would be a car waiting to take him wherever he wanted to go. Jason said, what about him? and the man said he told Jason that he’d get him there and he had. Enjoy the rest of his life. They shook hands.

Britt asked if Lucas knew about this and brought her there to laugh at her having literally nowhere to go, and he said he’d brought her there because she needed a favor. How was Carly supposed to know to hold the room for her? She’d fled the country with a minor. She said Judgy Lucas had finally arrived, and he said she constantly assumed he was out to get her. He and Marco risked everything to help her because they thought she was doing the right thing, but she was just looking out for herself, as always.

Anna was staring at Peter, and Valentin asked if she was all right. Carly had said she’d tried to escape once. She said she’d tried to escape several times. Once she made it as far as Faison’s chateau near the Swiss border. She’d gone there to find evidence that he was alive, but found a letter saying that he’d raised a son. It was then she knew that the man who’d come to Port Charles wasn’t Nathan, and the only way she could warn Felicia was if she could get her doctor to agree to a visit, so she had to turn herself into a model patient. Valentin said it was impressive, and she said, almost as impressive as him turning up on her doorstep a free man. How was that possible?

Chase told Brook that Tracy tried to warn him that he was taking their marriage for granted, but he didn’t see it. It was killing him that Brook said she felt like he was putting someone else first. She and Phoebe came first and after a big space came everybody else. She said she knew it was wrong to frame Willow and was ashamed that she did it, but it came from a place of fear. She was afraid of losing him, so she’d reverted back to who she was before him. He’d helped her to become a better person. They hugged and she asked if he was going to tell Willow what she’d done. Or should she?

Sonny told Elizabeth that the board thing wasn’t going to work out, and she said she was sorry. He said he loved the hospital and it had helped a lot of people he loved. He was always going to love it, but all of Tracy’s reasons weren’t wrong. Elizabeth said they’d see.

Chase said neither of them was going to tell Willow. The information from Willow’s trip log cast suspicion, but didn’t prove anything. That’s why they’d had to let Willow go. But tampering with evidence was a criminal offense, which was why they had to stay quiet. They were in this together. Till death do us part, remember?

Elizabeth told Tracy that she needed to put Sonny on the board, but Tracy said it wasn’t Elizabeth’s place. Laura said, if it wasn’t hers, whose was it? Unlike them, Elizabeth worked there and was a respected member of the staff. Elizabeth said she’d treated patients in the Stone Cates AIDS wing and the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries – two wings that Sonny had donated. He’d also supported the Nurses Ball every single year and sent sandwiches anonymously to the night shift every Saturday… except they knew it was him. Tracy said her family had also been very generous. That wasn’t the point. Elizabeth said the point was that what made the hospital so special was that they would treat anyone and everyone who came through the doors. At least that’s what her grandmother Audrey used to always say. Was she wrong? Laura said, never once that she remembered, and Elizabeth said, and her grandfather, the hospital’s first Chief of Internal Medicine, dedicated his life to the citizens of Port Charles. Sonny was one of the main reasons the hospital was still there after 63 years, and she knew her grandparents would want him on the board. So maybe Tracy could put her personal feelings aside and think of General Hospital.

Lucas said, so all that talk about Britt being a better person was out the window because she didn’t have Huntington’s, and she asked if she was supposed to fall on her knees in gratitude every time she saw him. He said he would love that, but didn’t want her to lie, and she said, fine. He said he liked her better when she thought she was dying, and left.

Carly said Jack had the nerve to look her in the eye and tell her that he’d taken advantage of her daughter just because she was a great asset for the WSB, and he said her daughter was serving her country. She said, so was Valentin. He’d turned himself into the WSB to stop Cullum. What had Jack done lately? He said Valentin was a free man now, but she said he didn’t know that was going to happen. He was planning on going back to Steinmauer to save Josslyn and Charlotte, the people they loved. Jack didn’t understand love. He’d told her that himself. He said, don’t forget the other person Valentin would do anything to save. Anna was back in Port Charles.

Valentin told Anna that he was very lucky Z was willing to meet with him and luckier still that Z would hear him out and take him at his word. He got to Spoon Island just in time to airlift Josslyn to General Hospital. He saved her life. Anna said Leisl insisted that Cullum was in charge, not Cassius like the WSB claimed, and he said he’d never met Cassius, but knew Cullum was no hero. Anna said, Britt and Cassius said they were working with him, and he said, all he knew was, with Cullum dead… She said, and his name cleared, and he said he had his life back. She said she was so happy for him. Charlotte must be over the moon. He said she was. Lulu, however… She said he could afford to be generous to the mother of his child, and he said she was right. They all deserved second chances. He should go. He was very happy she was home and safe. She thanked him for coming to see her and he said wild horses couldn’t keep him away. They hugged.

Tracy told Sonny that Elizabeth was right about some things, and while he’d never get her vote, she wouldn’t stand in the way of his nomination. Laura said that sounded like a fair compromise, but after all this, did he still want to be on the board? He said if Tracy could put up with him, he could put up with her, and Laura said she thought the two of them could put up with just about anything, including each other, for the good of this hospital. Tracy agreed, and Laura said they’d work together to ensure a bright future for this hospital, and Tracy shook Sonny’s hand.

Brook thanked Chase for protecting her when he had every right to be disappointed in her, but he said he was disappointed in them. They both let something come between them. She said, never again, and he said, now they moved forward with no more lies, no more secrets, and they hugged.

Rocco told Charlotte that Danny was an ass. What was more important, that he’d saved Jason’s life or that he didn’t tell anyone about it? Charlotte said it was more complicated than that. Danny was worried about his dad. Was that so hard to get? She wished Rocco had told Danny what was going on with him. Rocco said he was so sick of his sister taking Danny’s side, and walked off.

Valentin said he’d see Anna around, and she said, perhaps even out in public. He left, and Peter said he hoped Anna wasn’t going to let Valentin distract her. She had important work to do. She said she knew.

Jason’s seatmate went to the hospital and told Elizabeth that he was Tristan Roberts, the new surgeon on staff. She said, welcome to General Hospital Dr. Roberts.

Carly told a nurse that she was there to see Josslyn, but she wasn’t in her room, and the nurse said Josslyn was in for some tests. They’d let her know when Josslyn was done. Carly sat down to wait.

A server asked if Britt wanted more coffee. Refills were free. Britt said, yeah, but she drew the line at 16. Hit her again.

Danny walked home and found Jason waiting at the boathouse. He flew to his father, hugging him, and Jason said he was home.

Tuesday:

Charlotte and Valentin showed up at Windymere where Dante was gathering evidence.

Jack wondered why he’d been summoned to Drew’s place when he was looking for his black box, but Willow said she had a more pressing problem.

Elizabeth and Tristan introduced themselves. She asked if he’d like a tour of the hospital, but Tracy interrupted wanting to talk to Elizabeth.

Jordan showed up at Portia’s house and asked her to say Isaiah had provoked Curtis. Curtis being found not guilty was better for everyone, especially the baby.

At Bobbie’s on the phone, Britt asked Carly to stop dodging her calls, when Isaiah walked in. He said he was glad she was back, and she said he was probably the only one.

Danny asked if Jason escaped, but Jason said he was home for good and a free man.

Willow told Jack about the cops questioning her regarding the accident, and Nina asked if he could make the trip log disappear, but he said it wasn’t necessary. They didn’t have any evidence, so it was a non-starter. Nina asked about the black box, and he said he’d been on his way to Spoon Island to look for it. Willow said they were running out of the paralytic drug and wouldn’t be able to control Drew much longer.

Valentin said he was going to buy Windymere back, but Dante said he didn’t think it was for sale. The WSB had seized it. Valentin was non-plussed and wanted to do a walk-through, so Dante asked Matthews to go with them. Charlotte left with Matthews, and Dante said he wasn’t happy Valentin was back. He asked Valentin to stop telling Charlotte that the impossible was possible, but Valentin said Dante didn’t know what was possible. Dante insinuated that Valentin wanted Charlotte to love him and reject Lulu, but had no idea the damage he was doing to his daughter.

Portia told Jordan that it wouldn’t be better for Isaiah, who was also suing Curtis in civil court. She wanted Curtis to take responsibility for what he’d done. Jordan said Curtis was generous in giving Portia the house, but Portia said there had been no strings attached and she wasn’t indebted to Curtis.

Isaiah said Portia would be relieved that Britt was back since her due date was coming up, and Britt was surprised there was no lecture. Isaiah said Britt hadn’t taken off on a whim and it wasn’t anyone’s business. He asked if Portia knew she was back, but she said she hadn’t even talked to GH about it.

Tristan said the tour could wait and he’d deal with his paperwork first. He left for HR, and Elizabeth asked Tracy not to scare him off. She wondered why Tracy wasn’t at the board meeting, and Tracy said she’d promised not to oppose Laura about Sonny and couldn’t be in the room when it happened. If he was on the board, people would think he decided how the hospital allocated its funds and that he was using the hospital to sanitize his reputation. Elizabeth said, like ELQ had done many times in the past.

Danny asked what had happened to Jason’s face, but Jason said it was fine. It didn’t matter. It was over. Danny asked why he’d been let go, but Jason said he didn’t know. 48 hours ago, he’d been released and put on a plane back to Port Charles. Danny said he hadn’t even told him yet, and Jason said, told who what?

Valentin said Lulu was pushing Charlotte away, but Dante said Charlotte needed her mother. Valentin said he thought Dante blamed Charlotte for some of Rocco’s more questionable decisions. It was better for everyone if Charlotte lived with him for a while. Lulu could still see her and the distance would ease the tension. He thought Dante was smart enough to know that Lulu had picked a fight she ultimately was going to lose.

Willow said she’d been forced to stretch out the drug and Drew was regaining his mobility, and Nina said they needed the proof now. She’d help Jack look at Windymere. She used to live there and could keep him from lying about what he did or didn’t find. She and Jack left.

Tracy said she hoped Elizabeth was right. She and her family had paid dearly for giving Sonny the benefit of the doubt.

Danny told Jason that let the WSB know about Rocco. Everyone lied about it, including Jason. Why did Jason let them take him away?

Dante said it was about what was best for Charlotte now, but soon it would be about what was best for Valentin. Valentin said he always put Charlotte first, but Dante said, if he did, he’d want her to be with Lulu for the stability she provided. Charlotte walked in and said, sorry, but stability wasn’t lying to your kids. Her dad treated her like she was 16 not 6, and that’s why she was choosing to live with him.

Portia asked Jordan to leave. She was sick of Jordan’s stand-by-your-man attitude. She’d used it when Portia and Curtis were still married. Jordan said Curtis had always been hers.

Elizabeth said she was sorry about Tracy, but Tristan said, board members were the same all over the world. She asked if he wanted the tour now, but he said jet lag was catching up and he had to look for his B&B. He asked if she’d heard of Bobbie’s, and she said it was a Port Charles staple, but not really a B&B. He said he’d booked it online, and she said it was definitely convenient and they had great BLTs.

Willow checked on Drew and said she knew he’d lied to Fitzpatrick, saying she hadn’t been there the night of Jordan’s accident. He thought he’d get her in trouble, but he’d suffer the consequences. She’d sent Scout to live with Alexis.

Jason said he’d made a split second decision after Rocco shot Cullum, and Danny said Rocco claimed he’d shot Cullum because he was about to kill Jason. Wouldn’t it have been self-defense or something? Jason said, Cullum was a well-decorated WSB director and neither of them would have been believed. All he could think was, what if it was Danny? He did what he had to do. Danny asked if he’d thought they may never see each other again.

Charlotte complained about what had been done to her room, but Valentin said it might take a while for them to move back in. In the meantime, he’d be at the MetroCourt. She wondered why he wasn’t staying with Carly, when Jack and Nina walked in.

Willow told Drew that Scout loved being able to see her aunts and brother whenever she wanted. She loved having Scout with her, but she couldn’t trust him. If he wasn’t so vindictive, she’d let him go, but she’d seen firsthand what he was like and wouldn’t let him destroy her life. The doorbell rang and Willow opened the door to Kai, who was there to pick up a hard copy of her proposal for the hospital. She invited him in, and he asked how Drew was. She said his physical condition was the same, but he was a fighter. It made him tired and she wished he’d learn to pick his battles.

Elizabeth asked Dante how Rocco was, and Dante said he was relieved Rocco was back home. He was there for a physical. He wanted to have everything ready for Anna to come back, but back to normal wasn’t working out so far. Did Elizabeth know Valentin was back in town?

Jason said he’d thought he’d have time to come up with a plan, and Danny said Jason threw his life away for something he hadn’t done. Jason said he was back and okay. The place he was held in was really bad and Danny wouldn’t have wanted Rocco to go through that. Danny said he was glad Rocco didn’t have to, but why did it always have to be his dad?

Tristan went to Bobbie’s and asked the manager about his room. She gave him his receipt and room key, when Britt came to the counter. She said that was her room, but Tristan said his name was on the receipt.

Danny said it had been rough. He couldn’t even get a message to Jason. Jason said he was sorry Danny got caught up in the consequences of his actions, but he couldn’t change the past. From now on being Danny’s father was his only priority. Nothing was more important, but he needed to know who Danny had talked to at the WSB. Danny said, Chief Brennan, but Brennan told him to drop it. Tracy came by and said she was glad Jason was back.

Portia said Isaiah’s career might be over, but Curtis hadn’t apologized or taken responsibility for his actions. Jordan said Isaiah provoked him, but Portia said Curtis wasn’t a child. Jordan said Portia assumed the trial would go her way, but it wasn’t a done deal. Curtis was going to make the argument that Isaiah was the other driver who’d left them to die. Why did Portia refuse to consider the possibility? Portia wanted to punish Curtis for being with her.

Dante told Elizabeth about Valentin and Charlotte showing up at Windymere and Valentin saying they were going to live there. Elizabeth asked if Lulu had agreed to let Charlotte live with Valentin, but he said, no. Valentin was going to make Lulu look like the bad guy. She said she was with Lulu on this one, but he said Charlotte was adamant that she wanted to live with her dad. She asked if something else was going on, and he said he was starting to think Charlotte was a bad influence on Rocco. (I’m starting to think Dante has a pattern of blaming everyone else for his kids’ problems.)

Jack introduced himself to Matthews and said Valentin was a free man thanks to his good advice. He was the one who’d told Valentin to go to the WSB, and Z obviously rewarded him with his freedom. Valentin said it was more complicated than that, and Jack said it always was. Charlotte asked why Nina was there.

Dante told Elizabeth that Charlotte was secretive and getting into trouble. He thought the pushback against Lulu was affecting Rocco, but Elizabeth said maybe he was just be being a normal teenager who wanted privacy. Dante said he didn’t want to know everything, but felt like Rocco helped hide Valentin, and Charlotte had blind faith in her father. It was making her reckless, and he was afraid it would rub off on Rocco. She asked if he was thinking about not letting Charlotte see Rocco anymore.

Jason told Tracy that he was a free man, and she said she was glad to see his face. She hadn’t known if she would again. He said he’d like to take Danny away for a few days if Danny wanted to go.

Britt said there had been a mistake, but Tristan told her to take it up with the landlord. She said Carly, the landlord, was dodging her calls. She’d had to leaved town unexpectedly and Carly had changed the locks. She’d just gotten out of jail and the key opened her room and the bathroom. It was a magic key. He asked why she’d been in jail, but she said that wasn’t important, and Isaiah said he was sure they could work something out. Britt said Tristan could give her the key and find another room. The Cosmopolitan was lovely. Tristan wondered why she didn’t move there, but she said she was low on funds. He said that was her problem, but she said she was making it his problem.

Willow went to get the proposal, and Drew knocked something over to get Kai’s attention.

Dante told Elizabeth that Charlotte and Lulu had a battle of wills going on and he was afraid it was going to make Rocco withdraw. It might not be a bad idea for Charlotte to live with Valentin, but he was staying out of it. Elizabeth said it was ultimately up to Lulu and Valentin, but Dante could vent to her. He said he owed her one, and she said, by now, he owed her three.

Isaiah said Britt was angry at the situation, not this guy personally, and Tristan said, this guy hasn’t slept in 36 hours. He was going upstairs to the room he had a key for. Good luck with the landlord. She told him, watch out for the bedbugs, but he said they’d be a welcome relief after her and went upstairs.

Tracy said she thought Jason and Danny going away was a good idea. Danny probably had questions and if Jason was going to confide in anyone, it would be him. Danny said he wanted to go, and Jason asked Tracy to tell Alexis. She said she’d be delighted to be his messenger and told them to have a good trip.

Nina said her brother died at Windymere. Even if he wasn’t Nathan, she wanted to understand what happened there. Valentin said if she wanted the truth, don’t waste her time around Jack, but Jack said he could say the same about Valentin. Jack asked Matthews to take Valentin and Charlotte to the launch, but Charlotte didn’t want to leave. Valentin said it was okay. They needed to talk to someone anyway. Charlotte said Jack and Nina used her to get to her father. She wouldn’t forget what they’d done. In the foyer, Charlotte said she hated that guy, and Valentin said she wasn’t alone. Don’t worry. It might take a while, but they’d get their house back. They left.

Nina asked where they started, but Jack said they had a bigger problem now. Valentin knew there was something there that they wanted. If he found the black box before they did, they were screwed.

Kai said Drew could move, and Drew moved his hand. Kai said it was great news. Willow would be so happy. Drew blinked twice for no, and Kai said, he didn’t want Willow to know? Drew blinked once for yes, when Willow came back and said she’d thought she heard a noise. Kai said he’d just knocked something over and took the proposal from her. He said she’d have it tomorrow and left. Willow said she didn’t believe Kai knocked anything over. He wasn’t clumsy and had good reflexes. Drew tried to signal him, didn’t he? It would be so much easier if she could trust him. How did he think this was going to end? She flashed back to Jack saying, you could always kill him, and told Drew that she was warning him. Don’t force her hand. She was never letting her kids get taken away from her again.

Jordan said Portia wanted to punish Curtis for choosing her, and Portia said, only after she chose Isaiah. She was the one who left Curtis. Jordan said Portia didn’t leave, she’d cheated, and only came clean when she was on the stand. Portia told her to go and enjoy the time she had with Curtis. It was only a matter of time before they imploded. They’d failed once and would again. Jordan left, when Portia doubled over in pain. She sank to the floor and said, oh no.

Wednesday:

Portia groaned and clutched her baby bump.

Curtis sat with Stella at a table by the pool and asked, what’s the occasion? He had the feeling she had more in mind than a delicious meal and sparkling conversation. She said she had something to tell him. She knew Trina had been keeping her distance from him and Portia and her showcase was tonight.

Trina and Gio met Brook at a studio, and Brook said, when the execs got there, they’d both blow them away. They could offer Trina a record deal, and if they didn’t, they weren’t the right fit. She thought this would be a good space for them to do the showcase because it was more intimate, and Gio said they also had better control over the acoustics. Brook said she’d be right back, and Trina told Gio that it was a mistake. She couldn’t do this.

Carly flashed back to Jack telling her that Anna was back, when Valentin approached. He said she was far too beautiful to look so troubled.

Anna went to see Josslyn at the hospital and asked how she was. Josslyn said she was getting there. How was Anna? Anna said, same. She was hoping Josslyn could get her across the finish line.

Michael dropped the kids off with Willow, and Wiley asked if Michael could stay for dinner.

Nina wondered how much time they had before Valentin came back and tried to find out what they were after, and Jack said, not long. Nina said they needed something to make Drew back off before he fully recovered.

Drew moved his finger.

Josslyn asked if Valentin hadn’t talked to Anna, and Anna thanked her for sending him. But Obrecht maintained it was Cullum who’d been the mastermind behind all of this, and suggested she talk to Josslyn. Anna wanted a second opinion. Josslyn told her about breaking into Windymere during the blizzard and running into Cullum. He’d bought her cover story and told her that he was the groundskeeper, but she knew something was off. When he left the room, she found cigarillos and a copy of The Crystalline Conspiracy. The woman on the cover looked exactly like Anna.

Carly said she’d just been thinking about Josslyn, and asked how Charlotte was. Valentin said she was fine. He’d taken her to Windymere. He wanted it to be her home again, but his assets were frozen, so it might take a while. She said he could stay at the MetroCourt, but he said he didn’t want to freeload. She said she’d fed and housed him for months in her attic, when Britt approached the table and asked why Carly always had to be such a spiteful bitch.

Portia asked the baby to wait, then yelled out in pain, when Jordan came back.

Josslyn said Cassius claimed to have no knowledge of Anna’s kidnapping until after the fact, and Anna asked if she believed him. Josslyn said she wanted to, but had no concrete proof, and Anna asked if Cassius hadn’t kidnapped her. Josslyn said, yes, but she thought it was a last resort. He’d had opportunities to take her out, but didn’t, and protected her from Cullum. Anna asked if she would say Cassius was working for Cullum rather than with him, and Josslyn said that was the dynamic she’d witnessed. She thought there were parts of Cassius that were good. He wanted to be worthy of Nathan and at times tried to be, but it still made him responsible for what happened to Anna. That’s what made it worth destroying his reputation in exchange for Jason and Valentin’s freedom.

Valentin said Britt may want to rethink her opening, and Carly asked him to give them a minute. He said, of course (🍷), and stepped away. Britt said Carly had changed the locks and rented out her room to some guy. That was low, even for her. Carly said Britt had disappeared, and Britt said she was running for her life. Carly asked if Britt had to kidnap her cousin, and Britt said she didn’t kidnap him, but Carly said she had no reason to think Britt would be back and if she was, she’d be going to jail. Britt asked where her things were, and Carly said they were gone.

Nina told Jack that the west turret was vast and secluded. His black box could easily disappear there. He said he’d follow her lead, but then suddenly sat down.

Willow said she and Michael had to sync up their calendars and told the kids to check their bedrooms for presents from Grandma Nina. When they were gone, Willow said Michael’s last attempt to frame her failed.

Trina said, what if they hated her? but Gio said that wasn’t possible. She said they saw a lot of talented people and didn’t know anything about her, but he said all they needed to know was that she was great. Don’t sing to them. Sing to him. Or imagine singing to Kai or Emma or Josslyn or Stella, or even her parents. She had so many people in her corner, just sing to them like they were all there. In a way, they were. Brook came back and said Trina was on in 5.

At the pool, Kai said Trina’s showcase would be starting soon, and Emma said they had to relax, chill, send out good vibes, and stop doing whatever this was. Trina and Gio promised to text them when it was over and they’d agreed to give them space. Kai said the not knowing was driving him crazy. He hoped Trina could put what was going on with her parents aside and focus on singing.

Curtis thanked Stella for telling him about the showcase, even though he would have preferred to hear it from Trina. Stella said Trina needed some distance right now and they needed to respect that. He said they had. He and Portia were going through some rough times and Trina always seemed to get caught in the middle, so he had to support that even if he hated it. Stella said it wouldn’t be forever and when the baby came, they’d all start to heal. The families would come together and Trina would follow. He said it would be easier said than done with the trial looming, and she said Portia would be called to the stand. He said they’d just have to live with it. Whatever peace their child brought them would be short-lived.

Portia said she thought she’d told Jordan to leave, but Jordan said she was halfway down the walk when she heard Portia scream. Was it the baby? Portia said she was in labor, and Jordan asked if she could make it to the car, but Portia said her water broke and her contractions were close together. An ambulance was the only way she’d make it in time. Jordan called 911.

Brook introduced Gio and Trina to Jillian, Senior Manager of A&R, and Simon, Vice President of A&R. Simon said Brook had sung their praises to the rafters, and when that happened, they listened, and Trina thanked them. Brook told them to get ready, and Trina and Gio left. Simon asked if Gio was Brook’s son, and she said, yes. He was a talented musician in his own right. Trina deserved the best. He said Brook had always had a keen eye for talent, and Brook said Trina was a serious talent.

Jordan said an ambulance would be there as soon as possible, and Portia said they had to hurry. Otherwise, Jordan would have to deliver this baby.

Curtis saw Valentin, who asked about Jordan, and Curtis said she was healing. More important, she was alive and that was thanks to him. He owed Valentin one. Valentin said if Curtis had told the police, he would have been picked up months ago, but Curtis said there was no way he was giving Valentin up after he’d saved their lives. He hated that he had to ask Valentin for help again.

Carly said the police confiscated most of Britt’s things and she’d donated the rest, and Britt said Carly should have wanted to help her since she’d saved Josslyn when a maniac wanted to skewer her with a hook. Carly said she’d always be grateful for that, and Britt said she had a funny way of showing it. Plus, Jason would have wanted her to help. Carly said she did care what Jason wanted, but he wasn’t there, in no small part thanks to Britt. Britt was a wrecking ball, especially when it came to her own life, and the only person she had to blame was herself. Stop acting like the world owed her something and fix her life her own damn self. Carly walked off.

Willow told Michael about the trip log, but he said if someone was trying to frame her, it wasn’t him. She said he and his deranged family were the only ones who had something to gain from this, and he said she was a politician now, but she said none of her political rivals had anything to gain from her losing custody of her kids. He said it wasn’t him, and she said, not that it mattered. The PCPD had moved on, so she was in the clear. He congratulated her for not almost killing Curtis and Jordan the way she’d almost killed Drew, but she said she’d been exonerated. He said, acquitted. It wasn’t the same thing. Quit complaining when she’d gotten exactly what she wanted.

Drew moved his feet and hands, when the door opened. He made a fist.

Anna said the WSB statement exonerated Cullum and laid the blame for everything at Cassius’s feet, and Josslyn said, Cullum and Cassius both died on Spoon Island. She was the only witness, so she’d offered the Bureau a narrative that would help them save face, and she got Jason and Valentin home. Anna said, well played. But pointing the finger at Cassius may come back to bite her. Josslyn said she could handle Obrecht and Britt yelling at her, but Anna said it wasn’t just his loved ones she had to worry about. Was she asked to make that statement or had she offered? Josslyn said it was her idea, and Anna said, so the Bureau did her a favor. At some point, they’d ask her to reciprocate. She might not like what they asked her to do.

Curtis told Valentin that the other driver didn’t stop and didn’t come forward either. The police had determined a black BMW collided with the guardrail, so he wondered if Valentin remembered seeing a car. He needed to identify the other driver. Valentin flashed back to telling Carly to get Charlotte and Danny, and told Curtis that the other car would have been gone long before he got there.

Portia threw one of her shoes and screamed, where are they? Jordan said maybe some construction had slowed them down, and Portia said she thought they were going to have to do this themselves. Jordan suggested calling someone else. Maybe Isaiah or Britt. Literally anyone else. Portia said the baby was coming, and Jordan said she wasn’t a doctor. Could Portia stall? Portia said Jordan used to be a cop. She never delivered a baby? (My thought exactly.) Jordan said, once, a long time ago, and Portia said it was something you never forgot. She’d have to walk Jordan through it. Jordan said, we’re doing this. Let’s bring your baby into the world.

Valentin asked how it went with Britt, and Carly said, the usual. Me, me, me, me, me, Jason, me, me, me, me, me. He said he had to go, and she asked if Charlotte was okay. He said it wasn’t Charlotte. There was something else he had to do. He kissed her and asked if it was okay in this place, and she said it was more than okay.

Nina brought Jack some water, and he said he was just getting his sea legs, but she said if he kept pushing himself this hard, he’d have a real stroke. He said he was just doing it for her. She was the one who needed what was in the box because she and her daughter couldn’t take down Drew by shooting or drugging him.

Drew saw Wiley and Amelia and waved. Wiley said, Drew waved. That’s really good. Drew put a finger to his lips.

Simon said, ready when you are, and Trina sang.

Willow asked why she’d want to be framed, and Michael said, why else? It sent Chase running to her rescue and she loved that. She said it might be hard for him to understand, but Chase was her friend. He still saw the good in her. Michael said, what little there was left. She used to have so much. She said, then she married him. The real reason he was so angry with her was because she’d learned she didn’t have to depend on him. She was thriving without him and he couldn’t stand it. The kids came back and Amelia said, mommy, look. Wiley held a game box and Amelia carried a locked box wrapped in cellophane.

Nina said she’d check out the west turret, and Jack said he’d check out other rooms on that floor, but Nina said he’d collapse in one of them. Then she’d have to search for his unconscious body. No. Just stay there. She had this. She left, and we saw a hooded figure sneaking around.

Stella found Britt at the bar and asked if everything was okay, but Britt said nothing was okay. She thanked Stella for asking, and Stella asked if she could help. Britt said, no, but thank you again. She appreciated Stella and her kindness. Stella was one of the few people at GH who managed to make her days better. Stella said she was glad she could make a difference, and Britt said she always did. She wanted to make a difference again too. She hoped to be back at GH soon. Stella said, don’t get her wrong. Britt was a fabulous doctor and her patients loved her, but this little vacation wasn’t the first time she’d disappeared. Britt said it wasn’t her fault. She was a magnet for sociopaths. Stella said, regardless of whose fault it was, there were just so many times you could let people down before they stopped leaving the door open.

Kai told Emma, it killed him that Gio had to be convinced to play. He had music in his soul. Emma agreed, but said, ever since he found out Brook and Dante were his parents… Kai said, he smashed his violin at the Nurses Ball, and she said the violin had been a gift from Gio’s late mother… Okay, the woman who raised him and taught him about music. Ever since then, he only picked up a violin once. Ned and Sonny bought him a violin for Christmas. Leo found it and Gio had played it because he didn’t want to hurt Leo’s feelings. Tonight was a big deal for him too. Kai asked if she was hoping it would bring music back to Gio, and she said, yeah. Gio hadn’t made peace yet with his mom’s memory and how much he loved her. She felt like him playing again would be this ultimate sign of acceptance and forgiveness. Gio’s love and passion for music were taken from him and now he had to be the one to take it back.

Simon said Brook’s son was a downright virtuoso. He had an artist he’d love to pair Gio with. Brook said she appreciated that, but tonight was about Trina.

Gio said Trina totally killed it. It was perfect. Simon came in and said he’d like to hear it again. Trina was holding back. Show him who she was when she let loose.

Jordan told Portia, keep pushing. She was doing good. She had this. Portia said she didn’t know about that, but this baby was coming, and Jordan said she was as ready as she was ever going to be. Just tell her what to do. Portia said, support the head when it crowns and don’t pull. Just let the baby come to her. Was she ready? Jordan said, nope, but this baby is. So let’s do this. Now push… She said she saw the head. Push. Portia could do this.

Carly approached Emma and said she wanted to ask about Emma’s grandmother. She heard Anna was back in town. She must have been happy to see Emma. Emma said she thought Anna was happy to be home period. Everyone had been really helpful, especially Valentin.

Anna said she wanted to talk to Josslyn about something before she left, and Josslyn said, of course (🍷). Anna said, even though Josslyn arranged for Cassius to take the fall for all of this, the truth was, Josslyn didn’t really know how involved he was in the original plan. Or his years before his arrival there. Or if her abduction was his idea. Josslyn said she didn’t know any of that. She was sorry. Anna said the weaponizing of Faison’s obsession with her to torture her… Did Josslyn think it was Cullum’s idea or Cassius’s? Josslyn said if she had to guess, she’d say it was Cullum’s doing, and Anna said, but she couldn’t swear to it. Josslyn said, no. She was really sorry for everything Anna went through. Anna said she was really sorry for everything Josslyn went through and thanked her for sharing, and Josslyn said she’d let Anna know if she thought of anything else, but Anna said, just rest. With the life she’d signed up for, she’d need her rest. It was good to see her. Get well.

Anna left Josslyn’s room and saw Britt. She said they were just talking about Britt’s father – she saw Peter standing behind Britt – and her brother.

Wiley said Grandma Nina had gotten them a new board game and asked if Michael could stay and play with them, but Willow said he had to get going. Michael said she was right, but be good, okay? He hugged the kids and left, and Willow said, let’s see what this game’s about. Wiley told her that it said on the box it was for four players, but Willow said, don’t worry. They could make anything work, just the three of them.

Drew licked his lips and said, Willow…

Nina came back and told Jack, there was nothing. She thought they should come back tomorrow. It was late and he was exhausted. He said she didn’t have to sell him on that, but he thought they should go about this in a different way. The box had an infrared tag on it. They could use a scanner to find it. She said, wait. What? Why hadn’t they been using it this whole time? He said because borrowing a scanner from the WSB would draw attention. Ever since the Cullum debacle they were watching like hawks, so this being off the books… She said, it would be too risky, and he said, yes. She said they had to get their hands on it soon because they needed what was in that black box before Drew literally started talking. They walked to the door, and Nina said she was sensing a little bit of attitude. Don’t forget, she saved his life. He said, as if she’d ever let him, and they left. The hooded figure skulked around and took a black case from a secret space in the cellar.

Stella asked if she’d just seen Curtis have a friendly conversation with Valentin, and he said he wanted to thank Valentin for saving him and Jordan the night of the accident. She said he’d never told her about that, and he said he never told anyone. He guessed he should have told the police. She said, not much of a thank you, and he said that’s the way he saw it, but Valentin was a free man, so he could ask Valentin to come forward, see if he saw Isaiah behind the wheel the night of the crash, but no such luck. She said maybe that was for the best. He had a lot going on right now and this baby was coming whether he had it sorted out or not. Let the cops focus on who was driving the car, while he focused on this baby.

Trina sang again, and Simon smiled at Brook.

As Trina sang, Portia asked where her baby was. She didn’t hear her baby. Jordan held the baby, who started to cry. She handed him to Portia and said, congratulations. It’s a boy. Portia told the baby that she loved him and thanked Jordan.

Thursday:

Kai and Emma waited at the pool to hear from Gio and Trina. Kai started to think something went wrong, when Gio and Trina walked in. Emma asked how it went, and Trina said it wasn’t what they’d expected… The execs wanted to sign both of them as a duo. Kai hugged Trina.

Anna brought Britt into a hospital stairwell to speak privately, and asked if Britt knew her brother was holding her captive at Windymere.

Molly went to the stables, and Cody said it was agreed James needed to know Cassius wasn’t his real father. He had to figure out what to tell James. Maxie and Spinelli wouldn’t be there and breaking the news was all on him.

Obrecht went to see Josslyn, and Josslyn asked how she was. Obrecht said she was devastated, and Josslyn said she was sorry about Cassius. Obrecht said, the same son who’d saved Josslyn’s life and whose name she was defaming?

At the hospital, Jordan told Curtis that Portia and the baby were doing great, and he thanked her for calling. She asked what he was waiting for, and Stella said she’d call Trina. Curtis left, and Stella asked why Jordan had been with Portia when she’d had the baby.

Curtis went into Portia’s room where she was holding the baby.

Britt said Cassius hadn’t told her anything he was up to, but Anna found it hard to believe. Britt knew from the beginning he wasn’t Nathan, yet she’d said nothing. Why didn’t she tell anyone?

Obrecht said, the WSB blamed Cassius for Cullum’s crimes and said Cullum died a hero trying to stop him, and Josslyn said, unfortunately, that’s what happened. She was the one who told them.

Molly said James would hate who told him, but Cody said that’s why he had to do it. He loved James, but James didn’t need him the same way he needed his family. He was prepared to lose James. How did he tell him? He’d idolized his father and he had to break James’s heart. She said Cody was doing for him what Cassius couldn’t – telling him the truth.

Gio said it was Trina’s idea, and Trina said she’d had a bout of stage fright and he’d talked her off the ledge. Emma and Kai still wanted to know how the showcase went, and Gio said they performed their song from the recording booth. Trina said they thought it went well, but they’d had to do it a second time, then silence. Gio said, then his mom came back and said they loved it. He and Trina sang a duet and they were signed right then and there. Trina said now they wanted them to put a set together and open for one of their more established bands

Jordan said she’d been hoping to make peace with Portia when she went into labor, but the there wasn’t time to get her to the hospital. Stella asked if Jordan was saying she’d delivered the baby, and Jordan said she was heavily coached by Portia, but yeah. That baby was ready to meet the world. Stella hugged her, and Jordan said, Portia was really something. It was a beautiful moment she’d never forget.

Portia apologized for not calling Curtis and said the baby was perfect. Would he like to hold his son?

Stella told Isaiah that Portia had the baby, and he asked if she was okay. Stella said they were at the hospital, but she hadn’t seen them yet. Portia went into labor at home and Jordan happened to be with her and delivered the baby. They did real well. Isaiah wanted to see Portia, but Stella said Curtis was with her and suggested he give them some space.

Curtis took the baby and said he was perfect. Welcome to the world. Portia told him to introduce himself, and he said, I’m your father.

Stella called Trina about the baby, and she said she’d be right there. She told the others that her mom had the baby.

Anna said, they told Britt she was dying so she’d build the prototype, and Britt said, yes. Anna said, it was perverse, but also kind of genius. It kept Britt under their thumb in a way the threat of killing her wouldn’t have. Britt said it made her think she needed them, and Anna said it was a great part of Faison’s playbook. Britt said he was dead, and Anna said she was aware, but he did teach Britt’s brother everything he knew.

Obrecht said Cassius made the perfect scapegoat. How convenient he wasn’t there to defend himself. She could see why the WSB would make up this story. They couldn’t withstand another scandal. But why would Josslyn go along with it? Perhaps she should go to the press. Josslyn said, that would be a mistake. It would draw attention to the Bureau and Obrecht didn’t want that. Trust her. Obrecht said she used to. So did Cassius. Josslyn was dragging her son’s name thought the mud after he’d risked his life to save them and stop Cullum. Josslyn said that’s what Cassius wanted them to think.

Molly said by telling James the truth and letting James hate him, Cody was demonstrating how much he loved James. James might forget he was a great guy for a little while, but one day he’d appreciate Cody’s honesty. Felicia brought James in and he hugged Cody. He said he missed Cody, and Cody said he missed James too. He asked James to help him in the tack room. They needed to talk about something.

Portia said the baby didn’t cry right away and it was like a nightmare. But then he let out this huge wail and this man got some pipes on him. Curtis said his dad would love to hear that. He had to call him. Portia said she was sorry. She knew Curtis had wanted to be there for the birth. Curtis said he knew how badly she wanted to give birth in the hospital, but sometimes life just changed plans on them. He was there now and that’s all that mattered. He wondered if it was natural to feel overwhelmed, and she said she hoped so, since she felt the same way. He asked if she’d given any thought to a name, when Isaiah came in.

Gio brought out some champagne and said he wished Emma could have heard Trina sing. She was amazing. She came alive when she performed. Emma said, so did he, and he asked what she wasn’t saying. She said she knew this had always been Trina’s fantasy dream, but she was wondering if it was his.

Anna said Faison raised Cassius, so it made sense that Britt’s brother would know what kind of mind games would get inside her head. Britt said she was sorry for what happened to Anna, but Anna was home. She had people who loved her, who were happy to have her back. Anna was lucky because the alternative sucked. Local pariah reporting for duty. She wasn’t even good enough to rent a room above a diner. Anna wondered if Britt was asking for her sympathy, but Britt said she was asking for Anna’s understanding, because they had a lot more in common than Anna thought.

Josslyn said Cassius had Obrecht convinced that he wanted to change his life and be more like Nathan, and Obrecht said, he was well on his way. Josslyn said she bought that too. That’s why she’d run out to help him, but Cassius repaid her with a bullet. Obrecht said she was confused, but Josslyn said she watched Cassius take aim and shoot. She knew it was hard for Obrecht to accept, but Cassius was just trading on her love. That was the one way he could get her to finish Britt’s work, which was all he cared about. Obrecht said she didn’t believe Josslyn. Cassius loved her. Josslyn said Nathan loved her. The son she should be grieving died years ago. Obrecht said she didn’t know what was in Cassius’s heart, but Josslyn said she did. He wasn’t worth it and holding onto him would only make it more painful for Obrecht and James.

James told Cody that his dad died and nobody would talk about him. He’d helped people and saved people’s lives. Cody asked if he remembered what his dad said to him the other day at the batting cages, that James would probably hear bad things about him and some of those things would be true. James said, yeah, and Cody said this would sound crazy, but the bad thing he did was pretend to be James’s father.

Isaiah said he wanted to offer Portia his congratulations, and she thanked him. He asked how she was feeling. He heard she had quite the delivery. She said she was doing great, and he asked about the baby. She said the baby was even better. It was a boy. Curtis said if Isaiah wouldn’t mind, it was kind of a private moment, and Isaiah said, understood. He’d come back later. He gave Portia a quick kiss and said her son was beautiful. He told Curtis, congratulations, and left.

Trina arrived at the hospital and asked Stella if everyone was okay. Stella said they were fine, and Jordan said, congratulations, big sister. Trina asked if Jordan had come with her dad, but Stella said Jordan was with Trina’s mom when she went into labor and she delivered the baby on the floor in her mom’s living room.

Emma said she’d gotten the feeling Gio would have played for Trina’s sake, regardless of whether it was something he wanted or not, and Gio said he probably would. Trina had insane talent, but she was most comfortable with him backing her. Emma said it was one thing to help Trina and another to sign an entire contract, and he said he felt confident about signing it. His mom had taught him about contracts because she’d made a mistake early in her career. They retained creative control, artistic freedom, and the executives were going to help develop them. Emma said all that was great, but he hadn’t answered her question, and he wondered if she didn’t want him to sign the contract.

Isaiah told Trina to go say hi to her little brother, and Kai said he’d wait for her out there. Trina left and Kai excused himself. Jordan said she was going to head home and asked Stella to let Curtis know she got a Ride Share back to Portia’s house to get her car, but Stella said the least she could do was drive Jordan. Jordan said, only if she met the baby first, and Stella said, okay, deal. But what about her? Jordan said she’d already met him, but Stella said Curtis had made Jordan part of this family again. Don’t run away from it.

Trina went into Portia’s room and said she heard the baby came early to the party. Portia said, he was in a hurry to meet his big sister, and Trina went to the bassinet and tickled the baby’s tummy.

James said that was his father, and Cody said they’d all believed that too. They were wrong. James said, no, and Cody said James’s father, Nathan West, died before he was born. The man he believed was Nathan, his name was Cassius. He was Nathan’s identical twin brother and lied to everyone about who he was. He hated to have to tell James, but he’d promised he’d never lie to him. He tried to put his arm around James, but James scooted away. Cody said he was so sorry, but James’s dad never came back.

Josslyn said she could understand why it was hard for Obrecht to accept. Cassius was very convincing. She wanted to see the best in him too, but he wasn’t a good man. He was very smart and knew what Obrecht wanted to hear. She was sorry things turned out this way. Obrecht wished her a speedy recovery and left.

Britt said she knew how painful it was for Anna because she was manipulated too. She’d spent years thinking she was going to die a horrible death, but it was all lies. She’d been tricked into thinking she was going to die, just like they’d tricked Anna into thinking Faison was alive. But it was over now and they had to put it behind them and move forward. Anna said that would be very convenient for Britt. She’d allied herself with Cassius because they both preyed on human weaknesses. Just like their father.

Trina said the baby was falling back to sleep, and Curtis said the baby had a doozy of a night. Trina asked what they were going to call him, but Portia said they didn’t know. They were waiting until they met him. Curtis said, as soon as they decided… and Trina said, first to know. Portia said, absolutely, and Trina said she was so happy for them. He was perfect. Curtis said he took after his big sister and was lucky to have her in his life, and Trina said she loved Portia and hugged her.

Emma said she loved Gio no matter what. If he wanted to be a lifeguard or work at Bobbie’s or wanted to go back to school, that’s what she wanted for him. He didn’t have to be a musician to make her happy, or Trina for that matter. If he wanted to take a step back, he should. She was sure Trina would understand. He asked if he could talk now. He couldn’t say if he wanted music to be his profession, but this was a good test. He’d be able to try it out and if it wasn’t for him anymore, he’d know. But if he didn’t do this now, he’d always wonder what might have been.

Britt told Anna that her dad was a literal nightmare. Maybe Cassius didn’t fall far from the family tree, but she was nothing like them. Anna reminded her about how she’d manipulated Patrick when she first came to town. She’d had zero compassion for a child who’d just lost her mother. Britt said, not her finest moment, but even Anna had to admit it didn’t compare to anything her father had done. Anna told her to stop lying to herself. She’d built that prototype out of selfishness. Britt said she didn’t want to die a slow, horrible death, but that didn’t mean she was out to hurt people, and Anna said Britt never was, but she did, over and over again. There was only one good Faison and he’d been dead eight years.

James said Cody was wrong. That was his dad. Cody said James had every reason to believe that, and James said his dad told him that no matter what, he’d always be his dad and he would always love him. Cody said he was there. Cassius did say he loved James, and he did, but he didn’t say he was James’s dad. James said Cody was a liar. Take that back right now. In the other room, Felicia and Molly heard James say, take it back, when Obrecht walked in. James said, it’s not true, and Obrecht said, James has been told. James ran out and into Obrecht’s arms. He said Cody was lying about his father, and she said she was so sorry, but he wasn’t. James said tell him that Cody was lying, and Obrecht said she wished she could. James said he was his dad, wasn’t he?

Gio and Emma slow danced by the pool, and then kissed.

Trina said she had a little brother, and Kai said it was crazy, wasn’t it? The same day she got her big break, her little brother was born. It was one for the record books. She said she couldn’t wait for all of it.

Isaiah asked if the rumors were true that Jordan helped deliver Portia’s baby, and she said, guilty as charged. He said he was grateful she was there, and she said she was grateful she could help Portia. Maybe it was a sign of good things to come.

Stella said the baby had Curtis’s eyes and Portia’s mouth. There was not a better looking baby in this hospital. Portia agreed with her, and Stella told the baby that they were going to have a lot of fun together. They’d talk when he got older. As for Curtis and Portia, she hoped this was a wake-up call. Their lives were no longer about them and their troubles. It was about their son. So for his sake, straighten up and get their acts together.

Anna said she was deceived once by Cassius and wouldn’t be deceived again. Certainly not by Britt. Britt said, got it. Good talk. Anna asked if they had an understanding, and Britt said she understood it was best if they stayed out of each other’s way, and she left.

Josslyn flashed back to Cassius telling her that his life would have been easier had he killed her, but he’d promised he wouldn’t and kept his promise. She said she was alive, but still captive, even though he’d had opportunities to let her go, and he said, believe what she wanted, but when this was all over and she was still breathing, she’d know he kept his word. In the present, she said she was sorry. I’m so sorry, Cassius.

Obrecht told James that his wonderful, adoring father was Nathan West and he loved James very much, but sadly, he died years ago. James said, no, but she said, yes. The man who came to them last year was James’s uncle. He was his father’s twin brother. They all believed him too, but he was lying. He didn’t tell any of them the truth of who he really was. James said he missed him, and Obrecht said so did she. She thought she had her son back. He asked if she was sad, and she said, extremely. But did he want to hear the good news? They had so many people in their lives who loved them, especially him. People who would never even dream of lying to him. He had his mother, and Spinelli, his sisters, Felicia, and Mac and her. Cody said James had him too, and Obrecht said, of course (🍷). How could she forget? James said, no. He didn’t love Cody anymore. Obrecht said he didn’t mean that, but he said he did. He never wanted to see Cody again. He ran out

🌞 Summer Friday…

Carly brought Donna’s bag to Sonny. She was so excited to play Tron, she forgot it. Sonny said Donna told him that she had to practice to beat Wiley, but Carly said she thought Donna was more excited to play with him. He said that was because he was the tuneup before the main event, and she told him to have fun, but try to do something else that didn’t involve screens. She started to leave, and he said she seemed like she was in a hurry. She said she had plans with a friend, and he asked, who’s the friend? Anybody in particular he would know?

Jack led Nina into the Brown Dog and she said, come on. He was exhausted and nearly collapsed earlier. He ordered two whiskeys, neat, and she said, make hers top shelf. She dusted herself off and said she hadn’t exactly been dressed to shlep around Spoon Island. He told her to send the dry cleaning bill to Drew. They had to move fast to get the evidence against him. Their window of opportunity was closing. He threw back his shot and gestured for another, and she said, tough day. He said, tough month.

At a nearby booth, Lulu told Ethan that Charlotte had decided she was public enemy number one now that Valentin was back. Not back, here still. Ethan asked how long he’d been back, and she said, months. Charlotte had been sneaking out for months to see him. He said she couldn’t do that to herself on top of everything else she’d been doing, and she asked if he meant Rocco. He said, yeah, and also the not so pleasant thing she had to talk about. She asked if he meant Britt getting off scot-free for taking her son to a foreign country, and he said, no… Yes. But he was referring to the fact that the guy she’d been dating was lying about his identity.

Ava brought Brook a present for Baby Phoebe in celebration of her adoption proceedings. She was glad everything was working out for Brook and Chase.

Molly found Cody at the stables and said Dr. Obrecht was taking James home. Felicia had pulled her aside and asked her to thank him. He said he knew telling James about Cassius was going to be hard and knew this was coming, but didn’t know it would hurt this much.

Josslyn pushed her food tray away, when Trina came in. She asked why she just heard that her best friend was in the hospital with a gunshot wound. What happened to her?

Lulu said she’d risked her friendship with Maxie over someone who was a total fraud, but Ethan said it wasn’t her fault. Cassius was lying about his name and some other things, but that didn’t mean he was lying about everything. He brought a lot of attention to himself getting involved with her. If his feelings weren’t real, why take the risk? He wouldn’t be the first con man whose heart got him way in over his head.

Nina asked how motivated Jack was to find the black box. Sometimes she thought he didn’t care if she and Willow went down for what happened to Drew. Jack said that wasn’t true. He was the WSB Station Chief in Port Charles and the Cullum disaster happened on his watch. He could only imagine that his superiors were now deciding whether or not to transfer him to a subbasement in Antarctica. She said they couldn’t let that happen, and he said having Willow advocate for him could keep him on the continent. Nina scratching her Cartullos didn’t even scratch the surface of what she was doing for her daughter. Where did she draw the line? She said there was no line. She would go anywhere and do anything for her daughter.

Brook said she and Chase were so grateful to Ava for using her connections to help Alexis find Phoebe’s biological father. Ava said there was no need to thank her. She’d been compensated well in the form of exceptional travel and accommodations. She assumed everything was moving smoothly. Brook said, as far as they could tell. Once Alexis communicated with Phoebe’s father, they submitted their adoption petition before she could become a ward of the state. Ava said she was sure Phoebe’s father was happy that she was living in such a beautiful home with parents who adored her, and Brook said she hoped so, but she’d like to offer him some assurance directly if that were possible.

Molly said, as painful as it was, Cody did the right thing, and Cody asked if he was a dumbass for being the one to tell him. Molly said, no. It was the most selfless, loving thing she’d ever seen a person do. He wasn’t a dumbass. He was the hero.

Carly said she had her life and Sonny had his, and Sonny said, as long as it didn’t impact their daughter. Had she introduced Donna to Valentin? Carly said, no. Valentin had nothing to do with Donna. He said, except they were living under the same roof for months and she hadn’t told him, but she said it was a non-issue. Valentin was free. He asked if she thought that made it better that his enemies didn’t have to hunt for him. He was out in the open with a target on his back and in her bed. She said that’s what was bothering him, but he said what was bothering him was if Valentin got any closer to his daughter. He didn’t want Carly in danger either, but she was an adult and got to make her own decisions. She said, and he got to respect them. If he didn’t, he had to live with them. She started to walk out and ran into Brick. Brick said if he was only catching her on his way out, his timing must be slipping, and she said it was good to see him. He said he wasn’t in town long, and she said, let her guess. He and Sonny had business to discuss. Sonny said, that’s right, and she told Sonny, and her life was the problem? She’d see Brick later. She left, and Brick asked if everything was okay. Things between Sonny and Carly seemed scratchy. Sonny said, everything was fine. It was just a good thing Brick got there when he did.

Trina said Aunt Stella told her that Josslyn had been admitted. Good thing she was already at the hospital. Josslyn asked if Trina was okay, and Trina said she was fine. Her mom had the baby. It was a boy. Josslyn said, congratulations, and Trina said Josslyn’s mom told her that Josslyn was out of town and she hadn’t heard from her in months. And now this? How did they get from her going out of town for some mysterious reason and taking a bullet and ending up in the hospital? Josslyn said the answer was simple, but the reasons were complicated, and Trina told her to start simple and truthful. How did she get shot? Josslyn said she got shot in the line of duty. She was a WSB agent.

Carly came home to find Valentin and the moss bowl🎍cooking in Sonny’s old kitchen. She said, you again, and he said just because he wasn’t hiding in her attic didn’t mean he couldn’t break in and make her coq au vin. She kissed him and said she really needed this tonight. She went by Sonny’s to drop off Donna and he had a few choice words for her. Valentin said, about him? and she said, mm-hmm, but Sonny didn’t get to tell her what to do or decide who was waiting for her in Sonny’s old her kitchen when she got home. They kissed again.

Josslyn said she knew Trina must have a lot of questions and she’d answer what she could, and Trina said her first question was, why would Josslyn join the WSB? Josslyn said, Dex. After he was murdered, she felt like nobody was doing anything. She had to find out who killed him and her mom was seeing Jack Brennan. She asked him questions, hoping he could lead her to who killed Dex. Trina asked if he did, and Josslyn said he helped her find evidence that led to Cyrus Renault. Then he recruited her. Trina said Josslyn was grieving the death of someone she loved and Jack took the opportunity to recruit her? but Josslyn said it was her choice. Brennan presented her with the opportunity to stop people like Cyrus and she took it. Trina said, and all it cost her was lying to everyone in her life.

Brook told Ava that she and Chase were thrilled that Phoebe’s father agreed to a private adoption, but it was more private than they’d expected. The father only agreed if the records remained sealed. Ava asked if that was a problem, and Brook said, it was if he changed his mind.

Cody told Molly that he didn’t know if he would have even told Mac that he was his son if it weren’t for James. James showed him what it was like to be part of a family. If not for James, he probably would have bailed from Port Charles long ago. Molly said she owed James a lot, and he said, so did he. James made him want to be someone worthy of her. She said he was someone she was incredibly proud to be with.

Nina told Jack that Madeline was cold on a good day. She’d promised herself that she wouldn’t be the same way with her own children. She wanted to be the kind of mother that was loving, present, and one her children could depend on, but she didn’t get the chance. Her children were taken from her in the cruelest way possible. They had extremely difficult upbringings and Willow face unspeakable traumas. She didn’t think Willow had come close to processing them yet, let alone reconciling with them. And it all happened because she wasn’t in their lives. A mother was supposed to protect her children and she didn’t. She was in Willow’s life now and intended to stay there no matter what it cost her.

Ava asked if Brook was worried Phoebe’s father would want her back, but Brook said he never had her to begin with. He’d never even met her, but they didn’t know what his true intentions were. Ava said, given her family’s wealth, this could be a tempting situation, and Brook said if Phoebe’s father wanted money, she’d be happy to give it to him, but now. Not when the adoption was about to go through and they could be his emotional hostages. She had to ask. Did Ava know who Phoebe’s father was?

Lulu said Ethan had spent this entire time consoling her, and he was the one who was shot. A good sister would have brought him chicken soup at the hospital. He said, she’d had her hands full. Ava was too busy playing Florence Nightengale, so he didn’t lack for company. She said she was shocked and glad to hear Ava was showing some gratitude, and he said, him too, but he felt it was starting to wear thin. How much did she know about Ava? What was her story?

Sonny told Brick that he didn’t know how he was going to survive Donna being a teenager. She’d talked him into letting her and Fizz 🐶stay up to talk. Brick said Sonny would need 24-hour surveillance, but he thought he could help with that, and Sonny said that was the reason he’d called. Donna was fine, but the problem was Carly. He and Carly were fine, but the guy she’d hooked up with was trouble.

Carly said Emma told her that Anna was back in town and Valentin went to see her, and Valentin said he wanted to make sure for himself that she was okay. She was putting on a strong front while she acclimated to her life, which was what he’d expect of her. Was she concerned about Anna’s well-being or concerned about how he felt now that Anna was back in town?

Jack said when Nina showed up at his office asking for the traffic footage, he used it as an opportunity to blackmail her to get information from Charlotte. He shouldn’t have done that. He should have asked her to dinner. (Smelled that coming.) She asked what he thought he would have gained, and he said he would have gotten to know her before he became a victim and she had to save his life.

Brook asked if Ava was acting as an intermediary for Phoebe’s father, but Ava said the only role she’d played in this was connecting Alexis to the gallery where Delilah had worked. She was glad to help. She hoped Brook liked the gift. Brook said Ava didn’t answer her question. When she was in the city with Alexis, did she find Phoebe’s biological father? Ava flashed back to Ethan saying Phoebe wasn’t his daughter, and said, no, she did not.

Lulu asked why Ethan wanted to know about Ava, and he said he wanted to know the perspective of someone he could trust. She asked if he was interested in Ava Jerome.

Trina said, in a way, it was a relief, because she’d been feeling distance from Josslyn and didn’t know why. Now she did. Josslyn said she was truly sorry, and Trina said she believed Josslyn was sorry for hurting her. but knew she’d make the same choice again. Josslyn said she didn’t regret pursuing a meaningful career that she was passionate about, but her choices had cost her a lot and she prayed they didn’t cost her Trina.

Carly said it was no secret that Valentin had strong feelings for Anna. He was willing to jump on a plane and break her out of that facility. Now that she was back and safe, that didn’t mean he stopped caring about her. She didn’t know what to do with that. He said, the way he saw it, it was very much like her and Sonny. He and Anna had known each other for so long, they were incapable of indifference toward one another. When he said he wanted to go to France to help her, he remembered things getting pretty heated between them. At the time, he thought it was because of the risks, and he hoped they weren’t fighting because of who Anna was to him. She asked, who was Anna to him?

Sonny told Brick, little did he know, Carly had been harboring Valentin in her home with his daughter for months and Valentin was the sick son of a bitch that switched his bipolar medication. Carly said she didn’t know him then, it was a long time ago, and he was different now. Brick asked if Sonny was good with bygones, and Sonny said, for now. But Valentin was connected to a lot of enemies who would want to have a conversation with him. That made him dangerous and a threat to be around. He didn’t want Valentin anywhere near his daughter. Brick asked if he’d told Carly this, and Sonny said, yeah. He’d told her that being with Valentin was a bad idea. Brick said, and she doubled down, and Sonny said he wasn’t trying to control her, but Valentin needed to be removed. Brick knew that world better than he did. They just had to figure out a way to get Valentin out of Carly’s life.

Molly said she was glad James got Cody to stop running and that he’d stuck around long enough for her to get to know the real him, and he said, turns out that doing the right thing sucks. She said she had an idea and held out her hand, but he asked if they couldn’t just keep hiding in there. She said, trust her, and he took her hand.

Lulu told Ethan that more than one person in Ava’s orbit had ended up dead. She was dangerous. He said that word got thrown around a lot in Port Charles. Maybe she was just complicated. Lulu said her Spencer instincts were firing on all cylinders right now. Was he playing some kind of angle on Ava? He flashed back to Ava reminding him that he’d said Phoebe wasn’t his daughter, and told Lulu that maybe he found their current arrangement had the potential to be mutually beneficial, but to be clear, Ava was very attractive. Lulu said, if Ava found out he was using her, she would be both very attractive and lethal, and he said, then let’s hope she never finds out.

Ava said she didn’t know who Phoebe’s father was, but understood wanting some measure of control over any situation in your child’s life. She knew that little girl already meant the world to Brook. To realize there was somebody out there who she didn’t know who might decide whether or not she got to keep her must be terrifying. Brook said it kept her up at night, and Ava said the adoption was in motion. Very soon it would be sealed and over. If she were Brook, she would resist the urge to fix a situation that so far wasn’t broken.

Trina said she might not know much about Josslyn’s life as a WSB agent, but Josslyn didn’t know much about her life right now, and Josslyn said she knew and hated it. Trina said, since the last time she’d seen Josslyn, she’d gone low contact with her parents, she and Gio may sign with a record label, and her baby brother was born. And Josslyn was held prisoner and shot. Josslyn said, very different paths, and Trina said, very. Josslyn asked where that left them, but Trina said she had no idea.

Brick told Sonny that there may be a way to persuade Valentin to leave Carly, but he had to be upfront with her. He wasn’t going behind her back. He respected both her and Sonny. So he’d get incriminating info on Valentin. Put pressure on him. But who knows? Maybe it would be enough to make Carly walk away from him. He just wouldn’t go behind her back to do it.

Valentin said Anna was the first woman he truly loved, and Carly turned away from him, but he went to face her. He said he had no intention of allowing anything in his past with Anna affect what they had now, and she said, when he showed up there after he broke out of Steinmauer, she was just a stop on his way to Anna. He said, that’s right. He was going to Anna for help, but he found her and she changed everything. He kissed her and she bumped into something on the floor. She asked, what is that and how did it get here?

Molly said, this situation definitely called for s’mores, and handed Cody a plate with one on it. He said, James’s favorite, and she said when they were making them with James at the boathouse, he’d told James that he wasn’t going to be able to make it to all of his baseball games because of her book tour. He helped James understand by saying that when someone you love is happy, it makes you happy too. He said, it does. And when they’re unhappy and hating you, it makes you want to die. She said, it won’t feel like this forever. James’s life changed today, and it will change again and again. Just like hers did the day she heard him say those words, someone you love. It was like time stopped and she felt this rush of pure joy. In that one moment, everything changed, and since then, she’d been waiting for him to tell her. This incredibly selfless thing he did for his nephew today, as much as it hurt him, made her realize she wanted to be the one to say it to him. I love you, Cody. He said he loved her too, and they kissed.

Ava told Brook, believe the man who signed the adoption papers wants what’s best for Phoebe, a happy home. And she clearly had that with Brook and Chase. Brook said she wasn’t great at trusting, and Ava said, neither was she, but from one mother to another, when it came to your child, you’d find yourself capable of things you never even dreamed of. She told Brook, take good care, and left.

Lulu suggested they look at this another way. When was the last time Ethan had a girlfriend? Just give her a ballpark… Really? He said, it was definitely sometime in the aughts, and she said he was a minor league baseball player who was suddenly pitching in game seven of the World Series. He laughed, and she said she was serious. Stop. When Ava was done with him, she wouldn’t be left with a single shirt button. Maybe a shoelace. That’s it. He said she wounded him and massively underestimated him. He knew exactly what he was doing. She said, famous last words.

Crying, Josslyn said she couldn’t lose Trina. Was there any way that they could find a way to start over? Trina asked how they did that, and Josslyn said she didn’t know, but it could be on Trina’s terms. Whatever she needed. Trina said, well, here’s one term. Don’t lie to her anymore. She got there were things Josslyn couldn’t talk about, but tell her that. Tell her when there was information she just had to keep to herself. Maybe they could come up with a code word. Like popcorn. When Josslyn said, popcorn, she’d know they had to change the subject and no questions asked. That way, she wasn’t always wondering if Josslyn was telling her the truth and Josslyn didn’t have to lie to her face. Could she do that? Josslyn said it was basically a violation of everything the WSB told its agents to do, but for Trina, they’d have popcorn, and Trina said, okay.

Sonny said he got that Brick had his friendship with Carly, but Brick said it was deeper than that. They were family. Sonny said his first priority was Donna. Don’t get him wrong. He wanted Carly okay. Brick said, good. He’d get what they needed to neutralize Valentin, but he was going to put it in Carly’s hands. It had to be her choice. Sonny said, do whatever he needed to do, but he wanted the guy gone, and Brick said, done. They shook hands and Brick left.

There was a large, black briefcase on the kitchen island next to the moss bowl🎍, and Valentin said he needed to incentivize the WSB to speed up the release of his funds. Carly asked what he did, and he said he went to Windymere. He was hoping Cullum left behind something the WSB overlooked, something that somebody would want to get their hands on. She said, somebody like him? and he said, him or somebody else. He had a poke around, and Windymere had plenty of hiding places. Lo and behold, he found this box. She asked what was in it, and he said he didn’t know, but it was a WSB issue. Secure, safe, with anti-drill plates, internal relocking mechanism, and a chemical agent primed to release and destroy the contents in the event of unauthorized entry. So if this was Cullum’s, it was valuable. All he had to do was get it open.

Nina said Jack acknowledged that she’d saved his life, but the way he said it, it was like he was holding it against her. If it wasn’t so essential they find this damn black box of his, she’d march out of there right now and let him drown in his whiskey escape. He said he was sorry. He didn’t do gratitude well. She said, learn, and he said she was right, but she was the one who injected him and that was the whole reason he ended up needing her in the first place. She said she’d already apologized. It was an accident, but he was never going to let her forget it, was he? He said, no, probably not, but he was very grateful. She said he had a strange way of showing it, and he kissed her.

On Monday, Willow asks how Chase would feel taking a trip with her to DC; Molly says she’s going to need Laura’s help; Nina calls Jack a disgusting pig; and Lulu tells Sonny that Jason didn’t shoot Director Cullum on the pier that night.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

A temp James while, ironically, the usual James is in the hospital after a min-bike accident. It sounded serious, but he seems to be healing nicely. I rarely say anything that’s not praiseworthy about child actors, and I hate to say this, but they should keep temp James. I’ve often wondered who he and Wiley are related to. There, I said it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-james-temporarily-recast-with-easton-winn

So does this mean Simon will be back on the canvas, or is he a one-shot GH wonder?

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-grady-eldridge-cast-as-music-executive-simon

I think he pairs best with Britt. I can totally see them sparring their way through a romance.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-who-will-tristan-roberts-be-paired-with

IMO, there should have been more nominations from GH. Plus, pitting Emma and Gio against one another? Ugh. As always, rooting for Jeff Kober, who thankfully made the list.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/2026-daytime-emmy-awards-nominations-the-full-list-of-soap-nominees

https://ew.com/daytime-emmy-nominations-2026-12018364

She’s lovin’ it.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-amanda-setton-reacts-to-first-daytime-emmy-nomination-im-floating-excl

It should mean a ton. He’s one of the few this year.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-steve-burton-reacts-to-2026-daytime-emmy-nomination-it-means-a-ton

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Luke told Eyebrows Joe that he wasn’t feeling it with Gen, while Gen told Kay that she and Luke were on the same page. In Gen’s interview, she said it was the validation she needed and it was great to finally be someone’s first choice. The mind boggles at how she got there from what he said. In Aesha’s interview, she said now she was nearly betrothed and mentoring the young. You never knew where life was going to lead you. It was the crew’s night out, and Aesha helped Luke sit across from Joy at the restaurant. Gen was all bummed and obviously stewing (no pun intended) over the non-love triangle. Gen intercepted Aesha on the way to the restroom and told her about hooking up with Luke. Then she gave Luke the business on his way to the restroom. Cooper had eyes for Kat, and the next day told Joe about Luke and Gen doing the nasty on Nathan’s sheets and failing to wash them. Ew, ew, and ew. The preference sheet meeting revealed that new primary Suzanne was looking for a man. Matchmaker Amy would be joining her and bringing six single men for Suzanne to choose from. Nathan found out about sleeping on the disgusting sheets, and in his interview, he said he didn’t even know how to process this. Joe took it upon himself to inform Captain Sandy about the sheets too, and needless to say, she wasn’t thrilled.

In the City

The group was having a Friendsgiving dinner, and Kyle suggested they not buy beef, since there was plenty of that in the house. BA-DUM-CHH! In Kenny’s interview, he said he’d never gone home for Thanksgiving, only Christmas. Same. It’s just not worth all that travel just for a big meal. And God help you if you’re driving. The last time it took us 4 hours to make a 2½ hour trip, we gave up going to my in-laws’ and decided to start going out to eat. After the grocery shopping, the group went apple picking, where Kyle and Amanda bickered. Back at the house, Danielle said she was surprised about Whitney pulling the single mom card remark, but Whitney said she was tired of it. Lindsay and Georgina both had nannies. In Danielle’s interview, she said she was glad Lindsay was laser focused on someone else. Georgina confronted Whitney, who said she was sick of Lindsay and her mom card and Gavin said Kenny and Whitney didn’t like women as a couple. In Amanda’s interview, she said, nothing brings people together like other people’s drama. Kenny and Gavin had it out, ending with Gavin apologizing for not having more of a filter. In Gavin’s interview, he said he and Kenny were like brothers and Kenny needed to stop being defensive. In a surprising move, Lindsay apologized to Danielle and said it was refreshing and sweet to see her feel safe, and Eoin made her feel safe. It ended with the Amanda/Kyle break-up headlines and a clip from Watch What Happens Live when Kyle said he didn’t think there was any truth to the West/Amanda rumors. Then we came full circle with Amanda and Kyle privately talking at his apartment after their split, which was how Summer House had ended. With the exception of Amanda suggesting she and West go on a double-date with Kyle and Salley (Southern Charm). Huh?

The Valley

Lala had to help her dog Lilly to The Bridge, and said Lilly had given her purpose, but she knew Lilly was ready. This is the hardest decision a pet parent ever has to make, and my heart always breaks with theirs even when it’s someone I don’t know.💔Kristen told her to do it for Lilly, not herself. The guys had a barbecue and Danny told them that he was having a vasectomy and whined about it. I worked for a medical clinic for a couple of years and could count the number of vasectomies done on one hand. It’s kind of irritating considering the radical difference between that and a hysterectomy, which is major surgery, while a vas is an in-office procedure. Okay, off the soapbox now. Danny also whined about his birthday, made excuses for his drinking, and said Janet was projecting her own hurt on him and using him as a punching bag. Schwartz said when Danny reacted, he just confirmed their biases. There was a funeral for Danny’s testicle and the procedure took a whole 7½ minutes.😕Lala had a party to celebrate seven years of sobriety and to celebrate Lilly’s life, since Lilly had given Lala hers. Zack said he’d been buzzed enough when he was whacked in the head that he was fine with it, and Brittany planned an engagement party for Jasmine and Melissa at a rooftop bar. It was quite impressive.

Eww. Just eww.

Next Gen NYC

Georgia told Emira that Charlie had reenforced the flirting with Kevin thing after she’d heard it from the gay grapevine. In Rowan’s interview, production asked if she was following this, and she said, no. The guys showed up at girls’ night, minus Charlie, much to Georgia’s happiness. Brooks said his intuition was telling him there would be better vibes there, but that wasn’t quite to be. Georgia offered Riley her drink, and Riley said it might have ketamine in it, but got totally pissed off when Georgia asked why she’d said that. A short time later, Riley said Georgia wasn’t a part of this because she couldn’t afford a Birkin, although several of the girls said they couldn’t either. Same. Ariana suggested she and Riley go to the bathroom, and she tried to get Riley to drink some water. Riley clearly wasn’t having sobriety and escalated things when they went for pizza, threatening to throw hers at Georgia. Rowan and Ava met Shai for lunch, and he told them Brooks had literally sprinted away from guys’ night. Ariana baked Liam some banana bread, and in her interview, she said Liam offered to build her closet in exchange for taking her on a motorcycle ride. It was a dream. Meeting with Charlie and Shai, Hudson said if Liam thought he was getting with his ex-girlfriend, he had another thing coming, which was pretty creepy and stalkerish. Apparently, Liam was more serious than Hudson thought, since he invited Ariana to a family dinner on the Upper West Side. We revisited Georgia getting stranded in Singapore when she broke up with Omar, and she complained about him leaving her in the lurch financially. My advice, don’t rely on a boyfriend for your finances. Shai and Rowan planned a Halloween thing and sent out a Pinterest board of their vision to the group. A trip to the Rocky Horror Picture Show was set in motion, and even though Riley had taken accountability for being an a-hole, it wasn’t without justification. She told Ariana that if she was a good friend, when she noticed Georgia antagonizing her, she should stop it in the middle. She was none too pleased when Ariana said Georgia didn’t come at Riley the way Riley reacted and that Georgia hadn’t been antagonizing her. On a video chat, Kandi told Riley to let her know what was going on before she read about her child in the tabloids. D’oh!

https://www.primetimer.com/features/next-gen-nyc-season-2-episode-4-shai-fruchter-tells-hudson-that-liam-may-be-crossing-a-line-with-ariana-biermann

Real Housewives Of Orange County

We found out that new Housewife Carmella is Shannon’s neighbor, her ex-husband was an NFL player (the Browns – go Cleveland!), she’d been a Playmate of the Year, followed it up with a stint on WWE’s Monday Night Raw, and lived with her boyfriend. Emily and Shane took photos for ‘Til Death Do Us Part, presented by their Legally Brunette podcast. Tamra felt Emily was ungrateful since she’d given Emily a start on her network, but had to admit it was a good product. Gina put together an Olden Girls dinner at Hamburger Mary’s as a surprise for Emily’s 50th birthday. The group dressed up as old ladies – each one quite unique – with the exception of Emily, who Gina wanted to be younger than everyone else. and they played Drag Bingo. Tamra met Fancy Pants Heather for lunch and said that Heather talked about her like she was a serial killer. In Heather’s interview, she said Tamra was scary sometimes, and she’s not wrong. In Tamra’s interviews, she said she was tired of Fancy Pants talking behind her back and how she changed personalities depending on who she was talking to. In Vicki’s interview, she said Fancy Pants had sent her a welcome back text, saying she was the leader of the pack, but Vicki was like, no, I am. And with that, the OG of the OC officially staked her claim and planted her whoop-it-up flag.

Random Reality Items

My main takeaway point was that their LA property has 10 bathrooms.

Show of hands. How many believe it was Luis? Thought so.

Premiering September 7th. Color me hopeful.

Juicy, but messy.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Worst Neighbor Ever. Netflix. – I had one of these when I lived in Queens. She lived directly below me – no surprise, alone – and did her best to make my life a living hell. She’d hated me on sight just because and couldn’t stand that I had cats, even though they were ironically quiet as mice. After I got married, my husband moved in with me, and she claimed we played disco all hours of the day and night. While we may have played music occasionally, I can assure you it wasn’t that loud and it certainly wasn’t disco. When she saw us outside, she would screech that we were Satan’s spawns, and on the day we moved, she stood outside watching the moving van and wearing a winter coat – in 80 degree weather. But enough about me. Even with all that, as far as I know, my neighbor never killed anyone, unlike those in this four-part true crime series. While it’s nothing we haven’t seen before on shows like Dateline, it’s still a fascinating watch, and will have you questioning your own neighborhood before it’s over. However, I wasn’t crazy about the use of animation for some of the scenes.

https://readysteadycut.com/2026/07/01/worst-neighbor-ever-review

The Human Vapor. Netflix. This Japanese series begins with an environmental energy expert exploding on live TV during an interview. Why do I find people spontaneously combusting funny? I don’t know, but I do. In a filmed message, the man behind it calls himself the Human Vapor and says he has a list of those he’s going to kill. A journalist and a detective with a romantic history team up to find out just who the man is and why he’s committing such heinous acts. A mystery with a supernatural bent, it’s a little superhero-ish at times, but that’s not a bad thing. The fight scenes are terrific and the special effects impressive. The acting is great, although I wish I could have seen it with subtitles rather than dubbed, which often takes something away from the dialogue. Still, this unique story is definitely worth watching

https://www.polygon.com/human-vapor-netflix-review

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/netflix-human-vapor-toho-godzilla-vfx-japanese-thriller-1236638687

Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City. Hulu. A 2021 film I’d meant to see at the time and forgot about. The 7th film in the franchise, I hadn’t seen all of the previous ones, but for some reason, the trailer for this one intrigued me. What’s not to like? Weird dystopian city, oddball characters, kicking ass, special effects, and zombies, including zombie dogs (!). Oddly enough though, not one raccoon. The reviews weren’t great, but I thought it was a good time.

https://loudandclearreviews.com/resident-evil-welcome-to-raccoon-city-review

All the RE films.

https://www.odeoncinemas.ie/odeon-scene/resident-evil-movies

Things Will Be Different. Hulu. A brother and sister on the run from the police find a way to time travel and evade capture. When they try to return, they can’t, and are told through a tape recorder that they must complete certain tasks before they can leave. While entertaining in spots, this wasn’t my favorite. I thought the plot was somewhat complicated, the time loops a bit endless, and I found the end depressing. I’m not a huge fan of time shifts, but if you are, this is the film for you.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/things-will-be-different-film-review

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

I lost track of the Friday the 13th franchise long ago, but this looks like it might be worth dipping back in.

https://ew.com/crystal-lake-first-look-linda-cardellini-pam-voorhees-friday-the-13th-prequel-exclusive-12016005

🥁 Early Roll Call Of the Dead…

Those we’ve lost so far this year.

https://ew.com/celebrity-deaths-2026-stars-who-died-this-year-11884984

🎃 The Thing That Is Ween…

Some might ask, do we need an extra Halloween? but I ask, why not?

https://www.salon.com/2026/06/30/is-summerween-really-a-thing

🐕 It’s a Dog’s Life…

🐶 My dogs only move fast if food is involved.

https://people.com/america-s-got-talent-star-twinkie-the-pomeranian-earns-guinness-world-record-12019793

🐩 Their first new addition.

https://www.tmz.com/2026/07/13/taylor-swift-and-travis-kelces-dog

🐾 An Independence Day hangover.

https://www.popsugar.com/pets/photos-cute-dogs-puppies-july-4th-costumes-46330005

🎬 Quotes of the Week

In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. It goes on. – Robert Frost

Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else. – Les Brown

Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live. – Anne Sweeney

Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t. – Bill Nye

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.Og Mandino

If you bring yesterday’s energy to tomorrow, your tomorrow is going to look just like yesterday. – Judge Dana Cutler, Cutler’s Court

You know what they say, to raise a child, it takes the Village People. – Larry (D.B. Sweeney), Two and a Half Men

🏊‍♀️ Life’s a Beach…

Until next time, stay safe; stay educating yourself on heat related illnesses; and stay helping rather than just saying what someone wants to hear.

Video > Jimmy Buffett – Margaritaville (1978)

July 10, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Brook Tells Chase the Truth, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, And the Rest, It’s an Honor, Animal Achievements, A Septuplet Of Quotes & Asbury

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What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

Z told Carly that he didn’t get the impression Josslyn wanted to leave the WSB. He’d never seen an agent’s mommy demand he boot their child from the Bureau. Carly said she wasn’t kidding around.

Josslyn apologized to Lucas for lying to him, but he said she didn’t have to apologize for being a WSB agent. He wasn’t mad. She said her job was to follow orders and manipulate him.

Sonny went to see Ethan in the hospital and asked what he’d let Ava do to him.

Rocco admitted he’d shot Cullum, but it was to save Danny’s dad, and Danny said, if he was such a hero, come forward.

Lulu asked if Charlotte had been in touch with her father, and Charlotte said he’d been in Port Charles since he’d escaped.

Britt said Dante must be loving this, but he said it would affect Rocco who’d been through enough. Britt said Rocco didn’t have to go through anything else if he let her go.

Ethan said Sidwell had shot him, and Sonny said Ava told him that Ethan saved her life. He went above and beyond. Ethan said he was sorry he didn’t get Sidwell, but Sonny said Sidwell had been taken care of. Ethan wondered how Sonny and Turner got out unscathed, when Ava walked in and asked Sonny to share how they’d managed to pull that off. Could he explain why he let Sidwell live?

Lulu asked where Valentin had been hiding, but Charlotte said it didn’t matter. He’d turned himself into the WSB a few days ago. She and Danny hadn’t heard anything since. Lulu said she could just feel there was more to the story.

Rocco said he couldn’t confess, but Danny said Cullum was dead now and Danny was a minor who’d acted in self-defense. Rocco said he’d promised his parents and Britt, but Danny said that was when Cullum was still around. Rocco said Danny didn’t get how hard it was leaving Britt, but Danny said Britt wasn’t the reason Rocco wasn’t telling the truth. He was just a straight-up coward. Rocco said he wasn’t going back on his word.

Dante said he’d already compromised himself enough, and Britt said she was just asking him to look the other way. It benefitted him too. The WSB only grabbed her because he’d had her arrested. If he let them take her, Rocco would hate him forever. Dante said Rocco was already furious with him, and she said, then let her out. He’d never see or hear from her again. She’d be free and he could tell his son that he made that happen.

Jack struggled out of bed when Nina came in, but she said it was too soon. He said Cullum was dead and he had to get back to work, but she said he had to lie back down. He asked why he should listen to her, and she said maybe because she’d saved his life.

Josslyn said when she’d supported Lucas’s decision to live at Windymere, she already knew Marco was involved in his father’s business and that it was dangerous. But she’d needed access to Spoon Island and Sidwell and eventually Cullum. She had the perfect excuse in him to visit. He said when he’d moved back to Port Charles, he was looking forward to getting to know her. They’d spent time catching up and he thought they had a real connection. She said, it was real. When she’d joined the WSB, she’d known she’d have to lie to the people she loved, but didn’t know she’d have to manipulate them. He said she was quite skilled at it and totally fooled him, and she said she was sorry she’d used him. He asked if she’d do it again, she said, yeah, and he left.

Z said Josslyn was an agent by choice, but Carly said Jack had used her to gain access to Josslyn, then manipulated Josslyn, taking advantage of her emotional vulnerability after her boyfriend’s murder. She couldn’t even get in to see her. Z said he’d add her name to the approved list, but she said she didn’t want that. She wanted her daughter back. He said he’d put it in language she understood. That ain’t gonna happen. She cracked him across the face.

Sonny said, then the cops showed up, and Ethan said good thing Sonny didn’t take Sidwell out, but Turner probably would have looked the other way. Sonny didn’t think so because Turner wanted pay back her way, and Ava said, legally. She would have felt more comfortable had Sidwell been handled permanently. Sonny said he couldn’t believe he and Ava agreed on something, but Sidwell would be locked up for a long time. Ava could thank him any time. She said Sonny was saving himself, but he said she could thank him for Ethan. He got shot in the ass saving hers.

Dante said Britt got herself into this mess and would have to get herself out, and she said he couldn’t blame a girl for trying. Dante said it was going to kill Rocco when she died and she’d tried to use Rocco’s love as her way out, which only proved he was right about her. She asked what it was like to think you had all the answers. To give zero room for people to change. She loved his son and only wanted the best for him. He said he believed she believed that, but felt it was a convenience. The only person she truly loved was herself.

Danny said Rocco had been lying to him and Charlotte for months (didn’t they lie to him about Valentin? just saying), but Rocco said he didn’t want to drag Danny into this nightmare. Danny said his mom was dead and his dad might as well be. He was already in a nightmare. Rocco didn’t want them going to Spoon Island because they would have figured it out. Rocco said he didn’t want them going because it was dangerous, and Danny said Rocco was just trying to take care of himself like he always did. Rocco said, like when he took the fall for Danny and Charlotte and went to juvie? but Danny said Rocco thought his dad would get him out. Rocco said he knew Dante would try. His dad always showed up for him. Danny said his wouldn’t? and Rocco said Danny was the one who said it, not him.

Helping Jack back to bed, Nina said, when you save someone’s life, you’re responsible for that life. She accepted the responsibility. She needed him for Willow and couldn’t have him stumbling around, breaking his neck because he wasn’t fully recovered. He had evidence against Drew. He said he thought he did, and she asked what that meant, when there was a knock at the door. Vaughn asked if he was interrupting.

Z said Carly packed quite the punch, and she told him not to expect her to apologize. He said he could have her indicted, and she said, go for it. He asked where the fun would be in that. He was going to extend her a rare privilege and explain himself. Her daughter was too great an asset to cut loose. She said Josslyn was a human being, but he said she was a weapon. Highly specialized, thinks on her feet, strong, nerves of steel. Now he saw where she got it. She said just tell her that she’d have been a fabulous killer and all was forgiven? and he said it was a shame no one got ahold of her when she was younger. She would have made a brilliant agent. Maybe there was still potential. They could discuss the possibilities over dinner. She asked if he was hitting on her, and he said he didn’t know if he’d put it like that, but if he were, was it working?

Lucas said, if it made Josslyn feel any better, he would have moved in with Marco no matter what anyone said. He’d been warned plenty. She told him that he was being too generous, and he said they could talk about that later. The priority was her recovery right now, so she should rest. She said she needed to ask him for something. It wasn’t a manipulation. He said, it might not be, but going forward, he’d always wonder who he was talking to, his niece or Agent Jax. She said it had nothing to do with the WSB. She needed him to do something for her.

Z said they could take the WSB jet and be in Paris for a late dinner, and Carly said, this is unbelievable. He asked if that was a no, and she said, yes. He said, so it was a yes? and she said, yes, it’s a no. It’s a hard no. He said his apologies. He thought he felt a spark. She said, no, no spark. He and the WSB were a blight on her daughter’s life and she would remove it if it was the last thing she did. She walked out.

Lulu asked if Charlotte expected her to believe it was just her and Danny working with Valentin, and Charlotte said they weren’t working with him. Lulu said, in touch with then, and Charlotte said, yes. Why would her dad want more people knowing? Lulu asked, who else was involved? when they heard Danny arguing with Rocco outside, saying his dad was locked up because of Rocco. Lulu and Charlotte went out, and Lulu asked what was going on. Rocco said he didn’t make Jason cover for him. He did that all on his own and Danny knew that. Danny said, then prove he wasn’t gutless and tell the WSB that he shot Cullum, and Lulu said that was enough. No one was telling the WSB anything.

Vaughn said he’d been surprised to find Jack was readmitted under another name, and Jack said he was moved out of an abundance of caution and used one of his aliases. Miss Reeves facilitated the transfer. Vaughn said the WSB would need to be extensively debriefed, and Jack said, of course (🍷). Vaughn said, both about his dealings with Cullum and what happened to him medically, specifically the circumstances around his initial stroke. He was glad Nina was there, since she’d saved him a phone call. The Bureau regretted to inform her that the individual she knew as Nathan West had passed away.

Danny said his dad had been locked up for something he didn’t do, and Lulu knew the whole time, but Lulu said, it was complicated. Danny said there was a right and wrong thing to do and they’d chosen the second one, and he left. Lulu asked if Rocco was okay, and he said Danny hated him, but yeah. Lulu asked, who told him that Rocco shot Cullum? and Charlotte said she did.

Lucas went to see Britt and she said if he was there to scold her for taking off with Rocco, save it. She’d already heard from everyone with the ability to speak. He said that wasn’t why he was there, and she wondered if he was just making sure she was being punished. The WSB was going to ship her off to God knows where to live out her days, which wouldn’t be long since she didn’t have access to her meds. He said it was going to be longer than she thought. She wasn’t dying. She didn’t have Huntington’s. She never did.

He said they had to run testing from two different labs to confirm, but she said she’d run tests. He said, Cullum manipulated the results. Josslyn overheard him say he was gaslighting her and Cassius. The medication had only been saline. The police searched her room when she was missing, found a used syringe, and had it analyzed. She said when she didn’t take her medication, her symptoms came back. You couldn’t fake that. He said her brain could. All Cullum had to do was make her think she was sick and her mind did the rest. She said for years she had been waiting to die, and he said he knew it was a lot to process. She told him to get out and leave her alone, and he left.

Vaughn went to Josslyn’s room and asked how his wife was doing.

Ava asked if Sonny shouldn’t be thanking her. She’d saved his flunky from bleeding out all over the floor of her storage room. Did he have any idea what it was going to cost to clean that up? Ethan said, speaking of cost, was there hazard pay? and Sonny said he thought a bonus was in order. He’d let Ethan and Ava sort this out. He thanked Ethan, and Ethan thanked Sonny for saving the day. Ava said she was sure Turner was grateful, and Sonny said he would have shown up even if Sidwell hadn’t taken Turner. Avery would be very upset if Ava if she wasn’t around. He left.

Lulu asked how Charlotte could do that to Rocco, and Charlotte said Lulu always told her that family was important. Lulu said Rocco was her family, and Charlotte said, Jason was Danny’s. He had a right to know about his dad. Rocco said it sounded like Charlotte completely sold him out, but she said she was helping a friend and Danny was his friend too. He was Rocco’s brother and trying to save the one parent he had left. Lulu said she had to go to the hospital. Ethan was there. Rocco asked if he was okay, but Lulu said she didn’t know. Rocco was staying home where Dante would keep an eye on him and Charlotte was coming with her. They weren’t finished. She and Charlotte left.

Obrecht went to see Britt, and Obrecht said Lucas told her that Britt needed her and it was urgent. What happened? Britt said, good news. She did everything Cullum asked for years because he was keeping her alive, but it turned out the joke was on her. She was never sick.

Ava took out her checkbook and said, how much? What did he say to 50,000? He said, put that relic away. They were even. She was keeping his secret, wasn’t she? She said she’d like to do something for him, and he said, in that case, how about some ice chips? She said his wish was her command, and she left to get them for him.

Ava saw Lucas sitting on a bench and asked if he was okay. He said, no. Marco died for nothing.

Britt cried and said she’d done terrible things. She let Obrecht think she was dead and ruined their relationship. She and Cassius spent years working in Croatia for horrible men who did horrible things, so they could just shoot her up with saline. If she’d just once stuck the medicine under a microscope, she would have known the truth. She’d just wanted to keep breathing. Jason was sent to some WSB gulag because he was trying to save her. Now who knew what the WSB would pin on her? She’d ruined every relationship and ruined her life for nothing. Crying, Obrecht asked if Britt heard herself. She was going to live.

Dante saw Rocco on the porch and Rocco said he didn’t need a babysitter. Dante said he knew. Rocco’s mom was just being a mom, but he was glad to have some time with him. There was some stuff they needed to talk about. Rocco agreed, and Dante said, you first.

Josslyn asked what Vaughn was doing in town, and he said it was a successful mission, but not a very discreet one. Z sent him because he had knowledge of all the players, but he was back to Borneo in three hours. He wanted to see her before he left. She said she couldn’t see it at the time, but now she understood why Brennan sent him away, and he said Jack did them a favor. She said they were too close. As much as they insisted it wouldn’t, it would have interfered with the job.

Carly went to the hospital and met Sonny outside. She told him that Josslyn was in the ICU. She was going to be okay and she was safe for now. He said, safe from what? and she said, the WSB.

Z and his men went to a clandestine hospital room, where Cassius sat in a bed. Z said, Cassius Faison. They never met. Cassius could call him Z.

Lucas told Ava about Britt’s medication just being saline. That’s what Marco gave his life for and he was the one who’d pressured him to do it.

Obrecht said Britt had a long, beautiful life ahead of her, but Britt said she’d ruined everything. Obrecht said it could be fixed. Her brother was a hero who helped stop Cullum. Together, they’d find a way to free her. What mattered was, they’d all be together. Nina came in and Obrecht asked if she could help them find Cassius, but Nina said she had terrible news. The WSB just informed her that Cassius was dead.

Rocco said Dante broke a lot of rules for him. That’s why his mom didn’t want to tell Dante what happened, because of the position it would put him in. Dante said one day, if Rocco became a father, he’d get it. Nothing mattered but keeping your kids safe. Rocco said everything Dante did was because he loved him, and Dante said he was finally catching on. Rocco said he was angry and scared and said things he shouldn’t have when he should have been saying, thank you, and they hugged.

Danny went to see Brennan and asked if he could talk to him. Did the WSB want to know who shot Director Cullum even though he was dead? His dad didn’t do it, but he knew who did.

Sonny said, Josslyn was working for the WSB? How? When did this happen? Carly said, about a year ago. And how? Why? Because of them and a lifetime of bad decisions.

Lulu pulled into the hospital parking lot and said she couldn’t believe Charlotte had eavesdropped, but Charlotte said she’d just heard Lulu and Laura talking. Lulu said, but then she stayed even though she knew she shouldn’t be hearing it, and she repeated it to Danny of all people. And this was after Charlotte heard her say no one could know. Charlotte said she wasn’t sorry. If she hadn’t listened in, who knew if Lulu would have told her the truth. Rocco had been acting weird and distant, the vibe between Lulu and Dante was bad, and Danny’s father was gone because he supposedly shot the man Rocco had shot, and she was there for all of it. Lulu said once they saw Ethan was okay, they’d talk. Then Charlotte could tell her everything she knew about her father’s stay in Port Charles.

Sonny said he was sorry and asked if there was any way to get Josslyn out, but Carly said the WSB didn’t care about its agents as people, just weapons they could use. He said it wasn’t right, and she agreed. A car pulled up, and Valentin got out. Carly ran to him and they kissed.

Josslyn said she’d just apologized to her uncle for manipulating him and he’d asked if she’d do it again. Vaughn asked if she told him the truth, and she said, yeah. She lied and she used people, but being an agent wasn’t about what was right or wrong. It was about doing what was necessary. He said, look at the rookie who’s not a rookie anymore. Welcome to the club, Agent Jax.

Cassius asked if his mother and Josslyn were okay, but Z said he wasn’t cleared for that information. He was a prisoner being held for jeopardizing national security, nuclear conspiracy, kidnapping, and murder. Cassius said Cullum was lying, and Z said Cullum was dead. He died a hero trying to stop Cassius. They had Josslyn’s sworn testimony. Cassius asked if Josslyn said he’d done this, and Z said, indeed she did. He was going to be charged with multiple crimes and would likely face the death penalty. Or Cassius could work for him.

Tuesday:

Brook and Chase took Phoebe to the pool, and Brook said Sidwell left Deception with one hell of a PR nightmare, but this was just what the doctor ordered.

Also at the pool, Jacinda said she felt guilty playing hooky, but Michael said she was with the boss. They kissed, and he was surprised to see Chase. He wondered why Chase wasn’t busy trying to exonerate Willow.

Tracy was on the phone in the hospital boardroom, when Willow walked in. Tracy told her to get out.

Emma came home to find Gio playing guitar using a broom, and they kissed.

Jack asked if Danny was going to tell him who shot Cullum.

Rocco hoped Dante could forgive him, but Dante said there was nothing to forgive. Charlotte and Lulu came in arguing because Lulu hadn’t let Charlotte go to Valentin outside the hospital. Lulu said Valentin was a fugitive who’d put Charlotte’s life in danger.

Josslyn woke to find Carly by her bedside.

Dante went to make a call to find out what was going on with Valentin, and Charlotte said Lulu couldn’t stop her from seeing her own father. Lulu said he’d be sent back to Steinmauer, and Charlotte said he was her dad. She loved him and it hurt her to be away from him. Lulu said she was just trying to keep Charlotte safe, when Dante came back and said Valentin had been released with a full pardon. No criminal charges. Charlotte said her father wasn’t a fugitive anymore and thought it must have been because he’d exposed Cullum. Dante wondered how she knew, and Lulu said Valentin had been in Port Charles this entire time. Dante asked if Charlotte had been in touch with him, and she said, yep. Rocco said it hadn’t been easy for her to lie, and Dante said, Rocco knew about this too?

Emma thanked Gio for cleaning things up, and he said he got groceries too. All of Anna’s favorites. Emma said her grandma would appreciate it, and he said it was important everything be perfect for Anna’s homecoming. She said part of her wondered if Anna was ever coming home, but he said Anna was strong and could conquer anything. They kissed, and he said it must be where Emma got it from.

Michael told Jacinda about the trip log in Willow’s car placing her on Route 91 at the time of Jordan’s accident, and she said it sounded convenient. Almost like someone had arranged it.

Chase told Brooke that Alexis had reached out and everything was moving along nicely with the adoption. The birth father’s paperwork had been certified.

Willow told Tracy that she wasn’t leaving. She held an advisory position as district representative and the board was set to discuss enrolling the hospital in her affordable childcare program. She was there to assist and answer their questions. Tracy said Willow could drop the saintly act. She knew exactly who Willow was and exactly what she was capable of.

Josslyn said she was fine, but Carly said that was an overstatement. Josslyn said she was sorry she’d locked Carly in that room, but she hadn’t wanted her to get hurt. Carly said she was glad this was over, that Cullum was dead, and Josslyn’s mission was finished, but Josslyn said she wasn’t leaving the WSB.

Danny said his dad hadn’t shot Cullum, but Jack said he couldn’t just take Danny’s word for it. Danny said Cullum was about to murder someone. If he hadn’t been shot, innocent people would be dead. Jack said he needed a name or evidence, and Danny said, it was Rocco Falconari.

Charlotte said she’d sworn Rocco to secrecy, when the doorbell rang. Charlotte opened the door to Valentin, and they hugged.

Tracy ran down the list of where Willow had shown her true colors, but Willow said Tracy was distorting things as usual. Tracy said Chase was a good man, and if Willow thought she could help herself to him anytime she wanted, she was sadly mistaken.

Michael agreed that it seemed too convenient, and Jacinda asked if a car’s trip log could be hacked. He said, it could, but if someone set Willow up, it wasn’t him.

Brook asked if Chase had heard from Willow, but he said Willow had a lot on her plate. ADA Turner was like a dog with a bone when it came to Willow. He’d thought she just had an ax to grind, but evidence had come to light suggesting Willow was at the scene of Jordan’s accident and drove away, leaving Jordan and Curtis to die.

Jack said, that would explain some things that didn’t add up, and Danny said his dad probably told Britt to protect Rocco. Jack asked if he had any evidence, but Danny said, no. Rocco had admitted it to him. He didn’t want Rocco punished, but it was unfair that his dad was paying for something he didn’t do. Jack said Cullum was dead and he didn’t think the WSB was going to care about the pier shooting anymore. He didn’t know what they were going to do with Danny’s father, but he did know Danny pursuing this wasn’t going to free him and would cause problems for Rocco. He needed to drop this. Danny said, no, but Jack said he needed to let it go. Danny asked if he could at least get a letter to his dad, and Jack said he’d get back to him. He knew it was hard for Danny to have had this conversation, but if it was any consolation, when things were that hard, it was usually because it was the right thing to do. His father would be proud of him. Danny left.

Charlotte asked if it was really over, and Valentin said it was. He was sorry to drop by announced, but wanted to tell her personally. Charlotte said he could have told them earlier at GH. She was there, but her mom wouldn’t let her go to him. Lulu said Ethan was in the hospital, but no one had told her anything about Valentin’s situation, so she’d decided to play it safe. Valentin wanted to go somewhere to catch up, but Lulu said she didn’t think so.

As Emma wrapped a gift, Gio told her that Tracy had asked him to leave Sonny’s and live at the Quartermaine’s, but he wasn’t ready, so he came there. Tracy had been worried about that Sidwell guy being on the loose. According to the news, he’d been caught, so Gio wasn’t sure where that left things, and Emma said pressure from Tracy was never fun. He said, but this time, it wasn’t just Tracy.

Willow said she and Chase were friends, and Tracy said one of her closest friends was Chase’s father. Which was why she was going to talk some sense into his son before he got more tangled in her web. Willow said Tracy was the only person straining Brook and Chase’s marriage.

Chase told Brook that Willow was being framed.

Jacinda said she supposed two things could be true. Willow’s trip log was convenient, but she didn’t put it past Willow to flee the scene. Michael said not stopping to help was more of a moral failing than an actual crime, and she said it was still a bad look, especially for a politician. If she could do that, Willow might be the type of person who could shoot her husband in the back twice. Maybe the court of public opinion should stop looking at him and look closer at Willow.

Charlotte said Valentin wasn’t a fugitive anymore and it was safe now, but Lulu said she was still Charlotte’s mother. Charlotte said Valentin was her father, and Dante suggested he, Rocco, and Charlotte go to the pool so Lulu and Valentin could talk. Her dad wasn’t going anywhere. Valentin suggested he and Charlotte catch up later. He and her mother had a lot to get straight.

Carly said Josslyn almost died because of the WSB. Did she want to die? Josslyn said, no, and Carly asked why she couldn’t leave this job behind. Josslyn said, because she’d succeeded. She’d done her job and taken Cullum down. She wanted to do good in the world and help people. Carly wanted her to hate the WSB, but she didn’t. Carly said she couldn’t watch Josslyn do this. She wouldn’t survive losing another child.

Tracy said she was protecting her granddaughter and her family, which Willow wouldn’t understand. Maybe the cult would take her back. She was definitely leadership material by now. Willow asked if the best Tracy could do was shame her for being exploited as a teenager. How old was Tracy when she ran down her daughter-in-law, or kidnapped her son, or left her father on the floor grasping at his heart? Was she an impressionable child or a full-blown adult? Tracy said she got it. Willow was good by comparison. Okay. Prove it.

Brook wondered, who would frame Willow? and Chase said he thought they knew the answer to that. He looked over at Michael.

Jacinda said they did make a sweet family and asked if it gave Michael any second thoughts about breaking them up. Dante, Rocco, and Danny came in, and Charlotte went to say hi to Danny. She told Danny about her dad being free and the charges being dropped, and hugged him.

At a table, Dante said he was glad he and Rocco talked a little bit. He felt like they were in a better place. Rocco said him too, and Dante said he wasn’t happy about Rocco keeping Charlotte’s dad a secret. She could have gotten hurt. When Valentin was in the equation, anything could happen. Rocco said he was sorry. It was stupid, but he felt for Charlotte. She’d been going through the same thing with their mom and Valentin that he was going through with Dante, their mom, and Britt.

Gio said Sonny agreed he should live somewhere else, at least for the time being, and Emma said Sonny agreeing with Tracy was significant. She thought she felt the same way when her grandma asked that she leave her in France. He said, Anna wouldn’t lie to her, and she said, Sonny wouldn’t lie to him. When somebody cared about you that much, you’d do anything they asked.

Josslyn told Carly that she joined the WSB because of what happened to Morgan and Dex, and because men like Cullum and Sidwell and yes, Sonny, made their living through violence. She was presented with an opportunity to do something about that and she grabbed it. She knew that becoming an agent had allowed her to protect people and she was kind of good at it. She wasn’t giving it up. Carly said, even if it got her killed? but Josslyn said walking down the street or getting in her car could get her killed. Carly said the risk was infinitely higher, but Josslyn said it was a risk she was willing to take. Her eyes were wide open. Nobody was forcing her into this. She chose it. Carly said that was a debatable opinion, and Josslyn said the WSB wasn’t perfect. Cullum was proof of that. But wasn’t that all the more reason they needed people like her? All she was asking was that Carly try and understand it, because Carly was her mother and she didn’t want to lose her over this.

Lulu said Charlotte told her that Valentin was in Port Charles for months, and he said he’d contacted her, but just to let her know he was safe. She’d come to him and he did everything he could to make sure she was safe. The lightbulb came on, and Lulu said, the blizzard. Charlotte wasn’t trying to get to her horse. She was trying to get to him. She could have died because he’d encouraged her. He said he did no such thing. It was over and he wanted his daughter back.

Michael said the last thing he wanted was for Brook to be hurt, but this was about more than just Brook, and Jacinda said there was a new baby in the family. How could he not be thinking of his own? He said it killed him being away from Daisy, and that pain was worse lately. She celebrated her first birthday in June. He’d send Jacinda the video later. She said it sounded like Daisy was happy, and he said, and safe. They couldn’t prove it, but he still suspected Willow had targeted Daisy. He was doing this for his kids. She said Willow wouldn’t have many people left in her corner if it was true about her bailing on the accident, when Chase approached and said that must have been what Michael was hoping for when he framed her.

Tracy told Willow to stay out of her granddaughter’s life and stop calling on Chase for support, but Willow said she didn’t ask Chase to come to the police station. He did that on his own because he cared. Tracy asked why she was at the police station, and Willow said, apparently, she was a suspect in Curtis and Jordan’s car accident. Tracy laughed and said, of course (🍷) she was. Was there any end to her reign of terror? Willow said she didn’t do it, and Tracy said she didn’t jump in the lake either. Willow said someone altered the travel log on her car. They wanted to make it seem like she was there that night so they could… Oh my God. It was you.

Danny said he was happy for Charlotte. It was amazing that her father was back. She said she only wished his was too, but he said, it may never happen. She asked what he meant, and he said he told Chief Brennan that it was Rocco who shot Cullum and Brennan didn’t care.

Dante said Rocco and Charlotte wanted to spend time with the people they cared about and Rocco knew it would probably piss off his mom. He got it, to a point. When he was Rocco’s age, he thought he knew everything about everything, but he didn’t. Neither did Rocco. That’s why it was important that they were honest with each other moving forward. Rocco said there was something Dante should know, but didn’t want him to jump into cop mode, and Dante said he promised not to take any action unless he told Rocco first. Rocco said, Charlotte told Danny that he’d shot Cullum.

Josslyn said the hardest part of this hadn’t been the training or missions, but keeping it from Carly. She’d hated it. Carly asked what kind of life it was not being able to be truthful to the people she loved, always holding something back, but Josslyn said the secret was out now. Everybody knew. Carly said the danger didn’t go away, but Josslyn said it was the life she’d chosen. If Carly couldn’t support that, she understood, but she couldn’t fight with Carly about this anymore. Carly said she’d prayed all night long that Josslyn was going to make it and she’d get to tell her that she loved her. She knew if she fought Josslyn on this that she’d lose her and that would kill her. She wasn’t okay with this and didn’t know if she ever would be, but she did get why Josslyn was doing it and maybe that was enough. Josslyn cried and said Carly had no idea how much that meant to her, but Carly said she thought she did. Josslyn said she loved Carly, and Carly said she loved Josslyn, so, so much. She kissed the top of Josslyn’s head, when Jack walked in and said it looked like Carly got a happy ending after all.

Valentin said he’d prefer avoiding family court, so he was offering Lulu a compromise. Joint custody, 50/50. Lulu asked if he was out of his mind. Charlotte’s home was here in this house with her. He said Lulu still had this fantasy that she could cut him out of his daughter’s life, but it wasn’t going to happen. Not now. Not ever. He wasn’t her problem. Neither was Charlotte, nor the fact that he was finally free. The problem was Lulu.

Rocco told Dante that Charlotte said Danny deserved to know the truth, but Dante said the more people who knew, the harder it would be to keep it quiet. Rocco said Danny was pissed, but he didn’t think Danny would say anything.

Charlotte said she couldn’t believe Danny was so mad that he turned Rocco in. He’d completely betrayed her trust. Danny said he was sorry, but he’d had to give Brennan a name. Even after he did, Brennan said there was nothing he could do about it and to drop it. She said that didn’t mean Brennan would. He was a professional liar. Danny said he had to try. She had her father back and Rocco had his parents. His dad was all he had. He understood if he lost her too. She said she could never hate him. The truth was, if it were her dad, she would have done the same thing.

Lulu said, how dare Valentin accuse her of being the problem? It was him who kept Charlotte a secret from her during the majority of Charlotte’s childhood. He said, in a few short years, Charlotte would be 18, legally an adult and independent. Lulu had better find a way to coexist with him. If she didn’t, he had no doubt who Charlotte was going to choose. News flash. It wasn’t going to be her. He walked out.

Willow said, of course (🍷) it was Tracy. Who else had the motive or resources or the cold, shriveled up heart needed to make her look guilty of leaving people to die in a car wreck? Tracy flashed back to Brook saying she was raised to fight for what mattered and that was exactly what she was doing. Her husband and the family they were creating were all that mattered.

Chase said Michael was setting Willow up again, but it wasn’t going to work this time, and Michael said Chase could believe what he wanted to, but it wasn’t him. Jacinda asked if they could please not do this again, and Chase said she was right. It wasn’t worth it. Michael said Brook was his cousin and he cared about her, and Chase said so did he. Michael said, then be smart. They had Phoebe and the family they’d always dreamed of. Don’t throw it away for Willow.

Jack said he had to ask Carly to step out. He and Josslyn needed to have a classified conversation. Josslyn said it was fine, and Carly told Jack, you son of a bitch. You will pay for this. She left, and Jack closed the door and the blinds.

Wednesday:

Dante met Laura at the MetroCourt Gardens and she said she had good news. Anna was home.

Outside Anna’s apartment, Felicia said they were finally home, and Anna said it was surreal. Felicia said Anna was never going back, not if she had anything to say about it, and they went into the apartment. Mac, Emma, and Gio yelled, surprise! and Emma hugged Anna.

At the pool, Trina worked on her showcase list, and Kai asked her to chill for a while. Trina agreed, when Portia walked in with Isaiah.

Curtis told Jordan that his lawyer advised him to take a plea deal of two years in prison.

Lucas was sleeping on Elizabeth’s couch, and Ric suggested they help him get started on his hangover since he’d interrupted their romantic evening. He lobbed a pillow at Lucas, who asked what he was doing there. Ric said, excellent question.

At the MetroCourt Gardens, Turner told Molly that it all turned out fine, except that Sidwell threatened to kill her. Now she couldn’t prosecute him, so she wanted Molly to take over.

In Sonny’s old kitchen, Carly and the moss bowl🎍were happy that Valentin was back. He said, not only back, free and clear, and they kissed. Carly fretted about Josslyn staying in the WSB, but Valentin said at least they could be open and honest with each other. He didn’t have to hide in the attic anymore. They kissed again, when Sonny walked in and said, out of all the mistakes Carly had made, this had to be the absolute worst.

Anna said she was amazed things were still in one piece, but Gio said they had to replace one of her end tables after Fizz🐶chewed the legs. Anna wondered who Fizz🐶was, and Gio said it was Sonny’s dog. Emma said she’d also broke the mug she’d made for Anna when she was ten, but she made her a new one. Anna said she’d love it. It wasn’t the items you missed, but the people. That’s what really mattered.

Dante said he’d be happy to hand Anna the keys to her office when she was ready, and Laura said he’d done a terrific job during a really rough time. He said he was ready to focus on his family, and she asked how things were going with Rocco. Dante said it was a struggle, but at least the threat of Cullum was no longer there, and Laura said she’d yet to get a straight answer from the WSB. He said he was sorry for not being there when everything went down, but she said he didn’t have to apologize for putting his family first. He was a great dad to her grandson and she was grateful.

Portia and Trina exchanged pleasantries, and Portia and Isaiah got a table. Trina told Kai that it was a little awkward, but she was glad her mom respected her boundaries.

Curtis said there was the possibility of parole in eight months, but Jordan said he shouldn’t have to serve any time at all. He said they intended to argue that he was justified in punching Isaiah because Isaiah knowingly left them injured after a crash, and she added that Isaiah had provoked him by questioning his fitness as a father. He said it fell under the provocation umbrella, but now there was evidence Willow might be the driver, and she said that meant his defense was shaky, but it hadn’t been proven it was Willow. He said, given the severity of Isaiah’s injuries and the consequences for his patients, his attorney was convinced he may end up serving even more time, and she said, if he took the plea, he could miss out on the birth of his child and the first eight months of their life. He said he’d already missed out on that with Trina, and it would kill him.

Carly said Sonny should have knocked, but he said he had. He guessed she was distracted. She asked what he wanted, and he said he wanted to see the moss bowl🎍and get the story on the new fugitive in their daughter’s life. Valentin said he’d been granted a clean slate. He and Carly could see each other whenever and wherever they wanted.

Lucas apologized and said he should go, but Elizabeth said he wasn’t going anywhere. Ric said, fine. He had a meeting to get to anyway. Elizabeth kissed him and he left, and Lucas asked how bad he’d embarrassed himself. She said he may have one or two regrets.

Molly said she was honored Turner would trust her with such a high profile case, and Turner said Molly’s work was excellent and she was most likely to secure a conviction. Molly asked if it shouldn’t be a slam-dunk, and Turner said, normally, but Sidwell could afford a whole school of sharks to defend him. They’d probably claim entrapment. Molly said she did love a challenge, and Turner said, before Molly agreed, she should know they were fast-tracking the case and she’d need to start right away. She had a choice to make. Promote her book or prosecute the biggest case of her legal career. (Well, she could write a book about the case afterward and it would probably be a best seller.)

Anna thanked Gio, and he said he loved Emma. Anna said it was rare that Emma allowed herself to lean on someone. She was sorry she’d worried Emma so much. Gio said she was home now and was better. Emma couldn’t be happier. Anna said she’d missed Emma, and Gio said Emma missed her too. For the record, so did he. They hugged.

Carly asked what the big deal was. It wasn’t the first time she and Sonny had disagreed on the other’s romantic partner. Valentin said, starting with their mutual ex-wife Nina, and Sonny said he thought Brennan was bad, but this guy was on a whole other level. Along with Ava, he’d been responsible for messing with Sonny’s medication. Valentin said he was sorry. If he had it to do over, he wouldn’t, but they were where they were now. Sonny said he didn’t live in the past, but didn’t forget it either, and Valentin asked Carly, how about her? She said they were going to have a long conversation about it later, and Sonny said he still saw a Cassadine. Valentin asked if he didn’t sleep with Alexis, and Sonny asked why Carly would get involved with someone like this. Valentin said because he made excellent Coq au Vin, and Carly said, and if it weren’t for Valentin, Josslyn would be dead.

Curtis said he didn’t believe it was Willow, but Jordan said the police had evidence. He said he didn’t want to speak bad about Michael, but Michael was more than capable of setting Willow up. So were Tracy and Sonny. She said they’d have to prove it was a set-up before his trial, and he said he’d reach out to Nina. She said there was also Chase. He’d gone to the wall for Willow before. Chances were, he’d do it again. He said if he could remove Willow from the equation, he could still make a compelling case against Isaiah. He didn’t have a plan yet, but knew the two of them could come up with something.

Ric apologized to Isaiah for being late and said he understood Isaiah needed a personal injury attorney. Isaiah said he had a criminal case coming up against Curtis Ashford, but also wanted to explore the possibility of a civil suit.

Lucas told Elizabeth that he’d never been more embarrassed. Except for the time he got drunk and threw up on Marco. It was the night they met. Elizabeth said she knew how much Lucas missed him. Was that what last night was about? He said he’d already been having a hard time, but yesterday, he found out something that made it even worse.

Gio said he had to start his shift at the pool, and Anna suggested Emma go with him and relax. She needed a nap and they could catch up later. Gio and Emma left, and Anna said that went for Mac and Felicia too. She needed time to herself.

Sonny said Valentin had been living under the same roof as their daughter, but Carly said Donna had been in no danger because of him. Valentin said Sonny’s place was firebombed, and Carly pulled Sonny aside and said she’d minimized any risk. She needed Valentin’s help to get Josslyn out of the WSB and get back at Jack for recruiting her. It was the whole reason they broke up. Sonny asked why she hadn’t come to him, and she said he knew how Josslyn felt about him, and Valentin knew all about the WSB. He was the only person she could count on and he really came through for her.

Martin met Laura for lunch at the Gardens and said he’d pick up the tab. The case in Reno had been very lucrative. Landing that job was a real stroke of luck. Laura said, it wasn’t luck. It was Jenz Sidwell.

Molly said she knew Turner thought she should stay and prosecute Sidwell, and Turner said she would, but she didn’t have Molly’s passion for writing. Molly said she had a passion for the law too. Right now, they felt equally important. Could she take 24-hours? Turner said, perfect. There was another factor she might consider. Sidwell was a powerful and dangerous man. Molly said she’d been around men like that her whole life, but Turner said she’d never prosecuted one. This put her in Sidwell’s crosshairs. If it weren’t for Sonny… Molly said her uncle had a heroic streak, but it surprised her that he’d put his life on the line for the ADA. He must have thought the reward outweighed the risk. Sidwell created one conflict of interest by taking Turner hostage. But by saving her life, Sonny created another. Now she couldn’t prosecute him either. He managed to disarm two enemies at once. Sidwell and Turner.

Anna said she appreciated Mac and Felicia so much, but she hadn’t had any privacy in a very long time. James must be missing them. Felicia said he was going to have a million questions, especially about the man he thought was his father. Anna said it was settled then, and Felicia said she’d call Anna later. Mac and Felicia left.

Ric said he was surprised Portia had reached out. She was pretty irate when he’d gotten Heather Webber released. Portia said she was still irate about that, but Ric had given her good legal advice and she was hoping for the same for Isaiah. Ric said he’d do his best.

Emma and Gio found Trina and Kai at the pool, and Emma said she had amazing news. Her grandma was back from France and hadn’t escaped this time. Kai asked how Anna was doing, and Emma said, good. She seemed a lot like her old self. Trina hugged Emma, and Gio asked what Ric was doing with Trina’s mom and Dr. Gannon. Trina said, what? and looked over at them.

Elizabeth said, Britt spent the last five years thinking she was dying? and Lucas said he was the one who pressured Marco into helping her. Marco was murdered over a few vials of saline. She said he couldn’t know that. He, Marco, and Britt were the victims. Don’t blame himself. He cried and said it was hard not to. Marco’s death was so senseless. He’d have to live with that for the rest of his life.

Martin said, while Sidwell was blackmailing Laura, Sidwell sent him down the rabbit hole chasing after this payday to get her alone, but Laura said she wasn’t alone. She had Sonny. They worked together and now Sidwell was awaiting trial for attempted murder. He asked if this meant Doc and Ace could come home, and she said she wished. Doc already started the summer semester in Dublin, but she couldn’t wait for him to get home.

Turner told Molly, if Sonny was ever prosecuted, it had occurred to her people would think she was going easy on him because he’d saved her life. She’d have to hand that one off too, but she’d advise from the sidelines. When she’d come to Port Charles, she’d thought about what it would be like to take down Sonny Corinthos all by herself. Molly said it was every prosecutor’s dream, and Turner said, but then things don’t always work out the way you plan.

Sonny said, so Josslyn was still with the WSB, and Carly said, if the choice was between the WSB and a coffin, she’d live with the WSB. Valentin risked everything. He risked his freedom and his life to expose Cullum. And as much as she hated them, the WSB showed up in the nick of time because of Valentin. Sonny asked if Josslyn knew about them, and Carly said, yeah. Sonny asked if Josslyn was okay with that, and Valentin said he was growing on her a little bit. He’d heard Sidwell was behind bars because of Sonny. Sonny said, if it were up to him, Sidwell would be 6-feet under. Cullum got what he deserved after he’d done to firebombed the apartment. He was the reason their son almost died.

Dante banged on Anna’s door and said, police! Open up! She told him to come in, and they hugged. He asked how it felt to be back, and she said it was better now that he was there. Tell her what he had on Cassius.

Laura said it was important to keep this quiet because the public didn’t know she was compromised, and Martin said nobody listened to him, but fine, done. Was there anything else he could do for her? Was Tracy still bothering her? Laura laughed and said, no, but she had a very dear friend who found himself in a very difficult legal situation.

Jordan told Curtis that if she was in his position, she’d want to fight, but was it worth the gamble? Curtis said part of him understood the deal wasn’t unreasonable. He’d hit Isaiah, who didn’t even fight back, and his hand may be permanently damaged. While he still maintained he was provoked, maybe he could live with the plea deal. Maybe he even deserved it. Jordan said he was ex-law enforcement and eight months wasn’t a walk in the park. Passing up the chance to fight to be with his child could make it feel like an eternity. Was that something he’d be okay with? He said, no. If it was just about him, he might take the plea deal, but this was for his child’s sake. He’d take his chance in court.

Trina wondered if her dad knew Isaiah and Portia were talking to a lawyer, but Emma said, it could be about anything. Trina said, or it could mean Isaiah was trying to escalate things. Maybe she should just… Kai looked at her, and she said she was being sucked back into her parents’ lives again.

Ric said it sounded like there was a pretty strong criminal case against Curtis, and Isaiah said he’d also like to seek personal damages. He wasn’t being vindictive, but felt he deserved compensation. Portia said there was a strong possibility Isaiah may never be able to perform surgery again, and Isaiah said he’d spent years learning to master a specific skill, one that not many doctors could provide. If he could no longer provide that skill, it would be tough for him to get over, and that was all on Curtis.

Carly said, Cullum was responsible for bombing Sonny’s apartment and the attempted hit in L.A.? and Sonny said Brick didn’t have definitive proof, but they both knew it was him. Cullum may not be a problem, but Valentin had a lot of enemies. She wouldn’t be safe. Carly said she trusted Sonny, but she wasn’t changing her mind, and Sonny said he hoped it worked out for her. He left, and Valentin said Sonny was right that he had enemies. She said, who didn’t? If he was trying to scare her away, he was too late. She put her arms around him.

Anna said, Cassius was dead? How? Was Dante sure? Dante said the WSB was being skimpy with the details, but it sounded like he was involved in the shootout that took out a bunch of their agents, including Cullum. She said Cullum was directly under Z, and Dante said he guessed the Bureau was reeling from the fallout. She asked if Cassius had been working with Sidwell this whole time, and he said, yeah. She said she owed Dante an apology. She thought she’d vetted Cassius and was completely fooled by him. At the time, she was convinced he was Nathan. He said they all were, but she said she should have dug deeper. Him not remembering anything after he’d been shot was all too convenient. Dante said they’d wanted so badly for their friend to be alive, they believed things they shouldn’t have. He didn’t expect this guy to get into the system and swap out his fingerprints for Nathan’s. She said it made sense. Cassius was raised by Faison. He knew his father well enough to convince her that Faison was alive. He was the reason she was put in a mental institution and she lost months of her life.

Walking into the secret apartment, Turner said, if it wasn’t the man who saved her life, and Sonny said he couldn’t take credit since he was the reason she’d been in danger in the first place. She said he was right. She was furious. Maybe she should go. He said, wait. She couldn’t be that mad since she’d given him a kiss that day. She said she shouldn’t have. That was risky with the cops around. He said there weren’t any cops around right now, she said, good point, and they kissed.

Lucas said he was glad he ended up at Elizabeth’s. He’d apologize to Ric again. Elizabeth said Ric would get over it, and he said, if she ever needed it, there was always a spot on his couch for her. She said she hoped she never had to take him up on that, but it was nice to know she had an insurance policy. Eat. He said, yes, Nurse Ratched.

Martin went to see Curtis and said his sister told him about Curtis’s case. It sounded like he could use a second opinion.

Ric said if Isaiah wanted to pursue a civil suit, he was confident he could get a substantial amount of money, and Isaiah said he might not get back his surgical career, but at least it was something. Ric said it would be pretty fraught with Curtis being the father of Portia’s children, but Portia said she was totally on board.

Valentin asked if Carly was sure she was okay with what happened between him and Sonny in the past, and she said she wasn’t okay with it, but she wasn’t involved with that man. She was involved with him. She wouldn’t have gotten through any of this without him. He said, sure she would have. They’d come a long way since he’d shown up there. She’d tried to club him with a fire poker. She said she’d wanted him out of there as fast as possible, and he said, what about now? She said she never wanted him to leave and kissed him.

Dante left, and when Anna closed the door, Peter August said, it’s good to be home, isn’t it? Now she could finally get her revenge.

Thursday:

At the pool on the phone, Lucy turned down a blind date and tried to make a real estate deal. She saw Chase, who said he was hoping to run into her. He wanted to ask about the statement she gave the PCPD about Willow.

Lucas found Elizabeth in the kitchen and she told him that she’d checked in with work on her phone and it said Jack Brennan had been released from Turning Woods. It said he walked out on his own. How was that true?

Nina told Willow that she’d already lost Jay once. Now she felt like she’d lost him all over again. She’d believed she had a living, breathing miracle, but it turned out to be just a con. What a great performance. Willow said the last thing Nina needed was dealing with Drew, so she’d take care of him on her own, but Nina said Willow was her daughter and she loved her. This is where she needed to be.

Sonny said he knew emotions were running high, but Turner kissing him so close to the cops was a risky move. What was she thinking? She kissed him again.

Martin said he was sorry for everything Jordan had been through, but she said she was more concerned about Curtis and what happened at the MetroCourt. Martin said he’d be more than happy to give them his legal opinion, but wanted to hear all the details first, and Curtis said he wouldn’t be taking the plea deal. He wanted his day in court.

Tracy told Brook that she’d just been stuck in a conference room with Willow, and Brook asked if she’d meddled again. Tracy said she didn’t have to. Brook had done enough meddling for both of them.

Willow said she wasn’t involved in Jordan’s car accident, and Nina said the PCPD’s actions were bordering on harassment. Chase would help them. Willow said when she was arrested for what she’d done to Drew, Chase would never help her again, but Nina said they’d make sure that didn’t happen. Willow said she kept catching Drew flexing his fingers. His mobility was coming back. Nina asked, when was his last shot? and Willow said, this morning, but she didn’t have much left. Nina said they had to get more.

Lucy said she didn’t have anything against Willow, but thought it was her civic duty to come forward, and Chase said, the accident was months ago. Lucy said she hadn’t realized Willow was at the Quartermaines the same night she was. When she did, she went right to the police. She saw Willow tear down the driveway and figured she and Michael had another big fight. He asked if Michael told her that, but she said she hadn’t discussed it with Michael at all.

Tracy told Brook that Willow said she was being framed for leaving the scene of Jordan’s accident. In Willow’s mind, she and Michael had the means and motive to make that happen. She knew she didn’t do it and she was pretty sure Michael didn’t do it. Brook said, then who cares? but Tracy said she had to wonder if someone else had the means and motive, and a third suspect came to mind. Brook. Brook said she’d asked Tracy to stay out of this, and Tracy asked how Brook could be so reckless, framing Willow for something she did.

Turner told Sonny that it wasn’t every day someone saved her life. She guessed she lost her head for a moment. He said he wasn’t complaining about the kiss, but she was the ADA, looking to keep her job, and she knew what he was. She said, coffee importer? and he said nobody could know about them. She asked if it occurred to him that somebody already did.

Martin said he still had to do his due diligence, and asked if they could just review the circumstances. Curtis had been charged with assault. Jordan’s phone rang and she stepped away, and Martin told Curtis, start at the beginning. Jordan answered and Sidwell asked if she had a minute for her old boss.

Elizabeth told Lucas that Willow hadn’t yet scheduled communication assistance for Drew, yet Brennan had already packed his bags and left Turning Woods. Lucas said it seemed highly unlikely that Brennan made a full recovery that fast, and she said, highly unlikely? He said, fine. Unheard of. People don’t recover from a massive stroke and locked in syndrome in months. She said, most don’t recover at all. Look at Drew. Willow insisted on caring for him at home… Maybe that was the difference.

Willow said just being arrested would be enough for Michael to come after the kids again, but Nina said they’d be ready for him. Willow said Michael had the upper hand, but Nina said they had their own resources. They could grab the kids and run. Willow said she wasn’t making her kids fugitives, and even if she did, Michael would find them. She needed to take control of the situation, and as much as she hated it, the best way was with the help of Chief Brennan.

Jordan said she had to step out and told Martin that she’d do whatever it took to help Curtis. She left, and Martin said he didn’t know how Jordan could help if she hadn’t witnessed the assault. Curtis said she hadn’t, but she was the reason it happened.

Brook said she’d wanted Chase to see Willow for who she was and realized she could frame Willow, who didn’t have an alibi. Tracy said they didn’t want scrutiny. They wanted the accident to go away. Brook said, it seemed like a good idea when Lucy suggested it, and Tracy said, Brook thought she could make a bad situation better by setting it on fire? That’s what she did when she took Lucy’s advice.

Chase asked why Lucy had been at the Quartermaines, and she said, Deception business. He said, so she was there to see Tracy, but she said she had a meeting with Brook. He said, but Brook wasn’t home. She was at Charlie’s for Gio’s performance. Lucy said they met before Brook left.

Jack said, forgive him if he was on edge. The last time he was there, he had a massive stroke and Nina stabbed him with a needle. Nina reminded him that it was an accident, and Willow said, please tell her that he brought the proof Drew misappropriated federal funds. They were running out of time. Jack said he had some bad news.

Elizabeth asked if Lucas remembered her saying how strange it was that two healthy men had massive strokes, ended up with locked-in syndrome, and were both in the same house. What were the odds? Lucas said it was very unlikely. Did she think there was an environmental cause? She said she didn’t know. They couldn’t rule it out, especially since Drew wasn’t making any progress, but Brennan made a miraculous recovery in a different location. If they’d had a reaction to a toxin or substance in the house, Drew was still being exposed to it.

Tracy asked if Brook confessed to Lucy that she was the other driver, but Brook said, no. Tracy was overreacting. Willow wasn’t going to be framed for a crime. She was just going to look bad. Tracy said she wasn’t worried about Willow. She was worried about Brook. Brook said she did it for her husband. She wanted Willow to fall off the pedestal he had her on. Tracy asked if she hadn’t made it clear that she’d help Brook any way she could, and Brook said she had, but she’d also made it clear she had no faith in Brook’s marriage. So why would she help save it?

Sonny asked if Turner thought Sidwell was on to them, but she said, no. He’d had no reason to expect her to be at the gallery. But she got the feeling he was sensing something when Sonny called her Justine on the phone. Sonny said, even if that was the case, Sidwell had no proof or credibility. The worst he could do was push her buttons when she prosecuted. She said she wouldn’t be the one prosecuting. Sidwell was going to be tried in two separate cases. One for shooting Lucas Jones and one for holding her and Ava hostage. Since she was technically one of his victims, it was a conflict of interest in both cases. Sonny asked, so who was going to do it? and she said she chose Molly Lansing-Davis. Molly hadn’t formally accepted and it meant canceling her leave, but the high-profile cases would be good for her career. Sonny said he wasn’t so sure. Sidwell had a way of getting rid of his problems, and now she’d made his niece one of them.

Jordan met Sidwell in the interrogation room, and he said, after reflecting, he’d put some pieces together. There was only one person who knew he owned the house he was hiding out in. That one person was her. She must have given his location to the police. She admitted she did, and he said he’d been nothing but good to her. How could she sell him out like that? She said she’d been working undercover the whole time.

Tracy said of course (🍷) she would have helped Brook, but Brook said Tracy would have told her to cut Chase loose, but she loved him. Tracy said maybe she’d rushed to judgment when she saw Willow and Chase at the boathouse, but Willow had her claws in him and she didn’t like how Chase put her needs ahead of his family. Brook said it upset her too, but Willow was a master manipulator. She just wanted to set up a situation where Chase saw Willow for who she really was, so he’d stop running to save her every time she called. Go ahead and say she’d made a mistake, but don’t tell her it was wrong to fight for her family.

Chase said he hadn’t realized Brook and Lucy saw each other that night, and Lucy said, since Maxie’s collapse, Deception’s stock had gone into freefall and they’d been struggling. Jenz Sidwell was a significant investor and his arrest hadn’t helped things. The good thing was, she and Brook were on the same page about everything.

Martin said he got how Curtis wanted Isaiah to pay for the role he thought Isaiah played in the accident, but it wasn’t what the law was set up to do. There was a good chance the jury would never even hear about the accident if the judge decided it was prejudicial, which it was. If he was Curtis’s lawyer, he wouldn’t be doing his job unless he strongly urged Curtis to reconsider that plea deal.

Sidwell said, no one could maintain a cover that long, and Jordan said she hadn’t done anything he hadn’t done himself. Get inside an organization – in his case, a community – and work your way up through a series of good deeds. Gain trust and gather information you could use. In her case, gather evidence she could use against him. He must have figured that out. He was always so careful not to let her near anything that might have been illegal. He said he was suspicious at first, but she won him over and made him rely on her. She was the perfect public face for his criminal enterprise. And what a beautiful face it once was and could be again.

Lucas wondered, if there was a toxin in Drew’s house, wouldn’t anybody who was there for any period of time have a reaction? but Elizabeth said, maybe it interacts with everyone’s physiology differently. He said he didn’t think there was a direct contact or airborne substance that only affected white men over 40. It was definitely a strange coincidence though, and if there was even the possibility of a toxin, they had to notify the county. She said, and Willow needed to know there was definitely something wrong with her house.

Jack said he’d gone back to his WSB office and confirmed his black box was missing. He was hoping Cullum left it behind. Nina asked why he hadn’t made a copy, but Jack said it was too risky. She said, so there was no black box, no evidence, and no paralytic drug, and Willow said Drew was going to recover and come straight for her. Jack said she could always kill him.

Sonny said Sidwell could come after Molly to get to him and if he destroyed Sonny’s brother, he got a bonus, and Turner said she’d just wanted the most qualified person to take over. He said he just wanted to protect his brother and niece, and she said she did too, but prosecuting criminals meant being willing to take on a certain amount of risk. Molly knew that well. He said there was a difference between knowing it and facing it head-on, and she said she thought that should be up to Molly. He asked if she’d just reconsider, but she said, no. He said, why? and she said public perception played into this. The whole world knew she owed Sonny a debt. She couldn’t appear to be giving him or his family any special treatment. She couldn’t even be seen talking to him anymore. He asked if she was saying she wanted this to be the last time they saw each other.

Sidwell told Jordan that she could have her beautiful face back – he snapped his fingers – like that. He was going to pull some strings and send her to the same clinic that pulled Michael Corinthos back from the brink. Their waiting list was beyond consideration and the fees they charged, oof. He was wiling to get her to the front of the line and pay for her surgery. Jordan asked what would have been in it for him, and he said he needed someone to go to Zurich, empty a few accounts, bring the money back to Port Charles. He still needed that someone. She asked if he still trusted her to do that, and he said, today was her lucky traitor day. He still really needed the cash and she could totally use that surgery. So did they have a deal?

Willow told Jack, absolutely not. They weren’t murderers. He told her, said the woman who put two in her husband’s back, and she said, whoever did that must have been driven to it and couldn’t have been thinking rationally. Nina said he was talking about murdering a man in cold blood, and he said he was just offering it as an option. He and the WSB would hate to see a good friend get expelled from congress. Nina said they all would, and he said, so it was unanimous. Everyone would like Willow to stay in place. In light of that, there was one possibility.

Martin said even if he could make it look like Isaiah provoked Curtis, that was no guarantee he’d get the result he wanted. If he was convicted, he was looking at ten years, parole maybe in two. Curtis said the plea deal included prison time. Two years with the possibility of parole in eight months. He had a child on the way. Martin said it was an awfully big risk, and Curtis said they needed to get a not guilty verdict. Was Martin the lawyer who could make that happen?

Tracy told Brook that she was sorry. She hadn’t wanted to make this harder for her. But she was sorrier that Brook put the fate of her marriage in the hands of Lucy Coe. Brook said Lucy was kind of the expert, but Tracy said, at best, Lucy was a birdbrain with a room temperature IQ. At worst, she was larcenous, calculating, and a parasite. Her brother Alan was a fool, but he was no dummy. Yet somehow, Lucy convinced him to marry her. She’d learned that underestimating Lucy was at one’s own peril. How much did it cost Brook? Brook said Lucy wanted her Deception shares, and she said, half.

Lucy said she was sorry. She thought Brook would have told Chase about the stock transfer. Chase said he was guessing she didn’t tell Tracy either, or the whole house would have heard the screams. Why did his wife give her the shares? Lucy said, it really just made good business sense. With all the instability and difficulties with Deception and the friction between her and Tracy, she and Brook decided it was best to consolidate control of the company, which needed to be in her sturdy and capable hands.

Tracy said, how could she? The point of giving Brook the shares was so they could run Deception together. Brook said she knew it was. She knew it would hurt Tracy and that was why she’d put off telling her. Tracy said, because procrastination always helps everything, and Brook said she was sorry she’d hurt Tracy, but not for giving Lucy the shares. She loved her family more than she loved any company. Tracy said she just hoped the house of cards Brook built didn’t come crashing down on top of her, and she walked out.

Chase said Lucy was now majority shareholder and must be thrilled since the company was originally her idea, and Lucy said she was thrilled that Brook had faith in her to lead the company through these very turbulent times. He said it sounded like she was in debt to Brook, but she said, no. They both agreed on the long-term value of this mutually satisfactory business arrangement.  

Martin said Curtis’s actions were inappropriate, but his story was compelling. He didn’t think the jury would root for someone who’d chose to drive away when someone else was in trouble. If they could put Jordan on the stand so the jury could see the injuries that were exacerbated when a medical doctor refused to stop, he thought he could prove Curtis was provoked past a reasonable standard of behavior. But there was a whole lot of if. Curtis had to decide if it was a risk he wanted to take. Curtis said he had. He couldn’t spend the first eight months of his child’s life in prison. He had to defend his name, for his sake and his child’s.

Jordan said, as tempting as Sidwell’s offer was, she’d pass, and Sidwell said she’d come to regret that decision. She said she only had one regret. That Sonny took him down before she had the chance to do it herself. He said but she was the one who gained his trust by pretending to be someone she wasn’t. Then she betrayed him. That was personal, almost intimate. He would find a way to pay her back in kind, to make her suffer as deeply as he did. But she could console herself and say she still had her principles, and every time she looked in the mirror at her damaged, ravaged face, she’d say, I could have been beautiful again. Jordan said she’d heal on her own, but she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she’d done one more thing to help him. She walked out, then touched her scar. (Okay. She has a scar, but damaged and ravaged? A bit of an exaggeration.)

Turner said she didn’t want to stop seeing Sonny, but something had changed for her. At first, their relationship was something of a dare. She couldn’t trust him, so she kept her guard up. She was waiting for the day when one of them betrayed the other, but that wasn’t how she felt anymore. He asked, what changed? and she said he risked his life for her. He said he’d do it again, and she said, what happened at the gallery showed her that what they had was real. He said when they first started seeing each other, they knew it couldn’t last forever, but when he saw Sidwell holding her hostage, he knew he couldn’t lose her. She said she couldn’t lose him, and they hugged.

Jack said Cullum would have wanted the black box close, so in all likelihood, it was still on Spoon Island. So if Nina and Willow weren’t willing to go the whole nine yards to solve their true problem, they had two options. They could either convince Drew not to turn them in or find the black box. He thought they knew which was the only real option. The doorbell rang and Willow opened the door to Elizabeth. Elizabeth said she was shocked to see Jack standing, especially there.

🌞 Summer Friday…

Valentin went to see Josslyn at the hospital and brought her flowers. She said they were beautiful. Did he steal them from another patient? He asked if she’d accept them if he said he did, and she said, if it meant he left faster. He said it was like she wasn’t surprised to see him, and she said, not in shackles, escorted by armed escorts, and he said it was like she already knew he’d been released.

Lulu showed up at Sonny’s old kitchen, where the moss bowl🎍resided, and Carly said she seemed to be on a mission. Whatever she had to do or say, have at it. She asked if Carly put Valentin in contact with her daughter.

Ethan was lounging by the pool (on his stomach), when Ava came by bringing him a drink. He took a sip, and she asked if it was too fruity for him, but he said it was light on the rum. Could she walk it back to the bar and tell them to put some in?

Brook fussed over Phoebe, when Chase walked in.

Jack said he was grateful to Elizabeth and the entire staff at General Hospital and Turning Woods for the exemplary care he’d received. Thanks to them, he’d made a full recovery. Elizabeth said the progress he’d made was unexpected, and she wondered if being at Turning Woods made the difference between his recovery and Drew’s. She thought there might be a connection between them.

Fitzpatrick met Britt in the interrogation room and said he wanted to ask her a few questions, but she said that wasn’t going to happen.

Anna flashed back to when she was kidnapped, when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to Obrecht, who said she was there to ask for Anna’s help.

Ava said her gratitude was decreasing and there was plenty of rum in the drink, and Ethan said forgive him for thinking he deserved a cocktail after what he’d been through. He did get shot for her. She said, in that moment, he was quite heroic. Now he was just being an ass. He said, funny she should use that word. He thought what she enjoyed most about being stuck with him was that she got plenty of looks at his derrière. Was she trying to stop him from bleeding out or trying to cop a feel? She dumped the drink on his head and asked if that was enough rum for him.

Chase took Phoebe and said he loved her so much. Nothing was more important than her. (I have to say it again, this baby is beyond cute) He put Phoebe in her bassinet and told Brook that he’d stopped by the pool where he’d talked to Lucy Coe.

Elizabeth said she and Lucas were on duty when Jack was brought in, and Nina said she’d been glad to see both of them. The whole thing was terrifying. Elizabeth said she could imagine. And Willow was with Drew when he had his stroke. As a nurse, there was something about all of this that struck her as odd. Two healthy men both having strokes resulting in Locked-In Syndrome was kind of rare. Willow said, if she didn’t know anything about medicine, she’d be completely paranoid, and Elizabeth said, since both strokes happened there, she was wondering if the source of this medical condition wasn’t in this house.

Carly said, before this went further, Lulu should know Josslyn joined the WSB a year ago. Jack recruited Josslyn without her knowledge and kept it from her. When she found out, she was furious and devastated. It wasn’t the life she’d wanted for her daughter. She had to get Josslyn out, but didn’t know how to do that without putting her in more danger. So she went to someone who knew all about the WSB. Lulu said, Valentin, and Carly said she pretended to be his lawyer and went to Steinmauer. She was desperate for information that would help save her daughter. Lulu said Valentin didn’t give anything away for free. What did Carly offer him in return?… You helped him escape.

Valentin told Josslyn that he met with Z and told him about Cullum and Faison’s work. He was moved back to his cell and informed he’d be shipped back to Steinmauer. He’d known it would be a distinct possibility, but the device was just too dangerous. Plus, she and Charlotte were in danger, so he really didn’t have any other option. Josslyn said he had another option, but he just didn’t take it, and he said, imagine his surprise when, within 24-hours, all charges against him were dropped and he found himself with a first-class ticket (!) on a flight back home. She said he was lucky they didn’t put him in steerage, and he said he was lucky they didn’t strap him to the wing. The Bureau had no reason to free him. It was like he had a guardian angel at the WSB. He couldn’t make sense of it, then he saw their statement saying Cullum died a hero,. Josslyn said she’d seen that too, and he said they were among the very few who knew that wasn’t true.

Obrecht said, it seems our fortunes have turned, Scarecrow. Anna regained her sanity and she lost her son. The WSB was responsible for taking them both. Anna asked why she was there, and Obrecht said, Anna’s former colleague at the WSB, Director Ross Cullum, was a double agent and the individual spearheading the completion of Cesar’s final project. He was an evil psychopath who’d blackmailed her Britta into constructing the prototype for him. When Britt finally found the courage and strength to defy him and flee Port Charles, he abducted her and forced her to finish the device in Britt’s place. Anna said she didn’t know any of that. She was sorry Obrecht was taken, but also grateful the device was confiscated before any real damage was done. Obrecht said, that’s where she was wrong. An incredible amount of damage was done. Her son was killed and now his memory was being tarnished by a WSB cover-up.

Chase told Brook, the warrant to check the trip log in Willow’s car was based on statements from two credible sources. One was Drew, when he was questioned by Detective Fitzpatrick, but the source that put the whole investigation of Willow into motion was Lucy. Brook said it was probably the only time Lucy or Drew had been called credible, and he said Lucy came to the station of her own volition to give a statement. They hadn’t even been looking into Willow as a potential suspect, so he wanted to ask what Lucy knew and why she’d come forward now. Brook said she wished he hadn’t done that.

Ethan asked what he’d done to Ava other than protect her and make her get him a drink… and snacks… twice. She said, for one thing, he was still lying to her. What did he remember about their time in the storage room? He said, aside from her surprisingly tender bedside manner, not much, and she said he’d been lightheaded, in and out of consciousness, and said something she didn’t think he would have had he been thinking clearly. She’d told him to hold on for his daughter, and then he said that Phoebe wasn’t his.

Willow asked if Elizabeth thought there was a poison or something in her house, and Elizabeth said, maybe. Willow acted shocked, and Elizabeth said she’d never seen anybody recover from Locked-In Syndrome the way Chief Brennan had. It was so fast. The fact that he was standing there talking to her while Drew hadn’t recovered at all, raised the possibility that the cause could be environmental in nature. Jack asked if she was saying because Drew was being treated at home, he was still exposed to whatever caused his stroke, and she said, yes. There could be something toxic in the house they’d both been exposed to, but Jack being away from it gave him the opportunity to recover from it, while Drew continually being exposed to it was keeping him sick.

Fitzpatrick said he wasn’t accusing Britt of any crime, but thought it would benefit her to talk to him, and she said, pass. He said they recovered a used syringe in her room at Bobbie’s. They sent it to the forensics lab and it came back positive for saline residue. He wondered why she’d be injecting herself with saline, and she said because she was a world class idiot.

Valentin said Josslyn was the sole survivor of the events on Spoon Island. It would be a real black eye for the Bureau if it were to be made public. The treaties, the laws broken by Cullum through the creation of his cold fusion device. She’d agreed to play ball, didn’t she? To say what they wanted her to say. Josslyn asked what he thought that was, and he said, that the heretofore unknown and currently deceased Cassius Faison, son of Cesar, was the real villain in all of this. He took her book out of her hand and said she was a smart woman. He didn’t think she’d do that if she didn’t get something in return. He didn’t know what it was, but he knew it part it involved his unconditional release. So first, he wanted to offer her his gratitude for giving him his life back. And second, he would like to know why.

Carly said all she did was convince Jack to transfer Valentin to a WSB prison in the states. Valentin orchestrated the escape and hijacking all on his own. She had nothing to do with that. Lulu asked if Carly thought that meant her hands were clean. She basically unlocked his cell for him. Carly said she did what was required to save her daughter, and Lulu said Charlotte told her that she’d been in contact with Valentin for months. Carly knew where he was this entire time, didn’t she? Carly said he was hiding out in her attic, and Lulu said, she let him stay there? A wanted fugitive in the same house as her child? Carly said it was the safest place she could think of. She was dating Jack and Valentin poisoned her last year. Who would think to look here? Lulu said Carly just admitted Valentin almost killed her, yet she let him stay in her house, and Carly said she didn’t invite him. He came there looking for help. Lulu said it made her wonder what else Carly did to help… On Christmas, Carly said she needed Charlotte’s help with the creche and brought her there to get it. Did she do that so Valentin could see her? Carly said, yes, I did.

Anna told Obrecht that she’d spent the last six months in a mental institution fighting for her life. She couldn’t even entertain the possibility of a vast WSB conspiracy right now, much less expose one. Obrecht said Anna’s ordeal happened because of the WSB. She and her son may have been the victims, but so was Anna. Anna asked what she was talking about, and Obrecht said Anna’s grip on her sanity may be tenuous, but she didn’t get to this place alone. When Cullum kidnapped her, he’d held her in the exact same room where he’d previously held Anna. Anna asked what room she was referring to, and Obrecht said, the room in the subbasement of Windymere. Anna said, describe the room to her. How did Obrecht know she was there? She’d been listening to doctors tell her that she wasn’t held captive and had a psychotic break. If Obrecht had proof that it was real, she had to show her.

Carly said, any interaction between Charlotte and Valentin happened at her house where Charlotte was safe and protected, but Lulu said Carly put her daughter’s life at risk. Carly said, Charlotte was fine. Her daughter was in the hospital recovering from a gunshot that almost killed her. It was the reason she was fighting so damn hard to get her out of the WSB. Josslyn’s death wasn’t something she could survive, so she wasn’t apologizing for doing whatever it took or working with whoever she had to in order to keep her daughter safe. Lulu said she was very happy Josslyn would be okay, but teaming up with Valentin wasn’t just WSB work, was it? She saw Carly outside the hospital. She was kissing Valentin. Carly put her daughter in danger because she needed to keep Valentin in her bed.

Josslyn said her mom got involved in all of this with Valentin because she wanted to get her out of the WSB. That made it her responsibility to make sure her mom didn’t go down for any of it. Valentin said, so she couldn’t let Carly be indicted for aiding and harboring a fugitive, and she said she needed to make sure her mom wasn’t faced with any charges in order to keep her safe, so she said what Z needed her to say. And Cassius and Cullum were both dead, so it didn’t really matter who got painted the hero or the villain.

Obrecht drew on a pad and said, this was exactly how the room she was held captive in looked. Here on this wall, Josslyn Jax showed her what Anna wrote. Anna Devane was held captive here. I was taken on 10-31-25. Anna took the pad and thanked her. She said she knew she was held somewhere. It was very gratifying to have her version of the events confirmed. Josslyn was there too? Obrecht nodded and said, near the end of her confinement, so was Josslyn’s mother. Anna said she didn’t get what this had to do with her holding Cullum to blame and exonerating Obrecht’s son, and Obrecht said Anna was Cullum’s victim, just like her and Cassius. Anna said she never saw Cullum. She couldn’t confirm that he ever did anything to her. But she could confirm that Cassius lied to her and pretended to be Nathan. In order to do that, he had to dig up his own brother’s corpse and fake his own DNA and fingerprints, and that sounded to her very much like his father. It made her believe that Cassius would be capable of seeing Faison’s work to completion.

Ethan said he was pretty sure his words were garbled from all the gunfire, and Ava said that was probably it. She’d see what Alexis thought. He said, do what she had to do, and she said he wasn’t Phoebe’s father and was running some kind of con, right? Trying to extort Brook and the Quartermaines. He said that wasn’t it at all. He had money and didn’t need to extort. She said, it’d be fun to have a little of it, right? but he said he was telling her the truth. He’d made a promise to Phoebe’s mother. He wasn’t trying to use Phoebe. He was trying to protect her. Ava said, from what? and he said, trust him. She didn’t want to know.

Brook said the last time Chase interfered in an investigation involving Willow, it cost him his detective shield, but Chase said he wasn’t interfering. He was asking questions. Willow admitted she was at the house, but denied being on the road then. Brook asked if she said where she was, and he said Willow told him that she was at her house with Drew at the time of the accident. Brook told him that Drew said something different. Isn’t it possible Willow isn’t telling the truth? Chase said Brook told him herself that Drew wasn’t a reliable witness. He was guessing Willow’s trip log was altered or hacked. She asked if it didn’t make more sense that Willow lied, and he said he’d consider that a distinct possibility if Willow hadn’t been set up before. His first guess was that Michael hacked her car. She said he couldn’t keep blaming Michael, and he said, then Lucy told him something that changed everything – that she owned half of Brook’s Deception shares. Brook said, it was just a business thing, and he said, then why not tell him? Was she the one who framed Willow?

Jack said he didn’t know what happened to Drew, but he knew what caused his stroke, and Nina said, fill them in. He said the information he was about to give them couldn’t leave this room. On the day he fell ill, he was working with a WSB team on a classified matter. In the course of that work, he was exposed to a substance. Elizabeth asked, what kind of substance? and he said that was classified, but it explained why he was moved to Turning Woods so quickly, so he could be privately taken care of. Elizabeth wondered if Drew could have been exposed, but Jack said he didn’t see how since it was highly restricted. There was no connection, except that he happened to be there after he was exposed. He wanted to thank Nina for acting so quickly. She might have saved his life. Nina said she was glad she was able to help, and he said, selfishly, so was he. He left, and Willow said, mystery solved.

Chase said, if Brook told him that she didn’t do it, he’d believe her, but he knew with her and her family, the reflex was to always deny the truth when they got caught. She said she promised him that she’d never lie to him. Yes, she did it. She framed Willow.

Fitzpatrick asked if Britt was saying that Cullum, the man who was being heralded as a hero, falsely convinced her that she was suffering from Huntington’s Disease, and she said he also supplied her with – air quotes – an experimental medication – end air quotes – only he had access to, to treat it. Fitzpatrick said, and it turned out to be saline, and she said, yep, just a placebo. And she was stupid enough to do whatever he wanted, legal or illegal, to get it. He said it sounded like Cullum messed with her head big time. He was sorry.

Obrecht said, Cassius was manipulated into doing every single thing he did by Cullum, and Anna said Obrecht would say anything to protect her children. Scapegoating a dead WSB agent didn’t require much imagination. Obrecht said she was telling the truth, but Anna said she knew Cullum. He was a well-respected agent. She conceded maybe he lost his way, but the person who instigated all of this, the one who knew exactly how to torture her and mess with her head, would have to be Cesar Faison’s son. Obrecht said she understood why Anna couldn’t take her at her word, but if Anna didn’t believe her, they should ask Josslyn Jax.

Giving her back her book, Valentin said, whatever Josslyn’s reasons, he was grateful. He owed her one. She said she’d keep that in mind, and he said he thought she’d collect right away and tell him to stay away from her mother. She said she didn’t always agree with her mother’s choices, but it was her life. She was free to make them. He said, intentional or not, Josslyn gave a real gift to his daughter, and she said she could see how much they loved each other. He said he’d keep Charlotte safe, and thanked her. He was about to leave, when she said there was one thing he could do for her. Could he give a message to Anna Devane?

Carly said Lulu didn’t know what she and Valentin had shared or what they’d been through, but Lulu said she knew what he’d put Charlotte through. She almost saw her daughter get shot in Prague because she was near him. Just being in his proximity put a target on Charlotte, and Carly clearly didn’t give a damn. Carly said she loved Charlotte, and Lulu said, did she? Because if she didn’t want bullets flying at her kid, why was Carly okay with them flying at hers?

Chase said he was hoping to be wrong and asked Brook why she did it. Brook said, knowing Willow did something terrible and lied about it seemed like the only way to get him to distance from her, and he said, but she didn’t. Brook set her up. Brook said she was sorry. She knew it was wrong, but Willow was around him all the time. She depended on him more every day. She offered him that job… He said, which he turned down, but she said it didn’t matter. For some reason, he just couldn’t see it, but it was clear to everyone else, especially her. Willow used to be married to him and wanted him back. Willow knew what a huge mistake she’d made in letting him go. He said, because Brook convinced herself of that, she thought it was okay to frame Willow for a crime she didn’t commit, but Brook said she didn’t have to convince herself. She just had to see what was right in front of her. And it wasn’t a crime, just a bad thing. Willow wouldn’t go to jail. He said, it could still destroy her life, and she said, all she wanted was for him to look at Willow differently. He said she did all this to separate him and Willow, and instead, she separated them.

Ava asked Ethan to just tell her what he was hiding, but he said, no. She had to trust that everything he was doing was what was best for Phoebe. She had a safe, loving home with two parents who loved her dearly, and that was everything he and Delilah could ever have wanted for her and it needed to stay that way.

Britt said they’d established she would have done anything to have her medication. Was there anything else Fitzpatrick wanted to know? He said, no, and thanked her for clearing up the saline question. It was the one thing he couldn’t figure out. He slid her release paperwork across the table and said she was free to go.

Carly said Lulu had every right to be concerned about her daughter and to be mad at her. She lied to Lulu and went behind Lulu’s back, but she didn’t get to come into Lulu’s house and accuse her of not caring about her kids or Lulu’s. She might not like it, but Charlotte loved her father. She’d seen them together. Valentin adored her and they needed each other. Lulu said it wasn’t up for Carly to decide, and Carly said, then she’d better be prepared for a world where Charlotte snuck around and lied to her because she’d made it impossible for her to be honest. Was that what she wanted? Lulu said, what she wanted was to keep her daughter safe, and Carly giving her parenting tips was rich considering Josslyn clearly hadn’t confided in her.

Jack said he heard Josslyn’s recovery was going well, and she said she’d live. He said he was very glad to hear that. He supposed she’d heard the Bureau had given an official statement. Cullum was hailed a hero. She said Valentin told her. He was just here. He asked how that was possible. Valentin was free? She said he was. He came there to thank her for that. He said, she secured Valentin’s freedom? How? More importantly, why? She knew how dangerous Valentin was, not to mention how bad he was for her mother. She said, those two are a disaster, but they’re not going to last, and he asked how she could be so sure. She said because she just sent him straight to Anna.

Anna told Obrecht that she was sure she’d run into Josslyn at some point, but she’d just spent the last six months in hell. She’d been away from her friends, her family, her entire life. Right now, her focus was going to be on recuperating and that was it. All her dealings with Cassius were lies and she wouldn’t vouch for him with anyone. If Obrecht wanted to clear his name, she’d have to find someone else to do that. Obrecht said Anna may not be willing or brave enough to help her son, but he died a hero and she wouldn’t let him be painted as a monster. She would clear Cassius’s name with or without Anna’s help. She walked out.

Elizabeth asked Willow about communication assistance for Drew, and Willow said she hadn’t been able to sync up her schedule, but she was working on it. Elizabeth asked if she could do anything else, but Willow said she’d done too much already. She was an amazing friend and she was glad Elizabeth was in her life. Elizabeth said her too. Call if she needed anything. Willow said she would, and Elizabeth left. Nina said that was close, and Willow said, too close. She had to track down Brennan’s evidence. If she didn’t find a way to control Drew before his paralysis wore off, he was going to destroy her life. And she would not allow that to happen.

Crying, Brook told Chase that she knew what she did was wrong. She panicked. They had a daughter now and the adoption was in progress. They were on the brink of getting everything they’d ever hoped for. She was afraid of losing it all and it made her do something irrational and stupid. Please tell her that he understood. Chase said he hated that she tampered with any kind of evidence, but to do that to Willow? She already stood trial for something she didn’t do and then she helped them adopt Phoebe. It’s wrong. She said, that was the worst part of this for him? What bothered him most was that she did it to Willow? Willow was what mattered most to him.

Ava asked what was stopping her from going to the Quartermaines right now, and Ethan said his word. And this wasn’t a game. This was as serious as saving her life. If that meant anything to her, drop it. He limped away.

Britt said, free to go? and Fitzpatrick told her to sign out with the desk sergeant. They’d give her the personal items she came in with. She said she thought they were holding her for the WSB, but he said the WSB declined to pursue charges against her. They told them a couple hours ago. She said he just interrogated her. Was that a trick? He said he asked her questions and she answered them and he thanked her for her cooperation. She said, so that was it? and he said, unless there were other crimes she wanted to confess to. Then he could arrange for her to stay longer. She asked where she was supposed to go. She didn’t have any money. She didn’t have a car. She got rid of all her credit cards. She didn’t even have a phone. He gave her five dollars, said she could pay him back later, and he left.

Josslyn told Jack that Anna was held captive in the same room at Windymere she was in, just for a lot longer. Cullum and Sidwell deliberately messed with her mind. They caused her breakdown. Anna needed to know what really happened to her so she could finally heal. Jack said, agreed. But Josslyn could have told Anna all this herself. Instead, she sent Valentin. She knew how much Valentin always loved Anna. Even Josslyn’s mother couldn’t break his fixation over her. Josslyn said that was exactly what she was counting on. If there was one person who could pull Valentin away from her mother, it was Anna Devane.

Lulu said Carly didn’t know Valentin like she did. She’d seen how treacherous he was. How he could justify any lie or manipulation if he got what he wanted. He would do the same thing to Carly that he did to Nina and Anna. She stormed out, not even saying goodbye to the moss bowl🎍.

Anna left a voicemail for Emma, thanking her for stocking the fridge. She’d done such a great job. She was thinking tonight maybe she’d make that pomegranate and goat cheese salad Emma liked so much. Maybe she could pop by the market and pick up some things. If Emma couldn’t, she’d just get them delivered. Okay. Love you. Thank you. She put the drawing of the room in a drawer, when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to Valentin and they smiled at each other.

On Monday, Jack tells Carly, that is always a mistake; Elizabeth tells someone that having them fill the 16th seat on the hospital board is brilliant; Lucas asks Britt, now that you have this, what are you going to do with it; and Brook asks if Chase has lost his mind and if she pushed him toward Willow.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

The slap of John Oliver’s dreams.

https://ew.com/john-oliver-slapped-on-general-hospital-by-star-laura-wright-12013093

Coming back and coming in new.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/jason-returns-to-general-hospital-everything-you-need-to-know-before-steve-burtons-comeback

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/serena-baldwin-on-general-hospital-everything-you-need-to-know-about-scott-and-lucys-daughter

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-head-writers-preview-tristan-serena-scout-and-more-new-characters

What a smile! Can’t wait to see what’s next for this actor.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-how-andrew-hawkes-found-out-cullum-was-being-killed-off

Daytime Emmy noms coming up.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/daytime-emmy-nominations-2026-announcement-date-and-ceremony-details

Here’s hoping Jeff Kober gets the win.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/6-former-soap-stars-score-2026-primetime-emmy-nominations

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

I missed the beginning, but the new guests are big Game of Thrones fans, and I’m good with it. On shore, Gen set up a beach picnic adorned with roses for the guests, and then they set off for Old Town in Dubrovnik (aka King’s Landing). Kat led the excursion dressed in a Game of Thrones-ish cloak, and told the guests that her mother was Croatian and still had family there. In her interview, she said her mother tried to teach her Croatian as a child, but she’d lacked interest and now wished she’d paid more attention. Same, except my father tried to teach me Lithuanian. Kat passed her cloak to Luke, who helped recreate Cersei’s Walk of Shame. The guests were given bells to participate and they were thrilled. Back on the boat, Joy said told Aesha that she wasn’t playing Luke’s game, and in the crew mess, Nathan told Luke that he’d slept like dogsh*t. I have no idea how that’s even a comparison, but okay. For dinner, there was a Game of Thrones feast, where both the food and décor were fabulous. Cooper donned a dragon costume and Eyebrows Joe slayed him, Cooper falling overboard, once again delighting the guests. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she said the crew had created an epic experience for the clients and it was seven-star service. Gen stayed past her shift to talk to Luke and told him that she was being an insecure bitch because he’d helped Joy. In Luke’s interview, he said, hold your horses. This was too intense for him. Gen couldn’t control how he acted or who interacted with, and this was psycho stuff. He told Gen that there was no triangle anymore, but she wasn’t picking up what he was putting down, and said they were on the same page. In his interview, he said he was realizing he made big mistake. He needed it to be over, but didn’t know how to say it without blowing up the boat. Good luck with that.

In the City

The group took a trip to Connecticut for Lindsay’s Friendsgiving getaway. After a kerfuffle about rooms, Georgina told Lindsay that she’d heard influencer Whitney said the two of them had been playing the single mom card, and Yvonne and Lindsay had a sit-down about the wedding. Yvonne said, instead of diffusing the situation, Lindsay added fuel to fire. It would have been nice if someone reminded the table that it was her and Nick’s wedding celebration. Lindsay whined that everyone had been piling on her. Hmm… All the more reason to STFU. In Yvonne’s interview, she said Lindsay thought her stuff was more important, and they were trying to adjust to a new phase of their friendship. The table toasted to Gemma for walking, but then Gavin toasted to Kyle getting 14 gigs, which surprised Amanda. What was no surprise to anyone was that Kyle hadn’t told her. In Amanda’s interview, she said, in her gut, she felt this was the end. She left the table, and Andrea tried to give Kyle some advice, but instead of… I dunno, maybe listening? Kyle did what he does best, yelled a bunch of nonsense and left.

The Valley

The cast awoke to party remnants and hangovers. It was Danny’s birthday next, and a yacht trip was planned. Janet said she’d give Danny the best birthday gift by not going on the boat, and Lala stayed behind with her. While on the boat, Kristen confronted Luke, telling him that Jesse passed along his hesitation about marrying Kristen. No surprise, this turned into a big deal, with Luke defending himself and then removing himself from the no-win-for-him situation. Zack had some kind of bandage wrapped around his face, and Schwartz said he was giving Little Bo Peep vibes. There was more talk about Danny’s drinking and Danny complaining about the talk. That evening, Lala tried discussing it with Danny, but Nia ran interference, literally standing between them, then walked off. Before long, Danny sat alone at the bar wondering why he had no one to drink with.

Next Gen NYC

Gia got her own place in Jersey City, relatively close to Manhattan. Emira felt pressure to stay on top and was having difficulties with her work/life balance. She’d gotten her parents a house and their mortgage was one of her many expenses. Wow. Just wow. In Rowan’s interview, she said she was pursuing a career in entertainment journalism and writing her first feature film. Her mom, Brooke Shields, was on the show for a hot minute and made a few jokes. I’ve always liked her. One of my husband’s cousins hung out with her when they were younger, and she said Brook was very authentic and fun. You can see that in Rowan as well. Georgia and her best friend Cooper wanted to start a cleaning brand and make cleaning fun because they hated doing it. No surprise there, since Georgia doesn’t even like washing her hands. Gia’s boyfriend Christian was helping them get things off the ground, and in Georgia’s interview, she said, a lot of her savings were on the line and whined, if it doesn’t work, what do I do? Um… pivot? Brooks was told by a modeling agency when he was 16 that he had a receding hairline, so he wore a red light helmet every day. I can’t imagine this, since I have a mask I’m lazy about. In Brooks’s interview, he said when he was overwhelmed and stressed, he gravitated toward the curation of sourdough. Again, not same. Avoid the kitchen at all costs is my motto. On the way to girls’ night, Riley and Ariana wondered how to be cool without being fake, as they had issues with Ava and Georgia. IMO, the first step to being cool is not caring if you’re cool or not. Guys’ night was a bust, starting with Gia telling Brooks that Charlie wanted Brooks to keep his name out of his mouth. Sigh. Really? Charlie is too old to be hanging out with these kids in the first place and I don’t think he’s misunderstood at all. He’s an a-hole. Brooks thought it felt weird and threatening, and didn’t want anything of Charlie’s near his mouth. Christian texted Gia that guys’ night sucked, and the end result was a girls’/guys’ night merge.

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-rileys-shady-digs-at-georgia-arianas-new-fling-charlies-offensive-comments-vrt-unpacks-episode-3

Real Housewives Of Orange County

I forgot this premiered this week, so I just half-watched, but one the main takeaway points was that Vicki was back and ready to whoop it up. Like a bad penny (what does that even mean?), Tamra returned as well. In Fancy Pants Heather’s interview, she said Tamra seemed lighter and a bit different. I could swear that’s what was said last season and we all saw how that worked out. In Tamra’s interview, she said she was trying to be a big girl now, but we’ll see. Emily is now barely recognizable because of her intake of Ozempic hours at the gym. Fancy Pants had a Hearts & Heels party, where I missed what started it, but she and Vicki had a non-argument about how Terry made his money. After Fancy Pants loudly explained it was because of boobs, in Vicki’s interview, she said she didn’t believe doctors made enough to live in a $20 million house. Clearly she hasn’t heard about that lucrative practice called plastic surgery. Not to mention, Terry has a TV show called Botched. The best quote came from Heather’s mom Carole when she said, God created Los Angeles, but he lives in New York. I’m pretty sure someone else coined that, but it was still good.

Random Reality Items

Oh… Canada. Why?

Not that I begrudge a sister anything, but never was a cheated on woman fêted so much.

Maybe she got backlash because no one could tell the difference between her and Delores.

Whoa.

https://people.com/rhoc-star-jennifer-pedranti-reveals-son-was-involved-in-causing-brush-fire-in-southern-california-we-are-deeply-sorry-12015810

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

The Home. Hulu. So far, Pete Davidson has not disappointed me, so I took a chance on this one. It also didn’t hurt that it was only and hour and a half, which was the time I had to spare. He held his streak with this one too. Max, a troubled child since his brother committed suicide, is now a troubled adult, doing community service in a retirement home. He begins to get warnings that something is wrong there and residents begin to die. The cast is great and includes John Glover, who is one of my favorites. While some might find the things-are-not-what-they-seem premise tired, it never gets old for me (no pun intended), and I always enjoy trying to figure out what’s behind it all. Admittedly, the end was kind of weird and not what I would have chosen, but I wasn’t totally disappointed. You could spend a worse 97 minutes. Just don’t go to the fourth floor.

Spoilers here.

https://www.azfamily.com/2025/08/01/home-review-horror-film-creator-purge-starring-pete-davidson-is-exactly-what-youd-expect

Maybe I’ve been desensitized by movies like Evil Dead, but this didn’t bother me all that much

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come. Disney+, Hulu. This picks up right where the first one left off. Since I saw the first one not long ago, it was fresh in my mind, so I didn’t do that mental floundering around I often do watching a sequel. This time, protagonist Grace is thrown back into the mix of the survive until dawn game, along with her estranged younger sister Faith. Although Grace annihilated the Le Domas family – surprise – there are five other families she must contend with. Apparently, the seat of ultimate power is available and they’re all vying for the spot. It’s fun and funny, and the casting was spot-on, Sarah Michelle Gellar particularly good as one of the contenders. The fight scenes were excellent, there were plenty of exploding devil worshipers to go around, and the ending was satisfying.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/ready-or-not-2-here-i-come-review-samara-weaving-1236530850

🔭 Other Watches…

Baylen Out Loud, whatever part of the 90 Day Fiancé franchise is on at the time, Jay & Pamela, and Little Singles have also been part of my weekly watch diet. To me, these TLC shows are really what reality TV should be about. Seeing unique people, different lifestyles, and different countries, and seeing how those who are challenged deal with their personal difficulties. In deference to the July 4th holiday, I watched selected scenes from Hamilton last weekend as well. While I do occasionally watch a movie on Disney+, my subscription is really a perpetual rental of that play.

🏆 Award Watch…

A list of this year’s Emmy nominations. I didn’t include that whole snub thing. That seems to be a matter of opinion and come on, everybody can’t get a nod.

https://ew.com/emmy-nominations-2026-full-list-12013543

In case you don’t read the soap section. Rooting for Jeff Kober here.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/6-former-soap-stars-score-2026-primetime-emmy-nominations

🐾 Busier Than Bees…

🐕 He’s worked hard and now he’s ready for his gold biscuit.

https://people.com/disneyland-security-dog-retires-after-6-years-of-service-12014319

🐈 He’s under a year old and already setting records.

https://people.com/michigan-cat-ties-guinness-world-record-with-28-toes-12011402

🐺 They left their homeland for a better life.

https://people.com/ancient-wolves-found-on-remote-swedish-island-may-have-lived-alongside-humans-12013697

🐱 And because, well, you know.

https://people.com/all-about-taylor-swift-cats-12011015

🐲 Quotes of the Week

But instead of spending our lives running towards our dreams, we are often running away from a fear of failure or a fear of criticism. – Erin Wright

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.Steve Jobs 

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. – C.S. Lewis

I’d rather fail at something important than succeed at something trivial. – Paul Hawken

There’s a difference between knowing something and facing it head-on. – Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), General Hospital

It feels like a hoax, like, why would that happen? She’s done shows there. It’d be like if I got married here. – Crocs 34th Street employee re Taylor Swift’s wedding (Vulture)

I want to die. I hate whiskey. – text from Brooks Marks, Next Gen NYC

☀️ Fresh and Simmered In Sunshine…

Until next time, stay safe: stay practicing courteous behavior and respect for locals while traveling; and stay not living in the past, but not forgetting about it either.

Video > 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

July 3, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Z Pays Josslyn a Visit, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Safe At Last, A Stripes Number Of Quotes & America

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

At Pozzulo’s, Alexis talked to Sonny about Kristina’s shadowing program and Molly’s book launch party she was working on with Ric. She said both her girls were happy, but she needed his help with Danny.

Charlotte and Danny ran into the boathouse, and Charlotte said that man was going to abduct her in the middle of the day. It was insane, but Danny came back after she’d told him to leave. Danny said he’d always come back for her.

Molly and Cody went to the pool, and Molly said they’d come a long way. From the pool, James shot them with a super soaker.

Turner told Fitzpatrick that Willow declined to answer questions, and he asked if it was really worth the time and resources. She said she wanted Willow to be accountable and the trip log put her on Route 91. Her phone chimed, and she told Fitzpatrick that Britt was taken into police custody in the British Virgin Islands.

Cullum summoned Nathan to Windymere and asked how he was going to solve their Sidwell problem.

A nurse said Anna’s blood pressure was high, but Felicia said they were just excited to see each other. The nurse left, And Anna told Felicia that the man claiming to be Nathan was his twin brother.

Cody made James hand the squirt gun over and apologize to Molly. Then he discovered his phone was soaked.

Boyle was about to leave the parking lot when he got a text.

Fitzpatrick told Turner that he was surprised about Britt, since Dante had avoided the use of the word kidnapping and didn’t want any government agencies involved. She said she wasn’t surprised Dante had changed his mind, but he’d asked her not to report it. Fitzpatrick wondered why.

Cullum asked if Nathan told anyone about the house Sidwell got for Marco, and Nathan said Laura and Jordan knew, and he’d had to tell the PCPD or his cover would be blown. They wanted him to check out the house with another guy. Cullum said he had to make sure Sidwell didn’t walk out of that house alive.

Aix-Les-Bans, France. Emma asked if Dr. Laurent told Mac when Anna could go home, but he said she hadn’t given them a definite date. He didn’t think Anna would be coming back with them because the doctor still had concerns. Emma asked, what kind of concerns?

Anna told Felicia that she’d been headed for Faison’s chateau at the Swiss border, hoping to find proof that he was alive. If she came up empty, she was going to drop it. She didn’t find any sign of Faison, but she found a letter to Faison from Obrecht’s sister Madeline. Obrecht had another son with Faison named Cassius and she had proof he was Nathan’s twin. She handed Felicia the letter.

Sonny asked why Danny would break into the WSB, and Alexis said he’d wanted to make contact with his father. He could have gotten into serious trouble, which was why she needed Sonny to do her a favor. Scare Danny and tell him that he couldn’t take that kind of risk again. Jason would thank him for it. Sonny asked what the WSB said about the break-in, and she told him, Cullum said he’d let it go. Alexis wondered why Cullum was dealing with a kid, and Sonny brought her into his office and closed the door. He said they had to make sure Danny steered clear of Cullum. The guy was deadly. Cullum was the one who killed Marco.

Charlotte asked why Danny came back to the office after he’d left, and he said the guy who attacked her got out of the elevator when he was getting on. He’d noticed the guy had an earpiece and was wearing a holster. His dad and Sonny had one like it sometimes, and he thought she might be in danger. Why was Cullum suddenly after her? She said he must want to use her to get to her dad, and Danny said, good.

Turner suggested sending in a SWAT team instead, but Fitzpatrick thought they shouldn’t use resources they didn’t have to. Sidwell might not even be there. She said, if he was, Fitzpatrick would be vulnerable. She’d have them on stand-by just in case. Fitzpatrick said if Sidwell was there, he’d call so she could have them bring Sidwell in, and he left.

Boyle nervously looked in the trunk of his car, got back in the car, and left.

Cullum told Nathan that Sidwell risked the exposure of their project to avenge the death of his son. In doing so, he walked into a trap. His grief made him an untenable liability and he had to go. Nathan wondered how long before Cullum felt that way about him, and Cullum said he’d already had doubts, but if Nathan eliminated Sidwell, he’d prove himself someone Cullum could trust and earn 50% of the profits from the project. Nathan asked what happened if he refused to kill Sidwell, and Cullum said things would end badly for Agent Jax and Obrecht.

Felicia asked if she was reading this right that Madeline gave Faison one of Obrecht’s sons, and Anna said Obrecht had been told Nathan’s twin was stillborn. According to the date, Cassius had to have been born at the same time as Nathan. It sounded like Madeline might have been trying to protect Obrecht by giving one of the sons a chance to live a life without Faison and letting Faison raise Cassius if he left Obrecht alone. Felicia said, she also wanted money to stay silent. If this was true… Anna said Nathan hadn’t returned to them. They’d buried him eight years ago and Cassius took Nathan’s place.

Molly suggested getting rice to dry out the phone, but Cody said he’d read that a phone should dry out on it’s own or rice particles could get stuck in the ports. (PSA!) He didn’t mind a break from tech. It would give him time to pay more attention to her and James. They kissed.

Alexis asked why Cullum would kill Marco, but Sonny said it was too complicated to get into right now. Lucas figured it out. She asked if he’d gone to the authorities, but Sonny said he didn’t have that kind of proof. She’d have to trust him on this. Cullum was guilty. Alexis said she thought about how she and Danny found Marco every day. It was brutal. He said they had to keep Danny away from Cullum, and she said, aside from being Jason’s son, why would Cullum target Danny? He said he didn’t know. Cullum was a double agent and would do anything to cover his tracks. She asked if Jason knew about Cullum, and he said, Jason knew Cullum was dirty. They had to make sure Danny never found out. She said, Danny would do anything to tell the world that Cullum was a murderer and his father was innocent.

Fitzpatrick scoped out the house, when Nathan got in the car. Nathan said he’d wanted in because it bugged the hell out of him that Sidwell escaped on his watch, and Fitzpatrick said Nathan had been ambushed by professionals and walked out alive. Don’t die. Rule number one. He was pretty sure no one was home. Nathan said it was a long shot and he could take it from there, but Fitzpatrick said he was in it for the long haul. Stakeouts were kind of his thing. He had his playlist ready and snacks. He had a crippling weakness for dark chocolate and 90s grunge bands. (Same.) He asked if Nathan had read the latest on his sister, and Nathan asked, what happened? Fitzpatrick said Commissioner Falconari tracked her and his son to Tortola and Britt was being brought back to the US. Nathan asked about her health, but Fitzpatrick said they didn’t have any information on that.

Felicia said Anna had confirmed Nathan’s identity in at least two different ways, and Anna said it was a DNA test and would have been a match for Nathan, but Felicia said even identical twins didn’t share fingerprints. Anna suspected Cassius broke into the PCPD database and replaced Nathan’s fingerprints with his own. He’d probably exhumed Nathan’s body and disposed of it before he got to Port Charles. Felicia wondered why he’d do all those things, and Anna said Jack told her months ago that there was a connection between Faison and Sidwell. She thought Cassius was the connection. Who better to convince her that Faison was alive than his own son? Felicia asked if she now believed Faison was dead, and Anna said she was still working through that part of the puzzle. Felicia said there was no mention of Cassius being Nathan’s identical twin. Maybe her theory was based on her history with Faison. Anna said Felicia still thought she was crazy, didn’t she?

Emma told Mac that Anna was much better and it couldn’t be much longer before they’d release her.

Cody said he couldn’t wait for Molly’s book launch party, but Molly wasn’t so sure she wanted to be the center of attention. He said the party would be good practice for her book tour, and she said she was grateful. It was hard for her parents to put their animosity aside and work together. He said he wasn’t so sure it was that hard, and she asked if he thought there was something going on between them. He said, for some people, bickering could be a form of foreplay, but she said, no. Just no. He said, sniping at each other could be a way of them covering up their true feelings, like he and Molly did at the beginning, but she told him not to compare them to her parents. She enjoyed their bickering because she’d been attracted to him. Unlike her parents, who loathed each other. He said, based on what he’d seen recently, it seemed like things might have changed between the two of them, but she said, they hadn’t. He wondered why she was against her parents getting back together, and she said, because it would be a disaster of epic proportions.

Alexis said she was going home to install a panic room and lock Danny in it for the rest of his life, but Sonny said, just keep an eye on him. She said she was trying, when there was a knock at the door. Alexis opened the door to Turner and said she was just leaving… unless Sonny needed legal counsel present. Turner said Sonny wasn’t in any legal trouble. She was there to give him a warning about Jenz Sidwell.

Charlotte wondered how it could be good that Cullum was after her, and Danny said it could mean Cullum still thought her dad was in Port Charles and didn’t know about him going to Geneva. She said she’d need to find a place to hide. She couldn’t have Cullum using her as bait. She thanked Danny, but he said they were best friends. Even when they were fighting, they still showed up for each other. She asked if he forgave her for the crappy things she’d said, and he asked if she forgave him for almost giving up Rocco. She said, totally, and he wondered how they were going to keep her safe.

Felicia told Anna that it was a lot to absorb. She was saying the man that was once the love of her daughter’s life wasn’t who he said he was. Anna said she knew she wasn’t a reliable source right now, but think about it. Nathan came to town without any memory of what happened to him after his supposed death. Wasn’t that convenient? Where had he been? Who had he been with? What had he been doing? Felicia said she didn’t know, but Cassius had fooled everyone for months, including the people that loved Nathan. Anna said, he had to have slipped up. Could Felicia think of anything? Something odd or something that seemed out of character for Nathan. Felicia said he dated Lulu and she thought it was really odd, and Anna agreed. Maybe she was wrong, but if she was right, what did that mean for James? Wasn’t it worth looking into her theory for James’s sake? Felicia asked to look at the letter again.

Fitzpatrick told Nathan about having the syringe from Britt’s place tested. They found nothing but saline. The doctor had said saline didn’t really have a medical function other than rehydration or administering other meds, but there weren’t any traces of anything else. He picked up the binoculars again and saw Boyle. He said it looked like someone just got home. Boyle helped Sidwell out of the trunk of his car, and Fitzpatrick said he was calling Turner who had the SWAT team on stand-by. It wasn’t worth trying to take Sidwell down by themselves.

Mac hoped everything was okay, but Emma said she was sure Felicia and Anna just had a lot of catching up to do. Felicia came out and handed Mac the letter. She said he needed to read this.

Nathan said it was a bad idea, but Fitzpatrick said he’d promised to call Turner if Sidwell showed. Nathan said, the last time, he’d gotten ambushed and they lost Sidwell, and Fitzpatrick asked if he thought there was a leak in the department. Nathan said he would put money on it and he didn’t want to risk losing Sidwell again.

Molly said her parents had already separated when she was growing up, so she didn’t deal with them much as a couple, and Cody said maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as she imagined. She said she thought it might be worse. Her sisters told her about her parents’ epic battles and attempts to destroy each other’s lives. It would be a tsunami of chaos and ranker that she really didn’t want to deal with. There were times as a kid that she wanted her parents back together, but as an adult, she could see they were better off apart. Her dad was happy with Elizabeth and she hoped her mom found that with somebody too, just not her dad.

Sonny said he’d set up a meeting with Danny, and Alexis left. Turner told Sonny, thanks to Laura and Jordan, they’d located a potential safe house in Port Charles that Sidwell might be using. Detectives were staking it out right now. With any luck, he should be apprehended soon. Sonny needed to watch his back. If Sidwell was still in Port Charles, it was likely because he wanted to pay Sonny back for his part in Sidwell’s arrest. Sonny said Sidwell hated to lose and he knew Sidwell was coming after him. And he’d be ready.

Inside, Sidwell told Boyle that the house was supposed to be a gift to Marco and he’d imagined Marco starting a family there. Marco was supposed to have a future with Lucas, but it got ripped from him. Boyle wondered if Sidwell shouldn’t get out of town for a while, but Sidwell said he wasn’t going anywhere until he found and destroyed his son’s murderer. And Boyle was going to help him. Boyle said he thought Cullum and Sidwell were partners, and Sidwell said so did he. Cullum had become conspicuously unavailable since he’s been forced underground. He was sure Cullum was hoping the PCPD or Sonny would take him out, so he could reap the rewards of their hard work for himself. Boyle said Cullum was a bit of a creeper, walking around with that corpse-like vibe to him, and Sidwell laughed. He said Boyle was in a perfect position to expose Cullum as a double agent while he removed Corinthos. The WSB would take care of Cullum after Boyle exposed him. Then Boyle could sit back like the hero that he was. Fitzpatrick and Nathan busted in and Fitzpatrick said, hands in the air. Boyle said, innocent man here, and Sidwell said, shut up, you bum. Fitzpatrick said Sidwell was under arrest, and Sidwell said, Cassius, what are you waiting for? Shoot him.

Charlotte said she guessed she had to find a place to hide, but didn’t think Danny was in any danger. He’d knocked out Cullum’s guy from behind, so he probably didn’t see Danny. Danny’s phone rang and he said it was his grandma. Alexis asked where he was, and he said, with a friend. She said she was coming to pick him up. They had something to discuss. He said his friend needed help and he wasn’t going to abandon them.

James asked if Cody and Molly were going in the pool, and Molly said, let’s do it.

Felicia left Cody a message to call her back as soon as he could. She’d like him to keep James away from Nathan for now. She and Mac had reason to believe Nathan wasn’t who he said he was.

Emma said, earlier, Anna seemed like her old self. Was that just an act? Anna said, no. She had to keep certain things to herself so she could talk to Felicia privately. Emma asked if she really thought Cassius was Nathan’s twin, and Anna said she knew it seemed out there, but in her gut she knew she was right. Emma said, what if she wasn’t? and Anna said, what if she was really crazy? Emma hugged her.

Turner told Sonny to be careful, and he said he was taking precautions. Sidwell was the one who should be worried. She said if he hunted Sidwell down and killed him, she couldn’t look the other way, but he said he’d never expect her to.

Fitzpatrick said he thought Sidwell was confused. That was Nathan, not Cassius. Sidwell laughed and asked if Cassius wanted to tell Fitzpatrick, or should he? He supposed he’d do the honors. This is not in fact Detective Nathan West. This is his identical twin brother Cassius Faison. Unlike his beloved saint of a brother, Cassius was no hero, but he was Sidwell’s partner in crime. Fitzpatrick asked what he was talking about, and Sidwell said, no turning back now. Cassius turned his gun on Fitzpatrick and said he was sorry. Fitzpatrick needed to drop the gun. Fitzpatrick looked panicked.

Tuesday:

Tracy went to see Sonny because she was concerned Sidwell would be coming for him and he shared his home with Gio. That made it their problem.

Nina met Ava at the pool and asked if it was just the two of them. Ava said, about that… and Nina looked over to see Ethan.

James and Cody went to the batting cages. He wanted Cody to film him, but Cody said his phone still had to reboot. James said Cody could use his phone. He wanted it sent to his mom. Cody asked if he felt like he was missing out on the family trip, but James said, no. The Grand Canyon was really just a big hole in the ground. (Truth!) Plus, he’d take the batting cages with Cody and his dad any day.

Carly met Danny and Charlotte at the boathouse, and Danny told her that Cullum sent someone to try and kidnap Charlotte.

Obrecht joined Josslyn again, and Josslyn asked if she was okay. Obrecht said she was as well as could be expected. She couldn’t stall a second longer. Her work was done and she’d completed the prototype. Cesar’s final project was now operative.

Sidwell told Fitzpatrick that Nathan was Cassius and his partner in crime. He told Cassius, no going back now, and Cassius said he needed Fitzpatrick to drop the gun, but Fitzpatrick said Turner knew they were there. A SWAT team was ready to go and they’d figure it out pretty quickly. Nathan said he was right and aimed the gun at Boyle. He asked if Fitzpatrick was willing to gamble with Boyle’s life.

Charlotte said, if it wasn’t for Danny, she’d be in the guy’s trunk or dead, and Danny said he wasn’t going to let the WSB take her too. Carly said it meant Cullum didn’t know Valentin had turned himself in to the WSB, but it wasn’t over. Trying to kidnap her in the middle of the afternoon meant Cullum was either very confident or desperate.

Cullum went to see Jack, who was bound to the bed, and said he suspected the staff would be busy with other patients for a while. Nothing serious. He just wanted them to be undisturbed. The WSB had to update their records and were now aware that Jack had a DNR. It was only out of concern for Jack that he’d added it. But don’t worry. His end would be quick and sooner than he thought.

Obrecht said the project still needed to be initiated and brought online, but her part was finished, and Josslyn said she was supposed to sabotage it. Obrecht said Cassius told them that their only choice was to continue. He was her son and their best chance of getting out of this alive. Josslyn said Cassius was only looking out for himself. He was their captor. It didn’t matter anyway because Cassius wasn’t in charge. Cullum and Sidwell were. Obrecht said Cassius would find a way to help them, but Josslyn said he may be Obrecht’s son, but he wasn’t Nathan. Nathan would have rescued them. Cassius would not.

Nina was glad Ava had taken her seriously and brought protection, but Ava said Sonny had insisted. But Ethan was useless in regard to security. Ethan said, let’s hope we never have to find out, and Ava told him that the first rule of personal security was to be seen and not heard, and often, not even seen. Ethan moved to a chaise lounge, and Nina said Ava was taking this threat to her life in stride, but Ava said it was Sonny that Sidwell wanted.

Tracy told Sonny that his relationship with Sidwell was putting his family in jeopardy, but Sonny said he had eyes on his family. She said Gio was different. He was better off with her. Sonny texted Gio to come meet them so she could tell him.

Cassius told Fitzpatrick to drop the gun or he’d shoot Boyle, and Fitzpatrick put the gun on the floor and slid it under the couch. Cassius told him to get on his knees and put his hands behind his head, and Fitzpatrick did while Sidwell laughed.

James suggested he, Cody, and Molly go camping after Molly’s book tour, and Cody said he was in if James’s dad was good with it. James said they should ask him when he got there, and Cody said he should be there soon. James said he was probably solving a case or saving a life. Stuff came up, but he always showed.

Ava said the sooner the PCPD found Sidwell, the sooner her watchdog could go back to Sonny’s pen, and Nina said, then they could stop terrorizing Willow. For some reason, Turner believed Willow was involved in Curtis and Jordan’s accident. Ava asked if she was, and Nina said, of course (🍷) not, but Turner had never been interested in the truth. Ava said she wasn’t interested in justice either. Just making a name for herself. Nina said, or serving old grudges, and Ava said Turner had the wrong person when she’d put her on trial for Kristina’s unhinged behavior and she had the wrong person now. It was no wonder Sidwell and his cronies were running free.

Cullum told Jack that he was ready to leave Port Charles, but had something to do first. He put a gas mask over Brennan’s nose and mouth, and Brennan started to struggle and yell. Cullum said he had the feeling Jack was faking his condition, hence the restraints. But it was time to be rid of him. He attached a cannister to the mask.

Fitzpatrick told Cassius, don’t do this. It wasn’t too late. Cassius said he was sorry. Fitzpatrick was just doing what he had to and so was he. He knocked Fitzpatrick out with the butt of his gun, and Boyle freaked a little. Sidwell said he’d never doubted Cassius and reached for Fitzpatrick’s gun, but Cassius asked if Sidwell thought he was going to walk out clean after blowing his cover.

Gio wondered what was going on, and Sonny said his great-grandmother just needed to tell him something. Tracy said Sidwell was a dangerous fugitive and wanted Gio’s grandfather dead. She wasn’t worried about Sonny, but she was worried about him. Gio asked if she thought Sidwell was going to come after him, and she said it was a perfect way to get at Sonny. Gio said he wasn’t cutting Sonny out of his life, but she said she wasn’t asking him to do that. She was asking him to come home with her – now.

Ava and Ethan went to the gallery, and she said she was tempted to find Sidwell herself to get her personal space back. Ethan said she didn’t think too highly of him, but she said she hardly thought of him at all. When she did, she thought of the man who abandoned his baby for a payday. He said he wasn’t there to squeeze the Quartermaines for money, and she asked why he was still in Port Charles then. He’d done his part and she couldn’t imagine he wanted to make being Sonny’s errand boy his career. He said one of his errands was protecting her, but she said Sonny wanted him to spy on her. She knew Sonny thought she and Sidwell were partners in crime. Turner came in and said Sonny wasn’t the only one. She was wondering about that herself.

Obrecht told Josslyn that she knew Cassius wasn’t Nathan. When he’d told her the truth about himself, her heart broke as it did eight years ago. Josslyn had no idea what it was like to lose a child, but even though she’d lost one son, she’d gained another. At heart, Cassius was still a good man. Josslyn said she couldn’t know that, and Obrecht said perhaps some of it was performance, but she’d seen the truth in his relationship with James. Love couldn’t be faked. Josslyn said love was the easiest thing you could fake. He was Faison’s son and could fake anything. Obrecht said he was more than that. She broke free of Faison’s control and knew Cassius had it in him too. Which was why she knew he’d come back to free them. Josslyn said, when Sidwell and Cullum got what they wanted, Cassius would show her his true self, and she wouldn’t like what she saw.

Sidwell said the only reason he exposed Cassius was because they were backed into a corner. Let’s be gone. Start anew. Cassius said he was done being a pawn for Sidwell and Cullum, and Sidwell said he didn’t need a pawn. He needed a partner. Get him out of Port Charles and he’d make it worth his while. Cassius said what he should do is shoot Sidwell. Go before he changed his mind. Sidwell asked for the gun, but Cassius said, no. Sidwell was a resourceful guy and he was sure he’d figure it out. Door. Go. Sidwell left and Boyle said, good riddance, am I right? He had to get going… Cassius said he wasn’t done with Boyle yet.

Carly said she had to get Josslyn out of Windymere now, but she wanted Danny and Charlotte to stay there. Danny said his dad wouldn’t want her to do this, especially when he wasn’t there to protect her, and Charlotte said neither would hers. Same reason. They could get her into Windymere.

Cullum told Jack, don’t worry. He’d tie up any loose ends at the office, including Jack’s black box. He hadn’t been able to open it yet, but he would. Whatever was inside may prove to be a valuable insurance policy should things not go his way. He turned on the gas and left. Jack struggled to breathe.

Sonny told Gio that he did everything he could to make sure his family didn’t get caught up in his business, and sometimes that meant keeping them away from him. Gio said Sonny already had security and he could take care of himself, but Tracy said she thought Gio underestimated Sidwell as a threat. Sonny said the guy was desperate and wanted to pay Sonny back for everything wrong in his life, and Tracy said given the rarity of her and Sonny being in agreement, she thought Gio should listen to them. Gio wondered if he got no say in where he lived.

Carly said Danny and Charlotte’s fathers took comfort in knowing they were safe, but Charlotte said they also wouldn’t want Carly putting herself in danger by going to Windymere alone. Carly said if Jason and Valentin were there, they’d be telling them the same thing, but Charlotte said Carly had helped her and her dad. Let her help Carly get back to her daughter.

Jack struggled against the restraints and struggled to breathe, then passed out.

Boyle said Fitzpatrick was dead, but he was good at keeping secrets. Cassius checked Fitzpatrick’s pulse and said Fitzpatrick wasn’t dead, but he might as well be. His life was over. Boyle said, not necessarily. It would be his word against Fitzpatrick’s and he’d have Cassius’s back. Cassius said, here was what Boyle was going to do. When Fitzpatrick came to, help him. He was walking out of there and no one in this town was ever going to see him again. He left, and outside, he looked at a photo of James on his phone. He took the SIM card out and broke it in half.

Ethan said he was Ava’s bodyguard, and Ava said, courtesy of Sonny. Turner said most bodyguards didn’t introduce themselves to her, and he said he wasn’t most bodyguards. Ava suggested he be seen and not heard, and Turner asked for a moment alone with Ava. Ethan moved away, and Turner said she had questions about Sidwell. Ava said she’d already given the WSB all the information she had, and Turner said she was going to give it again to the acting District Attorney.

Sonny said Tracy was right, but he wasn’t asking Gio to leave. Her worries were legitimate, but he was an adult and they couldn’t tell him where or how to live. It was up to him to decide what to do with the information. Gio said he loved Tracy and decided to move out when he was upset and angry, but he was in a different place now and loved all the Q’s. But Sonny had been there for him his whole life, before Sonny even knew he was his grandson. He wasn’t abandoning him now. Sonny said Gio wouldn’t be abandoning him, and Gio said he knew. He promised to be careful, but he wasn’t leaving his grandpa’s side.

Boyle paced and told an unconscious Fitzpatrick that Cassius said he was fine, so he could go. Fitzpatrick didn’t look fine, but at least he wasn’t dead. That was the important thing, right? It was more than he could handle, so he didn’t think it made him a bad guy if he left. He’d go far away and call an ambulance. It would save both of them, because if Sidwell and Cassius came through that door, they were both goners. They could both be alive or both be dead. So he was going somewhere safe and calling an ambulance. He promised they’d take care of Fitzpatrick. He opened the door, and Fitzpatrick said, wait.

Cassius showed up at the batting cages and apologized for being late, but James said it was okay. Cody had gotten them extra time. Cassius thanked Cody, and James asked if he was catching the bad guys. Cassius said he thought he was done with that, and James said he was glad his dad was there. Cassius said him too. He had big plans for them.

Tracy said there was no shortage of security the night Sonny watched his son, her nephew, almost die in a firebombing attack in Sonny’s penthouse that was meant for him. How was he going to feel if history repeated itself? She left, and Gio said, that wasn’t fair. Sonny said, maybe not, but it was true.

On the phone, Boyle said he had the ice. What should he be doing?… He wrapped a bag of ice in a towel and said, okay. Was there anything else he should do for him?… All right. He’d wait until the ambulance arrived, but please hurry. Fitzpatrick wasn’t in good shape. He was about to put the ice on Fitzpatrick’s head, when Fitzpatrick sat up. He asked, what the hell happened? and Boyle said it was a funny way to say thank you. He’d just saved Fitzpatrick’s life.

Charlotte told Carly that she’d spent a lot of time at Windymere. She knew all its secrets and had explored all of its hidden passageways. She handed Carly a phone and said if Carly followed her instructions, she’d get in and the WSB would never know it. And they’d never see her coming. Carly thanked her and said she’d put this to good use. They were going to stay at the boathouse, right? Danny said they’d heard her, and Carly said if Danny didn’t hear from her by 8 o’clock, she needed him to call Sonny. She’d see them later. Charlotte told her to be careful, and Carly left. Charlotte said they should have never let her go alone. Their dads wouldn’t let her go in there without back-up. Danny said neither would they. They were going to be her back-up.

Josslyn said maybe Obrecht was right about Cassius, maybe not, but she was done waiting for him. The ax was going to drop at some point and she didn’t want to be there when it did. She was going to get out of there, and if Obrecht was smart, she’d come with her. Obrecht asked how Josslyn expected to do that. They’d upped the security since her last brilliant escape attempt. Josslyn said that’s where Obrecht’s brilliance came in. They were going to put that big brain of hers to use. If she could figure out nuclear fusion, she could figure out how to open that door.

Nina came into Jack’s room with a double cheeseburger from the MetroCourt, and saw he wasn’t conscious. She wondered what all this was and said, Jack?

Ava showed Turner all the receipts for Sidwell’s art transactions, and Turner asked Ava to email it to her. Ava said Turner should know, she never trusted Sidwell and would never help him. Turner asked if Ava ever wondered where Sidwell got his money from, but Ava said, no. He was her client and where his money came from was none of her business. She should know, their business took place before Sidwell tried to kill her nephew. Now she wouldn’t spit on that man if he were on fire. Sidwell walked in and said that broke his heart. Given the chance, he’d happily spit on her. Ethan reached for his gun, but Sidwell said he wouldn’t do that. Not unless Ethan wanted these lovely paintings spattered in blood.

Cody’s phone made a sound and he said it looked like his phone was back from the dead, and James said he told Cody it would be okay. Cody said he should probably check his messages and stepped away. Cassius asked James what he thought about getting out of there and giving Cody a break, and James asked where they were going. Cassius said he didn’t know yet.

Cody wondered how many messages he was going to have to delete, when he heard the one from Felicia. Hey Cody. Please call me back as soon as you can. I’d like you to keep James away from Nathan for now. Mac and I have reason to believe that Nathan isn’t who he says he is. Cody looked at Cassius with James, thinking, rut-roh.

Wednesday:

Sidwell told them, hands up, turn around. He was in the market for a traveling companion and was going to take Ava.

Sonny told Gio that the situation with Sidwell was dangerous and Tracy didn’t want him anywhere near it. Tracy was wrong about a lot of thigs, but not this. Gio said he had no intention of moving out of Sonny’s house.

Nina tried to rouse Jack.

Obrecht said during Josslyn’s last escape attempt, they’d lost a valuable access point to the wiring, but Josslyn said it couldn’t be the only wiring that connected to the door.

Carly looked for Lucas at the hospital, but Amy said he’d been called in with a patient, some detective.

Lucas asked, what happened? but Fitzpatrick said he was good. He had to put out an APB for a cop and Sidwell. Lucas said he thought Fitzpatrick might have a concussion.

Nathan suggested he and James get ice cream, but Cody told James that he couldn’t leave. James said he was with his dad, but Cody said his dad may have to take care of something and suggested James stay with him.

Nina took the mask off Jack and said he wasn’t breathing. She called for help, but the place looked deserted. She did mouth to mouth.

Fitzpatrick ran to the desk and asked Amy to call 911. He took the phone from her, and told the operator who he was. He asked for an APB on Detective Nathan West. Carly approached, and Fitzpatrick said Nathan was working with Sidwell who was still in Port Charles. Pick up Boyle while they were at it. He may have information. Fitzpatrick keeled over, and Lucas grabbed him. Carly ran out.

Cody said Nathan should probably take off, and Nathan said he didn’t think he could stay, but maybe James and Cody could get ice cream. Cody said James’s dad had important business, but James said his dad couldn’t go. Nathan said he didn’t have a choice, and James asked if it was police officer stuff. Nathan said he’d made a big mistake and it wasn’t one he thought he could fix.

Sonny told Gio that Sidwell wanted revenge. Gio living with him drew Sidwell’s attention and put a target on his back. Sidwell had lost his son and his mind and had nothing left to lose. He wouldn’t hesitate hurting someone Sonny cared about.

Ava said she didn’t make an amenable hostage under the best circumstances and Sidwell had shot her nephew. Sidwell said he wasn’t sorry. Lucas betrayed him and he didn’t take that lightly. Ava said Sidwell had no problem betraying Marco. Marco was a good kind man, and would never forgive Sidwell for trying to kill the man he loved. Lucas was probably his last thought. She suspected all his son would want from him now was to burn in hell.

Gio said he appreciated how Sonny trusted him to make his own decisions. He got that Sonny was just trying to protect him, but he wasn’t a kid anymore. He wasn’t scared or threatened by Sidwell. Sonny said, being an adult sometimes meant that you recognized you were, but Gio said he was determined to stand by Sonny’s side until Sidwell was done and gone. Sonny said he appreciated that, and Gio said he wasn’t going anywhere unless Sonny told him to. Sonny said he was asking him to, and Gio asked, why? Sonny said his son Morgan was Gio’s age when he died and he couldn’t go through that kind of loss again.

Carly snuck around outside Windymere and wondered about why the big truck was there.

Obrecht produced a blade and pliers and told Josslyn that she’d stolen them from the lab when she’d completed the project. Josslyn said she was an interesting co-hostage, and Obrecht said Josslyn had no idea. Josslyn held out her hand, and Obrecht said, as long as she remembered that brain power could succeed where physical strength failed. With the proper tool and a touch of finesse… Josslyn used the instruments to punch a hole in the wall near the door and thanked Obrecht, saying, those worked great.

James said Nathan would never do anything wrong on purpose, and Nathan said he wished that were true, but he had. He made a big mistake and had to leave, but didn’t want to go without saying goodbye. James said he’d just gotten there, and Nathan said he was sorry. James said he’d come visit, but Nathan said he couldn’t. He knew it was confusing and it hurt. It hurt him too. He wished things were different. After he left, James would hear things about him. Some of them wouldn’t be very nice and a lot of them were true. But if anybody said he didn’t love James, it was a lie. He did love James, more than he ever thought he could, and he always would. James hugged him.

Sidwell said he’d thought Ava would be more cooperative. Sonny probably wouldn’t want to negotiate for her life anyway, despite the fact they shared a child. He was more likely to be sympathetic to… our honorable and lovely ADA. Which meant he had no use for Ava.As he shot the gun, Ethan blocked Ava, and Turner ran forward, pushing Sidwell’s arm down.

Gio said he knew about Morgan and it wasn’t Sonny’s fault. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sonny said Morgan died because Morgan was his son. The pain was so great, it nearly brought him to his knees. The only reason he woke up in the morning was because he had other children and grandkids. He needed Gio to stay as safe as he could make him. Don’t throw everything away because of him. He wasn’t going to tell Gio to leave, but was going to ask him to go. Gio said it didn’t have to be forever, and Sonny said, no. Gio said, okay, and Sonny hugged him and said he loved him. Gio said him too, and left.

Ethan and Ava dashed into the storage room, and Sidwell told Turner, that was very foolish. Turner said Sidwell wasn’t going to shoot her because he needed her, but he said, needs could change. They were going to find out how valuable she really was.

Ethan and Ava barricaded the door with a file cabinet. Ava said they couldn’t leave Turner out there, but Ethan said she was tougher than Ava thought. Ava said Sidwell was crazier than Ethan thought, and noticed he was bleeding. Was he all right? He said, could be better, could be worse, and she said, Sidwell shot him in the ass?

Nina did chest compression and told Jack, don’t die. He took a breath and coughed.

Carly snuck past the living room, but heard Harker ask Cullum, what’s the status on the project? She ran into the living room, and Cullum said Dr. Obrecht completed it, but it would take time to dismantle the device. They walked into the living room, and Cullum said he wanted Harker to make sure they were careful dismantling the device. They’d activate it at the test site. Carly listened from the patio.

Danny and Charlotte followed the path they thought Carly had taken and saw the truck. Danny wondered what it was for, and Charlotte suggested they might be getting ready to move the device if it was finished. They had to stop them. Danny said they would.

Lying on an exam table, Fitzpatrick asked if they couldn’t hurry. He had to find Sidwell and Detective West, or whoever he was. Lucas said Fitzpatrick needed to rest and he’d call security if Fitzpatrick tried to leave. He needed stitches. He was 90% sure Fitzpatrick had a concussion and he needed to slow down. Fitzpatrick said he needed to get out there. Sidwell and Nathan had escaped on his watch, and if anyone got hurt, it was on him.

With tears in his eyes, Nathan said he was so glad he and James got to spend all this time together. He was going to take those times and memories and keep them in his heart for the rest of his life. James was the best kid ever and he was happy James had so many people in his life like his mom and Spinelli and Mac and Felicia and Cody. Cody was his uncle, but also a really good friend. You didn’t get many of those in life, so keep him close and let Cody take care of him just like he’d been doing. Cody loved him. James said Cody was great, but Nathan was his dad. He couldn’t leave again. Nathan said he was sorry. Always remember that he loved him. He left, and Cody said it was okay. He had James. He pulled James into a hug.

Ava said Ethan was losing a lot of blood. This was bad. He needed a doctor. She didn’t have her phone. Did he have his? Ethan said he’d left it in the gallery and asked if she had a landline, but she said, not back there, and they couldn’t leave this room until that maniac decided to go.

Sidwell told Turner to make the call and put it on speaker. She called Sonny, and Sonny said, you all right, Justine? Sidwell said, how wonderful. The local crime lord and the acting District Attorney on a first name basis. It made this easier and a lot more interesting. Sonny asked what he’d done with Turner, and Sidwell said, not a thing… yet. If Sonny wanted it to stay that way, he’d do exactly what Sidwell said.

Nina said Jack was back, and Jack told her to turn off the gas. It was carbon monoxide. She turned it off and asked, what happened? He asked her to take the restraints off him, but she said she wasn’t doing anything until he told her what the hell happened.

Josslyn asked if Obrecht was sure it was the right wire, but Obrecht said it wasn’t a bomb. Typically, with electrical wiring, blue wires controlled a single fixture, like a door lock or a light switch. Whereas red wires… Josslyn said, are live wires, and Obrecht said, exactly. Josslyn said when she’d messed with the light, she just pulled out a bunch of wires and shorted everything out, but the door opened. Obrecht said the shortage probably drew attention they didn’t want. Her relationship with her children might be challenging, but she still preferred not to cut the live wire and leave them motherless. (Another PSA!) So let’s see what happens when we cut the single blue one, shall we? Obrecht cut the wire, and all of the lights went out. Josslyn said maybe she should have just cut a bunch.

Charlotte told Danny that there were men with guns all over the island and they had to stay focused on why they were there. Danny said, to help Carly, and Charlotte said Carly was way outnumbered. If she was going to rescue Josslyn, she was going to need time, so they had to create a diversion to buy her some. Danny said, good thing they came prepared.

Cullum told Harker, as soon as the team dismantled the device and loaded it up, they’d eliminate Dr. Obrecht and Agent Jax. They couldn’t afford to leaved any witnesses. They left, and Carly went back in the living room, but as she went to the door, Harker and Cullum came back in. Gun in hand, Cullum thanked her for saving him a trip.

Ava used pieces of drop cloths as a pressure bandage on Ethan and told him that the drop cloths weren’t cheap. If he died on her, she wouldn’t be happy. He said maybe next time someone pointed a gun at her and tried to take her hostage, don’t insult them and try to fight them, but she said she didn’t like bullies and didn’t cower to men like Sidwell. Ethan said he thought she liked Sidwell, and she said she thought there was something to like. Obviously, she was wrong.

Cullum told an agent that they were leaving as soon as the machine was loaded. Tell the team to get moving. The agent left, and Cullum told Carly, sit. She sat down and told Cullum that he should give it up. He’d already lost. He said, how so? and she said, Valentin went to Geneva and told them everything. They knew everything about Cullum and that he was a double agent. They knew about him working with Sidwell and knew about Faison’s project. His best option was to run. Cullum said, if Valentin went to the WSB for help, Valentin was even more naïve than he thought.

Fitzpatrick told Lucas, Sidwell said Detective West wasn’t really Detective West. He was someone named Cassius Faison. Lucas said, Cesar Faison was Britt and Nathan’s dad. He didn’t know anything about Britt’s disappearance or if Nathan played a part in it, but their father was a really bad guy. Fitzpatrick said it was obvious Nathan, or Cassius, was too.

Nathan uncovered a car in a parking lot that had a license plate from Ontario.

Danny told Charlotte, apparently, they only had one shot at this.

Cullum told Carly, if the WSB believed a word that came out of Valentin’s mouth, they’d have been there by now. He was either dead or thrown in a hole to rot. Or mostly likely, he’d lied to her and never went to the WSB at all. Carly said, run or don’t run. She didn’t care. She just wanted her daughter. He said he’d make sure to bury them together then, when Harker said there was gunfire at the loading dock. Cullum told him to eliminate Carly and meet him there. They’d take care of their uninvited guest and after that, take care of Dr. Obrecht and Agent Jax. Carly said, no! and jumped up, lunging at Cullum, but Harker stopped her.

Jack said Nina had to get to the WSB and tell them everything that happened, and she removed his restraints. She said she wasn’t telling the WSB anything. As far as Cullum knew, he was dead. He said, sooner or later, Cullum would figure out he wasn’t, and he was a sitting duck in there, and she said, money talked and it turned out she had a lot to say. She’d get him another room under an alias and Cullum would never know. She could afford it and needed him alive so he could help Willow get out from under Sidwell and Drew. So if he’d excuse her, she needed to go bribe someone. (Do I smell potential romance?)

On the phone, James told Felicia that he was okay, but his dad had to leave and he didn’t think he was coming back. Felicia said she knew it was upsetting and confusing and felt really horrible, but promised they’d get it sorted out. She’d be home soon. She loved him so much. James said he loved her too, and she asked to talk to Cody. James gave him the phone and he told Felicia not to worry. James was safe now and he wouldn’t take his eyes off him. He did have a couple questions though. She said, so did she, but it sounded like the man they thought was Nathan all but confirmed he wasn’t. Cody said, seems like it, and she said, my God. Anna was right.

Cassius got in the car with his go-bag, and checked the bag for his Canadian passport and cash. He looked at some pictures of him with James, started the car, and left.

Fitzpatrick told Lucas, for all they knew, Nathan could have been running interference for Dr. Westbourne the whole time. He felt so stupid. He’d confided in Nathan and trusted him. He even asked Nathan about the syringe. Lucas said, what syringe? and Fitzpatrick asked if Lucas remembered when he’d asked about the saline, and Lucas said, of course (🍷). Fitzpatrick said he’d found a used syringe when he’d searched Dr. Westbourne’s room and analysis showed it was just saline residue, but Lucas said, that had to be wrong. There was no way Britt was just injecting herself with saline.

Ethan cried out in pain as Ava tied the drop cloth pieces around him like a big tourniquet, and he said he thought she’d helped enough, but she said he couldn’t bleed out in her gallery. Could he imagine the paperwork and the publicity? And the police tape up for days. She couldn’t have that. He said the police tape was going to be up because Sidwell was there, not because his death sullied her storage room, and she said he wouldn’t have gotten shot if he hadn’t leapt in front of her. He said, or if she hadn’t opened her mouth. If she’d gotten shot, Sonny would have fired him. She said, or given him a raise. Why did he take that bullet for her? He said he didn’t have time to think. It was just instinct. (Another budding romance?)

Sonny walked into the gallery and said he was there. No cops, no guns. Sidwell got what he wanted. Let her go. Sidwell said he didn’t think so. He knew Sonny didn’t like to see innocents suffer. Sonny said, only a sick bastard would, and Sidwell said, but this particular innocent would happily watch Sonny rot behind bars. Even so, she could still feel pain and serve as a very viable hostage. So think carefully, please, about his next move.

Charlotte told Danny that they had to go, and Danny set off some firecrackers. They took off, when Cullum and another agent came by and saw what had happened. Cullum told two agents to go after them – now – and told the one he was with to get the device loaded quickly. This would draw too much attention to this place. They needed to get out of there now.

Josslyn said Obrecht had this. She’d gotten the lights back on and she could do this. Obrecht said, silence. Her disposition was such that she did not require constant encouragement or praise. (Same.) This was it. She saw the wire she needed now. Get ready. Obrecht messed with the wires and the door clicked open. She said, now the praise, and Josslyn said she was a genius. Let’s get out of here. She opened the door and an agent blocked their path.

Carly said Harker didn’t have to do this. She was just there to help her daughter. Harker backed her toward the fireplace and she reached behind, grabbing a poker, then whacked him with it.

Thursday:

Felicia apologized to Anna and said she was right about everything.

Ethan told Ava that they had to find a way to stop Sidwell.

Sonny asked Sidwell what he wanted, and Sidwell said he wanted to get away. And Sonny was just the man to help him do that.

Josslyn kicked Cullum’s guy away from the door, shut it, and Obrecht messed with the wires.

Harker backed Carly toward the fireplace and she hit him with a poker, but he bounced back and said now he was going to take his time killing her.

Sidwell said, if Sonny didn’t want anyone to get hurt, he’d fuel up his jet and have it ready for Sidwell and the pilot of his choice to fly out of the country. Sonny told him to let Turner go and he’d call, but Sidwell said she was his trip insurance. Sonny said if he wanted a hostage, take him.

Ave looked for possible weapons, like a staple gun, and Ethan keeled over.

Cody and James went to the stables where Tracy was waiting. She wanted to know who left the paddock door open. Thor had eaten all the flowers. Behind James, Cody shook his head, and she said they could talk about it later. She asked James what was wrong, and James said his dad was gone.

Felicia said Cody called her back and he’d stopped Nathan from walking away with James. He’d said Nathan wasn’t Nathan, but because he was willing to walk away, Cody let him go. He didn’t want to risk putting James in a dangerous situation. She said she was sorry and owed Anna. James was safe because she figured out what was going on with Nathan. Anna said Felicia didn’t owe her anything, but wanted her to tell Dr. Laurent what happened and that it wasn’t something Anna had conjured up in her mind.

Josslyn said they were locked in again and she wished Obrecht hadn’t finished with the device. Cullum was going to wreak havoc. Did she want that on her head? Obrecht said she didn’t and thought she could repair the damage to the door, and Josslyn told her, do it fast.

The device was loaded onto the truck, and an agent told Cullum that they still didn’t know who set off the firecrackers. Cullum told him to keep looking and make sure the device was secure. It was dangerous and volatile and any damage in transit could have outcomes for all of them. As soon as the device was safe for transport, they needed to be gone.

Carly struggled with Harker and as he was about to strike her with the poker, he was shot from behind.

Molly showed up at the stables, and Cody pulled her aside. He said James needed a distraction, and Molly told James that she’d had a lousy day and thought s’mores would cheer her up. Did he want some? James said he wasn’t hungry, startling everyone, and Molly said he didn’t have to eat anything, but she needed help with roasting marshmallows since she wasn’t very good at it. Cody agreed and said he’d consider it a personal favor if James would help her. James said, okay, and they all left. Outside, Tracy asked what was going on, and Cody said, according to Felicia, the man who said he was James’s father, wasn’t.

Cassius asked if Carly was okay, and she wondered whose side he was on. He said Cullum was the one she had to worry about, and she said Cullum just sent someone to kill her daughter and his mother. They had to help them. Cassius asked if she knew where they were, and she said she did. He said the code to the door was 7104, and she asked if he was coming, but he said, no. He had to stop Cullum. She said Valentin had gone to Geneva to tell them that Cullum was a double agent. They could be there already. He said he had to make sure Cullum didn’t leave with the device or it would be bad for everybody, and gave her his gun. He told her to go save her daughter and his mom, and she left. He took Harker’s gun and followed.

Felicia explained to Dr. Laurent that not only was Anna right, Anna saved her grandson from being abducted. The doctor was pleased that Anna was able to separate her fantasies from reality. She’d admitted to hallucinating in the past and was checking to make sure her current experience was real. It was tremendous progress. In French, Anna said she felt like her old self again, and Dr. Laurent said she thought Anna might be ready to go home.

Sonny told Sidwell, put a gun to his head, and his men would do whatever Sidwell wanted, but kidnapping a DA made law enforcement crazy. Turner said it was a federal crime, and Sonny said Sidwell could even say they were in this together. Sidwell said, tempting, but no. Even though it was to his advantage to take Sonny with him, he didn’t think he had the stomach to be anywhere near the man responsible for his son’s death. Sonny said he didn’t kill Marco, but he knew who did. He knew Cullum killed Sidwell’s son.

Ava tried to wake Ethan and slapped his face. He came to, and she told him that he’d passed out. She thought he should get back on the table and she helped him up. She said it wasn’t looking good and they had to do something now.

Carly saw Josslyn and Obrecht through the one-way window and put the combination in, but the door didn’t open. Obrecht told Josslyn that when she put the wires together, the door would unlock. Ready? The door unlocked and Josslyn opened the it to find Carly there. Carly hugged her.

Tracy asked if Nathan actually admitted he was a fraud, and Cody said, in his own way, but he didn’t think James fully understood. He did make it clear he loved James and wished things were different, and Tracy said, poor James. He’d grown up without a father and was losing him again. Cody said it was obvious it was killing Nathan to say goodbye, but he guessed it was better for everyone if fake Nathan just disappeared. Tracy said, probably, but James would never think so.

Cassius snuck around outside, and took a shot at one of Cullum’s men, but the bullet ricocheted, and some men shot back. There was gunfire back and forth.

Felicia said Anna was coming home with them tomorrow, and Anna said it didn’t seem real… but she knew it was. Felicia said she’d pushed for James to get closer to his dad and wondered why she didn’t see that something wasn’t right, and Anna told her not to be hard on herself. He had everyone convinced. Felicia said, except for Maxie. She wondered if Maxie hadn’t gotten back together with him because, on some level, she knew something was off. Anna said she felt for Maxie having to grieve Nathan all over again, and Felicia said Anna was a wonder. She’d just been through hell and was concerned about Maxie, and in the midst of a mental health crisis, she’d uncovered the truth, which allowed Cody to save James. Anna asked if Cassius had left town, but Felicia said it was hard to say. He’d said he was leaving, but Mac put an APB out on him. Anna said, if he was anything like the rest of the family, he’d already disappeared without a trace.

Josslyn told Carly that she was fine and asked how she was there. Carly said Nathan helped her, and Obrecht said she knew Cassius wouldn’t leave them. Carly wondered who Cassius was, and Josslyn said it was a long story. Where was Nathan? Carly said he’d gone to the loading dock to stop Cullum, and Obrecht said he’d get himself killed. Josslyn said she’d go, but Carly said they had to call the police and get out of there. Josslyn exchanged a look with Obrecht and promised Carly that she’d come back safe. She went out, closing the door behind her, and Obrecht made sure it locked.

Ethan passed out again, and Ava shook him, saying he had to stay awake. She didn’t know how to help him, but knew she wasn’t going to let him bleed to death back there. She was going to tell Sidwell that calling an ambulance was in his best interest, and if that didn’t work, she’d beg. Ethan grabbed her arm as she went past and said, wait.

Sidwell said Cullum had been his business partner for years. What reason would Cullum have to kill his son? Sonny said Lucas convinced Marco to turn on Sidwell and his partner killed Marco for it, but Sidwell said Sonny was lying. Sonny said he wasn’t and Sidwell knew it. Cullum gutted his son like a fish. He was in a pool of blood on the floor. He was terrified. He was scared. He was alone. Sidwell shook his head, and Sonny said it was all because of Sidwell. Sidwell lifted his gun, when Turner elbowed him, Sonny grabbed his arm, and Turner got out of the way.

Cassius shot another of Cullum’s guys, when Cullum joined the fray. He said he’d thought Cassius was smarter than this. He should have run when he had the chance. One of Cullum’s men came up behind Cassius, but Josslyn shot him and joined Cassius behind some metal barrels. He asked if her mom got her out, and she said, yeah. He said, what about his? and she said, in rare form, as always. He said they had to get out of there. They were outnumbered.

Cody wondered if he’d done the right thing, and Tracy said all of his options were terrible. He’d picked the least bad one. Cody wondered how James was going to trust anyone ever again, and Tracy said James had Cody. She had no doubt he’d continue to be there for James every single day.

James instructed Molly on the correct way to make s’mores, and she asked him to make another one. He asked why people would be mad at his dad. He didn’t really understand the way his dad explained it. She said sometimes adults could do or say things that kids didn’t understand until they were older. Her dad went away when she was little and she didn’t understand why. She’d thought it was because of her, but it was for other reasons. James said, but he came back, and she said, he did. James asked if she thought his dad would come back, and she said she wished she knew. He said he did get one thing his dad said. He’d told James that he loved him. She said, then he already knew the most important thing there was to know.

Ethan wondered how just a flunky could make a beautiful woman like Ava fall apart, and she told him, rein it in. She had to go get help. He said Sidwell would kill her, but she said, maybe he was just a big talker with lousy aim. Ethan struggled to stay conscious, and she said if he wanted her to stay, he had to keep talking. He said he liked her art, and she said he probably regretted coming back to Port Charles. Although he did get to meet his daughter. He said Phoebe wasn’t his daughter.

Sonny struggled with Sidwell, finally punching him in the face and getting the gun. He said, I’ve been waiting to do this for a long time, you son of a bitch, but Turner said, don’t.

Felicia said having Anna back was all she’d wanted, and Anna thanked Felicia for listening to her Cassius theory. Most people would have dismissed it as delusional, but not her. Felicia said most people didn’t have their history. They’d survived a lot. She knew if the situation were reversed, Anna would believe her. They hugged.

Carly said, today’s Nathan was actually his twin, and Obrecht said the baby she’d thought was stillborn, was not. Carly said, Cassius was raised by Faison and locked Josslyn up in this room, and now Josslyn was going to back him up in a gunfight against psycho Cullum? Obrecht said, it would seem so, yes, and Carly said Obrecht had to get her out of there. Obrecht said she’d worked her magic on the wires one too many times and they no longer worked. Perhaps she could find a workaround, but it would take too much time. Carly said she didn’t care. Figure it out. Obrecht said now she could see where Carly’s daughter got it from.

Cullum got in the truck and started it up, and Josslyn told Cassius that Cullum was leaving with the device. Cover her. She ran out, but one of Cullum’s men shot her and she dropped. Cassius shot the guy and ran to her, but Cullum suddenly appeared. He said he was going to enjoy killing them both and told Cassius, get up. For all the talk of how brilliant Faison’s children were, he was shockingly easy to manipulate. Cassius asked if protecting his mother and sister was some kind of weakness, but Cullum said he only thought he was protecting his sister. Britt never had Huntington’s. Her diagnosis was a lie from the beginning, fabricated leverage to force her to finish her father’s work. Josslyn looked at a gun close by, and Cullum said he’d ensured Britt’s cooperation by manufacturing a fake treatment for a devastating disease she’d never had. And it worked like a charm.

Turner told Sonny, don’t do this. She could guarantee a conviction and Sidwell was the one she wanted to convict, not him. Sonny said he’d be doing the world a favor by taking Sidwell out, but Turner said she wouldn’t cover this up. Did he want his kids and grandkids visiting him in prison for the rest of his life? Don’t do it. Sonny lowered the gun and told Sidwell that she’d saved his life. Sidwell said, and Sonny’s… this time. The police arrived and an officer said, drop your weapons.

Ava said if Ethan died in her art gallery, she swore to God… The police knocked at the door and said, open up. Ava said they needed help. There were two of them and they needed an ambulance. Her friend had been shot. Hurry, please.

Molly offered Cody and Tracy a s’more, and James said he was the marshmallow guy and Molly put them together. Both Tracy and Cody took one, and Tracy told James that she needed to replace the flowers Thor ate. What did he like? James said he didn’t know. They were just flowers. Tracy said he had a great deal to learn.

Obrecht told Carly that crowding her didn’t make her go faster, and Carly said she was just worried about Josslyn. Obrecht said her daughter was impressive and proved herself to be quite resourceful, but Carly said, even resourceful people weren’t bulletproof. Obrecht said she was worried about her son too, but what they were doing was absolutely vital to everyone. Cullum must be stopped.

Cassius said his mother helped build the device and he’d helped Sidwell get away. Cullum won. He was in the clear. He could have left with the device, but no. He had to come back. Was killing him that important? Behind Cullum, Josslyn tried to slide herself over to the gun, and Cullum said when he was about to drive to the cargo ship, he got word that a WSB helicopter was on route to the island. Cassius said Cullum had realized there was no way out, and Cullum said, not for Cassius anyway. Josslyn painfully pulled herself further along, and Cullum said he’d be telling the WSB that Cassius and Sidwell created the device and he’d managed to stop Cassius. Then he was forced to kill him… in the line of duty, of course (🍷). He shot Cassius in the chest and Cassius fell to the ground.

Anna and Felicia said goodnight, and Felicia left. Anna closed the door and Peter August said, nicely done. Did Anna think she bought it?

Cullum said, if necessary, Cassius was always going to be his fall guy, and Cassius said, at least Britt got away. Cullum said it was tragic what happened to his sister. Cassius went through all this trouble to save her from a disease she didn’t have, only to kill her himself. He’d anticipated that Cassius would try to steal the medicine, so he switched the saline for a type of poison. Take comfort in the fact she was probably dead by now. Josslyn finally got the gun, Cullum turned around, and she shot him. She laid back down.

The police handcuffed Sidwell and he whistled as they led him out. Ava came out and told Sonny that the paramedics were putting Ethan in an ambulance. She was going with him to the hospital. He’d lost a lot of blood. Sonny told her to keep him posted, and she said, of course (🍷). Ethan took that bullet for her and saved her life. Sonny said that was the kind of guy Ethan was, and she said, who knew? She left, and Sonny asked if Turner was okay. She thanked him, and he said, for what? Saving her life? She said, for not making her prosecute him for murder, and she pushed him up against the wall and kissed him.

Josslyn watched as a helicopter landed on the helipad. John Oliver got out and led a couple of soldiers through the mess, shooting one of Cullum’s men that was still alive as he passed. He saw Cassius, Cullum, and Josslyn, and checked Cassius’s pulse. He continued on to Josslyn and told her, everything’s going to be okay. He was there to help her.

🌞 Summer Friday…

Lulu and Dante brought Rocco home, and Dante said, with Cullum no longer a threat, Rocco should be safe. Rocco looked at his phone and told them, all the news said was that several WSB agents were killed in an incident on Spoon Island. Director Cullum was among those deceased. It didn’t even say anything about all the crimes he’d committed. Dante said they shouldn’t be surprised the WSB wanted to keep a lid on this, and Rocco said they had to find Britt. Dante said it shouldn’t be too difficult since she was in Port Charles. He’d had her arrested.

Vaughn went to the jail to see Britt, and she said, if it isn’t Mr. Nash from the Five Poppies. She remembered him sulking around Port Charles for a while, then he just disappeared. He said he’d been reassigned, and she asked why he was back. He said the last time he’d seen her, he’d urged her to cooperate with the WSB. He thought this time she might want to take him up on it, if she was as smart as she said she was.

At the station, Danny thanked Molly for setting this up, and Charlotte said, without her help, there was no way the WSB would have agreed to speak to a couple of kids, even if they did kidnap their fathers. Molly reminded them that she was there as their personal attorney, not an assistant DA. It was wise of them to go through a lawyer this time instead of breaking into an international law enforcement agency. Danny wondered if they’d hold that against him, but Molly thought it would be okay. However, she didn’t want them to get their hopes up. Just because the WSB agreed to speak with them didn’t mean they were obligated to disclose any information about their fathers. Charlotte said, the WSB shouldn’t have locked their dads up in the first place and they had to get them out.

At the hospital, Carly wanted to see Josslyn, but a guard said he’d been given strict orders not to let anyone in. She said she wasn’t anyone. She was Josslyn’s mother. He said she still had to wait and she could do it in a waiting room or a cell, when Lucas came along and pulled her away, apologizing for his sister. Carly said he had to get her in, but Lucas said he didn’t have the authority. Carly said Josslyn was shot and almost died. Why wouldn’t they let her in?

Josslyn opened her eyes to see John Oliver, who told her, good morning, Agent Jax. She said, he was… and he said he was indeed. She said he was the head of the WSB, and he told her to feel free to call him Z. She asked what it stood for, and he said it was his nom de guerre (i.e. – war name). She’d been in surgery most of the night. When they found her, she was in pretty bad shape. He’d been told her mother and Dr. Obrecht had been found and were both safe. She said, what about Cassius? Director Cullum shot him. Is he alive?

Rocco said he’d trusted his parents and they’d betrayed him. He got that they hated Britt, but why did they have to keep punishing her for something she did literally a whole lifetime ago? Dante said he didn’t have Britt arrested to punish her. He did it because he was trying to protect her. Rocco said, from what?

Britt said she had bigger problems to deal with than the WSB, and Vaughn said she’d been arrested for kidnapping and the WSB knew she was involved in the development of a cold fusion device. She said she was forced. Guns and ankle bombs were part of the office culture. It was a matter of life and death. He said it was all the more reason to cooperate with the Bureau, and she said she wanted a lawyer. He said that was her right and he’d be in touch, but she told him, wait. If the Bureau knew about the prototype, they knew that Cullum and Sidwell were involved. He said he couldn’t comment on an ongoing investigation, and she asked where they were. The last thing she needed was them coming at her when she had nowhere to run. He said, then she’d be pleased to know that Jenz Sidwell had been arrested for attempted murder. She said, what about Cullum? and he said, Director Cullum is dead, and he left.

Molly told Danny and Charlotte that the meeting didn’t come without risk. For instance, Charlotte wouldn’t know that her father was headed to the WSB if she hadn’t been contact with him when he was a wanted fugitive. Charlotte said, but he was working to expose a corrupt agent, and Molly asked if she knew he was on the run. Charlotte said, of course (🍷), and Molly said she’d aided and abetted a fugitive. They could still press charges. Danny said the WSB owed them. They had to stop Cullum. If they hadn’t distracted them with those fireworks… Molly said, which they did while they were trespassing. Which was why they weren’t to mention any of this. They’d rehearsed this and if they went off script, they could end up getting in more trouble and blowing any shot of helping their fathers.

Lucas took Carly to the breakroom, and she said she had to see her daughter. He said he couldn’t help with that, but he’d spoken to the surgeon and Josslyn was expected to make a full recovery. She said it would also help her daughter’s recovery to see her mother and it would help her own recovery, but he said he could only offer her an herbal tea, and she said okay. He said, about yesterday. He thought they were going to Windymere together. She said she’d come by, but he was busy with a patient and she had to get Josslyn out of there, and he said, she could have been killed. She said she almost was and at the last possible second, Nathan saved her. And it turned out, he wasn’t really Nathan.

Z said he was afraid Mr. Faison didn’t survive (💔😭) and she said, what about Cullum? He said, Director Cullum died from a shotgun wound, but he thought she already knew that. She said, and Sidwell? and he said Sidwell had been captured and was being held by local law enforcement. He needed her full debrief. She was the sole survivor of a firefight that had several of their people killed. He needed to know exactly what happened, without embellishment or self-censor. Then, depending on her account, he’d decide what happened next and to whom. She said she was still a little out of it and wanted to see her mom, and he said that was understandable, but he had to insist. It was best to get it while it was still fresh in her mind, right now. She’d provide a formal account later, but for now it was best for them to go over her statement, one to one.

Dante told Rocco that Britt wasn’t safe. Cullum would have kept searching for her until he found her. Rocco said, she’d wanted to die on her own terms and now she was stuck in jail, and Dante said it was the safest place for her. He had the Tortola police arrest her and transferred her into PCPD custody, so she could have round the clock protection. Lulu said, Cullum would have found her eventually. She was way too vulnerable on her own. Rocco said they could let her go now. They didn’t have to protect her anymore. Dante said he couldn’t. The WSB still had questions for her. She was still in pretty serious legal trouble. Rocco said, if she was, it was all Dante’s fault. She could be free and out of the reach of the WSB if it wasn’t for him.

Josslyn said, Cullum used his position in the WSB to cover his and Sidwell’s tracks. He went so far as to imprison Anna Devane and gaslight her into believing that Cesar Faison was still alive. We saw Josslyn find Anna’s message at Windymere, and she said, once Britt was out of reach, Cullum abducted Liesl Obrecht, Britt’s mother, and he forced her to complete the prototype by using her children as leverage. We saw Obrecht telling Josslyn that it was her only option, and she said, and Cullum stabbed Jenz Sidwell’s son, Marco Rios, to death.

Obrecht went to the jail and said she was glad to see Britt safe and alive. She was worried about her. Britt said she hoped Obrecht didn’t think she kidnapped Rocco. He begged to go with her. Obrecht said, of course (🍷) he did. She just wished Britt had told her that she was going – again. Britt said she wanted to, but was caught up in a huge mess. Obrecht must have a lot of questions. Obrecht said, only one that mattered. Why did Britt never tell her the truth about her brothers? Why didn’t Britt tell her that Nathan was really dead and Cassius had taken his place?

Josslyn told Z that once she was free, she went to help Cassius stop Cullum from transporting the device. Unfortunately, they were blocked in by Cullum’s men. We saw the scene as she talked, and she said, Cassius came to help her, but at that moment, Cullum came back, and he said he was going to pin the whole thing on Cassius.

In the interrogation room, Vaughn and Molly introduced themselves, and Danny said he remembered Vaughn. He was hanging out with Josslyn at King’s Beach last summer. Vaughn said he’d been undercover, and Molly said Charlotte and Danny were there to request a formal inquiry as to the status and location of their respective fathers, Valentin Cassadine and Jason Morgan. Vaughn said he could confirm Mr. Morgan was still in WSB custody. As for Mr. Cassadine… Charlotte said she knew her father spoke to the head of the WSB. Otherwise, they wouldn’t even… Molly interrupted, but Charlotte continued, saying, if it wasn’t for her dad, they wouldn’t even know Cullum was working with Sidwell or what they were working on. Vaughn said, how exactly did she know all that?

Carly said she couldn’t believe she’d let Josslyn go, and Lucas said she didn’t have much of a choice. Carly agreed and said, the second Josslyn heard that Cassius was going to try and stop Cullum, she took off. She was going to go with her, but then Obrecht locked the damn door. She was terrified. It seemed like forever, but then the WSB showed up and put them on a boat and brought them to the hospital to get checked out. They wouldn’t tell her anything about Josslyn, except that she’d been shot. Lucas asked if there was any word on Cassius, and she said they’d told her that his condition was classified and under investigation.

Z thanked Josslyn, and she said there was still one thing she didn’t understand. How did they know back-up was needed? Or was that classified? He said it was, but he’d tell her anyway. He received a visit from Valentin Cassadine. While topping the most wanted list, he made it all the way to Geneva. It was quite a shock to learn Ross Cullum had managed to deceive them for so many years. She said, when it all came out, the Bureau was going to look pretty bad, and he said, that would be an understatement. She said that was precisely why he needed her help.

Britt said she was sorry she hadn’t told Obrecht about Cassius. She’d wanted to so many times. Obrecht said, but she didn’t. Britt let her think her beloved Nathan was still alive. Britt asked Obrecht to understand that her life was in danger. She was being forced to work on this project. Obrecht said, her father’s cold fusion prototype, and Britt said, she knew? Obrecht said, after Britt fled, Director Cullum abducted her and forced her to complete it, and Britt said she was sorry. She didn’t think… Obrecht said Britt didn’t think of many things, especially when it came to her. Why didn’t Britt tell her from the start? Britt said, because Obrecht was so happy to have her Nathan back. She couldn’t bear to take him away from her again. Obrecht said she believed Britt. However, they both knew it wasn’t the only reason she’d kept quiet. There was also something in it for her.

Rocco said Dante had no right to have Britt arrested. He knew Rocco was never kidnapped. Lulu said, that’s enough. His father did nothing wrong. Rocco said he and Britt trusted him and he’d lied. That sounded pretty wrong to him. He stomped upstairs, and Dante said, let him go. He wanted to talk to Lulu about something he didn’t want Rocco to hear. When he’d called Mac to let him know they were coming home, Mac gave him some pretty disturbing news. The guy who’d been walking around town calling himself Nathan wasn’t Nathan. He was an imposter.

Molly said they knew that Valentin Cassadine left Port Charles with the intention of turning himself in to the WSB. Would it be okay if they left it at that? Vaughn said, sure. He could confirm that Mr. Cassadine was taken into WSB custody upon his arrival in Geneva. Charlotte asked if he was going back to Steinmauer, but Vaughn said he couldn’t tell her that. Charlotte said he’d helped them bring down Cullum, and Danny asked if he shouldn’t get some credit for that. Vaughn said the matter was under review, and Danny said, what about his dad? Vaughn said, he was accused of shooting Director Cullum, but Danny said, he didn’t do it. He knew his dad was innocent. Vaughn asked, what made him say that?

Lucas told Carly that the WSB had issued a statement this morning. They said Cullum was dead, but that was about it. She said, he must be relieved, and he said, part of him wanted Cullum to stand trial for killing Marco, but he guessed it was just as well he was gone. Now Marco might finally be able to rest in peace and he could start to put this whole nightmare behind him. She said she wanted that for Josslyn. Her mission was over and the WSB could let her go. He asked if that was even an option, and she said, she almost died. This wasn’t the life she was supposed to have. He said, but it was the life she chose, but Carly said, she didn’t choose this. Jack manipulated her. Josslyn wasn’t like him, and Anna and Valentin were damaged and broken. He said he thought she liked Valentin, and she said she did, but Valentin would tell him the same thing. The WSB used people and were completely mercenary. And her daughter wouldn’t end up like them.

Josslyn told Z that she was the only person who knew what really went down at Windymere last night. So that meant, in her statement, she could say it was Cassius who was behind all of those crimes. All of the murders, the kidnappings, the experiment with the cold fusion, all of it. She could say Cullum died heroically trying to stop them. Z said that would certainly play better for them, and quite frankly, for him, and she said, Cullum was a monster who would be celebrated as a hero. Cassius was going to have his name dragged through the mud. Z said, Mr. Faison wasn’t exactly innocent, and she said she knew that. But in the end he did the right thing. He tried to stop Cullum and he died saving her life. Z said, so her issue was gratitude, but she said her issue was that she hated lying about somebody who was the reason she was still here. But she’d do it if it meant she got something in return. He said he didn’t have her down as the mercenary type, and she said her either, but she was starting to enjoy it. He said, what was it exactly that she wanted? She said she wanted a full release and all charges dropped for Valentin Cassadine and Jason Morgan.

Lulu said it was insane, and Dante said, but it was true. She said Nathan was his best friend and married to her best friend. If he’d had a twin, he would have told one of them. Dante said, unless he didn’t know, and she asked how that was even possible. He said, apparently, Faison took him right at birth and raised him. Obrecht didn’t even know. His real name is Cassius. She said he didn’t just look like Nathan, he acted like him, and Dante said, he must have studied up on Nathan’s life. There were signs. There was a case where he broke the chain of evidence. The real Nathan never would have done that. Then there was the way he was with them before they went to go get Rocco. She said, he was acting cool and a little shady. He’d told her once that his father made him memorize the periodic table. It didn’t make any sense because she remembered Maxie saying the man who raised Nathan didn’t even have anything to do with him. Dante said, he must have been talking about Faison, and she said she guessed the real proof was her. The real Nathan never would have gotten involved with her. He wouldn’t have done that to Maxie. Their whole relationship was a lie.

Britt said she guessed Cassius told Obrecht about her situation with her medication, and Obrecht said he made it clear he was only working with Cullum to ensure she had access to an experimental drug that kept her Huntington’s in check. He’d also told her that Britt was going to run off with Jason and have the medication reverse engineered. She could have done that for her there. Britt said Obrecht was the most brilliant woman she knew, but they didn’t know she would have succeeded. Obrecht said Britt should have given her the chance. Even if she failed, there were so many other ways she could have been there for Britt. But instead, Britt told her lie after lie. Britt said she already apologized, and Obrecht said she accepted Britt’s apology, but if this was how things were between them, what kind of relationship did they really have?

Danny told Vaughn that he didn’t know how, but his father knew Cullum was corrupt and tried to stop him. Now that they knew for sure, they had to let his dad go. Vaughn said he could neither confirm nor deny anything about Director Cullum, but Charlotte said the whole town was talking about it and they saw for themselves what was going on at the loading docks. Vaughn said he got that they were concerned about their fathers, but it was an ongoing WSB investigation, and unfortunately, he couldn’t provide any information at this time. Danny said, when could he? and Vaughn said he didn’t expect it to change anytime soon. Molly asked if he was saying that Mr. Morgan and Mr. Cassadine would remain in custody, and Vaughn said that was correct.

Z and Josslyn shook hands and he asked if there was anyone who could contradict her story. She said, Sidwell could, but… and he said Sidwell wasn’t what he’d call the most reliable witness and he didn’t think Sidwell would want to incriminate himself. She said there would be pushback from Cassius’s mom and sister, but they didn’t witness what happened on the dock, so she had final say in that. He said hers was the only say that counted. Did she feel like giving her official statement? She said, if it was brief, and he said, the recording would be reviewed by a government agency, so brief was preferred. She said she knew what to say, and he said, good. He’d send in the team and she could share her truth. She said, such as it is, and he said she was quite impressive. He suspected she had a long, bright future at the WSB.

Lucas said, maybe Carly was right and Josslyn would want to walk away. Carly had said the reason Josslyn joined the WSB was because she’d felt powerless over Dex’s murder. Carly said, there were other reasons. Josslyn had unresolved feelings around Morgan’s death and Sonny’s part in it. Sonny’s part in a lot of things. He asked if she was saying that Josslyn joined the WSB to get at Sonny, and she said, not really. Sort of. He said he used to feel the same way about Sonny, but he couldn’t see this ending well, and she said neither could she. It killed her because her choices pushed Josslyn into this life. She was the one who had to get Josslyn out.

Molly asked Danny and Charlotte to wait outside while she had a private word with Vaughn, and they left. Vaughn asked if he could help her with something else, and she thanked him for his compassion. He said he wasn’t unsympathetic to their situation, and she asked if he’d be willing to arrange some form of communication with their fathers. A quick phone call or even a letter. Just so they knew their fathers were okay. He said he couldn’t make any promises, but would look into it, and she thanked him.

Danny said they couldn’t just give up, but Charlotte said they were just changing tactics. Dante walked in and said now that Cullum was gone, they came straight back. Charlotte asked if her mom was back too, and he said she and Rocco were home.

Rocco came downstairs and Lulu asked where he was going. He said, to see Britt. Please don’t try and stop him. She said she wouldn’t, but she didn’t think Britt could have visitors right now. His dad went to check on her. He said he knew Britt had done bad things. Even she admitted that. He just thought you could still care about someone who’d made mistakes. She said he had a right to his feelings about Britt and it was obvious he cared a great deal about her, and he said Britt cared about him too. They’d offered for her to come with them, but she chose to stay behind to keep him safe. Lulu said Britt did the right thing. So did his dad. He asked if she’d let him know if his dad called, and she said, of course (🍷). He went back upstairs.

Charlotte asked how Rocco was doing, and Dante said, he was good. He was safe. Why were they there? Were they in some kind of trouble? Danny said, not this time, when Vaughn came out and introduced himself to Dante. He asked if Dante had a minute. Dante said, for the WSB, he supposed so, and they went into the interrogation room.

Britt admitted she’d kept things from Obrecht, and Obrecht said allowing her to think Britt was dead for two years was enough. Britt said she’d had no choice, and Obrecht said, but they can’t break the pattern. Britt kept things from her, they reconciled, then Britt did it all over again. Britt said she didn’t do it to hurt Obrecht, and Obrecht said, but it did hurt. She could only conclude that Britt didn’t want them to be close and didn’t want her mother in her life. Message received. She wouldn’t fight Britt any longer. From now on, she’d devote her attention to the child who did want her in his life. (💔😭) She walked out.

Z’s assistant came into his office, and he asked if she knew where Jack’s black box was, but she said she hadn’t seen it since Director Cullum took over. He asked if there was anything else, and she said someone was demanding to see him. He said, demanding? How exciting. She said she told them he was busy, but they refused to leave.

Lucas went in to see Josslyn and said the nurse told him that she wanted to see him. She asked if he’d seen her mom, and he said he saw her this morning. She was worried about Josslyn. Josslyn said she’d see her mom as soon as she could. In the meantime, she owed him an apology.

Dante went to see Britt, and she asked, how’s Rocco? He said he was better now that Cullum was dead, and she said she’d heard. Did they know how? He said they weren’t releasing any details, and she said, at least Rocco was finally safe. That was a relief. He said, for her too, no? She must feel safer now. She said, finally. Not that he cared. He said he cared so much, he had her arrested and put in police custody so it would be harder for Cullum to get to her, and she said, now that Cullum was gone, there was no reason for her to be locked up. So unlock her. He said, unfortunately, that wasn’t his call. Her fate lay in the hands of the WSB.

Outside Lulu’s house, Charlotte said maybe it was better if she did this alone, and Danny said he’d wait there. She went inside, and Lulu hugged her. Charlotte said she saw Dante at the police station and he’d told her Lulu was back, and Lulu asked what she was doing at the police station. Charlotte said, nothing bad, she promised, and Lulu asked how she was. Charlotte said, good. Things got a little crazy while Lulu was gone. She could actually use Lulu’s help. Lulu said, with what? and Charlotte said her dad.

Danny was on the porch, when Rocco came back. Danny said, welcome home, and Rocco thanked him. He said his parents wouldn’t let him see Britt, but he couldn’t abandon her. Danny said, of course (🍷) not. Not after everything she’d done for him. Including lying about his dad shooting Cullum, when Rocco was the one who pulled the trigger.

Carly walked into Z’s office, and he asked what he could do for her. She said, just one thing and it won’t even take a minute, and he said, by all means. He was intrigued. She said she wanted her daughter Josslyn out of the WSB.

On Monday, Sonny asks Ethan what the hell he let Ava do to him; Lulu tells Charlotte that they’re not finished – let’s go; Danny says Rocco is such a hero, be one again; Britt yells to someone to get out and leave her alone; and Carly asks if Z is hitting on her. He says, is it working?

🚑 IMO, both Thursday and Friday’s episodes were stellar. They gave me all the feels. Nathan/Cassius saying goodbye to James was heartbreaking, as well as his valiant effort to stop Cullum and save Josslyn. The wrap up of the prototype storyline was exciting and casting John Oliver as Z was brilliant.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Well, we now know he’s Z the Great and Powerful. Kudos to him on a job well done!

https://ew.com/john-oliver-general-hospital-guest-role-12007625

Goodbyes, hellos, and a maybe someday. Agent Vaughn makes a return appearance.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-bryce-durfee-returns-as-vaughn

Peter is back… sort of.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-and-goings-wes-ramsey-is-back-as-peter-august

After breaking my heart saying goodbye to James, I hate saying goodbye to good/bad guy Cassius.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-ryan-paeveys-cassius-appears-dead-after-violent-shootout-is-this-the-end

The bad guy we loved hating is on the canvas no more. It’s no surprise he sounds like a lovely guy. The most evil ones always are. Check out his IG – it’s a hoot, especially him singing You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling with Chris McKenna (Jack).

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-andrew-hawkes-on-his-exit-as-cullum-cast-bonds-epic-goodbye-exclusive

And adios to Britt’s Huntington’s. Apparently, those breadcrumbs were the real deal.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-reveals-britt-never-had-huntingtons-disease

One can only hope. I loved him together with Obrecht and was disappointed when they just left that die.

https://closerweekly.com/kin-shriners-blast-from-the-past-post-hints-at-a-general-hospital-return

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Nathan diffused the situation with guest jerk Josef by only engaging minimally. Luckily Cooper finally relieved him so he didn’t have to listen to Josef’s sh*t anymore. Nathan taught Cooper to drive tender and Aesha served a dinner in the dark. In her interview, she said it would either incredible or a complete disaster, and she managed the former. Afterwards, they did the escape room, but it was more like a mystery party, as the guests had to find the crew. Eyebrows Joe was the only one not found and he blew up. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. However, tolerance for Josef paid off in a $50,018 (!) tip, $3,847 each. In Aesha’s interview, she said she’d grown up in a house where cheese luxury, but the way things were going, she’d have her wedding paid for. Gen went wah-wah-wah about being ignored and cheated on, and in her interview, she said the Luke and Joy situation was making her feel insecure. Gen literally went crying to Luke, and in Luke’s interview, he said he wanted to comfort her. Apparently, his idea of comfort is having sex with the comfortee, but he told Gen, do not tell a soul about this. He needn’t have bothered, since in Joe’s interview, he said you could hear it throughout the boat.

The Valley

Zack had a Big Slutty Gay Birthday party at a club, but on the way there, he rode on the top of an open double decker bus and got whacked in the head by a sign while he was freaking out about possible bird poop on his back. It was the best thing that’s ever happened on this show. I’ve begun despising everyone in the cast, except for Brittany, who I’m pretty sure they kidnapped. Speaking of, Brittany wheedled apology out of Jesse after he’d said they believed Jax over her, but not until Lacy got involved. So was it really sincere? Probably not.

In the City

Yvonne and Nick got married and had a small reception in a private room at a restaurant. The chef said the food had its own story and Kyle sat there open mouthed in amazement. Years ago in Connecticut, I went to what I’d thought was the worst wedding/reception ever. It took place in a room adjacent to a bar, where a football game was being watched, and the patrons were so loud we could hear them. The officiant (also the bride’s father) forgot what state we were in, and they had a cash bar, where wine was served in miniscule glasses when wine was never needed more. There was no music, and as an added bonus, the groom smushed cake in the bride’s face and she ran to the bathroom crying. (I’d warned my husband before our reception that if he did that, he’d be divorced before the honeymoon.) I said all that to say, this was worse. First up during the reception dinner was the topic of Danielle and Eoin and Eoin’s pending divorce. In Danielle’s interview, she said Lindsay had been googling Eoin’s marriage timeline, and Lindsay ended up screeching at Danielle about past transgressions. Then there was a lively and way too long discussion (let’s call it that) about Amanda and Kyle where they were talked about like they weren’t there. There was a lot of yelling, mostly from Lindsay, who told them to stop ruining the lives around them. Figure it out or don’t. The bride ended up crying in the bathroom and the groom told everyone to put a smile on their face, but really, nothing could save this mess of a wedding reception.

Next Gen NYC

Liam reminds me of James Franco. Just saying. Gia apologized for calling Ava a liar regarding Teresa unfollowing her on Instagram, but in Gia’s interview, she wondered why Ava had the receipts on her phone. Hudson believed that he and Ariana would get back together since she hadn’t had a tattoo of his name or something removed, like that isn’t a painful and probably expensive procedure. In Ariana’s interview, she said she’d been trying to change somebody who didn’t want to be changed. Not to mention he’d been hanging out with Charlie, who, as she told Gia, was the worst person for Hudson to hang out with. Georgia had a new boyfriend, and they went to high tea. In Georgia’s interview, she said Prez (yes, that’s his name) being a New Yorker was important to her. FYI, Charlie was also buddies with her ex, Omar, and we flashed back to Omar stuff from last season. Emira met her dad for dinner, and in her interview, she said she’d gone to New York with a little afro and a dream. Charlie thought Shai was crushing on Ariana, and Emira thought Charlie was misunderstood. Brooke Shields’ daughter Rowan Henchy joined the cast, and in Ariana’s interview, she said Rowan was a walking sitcom. IMO, she’s also a breath of fresh air. Love her already.

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-riley-shades-charlie-avas-teresa-receipts-ariana-hudsons-conflict

https://betchesmedia.substack.com/p/best-moments-next-gen-nyc-season-2-premiere

Oh… No, just no.

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island – Reunion Part 2

I didn’t see this at all, but apparently, the husbands joined in on the Reunion fun, so it’s probably just as well.

Random Reality Items

This reboot sounds like it might be promising.

Overreact? Shannon? Never!

I get her grief over her dad’s death and feel badly for her with all the flack over her weight loss. Hopefully, this will give her something positive to focus on.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Undertone. HBO/MAX. Evy hosts a paranormal podcast along with her friend Justin who she connects with over the phone, as she’s moved back home to take care of her dying mother. Evy is a skeptic with a logical answer for everything, while Justin believes in the supernatural. After being sent anonymous recordings of a couple experiencing paranormal happenings, Evy starts to rethink her perspective, and we once again learn the lesson of not repeating weird phrases heard from the beyond. I’d expected more out of this A24 film. While there were tense moments, I had the feeling it was written by someone working out their Catholic guilt and thought the ending looked like they’d gone over budget and had to go on the cheap. It wasn’t the worst horror film I’ve seen, but far from the best.

https://www.slashfilm.com/2204285/a24-horror-movie-undertone-streaming-hbo-max

The Last Ship. Netflix. Netflix recommended this to me. No doubt because the word apocalypse was in the description. An apocalypse has wiped out 80% of the world’s population, but because they were at sea, an Arctic bound ship remains in the clear. It’s also the world’s only hope for a cure. As if that wasn’t enough pressure, they’re also trying to maintain peace in an unstable society. Not sure how Looper can equate it with The Walking Dead or Collider can compare it to The Last of Us, since it’s a far cry from either of those shows. What it did remind me of was Falling Skies, minus the aliens. TBH, I’ve only seen a handful of episodes, but it seems formulaic – macho good guy, beautiful scientist, crotchety old guy, the sarcastic rebel – so while I’ll probably stick it out in the hope it gets more interesting, it’s not on my high-priority list. A series shown on TNT from 2014 to 2018, had I been watching it on regular television, I’d have probably dipped out by episode 4.

https://www.looper.com/2203204/eric-dane-post-apocalyptic-series-the-last-ship-streaming-netflix

https://collider.com/netflix-the-last-ship-eric-dane-streaming-success-june-2026

Battle Royale (2000). TubiTV. Ever since I read that Quentin Tarantino called this a cinematic masterpiece and one of his favorite films, I’ve been dying (no pun intended) to see it. While I would have preferred to see this Japanese cult classic in its original language with subtitles (almost always preferable as much is lost in translation), at present, I could only find it available as a dubbed version. Still, it was well worth watching. A combination of Lord of the Flies and Squid Game with a little Kill Bill thrown in for good measure, a class full of ninth graders are drugged and transported to an uncharted island by the government where they’re forced to fight to the death until only one of them is left. Gory AF, it wasn’t looked upon kindly by Japanese government officials, since it throws the not-so-subtle shade at them often seen in Japanese films like Godzilla Minus One. Regardless of the carnage, it’s visually stunning, the young actors are flawless, and the character’s backstories are thought-provoking.

https://www.slashfilm.com/814324/why-the-battle-royale-remake-was-canceled-for-good

Strung. Peacock. Classical violinist Laila is out of work and money, so she takes a job with a rich family as nanny and piano teacher to matriarch Audra’s granddaughter Zuri. Zuri’s father was a famous rapper who died from an overdose, which is how the family acquired their wealth. Zuri’s mother also lives on the premises, and is pregnant with her new husband’s baby, although she is somewhat distant with Zuri. At first, Zuri is obstinate and contrary, but eventually Laila wins her over and the two bond. Laila also blames herself for her little sister’s death, and hopes for redemption by helping Zuri. But as usual, things are not what they seem, and the grandmother has an underlying motive for hiring Laila. While not my favorite thriller, the premise was still intriguing, the acting was fantastic, and there were enough twists and turns to hold my interest.  

All the spoilers.

🐾 Declaring Their Independence…

🐕 Twice the rescue.

https://people.com/3-pups-find-new-homes-with-police-officers-who-rescued-them-12010702

🐶 A true survivor.

https://people.com/dog-rescued-from-rubble-after-venezuelan-earthquake-12009719

🐈 Where’s that kitty?

https://people.com/missing-cat-found-trapped-under-newly-installed-bathtub-12011002

4th of July emoji sticker, US retro smiling face with bolt and star eyes, vector design element USA flag retro smiling face with bolt and star eyes, 4th of July emoji sticker, vector design element usa flag emoji stock illustrations Fourth of July fun is for pets too.

https://newschannel9.com/news/instagram/patriotic-paws-viewers-share-how-they-dressed-up-their-pets-for-americas-250th-4th-of-july-independence-day-dogs-cats-puppies-kittens-furry-friends-viewer-photos-videos

https://www.bustle.com/articles/91860-12-animals-dressed-up-for-the-fourth-of-july-because-they-love-america-just-as-much

🚨 But make safety their top priority.

https://people.com/missing-pet-expert-shares-tips-to-keep-dogs-safe-on-july-4-12011026

🎆 Quotes of the Week

To be nobody but yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting. – e.e. cummings

You are not called to be a canary in a cage. You are called to be an eagle, and to fly sun to sun, over continents. – Henry Ward Beecher

Music doesn’t lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music. – Jimi Hendrix

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.Joseph Campbell

Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln

Happiness depends to some extent upon external conditions, but chiefly upon mental attitudes. – Paramahansa Yogananda

Collaboration begins with mutual understanding and respect. – Mori Taheripour

Every one of us is losing something precious to us. Lost opportunities, lost possibilities, feelings we can never get back again. That’s part of what it means to be alive. – Haruki Murakami

The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term, is the indispensable prerequisite for success. – Brian Tracy

Impossible is for the unwilling. – John Keats

A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Never stop just because you feel defeated. The journey to the other side is attainable only after great suffering. – Santosh Kalwar

Shut up and meditate. – Anabelle Chua, 90 Day Fiancé

 📯 Party Like It’s 1776…

Until next time, stay safe; stay enjoying Independence Day, but don’t drink and drive; and stay following rule number one and don’t die. At least not for doing something stupid.

Video > Neil Diamond – America (From “The Jazz Singer” Soundtrack / Audio)

June 26, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Anna Reveals a Truth To Felicia, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Happy Return, Exceptional Exceptions, A Noontime Of Quotes & West

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

Nathan told Dante and Lulu that Britt and Rocco were in the Virgin Islands, and wondered why they didn’t seem surprised.

Portia said they hadn’t heard from Trina since the party, and Trina said she’d frozen her parents out before and it was a big mistake. Instead, she was going to be clear about how she felt. Curtis said they were just talking about how this couldn’t go on, and Portia said she was glad Trina was giving them a chance.

Ava said she wasn’t going to go running to Sonny because he’d sent one of his flunkies, but Ethan said Sonny was busy, so he was what she got. Did she want to come with him like a lady or should he hoist her over his shoulder?

The desk sergeant told Fitzpatrick that someone was there to make a statement. Good luck. Lucy came in, and Fitzpatrick asked how he could help her, but she said, actually, she thought she could help him.

Chase sang to Phoebe on the patio, when Brook came outside. She said the only thing she loved more than a man in uniform was a man in uniform singing to a baby.

Sidwell showed up at Drew’s house and suggested Willow make alternate plans for the kids tonight. Something just came up.

Ava said Sonny wanted information on Sidwell, and Ethan suggested she be Sonny’s friend and give him what he wanted, especially when it came to Sidwell. She asked what would happen if she didn’t. Would he haul her out to the car again, but this time she wouldn’t come back?

Curtis and Portia apologized for making the shower about them instead of the baby, and Curtis said they’d agreed to never talk about the accident again. They also accepted they’d never agree on what happened that night, so they’d move forward with civility. Trina said it sounded like progress, and Portia said they’d focus on their relationships with her and the baby. Curtis said, their individual relationships, and Trina said, as far as she was concerned, she’d like a lot less attention from both of them.

Brook said Chase was leaving for work early and wondered if he was avoiding Tracy. She was hoping her wonderful, forgiving, patient husband and her grandmother could be on speaking terms. Chase said it would take time. He knew there was good in Tracy. She’d been incredible with his father. Brook said she’d cared about Gregory deeply, but it didn’t discount the things she’d pulled with him… and Willow. He said Tracy had been protecting Brook, and in that way, they were on the same team. Brook said that was one of the many reasons she loved him.

Willow asked how Sidwell got in, and he said, through the back door. She said he had to leave the same way he came in. He couldn’t be there. He was a fugitive. He said, so he heard, but he’d suspected he would be after he’d shot Lucas Jones three times in front of the entire PCPD. She said he couldn’t be there. The PCPD and the WSB were turning over every rock in Port Charles. He said they’d never think of looking for him in the home of a US congresswoman though, would they? Drew watched them and took notes… in his head.

Lulu said they’d known Rocco and Britt were in the Virgin Islands, but not which island. Did Nathan have an address? Nathan said he did, and Dante asked if Britt contacted him, but he said, no. He’d gotten the information from another source. One he thought they would trust. Lulu wanted to know who the source was (shame on her), but Nathan wouldn’t give that up.

Chase said he and Phoebe had talked it over and decided to give Tracy the benefit of the doubt. One day, Phoebe would bring home someone she loved and he’d be the one doing background checks and hiring private investigators, so he could see where Tracy was coming from. Brook said he was a good man, and he said she wasn’t so bad herself. They kissed, and he said he was going to put Phoebe down for a nap before he left.

Lucy said she had information on one of Fitzpatrick’s cases. He’d arrested Curtis Ashford, hadn’t he? He asked if she’d witnessed the incident in the MetroCourt, but she said, no. She wasn’t there about the fight, but about the reason they’d fought – the car accident with Jordan Ashford and Curtis. She knew Jordan had been driving on Highway 91 and swerved into the oncoming lane, which caused the driver coming the other way to swerve out of the way, and the driver didn’t stop to help. She hated that the nice doctor was being accused when she knew of someone far more likely to have been the other driver.

Willow said Sidwell couldn’t hide there. There were people coming in and out all the time. He said he had no interest in being her permanent roomie. He just needed a couple of days. She said he should be on a private jet fleeing the country, and he said he had his reasons for staying. He’d invested years of his life in the project he’d been working on and had no intention of allowing his so-called partner to reap the benefits. He also had no intention of leaving Port Charles until he found out exactly who killed his son.

Nathan said Lulu was a journalist and should understand him protecting his source (that’s what I said), but she said her son’s safety was at risk. He said he agreed, which was why they should stop asking questions and start booking flights. Dante wondered why Nathan hadn’t brought Rocco back himself, but Nathan said he was trying to learn from his past mistakes. Rocco was their kid, so they should bring him back. Dante said, maybe Nathan wanted to send them on a wild goose chase and help his sister get further away.

Curtis told Trina, whatever she had to say, there were here for it, and Trina said she was glad they’d decided to stop fighting. Their family was important to her and she loved them both so much. She didn’t think she’d have gotten through Spencer’s death without them. But since then, her priorities had been all wrong. She’d put them and their drama first to the detriment of herself, and she wasn’t doing it anymore.

Ava reminded Ethan that he owed her. They both knew he wanted to keep the adoption closed so he didn’t risk blowing up his position with Tracy. He asked if she really thought he was going to swoop in later and demand money in exchange for Phoebe. That wasn’t what was going on. He had rules. He looked out for himself, but not if his selfishness impacted the innocent. Phoebe would be adopted by an incredibly loving and wealthy family. It was a win-win.

Chase told Brook that he was stopping by Willow’s before work to give her an answer about the job. He was turning her down.

Lucy told Fitzpatrick, on the night of the accident, she was at the Quartermaine estate.

As Drew watched, Sidwell told Willow that Sonny and Laura used his pain and grief to manipulate him. Pascal may have had a hand in Marco’s death, but he thought the killer was still at large. Willow said she was truly sorry for his loss, but didn’t want any part of his revenge. She was going to call the police, but as a courtesy, she’d give him a head start. He said they both knew she wasn’t going to call the police because she didn’t want to throw away everything she’d worked so hard to achieve.

Nathan said he did want to protect his sister, and not just from Cullum, and Lulu asked if he was talking about them. He said they had to admit Britt loved Rocco, but Lulu said, Britt kidnapped him. She took a minor out of the country without his parents’ permission. Dante said Rocco wouldn’t have been in this position if it weren’t for Britt, but Nathan said he wasn’t rehashing this. They had to decide which was more important, getting back at Britt or bringing home their son.

Trina said it wasn’t her job to fix her parents’ relationship, so she was going to stop trying.

Lulu told Nathan that it wasn’t just about finding Rocco, but protecting him from the WSB. Dante said they couldn’t do that without the exact location, but Nathan seemed more concerned with protecting his sister. Nathan said they seemed to forget Rocco went willingly. He could have come to them for help but chose not to. They drove him to Britt, and if they had any guts, they’d blame themselves. Dante asked if he’d helped Britt take their son.

Lucy told Fitzpatrick that she knew Willow was at the Quartermaines’ the night of the accident and would have taken Route 91 probably the same time the accident happened. He asked if she was saying Willow Cain was the other driver, and she said she couldn’t be sure of course (🍷), but she knew Willow tended to get emotional when she visited the Quartermaines. She’d been involved in a contentious divorce with Michael Corinthos who lived at the estate, and they’d gotten into a heated discussion about a custody arrangement. He asked if she knew of any other reason Willow might have been behind the wheel that night, and she said, no, but she knew of a reason Willow might not want to come forward. She’d been caught up in a scandal about the shooting of her husband and wouldn’t want her leaving the scene of an accident without rendering aid to be common knowledge. She didn’t have anything against Willow. She just hated to see a man wrongly accused and it leading to violent altercations. He asked why she was just coming forward with this information now.

Chase said he couldn’t wrap his head around not being a cop anymore. Not being a detective, he got to be fully present with her and Phoebe at home. He’d probably sit for the detective’s exam again, but when Phoebe was older. This was where she got to say, I told you so. Brook told him that she wasn’t saying a word. All she wanted was for him to be happy. He said as long as he was with her and Phoebe, he was more than happy.

Lucy told Fitzpatrick that it was embarrassing, but she hadn’t made the connection until she was going through her calendar and realized she and Willow had been at the Quartermaines on that same night. She just wanted to help. He thanked her and said the PCPD always appreciated people wanting to help. She said that’s all she wanted to do and left.

Sidwell said if Willow turned him in, he would take her down with him. She was a congresswoman because of him. He knew she shot her husband in the back. Twice. He also knew that she kept Drew immobilized with drugs that he provided. And it was because of him that she could now see her children. She’d be experiencing the agonizing feeling of being kept from them once again when she was behind bars. Willow said she had her own resources now and wasn’t going to let him threaten her, and he asked if Drew had any thoughts… Oh, right. He’d be hearing them soon enough. His and Willow’s relationship didn’t have to be adversarial. He wasn’t going to be there for long and they could help each other. She asked how sheltering a fugitive could help her, and he said it would be a shame for her to lose everything because she couldn’t keep her husband under her thumb. He could help her by procuring an endless amount of paralytic, and should she choose to, she could keep him in that chair forever. Drew stared daggers at him.

Ava said she was doing this for Phoebe. If she had the slightest suspicion Ethan was going to harm her, she’d throw him under the bus in a heartbeat. He said that made him respect her more. The baby would have two loving parents and it didn’t hurt to be a Quartermaine. She said she had no intention of cooperating with him unless he made it worth her while.

Trina said she just wanted the baby to come into the world with parents that got along, but only they could do that, and Curtis said they’d never meant for her to be responsible for any of this. Trina said it wasn’t them, it was her. For some reason, when she was around them, she got a compulsion to smooth things over and it wasn’t good or healthy. That’s why she needed to focus on her future and put energy into her relationships. Portia agreed and asked if there was anything they could do. Curtis said, whatever Trina needed, just ask, and Trina said what she needed from the both of them was distance.

Lulu asked if Nathan helped Britt, but Nathan said, no. His sister was suffering from a fatal disease and was being targeted by Cullum. So he didn’t encourage her to go on the run with their teenage son. What neither of them seemed to be getting was that he never wanted to be involved at all, but they were lucky he was. They were lucky he was the one who showed up on the pier and saw Rocco with the gun in his hand. He was the one who made it clear to Jason that he was willing to help and got Rocco out of there. Lulu said they were grateful, but Nathan said it didn’t seem that way. His sister was on the ground unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. He left her like that to protect their son. There was no sinister plan and he didn’t have any tricks up his sleeve. He had a split second to make a decision and he did the best he could for Rocco. Dante said, what about now? Was he doing the best he could for Rocco or was he protecting his sister? Lulu said that was enough. Would Nathan please just give them the address so they could find their son?

Lucy found Brook in the nook (ha-ha) and asked if they were alone. Brook said, for now, but the walls had ears, and Lucy said it couldn’t have gone better at the PCPD. She talked to the detective who arrested Curtis and had come out to Windymere to arrest Pascal. She skillfully and subtlety steered him in Willow’s direction. She thought just about now he was planning on checking the trip lock in Willow’s car, the one Brook’s mysterious friend tinkered with. The seeds had been planted and it was about to rain.

Sidwell said he knew the paralytic that Willow was using had somewhat diminishing returns. The first dose packed a punch for a month or so, then with every subsequent dose, the patient built up a tolerance and it wore off faster and faster. What if he could buy her more time? She asked, how much time? and he said, how much did she need? She wondered how he could do that while on the run, and he said he had his ways. It wasn’t the first time he’d had to relocate hastily. He could provide her with as much paralytic as she wanted in return for her cooperation. Chase knocked at the door, and Sidwell asked if they had a deal. Or should he answer the door?

Ava said she’d keep quiet about Ethan being Phoebe’s father and go with him, but if… when Sonny got pushy, he’d back her up. He asked if it was a favor or demand, and she said it was his choice. She started to walk out and asked if he was coming, and he followed.

Trina said she needed time and space to herself and would reach out when she was ready. She didn’t want them to think she was doing this to hurt them. She just wanted to focus on her music and give the showcase her best shot with no distractions. If she didn’t, she’d regret it later. Curtis said, understood, and Portia said her too. Should she still let Trina know when she went into labor? Trina said, yes. She wanted to know when the baby was coming and she’d visit Portia in the hospital, but she didn’t think she wanted to see either of them before that. Portia said she was sorry, and Curtis said so was he. Trina said she knew and she loved them, and Curtis said they loved her too. Trina left, and Portia asked Curtis to tell her they’d do better with this baby. Curtis said they absolutely had to.  

Fitzpatrick asked the desk sergeant if they’d interviewed Willow about the Ashford accident interview, but the officer wasn’t sure. Fitzpatrick said he’d check. He wanted to establish whether not Willow had an alibi.

Chase said he couldn’t stay since he was on his way to work, and Willow said she was glad he stopped by. She felt terrible about dropping the charges after he’d arrested Tracy. She’d put him in a tough position and she was sorry. He said he was the one who should feel bad. As much as he appreciated the offer to be her Chief of Staff, he had to turn it down.  

Brook told Lucy that Willow was relentless. If she wanted Chase, she wouldn’t stop until she got him. She refused to sit on her hands and hope for the best. Lucy said that was the worst thing she could do, but she thought convincing Chase that Willow left the crash site was the right move. Brook said she was grateful for Lucy’s help, and Lucy said she knew that, but it was more exposure for her. She’d gone out on a limb and told the police something that wasn’t true. Brook said, and it came with a price tag, and Lucy said now was a good time to talk about her compensation.

Nathan said he needed Lulu and Dante’s word that they’d let Britt walk away. No turning her in or phone calls. No law enforcement. Just go get their kid and leave. Dante said they didn’t have much choice, and Nathan said he didn’t either. As of 1 pm Eastern Standard Time, Britt and Rocco were at 17 Evans Drive in Road Town. Dante said, got it, and Lulu said Nathan could go now. Nathan said they were welcome and left.

Tuesday:

At the hospital, Dante asked to talk to Elizabeth.

Lulu thanked Laura for watching Charlotte, and Charlotte went to get settled in. Laura said if anyone could bring Rocco home, it was Lulu and Dante, but Lulu said they weren’t.

Elizabeth asked if it was about Rocco, and Dante said they knew where he was. He and Lulu were going after him. He was meeting Lulu at the airport.

Brook asked if Lucy wanted her to pay, but Lucy said she’d misinterpreted. She made a false statement to the police because she knew it was important to Brook. It would be fair for her to get something in return. She was thinking Brook’s shares in Deception.

Chase told Willow that he was sorry, but he wasn’t ready to give up being a cop.

Sidwell went in to see Drew and said it must be torture for him to hear his wife throw herself at another man.

Ava asked Sonny what was so damn important, and he asked her to tell him where he could find Sidwell.

Lucy said she was now an accomplice and would be on the hook if something went wrong, but Brook said they should have discussed it up front. Her grandmother would find out the stock was transferred and take it as a huge betrayal. Lucy said, just tell her the truth, but Brook said she couldn’t. Tracy would be more convinced her marriage was doomed and turn against Chase even more. What if she said no? Lucy said it wasn’t blackmail, but quid pro quo. Brook needed to ask herself what she was willing to do to save her marriage.

Willow told Chase not to worry about her. There were challenges right now, but she loved being in congress. She thought he’d want to be a part of it, but she respected his commitment to law enforcement. Her loss was the city’s gain and she wouldn’t forget everything he’d done to clear her name. The doorbell rang and Willow opened the door to Fitzpatrick. He introduced himself and wondered why Chase was there. Chase asked what brought him by, and Fitzpatrick said he was hoping Willow could clear up some questions about Jordan Ashford’s car accident.  

Lulu told Laura that they wouldn’t bring Rocco home for a while. It wasn’t safe for him. Laura asked what was going on, and Lulu said she wanted Laura to have the truth, but she couldn’t tell anyone, not even Doc. She wasn’t disappearing on Charlotte the way Valentin did, but Rocco was in life-threatening trouble because he saved Jason. Charlotte listened in.

Ava told Sonny that she had no idea where Sidwell was. She hadn’t heard from him since he’d shot Lucas, and if she had, she would have called the police because he’d tried to kill her nephew. Did he think she’d look past that? Sonny said, if his pockets were deep enough (ouch!). He knew she had been cozying up to Sidwell for months. Ava said she’d been curating his art collection, and Sonny asked Ethan if it had looked like business.

Lulu said her son shot Cullum, and Laura said it made sense now how Britt was able to ID Jason when she was unconscious. Jason had told her to do it. He was protecting Rocco. Lulu said he went to prison because he was protecting her son, and Laura asked if Cullum knew. Lulu said they thought so. He’d been asking questions about Rocco. That’s why they had to get to Rocco before Cullum, and they had a lead. Laura asked where they were going, but Lulu said it was better if no one knew.

Dante told Elizabeth that two different sources gave them a lead on Rocco’s location, so he and Lulu were on their way. She asked if there was anything she could do, but he said she’d already done so much for Rocco and him. She said that’s what friends did, and he said he hoped he could repay her someday, but she said, no need. He said they wanted to get Rocco before Cullum tracked Britt down and then they’d go into hiding. She asked, for how long? and he said until Cullum was out of Port Charles.  

Brook said she could give Lucy 10% of her shares, and Lucy said, or Brook could keep 10% of her shares. They bartered for a while and Brook finally said 41%, but Lucy said 51%. Brook said it was more than Tracy had, but Lucy said they could still gang up and override her. She was sick of Tracy reminding her that she had the larger share. It was her company. She’d founded it and she wanted to get her dignity back. So her silence for Brook’s shares in Deception. Did they have a deal? Brook said, fine, when Michael came in. Lucy said she was just leaving. Ta! She left, and Michael asked if he’d heard something about Deception shares.

Chase said, Willow had nothing to do with Jordan’s accident, and Fitzpatrick said he just had a few questions. She could answer them or not. Willow said she was happy to help if she could, but had to check on Drew. When she was gone, Chase asked if Turner had sent Fitzpatrick.

Ava told Ethan, go ahead, and he flashed back to Ava saying if she was going to keep quiet, he’d have to use his position to run interference with Sonny. He said, Sidwell wanted more, but Ava kept him at arm’s length. Sidwell was definitely making moves and Ava was definitely keeping him interested, but she was working him not falling for him. Sonny said he told her to stay away from Sidwell, but she said it was just a professional relationship. He said she’d been hanging around with Sidwell and he might have said something to give her an inkling of where he was in Port Charles.

Willow told Sidwell that a police detective was there and he had to leave, and Sidwell asked if the detective was there for him. She said, no, but he couldn’t be there. He said he wasn’t going anywhere.

Laura said whatever Britt was doing, she was working with Cullum and presumably wanted out, and Lulu said, that’s why she got Jason involved. (Um… Jason involved himself.) Then she got Rocco involved. She never should have let that woman anywhere near her son. She’d warned Britt to keep her distance. Laura said, for someone who claimed to love Rocco, Britt should have done something to protect him, and Lulu said, but she didn’t. Now she had to get Rocco away from Britt before Cullum found him. Laura said, if she didn’t, everything Jason did would have been for nothing.

Brook told Michael that Lucy came up with an idea that would shake Chase’s confidence in Willow and told him about Lucy going to the PCPD. Willow couldn’t prove she wasn’t the other driver because she had no alibi and she drove a black SUV. Brook just needed enough for Chase to believe it was a possibility. Even if Willow was cleared, she’d still have to face this huge scandal, which would work in Michael’s favor regarding custody. He said it was definitely unethical and could be risky for Brook.

Ava said, as far as she knew, Sidwell’s only holdings in Port Charles were Sonny’s piers and Spoon Island. She assumed he was long gone, but Sonny said, he wasn’t. Ava asked why he’d stay, and Sonny said Sidwell blamed him for Marco’s death and wasn’t going anywhere until he got his revenge.

Willow said Chase knew her pretty well and would know something was off. Sidwell had to go. Sidwell said he had someone working on that right now, but he couldn’t leave just yet. He knew she could handle the situation. If the authorities found him here, she’d end up in a similarly colored jumpsuit. She’d proven herself to be resourceful and charming. Use her charm to get rid of Chase and the detective.

Chase said the acting DA had it in for Willow. Her case against Willow hadn’t stuck and she was grasping at straws. Fitzpatrick said Turner hadn’t sent him. He was just following up on some new information. Chase asked what it was, but Fitzpatrick said he was just doing his job. Willow came back, and Chase asked if he could have a private word with Willow, and Fitzpatrick said, sure. Could he use her bathroom? Willow told him where it was, and when he left, Chase said he didn’t want her answering questions without a lawyer. He didn’t know Fitzpatrick, and given the past, he wanted her to be careful. Turner still believed she shot Drew and could be coming at her some other way. Willow said she didn’t know why Fitzpatrick would think she had something to do with Jordan’s accident. It meant something was off and she needed to find out the real reason he was there.

Fitzpatrick found Drew in the bedroom, closed the door, and introduced himself. He said he understood Drew’s condition and that he could blink once for yes and twice for no. Could he ask Drew some questions? Drew blinked once.

Lulu said she’d reach out to Laura when she could, but if anyone asked, just say she was dealing with a family emergency. Charlotte knew they were getting Rocco, but didn’t know the entire reason why. Laura asked if it was wise to keep her in the dark, and Lulu said she’d like to spare her if she could. As much as Charlotte loved Rocco, it couldn’t get out and she was a teenager. The clock was already running on her son’s life and she couldn’t risk anything happening that could speed that up.

Dante said there was no reason for Cullum to still be in Port Charles, but when he left, they’d have to test the waters somehow. He was going to do whatever it took, but he was still angry with Lulu. Really angry. If she’d come to him from the start, they wouldn’t be in this position.

Brook asked why investigating Jordan’s crash would be risky for her, and Michael said, involving the police could backfire. What if Lucy’s accusation backfired back to her? She said, it shouldn’t. She just wanted Willow to deal with the fallout of bad press. Willow wouldn’t even face criminal charges. The other driver would only face a misdemeanor, if that, for damaging public property. What the other driver did may have been morally questionable, but it wasn’t illegal, and it might be enough to convince Chase that Willow wasn’t this martyred saint. Michael said it was a solid plan, and Brook said, unfortunately, Lucy’s plan came with an unanticipated cost – half her Deception stock – which would make Lucy the single largest shareholder, not Tracy. He said Tracy wouldn’t like that, but Brook said Willow was after her husband and was bad news. She’d cost Chase too much already. What else could she do? He said she could let Willow have him. (That gets my vote.)

Fitzpatrick asked if Drew was aware of Jordan’s accident, and Drew blinked yes. Fitzpatrick asked if he remembered that night, and Drew blinked yes again. Fitzpatrick asked if Willow had been with him, and Drew blinked no. Fitzpatrick asked if she’d been home, and again, Drew blinked no. Fitzpatrick asked if she was on Route 91 that night, and Drew blinked yes.

Dante said they had to keep the peace for Rocco’s sake, and Elizabeth said it wouldn’t be easy, but it was necessary. And she believed he and Lulu would do whatever was necessary to save their son.

Laura asked if Lulu was okay, and Lulu said she had to be. Laura asked her to promise to reach out if she needed anything, and Lulu said she just needed Charlotte to be safe. She couldn’t disrupt Charlotte’s life the way Valentin had. Laura said Charlotte would be fine. Lulu just needed to focus on Rocco right now.

Fitzpatrick asked if Willow was involved the accident, when Willow came in and asked why Fitzpatrick was there. He said he must have gotten turned around and was just introducing himself to Drew. She said Drew tired easily and shouldn’t be disturbed, and Fitzpatrick apologized. He said it was good meeting Drew and walked out. Sidwell came back and asked Drew, did you blink? I missed it. (BA-Dum-CHH!)

Michael said, if finding out Willow made one bad decision turned Chase against her, what did that say about him? and Brook said, hopefully, it made Chase see the truth about her. He wondered why she wanted to be with someone who judged others so harshly, and she said he was still angry about Chase thinking he’d framed Willow. He said it showed how Chase thought. Chase decided a long time ago that he was the bad guy and nothing he could say or do would change Chase’s mind. Meanwhile, Willow was doing what she could to reinforce Chase’s perception. Brook said Willow leaned on Chase and painted herself as a victim, and he asked if this was really worth her alienating Tracy, but she said the problem wasn’t that Chase was too blind. It was that Chase was too good. He always saw the best in people. Michael said Chase only saw the worst in him for something he didn’t even do. Could she really see herself raising children with someone that self-righteous? Did she really want Phoebe growing up in a household where she lived in constant fear of disappointing her father?

Fitzpatrick asked if Willow was driving on Route 91 on April 8th around 9:30 pm, and she said she’d have to check with her assistant, who knew her schedule better than she did. He asked if she was with anyone at that time, but she said, again, without knowing what she was doing, she couldn’t help him. The best way to handle this was have the PCPD reach out to her office with a written request. He asked if she couldn’t look it up on her phone, when Chase said Fitzpatrick told Willow that she didn’t have to answer his questions. Willow said it wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t, and suggested again that the PCPD submit a written request. Fitzpatrick said he’d kick it upstairs and see what they had to say, thanked her for her time, and left.

Sonny told Ava that Sidwell had already come after Lucas and wasn’t going anywhere until he came after him. Maybe allies were helping him. Had he said anything to her? She said the only person she’d seen at Windymere was Director Cullum, and he’d made it clear the WSB was looking for Sidwell too. He said it wasn’t about choosing between him and Sidwell. It was about choosing between Sidwell and Avery. She said this had nothing to do with Avery. Don’t try to use her daughter against her.

Charlotte gave Lulu a necklace that Lulu had given her to bring her luck and keep her safe. She hoped it would do the same for Lulu. Lulu hugged Charlotte and said she loved her. She hated every part of this. Charlotte said she loved Lulu too. Tell Rocco, hey. Lulu said she would, and Laura said she was a Spencer. You’ve got this. They hugged and Lulu said she loved Laura too. Laura said she loved Lulu, and Lulu left.

Elizabeth said she’d be careful, and Dante said, if Cullum connected the dots, he might think she knew where Britt took Rocco. If she was questioned, take Ric with her. Ric was a shark and loved her. A nurse he knew and respected had said Ric changed and he chose to believe that. Elizabeth told him to take care of himself, and he said her too, and he left.

Brook told Michael not to be like her grandmother and say Chase didn’t deserve her. Chase was the best thing that ever happened to her and she loved him. She believed he’d be the best father, and she’d do anything to protect her family. Michael said, of course (🍷), but he knew what it was like to invest in a failing marriage and there were some fights you couldn’t win. Brook said Willow was taking advantage of Chase’s good nature and she refused to put up with it.

Sidwell told Drew that he’d overheard everything. Was he to understand Willow was involved in Jordan’s accident or was this payback? Was Drew framing his wife? Drew blinked once.

Willow said she was glad Chase was there. She would have probably just answered Fitzpatrick’s questions. Chase said he was sorry it brought back memories from when she was on trial, and she said it was like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from and wouldn’t survive going through it again. He said he wouldn’t let anyone take advantage of her, and she said she could be in real trouble if not for him.

Outside on the phone, Fitzpatrick asked when ADA Turner would be out of court. He needed to see her as soon as she was done. It was important. He had a new lead.

Sonny said Avery was his daughter too, but Ava said she’d never jeopardize Avery. Avery had never met Sidwell, which she was sure his spies could confirm… So they have. Sidwell was his problem, not hers. They could destroy each other and the world would be better off. She’d be in the car. She left, and Sonny told Ethan, hold on. He’d been pretty quick to defend Ava. Ethan said he told Sonny what he saw, and Sonny said, be careful. Ethan didn’t know what Ava was capable of. If he underestimated her, he’d get in way over his head. Ethan said he heard Sonny and wasn’t going there, and Sonny told him to take Ava home, then get on the search for Sidwell. Ethan asked if Sonny was sure that’s where he needed him, and Sonny said that was where everybody should be. He wasn’t waiting for the cops. He was going to take care of that son of a bitch himself.

Wednesday:

Gio found Emma at the pool and said she was breaking pool rules looking that good. She said she wasn’t worried because the lifeguard there was a pushover.

Lucas went to see Carly and she hugged him. He said he wasn’t sure if she was going to hug or hit him, and she said she could do both. What was he thinking risking his life? Sidwell had escaped from police custody, but she had no time to get into it. She had to break into Windymere and needed his help.

Danny met Charlotte at Laura’s and she told him about Dante and Lulu going after Rocco.

Britt said she was sorry she scared Rocco. According to the symptoms, it had been food poisoning. He said it was better than the alternative, and she said she wanted to talk to him about that. When her decline came, it wouldn’t be like this morning and she wanted to prepare him. She was probably going to die soon.

Nathan went to Windymere and got into the safe. He took what was left of Britt’s meds, but ran into Cullum in the foyer.

Dr. Laurent said a bunch of stuff in French to an orderly that amounted to Anna not making progress. However, Anna did have a new haircut and a new crocheting hobby, and said she’d been looking forward to the doctor’s visit.

Carly wanted to know about the secret passages and tunnels, but Lucas said it was over. Carly said Josslyn was missing and she was positive Josslyn was on the island. Lucas asked why Josslyn would be involved with Sidwell, and Carly said his niece was a WSB agent.

Nathan acted like he was there to see Obrecht, but Cullum said if she was visiting with him, she wouldn’t be working. It could wait. Nathan agreed, and Cullum wanted an update on the PCPD and Sidwell. Nathan said the PCPD had picked up one of Sidwell’s associates. He’d been reprimanded, but no one suspected he’d let Sidwell go. Once the project was up and running, he intended to disappear.

James went to the pool and wanted to play Marco Polo with Emma.

Anna said she understood the precautions and acted all cooperative. She said she thought she had to reach a point where they trusted her sanity and she could decern the difference between reality and delusion. Dr. Laurent asked if she could.

Felicia asked Gio how Emma was doing, and he said all she wanted was to see Anna. Otherwise, she was okay.

Anna said she’d been going over it in her mind how she’d told them she’d been kidnapped, and Dr. Laurent asked what she believed now. Anna flashed back to being held prisoner and leaving the message at Windymere, but said she realized she’d created a fantasy. She knew Faison was dead.

Lucas told Carly that it explained a lot. He’d assumed it was Josslyn’s grief at the time. Carly said Josslyn had been angry because Cyrus was going to get away with killing Dex and Jack preyed on her emotions. He’d manipulated her into joining the WSB and made her think it was her idea. He knew Carly wouldn’t go for it, so he’d kept it from her. Lucas said, Jack wasn’t a complete idiot, just idiot adjacent, and she said it turned out Easter Island had been a cover for Josslyn’s training. She’d never been to Easter island and was already living a double life. Lucas said he was sorry Carly had to go through this by herself, but she said she hadn’t. Someone showed up who was the only one who could help her get Josslyn out from under Jack’s thumb – Valentin Cassadine.

Danny asked who told Lulu where Rocco was, but Charlotte told him that her mom wouldn’t say. He wondered if it was Nathan, and she said that made sense. They weren’t bringing Rocco back to Port Charles, but taking him away from Britt and into hiding.

Rocco suggested they deal with things when they happened, but Britt said she wouldn’t let him be unprepared. She’d agreed he could stay with her until the end, but this wasn’t real life. Spending time with him was great and she wanted to hold on to these moments, but the next time she got sick, he had to leave. Rocco refused.

Gio said Felicia told him that he made Emma happy, but he didn’t want to tell Felicia that Emma made him happy. He wanted to tell Emma. They kissed, when Nathan arrived at the pool.

James told Nathan that he’d won Marco Polo and could stand on his hands underwater for 43 seconds. He did a cannonball, and Felicia said he was trying to impress his dad. Nathan said he was already impressed and glad he could join them. He was trying to make time for James.

Anna told Dr. Laurent that she knew it wasn’t possible for Faison to still be alive. The truth was, she wasn’t kidnapped on Halloween. She was recalled to the WSB. Faison had been obsessed with her for years and she thought she’d dealt with it, but she was wrong. She’d been involved in an investigation with connections to Faison, and became consumed with it, not being able to tell the difference between what was real and what wasn’t. The staff at the clinic helped her see what was real. The doctor said they still had a lot of work ahead, and Anna said she wanted to do the work, but it was hard for her to explain what Faison was like and the impact on her life. What she needed was to talk to somebody who was there and understood. Just someone from home.

Danny asked what was going on, and Charlotte told him that his dad didn’t shoot Cullum. He was protecting the real shooter – Rocco.

Britt said it was never her intention that Rocco stay with her until the end. She’d only agreed to get him away from Cullum. Hopefully it bought his parents some time and they’d to figure out how to protect him. He said he thought she’d never lie to him, and she said it was what was best. Promise her he’d leave town the next time she took a turn for the worse.

Lucas asked if Valentin was the guy Carly had been seeing, and she said yes. He asked where Valentin was now, and she said he’d gone to Geneva to meet with the head of the WSB and tell them about Cullum. Cullum was a double agent and he was forcing Britt to work on a dangerous secret project at Windymere. Lucas said he knew that, and she said Cullum was the one holding Josslyn hostage. He said Cullum was the one who murdered Marco. The moss bowl🎍fainted.

Dr. Laurent made a call to Felicia and put Anna on the phone.

Charlotte said she’d eavesdropped on her mom and Laura talking, but Danny said she must have heard wrong. Charlotte said she hadn’t. Rocco had been weird since the shooting and had a hand injury. When had he ever helped in the kitchen? Cullum was a bad guy and he was going to kill Danny’s dad. Rocco shot Cullum to save him, and since then, Jason and her parents had been covering for Rocco. Danny said his dad was innocent. That meant the WSB could let him go.

Lucas told Carly that Sidwell shared the blame in Marco’s death, but had loved his son and would never hurt him. Carly said she had to get her daughter back right now, and started to leave, but Lucas grabbed her arm and said she couldn’t.

Anna told Felicia that she’d been working really hard and felt more grounded and more herself. What would really make her happy was a visit. Could she come to France? Felicia said, of course (🍷). She’d come first thing tomorrow. Anna told her to let Emma know she loved her.

Felicia told Emma that her grandmother just called.

Harker told Cullum that he’d followed Nathan to the mainland, but he’d only made one stop, the post office. Then he went to the MetroCourt pool to meet with his son James. Cullum said, his nephew James. For a man who claimed to be indifferent to Nathan West’s life, Cassius certainly seemed to be going out of his way to live it. He went to the safe and saw that Britt’s meds were gone.

Nathan and James played in the pool.

Britt said she’d watched patients die. Seeing something like that, seeing her like that, would change him, and she wasn’t letting that happen. He said he could handle it. She was a good person and deserved to have someone with her. She said she deserved to have it end the way she wanted it to – alone. She picked up the phone and said if he wouldn’t agree to leave, she was going to tell his mom everything.

Charlotte said Danny couldn’t tell anyone, but Danny said it wasn’t like Rocco would go to prison. He’d done it to save Jason’s life and was a minor. They could get his dad home and get Rocco off the hook. She said the WSB didn’t know Cullum was a bad guy yet, and would want the shooter to pay. Look what they’d done to his dad. What if they did the same to Rocco? He’d be putting Rocco in even more danger. He said his dad was in danger, and she asked if he was exchanging his brother for his dad. He said his dad couldn’t stay in prison for the rest of his life for something he didn’t do. His grandma was a great lawyer and would fix this. She had to.

Lucas begged Carly not to go. If she went to Windymere, she’d be walking into Cullum’s trap. She said he couldn’t expect her to do nothing while that monster was holding her daughter hostage, and he said, Valentin turned himself in for her and Josslyn. She had to give him time to do what he said he would.

Rocco agreed and asked if Britt was feeling okay now. She said she was, and he said, so he didn’t have to leave yet. She said, right, and he said she was going to be healthy longer than she thought.

Danny got all pissed off about Rocco saying nothing while he worried about his dad and told Charlotte that his dad was rotting in prison because Rocco didn’t tell the truth. Did she expect him to just let that go? She said, no, but telling the truth now wouldn’t save his dad. It would only dial up the danger for Rocco. She’d thought she could trust him. He said he’d helped her protect her dad for months and now he wanted to protect his, but she said his father wanted it this way. He could have given Rocco up, but hadn’t. Danny would be going against everything his dad wanted. He said he didn’t care, and she said, he didn’t care that he’d be putting a target on Rocco’s back and betraying her and her whole family? If he did this, he’d be nothing to her. He said he had to talk to his grandma. She’d know how to fix this. He left.

Cullum said, Cassius took the bait. This was a test and he failed. It was clear he was protecting his mother and sister, but he still had an important role to play in all of this. Cassius didn’t know it yet, but he’d handed Cullum something invaluable. He didn’t have to track Britt down. Cassius would do it for him. She’d die thanks to her brother and the poison he stole. (Doesn’t this guy have a real job? How does he have time for all this?)

Felicia said, it was like night and day from the last time she spoke to Anna, and Emma said she was relieved. Felicia said Anna’s doctor felt a visit would do her good, so she was taking the first flight out in the morning, and Emma said she was coming with her. Don’t fight her on this. Felicia said she was going to ask Emma to join her. Maybe they could bring Anna home.

While Gio kept James occupied in the pool, Nathan sent a text: Meds are on the way.

Anna thanked Dr. Laurent for approving the visit, and the doctor said she’d made good steps, but full recovery was a process. They’d need to continue to examine the full weight of her trauma. They were making good progress, but they weren’t done yet. Anna said she understood, and Dr. Laurent told her to get some rest. They’d talk tomorrow. She left, and Anna took out a stack of letters and pulled one out from the middle.

Lucas asked how long Valentin had been gone, and Carly said, less than twenty-four hours. She had to rescue Josslyn. He said she’d only get one chance and if she went there like this, Cullum would be onto her. How about this? If they didn’t hear from Valentin or there was no movement from the WSB by tomorrow night, then they’d go to Windymere together. She said, okay. Tomorrow, they go in. He said, and they didn’t leave without Josslyn.

Cullum told Harker that another matter demanded attention – Valentin Cassadine. Fortunately, Valentin had left them with two very valuable hostages. We saw a split-screen of Charlotte and Carly.

Thursday:

Laura and Willow sat at a table by the pool, and Willow said she could get funding for a program Laura wanted. It could make a difference for so many people. Laura was impressed by Willow and said the people of Port Charles were lucky.

Brook brought Phoebe to the pool and Gio yelled at the kids who were running. Brook told Phoebe that her big brother was keeping everyone safe, and looking at Willow, she said, there was the woman who was after Phoebe’s daddy.

Chase asked to talk to Tracy. He wanted to have it out.

Josslyn did push-ups, when Nathan came in to check on her. He asked how his mother was, and she said Obrecht was determined to finish the prototype. Congratulations. He’d manipulated his mother into doing what he wanted.

Curtis asked what Jordan was up to, and she said she was searching for Sidwell.

Fitzpatrick asked Turner if there was any chance to get a search warrant based on a blink.

Alexis went to the station and asked Bennett what Danny did this time.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Britt walked in to find Dante and Lulu in her room.

Nathan said all he wanted was to get Josslyn and his mother out of this alive, and Josslyn asked if he had a plan. He said the only thing he could do was play along. Cullum had to think he was on board. Josslyn said getting them out meant nothing if it meant Cullum succeeded.

Chase said he owed Tracy an apology, and she said, for what? He said he apologized for not mediating the conflict before things between her and Willow got out of hand, and she said the situation with Willow was working her last nerve. He said he wanted peace for Brook’s sake. And if there was still a chance to save their relationship, he’d like to.

Turner asked what this was in reference to, and Fitzpatrick said he’d received a tip suggesting the other driver might have been Willow.

Laura praised Willow, and Willow said she had a great role model – Laura.

Charlotte said she’d gotten Gio’s text to stop by the pool. What was up? He said he wanted to check in, since Dante and Lulu had gone to find Rocco. If she needed anything, don’t hesitate to ask. She said she was good. She was staying with her grandma. He said he’d also texted Danny, but hadn’t heard from him. Any idea what he was up to? She said, nope, and he said he’d thought they were tight, but she said, not anymore.

Bennett told Alexis that they’d gotten a call from the WSB. Danny had shown up wanting to talk to someone high up about his father’s whereabouts. They’d turned him away because he wasn’t accompanied by an adult, but Danny refused to take no for an answer and tried to hop a fence onto the grounds. She asked if Danny was being charged, and Bennett said that was up to the WSB.

Britt asked how Dante and Lulu found them, and Dante said, her brother. Lulu asked where Rocco was, but Britt said he wasn’t there. She’d consider telling them where he was after they promised not to take him back to Port Charles.

Jordan told Curtis that she’d been combing her work files, hoping to get a clue to where Sidwell had gone, and he said he had faith in her. Sidwell likely had an escape plan so her chances were good. She said she probably helped him set it up and enjoyed it. She’d taken the job to get evidence on him and it turned out to be the best job she’d ever had. He said, to gain trust of the target, sometimes you had to disappear into the role, and she said she’d certainly taken advantage of it. He said, as she should have. She’d gotten an incredible place, made good investments, and gained skills that would work for her anywhere. She said it put her in a good position to get a lead on Sidwell, and he said he had no doubt she’d find it if it was there. He left for a meeting.

Fitzpatrick told Turner what Lucy had said about seeing Willow the night of Jordan’s accident, but Turner said it wasn’t enough for a warrant. He said he’d gone to Willow’s house to ask questions, but someone got in the way – Officer Chase.

Chase said Tracy had been there for his father and Violet, and she said she wanted to preserve their relationship as well, but had concerns. He said nothing was more important than Brook and Phoebe, and she said she believed him, but he was putting his family in jeopardy.

Danny flashed back to Charlotte telling him that Rocco shot Cullum, when Alexis came in. She asked what he was thinking, and he said he was thinking about his dad.

Britt said they’d only be putting Rocco in danger if they took him home, but Lulu said Britt didn’t get to lecture them. The only reason Rocco had been on the pier in the first place was because of her. Britt said he wasn’t there at her invitation or with her knowledge, and she’d only tried to protect him. Lulu said Britt kidnapped him, and Britt said Rocco had a target on his back. Dante said Britt had a target on her back, so what was more dangerous than being with her?

Willow said she’d been inspired by Laura and strived to emulate her, but Laura said she deserved the credit for her own success. Willow said when she was faced with a problem, she asked herself, what would Mayor Collins do? and Laura said her door was always open. Laura’s phone rang and she stepped away to take the call. She said she was hoping to hear from them… She was on her way.

Willow approached Brook and asked if she could hold Phoebe.

Turner said Chase had shown he couldn’t be trusted when it came to Willow. They were married once and he was very protective of her. She believed he tampered with evidence during Willow’s trial, but there were only allegations. Fitzpatrick said he’d wanted to ask Willow more questions, but Chase asked to speak to her alone. He managed to find Drew on his way to the facilities, and asked if Willow had been on the road the night of the accident and was she involved. He blinked once.

Chase said he wasn’t having an affair with Willow, and Tracy said she was wrong to accuse him of being unfaithful, but Willow was stealing time from his family. He said Willow was a friend, and Tracy said it wasn’t about Willow. Willow knew what she was doing and so did Tracy. He said Willow was trying to help him and Brook adopt Phoebe in spite of the Quartermaines putting her through the wringer, and Tracy said his gratitude was taking him away from his family. He said, when he wasn’t working, his day was devoted to Brook and Phoebe, and she asked if he spent this much time with Willow when she was married to Michael.

Josslyn told Nathan that the device was extremely dangerous and volatile and so was Cullum, and he said he didn’t want Cullum to get his hands on it any more than she did. She asked why they weren’t making a move then. Cullum was already suspicious of both of them. He said he’d handle Cullum, and she said she might be alive, but was pretty sure her expiration date was coming up. He said there was no safe route off the island. WSB agents were practically hanging from the trees. She said she’d take her chances. Prove they were on the same team and get her a gun.

Danny told Alexis that he needed to see his dad. He thought if he could talk to someone face to face, they’d let him talk to his dad on the phone. She said no one disputed that the situation was unjust, but he hadn’t made it any better. Cullum came in and said he had to agree. This young man made things worse for himself and others.

Britt told Dante and Lulu that Rocco had insisted on coming with her. They knew how dangerous Cullum was. Why weren’t they taking him anywhere? Lulu said Britt wasn’t Rocco’s mother and it was up to them to protect him, and Britt asked why they weren’t doing it. Lulu said she was, and Dante said Britt had been selfish and just wanted more time with Rocco. Britt said she didn’t have a lot of time left on this earth and wasn’t wasting it apologizing to them. She loved Rocco. If she had a chance to spend time with him and protect him from Cullum, it was a risk worth taking. Rocco walked in.

Jordan thanked Laura for coming by, and Laura said she’d wanted to ask Jordan to go through her records to look for any clues on Sidwell, but didn’t want to put any pressure on her. Jordan said she’d spent the morning sorting through everything she had on him. She had a lot of raw information, but wasn’t sure it would lead anywhere. Laura said Jordan had given them their best chance, and looked through the papers.

Fitzpatrick told Turner that he’d wanted to ask Drew more questions, but Willow and Chase came in before he could. Willow said he’d been disturbing Drew’s rest and told him to submit any other questions to her office in writing, but she’d been willing to answer questions before Chase asked to speak to her alone. Turner said she assumed the warrant he was seeking would lead to proof Willow was on the road that night.

Chase told Tracy that the circumstances were completely different. If Brook had a problem with him spending time with Willow, she’d say so. Tracy asked if he could admit it was creating distance between him and his family. He said his focus was on his family, which was why he turned down the job Willow offered him, and she said, Willow did what?

Brook thanked Willow for not pressing charges against Tracy, and Willow said she just wanted them all to get along. Curtis approached and asked Willow if it was still a good time. Willow said it was. She just had to see Phoebe. Curtis said seeing Phoebe’s adorable face made him more eager to see his own baby. Portia was due any day now.

Charlotte said she thought she could trust Danny, but now realized she shouldn’t have, and Gio said Danny was very loyal to the people he cared about. All he wanted was to help his friends. Have a little faith in the guy. Give him time and he’d do the right thing. She said, if he didn’t, she’d never forgive him.

Cullum asked what Danny was trying to achieve by entering the WSB, but Alexis said she’d answer that. The WSB took Danny’s father and he missed him. He was just looking for someone to help him make contact, which wouldn’t have happened had Jason not been denied contact with his family. Cullum said it was touching, but failed to mitigate the act of breaking and entering, and Alexis said, a judge might disagree. She knew the public would when she went to the media and told them that the WSB had targeted a teenage kid who was grieving after they kidnapped his father and denied him due process. Cullum asked if it was the first time Danny had been found somewhere he shouldn’t have been.

Rocco told his parents that he’d had to leave. He was only causing problems. He’d also been able to help Britt. Where was Charlotte? Lulu said Charlotte was staying with her grandmother, and Rocco told Britt that he was sorry. It was his fault they’d been found. He’d called Danny and Charlotte for help and gave them the address so her brother could send her this. He handed her a package and said it was her medication.

Nathan said he couldn’t risk giving Josslyn a weapon. They wanted different things. He wanted to get himself, her, and his mother out of this alive, and she wanted to stop Cullum. She said give her a gun and she’d make sure she got out of there safely, but he said, maybe. Or maybe not. She said, he didn’t trust her? What if she believed he didn’t want to get them out of there? Nathan promised he would, but she said his word meant nothing.

Tracy asked what Brook thought about Willow’s generous offer, and Chase said Brook didn’t try to pressure him either way. She wanted it to be his decision. Tracy said because Brook prioritized his wants and needs. He should do the same for her. He said he didn’t see how his friendship with Willow prevented that, and she said she was sorry for the night she’d told him to pack his things. It was uncalled for and she overstepped. She wanted his marriage to succeed and believed he needed to take more care with her granddaughter. Despite their best intentions, sometimes they neglected the people they loved the most and she thought that’s what he was doing. She left.

Curtis told Willow that this universal daycare program was going to be a game changer for Port Charles. Would she mind if Aurora covered the launch? She said it would be great, and he asked how she’d feel about having a profile done on her. It had been a while since Port Charles had a real advocate. She said she knew how he felt about Drew, but she was still using his connections to get things done. He said, the difference was, she was using those connections to do right by her constituents and that was a refreshing change of pace.

Jordan told Laura that she was only involved in Sidwell’s public-facing enterprises. Marco handled everything Sidwell didn’t want her to see or know about. Laura said, so if he wanted to find a place to go underground for a while, he’d probably want to keep it as legal as possible, for Marco’s sake if nothing else. Jordan said, hiding in plain sight.

Alexis said she wasn’t discussing her grandson’s past with Cullum, and he said, then, how about an explanation on why Danny was trying to break in? What was he planning to do? The truth this time. She said, he wanted information about his father. It was reckless, but was it really worth the public back and forth? He said he preferred a quiet resolution. The WSB was prepared to let this matter go, provided Danny could assure him that he’d never do this again. Alexis said he wouldn’t, and Cullum said, good. Because if he did, there would be serious consequences. He left, and Alexis said she hoped what just happened scared Danny, because it scared the hell out of her. Cullum was a dangerous man and not to be toyed with.

Josslyn asked if Nathan or Cassius was making that promise. He’d said he and his brother had a connection and he wanted Nathan’s life. Yet he’d been lying to every single person Nathan cared about since he’d gotten there. He’d promised that he’d keep Britt safe and he couldn’t. What about the promises he’d made Nina or his mother? He was holding Obrecht captive so that she’d save him. James thought his father was back. When was he going to tell James the truth? Before or after his work there was done and he had to disappear again? He liked to play the good guy, but he was living a lie. He couldn’t come through for any of the people he claimed to care about, so why should she believe he’d come through for her?

Rocco said Britt was just so sick, he panicked. He should have known her brother would tell his parents where they were. He was such an idiot. Dante said Nathan had to tell them, and Britt told him not to beat himself up. It was okay. Rocco said it wasn’t okay. If he’d told her, they could have been gone already. Dante said he knew the three of them had a lot of work to do, but the important thing was that they found him, and Lulu said if they found him, that meant the WSB could too. They had to get out of there. Rocco said, what about Britt?

Jordan said it was like looking for a needle in a haystack, when Laura said, wait. What is this? It’s 352 Vista Lane. Jordan said it was a property Sidwell purchased, intending to give it to Marco and Lucas as a wedding gift, and Laura wondered why he kept it. Grief? He couldn’t accept his son was gone? Jordan said, Sidwell would have only kept it if it served a purpose… if he knew he might need a place to hide.

Chase met Brook at the pool and said he’d been talking things over with her grandmother. Brook told him, whatever Tracy said, she was sorry, but he said, it wasn’t like that. They had a really good conversation. She’d made him realize that he needed to take a step back and rethink his priorities. Especially now that… Fitzpatrick walked in, and Chase wondered what the hell he was doing there.

Fitzpatrick approached Willow and said he had a warrant to check the trip record on her vehicle. She asked, why? and he said, to see if she was on Route 91 at the time of Jordan Ashford’s accident. Curtis made a soap face.

Charlotte thanked Gio for listening, and he said he was always there for her. She said she had to get ready for her stupid internship. She wished she could bail and hang out at the pool with him. He said he totally got it, but they had the rest of the summer to hang out, and she said she’d be at the pool a lot. On the phone at a nearby table, a man said he had eyes on her now. She’d be in hand shortly.

Nathan said when he’d brought Josslyn to Windymere, he promised he wouldn’t kill her. His life would have been easier if he had, but he’d kept his promise. She said she was alive, but still captive, even though he’d had opportunities to let her go, and he told her to believe what she wanted. But when this was over and she was still breathing, she’d know he kept his word. He left.

Danny told Alexis that he was sorry. He hadn’t wanted to drag her into this. She said, but he did. She’d always fight for him, but he really needed to be careful. The last thing his dad would want was for him to be involved in any way with the WSB. He said she was right. He had to do what his dad would want.

Britt said Rocco needed to go with his parents. She’d be okay. He said, what if she got sick again or what if Cullum found her? and Lulu said they had to go. He wasn’t safe there and Britt could take care of herself. Dante said they had to get out of there and keep their heads down until this whole thing blew over, and Rocco said he’d leave, but only if Britt came with them.

🌞 Summer Friday…

At the pool, Chase wondered what Fitzpatrick wanted with Willow now, then apologized to Brook. He said this was what he meant about getting his priorities straight. He was here with her and Phoebe in this beautiful place on this beautiful day. How lucky was he? Brook said she and Phoebe were the lucky ones.

Curtis told Fitzpatrick, this is ridiculous. Isaiah Gannon was on the road that night. They should be focusing their investigation on him. Fitzpatrick said they were investigating all possibilities, and Curtis asked what evidence they had tying Willow to Jordan’s accident.

Jordan told Laura that she didn’t think Sidwell ever intended the property as a safe house, but Marco’s death changed things. Laura said it was a place where Sidwell could hide in plain sight. Did no one else know about the property? Jordan said she was the only one, and Laura said they were going to use Sidwell’s trust in her to bring him down.

Turner said, with Mac and Dante both on personal leave, she was going to need to rely on Nathan more than usual. She needed him to take over the search for Sidwell.

Charlotte walked into Crimson, and mystery guy was in the elevator, but didn’t get out when he saw Nina. Nina said she needed to talk to Charlotte about her work schedule for the summer. She wondered if they should loop Lulu in, but Charlotte said she was staying with Laura while Lulu was out of town. Nina asked if everything was okay, and Charlotte said it was fine. Nina said Charlotte could always talk to her father. She knew Valentin was in town and knew Charlotte had been seeing him, so why didn’t they drop the act and be honest?

Dante said they were trying to get Rocco out of danger, which meant getting him as far away from Britt as possible.

Dr. Laurent opened Anna’s door to let in Mac, Felicia, and Emma, and Emma ran to her. They hugged, and Anna said it was good to see them, but Mac said, not as good as it was to see her.

Jordan said, for all she knew, Sidwell could be questioning her allegiance to him, but Laura said she didn’t think he was. It was a lead that should be investigated. Jordan asked if she was thinking of bringing Sonny in on this, but Laura said they didn’t need to. Sidwell was a fugitive and all they needed was the PCPD.

Turner asked where they were in the search for Sidwell, and Nathan said, nowhere good. He could be anywhere. She told him not to assume Sidwell left town and to leave no stone unturned. Sidwell was dangerous and a big fish. She wanted to be the one who brought him down.

Chase suggested they take a trip to Seattle once the adoption was a done deal. They could introduce Phoebe to Finn and Violet. Brook said she loved it, and Chase got distracted looking at Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick said they had two credible witnesses that placed Willow at the scene of the accident, but her presence at the PCPD would be voluntary. Curtis said Fitzpatrick didn’t have a warrant and was just waving his badge around, and Willow said she was nowhere near Route 91 that night. She noticed someone filming on their phone, and suggested they discuss it at the PCPD. She had nothing to hide.

Brook thought of other places they could go in Seattle, but noticed Chase was no longer listening.

Anna apologized for the way she’d acted. They’d witnessed things they didn’t need to. Felicia said they loved her, and Emma said the only thing they wanted was for her to get better. Anna asked what was going on at home.

Charlotte said Nina had been using her this entire time, but Nina said, not by choice. She could explain. Charlotte said Nina tried to sell her and her father out, and didn’t care about them at all, but Nina said that wasn’t true. She hadn’t wanted to do any of it and she was sorry. It wasn’t how she felt. She loved Charlotte and would take it all back if she could. At the time, she felt like she was choosing the lesser of two evils. Charlotte said it seemed like she was choosing between protecting her and protecting Willow, and Nina’s choice was definitely not her.

Britt told Rocco that his dad was right. The danger was her. Rocco said Cullum could be after him too. Cullum might know he’d shot him. Lulu said that’s why they had to get him somewhere safe, and Dante said they were just trying to protect him. Rocco said, that’s what Britt was trying to do too. He got that they didn’t like her, but he couldn’t just leave her to fend for herself. Britt said, yes, he could, and Rocco said Dante was a cop with a gun. They could protect each other. Dante said all they knew was that Britt was the target, and Lulu said that meant if Britt was with them, Rocco was in danger. Dante said he didn’t even know if that was true. If Cullum found them with Britt, she would be the only one he’d want alive because he wanted something from her. Did she want to tell them what that was?

Anna asked what the latest and greatest was with Emma, and Emma told her about going with Gio to New York to see Aladdin. It was a dream come true. Anna said it sounded like everything was wonderful back home and hoped she’d be joining them soon. She asked to talk to Emma alone, and Mac and Felicia left. She said what she had to tell Emma was important.

Brook said she could tell Chase was distracted and suggested he go see what was going on. He said he’d only be a second and went over to Curtis who was sitting alone at a table. He asked if Curtis knew what was going on, and Curtis said Fitzpatrick was overstepping again. Apparently, the PCPD had gotten a warrant for Willow’s trip log, and Fitzpatrick took her down to the station to ask her some questions about Jordan’s accident. Isaiah came in and asked if he’d heard Curtis say there was another suspect in Jordan’s crash.

Charlotte said she understood why Nina chose Willow, but Nina said Charlotte was family too. Charlotte said, not anymore, but who was she to judge? She and her father would choose each other in a heartbeat. Why would Nina be any different? The office phone rang, and Charlotte answered it. She told Nina that it was Willow, and Nina took the phone. She said, what?… When?… Why were they questioning her about… Of course (🍷). She’d be right there. She said she hated leaving Charlotte like this, and Charlotte wondered why since she was so good at it. Charlotte pretended to be engrossed in her phone, and Nina left.

Britt said she’d been doing work for Cullum and he’d like for her to complete that work, and Dante asked if that’s why Cullum was after her. She said, yes, and told Rocco that the only reason she took him with her was because she was worried Cullum was after him too. She thought he’d be safer with her, but that was no longer the case. The safest place for him right now was away from her and with his parents. Lulu said, listen to her, and Rocco said he’d heard them. Staying there was a risk, but he was willing to take it. They’d always told him that they take chances for the people they love, and they could hate it, but he loved Britt. She was really important to him. Help him help her. Lulu said she was going to let Britt decide what they did next. It was up to her.

Curtis said Willow wasn’t a suspect, just answering questions, and Isaiah said they must have cause to question her. Chase said it was a story he’d heard a thousand times, a cop trying to make a name for himself, and Curtis said, instead, he was making a big mistake. Chase said he’d clear it up, and went back to Brook, and Curtis said, another innocent person was facing consequences because of Isaiah’s actions. Willow was now at the police station because Isaiah wouldn’t face what he did.

Chase told Brook that he was sorry, but he thought he had to head to the station. ADA Turner had a vendetta against Willow and he thought she was steering Fitzpatrick in the wrong direction. Brook said it sounded like Willow needed all the help she could get, he thanked her for understanding, and he left.

Turner met Willow in the interrogation room and said they were waiting on the information from the trip log. Willow said she was told Turner had questions, but they both knew what was going on. Turner couldn’t convict her for attempted murder and was now trying to frame her for leaving the scene of an accident.

Anna said Emma was probably wondering why she’d asked for the visit, and Emma said she thought Anna probably had a good reason. Anna said Dr. Laurent encouraged her not to involve Emma’s mother in her recovery at this point, and Emma asked, why not? Anna said she was trying to work through the very complicated history she had with Faison and Emma’s mom was woven into that. Emma had missed so many years with her when she’d been abducted by him. Emma said she’d never forgive him for that, and Anna said, nor should she. She didn’t want to unearth that for Robin and subject her to those horrible times. She needed to be fully recovered and didn’t want to traumatize Robin again. Emma said she and her mom talked and her mom was 100% supportive of whatever Anna needed to do, however she needed to do it. Her mom loved Anna. They all did. All they wanted was for her to be okay.

Charlotte perused the clothing racks in Nina’s office, when Danny came in. He said he wanted to let her know that he didn’t tell his grandma about Rocco shooting Cullum. He realized she couldn’t do anything to help his dad, so he broke into the WSB to talk to someone himself. Charlotte said, wait. What? He broke into the WSB?

Jordan’s doorbell rang, and she answered the door to Nathan. She thanked him for getting there so quickly, and he said he assumed it was about Sidwell. Jordan said they believed they knew the location he might be hiding out at, and he asked if the intel was legit. Laura said they thought so, and he asked where he was headed. Laura said they thought that Sidwell might still be in Port Charles and they thought they knew where to find him.

Britt said she loved Rocco too, and part of that was knowing she couldn’t come with him. She’d made a lot of choices and some of them were stupid, some of them were selfish, and they led her here. One of the most selfish choices she’d made was getting pregnant with him, but she didn’t regret it because he was here. He was generous, kind, and wonderful. He was incredible and had changed everything for her. He’d taught her that there were things in this world that were bigger and more important than her. That’s why he needed to go with his parents, because the biggest, most important thing was that he was safe. So please, could he do that for her?

Isaiah said the police were questioning other suspects, yet Curtis was still coming at him with accusations, and Curtis said, because Isaiah was guilty. The police would clear Willow’s name soon enough. Isaiah said, maybe, but disparage his name one more time, and Curtis would be facing more than assault charges. Curtis asked if that was a threat, but Isaiah said it was a promise, and he left.

Turner said, no one was accusing Willow of causing the accident, but if hers was the other car involved that night, she left the scene of an accident without calling for help, causing Ms. Ashford precious time which directly impacted the severity of her injuries. Willow said she wasn’t even on Route 91 that night, and Turner said forgive her for not taking Willow’s word, given her history of losing track of her whereabouts. Willow said Fitzpatrick alluded to witnesses. Was she allowed to know who they were? Turner said, Lucy Coe was one of them, and Willow said, hardly the definition of credible. And the other one? Turner said, your husband.

Chase approached Fitzpatrick’s desk and said he knew Fitzpatrick was new and just following orders, but the ADA was railroading Congresswoman Cain. Fitzpatrick said they had cause for the warrant. Either the trip log cleared Willow or it didn’t. In the meantime, he suggested Chase go home. He wasn’t doing himself any favors by intervening. Chase said he was good here. He didn’t turn his back on friends.

Chase walked into the interrogation room, and Turner said, Officer Chase, in a surprise to no one. (Ha-ha!) Chase said he wasn’t violating any procedure. He was there as a private citizen and wanted a private word with the congresswoman. Turner said she’d let Willow know what the trip log turned up, and left.

Felicia told Dr. Laurent that Anna seemed much more like herself. When did the doctor think they could take her home? Dr. Laurent agreed Anna had shown improvement, but they still needed time to make sure there wasn’t a relapse. Anna was dealing with significant trauma and they were dealing with the process of separating reality from paranoid delusion. Felicia said Anna had lived a life of extremes. Some things that may sound paranoid from her past, could be grounded in reality. The doctor said, that may be true, but until she was satisfied that Anna knew the difference, it wasn’t safe for her to leave.

Anna said it was good for her soul to see Emma, and Emma said her too. Anna said she’d kept all of Emma’s letters. Reading about her life and how happy she was, was comforting. Just to know Emma was thriving and in love was the best medicine for her. Emma said she loved Anna so much, and Anna said she loved Emma too. They hugged, and Anna said she had to catch up with Felicia too, so Emma left.

Nathan said it was a good lead, and Jordan said she and Laura were in agreement that they’d do what they could to bring Sidwell to justice. Nathan asked, who else had they told about Sidwell’s location? and Laura said, no one. Jordan said he was the only person they’d spoken to, and he said, good. It was imperative that it stayed that way.

Danny said he didn’t even make it inside, and Charlotte asked how he could be so stupid. Cullum or anyone else could have made him disappear. He said the WSB just turned him over to the PCPD and Detective Bennett called his grandma. She came down to the station and smoothed things out with everyone. She said, no disrespect to his grandmother, but he got lucky. That’s all. Was he going to tell them that Rocco shot Cullum so he could free his dad? He said he wasn’t even going to mention Rocco. He was just going to tell them that Cullum was a double agent. She said, then he would be dead. If Cullum found out Danny knew he was dirty, he’d be in a hole somewhere dead. Or worse, alive.

Rocco said he’d go, but Britt had to promise she wasn’t going to stay there and wait for Cullum to find her. She’d keep moving like they said they would, take her medication, and not give up. Promise him. She said, okay, but he told her that he needed to hear her say it. She said she promised, and they hugged, both crying.

Anna told Felicia that she understood why Felicia couldn’t do as she asked. She was unwell and Felicia did it out of love. Felicia said not getting Anna out of there was one of the hardest decisions she ever had to make, but it was the right one. Anna was getting better and stronger. Anna said it was really difficult trying to explain her experience to people who didn’t know Faison and who didn’t know the history or context. It just seemed… Felicia said, unreal? and Anna said, yeah. Felicia said she just tried to explain that to Dr. Laurent, and Anna said Felicia knew better than anyone that the things that happened with Faison were too real. She thought what it came down to was that she was trying to figure out what she could trust from that experience in her memory and who she could trust. She took Felicia’s hands and said it was really important that she knew she could trust her.

Curtis saw Nina at the station and asked if she was there for Willow. Nina asked how he knew that, and he said he was there when the detective asked her to come in for questioning. There was nothing to worry about. Willow wasn’t guilty. Isaiah Gannon was. She said it was looking like it didn’t matter because Turner was targeting Willow. She was probably humiliated that she’d lost her case in court. He said, facts are facts, and ADA Turner is about to be 0 for 2.

Willow said it meant so much that Chase came there, and he said Fitzpatrick got it all wrong. She said Turner was claiming Lucy Coe and Drew were somehow witnesses, and he asked how that was possible. She said she had no idea about Lucy, but remember how Fitzpatrick was alone with Drew the other night? He said, Fitzpatrick would have had to ask Drew a yes or no question. What could he have asked that would have implicated her in Jordan’s accident?

Dante said, let’s go, but Britt said, wait. She remembered that she had something for Rocco. She handed him a small bottle filled with liquid that had a bubble wand in it, and he asked what it was. She said, when he was a baby, he blew these cute little milk bubbles. When she saw it at the bodega, she had to get it. It was probably stupid. What teenage boy was blowing bubbles? He said he loved it and thanked her, and she told him to take care of himself. He said, only if she did, and she said she would. Lulu thanked her for keeping Rocco safe, and as they were about to leave, Rocco came back and hugged Britt again. He said this wouldn’t be the last time he saw her, and she said, just wait. She’d pop up when he least expected it. He said, she’d better, and she said he could count on it. They left, Dante closing the door.

Danny said he was trying to help his dad, and Charlotte said if he wanted to help him, go home and stay out of this whole mess. He said, you’ve got it, and left. Mystery man got out of the elevator, and Danny went in. Mystery man went into Nina’s office, said, hello, Charlotte, and gave her a creepy face.

Isaiah said he didn’t mean to disturb Brook’s pool time, but he heard the police were questioning Willow about Jordan’s accident. He wasn’t asking her to break her husband’s confidence, but this really affected him. Was there anything she could tell him about what was going on? She said, Detective Fitzpatrick showed up there earlier, spoke to Willow, and she left with him. Not in handcuffs or anything. According to Chase, the PCPD had a warrant to look through Willow’s trip log the night of Jordan’s accident. He said, if they had a warrant, they must have cause. He didn’t wish anything bad on Willow, but if she was involved, he hoped they found proof. Then Curtis would have to acknowledge he’d destroyed his career for something he didn’t do.

Willow said she was sure Fitzpatrick asked Drew a question and misinterpreted his response, and Chase asked if they’d read Willow her rights. She said, no, and he said, then she wasn’t under arrest and didn’t have to stay here. He opened the door, and Nina asked what was going on. Willow said, nothing she should be dealing with. It was a complete waste of time. Nina asked if she was allowed to go, and Chase said, absolutely, but Turner said she needed Willow to wait. They checked the trip log on her 2025 BMW and it placed her on Route 91 at 9:30 pm on April 8th, 2026. In case she wasn’t aware, that placed her within seconds of Jordan Ashford’s car crash.

Anna said she was telling Felicia this because Felicia was her friend. She was going to trust the fact that their friendship was strong enough for Felicia to believe. Felicia said, believe what? and Anna said, Nathan West isn’t who he says he is.

Nathan thanked someone on the phone and told Jordan and Laura that he’d made arrangements to stake out the property. But Sidwell had a lot of resources and it was possible he had someone inside the PCPD. Jordan said it was probable. How else would Nathan have gotten ambushed? Nathan said, then they understood. The quieter this was kept… Laura said, the more likely they were to catch him. They weren’t going to tell anyone. Jordan said he had their word, and Nathan said he’d be in touch. He left, and took out his phone in the hallway. He said, it’s me. We have a Sidwell problem.

Lulu, Dante, and Rocco got in the car, and Lulu asked if Rocco was okay. Looking at the bubble jar, he said, not really. If anything happened to Britt, he’d never forgive himself. Dante started the car.

Britt was about to give herself an injection, when two armed officers busted in. They told her to freeze, and she put her hands up. An officer said she was under arrest for kidnapping.

Charlotte asked who mystery man was, and he said, Agent Mark McKay with the WSB. She needed to come with him. She said she didn’t know him and wasn’t going anywhere with him, and he said it would be easier if she cooperated. He backed her up against the desk, and she reached for a letter opener, intending to stab him, but he twisted her arm and made her drop it. Danny came up behind him and knocked him out. He took Charlotte’s hand, and they ran out the door.

On Monday, Sonny tells Alexis that they have to make sure Danny never finds out; Danny wonders why Cullum is suddenly after Charlotte; Cullum says Nathan needs to be there to make sure Sidwell doesn’t walk out of that house alive; and Anna asks Felicia if it isn’t worth looking into her theory.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

She’s back and ready to rumble.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-anna-devane-returns-after-months-off-screen-but-is-she-hiding-a-secret-agenda

I’m not hating glimpses of the old Brook.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-amanda-setton-reacts-to-brook-lynns-dirty-move-against-willow

Good for him. This was indefensible. Apparently, Brick is a stand-up guy IRL.

https://radaronline.com/p/stephen-a-smith-refuses-apologize-karmelo-anthony-verdict-opinion-blasts-supporters

This doesn’t sound like my jam musically, but kudos to him.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-alum-chad-duell-drops-his-new-single-if-you-need-me

This was sad to hear.

https://ew.com/fundraiser-launched-to-help-soap-star-marcy-walker-amid-health-issue-12005471

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Eyebrows Joe claimed he had no ill intention in talking about Gael and thought Nathan was overreacting. In Nathan’s interview, he said Joe had been talking sh*t about Gael to everyone, and during the crew’s night out, he bitched in the taxi while the others went on to dance. In Joe’s interview, he said the day had been mentally challenging, but I have the feeling every day is mentally challenging for him. Both Gen and Joy were interested in Cooper, who said, it was a f***ing dilemma. After he was done pouting, Nathan told Joe, listen to the bosun, no stepping on toes, and have a good season. The next charter were repeat guests Johnny Damon and his wife Michelle, who wanted a  banquet reminiscent of ancient Rome, a dine in the dark experience (why?), and an escape room challenge. Aesha made Kayley second stew, and Gen said, WTF, dude? In Kat’s interview, she said she felt Gen had learning to do in the lack of respect department. That’s putting it mildly. Guest Josef turned out to be an immediate a-hole, disrespecting the crew and not following safety rules. He was so awful (and nothing to look at), his girlfriend requested to go back to shore, which Captain Sandy accommodated. She also told Josef that he needed to knock it off.

This dude was the worst.

The Valley

A drunk Zack had a hissy fit and Schwartz wondered, where’s the kumbaya? Where’s the happy birthday vibes? Where’s my cake?  The next day, Zack said, emotions got away, not just with me, with all of us, making me dislike him even more. I hate the all of us sh*t, when it wasn’t all of us – it was you.

In the City

It looked like Amanda was a budding hoarder. Two years prior, she’d told Kyle that she’d get stuff off the bed, and there was an entire room full of her junk. She kept calling it clutter. I guess tomato/tomahto. Kyle continued to be a jerk, and she said the night before she moved, he’d brought home two strangers and they were playing music at 2 am on Sunday. In bringing strangers home drunk, he was doing the thing she said she hated, even though he claimed to want to make it work. Kyle said they were nice guys, but she told him, it was a guy and girl, since he was clearly in blackout mode. In Amanda’s interview, she said she knew what he wanted, but her fear was that he wasn’t capable of giving her what she wanted. They’d just been married when she got a DM with a video of him with someone else. Maybe it would have been wise to have gotten a clue then.

Next Gen NYC

Ariana had broken up with Hudson because she felt she was holding his hand and no one was holding hers. There was talk about Charlie and the crypto house of horrors, and arguing about Gia’s mom unfollowing Ava. Gia claimed Teresa didn’t care enough to unfollow her, but my guess is that she wouldn’t know how if she did. Come on. She can’t even pronounce cumin. It was Emira’s birthday and she was having a C**try Night, although in her interview, she said Bravo was making her call it Country Night. Don the cowboy hats or the… never mind. Joining the group was new guy Liam, who was an actor and a friend of Hudson’s from school. In Liam’s interview, he said he didn’t watch reality TV. He’d seen one season of Love Island and decided it wasn’t for him, which I can totally understand. What did seem to be for him was Ariana. Maybe he should have watched Summer House instead. It was also Ariana’s birthday, even though she was going to Emira’s party, and Georgia said she’d thought Ariana broke up with Hudson for the show. When she saw Ariana’s move out post, she believed it was real. Like needing Instagram to confirm reality wasn’t bad enough, I thought if I heard her say literally one more time, I was going to scream. Literally, Georgia literally can’t literally stop saying literally, literally before every other word.

https://pagesix.com/video/next-gen-nyc-recap-ava-dash-strikes-feud-with-gia-giudice-over-teresa-drama-vrt-unpacks-episode-1

Kindly pick a lane. Even if just for Georgia’s sake.

https://decider.com/2026/06/24/next-gen-nyc-ariana-biermann-hudson-mcleroy-back-together

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island – Reunion Part 1

I hate Reunions and am growing to hate this group of women. Liz apologized to Alicia for embarrassing her about the homeless thing, and no surprise, there was a but attached. She also claimed it was a manufactured situation and that they’d known about the upcoming conversation in the car beforehand. This led to an argument, along with pretty much everything else leading to an argument. Jo-Ellen finally told Liz to STFU. My main question was, WTF was Rulla wearing?

https://www.realitytea.com/2026/06/22/real-housewives-of-rhode-island-rhori-episode-13-recap-reunion-part-1/

Random Reality Items

A revamped London premieres on July 29th.

One of the best reality shows on pause and reboot? WTF? Why?

Hard to believe it’s been 20 years. Premieres August 9th.

Because, LVP.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Project Hail Mary. HBO/MAX. Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) is a teacher recruited – scratch that – forced to become an astronaut in order to save the planet. While in outer space, he wakes to discover his fellow travelers dead and that he’s all alone. Not for long though. He comes across another lone voyager from a different species on the same mission who he names Rocky. The crux of this film is more the developing relationship between Grace and Rocky than the mission itself. Their developing bond is interspersed with scenes showing how Grace got there, along with fantastic special effects that made me wish I’d seen it on the big screen. Ken Russell would be eating his heart out if he was still alive. Normally, I’m not a fan of the outer space genre, but I loved this movie and especially loved Rocky. No surprise, there are plenty of miscommunications and poignant moments as the two become friends and bond. The dialogue is wonderful and the characters are engaging. There’s also plenty of humor sprinkled throughout, and the ending was just what I was looking for. Like Rocky, I could only say – Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!

The bare bones.

A more in-depth review.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/project-hail-mary-ryan-gosling-movie-review-2026

A perfect perspective.

Rabbit Hole. Amazon Prime. I’d never heard of this film, but Nicole Kidman is usually a safe bet, so I decided to give it a go and wasn’t disappointed. Bella and Howie lost a young child when he was hit by a car and are grappling with the aftermath. While I can’t identify personally, I can certainly feel empathy for such a loss. It’s out of order, and not only is the child gone, so are the parents’ hopes and dreams for their future. As others have said, there are words for other types of losses, like widow or widower, but there is no word for losing a child. The couple is also in group therapy to deal with their grief, but Becca is starting to feel unsatisfied with the lack of closure. She drops out of group and begins to develop a friendship with the teen who caused the accident. Kidman is her usual amazing self, but the rest of the cast is excellent as well, especially Sandra Oh as another member of the therapy group who dips out to smoke weed in the car. Both the story and acting were incredibly authentic, so be prepared to have your heart broken.

https://www.starkinsider.com/2010/10/review-nicole-kidman-stoic-in-rabbit-hole.html

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rabbit-hole-2010

👩🏽‍🦽‍➡️ Bringing Wheelchair Sexy Back…

I love these two and couldn’t be happier that they’re back for a second season. First episode spoiler alert: Wedding bells can be heard.

https://people.com/jay-manuel-and-pamela-chavez-brittle-bone-disease-clash-over-expanding-family-exclusive-12004885

https://www.accessonline.com/videos/jay-pamela-have-candid-conversation-about-expanding-their-family-in-season-2-trailer

https://glaad.org/if-not-us-then-who-disabled-queer-couple-reshapes-reality-tv-in-new-tlc-show-jay-and-pamela

🙃 Rules Are Made To Be Broken…

🦅 Soaring again despite that pesky electrocution.

https://people.com/bald-eagle-returns-to-flight-6-months-after-being-electrocuted-12007139

🐄 Next she’ll want to borrow the car keys.

https://people.com/highland-cow-goes-viral-after-farmer-takes-it-to-beach-runs-into-ocean-video-12005660

🐏 Taking pride in the flock.

https://people.com/farmer-behind-rainbow-wool-tends-only-to-gay-sheep-saving-queer-lives-exclusive-12000672

🐶 And who doesn’t love a pet in a little hat?

https://people.com/virginia-vet-school-creates-graduation-pet-photo-shoot-tradition-12005495

🏌️‍♀️ Quotes of the Week

Tomorrow becomes never. No matter how small the task, take the first step now. – Tim Ferriss

Everything is as good or as bad as our opinion makes it. – C.S. Lewis, from Till We Have Faces

Apologizing does not always mean that you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.Author Unknown

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs

It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere. – Voltaire

Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. And there are many things that don’t really end, anyway, they just begin again in a new way. Ends are not bad and many ends aren’t really an ending; some things are never-ending. – C. JoyBell C. (Or as Semisonic put it more simply, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.)

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

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

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. – Mark Twain

She can’t take your little thought cloud and deposit it and write checks against it. – Judge Marilyn Milian, People’s Court

I’m trying to learn stuff. – West Wilson, Summer House

🏖️ Resting Beach Face…

Until next time, stay safe; stay not stressing over your summer body (seriously, look around, you’re not that bad); and stay not neglecting the people you love the most.

Video > Pet Shop Boys – Go West (Official Video) [HD REMASTERED]

June 19, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Rocco Makes a Call, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, From Superdog To Bacon, Not Quite a Dozen Quotes & Pink

Standard

What I Watched Today

(Nada enchilada summer – condensed because life is short & summer should be fun)

General Hospital

Monday:

Emma found Gio with Phoebe outside the boathouse.

Cody and Molly were going for a hike, and Alexis asked if she could talk to them, but it had to wait until Molly’s father got there.

Laura met Lulu at the MetroCourt Gardens, and Lulu put her phone on record. She asked about Sidwell, and Laura said she was grateful that his intended victim survived and looked forward to him being brought to justice, but Lulu said, that was a very political answer. She turned off the recorder, and Laura said she hated Sidwell and was glad people were seeing him for the thug he was. Nathan watched from another table, when Nina joined him. She asked when he’d last heard from their mother.

Valentin and Carly came back to Sonny’s old kitchen after taking a boat around Spoon Island. Valentin said it was it was teeming with agents, but Carly said she didn’t care. She had to get her daughter out of there.

Brook and Michael came in to find Yuri tending to Willow, and Yuri told them that Tracy had been arrested.

At the station, Dante asked what Tracy had done now, but Tracy said she was the victim. He said Chase had accused her of assaulting Congresswoman Cain, when Turner came in and asked what Tracy was doing there. Chase said she’d accosted Willow, but Tracy said Willow had thrown herself into the lake and this fool (i.e. Chase) fell for it.

Gio told Emma that he’d wanted to spend time with his baby sister and was babysitting. She was going to be hungry, but he’d forgotten to bring a bottle. He asked Emma to watch her, handed Phoebe off, and left.

Tracy asked why Willow was Chase’s blind spot, and Dante suggested they go into the interrogation room to wait for her lawyer. Turner said she wanted a word with Chase.

Dante took off the handcuffs, and Tracy said if Willow thought she’d let her get away with this, Willow was sadly mistaken.

Turner asked what Chase was thinking, and he said Willow was in the water and injured. He’d helped her and she’d stated that Tracy pushed her. She asked if he’d witnessed it, and he said, no, but he’d heard Willow saying Tracy was hurting her. Why would she do that if she wasn’t in distress? Turner asked if he’d been on duty, and he said, no. He’d been headed there to swim. She said he’d made a nuisance arrest and left them open to a lawsuit.

Willow said she knew Tracy didn’t like her, but hadn’t expected this, and Michael said Tracy did have a temper. Brook said Tracy wouldn’t shove someone unless she was provoked, but Willow said Tracy has set up the entire thing by texting her from Wiley’s phone. Michael asked, who called the cops? and Willow said luckily, Chase was there to help her.

Nathan told Nina that he and their mother had breakfast a couple days ago, the day Rocco had disappeared. Nina said Obrecht wasn’t returning her calls or texts and all of her stuff was still at her room in the MetroCourt. Nothing had been touched and the manager told her that the housekeeper said Obrecht’s bed hadn’t been slept in. Nathan thought it was clear that their mother had gone after Britt.

Laura asked how Lulu was holding, and Lulu said she was keeping busy with work. Britt had exploited Rocco’s curiosity about her, so he trusted her enough to run away with her. Laura said nothing was worse than not knowing where your child was, especially after Lulu’s experience with Charlotte. She asked how Dante was handling it, and Lulu said Dante was also throwing himself into work. They were on the same page and working together to find Rocco, but she didn’t think Dante would ever forgive her about the passports, or that she could forgive herself.

Carly said the ring was definitely Josslyn’s, but Valentin said they didn’t know for sure that she was at Windymere. Carly insisted she was, and he said, if they got caught, Cullum would take Josslyn elsewhere or decide she wasn’t worth keeping. She said, then she needed to go to Sonny.

Alexis promised it was nothing bad, when Ric arrived. Molly said, start talking, and Ric said he and her mother were throwing her a book launch party.

Willow said she was lucky Chase had been there to rescue her, and Brook asked if she was wearing Chase’s jacket. Willow said, the water was freezing, and Brook said she had to get to the station. She left, and Michael asked if Willow wanted some tea to warm her up. Willow said she’d love one, and Yuri said he’d find the tea Olivia used on stressful days, and left. Willow said Michael clearly wanted to talk alone, and he said he was glad she wasn’t seriously hurt. Had she thought about her next steps? She said she was going to give her statement to the police and bring charges against Tracy.

Dante said, Willow threw herself into the lake? and Tracy said he should have seen her performance. Chase bought every word. Meryl Streep needed to watch her back. Dante said people had gone to prison for less.

Turner said Chase was walking a thin line. Willow was his ex-wife and he’d lost his badge defending her. He’d been accused of tampering with evidence and it wasn’t a good look. Chase said he’d been following the law. Congresswoman Cain had been assaulted. Maybe Turner should consider her own bias and recuse herself from the case. She told him he’d better hurry and write his report.

Nina said she knew Obrecht was upset about Britt leaving, but why not tell them? Nathan could have helped and she had resources as well. Nathan said he didn’t think their mother wanted to put him in that position since Britt had run off with a minor. The more scrutiny Britt received, the more likely it was to go sideways for her and Rocco, and he thought that’s why their mom left under the radar.

Laura asked where Lulu got the passports… Wait. It was best she didn’t know. Lulu made the best possible choice for her son and had no idea what would happen. Lulu said she should have told Dante. She was desperate to protect Rocco and now saw her actions had made Rocco feel like only Britt could save him.

Valentin said involving Sonny was a bad idea, but Carly said Sonny had resources to help go up against Cullum. She wanted him to cause a distraction so they could slip into the tunnels. Valentin said, that would be a mistake. Things could get violent, spiral, and Josslyn could get hurt. With tears in her eyes, Carly asked him what to do, and he took her hand. He said, don’t use Sonny. Use me.

Emma wheeled a crying Phoebe around in a carriage, then sang to her, but she continued to cry. Gio returned, and she said Phoebe started screaming out of nowhere. She gave Phoebe a pacifier, but she spit it out. Gio said it was all good, and Emma said she thought the carriage would make Phoebe more secure, but it just made her more mad.

Alexis said they were proud of Molly’s accomplishments and wanted to celebrate with their family and friends. Cody said Molly deserved it and he’d help in any way he could. Ric said he’d skipped a few scenes, but loved the book, and Molly told Alexis not to go to any trouble. Alexis said it had been Ric’s idea, and Ric said he wanted to celebrate Molly’s big moment. Molly said, Ric wanted to throw a party with Alexis? And Ric said he wanted to celebrate Molly’s big moment, but make sure Alexis had a say.

Nathan told Nina that their mother always landed on her feet, when hotel manager Mira came by. Nina said no one had heard from her mom for some time and she wanted to look at the security footage, but Mira said she couldn’t share it without permission from Olivia or Carly. Nina introduced Nathan as her detective brother, but Mira said he’d still need a warrant. Nathan said Mira was right, and Nina said there was no time, but she may have a short cut, and she dashed out.

Laura said Rocco knew Lulu loved him and he loved her too. That’s why he sent the video. Lulu said if she had the chance, she’d do things differently, when Nathan approached their table. He said he was sorry to interrupt, but it was important.

Brook arrived at the station, and Chase said he could explain. He’d had no choice. Tracy had physically assaulted Willow by grabbing her arm and shoving her into the lake. Tracy was entitled to her argument, but she’d clearly stated that she’d intended to harm Willow. Brook said she needed to talk to Tracy and went into the interrogation room.

Tracy said Willow was lying and trying to frame her, and Dante said he was going to talk to the ADA. He asked Brook to try and get Tracy to make peace, and left. Tracy said she didn’t deserve Brook’s stink eye, and Brook asked if Tracy didn’t lure Willow to the boathouse.  

Dante said he knew Turner didn’t like Chase, but Willow was a sitting congresswoman and they couldn’t let it slide. Turner said there were no witnesses and it would blow up in their faces, and he said, if Willow was telling the truth, they had a problem. She told him that Tracy always found a way out, but she wanted no part of it, and she left.  

Willow told Michael that she knew how inconvenient it was for Quartermaines to face consequences, but Tracy needed to be held accountable. She assaulted a US congresswoman. He said she was right. He wasn’t right not trying dissuade her, but was she really sure she was the right person to go up against Tracy?

Emma was worried that Phoebe was scarred for life, but Gio said she was fine. Emma said she wasn’t good with babies, and he said he was surprised, since she was good with animals. She said, puppies weren’t like babies. They were sturdy and you could train them. He said, a baby trains you, and she said, exactly. She liked watching him with Phoebe. He was good with her. He said he grew up in a big Italian family and had a little bit of experience, but he didn’t think it would feel so different with his own baby sister.

Valentin told Carly that he was the perfect distraction. He was a wanted fugitive. The WSB had wanted to recapture him for months, and he knew he could distract them while she snuck in and searched the tunnels. She said if Cullum caught Valentin, he’d kill him, and he told her to be quick about it. She’d been trusting him for months and he hadn’t disappointed her. There was a knock at the door and Valentin hid. Nina peeked in.  

Laura left to check in at her office, and Nathan told Lulu that he didn’t mean to scare her off. He just wanted to apologize. It never occurred to him that Rocco would run off with Britt. Lulu said that wasn’t on him. She’d been unfair to him and taken her fear out on him.

Brook said, Tracy sent Willow a text from Wiley’s phone? and Tracy told her, all it said was that Wiley was at the boathouse with Chase. She wanted to prove Willow was after Chase and she was right. She did it for Brook.

Dante said he was backing Chase up on the arrest, and Chase said he appreciated it and had no doubt he did the right thing. Dante said he didn’t disagree, but Chase had the opportunity to fix it now. If Tracy did assault Willow, he’d arrest her and she’d stand trial. If it was just a Quartermaine squabble that got out of hand, for the benefit of everyone, let cooler heads prevail.

Yuri brought Willow’s tea and left, and Michael said a trial would just bring up them being accused of shooting Drew. The kids didn’t deserve that. Tracy would fight tooth and nail, bring in an impressive squad of lawyers, and they’d both be attacked in the press. Willow said it was the last thing she wanted, and he said the kids loved Tracy and spent more time with her now that Monica was gone. Wiley needed stability and if Willow pressed charges, she would upend that. Willow said she had a lot to think about. Her kids were her priority. What kind of message would she send if Tracy got away with attacking their mother? She left.

Emma said she thought Phoebe was lucky to have Gio as an older brother. Every girl wanted an older to protect and defend them. To show them cool music to listen to and give them rides to friend houses. That was essential. He asked if she did that for her younger brother, and she said when her parents made her. She loved Noah, but he was the worst. He’d sprayed grape soda on her and her high school boyfriend while they were watching a horror movie. She was furious, but he still thought it was funny. Gio said she never mentioned a high school boyfriend. Who was this jerk?

Molly thought the MetroCourt pool was perfect, and Cody agreed, asking if she wanted to skydive in. Ric said he’d prefer staying on the ground, but he was thinking big and spectacular. Alexis said, and of course (🍷) tasteful, and Ric suggested a western theme, but Alexis said it wasn’t Molly’s 8th birthday party.

Nina told Carly, Valentin, and the moss bowl🎍that Obrecht was missing and she’d like to see the security footage from the hotel. She’d like to find out if Obrecht left the hotel on her own. Nathan thought she went after Britt, but needed evidence. If she couldn’t find Obrecht, she’d start believing the worst – that she’d been taken by someone.

Brook said Tracy’s plan backfired. She knew Willow was after Chase and was handling it in her own way. Focus on getting the charges dropped. Tracy said she could take care of herself. Brook said she and Chase were trying to adopt and didn’t need extra scrutiny. Apologize to Willow whether she pushed her or not. Dante came in and said someone wanted to speak to Tracy. Willow and Chase stood behind him.

As Ric and Alexis argued over taquitos versus vegetable crudités, Molly and Cody slipped outside. Cody said it was nice of them, and Molly said it was shocking. She never thought they could agree on anything, let alone organize a big event. Cody wondered if they were rekindling their old flame, but she said, they’d better not be.

Emma told Gio, it was a long time ago. It didn’t work out and he broke her heart. Gio said that made no sense, but she said she was glad it didn’t work out. He wasn’t the guy for her. She thought it was good to go through the love and heartbreak thing, so you knew when the real thing came along. Gio agreed, and they kissed.

Lulu told Nathan that maybe Rocco would have been better off if she’d sent him away, but Nathan said he didn’t know. He did know that not telling Rocco everything was one of his biggest regrets. Lulu said all they could do now was pray that Rocco was okay and Britt took care of him, and he said he knew Lulu wasn’t a fan, but Rocco meant a lot to Britt She’d make sure he was safe, and so would he. Laura came back, and Nathan had to leave. Lulu said Nathan felt bad about Rocco and would do what he could to help. What they needed was a lead on Britt and Rocco’s location. When she had it, she and Dante would be the only ones to find their so.

Michael thanked Yuri for helping, and Yuri said he hoped he wasn’t overstepping, but it was better for Wiley and Amelia when Michael and Willow weren’t fighting. Michael said Yuri was right. He was trying to be more strategic. Fighting got him nothing.

Tracy said she had something… and Willow said she’d make it easier. She wasn’t pressing charges. She regretted that their disagreement got out of control and Tracy felt the need to resort to physical violence, but this was best for the children. They were also Quartermaines and this was necessary to keep the peace. Chase thanked her for being the bigger person.

On the phone, Carly thanked Mira and told Nina that they were pulling the footage. She wanted Nina to find her aunt. She knew how devastating it was when a family member was missing. (Ooh, a reference to Nina keeping Sonny in Nixon Falls perhaps?) Nina said she felt like something bad was going to happen, thanked Carly, and left. Valentin said they’d found their scientist. They were out of time. He was going to do what Jack asked and turn himself into the WSB.

Tuesday:

Carly said the WSB wasn’t an option. Let her go on his behalf. Spinelli could create a false ID. He said they’d only believe what they heard in person from a trusted source. She said he was a fugitive and had a target on his back.

Jacinda found Michael at the boathouse, and they kissed. She asked why she was there, and he said celebrating that he convinced Willow not to press charges against Tracy.

Back home, Tracy said she wanted to wipe that smug smile of Willow’s off her face. It was like she was bestowing a royal pardon. She was a viper. Chase started to say something, and she told him not to defend Willow. Brook said they should be glad there would be no tabloid coverage, and Chase said Tracy had shoved a sitting congresswoman into the lake and she’d been injured. Tracy said, Willow got a booboo on her knee, but he said it was still assault. She said, and Willow was still his ex-wife preying on him, and he said Tracy had used Wiley’s phone to send a phony text to her. She said, it was a test and Willow failed. And he was on the way to failing his.

Jack was moving his arm, when Willow came in. She said they had a serious problem. Sidwell was a fugitive.

Fitzpatrick said he’d had no luck with the passport, and Dante said they’d had no luck with Britt’s room search. He asked if the information on the prints had come back, but Fitzpatrick said, not yet. Nathan joined them and asked if there had been any word on Rocco.

Cullum told Agent Harker (random new guy) that Sidwell jeopardized everything when he allowed Dr. Jones and the PCPD to set him up. Proving again that grief makes you stupid. Harker said Sidwell wasn’t using resources that the WSB was aware of, and Cullum said that Carly hid a lot from him, especially her involvement with Valentin.  

Valentin told Carly that he’d be taken alive. He knew Geneva and could bypass security and get to Z directly. She said, then what? Steinmauer for the rest of his life? She wasn’t letting him sacrifice himself like that.  

Chase said, what test? Who was Tracy to test him? She said if he didn’t know the answer, it didn’t bode well, and it wasn’t a good look to a judge. He said he was an officer of the law and had no choice, but she said he could have chosen not to buy Willow’s victim act – again. He asked Brook to tell him that she saw what Tracy did wrong, and Brook said she wished Tracy hadn’t sent the text, but Tracy told her, all it said was that Chase and Wiley were fishing. Willow took it upon herself to get dressed up for a hoedown, the operative word… Chase said Willow came to see her son, and Tracy said she had no time to deprogram him. She didn’t push Willow. Willow saw him coming and jumped in the water. Chase said that was ridiculous. History spoke for itself. He asked Brook who was more likely to lie – Tracy or Willow?  

Fitzpatrick said they were waiting on the lab results, and Nathan said Britt was his sister, but Dante said Fitzpatrick was the one who needed information. He was going to talk to Turner. Turner came in and said, Nathan and Dante were just who she was looking for. She wanted Nathan to explain how Sidwell managed to escape on his watch, and Dante to tell her what the PCPD was doing to find him.

Willow told Jack that Sidwell was gone and he was the source of the paralytic drug she was using on Drew. The first thing Drew would do when he recovered was send her and Nina to prison. Nina joined them and told Willow that her Aunt Liesl had vanished.

Cullum told Harker that Ava said she’d run into Valentin at Windymere in January, and he’d told her that Sidwell was letting him hide there. She suspected Sidwell was unaware of his presence, but admitted she could be wrong. If Valentin was telling the truth, that meant Sidwell had been working with him all along. Harker said Valentin had contacted Charlotte since his escape, but he thought Valentin had moved on. Cullum said he bet Valentin was still in Port Charles.  

Carly said she didn’t trust the WSB, and Valentin said he didn’t either. Cullum and Sidwell had been working on the project for decades, and were thisclose to bringing it online. He thought Britt ran to stop their progress, but now they had Liesl and Josslyn. They were out of time. Carly asked what happened if they finished with the cold fusion thing, and he said he didn’t know. No one really knew, but he expected it was dangerous. But if they’d made a miscalculation and couldn’t contain the cold fusion reaction, then it was worse. He had to do anything he could to stop Cullum from taking the device online.

Dante said he and Nathan were going over Nathan’s statement, and Turner said, then her timing was perfect. She was all ears. Nathan said he’d been transporting Sidwell, when an unmarked black SUV cut him off. Three armed men got out and demanded his weapon. He grabbed one, but another overpowered him and he was pistol whipped and knocked out. When he came to, they were all gone along with the car. Dante said it sounded like a professional extraction, and Turner said it sounded like Nathan didn’t put up much of a fight.

Valentin told Carly that it wasn’t just what the weapon could do, but what it could force others to do if it was in the wrong hands, and she asked how they stopped it if he was in Geneva. He said he’d only talk to the highest ranking person. If he talked to anyone else, Cullum could hear about it, intercept him, and cover things up. She asked why he had to go in person, and he said, AI and deepfakes ran rampant. She suggested they send Jack, since he was still Chief, and he said Jack would be perfect, but was laid up. She suggested they go over to Windymere and handle it themselves, and he said they were a great team, but Cullum held all the cards. He had control of Spoon Island, which was swarming with WSB agents who were loyal to him. And he had resources they didn’t have. They needed the WSB. She asked, what happened when he turned himself in to the same people who were hunting him?  

Dante told Nathan that he’d like to have a word with the acting DA, and Nathan left. Fitzpatrick said he could use Nathan’s input. They found a used syringe in his sister’s room. Was she on any meds? Nathan said none that he was aware of, and Fitzpatrick said Nathan had mentioned she had Huntington’s. Could it be related?

Dante asked, what the hell was that? It sounded like Turner was accusing Nathan of letting Sidwell go. Turner said all eyes were on them and it was a huge screw up, and Dante agreed, but said she’d also come down hard on Chase. She said, for good reason, but Dante said it felt like she had a problem with Sonny being his father. If she did, come after him, not his department.  

Nina told Willow that the security footage at the MetroCourt showed an image of their Aunt Liesl on June 5th, the same day she’d asked if they’d helped Britt disappear, and Willow said Obrecht was probably looking for Britt. Nina gave her a change of dry clothes and asked, what happened? Willow said Tracy Quartermaine tried to intimidate her and it blew up in Tracy’s face.

Michael told Jacinda about Willow and Tracy’s altercation, and Jacinda wondered if Willow saw Chase coming and jumped in to frame Tracy. He said he didn’t see Tracy physically endangering Wiley and Amelia’s mother, but he’d only heard Willow’s side, and she said he did convince Willow to drop the charges. Michael said public conflicts with the family weren’t good for the kids, and she asked if Chase saw Willow as the wronged party and the benevolent angel of mercy. He said Chase saw her as all tragedy and no flaws. He saw what he wanted to see and it brought him and Willow closer.

Chase asked Brook why Willow would jump in the water. Tracy must have pushed her. Tracy asked what Brook thought, and Brook said she thought Chase was right to take Willow at her word. Tracy said, unbelievable, but Brook said Tracy went too far. She should be grateful, but she was still trying to slander Willow. Tracy told her that if anybody else had said that, she’d evict them, but she refused to lose her granddaughter and hoped she came to her senses.

Willow told Nina what had happened, and Nina said, Wiley and Chase fishing didn’t sound like an invitation. Willow said she didn’t want to miss visiting Wiley and Chase didn’t mind. Wiley loved living at the Quartermaines’, but knew she wasn’t welcome. She wanted to ease his mind, but instead, Tracy accused her of trying to seduce Chase.  

Michael said Brook would be better off in the long run, and Jacinda said she knew he believed that, but Brook didn’t. Don’t expect her to thank him. He said it took him too long to realize he and Willow weren’t working out. He was so invested in who he thought she was and who he wanted her to be, when she turned out to be a different person, everything crumbled. Now the kids stuck them together forever in a toxic relationship. He wanted to spare Brook the pain. Better it happened now. Brook could adopt Phoebe as a single mother. He hated that she’d be hurt, but the sooner she embraced the inevitable, the better off she’d be.  

Brook said, family was Tracy’s Achilles’ heel, and Chase said he was sorry she got dragged into it. When Tracy was stuck on something, nobody could move her. She didn’t consider him a real Quartermaine and had been angry with him since he’d accused Michael of setting up Willow. It was all in her head and he’d thought he set her straight when she caught him and Willow in the boathouse. But the next thing he knew, she used Wiley to bring Willow to the boathouse under false pretenses. It was fraud and harassment and he couldn’t let it continue. Please tell him that she understood why he had to arrest Tracy.  

Nathan said there was no cure for Huntington’s, but Fitzpatrick said, the symptoms could be managed. Nathan said Britt was very private about her illness.

Turner said none of this had to do with Dante’s father. She was convinced Offer Chase had sabotaged Willow’s case, but it wasn’t her call to keep him on the force. Dante said, IA cleared Chase, and she said she trusted and respected Danta. He’d inherited the department and was still making it his own. He wondered if she had a problem with Anna, and she said she thought Anna let her personal feelings get in the way when she reinstated Nathan. He had a seven year gap and ties to Faison. Dante said, Faison shot him. That was the only time Nathan dealt with his father and his track record since was nearly perfect. She said she knew Nathan had problems, but Dante said they were personal, not professional.

Carly said their idea had been to frame Jack. He’d be in prison and Valentin would be a free man. Valentin said he didn’t have anything to put Jack away. Now he needed Jack to back him up, so they couldn’t discredit him. She asked what his chances were of walking away a free man if he went to Geneva, and he said, less than 1000 to one.

Dante told Turner that Nathan’s statement lined up with what they knew about Sidwell. He’d had security trained in combat for his illegal operation in East Africa. It made sense to have people here should he be taken into custody. Turner said, Sidwell didn’t need Nathan’s help to escape. It would have been good for them to anticipate that. Dante said now she was blaming him, and she said, if it was an isolated incident, she’d let it go, but if Detective West turned out to be like the Chase situation… Dante said she had no proof, and she said they both knew lack of proof didn’t equal innocence. Chase was a bad cop. Dante said he’d prove her wrong, and she said she hoped so, but wasn’t betting on it. She admired his loyalty to people. He’d stuck his neck out for Chase, but if Detective West was also a problem, it would reflect poorly on him. She left.

Jack said, Willow saw Chase coming and jumped in the water to frame Tracy, and Nina said, she did no such thing, but Willow said she had to do something. She knew Chase would believe her over Tracy. Nina said the press would be all over this, but Willow said it never occurred to her that Chase would take it that far. He lived in the Quartermaine house and Tracy was his wife’s grandmother. She wasn’t pressing charges. Jack said she got credit for graciously letting Tracy off the hook, and Willow said, all they saw, was her as a generous, forgiving person, and Tracy being the bully everyone knew she was. Jack said, well played.

Tracy interrupted Jacinda and Michael and asked if Jacinda would mind if she had a moment alone with Michael. Jacinda said, of course (🍷), and left. Michael said Yuri told him that she’d been arrested, but she wasn’t in jail, and she said, Saint Willow decided not to press charges. Chase was convinced Willow was only goodness and light. He asked if Tracy pushed her, but she said she did not. Willow threw herself in and lied to Chase. He asked why she sent the text. He thought they’d agreed to let Brook figure it out for herself. She said they had, but Chase was too thick to see the truth. She thought she could scare Willow off. It was a tactical error and she played into Willow’s hands. When she heard Brook tell Chase that she believed Willow, she knew it had to end.  

Carly asked if she was supposed to sit there while her daughter was stuck at Windymere, and Valentin said he knew how Cullum thought and Josslyn was worth more alive than dead. She said, what if that changed? and he said, everything changed if the device went online. The WSB could stop it and save Josslyn. If she had a choice between him going to prison or Josslyn dying, which one would she choose?  

Michael asked if Brook bought Willow’s story, and Tracy said, she told Chase that she did. Michael said Brook was telling Chase what he wanted to hear, and Tracy said she was afraid Brook believed the only way to make her marriage work was by lying, but when the lying started, it didn’t stop.

Brook said, of course (🍷), she understood. Chase was just doing his duty as a cop. She was sorry that Tracy was suspicious and put him in this awkward position. He said, her too. And of course (🍷), Willow.

Willow went to change, and Nina said she didn’t want Willow encouraged to play chicken with the Quartermaines, especially Tracy, but Jack said, it was smart. Nina said Willow needed to stay away from the Quartermaines and focus on being a congresswoman, when Willow returned. Nina asked why she’d wanted to meet, and Willow said she was running out of the paralytic drug and needed to know her options. Jack said he thought Cullum provided the drug, but Willow didn’t know if Sidwell told Cullum about their arrangement. Jack said approaching Cullum would be an admission of guilt, and she said he could send her to prison. Nina said their only option was to accept the fact Drew was going to recover. Jack said he had proof of Drew’s misappropriation of funds and they needed to get their hands on it right now.

Dante said, one more screw up, and it would go to IA, and Nathan said he understood. He knew not telling Dante that Rocco shot Cullum wrecked their friendship and wanted Dante to know that he regretted it. Clearly, they didn’t agree on a plan, but he’d had the best intentions. His only goal was to protect Dante’s son.

Cullum asked Harker for the latest on Britt and Rocco, and Harker said they were still monitoring Lulu and Dante, but their son hadn’t made contact. Cullum said he wanted to have it reclassified as a kidnapping and told Harker to call legal. In the meantime, discreetly encourage the FBI to get involved. They’d find the trail that led him to Britt and Rocco’s door and he’d kill them both. Harker said he’d speak to legal and let him know how to proceed, and Cullum said their only other threat was Anna. He asked if there had been any development with her, and Harker said, she was still being contained. Cullum said, someone claiming to be Dr. Collins called to check on Anna. It could have been Valentin. It had been traced back to Port Charles. Find out the exact location. Harker left.

Carly said she didn’t want to let Valentin go, and he said he knew, but she had to.  

Tracy said she didn’t understand why Chase couldn’t see that Brook was lying, and Michael said Chase was convinced he was right and Brook was a compelling liar. She said, as they all were. It was a Quartermaine trait. He said Chase would never understand or appreciate the real Brook. He should love her because of who she was, not in spite of it. Tracy said Brook would be better off without him.  

Brook asked Chase not to be hard on Tracy. She’d been taught to be cynical about life, love, and marriage. Luke couldn’t fully heal her and her grandmother couldn’t understand the kind of love and commitment they had. She never had any doubts about him. They kissed, and she said she loved him and knew they were going to get through this. What they had was precious, and she’d do anything to protect it.

Nathan told Dante that the Rocco situation was complicated and escalated quickly. Dante said Nathan overstepped, but he was also grateful that Nathan was on the pier with Rocco that night, and he thanked him for that.  

On the phone, Fitzpatrick said he wanted the contents of the syringe found in Britt’s room analyzed. He needed to know exactly what drugs she was taking.

Jack told Nina and Willow that he was the only one who could access the proof. It was the private safe in his office. Their only recourse was to get him on his feet faster, before Drew exposed them and blew their lives apart.

Carly said she hated it, and Valentin said he did too. She said she hated the idea of him going to prison. What if they did to him what they’d done to Jason? She understood that it was what he had to do to save her daughter and thanked him. He said she could do something for him, and she said, anything. He asked her to bring Charlotte there to say goodbye, and she said, of course (🍷). She’d call now. He said, wait, and pulled her to him. He said, one more thing, and they kissed.

Harker gave Cullum to results of the trace, and Cullum said the call was routed through ten different cities, but it was from a cell on Shoreline Road. He’d been on that road when he’d paid a visit to Carly Spencer. She was Jack’s girlfriend then, but it was time for him to look at her in a whole new light.

Carly went to change and Valentin lit candles in the bedroom. She came in wearing lingerie and he poured two glasses of wine. They clinked glasses, and got busy.

Wednesday:

Dante found Chase at the boathouse and asked, what the hell was he thinking arresting Tracy?

Tracy said Brook had taken Willow’s side for Chase’s benefit.

Willow brought Drew to the hospital for a check-up, and Elizabeth wondered what had his attention. She turned around and Danny was there with Scout.

Danny put ice on Scout’s ankle, when Molly came into the hospital.  

Harker told Cullum that his guests were on their way, and Cullum said he should have made Carly a suspect sooner. She’d been jumpy when he’d visited her, she’d turned up at Windymere claiming it was for her brother, and he’d caught her with Valentin’s daughter. There were too many coincidences.

As they spooned in bed, Carly asked what Valentin was thinking, and he said he wanted to remember everything about this moment. She said she didn’t see this particular journey happening, and he said he didn’t want it to be their last night. It had been surprisingly great, incredible, and special. They kissed.

Brook said what Tracy did was indefensible, but Tracy said, it was a complete fabrication. Brook said Tracy admitted luring Willow there, but Tracy said, it was information, not an invitation. Willow seized the opportunity on her own to spend time with Chase. Brook said it was entrapment, and Tracy said Brook needed to open her eyes. She’d caught them together a couple nights ago. Brook said she trusted her husband and this wasn’t about Chase. Tracy said she was right. It was about Brook. She was subjugating herself for her husband, which was not a good sign.

Dante asked if Chase hadn’t learned from past mistakes with Willow and the law, but Chase said he was on the side of justice. Dante said what happened was child’s play for the Quartermaines and he didn’t need to arrest Tracy. Chase said, Willow had an injury, but Dante said, it was a scrape. He wasn’t saying Tracy was right, but was it what the law required or what Willow wanted him to do?

In the exam room, Danny told Molly that Scout fell out of a tree, and Molly wondered why she was climbing a tree at night. Scout said she snuck out the window. She thought it would be funny to ring the doorbell and prank Danny. Don’t tell grandma. Molly said she got a pass for now, and Elizabeth said it might just be a bad twist or sprain, but they’d get x-rays to confirm. Willow joined them, wheeling Drew in ahead of her.

Cullum told Harker that he wanted a warrant to search Carly’s home, when another agent popped in and said his guests had arrived. Lulu came in and said when she’d gotten his invitation, as a journalist, she was curious. Ethan followed her in, and Cullum said he didn’t ask to see her brother, but Ethan said there was security in numbers. There had been more than one visitor there who was never seen again and that wasn’t going to happen to his sister.

Valentin told Carly to keep her fingers crossed that he wasn’t shot on sight. He had the information they wanted and a better than even chance. They had no other option. The WSB would dispense a team to Port Charles, find Cullum and Sidwell, and Josslyn would be safe and sound. Carly said she’d make sure he got to say goodbye to his daughter.

Scout told Drew and Willow that she was good, and Elizabeth asked if they’d like to share an elevator.  They left, and Danny told Molly, this is bad, isn’t it?

Chase said he couldn’t believe Dante was siding with Turner, but Dante said they were talking about options. A good cop didn’t throw his authority around. It was about de-escalating the situation. Chase said, Tracy assaulted Willow, and Dante said, technically, Chase was right, but the worst cop was the kind who weaponized his badge because he was offended personally. When Chase was first at the PCPD, he never wavered in his honesty. Chase asked if Dante didn’t think he was honest now, and Dante said he felt like Chase didn’t do right by everyone, his wife in particular.

Brook told Tracy that Chase would never see the bad in Willow. It bothered her, but she didn’t want to keep trying to change his mind. She wasn’t insane and it was exhausting. She kept the peace. Tracy said she shouldn’t keep the peace at the expense of those were stifling what made her her. She’d never fit in the mold of Chase’s perfect wife. Strong, independent women were her legacy. They’d never produced a woman who made herself small to keep a man. Don’t be the first.

Cullum said he couldn’t speak for the way Sidwell conducted things, but Lulu and Ethan were safe. The agents left, and Cullum smiled, which was creepier than him not smiling since he never smiles. He told Lulu that he’d like to talk about Rocco.

Carly brought Charlotte back to Sonny’s old kitchen, where Valentin was wearing a suit. Charlotte asked why he didn’t tell her that they were leaving. She didn’t have her bag. He said she wasn’t leaving. He was.  

Cullum said Rocco was impressive. They’d crossed paths at the hospital and Rocco was a natural. Lulu said Rocco was considering becoming a doctor, and Cullum said, the world needed more people saving it. He hadn’t seen Rocco around and would love to thank him personally. Where had he been?

Charlotte said she was going with Valentin. She was older now and wouldn’t slow him down or contact Rocco. Valentin said he wasn’t running. He was going to the WSB headquarters. He needed to tell them about Cullum and Sidwell’s project. She did the right thing coming forward and he was going to follow her lead. She asked why he was giving himself up, and he said, if he didn’t, they might not take him seriously. Cullum was too high up. She said it would work in his favor. He’d be saving the world and they’d be grateful and not lock him up again. He said that wasn’t how the WSB operated. He didn’t know if they’d see each other again.

Willow told Felicia about Scout, while they had coffee overlooking the first floor of the hospital. She said she thought Drew was frustrated because he couldn’t talk, and Felicia said she knew how hard this was from seeing patients watch the people they loved struggle and not be able to communicate. She’d made arrangements for Drew to start.

Chase asked if Dante was suggesting he was a bad husband. He was never not thinking about Brook and what she needed. Willow was instrumental in securing their adoption. Dante said he was reaching out to them as friends. He’d known Brook since they were kids. He’d watched them fall in love, and Chase was his son’s stepfather. Chase was family. He wasn’t talking as the acting Commissioner, but as someone who cared. Chase had hurt his wife and her family. Chase said, Tracy hurt someone first, and Dante said one of them had to budge and it couldn’t always be Chase’s wife.

Brook said Tracy made her sound weak and pathetic. She’d never questioned Tracy’s judgement or decisions, but always believed Tracy knew what was best for her own life. Couldn’t Tracy extend the same courtesy? She was raised to fight for what mattered and that’s what she was doing. Tracy told her, stop performing. Did she believe Willow or her? Brook said she believed in herself, and Tracy said she was sorry. She loved Brook and shouldn’t have inserted herself in Brook’s marriage. Could Brook forgive her? Brook said it was okay, and Tracy said she was there if Brook needed her for anything. Just promise that she’d stay true to herself and do whatever that required. Tracy left, and Brook said she planned on it.

Carly stepped out to give Charlotte and Valentin privacy, and Charlotte asked, what’s the real plan? Valentin said he told her the truth. There was no other way. She said, what if she and Danny told them everything? It was the same information. He said he didn’t want her involved any further now. It would only work if the information was received from him. He had a history there and his willingness to turn himself in was his currency. She said, if he loved her, forget the plan and go on the run. It was them against the world. He said he loved her more than anything, but running wasn’t the answer this time. They hugged.

Lulu said Rocco was out of town, and Cullum said, a summer trip. She said Rocco was visiting family, but she’d be sure to pass along his kind words, and Ethan said they should get going. Lulu said, it was a pleasure, and she and Cullum shook hands, but he held on a little too long. Lulu and Ethan left, and gave each other a look outside the door.

Elizabeth confirmed it was just a sprain, and told Molly that with elevation and rest, Scout would be good as new. Molly said she was sorry she’d been short with Danny, but Elizabeth said she was raising three boys and she’d heard better. Danny knew Molly loved him. Molly said she would have told Willow and Drew, but seeing Danny and Scout in the ER, Drew must have imagined the worst. The restraining order hadn’t officially been lifted, but Willow didn’t enforce it. What if she reconsidered?

Felicia said she knew how busy Willow was, so she took care of it for her, and Willow said it was so kind. Felicia said it was her way of saying thank you for all the strings Willow pulled for Anna, and Willow said she was happy to do it. Felicia said she was happy to reach out to someone who specialized in communication services. There was a short wait list, but the time would fly by. Willow said she was appreciative, and parked down below, Drew stared at Willow.

Scout said she was sorry she got Danny in trouble, but Danny said it wasn’t her. He should have set a better example. As a big brother, he was supposed to look out for her. She said he did. So did Rocco. She hated when they couldn’t see each other wand wouldn’t let it happen again. They hugged.

Willow and Felicia went downstairs, and Willow asked the nurse how it went. The nurse said, great, and she’d be in touch with the results. Felicia told Drew that he’d have the resources to communicate soon, and he’d be able to say more than yes and no. Wasn’t that great news? Drew blinked once.

At the hospital, Ethan hugged Elizabeth and she said, good to see him. He was her next appointment, so she’d help settle him in a room. He flashed back to stealing an evidence bag.

Chase came home, and Brook said she told granny to mind her own business and stay out of their marriage. Chase said he’d been receiving some advice of his own from Dante. He had a lot to say, mainly about how he should have de-escalated the situation with Tracy. Brook said, instead, he arrested Tracy.

Scout asked how her dad was, and Willow said, great. He was in PT now. How was her ankle? Molly said, luckily, it was just a twist, and asked Danny to help her track down Scout’s discharge papers. At the desk, Danny said, not so subtle, and Molly said she wanted to apologize. She shouldn’t have snapped at him. He said she should have, but she said, he didn’t tell Scout to climb out the window. She may have gotten the idea from him, but she did it on her own. He said, Drew kept him away from Scout for no reason. Now he had a reason. She said she’d been thinking the same thing, and he said Willow was probably making sure Scout would go home with her and Drew.

Lulu told Dante about Cullum’s invite to Windymere and why she’d brought Nathan, and he said, it wasn’t a bad call. What did Cullum want? She said, what she was afraid of. He knew about Rocco.  

Valentin told Charlotte that what was happening at Windymere could hurt a lot of people, but he could do something about it. If he didn’t, it would be selfish and cowardly, not the father she deserved. She said she understood, and he said she was extraordinary. Keep living an amazing life. He was proud of her and the woman she’d grow into. Keep doing the things she loved. Be true to love, stay and curious. Promise. She said she promised, and he said he didn’t always get it right, but she said she wouldn’t change anything. He said he was sorry, but he had to go. He hugged her and said she’d forever be his petite. She said he’d forever be her papa, when Carly came back.

Lulu said that was pretty much the whole reason she was there, and Dante asked if Cullum knew Rocco was with Britt. She said he had no clue where they were. They needed to have Brick find them. Dante said they had no direct leads and wondered why Cullum would want information from her. He thanked her for being upfront, but next time tell him before something happened. They were together in this… for Rocco. She said she could do that.

Cullum, Harker, and some other agents snuck around outside Carly’s house, then walked in, startling the moss bowl🎍. Carly asked what the hell he thought he was doing, and Cullum said he had reason to believe Valentin was on the premises. A call to France for Anna had pinged off a tower nearby. Agents had surrounded the house. If there was a trace of Valentin there, they’d find it.

In the exam room, Elizabeth swabbed the inside of Ethan’s mouth, then put the swab in a plastic bag. A nurse told Elizabeth that Dr. Stevenson needed to see her, and she said she’d be right back. When she left, Ethan swapped out the swab for the one he’d stolen from the evidence room.  

Chase said Brook’s grandmother was wrong on every level, but Dante said the arrest was unnecessary and he should have calmed everyone down. Willow stepped in and dropped the charges. They were lucky she’d done that and that she was helping with the adoption. Brook said, the luckiest, and he said they were about to have the family of their dreams. She said, and she’d do anything to protect it, and they hugged.

Willow asked if Scout was in pain, but Scout said it was better now. Willow said, what about everything else? Scout could talk to her about anything. Was she scared she got Danny in trouble? Scout said she was excited about the sleepover at grandma’s and hoped she didn’t ruin it, but Willow said when life felt hard, one good thing was Scout and Danny together with her aunts and grandmother. Scout said she loved being with them, and Willow said she felt safe and happy. She thought Danny was a huge part of that. Scout said her dad… and Willow said he had concerns, but the most important thing was that Scout be surrounded by love. That was all that mattered.

Molly said Willow being grateful to her mom might affect how she responded, and Danny said he hoped so. She said it was important that he model good behavior, and he said he’d never do something like that again. They hugged.

Cullum said, nothing. No trace of Valentin. Carly said, of course (🍷) not. Why would he be there? Cullum told Charlotte, good to see her again, and left. Charlotte asked if it was over, and Carly said she wished, but she guessed it wasn’t even close.   

Thursday:

Elizabeth found Lucas and asked him to explain why he put himself in a situation where he got shot. Was he okay? He said he was fine, but being an action hero wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Dante came by and suggested he come over to the PCPD.

Sonny asked to join Laura at the MetroCourt Gardens, and she said, of course (🍷). He asked if Sidwell had been found, and she said, no, but part of her just wanted him to be gone and let him be the WSB’s problem.

Nina told Jacinda to pick up a bunch of Cartullo stuff at the office, when Nathan came by. Nina told Jacinda to also follow up with her contacts in New Zealand where Obrecht had attended a medical conference, and Nathan asked if she was still looking for his mother.

Charlotte was about to burn her passport near the boathouse, when Danny came along. She told him that her dad had left her.

Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Britt and Rocco walked into a room, carrying bags of mangos. Britt said he needed his vitamin C.

Elizabeth said, sorry, but Dante couldn’t have Lucas. Dante asked if they’d seen Fitzpatrick who’d been in an ambulance with a suspect, and Elizabeth pointed him in the right direction. Lucas asked if there was an update on Sidwell, and Dante said, no, but he’d update Lucas if there was news.

Sonny told Laura that he was confident Sidwell would be handled, but saw Ric and said they’d talk later. Jordan joined Laura and said she’d heard Laura and Sonny set up a sting operation to get Sidwell. Laura said it had been a last resort, but she wanted to hear about Jordan. Jordan said going out in public had been difficult, but she was optimistic her face would heal in time. She refused to be a hermit. Laura said Jordan put herself on the line working for Sidwell and she owed Jordan an apology for not being transparent. The truth was, Sidwell was blackmailing her.

Nina said she wanted to see if any of Aunt Liesl’s colleagues had heard from her, and Jacinda left. Nina said she was sure Nathan was right that Obrecht went after Britt, but she wanted to cover all their bases. She was sure Lulu was in the same position wondering about Rocco and wondered if Lulu had confided in him about the situation.

Britt said Rocco must miss his family and he said he did. What about her? She said, not like him, but he said he had no regrets. She said she thought maybe the situation would be easier on him if he could check on his loved ones.

Laden with bags, Jacinda strode through the Gardens, when she ran into Boyle. He tried to engage her, but she said duty called, and kept going. He sat down at Laura’s table and asked if they were celebrating getting out from under Sidwell’s thumb without him.

Sonny told Ric that Brick managed to track down Britt and Rocco on a flight to San Juan, but was still trying to figure out where they ended up after taking a ferry off the island. Ric was concerned about him and Sonny because of Sonny leaving him out of the loop when it came to Sidwell.

Danny said Charlotte was going to attract the attention of the Quartermaines, but she said she could handle his family. Her dad was gone. He asked if Valentin had taken off without her, but she said, way worse. He was turning himself in to the WSB.

Nina said she was guessing Nathan was trying to be there for Lulu, but he said they didn’t really talk anymore. He thought they couldn’t see eye to eye on some important stuff and being with him was something she regretted.

Britt said she had installed a VPN on her table, so online activity couldn’t be tracked and she’d also gotten a burner phone. Must-haves for any girl who wants to be prepared while on the run. He could get news from Port Charles and updates from his friends’ social media. Just don’t like or comment or log into his account or post anything. The peace of mind it would give him outweighed the risk.

Boyle asked what the 411 was on Jordan’s plans, suggesting Laura would love to have her back as Deputy Mayor. He got a text from Jacinda asking him to meet in a hotel room to catch up and told them that an urgent matter had come up. He dashed out, and Laura apologized. Jordan said Boyle was something, and Laura agreed, but she just didn’t know what. Jordan asked what Sidwell had on Laura, and Laura said, nothing, of course (🍷). It had been a set-up, but would have been damning had the PCPD gotten ahold of it. Jordan asked if Sonny was involved, but Laura said, it was through no fault of his own. The good news was, they were able to neutralize Sidwell and reclaim the false evidence. Jordan asked why she didn’t reach out, but Laura said Jordan had helped by being willing to try getting dirt on Sidwell.

Sonny said it had come together quickly and Lucas took all the risks, and Ric said Lucas wanted nothing to do with him. Sonny said Lucas may not trust Ric, but he did. He had to accept that there were situations Sonny couldn’t involve him in and trust when he said no. Ric said he’d keep it in mind, but they had a huge problem on their hands. Sidwell was running around loose. Sonny wondered why it was a problem.

Fitzpatrick told Dante that the suspect was being treated, but was on a list of Sidwell’s known associates and not thrilled. He doubted Sidwell left a forwarding address, but Dante said maybe the guy would slip and start bragging about how they’d freed Sidwell. Fitzpatrick thought Sidwell must have had someone at the scene of the shooting, but Dante said he could pretty much account for everyone who was there. Fitzpatrick said maybe Sidwell had someone on the inside.

Nina said Nathan and Lulu were up against a lot of history, but he was a wonderful man. He said, not always. She saw a better version of him from a long time ago. He was more than capable of making mistakes. Just ask Lulu or Britt. She asked what mistakes he’d made with Britt, and he said maybe he could have kept her from running off with Rocco.

Rocco told Britt that maybe he could find out how his parents were. He was sure they were worried about him. Britt said she was sure they were invested in his safety and bringing Cullum down. When that happened, it would be safe for him to go home. And he should. She wanted him to. He said they didn’t know when that would be and didn’t know how long she could last. She said now that she was off her meds, she didn’t know how long before her symptoms started. That’s why they should make the most of their time in paradise. Rocco looked at the tablet and said Sidwell had shot Lucas, when Britt noticed her hand shaking.

Charlotte filled Danny in on Valentin’s plan to turn himself in and said he had to speak to the head of the WSB alone, face to face. Danny said her dad would be a hero. Maybe his dad would go free too.

Nina told Nathan that Britt must have been more involved than they knew and she always did what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. She wanted to leave with Rocco and for all they knew, he wanted to leave with her. Nathan said, Rocco was hurting and confused. What if he was setting James up to feel the exact same way?

Fitzpatrick asked how soon he could talk to the suspect, and Lucas said that depended on how much he had to do with the suspect’s injuries.

Elizabeth asked if there was any word on Rocco, and Dante said his father’s associate had tracked him and Britt to the Virgin Islands. He was going to pinpoint the location. She said he must be relieved, and he said he was, but realized he couldn’t just hop on a plane to get him. If he and Lulu went down there, Cullum would follow them and they had to get him out of Cullum’s reach as soon as possible.

Freshly showered and in a robe, Boyle got champagne ready and unlocked the door.

Britt told Rocco, Lucas was okay, but it looked like Sidwell escaped on the way to the PCPD. Sidwell and Cullum must be desperate, which was why it was good they were there. Why didn’t he get ready to go to the beach and they could talk about place to go for pre-lunch, lunch, and post lunch snacks? He left the room, and Britt felt her forehead and said, oh no.

Boyle heard the door open and said it was the best text he’d gotten in a long time. He couldn’t tell her how much he missed her. He turned around with two glasses of champagne, and Sidwell said, not as much as he’d missed Boyle.

Laura said she and Sonny came out relatively unscathed, but Jordan had given up a lot. Jordan said she didn’t feel that way. She’d invested her exorbitant salary wisely. She’d developed new skills and expanded her network domestically and internationally. Now she could devote her time and energy to healing and figuring out what she wanted to tackle next. It was time for a fresh start. She just had to figure out what it was. Laura said she was excited about Jordan starting her next chapter, and Jordan said she wished she could believe Laura was ready to put her chapter with Sidwell behind her too.

Ric asked if Sonny wasn’t concerned about Sidwell, but Sonny said he had people protecting his family. He had all the power. Sidwell didn’t know who killed his son, but he did. He was going to use that information to get Sidwell out of hiding and bring him to his knees.

Boyle asked what Sidwell did with Jacinda, but Sidwell told him, no need to stress. When it came out during Willow’s trial that Boyle was fond of Jacinda, he took the precaution of mirroring her phone. She was absolutely okay. Boyle had his word. Boyle said he could have reached out, but Sidwell said Boyle would have wasted time ignoring his calls. He knew Boyle wouldn’t pass on a message from Jacinda. He took one of the glasses of champagne from Boyle’s hand and said he wanted to make sure he inspired as much loyalty as Jacinda did. There was the chance Boyle had been coopted by the mayor or felt struck by the desire to turn him in to the PCPD, which would be very unwise.

Nina said Nathan was an amazing father to James, but he said James already had an amazing father in Spinelli and Cody. He finally had his mother back and didn’t need him. He felt like he’d only made James’s life worse, but Nina said James adored him. He said he felt like he was setting James up for disappointment like he had Lulu and Britt, and she said one of the happiest moments of her life was when she got to see him again. She couldn’t believe it could possibly be him, but it was. Sometimes miracles happened and he was living proof. He said when he saw her sitting there, he knew he was home, and they hugged.

Charlotte told Danny that the WSB wouldn’t feel like they owed her father anything. That wasn’t how they worked. He asked how they worked, and she said, by exerting their power over people. Her dad was only useful if they could control him, which was easier if they threw him in a supermax prison. He knows he’s never getting out of Steinmauer again.

Rocco came back to find Britt unconscious on the floor, and when she came to, she asked what happened. He said she’d passed out and they needed to get her to a doctor, but she said, just take her to the couch, and he helped her up.

Elizabeth said it was a good thing that Dante and Lulu were on the same page, and he said their animosity was probably a big reason why he took off with Britt in the first place. They’d been at each other’s throats and he was pretty sure Rocco heard them arguing. He left town with the woman who stole him when he was a baby just to get away from them. Elizabeth said he had a right to be upset. Lulu kept a big secret from him. He wondered how they were going to trust each other after this. Even right now, he was confiding in her.

Fitzpatrick told Lucas that the suspect ran when he was questioning him. He tried to pull a gun, lost his footing, and fell face first down a flight of stairs. Any injuries the suspect sustained were from the fall. He did nothing wrong. Lucas said it was standard procedure to ask and what Fitzpatrick told him aligned with the injuries the patient sustained. He’d be able to question him shortly. Fitzpatrick apologized and said he thought Lucas was questioning him because Lucas didn’t like the way he’d handled the Marco Rios case. Lucas said Fitzpatrick and the PCPD did what they could with Pascal and Sidwell, and Fitzpatrick said, now they were both missing. That’s why he was anxious to question the suspect. He was one of the guys who helped Sidwell escape. Lucas said he hoped Fitzpatrick got his answers, and Fitzpatrick said he had one more question for Lucas. Lucas said, about Sidwell? but Fitzpatrick said, about saline.

Rocco said he’d get Britt water, and she told him to remember she was a brilliant doctor and knew what to do. He left, and she looked miserable.

Nina suggested that Nathan was being hard on himself because he hated the idea of something that he did negatively affecting others. Sometimes romance didn’t work out and it was no one’s fault. It sounded like he and Lulu could still be friends, so no damage done. As far as James went, he was his son’s hero and always would be. Jacinda came back and said the only thing left to do was call New Zealand, but Nina said they’d take care of that when they got to the office. She thought Nathan was the best brother in the entire world and loved him so much. She left with Jacinda and he said he loved her too.

Jordan told Laura that the smart thing for Sidwell to do was disappear, but he didn’t like losing and would do anything to win. Please don’t lower her guard. He wasn’t done with her or Lucas, and especially Sonny.

Sonny told Ric that he respected Laura. That’s why he said he’d do it her way with the PCPD. They screwed up and now Sidwell was gone. Ric said, so now Sonny was going to do things his way, and Sonny said Sidwell didn’t realize he was safest in custody. All bets were off. His hands weren’t tied anymore. He was going to find Sidwell and he was going to kill him. How was that for trust?

Boyle said Sidwell shot a man point blank in front of the police. No amount of charitable giving would make that go away. He thought Sidwell’s best bet was to get out of Dodge and go somewhere with nice beaches and no extradition treaty. He couldn’t help him. Sidwell told him not to sell himself short. Of course (🍷) Boyle could help him, and he had enough leverage to incentivize him. He’d risked everything for the project and lost his son in the process. He wouldn’t leave empty handed. He had scores to settle – Sonny Corinthos, Lucas Jones, Mayor Collins, Director Cullum, the WSB – and Boyle would help him do that.

Elizabeth told Dante that anything not about Rocco should take a backseat, including his co-parenting relationship with Lulu. He asked if they taught her that in nursing school, reassuring patients and getting them to think it was going to be okay. She said he wasn’t her patient, just someone she cared about. She’d always be honest with him.

Lucas asked why Fitzpatrick wanted to know about saline, and Fitzpatrick said it was part of an ongoing investigation. He found a used syringe in a suspect’s home and forensics said there was nothing but saline residue in it. Was there a medical reason someone would inject themselves with it? Lucas said saline was used for rehydration and fluid replacement, and to help deliver medication, but on its own, it wouldn’t do anything.

Charlotte told Danny that she and her dad should have gone on the run again. Why was Cullum and stopping this stupid project more important than her? Danny said he didn’t know, but her dad loved her. If he left her, it had to be because he thought it was what was best for her. She said neither one of them knew if they’d ever see their dads again, but they were just supposed to accept the choices their dads made for them before they left? Screw that. She was done doing what she was told. Her dad was wrong. He wasn’t the only one who could stop Cullum. They could too. Her phone rang and she said she didn’t recognize the number, but it could be her dad. She answered, and Rocco said he needed her help.

🌞 Summer Friday…

Curtis went to see Portia and asked where she put his favorite chair. She said she donated it to charity and asked why he was there. He said, to talk about Trina. The fight they’d had upset her and they had to do something about the antagonism between them for Trina’s sake.

Trina went to the gallery, and Ava said Trina must be exhausted from the shower. She’d won two of the party games. It seemed like everybody had a great time. Trina said, at first, but once Ava left, all hell just broke loose.

Carly woke Jack and told him that Valentin did as he asked and went to meet with the head of the WSB. He said, finally. Why? She said it seemed Cullum recruited Obrecht to finish the prototype which could be up and running any day.

Felicia dropped by Nina’s, and Nathan answered the door. He asked if James was okay, and she said James was fine. The person she was worried about was him.

Ethan ate chips while Lulu worked on an article about Sidwell’s escape from police custody. There was a knock at the door and Ethan opened it to Dante. Dante said it was about Rocco.

Charlotte put Rocco on speaker, and Danny asked if he was okay. Rocco said he was fine, but Britt was really sick. They had to help him save her. Charlotte asked what he needed them to do, and Rocco said he thought Britt’s Huntington’s was getting worse. She’d been taking a special medication she could only get in Port Charles and didn’t have any more. Danny asked where they could get it, and Rocco said, find her brother. He may be able to get her some more if they told him what was happening. Charlotte asked if Rocco had an address. He had to tell them where he was.

Lulu asked if Rocco was okay, and Dante asked if they could speak alone, but Lulu said he could tell her in front of her brother. Dante said Rocco was their son, not Ethan’s, and he preferred it be kept between them, and Ethan wondered if Dante had beef with him. Dante said he knew Ethan was the one who’d gotten Lulu and Rocco the fake passports. If it wasn’t for him, Rocco wouldn’t have been able to disappear so easily. So yeah, he was holding onto a grudge. Lulu said it had been her idea, so be mad at her, but Dante said she couldn’t have done it without Ethan’s resources. He’d enabled her. Lulu said he did her a favor, and Ethan said he was sure he could handle what Dante had to say. But for the record, he didn’t think she did anything wrong. Dante said, of course (🍷) he didn’t, because he wasn’t a father and wouldn’t understand, but Ethan said Lulu was Rocco’s mother and had the right to do what she thought was best for him.

Jack said Nina said her aunt was searching for Britt, and Carly supposed that was possible, but the time of her departure was suspicious. It wasn’t like her not to tell Nina where she was going. He said Cullum using Obrecht made sense. She was one of the very few who could finish Britt’s work. Valentin did good going to Geneva. Carly asked how long it would take the WSB to shut down Cullum and his entire operation, but Jack didn’t know. He said, Z may not see him, and she said Valentin had important information and now he was telling her the great and powerful Oz was too busy too see him? He said Z didn’t know what Valentin had and Valentin could only tell Z, and she said, because they didn’t know who was working for Cullum. Did he really think Cullum had a mole in every corner of the agency? Jack said he knew Cullum did, and she asked if Z wouldn’t be curious as to why a high-profile fugitive turned himself in. He said there were no guarantees, and she said she didn’t understand. Valentin had been the WSB’s main mission for months and now he was telling her the head of the WSB didn’t care or have time? He said Valentin wasn’t the Bureau’s only priority or only fugitive, and she said they had to stop Cullum before he made her daughter disappear. He said they didn’t know for sure if Josslyn was there, but she said she had proof.

Nathan invited Felicia in and said she didn’t have to worry about him getting knocked out. Hard head. She said she was glad he’d recovered, but that wasn’t why she was concerned. She’d noticed he hadn’t been spending as much time with James lately. He said work had been chaotic and she said she knew a lot was going on and that long days and nights came with the territory, but she wanted to make sure there wasn’t another reason. Had she screwed up his relationship with Maxie? He said she had nothing to do with that. If anyone messed it up, it was him dating her best friend. She said she’d taken the news very poorly and was worried an unintended consequence was him taking a step back from his son, but he said it wasn’t that at all. He’d taken a slight step back, mostly because of work, but had come to realize James’s real home was with Maxie and Spinelli.

Charlotte said, got it, and Rocco asked her not to give the address to anyone else. Danny told him not to worry. They’d tell Nathan and that was it. Rocco thanked them and asked them to hurry. It’s bad. Danny said they were on it, and Charlotte asked if they could reach him at this number, but Rocco said they couldn’t call him. Britt didn’t know about it and he needed to keep it that way. He had to go. He’d be in touch.

Rocco asked how Britt was feeling and she said, not great. She was going to need his help.

Lulu appreciated Ethan defending her, but said she realized she’d made a mistake. Rocco wasn’t just her kid, he was Dante’s. She should have consulted him first. Ethan said, agree to disagree, but he got it and would step out. Dante said he appreciated it, and Ethan left. Dante told Lulu that Brick had a lead on Rocco.

Felicia said she was grateful that Nathan hadn’t insisted on custody of James while Maxie was… away (sounds like she was in prison), but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be a part of James’s life. Nathan said James already had a wonderful family with Maxie, Spinelli, and his sisters, not to mention her and Mac and Cody. He didn’t want to intrude or steal their time and that’s what he felt like he was doing. She said he wasn’t intruding, but he said he was taking James away from the people who cared about him the most just so he could feel important in James’s life. It wasn’t right or fair to them. She said it didn’t have to be either/or. It could be both. James admired him so much. He said, that may not always be the case, but she said, regardless, he’d always be James’s father and nothing would ever change that.

Trina told Ava that her mom told her dad that she was glad she’d kept him from raising her. She could tell he was hurt and angry, but all that came out was anger, and he let her mom have it. She started to argue back, then Isaiah jumped in to defend her, which led to her dad threatening to hit him again. Thankfully, Jordan stepped in to talk him down before anything could escalate. The only thing she kept thinking about was, don’t rush, baby. Stay where you are for as long as you can. Ava asked how things ended, and Trina said she didn’t know. She couldn’t take any more, so she just left. The whole argument was awful, but her parents made it worse by putting her in the middle – again. Like she was a handy tool they could use to hurt each other even more. Ava said, first rule of divorce, do not put the children in the middle, but Trina said, it was good in a weird way. She finally saw what Kai had been talking about for months. That her relationship with her parents was unhealthy.

Curtis asked if Portia had heard from Trina, but Portia said, no. She’d left messages, but Trina hadn’t responded. He said, same here. It seemed their daughter was giving them the silent treatment. Portia said she couldn’t blame Trina, and he said, she should have never seen her parents like that. Portia said, her parents should have never behaved like that, especially when it was supposed to be such a joyous event that Trina worked so hard to make perfect for them. He said, Aunt Stella was right. They let their animosity toward each other take precedence over Trina and the baby. That had to change. She said, the problem was, they fundamentally disagreed about Jordan’s accident. He was convinced Isaiah was involved, while she knew otherwise. And since Curtis attacked him, potentially ruining his career because of his injury, there was no compromise. Curtis agreed and asked how the hell they co-parented their baby while keeping the peace around Trina.

Trina said she was devastated after Spencer died, and Ava said, she’d survived a nightmare that turned into a tragedy. Trina said she wouldn’t have gotten through it without her parents. They got so close and she found comfort in that. Ava said Trina’s parents loved her and helping her brought out the best in them, but Trina said, somewhere along the way, things got so dysfunctional. She started taking on her parents’ problems as if they were her own. Ava said the term for that was an enmeshed family, when the child and parents’ roles got mixed up and the child lost autonomy. She was so sorry. She knew it had been tough for Trina playing peacemaker for her parents. Trina said, things got so much worse when her mom had to admit in court that she’d had an affair with Isaiah. Since then, she’d been in the middle of all of it. She’d put so much energy into trying to fix things, she had no time to focus on her own life. Now she had to just walk away.

Portia said they were beyond mending fences, but thought there was a way they could strive for civility, and Curtis wondered if it was even possible. She said she had her doubts, but thought they had to try for Trina and the baby. He said they’d heard from Trina and the baby would pick up on the tension between them, and she said they had to make sure they didn’t fight in front of them. They had to be on their best behavior so they could be good parents to their children. He asked if that’s what she really wanted. She’d made it clear she was glad he didn’t raise Trina. Did she still feel that way?

Nathan said he just wanted to do what was best for James, and Felicia said James needed him and loved him so much. He said he loved James too and couldn’t imagine his life without him. He had no idea they’d make such a strong bond in such a short amount of time. Felicia said that’s because Nathan was so good with him, but he said it was all James. He didn’t know how to be a father, but it came easy with James. He was loveable and excitable, this little ball of energy. She said James was a special little boy, and Nathan agreed. James made him want to be a better man, the man that James thought he was. She said, don’t shy away from him. Be his dad. Build a lifetime of wonderful memories with his son. Maybe when the time came he fell short of James’s image of him, James would look back and remember how much Nathan loved him. He asked if she thought James would have time to go to the batting cages next week, and she said she thought James would love it. How about Tuesday? He said, Tuesday would be great, and she said he was a good dad and her grandson’s father. They’d always be connected. They hugged.

Jack asked if Carly was sure it was Josslyn’s ring, and she said she was. She didn’t give it away that she knew. Cullum didn’t notice she recognized the ring and didn’t seem to know it was Josslyn’s. He said Josslyn was smart and dropped it on purpose, and she said the maid had found it recently, which meant Josslyn was alive and at Windymere. It took everything for her not to search the whole place. He said, too many agents? and she said, yes, so many. The WSB was everywhere. He said, Cullum loyalists. She did the right thing. She said she knew, but it was so hard knowing her daughter was right across the harbor and in danger. She could come up with another excuse to go see her. Jack said, no. Too suspicious. She said, especially now that Cullum suspected she’d been working with Valentin, and he said, what?

Britt told Rocco that she needed ibuprofen for the muscle aches and fever. Dimenhydrinate for nausea. Some electrolyte powder. He should be able to get all that at the bodega down the street. He said, but what she really needed were her injections, and she said there was no way to get them. She knew that when they left Port Charles. She was just hoping her symptoms wouldn’t be an issue this soon. He asked if they were going to get worse, but she said she didn’t even know if they were related to Huntington’s. Even if they were, the over-the-counter drugs should get her back on her feet. He said he’d be back as soon as he could, she promised not to move until he got back, and he left.

Dante told Lulu, according to Brick, Rocco and Britt took a flight to San Juan. From Puerto Rico, they took a ferry to the British Virgin Islands, but he wasn’t aware of their final destination. He’s still working on getting an exact location, but there are four large islands, main islands, and over 50 smaller ones. It was going to take some time. She asked what they were waiting for.

Trina told Ava that her parents thought she was distancing herself to punish them, but it wasn’t that. She loved her mom and dad, but needed to create a space for herself or she’d never have a life built on her own choices. Ava said she understood. Her Kiki did the same thing. In the beginning, she thought Kiki was just trying to hurt her, then realized that Kiki was responding to choices that she’d made that deeply wounded her. Looking back, she could see Kiki was justified in setting those boundaries. Maybe it would help Trina’s parents if she didn’t just completely cut them off. Stick to her decision, but let them know why she was making it.

Portia said she let her temper get the best of her and wished she would have handled things differently, and Curtis told her, yet she wasn’t taking back what she said. She said she couldn’t honestly do that, but was hoping that it had been their rock bottom. They couldn’t always be this angry with each other. It was no way to live. Curtis agreed and said he hated that it had gotten to this point because they’d worked hard at not being the type of exes that couldn’t stand being in the same room together. She said it seemed they’d failed on that front, but she had some ideas on how they could try to do better.

Carly told Jack that Cullum showed up at her house last night with a WSB warrant. He said he was looking for Valentin, or traces of Valentin. Jack asked why he would think to look there, and she said, on two separate occasions, Valentin called Anna’s clinic in France to check on her. The first time, pretending to be family; the second, her psychiatrist Dr. Kevin Collins. Jack said Valentin was obsessed with Anna. Always has been, always will be. Carly disagreed, and he said she was great and all, but Anna was it for Valentin. His actions proved it.

Lulu said she’d book them seats on the next flight to the Virgin Islands, but Dante thought they should wait. Based on her conversation with Cullum, he thought it was safe to assume Cullum knew that Rocco was the one who shot him. She said that’s why they had to find Rocco quickly. As long as he was on the run with Britt, they couldn’t protect him. He said they had to play this smart though. They didn’t want to lead Cullum to their son. He thought they should stay put and wait for Brick to come back with the exact location. It seemed like the safest option. She said she guessed they couldn’t blindly canvas 54 islands. It would take time and Cullum could get to Rocco first. He said, so they were agreed? and she said, for now. She was just worried if they waited too long, Britt and Rocco could disappear again.

On the phone, Nathan set up a time with the batting cages, when the doorbell rang. He opened the door to Charlotte and Danny, and he asked if they were looking for Nina, but Charlotte said they came to see him. He asked what was wrong, and Charlotte asked if anyone else was there, but he said, no. Why? Danny said, Rocco called them and Britt needed his help.

Portia said it was also important that they didn’t badmouth each other in front of Trina, and Curtis said their issues had nothing to do with Trina, but he wouldn’t do that just on principle. She said, not directly, but when he ran down Isaiah to Trina, it affected her. Like when he said Isaiah left him and Jordan to die on the side of the road. Trina came straight to her, trying to broker peace between them. They needed to be careful what they said around her and neither one of them should try to sway her to their side. He said their problems were theirs and they couldn’t keep involving Trina. It wasn’t fair to her. Portia said she also thought they needed to stop trying to blend their families. For now. No more painting nurseries, no more parties. It was a noble idea, but far too hard. He said good, because he couldn’t stand the idea of being in the same room as Isaiah anyway, and she said she didn’t want to put either one of them in that position. And she was expecting the same courtesy when it came to Jordan. He said, okay. When they had to be together, significant others weren’t included. She thanked him and said she wished it didn’t have to be this way, and he said him too, but it was the way it had to be.

Dante said he knew they were taking a risk by waiting, but they just had to hope Brick got back to them as soon as possible with the exact location. Lulu said, assuming this all panned out, had he thought about what they were going to do when they actually found their son? They couldn’t just bring him home. They’d be delivering him right into Cullum’s hands. He said they’d go with the original plan and the three of them would go into hiding. If she was still up for that. She said, if it kept Rocco safe, she’d hide under a literal rock. She’d talk to her mom about looking after Charlotte while she was gone. Charlotte understood more than anyone about the need to run and hide. She had more experience than the two of them combined. He said that was on Valentin. They were coming back. She said he was right. Charlotte would be upset, but would want them to do whatever it took to protect Rocco. He said, as for Britt, they’d make sure she faced charges for taking off with their son, and she said, even if Rocco claimed he went willingly? but he said it didn’t matter. Britt left the country with a minor without getting his parents’ permission. She said she was hoping he’d feel the same way about that. It was going to take every ounce of her self-control not to throttle that woman.

Rocco came back and handed Britt the stuff from the store. He said it should be everything on her list, and she thanked him. He said he also made a second stop at a sketchy looking pharmacy and convinced the guy to sell him some muscle relaxers. He figured she could use them. She asked how he got them without a prescription, and he said he suggested the guy add on a no prescription surcharge. She said, bribery. Nice. She was impressed with his resourcefulness. He said he came from a resourceful family and he’d do anything to help. He wanted her to be okay. She said she was so sorry to do this to him. He shouldn’t have to take care of her. He said they were taking care of each other.

Nathan asked where Britt and Rocco were, and Charlotte said she had their address and the number to Rocco’s burner phone. She air dropped it to him, and he asked if Rocco said anything about Britt’s condition. Charlotte said, just that it was bad, and Danny said Britt needed some special medication and Rocco said Nathan might be able to get it for her. Nathan said he’d do his best. Did they tell anybody about this? Danny said, no. They came straight to him. Nathan said, except they didn’t come to see him. They came to see Nina. If anybody asked, Charlotte was delivering something to her boss for work. Her boss wasn’t there, so she left it with him. He knew it seemed like he was being overly cautious, but Britt running off with Rocco was technically kidnapping and he didn’t want them involved. They promised not to say anything, and Nathan said, and do not, under any circumstances, call Rocco. Leave this to him.

Jack said, the WSB traced Valentin’s calls to Anna, and Carly told him, that’s what Cullum said. She guessed Valentin’s phone pinged off one of the towers in the vicinity of her house. He asked what they found, and she said, absolutely nothing. Valentin had already left for Geneva. There was no trace left behind. Except Charlotte was at her house when they showed up and Cullum definitely took notice. Jack said, of course (🍷) he did. Cullum makes connections no one else will. She was in the same danger as Valentin now.

Portia said she had an ultrasound appointment on Wednesday and would text Curtis the details. He thanked her and was about to leave, but Trina was on the porch. She said she didn’t expect to find Curtis there. Curtis started to say something, but she said she didn’t need an explanation. What she needed was for both of them to listen to her. Things couldn’t keep going this way and she was making a change – starting now.

Ethan went to the gallery, and Ava said, if it isn’t the baby daddy. He said she agreed to keep quiet about that, but she said, relax. There was no one else there. But if he came by to renegotiate the terms of their agreement, he was wasting his time. He said he was actually there to give her a ride. They were going to pay a visit to her baby daddy. Sonny needed to see her right away.

Carly said Cullum had no proof she’d been working with Valentin, but Jack said, the WSB and Cullum didn’t need proof. Think of Jason. She said she guessed they could snatch her up anytime anywhere, but they hadn’t yet. She was baking cookies with Charlotte and the moss bowl 🎍in Sonny’s old kitchen, when Cullum blew in with his warrant. Did he really think that put her in danger? He said, yes. Leave Port Charles. Go on a vacation. Just until Cullum is neutralized. She said, what about Josslyn? And Charlotte? She was devastated when her father left. He said Carly wouldn’t be any good to them if she was dead.

Back at the boathouse, Charlotte wondered if they did the right thing, and Danny said they did what Rocco wanted. She said she knew, but her mom and Dante were worried about him. She felt bad not telling them where he was. Danny said Rocco asked them not to. They’d already let him down before. They couldn’t do it again. Her phone rang, and she said it was Rocco. Rocco asked if they’d talked to Nathan, and she said, yes. He said he’d take care of it. He thanked them and said he appreciated it, when Britt called to him. He said he had to go, put the phone in his pocket, and went back inside. He asked if Britt was okay, and she asked him to get her a blanket from the bedroom. She would go, but she was still feeling a little dizzy. He said, no problem, and she said she heard him talking to someone outside. Who was it? He said, the lady next door, the one with the Jack Russell Terrier, and Britt told him to try and avoid her if he could. They couldn’t afford for anyone to find them.

Nathan went to Lulu’s place and said he was glad both she and Dante were there. He had information about Britt and Rocco. He knew where they were. Dante said, where?

On Monday, Chase tells Brook, this is where she gets to say, I told you so; Trina says she would like a lot less attention from both of them; Ava says she has no intention of cooperating with Ethan unless he makes it worth her while; and Nathan tells Lulu and Dante that they have to make a decision now.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

They’ve dropped breadcrumbs before and I’ve wondered a few times if she really had Huntington’s.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-does-britt-really-have-huntingtons-disease

I’m surprised Drew hasn’t unlocked yet since it didn’t take Jack very long.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-katelyn-macmullen-on-willows-race-against-the-clock-to-silence-drew-excl

Q: How many Scouts does it take to screw in a lightbulb? A: None. Danny will do it for her.   

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-another-temporary-recast-steps-in

It’s about time Jason and Anna got back to Port Charles. Spring break over. Anna will be back on the canvas June 24th.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-anna-devane-returns-finola-hughes-first-airdate-revealed

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-summer-preview-jason-returns-secrets-explode-and-new-romances-ignite-exclusive

I was watching Gates and just kept thinking I knew her from somewhere. I finally googled her and I was like, oh yeah. Kristina’s first unrequited love. I was pissed off about that one too.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/beyond-the-gates-ashley-jones-debuts-in-surprising-new-role

I watch this over the weekend and will sometimes skip episodes, but this whole thing was too good to miss.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-young-and-the-restless-and-beyond-the-gates-stars-preview-the-big-crossover-event

I would have liked a little more of Victor though. He did this grandiose helicopter entrance, and then just disappeared from the party/tragedy without a word. I’d also like to know how the hell he got back to Genoa City during the aftermath of a tornado.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/young-and-the-restless-and-beyond-the-gates-crossover-kicks-off-june-8-with-tornado-chaos

And to round it out.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/the-young-and-the-restless-eric-braeden-on-victors-suspicions-of-nikki-and-jack-beyond-the-gates-crossover

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

Nathan wanted to choose Luke over Eyebrows Joe as lead deckhand, but Captain Sandy asked him to wait until after the next charter. Aesha was happy with her interior team and said she felt like Seabiscuit, but she wasn’t thrilled with Gen acting like she was in charge. In Kat’s interview, she said Gen was giving mean girl energy. There was a beach excursion and a showgirl themed dinner where the guests wore costumes complete with headdresses. After Luke crashed the tender, in Nathan’s interview, he said Luke couldn’t drive the tender and Cooper was Cooper, so he was left with Joe. In the captain’s interview, she said the docking was going to be difficult, since the crosswind at the marina pushed the boat starboard. She wanted Aesha on deck for the docking after the previous week’s hit. Nathan felt that Joe was judgmental, and in Joe’s interview, he wondered if Nathan was fit for the bosun position. Oh yeah, here’s just the guy who should be judging anyone. The tip was $25K, or $1900 each. Gael paid a visit to the yacht, bringing along Baby Kayden. No surprise, everyone fussed over the baby and was happy to see Gael, except for Joe who seemed to think they just shouldn’t exist in his world. Joe’s mom called to tell him that she had breast cancer, which I wouldn’t wish on anyone, but I had hopes it would give Joe some perspective. Not to mention, Captain Sandy put Joe’s mom in contact with an oncologist friend who was pretty high level. The captain knows everyone, and one of the things I love about her is that she truly wants to help her crew, both professionally and personally. My hopes for Joe’s renaissance were dashed when it didn’t take long for him to talk smack about Gael to Nathan, who told him to keep Gael’s name out of his f***ing mouth.

The Valley

The gang took a trip to Mexico where they’d be celebrating Schwartz, Zack, and Danny’s birthdays. Schwartz shared a room with Zack and Benji, and in his interview, he said if he wanted to be a third wheel, he wanted it to be with them. His plan was to stage a Schwartzapalooza, which was Coachella adjacent. Brittany was ready to find boys, and Kristen said her job was to regulate her baby’s nervous system. Brittany couldn’t believe she’d left her kids at home only to be surrounded by several babies. It literally rained on Schwartz’s parade, and the party had to be taken indoors. Since she’d just had Baby Kaia, Kristen was having emotional difficulties, and fluctuated between taking it out on Luke and herself. Luke said he was losing his mind, since he clearly had no concept of postpartum, and whined that he couldn’t do it forever. In Brittany’s interview, she said it wouldn’t be a forever thing. It was just what Kristen’s body was going through right now. She tried to explain it to him, but he was all up in his man feelings.  

Summer House – The Aftermath

In the extra episode that no one asked for or needed, Amanda met with Lindsay, West met with Kyle, and Ciara met with Meija. Since none of it was actually in the Hamptons, I don’t know why they didn’t just incorporate it with In the City, but who knows what goes into the machinations of that man behind the Bravo curtain. Lindsay said she didn’t excuse going after the guy who broke Ciara’s heart – multiple times. Amanda and West were both saying the other one started the pursuit. Lindsay pointed out that Amanda got her self-worth from men, which I always find a shame, and said that Amanda blew up her own life when she was winning. West and Kyle talked a bunch of bullsh*t about friendship, and West babbled about there being so many layers. He said he got why his word was discredited and said he wanted to have an honest conversation. Right away, he lowkey threw Amanda under the bus, by claiming he’d asked repeatedly if she shouldn’t be single for a while. Meija and Ciara commiserated about West, and West admitted to Kyle that he hadn’t been faithful to Meija even though she’d thought they were exclusive. Kyle said it was everything he’d wanted to hear at the Reunion. If a scandal can be made boring, they did it.

I guess this guy confused being on the D- list with being an actual celebrity. Apparently, he’d also broached the suggestion that everyone be let go except for him and Amanda, and they hire a bunch of his friends to round out the cast. Oops.

In the City

Another reason they shouldn’t have made an additional Summer House episode was that it was confusing, seeing that first, and then seeing Kyle and Amanda supposedly working on their relationship here. Kyle said he and Amanda were more like roommates who annoyed each other and this was a last ditch effort. But instead of fixing things, he dug a ditch for himself, staying out late on their last night together in their shared apartment before Amanda moved to her own place. Supposedly, the plan was for them to work on things, but Amanda also accused him of bringing a stranger home while she was sleeping. It was cryptic and I would have liked to get the whole story there. Kyle rented a trolley in another last ditch effort – to save Loverboy. I actually had a can of this once and it was pretty good. I’m guessing it’s not the product that’s the problem. The group showed up to be supportive, and in Amanda’s interview, she said she was doing her usual half-assed, but present method of support. There was a big discussion about the timeline od Danielle and her boyfriend Eoin and whether they’d started dating when he was still with his wife. At present, they were still legally married, but separated. Danielle said everyone was picking on her, and Amanda asked if the homewrecker allegations were true. Danielle said she was done. New guy Ken also tracked down his biological father, which was kind of interesting. I always forget this guy is even on the show.  

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island

Once again, I admit defeat in chasing this show around, since Sunday night isn’t ideal. I didn’t personally watch it this week, but I got a few takeaways from the recap. Billy reproposed to Alicia, since apparently, it hadn’t gone well the first time. Rulla continued to ignore Brian being one big red flag and still refused to watch the video when Jo-Ellen tried to show it to her. But then in a major plot twist, Brian was arrested for domestic violence because he’d put a tracker on Rulla’s car. His mistress paid his bail and picked him up. If like me, you went, domestic violence, WTF? see below.

https://www.realitytea.com/2026/06/14/real-housewives-of-rhode-island-rhori-ep isode-12-recap-the-ferry-tale-is-over

I have never heard of this before and it doesn’t seem very practical, especially if it’s not related to domestic couples.

Random Reality Items

Hopefully, less toxic doesn’t mean boring, but the jury is out until it airs. Interesting how Melissa and Teresa spontaneously made up. I know someone who knows Melissa and I’ll have to see if she has any intel.

Their split made me sad, but then again, they’re kind of young for a forever relationship.

And while we’re on the subject…

I have to admit, I didn’t really miss her last season.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Apex aka Apex Predator. Shudder. In a futuristic world, a company called the Apex Corporation sets up a hunting excursion for the very wealthy, except they’ll be hunting a human being. An ex-cop is offered his freedom for being their game. All he has to do is survive the hunt. The reviews weren’t great, but I didn’t hate it, especially since the main characters were played by Neal McDonough (a hunter) and Bruce Willis (the hunted), two of my favorites. The reviewer from Nerdly isn’t wrong when he says, It’s just a bunch of unlikable assholes scheming and killing each other, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While the plot wasn’t exactly original, I found this film entertaining and kind of fun, especially when the hunters turned on each other. Hey, everything can’t be Squid Game.

They Will Kill You. HBO/Max. Much like Sucker Punch, this film opens with two sisters running from an abusive father. In protecting her sibling, the older sister tries to kill their father, but instead ends up in prison while her sister is returned to the abuser. After her prison stint, older sister Asia takes a job as a housekeeper for a community for the wealthy housed in a New York City building. However, things are not all they seem – not with the community, who are actually a demonic cult, or Asia, who can kick ass like a superhero. The action sequences are superb, the special effects are inspired, there’s a satisfying amount of gore, and it’s actually pretty funny.

https://www.polygon.com/they-will-kill-you-hbo-streaming

https://movieweb.com/they-will-kill-you-hbo-max-stream-release-date

HAPPY JUNETEENTH!

🐦‍🔥 Fur, Fins, Very Tiny Ears, and… Beans…

🐕 I was hesitant about this film, but after reading this, I’m definitely here for it.

https://people.com/krypto-the-superdog-supergirl-sneak-peek-exclusive-12003175

🐶 Pets, the great equalizer, since they don’t care what you do, how much you have, or who you are. They will still make weewee on your floor.  

https://people.com/photographers-share-hundreds-of-celebrities-posing-with-pets-photos-12002002

🦈 Beginning July 26th with K-Pop Shark Heroes. Sounds K-intriguing.

https://people.com/shark-week-returns-for-summer-2026-on-discovery-12001531

🦛 Life is just better with a pygmy hippo.

https://people.com/baby-pygmy-hippo-named-after-a-bread-roll-at-berlin-zoo-12000812

🫘 If it weren’t for hamburgers and sushi, I could totally be a vegetarian.

https://people.com/kevin-bacon-becomes-kevin-bean-for-humane-world-for-animals-beansday-11996409

🦪 Quotes of the Week

The road to success is always under construction. – Lily Tomlin

In life, as in chess, forethought wins. – Charles Buxton

Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.John C. Maxwell

Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful. – Annette Funicello

For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. – Ralph Waldo Emerson (Uh-oh.)

Take one clear step; momentum will carry you to the next. – Marcus Hale

Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. – Robert Louis Stevenson

Excellence is not a skill. It’s an attitude. – Ralph Marston

Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

Every time I drink, my brain has another plan for me.Catie Norboe, 90 Day Fiancé

🌱 The Best Of What Might Be…

Until next time, stay safe; stay monitoring your volume and respecting others’ personal space in public forums; and stay never making yourself small to keep a significant other.

Video > Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club (Official Music Video)

April 25, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Making Magic In the City, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Coming Soon, Tales From the Fluff Side, One Less Than 8 Quotes & Sun

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🍕 Weekday Slices…                                                                          

Monday: 

Molly went for her follow-up and Cody waited for her, even though she said he didn’t have to.

Ethan went to Sonny’s and a surprised Kristina answered the door. She said Sonny would be there soon and she was there keeping an eye on Donna. She said she’d missed him.

Valentin came into Sonny’s old kitchen and Carly asked where he’d been. The moss bowl  listened in.

Ric went to Nina’s and she said she wanted to hire him.

Alexis went to Pozzulo’s to see Sonny and she asked why Ric was the one who told her about Danny wanting to join the mob.

Michael asked what Willow was doing, and she pointed at Jacinda and said, keep this person away from her children from now on.

Kristina said Eithan was her hero, standing up for her and standing by her when she’d blamed him for something he didn’t do. He said it was behind them, and she reminded him of her having a crush on him when she was young. He said he’d wished she were about five years older, and she said her type had changed. He said he’d seen it on social media and the tabloids, but she said now she was deeply single. He said, just his luck, but she said she was interested in being friends.

Sonny said it was better coming from Ric, since they butted heads anyway, but Alexis said they would have only fought if Sonny had taken Danny into his organization. Sonny said she knew he would never do that.

Valentin told Carly that he’d gone to see Nina.

Ric told Nina that Sonny had him on retainer, but if there was no conflict, it was fine. Reminding her of how she didn’t respond well to his disappearance during Willow’s trial, he said he felt bad, but there were extenuating circumstances he hadn’t anticipated. She said he was treacherous and devious and she wanted to hire him. He asked what trouble she was in, but she said it wasn’t her.

Jacinda said Willow didn’t like that she helped Wiley with his project, and Michael wondered what the big deal was. Willow said the concept of keeping harmful people away from their children should be familiar to him since he’d used it against her.

Molly told Cody that her publisher approved the galley changes and approved the manuscript. She went in to see Dr. Navarro.

The doctor said Molly’s follow-up tests were all good and now she’d do a pelvic exam.

Kristina told Ethan about buying Charlie’s and how happy it made her. They’d just reopened and his timing was amazing. She told him about the fire and said it had been a Molotov cocktail and she’d been trapped inside.

Alexis said Danny probably thought Sonny would bring him in like Jason, but he said he did things differently now and would never bring in any of the kids. She was worried that saying no wouldn’t be enough and Danny would find another avenue to avenge his dad. Sonny agreed.

Nina said it didn’t concern Sonny, and Ric told her to continue. She asked about a battered woman’s defense and he realized she was talking about Willow. She said she wanted him to examine the possibility that because of the trauma Willow suffered, she wasn’t legally responsible for her actions. She’d had a terrible time in Dawn of Day and it could factor into the battered woman’s defense. Ric said Alexis could have used that, but created reasonable doubt with Michael. Anyway, the point was moot now since Willow had been exonerated. Double jeopardy applied to the murder, but if she’d done anything to Drew since the trial, those charges could be used to show a pattern.

Willow reminded Michael of withholding the kids because of Drew. Jacinda was a sex worker and it was a double standard. He said he didn’t care. She was honest with him and he didn’t remember the last time Willow was honest. She’d lied under oath and made everyone think he’d shot Drew. She warned him to keep that away from her children or he’d regret it.

Dr. Navarro said Molly was healing well. Consider herself cleared. Molly asked if she could have sex, and the doctor said she was good to go.

Kristina told Ethan about Marco saving her. The original assessment said it had to be torn down, but she found a structural engineer who said it could be rebuilt, and with her father’s help, it was. She asked why he was in Port Charles, and he said flying solo got lonely. He could also use steady work and that’s why he wanted to see her dad. She said Jason was gone, and he said he knew. He’d read it in the paper. It sounded abrupt and messy.

Sonny understood where Danny was coming from. He was angry and looking for something to go up against. Alexis said he’d promised he wouldn’t get into any more trouble after the fight at school, but she was worried he’d do something so reckless, she couldn’t protect him. Sonny said he had an idea.

Carly said Valentin had asked why he risked seeing Nina, and he said he’d gotten tired of wandering the grounds while she was upstairs in bed with Jack. She said he knew why, but he said it didn’t make it easier. She needed to take action and Nina could help. She said he couldn’t trust Nina.

Michael apologized, but Jacinda said it was fine. Michael said it wasn’t, but Jacinda said she hadn’t helped the situation in the café or when Willow went off on her. She wished she’d handled it differently. He said he didn’t.

Nina told Ric that he should have multiple defenses, should Willow need one, but she was hoping that didn’t happen. Ric said if it was hypothetical, fine, but if she had reason to believe Willow would commit a violent act, she could be charged as an accessory. She said as far as she knew, Willow wasn’t harming anyone, and he said he wouldn’t defend her doing anything to Michael. He wouldn’t do that to his brother. She was surprised to hear him call Sonny his brother, and he said people could change. She told him not to worry. Willow and Michael made peace. Willow stormed in and told Ric to tell Michael that she was coming for him and his rent-by-the-hour hooker girlfriend.

Kristina told Ethan that Sonny had to be surrounded by people he trusted. He was most like Luke and fit the bill.

Sonny said Alexis had to convince Danny not to get arrested or go after the WSB. Otherwise, he’d never see his sister. Alexis said Danny didn’t want to lose Scout and knew she needed him. Next time, come to her directly and don’t send Ric. She wondered why Ric was working for Sonny when he had Diane, and Ric walked in.

Valentin said he’d left Carly’s name out of it, but she needed to accept they needed Nina. Jack thought he succeeded in making Nina his informant and she’d be feeding him information. She said information he wanted Jack to have or misinformation?

Molly told Cody that she had a clean bill of health and they left to celebrate the future.

Michael told Jacinda that he was glad Wiley knew her. Wiley adored her and he thought that was why Willow was angry. She had the right to stand up for herself. He wished he could say he hadn’t messed up tonight, but he had. He’d lost his cool with Willow and needed to play the long game.

Willow told Nina about Wiley and Jacinda. She would have put a stop to it had she known. She told Jacinda to stay away and Michael defended her. She had no idea what Jacinda was capable of and wouldn’t expose her kids to the kind of depravity she had to deal with at Dawn of Day.

Cody and Molly went out to dinner, and Molly said she’d prepared herself for the worst, but she felt like a brand new woman.

Alexis said Ric wouldn’t handle things as honestly as Diane, and Ric said he could handle himself. She said she was concerned about her daughter when he got caught as Sonny’s accomplice, but Sonny said their daughter’s reputation wouldn’t suffer, and Alexis left.

Valentin said he wasn’t going to kill Jack, but to implicate him in Sidwell and Cullum’s project. That’s where Nina came in. They needed Jack to believe Nina’s intel. She’d tell him that he and Charlotte had a regular meeting place. He’d make Jack think he almost caught him. Carly said it was a terrible plan. What if Jack caught him? What about their agreement that Cullum was the priority? He said they had a golden opportunity to take Jack down for good and couldn’t pass it up.

Jacinda said Michael couldn’t just stand there, but he said he had to give Willow a false sense of security until he got leverage against her. If they went back to court now, Willow would be a respected member of congress and he’d be the guy who shot Drew and got away with it. Jacinda said she may have something for Michael to use against Willow.

Nina believed Jacinda was fond of the kids. The situation was different. Jacinda would never do anything to hurt her children. Willow said she’d go back to family court and watch Michael defend his choice of girlfriend in front of a judge, but Nina said Willow couldn’t go back into court. She’d lose everything.

Cody and Molly toasted to the future. Cody suggested oysters and lobster and shrimp cocktail and desserts, but Molly said she had a counter offer. What if they finished the champagne and went back to his place where they’d celebrate?

Sonny came home, and Kristina said someone had shown up. Ethan came out and said it had been a minute.

Valentin said he bet he wouldn’t get caught, but Carly said, the last time, he did. He said he’d been distracted by Anna. He had to make this work. Carly said, in the meantime, he had to go back to the attic. It was too risky for him to be downstairs. She gave him a game or puzzle or something and he left for the attic.

Jacinda told Michael that Jack had been there twice and met with Nina behind closed doors. The last time, Nina had seemed upset and stormed out, then Jack came back to talk to her. He thought Charlotte knew where Valentin was and wanted her to get the information. He said if she gave him information on Valentin, he’d give her something that would be very useful to Michael in dealing with Willow.

Nina said someone had witnessed Willow shooting Drew. She was being pressured by Sidwell and Drew was paralyzed because she was drugging him. If any of that came out, she’d lose, and so would her children. Willow said she was right. She’d just have to find another way to deal with this.

Tuesday:

On the phone in the hospital courtyard, Curtis said, morning was fine.

Isaiah felt Portia’s bump, when Curtis came back in.

Felicia went over medical stuff with Jordan and gave her a pamphlet for a trauma support group.

Dante, Rocco, and Lulu went to the Bad Jen Café, and Dante said he was done pretending everything was normal. He asked what going on with Rocco and Danny.

At the hospital, Britt went to see Lucas and told him that she was grateful for his help, but she’d handle Cullum and Sidwell by herself.

Cody and Molly started to get busy, but Cody put on the breaks. Molly said it was cool and she was ready, but he said he wasn’t.

Sonny introduced Ethan to Ric and asked what brought Ethan to town. Ethan could be straight with him. What did he need? Ethan said, a job.

Portia asked how Curtis was doing, and he said his injuries had been minor, but he wished he could say the same for Jordan. Portia said she had good news, the baby was the picture of perfect health. She gave him a copy of her latest sono.

Cody said he was sorry he’d ruined the mood, and Molly said it felt like he didn’t want to have sex with her. He said he wanted nothing more, but didn’t want to hurt her. Just because she was cleared, didn’t mean she needed to take off right away. He could wait. She said she didn’t want to, and he asked if sex had ever been painful with him and she hadn’t said anything.

Lucas told Britt that he was doing it for Marco. Sidwell and Cullum were going to up their scrutiny, and like it or not, she needed his help. She said she didn’t. She’d rather succumb to Huntington’s than help those monsters build their weapon.

Rocco told Dante and Lulu that he wanted to help Danny, but couldn’t. Danny had lost his mom, then he couldn’t see Scout, and now his dad was gone. Dante thought Rocco felt guilty, and Rocco said he didn’t want to feel this way anymore.

Sonny asked if Ethan was staying in town, and Ethan said he was considering it, especially if Sonny had a gig for him. Ric asked if he was a coffee importer, and Ethan said he was a poker player. Ric said they had little use for that, and Sonny said if someone was after Ethan, he could take care of it, but Eithan said he wasn’t in trouble. Sonny asked what he’d been up to, and Ethan said he’d visited Robert, Sasha, and Daisy in France. But Port Charles was more his speed and he’d heard Sonny had an opening. Jason’s absence must be a huge loss. Ric said he thought Ethan was angling to take Jason’s place.

Britt said maybe she was tired of fighting, but Lucas said she started a fight for fun and he knew she didn’t want to be dependent on anyone. She said she was already dependent on Cullum. She was being forced into protecting the man who killed Marco, almost killed her, and who’d stripped Jason of his freedom. Cullum was the only one who could provide her life, but what kind of life was it? She wouldn’t do it anymore

Dante suggested Rocco talk to Danny, and Lulu reminded him that he had to finish his community service. Rocco said he’d walk, and Lulu was hesitant, but outnumbered. Rocco left, and Dante asked what she wasn’t telling him.

Jordan told Felicia that she was more comfortable handling things herself. She had great insurance and a great back-up system. She was trained in law enforcement and knew how to deal with trauma. It had just been an accident and she’d be fine. Felicia left the pamphlet for her in case she changed her mind.

Portia told Curtis that the appointment had been last minute, and Isaiah made himself scarce. Portia said Isaiah went to the appointment with her. She’d thought Curtis would be with Jordan.

Molly said Cody had never hurt her. There had been uncomfortable sex in the past, just not with him. He said the day she’d passed out, she’d been in pain and not said anything. If she hadn’t passed out, would she have told him? She said, probably not, because it was what she’d trained herself to do. There was more to sex than the physical act and all of that made the potential discomfort worth it. He said that wasn’t good enough.

Ethan said he knew no one could take Jason’s place and also knew he’d have to prove himself. Sonny said he needed someone he could trust. A son of Luke’s would be loyal, quick thinking, and take care of himself. Ric objected and asked how Sonny knew Robert didn’t send Ethan to infiltrate Sonny’s organization. (Maybe because he’s dead, but we’ll let that pass.)

Lulu told Dante that she didn’t think forcing Rocco to spend time with Danny was the answer. They could make bad choices together. She had no solution, but thought Rocco and Danny should spend time apart. Danny could get used to living with Alexis and spend some time with Scout. Rocco couldn’t fix it for Danny, and she didn’t want him making it worse in a misguided attempt to try. Dante said she was being overprotective and sounded like him.

Portia said she wasn’t trying to exclude Curtis, but thought he’d want to be with Jordan. He said he would have liked to be in on the choice and wanted to be there for as many appointments as he could. She said everything was moving smoothly, but she wished the baby would stop growing so fast. They looked at the sono and agreed it was amazing. Curtis said the car accident was sudden and everything had changed in an instant. This was a reminder that there was so much to be hopeful for.

Isaiah asked if Jordan needed help, but she said she had to wait to fix the damage. He said Dr. Farrell was a legend, but she said Dr. Caldwell warned her that she could be scarred forever.

Lucas said Marco died helping Britt and if she stopped now, it would all be for nothing. She asked if he didn’t want to see Cullum pay for what he did, and he said yes, but if Sidwell murdered Cullum, her meds would be gone and Sidwell would walk. Sidwell had pulled Marco into that world and gotten him involved. He’d asked Marco to choose between him and his father, and in the end, the choice cost him his life. It couldn’t be in vain. They had the best chance to take Sidwell down, but needed time. Britt said she wanted to take them down, but didn’t know how much more she could take.

Eithan said Robert had zero interest in Sonny, but Ric wasn’t convinced. Ethan said he was no rat. A man’s word was his bond. His father taught him that. Sonny believed him, but said he still had to be interviewed and Ric would do the interviewing. Ethan said, no problem, and Sonny told Ric, ask away.

Rocco took a pillow from a nurse who was juggling too many things, and she told him to give it to the patient in the room ahead. When he opened the patient’s door, he discovered it was for Cullum.

Isaiah said Jordan’s case was promising. She wouldn’t need invasive surgeries. She said it could take years and it affected how people saw her. Right now she didn’t recognize herself. He said he didn’t mean to minimize her experience, and she told him to get the hell out of her room, when Curtis came in. (I gotta say, her reaction here is surprising me and it’s not like it’s her whole face – it’s one cheek. Children would not be running from her like she was Frankenstein.)

Molly told Cody that she wanted to find out and felt her best when she was with him. He said, same, but was worried about her being in pain. She said she didn’t want to force him, so they’d wait. He said they could compromise and asked her to promise they’d stop if she felt discomfort. She said she’d always be honest with him, and he wondered if they could recapture the mood. They began to kiss, then got busy, and there was a song part.

Rocco gave Cullum his pillow and asked if he was in pain. Cullum said it was better now. Did Rocco want some advice? Don’t get shot. Britt noticed Rocco in Cullum’s room.

Lulu told Dante that she couldn’t help it. All she did was worry about Danny, Rocco, and Jason, and don’t get her started on Charlotte. Now Ethan was in the mix. Dante asked how long Ethan was sticking around, but she wasn’t sure.

Cullum asked if it wasn’t late for community service, and Rocco said he was making up some hours. Britt came in and said Cullum needed to rest and Rocco was needed in pediatrics for Storytime. Rocco said he’d forgotten, and Britt took him outside and told him to come with her.

Ric asked if Ethan had any warrants out on him, but Ethan said, no. Ric asked about a current address, and Ethan said he used Lucky’s last known address in Ireland. Sonny wanted to move things along, and Ric asked why Ethan was qualified. Ethan said Jason had dealt with shipments from all over the world with no interference from the authorities or Sonny’s competition. He’d learned a lot from his parents and could stay cool in tense situations. He also had a concealed carry permit, was discreet, and familiar with the area. His father’s name still carried weight there and he could use that goodwill to Sonny’s advantage. Sonny said he’d heard enough, and Ric said Ethan was too big a risk.

Curtis said it was time for Isaiah to go, and Isaiah apologized and left. Curtis asked what Isaiah did, but Jordan said, nothing. He was trying to help and she bit his head off. It was all too much. Curtis said he got it. He remembered people trying to cheer him up and how he’d pretended to be fine to make them feel better. It wasn’t sustainable. She didn’t have to pretend with him. She said she felt suffocated and needed room to breathe, so he said he’d give her some space, but he wasn’t going anywhere. He loved her. She said she loved him too and he left.

Dante said he’d been going over the report on Cullum’s shooting, and Lulu asked if that wasn’t on the WSB. He said it didn’t make sense. It was chaotic and sloppy, the opposite of Jason’s M.O. He was missing something, but didn’t know what it was. She said he may never find out, but he said he thought she’d want to get to the bottom of it too. She said she wanted to focus on Rocco and Danny and make sure they moved on. Everything else was just noise.

Britt took Rocco to the chapel and told him, stay away from Cullum. He said he hadn’t known the pillow was for Cullum, and she said, don’t go near Cullum again. If he saw Cullum, walk the other way. He had no idea how evil Cullum was. Rocco said he knew Cullum was a killer.

Ric said Luke’s reputation made Ethan a target and what was to stop him from taking off in a month? Ethan said Sonny had his word, and Sonny said hiring him was a bad idea logically, but sometimes friendship trumped logic. He was going to take Ethan on. Ethan thanked him, but Sonny said he was doing it for Luke and not to abuse his trust. Ethan said he wouldn’t, and they shook hands.

Molly and Cody basked in the afterglow, and she said she felt so happy.

Curtis found Isaiah, who said he’d been trying to help, but did the opposite. Curtis asked why Isaiah was in Jordan’s room, and Isaiah said Jordan was a friend. Curtis said if Isaiah couldn’t see her pain, he didn’t know her. Stay away from her.

Jordan walked the hall with her IV and sat down in the atrium. Portia saw her and asked if she could get Jordan anything or get an orderly to assist her, but Jordan said she could get back on her own. Portia said she’d call Curtis, and Jordan said this is what it took for Portia to be civil to her. Portia hated that she and Curtis were together and now Portia was calling him for her. Was she that pathetic? She didn’t want Portia to be nice to her now just because she pitied her.

Ethan asked to crash at Lulu’s, and she said, of course (🍷). He said he had some stops to make first. He’d landed a job. Sonny had hired him. She wondered if it was the best idea, but he said he was exactly where he needed to be.

Ric said he thought Sonny was making a mistake, but Sonny said, don’t worry about it. Being Luke’s son got Ethan through the door, but he wasn’t taking Ethan at face value. Ethan was like his dad. They always had an angle they were working on. Ric was worried Ethan was working for Robert, but Sonny said there was no way Ethan would use Luke’s memory to betray him. He did feel like Ethan was hiding something, but the only way he’d find out what angle Ethan was working was to keep him close. He was doing this for Luke.

Dante went to see Cullum, and said he wanted to make sure his reports accurate. Was the baton they found Cullum’s? Cullum said, yes, and Dante asked when the gun came into play. Cullum said, when Jason resisted, and Dante asked how Jason got his hands on it. Cullum said Dante had the facts he needed, and Dante left.

Britt told Rocco that Cullum probably killed people since he was in the WSB. He was the reason Jason had been taken away. Rocco said he’d followed Britt to the pier that day, and she said Cullum couldn’t find out he was a witness. Rocco said he was more than a witness. Jason didn’t shoot Cullum. He did.

Wednesday:

Gio found Emma in the Bad Jen Café and told her, whatever she was doing tomorrow, cancel it. They were going to New York City.

At Bobbie’s, Josslyn flashed back to seeing Nathan at the hospital and dropped a tray. Lulu helped her pick everything up and said it seemed like Josslyn had a lot on her mind. Spill.

Nathan told Dante that he had a lead on the other vehicle in Jordan’s accident.

Jordan said she’d prefer if Portia be honest with her for once, and Portia said they didn’t like each other and would never be friends. Jordan said she was glad it was out there now, and Portia said, but her sympathy was real. Whether Jordan wanted to admit it or not, she’d need help now and for the foreseeable future. She needed someone. Let it be Curtis.

Isaiah said Curtis was looking for someone to blame, but picking a fight wasn’t helping, and Curtis said he needed Isaiah’s word that he’d leave Jordan the hell alone.

Rocco insisted he’d pulled the trigger, and Britt asked why he was on the pier. He said he’d followed her to make sure she was okay, and she said, he was there because of her?

Gio said he got a call from his friend Michael who was in Aladdin, and Emma asked if it was Michael James Scott. (We’ll refer to him as Michael JS to avoid confusion.) He said, it was, and she said she was obsessed with the show. How did Gio know him? He said he’d filled in for a violinist in the pit orchestra for two months and he and Michael had kept in touch ever since. He had two VIP tickets, along with a personal backstage tour. She asked when they were leaving.

Josslyn said she was just tired, and Lulu wondered if there were still any brownies left. Josslyn said she’d check. She was also sore from trying to impress Nathan at the gym. He’d been kind enough to fill in for her partner, but she’d made it awkward by bringing up Cesar Faison.

Nathan told Dante that he’d seen fresh scrapes on the guardrail and the position of the paint lined up with Curtis’s statement. He’d already requested a sample. Dante said Turner wanted the other driver found and prosecuted.

Jordan said she was fine, and Portia they were kind of stuck together. They were both part of the baby’s life and she’d prefer it if they tried to get along for Curtis, the baby, and their families. And maybe each other’s sanity. It had nothing to do with pity.

Isaiah asked if Jordan needed Curtis to cause a scene, and Curtis said Jordan had no privacy. Isaiah said it wasn’t fair and he was deeply sorry for upsetting her, but this wasn’t about her. It was about Curtis. Curtis didn’t get to choose who she leaned on. Curtis said he could keep Isaiah from bothering her if she didn’t want to see him. Why didn’t Isaiah do the right thing and respect Jordan’s wishes?

Rocco said he’d been worried about Britt. He’d seen her face when she’d read the texts and she looked scared. He’d figured she was in trouble and he was right. Britt said she hadn’t seen him, and he said he was hiding. She asked him to tell her exactly what he’d seen, and he said he saw her meet Lucas, which was weird. She asked if he’d heard what they were talking about, but he said he’d been too far away. When Lucas left, she’d seemed better and he was going to head out, but then Agent Cullum showed up. That’s when everything went wrong.

Curtis found Jordan in the atrium and said he knew she wanted to be alone. He didn’t want to hover, but he wanted her to know she was special to him and wanted to make sure there wasn’t something she needed. She said she did need something. She needed him. Please stay.

Nathan said he’d looked into Marco’s clients, but there was nothing to indicate any of them wanted him dead. Dante asked about the cellphone, and Nathan said Marco’s phone records showed that he didn’t make or receive any calls. Dante said, what about texts? and Nathan said they were encrypted. Dante said, whoever killed Marco took his phone because they were worried a text might identify them, and Nathan said the killer could have texted and arranged a meeting at the office. Dante said, another indication that Marco knew who his killer was.

Lulu wondered how Faison came up, and Josslyn told her about finding The Crystalline Conspiracy and how the cover looked like Anna. She’d been thinking about Anna and how she was convinced Faison was still alive. Lulu said, the world was better off with him dead, especially Nathan and probably Britt. She’d been raised by Faison and Obrecht and was a chip off the old block, desperate for daddy’s approval. Josslyn wondered if seeing Nathan was awkward because of Britt, but Lulu said she and Britt hated each other, but the problem wasn’t Britt and Nathan. The problem was Britt and Rocco.

Britt asked if Cullum saw Rocco, but Rocco said Cullum would have told the police. Cullum pointed his gun at her and she gave him something. He didn’t see what it was, but Cullum smashed it, and then she tried to get his gun. They fought for it and she went down. He didn’t know what to do and he froze. Cullum was going to shoot her, when Jason showed up. He and Cullum started fighting and Cullum knocked Jason down. He pulled out a baton, and that’s when he knew Cullum was going to kill Jason and then her. He saw the gun on the ground not far from him and grabbed it. He’d never held a gun before. It was so heavy. Britt asked if he was sure Cullum didn’t see him pick up the gun, but he said Cullum’s back was to him the whole time. Cullum was about to smash Jason with the baton, when he shot him. That’s how he hurt his hand, holding the gun wrong. She said, that’s why Jason told her to say he shot Cullum. He was protecting Rocco.

Gio and Emma planned transportation to the city, and Gio said they could spend the day exploring, then see the show in the evening. He had a friend who could put them up. Emma wondered where they were going to go, but he said it was a surprise. She said she wanted to see the city through his eyes, the eyes of a native New Yorker, and he said he couldn’t wait to show her the real New York. She asked if that included seeing his family.

Isaiah asked Portia if Curtis said something about him going to the appointment, but she said Curtis wasn’t making it a thing. He said he was glad Curtis was fine with her. He didn’t know how long the peace would last, since he’d had a run-in with Curtis. She said, how bad was it?

Dante asked what the forensic timeline was, and Nathan said he’d get it sometime tonight. He could stay since he had no plans with… Dante said Nathan could say Lulu’s name, but Nathan said he’d realized how much of a betrayal it was that he was seeing Dante’s ex-wife.

Lulu said Rocco wouldn’t stay away from Britt, and Josslyn assumed Britt was pushing for a relationship with Rocco. Lulu flashed back to Rocco saying he’d been following Britt, and said, actually, no. It was Rocco. He wanted a relationship with Britt and it scared her. Anyone who got close to Britt inevitably got hurt. Jason was living proof.

Rocco told Britt that his ears were ringing from the gun blast. Everything happened so fast. Britt said, take a breath. She was sorry he had to do that. It must have been terrifying. Rocco said he’d never been so scared. After Cullum went down, he was paralyzed and just stood there. She said he was in shock. It must be terrible to carry that secret alone. He said he wasn’t alone, and she asked who else knew. He said his mom and Nathan.

Isaiah said it had been a mistake to drop in on Jordan, but Portia told him, don’t take it personally. Jordan wasn’t in a place to hear about their support. She ran into Jordan in the atrium and offered to help. She offered to call Curtis and Jordan went off. She tried not to escalate the situation. She could understand why Jordan was angry and mad at the entire world. Isaiah said he felt for Curtis too. It wasn’t easy to watch a loved one struggle, especially when you knew it wouldn’t end soon.

Curtis said Jordan was at the beginning of a long recovery and staring it down, unflinching. She wasn’t going to give up. Over time, the scars could improve or fade. Jordan said, when? Months? Years? How many surgeries would she need and how successful would they be? She hated being a patient and waiting passively for other people to fix her. She’d come to terms about living with her kidney transplant and now she was looking at countless consultations ahead. All people would talk about was her face and there were no guarantees she’d ever look like herself again.

Dante said they were all adults and Nathan didn’t owe him an explanation or need his permission. Nathan said that’s what he wanted to believe, but Lulu and Dante had Rocco and would always be connected. Dante said, so would Nathan and Maxie with James, and Nathan said, what if it wasn’t that easy? Dante was his partner and was still his friend. Dante said Lulu had been his ex for a lot of years and it didn’t matter how he felt, but Nathan said it mattered to him. Dante said he was fine, and Nathan said he wanted to believe that, but he remembered how Dante talked about him and Lulu being a couple. That didn’t disappear. Dante said it didn’t. He’d always be connected to the girl he fell in love with at the jukebox, but none of that mattered.

Josslyn asked if Lulu blamed Britt for Jason getting shot by the WSB agent, and Lulu said Britt was there. She was sure Jason had been protecting her. He took the fall while Britt walked away. She was sure Carly felt the same. Josslyn said her mom was grateful Britt saved her life, but wasn’t a fan, and Lulu said Britt was nothing but trouble. Jason was a grown man and could make his own decisions, but Rocco… Josslyn said he was a teenager, and Lulu said, the kind that saw the best in people. He refused to see anything but the best in Britt and nothing she said made a difference.

Rocco told Britt that Nathan took him away and brought him home, and told him, never say anything, but he had to tell his mom. Britt asked what she said, and he said she agreed with Nathan and told him to never say anything to anyone. Britt said he couldn’t, and Rocco said Cullum would have killed Jason. Why don’t they turn him in? She said Cullum didn’t care about the law. It didn’t affect him. Rocco said, no one was above the law, but she said, Cullum was. If he found out Rocco shot him, they were dead.

Gio told Emma that he’d thought about seeing his family. It was a kneejerk reaction until he realized he still wasn’t ready. The Cerullos were all or nothing and they’d never make the show on time. She couldn’t post about it on social media – ever. If they ever found out he was in the city and didn’t tell them, they’d hunt him down. Emma promised to be discreet. Nothing was going to stop her from seeing Aladdin.

Portia told Isaiah that they were making progress and coming together as a family. She hoped this didn’t set them back. Isaiah said there was no way Aunt Stella would stand for it. Sooner or later, it would be good. She said she wanted to respect what Curtis and Jordan were going though. If that meant keeping her distance from Jordan, she’d do that. He said Portia needed to change the focus to herself. Come back to the cabin with him and he’d show her how.

Jordan told Curtis that she knew she should be grateful to be alive, and she was, but to be scarred like this… How you looked affected how people treated you. She knew how to make a good impression and project confidence. Now she felt self-conscious and damaged, less than, and she couldn’t stand that. Curtis took her hand and said he loved her and promised to be with her every step of the way, and she said she knew he meant that. But if things didn’t get better, her scars didn’t go away or got worse… If his feelings changed… He said nothing was going to change how he felt. There was nothing worse than her being trapped in the car and thinking he might not get her out before… She said, but he did, and he said that proved they could do anything. She asked if he could hold her, and he did.

Dante told Nathan that he and Lulu would always be connected through Rocco and their past. It didn’t go away, but he’d moved on after they split up. The last thing he wanted was for them to deny their feelings because of him. He was a big boy and could handle it. Nathan said he never meant to come between Dante and Lulu, and Dante said he knew that. Nathan was a good guy. He wanted Lulu to be happy and wished them nothing but the best. There was no need to talk about it anymore.

Lulu told Josslyn that when she tied to warn Rocco that Britt was dangerous, he dismissed it and chalked it up to her still being angry with Britt. Britt’s whole life was a series of toxic situations. She knew it wasn’t entirely Britt’s fault. She’d been raised by Faison and Obrecht. It wasn’t a good start, but Faison was dead, yet Britt kept chasing trouble. Rocco would eventually discover that Britt didn’t look out for anyone but herself.

Rocco asked if Britt was saying Cullum would kill him, but she said that wasn’t going to happen. Cullum would never find out. She didn’t mean to scare him, but he needed to understand it was important to stay quiet. He said, what about her? Was she still in danger? How did they stop Cullum? Britt said she was handling it. Cullum needed her and wouldn’t hurt her as long as she did what he wanted. Rocco asked what she had to do for him, but she said he didn’t need to know. He was too involved already. Please promise he won’t tell anyone else. It would kill her if anything happened to him because of her. He said he promised, and they hugged. She said it was going to be okay. She’d protect him. She was going to fix this.

Emma said she couldn’t believe Gio never told her about playing for a Broadway show. She was not going to happy if he was keeping something bigger from her. He said she’d have to wait and see, and she said he wasn’t as nice as he looked. She thought she liked it. They needed to pack. They had an early flight to catch. Gio said, Princess, I am about to show you a whole new world, and spun her around.

Josslyn wondered if Nathan could help with Britt and make her see that Rocco would be better off if she kept her distance, but Lulu doubted it would do any good. Britt and Nathan were just getting to know each other when Faison shot Nathan, and neither one of them seemed interested in hanging out. Josslyn said they were very different. Lulu said, Nathan was warm and good natured, and Britt… Josslyn said, isn’t. It was amazing how well-adjusted Nathan was after a seven year gap. Lulu said, four was bad enough, and Josslyn said she was sorry, but Lulu said it was okay. It wasn’t like she didn’t remember anything. She was in a hospital bed. Nathan had a mystery to solve. Josslyn asked if he remembered anything, but Lulu said, nothing yet. He was focused on moving forward and didn’t want to waste time looking back. She could count on Nathan. Josslyn said she was happy for Lulu. It really was a miracle for Nathan to pick up his past life so soon.

Nathan told Dante to go home, when his phone rang. He said, speak of the devil. He answered and said, yeah… Yeah. He’d let the Commissioner know. He told Dante that forensics got something from the paint on the guardrail.  

Britt asked if Rocco had a ride home, and he said he’d call his mom. How about her? She said she had her car. He said, no. He meant, was she going to be okay? If Cullum was that dangerous, maybe she should stay away from him too. She said she’d dealt with a lot of men like Cullum. She could handle herself. He didn’t need to worry. He said, but he did, and she said she appreciated that. Have a good night. Rocco left, and Britt made a call. She said she needed the launch waiting. She was going to Windymere… Yes, tonight. She had work to do.

Portia said the cabin sounded so good, but what about Isaiah’s private patient? Was there any chance he’d have to make a house call again? Isaiah said his patient was well on the mend.

Jordan said at least that hadn’t changed. The one place she felt safe was in Curtis’s arms. His phone rang, and Curtis said he was going to ignore it, but Jordan said, it’s fine. Curtis asked Dante what was going on, and Dante said they had a possible lead on the vehicle that fled the scene. A sample of the paint matched a black, German made car. Curtis said he thought Isaiah Gannon drove a black SUV.

Thursday:

Emma and Gio arrived at his friend’s place, but their flight was delayed and Gio was disappointed not to make it the perfect day. Emma said it still was because they were together and they still had time. He said he’d give her a day she’d never forget, and they kissed.

Michael and Jacinda got a room at the MetroCourt and got busy.

Kristina and Sonny met at the MetroCourt Gardens, and Kristina asked what happened with Ethan after she left.

Ric stopped by Alexis’s office and asked what she knew about Ethan.

Tracy was supposed to meet Lulu at the MetroCourt, but Ethan showed up instead. He asked for a hug, but she said, not with all these valuables on, and they laughed.

Nina was miffed that Willow left her alone with Drew. He was unsettling. He kept blinking and she said she knew what he was trying to tell her. She knew everything. Willow shot him and put him in that chair. She wasn’t going to save him. Nobody was.

Willow told Kai that he was invaluable in the office and with Wiley and Scout. The kids adored him. It was nice having them with her. Jack knocked at her office door.

Tracy said she hadn’t received any ransom requests lately, and Ethan said she was always reimbursed. She asked what he was doing for money, and he said, this and that. Right now, he was doing a little work for Sonny.

Sonny said he’d had Ric interview Ethan, and Kristina asked if Sonny hired him. He said, on a trial basis, and she said he needed someone loyal around him with Jason gone. He said he had Ric. He knew she didn’t like him, but he was Molly’s father and his brother. She said he couldn’t trust Ric after what he’d done to her and her mom.

Ric told Alexis that Ethan was looking for a job with Sonny and Kristina had advocated for it. Alexis said they had a history, and Ric said Sonny wanted him to vet Ethan and Alexis was never short on opinions. She said she liked Ethan and he was more trustworthy than Ric.

Emma wanted the full Gio experience of the city.

Nina said Drew did this to himself. She wished they could let him go, but he’d use what Willow had done to his advantage. They all knew him. Making Willow pay would be his first move. They had to wait until he couldn’t retaliate against them. Then they’d let him go. No one would be more thrilled than her to have him out of their lives forever, aside from Willow. Elizabeth came to check on Drew.

Willow asked Kai to help look after Drew since his caregiver had the day off and Nina needed to get to a meeting. He said he would and left. Jack wondered why he was there, and Willow said they were in a position to help one another – or they could cause each other irreparable harm.

Michael said Jacinda was incredible. She’d been through a lot with him and was still there. She asked where else she would be, and they kissed. She said she should probably get dressed and go to work.

Outside the theatre, Gio and Emma had problems taking a selfie that included the marquee, and a passerby took it for them. (Geez, I don’t know if I’d hand a stranger my phone in the city.)

Alexis told Ric about Kristina being in an abusive relationship with Kiefer Bower and how he’d beat her up. Ethan found her and brought her to the hospital, but she was worried about Kiefer retaliating and said Ethan had done it. He was arrested, then the truth came out, but Ethan didn’t hate Kristina. He was like Luke, fiercely loyal and the kind of guy you’d want on your side. Later, Kiefer’s father went on a shooting spree and shot Ethan, who almost died. After all of this, he still forgave Kristina. He was the kind of guy who could be counted on.

Sonny asked what Ric had done to Kristina and Alexis, and Kristina said it was stuff from the past. She saw the pain and stress Ric caused Alexis during their divorce, plus he’d been Ava’s lawyer in the trial against her and got Ava off. She’d never forgive him. Sonny said he understood, but it was just Ric being a good lawyer. He knew she wanted him to hire Ethan, but being Luke’s son was what got him in the door and he’d have to prove he was reliable. He had to earn it.

Tracy said Ethan was his father’s son. Luke was one of a kind and lived every moment to the fullest. Ethan said they should too.

Sidwell and Ava walked in and Ava wondered who Ethan was. Sidwell said he believed he recognized him.

Elizabeth said she’d brought over some medical supplies and was more than happy to give Nina a break, and Nina said she had a call she needed to be on. She’d be in the other room. She left, and Elizabeth said she heard Scout had an amazing swim meet. Drew must be proud of both her and Willow. He blinked like crazy, and she asked if he was trying to tell her something.

Willow said she knew Jack had the traffic cam footage and was blackmailing Nina to do his bidding or he’d release it, but Nina told her that she’d disarmed him. Jack said Nina gave him a compelling reason not to let it go, but Willow said she didn’t share Nina’s confidence that he would just forget about it. Even if the footage was released, she couldn’t be tried again. He said that was true, but she’d lose her seat in congress and her children. She said he should care about her losing the office. Having her in the seat served his interests.

Doorman Jerry greeted Gio and Gio introduced Jerry to Emma. He said Michael JS was waiting for them, and Gio said, welcome to a whole new world, as they went inside.

Sidwell told Ava that Ethan was the son of his former associate, Holly Sutton, and Luke Spencer. Holly had swindled him. Ava said it sounded like there was unfinished business, and he said when someone crossed him, there was no going back. They became his enemy to the grave and beyond. She said she had no intention of crossing him. Like him, loyalty meant everything to her. He suggested they send over a drink, and she agreed.

Ric told Alexis that Ethan was also Holly’s son and she was an infamous conwoman. She’d trained Ethan and ran cons with him. Alexis said Ethan’s talents could be used to Sonny’s advantage, but he said Ethan was a wild card. What if he was there on behalf of one of Sonny’s enemies?

Jacinda told Michael that she’d been thinking about Jack’s offer. If she came through for Jack, he’d come through for her. Michael didn’t think it was a good idea, but she said she could make up for what she’d said on the stand that made him look guilty. He said all that mattered was having her by his side. The best revenge against Willow was living his life and living it well. With her and his kids, he was doing it.

Elizabeth didn’t know what Drew meant with his blinks and asked if he was trying to tell her something specific. He blinked once, and she wondered what it could be. He blinked an SOS, and she wondered if he was asking for help. He blinked once, and she asked, what kind of help? What was wrong?

Willow told Jack that she sat on the International Law Enforcement Appropriations Committee, which oversaw funding for the WSB. She could expedite or expand it, or make sure they received nothing. She’d tell his superiors it was because of him and his harassment. He could be relocated away from Carly or they could kick him to the curb. Or she could sing his praises. He asked if all he had to do was make sure the footage never saw the light of day, and she said, that, and one more thing. She needed evidence against Drew.

Gio showed Emma the backstage area. He said the theatre was the oldest working theatre in NYC and a landmark. She was dazzled, and he said it was also supposed to be haunted.

Alexis told Ric that she found the simplest explanation was usually the one that made the most sense. Sonny and Luke had been partners and friends, and that’s why Ethan was there. Ric didn’t buy it. He thought Ethan was running an angle. Alexis said she didn’t think it was about Ethan or Sonny. It was about Ric.

Michael and Jacinda ran into Kristina and Sonny in the restaurant, and Kristina said she’d been talking to Sonny about her old friend Ethan. He was back in town and was going to be working for Sonny.

The waitress served the drinks, and Sidwell waved at Tracy and Ethan. Tracy said Sidwell was a pestilence, and Ethan said he knew who Sidwell was. He’d nearly killed Ethan’s mother, Sasha, and Lucky. He was going over to talk to him. Tracy offered to help.

Gio and Emma walked around among the costumes and sets. Gio looked around for Michael JS, who suddenly appeared, twirling up through an opening in the floor. They hugged, and Gio introduced him to Emma. Michael JS told them, come this way.

Elizabeth told Drew that there were other tools he could use besides blinking. She thought he was ready for them. She’d talk to Willow. Nina came back and asked what she needed to talk to Willow about.

Jack asked what kind of evidence Willow was looking for, but she said she wasn’t picky. Whatever he could find. If she knew Drew, he was probably mixed up in all sorts of illegal things. She needed everything he could find. At the very least, she needed to know if he had any connection to Judge Haran’s death. He said, it wasn’t enough that she shot him?

Michael JS gave Gio and Emma some sparkle, when he was given a 15 minute call, and had to go get his genie makeup on.  

Kristina asked Jacinda to sing at the next open mic night, and Jacinda said maybe she would. It was a lot of fun.

Sitting with Sonny, Michael said Kristina was convinced Ethan could fill in for Jason, but something told him Sonny wasn’t. Sonny said he needed someone he could trust until Jason came back. Ethan’s track record was erratic and he’d have to prove himself reliable.

Ethan returned the drinks to Sidwell and said he couldn’t accept them from someone who’d repeatedly tried to harm his family. Sidwell said it was water under the bridge. Besides, Holly and Sasha were in France. Ethan said peace was better than the alternative, and Ava said there was no need for threats. Tracy said she saw that Sidwell was Ava’s latest mark, but Sidwell said their arrangement was mutually beneficial. Tracy said the conversation was making her miss Lucy Coe – words she never thought she’d say. She and Ethan went back to their lunch.

Emma was impressed by Michael JS, and Gio said, he’s like a supernova in human form. He’d never seen the whole show before because he was in the orchestra pit. Emma asked if they could go there before the show. She wanted to see what it was like to be a Broadway musician. He said, your wish is my command, princess.   

Willow said she saw no point in rehashing the past and called Jack Chief Brennan. She said, but it might be Director Brennan depending on how he played this.

Elizabeth told Nina about Drew blinking an SOS, and Nina said he’d never done that. Maybe it was a reflexive movement. Kai arrived and said Willow had sent him to relieve Nina, but Nina said she was canceling her meeting. Elizabeth told Kai that Drew was trying to tell them something, but they didn’t know what.

Gio showed Emma the orchestra pit and where he used to sit. She said it made her volunteering at the animal shelter look less than, but he said that wasn’t true. She’d made the world a better place for the animals in the shelter for a while. He told her about his family coming and filling up the orchestra section, and she asked if he got nervous, but he said he got this huge rush of adrenaline. Then it was off to the races and didn’t stop for two hours. She asked if he missed it, but he said nothing beat seeing the show with her. It was time for them to get to their seats.

 Ava told Sidwell not to give Ethan another thought. He was grieving a tremendous loss right now. He said she was right. He had too much going on to be distracted by Holly’s spawn.

Tracy told Ethan that she detested Sidwell. On top of everything else, he’d wormed his way into Deception. Ethan suggested buying it back, but she said it was more complicated than that. He offered to get rid of Sidwell, but she said Sidwell was out of his league. He told her not to be so sure. He’d learned a thing or two in his time away. She said she loved his father very much and one of the hardest things she had to do was grieve him. Don’t make her grieve him too. He said he made no promises, and she said his father never did either, and they hugged.

Alexis said Ric had sabotaged every relationship he ever had, because deep down, he didn’t think he was good enough. He would try to control everything, but couldn’t, and he couldn’t control Sonny, so just stop. Let something be enough. Ric said she really did know him.

Jacinda said Kristina seemed excited about Ethan being back, and Michael said Ethan had come through for her and she’d been sad when he left town. Jacinda said maybe things were turning around for the both of them, and he said things were already pretty great. Jacinda agreed and said she’d give Jack what he wanted, then he’d give her what he had on Willow, but Michael said Willow was his problem. It was on him to deal with her.

Sonny asked Kristina about Michael and Jacinda, and she said she and Molly were skeptical at first, but she’d gotten to know Jacinda. She was smart, funny, and really cared about Michael. What you see is what you get, unlike Willow.

Jack said he’d see what he could find on Drew, but wondered why Willow wanted leverage on a man who couldn’t move or speak and probably wouldn’t again. Willow said that was her business.

Elizabeth told Nina that Drew trying to communicate with them was a good thing. She thought it was time to explore alternative methods of communication. Kai said, like what? and Elizabeth said there were eye tracking devices and letterboards. Given the right tools, Drew would be communicating with them sooner than they thought. Nina said Willow would be so excited to hear about that, and Kai looked at Drew.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Emma tells Michael JS, it was amazing. The singing and the choreography and the special effects… and he was amazing. Michael JS says, stop. He’s glad they enjoyed it. Emma says she loved it. She loved every single thing about it. And before she forgets, she also loved the wardrobe and the sets and… Oh my God. He tells her that they have the best designers and crew in the business. The last set is up for a few more minutes if she wants to take a closer look. Emma says, could she? and he says, of course (🍷). Don’t touch anything or they’ll put you in Broadway jail. She says, noted. She’ll be right back. She leaves, and Michael JS says, she’s a keeper. Gio says he knows. He got lucky. Michael JS says he’s happy that Port Charles has been so good to Gio. But wait, how’s the music scene there? Gio says, it’s very happening. His friend Trina’s dad owns a club, The Savoy. They bring in really great shows. He knows they’d love to have Michael JS perform there. Michael JS says he’s heard of The Savoy and he loves to perform, and Gio says, obviously. He’ll set up a gig with Trina’s father. He’ll contact Michael JS’s people. Port Charles isn’t going to know what hit it. Michael JS says, come on. That’s good. Gio says, that’s what he’s talking about. They’re going to love him.

At the MetroCourt, Lulu tells Laura that she’s delighted their schedules aligned and they were able to meet for dinner. Laura says her too, but just for the sake of clarity, they are both too young to make the early bird special a regular date, right? Lulu says, today’s meal time is purely a function of timing, and Laura says, thank you so much. She sees Boyle at the bar and says there’s something she has to take care of. She’ll be right back. She goes to the bar and Boyle says, a pleasure as always. Is she here to save him from himself yet again? She says, well, that depends. Does he need saving?

Josslyn goes to Carly’s attic and says she needs to ask Valentin some questions. He says, oh, in that case definitely come by anytime she wants to unannounced, and she says she already does, but it’s sweet to hear him say it out loud. He asks if her mother knows she’s here, and she says, the quid pro quo of her mother risking everything to protect him is, she gets to show up here and get all the information from him that she wants. He says, so she’s a glass half full person, and she says, which is why she’s so sure he’s going to tell her everything she wants to know about Anna Devane and Cesar Faison.

At the bistro, Felicia asks Obrecht, how was her trip? and Obrecht says, it was fine, but she barely had a chance to unpack before Felicia texted and insisted she meet her there immediately. Felicia says she really appreciates Obrecht coming, and Obrecht says, so let’s get to it. She has a small window before jetlag takes her. What’s the trouble? Is it James? Felicia says, oh no, no. James is great. He’s taken up karate and he’s mildly obsessed with it. Obrecht says, God help the sensei. If not James, then… Felicia says, it’s Anna, and Obrecht says she’s assuming Anna’s progress has been minimal. Felicia says she heard from Robin and not only is Anna not making progress, she’s getting worse.

Britt sips a glass of wine in her room, when there’s a knock at the door. She opens it and says, finally. What took him so long? Nathan says, you know. His job, working on a case, her texting him every hour on the hour. She says, it’s important, and he says he’s sure it is. With her it usually is. She realizes he doesn’t answer to her, right? So he doesn’t care if Sidwell hurt her feelings or Pascal didn’t make her tea the way she likes it or she doesn’t feel like working on the prototype. She can’t keep crying to him. She says she knows Rocco shot Cullum.

Boyle says, nothing to see here, he promises, and the bartender asks if he’d like another Shirley Temple. Boyle says, with extra cherries. Please take it easy on the grenadine this time. Thank you. He laughs and tells Laura, surprise. As she can see, he’s still young at heart, so perfectly capable of changing his less than desirable ways. At least some of them. She says she’s really glad to hear that, but remember what they talked about though. He can call her if the pressure becomes too great for him and his Shirley Temple to handle. He says, if he has to, he will. Promise. She says, good. Enjoy his drink.

Laura goes back to the table, and Lulu says, what was that all about? And why is Ezra drinking something that looks like Hello Kitty made it? Laura says, because he’s drinking a Shirley Temple. She knows. It’s just that he had a few too many the other day at the Brown Dog, and almost got himself thrown out as a matter of fact. Lulu says, were there complaints filed? Were the police involved? Laura says she assures Lulu, this is not a story, and Lulu says, no? A city councilman is publicly intoxicated. Sounds like a story to her, a potentially important one. Laura says, or perhaps it’s just a man who made one bad choice after another. No one was hurt, except of course (🍷) for him, and she thinks that maybe the hangover was punishment enough. Lulu says she doesn’t get it. That man has been nothing but a huge thorn in Laura’s side. Why is she suddenly protecting him?

Felicia says, the doctors at the clinic were confident that rest and distance from her regular life would free Anna of her delusions. But unfortunately, that course of treatment seems to be having the opposite effect. Obrecht says, meaning she’s still convinced Cesar is alive and holding her captive? and Felicia says, yes. Her paranoia has gotten worse. She now thinks that her doctors are working for Faison and doing his bidding. She keeps trying to escape and she’s almost succeeded more than once. Obrecht says, they’d be well-advised to double the guard. Anna will try again, and given her training and experience, someone may end up getting hurt. Felicia says that’s why she wanted Obrecht to come meet her here. She was hoping Obrecht could help her prevent that from happening. Obrecht says she’s sorry for Anna’s troubles, but what can she possibly do? She’s already told Felicia everything she knows about Cesar. Felicia says, one of Anna’s delusions is that Obrecht is part of Faison’s scheme. She believes he brought Obrecht in to give her a phlebotomy treatment and she’s still loyal to him. So she was hoping that she and Obrecht could go to France and Obrecht could explain to Anna, face to face, that she’s not Faison’s co-conspirator and that it’s all in her mind. Obrecht says, that she cannot do.

Valentin says, any word on Anna? and Josslyn says, as far as she knows, Anna is still in the hospital in France. No change in her condition, and there’s still charges pending from her assault on that officer. He asks what she wants to know about Anna and Faison, and she shows him the book. He says, a little light reading, and she says, just something she picked up after discovering Cullum carrying it around the night of the storm at Windymere. And inside it there was an inscription that said, for my muse, C. He was also carrying around a box of cigarillos. Valentin says, cigarillos. Faison used to smoke those. She says, so any idea why Cullum would be carrying around two items so closely associated with Faison?

Nathan asks what Britt is talking about. Rocco didn’t shoot Cullum. Jason shot Cullum. She’s the one who told Dante that. She says, as good as he is at lying, it’s too late. Rocco told her everything. He says, that was a mistake. He wasn’t supposed to tell anybody. She says, he needed to tell someone. He’s drowning in guilt. Nathan says, well, if he doesn’t keep his mouth shut, then feeling guilty is going to be the least of his problems, and she says, he’s a kid and he shot someone. Yes, he did it to save Jason’s life and probably hers, but now Jason is paying the price and it’s a lot for him to handle. Nathan says, stop it. She’s not his therapist. Let him worry about Rocco. She asks what that means, and he says he’ll protect Rocco. He’s already doing everything he can to make sure nobody finds out what happened on the pier. She says, yeah, for now. But what happens when he needs to score points with Cullum? How does she know he isn’t going to just hand Rocco over on a silver platter? He says, she really thinks that’s something he would do to a 15-year-old, to Lulu’s 15-year-old? She says, well, it’s exactly what their father would do.

Emma walks out onto the stage and marvels at the set. She starts to dance, and Gio applauds. He joins her and asks if she has a secret career as a Broadway dancer, and she says, yeah. Only in her dreams. This trip, it’s been a dream. Only, he made it real. He says, she knows he’d do anything for her, and they sit down. She says, he knows she’s been so worried about her grandma that she really hasn’t had time for anything else, and he took her mind off that for a while. She doesn’t know how she’s ever going to thank him for such a magical night. He says he’ll think of something, and they kiss.

Gio says, there’s like a million people waiting out there for Michael JS, and Emma thanks him again for the tickets and the backstage tour. Michael JS says he loved meeting her, and Gio says he’s going to get Curtis to book Michael JS at The Savoy. Emma says, no way. That’s so fun. They’ll see him in Port Charles then. Michael JS says he can’t wait.

Felicia says she knows Obrecht and Anna have a complicated history, but Anna deserves every chance to come out of this with her sanity intact. Obrecht says, she misunderstands. It’s not that she doesn’t want to help Anna. It’s that she’s not capable of it. If she goes to France with Felicia, her presence would only reenforce Anna’s delusions and cause her harm. Felicia says, Obrecht would be with her, but Obrecht says, Anna would believe Felicia had been co-opted by Cesar’s network. Felicia says, what? and Obrecht says, Felicia told her that Anna claims she’s working with her captors and gave her medical attention. In her mind, the only reason she’d do that is because she’s still married to Cesar. Felicia says, but she could find a way to prove to Anna that she’s not, couldn’t she? and Obrecht says, from what Felicia described, Anna believes she’s still working for a man who so disgusted her, who she refuted years ago. How can she convince Anna of anything when Anna won’t believe a word she says? Felicia says, isn’t it at least worth a try? and Obrecht says she realizes she’s the latest straw Felicia is grasping in an attempt to save her friend, and she commends Felicia for her effort. But if she was thinking more rationally, she’d realize that Anna would interpret a visit from her as another one of Cesar’s manipulative tactics. She’s sorry, but she cannot save Anna.

Josslyn asks why Cullum would be carrying a copy of this book with a pack of cigarillos, and Valentin says, Cullum is the WSB Faison expert. Maybe he’s using them as an opportunity to get back in the man’s head. She says, okay, but what’s the end game? and he says, it’s no secret that Anna was haunted by Faison’s obsession with her. Cullum would have known that she was emotionally vulnerable when it came to him. She says, okay. So what? He thinks Cullum was using these items as props to help set Anna up? He says, yes, but the timeline does not work because Cullum was in town when Anna was picked up in France. There is a connection, but he’s not seeing it. What the hell is it? He throws the book and it hits a lamp, then falls to the floor.

Britt says, their father wouldn’t see Rocco as a person. He’d see him as leverage. He wouldn’t hesitate to use Rocco if it helped him achieve his desired outcome. Nathan says he’s not their father. Everything he’s done since he showed up on that pier has been to shield Rocco. He’s the one that took Rocco out of the crime scene and brought him back to Lulu. He’s the one who made sure both of them knew, in no uncertain terms, that no one was to know that Rocco picked up the gun and pulled the trigger. She asks if that isn’t exactly what he’d do if he wanted to use Rocco for leverage himself. Get Rocco to trust him. Act like he’s helping Rocco keep a secret. Until the time comes when he can use that information to his own advantage. He says, look, he gets that he doesn’t hold a candle to Saint Nathan, all right? But does she really believe he wants Cullum to know Rocco shot him? Because then Cullum knows Rocco knows that he’s a double agent and he will kill Rocco just like he killed Marco. He doesn’t need her gratitude for what happened on the pier or for saving her life, but she needs to get something in her head. He will protect Rocco. Nothing bad will happen to him. That is a promise.

Josslyn tells Valentin, please. What if someone was downstairs and heard him? He says, if Cullum has driven Anna insane by playing on her worst fear, he will not stop until he’s destroyed him. He will put Cullum in a padded room, screaming to an audience of no one. She says, hey… hey. Can they press pause on his revenge plan really quick? Because it doesn’t matter why he wants to bring Cullum down. All she cares about is that he gets it done. And in order for him to do that, he needs to get a grip, okay? So can they start by remembering nobody can know he’s here? He asks what else she wants from him, and she says she wants information, and not just on Cullum. On everybody he’s working with. He says, so Sidwell too, and Marco before he was killed? and she says, what about Nathan West? Is there any possibility he’s involved in this?

Britt tells Nathan, okay. Let’s say I believe you’re going to protect Rocco. My next question is, how are we going to make sure he stays safe? He says, we aren’t going to do anything. I will handle this. She says, he’s not keeping her out of this, but he says, she’s going to keep herself out of this. Because the best thing she can do for the kid is make sure Sidwell and Cullum are happy. She says she’s already doing that. She’s working every chance she gets. She just spent the whole night in the lab at Windymere. And as far as Rocco goes, he’s going to need her help. He asks what he’s going to need her for, and she says, because she found Rocco in Cullum’s hospital room. He says, what? What was he doing in Cullum’s hospital room? She says, his community service. He didn’t realize it was Cullum’s room when he was sent in there. By the time she went in, they were already talking. He says, about what? and she says, nothing. She got Rocco out before Cullum could suspect anything. But if she hadn’t shown up, who knows what would have come up? He says, so she finds Rocco in Cullum’s hospital room and just yanks him out of there. Doesn’t she think Cullum is going to find that the least bit strange? She says she’s not going to leave Rocco fend for himself, and he says, Rocco knows he’s not supposed to tell anybody what he did. She says, so why did he tell her? and Nathan says he doesn’t know. She says, well, she does. Because Rocco is scared and traumatized and feels guilty. He told her because he needs her help. Nathan says, Rocco doesn’t need her help. He needs his mother and that ain’t her.

Lulu says, maybe a better place to start is, how did Laura even know about Ezra’s bender at the Brown Dog? and Laura says, Dante. He stopped by her office to let her know Boyle was at the Brown Dog on his way to making a spectacle of himself. Lulu says, Dante did? Why? Laura says, because Dante knows how many times Ezra has exploited her. He thought maybe she would want to use Ezra’s bad night out to her own advantage somehow. Lulu says, but instead of giving as good as she got, Laura went to the Brown Dog to help the city’s most obnoxious councilman, and Laura says, okay. Well, she’s not the type of politician to tear down her political opponents. Besides, this time, much to her surprise, she found herself feeling kind of badly for him. (I thank the writers for using the adverb badly correctly, instead of using the grammatically incorrect bad.) Lulu says, that has got to stop. Laura’s compassion has been a constant her entire life, and she’s been its beneficiary in a million different ways, but Ezra Boyle is a public servant and she could argue that the people of Port Charles deserve to know that a member of their town council is going off the rails. Laura says she knows Lulu can, and Lulu says, Laura doesn’t even have to get involved. She could follow up with the bartender and get the story out that way. Laura says she knows Lulu can, but really hopes she won’t, when Boyle approaches the table. He says, pardon the interruption, but if they’d allow him, he would love to pick up their tab as a small token of his thanks. Lulu says, as thanks for what, councilman? and he says, her mother did him a kindness. Lulu says, that’s one way of putting it, she guesses. Keeping him off the hook for public intoxication is another. She was thinking about writing the story herself, to highlight her mother’s good deed of course (🍷), but her mother convinced her that there wasn’t a story there. So she’s going to let it go. Just another reason he should be grateful to Laura. He says he sees, and sits down. He tells Laura that he does his best to lead by example, but when will she learn? She has him right where she wants him. She has the advantage. Why is she not using it? She tells him, who says she’s not?

Gio and Emma come out to the lobby with Michael JS, and he says, so his publicist, also Michael (!), got them reservations at his favorite after theatre spot. Other Michael will meet them in the front and he’ll see them at The Savoy. Gio thanks him again and says he’s the best. They forearm bump, and Emma says, seriously. This is a special night she’s never going to forget. Michael JS says, she’d better not, and leaves. Gio holds out his hand and says, dinner awaits, and they kiss.

Boyle says, so Laura does have something up her sleeve. Care to share? She says, just following his example. And he’s the one who told her that politics is all about trading favors. He says he’s surprised she’d be willing to take a page from the old Ezra Boyle playbook, and she says she’s happy to learn from anyone. Lulu says, even him, and he asks how he’ll be repaying Laura for this favor. Laura says, he’s going to give her 100% of his support when she announces her next initiative – universal pre-K for Port Charles – and he says, and if he doesn’t support her? Lulu says she may suddenly feel the urge to do a deep dive into his patronage at the Brown Dog Bar and his habit of spending time with escorts, but he says, no need. Just tell him when and where and he’ll be there, nodding and smiling. He can even match his tie to whatever outfit she plans on wearing that day. Laura says, no, don’t do that, and Lulu says, ever. He says, it’s not really a favor because her initiatives are always so sensible and popular with the voters. He supports her and he comes out smelling like a rose. Win-win. He tells them to have a fun evening and leaves, and Lulu says, well played, mom. Laura says, right back at you, daughter, and they high-five.

Valentin says, Nathan’s an Eagle Scout who has all his badges, and Josslyn says, Nathan’s an Eagle Scout who’s been missing for seven years. And then all of a sudden he turns up out of the blue unable to remember anything that happened to him, yet somehow manages to pick up his life right where he left off. He asks if she thinks Cullum made that happen, and she says, it’s not an impossible leap, right? Look at Britt. They know what happened to her and that Faison’s people were behind it. Why shouldn’t Faison be behind Nathan’s disappearance? He says, more likely than not, and she says, so he agrees Nathan’s hiding something. He says, not necessarily. It could be that he has no memory of what happened to him. There are ways to manipulate the human mind, and he would imagine Faison’s disciples know some, if not all of them. She says, so either an innocent man has been returned to live his life, which would make Nathan the one exception to the all-Faisons-are-criminals rule… He says, or Nathan is just as dangerous as the rest of them, and she should leave him alone.

Obrecht tells Felicia, it’s tragic what’s happened to Anna. Such a strong, vital woman incapacitated because of a delusion. But she understands how it could have taken hold. If anyone could return from the dead, it would be Cesar. Felicia asks if she knows something, and Obrecht says she knows her children have come back to her, and it gives her pause that Anna, the object of Cesar’s obsession, is the one insisting she has seen him. Felicia asks if there’s any chance Anna’s assertions are grounded in fact and that he’s somehow alive, and Obrecht says she could see how Felicia would want that to be true, because it would mean that her friend is sane. However, for the sake of her children, she’s praying Anna is wrong and that Cesar is long dead.

Nathan says, Cullum knows Britt cares about Rocco, which means he can use that against her. So maybe she could try not making things worse for the kid. Britt says, Rocco opened up to her. It’s obvious he needs someone to talk to, someone he can trust, and she promised him that she’d fix this. He says, Rocco doesn’t need her to do that. He has Lulu. Rocco has him. Together, they’ll get him through this. Britt says, oh my God. How dense is he? There is no him and Lulu. There can’t be.

Back at the apartment, Gio and Emma flop on the couch, and Gio says he may have eaten too much. Emma says she definitely did and she blames Michael James Scott, and he says, why? She says, he’s the one who made that reservation, and he says, but everything on the menu was incredible. It’s not like they could stop eating. They’re not robots. She says, merely humans, and he says, as soon as he gets up the energy, he’s going to call Michael JS and he’s going to thank him. That was incredible. He sits up and opens a paper bag, and she says she thought he said he was stuffed. He says, it’s their dessert, and she says she wasn’t judging him. He says, good, and she says, so is he going to share? He says, for sure, and hands her a covered cup and a spoon. He says, if they’re not planning to annihilate themselves at every meal, maybe the next time they’re in the city, they should eat at the bus station, and she says, first of all, blech. Second of all, there’s going to be a next time? He says, yeah. He hopes so. He doesn’t know if he can top this adventure, but… She says, he doesn’t have to top anything. He’s the adventure. He says he doesn’t know about that, but she says she does. When she’s with him, she sees the world with new eyes. Well, new ears, but… He asks what she means, and she says, he sees the world through new ears. Music and sound. That’s a part of his soul. Walking down the street, when he hears the garbage trucks and the subway, she can see him taking that in. Trust her. It’s not the way that she does. He says, well, yeah. The subway, it’s like a tiny orchestra. She says, right, and he says, it really is. The subway rumble, it’s like the bass, and the subway horn, it’s like a French horn, obviously. She says, naturally, and he says, and the subway breaks, it’s like a piccolo, or maybe like a clarinet. She says, what about the people? and he says, yeah, the throng. It’s like muted violin strings and maybe a bassoon. It’s a cymbal roll for sure. She says, like at Bobbie’s, and he says, oh man. It’s like the whole percussion section, including the triangle. Ding-ding. She says, and him opening the dessert bag, and he says, angels singing from up above. She puts her arms around him and says, it doesn’t matter where they go or what they do, he is her whole world. They kiss.

Laura asks, how is Rocco’s hand? and Lulu says, it’s healing. Not as fast as he or anyone would like, but it’s getting there. Laura says she guesses you can’t really call yourself a cook unless you’ve got a scar or two to show for your time spent in the kitchen, right? and Lulu says, Rocco’s more of a microwaver and occasional vegetable slicer. Retired now. Laura says, oh, he’ll be back, and Lulu says she hopes so. Laura asks why she thinks he won’t be, and Lulu says, it’s not just his hand. Rocco’s been distant lately. She knows he’s upset about Danny’s situation and what happened to Jason. Laura says, he’s not the only one. And Rocco feels things so deeply, especially about people who he really cares about, like Danny. Lulu says, and it’s a really wonderful quality, but in this case, it’s just taking it’s toll, and Laura says, it’s an awful situation. At least both boys can lean on family. Lulu says she’s trying to be patient and just give him some time. And she’s trying her best not to hover. Laura says, trying, and Lulu says, it turns out that hovering is her default setting. Laura says, one of the hardest things to do as a mother is to know when to take a step back, and then to actually do it, and Lulu says she knows. And she doesn’t think she could do it at all if it weren’t for Nathan.

Britt tells Nathan that he knows it isn’t right. Lulu thinks she’s sleeping with courageous, honest, loyal Nathan West, and not… He says he knows, he knows. Not treacherous, lying Cassius. She says, well, yeah. Most of the time, she’s not in a position to judge… He says, it’s a first, he’s sure, and she says, but she’s not in a relationship pretending to be someone else. He needs to put distance between him and Lulu. He says, what about James? Is he supposed to distance himself from James because he’s not his real dad? She says, in a perfect world, yes, but it’s too late with James. He’s already in his life as James’s father. He made that little boy love him. If he were to pull away from him now, it would break his heart. But Lulu is an adult… most of the time. He can still back away. Say he decided he couldn’t betray Maxie or mess up his friendship with Dante, who is also his boss. Take his pick. Lulu will survive. But he needs to do it now before she really falls for him. Do it for Rocco’s sake.

Josslyn says, Valentin’s concern is touching, but she doesn’t answer to him, and he asks if she’s answering to anyone right now. She takes the book from him, and he says he recognizes her professional competence. He’s not arguing with her right now as a colleague. He’s arguing as a friend of her mother’s. He’s seen it firsthand. She’s agonizing over Josslyn every minute of every day. She says, doesn’t every parent feel that way? and he says he supposes that’s true, but this is an extreme circumstance. She’s in a lot of trouble. He doesn’t think she should go looking for more. Her phone rings, and she answers. She says, that’s right… Great. Thank you. She tells Valentin that she’s got to go, and he says, please tell him that she heard him. She says she heard him, but that doesn’t mean she’s going to listen, and she leaves.

Josslyn sees Obrecht about to leave the restaurant and calls out, wait. She’s so happy to see her. Does she have a minute to chat? Obrecht says she’s afraid she was just leaving. She recently returned to Port Charles after a very long journey, and she’s ready to go home. Josslyn says, this will only take a minute, and Obrecht says, perhaps they can catch up some other time. Josslyn says, the last time they spoke, she thought it was possible that someone was impersonating her ex-husband. Does she still believe that? Obrecht wonders why she asks, and Josslyn says, because she thinks Obrecht is right. Does she think that someone could be her son?

Talking on the phone in French, Valentin says he’s Dr. Kevin Collins… He’s doing well, thank you… He needs some information concerning a patient, please. Anna Devane.

Laura says, sounds like things are going well with Lulu and Nathan, and Lulu says, they are. As tough as things have been with Rocco, Nathan’s been a consistent bright spot. Laura says, good. So she feels supported by him. Lulu says, completely, and Laura says, good. Lulu says, it’s really easy to lean on him, and Laura says, well, that’s a relief, because she had misgivings about Lulu getting involved with him initially. Lulu says she did. She thinks part of the reason she was able to get over them is because she knows exactly who Nathan is and he’s always honest with her. She thinks he might be the best thing that’s happened to her in a really long time. Laura says, oh, sweetheart.

Britt tells Nathan that when Lulu finds out who he really is, it’s going to break her. Maybe she will put herself back together again. Maybe not. But either way, Rocco is going to suffer. He says he hears her, but that’s not going to happen because he’s in love with Lulu, and she says, that was fast. He says, yeah, and he’s going to keep being Nathan for as long as it takes to hold onto her. She says, and then what? What’s his long term plan?… That’s what she thought. One way or another, the truth will come out. It always does. So if he really loves Lulu, he needs to end it now.

Gio and Emma start to get busy, but he stops and says, probably not the best idea. She says, yeah. His friend is already doing them a big favor y letting them stay there. He says, yeah. They should probably leave this couch alone. She says, yeah. And you know what they say, friends don’t canoodle on other friend’s couches. Gio did buy him some really nice olive oil though. Gio says, yeah. It’s the least he could do for him letting them stay there. She says, and he bought Olivia some because… He says, because he loves her and he wants to make her happy. Cooking makes her happy and he thought she could use it when she cooks. Emma says, and maybe if she cooks something with it, she might let him try it? and he says he was planning on cutting Emma in on whatever Olivia made. She says, well then it’s the perfect gift. Tell her the truth. No regrets about not seeing his family on this trip? He says, no. They’ll see them next time and that will be an adventure. She says she’ll start preparing now. And it was great meeting Michael JS. Gio says, Michael JS is a great friend and he missed him a lot, and she says, and Gio didn’t really miss out on glamor and excitement of the theatre when he saw him? He says he’s got all the excitement he can handle right here, and he stares at her. She says, what is it? and he says she has glitter on her from hugging Michael JS earlier. She says she does? and he moves closer. He says, no. His bad. He thought she did, but it’s just her. She just sparkles.

On Monday, Sonny asks if Ethan would eliminate Sidwell for the right price; Sidwell says, James learned that lethal move from his father; and Valentin tells Carly that he thinks Cullum played a direct role in Anna’s breakdown

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Too bad there aren’t more photos. It was pretty impressive.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-behind-the-scenes-of-gio-and-emmas-really-special-trip-to-nyc/

Everybody’s got an opinion on their storyline.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-dominic-zamprogna-on-dante-lulu-and-the-looming-fake-nathan-reveal/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-finn-carr-breaks-down-roccos-shocking-confession-to-britt/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-exclusive-cynthia-watros-on-how-far-nina-will-go-to-protect-willow/

Glad she’s on the coming back side.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-goings-kathleen-gati-returns-as-liesl-obrecht-excl/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Down Under

Before leaving, primary Tyler offered $1000 to whoever would jump in the water naked, and Mike was there for it. The guests left a $22K tip ($1600 each, plus the grand Mike put in the kitty). They also left Captain Jason a gift of fake boobs, which he immediately tried on, then took a photo of himself wearing them along with the disco helmet. I couldn’t find this online, but no doubt it will haunt him at an inopportune moment. At the tip meeting, Ellie ended up with the helmet for putting soap in the guests’ eggs, and in her interview, she agreed that no one was more deserving. Mike told Ellie that João wanted nothing to do with her, which wasn’t what he said, although what he said wasn’t what Ellie originally thought he’d said either. The crew had a day off where they got to relax at a villa and take a trip on a catamaran, courtesy of the yacht owner. Daisy was done with the animosity between Alysia and Mike, and there was a big to-do on the beach, along with João once again trying to explain himself to Ellie. The birthday cake was back on! Eddy asked Jenna on a date, and she gave it a go, but she was more into Ben. I wondered since when did Ben give out romance advice until I realized he was into Jenna and he was steering her away from Eddy. (Anyone remember Ben and Emily from the original Below Deck? Yeah, a disaster then, and a disaster in the making now.) Best quote: Alcohol is not your friend, especially vodkaBetul Yazici.

Summer House

A medium paid a visit to the house and hoping to hear from their mom, Mia invited her brother over. The medium told Mia that her mother and grandmother were there and was spot-on with their messages. West apologized to Ciara and it was painful to watch. In West’s interview, he said his main objective was to not step on Ciara’s feelings. WTF? over and over. Ciara blamed the cameras and fans, thinking things would be simpler for her and West without them, and West said the noise was the problem. Now that we know they hooked up, there were lots of clues pointing to West and Amanda’s budding romance. It also made West look even worse for leading Ciara on. Even after Kyle and Amanda agreed to go to couples’ counseling, Amanda skipped out on a weekend, and in her interview, she said she couldn’t power through anymore. She needed alone time.

The Valley

Danny purchased a – wait for it – Mr. Milker male breastfeeding device. He strapped it on, put a headshot of Nia over his face, and fed the baby. I thought the baby was weirded out, as we all would be and were. Schwartz and the other singles made a plan to go out, while the not single guys had a guys’ night. Not getting the memo that summer should be fun, Danny and Jason got into it. Luke whined about his needs, while Kristen felt like a weird new Kristen in somebody else’s body. Jasmine said Brittany’s new man had several baby mamas, but the Kentucky Muffin insisted he was a good guy. Even though he claimed to have no game, Schwartz got the attention of both Michelle’s friend Natalie and random nail salon girl Summer, who he’d invited to the bar when getting a mani/pedi with Jesse, much to Lala’s dismay. But sorry ladies, he’s now taken by his crush Kiana. Can you imagine if he did have game? Kristen and Luke had a date night where Luke grumbled that it wasn’t allowed to be difficult for him. Wah-wah-wah.  

Southern Hospitality

Michols was moving forward in his modeling career, and Maddi spoke to Joe again about his issues with alcohol. Joe said in his position. he was expected to be social and it helped him to be perceived that way. Sober living Maddi said she’d help him through it. For Joe’s 30th birthday, he threw an Emo Night, where everyone dressed like their favorite emo celeb. Julia lambasted Emmy about saying Brad was unsafe, and I guess we’ll be discussing this for as long as the series is aired. Like Pantygate on RHOBH. Brad seemed to think Emmy was being influenced by… someone. Even though Joe had invited Leva in order to impress her, Leva wondered why Joe didn’t put the same effort into Republic. Next week looks like it has possibilities, since Salley and Charley from Southern Charm make an appearance, and Justin shows an interest in Charley.

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills – Reunion Part 1

The outfits were fire and I couldn’t fault anyone. Rachel was my favorite, all black and silver sparkle. Boz asked Erika to DJ her Beverly Hills wedding, and Erika told her, consider it done. Kyle said she was still standing after all these years, so kudos. Andy hoped to end in a positive spot. Good luck with that. Erika’s abusive dating situation was discussed, as well as Tom’s mistreatment of her. On the flipside, she’s happy in her new relationship and her son approves. Dorit was her usual insufferable self. I was never a fan to begin with, but now her voice is like nails on a chalkboard. She speaks like she’s the authority over a room full of six-year-olds, talking down to everyone sternly. And she wants all to know that she knows what she’s doing. It’s hard not to hope PK leaves her high and dry, but there are the kids to consider. Newbie Amanda was given the once-over, but it wasn’t all that interesting. Nothing to see there that we haven’t seen before.

Ladies Of London: The New Reign

After Mark Francis ran away from what he perceived as Margo confronting him when she dared ask for a chat, and Kimi followed him out while hurling insults at Margo, Margo didn’t give up. She tried to get him to talk to her, but he continued to hide behind his pseudo humor. She said he was being weird and creepy, which he later translated into her calling him a freak. More on that in a minute. He ditched her by going into a garden maze and ended up getting stuck, which was highly amusing. Hopefully, he got the humor. Part of the Longleat estate included Cheddar, where they made – no surprise – cheese. Half the group went to see cheesemaking and the other to investigate the caves where the cheese was originally housed in the 1100s since there was no refrigeration. There was also a giraffe preserve, but no indication as to whether or not giraffes like cheese. On the way there, Mark Francis played both the gay card and the friend-of-Emma card, getting more emo than everyone put together at Emo Night, and saying he refused to be called a freak. Let me say first that I’m not discounting his struggles. I’ve been an ally since came out of the womb, but he didn’t need to put words in Margo’s mouth to get the sympathy he claims not to want. In the other car, Missè harangued Margo until Margo had a panic attack. Maybe. On Watch What Happens Live, Mark Francis hinted at it being called an Oscar worthy performance in a subsequent text from Margo. Margo decided to go back to London, which probably wasn’t a bad decision, but even the least couth of us would think it impolite that she left without informing the hostess. Back in London, Myka convinced Margo to text Mark Francis about meeting to bury the hatchet, but from the clip we saw, it didn’t look like there was a good result. Meanwhile, Martha had a video chat with Kimi while Hecate perched on her head like it was normal, which it probably was for her. I love Martha.

Real Housewives Of Rhode Island

Okay, I admit I forgot to watch this. Sunday nights are tough between streaming and 90 Day Fiancé.

Random Reality Items

Aww. I’m glad. They’re cute together.

Apparently, she’s hopeful the series will come back.

Get those Oscar speeches ready, girls.

Wow. This is not how I pictured Big Poppa at all. Not even close.

https://ew.com/rhoa-kim-zolciak-ex-big-poppa-lee-najjar-dead-11956394

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Beef. Netflix. – Some reviews of this 8-part series said it wasn’t as good as the first one, but I think it was just different. Maybe they’d expected more road rage, but this was a beef of a different kind. An uber rich couple manages a country club and are revered for having the perfect marriage, but behind closed doors, it’s a different story. When an uber broke couple witnesses and films a knockdown drag-out fight between them, the beef and the blackmail is on. In a good story, the main characters change/learn something by the end and this fits the mold.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/beef-season-2-review-oscar-isaac-carey-mulligan-netflix-1236565867/

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/beef-season-2-review-netflix-series-1235188904/

Dust Bunny. HBO/MAX. – A little girl named Aurora is convinced a monster lives in the floor under her bed and has killed not only her parents, but her adoptive parents. She finds a man she believes to be a monster killer, and even though he tells her that he’s a killer of monsters who are men, she hires him, but all is not what it seems. He tells her that your brain shows you what you want to see, yet takes on the task, and he and Aurora develop a sort of father/daughter relationship. The special effects are spot-on, the monster somewhat cartoonish, but still menacing, and a good translation of what a child might make up. I thought it was a clever concept, although we’re left to determine what it was really about. Imagination? Childhood fears? Children’s dreams? A cautionary tale about not cleaning under the bed? Who knows? It’s fun, gory, has a sense of humor, is intense in its own way, and the cast is top-notch. Even just Sigourney Weaver as a boss lady with stilettos that shoot bullets makes it worth watching.  

https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/dust-bunny-review-bryan-fuller-mads-mikkelsen-1235150136/

Upgrade. Netflix. – In yet another dreary future, a computer chip named Stem is inserted into quadriplegic Grey’s body and he’s not only functional again, but super functional. Grey is on a mission to find out who caused the accident that crippled him and killed his wife, but Stem has a mind of his own. I couldn’t help but compare him to HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, although he’s a little more helpful in the long run and has a better personality. As Stem and Grey develop their own, albeit odd, relationship, I could see them in a buddy series, something like, Stem & Me. The fight scenes were epic, the acting excellent, the story original, and the ending bittersweet.

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

From. MGM+. Season 4 has begun and my only complaint is them doling out episodes once a week like methadone. I don’t want to give anything away, so let it suffice to say that it did not disappoint. There are new characters, new reveals, and no one is safe, even in the daytime. And don’t forget to check out YouTube’s weekly review/ discussion from Emmanuel E-Man Noisette. He’s the best.

https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/mgm-from-season-4-tv-review-2026

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

I have to admit, I dipped out of Interview with the Vampire. That’s the downside of streaming. When you know you can watch what you want when you want, sometimes you don’t.

https://nerdist.com/article/everything-we-know-about-interview-with-the-vampire-season-3-vampire-lestat/

🐣 Surprises In Fur and Feathers…

🦆 Sometimes our feathered friends need a hand.

https://people.com/ohio-deputy-shows-compassion-helping-ducklings-cross-bridge-11958205

https://people.com/family-of-week-old-ducklings-rescued-from-storm-drain-11956888

🐼 Someone alert Craig (Southern Charm) – pandas are real! I actually saw them when they were at the Bronx Zoo and they were adorable. I highly recommend going if you’re able.

https://people.com/china-to-send-two-new-giant-pandas-to-us-zoo-11958068

🪱 Yikes!

https://people.com/invasive-pest-alert-issued-jumping-worms-11956920

🐕 Okay, this is no surprise, but because, Pilaf!

https://people.com/celebrity-women-and-their-pets-2026-photos-11957357

🐄 Quotes of the Week

If my answers frighten you, Vincent, then you should cease asking scary questions. – Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), Pulp Fiction

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof. – Richard David Bach

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. – Benjamin Franklin

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. – Heraclitus

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. – Albert Einstein

The most effective way to do it, is to do it. – Amelia Earhart

She took his eye out with a screwdriver… She had her reasons. – Donna (Elizabeth Saunders), From

🌾 An Ever-Renewing Cycle…

Until next time, stay safe; stay practicing good sportsmanship when playing games, whether indoors or out; and stay never canoodling on a friend’s couch. Unless it’s with the friend.

Video > April Sun in Cuba (Remastered 2006)

October 17, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Willow Has No Alibi, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, To Watch Later, Delayed Wind, Kiss Goodbye, Cosplay This, Pet Regalia, Unlucky Number Of Quotes & This

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…                                                                        

Monday:

Brook packaged Tracy’s tea set so she wouldn’t blow a gasket if Ronnie made same mistake again and the world came to an end. Chase helped since he wasn’t working, having been told that he couldn’t be objective about one of the suspects.

At the hospital, Drew suggested Willow move in with him when he went home today.

Trina and Kai went into Drew’s house to walk through what happened the night Drew was shot. Kai said it was their last chance to cover their tracks.

Curtis told Portia that he thought they should hold off on the divorce.

Anna told Dante that they had to execute the warrants quickly, when she got a call on the desk phone. She said, send him in, and Nathan came in. He and Dante hugged.

Nina went to Bobbie’s and told Carly that she was pleased Michael was finally being reasonable.

Michael met Sonny at Diane’s office and said Michael was going to need a lawyer.

Kai said Drew wanted him to get the house ready, so if anyone asked, he’d say he’d needed Trina’s help. They began to go through everything they remembered from the night Drew was shot and flashed back to all that.

Curtis told Portia that a divorce was risky because he wasn’t certain they would be cleared. Drew strongly suspected both of them.

Nathan said he’d gotten a clean bill of health, but it was a bit of an adjustment, and Dante said he identified. Nathan thanked Anna for breaking the news to his family that he was still alive, and Anna said Felicia told her that he met his son. Nathan said James was smart, funny, and constantly surprising. James reminded him so much of Maxie.

Willow said she didn’t want to rock the boat with Michael, but Drew said Michael was just trying to keep them apart. She should show him that she was moving on, and moving in was the best way to do that. Willow said she didn’t want Michael to change his mind, but Drew said, then it would be proof he was using the kids to keep them apart. It would make her custody case stronger.

For the 5034th time, Carly brought up Nina not telling Willow that she’d slept with Drew, but Nina said a lot had changed since then. Maybe Michael and Willow could reach a custody compromise. Carly said Willow was seeing the children only under supervision of a health professional, and Nina suggested Michael paid them off, but Carly said he didn’t have to because he wasn’t worried about maintaining full custody. Nina said, from what she read in the papers, Michael wouldn’t be free for long.

Sonny told Michael to hope for the best and prepare for the worst and have a defense in place. The police were already tightening the noose. Before he brought in Alexis and Diane, he had to ask, was it him? Michael said he didn’t shoot Drew, and Sonny said he needed 100% of the truth and Michael’s mom wasn’t there. He asked again.

Dante left and Nathan said it was nice to see Anna back as Commissioner. He was lucky. He’d been gone so long and got his friends and family back… mostly. She said she was sorry about Maxie, and he said he needed his badge back.

Brook told Chase that she could understand how Chase could hurt the case, and he said he was worried that he’d put Willow in Anna’s crosshairs by suggesting Drew had the judge killed. He’d had no proof, and it showed Willow had motive. He’d turned her into a suspect.

Kai and Trina continued to flash back to the night Drew was shot.

Carly said Nina was at the top of the list of people who’d line up to shoot Drew, but Nina said she’d been using Drew. She’d never wanted him. When it was clear she wasn’t going to receive the desired result, she moved on. Carly said Nina was angry that Drew ruined her daughter’s life, and Nina said she’d been on a walk with her daughter at the time and wasn’t a suspect. Unlike Carly’s son whose only alibi was an escort who would do anything for money, including giving her son a phony alibi.

Willow said she wasn’t gambling with her children, and Drew said Michael would be arrested any minute. She said she couldn’t take chances based on headlines, but Drew said Michael had a history of violence and had motive. When he was convicted, she’d get her kids back. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.

Michael told Sonny that he hated Drew and was mad that he and Willow got back together. He’d gone to the Port Charles Grill, and a beautiful woman sat down next to him. They got to talking and he went to her room. Sonny told him to be ready to be arrested. Diane would defend him, but Drew handed him a motive. Michael said Drew handed a motive to half the town, but Sonny said Michael’s alibi wouldn’t stick. He was sure Drew would remember something that would lead the cops straight to Michael. Who was the woman he met? Michael said, Jacinda Bracken, and Sonny asked if she could stand up to questioning. Would she hang out in Port Charles long enough to testify? Michael said he wouldn’t be the one who was charged, and Sonny asked if Michael knew something he didn’t.

Brook said Anna would find the person responsible based on the evidence, and Chase said when Drew got his hooks in Willow, he’d pulled her down. She said he kept acting like he was still responsible for Willow, but he wasn’t, and he said he kept wondering how he’d gotten so lucky with Brook, when things went so wrong for Willow.

Nathan told Anna that he knew he couldn’t pick up where he left off, but had no memory loss when it came to the law. He’d do what it took to be a detective again. She said she wasn’t sure it was going to be that easy, and he said there had to be something she could do. He had a son to support. She said James had Mac, Felicia, and Spinelli, and Lulu and Brook set aside their differences to help. Nathan said, Brook Lynn? And Anna said it was a long story. What was important was his recovery. He said he was recovered. He was glad everyone pitched in, but as great as Spinelli had been, he was James’s father and wanted to take care of him. Anna said she’d look into the feasibility of his return, but thought he had to be realistic and face the possibility he might never be cleared to rejoin the force.

Portia told Curtis that there was no longer proof. No proof, no motive. She didn’t shoot Drew. She had the chance to kill him in the operating room and thought about it, but didn’t do it and never would. He said, to be safe, he thought they should hold off, but she said she didn’t need his protection. Did he need her help? If that was the case, they could wait. He said if she was asking if he shot Drew, he would never have shot him in the back. He’d want Drew to see it coming. He wouldn’t throw his life away for Drew, especially since it would devastate Trina.

Kai said, then they heard the ringtone, and Trina wondered if the shooter was scared off by the call. He said, Scout might have saved her father’s life.

Drew said he was asking Willow to believe in him, in them. He knew they could have a good life together like they’d planned and be a family. She said it was all she wanted. She’d move back in. He said everything had fallen back into place, and kissed her. She said she had to go, and he said he’d see her later at home.

Michael told Sonny that he didn’t know anything. They weren’t railroading him, but following the evidence. It wasn’t him. Sonny said he had to do everything to prove his innocence, but Michael said he was focused on his kids. He needed to protect them. Sonny said if Michael hadn’t gotten hurt, they wouldn’t be here, and Michael said his marriage was over when he found out Willow had feelings for Drew. The fire didn’t tear his family apart – Drew did, and Willow let him. What broke his heart the most was that he couldn’t trust the woman he’d loved unsupervised around their kids. He was going to do what he could to make sure she didn’t get them back.

Anna said Nathan was a great officer and she’d do everything she could to bring him back, but he’d been gone seven years and missed a great deal. He said he’d do what he could to get back up to speed. Name it and he’d do it. She said what she needed to know was what he’d been doing all that time and who he associated with, and he said he swore if he knew, he’d tell her. She said he didn’t look like he’d been asleep for seven years. When she had an account of where he’d been, they’d go from there. He thanked her, they hugged. and he left. Again with the strange, grim Nathan face when he was hugging her.

Kai said he’d grabbed the bat for protection, and Trina said she’d wanted to call 911, but before she could, they saw the car. Kai said he made a point of not touching the door handle, but left the bat near Drew. It was covered with his fingerprints, and he was afraid if the police found it, it would point to the safe. Trina said, and put a target on her parents.

Dante met Sonny and Dante said he was sorry, but as a father he needed to ask Dante something. Were the police going to arrest Michael?

Nina told Carly that she didn’t blame Michael. Drew ripped his life apart, but she was willing to admit Willow made mistakes and had the opportunity to stop it. Carly said they’d tried to convince the judge that Michael had abandoned his children, and Nina said, if Michael had compromised, they wouldn’t be where they were. Carly said Nina didn’t know that, but Nina said Carly told him to take the hard line and pushed the fight to the extreme. Drew was waiting in the wings to play hero. Maybe Michael wasn’t the one who tried to end Drew. Maybe it was Carly.

Kai told Trina that there was no reason his prints shouldn’t be on the bat. He was Drew’s loyal intern and an athlete, so he’d swung the bat. Trina said, who knew how many other people had? Her dad needed to see her, and she didn’t want to keep him waiting, but Kai said, one more thing. He checked the safe, saw it was open, found the evidence on her mom, and took it. She thanked him again and said she wished she could tell her parents so they wouldn’t worry, but he said, then her parents would know they were there. She said they couldn’t. No one could ever know what they heard. He said they didn’t know who pulled the trigger, and she said she was glad they didn’t see who it was. He said, from now on, they had to forget it ever happened.

Curtis said if they couldn’t get Michael, pressure would be exerted on the PCPD to come after them, but Portia said they weren’t interested in Michael and she was pretty sure they were in the clear. She was at Elizabeth’s when the PCPD showed up with a warrant to search the premises. He asked if Elizabeth was a suspect, and she said, no, but her houseguest was – Willow.

Sonny said he was just asking so Michael could have the best possible defense, and Dante said, Michael actually had a motive, more than one. But he was a grown man, and Sonny couldn’t shield him from the consequences of his actions. Sonny said Michael told him that they’d follow the evidence… It sounded like they’d made up their mind. Dante said they had a few warrants out, but none of them were for Michael, and Sonny breathed a sigh of relief. Dante said, but he didn’t think Sonny would like who they were bringing in, and he left.

Brook said now Chase had to deal with her and her crazy family, and he said he loved her crazy family, who were his family now. She said he had to bring a search warrant to his own home, and he said, technically, it was Ronnie’s home. Monica gave it to her. (Ha-ha-ha! I love that and hope it’s a thing now.) He knew life wasn’t perfect, but they had each other, and he couldn’t remember the last time he was bored. He had more than he ever dreamed he would. He had a wife who he could be completely honest with, who had compassion and a willingness to see the good in people, which made him love her more. His phone chimed and he said it was the station. They wanted him to pick up a warrant and make an arrest.

Carly said, between them, Nina had so many reasons to shoot Drew, and Nina said, Carly would do anything for her son and they both had a violent temper. Carly said she’d never killed anyone, but Nina said she thought Nelle would have something to say about that. Carly said Nelle was a baby thieving psycho like her mom and psycho sister, when Nathan came to the counter and asked if everything was okay.

Trina went to Curtis’s office and saw Portia was there. She asked, what’s going on? and Curtis said they didn’t want to make it public yet, but thought she should know. They were sorry. They’d tried hard, but… Portia said they were getting a divorce.

Kai told Drew, welcome home. He tried to make everything perfect for his return. Drew said he appreciated that, and Kai said it had to be hard for him. Drew said he wasn’t going to let that night define the house for him. He was committed to moving on. He brought big news. Willow agreed to move back in.

Nathan and Nina clinked BLT sandwiches and said, cheers. Sonny came in and told Carly that the jet was on the tarmac. The cops were pulling a warrant. She asked if it was Michael, but he said, no, and that left her. Chase came in the door, and Sonny told her, don’t say anything unless her lawyer was by her side. Nina told Nathan that Carly was going down, but Chase came over to her. She asked, what’s going on? and Chase said she was under arrest. She asked, what are the charges? and he said, conspiracy to commit murder.

Willow was with the kids, playing with building blocks, when there was a knock at the door. The therapist answered and said they were in a session, but Anna said it was official business and couldn’t wait. Dante asked Willow to stand up, and she said she was with her children. Michael took them onto the couch, and Willow got up. She asked, what’s going on? and Anna said she was under arrest for the attempted murder of Congressman Drew Cain.

Tuesday:

Elizabeth found Outback sniffing at Alexis’s outside basement door. She opened the door, went down the stairs, found Ric, and released him.

Cody saw Molly at Bobbie’s, and she asked about Outback, since he’d done the right thing and got the girl. He said Outback was good, and Molly asked if he’d ever used a lariat.

Martin went to Drew’s house with news of an arrest in his case. Drew assumed it was Michael, but Martin said they’d arrested Willow.

Carly and Sonny told Michael about Nina being arrested, and Michael said Willow was arrested too. Sonny asked if he’d known it was going to happen.

Ava was at Alexis’s office when Nina called and said she needed help, and Ava said she’d take care of it. Alexis asked Ava what the charges were, and she said, conspiracy to commit murder. Alexis asked who Nina was supposedly conspiring with, when Willow was brought into the station.

Ava said she couldn’t picture Willow shooting Drew, when Marco came in. Alexis told him that Ava needed a favor, and Ava said Nina’s regular lawyer was tied up at the moment (BA-DUM-CHH!). Marco agreed to help, Alexis said Nina was at the station, and he left.

Cody told Molly that a lariat was a rope used for trick roping, and he did his fair share back in the day. Molly asked what it looked like, and he described it. He asked if she was giving up law for the rodeo.

Kristina saw the basement door ajar and heard Elizabeth inside. Ric hugged Elizabeth and was about to kiss her, when she said, Ric… wake up. He saw it was Kristina, and he was still tied to the bed. She told him that it was time for lunch.

As Willow passed Nina, she said, do something. Willow had been arrested in front of her children. Willow was taken to the interrogation room and Nina demanded to speak to her, but Turner said she was in no position to demand anything.

Drew was incredulous and said Martin had to get Willow out. Martin said she was unlikely to get bail, but he’d try. Drew told him to pull strings and pay whatever, but get her out, and Martin said it wasn’t that easy. They must have evidence, and Drew and Willow’s public break-up and the reason for it could be seen as a compelling motive. Drew said she was innocent and that was all that mattered, and Martin said he was on his way. He left, and Drew made a call. He said it had been a while, but he needed to see them now.

Michael said Willow had been handcuffed in front of the kids. Did Sonny think he would have planned something like that? Carly asked how the kids were, and Michael said they’d been upset, but calmed down once they got home. Sonny said Anna wouldn’t make an arrest without evidence. Did Michael find out what they had? Michael said he hadn’t.

Molly said she was doing research and asked how long Cody had done rodeos. He said, a few years, when she got a call and he stepped away.

Ric wondered, why no pill? and Kristina said, the prescription ran out. But this time tomorrow, the money would be back in Ace’s trust, and he’d be free as a bird. He said, not only was she getting away with attempted murder and kidnapping, she got Ava to help. Kristina said, the enemy of my enemy is also my friend, and Ric said she’d been quick to judge him, but look at her now. How did it feel knowing she was no better than he was?

Michael said the case had nothing to do with him or Sonny and Carly. He was surprised to hear Nina was involved, but his focus was on the kids. They were his main priority, and he was staying out of the investigation. He hoped they would too, but Sonny said it was too late.

Willow asked if Dante thought she was capable of shooting Drew. She loved him. What evidence did they have against her? She was with her mom that night. Dante suggested she call her lawyer, but she said Ric was her lawyer and no one knew where he was. She had no one and was with her children for the first time when she was ripped away from them and they were made to watch. Why were they doing this to her?

Nina said Turner was Sonny and the Quartermaines’ own private legal system, and Turner said she wasn’t helping herself or Willow. Nina said Michael was the obvious suspect and should be sitting there, not Willow, but Turner said Nina should be worried about herself. She was facing serious charges. Marco came in and said he was representing Nina and would like a moment alone with his client. He told Nina that Ava sent him, but he had no details. Nina said her daughter was in the interrogation room being railroaded by the police.

Alexis told Ava that it was almost over. The whole ordeal would be done tomorrow morning, and the money would be back in the trust. Ava said minus her divorce settlement. Then she and Kristina could destroy Ric’s car and the evidence that Kristina cut the brakes. Alexis said she’d told Anna that Ava was at the house because they were brokering peace and it would be great if they could get some peace out of the whole mess. Ava said she thought it had helped them come to an understanding, and Alexis agreed. It would be good if they could get the past in the past. They’d all learned that holding a grudge made them do desperate things and she apologized for fueling the resentment. When they let Ric go, it would be a good idea to let go of their remaining animosity.

Marco said he couldn’t represent both Nina and Willow, and Nina told him to take care of Willow. Make sure she didn’t say anything they could use against her. Martin came in and said he was looking for his client Willow. He was trying to understand the basis of these outrageous charges.

Diane said Willow and Nina shared an alibi that fell apart. The gun was found during a search of the room Willow was using while she was staying at Elizabeth Baldwin’s. She asked Michael if he had any idea how Willow got her hands on Edward’s gun, and he said, who knew how long she had it? No one used Edward’s study anymore. She’d lived there and knew where the cameras were and the blind spots. Diane said Martin was representing Willow, and Sonny asked if Drew thought Willow shot him, but Carly said, of course (🍷) not. His ego couldn’t entertain the idea. Sonny asked if anybody had been in Elizabeth’s house in the last few days, and looked at Carly. Carly said if he wanted the answer, he’d have to marry her.

Drew opened the door to Sidwell, who said he’d been abruptly summoned. Drew said Willow had been arrested. Michael should have been hauled in, but he was walking free. The police needed to shift their focus. Sidwell said, and his role in this…? and Drew said he knew Sidwell bribed Judge Haran to implicate Sonny and make it look like Michael bribed her, then killed her when she came after him. Sidwell said it was too late. Drew became suspect number one in the judge’s murder when the police found the wire transfer receipt from the bribe in his safe. Drew said he didn’t bribe the judge or put the receipt in his safe, and Sidwell said, regardless. Unfortunately, the person who killed the judge was probably long gone and there was nothing he could do to counter the damage done. Drew said, it was Sonny. Sonny put the receipt in his safe. Sidwell said he wouldn’t know, and Drew said it was another reason for Michael to shoot him. Michael knew they’d find the receipt during the search and Sonny would be in the clear.

Martin told Willow that Drew had hired him and asked Dante to give them a minute. Dante left, and Martin promised it would be all right. Tell him that she hadn’t said anything to them.

Chase asked how Willow was doing, and Dante said she was in a tough spot. Chase said she’d been arrested in front of the kids, but Dante said they had no choice. She and Nina had to be arrested at the same time and Michael had been with the kids. Chase had to be careful and treat Willow like a suspect. Chase said he couldn’t believe Willow would shoot anyone, and Dante said maybe Chase should keep his distance or he might be considered biased and compromise the case.

Martin told Willow that Anna showed up at Elizabeth’s place with a search warrant. The two bullets from Drew matched a gun registered to Edward Quartermaine. Willow asked why she was here and not Michael, and Martin said they found the gun in Elizabeth’s guest room, but Willow said that was impossible.

Kristina told Ric that she’d never forgive herself for cutting the brake lines, but she’d never be that desperate or that broken again. Ric said life was long and she was young to have sunk that low. Who knew what the future held? He wondered how she could look Molly in the eye. She said she’d always be sorry that he was hurt as a result of her actions, but in this situation, he got greedy and blackmailed her mother – Molly’s mother. Maybe he should think about that the next time he talked to his daughter. She put his gag back in and left.

Elizabeth came into Bobbie’s and Molly asked what was going on. Elizabeth said Willow had been arrested and asked if Molly knew it was going to happen. Molly said she didn’t, and Elizabeth said it was during a supervised play session with the kids at the hospital. Molly said she wasn’t involved. Turner was handling the case. Elizabeth said Molly’s dad was the best and Willow needed an attorney. Had she heard from him? Molly said, no, and Elizabeth asked if she knew the name of the spa Ric went to for his digital detox. Molly said, the first she’d heard of him going was in the email he sent and there weren’t a lot of specifics. Elizabeth said she got the same, but the more she thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense.

Turner said they’d gotten a warrant for the security footage, and Nina went to her apartment at 9 pm. There was only one entrance and exit, and she didn’t leave until 10:33 pm, after Tracy Quartermaine found Drew Cain and called 911. That meant Nina gave a false statement. Marco said the footage was clear, but Nina didn’t shoot Drew, but Turner said, she was being charged with conspiracy to commit murder. She believed they planned it ahead of time. Nina recently had an affair with Drew, who ended it to be with Miss Tate. According to reports, she’d been vocal about Drew’s behavior being responsible for Willow’s loss of custody and the false alibi proved they were in it together. Marco said that was quite a leap, and Turner asked how well he knew his client. For a woman who was in a coma for 23 years, she had an extensive history of violence. She’d induced Ava’s labor and stolen her newborn baby. That took planning and forethought. Nina said this wasn’t about her. Willow wasn’t a killer. Turner said, from her experience, some mothers would do anything to protect their children.

Sonny told Carly that the cops would ask the same thing, and Diane said, so will Martin. So with all due respect, she was going to ask before Martin did. Did any of them have the opportunity to plant the gun? Carly said she’d been in Elizabeth’s house, and Sonny asked what she was doing there. Carly said Elizabeth heard her threaten Drew, and she asked Elizabeth if the police followed up, but they hadn’t. She didn’t plant the gun. Diane asked if Elizabeth was with her the entire time Carly was in her home, and Carly flashed back to Elizabeth getting the call from her plumber. She told Diane that Elizabeth left to take a call, but she didn’t plant the gun. Diane said even she knew when Carly was lying. It was Michael’s turn. Had he spent any time with Elizabeth lately?

Alexis said there was no transfer confirmation yet, and Ava said she thought she had to do some light blackmail in the beginning, but they should have never taken her divorce settlement back. Alexis said, refresh… refresh… and Ava said she earned that money after what Nikolas put her through, but holding onto the sense she’d been wronged didn’t get her anyplace. Her mistake was letting Ric in on it, but she supposed she did get a little greedy. Tomorrow, it would all be over and she was getting on with her life and not looking back.

Molly told Elizabeth that Ric never had the best track record for showing up when people needed him, but it was strange for him to be gone this long. She couldn’t imagine he was that invested in his relationship with Ava to be that upset. Elizabeth said she knew Molly and Ric had gotten close and he was good in a crisis. Willow was going to need him.

Sidwell said the judge’s murder was unsolved and Drew would be under suspicion. Drew said, Sidwell killed her, and Sidwell laughed. He said anything he did to the judge, Drew did too. There was evidence tying Drew to all manner of crimes. He’d sought Sidwell out to help drive Sonny out of Port Charles. Drew said he never agreed to murder, and this was where Sidwell needed to leave.

Willow asked if Drew thought she shot him, but Martin said, of course (🍷) not, and she asked why he was there. He said he thought getting the charges dropped was sort of unrealistic, but he could put in for a speedy arraignment and bail hearing. Drew made it clear that he’d pay any price to keep her out of prison. He’d do what he could. Sit tight and say nothing to anyone. He told her that he’d be back soon and left.

Chase said he had an update on Wiley and Amelia and asked Turner if he could see Willow. She’d been worried about her kids, and he spoke to the nanny. He wanted to let Willow know her kids were all right.

Michael said he went to Elizabeth’s yesterday to offer Willow supervised visits with the kids. Elizabeth did leave him alone for a few minutes. Diane asked if it was before or after Anna came with the search warrant, and he said, after the one with the wrong address. Diane said he suddenly decided to talk to Willow? and he said there was no reason for him to stick around. He’d been thinking about it since he’d been told the hearing was pushed back to January. He didn’t want the kids to go that long not seeing their mom. Diane asked if he thought any jury on earth was going to believe either one of them.

Ava said Kristina gave Ric lunch, but no sedative? and Kristina said they were out of them. Ava handed her a key, and Kristina asked if the money went through, but Ava said, not yet, but soon. She had no need to hold on to that any longer. As far as she was concerned, their vendetta was over. Go live her life. Kristina said, for what it was worth (🍷), she was sorry. Ava said her too. They weren’t going to hug… Kristina said she didn’t think so, and they shook hands.

Molly did an online search for the detox spa and told Elizabeth, who knew there would be so many results? Elizabeth said she imagined they were protective of their clients’ privacy, and Molly said her father had been gone for so long, she was getting scared. If she had to, she’d use her pull at the DA’s office. She’d do whatever it took to find her dad.

Cody found Outback digging at Alexis’s outside basement door and called her his nosy little princess pie. He had something to give to Molly and then they were getting out. Outback barked, and he asked her, what’s wrong? Is it an eat it, drink it, or roll around in it situation? Even with the gag in his mouth, Ric started yelling, help me! I’m down here!

Drew said Sidwell set him up, and Sidwell said he needed a politician at his beck and call. Don’t fret. As long as Drew did exactly what he said, Drew would reap the benefits. He assured Drew that it didn’t mean they were allies. Drew wouldn’t be demanding his presence like he just did. Drew would come when Sidwell called him. Because from now on, Drew worked for him. Step out of line, and watch as his life went to hell. Sidwell walked out.

Turner said she thought it would help Willow to tell her that the kids were all right, and Chase thanked her. He went into the interrogation room, and Dante said he didn’t think Turner would let it happen. Turner said she hated that Willow was arrested in front of her children, but she and Chase seemed close. Dante said they were, and she said, if Willow confessed to anyone, it would be someone close. If she was guilty, the sooner she started to cooperate, the better it would be for her.

Chase and Willow hugged, and she said, this can’t be happening. She was arrested in front of Wiley and Amelia.

Turner asked if Dante’s partner could be trusted to tell them if Willow admitted anything, and Dante said Chase was a good cop. He was a good person and would tell the truth if Willow did that.

Chase said the kids were all right. She had to hang in there.

Marco said, Ava admitted Nina was lying about being with Willow. How would it look to a jury if Willow’s mother thought she was capable of shooting Drew. Admit it or not, there was footage. Nina said, maybe it was altered or a deepfake. Help her daughter. He said, if she wanted to save her daughter and herself, she’d have to tell him the truth.

Carly said it didn’t matter because they weren’t on trial, but Diane said it absolutely mattered. If Martin could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they showed motive to shoot Drew and they both had the opportunity to frame Willow. Sonny asked, what’s the plan? but Diane said she didn’t know right now. Not yet. But she knew this for certain. Willow might be under arrest, but Michael and Carly’s problems were just beginning.

Chase told Willow that he spoke to Melanie. The kids were confused at first, but were fine now. Willow thanked him and said she’d been going over it in her head. She knew what happened. Chase said he knew she was scared, but he promised the best thing was to tell the truth. She said Michael set her up. He planted that gun.

Wednesday:

At Steinmauer, Lulu sat across from Valentin, who said Jack assured him that he’d see Charlotte. Lulu said if he wanted to see his daughter, he’d have to deal with her.

Britt sat near Vaughn at the MetroCourt bar and Vaughn told the bartender that Britt would have a negroni. She said, if it isn’t the Five Poppies gym pro… or rather WSB agent Vaughn.

Lucas met Marco for lunch at the MetroCourt, when Tracy inserted herself between them and said she needed a lawyer. Lucas told Marco that what she meant to say was forgive me for interrupting, but Tracy told him, if she’d wanted to say that, she would have. Marco asked her to make an appointment, and she said, thanks to Drew Cain getting himself shot, Diane and Alexis were unavailable. Marco said, as was he, and Tracy told Lucas, get lost. Lucas said it was fine. Once she started, you couldn’t stop her. Just close your eyes and wait until it’s over. He left and Tracy sat down. She told Marco that there was a squatter in her house, and they were going to throw her out on her down-home rear.

Gio was behind the counter at Bobbie’s and Ronnie ordered a BLT and an iced tea. She said she was new to Port Charles and Bobbie’s was already her go-to because of that sandwich. He asked what brought her to town, and she said she came there for a funeral and wound up with a mansion. He said she was Ronnie Bard. He was Gio and used to live at the Quartermaine’s. Now it was her place, her house. She asked what made him move out?

Brook was unwrapping the tea set, and Chase said he thought they’d boxed it up so Tracy wouldn’t punch Ronnie in the face. Brook said she had a great plan for improving the Ronnie and Tracy situation.

Molly found Dante at the station and said she was worried something had happened to her dad.

Ric heard Cody open the door, when Alexis came home with Ava. They wondered why the transfer hadn’t gone through yet, and Alexis said maybe it wouldn’t be initiated until midnight. Ava said, by tomorrow, the money would be theirs and they could bid good riddance to their special houseguest.

Cody went downstairs, saw Ric, and said, what the hell…?

Brook said it was Ronnie’s house now and she could do what she wanted. Maybe she’d decide to move back to Durham, or maybe she’d move there permanently. Chase said, Tracy’s head would explode, and Brook said, or Ronnie could send them all packing. He said, she could sell it and they could buy it back, and she said, Ronnie may own the Quartermaine home, but the way she saw it, if they wanted to keep it in the family, they had to make Ronnie part of the family.

Ronnie asked for a straw, and Gio said it was his first shift. She said he was doing great and she’d been waiting tables her whole life. If it wasn’t too much trouble, would he mind if they continued their chat? The Quartermaine family tree was new to her and now she was living in her sister’s house. He said, she meant, her house, and she said it was going to be tough getting used to. He said it was a long story, but he was new to the family, and she said, good. They had something else in common.

Marco said, Tracy wanted to contest Monica Quartermaine’s will? and Tracy said, supposedly, her sister-in-law left the family home to a virtual stranger – a sister she hadn’t said a word to in 50 years. It made no sense. Marco said it wouldn’t be the first time that happened. Maybe she had a claim. He’d look into existing cases that supported her position. But he warned her that she wouldn’t evict anyone anytime soon. It would most likely take years.

Vaughn said he was no longer active in the field and had been promoted to Department Station Chief. He wanted Britt to answer some questions and debriefing over a drink at the bar was preferable to sweating it out at one of the Bureaus black sites. Britt said she was out of his league, when she saw Lucas. She said Lucas could stop pretending she didn’t exist and talk to her now.

Charlotte said it was taking forever, and Jack said there was a strict protocol. She said she thought her mom was laying the ground rules, and he said her mom cared about her a great deal. She said, unlike him. She knew people would use her to get to her father, but never thought it would be the government. He had her father arrested and put in prison. If her father deserved to be there, Jack did too.

Valentin said he wasn’t aware that he and Lulu had business, and she said his daughter was becoming a normal teen. She had a great life – friends, school, a brother. She had stability and a life free from fear. Valentin said she didn’t have a father, and Lulu said Charlotte missed him. That’s why she was there today. That’s why Charlotte was there too, but before she let him see her, she needed to know he wasn’t going to make her feel guilty about starting over. She needed to understand it was okay to live her life without him physically in it. She needed to know he’d put Charlotte first. He said, always. That’s why he let himself be caught and let her go. Don’t think Charlotte would be with her if he didn’t want her to be.

Molly explained to Dante that she didn’t know where Ric was doing his digital detox, and neither she nor Elizabeth had heard from her dad even though they’d reached out. Dante said they were probably not supposed to be on a device, but Molly said he had to know Willow was in trouble by now, and it wasn’t like him to abandon a client mid case or be out of touch for so long. She asked if Dante would ping Ric’s phone help her try to figure out where he was.

Alexis said Ava turned the car over to Kristina in good faith and she appreciated that. Ava said she didn’t feel threatened anymore. They would have never gotten through all this without each other. If she’d learned one thing, aside from making sure her captive swallows his meds, it was that Alexis was a good mother. Alexis said she thought they had that in common.

Cody took the gag out of Ric’s mouth and asked if he was okay. Ric asked if he looked okay, and Cody said he didn’t know what Ric and Alexis were into or who forgot the safe word. Ric said he was being held captive and needed to get out. He heard noise from upstairs and said they were home. Cody asked what the hell was going on, and Ric said, free him before those psychos killed them both.

Ava was about to check on Ric when Kristina came in. She asked if Cody was there. His truck was parked outside. Alexis suggested he and Molly went for a walk, but Kristina said Molly was at work. Ava said she was just going to check on Ric, Kristina said she’d go as back-up, and Alexis said she’d call Molly.

Cody cut Ric loose and helped him up. He said he had to get Ric to a hospital, but Ric said, wait. He had something else in mind first.

Lucas said he wasn’t ignoring Britt, but she said when she saw him at GH, he didn’t seem to see her. He said they were working, and he was keeping it professional, and she asked if that was how he categorized his recent behavior toward Brad. She knew Brad came back to GH, then left. His number wasn’t working, and his socials had evaporated. What did Lucas do to drive him away?

Tracy said she couldn’t wait days, much less years, and Marco said there were other downsides. The probate court was painfully slow, and Monica’s lawyer was very good. She wouldn’t get anywhere alleging malpractice unless he broke the law. And it could be costly. Tracy said it wasn’t about money. It was about exposing Ronnie Bard for the con artist she was.

Ronnie said Yuri was an interesting fellow, and Gio said, one of many, starting with Tracy. She probably wasn’t Ronnie’s favorite person. Ronnie said she wasn’t in Tracy’s top five either, and Gio said, what about Jason? She said he didn’t talk much. She liked him. He said, and his grandparents, Ned and Olivia, and she said, good hair and accent. He said, last but not least, Brook, Chase, and Dante. Brook was married to Chase and she and Dante were his parents. He just found out the mom who raised him wasn’t his real mom. Ronnie asked where she was now, and he said, she passed away when he was younger. Ronnie said she was so sorry, and he said he went to Monica’s funeral, and it felt different. Now that he was family, he wasn’t sure if they were welcoming him because they liked him or because he had their name. She said she could see why he moved out. As a new friend reminded her, it’s her house now and he was welcome anytime.

Jack said he wasn’t surprised that Valentin blamed him for his crimes, but he was surprised Charlotte believed him. He thought she was smarter than that. She said she knew who her father was. He wasn’t innocent, but never pretended to be… unlike some people.

Lulu said she appreciated Valentin sending Charlotte back. She’d searched a long time. She was just asking him to be selfless again and support Charlotte in her new life. Valentin said he wanted Charlotte to be happy, and she said she knew how important the relationship between a father and daughter was. She wanted to protect Charlotte, but didn’t want to come between them. He thanked her and she left. Charlotte came in and she and Valentin hugged.

Brook told Chase that they had to make room for Ronnie. If she had her own connections and friends in Port Charles, the less vulnerable she’d be to granny’s digs and she’d think twice about offloading the house. Chase wondered if tea was Ronnie’s cup of tea, but Brook said it was about the guests. She was inviting the best and brightest Port Charles had to offer. And she’d do it here, surrounded by memories of Monica. It was the perfect plan. Chase said, if the tea party was there, where would Tracy be? and Brook said she picked a date where Tracy had a prior engagement. The less contact, the better.

Ronnie thanked Gio for the wonderful food and even better service. She told him, keep the change, and gave him a $50 bill, but he said, no. It was too much. She said, never turn down a good tip. May she give him another one? He said, sure, and she said she was a lot younger than him when she saw her sister for the last time. They had a pretty nasty fight. She asked Monica for something she hadn’t earned, and Monica made it clear… Ronnie got so angry and pulled away. She cut her sister out of her life, and it ended up being the last time she saw her sister. She’d pick up the phone to call and halfway through dialing, she’d hang up. Her point was, she should never have let one fight define everything. Now her sister was gone. He asked if Ronnie missed her, and she said she’d been missing her for a long time. He didn’t want to miss anyone that long. If he ever felt he wanted to reach out and forgive and forget, do it. We always thought we had more time, but he was a wonderful young man and his family deserved to know him… even Tracy. She left.

Lucas said he had no idea where Brad was. He knew the truth was a foreign concept to Britt, but it was all he’d wanted from Brad. They were getting closer and the idea of getting back together seemed possible. Then Brad revealed more dishonesty and lies. Britt said what she was hearing was that Brad was vulnerable and confessed, but instead of giving him credit, Lucas punished him. He said, Britt stole an embryo to trap a man and didn’t get to lecture him on decency, and Britt said she fought for love. He let it walk away. He said he came over there to deal with the guy next to her, and Vaughn said, excuse me? Lucas said they had things to clear up.

Jack asked if Valentin said anything of note, and Lulu said he confirmed Jack was using their daughter as a bargaining chip. She hoped he got what he needed because she was never going through this again.

Valentin said, how grown up Charlotte looked, and she said she missed him so much. She called him dad, and he said he knew one day she’d be too grown up to call him papa, but he loved dad. Tell him everything. She said she was still riding. She’d improved and was doing competitions. He asked about school, and she said it was fine. She was acing Mandarin and Frenc. He said it was a benefit of traveling the world with her father. She was thriving and it was all he wanted. She said she wasn’t thriving, but he insisted she was and it was good. It was all he wanted for her. She said it was hard at first. It hurt not to see him. He said he missed her too, but being together again made all that a distant memory.

Dante said he was tracking Ric’s phone, and Molly said she hoped she was just an overly concerned daughter. Dante said he didn’t know she and Ric were close, and she said it was a new development. He’d come back for Irene’s funeral and become a constant in her life. They reconnected and it made her realize how much she needed him in her life. She couldn’t lose him.

As Alexis was leaving Molly a message, Cody walked in with Ric. Alexis said she’d call Molly back, and Ric said she didn’t want to put him on the phone? Call Molly back. He had so much to tell her.

Brook said she had a fun idea that she wanted to run by Ronnie. There were so many people in Port Charles she’d like to introduce her to. What if they had everyone over for a tea party? Ronnie said it wasn’t really her style, but Brook said it would be super casual and low key. She just wanted to use the tea set. She wanted to introduce Ronnie to some great people to help her feel more at home. Chase said, please say yes. It would mean a lot to both of them. Ronnie said she appreciated the thought and thanked them, but she was going to pass.  

Marco asked if he should start researching old probate cases, and Tracy said it taking years was concerning. Was there no other option? He said, if Ronnie was really problematic, find a way to get others to see it. It would help expediate the process.

Lucas said he knew Vaughn broke his niece’s heart. If he hurt Josslyn again, Vaughn would have to answer to him. He left, and Britt said, instead of threatening her, it sounded like his time would be better spent talking to Mrs. Nash.

Ava and Kristina saw that Ric was gone.

Ric asked, what’s wrong? when Ava and Kristina came in the back. Kristina said, Ric escaped… She saw Ric and Cody, and Cody said, would someone please tell him what the hell was going on? Ric said, sure. Would the three lunatics like to tell Cody how they kidnapped and drugged him, or shall he?  

Brook asked if Ronnie was sure there was nothing that could convince her, and Ronnie said she was sure. Brook said she knew it was something Monica would want her to do to honor her. Monica wasn’t just the head of the hospital. She gave so much to the town – committees, boards, fundraisers. The party would be about Ronnie continuing her legacy, being an integral part of the community. Ronnie said Brook was good. She had to play the sister card. Brook asked if it worked, and Ronnie said, yeah. She accepted Brook’s invitation. Tracy came in and said, accept what? What was Ronnie taking from her family now?

Valentin said the best part was that Charlotte was living with her mom and brother. She deserved to be happy. He knew Britt Westbourne had come to town, the woman who gave birth to Rocco. Charlotte couldn’t trust her and needed to make sure Rocco knew.

Jack assured Lulu that it wasn’t for nothing. The information he got from Valentin would be used for the greater good and could benefit everyone. Lulu said, all it would do was show Valentin’s enemies that they could get to him through Charlotte. Jack put a target on her back. He said there were eyes on Charlotte all the time and he’d protect her. The danger Charlotte faced wasn’t the result of his actions or the WSB. It was who she was, the daughter of a brilliant, but very dangerous man.

Dante told Molly that the last time her dad used his phone was today and he was in the state. If he called, he could pinpoint it within a five-mile radius… No. That can’t be right.

Alexis said it wasn’t what it looked like, but Ric said it was exactly what it looked like. These harpies held him hostage in the basement. What day was it? Alexis said it seemed a little crazy, but Cody said a little crazy didn’t cover it. Alexis said there was a rational reason why they did what they did, and Kristina said Ric was blackmailing her mother and extorting Ava. Ric said they stole the money from a child, but Alexis said that wasn’t true. Ric was blackmailing her for months, and it wasn’t not like they hurt him. They fed him and played cards. She played his hand. They were just keeping him until they fixed what he did. Ric asked if Cody remembered when he brought Molly to the hospital after his car accident. It was because that little psycho cut his brakes to kill him… Sorry. He had the details wrong. She was trying to kill Ava. Ava said it was ancient history, and Alexis said she was telling the truth. Give them one more hour to make sure the money they stole was transferred back to Ace. Ava said she’d compensate Cody, and Ric said, if money was important, he’d gladly offer a legitimate finder’s fee and give him a better deal. Kristina said, just one hour, and Cody headed for the door. Ric said he couldn’t be serious, leaving him with them. Do the right thing.

Dante went into Bobbie’s and said he was grabbing a cup of coffee if it was cool with Gio. Gio poured the coffee and said, on the house. He smiled and went in the back.

Brook said she was having a tea party to introduce Ronnie to some people in Port Charles, and Tracy said she was looking forward to it. Brook said, unfortunately, it was the same day as Tracy’s fundraiser in the city, but Tracy said she’d send a check with regrets. There was no place she’d rather be tan here to welcome Ronnie to Port Charles.

Britt said Vaughn could have shut Lucas up by outing Josslyn, but he said he couldn’t do that. Britt said she could. She just might, unless the WSB made it worth her while to keep the secret. Vaughn said nothing positive would come from it. Britt had no friends, and the walls were closing in on her. She had to be extremely careful in how she proceeded. He told the bartender that the drinks were on him and left.

Lucas asked how much Marco ordered on Tracy’s tab, and Marco said they’d have leftovers for the rest of the week. Britt came over and introduced herself. She said Marco was Lucas’s new boyfriend, so he knew Lucas’s ex was her best friend. He should know he’d never live up to Lucas’s high standards. Lucas said, forgive her. She was a sociopath. Britt left, and Lucas said all he wanted was honest and Brad never gave it to him. Ignore everything Britt said. He knew Marco wouldn’t lie like Brad.

Kristina said if Cody knew who Ric was, he wouldn’t think of helping him, and Ric said if Cody didn’t side with him, he’d go to jail like them. Cody said they were all nuts. He had no idea how they were related to Molly. He was going to grab his dog and get out of here. He opened the door, and Molly was there.

Valentin asked who Charlotte was hanging out with, and she wondered if she was asking if she liked anyone. Jack came in and said, time’s up, and Charlotte and Valentin hugged and exchanged I love yous. Lulu came in and Charlotte hugged her, and they left. Jack said, all right. He did his part. Now it was Valentin’s turn. Valentin was going to tell him everything he knew about the final project of Cesar Faison.

Thursday:

Carly looked at roses she got from Jack, the moss bowl🎍shrugging it off, when Jason came into Sonny’s old kitchen. She said he was going to be mad, and he asked what she did. He said it wasn’t her; it was Jack.

At Steinmauer, Jack wanted Valentin to tell him everything he knew about Cesar Faison’s last project, but Valentin had another condition. He wanted Anna.

Dante told Anna that forensics found nothing at Nina’s apartment, but he did have an update on something else – Valentin Cassadine.

On a private jet, Lulu said she was sure Charlotte was still processing, and Charlotte said, it was a lot. Lulu was afraid she’d made the wrong call, but Charlotte said she was glad she saw him. When could she see him again?

Felicia told Elizabeth that James was good, but she was worried about Nathan deciding James should live with him.

Nathan and Obrecht walked into the MetroCourt restaurant and saw Britt. Nathan said Obrecht couldn’t avoid being in the same room with her forever, but Obrecht said she could try. Nathan went over to Britt and asked her to join them.  

Cody said they were all nuts, and he couldn’t believe they were related to Molly. He was getting his dog and getting out. When he opened the door, Molly was there. She saw Ric and ran to him. She said she was so worried. What happened? Ric looked at Alexis.

Britt said Obrecht clearly didn’t want to see her and the feeling was mutual, but as she was leaving, Obrecht said, if Britt’s brother wanted to include her, she was welcome to join them. Britt said she was going to pass and went to the elevator. The doors opened and Rocco was there.

Elizabeth asked if Nathan said something, and Felicia said, no, but they were walking on eggshells at home and it was weighing on Spinelli. Elizabeth said, of course (🍷), and Felicia said, with Maxie gone, James needed the security and familiarity. Natan was wonderful, but he was a stranger to James and didn’t know where he’d been for the last seven years. Elizabeth asked if Nathan wanted to be James’s father, and Felicia said he did. And if he wanted to take James legally, he had every right to.

Molly asked if Ric was okay. He looked terrible. She was happy he was there. They’d all been getting along and she’d been missing him to complete the family. Where had he been? Ric seemed flustered and said he knew the digital detox would be extreme, but he’d been in hell for the last 30 days. Cody saved his sanity and maybe even his life. He glanced at the laptop and closed it. He said the digital detox was the worst mistake he ever made. He joined a cult. (I literally lol’d.)

Charlotte said she was sorry. She shouldn’t ask for more. She knew what a big deal it was. Lulu said, so were Charlotte’s feelings. She was allowed to miss her dad and want to see him. Charlotte said she was surprised he sounded and looked the same. Deep down, she was afraid he’d be different. Lulu said Valentin loved her. Knowing she was safe and happy gave him comfort and the strength he needed to get through this. Charlotte said she knew Lulu hadn’t wanted to do this and did it for her. She thanked Lulu.  

Anna said Valentin was in Steinmauer, and Dante said he’d had visitors, Lulu and Charlotte, courtesy of Jack. Anna said she was all for Charlotte seeing her dad, but couldn’t believe her mother agreed. She must have realized Jack didn’t arrange it out of the goodness of his heart. He did this because he wanted something from Valentin, something big.

Jack said Anna wanted nothing to do with Valentin. What they’d had was over. He was lucky to be alive after what he’d done to Carly, but that could change. Anna was dealing with the murder of a judge and the attempted murder of Congressman Drew Cain. Valentin said if anyone could multitask, it was Anna, and Jack said tell him about Faison. Valentin said he couldn’t help but wonder why Jack was so intent about a dead man.

Carly told Jason that the guy Josslyn had been spending time with, Vaughn, who worked at PCU was a WSB agent, and Jason asked how she heard that. She said Josslyn told her. She confronted Jack and he confirmed it. She felt betrayed. It was the first guy Josslyn had a connection with since Dex’s death, and Jack had been lying. She was furious, but when she calmed down, she realized he couldn’t tell her because it was classified. Jason asked if she was okay, and she said she didn’t love it, but Jack assured her Josslyn had been safe. Jason said Jack was lying to her and had lied about everything.

Ric said it was hazy, but he gave them his phone, then drank tea, and Molly said, he literally drank the Kool-Aid? He said he was told it was part of the detox process, but it wasn’t tea. It was aya… Alexis said, an ayahuasca trip? and he said, an extended one. When he came to and had some wherewithal, he grabbed his phone and got out. That’s when Cody found him.

Rocco told Britt that he was meeting Obrecht and Nathan, and went over to them. He hugged Obrecht and she introduced him to his Uncle Nathan. Britt said Nathan didn’t tell her it was dinner with the whole family. Count her in if it was okay with Rocco.

Jack said Faison’s daughter and son had resurfaced in Port Charles, and Valentin asked if he was worried that Faison’s work was continuing from beyond the grave.

Carly said Jason always assumed the worst about Jack, and Jason said she needed to know that Josslyn was in the WSB.

Ellizabeth suggested Felicia talk to Nathan and tell him about her concerns, and Felicia said she believed he cared about James’s welfare. Elizabeth said, encourage him to be part of the family. Nathan couldn’t know her concerns unless she voiced them.

Obrecht said Rocco was lovely company, and Nathan asked to talk to her privately. When they left, Rocco asked if Obrecht was mad at Britt.

Molly said Cody rescued her dad, but Cody said he didn’t know about all that, and Ric said Cody’s dog found him lost and wandering in the woods. He thought he was coming down and was convinced the cult was going to sacrifice him to their pagan god. His brain wasn’t making sense, so he got out and tore into the woods. When his head cleared, he was lost and in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception. Then that four-legged miracle showed up when Cody was out on a hike. Cody saw what bad shape he was in and helped him. Kristina said Cody came through for Molly’s dad. That meant everything to her. Cody said he didn’t do that, but Ava said, don’t be modest. He saved the man from a cult and brought him home safe to his family. Everything was back to normal. Alexis said Ric should get some rest, but Molly wanted to take him to the hospital. Ric said there was no need, but Cody said he’d drive and asked Kristina to watch Outback. They left, and Ava said, the money. They all dove for the laptop.

Lulu said seeing Charlotte’s father came with a certain level of risk and as a mom, it was her job to access the risk and mitigate it to keep her safe. He had enemies and being his daughter made Charlotte vulnerable. Charlotte said her dad gave her that speech more than once and she couldn’t change who she was. Lulu said she didn’t want Charlotte to change, but her father’s world had no rules or limits and people looked for leverage. That was why it was so important they told each other the truth. If Charlotte was honest, Lulu could protect her and their family.

Dante said Brennan was using Charlotte as a bargaining chip, but Lulu got it, and Anna said Lulu was smart. So was Charlotte. Charlotte was also committed to Valentin and would have gone behind Lulu’s back, It was good Lulu was making herself the person Charlotte could trust. She hoped Lulu could keep her daughter safe. Dante said he wanted eyes on Charlotte and Roco, and Anna said she didn’t like the timing of any of this.

Carly said, Josslyn was not WSB, Vaughn was, and Jason said, so was Josslyn. Carly said Josslyn went to college and was living at the Quartermaines, but he said he saw her on assignment at the resort in Croatia. He found Britt and Josslyn was there undercover with Vaughn on a recon mission. They were posing as newlyweds under Jack’s orders.

Britt said her mother was mad at her and to be honest, she deserved it. They didn’t agree on her reasons and how she left before. She’d hurt Obrecht and didn’t think Obrecht could forgive her. Rocco said Obrecht might just need time. When he found her, he freaked out, but then he wanted to know more. He found Obrecht’s email, wrote, and told her who he was and that he had questions about Britt. He didn’t expect her to fly to Port Charles to give him answers, but she did. Britt said her mother was unpredictable, and Rocco said Obrecht wanted to talk about her and obviously loved her.

Nathan said Obrecht’s anger was blinding her to what was important. She had both of her children back. Obrecht said it wasn’t the same. Nathan was taken and had no choice, but Britt faked her own death. She’d grieved deeply and was still grieving when Britt strolled into the hospital. She was selfish. Nathan said Britt made a mistake. He’d made them and Obrecht had made them. Instead of holding a grudge, she should be grateful they were there alive and together.

Cody and Molly brought Ric to the hospital, and Elizabeth asked, what the hell happened? He said it was a long story, and Molly said he was lost in the woods and had exposure and was dehydrated. Elizabeth said they’d take care of him, but Ric said it wasn’t serious. He was wheeled away, and Molly thanked Cody. She was going to stay in case Ric had to be there overnight, but he didn’t need to wait.

Carly said it made no sense. Jason was wrong somehow. Josslyn had been in Australia while he was gone. Jason said she was lying, and Australia was her cover, and Carly asked him to tell her what he thought he knew and how he found out. Jason said, through Anna’s connections at the WSB and Brennan, she found out Josslyn was on a mission in Croatia. She couldn’t tell him, so she pointed him to Britt in Croatia and that’s how he found Josslyn.

Anna told Dante that Jack wouldn’t play the Charlotte card if he didn’t need information. She wondered why he’d need information at the exact same time Faison’s two children resurfaced. Dante asked if she thought it had something to do with Faison, whose brain was in a jar, and she said she knew he was dead. They did an autopsy on his brain. But she also knew who he worked and knew what his work looked like. And more than anyone, she knew she could never assume anything, no matter what the facts were.

Jack said Britt was conducting research at a luxury resort called the Five Poppies, and Valentin said if she was working on anything that had a connection to Faison, she was just a cog in the wheel. Faison would never have trusted her to lead. Jack asked who he did trust, and Valentin said he couldn’t tell Jack, but could tell him on thing. Faison was not working alone.

Alexis said, the transfer went through, and Ava said her divorce settlement was back where it belonged. Kristina said Ric’s car was really destroyed this time, and Ava said, Ric’s power over them was gone. Kristina said she thought he was going to tell Molly everything, but Alexis said he couldn’t expose them without exposing himself, and Molly’s opinion was more important than money. Ava said Alexis should be happy, but Alexis said, even though Ric was out of the woods, they weren’t.  Laura would want an explanation and Ric had to answer for the emails they sent in his name. And she knew he’d want revenge.

Elizabeth said once Ric was hydrated, he could probably go home, and he said he couldn’t wait to sleep in his own bed. Elizabeth said he probably had a million messages just from her. She was worried. He needed to rest up. He had a lot of work ahead. Willow was in a mess. Ric said he had to come clean about something. He couldn’t let her go on thinking something about him that wasn’t true.

Molly said, if not for Cody, her dad could still be out there. He could have gotten hurt or gotten hypothermia. Cody said Ric was resourceful, but Molly said he wasn’t outdoorsy. He could have died, and she couldn’t imagine losing anyone else she cared about.

Anna told Dante, Valentin wasn’t part of Faison’s inner circle or a true believer like Obrecht, but Faison valued him enough to work with him more than once. He respected Valentin’s intellect and ability to facilitate operations. Dante said Valentin had been close to Faison’s other son, Peter August, and Anna said it couldn’t be a coincidence that Jack arranged for Charlotte to see her father when Britt and Nathan just got back. Dante asked if Britt and Faison didn’t go on the run together, and she said she didn’t know how close they were, but Faison’s interest was always with Nathan. Faison was fixated on him.

Obrecht apologized for snapping at Britt. Nathan had wisely pointed out what mattered most was that they were there together. She thought they should document it with a photo, and Rocco said he’d get it. Obrecht told him to make it a selfie, and Nathan said Rocco was mixed up in a crazy family. Rocco said all families were crazy, and Britt said theirs was extreme. Rocco said he’d like to hear more, and Obrecht said they were an open book. Rocco asked why Britt grew up with her and Nathan grew up in Nina’s family, and Obrecht said she thought it best to hide Nathan from his father Cesar.

Charlotte said she knew what protected her was to make smart choices, but what if they disagreed? and Lulu said it was allowed and she might surprise Charlotte. She admired Charlotte’s loyalty to people she cared about, even though it wasn’t easy and people didn’t understand why. Charlotte said people thought they knew who her dad was, but they didn’t. As long as they got it, that was all that mattered.

Carly said, Jack knew Josslyn had been there, and Jason said he guessed that her trip to Easter Island was when she had training. Carly asked, what the hell is happening? Why did Jack bring her daughter into the WSB? Jason said, because of the assignment. Jack needed something or someone and used Josslyn to get it. She said Britt had been back for a month, which meant Jason had known that long. Why didn’t he tell her? He said Josslyn asked him not to. Before she went off on Jack, remember that Josslyn was undercover, which protected her. She said she wasn’t letting Jack put somebody she loved in danger.

Alexis said Ric wouldn’t talk. He had as much to lose they did. Ava said, what about Cody? He had nothing to lose. Kristina said he did – Molly. If he came forward, Ric would land in prison. Alexis said with them behind him, and Ava asked if Kristina was sure playing Molly’s hero wasn’t tempting. Kristina said it wasn’t going to happen. He knew Molly loved her family and didn’t want to be the reason she lost them.

Ric said Elizabeth gave him credit for doing the work for Willow pro bono, but he wasn’t. Nina was paying him, but Willow wouldn’t have accepted the help if she thought Nina was involved. What was the point in believing in him if he lied? She said, before this nightmare, he wouldn’t have volunteered that information. As bad as it was, something good came out of it or the ayahuasca. He said, no, her. She saw the best in him, the little there was. She said she was just glad he was safe.

Molly said there was something she meant to tell Cody that night at the stable. He said, the Ava night, and she said she didn’t love his methods, but she knew he was trying to help her. She didn’t get to tell him what she’d been hoping to say. He said he had the time. Tell him now. She said it would be easier if she showed him, and was about to kiss him, when Elizabeth said, sorry. Her dad was asking for her.

Rocco sent Charlotte the selfie, and she flashed back to Valentin telling her not to trust Britt and to let Rocco know.

Rocco asked what Faison was like. Terrible things had been said about him, but the bad stuff about Obrecht and Britt wasn’t entirely true. Britt said there was nothing redeemable about her father. All Rocco needed to know was that Faison was an awful man and thankfully dead.

Dante said they didn’t know what happened to Nathan or where he’s been this whole time. But he did know that Nathan would never have anything to do with Cesar Faison. Anna said, maybe that’s why Nathan didn’t remember. That was exactly how it started, a stream of coincidences that weren’t coincidences and led somewhere that trapped everyone and involved a connection somehow to him. They didn’t know what happened to Nathan, but they did know Britt faked her death. If anyone could convince them of a fake death and lull them into a sense of thinking for one moment they were safe, it was Cesar Faison.

Jack said if Faison had a partner, he needed a name, but Valentin said he didn’t have one. The project they were running was huge. Jack said it was a huge risk. It was cold fusion, and they were running it out of Port Charles. Port Charles was Charlotte’s home, and she was at risk. It would behoove Valentin to tell him everything he knew to protect his daughter. Valentin said he already told Jack everything. Whoever was running it, didn’t give a damn about the risk and wouldn’t quit until they reached their goal. They were just as dedicated as Faison himself.  

Carly said she had to get Josslyn out, but Jason said she couldn’t. Josslyn had a cover and she couldn’t burn it down and get her out. She said, the hell she couldn’t, and he said she’d put Josslyn in danger, but she said, Jack put Josslyn in danger. She had to get her out. He said, even if it killed her? and Carly threw the vase of roses at the wall and smashed it. The moss bowl🎍said, phew!

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Nathan thanks Dante for meeting him at Bobbie’s, and Dante says, of course (🍷), of course (🍷). So what’s going on? Does he want to catch up or is there something on his mind? Nathan says, back at the station, he asked if there was anything he could do about what was going on and put Dante on the spot, but he needs to know. Tell him, what are the charges against his sister?

Turner told Nina that the clock was ticking. Did she want to be arraigned for accessory to attempted murder or work with the DA’s office against her daughter? The choice was hers.

Willow says, Martin has to make the judge see that somebody set her up, but he says, that’s an argument she can present at trial. Right now is the arraignment. All they have to do is convince the judge to grant bail. She says, that’s not enough. She has to do more than prove her innocence. He says he’s not sure he wants to know what she means. It’s just the arraignment. The magic words they’re looking for are, not guilty and bail granted. Drew will pay whatever it is. Willow says, they have to shift the blame to the person who really tried to kill Drew and that person is Michael.

Brook says she knows her reasons for the tea party aren’t entirely selfless, but she doesn’t want to make Ronnie more comfortable. Michael says him too, but a tea party? Ronnie strikes him as more of a shots and beers kinda gal. She says, after this, they might all need a couple, but seriously, she wants Ronnie to fall in love with the house and maybe a couple of people in it. That way, if she decides not to live here, she won’t try to sell it out from under them. He says they can just outbid whoever she wants to sell it to, and Brook says, if she’ll sell it to them. He says, honestly, he hopes Ronnie keeps the house because he likes her, but also because the kids already lost their mother. He doesn’t want them to lose their home too.

Drew hobbles into the station on his crutches and says he needs to see Willow, but Chase says, congressman, you need to stop right there. Drew says he won’t, because as Chase said, he’s a congressman, and Chase says, he’s also the victim and Willow is the accused. That means he has to keep his distance.

Britt sees Jason sitting outside Bobbie’s and says, he just can’t stay away, can he?

Josslyn says, Donna is off to school, and Carly says, great. Thanks for getting her out the door. She’s happy to spend time with her big sister. Josslyn says, she got so big. Was she really gone that long? Carly says, yeah, but she’s Josslyn’s mom so she’s biased, and Josslyn says she’s back now and can make up for lost time. Carly says that’s great for the both of them, but try not to make promises she can’t keep, and Josslyn says she would never. Carly says she knows it’s not on purpose, and Josslyn asks why she said that. Because she’s been so busy? Carly says, so busy with school, work, and travel, it just doesn’t seem like she’s given herself enough time to just be still. Josslyn says, since when? and Carly says, since she lost Dex.

Anna goes to see Jack in his office, and he says he’s surprised to see her. She’s arrested not one, but two suspects in the congressman’s shooting. He thought she’d be up to her ears in interrogations. She says, yes, she seems to have even more on her plate, thanks in part to him, and he asks how he’s added to her load. She laughs and says, he went to Switzerland so Charlotte could have a visit with her father in Steinmauer. He says, did he? and she says, not out of the goodness of his heart either. He was using Charlotte as leverage to get Valentin to give him information on Cesar Faison, right? And she needs to know what he found out.

Jason says, Britt told him to come get his stuff and she wasn’t home, and she says he doesn’t have much. He could have been in and out in five minutes. He says, she made him give her the key, and she says, right. Sorry. She forgot. Couldn’t Carly give him the key? He says he didn’t want to invade her privacy, so he waited, and Britt looks in her bag. She flashes back to taking out her medication along with the note from C, and says, actually, on second thought, she’s coming in with him. She doesn’t want him to rummage through her stuff. They go inside.

Carly says she knows how difficult it was for Josslyn, especially when she found out Cyrus was the one who killed Dex. Josslyn flashes back to shooting Cyrus, and says, you’re right. She was very, very lost after Dex died and didn’t know if she was going to move on, let alone how she was going to live her life. Carly says, somehow, she did, right? She got her life back. Josslyn says, yeah, but she thinks she was just going through the motions. When the opportunity to go to Easter Island came up, she took the chance to run away. Carly says, she’d hardly call it running away. It was a great opportunity, right? Once in a lifetime. Josslyn says, no. She’d call that running away, but she’s glad she did, because it ended up being the best decision she ever made.

In Turner’s office, Marco says, the charges are a classic example of prosecutorial overreach. When they get to the arraignment, he’s filing to have the charges dropped for lack of evidence. Turner says, good luck with that. They have proof Nina lied to the police. Even if she dropped the conspiracy charges, they’d still have obstruction and providing false information. Marco says, both misdemeanors. They’ll take their chances. Turner says, Miss Reeves signed a statement saying she was taking a walk with her daughter at the time Drew Cain was shot. Unfortunately for his client, they have footage from multiple angles of Miss Reeves entering her apartment building in question and with that, perjuring herself. Nina says, it was a deepfake. It has to be. She was with her daughter. She didn’t shoot Drew and neither did Willow.

Dante says, Nathan knows he can’t discuss an ongoing investigation, even though he’s not directly involved in the case, and Nathan says, not normally. Dante says, when his sister was questioned about the night of the shooting, she said she was with her daughter Willow. The alibi was flimsy to begin with and has since been proven false. Nathan says, that’s all they have on Nina? and Dante says, yeah. Willow is the prime suspect and was in possession of the weapon. Nina says, so Nina panicked and gave her daughter a false alibi. It’s not great, but it hardly proves conspiracy. Dante says, if she doesn’t recant and sticks to her story, they can build a case against Nina for conspiring to murder Drew, and Nathan says, it sounds like she was protecting her daughter. Dante tells him that he says it sounds like a case of how far Nina would go. Would she take the fall for Willow if it came to that?

Brook tells Michael that she’s been spending time with Wiley and Amelia. Watching their mother get arrested hit them hard. Michael says he tried to shield them, but couldn’t stop it from happening, and she says, none of this is his fault. What were Anna and Dante thinking, barging in on a playdate with their mother? He says, Chase told her, and she says she knows why they had to do it that way, but it was traumatic for the kids. He says, that’s not what he had in mind when he set the whole thing up. Even so, it got the desired result. She says she thought the supervised therapy thing was so the kids could spend time with their mother, and he says, that’s what it was supposed to be, but it served his purpose well. Now Willow will never be able to see the kids without supervision.

Martin tells Willow, right now, they need to focus on the arraignment. He has to argue about getting her bail and pray it’s granted. Willow asks where Drew is. She needs to see him.

Drew says he and Chase both know Willow is innocent. She needs all of her friends behind her, so please, can they put their differences behind them? Chase says they need to trust the legal system will exonerate Willow, and Drew says he’s going to see her. Chase asks if Drew heard what he just said. Drew is the victim. He can’t just… Drew says he’s not her victim. If there’s a problem with his actions, send a letter to his office.

Martin says, if Willow gets bail, they have to work on… Drew comes in and Willow runs to him and hugs him. She says, it wasn’t her, she swears, and he says he knows. They hug again and even though her face is half hidden in his shoulder, it looks like Willow is smiling.

Carly says she knew Josslyn loved her time on Easter Island, but didn’t realize it was life changing, and Josslyn says she didn’t realize it would be either. She thought she was going to a place she’d always wanted to check out, someplace not Port Charles, where she’d learn where learn new things. Carly says, it sounds like she did, and Josslyn says she did. She just didn’t learn what she thought she would. It definitely lit a fire under her. Carly asks, how? and Josslyn says she just felt so helpless after Dex passed, and the trip gave her a new sense of purpose. It gave her a new direction. So she guesses she got what she needed out of those giant stone heads. Carly says, that’s great. She remembers when Josslyn came back, she had a different energy. She was more focused, which makes sense since she’s getting ready to graduate. Josslyn says, better late than never, right? and Carly says, it’s just – and this might be all I her head – since Josslyn came back, she’s had the feeling there’s a distance between them. Josslyn says, really? She knows she’s been so busy, but she promises nothing between them has changed. She’s here and they talk all time. Carly says they don’t. It’s not the same. She doesn’t know. Maybe it’s because Josslyn is grown up and moving out because something’s going on. If it’s grief or just life, she’s here. Josslyn can tell her anything, no matter what.

Jack says, Charlotte was eager to see her father, so he pulled some strings, and Anna says, he traded the visit for Valentin’s knowledge of Faison. So she needs to know what Valentin told him. He says, she knows that’s classified, and she says she understands why, but if Faison orchestrated something before he died that is going to come down on Port Charles, they need to work together to stop it

Nina tells Turner, it must have been a deepfake. They took footage from another date and altered the time stamp. Turner says she assures Nina that it’s authentic, and Marco says, it’s clear she wants their cooperation. What’s on the table if they give it to her? Turner says, if Miss Reeves recants her alibi, they can plead her down to making a false statement. Like he said, it’s a misdemeanor. Nina asks what that means, and Turner says, probation for a year and a fine. Marco says, then all this will be over, and Turner says, yes. Nina says, over for her maybe, but what about her daughter? and Turner says she’ll give them a minute to confer, and she leaves.

Nathan thanks Dante for the update, and says, it’s strange being so out of the loop with the PCPD and his family. Dante says he imagines it’s got to be hard, and Nathan says, Nina’s got a daughter she’d sacrifice everything for. Dante says, Nathan told him that Nina was a protective older sister. Imagine her as a mother. Nathan says, good point, and Dante says, no one wants to go down for something they didn’t do… except maybe Nina. If Nathan thinks of anything, let him know. Nathan says, will do. Now that Dante’s filled him in from the department standpoint, what does he think? Did Willow do it? Dante says he can’t discuss something officially, and Nathan says, so unofficially? Dante says, very unofficial. He doesn’t know if she did it or not.

Nina says that woman believes she’d sell out her own daughter, so she didn’t go to trial, and Marco says, it’s a good deal. The evidence is rock solid and strong. He recommends they take it.

Josslyn says, if there was something she needed to tell Carly, she would tell her, even if it was something bad. She knows they’d find a way of working through it. Carly promises they would, and Josslyn says, if they are distant, it’s because she’s focusing on graduating. After that, it’s adulting. Does anybody actually prepare for that? Carly says she doesn’t know. She hasn’t tried. Josslyn says they’re fine, and no matter what, they always will be. Carly says, okay, and they hug. She says she was worried that she’d gotten caught up with so much going on – Michael, Willow, the kids – that she wasn’t giving Josslyn the attention she needed. Josslyn says she’s so happy about Carly’s relationship in Michael’s life. Wiley and Amelia need their grandma. Carly thanks her and says she knows Josslyn doesn’t approve of her seeing Jack. So is that why there’s distance between them?

Jack says he and Valentin had a great deal to discuss. What gives Anna the idea it was about Faison? Anna says, Faison’s two children, both presumed dead, resurface under mysterious circumstances. All in the span of a few months. It’s got to strike even him as something that can’t be played off as coincidence. Jack says, it’s certainly noteworthy, and she laughs. She says, and then, Valentin used to work for Faison and Jack goes out of his way for a face to face now. She finds the timing noteworthy. Jack says he and Valentin have unfinished business, and she says, what business? What’s so important he’d risk the wrath of Lulu setting up a family reunion so he can have a chat with the man he set up to take the fall? Jack says, if he needed her help, he would have asked for it. This has nothing to do with her.

Nina tells Marco that she’s not changing her story because it’s not a story, when there’s a knock at the door. Nathan comes in and Nina hugs him. She asks what he’s doing here, and he says he heard she was in trouble. He and Marco introduce themselves, and Nathan says he wanted to catch Nina before the arraignment. Dante brought him up to speed on the case. He takes it the DA offered a deal. Nina says, yeah. Community service and a fine. All she has to do is sell out her own daughter. Marco says, it’s pointless to stick by her story when everyone knows it’s not true, and Nathan says, please. He’s afraid he agrees with her attorney. She needs to tell the truth.

Martin asks if Willow is standing by her alibi that she was with her mother, and Willow says, the truth is, she doesn’t have an alibi. She went out for a walk by herself. She would never lie, but Nina blurted out that they were together. Drew says, why not tell the truth from the beginning? and Willow says she thought Nina needed her to protect herself. Drew says, so she thought Nina shot him? and Willow asks if she should tell that to the judge, but Martin says, no. Not at this point. She’s going to have to discuss all of this with her defense attorney. She asks if it isn’t him, But he says, absolutely not. He’ll guide her through the arraignment process, but that’s it. He’s representing the victim and it’s a huge conflict of interest. A judge would never allow it past this point and in good conscience, neither would he. She needs a criminal defense lawyer and he means the best she can find.

At the station, Dante asks what he missed, and Chase says, in less than an hour, Willow would be arraigned for attempted murder. Anna was making a huge mistake. Obviously, Michael planted the gun to frame Willow. Dante says, okay, but that’s a bit of a leap, and Chase says, not really. He had plenty of time between warrants to move the gun. Dante says, there’s no evidence tying Michael to the gun, and Chase says, Michael also stated that he was at Elizabeth’s home waiting for Willow, alone. He had plenty of time to plant the gun. Dante says, forensics went over the gun and there were no prints, but Chase says, it was from the Quartermaine collection. Dante says, Willow had access to it, and Chase says, so Michael left the house before it was searched, and the gun ended up where they found it. What was wrong with him? Dante says he gets what Chase is saying, and it tracks, but it’s all circumstantial at best. Chase says, people got convicted on way less, and Dante says, Chase doesn’t sound impartial or sound like he wants to solve the case. It sounded like he was trying to find a way for Willow to be innocent.

Michael said he proposed supervised therapist visits when the visitation hearing was pushed back until after the new year. If the kids waited that long to see their mother, it would feel like they were seeing a stranger. Brook says, that’s not good for anyone, especially not the kids, and he says, that’s why he allowed her to see them in a controlled environment with an impartial person from outside who could intervene if she made them feel uncomfortable. Brook says, after everything Willow has done, she wouldn’t trust her with the kids, but Michael says he realized if he played his cards right, he could ruin Willows advantage and completely box her in.

Following Jason downstairs, Britt says, one more thing, and he says he double-checked. Everything in the closet is hers. She says she needs a car, and he says, she wants him to buy her a car? She says, no. She just needs him to co-sign a loan. She wouldn’t ask, but she’s desperate and needs something to get her from point A to point B and to practice. He says he’ll loan her the money, but she says she didn’t want to ask this much. She doesn’t have much choice. Nina’s been arrested, things with her mother are complicated, and Nathan’s credit is probably just as bad as hers, so… Forget it. He says, hold on. Give him the papers. She hands the papers to him.  

Josslyn says, is Jack her favorite person? No, not really, but if he makes Carly happy, then she’s happy for her. Carly says, Josslyn’s just saying that to be nice, and Josslyn says, because she’s very shy about expressing her disappointment. Carly says, they have that in common, and Josslyn says, if Jack makes Carly happy, she’s happy. She doesn’t have to worry. Carly says she’s a mom. She’ll always worry. Josslyn says she appreciates that, and Carly says, really? Josslyn says, yes, really. After Dex died, she felt disconnected and her instinct was to isolate herself. Then she went east and realized the only way to make Dex’s death worth anything was to do something useful with her life, something that helps Carly and Donna and Michael. To make a difference. Carly asks, how is she going to save them all? and Josslyn says, environmental science, her major. She wants to make the world a better place and thinks she can. Carly says, of course (🍷) she can. She thinks Josslyn can do anything she sets her mind to. They hug, and Josslyn says, they have that in common. Carly says they do.

Jack says, as he told Anna, what he said in his conversation with Valentin is classified. Is there anything else he can do for her? She says, yes. She’d like him to reconsider refusing to read her in. Everything that’s happening – Britt and Nathan reappearing like this – that’s straight out of Faison’s playbook. Jack says, she’s obsessed with Faison. He understands. He knows what Faison did to her and her family, but the man is dead. Anna says she knows. She saw them put his brain in a jar. It was the best day of her life. He says, then she knows he can’t harm her, yet she’s still fixated on him. He can’t help thinking she should see somebody about that. She says, go to hell, and he says he’s already been there, same as her. He hates seeing her take all this so personally. She says she knows Faison better than anyone and she’s trying to get Jack to let her help him. He’s in way over his head. He thinks he’s in control, but he’s he not, and that overconfidence it what gets people killed. She leaves.

Nina tells Nathan that she deeply regrets giving that alibi to the police. She was trying to protect her daughter and just made her look more guilty. Willow didn’t get the opportunity to give her own account that night and it’s her fault. Nathan says he understands, but she still needs to recant, but she says, no. She has a responsibility to her daughter to see this through. She tells Marco that she’s sorry, but she’s not taking the deal. Marco says, fine, but the best he can do is argue that they didn’t have an independent test done on the footage to make sure it’s not being manipulated. Nina thanks him, and he says, it’s also his duty to inform her that he doesn’t believe it’s a good start for her and Willow. Nathana says, the longer she sticks with the alibi, the harder she’ll make it on Willow.  

Martin said representing both Drew and Willow would be malpractice. The answer is no. Drew says, fine. If he can’t help, get out. They don’t need him. Martin says he knows something they do need. They want Willow to get bail. He’ll see himself out and see them at the arraignment. He leaves and Willow says she’s so sorry. He was right about Michael, and she should have listened.

Dante says, Chase doesn’t sound like a cop. He sounds like a defense attorney. They talked about this. The evidence is clear. Willow is a suspect and doesn’t have an alibi. Chase asks if Dante believes Michael was with an escort, and Dante says he thinks the alibi is terrible, but Jacinda backed it up. Chase says, Michael paid her to, but Dante says, the point is, it hasn’t been proven Michael’s alibi is false. Willow’s, on the other hand, has. Chase says, okay. For a second, put Michael and Willow side by side. Who does he think is more capable and willing to plan and commit this crime?

Michael says he knew Willow wouldn’t refuse, and Brook says, why would she want to? If all went well, they could keep going. He says, that would mean all visits had a watchdog and Willow wouldn’t want that, and Brook says, but if Willow said no, he’d could say she turned down an opportunity to see her kids. Didn’t part of him think the therapy sessions would be good for Willow? He says, there was no way of knowing if it would help, and Willow was the last thing he cared about. The only real reservation he had was him and the kids continuing with therapy sessions. Now he didn’t have to worry. Willow had been arrested for shooting Drew and was out of the way now.

Jason says, a Mercedes? Britt said she wanted to practice. Britt says, that’s what she was driving at the Five Poppies until… He says, until what? and she says, there was an incident with a donkey. (Ha-ha-ha! The donkey!) He says, she hit a donkey with a Mercedes? and she says, it was fine. It had a little limp, but it healed. He asks how she knows it healed, and she says she’s a doctor. That donkey had a death wish. He asks if she can afford the car payments, and she says, if she has to live in a rented room above a diner, at least she can drive a nice car. He says, her insurance payments will go through the roof, and she says, why? He says he’s seen her drive, and she says, is he going to sign or walk her through driver’s ed? He signs the papers.

Nathan says, if Willow shot Drew in a rage, it was a crime of passion. She’ll do time, but any attorney can build a defense. Marco says, considering Drew’s reputation, it wouldn’t be hard to convince a judge that she was pushed to the brink. Nina could testify on her behalf and Willow could get a light sentence. If it goes to trial, she could be convicted of conspiracy, coldly ambushing a sitting congressman. Willow needed to construct an alibi. Nina covering for her proved it was premeditated. They were both looking at life sentences in federal prison. Nina said, if she recanted, it left Willow without an alibi, but Marco said, her daughter was without an alibi already. It was gone. It had been disproven. Nathan asked if Nina was absolutely sure Willow was innocent. There was a big difference between not wanting her to be guilty and her actually being innocent. If she wanted to help, she really needed to tell the truth.

Chase tells Dante, Willow is a nurse and a good mom. She’s made mistakes, but has no history of violence. Michael, on the other hand, is a person who brutally murdered a woman. Dante says, the circumstances were way different, and Chase says, Michael was practically raised in the mob. Dante says, if he follows the evidence, right now it points to Willow, and Chase says Dante keeps telling him that he’s biased, but Dante can’t see the possibility of his brother being a suspect, even if it means an innocent woman goes down for the crime. Chase walks out.

Willow says she never imagined that during the session Michael set up, she’d be arrested in front of her children, and Drew says, he’s a vindictive bastard. Willow says, more than that. He’s framing her. That means the father of her children broke into Drew’s home and shot him.

Brook tells Michael that Willow’s judgement was awful, especially when it came to Drew, but Wiley and Amelia loved their mom. And no matter what she’d done, Willow adored them and was capable of being a good mother. Michael says he’s not interested in saving Willow from herself. Not anymore. He was trying to stop her from doing more harm than she’d already done. Now, by the time the visitation hearing came around, Willow would be serving a life sentence for trying to kill Drew and would be out of the kids’ lives completely.

Britt thanks Jason, when Josslyn arrives. Jason asks if she’s seen her mom, and she says, yeah. She just came from her place. They had a great conversation. He says, anything in particular? and she says, no. Her mom just told her how much she’d missed her. She thought her mom missed her more than she realized. Britt says she wonders if Carly would have missed her as much if she knew Josslyn was lying to her face the whole time, and Josslyn says she’s very grateful that Britt saved her life, but she’s done doing this. And if Britt even thinks about telling her mom that she’s WSB, she will burn Britt’s life down because she can do it.

Carly is alone with the moss bowl🎍, and flashes back to Jason saying that Josslyn is in the WSB. She leans back on the sink and remembers asking Jason, why is her daughter in the WSB? Jason says, the assignment. Jack needed someone to get something and used Josslyn to get it. She flashes back to telling Jason that Jack put her daughter in danger and she had to get her out. There was a knock at the door, and Jack came in. He asks, did you miss me? (Aww. I feel sorry for Jack.)

Michael tells Brook, as a father, he’s responsible for keeping his children safe. That means keeping them away from Drew any way he can. The doorbell rings, and Brook says, her first guests. Does he want to come to her tea party? He says he just had one with Amelia. He’s good. She says, his loss, and leaves to answer the door.

Nina tells Nathan that she needs back-up. Please help save her daughter. Nathan says he is trying help, but if she sticks to her story, she and Willow will both end up in prison. Marco says, her brother is right. It won’t help giving an alibi that everyone knows is false. Instead, it will look more like Willow is a cold-blooded killer. Nina says she needs to do something, and Nathan says, drop the alibi. Do that, and it will give Willow a fighting chance. Turner came back and asked if they’d reached a decision.

Willow tells Drew that they have to get Wiley and Amelia away from Michael. It’s not safe. Michael is a dangerous man. Drew says, she has to prove she’s innocent first. Then they’ll get the kids away from Michael and back with her. She says he told her that he was willing to tell the police that he remembered Michael being the one who shot him. Would he really do that for her and her kids?

Dante walks into the nook and says, good. Michael is here. Michael says he is. What’s going on? Dante says he’s here as a brother – he puts his badge on the table – not as a cop. Convince him that he did not frame his ex-wife for attempted murder.

On Monday, Stella says Tracy might have some trouble on her hands anyway; Ronnie says, things are gonna get fun now; Dante tells Michael that he has to come forward and turn himself in; and Carly asks how Jack could keep her in the dark about her daughter.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

A little scary, and not in a Halloween way. Here’s praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery. Maxie’s family needs her back and so do we.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-star-kirsten-storms-addresses-reason-for-show-break-11829923

I love how she looks at growing up on the show.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-eden-mccoy-marks-10-years-as-josslyn-what-a-special-thing-to-be-able-to-celebrate/

The Daytime Emmy noms. I’m rooting extra for Gregory Harrison.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-nancy-lee-grahn-alexis-dishes-ric-hostage-story-and-daytime-emmy-nom-excl/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-laura-wright-on-daytime-emmy-nomination-i-was-really-proud-exclusive/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-jonathan-jackson-going-for-sixth-daytime-emmy-is-a-very-surreal-thing-exclusive/

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/gregory-harrison-reflects-on-general-hospital-run-and-earning-a-daytime-emmy-nomination-at-75-excl/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

The crew had a night out, and Christian and Max were at odds throughout the whole episode. The primary was a repeat of someone Aesha served during her stint in Australia. She said he was very specific and she wasn’t wrong, although he wasn’t overly demanding. He did want truffles though, and a-hole Max decided to chow down on the remainder of them sitting in the galley – during the dinner service. Luckily, there were spares. Christian floated away on a jet ski with no way to get back, and in Nathan’s interview, he said he tried to motivate Max and Christian, but they were dead weight.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

The best moment ever was when Mary turned down caviar because she might end up with salmon babies in her belly. I have to admit to not paying much attention except for hearing Brittani tell the group how Jared was whining about how much he’d paid for things. There was also a beautiful lunch at a winery that degenerated into some argument about soup where they all tried to recall the line from Seinfeld – no soup for you! – but failed miserably.

Real Housewives Of Orange County

The group went to Amsterdam. One of those trips none of us will ever get to take and that they never really enjoy since there’s always a fight or six. Fancy Pants Heather was going to spread some of her father’s ashes there as her parents lived in Amsterdam while she was in college. They split into two groups – Gretchen, Fancy Pants, Gina, and Shannon went for space cakes, while Tamra, Emily, and Jenn decorated d*cks. Not real ones. They all met for dinner, which was hysterical to watch with a high Shannon and Fancy Pants looking at each other through their water glasses. After that was the Red-Light District, and in Jenn’s interview, she said maybe they would get through the trip alive. But then we saw next week’s promo. No such luck.

Real Housewives Of Miami – Reunion Part 3

We revisited Kiki spitting out an oyster and the ratchet/wretched controversy. Marysol said she was getting a procedure done on her knees after Adriana’s comment, which was just sad. Larsa apologized to Jody backstage, and Lisa and Larsa made up. Until next season. Thank God this one is over. I hate Reunions and this was one of the worst.

Random Reality Items

In case you were wondering. I find it difficult to feel bad for him though.

Giving you Lala.

I actually remember her. God forbid they cast someone a little out of the Beverly Hills norm.

Aww. This made me feel sad. They were so cute together.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

The Substance. HBO/MAX. A phenomenal film. Demi Moore deserved the Oscar for making body horror poignant, but even more so for making a statement about a real life horror – the dismissal of a woman as she ages. It’s sad that even today, women are judged by their appearance, while men are judged by their accomplishments. Moore plays a famous fitness instructor whose boss is looking for the next new shiny young thing. She ingests something called The Substance and births out a younger, prettier self. What happens next contains a million messages all pointing to how messed up society still is. The ending broke my heart.

https://www.slashfilm.com/1996873/the-substance-oscar-winning-horror-movie-hbo-max-streaming-charts/

This was the stupidest theory ever. It wasn’t Dallas.

https://screenrant.com/the-substance-elizabeth-mind-fan-theory/

Victoria Beckham. Netflix. I’ve always loved The Spice Girls (don’t judge) and loved Posh when she did her reality shows back in the early 2000s. I thought she was smart and had a wicked sense of humor. This documentary focuses on her pivot from pop culture celebrity to designer of couture. While her clothing mostly isn’t for my body type, I admit to owning a pair of her jeans. What struck me most was how mean people have been to her and the horrific things people have said, hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. Yet, she stuck it out and achieved her dream. Okay, it didn’t hurt to have David by her side.

https://people.com/victoria-beckham-docuseries-reveals-business-debt-including-shocking-cost-of-office-plants-11828928

You, too, can channel her fashion.

https://people.com/victoria-beckham-netflix-outfits-october-2025-11830679

The Woman in Cabin 10. Netflix. A step up from a Lifetime movie – it has Guy Pearce! – a journalist is invited to cover a fundraiser and travels there with other guests on a yacht. She believes she’s witnessed someone falling or being pushed overboard, but all the evidence points to it never having happened.

https://www.thereviewgeek.com/thewomanincabin10-moviereview/

I was glad to read about the changes from the book. I was sure I’d read it, then started to doubt myself as I was watching the film.

https://www.purewow.com/entertainment/the-woman-in-cabin-10-netflix-review-movie-vs-book

It’s bigger than the one on Below Deck, but with the same rules.

https://people.com/all-about-the-woman-in-cabin-10-filming-locations-11830042

Sinners (again). HBO/MAX. I started watching this just to watch a specific scene again and got sucked in to the whole thing. It’s not just a horror masterpiece, it’s a masterpiece on every level. The cinematography, the acting, the soundtrack, and story are all brilliant. I loved the real life horror parallel and how multi-dimensional it was. If it doesn’t win all the Oscars, something is very wrong.

https://www.meer.com/en/93659-sinners-a-masterpiece-of-cinema

🔮 Watches Of the Future…

Premieres on October 26th and I can’t wait.

https://ew.com/when-does-welcome-to-derry-come-out-cast-trailers-11827313

https://ew.com/welcome-to-derry-on-set-it-prequel-tracing-pennywise-origins-exclusive-11830263

This looks interesting and kind of weird. And I didn’t hate WandaVision.

https://ew.com/visionquest-closes-wandavision-trilogy-billys-brother-tommy-11828643

🐉 Write Faster, George…

Yeah, no one wants to die, but people do, so get writing.

https://ew.com/george-rr-martin-winds-of-winter-delay-controversy-11828778

🎸 He Loved It Loud…

I was sad to hear this. IMO, Ace had the best of the KISS solo albums. New York Groove is a gem.

https://people.com/kiss-cofounder-ace-frehley-dead-at-74-11831585

🧌 Where the Rubber Suit Meets the Road…

Where else could a K-Pop Demon Hunter literally walk into a bar with Deadpool and Monkey D. Luffy?

https://nypost.com/2025/10/11/us-news/celebrities-and-cosplayers-take-part-in-new-york-comic-con-2025/

👻 All Dressed Up and Everywhere To Go…

🐩 Costumes on celebrity pets.

https://www.tmz.com/2021/10/29/celebrity-pets-all-dressed-up-for-halloween/

🦖 Costumes for ambitious pet parents.

https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/holidays/15-diy-pet-costumes-for-halloween-pictures

🦎 And costumes for not-so ambitious pet parents.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/pets-animals/2025/10/13/top-2025-halloween-pet-costumes-for-cats-dogs-and-more/86676756007/

🕷 Quotes of the Week

Dare to be true; nothing can need a lie. A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. – George Herbert

To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone.Reba McEntire

Many things—such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly—are done worst when we try hardest to do them. – C.S. Lewis, from Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature, compiled in Words to Live By

I don’t focus on what I’m up against. I focus on my goals and I try to ignore the rest. – Venus Williams

The meaning of life is that it stops. – Franz Kafka

That food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. – Ann Wigmore

The opportunity of a lifetime is to pick yourself. Quit waiting to get picked; quit waiting for someone to give you permission; quit waiting for someone to say you are officially qualified… and pick yourself. – Seth Godin

We can have peace if we let go of wanting to change the past and wanting to control the future. – Lester Levinson

Healing comes from taking responsibility: to realize that it is you – and no one else – that creates your thoughts, your feelings, and your actions. – Peter Shepherd

If you want change, get out there and live it. – Steve Maraboli

We work to become, not to acquire. – Elbert Hubbard

We remember autumn to best advantage in the spring; the finest aroma of it reaches us then. – Henry David Thoreau

What did Columbus discover? People were already here. It’s like crashing your car into Starbucks & saying you discovered coffee.Jimmy Kimmel

🐦‍⬛ On a Midnight Dreary…

Until next week, stay safe; stay making sure your porch has secure/easy child access if you’re passing out treats on Halloween; and stay not throwing a tea party for a shots and beers kinda gal.

August 28, 2025 – GH Weekdays, Drew Threatens the Wrong Person, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Impending Watch, Look Behind You, Not Your Every Day, A Pinch Over 10 Quotes & Other Side

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Bites…

Monday:

Molly walked in on Ava and Cody getting busy, and said, sorry.

Ric said he had business to discuss with Kristina’s mother, but Kristina said, his business was with her.

Alexis met Drew at the MetroCourt and thanked him for reaching out. She said she heard about him and Molly meeting, and hoped cool heads could prevail in finding a path forward and supporting Scout.

Laura met Martin at the MetroCourt, and he said he managed to make himself a very dangerous enemy.

Lucas said they were reclassifying Maxie’s status. She was in a coma and given the changed status, GH was no longer the best place to treat her. Spinelli said it meant they were kicking Maxie out.

Britt asked why Jason was still there. He needed to leave – now. He said she needed to tell him what she was doing there.

Felicia suggested they hear Lucas out, and he said Massachusetts General was where he’d worked before this. They had the best coma care in the country, had made incredible breakthroughs, and Maxie had a room there. He promised her care would be better, but Spinelli didn’t think she should be moved away from family and friends. He begged Felicia and Mac not to let her go.

Britt told Jason that her Huntington’s was in remission, and she lived in paradise. She’d put the past in the rearview mirror, including him. He said he knew her, and she was holding something back, and she asked if it was worth the long flight to let that piece of Eurotrash climb all over him.

Martin told Laura about stella and said it was all his fault. He should have suspected something. Drew was upset and all Drew could see was his hatred for Curtis. He should never have gotten involved with Drew in the first place.

Drew said his main concern was to provide the safety and support Scout needed, and Alexis said they were on the same page. Scout was lucky to have such a devoted father. A woman came in and served Alexis with papers.

Kristina said she knew about the blackmail. She’d thought she was cutting Ava’s brake lines, but cut his.

Cody told Molly that he did it for her.

Lucas said Maxie was one of his best friends and he wouldn’t transfer her, if he didn’t think it was her best chance. Felicia asked if he trusted the staff and could guarantee her daughter would get care and support like she did there, and he said it would be better. He couldn’t think of anywhere Maxie would be better taken care of.

Jason said he assumed Britt was talking about Greta, and Britt said she bet he made Greta feel like he accepted her, flaws and all… until Carly called. He said he was sorry for what he did to her, but he’d never do that to Greta. She meant nothing to him. He was working her the whole time.

Brook told Lulu that they were moving Maxie today and they should bring the kids to say goodbye for now. Lulu asked if Brook was ready for this, and Brook said she was trying to be. Lulu said, same.

Martin said he and Drew had officially parted ways, and Laura said she was proud of him. He said he’d have to continue freeloading off her generosity.

Kristina said she’d made a mistake, and Ric said he was sure her mother would clean up her next mistake like she had all the others. This was attempted murder. She said it wasn’t her intention to hurt them, and he said, but she had, and her intention had been to kill Ava. Prison should be her next stop.

Cody told Molly that none of this was real. He wasn’t into Ava intimately. He was getting paid. Ava said she didn’t pay him and there had been no sex. Cody said Kristina wanted get Ava away from Molly’s dad and told him that Molly hated them together.

Alexis said Drew lured her there to serve her a restraining order? She couldn’t come within 500 feet of her granddaughter. Drew said the family was all getting them, even Rocco. Nothing would stop him from protecting his daughter and the law would make sure of it.

Ava said Kristina paid Ric to feign interest in her because Kristina didn’t want her with Ric? and Cody said, yes. She said she’d deal with him later and left. Cody said, it was all Kristina’s idea, and it worked. Ava was distracted enough to have Ric focus his attention on Elizabeth. Wasn’t that what Molly wanted? Molly said, don’t do her any more favors, and left. Cody’s phone rang and Lulu told him to get to GH. Maxie and his family needed him. (Cody’s very busy, very bad day.)

Spinelli told Maxie that she was getting a change of scenery. She was being transferred to Massachusetts General. Apparently, their specialized care was second to none. She was second to no one in his life and heart. He’d thought he’d missed his chance to be her partner again and was grateful that he was wrong. It had been the best time in his life, and it wasn’t ready for it to end. He asked her to wake up and come home. They’d found their way back to each other before.

Jason told Britt that Greta made a point of hitting on him. She wanted information. Clearly, she had a connection to what was going on. Britt said it sounded like a great way to get himself killed.

Alexis asked, why? and Drew said it was obvious where she was headed. She was trying to get custody by painting him as unfit. Maybe she’d been behind that nightmare with the escort. She had complete disregard for Scout’s well-being. He wasn’t the problem – she was.

Kristina said she knew what she’d done was wrong and told Ric to remember that her baby died, she lost Sam, and her brother Michael had been burned so badly, he’d almost died. It had been one trauma after another, and she snapped. He said he understood, but she had to remember that Molly loved Michael, had also lost a sister, and lost a baby. The baby was also Molly’s, but Kristina acted life the grief was hers alone. She didn’t consider what Molly and TJ (remember him?) were going through. She’d tried to steal the child, and he had the paperwork to prove it. Molly had believed Kristina would stand by her promise, but Kristina was going to keep the child for her own. Molly would have lost a child either way because of her.

Martin noticed Drew and Alexis, and said, Laura had to win her reelection bid. She asked why that had anything to do with Drew and Alexis, and he said Ezra Boyle was Drew’s puppet. Drew’s power would go unchecked on the federal and local level. She was the leadership Port Charles deserved. She said he sounded like Lulu.

Drew said that Sam wanted Scout and Danny with him and Alexis was ignoring Sam’s wishes, but Alexis said, that was before Sam knew Jason was alive. Drew knew she’d wanted her children to stay together and in each other’s lives. Jason and Dante understood, but he was ripping Scout away from her family and friends. Drew said Jason was a thug and contract killer, and Danny was a thug in the making. Alexis said, shut up. Was that the best he had? He was hanging his despicable actions on a 15-year-old boy? He was not fighting his battle against his brother through their children. She wouldn’t stand for it.

Kristina said Ric was wrong about all of it. He kept pitting her and Molly against each other, but they’d talked, grieved, and mourned together and healed. They’d chosen that this would be the thing bringing them together rather than tearing them apart. The only reason she didn’t turn herself in was because she didn’t want Molly to know she’d almost killed him. But she also didn’t want Molly to know that her pathetic excuse for a father was blackmailing her mother. Ava came by and said she needed to talk to Alexis, but Ric said she wasn’t there. It didn’t matter. Ava was too late.

Cody arrived at the hospital, along with Lulu and the kids. Lulu told Spinelli that Charlotte was staying with Bailey Lou. Georgie asked what was going on, and Felicia said they were moving her mom to a special hospital. It was important that they wish her well and let her know how much they loved her before she goes.

Britt said Jason was seeing things that weren’t there. She wasn’t witness to any espionage activity. He said she hadn’t told him why she was there, and she said it was a five-star resort with a spa. She had a day job that kept her busy and out of trouble. He told her to leave with him. He could take her anywhere she wanted.

Brook asked if she and Lulu could see Maxie, and Lucas said as long as they didn’t fight. They went to her room, and Brook said Maxie did it. Here they were, here together on their best behavior. Lulu said only Maxie could make it happen, and Brook said, the most important thing was for Maxie to get better. Lulu said, until that happened, don’t worry, and Brook said they’d help take care of the kids and Spinelli. No one was better at ordering food. Lulu said everything would be okay. Focus on coming home and soon.

Ava said she and Ric were both played, and Kristina admitted she’d hired Cody to seduce Ava and drive a wedge between her and Ric. She did what she needed to, to get them to stop blackmailing her mother. Ava said she knew she should have gone to the cops. The lack of gratitude… Kristina asked if she should be grateful that Ava held her freedom over her mother’s head, and Ric said the argument was pointless. The blackmail was officially over.

Alexis said Drew was an abusive parent who utter neglected the well-being of his own child. It was reprehensible and cruel. Scout just lost her mother and the way he answered was to dump her with the help and sleep with his niece-in-law. Molly came to the table, and Alexis said she’d fight with everything she had. Drew said she’d lose. He was Scout’s only remaining parent and a member of congress. She was a known drunk, and it had barely been a year since her disbarment. She’d had her last visit with Scout. Scout wouldn’t see her again until she was 18, if Scout remembered her and if she was still alive. Alexis said he would be the one who was forgotten. When she was through with him, it would be like he never existed. And if Scout asked about him, she’d do Scout a favor and say he was a good man, because he wouldn’t be around to prove her wrong.  

Jason said, whatever Britt got herself into, he could fix, and she said she wasn’t going back to Port Charles. He said he would set her up anywhere she wanted, and she asked if he’d come visit her. He said if she wanted him too, but she said she wanted him to leave. It hurt her to see him. All she saw was home and he had no idea how hard that was. Please just go and forget he saw her. Forget this happened. She started to open the door, but he put his hand against it and said, just wait.

Mac asked if James wanted to go in, and when James hesitated, Cody said he was scared and wondered if it would help if they went in together. They all went into Maxie’s room, and Mac said she always managed to beat the odds, and she would again. He loved her very much. He kissed her forehead, and James asked if she remembered when he broke his arm and got a cast. She gave him his dad’s police badge, and it really helped. Now it could help her. He placed the badge on the bed and hugged her gently. Cody said he nailed it, and Mac said, perfect.

Maxie was wheeled out, and Lucas said he’d make sure she was settled and well taken care of. He promised to keep the badge with her. Felicia told Maxie that she was the strongest, most resilient, determined person she’d known. She had the utmost confidence that she’d see Maxie awake and alert soon. She loved Maxie so very much. Maxie was wheeled into the elevator and Lucas followed. Spinelli cried and there was sadness all around.

Jason took Britt’s hand and gave her a phone. He said she needed to keep this. He’d leave on one condition. She said she had a phone… unless he put her on his family plan, and he said it was a burner phone. Call if she needed him. No matter what, he’d show up. Britt said, better not tell Carly, and left.  

Molly suggested Alexis get some air, and Alexis told Drew, this is not over. He said, but it is, and Alexis left.

Martin told Laura that he wished Alexis had been more discreet. It was unwise to threaten Drew, especially where others could overhear. Laura said she didn’t hear anything. Did he? He said, come to think of it, no, and they clinked glasses.

Drew told Molly, FYI, if a process server asked her name, accept the envelope. She asked what he’d tell Sam, and he said that he was doing what was best for his daughter. She said he was doing what was best for himself. Sam would hate him and one day Scout would hate him too. Drew left.

Ric told Ava that it couldn’t go on forever. The amount of cash they were taking wasn’t sustainable. She should talk to someone about her spending habits. All of the accounts were empty, including the Swiss account she was secretly funneling money into. He was the victim after all. Ava said it was her divorce settlement. Get it back. He said he couldn’t. He’d bought $10 million in treasury bonds and couldn’t touch them. They’d mature in 30 days, and he was going to collect all the money plus interest, clean and laundered, and deposit it into an account he owned. Ava said they were partners, a team, and he betrayed her. He said she betrayed him first, and walked to the door. Ava picked up a sculptural globe and whacked him in the back of the head. He fell and there was blood on the globe.

Tuesday:

Josslyn struggled to get out of her bonds, when Pascal came in. She said she was there on her honeymoon. Let her go and let her see her husband. He said she didn’t have a husband and called her Agent Jax.

Brennan was in his office, when his phone rang. Anna said she’d tell him that it was his conscience calling, but they both knew he didn’t have one.

Sidwell asked if Lucy was all right, but she said she couldn’t stop thinking about Maxie collapsing. It was horrific. Sidwell said he saw it, and it was terrible, and Lucy said Maxie was in a coma and no one knew when she’d come out of it. Things could turn on a dime, the unthinkable happened, and life was never the same again.

Dante went to the stables with a six-pack and said he’d avoided Cody long enough. Cody asked, what changed? and Dante said Lulu told him about Maxie. He figured Cody could use a beer and a friend.

At the MetroCourt bar, Molly told Michael about Drew’s restraining orders and said she was afraid Alexis may have made a big mistake.

Ava said she had to stop Ric and Kristina said so she killed him. Ava said he was probably still alive, when Alexis walked in.

Josslyn asked what Pascal wanted, and he said he wanted to know what intel they’d shared with Brennan shared and what he already had in his possession. She said Brennan didn’t share anything with them. They were on a need-to-know list. Pascal said if she had nothing to offer him, she was disposable.

Anna asked about an update on Josslyn, and Jack said she was drunk. Where was she? She said it had been a tough day, and he told her not to discuss Agent Jax in public. She said he didn’t care about anyone but himself, and hung up. Colette came in and told Jack that it was time to call this whole thing off.

Cody told Dante that his dad and Felicia were doing their best to be optimistic, but it was hard on them. He’d done his best to comfort James. Dante said he’d done the same with Rocco and it was a tightrope. You wanted to keep hope alive, but not give unreasonable expectations. Cody said James looked up to him, but sooner or later, James would learn the truth, that he let people down.

Molly said her mom had been going off on Drew and caused a scene, and Michael said he’d done the same thing with Drew recently. Molly said, Drew used to be a good guy. What happened to him? Michael said he didn’t know, but Drew was causing trouble for more and more people and had to be stopped.

Alexis asked if Ric was dead and Kristina checked for a pulse. She thought he had one, and Alexis said she was calling an ambulance. She asked which one of them was going to tell her what happened, and Ava asked Kristina to take this one.

Kristina said Ric came over and she called out on blackmailing Alexis. Alexis asked if she did this, and Kristina said, no. Alexis said, thank God, and Kristina said she got upset, but it got uglier when Ava showed up. Ava said she’d uncovered Kristina’s plot to have Cody seduce her and told Ric, but he didn’t care. He’d been busy clearing out their shared bank accounts and putting the money in a bond account. It all happened so fast. She just grabbed the nearest object. Alexis said she still need to call the police, but Ava said, no. If she went down, Kristina would go down.

Lucy said sorry for putting a damper on things, but Sidwell said he was glad she opened up. Her compassion and empathy were inspiring. She said she wished there was something she could do for Maxie, and he told her to keep the company going, so when Maxie returned, she’d have nothing to worry about. Lucy said the whole world saw Maxie collapse while demoing their new product. There were some on social media saying their product was deadly and Erica Kane was probably jumping on it. Sidwell said they’d have to put their heads together and come up with a solution.

Jack said Colette didn’t call the shots, but she said she didn’t understand. It was clearly a disaster. He said she didn’t know the parameters, and she suggested he fill her in. He said everything was under control and he had to be somewhere. She asked if it was another rendezvous with his agent’s mother, and he said his personal life was off limits. If he had to tell her again, it would be the last thing she heard.

Josslyn said Pascal was probably going to kill her anyway. Why tell him anything? He said it made her chance of survival slightly better, and she said she’d consider giving him the information if she saw Vaughn was okay. He said even though she was new to this, she should know she was in no position to negotiate, and she said her lips were sealed then. Pascal said he had so many ways of unsealing her lips, he couldn’t wait to find out which one made her crack.

Dante thought Cody was being harsh, but Cody said he knew how bad he’d screwed up. He’d found out Brook was pregnant… Dante said he’d been a teenager, but Cody said he wasn’t a teenager when he didn’t tell Mac that he was his son. If he’d learned anything, Molly wouldn’t have seen him kissing Ava for money.

Molly said she couldn’t find a solid legal recourse, but Michael said Drew hadn’t won yet. Give it time. If she and Alexis put their heads together, they’d be unstoppable. She said it was the second time he’d calmed her when she was at the brink of spinning out, and he asked if she took his advice about Cody. She said she had. She went to the stables to ask him out for coffee, but he was a little busy. Michael asked what he was doing, and she said, Ava Jerome.

Alexis said, so much for Ava agreeing not to blackmail her, but Ava said it was about self-preservation. She still had two smoking guns that could send Kristina to prison. Kristina said Ava would also go to prison for attempted murder and embezzlement, and Ava said a bump on the head wasn’t like cutting brake lines. Kristina said they all had blood on their hands, so they were stuck together.

Jack saw Anna at the Brown Dog Bar, and she asked how he found her. He said, let’s go, but she said she wasn’t going anywhere with him. He suggested they at least move to a table, and they sat down. She asked what he wanted. She’d put it on her tab. He said he thought one of them should stay sober, and she said, suit himself. He asked what was going on with her, and she said her goddaughter was in a coma. He said he was sorry, and she said she hated feeling helpless. She felt helpless about Josslyn too. He didn’t answer her question. Had he heard from Josslyn? He said, not yet, and she said if something happened to Josslyn, he’d most certainly lose Carly after he’d sacrificed his assets and Josslyn’s life as well.

Colette snuck back into Jack’s office and looked around. She found a safe with an electronic lock and called Pascal. In French, she said she needed help getting the block box. She needed the combination. He said he knew how to get exactly what they needed.

Lucy said she’d forgotten what it felt like to have somebody in her corner, and Sidwell said he was there for her, anything she needed. She said he was doing it now. She appreciated him being there with her more than he knew. He said, why not come spend the night at his place? (I love how he said it like it was an apartment and not a private island.)

Michael said, Cody and Ava? and Molly said if she’d walked in ten minutes later, she’d have caught a different show. Michael said he owed her an apology for the bad advice, but she said he couldn’t have known. Cody claimed he was only with Ava because of her. He said somebody paid him to lure Ava away from her dad and break them up for her sake. Michael asked if he said who, and Molly said, Kristina.

Cody told Dante that Kristina paid him to break up Ava and Ric. Flirting with Ava wasn’t a chore and the money was good, but he didn’t do it for the money. He did it for Molly. Dante wondered what Molly had to do with it, and Cody said he knew how much Molly loved her dad and thought it would help to get Ava away from him. But because of him, it turned into a complete and utter disaster.  

Vaughn was thrown into a chair next to Josslyn by two thugs, and Pascal said he showed her that he was okay. Give him the information. She said she told him that she’d consider it, and he asked Vaughn what the WSB knew about the resort. What were their instructions? Vaughn laughed and told him, go to hell, and a thug punched him om the gut.

Anna said she didn’t know how Jack could do this to Carly. He claimed he cared about her and lured her daughter down a dangerous path. He said, by the time he realized what Carly meant to him, it was too late, but Anna said it was too late the minute he set eyes on Josslyn and realized he could use her. Carly thought he was a loving, wonderful man, but he wasn’t. He was a soulless bastard. Jack said he never forced Josslyn to do anything, and Anna asked if he presented the op by saying she’d make a difference in the world. Did he sell her by saying she’d be seeing the world and fighting justice? He said, Josslyn went into it with open eyes, but Anna said she had no idea what she was getting into and neither did that girl. She had no understanding that she was leaving her innocence, her freedom, and maybe her family. The WSB would ruin Josslyn’s life the way it ruined hers. Jack said, not every agent regretted joining, and she said, just the ones that had a conscience. He told her to stop feeling sorry for herself. She had choices. It wasn’t the Bureau’s fault she’d made the wrong ones. And the ones that ruined her life were all hers.

The thug punched Vaughn some more, and Pascal asked, what does the WSB know? Vaughn spit on Pascal, and Pascal wiped his face. A thug took out what looked like a drill, and Pascal said Vaughn had one last chance. What does the WSB know?  

Anna asked if Jack was referring to her decision to work with Faison, and he said she was so ambitious, determined to be the best agent. So she took a short cut. Anna said, Faison played her like a puppet, and Jack said Faison used her ambition against her and she became a double-agent. That’s what ruined her life, not the WSB. Anna said, both were equally destructive, but point well taken. She owned her decision, and she didn’t want Josslyn to make the same ones. Jack said she wouldn’t. Their situations were different. Anna said they weren’t. Josslyn was in over her head, like she was. He said she was underestimating… and she told him, shut up. End this before Josslyn got hurt, or worse. Abort the objective and bring her home. Stop being an agent for one damn second and act like a human being. He needed to do whatever it took to save Carly’s daughter.

Vaughn said he wasn’t telling Pascal a damn thing, and Josslyn said, stop. She’d give him all of the information, but don’t hurt Vaughn. Vaughn told her, shut up, and Pascal said it was now or never. Josslyn said, everything the WSB knew was in a black box in Brennan’s office in Port Charles. He didn’t share any information with them. If Pascal wanted to know what Brennan knew, get to the box. Vaughn said, Agent Jax… and Pascal said they knew about the box. What they don’t know is the combination. Josslyn said, 1-0-1-8-7-7, and Pascal said, cooperation can be a wonderful thing. He left with the thugs, and Vaughn asked what the hell was she thinking. Did she know what she’d done?

Sidwell said he didn’t mean to be forward, but he knew Lucy was going through a difficult time. He thought she could use the company and Windymere was a large house. The guest rooms were comfortable, and she’d be more than welcome. She thanked him and said, normally, under any other circumstances, she’d come over for a sleepover, but she felt the need to back to the hospital to see if Mac and Felicia need anything. He said, of course (🍷). Just know the invitation is open ended. She said she’d keep it in mind for future reference, and they clinked glasses.

Cody told Dante that he hated Molly walking in. She seemed hurt. Dante asked if there was something Cody wasn’t telling him, and Cody said they were getting to know each other, and he thought it was going well. Then it was like a switch flipped and Molly started hating on him lately, treating him like she had a low opinion of him. He just proved her right. He tried to explain, but he couldn’t find his shirt and Ava was yelling, get out. Molly did not want to hear him out. Dante asked if he ended up giving up Kristina, and Cody said he did. Kristina was probably mad, and he could kiss his paycheck goodbye.

Molly told Michael that it made sense how Kristina didn’t want her distracted by Cody. Kristina warned her that Cody was paid to sleep with women, conveniently leaving out she was the one who paid him. She was finally trusting her sister again. Now she learned Kristina was manipulating her. Michael said he thought Kristina was trying to help and do something nice for her, and she said, that’s what Cody told her. But why not tell her? If it was a plan for her, why not let her in on it? Michael suggested it might be difficult for her to keep from Ric, and she asked if he thought she should forgive her sister. He said he thought she should hear Kristina out. As far as Cody went, in a backwards way, he thought he was trying to do her a favor. Maybe she should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Alexis said, just when she thought this nightmare was over, and Kristina said Ava was one who assaulted Ric. Ava said because of Kristina. Ric betrayed them all and left her on the hook. Alexis said her ex was on the floor unconscious, whacked in the head with her favorite paperweight. Could they not point fingers? Molly would be home soon, and not only was Ric her dad, Molly was an officer of the court. Kristina asked what they were going to do with Ric.

Josslyn asked if Vaughn was okay, and he said she shouldn’t have done that. She said they were going to kill him, and he said she should have let them. She gave them classified information. Has she forgotten who she is? She’s an agent not a college kid. Thanks to her, they’re both traitors. Pascal watched them on his phone, and she said it stopped them from working his face with a hot iron. Vaughn said because of her, they failed, and Pascal won. Game, set, and match.

Jack told Anna not to worry about Josslyn. He had faith she’d be fine. Anna said she thought she’d tell Carly that he recruited her daughter. She stood a shot at convincing Josslyn to quit. He said, in doing so, she’d jeopardize the mission and Josslyn’s life. She wouldn’t say a word. Anna finished her drink and said she hated that he put her in this position. He said she did it to herself by sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Knowing about Josslyn was a burden they both had to carry.

Sidwell asked what Colette was doing at Windymere, and she apologized for coming unannounced. Pascal confirmed he’d taken care of the problem. Sidwell said he didn’t answer to Pascal any more than he answered to her, and she said Pascal was inquiring on behalf of their associate. He told her to tell them both that he’d soon have controlling interest in Deception, and they could use that company as they’d previously discussed. And they could thank him for the compound. It worked perfectly. Maxie Jones and her big mouth are no longer a threat.  

Cody told Dante that he couldn’t blame Kristina if she didn’t pay him. He didn’t keep money long anyway. He cared more about Molly than the money. Dante said it sounded like he liked her, and Cody said he did. She came off as serious and uptight, but she was sweet and fun to be around. Dante said it sounded like Cody was getting to know her pretty well, and Cody said, too bad it was all over. Now she knew he was a world class jerk.

Molly said maybe Michael was right, but good intentions didn’t change what he and Kristina did. It was more about her dad. She was no fan of Ava’s, but Kristina shouldn’t have interfered in their relationship. Her dad needed to know what was going on.

Ava said she was taking the paperweight. It was evidence and she wasn’t leaving it there with the two scheming snakes. Kristina said Ric’s car had been moved to the garden shed. As far as the outside world was concerned, Ric was never there.

Somewhere in a basement, Ric woke up tied to a bed with a gag in his mouth.

Wednesday:

Kristina came home to find Molly there and asked what was going on. Molly said she knew what Kristina did to her dad.

Ric woke up and saw Alexis. She took the gag out and he said, thank God, she found him. She had to get him out of there.

Molly told Kristina that she knew about her dad. Cody told her everything. She’d walked in on him and Ava pre-sex, and he told her that Kristina paid him. Kristina said, not to have sex per se, but she hired him to break up Ava and Molly’s dad. She thought she was helping. Molly said she got that, but Kristina couldn’t interfere with people’s relationships, even if she did believe Ava would hurt her dad. Kristina said she was definitely right about that, when Sonny came to the door.

Portia found Curtis in her office and said she’d seen Stella. It looked like things were good. He said looks could be deceiving. Aunt Stella was in serious trouble.

Isaiah told Stella that he hoped she wasn’t having any more trouble and asked why she thought she’d been singled out. She said she suspected somebody was trying to cause trouble. She’d done nothing wrong.

Willow met Drew at the MetroCourt and said she needed strong allies right now. The only ones she had left were Elizabeth, Ric, and hopefully, him.

Marco lit a candle in the church, when Gio came in. Marco told Gio that he was saying a prayer for his mother, and Gio said today was his mom’s birthday. Every year he lit a candle in her honor. They introduced themselves, and Gio said he’d read about Natalia in the news. He was sorry for Marco’s loss. Marco said he was managing. It had been a complicated relationship. Gio said, for a while, people accused his grandfather of being responsible for her death, but he had nothing to do with it. He hoped Marco believed that.

Sonny told Molly that he was wondering about the parameters of Turner’s jurisdiction, and Molly said, and how it affected him? He said, also Laura and the vote on Measure C. Kristina said maybe they shouldn’t have this conversation there, and Molly said it was like she was trying to get rid of them.

At Windymere, Lucy read some social media comments about Maxie and Deception, and Jordan said they were insensitive. Lucy said the public was believing their product caused Maxie’s condition and told Sidwell that she was afraid Deception was going out of business.

Elizabeth asked how Maxie was, and Lucas said she was settled in and had the best team. They were running every test imaginable. Now he just hoped they could help her. Ava asked if Lucas had a minute. She needed his help.

Ric babbled, and Alexis told him, calm down. How did he end up there? He said he’d gone to her house to finalize the last payment, when Kristina ripped into him about the blackmail and Ava ripped into him as well. He’d drained the shell corporation, even the money Alexis just sent Ava, and Ava found out. He put the money in a bond account, and she was livid. Alexis asked how he ended up there, and he said he didn’t know. He was leaving and everything went black, then he woke up there. He guessed Ava hit him over the head. Once Alexis let him go, he was going to take care of Ava, and Alexis would never have to deal with either of them again. Alexis said, as appealing as that was, unfortunately, it wasn’t going to work for her, and he asked if she was in on this.

Drew said Willow could always count on him and asked, what made her reach out? She said she asked Kristina to be a character witness. She’d presented herself as a mediator between her and Michael, but she showed her true colors. Kristina refused to testify on her behalf and said she was a terrible mother. She needed someone from Michael’s family to vouch for her. Drew said there was still time and promised he’d help get her kids back if she let him. Nina approached the table and asked, what in God’s name was Willow doing with him?

Ava told Lucas that she’d been having trouble sleeping for almost a week and was exhausted. She asked if he could prescribe some sleeping pills to tide her over, since her doctor couldn’t see her for a few weeks. He said, just 30 days, no refills, and she thanked him. He asked if she was sure he wasn’t cramping her style, not having sleepovers with Ric, but she said she and Ric had decided to call it quits.

Alexis said she came home, and Ric was splayed out on the floor. Ava and Kristina explained they’d decided this was the right course of action. He asked why she helped Ava, and she said, Ava came to her first with the same deal. One last payment, she’d cut him out, and no more blackmail. He asked why she didn’t go with the father of her child, and she said because of her other child. Ava was throwing in his car and the security footage which would ensure Kristina didn’t go to prison. He said he tried working with Ava and look where it got him. If she let him go, he promised not to press charges against her or Kristina. She said, hmm… She thought she’d take her chances with Ava. He asked what she was going to do when Ava gave her what she wanted. Kill him?  

Kristina said she didn’t think their mom should be disturbed, but Molly said she went out for a walk. Kristina said she didn’t think Sonny should be talking to Molly about the acting DA, and Molly told Sonny, with Robert gone, Turner had more power and was keeping a close eye on him. She was ambitious, but fair, and wouldn’t manufacture evidence. She could have used Michael to come after him and his family, but she didn’t. Sonny said, she didn’t, and she stood up to Drew, and Kristina said she was glad someone did. He had her, Molly, and her mom served with restraining orders to stay away from Scout.  

Marco told Gio that the autopsy showed no signs of foul play and he was finding ways to deal with it. He left and Gio lit a candle. Brook came in with flowers and said she was sorry. She didn’t know he’d be there. She came to light a candle and leave the flowers in honor of Camilla’s birthday, but she could come back. He said it wasn’t about him today. It was about his mom. She should stay.

The insurance goons said they needed a word with Stella, but she said she was in the middle of helping a patient. One of the goons said, as of now, her employment was suspended, and Isaiah listened in.

Portia said Drew sicced the investigators on Stella, and Curtis said, apparently Martin accidently hinted Stella did something to help him with a claim. Drew took the information and used it, along with his position, to get back at them. She said, what about the truce? and he said he knew this was a possibility. She said it was low, even for Drew. That meant he’d come after her next. He still had the proof that she tampered with Heather Webber’s test results. He said Drew was focused on Stella, who wouldn’t be in trouble if not… She said, if it wasn’t for her. Isaiah came in and said the fraud investigators were back and were with Stella. Curtis told Portia to stall them for as long as she could. He’d call for help. Portia left with Isaiah.

Brook told Gio, Camilla could make the violin laugh and cry. She also remembered how much Camilla loved him. He was her entire world. Gio said she was his too. She was a great mom. He can’t wrap his head around the fact that she wasn’t his biological mother. He’d assumed he inherited his music and talent from her, but it wasn’t true. Brook said, of course (🍷) it was. He was the person he was today because Camilla raised him. She’d passed on her love of music and she saw so much of Camilla in him. She was kind, thoughtful, and so generous, just like her son. He and Camilla were so chill. He didn’t get that from her. Gio said, definitely not.

Alexis told Ric, relax. She wasn’t going to kill him. He asked what her end game was, and she said to keep him on ice until the bonds matured, then collect the money, and put it back in the trust. Then, Ava would turn over the evidence to her and he’d be free to go. He said, and he wouldn’t go to the police because they all had dirt on each other, and Alexis said, tell her that he’s proud of her. He said there was one problem with her master plan. Ava would try to kill him. She said she wasn’t going to let that happen, and he said forgive him for not having the utmost faith in her. Her phone chimed and she said it was Kristina. She had to go. It’s been fun. Ric started to yell, and she said nobody would hear him, but better safe than sorry. He said this was inhumane, and she asked if he didn’t do this to Carly. He said Alexis was better than him, and she said because of him, she’d embezzled. It was a slippery slope. She put the gag back in his mouth and left.

Lucas told Elizabeth that he managed to get some tea. Ava and Ric’s love was no more. He thought she’d want a warning that Ric might come around more often. Elizabeth said he’d be met with boundaries complete with barbed wire fencing. Had Lucas had more trouble with Willow? He asked if there was a reason he would, and she said, the last time Drew was there, they’d had friction. She can’t guarantee he wouldn’t come around again. Lucas said, if Willow wanted to ruin her life because of that guy, more power to her.

Nina asked if Willow was trying to lose custody for good, and Willow said, of course (🍷) not. Nina said, then why was she in public with this man? and Drew said he was a respectable sitting member of congress. Nina said respectable was debatable and Drew was the reason why Michael filed for sole custody. He’d fight tooth and nail if she continued to associate with Drew. She thought Willow finally understood. Willow said, right now, Michael had all the power, and without Drew’s support, power, and influence, she didn’t see her getting her kids back. Nina said nothing Drew had done to help her ever panned out. Do not get sucked back in by this charlatan. He could cost her the chance of ever seeing her kids again.

Lucy said she needed to take a moment and left. Jordan’s phone rang and she stepped away. She said, Curtis… She’d be right there.

Stella said the goons had no right to prevent her from doing her job, when Portia joined them and said they needed to stop harassing her employees. She wanted them to leave. One of the goons said they were conducting an investigation, and she said, do it elsewhere. She was going to contact the hospital’s lawyer and see what they could do to settle this. Curtis came back and said he’d tried to reach Alexis with no luck, but reinforcements were on the way. One of the goons told him to redirect them to the Port Charles police station. Stella was under arrest.

Gio told Brook that he could confide in his mom about anything. She never judged and it stayed between them. It was hard to believe she’d been keeping such a huge thing from him. Brook said she knew how he felt. Camilla was trying to honor her mom and grandma’s wishes, and they’d requested secrecy. Maybe she’d wanted to tell him the truth. Either way, his mother loved him with her whole heart. Never doubt that. When Brook gave him up, she’d prayed for one thing, that he went to a good family and had parents who loved and protected him. Thanks to Camilla, her prayer was answered. She owed Camilla so much.

Lucas told Elizabeth that he’d kept Ava at arm’s length because of Carly and Sonny. But he was getting to know her and liked spending time with her. She was fun and had an affinity for trashy reality TV and wine. Elizabeth said he couldn’t live there forever, but he said right now worked for him. He liked not having to decide what was next. Elizabeth wondered if he was holding out hope that Marco would live with him, and he said it was too early for that, but maybe someday.

Marco told Sidwell that he couldn’t wait any longer to use the leverage against Sonny. He had to tell Sonny that he knew Judge Haran was bribed to rule in Michael’s favor and threaten to reveal everything. Sidwell said he’d deploy the bomb when the time was right, but Marco said Sonny was either directly or indirectly responsible for his mother’s death. He met Sonny’s grandson at the church and had to bite his tongue. He wanted to make Sonny pay. Sidwell said, he will… in time. Marco had to be patient a little bit longer.

Alexis came home and Molly said she needed to get back to work. She told Kristina that they’d continue their conversation later, and Kristina said, for sure. Molly left, and Kristina said she was going to look for a charger she’d left there. When she was gone, Sonny said he was in a bind regarding Drew, and Alexis said, Congressman Cutthroat strikes again.

Curtis said they weren’t taking his auntie anywhere. They were not arresting her. One of the goons said they were following orders, and Curtis said Congressman Cain was weaponizing their department to attack him through his aunt. It was corrupt and illegal, and they didn’t want to be a party to this travesty. Their names and faces would be plastered all over the media. The other goon told Curtis to let them do their job. Otherwise, they’d arrest him too. Curtis held out his wrists, but Stella said it was okay. Jordan came in and introduced herself, saying she was the former Police Commissioner and DEA agent. She’d explain the situation to her contact at the DEA and put a call in to their boss. Be patient and she was sure this would be sorted out in no time. They just needed a few more minutes. The second goon said, fine.

Drew said Nina was just trying to scare Willow, and Nina said, shut up. Willow didn’t need him. Willow could walk out with her right now. Willow asked why she should go anywhere with Nina. Nina was saying Drew was the reason she lost custody, but the person to blame was her. If Nina had just told the truth from the start, she’d still have her children. Nina said she regretted not speaking up sooner, and Willow asked why she didn’t. Drew told her that he’d wanted to, but Nina wouldn’t allow it. (So… If that was the case, wouldn’t that mean she was more powerful than Drew? Willow is an idiot.)

Lucy came back and Sidwell asked how she was. She said, better, and apologized for being so emotional, but he said he knew she cared about Maxie, so it made sense. It concerned her and her company. That’s why he felt bad about delivering more bad news. He’d checked Deception’s stock, and the situation was quite dire. He handed her his tablet, and she said she guessed it was true. They were going to lose the company. He said, maybe not. Maybe there was something he could do to help.

Kristina went down to the basement and said she assumed her mother explained Ric’s current circumstances. He’d earned himself a staycation and had time to relax and reflect on his life choices. Greed and the need for revenge led to this. She didn’t think anyone would miss him apart from Molly. They’d find a way to explain his absence. Other than that, no one cared or would suspect a thing.

Alexis told Sonny that Drew was using his position to keep her, the girls, and Scout’s brothers away from Scout. She was so furious, she lost it in a crowded restaurant. Sonny said, Drew was screwing over people left and right. Eventually someone would take him down. If you make that many enemies, you get a target on your back. It was just a matter of time and Drew would get what he deserved.

Nina told Willow, that was a lie. She never forced Drew to do anything. He was a manipulative, sleazy, SOB. Willow said the fact was, Nina kept her mouth shut and she was blindsided on her wedding day, causing her to create a scene at the chapel and Carly’s house. (Nice accountability.) Nina said Drew would only make things worse, but Willow said, only Drew was powerful enough to fight Michael. She told Drew, if he got her kids back, she’d come back to him, but only if he kept his promise.

Jordan said she was doing everything she possibly could to get Stella out of this mess, and Curtis said he appreciated her help. On the phone, one of the goons said, yes, sir… Understood. He told the other goon, they got the green light. They were taking her in.

Brook said she’d get out of Gio’s hair. Would he be all right? Gio said, yeah, Brook said, take care, and she left.

Curtis called Alexis, who said she was sorry. She hadn’t listened to his message yet. He said she needed to get to the PCPD right away. Stella had been arrested.

Ava said she’d repay Lucas with dinner and drinks, but Lucas said they’d have to skip the drinks. The pills didn’t mix with alcohol. She said he could drink for both of them, and he said he knew how she loved her martinis. She said, desperate times call for desperate measures.

Kristina said Ric set Ava off. She picked up that paperweight and whacked him with everything she had. She thought he was dead. He was lucky. She kept thinking about how he defended Ava in court. Now he was on the other end of her wrath. Did he still think it was possible Ava didn’t cause her fall? Until the bonds matured, he’d lose time and a lot of money, but she and Molly lost a child. He’d leave when they let him go.

Curtis told Stella that Alexis would meet them at the PCPD, and one of the goons said Curtis couldn’t come with them. Only Stella’s lawyer could. Stella said she’d be fine, and left with them. Curtis asked if Jordan could be put in direct contact with the fraud division. It might help if she personally explained what Drew was doing. Jordan said she’d fix things. She promised. She took his hand as Portia and Isaiah watched. Portia started to leave, and Curtis asked where she was going. She said she had to work. There was nothing more she could do for his aunt that he and his ex-wife weren’t already doing.

Sidwell told Lucy that he was thinking, if he was willing to invest enough money in the company to keep it afloat, he’d need a larger interest in the company in return. Lucy said she supposed she could talk to the others, but why invest money in a sinking ship? What was in it for him? He said the pleasure of helping someone he cared about. She had charm, charisma, strength, and beauty. She was the kind of woman who could turn a company around.

Nina said the court would never grant Willow visitation if Drew was in the picture, and Drew said he had more power than Nina realized. Marco came in and had one ear toward their conversation. Nina said Drew was more delusional than he realized. He was setting Willow up for more heartbreak. He’d pushed her to the brink. If he hurt her daughter, she’d see him dead. Drew said, that sounded like a threat. He should have her arrested. She said he could try, but be careful. The most dangerous person was the one with nothing left to lose. She walked out and Marco came over to the table. He said he couldn’t help but overhear. It sounded like Drew had a huge problem on his hands, but lucky for Drew, he believed he had the solution.

Thursday:

Brook went to the station to see Dante about their son.

Marco told Sidwell that he made a move against Sonny because it had to be done.

Tracy wondered what Martin said to Yuri that he was allowed into the mansion, and he said he had information she wanted to hear, and he needed her help. Stella Henry was in trouble.

One of the insurance goons said they’d found another of Stella’s cases where there was a discrepancy in regard to coverage dates. She told him that she wasn’t saying anything until her attorney was present.

Trina wanted to see Stella, but the other goon said only her lawyer could go in. Alexis said, that would be her, and Sonny asked if they were going to have a problem here.

Curtis followed Portia to her office and asked, what the hell was that comment? Portia said his focus was completely on Jordan, but he said it was completely on his auntie. Portia said it gave him the perfect opening to confide and rely on Jordan, but he said he didn’t have time for her petty jealousy. She said he had no time for their marriage.

Drew went to Michael’s office and Michael asked why he was there. Drew said, out of concern for Michael’s children.

Curtis asked if Portia didn’t care that Stella had been wrongly arrested, and she said, of course (🍷), but it didn’t make her blind. He had all the faith in the world when it came to Jordan, but none when it came to her. He said, from the beginning of them, she didn’t think enough of him to tell the truth that she was a married woman, and she said she never intended to lie, but he said that’s how she problem solved and coped. She did it again and again, Drew’s blackmail being the latest example. He missed half of Trina’s life because of her lies. He tried to trust her and she repaid him by lying again. This time, Aunt Stella was paying for it.

Alexis said the goon trying to prevent her client from access to counsel was illegal and wouldn’t bode well for their investigation and he took her into the interrogation room. Trina thanked Sonny, who said something wasn’t right. This unit did bigger cases and nothing Stella had done would rate them. Trina asked if he thought Stella was here because she was being targeted by Drew.

Martin said Stella was being investigated for insurance fraud, but Tracy said Stella was principled to a fault. He said now they had to prove it. He was hoping she would leverage the Quartermaine family name. She was a powerful member of the board, so she could convince the hospital to lobby support. Tracy said, consider it done, and asked how this lunacy commenced. Martin said, Drew Cain.

Michael said Drew had two minutes, but Drew said he only needed one. He was going to bring Wiley and Amelia to Willow today and be on his best behavior. He was going to smile and apologize for keeping her from her children and tell the kids he’d made a big mistake. Then he wouldn’t get between the move for shared custody, 50/50. Michael said, the judge thought otherwise, but Drew said her ruling was meaningless now that he knew it was bought and paid for.

In the church, Gio talked to Camilla. He said he missed her every day, especially today. He knew how much she loved her birthday and the traditions that went with it. He’d play Vivaldi for her and out of all the traditions, that one was probably his favorite. She’d said music had to come from the heart or it wasn’t worth playing. He hadn’t found it in his heart to play since he found out the truth. Right now, the only thing he felt was loss.

Brook told Dante that she went to light a candle and Gio was there doing the same thing. It was the first of Camilla’s birthdays since he found out. He had questions he’d never be able to ask her, and he was the same sad, grieving boy he was when she died. Dante said he remembered the funeral. Gio was lost and broken. Brook said when life was dark and hopeless, family got you through it. Gio needed his father.

Dante said he and Gio hadn’t been on good terms since Rocco went to the hospital, but Brook told him, try. He was a good father, and she’d taken away his chance with Gio. Dante left.

Martin said he’d sung Stella’s praises to Drew and Drew put the rest together, and Tracy said Stella was in jail because of him. Martin said don’t lay this at his feet. This was all because of her.

Alexis told the goons they’d been moving so fast, they forgot to get the judge’s signature. They left, and Alexis said she’d bought them a little time. Stella asked if she was really going to jail.

Jordan asked if Isaiah had seen Curtis, and Isaiah said Curtis was with his wife. She said she had news about Stella, but he suggested maybe giving them the space they needed. He said she needed him to stop with the snide remarks. What was going on? He said, she and Curtis obviously had feelings for each other.

Portia said Curtis was blaming her? and he said this whole mess started because of her. He understood she wanted to protect Trina, but she went about it all wrong. She told that was easy to say after the fact. At the time, all she could think about was keeping her daughter safe. He asked if she didn’t think they wanted the same thing. She left herself wide open to Drew’s blackmail. He went after Drew to defend her, and Drew had gone after Stella in retaliation – because of her. She said, normally she’d beg for his forgiveness and apologize, but not anymore. She may have told lies, but he was living one.

Marco said he told Drew about Judge Haran, and Sidwell asked, why? Marco said he knew Drew would act on it, and Sidwell asked how it served their mission. Marco said Drew would use it to go after custody of Willow’s kids and it would make Sonny unravel. Michael would blame Sonny and Sonny would lose his son like he lost his mother. Sidwell said Marco made a foolish error in judgement.

Michael said he had no idea what Drew was talking about, and Drew said the night before he stripped Willow of her parental rights, a million dollars ended up in Judge Haran’s bank account. Sonny paid off the judge, and he was going to use his congressional power to expose it. When he did, the decision would be questioned and thrown out. He’d be ordered back to family court and all of his sins, including getting Sasha pregnant while he was still married, would be held against him. Maybe he’d get a weekend a month and a week during the summer if he was lucky. 50/50 seemed generous and he should jump on it while he had the chance.

Martin said if it weren’t for Tracy, he wouldn’t have needed Stella’s help. She torpedoed him at the press conference and ratted him out to his exes when he was in lockup in Lodi. Tracy said the only thing they agreed on was that Stella was a good woman who needed their assistance, which they could give her separately, and he said the idea of working together was just a joke. He prayed every night he was there to see it when she got what was coming to her. She said, back at him. Get out of her house. He said it wasn’t hers. All this belonged to Monica.

Isaiah said he saw Curtis and Jordan in the park, and Jordan said Curtis was married. She never crossed the line and never would. He said he’d been watching Portia struggle to keep her marriage intact, and Jordan said she didn’t realize he and Portia were close. He said Portia convinced him to join the staff as a surgeon. She didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of what was going on with Jordan and Curtis. Jordan said nothing was going on, and he said, maybe that was true for her, but could she say that was true for Curtis?

Portia said Curtis laid next to her in bed, kissed her, made love to her, and told her that he loved her, but his heart belonged to Jordan. He said she conveniently kept forgetting one thing. He never gave Jordan a second chance, but he’d given her more than one. She said now she wondered if the reason was because he was on the rebound from Jordan and now he wanted to get back with her.

Alexis told Stella that Trina and Sonny were outside. She wasn’t alone. Stella said she should have thought more about her family before working the system for her patients, but Alexis said she wasn’t there because of what she did. It was because of who she is.

Michael said his father wasn’t even at court, and Drew said that was convenient. He was sure an inquiry into the judge’s bank records would show a large deposit the day before the ruling. Michael said Drew planned to abuse his power, and Drew suggested he tell the court that Willow should have full custody. Michael said that would never happen, and Drew suggested he may be able to pull strings and get a judge to replace Haran. Maybe one he had a little sway with.

Gio prayed, and from the back of the church, Dante said, amen.

Dante asked if Gio minded if he joined him, and Gio said it was a church. Anyone could come in. Dante sat down and Gio said Brook told Dante he was there. Dante said she reminded him it was Gio’s mother’s birthday. He should have known. Sorry. He remembered the parties the Cerullos threw. Camilla’s birthday was timed around Labor Day, so it was a double celebration. They had great times together. Gio asked if he was mad at Camilla, and Dante said, no, why would he be? Gio said she knew the truth about Dante and Brook like Lois and Gloria did. He was mad at them, so Dante must be mad at his mom too.

Jordan said Isaiah was out of line and she wasn’t dignifying it with an answer. He said it was a shame. They could have had something great. He fell for her. Maybe it ended because of a business relationship, but the truth was, he never had a shot. Her heart was always with Curtis. Maybe she was used to denying her own feelings because she couldn’t see them, but he could.

Curtis said he and Jordan shared a history and family, but so did he and Portia. The difference was, they shared a daughter. Portia said, Trina was the reason they were still married. Not because he was in love with her, but because he wanted to create a family with Trina to make up for the time he missed out on. He said, because of her, and she asked how long he’d felt this way. He said he’d buried his feelings of resentment about her lies, hoping and praying they’d go away so they could be a family, but they hadn’t. They were just under the surface. She said it was the most honest he’d been. Now she knew for sure he was never going to forgive her lying about Trina. She believed he was always in love with Jordan. He said he was going to be with his aunt, and she said if he walked out, it would confirm that everything was true. He never wanted to fight for their marriage, and she’d know their marriage was over. He left and she cried.

Sidwell said they both wanted to bring Sonny down in completely different ways, and Marco said Sidwel’s strategy was to wait. His was to act. Sidwell said Marco was controlled by his emotions. He wanted to use the information to get control of Sonny’s piers. Marco said he didn’t care about the piers. He cared about justice for his mother. Sonny needed to pay for the role he played in her death. Sidwell said he agreed. That was all part of the plan until Marco imploded it. So now they had to figure out what the blowback was going to be for them.

Sonny said Stella wanted him to stay out, and Alexis said she was right. He was a radioactive presence that would complicate things. He said it wasn’t that simple when Drew’s fingerprints were on it. Sooner or later, that SOB was going to pay.

Michael said if Drew had proof, he’d be waving it in his face, but Drew said he’d get what he needed. Michael said he’d just falsify it. He’d made it clear what he’d do when someone stood in his way. The court order said he had full custody. After this stunt, he’d see that the hearing was pushed back indefinitely. Congratulations. He may have just cost Willow the chance to get her kids back for the second time. Drew said, don’t say he didn’t warn him, and left.  

On the phone, Drew told Kai that he needed a favor. He needed to find out where Carly was right now.

Tracy told someone to call her as soon as possible. It was about Stella. Brook came in and said she was at the station and saw Alexis, Trina, and Sonny there for Stella. Tracy promised Martin would answer for it. He shot his mouth off, and Drew ran with it. Brook said she was sorry. She knew how close Tracy and Stella were. Tracy said she was doing what she could to help. Why was Brook at the PCPD? Brook said she went to talk to Dante about Gio. He was lost and hurting and needed a parent, but she knew it couldn’t be her.

Dante said Gio’s mom was always booked and when he was too little to go with her, he’d stay with them. He remembered a Christmas Eve when one of the Seven Fishes caught on fire. Brook, Lois, and Gloria spent most of the night trying to put it out. It was funny now, but not then. They were all in the kitchen, leaving him to hold Gio. It was the first time he’d ever held a baby, and he was petrified. It felt like he was holding a ticking bomb. Camilla walked in and she and Gio looked at each other like they were the only people in the room. There was smoke, burning fish, chaos, yelling, and it stunk, but they didn’t notice. They just had big smiles looking at each other. He knew Gio wished he could talk to her again and find out why she went along with all this, but he thought Gio already knew the answer. Camilla was thinking about him every step of the way. He could see that and hoped one day Gio could too.

Jordan said she was sorry she hurt Isaiah, but it had nothing to do with Curtis. He wasn’t a part of her life in the way Isaiah thought. Curtis came out of the elevator, and Isaiah left. Curtis wondered what that was about, but Jordan said it didn’t matter. She talked to old co-workers, and couldn’t do much about calling in favors yet, but she did get solid information. It started with a tip and the investigators were pointed in Stella’s direction. It was someone with a lot of influence in the political sector. He said, like a congressman, and she said, exactly.

Portia cried over her framed wedding photos, screamed, and smashed them. She tried to pull her wedding ring off, when Isaiah came in. He asked if she was okay, and she said she couldn’t get this off. He said it was okay. Just breathe.

Michael told Sonny that Drew was coming after him and the kids, and he was using Sonny to do it.

Brook told Tracy that the reason Gio was hurting was the close bond he’d had with Camilla. They were each other’s entire world. Thank God for that. The one question that haunted her was wondering if his adoptive mother would love him as much as she would have loved him. Tracy said now she knew he was, and Brook said her prayer was answered, but it made her sad that they wouldn’t have the same relationship. Tracy said she didn’t know that. Life was long and Gio wasn’t done writing his story yet.

Gio said he had to get going and thanked Dante for the story. Dante said he had lots more if Gio wanted to hear them, and Gio said he appreciated today, but wasn’t interested in the two of them being close. Dante said he understood. He was sorry for the way he’d treated Gio when Rocco was taken to the hospital. He was scared out of his mind and took it out on Gio instead of dealing with his feelings. He’d just lost Sam and was worried about losing Rocco. It was inexcusable and he was sorry. He wasn’t saying that because he knew Gio was his son. He’d wanted to apologize at the Nurses Ball, but didn’t want to ruin the moment. Gio’s mom would have been proud of his playing. Gio said he’d like to think so too, and started to leave, but then said, what if Dante had known about him when he was younger? What would he have done? Dante said he’d like to think he would have stepped up and been the father Gio deserved. Unfortunately, they’d never know, but what he did know was that he was sorry he didn’t get the chance.

Sidwell told Marco, what’s done is done, and Marco asked, what now? Sidwell said they needed to stay one step ahead of Corinthos.

Sonny said he didn’t bribe the judge, and Michael said he didn’t think so, but Drew did. He mentioned proof that the judge’s bank account received a very large payment. Sonny said, maybe. Just know he didn’t do it, but somebody else might have.

Sidwell told Marco, the best case scenario was everything coming out and the judge admitting the payment came from him. Marco said, best case? and Sidwell said, in the worst case, Sonny would get to the judge first and figure out who was behind it. Then they’d find themselves staring down the barrel again.

Michael said Drew was trying to frame him and force Willow getting custody. If he was put behind bars, she’d get custody that way. Sonny said there was only one person who could give them the answer – Judge Haran.

Sidwell said, to avoid retaliation, they needed to get to Judge Haran before Corinthos did.

Stella said she was sorry Trina got caught up in this. Don’t get involved any deeper so Drew made her his target. She didn’t think she could take it if something happened to Trina. Trina said she loved that Stella was trying to protect her, but don’t worry, and Stella said she was trying to protect herself. They hugged, and Trina said everything would be okay. She loved Stella. Stella said she loved Trina too, and Trina left.

Trina came out and told Alexis to stay with her aunt. Alexis asked where she was headed, and Trina said, to get some answers.

Isaiah took Portia’s ring off her finger, and they kissed. He tossed the ring on the floor next to the broken picture frames, and Portia tossed away her lab coat. They got busy.

On the phone with Willow, Drew said he went to see Michael. He thought, after the dust settled, Michael would reconsider their custody agreement. Curtis came in and said the crusade against his family needed to stop. It needed to end or he would end Drew.

🫔 Friday’s Enchilada…

Britt wakes up with a hangover and groans. She says, damn you, Jason.

Carly tells her assistant, if Michael calls, put him through. Otherwise, she needs all of her calls held. She has a very important meeting. She tells Rocco and Danny, all right gentlemen, fun’s over. It’s the end of the line.

Chase sees Judge Haran in Bobbie’s, and she tells him that she wanted to thank him. She appreciated his testimony in the Morrison case. He says, glad he could help. Actually, he was hoping to run into her about a case. She says she already made her ruling, but he says, it concerns another case she’s handling. There’s something she needs to know about Willow Tate.

At the hospital, Elizabeth thanks Willow for coming in, and Willow says she was happy to do it. Before they get started, does Elizabeth have a minute? Elizabeth says, of course (🍷). Is something wrong? Willow says, not wrong. After all the kindness Elizabeth has shown her, she deserves to know about it first. Elizabeth says, okay… and Willow says she’s getting back together with Drew.

Curtis says, coming after his family will be the last mistake Drew ever makes, and Drew says, Curtis can threaten him. Curtis can come after him. Whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter. His aunt still committed fraud. Curtis says, and Drew just had to kick off the investigation, didn’t he? Not because of anything he thought she did – Kai approaches the door and listens – but because he could use her to get to him. Drew says, it hurts, doesn’t it, watching his family suffer. Good.

Portia and Isaiah get busy in her office, and there’s a song part.

Carly says she’d like them both to work at the MetroCourt next summer. She could even move them up to lifeguard, if they get certified. Danny asks if lifeguards get tips, and she says, no, but they do make more money. Rocco says, it’s a dilemma, but she says, they have plenty of time to think. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the time they have off before they have to hit the books. They thank her, and she says, by the way, has Danny heard from his dad? Danny says, actually, his dad called to tell him that he was coming home, and Carly says, great, but Danny says, not really. The best thing he can do is stay away.

Britt slugs around and tries to brush her hair. She says, even her hair hurts. The room phone rings, and she says, what? Pascal says he was just in her lab and she’s not there, and she says she knows. She’s in her room. He called her here. He asks if he needs to remind her, and she says, please don’t, she’s begging him, but he says she’s here to work, not swill margaritas by the pool. She’s wasted a whole day. Britt says, the day’s not over yet. If he’s done reminding her, she’ll be right there. She hangs up and picks up the burner phone Jason gave her. She says, get over yourself. It’s just a phone, not a token of his love. She puts it in a decorative box and leaves.

Judge Haran tells Chase that she ruled on the Corinthos divorce case months ago. As she recalls, the only thing on her calendar now is a visitation hearing. He says, right, in October, and she says, as a fellow officer of the court, he knows she can only rule on testimony submitted under oath. He says he understands, and she says, then he should also know, speaking about that case, and in this setting, is highly inappropriate, and anything he says will have no bearing on her ruling. He says he didn’t expect it would. What he needs to say is purely background. She says, he’s an excellent detective, so say what he needs to say quickly, and he thanks her. They sit down, and he says, as she may remember, he and Willow were once married. She says, it was brought out at trial, and he says, whatever she’s heard, know that Willow is a wonderful mother and deserves to see her kids.

In the breakroom, Elizabeth says, after everything Drew put her through, why is Willow going back to him? and Willow says, because Drew can get her kids back. Elizabeth says he made her that promise before and look what happened. She completely lost custody of her kids. Willow says, even so, he’s still her best chance, but Elizabeth says, no, he’s not. He not only failed in helping her get her kids back, he was the reason she lost them. Willow says, not entirely, and Elizabeth says she knows there were other factors, but Willow has a strong enough case without Drew. She doesn’t need him. Willow says, Elizabeth has been wonderful and supportive. She’ll always be thankful for everything Elizabeth has done for her, but the truth is, if she goes into court with nothing but a few character references from co-workers and a spotless attendance record, there will be no visitation. After everything that’s happened, she’ll be shut out of her kids’ life for good, and she can’t let that happen.

Curtis tells Drew that he’s a coward. Drew doesn’t have what it takes to face him, so he came for Curtis’s family. His 70-year-old aunt is sitting in the PCPD right now because of Drew. Drew says he was just playing by Curtis’s playbook. Curtis broke Willow’s heart on her wedding day, so he had to pay back Curtis in kind. Kai continues to listen, and Curtis says he didn’t break Willow’s heart, Drew did that. Remember? By screwing her mom while breaking up her marriage, then lying about the whole thing. Drew says Curtis is always coming at him with a double standard. Curtis is all about honesty, except when it has to do with Stella or Portia. He’s just telling the truth. And he just got started. There’s still the matter of Curtis’s wife… Curtis says, it’s not about Portia. It’s about his auntie. All she wanted to do was help people. Drew says he heard about her good deeds from Martin Grey. She had a little tendency to bend things for the patients. As such, it was his duty as a representative to the people to alert the state. Curtis says, so he got his flunkies to start an investigation. Drew needed to end this while he still could.

Isaiah picks up Portia’s wedding photo and says he just wants her to know he didn’t plan this. She says, just so he knows, neither did she. He says, good thing too. Most of her plans seemed to blow up in her face. She picks up her wedding ring and looks at it. Isaiah says, so, any regrets? and she says, not a one, but this can’t have happened here. He says, no, and she says she’s his boss. This is her office. He nods, when Trina comes in.

Carly says, did she miss something? and Danny says, not at all. It’s about Scout and Drew. She asks what his so-called uncle did now, and Danny says, he got restraining orders against him and Rocco to keep away from Scout. She asks, why? and Danny says he picked up his sister from camp one day. Rocco says, they just wanted to see their sister, and she wanted to see them, but they didn’t get Drew’s permission. Danny says, Drew accused him of kidnapping, and Carly wonders why she’s not surprised. She doesn’t understand what it’s got to do with Danny not wanting his dad to come back. Danny says, here’s the thing, Rocco’s been served… Rocco says, or rather his mom was because he’s a minor. Danny says, they had to serve Rocco’s to his legal guardian. His legal guardian is his dad. Until his dad comes home, he can’t be served, which means, legally, he can still see Scout.

Jordan says, Stella would never have been arrested if Drew hadn’t singled her out. It’s an obvious abuse of power. Stella says that’s what she was afraid of. Not for herself, but for Curtis. Drew can’t keep pushing Curtis like this or Curtis is going to fight back and do something that he’ll regret. Which means Jordan has to stop him. Jordan says, me? She’ll try. Stella says she needs to do more than that. Right now, she’s the only one he’ll listen to. Please. She’s got to talk him down.

Drew says he offered Curtis his friendship over and over, even after Curtis tanked his company and forced him out. Curtis spit in his face and took away the woman he loved. Curtis says, maybe Drew shouldn’t have been screwing her mom, and Drew says, and maybe while Curtis is talking to his aunt through the plexiglass window, he can remind her that he’s the reason she’s there. Curtis says, before he lets that happen, he’ll see Drew dead. He leaves. Kai comes in and says he just passed Mr. Ashford on his way to the elevator. He seemed pretty upset. Drew says, he was just worried about his Aunt Stella. He can assure Kai that he’ll do everything in his power to help her. Kai says he’s glad to hear that. Stella was really good to him when he was recovering. He’s sure Drew remembers that. Drew says, of course (🍷). If she did commit fraud, his hands are tied, but he’ll just have to cross that bridge when he comes to it. So, did he happen to track down Carly? Kai says, she’s in her office at the MetroCourt. (While I’m glad he overheard the conversation, couldn’t he have just called?) Her assistant said she’d be there until the end of the day. Drew thanks Kai and says, it’s much appreciated. It’s getting a little late, so why doesn’t Kai head out too? Kai thanks Drew, but says he’s going to stick around. He has to finish the research for Drew’s speech on interstate expansion. Drew says he appreciates it, all the hard work Kai is doing, and Kai says, absolutely. Drew can always count on him, and Drew leaves.

Trina says, sorry for interrupting, and Portia says, they were just talking about hospital business. Isaiah says, they can do that another time. He has enough to get him started. Portia says, okay, great, and Isaiah leaves. Portia asks Trina, so what’s going on? Is everything okay? Trina says, no. The tension level in their house has been ratcheting up for a while now. Aunt Stella is in prison all because of Drew’s vendetta. She needs to know why it happened. Portia says, the arrests or tension? and Trina says, all of it. She and Trina’s dad have been feuding for a while now with Drew, and now it’s spilled over to Aunt Stella. She needs to know the reason behind this mess. Portia says, well, like everything she does and everything she’s done, it all comes back to Trina.

Britt walks down the hallway and sees Pascal with Tomas, who says, understood. Britt says, hey, Tomas, and Pascal says, Dr. Westbourne. How industrious of her to show up. She says she thought he was squatting outside her lab. What is he doing? Pascal says, his job. She should get busy doing hers. She asks, what’s going on? Tomas should be at the spa. Pascal says, so far, he’s treated her as a guest. He’s let her enjoy their amenities, the bar, the spa… She says, everything except the exits, and Pascal says, but all of that could change if she does not get to work. She says he needs to watch his tone. He’s getting a little too comfortable with the imperative. Pascal leaves.

Judge Haran tells Chase, what she can say is this. The role of any judge in this kind of case is to determine what’s best for the child. Chase says, exactly. Wiley and Amelia need their mother. She says, while obviously there are exceptions, most judges believe that children are best served when they’re able to see both parents. So they’re not opposed to visitation rights. In any case like this, the judge would consider an individual’s behavior and conduct since their last trial. They would also consider that the individual maintained a clean record and showed no evidence of mental instability. Chase says, got it, and she says, if an individual can demonstrate some growth, a judge may be inclined to be generous with the visitation schedule. Chase thanks her and says he knows Willow will have a just hearing. She has an impeccable record for fairness. She tells him, have a good day, and leaves.

Elizabeth says, before Willow does something life-altering, please reconsider going back to Drew, and Willow says, if she had a choice, she wouldn’t, but she doesn’t. Elizabeth asks if she still loves him, and she says, yes… no… I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that does matter is getting her children back. That will be more than enough

On the phone, Judge Haran says, they might have a problem. A detective is asking questions about the Corinthos case. She needs to know they have her covered.

Carly says, technically, Danny can still see Scout, but it’s a terrible idea, and Danny says, but she misses them. Rocco says, and they miss her, and Carly says she knows they do, but Drew is just waiting for Danny to overstep. It’s not going to help Scout at all if he gets in trouble. Danny asks what he can do, and she says, they need to let the lawyers handle it. Danny says, but Drew is the one hurting Scout, not him, and Carly says she knows, but… Drew walks in and says, this is her big meeting? She says, what the hell is he doing here? and he says, it’s the delinquents. Get rid of them and he’ll tell her. Danny says they were just leaving, but before they go, Drew served Rocco, but he was the one who picked up Scout. Rocco had nothing to do with it. Drew says, yeah, it’s true. Rocco’s not involved, but where one goes, the other usually follows. He couldn’t take that chance. Rocco says they’re her brothers, and Drew says, Danny’s only half and he’s nothing. Carly says, hey, and Danny says he’s sorry he didn’t call Drew when he picked up Scout from camp. He would have, but Scout begged him not to. Drew says, Danny kidnapped his daughter and could have gotten her killed. Danny is lucky he didn’t go over Chase’s head and press charges. But you know what? There’s still time. Carly says, back off – now.

Trina asks if Portia is saying the whole thing with Drew is her fault, but Portia says she’s not saying that at all. She’s right. There’s been a huge amount of tension between her and Trina’s father because Drew has been blackmailing them. Trina says she knew he had something. What does he have on her? Portia says, he has proof she tampered with Heather Webber’s blood tests. She altered them to keep Heather’s cobalt levels sky high, so she would stay in prison where she belongs, stay away from them, and most importantly, stay away from Trina. Trina says, and Drew found out, and Portia says, yeah. She had erased the data in the hospital database, but he managed to get his hands on the only remaining evidence of what she’s done – a hard copy of the altered test results with her system login. He’s been blackmailing her for months and if he does go through with this, she could lose her job. She could lose her medical license and even be brought up on criminal charges. Trina asks what Drew wanted her to do, and Portia says, at first, he just wanted good press at Aurora. Trina says, something her dad was not inclined to do, and Portia says, no. She thinks she got him to change an article, but thinks that was about it. But Trina’s father figured out something was going on with her. When he confronted her, she confessed. Trina says, he must have been furious, and Portia says, he was. He understood why she altered the tests. He wanted to keep Trina safe like she did. But she kept things from Trina’s father for so long and tried to manipulate him on Drew’s behalf. She apologized profusely, and he said he understood, but by the time they decided to fight Drew together, she thinks he’d gone through so much, then this happened. Trina says, because Portia was trying to protect her, but Portia says, all this happened because Drew is a detestable monster and masquerades as a human being. It’s not Trina’s fault. It’s no one’s fault. Drew is the one responsible. Trina says, ignorance isn’t bliss. Ignorance is ignorance. She’s glad to know everything. Portia says she and Trina’s father love her very much, and Trina says she knows. They hug and Trina says she loves them too.

On the phone, Kai says he’s calling from Congressman Cain’s office. He’s calling to check in on the status of the Stella Henry investigation… Okay. Great, and thank you. The congressman will be pleased that they’re following up on his request for conducting a thorough investigation.

Elizabeth says, Willow needs to think about this, but Willow says she has. Elizabeth says, not hard enough. Now that she knows what Drew is about, does she really want to get back together with a man who she’s not even sure she loves and definitely doesn’t trust? Willow says, yes. She knows Drew loves her and will do anything to get what he wants. She thinks she’s seen it for herself. When Michael was at the clinic in Germany, she went to visit him. She thought if they saw each other face to face, they could come to an agreement about the kids together. But they told her that Michael refused to see her. Elizabeth says, that doesn’t sound like him, and Willow says, because it wasn’t. It turns out Michael never knew she was there because Drew was the one pulling the strings. He had her turned away and that’s why she never spoke to Michael. Elizabeth says, that could have been the chance to work things out with him. Doesn’t she think Drew manipulated her? Willow says, maybe, and Elizabeth says, definitely, absolutely, 100%. What Drew did was just… Willow says, powerful. He was able to reach across an ocean and stop her from seeing Michael. Elizabeth asks why she’s saying this like it’s a good thing, and Willow says, it proves she’s making the right decision. If Drew wants to get her kids back, that’s what will happen, because Drew always gets what he wants.

Carly thanks Danny and Rocco for their help this summer and says their final checks are in the mail. Danny says he’s not leaving Carly alone with Drew, but she says she’ll be fine. Rocco says, Carly can take care of herself. Let’s go. They leave, and Carly says, Drew does realize the only person he’s punishing by keeping Scout away from her brothers is Scout. Drew says, Rocco is not Scout’s brother. People have got to stop calling him that. She says, why? Scout’s not going to. He says, we’ll see about that, and Carly says, what? He’s unbelievable. Scout’s grieving her mother. She’ll be grieving her for a very long time. He should be grateful for those boys, that they want to spend so much time with her. She’s going to need them. He says, she’s got to stop worrying so much about Danny and Rocco when she really should be worrying about Michael.

In the squad room, Curtis says his auntie is here, so he figures the arraignment went okay, and Stella says, thank the Lord, they’re letting her go. Jordan says, Alexis was amazing. She talked circles around the judge and ADA. Curtis says, great. How is she feeling about all this? Stella says, much better. She should have trusted Curtis about Alexis from the beginning. If she goes to trial, she’ll be more than happy to have Alexis in her corner. Jordan says, they’re hoping it doesn’t come to that, and Curtis says, yeah. It never should have come to this. Stella shouldn’t even be here. This whole thing started because of a conflict between him and Drew and that’s it. But because Drew is a coward without a shred of honor, he’s pulling Curtis’s whole family into this. He’s sorry he let it go this far. Stella asks how this is his fault. He’s the one who stayed principled throughout this whole fight. He says, and if not for her, he doesn’t know where he’s be, and they hug. He says, they sealed that part. Now he’ll post bail, and they can all go home. He starts to leave, when Jordan says, hold on a second, and he says he knows what she’s going to say. She says, what is that? and he says, she’s going to tell him to let it go and not encourage it to escalate any further. She says, and? and he says, she knows as well as he does, this is not the end. Alexis may have spared his auntie one night in a cell, but so much for a truce. Drew is never going to let this go.

Elizbeth says, what Drew did in keeping Willow away from Michael is disgusting, and Willow says, maybe on the surface, but Elizabeth says, no, through and through. Drew didn’t want her to work things out with Michael. He basically sabotaged her access to her kids. Willow says, because what Michael would have offered wouldn’t have been enough, and because of Drew, she can get full custody. Elizabeth says, and then what? She’s going to keep Michael away from his kids the way he’s doing to her? Willow says, exactly. She is their mother. Elizabeth says, and he’s their father, and Willow says, she doesn’t understand. Elizabeth says she does understand. What Drew did doesn’t take power. It takes a phone call and a little bit of money. Looking worshipful, Willow says, he reached across an ocean, and Elizabeth says, and bribed somebody. It probably didn’t even cost that much. And of all the things he’d done, including lying about Nina, this is by far the worst. She’s selling her soul. Willow says, it’s not like that. Before, she was blind. She couldn’t see Drew for who he was. Now her eyes are wide open. She knows who she’s dealing with. Elizabeth says, he’s a terrible person who caused Willow a lot of pain, and Willow says, maybe. (WOTD) She’d gladly trade her soul for her children. What mother wouldn’t? Elizabeth says, what good is she to the kids if she’s just going through the motions and not living a part of her actual life? and Willow says she’ll do what she needs to, sacrifice whatever she has to, and live with whatever she has to, as long as Drew gets her children back. Elizabeth says she’s already doing all the right things. She doesn’t need Drew to get her kids back because she’s enough all on her own. Willow asks if Elizabeth can promise her that, but Elizabeth says, no, and neither can Drew. Willow says, Drew is her best option, which means she doesn’t have a choice.

Drew tells Carly that an investigation revealed Judge Haran took a payoff of one million dollars the night before Michael took the kids from Willow. Carly says, so? and Drew says, obviously Sonny bribed her. Carly says, obviously means Drew doesn’t have any proof, right? and Drew says, there’s going to be an investigation into the money and into Haran. When that happens, the custody decision will be thrown out and the case heard by a new judge. When that happens, there’s no way Michael will get full custody. Any judge will see that Willow deserves to get her children back. Carly says, why? Because he thinks so? She can’t wait until Diane calls a parade of character witness again and Willow. Any judge will clearly see she’s unstable. Drew says, she’s their mother, and Carly says, and? Drew says, and she, of all people, should understand that. How many times has she played the mother card? She goes out, does something unconscionable, and her excuse is always the same – she did it for her kids. She says, damn right. She goes to extremes for her kids, but at least when she does it, she’s rational. Willow needs help. Drew says, not as much as Michael. If she wants to keep her mother title, she’d better step up and start acting in his best interests. She says, what are? and he says he proposed a deal to Michael, and he was either too foolish or arrogant or vindictive to accept it, but if she gets him to accept the deal of Willow getting primary custody, she’ll allow visitation. She says, so generous, and he says, actually, more than. If Michael doesn’t accept – which he won’t – then they go to court and then he will lose his kids forever. She says, okay. He went to Michael and Michael turned him down. Now he’s here talking to her. He’s desperate. He says, no. He just knows she can get Michael to take the deal. She’s done it many times before. She says, and why in the hell would she do that? and he says, because she’s a realist and because she knows it’s the last chance she and Michael have to remain in Wiley and Amelia’s lives.

Britt sees Tomas and says she’s glad he’s still here. There’s something he can do for her. Does he know that huge server in her office? It’s driving her crazy. It keeps humming in her ears. She needs him to move it. He says he’ll go to tech, but she says, that will take forever. Then her work will take forever. Then they’ll have to listen to Pascal whine about it forever. He says, this is procedure, and she says she knows, but he knows how they follow the rules here. Come on. Doesn’t he want to put those big, beautiful muscles to good use? Unless he can’t move it. Then she’s sorry she put him on the spot. He says, of course (🍷) he can. She seems stressed. Maybe instead, he could give her a massage. She says, what really stresses her out is getting him to move the server. Like now. Do it or does she have to tell you-know-who that he’s the reason she’s fallen behind. He walks toward the lab, and she doubles back. She opens a door with a card and sees Josslyn and Vaughn. She looks like, WTF? and Josslyn says, please. Can she help them get out of here? Britt listens and hears something. She jets and Vaughn looks at Josslyn.

Chase says he got Willow’s text, and she thanks him for coming. There’s something she needs to tell him. He says, there’s something he needs to tell her too, and she says she’s come to a pretty big decision. He says he saw Judge Haran at Bobbie’s and has great news for her and her kids.

Rocco asks if Danny is sue his dad is okay with them taking the speedboat out after dark, and Danny says, it’s not dark yet. Rocco says, it will be soon and what about then? Danny says, Drew is with Carly. They can go see Scout. Rocco says, since he was served with a restraining order, this would actually be kidnapping, but Danny says, they don’t have to take her anywhere and they’ll be really fast. He hates that guy so much. Rocco says, so does he, but they need to do what Carly said and stay away from Drew. Danny says, okay, but they’re definitely egging his house tonight… Lighten up. It was a joke. Rocco says, there’s someone down there, and Danny says, my God. They’re not moving. He thinks that’s a body.

Trina walks into Drew’s office and asks Kai, where’s Drew? Kai says, he’s not here, but he’s glad she is. She says she needs to find him. It’s about her mom. Kai says, whatever she’s going to say to Drew, don’t bother. It’s pointless. She asks what that means, and he says, Drew is the one who had Stella arrested and the only reason he did was because it was the most effective way to hurt her dad. She asks how he feels about that, and he says he feels like an idiot for not listening to her earlier. She was right all along. Drew is a monster. He’s corrupt, manipulative, and he’s willing to destroy people to get what he wants. He should never have given Drew the benefit of the doubt and he certainly shouldn’t have taken this job and never ever taken his side. She asks if he really means that, and he says, more than anything. She says, that means more than she can say, and he says he’ll do everything he can to make it up to her and her parents. She says, good, because she really needs his help right now.

Curtis says, Drew will do whatever it takes to hurt his aunt, and Stella says, because he knows it’s the best way to hurt Curtis. Jordan says she’s right about that, and Curtis says he’s not going to let that happen. Stella says, what he’s not going to do is go after Drew. Don’t let Drew push him into doing something he regrets. Don’t let Drew compromise her or the family any more than he already has. Curtis says, too late, and leaves. Jordan and Stella look at each other.

Portia looks at her wedding photo, when Isaiah knocks at the door. He says he saw her daughter leave earlier and wanted to check on her. Is everything good? She says, it’s as okay as it can be for now, and he says he’s not sure what that means. She says, that girl wanted answers, details on what’s going on between her, Drew, and Curtis. So she told her. He says, wow, and she says, she’s an adult. She could feel the tension going on between her and her father. It’s been going on a while. Now she knows exactly why. He says he’s sorry, and she says her too. He says, it must have been really hard, and she says, it was, but does he know what’s harder? All those secrets. Holding all those secrets for everyone. It was just so exhausting. He says he’s sorry if he made her day harder in any way, but she says he definitely didn’t. She says she does want him to know that her marriage was broken beyond repair before he walked through that door and all of this – her marriage, Trina, Stella, all of it – can be laid at the feet of Drew Cain.

Carly says, Willow may be an idiot, but she’s not. Drew can threaten her all he wants, but she’s not impressed. He says, no? and she says, no. He says, maybe she should talk to the Ashfords about their sweet aunt Stella and how he was able to dismantle her entire life with a few phone calls. Maybe then she’d be impressed. She says, he’s unbelievable. He’s proud of that? Going after Stella, of all people. What the hell is wrong with him? He says, what he did to Stella was nothing. Just the onset, a gentle preview of what he’s going to do to Michael if she doesn’t play ball. She says, okay. He made the wrong threat to the wrong person. If he ever tries to hurt Michael again, she’s going to stop him. He asks what she’s going to do. Sic Jason on him? She says she doesn’t need Jason. Mess with Michael and mess with her family, she’ll kill him herself. Elizabeth overhears.

On Tuesday, Trina tells Kai that he can help save her mother; Michael tells Kristina that Willow has to live with the consequences of her choices; and Willow tells Chase that she found a way to get her kids back.

GH is preempted on Monday.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-is-preempted-on-labor-day/

🧼 All the Soap News Fit to Print…

Never, ever, ever think you have an online relationship with a celebrity and they need your money.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/deepfake-video-of-general-hospitals-steve-burton-costs-woman-her-life-savings/

A refresher course in Ric.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-infamous-panic-room-tale-when-ric-was-the-captor-not-the-captive/

What goes around…

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospitals-ric-hostage-twist-its-a-reverse-panic-room-says-rick-hearst-exclusive/

I can’t decide whether this is cool or just weird.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tristan-rogers-to-make-surprise-appearance-on-young-and-restless-as-colin-following-his-death-at-79/

This is definitely cool.

https://ew.com/young-and-the-restless-casts-roger-howarth-11799845

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck

For whatever reason, maybe alcohol, Kyle was back to yapping about slipping it to one of the guests. He worked Fraser’s last nerve, and in Fraser’s interview, he said he loved Kyle, but wouldn’t be putting his neck on the line for him anymore. Back-to-back charters, one wanting a Kentucky Derby theme, with a primary who is pre-mastectomy. After f***ing up royally, Jess told Captain Kerry that the whole cancer thing was causing her not to have her head in the game. He gave her a hug, which I thought was sweet and thoughtful. Solene continued to not comprehend that you have to work when you’re at work, and I don’t comprehend how she’s still employed. Maybe Fraser is as tired as I am of having to learn new names. The St. David Derby involved hats and stick ponies.

The Real Housewives Of Orange County

Emily had a Persian New Year Polygraph Party, and she said it would be a pivotal night for this group. Apparently so. Tamra slunk back in – no surprise there – but the polygraph test showed Katie to be a lying liar who lies about everything, including her shoe size. After she got the Game of Thrones shame treatment, she was kicked to the curb. Gina and Gretchen met with Kiki Monique, the blogger Katie had allegedly spoken to, and it was Gene the Machine’s 96th birthday. Shannon took him out for lunch where he was serenaded with Happy Birthday from a Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Oh, and Fancy Pants has a downstairs apartment for family time and a penthouse for sexy time. Nice!

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/did-katie-make-up-the-real-housewives-of-orange-county-roofie-rumor/

The Real Housewives Of Miami

I didn’t pay a whole lot of attention to this one this week. In a nutshell, it was pretty dresses, fabulous hair ornaments, and Stephanie schooling us on Jetiquette. And of course, arguments.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/rhom-recap-stephanies-private-jet-completely-breaks-the-housewives/

Random Reality Items

Returns on September 16th, with a super-sized episode no less.

https://parade.com/tv/the-real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-season-6

Returns on October 5th, also super-sized.

As long as Bravo is paying, why complain?

There seem to be no end to the perks of getting cheated on by Sandoval. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Maybe she googled him.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Paper Girls. Amazon Prime. Season 1. I really enjoyed this series about a group of girls who are surprised to end up in the future (for them, 1988, probably so we can have a good soundtrack). A time traveling mystery ensues, the girls meet their future selves, and find out their fortunes both good and bad. While I’d recommend it, I should have checked before watching whether it was a one-off, especially since Prime is known to be a tease, canceling shows after one season. Sadly, this was one of them.

https://readysteadycut.com/2022/07/29/review-paper-girls-season-1-amazon-original-series/

Apparently, the theory is that the series adaption wasn’t faithful enough to the graphic novels, even though creator Brian K. Vaughan was involved. Not having read the source material – and I probably won’t, since graphic novels are very pricey and don’t last as long as traditional novels – I didn’t care, so I’m doubly pissed about it being canceled.

https://www.cbr.com/paper-girls-brian-k-vaughn-adaptation/

The Monkey. Hulu. (Also on Prime, but it’ll cost you.) As Hal (Theo James) says: It’s a bad monkey. It’s a bad, magic, killer monkey. And it is. Twins Hal and Chip acquire a toy monkey – but don’t call it a toy – left behind by the pilot father who abandoned them. Turning the key prompts the monkey to play the drums, as well as cause death and disaster. I’m not sure exactly what I expected, but it wasn’t this, and I mean that in a positive way. It was actually quite good. Gruesome as hell, with a dark sense of humor, and an unsurprising surprise ending. Theo James is also incredible as the twins.

https://movieweb.com/stephen-king-the-monkey-hulu-streaming-chart-horror/

Hollywood Demons. Hulu, HBO/MAX, et al. A six-part series. I’ve only watched the first two so far – Stephen Collins, America’s Dad and Child Stars Gone Violent – but I’ll be back to finish. I enjoy an exposé. I’ve never seen Seventh Heaven, but I was familiar with who Stephen Collins was and it was a complete shock to find out he was a creeper. It’s not so much of a surprise to see child stars gone bad. While many of us suffer disappointments in life and don’t go off the deep end, admittedly, child actors have a unique set of problems. Hopefully by now their rights are more closely protected.

https://people.com/hollywood-demons-docuseries-id-pulls-back-glamorous-curtain-fame-11690832

https://people.com/stephen-collins-accuser-speaks-out-id-hollywood-demons-11701410

Episode list.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36041664/episodes/

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

While I love so many of today’s shows, it’s insane how short the seasons are and how long in between them. That being said, I’m looking forward to this one.

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-season-2-trailer-robert-house

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/fallout-season-2-release-window-teaser-images-plot-cast

📺 Watch From the Past…

Apparently, it was the place to be.

https://ew.com/weirdest-star-trek-cameos-of-the-1990s-11772466

I watched a couple of seasons of this, but then drifted away. Some of it was demeaning, but on the other side, many of the contestants were petulant and whiney. It always baffled me when they were told they were getting a haircut or color change and they’d totally freak out. That’s show biz, kids.

https://ew.com/americas-next-top-model-winners-where-are-they-now-11792796

🐾 Strange But True…

🐕 Queen Elizabeth would have been pleased.

https://people.com/hundreds-corgis-compete-at-international-competition-11797031

🐈‍⬛ I wouldn’t bet my life choices on it, but it’s still pretty cool, and a sweet rescue story.

https://people.com/black-cat-rescue-goes-viral-for-hidden-talent-of-tarot-readings-exclusive-11788963

🦏 I bet my dogs could make the team.

https://people.com/sniffer-dogs-may-have-found-lost-critically-endangered-sumatran-rhinos-indonesia-11796169

🐻 And stay out! This dog is not having it. Canines, don’t try this at home.

https://people.com/pomeranian-chases-bear-out-of-house-in-viral-tiktok-exclusive-11791334

🐦 Quotes of the Week

Today stretches ahead of you waiting to be shaped. You are the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to you. – Steve Maraboli

You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals. – Booker T. Washington

I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn’t learn something from him. – Galileo Galilei

My responsibility to myself, my neighbors, my family and the human family is to try to tell the truth. – Toni Cade Bambara

Summer has always been good to me, even the bittersweet end, with the slanted yellow light. – Paul Monette

The most difficult thing is the decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity. – Amelia Earhart

Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. – Mark Twain

The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them. – Ernest Hemingway

Dance above the surface of the world. Let your thoughts lift you into creativity that is not hampered by opinion. – Red Haircrow

The wise warrior avoids the battle.Sun Tzu

I cannot listen to you anymore with that bad tan. – Jennifer Tarazona to Elise Benson, 90 Day: Hunt for Love Tell-All

🍃 All Too Short a Date…

Until next week, stay safe; stay enjoying the last long weekend of the summer, but don’t drink and drive; and stay remembering that ignorance isn’t bliss. It’s just ignorance.