Tag Archives: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

January 23, 2026 – GH Weekdays, Anna Has a New Tormentor, Soap Suds, This Week In Reality, Weekend Watching, Watching Soon, Nom List & a Sweater, Tails Of Love, Three Quotes Of Three & Fifteen Feet

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

🥢 Weekday Nibbles…                                                                      

Monday: 

The verdict was read and Willow was found not guilty. Willow hugged Alexis, who didn’t look very happy and didn’t hug back. Trina told Kai that she couldn’t believe Willow got away with it.

Sonny went to Alexis’s office to see Diane and maybe get some carrot cake, but Suzanne was behind in her baking and Diane was in court. Alexis was also in court, and Suzanne said the jury had reached a verdict. They thought it could go either way. Sonny said he hoped Willow got acquitted.

Willow was free to go, court was adjourned, and Willow hugged Nina. Dante told Turner that he was sorry, and she wanted to know who was responsible for the missing traffic cam footage. She wanted their head.

Chase congratulated Willow, and she said he’d played a huge part in it. Drew said he knew she’d be exonerated like he’d promised.

Anna asked who was speaking, and Faison asked if she’d forgotten the voice of who loved her the most. She insisted it wasn’t him. It was impossible. He was dead. He said she should know by now, not even death could part them.

Kai said they should have gone to the police, but Trina said it was too late now, and they left.

Willow thanked everyone for their support, but there was one person she owed a debt of gratitude to – Alexis. Drew agreed and thanked Alexis. She told him to keep his end of the deal. She’d come through for him and expected the same.

Suzanne was surprised that Sonny wanted Willow to go free, since the DA’s office could go against Michael. Alexis had laid out a pretty convincing case against him. Sonny said Alexis had done her job to the best of her ability and he couldn’t fault her. He could understand why she went after Michael. Drew had given Alexis an ultimatum – free Willow or she’d never see Scout again. She had to do something drastic. Suzanne got a text and told him that Willow was just acquitted.

Nina said, now Willow could concentrate on getting her kids back, and Drew said, tonight, they had to celebrate. Nina suggested she pick up champagne and that Chase come too. They could all celebrate together.

Dante said they’d find the person who messed with the footage, when Drew came by and said, no hard feelings. She was just doing her job. She said, how magnanimous of him. and he said he’d be in touch about pressing charges against Michael.

Michael flashed back to his meeting with Willow when she asked what would happen with her seeing the kids if she didn’t go to prison.

Nina thanked Chase, and he said he wasn’t letting an innocent woman go to prison. She promised him that it wouldn’t be forgotten and left. Turner said Chase must be pleased with himself. Willow might have walked out free, but thanks to his interference, he might be the one ending up in prison.

Anna asked if Faison had kidnapped her, and he said this place was better than where she’d kept him on Spoon Island. She asked if it was payback, but he said they always found their way back to each other. She said he had a warped view of their history, and he said what kept him going was knowing they’d be reunited. They’d never be part again.

Back in her office, Alexis threw her papers around and Suzanne asked if she was okay. Alexis said she was fine, but Suzanne said she was acting like she’d lost. Right. Willow was guilty, wasn’t she?

Drew brought Willow home, and she said the only thing that would make it better was having Wiley and Amelia there. He said he’d make good on his promise, and she said she didn’t know what she’d do without him. Drew told Scout that Willow won her case, and Willow said, now she could stay with Scout and her dad, and hugged Scout.

Chase said he didn’t nothing wrong, but Turner said he’d undermined her case with his testimony and betrayed his entire department. He said all he did was tell the truth and the jury agreed with him that she was prosecuting the wrong person, but Turner said, only because they didn’t see a crucial piece of evidence. Dante said they’d find the person, and Chase said they’d find it wasn’t him. He’d never tamper with evidence. Turner said Internal Affairs would look into it, and Chase said they wouldn’t find anything on him. If she’d put the right person on trial, he wouldn’t have had to do her job. He left, and Turner told Dante to build her a case against his brother.

At the Quartermaines’, Sonny told Michael that he’d heard about the verdict, and Michael said, now he was the prime suspect. He’d bolted when they read the verdict, but it was only a matter of time. Sonny said he didn’t know if Michael shot Drew or not and didn’t care, but he’d make sure Michael didn’t go down for this.

Anna said, this wasn’t real. It was a trick. Somebody wanted her to believe Faison was alive. Faison said his children were also thought dead. Hadn’t she considered the possibility? She said no, she was finally rid of him, but he said she could never be rid of him. What they had was eternal.

At the Bad Jen Café, Kai told Trina that they should have done more. Double jeopardy meant they couldn’t go after Willow again. (I think they can if there’s new evidence though.) Trina wondered if Willow going free was so terrible. Drew was a monster and he’d put a lot on himself. Kai said a lot of people despised him, but only Willow committed a crime, and she said they’d also committed a crime and covered it up. Who were they to judge? What Willow did was wrong, but she told the court how much she’d loved Drew and now she was stuck with him, or it would arouse suspicion. Maybe it was punishment enough.

Michael said if he went to prison, his kids would be left with an unstable mother and a terrible stepfather, but Sonny said he wouldn’t let that happen. Michael said, even if he was kept out of prison, it would have a huge impact on visitation. The jury had believed her and the new judge could too. What if she got full custody? Sonny said it would never happen, but Michael said it could, and he couldn’t let them live with Drew. Sonny said it wouldn’t do Michael any good to go down that scenario, but Michael said he had to be prepared for any outcome. He had to protect his children. Sonny promised it would be okay.

As she picked up the papers, Suzanne said she shouldn’t have asked, and Alexis asked how long she’d known. Suzanne asked if Alexis remembered when they’d rehearsed Willow, and Alexis said Suzanne told them she’d find Willow guilty. Suzanne said Willow was defensive and justified too much. It felt like overkill. She hadn’t known for sure, especially after Willow did a beautiful job on the stand, but then during Alexis’s summation, she slipped. She almost indicated that Willow was the one who shot Drew. Her explanation was quick and made perfect sense. Everyone believed her, but she knew Alexis didn’t make mistakes like that. She could read Alexis… a little, and wondered if maybe Alexis did it on purpose to try and throw the case. Alexis said, but she couldn’t do that, could she? It made her physically sick knowing that Willow was guilty, and she had to be quiet. Now Willow was free.

Willow said her freedom was thanks to Scout’s grandma. Now that her case was over, her grandma would have more time to spend with Scout. Scout asked if she could go see Alexis, when there was a knock at the door. Nina asked who was ready to celebrate, and Drew asked to speak with Nina privately. Willow took Scout to the kitchen, and Drew told Nina to leave her coat on. She wasn’t staying and she wouldn’t be seeing Willow anytime soon.

Kai said it was tempting to see it from Trina’s point of view, and Trina said it would be nice not to think about Drew and Willow for once. Kai said he was looking forward to resigning. It wasn’t worth it and he couldn’t pretend any more. Maybe it was time to just move on. She said it would make their lives easier, and he said, Michael could end up getting arrested. They couldn’t stay silent, but if Michael was indicted, he’d come forward on his own.

Dante said he knew Michael was number one, but they should consider Curtis, and Turner said, maybe. She knew Michael was his brother, but because of Alexis’s convincing argument, they had no choice but to focus on him. If they didn’t follow up, they’d be slammed from every angle. Dante said he was working hard at staying objective, and she told him to do his job thoroughly and investigate Michael.

Suzanne asked when Alexis figured it out, and Alexis said, after she rested her case… This had to be confidential. Suzanne said, anything and everything case related always was, and Alexis said, someone came to her with damning evidence against Willow and it checked out. Suzanne asked why they didn’t go to the police, and Alexis said it wasn’t in their best interest, and she told them that they’d implicate themselves for various other crimes. Drew would go after them and make it worse. And she had to look after her client. Suzanne said it was her obligation to defend Willow, and Alexis said it wasn’t her first client who was guilty, but it was just the way she’d defended Willow. She’d nearly destroyed Portia’s life and implicated Michael when he didn’t do it. Suzanne said giving her client the best defense was the ethical thing, but Alexis said, legally, yes. Morally, it didn’t feel like it.

Drew said he’d had a change of heart on telling Willow about his and Nina’s previous conversation. She deserved to know her mother wanted to see her convicted so she could jump in and take control. Nina told him, that’s not what she said, and Drew said she wanted to be the hero and drive a wedge between him and Willow. She said he was nuts. Willow was smart and would see where she was coming from. Drew said Willow would see Nina wanted to undermine their relationship again and she’d be livid. Nina said, would she? They’d see about that. Drew said she needed to leave, and Nina said she didn’t want to ruin her daughter’s celebration, so she’d leave, but trust her, she’d be back.

Faison asked if Anna was feeling any better, and she said her head was clearer and she was even more convinced he wasn’t Cesar Faison. Cesar Faison was dead. His brain was in a jar. Faison said someone’s brain was in a jar, but not his. He was right there with her. She said, show himself, but he said, patience. All in due time. He was sorry to keep her waiting, but his recovery was slow and he couldn’t bear for her to see him in his current state. When he was fully healed, she’d see for herself that he was the one and only Cesar Faison.

Kai said there was no reason for Trina to risk prosecution, but she said it was her idea to break in. If anybody should turn themselves in, it should be her. Kai said there was nothing linking her to the crime scene, but she said he wasn’t facing it by himself. He said if he was charged, he’d feel better knowing she was safe and in the clear. He loved her too much to let her throw her life away. The one good thing that came out of this crazy mess was that it brought them back together. She kissed him.

Sonny said the number one priority was keeping Michael out of prison, and Michael said he didn’t do it. Sonny said, the DA may say there’s not enough evidence to press charges, but Michael said Alexis gave the prosecution a roadmap and Turner would come at him harder to save face. Sonny promised him that it wouldn’t be Turner doing it.

Suzanne asked what else Alexis could have done, and Alexis said, withdraw and the judge would have declared a mistrial. Suzanne said Drew would have made sure she never saw Scout again. Could she live with that? Alexis said, no, and Suzanne said, focus on that, and Alexis said she’d let Willow get away with it, but she couldn’t stand Drew either. Suzanne wondered if anyone could, and Alexis said, no. She couldn’t blame Willow and wished she’d argued that in court. Suzanne asked what she was going to do, and Alexis said, nothing. She couldn’t tell Drew. He wouldn’t believe her because of his huge ego, and he’d take Scout away permanently, then go after the witness. Suzanne said, that settled it. All she could do was move on with her life, which include Scout. As for Willow, she was Drew’s problem now.  

Chase showed up at Drew’s with a bouquet of flowers, and Drew said he’d make sure Willow got them. Chase said he was hoping to give them to Willow himself, but Drew said, unfortunately, the celebration plans fell through… Willow came out and thanked Chase for coming. She asked if the flowers were for her and said he was so sweet. She hugged him, and Drew said he was telling Chase that Nina’s plans fell through. She had to leave, so it was better they celebrate another time. Willow said she was glad Chase stopped by and thanked him again for believing in her. She hoped it wouldn’t cost him his badge. He said if it did, he had no regrets. He stood up for what was right. She said that’s what made him so wonderful, and Chase said, congratulations again. Drew opened the door, and Chase left. Drew said he was sorry Willow’s mother had to leave, but Willow said they had plenty of time to celebrate. She was relieved to have peace and quiet, just them. She asked him to hold her and he did.

Anna said, until Faison felt healed and ready to face her, she was stuck in this room? and he said, be patient. Their reunion would happen soon enough. He’d already made arrangements. Before long, she’d leave there and they’d spend the rest of their lives together in their new home.

Trina said Kai was the kindest, most decent man she knew. Him sacrificing himself wasn’t going to happen. If they came clean, they’d do it together, as a team. He said he agreed.

Sonny went back to the courthouse and told Turner that he’d heard she had a rough day. She asked if he was there to gloat, but he said, not at all. He was there to do her a favor.

Chase found Michael and said, now that Willow was exonerated, could they put it behind them and coexist for the sake of the family? Michael asked how they could when Chase was convinced he’d shot Drew. Even worse, he’d helped Alexis build a case against him. He’d condemned Michael’s kids to a life with Willow and Drew. If Chase thought they were shaking hands and letting bygones be bygones, he was sadly mistaken.

There was a knock at Alexis’s office door, but Alexis said she needed to be alone. Suzanne said someone was asking to see her, and Alexis said, ask them to reschedule. Suzanne said they were pretty insistent, and Alexis opened the door. Scout flew to her, and Suzanne said she figured Alexis would make an exception. Alexis said she was happy to see Scout and hugged her.

Willow said she hoped Drew didn’t mind her letting Chelsea take Scout to visit Alexis. She wanted to spend time alone with them. She gave him a glass of champagne and asked what they should toast to. He said, their future, and she said, to our future. They clinked glasses, and he said he was thinking they should go on vacation. Maybe rent a cabin in the woods. She put her arms around him from behind, and as he was blabbing away, she stabbed him in the neck with a syringe. He fell to the floor, said, Willow… What… She said, everything is going to work out, Drew. You’ll see.

Tuesday:

No soap, because news, but you’re welcome, Canada.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-preempted-nationally-today-get-the-details-on-the-new-schedule/

But wait…

Thank you, Canada.

At the hospital, Lucas said he hoped justice was served, and Elizabeth said, with any luck, they could all put this nightmare behind them and everyone could move on with their lives.

Ava met Nina at the Bad Jen Café, and asked why they were celebrating with espresso at a café instead of martinis in New York. Nina said Willow still had a major problem with Drew.

At a nearby table, Kai kissed Trina, when Curtis came in. He said he was sorry to interrupt, but he’d like a moment with his daughter.

Stella saw Portia at the hospital and said she was on the wrong floor for the obstetrician, but Portia said that wasn’t why she was there.

Tracy and Laura met in an office at the hospital, and Tracy said they both knew Drew was blackmailing Portia and they were on her side, and Laura said if it was only about Drew, she’d be tempted to reinstate Portia, but by her own admission Portia had tampered with a patient’s test results, and she didn’t think the board would ignore that. Tracy said Monica would want them to do what was best for the hospital, and Laura asked if GH could afford to keep a doctor employed who knowingly and intentionally falsified patient test results.

Jason arrived at the hospital and asked Britt why he was there. She said she had something she wanted to show him. Cullum lurked around in the background.

Sonny asked if Turner wanted some advice. She took a hit when Willow was found not guilty. It wasn’t a huge leap to assume his son would be targeted next. He wanted to remind her that would be a big mistake.

Chase said Michael lied to the police about his alibi, and Michael said he never went inside Drew’s house. Chase asked why he should believe him. Willow was acquitted. The jury knew she was innocent. If Michael went down for this, he had no one to blame but himself.

Kai left to get refills, and Curtis asked if Trina had heard from her mom. Trina said her mom texted, but she needed space. Curtis said she shouldn’t have no contact, and she asked if he was assuming the baby was his. He said he’d cross that bridge when he came to it, but her mother was having a meeting with some board members. There was no question she was an excellent doctor, and they knew why she did it. Trina said, to protect her, and he said Portia needed their support on this. She said she didn’t want her mother to lose her career and asked if there was anything she could do, and he said, no, but he thought he could, and left.

Portia said Stella knew she was there to speak to board members. She was hoping they’d lift her suspension and reinstate her. Stella said they may decide to dismiss her, but Portia said she was prepared for the possibility. Stella asked if it was worth risking her career and losing her family, and Portia said she’d tried to protect her daughter and always would. If there were consequences for that, so be it. She walked away and Stella saw Isaiah.

Britt asked what Jason thought, and he said, it’s nice. She said her office was the first step to getting her life back. Speaking of…  She handed him $500 and said it was her first payback installment on her Café Cherie bill. He said he didn’t want her money, but she said she wanted them to be on equal footing. No more taking advantage of him. It was the only way they could move forward. He said, they were moving forward? and she said they were. And with that in mind, she’d like to take him out. Before he got all macho… He said, yes, she could take him out, and she said he hadn’t heard what she had in mind. She needed him in his blue suit… He said, no, but she told him that he’d already said yes. He said, fine, and they kissed. She said she’d pick him up, and he said if she told him where they were going, he could make sure there were no donkeys on the road , but she said she’d see him tonight… in his blue suit, and he left.

Turner said it sounded like a threat, and Sonny said he was reminding her that she’d been compromised. She’d heard Drew extort him and threaten Michael. She said he was right. If Michael was charged, she’d have to recuse herself. Truth be told, she was fine with that.

Michael said, Chase thought he shot Drew and framed Willow, and Chase said he didn’t like thinking it, but it was clear Michael would do anything to get what he wanted. Michael said he didn’t want any of this. He didn’t want the breakup, or Willow putting his kids in danger by bringing Drew into their lives. Chase said, right now, the danger was coming from him. When Drew manipulated Willow, he didn’t offer forgiveness, but went straight to revenge. Michael said Chase was leaving out a key piece, and Chase said, Willow cheated, but Michael betrayed her and their children. It should be him who was locked up.

Lucas said he’d do his best to keep it professional, and Elizabeth said, good. Willow was a great nurse, and she was going to love having her back. Lucas said, if Drew lets her come back. Drew wanted to control her and Lucas felt that she let him. Now they were married. Elizabeth said Willow had been acquitted and they’d see how much independence she had going forward. The phone rang, and Elizabeth said they’d be ready. She told Lucas that medics were on the way with a critical patient.

Ava told Nina to get over it, but Nina said, Willow married Drew to get out of the charges and get her children back. Willow told her that she didn’t love Drew. She didn’t need Drew to get her kids back. Ava said, if Willow decided to end her marriage, it was her choice, and Nina said, Drew destroyed Willow’s entire life because he wanted her to think he cared that she was truly happy. Ava said, Willow got herself a gilded cage situation, and Nina said, exactly. He’d never let her go. Nina’s phone rang, and she asked Willow what was wrong. Willow said, something happened to Drew.

Portia thanked Laura and Tracy for meeting with her, and Laura said, of course (🍷). They’d been tasked to make a recommendation regarding her position. Either she’d be reinstated on a probationary basis or let go. Tracy said they’d read everything they’d been given, but before they made a recommendation, they wanted to give her the opportunity to defend herself.

Isaiah asked if he could talk to Stella, and she said they could talk about patients, but anything else, like the situation between her and Portia, was a no. It was a family matter and he wasn’t family. He said he was involved, and she said he certainly was. He said his relationship with Portia didn’t happen in a vacuum. Her marriage was falling apart before he was in the picture, but Portia wasn’t the only one to blame.

Cullum knocked at Britt’s door and said she looked surprised. Did she think leaving the Five Poppies behind meant leaving him behind?

Portia said she took full responsibility for what she did, and Tracy asked how she characterized that. Portia said she’d used her position as Co-Chief to gain access to a patient’s test results and altered them, but the circumstances were unique and extreme. She didn’t do it to advance her career. She did it as a mother trying to protect her child from a murderer who’d been convicted of five murders and had been targeting her daughter. To be clear, she wasn’t asking if they would have done the same, but maybe they could keep in mind the context… She’d been cleared by the AMA, and although there was a mark on her medical license, she was grateful that she could still practice. She hoped it would be at GH. She was an excellent doctor, and with the exception of this atypical situation, she had a sterling reputation. She hoped they’d recommend her reinstatement and welcomed any questions.

Elizabeth told Willow that they were getting Drew stable. What happened? Willow said they went home to celebrate. Drew had a horrible headache, but they opened a bottle of champagne anyway. They both took a sip, but when it came to the toast, Drew looked confused and was slurring his words. Then it was like one side of his face was melting and he just collapsed. She turned his head to the side and put a couch pillow underneath, then called 911. Elizabeth hugged her, and Willow said, please tell her that she got him there in time.

Michael said Chase couldn’t see how pathetic he was. He was desperate to play the hero and throw away his career. Chase said he did what was right, and Michael said Chase was a damn fool to think he believed him. Just like Drew, he fell for Willow’s innocent victim act and couldn’t see what was in front of his face. Be honest about the real reason he wanted to help. How long before he was back in Willow’s bed? Chase punched Michael in the face.

Michael punched Chase back and they fought. Jason came in and pulled them apart, and Chase said he’d make sure Michael paid for what he did. He left, and Jason asked if Michael was all right, but Michael said, no. The cops were going to come after him next.

Sonny asked if Turner didn’t want a second shot at a high-profile case. Convicting someone who shot a congressman would be good for her career. Turner said she had no interest in convicting an innocent person. She’d had the right person on trial. She knew Willow was guilty, but just couldn’t prove it.

At the hospital, Nina asked Willow, what happened? but Willow said she didn’t know. The doctors hadn’t told her anything. What if she didn’t get him here fast enough? Kai asked if there was anything he could do, and Nina said it was nice of him to drive her. He needed to call Drew’s office and have his assistant cancel his appointments and calls. Kai left, and Willow said she was so scared. She cried, and Kai flashed back to Trina saying, Willow knew what she was doing. She intended to kill Drew and knew what she was doing when she lied on the stand.

Ava asked if there was any word from Kai, but Trina said, no. She hoped it wasn’t serious. Ava said, heaven wouldn’t take Drew and hell was full. Don’t worry. She saw Trina and Kai’s and she was happy things were going well for them. Trina said Kai really surprised her. In the last few months, he’d come through for her in ways she couldn’t imagine.

Stella said, Portia might be carrying Isaiah’s child. She was married and he had no right putting himself in the middle. He said if she wanted to blame him for Portia’s marriage falling apart, go ahead, but don’t put it on Portia when Portia had come through for her. Stella asked what he was talking about, and he said, when she was investigated by the federal government, no one fought harder for her. Stella was known for being fair and kind and accepting everyone who came in, meeting them where they were with no judgement. He was asking that she extend the same grace to Portia.

Tracy asked what Portia would say to a potential patient concerned with trusting her, and Portia said, actions spoke louder than words. Congressman Cain had been blackmailing her for months and tormenting her family, but on September 2nd, he came in with two bullets in his back. She had her tormentor’s life in her hands, or at least his mobility, but as a doctor, she took an oath that had become the bedrock of who she was. She’d given him the best possible care. Dr. Jones could confirm that she’d saved Drew’s life and his recovery spoke for itself. Laura thanked her for her time.

Britt asked if Cullum missed her so much, he had to come to Port Charles, and he said she was stalling. She said, not true, but he said, it ended now. Sidwell set up a lab at Windymere, and she was to bring the project online in three months. She said, impossible, but he said there was an easy solution to that. She could disappear.

Curtis told Laura that nobody knew that if Drew had his way, the blackmail wouldn’t have ended with Heather Webber. He tried to force Portia to chance Michael Corinthos’s test results to make it look like he was addicted to opioids, so he could secure custody of Michael’s children for Willow. That didn’t happen, and the reason was, Portia refused. She risked her career and going to prison to stand up for what was right. That’s who she was, and he thought GH should keep her on staff.

Isaiah asked how it went, and Portia said Laura and Tracy were both fair women, but also professional and gave nothing away. What she didn’t say was that she’d do it all over again. He said, that was best kept out. The board would see she was fantastic. She loved people and gave them the best care whether they deserved it or not. She said, everyone deserved care, and he said he’d walk her out, but Stella returned and said, wait.

Britt told Cullum that she just got her medical license back. She had patients and there was no way her family and friends would buy her walking out of her life again. He said they’d had enough undesirable attention with Dalton. Now the timely completion of the project was their driving consideration. To that end, they’d absorb any and all risks. She said, okay, give her a day, but he said they’d already given her too much leeway. They could call another scientist to take her place. Did she have someone she could call for her medicine? Without it, her nervous system would start to deteriorate and there would be no going back.

Michael said Alexis did a fantastic job of making him look guilty, but he hadn’t done it, and Jason said he believed him. If the cops picked Michael up, he knew what to do. Michael said, call Diane and don’t say anything until she showed up, and Jason said, as bad as it was, it was nothing compared to what Michael had been through already. He fought back after life-threatening burns to get home to his kids. He knew Michael could get through this.

Willow asked Lucas, what happened? and he said the initial diagnosis was a massive stroke. They had Drew on stroke protocol and were monitoring him closely. Tracy asked if he’d recover, but he said it was too early to tell. Severe strokes could cause a number of impairments – aphasia, limited mobility, and in extreme cases, full Locked-In Syndrome – but they wouldn’t know for some time.

Laura said she knew Curtis was going through a rough time and appreciated him coming in. He said the whole world found out along with him that his soon to be ex may be carrying another man’s child, but it had nothing to do with her work. He didn’t think her career would end by the likes of Heather Webber or Drew Cain. Laura said she’d take it all into consideration, and he thanked her for listening. She said, of course (🍷). Even in the midst of incredible turmoil, he and Portia were coming together to fight for a common goal. If the baby was his, she hoped they remembered they were capable of that. He said he hoped so. He wasn’t part of raising Trina and felt like it was his second chance. He wanted to be the best father possible. She said he would be, and he left.  

Stella asked how it went with the board, and Portia said she had to wait and see. Isaiah said he’d give them a minute to talk, but Stella said, stay please. She wanted to apologize. Portia had enough dealing with professional matters, and she didn’t need to add more pressure. Portia thanked her and said she was sorry too. She knew how much family meant to Stella and was sorry for any pain she’d caused Stella or anybody else. Stella said it was a difficult situation, and Portia said she still loved all of them. She left with Isaiah.

Trina told Ava that Mr. Sidwell was a smart buyer. Tell him that he was responsible for the first Restrepo in the northern hemisphere and he’d be fine. It would also go up in value. Ava said Trina was absolutely right. She had business dealings all over the world, and after this, she might be able to set up being Restrepo’s primary dealer. Trina said she had no doubt Ava could make that happen, but be careful. She’d heard Mr. Sidwell might be dangerous. Ava said she was sure there was some truth to that, but she knew how to deal with men like him. They understood each other and her nephew had been living under Sidwell’s roof and was having a great time. She’d look out for her nephew and make a small fortune. She’d be spending a lot more time at Windymere.

Britt said she’d go to Windymere tonight, and Cullum said, glad to hear it. Jason Morgan had been a problem at the Five Poppies. Get Jason out of her life or he would.  

Michael said, with being under investigation, it interfered with his chances of getting custody, and Jason said he was worried about Drew being in the picture. Micheal said he couldn’t send the kids back to Drew’s house. That man was poisonous. He saw how Drew treated his own daughter. Jason said Michael’s kids weren’t going back. Drew would never be in their lives. He gave Michael his word.

Sonny said he knew Turner hated to lose, so he’d let her in on a little secret. With or without Alexis’s legal strategy, the next person prosecuted for shooting Drew was going to get off. She asked if he was going to see to it, but he said, no. No jury would convict someone of shooting a snake like Drew. He didn’t deserve justice. She said, everybody deserved justice, and he said, the cops would do what they do, but the way the case should end was with it getting marked unsolved and put away in a file because Drew got what he deserved. He left.

Kai said he had to speak to the DC aids, and Willow said she was going to the ladies’ room to splash water on her face and be alone for a moment. She left, and Nina told Tracy that she thought it was important for them to stay optimistic for Willow. There was still a chance for Drew to make a full recovery. Tracy said, or he could be a vegetable trapped in a body for the rest of his life. Drew wouldn’t get tears from her. As her late husband Luke used to say, karma is a bitch. She guessed it finally came for Drew.  

In the hallway, Willow took the syringe out of her purse, dumped it in a trashcan, and kept walking.

My guess is, Kai is watching her.

Wednesday:

See Tuesday.

Thursday:

Elizabeth went to Laura’s office and said she was worried about her.

Jack knocked at Josslyn’s door and she said, it must be important. He said it was.

Britt came downstairs into Bobbie’s and saw Cullum sitting at a table. She flashed back to him telling her to get Jason out of her life or he would. Lulu and Rocco came in, and Carly asked Britt what was so important that she had to say it in person. Britt said she was moving out of this dump.

Dante asked how the evidence review was, and Nathan said, ongoing. He had nothing significant to share. Dante wondered if there was proof of Chase’s bias judgement.

At the mansion, Tracy said she’d extend Jason the same courtesy she’d offered Michael. She’d be his alibi for whatever he did to Drew.

Nina asked Lucas about Drew, but he said he could only speak to family. She said Drew was her son-in-law, and Willow had stepped away, and he said he was meeting with a neurologist about Drew’s prognosis, but would only discuss the test results with Willow.

Suzanne told Alexis that Willow was there, and Alexis said she’d gotten Willow acquitted knowing she was guilty. What more did she want? Suzanne suggested it was about lifting the restraining order, and Alexis said, that would be nice. Send her in. Suzanne got Willow, and Alexis asked if there was something wrong. Willow said, Drew had a stroke yesterday.

Dante told Chase that Internal Affairs completed their investigation.

Jack said one of the top brass at the WSB was there – Ross Cullum from the European division – and he believed Cullum was a threat to Josslyn. She’d made an impression with the Five Poppies mission. Cullum didn’t know her identity, but if he found out, he’d realize her potential and connections and put her in dangerous situations. To them, she’d be expendable. Josslyn asked if all agents weren’t expendable, but Jack said he’d kept her off the radar and her dossier was in a sealed black box. Josslyn said it sounded like Jack didn’t trust Cullum, and Jack said Cullum wouldn’t protect her like he did. Josslyn said Cullum wasn’t in love with her mother.

Carly said, tell Jason, but Britt said she thought Carly would want to know why she was moving. The place was small and above a dumpster. The walls were paper thin, and the smell of bacon grease caused her cholesterol to go up whenever she inhaled. Carly asked if she’d like help moving out, and Britt said Bobbie would roll over in her grave. Carly’s mother wouldn’t want to be associated with this slum. Carly said Britt’s mother didn’t want to associate with her.

Cullum said he was honored to meet members of the Spencer clan. They had a reputation at the Bureau. Lulu said she was surprised Cullum didn’t seek out her mother, but he said her mother wasn’t arrested for breaking into Dalton’s lab. Lulu said, the matter had been rested, but he said, not the professor’s disappearance.

Elizabeth said she’d been thinking about Laura since Doc and Ace had left, and Laura said she was fine. Elizabeth told her that she’d said the same things when her boys left, then found herself in an empty home. Fine could mean pushing through to keep the world from seeing the cracks. Laura said, fortunately, she cared about her work and had a lot to keep her busy, and Elizabeth said there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to be sad. If Laura ever needed someone to be sad with or confide in, she was always there.

Tracy said Scout was with Alexis, and Jason said Scout had been through so much. She’d lost her mother and her dad was keeping her brother from her. Tracy wondered if that was why Jason decided to take Drew out of the equation, and he asked why she thought he did it. She said, the litany of Drew’s crimes and his expertise in dealing with problematic people. At first, she thought it was karmic justice, but karma and life rarely lined up. You nearly always had to give karma a push. She didn’t want to see him behind bars, so if they asked, he could say he was with her after the trial. He said he didn’t need an alibi. He wasn’t sorry about Drew, but he had nothing to do with it.

Lucas said he’d have the test results soon, and Kai came by looking for Willow. Nina said Willow wasn’t there, but was there something she could do? He said the story wasn’t out in the press yet and the hospital had kept it quiet, and he’d like Willow to approve a statement. Nina said she could look at it. She was surprised he was still working for Drew after hearing about him blackmailing Portia. He said he was thinking about resigning, but it was hard to separate the good Drew had done from the bad. He flashed back to Trina saying, Willow shot him, and told Nina that he didn’t know how Willow did it. Nina said neither did she.

Willow said she thought the stroke was the result of the shooting and the stress of the trial, and Alexis asked if they had a prognosis. Willow said, not yet. For now, it was uncertain, but Scout needed to know about her dad. She wasn’t sure who should tell her. Alexis said she thought it was best if she explained it to Scout, and Willow thanked her. Alexis thanked Willow for being considerate and careful when it came to Scout. Willow said, of course (🍷). She knew how much Scout loved Alexis, Kristina and Molly. Alexis said she thought it was best if Scout moved in with her.

Dante told Chase that Internal Affairs found him in violation of department policy by launching an unsanctioned investigation based on privileged information. He’d used PCPD resources for personal motive and put the prosecution’s case at risk. They’d concluded he’d run counter to policy, but there was no sign of corruption or laws broken. Chase said, so he wasn’t fired? and Dante said, not fired, but he was being demoted.

Jason said he didn’t know if Danny heard the news, so he’d text him, and Tracy said, maybe Danny could spend time with Scout, but he said, when Drew woke up and found out, he’d use it against them both. She said, if he woke up.

Kai told Nina that he’d met Drew when they were forming the Pediatric Sports Initiative (🍷) to honor Drew’s son who died. He’d thought Drew was someone to admire, but in hindsight, he was being naïve. Nina said she knew how he felt. She’d helped on the campaign trail and Drew gave a speech to some veterans that was so genuine and sympathetic, she forgot the things she knew about him for a moment. For every one good thing Drew did for the voters, he did ten horrible things to Willow or somebody else who didn’t deserve it. Kai said, like his own daughter.

Willow said, yes. She loved Scout and thought it would be better if she was around Alexis and the girls. Drew’s recovery would be difficult and hard for her to watch. Alexis said, what about Danny?

Jack said, yes. He was in love with Josslyn’s mother and didn’t want her to lose a daughter. He also didn’t want to lose one of his agents with potential. She was to cease all Bureau activity immediately. She’d been deactivated. Josslyn said she was supposed to gather intel from Lucas on Sidwell and Marco. She’d encouraged Lucas to move in and now she was supposed to walk away? Jack said they had a new asset on Spoon Island, and she asked, who? He said, Britt Westbourne.

Carly said Britt wouldn’t be missed, and Britt said it drove Carly crazy to see Jason being nice to her and wanting to spend time with her. Carly couldn’t stand seeing him with someone else because she was obsessed with him. Carly was threatened by her because she was the only one who pointed it out. Carly said Britt was threatened because she’d never have what they did, and Britt said she didn’t want it. Their relationship wasn’t admirable. It was pathetic.

Chase said he’d been demoted? and Dante said he could be on patrol. He could take the detective exam again when the department was satisfied. Chase said it was insulting and ridiculous, and Dante said he’d gone against policy. There had to be consequences. Chase wondered if it was that or because someone questioned Dante’s authority.

Nina said she wished she’d cut ties with Drew, but Kai said it was hard to do with her daughter married to him. He had no idea what he was going to do. She said maybe he could focus on being able to do a lot of good work. Don’t make any big decisions right now. Sometimes when people came back from a health crisis, they changed. Kai said, Drew survived an attempted murder and didn’t, and she said, maybe the potential for the good he could do outweighed the bad Drew did. Even the best of them had to make compromises.

Willow said Scout told her that she saw Danny. She never told Drew and didn’t plan to, but she was hesitant to let Scout see him. She was concerned about Drew’s reaction when he found out. Alexis said she understood. Maybe they could have the conversation another time after the prognosis was clear. Willow said, of course (🍷). She needed to get to the hospital, but she’d be in touch. Alexis thanked her and she left. Suzanne asked, what happened? and Alexis said, that woman who she’d lost more sleep over just gave her the best present she could ever imagine – her granddaughter. Suzanne said she was happy for her, and Alexis said when she was with Scout, somehow it was like Sam was still here. It was all she had left of Sam and made Scout more precious than Suzanne could imagine.

In the solarium, Danny told Jason that Drew was still Scout’s dad. He should text her. Jason said he couldn’t because they didn’t know what was happening yet and he had to respect the restraining order. Tracy said Drew could come after them eventually, and Danny said she was right. What would happen to Scout? Jason said Willow had temporary custody after Drew had been shot, so he was assuming she did again. Danny wondered if they could ask Willow, and Jason said he couldn’t be the one to ask, but he knew someone who could.

Laura said she admitted the empty apartment was harder than she’d expected, and Elizabeth said it was the same way when her boys left. Laura asked how she managed, and Elizabeth said, other than videochatting, her friends stepped in to take her out to dinner every night. She’d love to offer the same support. Laura said, company sounded nice. She’d give Elizabeth a call later and they’d make plans. Elizabeth left.

Rocco told Cullum that he broke into the lab because he thought Dalton was testing on animals. He learned that he should have handled things differently. Cullum asked if they had any idea where Dalton might be, and Rocco said, no. Lulu said it had been a relief, since he fabricated a story that Rocco vandalized the lab. Rocco was attacked in juvenile detention, and they thought Dalton might have taken off to avoid facing charges. Cullum said it made sense, and gave them his card. He asked them to reach out if anything came to mind.  

Cullum put money on the counter and left. Carly told Britt that she guessed they were done. Britt said she was sick of Carly’s moral authority act, when she’d lied and schemed her way through life like the rest of them. Carly said she knew what it was like to do what you needed to do and survive, destroying everything you touched. And she knew when someone was baiting her. Is that why Britt called? Just to start a fight?

Josslyn asked how Britt was the new asset. Could Jack trust her? Jack said he could. Sidwell built a lab at Windymere, so Britt could do her research there. She was now classified as a sleeper. Josslyn was to avoid the WSB office and Windymere. If she could distance herself from her uncle, do so. Live her normal life until she heard otherwise. She asked if she had a choice, and he said, no. He appreciated the work she’d done. He needed her to stay sharp and stay invisible. He left.  

Outside Bobbie’s, Lulu said she loved how Rocco handled himself, and Rocco said he didn’t know anything. He was glad it was over. She asked if he didn’t have to get to GH for his community service, and he said he’d like to walk. They hugged, and he left.

Dante said Chase had to take accountability or it would breed resentment. He had to decide if he was willing to do what it took to get back where he was. Chase said, he could end his career or crawl back to the department and accept punishment for being right, and Dante said he didn’t think Chase was right, but that was beside the point. Think about it and let him know. Chase snatched the papers out of Dante’s hand and stormed through the squad room. Nathan asked if everything was okay, and Chase said, no. He should probably start looking for a new partner.  

Alexis said she couldn’t believe Scout was moving in for the foreseeable future, and Suzanne said Alexis earned it. She kept her eyes on the prize and when no one thought she’d win, she did. She knew fighting for Willow was fighting for her granddaughter and she succeeded. Alexis said she couldn’t have done it without Suzanne. She’d proven to be more than an assistant. She was smart, credible, and insightful, but also a good friend, and those were hard to come by.

Willow came back to the hospital and asked if there was an update. Nina said they’d have the results soon. In the meantime, Kai had a statement from Drew’s office for her to review. Kai gave her the paper, and Nina said it was kind of Willow to make arrangements for Scout to stay with Alexis. Willow signed the statement, and Kai thanked her. Lucas came out and said he had a prognosis. He was afraid it wasn’t what they’d hoped.

Lulu went to Laura’s office to check in on her, and told her that she’d just come from meeting with someone from the WSB. Laura assumed Jack was pressuring her, but Lulu said it was an agent she’d never met – Ross Cullum. He seemed okayish. Laura asked if he wanted information on Valentin, but Lulu said, no. He was asking about Henry Dalton.

Chase kicked the backgammon board off the table in the solarium and the pieces flew everywhere.

Britt said she wasn’t trying to start a fight, and Carly told her to find someone else to spar with. Britt said it killed Carly to see Jason so happy and having so much fun at the hatchet range with her. When was the last time he had fun with Carly? In the 90s? (Ha-ha!) His loyalty to the past was why he chose Carly over her, but he was tired of the drama. If he could get out from under his overdeveloped sense of obligation, he’d leave her behind without a second thought and they both knew it.

Danny went to Alexis’s office and said his dad told him that she was probably the only person who could help him. She asked, what’s up? and he asked if she heard about Drew. She said, yes, and he asked if she thought she could ask Willow if he could see Scout.

Lucas said Drew suffered a major stroke that affected both his motor and language skills, and Willow said his stroke was severe. When he regained consciousness, he’d need speech, occupational and physical therapy. A full recovery wasn’t impossible, but unlikely. Lucas said he was sorry. If she had any questions, he was there. Willow thanked him and Elizabeth said she was sorry. Sobbing, Willow threw herself into Elizabeth’s arms and cried. Kai left and Nina was like, hmm…

Carly said she and Jason had been through so much, it tied them together for life, when Jason walked in. He asked if everything was okay, and Britt said it was great. Carly was just reminding her of the reason she wanted nothing to do with him.

Josslyn found Lucas at the hospital and said she was there to broker peace between him and her mother. Her mother missed him. He said he missed her too, but he wasn’t okay with her attitude about Marco. He had enough disapproval from Pascal the butler. Pascal went back to France and now they were blissfully butler free. His phone chimed and he said he had to do rounds, but after he was done, did she want to come and hang out at Windymere. She asked if a glass of wine was involved, and he said, that was a given. She said she was in.

Elizabeth signed Rocco’s volunteer waiver and gave him scrubs to put on in the locker room. It was a dirty job.

Laura wondered why Cullum was asking Lulu questions about Henry Dalton, but Lulu said, not her, Rocco. Laura asked if he said why, and Lulu said, it wasn’t really clear. The WSB was looking into his disappearance. They sounded keen on finding him.

Nathan asked if Dante had a conversation with Chase, and Dante said Chase lost his detective badge, but could be a beat cop. Based on his reaction, that’s a big if. Nathan said he hoped Chase stayed. He was a good cop. Dante said he hoped so too and believed that as well. That didn’t change the fact they were down one detective. Nathan said he’d step up. No more mistakes. Dante said he’d be leaning on Nathan more than ever, and left.  

Chase started picking up the game pieces, when Tracy came in. She asked, what happened? and he said he was sorry. He’d gotten the ruling from Internal Affairs and took it out on the backgammon set. She asked if he was fired, and he said, no, but he was only allowed back as a patrol officer. It was a demotion. She said he knew how she felt about his campaign to save Willow. However, believe her when she said it was the department’s loss. He said he never thought he’d be in this situation. He couldn’t believe it came to this, and he had no idea what to do next. She said he had a lot to discuss with her granddaughter.

Alexis told Danny that before she said this, she wanted to make sure he understood that she thought he was an incredible young man. She thought Scout’s mom would be proud. Danny said he hoped so. He wanted to see Scout to make sure she was okay. She said, that’s why she asked Willow if he could see her, but Willow thought it was best if they kept the restraining order in place until they knew more about Drew’s condition. Willow knew he loved Scout and didn’t feel the same way Drew did. She thought there was a good chance he and Scout would be spending time together very soon, the way their mom wanted it.

Nina sat down next to Willow and said Willow seemed really upset. Willow said she was Drew’s wife. What reaction should she have? Nina said, remember, she didn’t actually love Drew. She only married him to help prove her innocence and get her children back. Willow said, that was before he collapsed in front of her, and Nina said, please don’t turn sympathy into forgiveness, or worse, real love. Willow said she just wanted to make sure her husband got the treatment he deserved. Again, Nina was like, hmm…

🫔 Friday’s Barely Touched Enchilada…

Jason asks Britt, what’s going on? and she says, sadly, nothing new. He says, she wanted him to come here and now she wants nothing to do with him, and she said, his BFF Carly just reminded her again that he’d never put her first. Why doesn’t he tell everyone once and for all who comes first, her or Carly?

Brook finds Chase in the solarium and says her grandmother told her that he was looking for her. Did Internal Affairs make their decision?

Emma and Gio go to the station, and Emma says she’s looking for Chief Scorpio. The desk sergeant says, he’s out on a call, and Emma asks if she has any idea when he’ll be back. Gio says, it’s kind of important, when Nathan comes out and says, maybe he can help.

Lucas tells Josslyn, welcome to my home. He still finds it weird to say that. Josslyn says, not as weird as it is to hear it. She thanks him for the invitation, and he says he’s thrilled she’s able to join him for cocktail hour. He’s slowly getting used to the idea of hosting his own visitors. Josslyn promises to be a no pressure, no drama visitor, and he says, maybe save the tantrums and throwing things for the second visit. She says she makes no promises. She’s excited to see where he and Marco cohabitate. He says, she makes it sound so romantic, and she says, sorry. She’s excited to see where he and his beloved lord over Port Charles on their windswept isle, paired with manor and butler. He says, there you go. She’s got it. This will be a butler free visit. Remember Pascal took his creep self out of town and has to judge them from afar. Wine or a martini? Ava taught him a recipe that won’t disappoint. They go into the living room and Ava says, it better not. She spent years perfecting this recipe and it’s lovely. Shall she make two more?

Anna wakes to find Peter August standing near the bed, and says, Peter? He says, Peter, Heinrich, either will do. Have you missed me, Auntie Anna? (I actually had a Great Auntie Anna as a kid, but she was nothing like this Anna. I wish. She was, however, a champ at Skeeball.)

Brook asks if Chase is going to keep her hanging or tell her what Internal Affairs decided, and he asks if she wants the good news or bad news first. She says, so it’s both kinds. Rip the band-aid off. What’s the bad news? He says he was demoted to patrol officer, and she says, what? How could they do that? He’s the best detective on the force. He says, they don’t seem to feel that way, and she says, what’s the good news? He says, if he accepts the demotion, he can stay on the force. His hours will be more defined, and he won’t have to bring work home with him. She says, more free time is a good thing. They can finally go to Italy for a honeymoon redo. He says, or they can use the free time to focus on building their family. He thinks it’s time they focused on adopting.

Emma thanks Nathan and says, it’s stupid. She should probably text her Uncle Mac. She doesn’t want to involve the police. Gio says, it’s more of a family thing, and Nathan says he doesn’t want push it, but if they squint just the right way, he sort of is family. Obviously with Maxie and James. Emma says she doesn’t want to bother him at work. Forget she said anything. Let’s go. Gio says, they need help and Nathan may give them some. They’re not leaving.

Lucas says he didn’t realize Ava would be here, and she says she’s celebrating. She nailed down the Restrepo for Jenz, so she came by to take measurements for the installation. Lucas congratulates her and says, that’s a huge get. Does she need any help? She says, he has a guest, and since Jenz wasn’t here, Marco kindly assisted her. Marco asks if he heard his name, and she says she was telling her handsome nephew how he welcomed her and measuring tape into his home. Has he met Lucas’s niece Josslyn Jax? Marco says he has. Nice to see her again when one of them isn’t coming or going. Ava says she and Marco took a vote and decided they’d done enough work for the day, right? Cocktails are in order. Lucas says, great minds and perfect timing, and Marco says he hopes that means Josslyn is joining them, and Ava says, please do join us.

Peter says, Anna seems to be under the weather. Should he call for help or leave her here to die like she left him? She says she didn’t, but he says, she did. Did she grieve when he died? She says, this is not happening. He’s not here. He’s dead. He says, that’s what everyone thought. That’s what she thinks. Things change. Death doesn’t mean what it used to. Things aren’t the same as they were before. She asks what he means, and he says, she thought Nathan was dead. She thought Britt was dead. She thinks his father is dead. She says, Faison is dead, but he says, the thing about his family is, they don’t stay dead. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe, all of the people she thinks are dead and buried are right here waiting for her.

Carly says, time out. Leave her out of this mess. Whatever the hell is going on between Britt and Jason has nothing to do with her. Does Jason know what’s going on here? Britt asks if Carly thinks she’s so attached to Jason because her life is so boring. She thought Carly’s super spy boyfriend would be enough to keep her occupied, but she guesses not. Carly says her relationship is none of Britt’s business. This chronic insecurity of Britt’s has nothing to do with her. Britt says, she’s right, and tells Jason, solve the problem. Who comes first, her or Carly? He says he’s not going to answer that, and Britt says, that right there. That is his choice.

Brook says, it’s been a while since they talked about adopting a child, and Chase says he knows. They tabled things because she asked for time to sort things out with Gio. It made sense, but it seems like they’re in a good place and building their relationship. She says, true, but it’s still fragile, and he says, not that fragile. His demotion was a wake-up call. He didn’t realize how much of his identity was wrapped up in his work. She says, because he loves his job, and he says, he did. He does. But he also has a life. He can’t prioritize work over family. She’s the most important thing to him. Building a family with her is his priority and the circumstances are right to get the ball rolling and make it happen… unless it’s not something she still wants.

As they go into the interrogation room, Emma says she didn’t want make it into a big thing, but Nathan says, she’s not. Even if she were, it’s fine. Her grandma gave him a shot at the PCPD and Anna has been a good friend and mentor. He owes her a lot. Gio says, Emma too, and Emma says, that’s why they’re here. That’s why she wants to talk to her Uncle Mac. She’s starting to think that her grandma is in trouble.

Josslyn says he has to check on her mom. She offered to watch Donna and doesn’t need her mom and Donna mad at her. Ava says, no one wants that, but she thinks Josslyn got her dates mixed up. Donna and Avery are with Sonny. When she spoke to Avery, Avery said something about a homemade pizza party. You know Sonny will take any excuse to make a red sauce. So relax. Have a drink. Josslyn says, Ava is right. She must have gotten her dates confused. So she can stay. She’ll take a glass of wine. Martinis aren’t her thing. Ava says, they’re everyone’s thing, even hers. She just doesn’t know it yet. Marco asks which Josslyn prefers, red or white, and Josslyn says, red, pinot noir. Marco says they have a few great ones down in the cellar. He’ll grab one and be back. Josslyn says, if it’s not too much trouble, and Marco says, no problem. Ava says she’d love a peek at his father’s wine cellar. She can imagine the vintages he’s got squirreled away down there. Marco says she’s welcome to join him if she likes, and she follows him out. Lucas says, Josslyn almost made a clean getaway, huh? He’s sorry about the ambush and thanks her for staying. He knows Ava isn’t her favorite persona. Josslyn says, it’s fine. They can coexist. She’s used to pushing her own feelings for Ava aside for those she cares about. He says, like him, and she says, yes. Like him and Avery and Trina. He thanks her and says, that’s why he wants her to get to know Marco better. They’re both very important to him. She says, they’re both important, huh? and he says, of course (🍷). He can’t tell her how grateful he is for her support of his relationship, unlike her mother.

Jason asks if they can go somewhere and talk privately, but Britt says she’s not going anywhere with him – ever. Brad was right. She was fooling herself, letting herself think this could be anything, but it can’t be. Because he’ll never cut the cord with this woman. He asks where this is coming from. Carly isn’t between them. Britt says, Jason married Carly. He ditched her and threw her away like trash and ran to Carly. She thought she could forgive all of it, but she can’t. She’s done. Stay away from her. She leaves, and Carly says, wow. What the hell was that all about? Jason asks what Carly said to her. (Ha-ha-ha!)

Brook says, of course (🍷) she wants to build a family with Chase and adopting a child is absolutely still in the cards for them. All of this is just really sudden. Chase asks what she’s talking about. They had so many discussions about adoption. They even talked to Alexis about it. She says, that’s not what she means. He just found out that he was demoted and lost his detective shield. He says he knows that, and she says, and she knows how much he loves being a detective. He’s so proud of it. They sit on the sofa, and she says, he just lost something really important to him. She doesn’t want him to brush past that. He asks if that’s what she thinks he’s doing, deflecting. He’s trying to focus on them having a child. She says she doesn’t know. Is he?

Nathan says he probably doesn’t know any more than Emma, but the department was told her grandmother was pulled for some top secret WSB assignment. That was the last official update they got. Didn’t she read a text message and get a picture from her grandmother at Maxie’s house on Christmas? Emma says, yeah, a photo and a voicemail, but she hasn’t actually spoken to her grandmother since she left. Gio says, it’s been months, which makes it even weirder, and Nathan says, that doesn’t sound like Anna. Emma says, it doesn’t. She knows on a classified mission contact is limited, but she doesn’t think her grandmother would go this long without speaking to her directly. Gio says he doesn’t either. Anna used to text them every day for a regular status update – while they were living with her. Emma says, yeah, and she’s not the only one her grandmother’s not talking to. Her mom and aunt haven’t heard from her. Gio says, at least Emma got something, a voicemail and text. They haven’t gotten anything. They’ve had no communication from Anna at all.

Anna says, this is not happening. It’s not real. Someone is doing something. They’re using her past against her. Peter says, maybe it’s just her guilt finally having its say. She’s ignored it and the things she’s done. She’s lied to herself about all the lives she’s destroyed. Did she really think she could silence her conscience forever? She says, that’s not true. None of this is. He says, it’s all true and she kept her conscience prisoner for all of it, hoping it was there, with her foot on its neck, listening, growing angrier, while she denied, rationalized, and justified. All the while guilt eating at her soul. She says, shut up! Get away from me! She gets up and walks to the other side of the room, and he says, things have a way of making themselves known. She says, you’re not real, but he says, she’s making this far too complicated. His father will be so disappointed in her, going to such great lengths to deny what’s exactly in front of her face. She says she watched him die. She held his hand and she watched him die. He says, did she, or was it just another one of his father tricks? He had so many, and he’s fooled her before.

Lucas says he’s hungry. How about Josslyn? She says she could eat, and he says, the downside of Pascal being gone is they’ve go to get their own snacks. He’s going to get chips or something. He’ll be back. She says, great. She’ll be here. He leaves, and she gets up and starts looking around. She opens a cupboard next to the fireplace, and Ava says, looking for anything in particular?

Carly asks if Jason thinks she’s responsible for that. Is he blaming her for what just happened? Jason says he’s not blaming her. He’s asking what happened. Britt was happy and they were good. He’s asking what changed. She says she doesn’t know. She has no idea what’s going on with Britt. Britt was trying to push her buttons, and she almost went at her, but she didn’t. Whatever is going on, she had nothing to do with it. He says, one conversation with her, and Britt is back to insecurities and running out the door, and Carly says, when isn’t she? That’s on Britt. It’s not her fault. He asks why it’s so hard for Carly to believe he can love her and still have room for somebody else. Britt’s wrong. There doesn’t have to be a choice. She says she didn’t ask him to choose. She didn’t ask for any of this.

As Rocco rolls up some of the kids’ artwork, Cullum looks in on Rocco. He goes into the room and says, Mr. Falconari, good to see you again. He assumes it’s part of the community service Rocco mentioned earlier. Rocco says, yeah, it’s keeping him pretty busy here, and Cullum says, he most certainly is. In the hallway, Britt comes out of the elevator. Rocco says, the kids love it and it keeps their mind off whatever they’re here for, for a little while anyway, and Cullum says, good thing he’s here then. He doesn’t want to keep Rocco. He was hoping Rocco could point him in the direction of Dr. Britt Westbourne’s office. Britt walks by and sees Cullum with Rocco, as Rocco says, after he finishes cleaning up, he’ll take Cullum right to her.

Britt walks in and says, good afternoon, gentlemen. One of the nurses mentioned that someone very official was looking for her. Cullum says, that would be him… unless Rocco… Rocco says, no. He’s been too busy. Britt introduces herself to Cullum, who says, Ross Cullum, and they shake hands. He says he’s director of the WSB and Mr. Falconari was just about to direct him to her office, and she says she’s got it. She thanks Rocco and says she’ll take it from here. Rocco says, see her around then. You know, 500 hours of community service. Britt says, it’ll fly by. She tells Cullum, let her show him to her office, and he follows her out.  

Carly says she gets that Jason is upset by Britt’s about face, but can she have some credit? She admits there was a time she needed him to show her that she came first, but after everything that happened with the FBI, she knows what it cost him. That’s not who they are anymore. It’s not where they are. She knows a lot of life happened to them and there are things they can’t share, but she doesn’t ever question where she stands with him and hopes he doesn’t with her either. She loves him and she knows he loves her, and he never has to prove anything to her. Jason says he believes her, and she says, good. Now, would she pick Britt for him – he says, here we go – absolutely not. He knows how she feels about that, but it’s his to pick, not hers. Just like he respects the choices she’s made even when they’re wrong, she’s choosing to respect his.

Ava says, Marco and Lucas left Josslyn alone and she seems to have interrupted something. Josslyn says, yes. Her being nosy. Windymere is such a wild place. It’s hard to picture her uncle living here. It doesn’t quite suit him. Ava says, Windymere is an acquired taste, but it can grow on you. Lucas is adaptable. Besides, he did live here with his mother for a short time as child. So for him, it’s probably a homecoming of a sort. Josslyn says she guesses. Although she thinks if she’d asked a year ago what home was for him, it was wherever his family was. So… Ava says, that’s the thing about family. You can make your own. She and Lucas are related by blood, so they’ll always have that unbreakable bond, but being blood relatives needn’t be the sole criteria for determining who is considered family and who isn’t. Of course (🍷) she’s not telling Josslyn anything she doesn’t already know. Look at her and Trina. She loves Trina like she’s her own. They have so many important people in common that they love, it’s really quite special, isn’t it?

Nathan asks if Emma’s mom expressed alarm about Anna, but Emma says, no. She said Emma’s grandma has been known to go off the grid when she’s on assignment and Emma didn’t want to worry her. She has confidence in her grandma’s ability, with good reason, but she can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. Gio says, they spoke to Agent Brennan about it too, and Emma says, they did, yeah. Nathan asks what he had to say, and Emma says, just that one hand of the WSB is not always in communication with the other, but he did say he’d look into things for her. Nathan says, sit tight. He’s going to check the records. Maybe they have an update that he’s not aware of. Emma says, that would be great, and Gio thanks him. Nathan leaves, and Gio asks if she’s okay. He knows he kind of pushed her into this. She says, no. She’s glad he did. She was sitting around and it was driving her crazy. At least now she might get some answers.

Chase says he didn’t just start thinking about having a kid today, and Brook says she knows that. He says, good, because he thinks about it all the time. It’s like the thing he wants most for them in this world. He can’t say she’s too wrong about him not being a detective. He can’t wrap his head around it. When Dante gave him the news, it was like the wind got knocked out of him. She says, of course (🍷). It must have been especially hard hearing it from Dante. He says, Dante is his best friend and was his partner. Dante made it clear that the department didn’t trust him anymore, even though he was right all along. (I’m growing weary of Chase’s self-righteousness.)

Brook says, the PCPD has to know that Chase not being there is their big loss, but Chase says he doesn’t know what they know about anything anymore. She says, when Anna comes back, she can’t imagine Anna will be happy about any of this, and he says he doesn’t know. She was worried about his sympathy for Willow at the beginning. Even if she doesn’t like it, she’ll understand why things went down with him the way they did. She says, there has to be a way for him to get his detective shield back… if that’s something he wants, and he says, it is. He can sit for the detective exam again, if the department’s satisfaction is met and the standards they want him to live up to. He told Dante that he’d think about it and get back to him. She says, that makes sense… But she wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d told the PCPD to shove it.

Josslyn says, Ava can drop the act. She’s not capable of loving anybody but herself. She can pretend, smile, and say all the right things, but any affection of hers has its limits. When it comes down to it, the only person she cares about is herself. Ava says, there it is. That self-righteous judgmental attitude that comes so easily to Josslyn’s mother. It must be so tiring, seeing everybody so clearly and knowing that none of them measure up to her lofty standards. Josslyn says she’s not above anybody and doesn’t pretend to be. She just sees Ava for who she is, and Ava can’t stand her for it. Ava says, maybe, but everybody plays a bit of pretend at one time or another. She suspects even Josslyn does. Lucas and Marco come back, and Lucas says, they couldn’t decide, so they’re going with both. California or France? Which should they try first?  

Jason says, just walk him through what happened with Britt, but Carly says she doesn’t know. Britt called and told her to meet. She showed up and waited. Then Britt told her that she wanted to move and she said, fine. That was it for her, but not for Britt. She started insulting the restaurant, saying this place was a dump. She said Carly’s mother would be rolling in her grave if she saw the place now. He asks if she said nothing back, and she says she pushed back after Britt brought up her mom, but she didn’t say anything like Britt said. She’s telling him, Britt tried to provoke her. Britt wanted to fight with her right here.

In Britt’s office, she says, that’s the second time she’s seen Cullum with Rocco Falconari. What is he doing with that kid? Cullum says, proving a point.  

Emma tells Gio that there’s this default assumption that her grandma is like a superwoman and she gets it. In a lot of ways, she is. She’s looked up to her forever. Gio says he sees why. He thinks they’re a lot alike. She thanks him and says she hopes so. Just because her grandma is super smart and capable doesn’t mean she handle everything. At the end of the day, she’s just a person. An amazing person, but just a person. She’s not indestructible. He says he knows, and Emma says, what if she’s in over her head right now? He says, if she is, Emma took the first step in getting her help, and Emma says, somebody has to do something. She doesn’t need to know global secrets. She just needs to hear her grandma’s voice. She can’t keep sitting around hoping she’s okay. He says, she’s not. She’s here. Trust her gut. She was right about Dalton when everyone was telling her that she was wrong. If Anna is in trouble, Emma is coming through for her right now when she needs Emma the most. He hugs Emma and she cries.

Anna says, Peter hated Faison. He killed him. Peter says, so he thought. Faison played him like he played her, like he played everyone. Cesar Faison always wins and deep down, she knows it’s true. She says, it isn’t real. It isn’t real. It isn’t real. He says, stop. There’s no point in fighting. He should know. His father is so devoted to her, it makes sense that he should be the one with her. She says, stop, stop, stop, and puts her hands over her ears. Peter says, he’s finally ready to show himself to her. He’s waited so long, but he was always ready to have her. She says, oh God, and he says, the time is almost here. She says, oh my God.

Brook says, Chase doesn’t have to decide anything right now. Whether he accepts the demotion and works his way back up to being detective or decides to be a personal chef or a singer or to busk outside of Bobbie’s… He says, she’d let him walk around dressed as a BLT sandwich and hand out flyers? and she says, her undying support is with him, no matter what he decides. He says, that means the world, but he’s known what he wanted to do since he was 10. He wanted to be a police officer. He wanted to be a detective. He rebuilt his career once. He can again. She says, damn straight, and he says he wants to build a family with her. She says she wants that too, and they kiss.

Carly tells Jason that she could tell Britt wasn’t going to stop until Britt got her going and she came pretty close when Britt brought up her mother. He says he can understand that, and she says, it’s a good thing he showed up when he did. He says, yeah, it was. He gets it. Britt wanted to fight for some reason. He’s going find out why. He leaves.

Cullum says he can access Rocco Falconari any time, and Britt says, and do what? Make him disappear too? Rocco is very well connected. He has a mob boss for a grandfather, his grandmother is the mayor, and his father is the current Police Commissioner, and his mother is a journalist. His family will never stop looking for him. Even Cullum couldn’t hide him. Cullum tells her, who said anything about hiding him? Rocco is involved in a high-profile break-in. If it’s determined the lab contained classified information… She says, Cullum will put him in WSB custody? He’s a kid. Cullum says, trust him. He wouldn’t be the first minor in Steinmauer. She says, Rocco is innocent. He hasn’t done anything. Okay. He doesn’t have to hurt Rocco. He doesn’t have to prove anything to her. She’s doing what he wanted. She ended things with Jason. He’s never coming near her again. He told her to get to the lab. She’ll go to Windymere tonight. Damn it. She’s cooperating. He says, actions speak louder than words. There are consequences for actions and there will no longer be possibilities. Those are certainties she can count on. She says she understands, and he says, good. From now on, she will comply for Rocco’s sake and her own. He leaves.

Ava sips her martini, and Marco asks Josslyn what she thinks of the California. Josslyn says she’s no expert, but she likes it, and Lucas says, that’s the most important part. Now they try the French. Is Ava sure she doesn’t want a tiny sip? Ava says, no, thank you. This is perfect and she is an expert. Lucas says, hey, they should check out the catacombs and see what’s down there, but Marco says, it’s probably wet and freezing. Ava says she and her Cardullos are quite happy right here, and Lucas says, come on. He hasn’t been there since he was a kid. Now he’s an adult and Marco is here to protect them, mainly him, from any ghosts. Not that there are any. Come on. Come on. Come on. Let’s go exploring. Marco says, absolutely not.  

Nathan comes back, and Emma asks if he found out anything. He says, not from the latest records, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be found. Emma asks if he thinks there’s something off with her grandma’s situation, and he says, not necessarily, but he thinks the situation warrants him looking into it more. She thanks him, and he says he knows Anna well. If Emma is anything like her, he trusts her instincts. He’s not promising anything, but he’ll put his resources into finding Anna. One way or another, they’ll get answers and he knows exactly where to start looking.

Anna says, if Faison wants her, tell him to stop playing games. Come here to her now. Peter laughs and asks if she still thinks she’s in control of anything. She’s not. His father will come to her when he’s ready. She says she just wants this to stop. Faison, I just want this to end. Please… please… Just stop this. She knows he can hear her and she wants to see him. Show her his face. Just come here. Peter is gone and she’s alone.   

On Monday, Britt says, if Jason ever cared about her at all, leave her alone; Josslyn asks if Jack wants to hear what she found out or not; and Marco wants to take Sonny out of the equation for good.

🧼 All the Soap News Fit To Print…

Pay no attention to those rumors.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/is-cameron-mathison-leaving-general-hospital-as-drew-forget-the-rumors-here-are-the-facts/

I can just imagine that visit to Amsterdam.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-star-finola-hughes-on-annas-reunion-with-faison-it-was-nuts-exclusive/

Returning February 12th.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-comings-and-goings-kirsten-storms-is-back-as-maxie/

I can’t fault her for having a good time.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/general-hospital-willow-stabs-drew-katelyn-macmullen-talks-exhilarating-dark-turn-exclusive/

Why shouldn’t they? Short of a cataclysmic event, I think we can all wait a minute for the news, which literally follows GH.

https://ew.com/general-hospital-fans-fuming-over-trump-preempting-after-cliffhanger-11889288

Betting on him for the win.

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/all-my-children-alum-michael-b-jordan-scores-first-oscar-nomination/

💉 A Dose Of Reality…

Below Deck Mediterranean

While there was still way too much going on in the boatmance department – Max getting all emo, wanting Cathy to give him definitive answers on what happens after the season, and Eyebrows Joe acting the fool with Kizzy – the final charter included Karen Gravano from Mob Wives. Josh slaved all day over a hot stove and still not everyone was pleased. It was, however, a delight to see Captain Sandy video chat with wife Leah. One guest whined because she wanted crab after they’d already eaten it. In Josh’s interview, he said he wasn’t a chef with a magic arse. He couldn’t just pull a crab leg out. This same cretin bitched about them having no truffles when truffles were out of season and there were no truffles to be had. The captain had the best idea when several of the whiners grumbled about not leaving the dock. She had some deckhands take them out in the tender for a bumpy ride, after which they admitted, Captain Sandy is always right.

Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City

A lot of Part 2 was undecipherable due to everyone talking over everyone. My Reunion pet peeve. Even with the closed captions on, it doesn’t matter. They can’t get it all. There was a big whoop-de-do about Angie having evidence that Lisa’s number was attached to some account. Andy had to start yelling, then he just looked defeated, and walked off. They were like, sorry, sorry, sorry, Daddy Andy, and he came back. Mary’s son had been incarcerated for breaking an ex’s restraining order. There was also the whole thing about Mary’s church being a cult, but having been to churches like hers, I say that’s a no. Lisa claimed she’d supported Mary, but Mary said Lisa came against her. She was very dark and needed help. Of course, the airplane ride where Meredith lost her sh*t was brought up, and even Andy wondered, why no footage? I don’t know why he didn’t answer his own question, but I assume it’s too cumbersome for an entire camera crew to be on a plane, not to mention dangerous. He asked why no one had filmed it with their phones, and Heather said, what POS person would do that? For one, I would. We flashed back to the time Britani recorded an argument on a bus, so again, I made the assumption that there’s a rule against cast members doing their own filming. Maybe a Housewives’ code or something. Still, I would have done it even if for my own personal entertainment. There was a lot of back and forth on this – Meredith against the rest of the cast, sans Lisa – but Meredith stood her ground that she’d only complained about Britani a couple of times and never touched her high body count hair.

Why he walked.

I think Meredith needs to look up the definition of victim.

Vanderpump Rules

It was SUR’s 20th anniversary, and LVP said, let’s have a bloody good party. Technically, SUR was 26 years old, but it was the anniversary of Lisa and Guillermo’s partnership in owning it. Natalie and Kimberly got into it and Lisa had to tell Natalie to STFU several times. That’s one more complaint of mine. This staff doesn’t listen to my girl at all. They’re lucky she’s so lenient. If I’d talked to any of my bosses the way this crew speaks to her, I would have been gone. Lisa’s other concern was Jason’s knowledge of his job, and in her interview, she said, Jason knows more about penis pumps than the menu. She might be right. HE DIDN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE GOAT CHEESE BALLS FOR GOD’S SAKE. In a rare moment, Venus and I agreed that people who don’t even work there know about the goat cheese balls. I knew about the goat cheese balls in Season 1. Guillermo unveiled a photo framed like a painting of the new cast. They looked beautiful, but… yeah. Angelica checked out Jason and Chris’s OnlyFans videos, and apparently they were greasing each other up on film, along with some other guys, and along with doing some other things. I couldn’t fault her for looking, but then she shared it with Kim and Demy, and the three of them squealed like children. Do they realize what an embarrassment they are to their generation when they see themselves? Yeah. Probably not.

Southern Charm

Venita’s mom chastised her for telling Salley not to bug her when things went sideways with Craig. She said Venita was mean and not a good friend. I applauded this, since Venita has a tendency to act superior. Rodrigo and Tyler had an engagement party, and the best moment of the show was Whitney asking if Madison was going to have a gender reveal – after one had been hosted for her at his house. She reminded him that it was a girl, and he told her, congratulations. Austen’s girlfriend Audrey came for a visit, and everyone waited with bated breath for him to break up with her, but it didn’t happen.   

Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills

Jennifer told Kyle that Garcelle didn’t want to be friends with Sutton because it was always about her and she was a troublemaker. Like the good gossip girl she is, Kyle told Sutton. Jennifer and Sutton ended up hugging it out, but no doubt it put a crimp in their friendship. As much as I dislike Amanda, it was the anniversary of her twin baby’s death, and I was sad with her. I can’t even imagine. Rachel was having a dinner party, and wore an ah-ma-zing, bananas outfit, complete with a sunburst tiara – and Amanda, wanting to be around people (obviously not there long enough to know it shouldn’t be these people) attended. Dorit had found out from Sutton that Amanda thought she should tone down her talking about PK being an alcoholic and decided the dinner would be a good time to confront her. When Amanda explained why it was a sad day for her, clueless twit Dorit kept going, only apologizing when Kathy pretty much insisted. There was also a medium at the party and she had nothing for Amanda, which seemed odd, but she was spot-on with messages from loved ones for some of the others. On a humorous note, Dorit announced she’d be writing a book, and called her ghost writer a co-author, proving why she needs a ghost writer. In Erika’s interview, she said Dorit couldn’t write a book herself, or it would never get finished. Best quote from Dorit: For somebody who’s supposed to be an author, she sure doesn’t know how to read the room.

The Valley: Persian Style

The group went to Palm Springs for Adam’s birthday, and Reza was surprising him with a celebration at the same restaurant where they were married. Because she was pissed about the inferior accommodations, Sky decided to confront Golnesa about the weed smoking at her trunk show. It was anticlimactic though, as Golnesa appreciated Sky’s honesty and apologized. When they went back inside and someone asked how it went, Golnesa said Sky smacked her, which was pretty funny, especially seeing Reza’s face. A medium came to the house (must be the thing right now) and was pretty accurate with the messages from loved ones in the Great Beyond. A drag queen presented Adam with a beautiful rainbow cake, complete with a sparkler, and the group half-sang a seriously sad rendition of Happy Birthday. Apparently, Golnesa had invited Dennis, which didn’t sit well with anyone and ended with him and Golnesa arguing. Mercedeh also tried to get Tommy to make peace with Reza, but he said, fuggedaboudit.

Random Reality Items

Coming March 4th, the poor man’s Vanderpump Rules.

This sounds excellent. My favorite show of his was The F Word, which was like a culinary variety show where you saw more of him as a human being, with no screeching at amateurs.

It was only a matter of time. Kyle is way too immature for her. I’ll give him this though. I had a can of Lover Boy and it was pretty tasty.

We’ll see. I miss the original with Caroline Stanbury.

👀 Last Weekend’s Watch…

Black Phone 2. Peacock. While I liked the first one better, I didn’t hate this sequel. Protagonist Finn has grown up and The Grabber won’t stay dead. And dead children are calling a phone booth in the middle of nowhere. This time, however, the villain can only attack in dreams a la Freddy Krueger, and he cant be fought on human terms. I have to admit, Ethan Hawke surprised me with how good he is as The Grabber. The other cast members are nothing to sneeze at, the effects are good, and the snowy scenery magnificent. Just for fun, I googled it, and Hawke did some of his own stunts.

The Running Man (2025). Paramount+. I wish I’d seen this on the big screen because the action scenes deserve it. And there were a lot of them. If I had to sum up the movie in one word, it would be exciting. I found myself making noises – always the sign of a good film – and at one point, literally ducked when something fell from a rooftop. In a dystopian future, a man needs cash for his daughter’s medicine, so he signs up for a game show that offers a big cash prize, but also certain death. Along the way, he also uncovers corruption behind the scenes. It has an excellent cast including Colman Domingo and Josh Brolin, the special effects were incredible, and the fast-paced action was one good time.

https://www.polygon.com/the-running-man-streaming-paramount-stephen-king-movie/

https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/the_running_man

https://alisechaffins.substack.com/p/the-running-man-review-2025

11.22.63. Netflix. A man goes back in time to try and stop John F. Kennedy’s assassination. His mentor in time travel tells him, if you f*** with history, history will f*** with you, and it does. An amazing story with tons of twists and turns. And James Franco doing another stellar job as time traveler Jack Epping. I’d read the source material by Stephen King a while ago and loved it. I haven’t finished watching this 8-part series, but I like what I’ve seen so far. Great cast, great acting, great story, and I especially love the time period stuff.

https://www.slashfilm.com/2068646/jj-abrams-stephen-king-miniseries-11-22-63-streaming-netflix/

https://www.bgr.com/2073972/james-franco-stephen-king-time-travel-miniseries-11-22-63-streaming-netflix/

🔮 Watch Of the Future…

All the TV premiere dates.

https://ew.com/2026-tv-premiere-dates-11854588

🏆 The Award Might Go To…

Hear me out. While I’m ecstatic about Sinners, it seems unfair that Wicked: For Good was totally shut out. Yep, it probably shouldn’t have been split into two parts (although who wants to sit through a four hour film?) and I get that it got a turn last year, but this film actually had the more interesting part of the story and the CGI animals deserve their own special Oscar. As does the sweater Elphaba wears during As Long As You’re Mine.

https://ew.com/2026-oscar-nominations-announced-full-list-11889037

I would pay good money for that sweater.

https://people.com/wicked-costumer-says-elphabas-cardigan-going-viral-is-compliment-exclusive-11871960

🐾 Love Is Where You Find It…

🐶 Finding love on the red carpet.

https://people.com/sharon-stone-adopts-rescue-puppy-from-astra-awards-11884878

🗽 I saw him on the news – amazing idea!

https://people.com/pet-influencer-helps-rescue-dogs-find-homes-with-back-rides-in-nyc-exclusive-11869427

👰🏻‍♀️ Can’t say I blame her. Chances are, he won’t cheat.

https://people.com/rilo-kiley-singer-jenny-lewis-marries-her-dog-for-50th-birthday-11883843

🐕 I can identify. Sometimes my house looks like it’s boobytrapped.

https://people.com/chloe-fineman-shares-hilariously-relatable-puppy-proofing-tips-after-family-welcomes-new-dog-11878215

📢 Quotes of the Week

If I see it, I’m going to eat it.Madison LaCroy, Southern Charm

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius

If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first. – Mark Twain (Don’t let Madison see it.)

Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults. – Benjamin Franklin

We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. – Brad Meltzer

Ending an eight-paragraph rant about his family’s dirty laundry with ‘all we want is privacy’ is all I need to know. – Alana Hadid, in reference to Brooklyn Beckham’s Instagram post about his family

Taking risks doesn’t mean shirking responsibility, but embracing possibilities. – Vick Hope

This guy always has tabouli on him like it’s Werther’s Original. – Reza Farahan, The Valley: Persian Style

In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. – Martin Luther King Jr.

❄️ Like Stars Filling the Dark Trees…

Until next time, stay safe; stay not buying every roll of toilet paper because it’s going to snow; and stay taking any excuse to make a red sauce.

October 18, 2024 – Sasha Asks Robert To Take a Paternity Test, Minds Blown, Hospital Reunion, Liar’s Anatomy, Everything Halloween, Where Are the OGs, Krypto, Quotes Numbering Nine & Hand

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lucky comes out to find Elizabeth in the living room and asks if he’s in the right apartment.

Brook tells Violet that she and Chase have to talk to her about something. They have some really great news. Violet asks if it’s about her dad. Can she visit him soon? Brook says, it is about her dad, and Chase says, he’s been released from the hospital. So she doesn’t have to visit him. Violet asks if her dad is going to visit her here, and Chase says, even better. She’s moving back in with her dad. Violet hugs Chase.

At Alexis’s house, Sam thanks Kristina and Molly for coming so early, and Kristina says, of course (🍷). Mom said it was important. Sam says, it is, and Molly says, she’s starting to freak them out. What’s this all about? Kristina says, she’s not sick or anything, is she? but Sam says, no. She’s fine. Better than fine. It turns out she’s going to be Lulu’s donor.

At Lulu’s bedside, Tracy says she knows this has been a wild ride, like the world’s most nauseating roller coaster. But she’s going to be all right. She hopes Lulu can hear her. Lulu is going to be just fine. She promises. Laura stands in the doorway.

Holly goes to Maxie’s place and Felicia answers the door. Felicia says, what a pleasant surprise, and Holly says she’s looking for Felicia’s husband. Is Mac here? Felicia says, he’s not. Is there anything she can help Holly with? Holly says, maybe. She nearly went to her grave keeping a terrible secret from her daughter. Maxie asks, what daughter?

Sasha goes to Robert’s office, and he asks what he can do for her. She says, first, she needs Robert to get one thing straight. He is not her father.

Felicia asks how Holly could not tell her that she had a daughter, and Holly says, it’s been very painful keeping this secret, especially from the people she loves. Felicia says, and supposedly trusts, and Maxie asks, where is this supposed daughter? Holly says, she’s here in Port Charles, and they both know her. It’s Sasha. Maxie says, Sasha Sasha? and Felicia says, she doesn’t mean their Sasha, but Holly says she does. Maxie says, Sasha Corbin is her daughter? and Holly says, yes. Maxie says, no. That’s not possible. She and Sasha are friends. They work together. They’re involved in each other’s romantic lives. Never, in the entire time she’s known her, has Sasha ever mentioned Holly’s name. Holly says, probably because Sasha would rather she weren’t her mother, and Felicia says, Holly came here looking for help. She has to be honest with them. Holly says, it’s a long story. Felicia says, long story or not, they deserve to know the truth.

Robert says, if Sasha doesn’t mind him asking… Sasha says her mother is Holly Sutton. Of course (🍷), Holly never told her the truth about who her father was. She’s a con artist. She literally tells lies for a living… which is probably something she shouldn’t tell the DA. Not that he seems surprised by that information. He says he and Holly were married, and she says, him and her mother? How long? He says, good question. There were times Holly thought he was dead and times he thought she was dead, and throughout the years, a lot of chaos. She says, that sums up her mother’s whole life. Never a dull moment. He asks why she didn’t say something the last two times Holly was in Port Charles, and she says she and her mother have nothing to do with each other, and she needs to keep it that way. That’s why she’s here. She needs to prove that her mother is lying about him. Then she can cut her mother out of her life for good. He says, not that he would know one way or the other, but why would she lie about this?

Laura tells Tracy, good morning, and Tracy says she just wanted a moment alone with Lulu. She jets, but Laura follows her. Laura says she was actually thinking about Tracy on the way over. She doesn’t think she ever thanked Tracy properly for looking after Ace. Tracy says she was happy to help, and Laura says she wants Tracy to know it really meant a lot to her. Tracy tells her, that being said, her grandson is a terror. They’re repainting the walls in the nursery. Laura looks horrified and asks what he did to the walls, and Tracy laughs. She says, what didn’t he do. Not to worry. She’s covering the cost. Laura says, that’s very generous of her, and Tracy says she knows it is. Laura says she just wants Tracy to know that she’s aware it’s not the first time Tracy has stepped up for her family. She’ll never forget how Tracy cared for Lulu when she couldn’t.

Violet asks why her dad didn’t come and get her, and Chase says, he’s busy making sure everything is just right so they can be together again. Violet says, being together will make everything just right, but Chase says, she knows her dad. He just wants everything to be perfect. Which is why – he looks at Brook and she nods – which is why he’s gone to Seattle. He got a job at a hospital there and he has a really nice house and it’s right next to a great school. Violet says, if she goes to a new school, Garth won’t be there, and Chase says, that’s right. Violet asks when they can leave, and he says, how soon can she pack? She says she needs to find her suitcase, and runs off. Brook tells Chase that she needs a minute, and leaves. Outside the door, she starts to cry.

Lucky says, Sam McCall? Did they run the second screening? Elizabeth says, immediately. She passed with flying colors. He says, so this is really happening, and she says, the surgery’s already been scheduled. Yes, this is really happening. He hugs her.

Kristina asks when this is happening, and Sam says, as soon as possible. Molly says, let them know if she needs anything, before the procedure or when she’s recuperating, and Kristina says, anything at all, they’re here. Sam says, Alexis is being quiet, and Alexis says she just loves Sam so much and she’s so proud of her. Sam says, stop making a bigger deal than what this is, but Alexis says, this is a very big deal. Kristina says, it is. She never saw this coming. She thought Sam was going to talk about what happened with Ric. Molly asks what she means, and Kristina says, they caught Ric having dinner with Ava Jerome. They were laughing and having cocktails and just acting like nothing ever happened. She found it pretty disrespectful to both of them, so she had to say something. Molly says, no. Kristina didn’t have to say anything. She never has to say anything. She just does. Kristina says, mom was there, and asks Alexis to back her up. Molly asks what Kristina said and how many people saw, and Alexis says she got there after everything. Molly says, everything? and Kristina says she knocked over Ric’s glass and it broke. That’s all. Molly says, let her guess. Kristina was yelling the whole time, in a crowded restaurant full of witnesses. Does she really not understand how she just helped Ava’s defense?

Elizabeth asks if Lucky is okay, and he says, yeah. She says, he can hug her, especially with news this good, and he says, it’s not that. It’s just the past few days. All he could think about are how the choices he’s made in his life are somehow going to cost his sister hers. She says, they all have to make choices. There’s no way he could predict this was going to happen. He says he knows. It’s just that he still feels like he let his little sister down. She says, if there’s one thing she’s learned from working at the hospital, it’s that there are going to be days of sadness and grief and despair, and those days are no one’s fault. It’s part of life. He says, sometimes life can be pretty damn terrible, huh? and she says, and it can be really great. Today’s a great day. He should appreciate it. He says, she’s right… as always, and she says she doesn’t know about that, but he’s scoring really big points for saying it. He says he appreciates her coming by with this update, and she says, it’s her pleasure. Actually, he’s not the real reason she’s here. He says, then why? and they hear Ace on the monitor. She picks it up and says, today, she’s a nurse and a babysitter. He says, seems like old times, and she says, things have changed a little. She’s twenty bucks an hour now. He says, highway robbery, and she says she’s still going to raid the fridge. She goes to the kitchen.

Holly says she realized when she was pregnant that she couldn’t give up another child. Not after the pain of abandoning Ethan. Maxie asks if she’s talking about her pain or his pain, and Felicia says, Maxie, please. She tells Holly, continue, and Holly says she also realized she was in no position to raise a child. Felicia says, what did she do? and Holly tells her that her mother said she would look after the baby. So she settled Sasha with her grandmother in Chappaqua and visited as often as she could. Maxie says, in between scams, and Holly says she wasn’t winning any mother of the year awards. She wasn’t the one Sasha ran to when she skinned her knee or performed in a school play. She was pretty much a mother in name only. It was her grandmother who raised her, but she did teach Sasha everything she knew. Felicia says, about what? and Holly says, about what she does and how she does it. And Sasha wasn’t just a good pupil, she was a natural.

Sasha says, the reason her mother told her this, according to her, is that she’s in a relationship with Cody Bell, and Robert says, who happens to be his nephew. He can see how that would be a concern. She says, only if it’s true. She doesn’t know why her mother is trying to get between her and Cody, but she’s not going to let her get away with it. Which is why she’s hoping he’ll agree to a paternity test. He says, of course (🍷), and she thanks him. He says he can drop by GH at the end of the day and do it then, and she says, about GH. She’s sure he knows her mother can be more than a little resourceful. He says, she’s concerned that Holly will get wind of this and tamper with the end result to come out the way she wants it to. She says, pretty much, and he says, then they’ll use the WSB lab. She says, he can do that? and he says, watch me. He picks up a desk phone and says, Jack? I need a favor. (I guess it must be a hotline to Jack’s desk.)

As Chase helps her pack, Violet asks, how far away is Seattle? and Chase says, by plane, it’s about six hours. She asks if he and Aunt Brook are moving to Seattle too, but he says, no. They can’t. Their whole lives are here, but they’ll definitely come visit. She says she’s going to miss them a lot, and Chase says he’s going to miss her too. She says, but he’ll be all right, and he says, why is that? She says, because he and Brook Lynn will have a baby of their own. He laughs and says, we’ll see about that. They continue to pack, and Violet tells him that he can give Bella the pig and Otto the owl to the baby. He says, but she loves Bella and Otto. Is she sure? She says she’s too old for stuffed animals (I feel like I just got shamed by a 9-year-old about my own collection of them), and he says, how about this? Bella will stay here in Port Charles, and she can take Otto to Seattle. That way, no matter where she is, it will always feel like home.

Ned says he’s glad Finn’s doing well, and Lois says, yeah, but why Seattle? Can you even get a decent bagel in Seattle? He tells her, say that again, and she says, Seattle. He says, bagel, and she says, bagel? He tells her, say the whole thing, the whole sentence, and she says, can you even get a decent bagel in Seattle? He says, there it is, and she says, there what is? He says, her beautiful accent is back, and she says, he really thinks it’s beautiful? He says, strangely, he does, and she thanks him. She says, so does she, and he says, no more of Miss Finch’s proper diction? She says she only learned that for work. She never planned on using it for the rest of her life. He says, she talked like that for weeks, and she says, like playing the guitar or skiing or learning an accent, you got to work at it until it becomes second nature, until you’re comfortable with it. She’s comfortable with it, so she doesn’t have to practice anymore. She drops her accent and says she plans on using Miss Finch’s pronunciation when she’s on Home & Heart. Back to Brooklynese, she says, but she’s going to use her own pronunciation for the rest of the time. He says, she’s really amazing, and she says, thanks for noticing. But back to the original conversation, okay? She doesn’t know why Finn isn’t mending fences at GH and staying where he belongs. Ned says he didn’t know she was so attached to Finn, and she says she’s not. It’s just… you know. He says he’s going to miss Violet too, and she says, yeah. Brook comes in and says, sorry. She didn’t know anyone was in here, but Lois says, Brook’s not going anywhere until she tells her what’s wrong. With tears in her voice, Brook says, she’s what’s wrong, and Lois asks if this has got anything to do with Violet leaving so suddenly. Brook says she knows Violet belongs with her father. It’s wonderful. They’ll get a fresh start together. But she can’t stop thinking about how much she’s going to miss her. She’s started thinking about Violet as a daughter. Just like she did with Bailey Lou. She had to give Bailey Lou up. How is she supposed to do that again?

Isaiah gets off the hospital elevator, and Lucas introduces himself. He says he’s Lucky Spencer’s cousin, and Isaiah says, nice to meet him. Lucas asks how his recovery is going, and Isaiah says, why? What has he heard? Lucas says, about his progress? Nothing. About him second guessing every specialist who tries to treat him? He’s heard a little about that. Isaiah says he’s sure his physical therapist would like to beat him to death with his knee brace, and Lucas says, admitting you’re wrong is the first step to making things right. Isaiah tells him that he never said he was wrong, and Lucas says he noticed that. Anyway, the whole hospital is talking about how he saved Lucas’s cousin Lulu. Nice work. Isaiah says he’s just glad he was there, and Lucas says him too. Because they both know that ventilator shouldn’t have failed.

Lucky says, so his mom asked Elizabeth to babysit Ace, and Elizabeth says, yeah. She wanted to get to the hospital before Lulu had her procedure and the nanny isn’t coming until later, so she said she’d watch this little guy. He says, he’s not so little, and she says, no. She can remember Aiden this size like it was yesterday. Lucky says, what was he like? and she asks, what does he want to know? He was a lot of things. He says, everything, and she says, he loved music. He was always bouncing to the beat on the radio and banging on his little piano. He loved to sing. He says, is that right? and she says, they both know she can’t carry a tune, so she knows he got that musical gene from him.

Laura says, when she was in the hospital for all that time, it was Tracy who stepped up and gave Lulu the care and guidance she couldn’t give her. She’ll always be grateful to Tracy. Tracy says, having stepmotherhood thrust upon her was the last thing she wanted, especially considering the stepdaughter involved was… How can she put this delicately? Laura says, why start now? and Tracy says, so much like her father. Laura says, she was always very headstrong, and Tracy says, that’s a euphemism. Did Laura know that Lulu called her stepmonster? Laura says, oh no. That’s so rude. She’s sorry. Tracy says, she was selfish, inconsiderate, reckless… Laura says, like Tracy told her, Lulu was a lot like her father, and Tracy says, and just as glorious. Caring for Laura’s daughter was a privilege, nothing less. She wipes the tears from Laura’s cheeks, and Laura takes her hands.

Holly says, when Sasha turned twelve, she started to take Sasha on her travels. Trips to Europe, beautiful clothes… It was a one-on-one education of the finer things in life. She tried to shower Sasha with all the love and affection she had, which turned out to be quite a bit. No one was more surprised than her. Maxie says, but Sasha wanted to keep her at arm’s length? and Holly says, Sasha never really wanted anything to do with her. So that’s that. Felicia says, except for, so far she hasn’t mentioned a word about who Sasha’s father is. Holly says, when Sasha was born, she had every reason to believe her father was dead. And then, years later, when she found out he wasn’t, it was too late to show up at his door with the happy news. Felicia says, does dad have a name? and Holly says, something tells her that Felicia already knows. Felicia says she has a pretty good idea, but she hopes for Sasha’s sake that she’s wrong.

Kristina says, for once, her dad isn’t the bad guy here. Molly’s is. Molly says, Kristina is the one who caused a scene in public, not him, and Kristina says, this is all about Molly blaming her for Adela’s death. Molly says, her name is Irene, and Sam says, come on. Knock it off. Alexis tells them to listen to their sister. Stop it. Molly says, her dad is going to use everything Kristina did in that restaurant to prove that she’s angry and violent. She might as well have signed an affidavit saying Ava’s not at fault. Sam says, that’s a little harsh, and Molly says, so now Sam is going to side with Kristina? Sam says, no. She loves them both. She’s not siding with either one of them. Kristina says, what? So she’s going to turn her back on both of them instead of just siding with one of them? (Ha-ha! Sam can’t win.)

As they walk, Isaiah tells Lucas that he saw Lulu’s ventilator had been powered down. So he grabbed the Ambu bag and started ventilating her. Nurse Baldwin showed up and started CPR, and they kept her stabilized until the ventilator was able to be replaced. Lucas says, the ventilator just powered down like somebody turned it off? and Isiah says, the simplest explanation is that somebody touched something that they shouldn’t have. Lucas says, what’s the complicated version? and Isaiah asks what Lucas is thinking. Lucas says, that maybe someone did this on purpose, and Isaiah says, can’t rule that out. Which begs the question, who would tamper with a ventilator? And who would know how? Lucas tells him that he’d say, go to the usual suspects, but this town is infested with the usual suspects. Isaiah says he got that impression from Lucky. The way he sees it, if someone did this deliberately, they should be talking to the police.

Gio brings in a large suitcase on wheels, and Chase asks what he’s got there. Gio says he heard about Violet’s adventure and thought she might need this, and she says, it’s so big. He says, it has to be if she’s going to take everything she owns to Seattle. She says, there’s so much, and he says, they’ll figure it out together. Chase says, it looks like they have everything under control, so he’s going to leave them to it. He leaves, and Gio says, so Seattle. That’s so cool. Violet says she’s going to watch ferry boats from her window, and he says, sweet. What else is she looking forward to? She says, seeing her dad, and he says, of course (🍷). What else? She says she’s a little nervous to start a new school, but she’s hoping the kids there will be nice. He says, it makes total sense to be nervous. Lucky for her, he changed schools a bunch of times and picked up a few tricks along the way. She says, tell her everything.

Ned tells Brook, caring for a child bonds you to them. Isn’t that right, Lois? Lois says, yes, it does, and Brook says she really has to go fix her makeup because Violet is going to be down here any minute. She can’t let Violet see her this way. Ned asks if Chase knows how she feels, and she says, God no. He asks, why not? and she says, because as hard as it is for her to say goodbye to Violet, it’s going to be even harder for Chase. She needs to hold it together. At least until she’s gone. Chase says, no, she doesn’t, and walks into the room. She says, he wasn’t supposed to hear that, and he says, it’s a good thing she’s terrible at keeping secrets. And just so she knows, he feels the same way. He hugs her.

Maxie says, Robert. Mac’s brother. Cody, Sasha’s boyfriend’s father. That Robert. Holly says, yes. Robert is Sasha’s father and Cody’s uncle, which makes Sasha and Cody first cousins. Maxie says, no, and Felicia says she thinks Holly would know who her child’s father is. Maxie says she has science on her side, and Felicia did that DNA test between Mac and Cody, and then Sasha swapped Cody’s sample out for hers, so… Holly says she thought of that, and Felicia says, not helpful. Not then, not now. Holly says, sorry, and Felicia says she sees what Maxie is getting at, but the test she had run was only to determine paternity between two subjects. It was a yes or no answer. No percentages. Maxie says, so science is not on her side, and Holly says, Robert is Sasha’s father, and Sasha and Cody can’t be together. Those are the facts, but Sasha refuses to believe her. Maxie says she can’t imagine why, and Holly says, since her daughter won’t listen to her, she was hoping that Mac could break the news to his son, gently. Felicia says she can’t believe how far off course Holly is. Of course (🍷) she has to talk to somebody, but it’s not Mac. Holly says, who? and Felicia says, Robert.

Robert tells Sasha, that’s that. Hair samples are on their way to the Bureau lab. She tells him, thanks again for being so understanding and patient. She knows he must have whiplash right now. He says, not for the first time, especially not with Holly, and she says, it’s hard enough to deal with her when she’s your wife, but when she’s your mother, rolling with the insanity Holly threw at her was not a great way to grow up. Robert tells her that he’ll say this. Holly’s methods may be questionable, but her heart’s in the right place… usually. Sasha tells him, that’s what she always says to her marks. She’s sorry. Robert says, she doesn’t hear him disagreeing with her, does she? and she says, of all the men her mother could claim were her father, she’s glad Holly chose him. He thanks her and says, the feeling’s mutual. She says, don’t get too attached. The results aren’t in yet. She leaves, and Robert looks troubled.

Elizabeth says she’s off to work, and Lucky says he’s glad they had a chance to catch up. She says her too, and he says, just out of curiosity, did Aiden ever take music lessons? and she says, once he became obsessed with baking, music kind of took a backseat. He says, at least he found something he loves and he’s good at, and she says she still doesn’t know where that talent came from. Lucky should talk to him about music. She thinks he’d like it. Lucky says, yeah. He thinks he’ll do that. She says she’s off to work, and he says he’s right behind her. He just has to call a Ride Share. She says, he still doesn’t have a car? and he says he’s working on it. She asks if he’d like her to give him a ride, and he asks if she’s sure. She says, come on. He can serenade her like old times. He says, speaking of singing, does she remember when they sang Jailhouse Rock at the Nurses Ball? She says, don’t remind her, and he says, they were good. He was good. She asks if he wants that ride or not, and they leave.

Holly says, Felicia’s right. She absolutely has to talk to Robert. Felicia says she’ll be following up with Robert in an hour. Holly says, you win, and Maxie says she doesn’t think there are any winners here. Holly leaves, and Maxie tells Felicia, thank you. Felicia says, for what? and Maxie says, being here. She knows there was a time Felicia wasn’t, and she gave her a pretty hard time about it. Felicia says she deserved it, and Maxie says, maybe then, but definitely not now. And she’s really lucky to have Felicia. Felicia says she’s the lucky one, and Maxie asks if she thinks Holly and Sasha are going to find their way back to each other. Felicia says she honestly doesn’t know. She hopes so.

Brook wants to say goodbye to Violet without crying, but Chase says he’s sure they’re all going to be a mess. Isn’t that right, Lois? Lois says, yeah. It’s gonna be messy. Brook says, that’s the problem. She doesn’t want to upset Violet. Chase says, she won’t. He promises. She was just talking about planning a trip to visit her future cousin. Brook says, that’s a little premature, but she does like Violet’s optimism. She knows Violet being with her dad is what’s best for them. Did he see the look on Viollet’s face when he told her that she was going to be with her dad again? He says, she can’t wait to see him, and Brook says, maybe they should help her pack. He says, Gio’s got it under control, and she says, good. She doesn’t know if she can bear it. Lois asks them to excuse her for a minute, and leaves. Chase says, look at the bright side. Brook’s not alone. They’re all going to have a hard time saying goodbye. Ned says, that’s right, because Violet’s family, and Brook says, oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no. Chase asks, what’s wrong? and Brook says, Violet is leaving, and they forgot to tell Tracy.

Tracy says, the only person happier than her when Laura came home was Lulu, and Laura says she slept for such a long time. It’s terrible to be stuck in your head like that. Tracy says she’s sure Lulu knows that better than anybody right now. Laura needs to know that the entire time she was gone, Lulu never gave up hope. Lulu knew she would come back to her. Laura says, and Lulu will come back to her. Terry comes out and tells Laura that they need to talk about Lulu’s surgery, and Laura follows her out.

Sam says she’s not turning her back on either one of them, and Molly and Kristina start arguing. Sam asks them to stop it. Please. It’s the last thing she needs today. Alexis says, she’s right. Sam is always there for both of them, and today, she needs their support. Do they think they could manage that? Molly says, fine. She’ll make nice. Because that’s what she’s always expected to do. Kristina says, this is her being nice? and Sam says she’s had enough of this. She has to go drop her kids off at the Quartermaines before she goes to the hospital. Bye. She leaves, and Alexis asks if they’re proud of themselves.

Gio and Violet sit on the suitcase, and Violet says, there’s too much stuff. It’s not gonna fit. He tells her, what do we say? Never give up… They both say, never surrender. He zips the suitcase and says, see? He told her they’d get in everything she needed. She says, not everything, and he says, goodbyes are hard, but she’s going to be with her dad. That’s the most important thing. Lois watches from the doorway.

On the phone, Brook says, hi, granny. When is she coming home? Tracy says she has no idea. Whatever it is, can it wait? Brook says, it’s Violet, and Tracy asks if something is wrong. Brook says, not at all. In fact, everything is great. Violet is going home.

Sasha straightens up the nook, when Maxie walks in. Sasha asks, what brings her by? and Maxie says, they’re friends and Sasha knows she can tell her anything, right? Sasha says, her mother told Maxie.

Holly goes to Robert’s office, and he says, come in. How is the day treating her thus far? She says she’s glad he’s here. There’s a deeply personal matter that she needs to discuss with him. He says, sounds serious, and she says, it is. It could change everything. He says, don’t keep him in suspense, and she wonders how to put it into words. He says, how about, Robert, you have a daughter?

Alexis tells Kristina and Molly, they say there’s no wrong way to grieve, but she’ll be damned if the two of them haven’t found one. Kristina says, wait. What? Alexis says, they heard her. Now she needs the two of them to get past their pain and see what their endless sniping is doing to this family. Molly says, that isn’t fair, and Kristina says she’s trying. Alexis says, she is not trying. Neither one of them is making an effort. (Preach!) They should be helping each other through this, healing together. But they’re so hellbent in trying to take a piece out of each other, they’re choosing to burn this family to the ground.

Terry says, the transplant team has come across a potential complication with Lulu’s surgery, and Laura asks, what kind of a complication? Please tell her that they’re still planning on doing the transplant. Lucky and Elizabeth join them.

On Monday, Lucky says he can make those odds better; Robert asks why Holly didn’t tell him then that they had a daughter; Cody asks if Dante is trying to convince him or himself; and Violet tells Tracy that she didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.

🔄 Doing the Twist…

It’s one of those times I imagine the writers looking at a board like the detectives use, with strings going all over the place.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/emma-samms-explains-the-holly-sasha-twist-on-gh

💞 Possible But Not Probable…

I doubt Brad and Lucas are going to get back together, but Lucas and Isaiah crossed my mind today.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/ghs-parry-shen-on-a-brad-and-lucas-reunion

👀 Possible Watch…

This story sounds wild. Whenever I hear about one of those people who tells elaborate lies for attention, I just think, it’s too much work. Painting the next Sistine Chapel sounds easier.

https://people.com/anatomy-of-lies-biggest-bombshells-greys-anatomy-writer-elisabeth-finch-lies-docuseries-8726060

👻 All Paths Lead To Halloween…

If you’re a TV watcher. I can’t really think of any memorable series Halloween episodes, except The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror.

https://ew.com/gallery/best-halloween-episodes/

If streaming is more your thing.

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

If you have young’uns.

https://ew.com/movies/best-halloween-movies-for-kids/

Something for movie theater goers.

https://ew.com/hocus-pocus-nightmare-before-christmas-showtimes-halloween-2024-8721093

🎃 Down Memory Lane…

If you’re in the mood for some nostalgia.

https://ew.com/original-halloween-cast-where-are-they-now-8729702

🐶 Superman’s Good Boy…

He’s no Dogpool, but he’s very cute.

https://ew.com/superman-krypto-first-look-inspired-by-james-gunn-rescue-dog-ozu-8728288

🐦‍⬛ 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

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 (For those always picked last in phys ed.)

What did Columbus discover? People were already here. It’s like crashing your car into Starbucks & saying you discovered coffee. – Jimmy Kimmel

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

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 Literature, compiled in Words to Live By

What, do you read books or somethin’? – Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell), The Penguin

🔮 A Bunch Of Hocus Pocus…

Taking a break from reality and calling it a night. Be open to new adventures during your weekend, even if they’re someone else’s on a screen. Then join me on Monday for soap and what’s on Deck. Until then, stay safe; stay being a good sport when attending a costume party and don’t come as yourself; and stay never giving up and never surrendering.

October 25, 2023 – Michael Confronts Nina, Beverly Hills Has Frozen Over & Hand

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava meets Trina at the Bistro, and they hug.

On the phone at Kelly’s, Carly says she’d like to arrange a visit with a prisoner… Drew Cain… Why? Is he okay? He was just transferred back there from the hospital… Then when can she see him?… Then she’d like to speak to the warden… Okay. She’ll speak to someone else.

Outside, Maxie asks James, what does he mean he wants a new Halloween costume? She just bought him one; he picked it out. He says he knows, but he found one that would be way cooler. She says, great, he can wear that next year, but he says, it won’t be cool then. Besides, Halloween is the most important holiday of the year. She asks who told him that, and he says, oma, and smiles.

At the hospital, Obrecht hugs Willow and says she looks marvelous. And she’s back to work. Willow says she wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Obrecht, and Obrecht says, it was nothing. Willow says, Obrecht saved her life, and Obrecht says she’d do it again. Willow says, they haven’t heard from her in so long. Where has she been? Obrecht says, purging her demons and reinventing herself.

In her office, Nina looks at flowers Sonny sent to her, when her phone rings. She says, send him right in, and Michael walks in. She says, it’s good to see him, and he says, those are beautiful flowers. From his dad? She says, yes, they are. She’s so lucky, isn’t she? He says, very lucky. Too bad luck runs out.

At Pozzulo’s, Brick (looking very hip, I might add) shakes Sonny’s hand and congratulates him. Brick says he thought Sonny was supposed to have his wedding at the MetroCourt, and Olivia was supposed to be planning it. And he was supposed to be invited. Sonny says, that was the plan, but he just couldn’t wait any longer. Brick says, no surprise there. He could see how in love they are. Did he have the wedding on the island? Sonny says, yeah, and Brick says, beautiful. Just him and Nina? Sonny says, Michael was there, Donna was there, Kristina and Willow, and his grandson Wiley. Avery didn’t come and Dante was busy taking down Mason Gatlin.

Dante finds Cody at the stables, and says, look at him; back on the job. Cody says, as a matter of fact, he still does have a job, thanks to Dante’s mom. Dante says, of course (🍷) he does, and Cody says he kind of just figured he’d get fired after going AWOL for a couple weeks, but Mama Q wouldn’t have it. Dante says, that’s his mother, and Cody tells him, she said, there’s no way Cody is getting fired for trying to help save Sasha’s life. Dante says, Sasha will be happy to hear Cody didn’t lose his job either, and Cody says, she’s probably gone by now though.

We see Sasha’s empty apartment.

Nina asks what Michael said, and he says, after everything Willow’s been through, you can’t always count on luck. She says, no. Of course (🍷) not, and she doesn’t intend to. She’s going to do everything in her power to make sure this family, she and Sonny, have the happiest life possible. And she’s so sorry that he, Willow, and Wiley had to leave so soon after the ceremony. Then again, she and Sonny had to cut their honeymoon short, since he had business to attend to. Michael says he heard. He just came from Sonny’s office. He seemed as happy as she is. She thanks him for saying that, and tells him that they can’t wait to get back to the island for an extended stay. And they were hoping he, Willow, and the kids would join them. He says he doesn’t see that happening, and she says, they haven’t actually picked out specific dates, so they’ll work around his schedule. He says, no. What he’s saying is, he has to look out for his family’s best interests, and that means they’re not going to be spending too much time with her in the future.

Obrecht and Willow walk down the hall, and Obrecht says, of course (🍷) the ice baths came after the eight mile hikes and before the daily colonics. Willow says, and she actually paid to be put through that? and Obrecht says, only $10,000 a week. It was heaven. Willow says, sounds kind of pricey, but Obrecht says she would have paid double after that horrible time in Greenland with Victor, then giving her bone marrow to help Willow. She was a shell of herself. Willow says, she looks great now, and Obrecht says she does, doesn’t she? (She does!) Because she’s back to 100%. She flips her hair and they laugh, and she says, now that she’s home, she was thinking how wonderful it would be if she, Willow, and Nina could go back to the spa together. Willow says, that sounds great, but she’s not sure Nina will go anywhere with Sonny now that they’re married. Obrecht says, what? and Willow says, she didn’t know?

Brick says he’s glad to hear Ava’s all right. It sounds like Dex and Dante did their jobs. Sonny says, they did. Too bad Mason Gatlin survived. Brick says, and Renault was released from prison early the same day, and Sonny says, that’s one of the reasons he had to cut the honeymoon short. Brick says he found out the judge responsible for letting him go is the same guy that’s on the board of a foundation to reduce recidivism. It turns out they’re proponents of rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Sonny says, supposedly, Cyrus has given a lot of money to his cause, and Brick says, the cause or whatever behind the scenes dealings that were going on doesn’t matter at this point when he’s out. Sonny says, they just have to figure out what Cyrus is going to do next.

Trina asks why Ava didn’t tell her when she asked Trina to cover for her at the gallery, and Ava says she didn’t want to scare Trina. Trina says, Joss told her that Ava was almost killed, and Ava says she’s sorry. She should have realized Trina would talk to Joss. Thank God for her and Dex. Trina asks if Ava’s sure she’s all right now, and Ava says, yes, and Avery’s fine. It was wonderful to see her and hold her when it was all over. Just like it’s wonderful to see Trina. Trina says she can’t lose Ava.

Maxie and James are seated at a table, and Carly says, it’s nice to see their faces. What can she get them? James says he’d like an ice cream sundae, like the one he split with Cody before. Carly says, for dessert, but would he like his dinner before his dessert? He says he’s having a backwards dinner. Ice cream sundae first, then grilled cheese. Maxie says she’ll have a backwards dinner too; chocolate pie and then a chicken Caesar salad. Carly says she loves it. Two backwards dinners coming right up. She leaves, and Maxie and James high-five.

Dante says, Sasha was all packed up, and Cody says, so Dante went to see her. Dante says he wanted to say goodbye before she took off, and Cody says, he tried to talk her out of leaving, right? Dante says he did, but she’s got to make her own decisions, and Cody says, this one’s the wrong one. Dante says he can understand her wanting to start fresh. She has some bad memories here. Cody says, she has some good ones too, and Dante says he guesses she has to weigh the difference between the good and bad ones, and wait and see. Cody thanks him for going to see her, and Dante says he just wanted to make sure she was okay. Cody asks if he thinks she is, and Dante says he hopes so. What about Cody? Is he okay?

Carly says, first course. One piece of chocolate pie and one sundae. Maxie and James thank her, and she tells them, enjoy. Maxie says, so James doesn’t want to wear the Halloween costume they ordered? and he says he has to wear a different one. She says, he hasn’t even told her what it is yet, and James says, she’s not going to like it. (I’m intrigued. Is it Cyrus? Gladys? Trump?)

Lucy meets Martin outside Kelly’s and hugs him. She asks why they’re eating here. They do not serve wine, and right now, she could really use a glass of wine. He says he’s sorry. He thought this would be a little more intimate, but never mind that. Where did she wander off to? He was waiting for her at the MetroCourt. She says she had that contract she had to sign giving 51% of her Deception to Tracy, so she decided she would go to the Quartermaines. She would look Tracy in the eye, and she wanted to take that contract and just cram it down Tracy’s throat… but she wasn’t there. He says, that was a blessing, and she says, now, not only did Tracy blackmail her out of control of her company, Tracy’s completely trying to derail her great decision.

Ava says, Trina is never going to lose her, but Trina says she almost did. Joss said she was kidnapped by some horrible man. Why? Ava says, none of that even matters now. He’s in police custody and he’s going to get the punishment he deserves for what he did. Trina asks how she can be so calm about it, and Ava says, believe her. She wasn’t so calm when it was happening. If Dex and Dante hadn’t shown up when they did… Trina tells her, Joss said Dante shot the man, and Ava says, he survived of course (🍷), the way men like him usually do, and he’s being treated at GH. Trina says, it must have been awful, and Ava says, it was, but she has to move on. Move forward for Avery’s sake and put it behind her. Trina says, she’s so strong, and Ava says, maybe not as strong as Trina thinks. Trina says she thought about Ava so much when she was in New York City, and Ava says she hopes Trina had a wonderful time. Trina says she did, but it wouldn’t have been nearly as good if it weren’t for Ava. Ava changed her life forever.

Brick says, after much digging, he found this, handing Sonny a paper. It confirms what Sonny already knew. Renault was Mason and Austin’s boss. Sonny says, good. Then he has proof Cyrus is pulling the strings. Brick says, so he’s the guy responsible for Ava’s kidnapping and he’s the one who planted Betty in Sonny’s house to dig up information. Sonny says, and he turned over the information she gave him to the Feds, and Brick says, if Sonny wasn’t a step ahead, he would have been going into prison just as Cyrus was being released. Sonny says, and Port Charles would have been wide open for Cyrus to take over, but Brick says, no matter. Sonny’s still here. He’s not in any position to take over any territory whatsoever. Sonny says, that’s true, but he’s still a threat.

Obrecht says she can’t believe Nina wouldn’t contact her only aunt to let her know she was getting married. Does she mean nothing to Nina? Willow says, actually, the whole thing was totally last minute. Nina and Sonny eloped. Obrecht – who actually knows the meaning of the word – says, so it was just the two of them? and Willow says, not exactly. Obrecht says, be exact please, and Willow says, a few people were there. Obrecht asks, how few? and Willow says, Michael, Kristina, Wiley, Donna, and her. Obrecht says, that’s more than a few. Willow and Michael went to the wedding? She has missed a lot. Willow says she’s sure Nina wanted Obrecht there, but she was at the spa, and Nina probably didn’t want to bother her. Obrecht says, Nina could have given her a choice, but she didn’t… No matter. She should move on. If she learned anything in Gdansk… Willow says, Gdansk? and Obrecht says, that’s where the spa was. And on her hikes and meditation, she learned, we must not spend time lamenting the past; we must stay in the present and be thankful and curious about what is going on in the here and now. Willow says, that sounds like a good philosophy, and Obrecht says, so tell me, my beautiful grandniece, how is you’re here and now? Willow says, it couldn’t be better.

Nina says she doesn’t understand. When Michael said he’d bring Willow and Wiley to the wedding, she thought they reached a new agreement. Michael says, that’s because it’s what his father wanted, and Willow agreed to go. Nina says, he was happy for them; he was happy for both of them. So was Willow, and Wiley had a wonderful time at the wedding. Michael agrees he did, and she tells him, he said his father is happy. Michael says, he is, and she says, Michael wasn’t pretending. She saw his face when he was watching her and his father after the ceremony. She knew he knew how much that moment meant to them. And she felt that animosity between them was finally falling away. She felt so… He says, lucky? That’s because she was lucky. Because Sonny, Willow, not even he knew what she did, but now he knows. Her luck has run out.

Cody says he’s fine. If that’s the only reason Dante came here, then he has work to do. Besides, Dante was always useless in a barn. Dante agrees, unless there’s some menial task he can do. Cody says, Trigger could use an apple, and gives one to Dante. Cody leads Dante to a gorgeous brown horse, and asks if Dante minds telling him why he thinks Cody is so screwed up. Dante tells Cody that he never said he was screwed up, and Cody imitates Dante, what about you, Cody? Are you okay? Dante says, so a guy can’t just ask his buddy if he’s doing okay? Cody asks why Dante would think he’s not okay, and Dante says, maybe because he pretended to be crazy to get institutionalized so he could save Sasha. Then he saves her, and she decides to move to Texas. Cody says, that’s her choice, and Dante says, it’s okay to admit he misses her and likes her and all that kind of stuff. Cody says, he’s going to miss her, and Dante says, that’s a good first step. Cody says he’s sure Dante is going to tell him the next step, and Dante says he is; he’s going to tell Cody both next steps. Cody is going to tell Mac that he’s his kid and stop pretending he’s not. Cody says, they’ve been through all that, and Dante says, they have. He’s actually glad he’s not the only one who knows anymore. Cody asks what that means, and Dante says, Cody told Sam, he told Sasha. He’s no psychiatrist, but he thinks Cody kind of wants Mac to find out he’s his kid.

Martin says he doesn’t understand. Lucy likes Sasha. She says she loves Sasha. She’s told him that many, many times. She adores Sasha, and she still has an interest in Deception. So wouldn’t he think it was in her best interest if their company was as profitable as possible and as soon as possible? He says he supposes, and she says, but Tracy doesn’t see that. She is mandating that Sasha remain the Face of Deception, but they haven’t even asked Sasha, does she want that?

Sonny tells Brick that he spoke to Selina Wu and let her know who’s in control. She’s definitely going to be cooperating when it comes to Cyrus. Brick says, she’s not a stupid woman. She understands the power structure. Sonny says he knows, but he needs Brick’s expertise. Cyrus has given a lot of money to this foundation. He wants to know where the money’s coming from. Brick asks if Sonny really thinks a guy like Renault would give all his money away? and Sonny says, not likely; he probably has a stash somewhere else. But they have to figure out who else he’s working with. Brick says, Cyrus seems like a renegade to him, but he’ll check it out. Sonny says he’s made a lot of enemies in this town. Cyrus isn’t going anywhere. He’s got a lot of connections in Port Charles. Brick says he’ll do a deep dive on Cyrus’s finances; see where the money leads. There’s a knock at the door, and Carly flies in. She hugs Brick, and he says, a bonus. He gets to see his favorite girl. He asks how she’s doing.

Nina says she doesn’t know what Michael is accusing her of, and he says, she only wishes he was accusing her. He’s stating a fact. He plays the recording of Martin saying that he told the SEC to investigate Carly and Drew for insider trading under Nina’s direction, and she asks where he got that. He says, it doesn’t matter. What matters is, Martin’s telling the truth. The question is, what is he going to do with it?

They sit down, and Willow tells Obrecht that Wiley and Amelia are both doing so well. And Michael has been amazing. Obrecht says she was very impressed with how loving and supportive he was in her time of need, and Willow says, he still is, and somehow things have gotten better with Nina. Obrecht says, they went to her wedding; that’s a good sign. She’s certain Nina was so happy Willow was there. She loves Willow very much. Willow says she’s actually starting to think they may be able to develop some kind of relationship, and Obrecht says, of course (🍷) they will. It sounds as if everything is perfect. Willow says, not everything. Drew Cain is still locked up in Pentenville. Obrecht says, injustice. That man saved not only her life, in turn, Willow’s as well. Willow says, yes, and she prays he’ll be released soon, and Obrecht says, from her mouth. But there’s something else; she can see it. Please share with her. Willow says she keeps having this dream, and Obrecht says, dreams are important. Tell her. Willow says, it’s Harmony. In the dream, it’s as if she’s warning her not to trust someone. Obrecht says, classic Freudian. After all Willow’s been through, her mind is trying to tell her to stay alert. It’s trying to protect her from her deepest fear, that the struggle and uncertainty she’s been through will return. But it’s a false dream. She must ignore it. Her future, her family’s future, and now her future with her birth mother are all bright and beautiful.

Ava asks if Trina saw the paintings on her list, and Trina says, yes, and they were amazing. Spencer got them a first-class tour of the archives at the Met. Ava says, that’s incredible, and Trina says she was walking through, and she realized that she liked art before she worked at the gallery; she just didn’t understand why or how to appreciate it. Ava says, Trina had a great eye from the moment they met, and Trina says, but Ava opened her eyes to that. Ava helped her realize it’s more than just about the strokes and the beautiful sculpture. It’s something else. Ava says, a meaningful piece of art can give you understanding… No, can give you an actual feeling of what the artist went through to create it. Trina says, yes, and that’s what she felt when she went to the Met. Those paintings made her feel something. Ava says, she’s extraordinary, and Trina says, Ava opened her eyes to all of that. She loves her mom, and she loves both of her dads. She’s so lucky to have both of them, all of them, but she’s also lucky because when she met Ava, it was like she was a second mom.

Martin says, so Lucy hasn’t even spoken to Sasha? and Lucy says, no. Come on. After that horrible ordeal with that barbaric doctor and her crazy mother-in-law, she just thought Sasha needed space. She needed her privacy. Lucy completely understands. He says, but she didn’t know about Tracy’s plan, and Lucy says, no, and according to Maxie, Sasha is leaving town today. But Tracy wants her to somehow track down Sasha and demand. What is she supposed to do, force her to be the Face of Deception? He says, doesn’t Lucy at least owe it to her to let her know it’s an option? Lucy says she guesses. She doesn’t know. She found the perfect choice to be the Face of Deception, to replace Sasha.

James says he can wear the first costume for the Halloween Parade at school, and the second costume for trick-or-treating, and Maxie says, sounds like he’s got it all figured out. He says he does, and she says, he doesn’t need two costumes. Obrecht comes up behind him, putting her hands on his shoulders, and says, of course (🍷) he does. Because Halloween is the most important holiday of the year. He says, oma! and hugs her.

Nina asks what Michael wants, and he says he expected a denial, but she says, there’s no point. Clearly, he coerced Martin into betraying attorney/client privilege. He said he saw his father earlier. She assumes he didn’t tell Sonny or anyone else. He says he hasn’t, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to tell everybody what she did. She says she didn’t do anything illegal, unlike his mother and Drew, and he says, so she doesn’t care if he tells everyone… She says, just tell her what he wants, and he says he wants her to stay away from Willow forever… but that’s only going to make her suspicious. So this is what’s going to happen. From now on, Nina is going to get his permission before even setting foot near them. She asks why he’d even think that. Willow and Wiley had a wonderful time at the wedding. His father is finally happy. Why doesn’t he just leave it alone? He says, she thinks he’s going to let her off that easy for what she did to his mother and Drew? She says, me get off that easy? His mother kept both of her daughters from her. She didn’t know Nelle was her daughter until after she was dead, but did Carly know? Yes, she did. Nina could have helped Nelle. He says, no one could have helped Nelle, and she says, he’s talking about Wiley’s mother and her daughter, so watch it. And after Carly put her through hell, did she change? No. Carly found out Willow was her daughter too, and did she tell anyone? Did she tell Nina? Did she tell Michael? Did she tell Willow or anyone? No. She waited until Willow was literally dying. Yeah, people are going to be a little angry at her that she turned in Carly and Drew to the SEC for doing something illegal, but that is nothing compared to what Carly has done to her. And she’s telling him this, he is not keeping her away from her daughter. Or her grand- children.

Cody tells Dante, that is crazy. He doesn’t want Mac to know he’s his son. Dante says, then why does he keep telling everybody? (ha-ha!) and Cody says, he told three friends. Dante tells him, he’s just saying, if you don’t want anybody to know something, you don’t tell anyone. Cody says he knew he could trust Dante, and Dante says, and Sam and Sasha. Cody says, yes and yes, and Dante tells him that he’s just saying, people slip up when they know stuff. Cody says he knew Dante wasn’t going to tell anyone; neither is Sam. And Sasha’s on her way out of town. This is ridiculous. Why is he even arguing this? Mac has this tight-knit family; he’s happy. There’s no reason he needs to be stuck with a guy like him for a son. Dante says, Mac trusted Cody. He bent the rules to take down Montague. Cody says, Mac did that for Sasha and he’s thankful for it, but Dante says, he did it because he believed in Cody. He’s seen the side of Cody that can sabotage himself at poker games and such. Cody says, exactly. Who in their right mind would want to be stuck with someone like that as a son? Dante says, because he’s also seen the other side of Cody that does good stuff, like saving Sasha. He saw the way Mac looked at Cody after he did that. He was proud of Cody. He’d be proud to call Cody his son.

Carly says she didn’t know Brick was in town, and Brick says he just got back. He hopes she’s doing okay. She says she’s trying. She’s sorry she had to call him, but she’s glad he’s here. Sonny says, she did the right thing, and tells Brick that Carly was the one who told him Cyrus was set free. Brick asks if he’s harassing Carly, but she says, that’s not why she’s here. She’s here because Drew went back to Pentenville this morning, and when she called to arrange a visit, they said he wasn’t allowed any visitors. Sonny asks if he’s in the infirmary, but she doesn’t know. The GH doctor said he was well enough to go back in the general population, but when she asked why she couldn’t see him, they wouldn’t tell her. Sonny says he’s going to check this out. He’ll be right back. He leaves, and Brick tells Carly, stop worrying. They’ll get to the bottom of it. Carly says she hopes so, and asks how he is. Brick says, life is good. Lots of changes in Port Charles. She says, yes, and she’s still trying to get used to them all. He says he hasn’t been back to Kelly’s since she took over, and she says, he should drop by. She’s made some improvements. He’s says he’s sure she has. She’s usually pretty good with rolling with the punches. Change can be good sometimes. She says, yes, but he says he doesn’t know if he’ll ever get used to calling anybody else Mrs. Corinthos.

Nina says she’s not going to ask Michael’s permission to see her child. He’s not going to play God with her life. The only reason why she turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC for doing something illegal is because she wanted his mother brought to justice. It was impulsive. She’ll explain it to Willow. He asks if she thinks Willow will understand. Does Nina know what Drew means to her? Nina says she knows he helped her, and Michael says, he saved her life. Drew saved her daughter’s life, and she got him sent to prison. She says, no, she didn’t, and he says, Drew’s only there because of her. He was beaten so badly that he almost died. Does she think Willow’s going to forgive her for that? She says she didn’t mean for him to get hurt, and he says, she doesn’t mean for a lot of things to happen, but bad things always do happen when it comes to her. Sonny is going out of his way, doing everything he possibly do to protect Drew in Pentenville. How does she think he’s going to feel when he finds out his new wife is responsible for Drew being in prison and costing his mother everything?

Carly says, Brick is a shameless flatterer, and he admits he is, but he means this. She asks, how many Mrs. Corinthoses has he known? and he says, a few, but she’s always been the one. She thanks him, and says, but she’s not anymore. Nina is, and she wishes them both happiness. Well, she wishes Sonny happiness. Brick says, Sonny wants the same for her, and she says she knows. And she cares about what happens to him. That’s why she’s glad Brick is in town, especially with Cyrus being out of prison. He says, she knows this guy pretty well. He remembers her and Jason facing off against him several times when Sonny was away. She asks if Brick means when his new wife led them to believe he was dead. Did she say that out loud? He says he heard nothing, and she says, she and Jason wouldn’t have gotten through that time without him. Cyrus is vicious. Please look out for Sonny. He says, consider it done, and she thanks him. They hug.

Ava tells Trina that a lot of mothers wouldn’t be so open to their daughters working with her, let alone becoming friends with her. Trina says, Ava is more than a friend to her, and her mom knows how important Ava is to her. She really appreciates everything Ava has done for her. Ava says, when she lost Kiki… Trina says, it’s okay, and Ava says, thank God for Avery. She loves her, and Ava knows Avery loves her, but she’s just a kid. She starts to cry and takes Trina’s hand. She says, there aren’t many people in her life who care about her without an agenda. She feels so lucky that Trina is one of those people.

Cody says, Dante really thinks Mac is proud of him? and Dante says, he does. He wouldn’t have said it otherwise. Cody thanks him and says, it means a lot to him. Dante says, but Cody’s still not going to do anything about it, right? and Cody says he really thinks things are better the way they are. Dante asks how it’s better for Mac, not knowing he has a kid, and Cody says he’s a loner. Dante knows that about him. He also knows Cody is only going to screw things up again. Mac’s happy now. He doesn’t need to mess up Mac’s life. Dante asks what Cody is talking about, being a loner. He thinks Cody has more friends than him at this point. Cody says he did get lucky, and Dante says, why doesn’t he come to the house Sunday and watch the game with him, Sam, and the kids? Providing Scout doesn’t commandeer the TV. Cody says he’ll be there either way, and they bro hug. Dante says, and you know what? Texas ain’t Mars. Cody says he meant what he said. He’s lucky to have Dante as a friend. Dante says he knows, and leaves.

Maxie says, they obviously missed Liesl very much, and James repeats, very much. Obrecht says she’s missed her family, and kisses the top of James’s head. Although her time at the spa was divine. Maxie says she can’t wait to hear about it, and James asks if Obrecht wants half of his grilled cheese sandwich, but Maxie tells Obrecht, sorry. She agreed to a backwards dinner if James ate his entire grilled cheese. James says, mom… and Maxie says, James… Obrecht says, James must listen to his mother, when Maxie notices Lucy talking to Martin outside.

Lucy tells Martin, Blaze is not only beautiful, she’s a fantastic singer. So picture this. They go to Home & Heart. She sings this wonderful song, belts out that tune, knocks everybody’s socks off, and then they sell lots and lots of Deception products. Slam dunk. He says, but Tracy doesn’t see it her way, and she says, no. The answer to digging themselves out of the hole that they’re in is right in front of them, and Tracy will have nothing to do with it. Maxie comes out and says, Tracy is right.

Inside, James asks what Obrecht is going to be for Halloween, and she says, it is a difficult choice. Either an Alpine maiden or a NASCAR driver. He says, NASCAR driver, and she says, okay.

Outside, Maxie says, yes, Blaze would be a fabulous idea, if Sasha wasn’t already the Face of Deception. They discussed this with Tracy. They agreed. Martin says, they did? and Lucy says, Maxie is right, but… Maxie says, but they owe Sasha the option to continue, and Lucy reminds Maxie that she said Sasha was leaving town today. Maxie says, they agreed that they would call her. Lucy knows how important Sasha was in getting Deception off the ground. They owe her another chance.

Cody tells Trigger, Dante has a different life. It’s not their fault, and he doesn’t regret anything he did. He understands people need to look out for themselves. Sometimes, that means starting over someplace else. It really sucks when someone who cares gets left behind. He hears the door open, and Sasha is there.

Ava asks Trina to tell her more about her trip, and she doesn’t mean the museum part. Trina says she and Spencer had a wonderful time. He had so much planned, and it was all so special. They had dinner on a beautiful rooftop. Ava says, it was the first time they were really alone together, and Trina says, yeah, and he got her this. She shows Ava her necklace, and Ava says, that boy has excellent taste, and not just in necklaces. Trina says, the whole trip was just a dream. And now they’re back to reality. Ava says, Esme and Ace, and Trina says, yeah. They still have so much to work out. Ava says she’s glad Trina had a great trip, and if it’s meant to be… Trina says she knows.

Sonny comes back, and Carly asks if he heard anything. He says, the reason Drew can’t have any visitors is because he’s in solitary. She says, why? Drew was the one who was attacked and almost killed. Why is he being punished? Brick says, they might be doing this for his protection, and Sonny says, Brick is right. Brick says, and to cover their butts. They either don’t know or don’t want to know who attacked Drew, but the prison don’t want a repeat. That would be horrible press. Sonny says, the fact that he’s in solitary under their observation means he’s safe, but she says, he’s not going to be safe until he’s out of Pentenville for good. Brick asks if that’s a possibility, and Sonny says, Alexis is working on it. Carly tells Brick, Alexis is looking into the judge’s past cases, and thinks she found some impropriety. Brick assumes Sonny’s helping her, and Sonny says he’s doing everything he can. His main priority right now is to get Drew out of Pentenville. When he’s set free, they’ll figure out what they’re going to do with Cyrus.

Nina tells Michael that she’ll explain it to Sonny. She’ll tell him that she acted impulsively. He says, she’ll explain it to Sonny, and he’ll explain it to Willow. He’s sure they’ll understand how she did what she did in the most underhanded, secretive way. She says, no… and he says he’s sure Sonny will understand why she lied to him this whole time. He’s sure Sonny will understand that, when his mother stood there and accused Ned of turning them in to the SEC, Nina stood silent. After all, Sonny is very understanding about lies and deception. She says, he can’t go to Sonny, but he says he can, and he will. If she doesn’t do exactly what he tells her to. He’s not even sure Sonny should be the one she’s most worried about right now, because once his mom finds out what she did… She asks if he doesn’t understand. He’s not only trying to control her life, he’s trying to control Willow’s. He says he’s trying to protect his family from her. His father is happy right now, so he’s not going to take that away from him. He’s sure his father is going to be happy until he finds out the kind of woman she really is. She says, don’t do this, but he says he doesn’t care. He’s not risking his family. She will only see them when he says that it is okay to see them. And she’s going to do something else for him too. She’s going to sell his mother her half of the MetroCourt back. Nina says, she doesn’t have the money. How’s she going to buy it back? (If I remember right, Nina offered to give it back to her, but Carly didn’t want it.) He suggests she figure out a way, but she says, no, it’s too much. He says, this is all she gets. Take it or leave it. There’s a knock at the door, and Willow walks in. She says, Nina’s assistant said Michael was in here. She hopes she’s not interrupting.

Tomorrow, Stella tells Jordan, this calls for a celebration; Carly says she’s not going to stop until she finds out who blew the whistle on her and Drew; and Michael asks if Nina is going to tell Willow, or should he?

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

We start with the roller coaster about Kyle and Mauricio. We see what’s to come, and it begins looking promising, and then, not so much. There’s a trip to Barcelona, and it shows us – let’s all say it together – all the wrong people have the money.

Dorit has soul healer Eaglewoman coming over, along with her apprentice Blue Raven. Dorit tells Eaglewoman that she and her friends had a rough year, and she wants them to move on. Eaglewoman says she’s a healer of the soul, and PK says he’s concerned about her being able to work her magic on this group. In Dorit’s interview, she says she invited all of them to a retreat, and to her surprise, they all accepted. Eaglewoman says she’s up for the challenge. Dorit has darker hair this season, and I like it. It actually makes her look younger.

There’s lots of discussion about what wardrobe to pack, which is always a first concern when going on retreat. First world problems. Garcelle has decided, no expectations. In Kyle’s interview, she says her relationship changed with everyone last year, and we flash back to Kathy at the Reunion. The retreat is held at a beautiful ranch, and in Garcelle’s interview, she says she thought their first outing would be cocktails at a cool lounge, but they’re on a spiritual retreat with Dorit. In Erika’s interview, she admits to being vicious last season, and we flash back to that. Although she’s vicious every season, so I don’t get why this was any different. She says she had to protect herself, and she’s walking in like a man without an island. Or $750K earrings. Erika says she lost weight because of hormones, but in Dorit’s interview, she wonders if the hormones are spelled O-z-e-m-p-i-c. <snort> They do a drum circle thing, then sit in a circle. Eaglewoman serves sage tea to precede a ceremony to open up the soul. She tells them forget what they know and remember what they forgot. Dorit hopes to move through some issues, heal, and put it behind them, and says she’ll go first. She says she’s been hurt by Erika, and we see a clip of Erika at BravoCon, trashing Dorit’s marriage and wearing an age-inappropriate hairstyle. Dorit says, it was mean spirited and deeply hurtful. Erika tells Dorit that she didn’t want to answer the question and asked not to. We see another clip, but it’s not like she was being shy about it. Dorit says, Erika delivered the answer like she wanted attention, but Erika says she’s a showman, and delivered what the people wanted. Yeah… no. She thought she was giving them the old razzle dazzle, but she came off more like Baby Jane than Erika Jayne. In her interview, Dorit says, that’s not a showman; that’s a bitch. Dorit says she thought Erika would lead with an apology rather than defending her actions, and Erika says, it was an explanation. It was a shady question, so she gave a shady answer. Is Dorit’s marriage strong? This woman is so full of it. In Sutton’s interview, she says, the only rumor she’s ever heard about Dorit and PK’s marriage was when PK was pulled over for a DUI. He may or may not have had a woman in the car. Dorit says, her marriage is very strong. Erika crossed the line as a friend. She’s hurt and lashes out, and she’s mean spirited. Erika says, they all hurt each other’s feelings in this group. I hate any person who avoids responsibility by saying, we were all [put your favorite a-hole behavior here]. The one used most often is, we were all drunk, when the person in question was being an obnoxious drunk. We flash back to the various women basically telling Erika the truth, and Erika being like, f*** you. Erika says she was getting hit on all sides and needed to catch her breath. As a friend, she’d like to apologize. At that point in time, she’d never felt so low or unheard. She loves them and she’s sorry. In Garcelle’s interview, she says, it’s interesting to see Erika emotional and vulnerable, but does she trust that completely? She doesn’t know. She wants to give Erika a chance and see who she is. Maybe she’ll be surprised. We get what we give. Eagelwoman says, they want to keep the circle alive and moving, which I guess means, let’s move on from Erika’s problems. Kyle says, the stuff with Kathy strained all of her relationships, and we flash back to the Reunion; Andy listing things Lisa claimed Kathy said during her rant, and Kyle weeping. The rest of them are either looking down or away. Kyle says she wanted someone to come up to her. It hurt her a lot. In her interview, she says she expected more from Dorit and Sutton. She thinks they just want to go to Kathy’s parties. Garcelle says she was confused as to why Kyle wasn’t going for people coming for her family.

In Kyle’s interview, she says, her sister created this by coming for her family and for her. She tells the circle that she’s not a punching bag, and didn’t want to stir things up, so she kept her mouth shut. Kyle cries, and Dorit hugs her. In Kyle’s interview, she says, her sister loses her temper on the phone, and we flash back to Kyle telling Kathy that she rants. Kyle says, it makes her feel sheer panic when she sees Kathy’s name come up on the phone. She knows she’s an adult, but it affects her like a child. Eaglewoman tells them to take a deep breath. There’s a lot of hurt and pain in the group, but there’s also love. In a moment of clarity, Erika says, we can’t be hurt by people we don’t love, and Sutton says she thinks they all have a lot of regrets. She’d like to see them be better friends collectively. Eaglewoman wants them to move closer, and they group hug. In Dorit’s interview, she says, they got through the day, and now they’re hugging. Hell hath frozen over. Or at least Beverly Hills has.

Sutton discusses putting a horse on her Amex with property manager Avi. In Sutton’s interview, she says she’s half Texan, and grew up riding. She wants to ride again. Santos spoke to her with his eyes… on the internet. I totally get this, since I got my rescue chihuahua the same way. I saw those eyes online. Jennifer Tilly (I love her!) comes to the store where Sutton has a spread for them that screams… food porn!   In her interview, Sutton says, Jennifer has been one of her best friends for over ten years. They travel well together. She tells a story about mistaking Jennifer’s salted caramels for earplugs on a plane, and says, they’re so stupid together. Jennifer tells Avi, we need some alcohol, and I love her even more. They talk about the store having been open four years now, and Jennifer says, Sutton spent the last twenty years raising kids. She’s going through a metamorphosis. Sutton says she wants to show her success to the ex-husband, and in her interview, she says, when they got married, they were both working. When she got pregnant, it was, you’re not going to work anymore. Her power was diminished, and she got an allowance. She’s never going to allow that to happen again. She tells Jennifer that financial autonomy is important, and she especially wants to show her daughter that. When there’s a divorce, there are two words, spousal support, but they come with an anchor. She’s not going to give it up – we see an article that’s says she gets $300K a month – she earned every single dime. But building something for herself is important. In her interview, she says she wants her ex to remember she’s smart and capable. She doesn’t just make lunch and dinner. She hates to quote Cher, but she will; I’m strong enough.

Erika meets with therapist Dr. Mann for the first time in person. In Erika’s interview, she says she’s been in therapy for the last two and a half years. She’s got the tools to organize her emotions. Bad emotions like anger and hurt don’t serve her any longer. The doctor says, Erika had a terrible fall from grace, and in her interview, Erika says, the indictment was everywhere, and we see a news clip where the newscaster says Tom stole the money and spent a lot on his young wife. Erika says, it feels better that she’s not included, but it doesn’t stop people thinking she did something wrong. We see a clip of Crystal’s husband says, Erika wasn’t responsible for stealing it, but she was responsible for spending it. Dr. Mann says, when Tom actually dies, Erika will go through a new process of grieving, and it will surprise her how she feels. Erika asks if she’ll slide back, and the doctor says, not as long as she’s not abusing Lexapro, but Erika says she’s off Lexapro. She tells the doctor, now Dorit is upset about what she said at BravoCon. How can she be a better friend? Dr. Mann says, she needs to have empathy, and Erika asks how she develops that. The doctor tells her to imagine being in a person’s shoes with their background and history; imagine what it feels like emotionally. It’s Erika’s job to take the high road. She did the low and it didn’t work. Try high. I am stunned that someone of Erika’s age and experience doesn’t grasp empathy.

Kyle is coming to Dorit’s for lunch, and PK sneaks a piece of pizza, saying, Kyle isn’t going to want it anyway. In Kyle’s interview, she says, it’s been seven and a half months and she’s had no alcohol. We flash back to Kyle accosting Sutton at Garcelle’s party, and she says, alcohol wasn’t serving her. She wanted to do what it took to make her feel better physically and spiritually. Kyle arrives, and PK makes himself scares. Dorit tells Kyle that she’s serving salad and petrified pizza. She’s glad to see Kyle in a better place. She knows it was probably a sh*t journey, but Kyle is coming out the other side. Kyle says, she won’t be mistreated be anybody. She didn’t deserve what anybody said about her. In her interview, she says, Kathy is used to people allowing her to get away with certain behaviors. She always gave Kathy leeway because she didn’t speak up to her big sister, but she’s not going to continue to allow Kathy to treat her this way. Dorit says she’s been struggling with PTSD and her husband, the one she depends on most, spent a lot of time in London. She felt like they weren’t connected, and for the first time, thought they might not make it. Kyle thinks it’s normal. Life happens, and things can pull you apart or you can pull together. Dorit says, it would be one thing if he’d done something or there was an incident, but there was a period of time when she needed him and he wasn’t there.

Garcelle takes sons Jaid and Jax to the beach for a picnic. In her interview, she says, they’re 15 now, but she remembers when she carried them like footballs. Now they can carry her; they’re huge. She’s been shooting a show in Atlanta and wants to spend time with them. She has to work, so she needs to make quality time when she can. Jaid says he wants to stay with his girlfriend Ashlyn, and Garcelle says, that’s fine as long as his dad is good with it. Garcelle says she could tell they were annoyed that she was gone so long, and Jaid says, three weeks is a year. She says she wishes they would vocalize their concerns more, and now is a chance to say how they feel. Jax says he wants more freedom, and Garcelle says she feels like he won’t let her parent him. Jax says he understands, but he needed that a few years ago instead of now. He already knows how to do things for himself. In her interview, Garcelle says, she feels she’s always been there for them, but not always 100%. Hearing it from Jax is like a knife to her heart. Jax says, there were times he thinks he needed it more. but now he doesn’t need parenting that much. It’s not his intention to hurt her, but it needs to be said. In Garcelle’s interview, she says she’s happy he’s being honest, but it makes her feel like a failure. She apologizes, and Jax says he’s glad they’ve learned from the past and matured from it. She asks, who is he? and in her interview, she says, although Jax and Jaid are twins, they couldn’t be more different. Her mom blanket parented, but she’s parented according to individual needs. She asks what Jaid has to say, and he says he misses Ashlyn. Aww. They’re good kids.

Mauricio does business on the phone, and Kyle asks to talk to him about their calendars. He says he’s going to Portugal during Portia’s spring break, and wonders if she can join them, but Kyle says she can’t go during that window. In her interview, she says, it’s been a challenging year. Mauricio has been working non-stop and she’s been working. When you have to schedule a meeting to go over your schedule, it’s problem. Mauricio says she looks great. She’s working out like a beast, eating healthy, and not drinking. In Kyle’s interview, she says, you have to find an outlet. She feels good about it and hopes Mau does too. Mauricio says she looks amazing, and asks how many tattoos she has. She tells him, five, and he says he only knew of three. She suggests maybe he should be looking at her body closer, and in her interview, Kyle says, it’s a symptom of not being together. Mauricio tells her, it’s a lot. If she wants to get another, he won’t allow it. She says, he didn’t even know how many she had, and he says, she doesn’t need anymore. He keeps calling her Lovebean, and it’s annoying the hell out of me. She tells him that he doesn’t have choice, and in her interview, she says, sometimes they can do no wrong, and sometimes they breathe, and you want to punch them. She tells him that she doesn’t have to please anyone, including him. She went from her mom to being an example for her girls. You can do all that, and things can still go to sh*t. She tells Mauricio that she doesn’t know if it came from dealing with her sister or what, but she doesn’t feel like she has to answer to anyone. He tells her not to become a rebellious person and do it out of rebellion, and she says she’s very f***ing clear, she’s not rebelling.

Next time, Sutton looks for a partner; Erika wants to work on repairing her friendship with Dorit; Mauricio’s family asks about the divorce rumors; and Garcelle feels like she’s failed as a parent when Jax asks to live with his dad.

💭 This show looks good right now, but in the preview, Denise shows up and all those tools Erika said she got from therapy go out the window.

🍫 Putting Chocolate In My Peanut Butter…

Join me tomorrow for soap and Southern shenanigans. Until then, stay safe, stay never ghosting someone, and stay not telling anyone if you don’t want anybody to know something.

October 17, 2023 – Mason Defies the Boss’s Orders, On Their Off-Time, No Fish From You, Sweet As Pie, Legendary Losses, Update In the UK, Not Barbie & Hand

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Lois sees Eddie/Ned in the nook and says, there he is. She’s been looking all over for him. Looks like he’s avoiding her. He asks why he’d avoid her, and she says she understands the situation. In front of Olivia, who happens to be one of her best friends in the whole world, he has to pretend so he can spare her feelings. He asks what she means, and she says, they’re alone now. Come on. When he first walked in and saw her, the look on his face was undeniable. He may not remember Olivia, but he remembers her. He tells her, like he said, she looks very familiar, and she says, that’s what he needs to say in front of the family he forgot. There’s no way he could forget the times they had. We flash back to when we were all in diapers, and Lois pushed Eddie to sing. She says, he was amazing. He took her breath away. We flash back to their romance and getting married. Then Lois finding out he’s really Ned, and him telling her that he loves her and needs her in a way he’s never needed anyone. We see her during her pregnancy and subsequently leaving him. She says, come on. Their wedding, Coney Island… She can see it in his eyes; he remembers her. He says, that’s not what she’s seeing in his eyes. She looks familiar, but he really doesn’t remember her or their wedding. He was married to Olivia, and he doesn’t remember her. He’s got this great daughter – Chase and Brook approach the doorway – and he doesn’t remember her either. Chase and Brook walk in.

On the phone, Tracy asks Finn where he is. It’s backgammon night; he’s late. Gregory walks in and says, no, he’s not. Finn’s not coming. She says, he came all this way to tell her that? but he says, no. He came to settle a score.

Josslyn goes into the station with Pilar and Avery, and asks Pilar to wait with Avery. She goes to the desk and asks the sergeant if she can speak with Detective Falconari. It’s a matter of life and death.

Dex goes into the basement where Ava was being kept, and through his headset, Spinelli asks if he found her.

Carly visits Drew and asks how he’s feeling. He says, better now that she’s here, and she asks what the doctors say. He tells her that they say he’s recovered enough to go back to prison.

At the hospital, Cyrus sees Austin, who asks what he’s doing here. Cyrus says he’s happy to see Austin again too. They have some unfinished business.

On the phone with Olivia in the interrogation room, Dante says he will when he gets a chance. He he’s got to go…  Because he’s at work. There’s a knock at the door, and the desk sergeant is there with Josslyn. He says, sorry to bother Dante, but she said it was urgent. Josslyn says, it is, and Dante asks her, what is it? The sergeant leaves, and she says, Ava’s in trouble. Dante sees Pilar is there with Avery.

Spinelli says, anything? and Dex says, damn. There’s no one here. The basement is empty. No sign of Ava.

Mason stops his car in a wooded area, and in the backseat, Ava says, he doesn’t have to do this. He says, oh, but he does.

Closing the door, Dante says, so Ava never picked up Avery? and Josslyn says, no, and Pilar hasn’t been in contact with Ava. He asks if Sonny knows, and she says, no. Pilar knew he was marrying Nina in Puerto Rico. She didn’t want to contact Carly because she’s dealing with Drew in the hospital. Josslyn went to Windymere and talked to Ava’s butler. He hasn’t seen her since night before last, but yesterday morning, he found a broken martini glass on the living room floor. She found Ava’s cellphone and this. She shows him the lollypop and says, this isn’t Avery’s; she hates grape. She asked Avery, and it’s not hers. He says, so she thinks whoever dropped it is with Ava?

Dex asks if Spinelli is sure this is the final location with ties to Pautuck Trucking, and Spinelli says, affirmative. Dex has already searched the other seven. It’s a reasonable assumption, given his connection to the trucking company, that Mason would have taken Miss Jerome to one of these locations. Dex asks if Spinelli checked to see if Mason has any properties only in his name, but Spinelli says he went through all the financials available related to Mr. Gatlin; any purchases, credit cards, addresses. Everything points to him only using these properties. Dex looks up at the window and says, this may be nothing, but… He moves one of the boxes and finds a piece of material on the floor. He says, Ava was here, and Spinelli asks if he’s certain. Dex says, yes. Maybe Mason was alerted to him checking the other locations and he moved her. Spinelli says, seems like a logical conclusion, and Dex says he needs Spinelli to check the traffic around Pautuck and the surrounding highways. Spinelli says, already on it, and Dex says, maybe Mason’s using the same vehicle and they got lucky.

Ava says she knows this wasn’t Mason’s idea, and he asks, why? Is he so dumb that he can’t have one? She says, no. Because she doesn’t think he’d hurt her. She doesn’t think he’d hurt anybody. She thinks he’s following orders. She understands whoever he’s working for must be very powerful, but this is one order she thinks he should disobey. Because if he goes through with this, and Sonny finds out Mason was part of her disappearance – and believe her, he’ll find out – he’s going to be the one that pays, and she thinks he knows what that means. It’s his only chance to let her go. He says, she thinks so? and she says, yeah. She’ll cover for him. He says, she’d do that for him? and she says, of course (🍷) she would. She’ll make up some excuse for why she was gone, and Sonny will buy it. She’s gotten things over on him in the past. He says, that’s a really good offer, except she already told him that Sonny would figure out what he did because Sonny’s so damn smart. But she wants him to believe she could fool him. She says she can and he laughs. She says she can do it; she can. Right now, she hasn’t been gone long enough for anyone to even be suspicious, but if she’s gone much longer, if something should happen to her, Sonny will find out what Mason did, but if he brings her home right now, she’ll protect him. He says she’s full of it. He’s not going to let her go. They’re going to sit here quietly wait for orders.

Austin asks what Cyrus wants, and Cyrus says he wanted to thank Austin for testifying on his behalf at the hearing. As Austin can see, with his critical input, the judge determined he wasn’t medically fit to stay in Pentenville and finish his sentence. Austin says, because he’s such a feeble man, and Cyrus says, complete freedom invigorates a man. Austin says, Cyrus is a master of miracles. Why doesn’t he pull another one out of his hat and let Ava go? Cyrus asks when Austin became so cynical, and Austin says, the deal was that he would testify on Cyrus’s behalf and Cyrus would release Ava. Now live up to the end of his bargain and tell Mason to let Ava go.

Carly asks when Drew has to go back to Pentenville, but he says he’s not exactly sure. Carly says, well, that’s wrong. His doctor is being overly optimistic about his condition. She’s going to talk to the doctor and make him understand it’s way too soon to send Drew back to Pentenville. She heads for the door, and Drew says he doesn’t want her to ask the doctor to lie or exaggerate to keep him here longer. The doctor saved his life; he did his job. She says, saving Drew’s life could be a waste of time. Because if he sends Drew back to Pentenville, the people who almost killed him are going to try to finish the job.

Brook says she wanted to introduce Eddie and her mother to Chase, and Chase shakes Lois’s hand, saying, it’s nice to meet her. She tells him that he’s as gorgeous as everyone says, and please call her Lois. He thanks her, and she says she was practically a baby when she had… Brook says, ma! and Lois says, what? She’s just being honest with the man who’s making their daughter so happy. Brook wasn’t lying to her when Brook told her that, right? Brook says, of course (🍷) not. Chase is the best. Lois says, and that’s exactly what their daughter deserves. Isn’t that right, Ned… Eddie? Eddie/Ned says, what? and she says, pay attention. Seeing these two together, it feels so right. And Chase should feel honored, because her daughter doesn’t settle for anyone. Brook says, ma! and Lois says, what? She’s just saying. Brook always goes where her heart leads her, and her heart led her to Chase. Eddie asks if it was Lois’s heart that led her to him.

Tracy says, all right, let her have it, and Gregory says, thank you. She says, what? and he says, she did something that had to be done. He kept putting it off and he shouldn’t have. She says, he’s not angry? and he says, damn straight he’s angry. At her, at himself for not telling Chase, and his diagnosis. But if his illness is telling him anything, it’s that anger is a waste of time.

Tracy laughs, and Gregory says, what’s so funny? She says, sorry. She’s not laughing at him; she’s laughing at herself. She was so convinced he was going to be furious with her for telling Chase about his ALS, for which she is so sorry. But instead, here he is waxing philosophical about anger and time. He says he was hardly waxing, and he does understand the irony, but he fails to see the humor. She says she guesses she finds it funny that he thinks anger’s a waste of time, and he says, it is. She says, for her, she finds anger a powerful motivator. In fact, she considers her ability to channel anger to action an asset. He says, figures she would.

Lois says she and Eddie have a complicated romantic history. That would have been good for him to forget. He says he’d still like to hear it, but she says, some other time. Chase and his better half don’t want to sit around and listen to her yammer on about their past. Chase says he’d like to hear it, and Lois says, really? He says, absolutely, and Lois says, all right. Don’t say she didn’t warn them. She says, come on, and taps on the table, indicating they should sit. She says she guesses it all started when her heart led her to a man who didn’t exist.

Drew tells Carly that he’s going to be fine. Don’t worry. She says, how can he ask her not to worry about him? and he says he’s in Pentenville for his own actions, for his own decisions. She says he’s being his noble self and she loves him for it. It’s something she absolutely loves about him, but it doesn’t cost that doctor a damn thing to keep him here, to keep him safe. It’s not like he’s risking his medical license; he’s protecting Drew’s life, a life that he saved. Drew says he loves her for trying to rationalize it, but she’s got to let him deal with his own situation. She says, it’s not his own situation. It’s her situation too.

Ava says, Mason doesn’t have to take orders from anybody, and Mason tells her to shut up. He knows exactly what she thinks he is. He’s known ever since that fancy Quartermaine barbecue. She walked in and saw him threatening Austin and she saw the knife in his hand. It turned her on a little; he could see it in her eyes. Then she heard him talk and saw he had a little dirt under his fingernails and said to herself, hey, he’s white trash. He wasn’t worth her breath. It wasn’t until he learned she murdered her husband that he got her attention. Then he saw how phony she was. But he saw how his smartass cousin got her attention. He’s a high and mighty doctor, so she just jumped right in the sack with him. It must be disappointing. She could have had her chance to be with him, a real man, but she made a mistake, and now she’s never going to get that chance again. So she’s going to sit there and she’s going to shut up.

Pilar and Avery are in the interrogation room. Dante seats Avery at the head of the table and tells her that she’s going to sit in the important person’s chair. Avery asks if he knows where her mommy is, and he says, that’s what they’re going to figure out. He knows it’s late, but he wants her to stay there with her sister and Pilar. She says, okay, and Josslyn thanks him. He says, of course (🍷) and goes out to the squad room. He tells the desk sergeant, whatever they need, and leaves.

Cyrus tells Austin, as he said, he’s grateful for Austin’s help, and he trusts with the Lord’s guidance, everyone will be safe. Austin says, stop. He promises Ava’s not a threat to Cyrus. She has no idea he and Mason work for him. Austin’s phone trills, and Cyrus says, it sounds as if Austin’s patients need him. God speed. Austin leaves, and Cyrus calls Mason.

Pacing outside the car, Mason says, yeah? Cyrus asks if he has the passenger, and Mason says he does. Cyrus says, take her home, and Mason says he doesn’t get that. Cyrus says, the situation has been resolved to his satisfaction. Take. Her. Home. Mason hangs up and looks at Ava through the car window.

Lois says, keep in mind, she was young, practically a baby, like she told them earlier. And she was naïve. She became completely infatuated with Eddie Maine, who she thought was living a double life. Pharmaceutical salesman by day, rocker by night. Chase says, that’s quite a combination, and Lois says, tell her about it. Little did she know, he was actually Ned Ashton, who was planning on marrying another woman at that time. And get this, he actually married that woman while he was married to her. Eddie says, Olivia, but Lois says, not Livvy, that came later. Brook says, she could sell this story to 20/20, and Lois says she tried; they didn’t believe her. She asks Eddie if any of this rings a bell, because she swears it’s the God’s honest truth, but he says, no. Just so she knows, he is not living a double life now. He is himself, Eddie Maine, musician. If what she’s saying really happened… She asks if he’s calling her a liar, but he says, no. He just wants to apologize on behalf of the man he was back then and the way he treated her.

Tracy asks Gregory how Chase is handling it. Wait a minute. How is he? She asks him to sit, and he says he’s getting weaker. His hands are cramping and twitching a lot more; he drops things. He really misses being able to drive himself, but he had to give that up a while back, so he didn’t pose a danger to anyone else. And he’s probably going to have to start using a cane sometime soon because his balance is going in and out. Otherwise, he’s great. How about her? She says, how about a drink? He says, sounds good, and she says, scotch okay? He says, perfect, and as she makes the drinks, she says she’s very relieved he came by. You know how it is when you make a mistake, and you dread the consequences? He says, that’s how he felt with Chase, but she says, no. He may not have handled the situation perfectly, not telling Chase when he told Finn, but there were mitigating circumstances. She on the other hand, shoved her foot right in her mouth and blurted out something that was not hers to say. He says, clearly there was no malice intended, and they clink glasses. She says, clearly, because if there is, he’d know it. He says he’s sure, and she says, why did Finn bail on her by the way? He says, Violet has a cold, and she says she’s sorry to hear that. He says he could fill in for Finn, and she says, that’s nice. She thanks him, but Finn understands her competitive nature. He says, her, competitive? and she says, shocking, she knows. He says, who does she think taught Finn everything he knows about backgammon? and she says, in that case, let’s roll. I went through a backgammon phase, so I kind of get it.

Carly says she’s the one who acted on inside information, and it’s her fault Drew is in this situation. He says, they’ve been over this, and she’s got to stop blaming herself. She says she’d love to blame someone else, but he says, they don’t have much time left. Let’s not go over this. He knows she didn’t mean for any of this to happen. She says, but it happened, and he almost died because those inmates attacked him, and now they want to send him right back to them. He says, it’s not the doctor’s fault he’s in prison. Whoever turned them into the SEC knew that the Feds would twist what they did and make them look guilty (um… they are). She says, but it’s not them; it’s him. He’s the one taking the fall. He says, his choice, when there’s a knock at the door. Cyrus walks in, and Carly says, what the hell?

Pilar leaves to call her mother, and Josslyn says she heard Avery’s dad and Nina got married. Avery says, yeah, on daddy’s island, and Josslyn bets it was beautiful. Avery says, yeah. Donna got to go, but she didn’t. Josslyn says, Avery’s dad really wanted her to be there, and he was super disappointed about how things worked out, but she thinks when he and Nina get back, they’re going to arrange to take Avery somewhere super special. Avery says, she thinks? and Josslyn says she’ll make sure of it, hugging her. Avery says she hopes mommy can go too.

Mason gets back in the car, and Ava says, who was that on the phone? He’s about to start the car, and she asks where they’re going. What is he going to do? He says, to hell with the boss’s orders, and gets out of the car. He walks around to the passenger side and opens the backseat door. She asks what he’s doing, and he says, they’re going to do things his way. He reaches in, pulling her out, and she struggles with him.

Josslyn’s phone rings, and she asks Spinelli, what’s going on? He says he was hoping she could tell him. Has Dex been in touch with her? She says, no. She thought Spinelli was in touch with him and he was checking out those places in Pautuck. Spinelli says, he was, but now he’s not. He got a hit on Mason Gatlin’s vehicle out on County Road 21 and sent that information to Dex. She says, he’s following that maniac? and Spinelli says, yes. They had some contact in the beginning of Dex’s pursuit, but then he hit a dead zone… Sorry. Poor choice of words. She says, he has all of that fancy equipment. Use it and find Dex. He says he’s doing his best, but if she hears from Dex… She says she’ll let him know right away, and he says, copy that. Spinelli gets to work, and Josslyn calls Dante.

Mason tries to drag Ava away from the car toward a cliff, but she continues to struggle with him. They see headlights coming, and Dex comes out, aiming his gun. He tells Mason, let her go.

Lois says, that’s it? and Eddie says, that’s what? She says, what she just told him about what her Eddie put her through are just the tips of the iceberg. And he thinks I’m sorry covers that? He says he doesn’t know what else she expects him to say, and she says, her Eddie Maine was an alter-ego, but this Eddie Maine has conveniently forgotten all the schemes and schnookery that her Eddie Maine put her through. So she guesses her question with all of this is, how many Eddie Maines are in there? He says he knows she doesn’t want to hear it… and she says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t want to hear it. Because she lived it. Because even after all of that, she ended up marrying Ned Ashton Quartermaine, and they had a beautiful daughter, and they had some great memories. They were very much in love, and they were married for some time, and then they got divorced. But this Eddie Maine, he’s forgotten all of the terrible things her Eddie put her through. But this Eddie Maine has also forgotten all of the wonderful times they had. And he’s a poor man for that, and she pities him. He says, I don’t need your damn pity, lady, because I’m very happy just the way I am. He walks out, and Lois says she’s sorry. She apologizes to Chase and says she may have let that go a little too far, but Chase says, no. Now he knows where her daughter gets her spirit.

And I don’t know what schnookery is, but that’s a great word.

Cyrus says he’s sorry. He hopes he’s not interrupting. Carly asks what he’s doing out of prison, and he says he remembers she likes to get right to the heart of the matter, doesn’t she? He calls her Mrs. Corinthos, but she says, it’s Spencer, and he says, of course (🍷). Clearly, she and Mr. Corinthos are no longer together. She says, answer the question, and Drew says, Cyrus is standing here, having rolled right past the guard. If he’d broken out of Pentenville, Cyrus would be on his way to a country with no extradition treaty. Cyrus says, alas, nothing so dramatic. He was released from Pentenville earlier today. Carly asks, on what grounds? and Cyrus says, medical. The doctors determined that any further state could jeopardize his health and that he doesn’t have the capacity to harm anyone. Carly tells Drew, and he was concerned about asking the doctor to stay, when some quack let this maniac out on the streets? Cyrus says, and his first mission on said streets was to come and check on the man who saved his life, and Carly says, big mistake. Cyrus says he’s so glad Carly is here, keeping his friend Drew company, because he’s long wanted to see her.

Mason wonders who Dex is, and Dex tell him to drop the gun; he’s got a clear shot. Ava says, take the shot, but Mason shoots Dex first. Dex falls, and Ava elbows Mason, getting away from him. Dex pops back up and rushes Mason, and they roll around on the ground fighting.

Gregory says he believes that’s three to one, and Tracy says, best of seven? but he says, it’s late and he’s tired. He’d better be getting back. She says, coward, and he says, absolutely. He can see by that killer look in her eye, he should quit while he’s ahead. She says he’s a liar. He’s really good. He thanks her, and thanks her for the distraction. And the drink. She says, they’ll do it again, and he says he’d like nothing more. He didn’t realize how gratifying it could be to beat Tracy Quartermaine at something. She tells him, hold on to that feeling until next time when she wipes the floor with him, and he says, they’ll have to wait and see. Let him call a ride service. She says, Yuri will take him, and he thanks her. She says she really is sorry, but he says he told her, he’s not upset about what happened with Chase. She says she doesn’t mean that. She means his diagnosis. He moves toward her and they hug. He kisses her cheek and says, goodnight. She looks really sad as she watches him leave.

Dex and Mason continue to fight, and Mason gets Dex down, banging his head against the ground. Ava yells, no! Stop! I wonder why she’s not helping, when Mason is suddenly shot in the back and falls off Dex. Our hero Dante has arrived.

Carly tells Cyrus that she has nothing to say to him, so get out. He says he can appreciate her antipathy. After all, there was a great deal of friction between them when her ex-husband Sonny went missing, and she and Jason Morgan were running the territories. Drew asks what he wants, and Cyrus says he just wants Miss Spencer to understand that any friction back then was before he found the Lord. Carly says, is he kidding her? and he says he regrets the tactics he used, but even then, there was no personal animosity. She says she has tons of personal animosity toward him, and he says he completely understands. He just hopes that at some point in the future, he’ll have the opportunity to make almonds amends. She says, don’t hold your breath, and he says, at least she can appreciate the fact he was able to come to the aid of Mr. Cain. She asks Drew what Cyrus is talking about, but Drew says he has no clue. Cyrus says he’s sorry. He assumed they told Drew that he was the one who found him beaten in the shower. He got help for Drew. He was told Drew would have perished otherwise. So just as Drew saved his life, the Lord gave him the opportunity to save Drew’s. And seeing Drew here like this, recovering so well after the way he looked when Cyrus came to his aid… is thanks enough. God bless them both. He leaves, and Carly looks at Drew.

Eddie goes into the solarium and says, Tracy’s here. She says she lives here, and he says he knows. He was just hoping maybe… never mind. She asks, what’s up? and he says, that woman is driving him crazy. She says, Olivia? but he says, no, the other one. She says, oh. He doesn’t mean his wife Olivia; he means his ex-wife Lois. He says he doesn’t remember either one of them, but the second one. She says, Lois drives everybody a little crazy, and he says, she keeps going on and on about their past. Tracy says, the part where he married her, or the part where he married someone else while he was married to her? and he says he doesn’t need to hear this from her. She says, he’s right; she’s sorry. She’s not a Lois fan, however, he must realize how difficult the situation is for her. He says he does, but no one seems to understand how difficult this is for him. All he keeps hearing about is what an awful guy he was. Or what a wonderful guy he was. But none of it means anything to him, because he’s not that guy. Tracy says she’s sorry, and he says, him too. She asks why he came in here, and he says, when his head is spinning like this, he finds that music is the only thing that helps him. She says, be her guest, and heads for the door. He thanks her and sits at the piano.

Chase tells Lois, from the first time he arrested Brook, he could tell she was a force of nature. Lois tells him, he says that like arresting her was a romantic gesture, and he says, no, but needless to say, she didn’t appreciate his actions as a detective. Brook says, because he… but Lois shushes her and say she wants to hear what he has to say. Chase says, from the first time, even though they didn’t agree on everything… Brook says, anything, and he says, okay, anything. He came to admire Brook’s spirit and commitment. She was so eager to put everything she believed in on the line, and he always wondered where she got that nerve from. Now he knows. Lois says, aww. She didn’t do everything right as a mother, but if she taught her daughter to stand up for herself, then that makes her proud. Because her Brook Lynn has always been her own person. Brook says, with a very high tolerance for embarrassment, and Lois says she already apologized for the scene. Brook says she knows. It’s fine. She’s just glad Chase got to meet the real her. Chase says he’s glad he finally got to meet her, and Lois says, the feeling is mutual. It makes her feels so good to see her daughter so happy. And he seems like a very kind and patient man. Brook says, ma… and Lois says, both of which are good qualities if he’s going to move forward with her daughter. Brook says she’s got to break this lovefest up; they have to go. Lois asks Chase for a hug, and he obliges as Tracy walks in.

Brook walks out the door, Chase following her, and Tracy says, you’re welcome. Lois says, for what? and Tracy says, they’re together because of her. Lois says, is that a fact? Her daughter found a man who clearly adores her and she loves him back, and that joy is all because of Tracy? Tracy says, they were miles apart. She brought them together. Lois says, because Tracy blackmailed her daughter to get what she wanted.

Carly looks out the blinds, and tells Drew, that man didn’t find the Lord; he found a loophole. Drew says, they have to give Cyrus some kind of credit. He knows how to work the system. She says, the system’s a joke. That man is walking around free, while Drew is going back to Pentenville for insider trading? That he lost money on? (sigh) It’s insane. He says, it’s something they’ve got to deal with, at least for now, and she says, that man is dangerous. He can’t be out there roaming around the streets of Port Charles. Her phone rings, and she asks Josslyn, what’s up? Josslyn says, everyone is safe, but something’s happened. She needs to come home right away.

Ava asks Dex if he’s all right, and Dante phones in the report, keeping his gun on Mason. Dex takes the ties off Ava’s wrists and asks if Mason hurt her. (I just have this fleeting thought: Ava and Dex. It would work better than what they have going on now.) She says, no. She’s okay. How did he find her? He says, with a lot of help. It’s a long story. She says she’s glad she’s alive to hear it. Still on the phone, Dante checks Mason’s pulse, and says, he’s alive, but still unconscious. Two gunshot wounds to the back. He’s going to need medical attention and transport. He thanks them, and Ava asks, is the bastard gonna live? Dante says, guys like this usually do. Any idea why he brought her up here? She says, he was pretty clear when he was dragging her to the edge of the cliff before Dex showed up, and Dante says he means, does she have any idea why he abducted her in the first place? She says she guesses orders from his boss, and Dante asks, who’s his boss? Did she get a name? She says, no, but when she does, they’re going to wish she’d never heard it.

Cyrus gets in the hospital elevator, and Austin stops the doors from closing and joins him. Austin says he needs to talk to Ava, and Cyrus says, she seems to have become important in Austin’s life. Austin says he needs to know that she’s okay, and Cyrus says he’s expressed his gratitude for Austin’s help at the hearing, but gratitude only goes so far. Austin has known him a long time, and he’s sure by now Austin understands he’s in no position to make demands. It’s best to remember who’s in control here. He gets out of the elevator, but Austin stays in. The doors close.

Tomorrow, Tracy tells Lois that she couldn’t be more wrong; Josslyn asks how close Dex came to going over himself; and Carly tells someone, the kidnapping isn’t the worst thing.

🧼 Outside the Soap Bubble…

What a few of the soap stars are doing when off the soap clock.

🐠 Not Today Fish…

She’s such a wacko anyway. Why even try to communicate?

https://ew.com/tv/rhoslc-mary-cosby-refuses-fish-sandwich-ziwe-wwhl/

🩺 Stranger Things…

I like Phaedra and she probably does have a sweet side, but I wouldn’t want to be on her sour side.

🥀 Two Fallen Stars…

I loved her in the original Carrie and always preferred it over the remake.

https://ew.com/celebrity/piper-laurie-dead-carrie-twin-peaks-actress/

A true legend.

https://people.com/suzanne-somers-dead-at-76-8358227

👠 Fabulous New Project…

Whatever it is, I’ll watch it. AbFab’s Eddie and Patsy were like Lucy and Ethel on crack.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/jennifer-saunders/article-12635805/Jennifer-Saunders-Dawn-French-Absolutely-Fabolous-update-new-project.html

🤷🏻‍♂️ He’s Just Pete…

This is pretty funny.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1387905/pete-davidsons-barbie-parody-mocking-his-dating-life-and-more-is-a-perfect-10

👀 Not Looking In the Basement…

Join me tomorrow for soap and internet treats. The OC season is blessedly over, and I think RHOBH is coming soon, but tomorrow is only the Miami Reunion. I do watch Miami off and on, but never included it here. Until then, stay safe, stay watching the classic Halloween at least once this season, and stay channeling your anger into action. In a good way. Let it be a powerful motivator, but not a vengeful one.

October 24, 2022 – Holly Introduces Herself To Victor, Whiney Brat On Deck & Hand

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Anna opens the lower compartment of her trunk, and finds a gun. After examining it, she puts it back. She also finds some black clothing, and flashes back to watching the video of Lucy getting shot.

Drew and Carly kiss on the beach, as the camera wildly pans around them, and I feel a little dizzy.

Nina sees Sonny at the hospital, and says, she knows they’re here for Sasha, but has he heard anything about Lucy? Was she found? Is she okay? He says he wishes he had good news, but there’s no word yet. He knows it looks bad, but you can’t bet against Lucy Coe.

In a conference room, Sasha tells Martin, they don’t have to discuss this now. She knows he’s focused on Lucy, as he should be. He asks if she’s kidding. He’s doing this for Lucy. She’d give it to him if she knew he was neglecting a client, especially if that client’s Sasha. Sonny and Nina come in, and Sasha thanks them for coming. Martin said the judge made a decision about her guardianship, and she asks him to tell her.

Scotty tells Felicia that he’s going nutty, and Serena’s going out of her mind. Felicia has to give him something to take back to her. Felicia says she’s been texting Mac constantly for updates, but there’s just no news other than what they already know. Two shots fired, and no sign of Lucy anywhere. He says he can’t believe this is happening. He’s going to hire his own divers, and have them look. She says, Mac and Anna are doing everything they can, but he says he feels in his gut Lucy is alive, and there’s always miracles. She says, he’s right, and they walk into the MetroCourt Gardens, seeing Holly and Robert at a table. Felicia tells him, what was he saying about miracles?

Jordan says she has a job to do, so if Arden doesn’t mind… Arden says she does mind. Victor Cassadine has a team of lawyers who are salivating to sue for unlawful arrest. Jordan says, that’s going to be difficult, considering she didn’t arrest him, but he is a person of interest in Lucy Coe’s disappearance. Arden says she didn’t see him in that drone footage, did Jordan? and Jordan suggests she call Arden’s boss and see if he agrees. Arden says, do not involve DA Scorpio, but Jordan says, it is his case, not Arden’s. Arden says, with all the evidence against his ex-wife and the mother of his child, Robert will have no choice but to recuse himself. Jordan says, they’re in the very early stages of the investigation; it’s way too early to be talking recusal. Just to be clear, the evidence they have at this point is all circumstantial. Arden says, we’ll see, and leaves.

Drew says, that felt different, and Carly agrees. He says he means in the best possible way, and she says, what now? He asks if she means right now, or the big picture? She says, both, but mostly right now, and he says, now they head back to Port Charles. She says she knew he’d say that, and he wonders why she asked. She says, on the off-chance he wouldn’t, and he asks if she doesn’t want to go home. She says, she does; she misses her kids like crazy. She’s just reluctant to go. She found something in Jacksonville that made her not want to leave. He asks, what? and she says, you.

Anna puts everything back the way it was, closing the trunk and stuffing her gloves in her pocket. Dante comes along, and says, she’s still here. Did Jordan cut Victor loose? She says, she had no choice. He lawyered up, and he’s convinced he got away with murder.

Jordan says, Arden is putting a lot of stock in what could be considered falsified evidence, and Arden says, Jordan is giving her friend Anna a whole lot of specialized treatment. Jordan says she’s using the discretion of her office, and Arden says, an office Anna Devane occupied for how many years? She’s been with the PCPD off and on since the 80s. Jordan was her hire, wasn’t she? Jordan says, in the beginning, and Arden says, maybe Jordan’s discretion isn’t so professional after all. How many people in this department, from the old timers to the officers who’ve got five years in feel loyalty to Anna Devane? How many would be willing to give her the benefit of the doubt? Or turn a blind eye? Or actively steer the investigation in another direction? There’s a case here, and she intends to prosecute it. Because she didn’t learn from the last one where she was way off base because of doctored evidence. Jordan calls Robert, and tells him to call her when he can; it’s important. Mac asks, what’s got the ADA all fired up now? but Jordan says, first things first. Any news from harbor patrol? He says he was on a police boat all night and most of the day. They came up empty. She says, no sign of Lucy? and he says he was hoping she had better news. She says, they have a suspect, but he’s not going to like who it is.

Dante says, whoever shot Lucy, it’s just a matter of time, and Anna says, she needs to share something with him. He says, the woman who washed up at the Quartermaines, and she says, Jordan told her it’s not Lucy. He asks if she knows who it was, but she says, no. He says, she’ll never believe it. It was Holly Sutton.

Felicia and Scotty go over to Holly and Robert, and Felicia says she doesn’t believe what she’s seeing right now. Scotty wonders if they died and went to heaven, but Holly says she doesn’t think they’d let him through those gates. Felicia hugs Holly, and Robert tells her, careful; they just fished Holly out of the lake. Scotty asks if there’s a hug for him, and Holly says, always, hugging him. Robert says, he wants to take her home to rest, but Holly says she doesn’t need to rest. She needs faces, people, especially the people she missed so much. Felicia says, not as much as they missed her. Where has she been, and how did she end up in the lake? Robert says, her memory is fragile right now, and Holly says, that’s a kind way of saying, it’s all a fog. She doesn’t remember much about the last two years. Scotty says, poof! She’s just back in Port Charles with no clue? She says, that’s the gist of it, but Felicia says, now that Holly is home, she’s sure everything will come back

Martin says, it’s Sasha’s right to contest the decision, but she should know it could take months, and Sasha says, the decision being? He says, Brando’s death makes it even more imperative that she remain under the guidance of a guardian, and she says she can’t imagine it being anyone except Brando. Who did the judge choose? He says, that’s the thing. He’s sorry, but seeing she has no other living relatives, it will have to be a court-appointed guardian. She says, he means a stranger? and he says he’s afraid so.

Carly tells Drew, when she left Jacksonville in her 20s, she thought she was going after everything she wanted. In retrospect, she wasn’t really running toward anything; she was trying to escape all the mistakes she made here. He says, the funny thing is, she ended up with a lot of what she wanted, and she says, she did. She figured out who she was at her core, and that was huge. But she never realized she was running away. Now she’s able to admit that. He asks if she’s afraid if she leaves now, somehow she’ll lose that clarity, and she says she’s afraid if they leave, it’s going change them; how they are together, the ease between them. She can talk to him about everything and nothing. She loves being with him, and she’s afraid to lose that.

Sonny says, so Sasha’s life and day-to-day decisions are going to be left in the hands of a stranger? and Martin says, that’s correct. Sonny says, that’s not happening, and Nina says, they can fight it. Sonny says, and they’ll win, because if Sasha needs a guardian, he’s in. Nina says, so is she. They’re here to help in any way possible. Martin says, no disrespect intended, but the court will never sign off on somebody with a criminal record, and Nina says, there has to be something they can do; someone else to step in. Gladys walks in, and says, there is. They’re looking at her. I’m wondering why the judge didn’t appoint Gladys right away.

Mac asks where Anna is now, and Jordan says, she believes she was framed. He says, of course (🍷) she was framed, and Jordan says, she went looking for evidence to prove it. He says, obviously. He gets Anna wants to clear her name, but he’s surprised Jordan let her walk. In a good way, Jordan is usually about playing it by the book. She says she still is. That so-called incriminating video may have convinced the ADA, but to her, it screams set-up. And whether or not Anna has it in her to kill Lucy, she doesn’t for one second believe Anna would do it in such a stupid and obvious way. There’s something else going on here. Mac says she’ll get no argument from him, and she says, and in the rush to declare Lucy dead and charge Anna, people seem to be missing the fact that Lucy’s been missing less than 48 hours, and they have no body.

Holly asks why Robert didn’t tell her Lucy was missing, and Felicia says, he was probably too busy pinching himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. He says, it’s still sinking in, and Holly says she’s so sorry. What happened? They’ve all wanted to tear Lucy’s hair out at some point – she knows she has – but wanting to kill her. Who would go to those lengths? Victor walks in, and Scotty suggests they ask him.

Anna says, Holly’s alive? and Dante says he saw her in the flesh. Anna says, that’s incredible. She has to call Robert. He says, Robert already knows, and she says, that’s probably why she couldn’t reach him. He says, Robert was one of the first on the scene when the Quartermaines found Holly in the boathouse, and she says, he must be so happy. Damte says, it was a wild reunion, and she asks if Holly is all right. Where has she been all this time, and why didn’t she contact them? He says, her mind seems kind of fuzzy on the details, but they checked her out at the hospital, and she seems fine. Anna says, maybe it’s a sign, and he says, of what? She says, if Holly can be found, maybe so can Lucy. She’s going to see for herself. She goes to her car, but Arden comes by with an officer, and says, Anna’s not going anywhere.

Drew says, looking back on life, it’s a trip, isn’t it? and Carly says, sometimes fun; sometimes not so much. He says he had a similar experience as she did. He joined the Navy right out of high school. Now he realizes he was just looking for a home, and he found that. Those guys are his brothers in every sense of the word. It did fill a void for a little while. She says, but the void’s still there, and he says, after everything that happened, after thinking he was Jason, everything became so clear to him. His whole life he’s just been looking for who he was, where to belong, someone to belong to. She asks if he doesn’t think he found it in Port Charles with the Quartermaines, and he says, yeah, but where he really feels it is with her. He doesn’t want her to think he’s looking to her to be the answer to all his problems. That everything is just going to slide into place, and be happily ever after. She says, good, because happily ever after doesn’t exist, and certainly not with her. He knows her, and inevitably, she’ll get fired up about something, and go tearing off to God knows where, doing God knows what. He says he knows and he’s okay with that. Remember the conversation they had in her kitchen after the Quartermaine picnic? She says, of course (🍷) she does, and he says, she told him that she was scared to see the end before it had even begun. After their time here, does she still feel that way? She says, no. What they have feels solid. He says, in a way it didn’t before, and she says, she guesses Jacksonville not only changed her, it changed them. He says, doesn’t that tell them all they need to know?

Gladys apologizes for being late; stuck in traffic. Sasha tells her, Martin was just filling them in on the judge’s decision. Gladys says she figured as much; a court-appointed guardian? Nina says, Sasha’s not too happy about it, and Gladys says, and Sonny and Nina are out because of their… history. That leaves her. Sonny asks if she’s serious, and she says, he’s the one who told her it’s time to step up and be here for her family. Somebody has to do what Brando wanted, so why not her?

Mac looks at the video, and Jordan says, well? He says, it looks like Anna with a gun, but there has to be another explanation. The video is doctored or… She says, something. He says, this much he knows. No way in hell did Anna lure Lucy to the docks, and shoot her in cold blood. Jordan says, which means someone else did, and set Anna up to take the fall. He says, in other words, Lucy may be the victim, but Anna was really the intended target. She says, exactly, and he says, she knows who’s after Anna, doesn’t she?

Victor apologizes for the interruption, but asks Robert if he has an update on Lucy. Scotty says, Victor is the one who should know, since he’s been spending all that time with her, and Victor says, if only he could. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to find her, so if anyone has any idea how he can help, please let him know. Scotty says, Victor will be his first call, and Victor goes to his table. Holly says, Cassadine? and Robert says, Victor. Scotty says, the rottenest apple in the whole barrel, and Felicia tells Holly, and that’s saying something. Holly says, he seems sincere about wanting to find Lucy; why were they hostile to him? Felicia says, because they think he’s behind Lucy’s disappearance, and Holly says, that suit doesn’t scream cold-blooded killer to her, but Felicia says, looks can be deceiving. In fact… Robert shakes his head, and Holly tells him, don’t give Felicia that look like she wouldn’t catch it. What has that man done?

Dante asks, what’s going on? and Arden says she has a warrant to search Anna’s car. A warrant has already been issued for her home. Officers are on their way as they speak. Anna says, that’s very efficient, and Arden says, when the system works, it works. Anna says she knows Jordan didn’t sign off on that, and Arden says, fortunately, she’s not judge and jury. Dante says, funny. He was going to say the same thing about Arden. Arden says she admires his loyalty, but it’s misplaced. His former boss is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Lucy Coe. Dante laughs, and says, that is insane. Arden says, maybe, maybe not. Let’s take a look and find out. Anna pops open the trunk, and the three of them look inside like there’s an extinct animal living in it. Maybe a baby triceratops.

Walking on the beach, Carly says, Drew was right about everything. Not only is what they have worth pursuing, she wants it. But she wants it because it’s something she chooses, not because it’s something she’s hiding in. He asks if she feels like hiding, and she says she feels like he’s the best thing that’s happened in a long time. She doesn’t want to mess it up because she doesn’t something stupid or makes a dumb mistake. He says, she won’t, and she says, make a mistake? but he says, no. She won’t lose him over it. She asks how he knows, and he says he just does.  Zzzz… Wake me when they’re done with this conversation.

Sonny says, when he told Gladys to step up her game, he didn’t mean she should take on this kind of responsibility, but she says she wants to take on this responsibility. She wants to be here for Sasha, since Brando can’t be, and help her through this awful time. Nina says, keep it in the family? That’s good, right? Sasha says, that’s very good, and takes Gladys’s hand across the table. Gladys says, she’s not Brando – no one is or could be – but she promises to give it her best shot. Sasha says she knows Gladys will. The last thing she wants is a stranger telling her what she can and can’t do, so is it a possibility for Gladys to be her guardian, even though she’s not technically family? Martin says, it’s not the worst idea in the world. In terms of succession, New York State doesn’t distinguish between the mother and the mother-in-law. The judge might be persuaded to see it in the same terms, provided Gladys is a suitable option. Nina says, what’s the worst that could happen? They say no. Gladys says, then it’s decided. Unless Sonny thinks she’s not up for the job.

Jordan tells Mac, Anna is convinced Victor set her up to cover his own tracks. It’s a win-win. He gets rid of Anna and Lucy in one shot. Mac says he thought Victor liked Lucy, and vice versa. Felicia told him they were all over each other when Martin was out of town. She says, they were, but according to Anna, it was all an act on Lucy’s part. Lucy was working for her, trying to get an angle on Victor to connect him to Luke’s murder. Problem is, Lucy went a little rogue. He says, sounds about right, and Jordan says, Anna tried to call her off… He says, but Lucy being lucy, she didn’t listen. So Anna thinks Victor found out and turned the tables. She says, Victor denies it of course (🍷), but if that drone footage can’t be disproved… He says, Victor gets away with murder – again.

On the phone, Victor says, warrants have been issued already? That’s impressive. Remind him to make a sizable contribution to ADA Arden’s campaign if she should decide to run for a higher office.

Robert thinks it’s enough excitement for today, and wants to get Holly home and put her to bed. Felicia says, really, and he says, while he sleeps on the couch. Holly says, this is the worst example of deflection she’s ever seen attempted. What is so terrible about Victor Cassadine? Scotty says, where should he begin? and Felicia tells Robert that Holly’s not going to stop asking. Holly says, like a dog with a bone, and Robert says, an elegant, sweet, loveable dog. Felicia says, Luke is gone, and Holly says, gone, as in… Robert says, yeah, gone, and Felicia says, they had no reason to believe Victor was responsible. They thought it was an accident… Scotty says, accident, my foot. They all know it was premeditated murder. Holly says, she can’t believe it. Luke, of all people. How can that kind of energy cease to exist? Robert says, they’ll talk about it at home, but Holly says, she’s not going anywhere just yet.

Arden comes into the station with Dante and Anna, and Mac says, she can’t just go around harassing law abiding citizens to high-profile the case. Arden says, he may want to rephrase the law abiding part when he sees what they found in the trunk of Anna’s car. She shows him a bag with the gun in it, and Dante says, which Anna showed them voluntarily; she popped the trunk herself. Arden says, also, here are the clothes the perpetrator was wearing at the time she shot Lucy Coe, and Dante asks how she knows what they were wearing. Arden says, from the footage, and as Mac will see, she bears an uncanny resemblance to Miss Devane. Jordan says, footage that hasn’t been verified. They don’t know if anything on there is real. Dante quietly tells Anna that he has to take care of something. They’ve got to play by the rules. The system is working against her, but the advantage they have is, they know someone set her up. They’re going to fix this. Trust in that. Seriously. Does anyone think Anna would be this stupid? Although it was stupid of her not to drive the car somewhere else to look it over.

Drew says, Carly’s not going to lose him, because he understands the true meaning of what she’s lost, and the weight that comes with it. He was lost for over two years. It’s not like a fight or break-up or differences you can’t work through. When you lose something, it’s gone, and if by some miracle, you get it back, it’s never the same. The time you don’t have together, and the time you couldn’t reach out and hold someone you love, you don’t get that back. But loss does teach you the difference between what you simply like and value, and what is truly irreplaceable. She’s irreplaceable. There’s nobody like her, and no one is to him what she is to him. That’s just a fact. They kiss.

Sonny says he thinks Gladys would make a great guardian, but since she’s throwing his words back at him, he also told her, they’re all in this together. Nina says she hopes that includes her. She knows she’s no technically family either, but part of her will always think of Sasha as the daughter she never knew. Sasha says, she’s honored, even though she doesn’t deserve it, and Nina says, if life was about deserving, the people in this room would all be in trouble. She loves Sasha, and will always be here for her. Sasha says she loves Nina too, and they hug. On the phone, Martin says, let him know as soon as possible, and Sasha says, Lucy? but he says, no, nothing yet. You know what they say, no news… Right now, he has to be honest. He feels pretty lousy. Sonny says, they’re all pulling for her, and Sasha hugs Martin.

Mac tells Anna that she doesn’t have to say anything without a lawyer, and Arden says, she seems to have the silent thing down pat. Jordan says, silence is not an admission of guilt, or didn’t they teach the Fifth Amendment when Arden went to law school? Arden says, what she was taught was to follow the evidence, and that’s all she’s doing – her job. Mac says, they don’t know how the gun and those clothes got in Anna’s car. Someone planted them. It had to be Victor.

Dante goes the Gardens and asks if Robert has heard from Anna, but Robert says, his phone hasn’t made a peep all day. Felicia asks if it’s about Lucy, and Dante says, Lucy still hasn’t turned up. The ADA is convinced she’s got her shooter. Scotty says, of course (🍷) she does. She works for Robert, but she’s always jumping to conclusions. Robert asks, who does she suspect? and Dante says, Anna.  

Anna says, Arden is falling for it. Just like he knew she would. Arden sees that, doesn’t she? Arden says, Jordan knows what needs to happen, and Jordan tells Officer Williams to take the evidence to forensics to be analyzed. Arden says, Mac has more than enough to arrest Anna, and knows it. Do his duty, or she’ll find someone who will.

Robert says, Arden is investigating Anna for shooting Lucy? and Felicia says, that’s ridiculous; it’s a set-up. Dante agrees, and Scotty says he’d bet the farm on who’s behind it. Holly says, excuse her, and stomps over to Victor’s table. Robert says, dammit, and Victor gets up, saying he’s sorry. He doesn’t believe they’ve met. Holly says, consider this their introduction then, and slaps him across the face.

Carly says she loves this. The ocean is so incredible. It’s amazing how it can make you feel so small in the face of such vast beauty. You’d think it would make you feel the opposite, but it’s empowering. He says he feels it. Such a big part of the year was spent sweeping away all the stuff that doesn’t matter, and letting go of everything that happened to him. It was a nightmare, but he survived. It’s over, and it shaped him into who he is, like this experience shaped her. She says, 100%, and he says, it’s not like they’re going to lose sight of themselves. It’s not who they’ve become; it’s who they are. This is us. She says she thinks she’s going to like them a lot, and he says, he already does, and kisses her.

Martin says, he’ll officially petition to have Gladys appointed as Sasha’s guardian, and Sasha thanks him. Nina thanks him too, and says she can’t imagine how distracted he is, and he’s here getting things done. He says, with any luck, at least they’ll have one happy ending. Sasha tells Martin, don’t lose hope, and he says, to better days, little one, and leaves. Gladys asks if Sasha is ready to go home, and Sasha hugs Sonny and Nina, who says, she’s got this. Gladys thanks Sonny for everything, and she and Sasha leave. Nina says she’s so impressed. With everything Sasha’s had to go through, she still has empathy for Martin. Sonny says, it gives him hope that she’ll get through this, and Nina says, Sasha is going to get through this. Because she has them. He says, damn straight, and kisses her.  

Holly tells Victor, that was for Luke Spencer. The next one will be for Lucy Coe and Anna Devane. Robert runs over, and says he thinks she made her point, but she says, there’s a lot more where that came from. Robert pulls her away, and Victor says he’s tempted to press charges. Dante says, for what? He didn’t see anything. Victor sighs, and Felicia says, she was checking her email. Scotty says he should throw his drink in Victor’s face, but he doesn’t want to waste good vodka. Victor’s day is coming. Tick-tock. They all move along, and Victor’s phone rings. He says, give him some good news… Yes. He thought their little surprise package would pay dividends. Now how about casa Devane?… The search is underway? He almost feels sorry for Anna. It would be such a shame for them to find something in her own home that would put her away for the rest of her life.

Arden says, it must be nice to be Anna. Defenders and special treatment wherever she goes. A crime was committed. It’s her job to prosecute the case. End of story. Mac asks if she doesn’t recognize a frame job when she sees one. Or is she just another name on Victor Cassadine’s payroll? She says she could have his badge for that, and Anna tells him not to fall on hid sword for her. He says he’s not arresting her, and Arden says, she’ll have no choice but to report him to internal affairs. Anna tells Jordan, just do it. They’ll figure it out later. She rolls up her sleeves, and Jordan handcuffs her and reads her rights.  

Tomorrow, Josslyn asks Dex, how long before Sonny betrays him; Finn says he knows the real reason Elizabeth and Terry are going away; Nikolas tells Victor, the Cassadine legacy is in his hands; and Britt says, here goes nothing.

Below Deck Mediterranean

Valetta, Malta. Natalya and Kyle continue to argue tells Kyle to calm down, and he tells her to face her f***ing sh*t. Tasha tells them, stop, and walks Kyle away from the table. She knows he’s not trying to be a knob, but… He says he’s not apologizing again. Storm says Natalya didn’t tell him the captain got involved. It didn’t seem like a big deal; it was a chill vibe. She’s been super off to him, when he’s only been nice to her. He leaves to have a smoke, and in Tasha’s interview, she says, she feels like everything exploded into big drama. It’s becoming a sh*tshow, and she needs to stop it, but she doesn’t know what to do. Kyle tells Tasha that he will not shut up when he’s being attacked, and in Reid’s interview, he says, one thing he learned in conflict was, if an argument happens in public, deal with it later. Kyle and Tasha come back, and Natalya tells him that they were friends, but now they’re just colleagues. Kyle says, they were never friends; she’s never even asked about his life. Reid tells Kyle to just block it out, and say, cool. In his interview, Reid says, he has no idea what this is about, but when he was in college, people would get drunk and fight, and he’d try to lessen the tension. Tasha says, she and Natalya need to be holding the peace, but Natalya says, it happened at work. It’s Tasha’s role to tell Kyle that he can’t call her a bitch. In Natalya’s interview, she says, if the chief stew doesn’t want it to happen outside of work, handle it during working hours. Courtney suggests they go get tequila, which will certainly solve things, and they go to a pub. Kyle says, after this season, he and Natalya will never have to see each other’s faces again. Natalya says, Tasha hasn’t stood up for her, and isn’t addressing this, but Tasha says, they’re adults. Natalya says, Kyle called her a bitch during work hours, and the captain heard it. Which isn’t true, what the captain heard was Kyle telling Tasha about it. Kyle tells her, he’ll say it again with pleasure.

Natalya leaves the table, and Storm comes back. He tells Mzi that he found a McDonald’s for him. He ordered six hamburgers, and then they said they were closed. Mzi says, Storm needs to talk to his woman, and Courtney tells Natalya to go back with Storm, but she says she doesn’t think he wants to. She wants to put knives in Kyle’s pillow, and Courtney says, she saw Kyle apologize, and Natalya accepted it. She wonders what happened. At the table, Reid suggests they talk about something else, and I feel sorry for him. He seems halfway normal and doesn’t realize these people are five-year-olds in adult bodies. Courtney tells Storm to shut up; he’s going home with Natalya, and she puts them in a taxi. Natalya digs in her bra, pulling out what looks like maybe a received letter and envelope, and a lottery ticket. She hands them to Storm, and he asks what it is. She says, it was in her bra, explaining nothing. Even worse, they never revisit this. WTF? Courtney tells Tasha, whatever is going on, the situation needs be resolved, and they need to have professionalism. Kyle can’t speak like that. Tasha says she’ll deal with it tomorrow. Reid moves to the other end of the table with Dave, saying, he knows they don’t have much to talk about, but he doesn’t want to be in the middle of that. In Storm’s interview, he says he’s frustrated to see Natalya like this. He still cares, and wants to make sure she’s okay. They cuddle in her bunk. I’m so sick of some of them. and long for the days of Captain Lee, Kate, and Chef Ben.

They leave the restaurant, and Dave walks with Tasha. He says, they only have 10 more days. He starts asking about her boyfriend, and in his interview, he says, he should probably give up this point, but he thinks there’s hope; he can’t help it. Tasha tells him, it’s been sh*t enough tonight, and the crew gets in the taxis. They get back to the boat, and Dave sends a sweet dreams text to Tasha. Then he’s off to the races with wishing it were better between them, it’s hard loving her, and it sucks between them. Tasha tells Kyle, some people have serious issues, and he says, they’ll deal with it tomorrow. He’s not playing the victim, but he did feel under attack. Courtney tells Natalya that she needs to speak to Kyle.

In the morning, Captain Sandy says, the wind is terrible, and Kyle thinks he’s still drunk. Tasha texts Dave, thanking him for caring, but asking him to please text only work related things. In his interview, Dave says, fair enough, but the next couple of charters are going to be sh*t. In Tasha’s interview, she says she wants him to realize there are boundaries. She doesn’t want to go back in the mess they were in before. We flash back to that, and she says she’s got enough on her plate. It’s the last thing she wants. The captain says, the wind is going to be over 30 knots, and the swell is a massive bummer. She calls Tasha, Dave, and Storm for the preference sheet meeting.

Captain Sandy says, it’s charter 8, and they’re all still together; they’re a strong team. The primaries are Garold and Katharine, who own a 58 foot sailing yacht. They’re celebrating their 25th anniversary, and want the crew to tend to their every need. Their youngest daughter Lila is a yacht broker, and will be celebrating her 21st birthday. Dave says he’ll smash out some sushi when they arrive, and do a Spanish theme for the anniversary dinner. The captain says, they spend summers jet skiing and snorkeling, and want all the toys out all the time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like they’re getting off the dock. In Captain Sandy’s interview, she says, there’s a major weather system that’s not going to change. There’s no way they’re getting off the dock. It’s so rough, they’ll have no protection in this weather. She tells them, the pressure’s on, like they don’t already know. Tasha says she’s having the meeting she would like to have had yesterday, and the stews sit at a table. Tasha says, what happened when they were out was because people get alcohol in their system, and things are heighted. There was no need for shouting. Natalya says, Kyle called her a bitch, and got so hotheaded, Captain Sandy stepped in and said it’s not appropriate. Again, not exactly what happened. Kyle says he was 100% wrong, and it’s on him, but Natalya says, after he apologized, he called her a bitch again, so his apology means nothing. Kyle tells her that he said it to her face, and she says, he said it in front of the crew; it’s not appropriate. Kyle says, Natalya has attacked him and his profession, and said, he and Tasha are unprofessional. Tasha says, Natalya said she was a bad manager, that she can’t manage her time, and she’s unapproachable. And Tasha said it behind her back. Things are said in the heat of the moment, and she understands; they’ve all said something. But going forward, if one of them feels something is upsetting, or needs to change, they need to speak about it first; not let it make them angry down the line. They can try to make it better. Natalya agrees, and Kyle says he’s not blowing smoke up Natalya’s ass, but it’s the facts. He’s genuinely apologetic about his use of words, and has no excuse except he’s exhausted. He tears up, and she laughs and hugs him. He says he’s going to miss her, and Tasha comes in for a three-way hug. She suggests they hit the refresh, and in Kyle’s interview, he says he was defending himself with Natalya. He was bullied in school, and had a tough time. With Natalya, he wasn’t thinking about where she might be coming from. Natalya says, new rule; no talking sh*t. Kyle says, but he loves talking sh*t. They just won’t talk sh*t about the interior. They don’t want to change too many things.

Tasha makes coffee, and provisions come in. The captain announces the guests’ arrival at 12 o’clock. The guests come up the dock, and Captain Sandy welcomes them to their home away from home. Tasha will show them around, and then she’ll have a chat with them about the weather. Katharine says, at least it’s sunny, sounding hopeful, but the captain says, they’re not leaving the dock. They’ll talk inside. In the captain’s interview, she says, they see the sun, and there isn’t much wind, but outside the port, it’s bad, and wind brings waves. Tasha says, the guests look angry about not leaving, and Kyle says, it’s a bummer. The guests are given champagne, and the tour. Birthday girl Lila already seems like she’ll be a pita, whining about how she wants the ocean. In Tasha’s interview, she says, it’s a test. They had a chief stew that was constantly testing them. He would put gum on an apple in the fruit bowl to see if they were checking the fruit bowls. The captain shows Lila the screen, and she agrees, it’s bad. Captain Sandy says, it’s dangerous. They can’t leave, but the minute it lays down, they’ll take off. Kyle tells Dave, 30 minutes to lunch, as Tasha searches for mint. She says, last charter they had a bunch of mint, but Dave says, it wasn’t used. All I can think is, it’s not like it’s expensive or difficult to grow; what’s his problem? She says, she can’t help what the guests want, and he gives her attitude. She tells him to stop being sh*tty. She has no time for it. He pretends not to know what he’s doing, and she says, he’s been rude to her all morning.

Tasha says, Dave won’t communicate, when she’s going out of her way to be helpful. Captain Sandy shows Storm the waves on screen, and says, they can be deceiving because you can’t see the swell. Storm says, he’ll have Courtney take out the tender to check the other side of the marina, and tells Mzi to go with her to see how the swell is. They head out, and Courtney asks if he’s sure it’s safe. In Courtney’s interview, she says she’s never been in a tender with a swell this bad. All she can see are massive f***ing waves. Holy sh*t. The guests sit for lunch, and Storm tells the captain that it’s not safe, while Courtney tells the other deckhands how scary it was. Storm suggests they get the guests to shore for a museum tour or something, and in the captain’s interview, she says, it’s bad timing. They have super active guests who are into water sports. They have to think of something or they’re screwed. Storm calls provider Rico, and leaves a message asking if there are any things the guests can do in town. Kyle serves, and one of the guests says, it looks beautiful. Kyle says, thank you, but what about the food? Storm tells the guests that cannons are set off every day at St. Peter Paul Baston, and a private tour has been arranged. Courtney and Reid go with them, and Storm cuddles with Natalya in her bunk. In Natalya’s interview, she says she’s been so stressed lately with the interior, it’s nice to have Storm to cuddle with. On shore, primary Ben asks if Mzi thinks they’ll get off the dock tomorrow, and Mzi says he thinks so, even though he clearly doesn’t know.

The view is spectacular, and Ben says, they’re not in Alabama anymore. Katharine wonders if they’ll be able to go out, and in Courtney’s interview, she says, it’s hard to keep them entertained for 12 hours. It’s not a great situation. The cannons are fired, and there’s applause. Katharine says, very cool, and the cannon guy asks if there are any questions. She asks if he thinks they’ll get off the docks tomorrow, and he says, oh yeah, like he knows. I don’t know why guests always think repeatedly asking will make it happen faster. On the boat, the stews create a Spanish theme to match the food. Dave says he’s making chicken and prawn paella, and he’s doing as many starters as he can. Tasha practically has to extract the information from him, and asks if he’s okay. He says, not really, and in his interview, he says, he’s having a hard time processing that there’s no chance. The thought was so dumb. It’s stupid, and he wants to run away. I look up his age, and he’s 35 not 15. The guests come back, and Tasha tells Natalya about Dave’s incessant non-work messages, and how she told him to stop. Natalya says, Tasha is hanging in, and doing good in maintaining. The guests are greeted with sangria, and decide on an 8:30 dinner. I’m not liking daughter Lila much; she’s a real brat. Natalya tells Courtney that Dave is being short with Tasha, and Captain Sandy checks out the table, impressed with Tasha’s rose napkins. In her interview, she says, interior is pulling out all the stops; the setting, the theme, all the courses. It’s a lot of pressure for the chef. They’re all committed to keeping the guests happy, and that makes her happy. There are silver mylar balloons in numbers 2 and 5, and the guests get excited over them. Go figure. Courtney tries to help serve, and Dave is vague with her. She says, he’s in a mood, and it’s not good. He makes a million appetizers… excuse me, starters, and grumbles about too many people asking him questions. In Tasha’s interview, she says, Dave is being unprofessional, giving her the cold shoulder because she set boundaries. Their job is communicating, especially with these guests. Lila whines that dinner is taking too long a time, and Katharine tells her to pace herself. Lila says, if they were in a restaurant, dad Ben would be wondering what the hell is going on. Katharine says, it’s fine. Storm has been there helping with service, and tells Kyle, they’re not stoked. Lila goes to the bathroom with her sister or friend or whatever she is, and says, she’s annoyed. It’s embarrassing. It’s supposed to be five-star, and it’s slow, and no one said anything. She’s an asshat. There, someone said something.

Captain Sandy wonders who’s complaining, and Katharine says, positive thoughts about getting off the dock. Tasha and Dave set up the paella on the bar inside, and in the captain’s interview, she says, she senses major tension between Dave and Tasha. She’s not sure why, but she’s going to keep an eye on them, and see it stays at this level. Lila wails that she doesn’t think this is seven-star, bumping the rating up by two. Or down, depending on how you’re looking at it. Kyle tells Tasha, the daughter is complaining on the father’s behalf, but Tasha tells him not to say anything until after service. In her interview, she says she feels like telling Dave now, but paella won’t help the situation, and it will take 45 minutes to make more. These guests clearly don’t want to wait. Ben says, it’s not the best thing Dave has made them, Lila says, she’s not hungry anymore, and I wonder if they were doing drugs in that bathroom. Tasha tells Dave that the guests are happy, and everyone heads for bed. Like the junior d-bag she is, while passing the galley, Lila says, dinner was amazing… and when she passes the corner, adds, kind of. Reid thinks she’s hot, so he obviously doesn’t care about personality. Mzi doesn’t see them getting off the dock tomorrow, and they clean up.

Kyle heads down the stairs, balloons in one hand, dishes in another, and we don’t see it, but he takes a tumble. Yeah, I don’t like that staircase. I can’t even imagine drinking then going down that staircase. Kyle lies at the bottom, face down, and calls for help. Natalya runs up, and radios for Captain Sandy to come to the pantry.

To be continued…

🥁 Marching To a Different Drummer…

Meet me here tomorrow for soap and a Winter House read. Until then, stay safe, stay tipping as well as you can, and stay understanding, when you lose something, it’s gone, and if by some miracle, you get it back, it’s never the same. But loss does teach you the difference between what you simply like and value, and what is truly irreplaceable.

August 22, 2021 – The Dead’s Final Season Begins & Red

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What I Watched Today

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

The Walking Dead

Maggie is back home sweet home. It’s night, and she, Carol, Daryl, Rosita, and Kelly go out with a group. They open up a trap door into Fort Connors, and we see bodies everywhere. One lifts its head a little, but they seem to be in a suspended state, like they’re sleeping. Daryl and Jerry stay up top, as the others drop down quietly. They step through the bodies, which still aren’t moving. They go through the room to a padlocked door. One of them opens it, and the lock makes a noise popping open, but it’s okay, and they go into the building. They slip though the hallways, and into another room where they find supplies, and fill their bags. They send the bags back up to ground level, Jerry and Daryl bringing them up on pullies. One of the ropes snaps, but Daryl grabs the bag before it falls. He cuts himself, and a drop of blood falls on a zombie’s head, waking it up. It becomes animated, and alerts the rest, who start to rise. Daryl tells them, hurry, they’re awake, and Carol and Maggie shoot some with bows and arrows; Rosita whacks and slices a few; and Kelly uses her slingshot. They’re severely outnumbered, but still hold their own. Jerry and Daryl shoot arrows from above, and Maggie finally just takes out a gun and starts shooting. Luckily, these zombies are not too fast. Carol breaks out a machine gun and mows some down. It starts getting more chaotic, and the group starts to go back up on ropes, helped by Jerry and Daryl, while Carol and Maggie keep the zombies at bay. Carol shoves some more supplies in her bag, and grabs the rope. The zombies get close, but she gets up top. The zombies that are left huddle at the bottom.

They go back to Alexandria where Aaron meets them. Daryl calls Dog, and hugs Judith and RJ. Negan takes some of the supplies inside, and Maggie eyeballs him. Little Herschel runs to Maggie, and she picks him up. She tells Cole that it’s good to see him, and he says he figured if she was still alive, she’d be there. He’s brought her people Duncan, Agatha, and Frost with him. There’s a fight over some supplies, and Gabriel breaks it up, telling them to calm down; there’s enough food for everyone for one week. Daryl says, just one? and Aaron says, they’ll make it work. Carol wonders how, when they have no crops. Aaron says they’re still scavenging houses, but Gabriel says, it’s hard to build a wall on an empty stomach. Game is scarce too, and Daryl says, they’ll find new territory, but Gabriel says they need food now. Maggie says she knows one more place; where they lived before this – Meridien. It’s got plenty of food, water, and crops. Cole says, now it’s gone, and Rosita asks, what happened out there? Maggie says they were on a mission, leading walkers away. Doug, Agatha, and Frost took a shipment, and on the way back, things went sideways. They got stuck on a boat, but she doesn’t think it was an accident. They heard screams and raced home, but it was too late. The poor people were slaughtered. They ran for their lives. They knew two things about the people who attacked them. They come at night, and by the time you see them, you’re already dead. This was before they caught one. Daryl was with her. It came after them alone. Why? There were not that many at Meridian now, and there’s plenty of food to feed Alexandria until its back up and running. That’s why they took it, and now they need to take it back. Aaron says she’s leaving to fight ghosts? and she asks if he has a better plan. Aaron says, the walls aren’t stable in Alexandria. Walkers could get inside. It’s a matter of if, not when; they’re needed there. Maggie says her son is in Alexandria, so she has skin in the game. She has the best fighters from Meridien, and hopefully some of theirs too. Daryl says, if there’s no food, noting else will matter. He’ll go. Everyone volunteers except Rosita and Aaron, who think it’s a suicide mission. Maggie and the others head out.

They walk in the midst of a thunderstorm, and some want to stop until it passes, but Maggie says they have no time. They see a Metro sign, and go down the stairs. Oh no. Dog is with them. I hate when Dog gets put in danger. Don’t touch Dog! Negan thinks they should wait for the storm to pass, and Maggie says, he doesn’t want to go? He says, no, and she says she doesn’t give a sh*t. Which way? He tells them what tracks to follow, and asks to talk to Daryl, but that’s a hard no. The others bump into Negan on purpose as they pass, like a bunch of babies. No wonder they’re not getting anywhere. Negan seems to do all the heavy lifting too.

They walk, and see graffiti that says, if there is a god, he will have to beg for my forgiveness. They hear a loud noise, and Cole says, it’s nothing serious, just the storm pushing the pipes. Negan says, it sounds serious. He thinks it’s God telling them to turn around, but Gabriel says, he’s sure God would run it him first. Negan asks if he’s willing to lose his remaining eyeball to this flood. He points out a watermark on the wall, and says the tunnel floods on a regular basis when rains. Daryl says, it’s worse up there, and Negan tells him, all he’s saying… but Daryl says, it ain’t working. Keep moving.

People wearing hoods are brought into the Commonwealth via wagons. Eugene sits in an interrogation room, and a woman asks if his name is Eugene Porter. He says, yes, that was his given moniker, and she says, no need to nervous… not if he’s honest. Eugene says, that’s how he rolls, and the woman explains that they’re auditors for the Commonwealth. If they pass inspection, they can go to Level 2. Eugene asks, if they don’t? and she says they go to reprocessing. He asks what that is, but she wants to start the assessment. As the questions are asked, we see the different characters answer them. Are their parents living; what did they do; what was their alma mater (we find out Yumiko went to Harvard Law); their zip code (Eugene has had several, and remembers them all); the results of their last routine physical; vaccinations; have they had cancer? Eugene says, none, and she asks about his goiter. He tells her that it’s a benign growth he’s had since birth. The woman asks Princess where she got the cash she had, and Princess explains that when she cashed her first paycheck, she’d asked for a two dollar bill, so she could have a reminder of the first money she made. The woman asks if they’ve been arrested, and do they have a history of drug use? Eugene says, he was in the anti-drug and alcohol commission when he was in high school, which is no surprise, and tells her that he wanted to meet Stephanie. The woman asks if they’re fundamentally honest, and repeatedly asks where their settlement is. Are there other groups they’ve come across? Some the questions are random and odd, like how they wipe themselves (Ezekiel passes, I don’t think pun intended), and how lucky are they? The woman continually repeats the question about their settlement, and Ezekiel starts to laugh. She asks if he thinks it’s funny, and he says he does. A stormtrooper in red-orange armor (Mercer) stands near them, and Ezekiel asks if he’s in charge; he’s standing there not talking like a man in charge. Mercer says, yeah, he’s in charge, and Ezekiel asks if Mercer thinks he fears him. Mercer says Ezekiel looks scared to him, and Ezekiel asks what Mercer did before the fall. His guess is dude was an a-hole beat cop. That’s why this fascist crap comes so easy. It’s another power trip, like before. They’ve been asked the same questions for over seven hours. He’s been cooperative, and his people have been cooperative. Ezekiel has a coughing fit, and Mercer asks if he’s thirsty, sliding over some water to him. Ezekiel drinks it down.

Back together, sitting at a table in a holding area, Eugene says, Ezekiel told off their leader? Ezekiel says, perhaps he could have handled it better, but he didn’t like way they talked to him. Yumiko says, do they know… but Ezekiel says, no; don’t worry about it. Mercer watches, and Princess says, they’ve got to pull the ripcord. It’s time to get out. Eugene wants them to wait, saying, the gruel isn’t the worst thing he’s ever eaten. Stephanie told him they were cautious. It’s a test. He thinks they should hunker down and level up; get honest. Ezekiel asks if Eugene wants these people to go to Hilltop with machine guns, but Eugene says, they need help. He thinks they can get it from these people. Princess sees a couple in another area, and asks how long they’ve been there. The man says, four months, but the woman says, nine, and he says the reprocessing confused him. One of the stormtroopers takes a guy out who does not want to go, and Mercer says, reprocessing. Eugene says, okay. Gotta go.

Maggie’s group follows the tracks, and stops, seeing bodies in plastic bags covering the space in front of them. Negan looks pretty worried, and Daryl moves to poke one of them. It startles both of us when it moves. He kills it, then checks out the body, saying, his throat was slashed so deep, it almost severed his head. Maggie says, they were killed during the fall, and Negan asks if she’s sure. Whoever is walking them through this masquerade, could still be there. She tells them to take each one out, and clear the path. They keep walking.

They stab each body in the head, but one gets up and out of his bag. He’s a big one too, and looks like one of the radioactive zombies in Planet Terror, all kinds of oozing bumps all over him. He sneaks behind Gage, and they tussle. Negan manages to push him away from Gage, and keeps him at bay for a minute, then shoves him against the wall, splitting his head open with an ax. Maggie tells everyone to pay attention so they don’t lose anymore. Negan asks if that’s her big plan; to pay attention. Does she want them to pay attention to anything in particular? A kid almost died. Daryl says Negan doesn’t give a sh*t about the kid, but Negan says, Maggie doesn’t give a sh*t about the kid. She’s playing dictator and not listening to anyone Whoever or whatever killed these people could still be there. Has that thought crossed anyone’s mind? …Exactly. This is a death march, with Maggie as the Pied Piper. If they want to roll with that sh*t, knock themselves out, but not him, not today. He’s out. Gage says he is too. Negan might be a d*ck, but he makes sense. Roy says, let them go, but Maggie says, Negan knows the city. Negan asks if that’s why he’s there; he’s their DC tour guide. Can no one read a goddam map? Maggie brought him there to die. She’ll find a reason, even if she has to do it herself, away from the prying eyes of Alexandria. He’d thought Daryl was in on it, but can tell by the glazed look in Daryl’s eyes, he had no clue. Gabriel says he’s paranoid, but Negan says, he’s still right. Him dying on her terms is not happening. He’s not letting her drag him through the mud, filth, and slime, and putting him down like a dog, like Glenn. Daryl punches Negan, knocking him down, and Maggie says their kids are starving, and she’s calling the shots because that’s how everyone voted. As for killing him – she cocks her gun, and aims it at him – it’s always on her mind. He’s not wrong about it. The woman who left six years ago, isn’t the one who’s there now. There’s a little bit of the old one keeping him breathing, but she doesn’t know how long it will last, so keep pushing her.

Princess points out two troopers who are flirting, and Ezekiel asks how she can tell them apart. And why does she think they’re flirting? She says she heard some stuff on the wagon, and gives them gossip about several troopers. Ezekiel says, they’re not even looking at each other, but Princess says, it’s obvious in the way they’re not looking at each other. When they go on break, one takes off first, then the other follows. She bets they spend most of their time taking the armor off. Oh…   

Princess and Ezekiel are walked down a hall by two stormtroopers. They walk past an interrogation room, seeing the couple they’d spoken to before, and a third soldier comes out. She asks where Princess and Ezekiel are being taken, and one of the troopers says, reprocessing. She tells them to move along, and the troopers – who are really Eugene and Yumiko – walk Princess and Ezekiel to a room that has laundry bins full of money and papers, marked, for incineration, and a wall of photos and notes, that says, flag for expedited assessment and admittance. They look at the photos, and Eugene opens a door, peeking outside. He tells them that they’ve got to go now, but Princess asks Yumiko, isn’t that you? pointing at a photo. Yumiko looks at a picture of her and underneath it, a note from her brother. She says she has to stay.

In the tunnel, the group is still busy stabbing heads, when one of the flashlights goes out. Cole calls for Gage and Roy, saying, they have the rations, but they’re gone. Another dude says, Negan scared them off, because they just automatically blame Negan for everything. Daryl shines his flashlight down the tunnel, and we hear zombie noises. Yep. Here they come. Maggie uses her bow and arrow, and it’s the usual slicing and dicing. Negan, Gabriel, and Cole try to open a subway car, and I think maybe they wouldn’t be so obvious if Daryl would stop shining the flashlight at the zombies. Everyone scrambles to get on top of the car, and Dog takes off. Dammit! Daryl goes after him, which is as it should be, and Dog crawls into a hidey hole. Daryl goes in after him. Negan is next to last, climbing on top of the car, and Maggie starts to climb up behind him. The zombies are there, and it’s not good. One grabs Maggie’s leg, and on top of the car, Negan looks back. He sees what’s going on, and looks at her for a moment. She says his name, but he disappears, and she slips.  

Next time, Negan says Maggie was right behind him, and Yumiko tells Eugene to stick to the story.

🙀 And So The End Starts…

Not a bad start to the final season. See you on Deck tomorrow, but until then, stay safe, stay equitable, and stay not bringing your dog on dangerous missions.