Tag Archives: nighttime drama

Mar2

March 1, 2023 – Sonny Sets a Trap, Well Done, CYA Time, For the Ratings, VanderSuits, Winning Ones, More Last, SAGging, Priceless, Octonary Quotes & Rhythm

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Scout’s birthday is being celebrated at the Quartermaines, and Drew tells Carly that he has the balloons set up in the foyer. Carly says, when he throws a party, he really goes all out, doesn’t he? and he asks if she thinks it’s too much, but she says, Scout’s going to love it. He says, not just the balloons, but all of it, and she says, it’s not like he has a 100-foot bouncy house outside and ponies walking around. He says, they do have two horses and an alpaca, and she says, because they live here in the stable where they belong. He wants Scout to feel at home on her birthday, and this is their home. He says he guesses he just missed out on so much time with her. Any chance he has, holidays, birthdays, he just wants to hold on and never let go. She says, he should hang onto that. He should stay present with his daughter. You can’t do that if you’re focused on revenge. He says he didn’t even mention Nina’s name, but she says, he didn’t have to. She could hear him thinking about it. He thanks her for snapping him out of it, so he can focus on what’s important. He kisses her, when Scout comes in with Sam, Jake, and Danny. Scout says, he won’t believe it. There’s so many balloons by the front door. Drew says, they’re all for her. Happy birthday. He hugs her.

Maxie lets Felicia into the apartment, and thanks her for coming by with zero notice. She has a ton of work to do for Deception tonight. Felicia says she’d move heaven and earth to spend time with her grandchildren, but as thrilled as she is to be here, she has to ask. Why isn’t Spinelli available? Maxie says, because she sent him packing.

Dante finds Chase at the hospital and asks, what’s he got? Chase says he just talked to the officer on duty. Assault and battery. The victim was brought here for treatment. He tried to question him just to see what was going on, but the guy’s not talking. He didn’t even give them his name. Dante looks through the door window of victim’s room and says he knows who that is. That’s Selina Wu’s bodyguard.

On the phone at the penthouse, Sonny says, everything ready… Okay. Keep him posted. Thanks. Ava walks in, and he says, is there something she wants to ask him? Go ahead. She says, really? He hasn’t exactly been forthcoming of late. He didn’t say anything to her yesterday after his talk with Nina. He says he’s sure Nina is going to tell her all about it, but if she wants to ask him directly…

John walks into Anna’s office, and she says, please come in. What can she do for him? He says he wants Sonny Corinthos out of his life – for good, and she’s going to help him.

Alexis walks into the Quartermaines’ with a stack of gifts and asks, where’s the guest of honor? Scout says, right here, and Alexis tells her, happy birthday. Scout asks if all those presents are for her, and Alexis says, there’s more in the car. Scout thanks her, and Alexis says, she’s welcome. She can’t take all the credit though, because some of them are from TJ and Molly. Scout asks where they are, and Alexis says, they both have very mean bosses who wouldn’t let them have time off. Drew asks Jake to get the rest of the presents from the car and takes the stack from Alexis, saying, he’ll put them with the other presents. Carly asks Sam where Dante is, but Sam says, he couldn’t get off of work, but she thinks he’s going to make it by later. She looks around and sees the others have gone, and tells Carly, it’s just the two of them now. She wanted to say that she thinks Drew is a little bit more… relaxed. Carly says, she thinks so? and Sam says, yeah. Carly says, they talked before, and he was having a really hard time coming out of Pentenville with everything that happened there. She really thinks he’s slowly, but definitely, moving past it.

Chase comes back from the reception desk and reads to Dante from his notes. Someone called 9-1-1 to report a disturbance on the pier. When officers arrived at the scene, they interrupted a fight between two guys. One, Mr. Li, had been badly beaten, and the attacker appeared to be going in for the kill, when the officers identified themselves as the police. The attacker then fled on foot. Luckily, they apprehended him and he’s in lock-up now. Dante says, so Li must have ID’d the attacker, but Chase says, that’s where things get interesting. Li’s assailant is another one of Selina Wu’s guys. He goes by Morse. Dante says, so this wasn’t random, and Chase says, infighting in Selina Wu’s organization. What does that mean? Dante says he thinks it means everything’s about to get even more dangerous.

Anna closes the door and asks if John would like to take a look around. He might notice, this is the office of the Port Charles Commissioner of Police. Then he might come to the conclusion that the individual occupying said office is, in fact, the Port Charles Police Commissioner, and he’d be right. And who doesn’t love to be right? He says, obviously the Port Charles Commissioner of Police likes it a lot, and Anna says, she likes it a lot. In fact, it’s one of her favorite pastimes. So do they need to have a discussion about the meaning of jurisdiction over a nice cup of tea or something, or is there some other way she might assist him? He says he apologizes, and she says she accepts. She gestures for him to sit down, and he does, saying, he had a bear of a day, and he shouldn’t have taken it out on her. She says, but he did, and it does seem to be a bit of a pattern. He says, it is? and she says, yeah. He barged in on her operation at Pentenville and tried to shut it down. He says he had a legitimate reason to request she leave his witness alone, but she says, that wasn’t a request; it was a demand. He says, and she accused him of obstructing his own investigation, and she says she shouldn’t have questioned his integrity. She’s sorry. He says he was not expecting her to apologize, like ever, and she says she wasn’t expecting him to apologize. So it’s a banner day for both of them. He’s always been good friends with Robin, and she respects that friendship. So there’s really no reason for them to be at odds with each other. He says he can think of one reason, but their difference over Sonny aside, he does respect her, and he wants to say thank you. She says, for what? and he says, for talking him down when he barged in here, acting like he owned the place, and for at least trying to diffuse the tension between them. He wants them to be able to work together. She says she wants that too. Why don’t they make that happen? (Hmm… Is this a couple in the making?)

Ava says, what goes on between Sonny and Nina is his business. She just wants to let him know that her friendship with Nina doesn’t mean she’s choosing sides. She’s staying out of it. He says, wise decision – there’s a knock at the door – because nothing’s more important right now than Dante, not Nina. He goes to the door and says, come on in, Spinelli. Spinelli says sees Ava and says he assumes Sonny must be taking him up on his offer to learn the ways of Dungeons and Dragons, but Sonny says, he can talk in front of Ava. Spinelli says, as you wish. All systems are go for tonight. Ava says, all systems, huh? What’s happening tonight? Sonny says, tonight, he’s bringing his enemy down to his knees.

Maxie says, can Felicia believe Spinelli? He knows everything that happened with Austin and Peter, yet he still lied to her so easily. Felicia says, it sounds like his heart was in the right place, but Maxie says, his heart had nothing to do with it. This was his savior complex. Can she imagine anything more insulting? Felicia says, uh… yeah, and Maxie says, for sure, but he still lied. She knows she’s told her fair share of fibs in the past, but she can’t believe Spinelli would manipulate her this way. Felicia says, that’s not what happened, and Maxie says, what’s not what happened? Felicia says, it wasn’t Spinelli’s idea to move in with Maxie and help her with her finances. It was hers.

Willow and Michael come in with Danny, and Sam wonders if there weren’t more children at the party. Willow says, Scout wanted to visit the horses and the alpaca, so Wiley and Leo are – in Leo’s words – hosting a tour of the stables. Sam says, but Cody’s there, right? and Michael says, yeah. Sam says, perfect. And Danny and Jake brought in the rest of  their grandmother’s presents? Danny says, turns out it was a one-man job. Is there anything else he can do? Sam says, everything is under control. Just go have fun. Danny says, cool. He left his coat down at the stables. He’ll be back. Sam says, he leaves that coat everywhere, when Kristina comes in with Blaze. Danny hugs Kristina, and tells Blaze, hi, obviously starstruck. Blaze says, hi, Danny, and he says, she remembered his name. Blaze says, of course (🍷) she did, and he leaves. Kristina hugs everyone and says she thinks most of them know Blaze, her girlfriend. Sam says, of course (🍷). It’s good to see her again. Blaze says, it’s great to see Sam, and Willow says she thinks they met at Rice Plaza. Blaze says she remembers. It’s nice to meet her again.

 Alexis is getting some party stuff from plastic tubs, when Drew joins her. She says she’s glad they have some time alone. She wants to talk to him about something. He says, great. What’s up? She says she understands this is a touchy subject, but she’s sure he’s heard Nina is now the publisher of The Invader. He says he did hear that. How’s that going? She says she has reservations. Many. She said she was fired from Crimson for personal reasons. Is that true? He says, if she’s asking if this has anything to do with Nina turning him and Carly in to the SEC… She says, that’s exactly what she’s asking, and he says, then the answer’s yes. She was not acting as a concerned citizen trying to right a wrong. Her motivation was strictly vindictive, and if she can exploit federal law to her own ends, should she really be running a major magazine? And as the owner of Aurora, he felt like he couldn’t trust her judgement anymore. She says, that sounds like something he’d say in a press release or a court of law. Tell her what he really thinks, and he says, between the two of them? Someone as reckless and self-absorbed as Nina is capable of anything. If he were Alexis, he’d watch his back.

Maxie says, so it was Felicia’s idea. All right. Explain. Felicia says she knew Maxie was in financial trouble and wouldn’t take her help, even though she clearly needed it and Felicia had the means. Maxie says, except she doesn’t. She kept dipping into her savings. Felicia says, those were the means, and Maxie says, but she couldn’t pay Felicia back because she’s a bad investment. Felicia says, that’s why she called Spinelli. She knew Maxie wouldn’t accept charity from anybody, so she had to get creative. Spinelli was helping her help Maxie. Maxie says, Felicia should have respected her boundaries. It was important to her that she be the one to fix her finances. Felicia says she understands that, but she’s Maxie’s mother and couldn’t just sit back and watch while she was struggling. Maxie says, okay, she gets that. She absolutely does not approve of Felicia’s methods, but if she could see her kids needed help, she’s capable of doing much crazier things, whether they wanted her to or not. She wouldn’t care. She’d just do it. Felicia says, then Maxie forgives her? and Maxie says, absolutely. Felicia says, and she forgives Spinelli, but Maxie says, no way. Felicia says, why? Not that she’s complaining, but why is Maxie so much angrier with Spinelli than with her, especially since it was her idea? Maxie says, because Spinelli is not her parent, and he doesn’t have the right to conspire with her mother to fix her finances. Felicia says, maybe not, but… Maxie says, there’s no maybe about it, but Felicia says, Spinelli is family. He’s the father of Maxie’s oldest daughter and her oldest grandchild, and Maxie knows he’d do anything for her. Maxie says, except respect her autonomy, and Felicia says, because she told him to. Maxie knows she would do the same thing if the positions were reversed. Maxie says, that is precisely the problem, and Felicia says, that they both care enough about each other that they’d do anything for each other? but Maxie says, that is not the problem. It’s because… It’s because she… Felicia says, what? and Maxie says, because she fell in love with him again. Spending all this time with him, having him live in her house. It was all under false pretenses. Felicia and Spinelli didn’t just meddle with her finances; they meddled with her heart.

Spinelli says, so whoever is targeting Sonny is expecting him to be holding a summit, building bridges, as it were, giving them an opportunity to take out both parties at once. Meanwhile, he’ll be monitoring the situation with cameras set up around the warehouse. Ava asks if Sonny is sure Selina’s guy did as he asked, because Li has betrayed her before, and Sonny says, he made sure Li carried out the orders. She says, good. Question. Sonny says, go ahead, and Ava says, isn’t it highly unlikely this enemy is going to show up there himself? Won’t he, too, be monitoring from a safe distance, letting his hired guns do the job for him? Sonny says he’s counting on it.

Dante tells Chase, this assault on Li sounds like a botched execution attempt, which means it relates to the FBI’s investigation that Cates is running. Chase says, but only Li can confirm that, and Dante says, then let’s hope he’s able… and willing.

Jake comes in and is startled to see Blaze. He says, oh… hi, and she says, hi. He says, she’s… Everyone laughs, and Kristina says, this is Blaze, her girlfriend. She tells Blaze, this is Danny’s brother, and Blaze says, nice meeting him. He says, nice meeting her too. He’s a… Willow asks if Jake can track down Danny and let him know it’s time for cake. He left his coat outside. Jake is obviously at a loss for words, seeing Blaze, and says, uh… yeah. He leaves, and Michael says, three… two… one. Jake comes back in, gets his own coat, then leaves again. Blaze laughs and shrugs.

Sam finds Drew and says she was going to send out a search party for him. He says he was just making sure everything was… yeah… She asks if he’s okay, and he says, yeah. He thought he misplaced this Pin the Tail on the Donkey – he shows her a stack of tails – but… She says, crisis averted. She was going to ask if he could do a favor for her. He says, she can ask him anything, always. He wants her to know that. She says she’s not sure about that. He’s been having a pretty rough time ever since… He says, it hasn’t exactly been sunshine and rainbows, and she says, is it ever? (Not here, I can assure you.) He says, but he’s trying to focus more on the silver lining than the clouds, and she says she’s glad to hear that. He wonders what she wanted to ask him, and she says, Danny. He’s been having a really tough time lately, and she knows it’s more than teenage boy stuff. She guesses what she wanted to say is, is there any way Drew can talk to him? He trusts Drew and she thinks he would confide in Drew. She doesn’t think he’d talk to her about anything like that. He says he’d be happy to. He’ll spend some time with Danny. Maybe he’ll take him to a game or something. She says, okay. That sounds good. But is he sure he’s up for it? She doesn’t want to put too much on his plate. He says he’s learning that it really helps focusing on somebody that means more to him than himself. She can count on him. She thanks him and gives him a hug.

Jake goes down the footbridge near the boathouse calling for Danny. He says, they’re going to cut the cake. Danny jumps up by the benches, and Jake asks if he found his jacket. Danny says, yeah. He put it in the car. It’s fine. Jake asks if he’s okay, and Danny says, yeah. It’s a kids’ party. Jake says, well, it’s time for cake, so… He sniffs the air and asks if Danny smells something, but Danny says, no, and starts walking. Jake says, it’s really… sweet. He notices something under one of the benches and picks it up. He examines it, then looks at Danny.

Anna says, despite their differences of opinion, she does understand how John feels about Sonny, and he says, with all due respect, he doesn’t think she does. Sonny Corinthos is now the head of one of the most powerful organized crime syndicates on the east coast. So forgive him if he doesn’t buy into the narrative that underneath it all, Sonny’s a really good guy. She tells him that she wouldn’t say he’s one of the good guys, but she also doesn’t think John has taken his full measure. John says, meaning, and she says, meaning that he’s not a saint, but he’s not a sadist who wants to destroy and torment people for sport. John says he just had a conversation with Sonny that would suggest otherwise, and she asks if that’s why John came barging in here, demanding she get Sonny out of his life. He says, she’s good. Anybody ever tell her that she should be a cop? She says, too often. All she’s saying is, maybe he has issue with the man Sonny used to be, rather than the man he is now.

Dante introduces himself and Chase to Li and asks if Li can tell them what happened to him today. Li says, someone tried to kill him, and Chase says, not just someone, one of his colleagues from Selina Wu’s organization. Dante says, so he’s guessing this isn’t the result of an argument gone bad, right? They have Mr. Morse in custody. He was following orders. Li says he doesn’t talk to cops, and Chase says, his boss wants him dead. Dante says, he walks out of here, he’s probably got days, hell, even hours to live, and Li says, death comes to us all. Dantes says, it does, but judging from the way Li looks, he’s guessing Li fought like hell to stay alive, so he’s not really buying Li’s zen on dying thing he’s trying to sell them. Chase says, how about this? They put in a call to the DA and make sure he’s protected, and Li says, how comforting. Dante says, he’s right. Talking to them is probably just going to buy him some time. A day, maybe another after that. He doesn’t know. But keeping his mouth shut? He’s willing to bet Li ends up in an unmarked grave by the morning. So you tell me, what’s it going to be?

Sonny says he wishes whoever’s targeting him would get in his face, but he knows they’re too scared, and Ava says, so what’s the endgame here? Sonny says, somebody will be sent to eliminate him and Selina, and they’re going to grab them, and let them take them to whoever’s behind the shooting, and this thing is going to end. Ava asks when they leave, but Sonny says, they’re not going anywhere. She says, yes, they are, and walks over to her coat. Sonny asks Spinelli to do him a favor. He thinks they’re done. He’ll keep Spinelli posted. Spinelli says he eagerly awaits Sonny’s communication, and leaves. Ava puts on her coat, and Sonny says he appreciates what she’s doing, but she’s not part of this. She says, on the contrary. If this plan of his is going to work, he needs her.

Felicia tells Maxie that she’s so sorry. It never occurred to her that this would happen this way. Maxie says she never thought Spinelli would lie to her like this, but Felicia says, it isn’t really like that. It’s not like they set out to deceive her. Maxie says, were Spinelli’s pipes actually broken? and Felicia says, so they did set out to deceive her, but if they’d offered Maxie the money, she would have just said no, again. Maxie says, at least it would have been her decision, and Felicia says, yes, and it would have been a bad one. The point is, she and Spinelli were in a lose-lose situation and since there was no good decision to make, they made the least bad decision to help her. Deceiving Maxie like that, helping her with her finances while providing free babysitting, was all an act of love on both their parts. Maxie says she knows that, and she knows that Spinelli would never lie to her out of malice. That is not her main problem. Felicia says, then what is? and Maxie says, the thing that’s bugging her the most is, she couldn’t tell Spinelli was keeping something from her. Felicia says she could understand why that might be troubling for Maxie, but it’s not like what happened with Peter. Maxie says, way to sugarcoat it, and Felicia tells Maxie that she’s just saying, Spinelli never lied to her about his mafia connections. Maxie says she’s always known about this (what?), and Felicia says, he never tried to steal her baby or isolate her in a forest cabin… Maxie says, okay. She gets where Felicia is going with this, but that is a very low bar to clear. It’s just that, aside from Felicia and Mac, Spinelli was always the person she could trust the most. Felicia says, doesn’t this prove that he still is? and Maxie says, maybe it proves that her acting on her feelings for Spinelli was a huge mistake.

Jake asks if this is Danny’s, holding up a vape pod, and Danny says, no, it isn’t, but reaches for it. Jake says, it’s garbage now, and Danny says he can’t just throw that out, but Jake says he can’t leave it lying around. Danny says, okay, fine, it’s his, reaching for it again, and Jake says, he’s vaping? Danny says, who is he to even care? and Jake says, maybe he doesn’t want his brother to get popcorn lungs. Danny says, calm down. It’s not like really smoking. Jake says, they’re not having this conversation here. Right now, they’re going back to the house to celebrate their sister’s birthday, with their whole family there. Is Danny trying to get caught? Danny asks, why? Is Jake going to rat him out?

Anna tells John that recently, she’s gotten to know Sonny as a person, and he’s always been a very good friend to her daughter Robin. John says, come on, and Anna says, just in the very same way he was a good friend to John’s brother Stone. John says, a lot of good people see the best in bad people (agreed), and she says, he’s done a lot of positive things for this community. John asks if she’s talking about the hospital wing Sonny bought in his brother’s memory. She does know crime lords use philanthropy as a way of laundering money. She says, her point is, while she wouldn’t hesitate to arrest him if she had evidence of a crime, she still doesn’t believe he should be reduced to just that. Because if John hopes to take him down one day, he can’t just focus on Sonny’s crimes and flaws, which admittedly are many. He has to take into account the good things as well. If he just lets himself be blinded by prejudice, he’ll miss the opportunity to apprehend Sonny when it presents itself. John and I both ponder this.

Ava says, if Sonny is going to sell this mediation, he’s going to need a third party to arbitrate. That’s the play, isn’t it? Which means he needs a rep from a third family. What’s he going to do, call what’s left of the Novaks? The Buscemas? Does he trust them? She happens to be a former member of the Jerome family. Her presence could help sell this thing. He says, she’s not wrong, and she says, he and Selina are the bait, but she could be what convinces his enemy that this meeting is legit and draws them out. Plus, if she’s being honest – he says he can’t wait to hear this one – his circle of trust has gotten pretty small. It’s so small, she’s in the center of it. He doesn’t have to do this alone. Don’t do this alone. Let her help him.

Maxie says, she and Spinelli have been down this road before and it did not work out, and Felicia says, a long time ago. Maxie says, doesn’t she think that proves that maybe it never will? and Felicia says, how? Maxie says she and Spinelli literally admitted to each other how they felt, and then instantly, everything fell apart. Felicia says she wants Maxie to listen to her and really take this to heart, and Maxie says she’ll try. Felicia says, Maxie may think that when Spinelli moved in, that’s what caused her to fall in love with him, but the truth is, they’ve always had a connection. Not just as friends, not just as co-parents. They’ve always been a little bit in love with each other, even when they were with other people. Maxie asks how Felicia knows that for sure, and Felicia says she’s seen the bond between Maxie and Spinelli. Everybody’s seen it. Nathan saw it. Ellie saw it. Mac is still annoyed by it. And Spinelli, now he sees it. The only person who says they haven’t seen it is Maxie. She thinks it’s time for Maxie to get honest about what she’s afraid of. Maxie says she doesn’t know what she would do if she and Spinelli tried to be together and she lost him for good, and Felicia says she can understand why Maxie would be afraid of that, given all the loss she’s had to endure. Putting our hearts on the line is really scary. Maxie says, it’s not just her heart though. Georgie would be devastated if she and Spinelli didn’t work out. And Bailey Lou and James, they’re both crazy about Spinelli. Felicia says, Maxie is right. There is a lot at stake here. She can’t tell Maxie what decision to make. Maxie says, since when? and Felicia says she can tell Maxie that she’s a survivor. She’s endured so much and come out of it stronger each time. Maxie says she’s just tired. How many growth experiences should one person have? Felicia says, what she has to know is, if things don’t work out with Spinelli, then she’ll survive that too. Or the two of them could get back together again, older and wiser than they ever have been, and stumble into some happiness they never dreamed is possible. It’s up to her to decide if it’s worth the risk.

Jake tells Danny, don’t worry. He’s not going to tell anyone. This is his business. He holds the pod out, but pulls it back when Danny tries to take it. Danny says, what the hell? Give it back. Jake says, not going to happen. He might not be a snitch, but he’s not going to let Danny do this. Danny says he’s not messing around. Give it back. Jake says, or what? and Danny says, or he’ll take it from Jake. Jake says, oh really? This is that important to Danny that he’d try to forcibly take it from him? Danny says he wouldn’t just try, and he grabs Jake, saying, give it back. Willow calls to them, and Jake slips the pod in his back pocket. She says she thought she heard shouting. What’s going on? Jake says, they were just messing around, and Danny says, pretty much. She says, they’re taking a family photo. Come on.

Michael says he wanted to tell Carly this sooner, but he didn’t have a chance, and she says, something wrong? He says he talked to Dante, and Dante told him that he thinks there’s a link between whoever’s targeting Sonny and Olivia Jerome’s death. She says she knows, and he says, she knows how? She says she had a conversation with Special Agent John Cates of the FBI. Does Michael know him? Michael says, they just met, and she says, okay. Is there more to that story? He says, just that he’s worried about dad, and she says, her too. She doesn’t know what to do about it. Does he have any ideas? He says he told Josslyn to bring Dex back to town, and she says, what? Why would he do that? Why would he do that to Dex? Michael says, he’s a grown man. He can decide whether or not he wants to come back. She says, if something happens to Dex, his sister is going to be devastated, but he says he’ll cross that bridge when he comes to it. She asks how he thinks Sonny is going to react. He was furious when he found out Michael hired Dex to spy on him. Now he went behind Sonny’s back again. Michael says, if he’s angry, he’s angry. He’s going to help his father whether he likes it or not. Kristina comes in and says, what’s going on with dad? Why does he need help?

John tells Anna, so O’Neill says they’re looking for a dead man. At least someone who’s dead on paper. Anna says, according to Cyrus. His trustworthiness is questionable at best. Plus, the mic dropped out just as he was acquiring that piece of intel. John says, maybe there’s a way to corroborate his story. Any ideas? There’s a knock at the door and Anna says, yeah? Dante comes in with Chase and says, sorry to interrupt. It’s important. John asks if it’s about his case, and Dante says, he means their case. Yeah, it is. Anna asks what he’s got, and Dante says, Sonny and Selina Wu are making moves. (Well, that’s one way to put it, but I got a mental picture of them dancing.)

Selina waits at the warehouse, and her man comes in. She asks if everything is in place on their end for tonight, and he says, yes. And Mr. Corinthos assured him it’s all taken care of, but… She says, but what? and he says, the associate seems odd. She says, Mr. Spinelli is certainly unique, but very good at what he does. Sonny comes in with Ava and a bodyguard, and Selina says, Miss Jerome, what a surprise. She wasn’t expecting her. Ava says, Miss Wu. She hopes Selina doesn’t mind her joining them at the last minute. Selina says, actually she does. This wasn’t part of their plan. Sonny says, plans change. She can trust Ava.

Maxie calls Spinelli and gets voicemail, saying he’ll return the call posthaste. She says, hey, it’s me. Call me.

Michael tells Kristina, it’s just that he hasn’t talked to dad in a while. Has she? She says, not a whole lot. She’s been busy. Why? What’s going on? Is there something she should know about? Carly says, they were just wondering how things are going with her and Blaze, and Kristina says, things are good. It’s still new, so… Anyway, she’s been asked to summon them for cake and photos. Carly says she’s got to get in there, and leaves. Kristina asks Michael if he’s sure everything’s okay with dad, and Michael says, yeah. He’ll be fine. She says, okay, and leaves. Michael says he’ll make sure of it.

Dante says, Sonny and Selina coerced her bodyguard Li to leak to his source that they’re meeting up tonight, and Chase says, presenting a prime opportunity for Li’s boss to take Wu and Corinthos out. Anna says, so they’re setting up a trap to smoke out their assassin, and John says, which is exactly what he didn’t want to happen. He knew if they let Corinthos in on what was going on, he’d go vigilante and take their suspect out. Anna says, they can’t let him take the law into his own hands, and John says, whatever Corinthos and Wu are planning, they have to stop them. Anna says, let’s go, and they all leave.

Selina says, let her congratulate Sonny on the trust he’s established in Miss Jerome, who is – let’s not forget – the mother of one of his children. Sonny asks what that means, and Selina says, he has incentive to trust her. She doesn’t. He says, Ava acting as a mediator makes the meeting look more legit, but Selina says, her presence further destabilizes an already volatile situation. That’s not a risk she wants to take. She starts to leave, but Sonny says, it’s already in motion. Let it play out. Selina says, at the risk of all of their lives? and he says, they’re all targets at this point. Here’s what they’re going to do. They‘re going to let their enemies come get them.

On Monday, Tracy tells Brook, that is a scheme worthy of a Quartermaine; Cyrus asks Laura, what precipitated this step forward in their relationship; in the hospital, Heather screeches to someone to get away from her grandson; and Sonny tells Selina, let’s get down to business.

👏 Kudos. The vape storyline isn’t just timely, it’s important. I’ve never been interested in vaping, but had a friend who literally died from an addiction to it. He was in the hospital, being treated for an unrelated (but who really knows?) illness. He was told to knock it off, but couldn’t even stop vaping while in the hospital. Even though the prognosis had been good, he went downhill and passed away. IMO, it makes sense that vaping is worse than cigarettes since you’re also inhaling moisture, which cannot be good for your lungs. I mean, inhale too much moisture, you drown, right? Okay, off the soapbox, but applause to GH for including it.

👠 Calling In ReinforceWives…

Being a part of the Housewives universe doesn’t look like a fun experience to me. And I still wouldn’t bet the farm that what Leah says isn’t true. It’s been said all along that alcohol flows freely from Bravo and they tend to egg on problematic situation.

https://pagesix.com/2024/02/29/entertainment/margaret-josephs-kyle-richards-more-housewives-hit-back-at-leah-mcsweeneys-andy-cohen-claims

🎭 Because They’re a Fake, Baby…

I hadn’t considered this, but it sounds like something Jax would drum up.

Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright Accused of Faking Separation To Boost The Valley Ratings

Not buying this romance at all.

Kyle Richards Denies Morgan Wade Romance Blind Item

Still on the fence about this. The only thing is, it’s doubtful they would have involved their kids in a ruse like that.

Who Leaked Kyle and Mauricio’s Separation?

🍸 It’s Spreading…

Another one who seems to be lawsuit happy. Has she gotten to Andy yet? Although there seems to be a line…

https://ew.com/rachel-leviss-sues-tom-sandoval-ariana-madix-scandoval-fallout-8602594

No surprise this was dropped. It doesn’t even make any sense as a lawsuit. It’s just a bunch of complaints about being in a situation she could have easily walked away from

Rachel Leviss Brands James Kennedy ‘Violent and Dangerous’ in Bombshell Lawsuit

⚰️ Dead At the Top…

Good for them. It’s not a huge shock though. Personally, I didn’t miss Rick, but I think there were a whole lot of fans awaiting his return.

‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ Stakes Out AMC’s Best Premiere Viewership In 6 Years
“The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” Finally Gives AMC’s Universe Good Viewership News Again

🌁 The Latest In Last…

More characters coming out of the woodwork.

https://ew.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-owen-nora-mel-manny-8602951

🏆 It’s In the SAG…

A little late, but the winners.

https://ew.com/2024-sag-awards-winners-full-list-8598439

All the 2024 fashion.

https://www.eonline.com/photos/36899/sag-awards-2024-red-carpet-fashion

All the fashion from forever.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1395589/give-it-up-for-the-best-sag-award-red-carpet-fashion-moments-of-all-time

🦄 This Week In Pet…

Omg. Jiffpom.

Taylor Swift’s feline Olivia Benson and other richest celebrity pets to know about

So what’s the problem?

https://pagesix.com/2024/02/21/gossip/star-demanded-a-medium-sized-dog-in-all-their-hotel-rooms

🎙 Quotes of the Week

We love a spiral. – Gabby Prescod, Summer House

One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do. – Henry Ford

When deeds speak, words are nothing. – Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

You are here for a purpose. There is no duplicate of you in the whole wide world. There never has been, there never will be. You were brought here now to fill a certain need. Take time to think that over. – Lou Austin (And let’s hope it’s not to create stupid names for lipstick.)

Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. – Archimedes

Life is a succession of lessons, which must be lived to be understood. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star. – W. Clement Stone

I wasn’t flirting. I’m naturally adorable. If you have a problem with that, take it up with God. – Genevieve Delatour (Susan Lucci), Devious Maids

🐜 Marching Into Spring…

Flip your script this weekend and do something you’ve never done before. Or binge watch something you’ve never watched before. It’s your call. Then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap, mischief on Deck, and a nod to the Ones. Until then, stay safe, stay not saying yes or maybe when you mean no, and stay trying to focus more on the silver lining than the clouds.

Mar1

February 29, 2023 – Tracy Gives Brook Something Meaningful, Karen, Beyond Soap, Hail Mary Pass, Awful Summer, Splitting, Two Ones, Leap Year, New Puppy (!) & Go Ahead

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At the boxing gym, Michael says, so this is how it has to be? and Sonny says, he can go ahead and leave. Anybody who’s done what he’s done would have already been gone. Michael says he knows Sonny is angry… but Sonny says, Michael has no idea how he feels, his own son setting him up. Michael says, then he tried to protect Sonny, and Sonny says, from who? Him? Dante suggests Michael take a walk, and Michael makes himself scarce. Sonny says, today sad and remorseful, tomorrow he’s calling the Feds, and Dante says, that’s not how he really is, but Sonny says, no? Michael came very close to handing him over to the Feds with a bow on. He didn’t see that coming. Dante says he didn’t either, but it’s good he didn’t go through with it, right? but Sonny says, the damage is done. He can’t trust Michael now. His own son. So where do they go from there? Dante says, Michael loves him. He just wants to know that Sonny is okay. Sonny says, Judas doesn’t have the right to know anything about him or his life, and Dante says, this is not God’s way. Sonny asks who’s side he’s on.

Dex says he’s sorry. He wishes he could go back to Port Charles with Josslyn, but he has to keep moving and find a way to disappear. Josslyn says, don’t ask her to pretend to be okay with that, and he asks what she wants him to say. Sonny gave him one option that left him breathing. He hates this, but he needs to accept the things he cannot change. She says, really? It still feels like he’s taking Sonny’s orders. He says, if it weren’t for her mom, he’d be dead. Sonny was going to have him killed, just like he always knew Sonny would if he found out the truth. She says, and Dex has been protecting him? but Dex says he started out spying on him. Sonny only gave him the option to leave because her mom wouldn’t back down. The least he owes her is to go. She says, just tell her the truth. Would he rather she hadn’t found him?

Chase asks, what is this? and Brook says she was just coming to find him to explain. He says, the part about a termination event, not exactly a confidence builder. She says, it’s not like that, and Lois says, anyone who isn’t Brook Lynn or Chase needs to get out of here. Let’s give them their privacy. Let them make their own decisions – she looks at Tracy – for a change. Everyone clears out.

Elizabeth says, the Quartermaine lawyers sent Chase a prenup as an email attachment without any warning? That is so wrong. Finn says his dad’s convinced it was a mix-up, and she says, his dad is a very kind and forgiving person who probably doesn’t know the Quartermaines well enough yet. He says, with that family, anything’s possible, and she says, they should have expected a few curveballs. However, to be fair, planning a wedding is unpredictable no matter who the bride and groom are. He says, there’s unpredictable and there’s the Quartermaines, and she says, odds were it was never going to be dull. Speaking of never going to be dull, did he get himself one of these? She takes a card out of her bag, and he says, no. What is it? She says, an invitation… to Violet’s wedding. There are hearts drawn across the top and it says, You are invited to Violet’s wedding. Underneath is a drawing of a groom holding out a bouquet.

Brook tells Chase that she swears on her life, she had no idea the lawyers were drawing up a prenup. She certainly didn’t ask for it. He says, and it’s perfectly understandable if she did. It just would have been nice to have a little heads up. She says, for all of them. They all know who’s behind the prenup email. Her grandmother’s not one for advanced warnings. He says, she already raised the subject. When they told her they were getting engaged, the first thing she said is they should sign a prenup. She says she expected the family lawyers to bring it up eventually, but she thought they would have the decency to talk to her about it first before attaching it to an email and pressing send. He says, all right. Forget about the lawyers, forget about the emails, and the attachments, and her grandmother. She says, if only, and he asks if she, Brook Lynn, wants him to sign the agreement.

Lois says, how could Tracy sic her squad of lawyers on poor Chase? but Tracy says she didn’t. There was a miscommunication between their attorneys, but any thinking person would know there would be a prenuptial agreement in the offing. Lois says, it didn’t seem like Brook or Chase were waiting for it, but this isn’t even about the prenup. This is about how Tracy is insinuating herself into everything. When is she going to stop interfering in Brook’s life?

Brook says she hates how the simple fact that she loves Chase and that she wants to spend the rest of her life with him has turned into something so complicated. He asks if it has to be, and she says, they’re about to make a huge commitment to each other and he’s the only person she cares about, but he’s not exactly her grandmother’s number one priority. He says, that’s fair. Tracy’s not his number one priority either. Brook says, Tracy is just trying to protect the Quartermaines, but it makes her furious, because Tracy should see he’s about to become one of them. She should be welcoming him to the family with open arms. He says, maybe Tracy has a point. As much as he wants to marry Brook, and he does, there are parts of her world he does not understand. She says, those are the parts that are in the fine print, and she doesn’t understand them either, and he says, that’s why they have all the lawyers. When he got that prenup, he flipped out a little, but then he calmed down. He thought about it rationally and he had to admit, there’s a chance they may not make it.

Tracy says, when Lois left Ned and settled back into the outer boroughs, clearly, she forgot what it is to be a Quartermaine, and Lois says, it means paying for a bunch of lawyers, some houses, and referring to Bensonhurst as the Hinterlands. But she’s not referring to Tracy’s precious company or her trust funds. She’s talking about her baby girl, Tracy’s granddaughter, and how all she wants to do is marry the love of her life. Tracy says she’s not stopping them, but Lois says, no. Tracy’s just running in front of her, setting up all these hurdles. It’s supposed to be the happiest day of her life, but instead of Tracy supporting and encouraging that happiness, so far Tracy’s managed to extort Brook into betraying Maxie, browbeat her into taking a job she doesn’t want to do, and running her ragged at that job. And now, she’s trying to control Brook’s wedding and write the fine print of her marriage? Tracy says she’s a grandmother trying to protect her grandchild, and Lois says, Lila was Ned’s grandmother, and Lila couldn’t have been kinder or more loving to her. Instead of ambushing her with a prenup, Lila made her wedding possible. She almost called the whole thing off, if Lila hadn’t offered her wedding dress. On top of that, she gave them a beautiful cruise around Manhattan. Granted, that went a little sideways when they almost drowned in Dead Horse Bay, but her point is, Lila wanted her to have the most beautiful wedding possible and did everything in her power to make that happen. Tracy says she’s not her mother, and she’s well aware that she’ll never measure up. But what she can offer, this family needs, and so does Lois’s daughter. Whether Lois likes it or not, marriage is a contract – Maxie and Gregory walk in – and one interloper can to a hell of a lot of damage. Gregory clears his throat, and Tracy turns around. He says, interloper. What an interesting way to refer to his son.

Dex says, seeing Josslyn again is a gift. It killed him to leave Port Charles without saying goodbye to her. Josslyn says, he didn’t have a choice. Sonny forced him to leave. But nobody is stopping him from coming back to Port Charles. He’s free. He doesn’t work for Sonny anymore. He says he knows better, and she asks if he thinks Sonny would still have him killed. He says he knows so much about Sonny’s organization, he’s a liability, and she says, Sonny can’t touch him, for the same reason he couldn’t kill Dex in the Pine Barrens. Her mom won’t let him. Michael won’t let him. Dante. Too many people know about him. If anything happens to Dex, Sonny knows it will just come right back and bite him, and he’s not going to take that chance. They can beat him. They just have to call his bluff. He says, if he comes back and Sonny does nothing, it makes him look weak, and that puts her whole family at risk. He’s not going to do that to the people she loves, and he sure as hell won’t do it to her.

Dante says he’s on Sonny’s side, but so is Michael. Yeah, he wanted to get evidence to use to incriminate Sonny and he probably got it, but he didn’t do anything with it. So Sonny could say he’s standing here a free man because of Michael. Sonny asks if Dante is saying he should be grateful, but Dante says, no, he’s not at all. Sonny should be hurt and pissed off, and he doesn’t blame Sonny for any of it. But Michael is family, so like it or not, he’ll have to be civil one day. Sonny says he has to be civil? and Dante asks, what’s the alternative? Is Sonny going to walk out of every room Michael walks into? Sonny says, it wasn’t his doing, when Michael comes over to them. He says he’s headed out. Just please be careful. Sonny says, Michael doesn’t get to say that to him, and Michael says, whether Sonny believes it or not, that doesn’t change the fact that he cares about him. And he doesn’t want Sonny to do something he regrets just because of him. John walks in and stares daggers at Sonny.

Gregory says, it looks like this particular conversation is a private family matter, and he should be on his way. He heads for the door, and Lois gestures to Tracy, who follows him. She asks him to wait, and says she’s so sorry for her choice of words. She should have said… He says, outsider? Infiltrator? She says, newcomer, and he says, better. He’s hoping after the wedding that family is the term she chooses to go with. She says she’s seen too much to be anything but a realist. She sincerely hopes her granddaughter and his son have a long and happy marriage, but not all marriages last. And it’s not something you want to think about when you’re ordering flowers and French champagne, but somebody has to. He asks if it would surprise her to hear he agrees.

Lois tells Maxie that she knows Tracy is just trying to do something nice for her granddaughter, and Maxie says, that is a generous interpretation of this prenup. And she applauds the mental gymnastics that got her to stick that landing. Lois thanks her, and Maxie says, but she thinks there’s something Brook wants from Tracy that’s not an uninvited prenup or love based bullying. Lois says she believes Brook is really good at asking for what she wants, but Maxie says she doesn’t know if Brook knows how to ask for this. Lois says, spill it, and Maxie says she thinks Brook wants to wear Lila’s dress.

Brook tells Chase, don’t say we won’t work out. Don’t even think it. He says he’s just being practical. Sometimes, things don’t work out and they should be prepared. He wasn’t when he married Willow, and it nearly crushed him. He thought he worked through the failure of his first marriage, but then he got this prenup and it got him thinking. She says, thank you, Tracy. This is nothing like his wedding to Willow. He has to see that. He says, the rational side of him does, but in that moment, he thought he saw the whole picture when he married Willow. She says, how could he? Him and Sasha, Michael and Willow, they were good people just pretending to be in relationships so they could help each other. He had no idea Willow had stopped pretending and actually fallen in love with Michael. He says, if her feelings changed for him, she wouldn’t spare him, right? She’d tell him the truth even if it hurt him. She says she’ll always tell him the truth and she trusts he’ll forgive her for it. He thanks her, and she says, the point is, by the time Willow was ready to tell him that she actually loved Michael, he was on his deathbed. She thought that marrying him was the right thing to do, and at that point, he was so sick, whatever vows they said to each other, what they were really saying was goodbye. He says he has to admit, he doesn’t remember a lot from that moment in his life, and she says, if he did, he would know there’s no comparison between them now and him and Willow then. Willow felt obligated to him. What they have is real. It is messy and imperfect and real. She has never loved a man the way that she loves him. She can’t wait to marry him. She’s so excited for every single day of their future. But if he’s anxious or having second thoughts… He says, no, not with her, and she says, but if the wedding is too much… He says he cannot wait to celebrate. He cannot wait to see this brilliant, beautiful, amazing girl walk down the aisle and stand with him at the altar. He can’t wait to say their vows in front of their friends and family. He can’t wait to dance with her at the reception. She says she wants that too, and he says, maybe he is a little nervous because he can’t see into the future, but he does know this. He loves her so much. And even through all of their ups and downs, they’ve always wanted the best for each other. She says, that will never change, and he says he just wants to make her happy. He takes the prenup, and starts to sign it, but she says, wait. He finishes signing.

Finn takes the card from Elizabeth and says, Violet’s getting married? She’s seven. They live in the same house. How come he doesn’t know about any of this? She asks if he wants a paper bag to breath into, and he says, it’s not funny. (Yes, it is.) She says, it’s a little funny. It’s early. She’s not even registered yet. He says he doesn’t think she’s helping, and she says she’s sorry. She’s sure it must be a little bit of a shock at first. He says, what does she mean, at first? and she says, this is a totally normal phase. Cameron had like a thousand crushes before he hit first grade. He asks if Cameron ever made wedding invitations for any of them, and she says, no, but he wasn’t as industrious as Violet is. He says, lucky her, and she says, he did have a crush on a cartoon character once. That was weird. (Me too! Pepe Le Pew.) Anyway, kids Violet’s age like to look at the lives around them and model adult behavior. He says, they have been talking a lot about Brook and Chase’s wedding, and she says, yes, so she wanted to have one of her own to better understand it. She doesn’t think he has to worry about meeting the in-laws any time soon. He says, good. He knows he has a few years before Violet dating is a reality, but he’s pretty sure he’s never going to be ready. She says he has time to prepare himself, and he says, thank God. He’s having enough trouble helping Chase with his wedding. She takes Finn’s hand and says, just be there for him. Listen to his questions. It’s pretty much what he already does. It’s not that complicated. He says, it’s the first time in history a wedding has been described as uncomplicated, and she asks if he wants to talk about that. He says, why, if it’s so uncomplicated? and she says, maybe weddings are uncomplicated, but what about their future?

Sonny approaches John, who says he’s just here to work out. That’s it. Sonny says, he calls this keeping his distance? and John says, Sonny’s the one who walked over here. Sonny says, John calls hanging out with his ex-wife and his children keeping his distance? and John says, call it lunch. He likes the burgers at Bobbie’s. Sonny says he knows why John walked into Bobbie’s. He was trying to get information out of Carly. John says he’s stopping Sonny right there. As much as they both hate this, he’s trying to keep Sonny alive. So yeah, he talked to Carly, and he’ll talk to Sonny’s children. And he’ll talk to Sonny’s bodyguards and his housekeepers and his barista and his doorman and his priest. He’ll talk to whomever he wants, whenever he wants, and until Sonny gets jurisdiction over the FBI or dies of shame, there’s nothing Sonny can do to stop him.

Chase says he told Brook, he doesn’t care about the money, and she says she never thought he did, but did he even read this agreement? He says, not every word, but he skimmed it, and she tears it up. She says she loves him, but if he’s going to be her husband, he has to swear to never sign an agreement he hasn’t read. And never take the first offer, okay? He asks what he’d do without her, and kisses her. She says she really does think they should discuss a prenup, but not now, not like this with all of these stressful circumstances and their families in the next room and they have this rack of dresses bearing down on them. He says he hopes she didn’t fall in love with the one she’s wearing. Not that she doesn’t look gorgeous in it, but he doesn’t want to risk the bad luck and he’s already seen it. She says, this is definitely not her dress. She doesn’t even think any of them are. Did he ever see her mother’s wedding gown? He says, no. He’s heard about it though. She says, it was regal and classic and a true one of a kind, but the most important thing about the dress, was that it was her great-grandmother Lila’s. She let Brook’s mother borrow it and the women in her family imbued it with their love and strength. He asks if her mother wouldn’t let her wear the dress, and she says, in a heartbeat, but it’s not hers to offer. It’s Tracy’s and she’s not holding her breath.

Lois tells Maxie, of course (🍷) Brook wants to wear Lila’s dress. It’s so beautiful, she wants to wear that dress again. Maxie says, it really is occasion specific though, and Lois says she wants to make this happen for Brook. So tell her honestly, does Maxie think it will help or hurt if she talks to Tracy? Maxie says, that’s a tough one because Tracy was very sensitive when the topic of the dress came up, but she doesn’t know if Brook would want her to get involved. Lois says, Tracy might just say no because she’s the one asking, and Maxie says, on the other hand, Tracy does love Brook. Lois says, now that she knows, she can’t just sit back. She’s got to make it happen.

Gregory tells Tracy that he’s grown to appreciate the time saving benefits of direct conversation over the past couple of years, which is not to say he’s on board with her approach in this particular case. Tracy says, once again to be clear, the lawyers made the error, and he says, noted. But he does think they should acknowledge the difficulties and uncertainties of marriage. A wedding is a joyous event. There’s no need to pretend that the road ahead will be unbridled bliss. If marriage was easy, it wouldn’t be cause for celebration, would it? Lois comes out and says she’s glad Gregory is still here. They’d like for him to stay, and they promise to behave themselves. Gregory says, don’t stop whatever they’re doing on his account, and Tracy takes his coat. Lois says, shall we? and they go back into the living room. Lois asks who Gregory is going to have on his arm at the wedding, and he says, Alexis Davis. It’s always nice to have a friend at these events. Tracy says, a friend? And he says, yes, a good friend. Which reminds him. He keeps meaning to ask her, who’s lucky enough to be her escort? Tracy says, as a matter of fact, she… Lois says, Tracy hasn’t decided yet. She’s still fighting them off. Gregory says he has no doubt.

Elizabeth says, things between her and Finn have been going so well. It’s not like they’ve had much of a state of the union. He says he’s been thinking the same thing, but he didn’t want to bring it up because she might think something is wrong. She says, understandable, but right now might be a good time. They’re both happy. She’s assuming they’re both happy… she hopes. He says he’s never been happier, and she says, he had her worried there for a second. He says, she has nothing to worry about, and she says, neither does he. But watching Brook and Chase get ready for their wedding, as happy as she is for them… He says, it’s hard not to think about your own relationship. She says, right, and he says he’ll be the one to ask. Is marriage something she thinks about? Is that something she wants?

Dex says, think about it. If Josslyn can find him, so can someone else. She says she found him with Spinelli’s help. That’s like getting help from the CIA. Not just anybody is going to be able to find him. He says he can’t take that chance. He needs her to promise that she won’t come looking for him again. She says she just doesn’t get it, because the last time they were together, they were working together to find a solution, and they still could. He says, there is a solution. They just don’t like it. He’s sorry he dragged her into this mess. She says she’s not some helpless victim here. She knew who he was pretty early on, and she chose to be with him over and over again. He says, she’s the best thing that ever happened to him. That’s why he’s not going to drag her down with him. She says, don’t do that. Don’t talk like this is over. He may want to give up, but she never will.

Sonny asks if it isn’t Karrie’s birthday around now, and John says, Karen. He doesn’t get to call her cute little pet names. Not in front of him anyway. Sonny says, today is her birthday. He remembers because Stone bought her this beautiful cake and she was really… John says, save that for someone who can stand the sound of his voice, and Sonny says, relax, Agent Cates. Just seeing him brings back so many memories, especially of his brother Stone, who was a great kid. Funny, generous, incredibly brave, but John wouldn’t know nothin’ about that, because John took off when Stone needed him most. Michael asks Dante, what’s dad doing? and Sonny says he takes that back. Because John did visit him once. Stone was dying of AIDS and John managed to take some time out of his busy schedule and visited him for like, one hour. John says, Sonny knows nothing about him and his brother, and Sonny says, what he does know is, John didn’t take care of him. He didn’t take care of his brother and he hates the air Sonny breathes. And it didn’t matter to him that Sonny sat by Stone, holding his hand, listening to his fears, while John took off with Karen, living his best life. Then he cheated on her. She divorced him. He’s not only a bad husband, he’s a bad brother. John throws a punch, but misses Sonny, who says, whoa. Back up. Does he want to do that again? Sonny takes a fighter’s stance and says, John wants to hit him? but Michael and Dante pull them apart.

Dante asks what Sonny is thinking, and Sonny asks what he means. He didn’t raise his hand. John is the one who lost his cool. Dante says, because Sonny was baiting the guy. John is trying to help Sonny. Sonny asks what he means, and Dante says, don’t worry about it. John’s trying to help Sonny and so is he. Sonny says he thinks Dante is just getting in the way right now. Michael tells John, stand down, Agent Cates, and John says, he’s Michael Corinthos. In case he didn’t know, his dad is losing it. He’s sloppy and out of control. Michael says, the only punches he saw came from John, and John says, if that’s all he saw, he needs to open his eyes. Sonny always brings out the best in people, doesn’t he? Michael asks if federal agents aren’t required to follow a code of behavior regardless of who they’re dealing with, and John says, tell his dad to be careful. His luck is running out.

Chase tells Brook that he’s lucky he’s a guy. Nobody cares what he’s wearing. She gives him a look, and he says, almost no one. If he has his dad and his brother there, and she’s standing there with him at the altar, it will be the greatest moment of his life. She says, he’s right. There are so many more important things about this wedding than whatever dress she decides to wear. He says he didn’t mean it like that. Let’s be honest. It’s going to be her day and she should be happy with every single part of it. She says, that’s another reason she adores him. Her grandma loved her mother, Lila. Everyone did. But let’s be honest, her grandmother can be prickly. He says, a little bit, and she says, but Lila loved her. Unconditionally. She was never afraid to tell Tracy when she behaved badly and always believed in the best in her. She thinks her grandmother really misses her, still grieves her. She’s afraid that bringing up the dress will just bring up pain for her, and it’s the last thing she wants to do. He says, Tracy’s lucky to have a granddaughter who understands her as well as Brook does, and Brook says she and her grandmother speak the same language. They deserve each other… most of the time, as much as it pains her to admit it. He says, if she doesn’t run the risk of asking Tracy for the wedding dress, she definitely won’t get it. And who knows? Maybe she’ll be open to the opportunity to give it to Brook. Brook says, maybe, but that’s a dream she’s willing to let go of because a much bigger dream of hers is coming true. He asks if she’s sure, and she nods and says, should they tell them the wedding is still on? He says, no. He thinks they should make them sweat a little while longer. They kiss.

Lois holds out her hand and says, come on, Tracy, let’s make peace. Tracy ignores Lois’s hand and says, peace is not synonymous with unconditional surrender. She will make her terms very clear. Maxie says, they’ll come back to her terms. Look. Brook and Chase are independent people, but she knows from experience everyone needs help planning a wedding. People who didn’t RSVP will show up with guests and those guests will most likely be exhausted children under the age of five. Family members will think an open bar is a challenge, and people who weren’t asked will give speeches. Lois says, it’s true (yep). They’ve got to be prepared for things to go sideways. That’s why they’ve got to put their differences aside and be on the same page, so they can plan the perfect wedding for the perfect couple. Just like Lila did for her. Gregory says he couldn’t agree more, and Tracy says, that’s what she was trying to do. Lois says, they know she was trying to do right by Brook, and while legal advice is helpful, it’s neither borrowed nor blue. Tracy says, she’s borrowing the company plane, and Lois says, and that is extremely generous, but she was talking about maybe something extremely meaningful. Something that maybe isn’t as easy for Tracy to give. Brook and Chase come in, and Brook says, they can all exhale. She and Chase have sorted everything out. And they are going to discuss the agreement with their lawyers. Chase says he wants to thank Tracy. He knows that all she wants to do is protect her family, and that’s what he wants too. He hugs Tracy, and she says, they’ll be so excited to welcome him to the family. He thanks her and asks if Gregory is ready. Gregory says, indeed he is. He is so looking forward to this wedding. Chase gives Brook a quick kiss, and Gregory tells Tracy, be sure to save a dance for him. He and Chase leave, and the girls are all like, oooh. Lois tells Brook, all right. Let’s go find you a dress.

Dante says, he’s getting in the way. Of what? Sonny getting beat up? Sonny says, Jagger should not be working this case. They go way back. Things Dante doesn’t understand. Bad blood. He was trying to get John to hit him so they would send him back to Washington, and John would be away from him and this case. Dante says, bad blood or not, this guy’s trying to protect Sonny, and the FBI have better resources… Sonny says, the FBI doesn’t want to protect him, but Dante says, yes, they do. Sonny says, no, they don’t. And Jagger sure as hell doesn’t either. He’s trying to pay Sonny back for things that were settled years ago. He’s telling Dante right now, John’s either going to get him shot or he’s going to stand there and watch. Or John’s going to set him up for something worse. Sonny doesn’t trust him at all and neither should Dante. Sonny leaves, as Michael watches everything.

Dex says, Josslyn doesn’t think he hates this? She doesn’t think this is tearing him up too? Nothing in his life prepared him for her. He doesn’t feel like he made a choice to love her. He just does. And he knows he always will. It’s because he loves her that he’s doing this. She says, maybe he’s right and maybe it’s too early for him to come back to Port Charles, but what if he came back in six months, a year? He says he’s not going to ask her to wait around for a time that will never come. She has her whole life ahead of her. She’s going to finish school, become an amazing doctor, and save lives, just like she did his. She says, none of that matters if he’s not there, and he says, she knows he’s right. She can have a good life, but she has to let him go.

Elizabeth says, marriage? and Finn says, you know, weddings, dancing, cake, a lifetime commitment, all that stuff. She says she does like cake, and kisses him. He says he likes cake. Anything else? She says she likes their relationship just the way it is. And they have the luxury of time, and she’d like to enjoy what they have right now. Why rush it? He says he feels the same way, and kisses her again. What a relief. He’s sorry. Please don’t take that the wrong way. He’s pretty sure he has bad luck with weddings. Chase asked him to be his best man and his response was less than enthusiastic. He thinks he let Chase down. Chase and Gregory come in, and Gregory says, all’s well that ends well. It seems there was a slight miscommunication. Chase says he and Brook are good, and Finn says, that’s good news, right? There’s something he’d like to say to Chase… Chase says, hold on. He’d like to go first. He’s sorry he pressured Finn to be his best man. He can ask someone else. It’s not a big deal.

Lois raises her champagne glass and says, to new beginnings. Fussing with the dresses, Maxie says, and to bows and ruffles, in moderation. Brook, Lois, and Tracy clink glasses, and Brook says, all right. Let’s do this. She goes over to the dress rack, and Lois nods at Tracy. Brook says, this one might be more exciting off the hanger, and Tracy says, Brook Lynn, and sets down her glass. Tracy tells Brook that she was evasive with her earlier, talking about her mother’s dress… She tears up and says she misses her mother every single day and she so regrets not wearing that dress when her mother offered it to her. So. She’s come to understand that dress was never meant for her to wear. It was meant for her to share. (Unreal. They nearly have me crying over a stupid dress, but you can really feel what Tracy’s feeling.)

Tracy brings in a large white box, and places it on the coffee table. Brook says, is that…? Brook sits down, opens the box, and unfolds the tissue paper. Tracy says, make any alterations she wants. The dress is hers. Brook lifts the top half of the dress out of the box, then puts it back. She gets up and, her voice breaking, tells Tracy, you have no idea what this means to me. She hugs Tracy, and says, thank you so much for the dress. Thank you for this incredible moment. Lois and Maxie smile.

Chase sees Violet’s invitation and looks at it. He says, for Violet’s wedding, does his suit have to be as colorful as the invitation, or can he squeak by with a black one? Finn says, what he meant to say earlier, what he should have said earlier is, he’d be honored to be Chase’s best man. And he appreciates Chase letting him off the hook, but there’s no way he’s letting anyone take his place. Chase hugs Finn, and Finn tells him, don’t get emotional. Gregory is loving it.

Josslyn’s phone rings, and she tells Michael, this is not a good time. She can’t talk. He says, this can’t wait. He needs her to do something for him. If she finds Dex, he needs her to bring him back to Port Charles. He looks at Dante and Sonny sparring, and says, and don’t take no for an answer. Josslyn looks at Dex, who’s messing around with his suitcase. He looks back at her.

As they spar, Dante says, history or no history, Sonny is playing with fire, messing around with a federal agent like that. Sonny says, that’s all right. He can handle himself. Dante says he’s glad Sonny walked away, and Sonny says, good to know. They stop for a moment, and Dante says he’s not going to apologize to Sonny for stopping the fight. Sonny says, what’s gonna happen is gonna happen. Sooner or later, Dante is going to know the truth about Jagger Cates. They go back to sparring.

Josslyn says, that was Michael and he said she needed to bring Dex back to Port Charles and not to take no for an answer. Dex asks, why? and she says she thinks Sonny’s in trouble. And he needs you.

Tomorrow, Carly says, Drew can’t do that if he’s focused on revenge; Felicia asks why Maxie is so much angrier at Spinelli than her; John tells Anna that he wants Sonny Corinthos out of his life for good; and Sonny tells Ava and Spinelli, tonight he’s bringing his enemy down to his knees.

🎂 They Said It’s Her Birthday…

Because I had to know. I didn’t see how Sonny was as horrible as John is making him out to be. Not to mention, it was a brief time a million years ago.

Who Was Karen on GENERAL HOSPITAL?

🍟 On the Side…

This book sounds like a good beach read.

Jon Lindstrom on Becoming a Bestselling Author (EXCLUSIVE)

Rock on.

GH’s William Lipton Stars in a New Series!

I love K-drama.

GH’s Sebastian Roché Adds a Korean Soap to His Resume!

💎 And They Should Know…

Like none of them has ever been desperate to hang on before.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13139295/Teddi-Mellencamp-claims-Dorit-Kemsley-released-text-Kyle-Richards-stay-RHOBH.html

🏊🏽‍♀️ She’s the Worst…

More proof of how awful some of these people are. I was drawn back into the trainwreck and seeing it was even more awful.

https://people.com/summer-house-recap-lindsay-hubbard-makes-hurtful-accusation-sober-carl-radke-on-cocaine-8602650

📉 Not All Marriages Last…

Apparently, Tracy was right. Not too much of a shock with this one.

https://people.com/welcome-to-plathville-ethan-and-olivia-plath-file-for-divorce-8602028

I have to admit, I’m surprised. What happens to their new show now?

https://people.com/jax-taylor-and-brittany-cartwright-announce-separation-8598833

⚰️ About Those Ones…

The principles share their perspectives.

https://ew.com/danai-gurira-michonne-walking-dead-ones-who-live-entrance-8599395

https://ew.com/andrew-lincoln-explains-walking-dead-ones-who-live-premiere-shocker-8599329

🏃🏽‍♂️ Whys and Hows…

All about Leap Year.

https://www.livescience.com/human-behavior/why-do-we-have-leap-years-and-how-did-they-come-about

🐕 Sudsy Pup…

She was also on the much missed The Haves and the Have Nots.

Brytni Sarpy Introduces Her New Puppy!

💃🏽 Leaping Into March…

See you tomorrow for the usual soap and the unpredictable Friday free-for-all. Until then, stay safe, stay making voicemails brief, and stay never signing an agreement you haven’t read. And never taking the first offer.

Feb27

February 26, 2023 – Curtis Has Words Of Wisdom For Drew, A Waterfall Wedding Off Deck, First Ones & Beautiful

Posted on by
Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Kristina wakes up and sees Blaze is already awake. Kristina asks Blaze to please say she’s not watching her sleep, and Blaze asks if that’s creepy (a little). It’s Kristina’s fault. She looks so beautiful when she sleeps. She was thinking how lucky she is to have Kristina in her bed, and her life. They kiss.

Spinelli comes out of the bedroom and says, Maxie? Children? Maxie runs in the front door and says, he’s up. He asks where everybody is, and she says, the kids are in the car, but he says, school doesn’t start for an hour. She says she knows. Her mom has Bailey. They’re meeting them at James’s school to help his teacher to set up for the Arts and Crafts Fair. She thought she mentioned it. He says, she didn’t, but he’s glad to know the early start isn’t because she’s avoiding him.

John walks into Kelly’s and Carly tells him to sit anywhere he likes. He sits at the counter and says, she owns this place. She shouldn’t be waiting on tables. She says, one of her waitresses is running late, so here she is. She doesn’t mind serving him. Can she get him some coffee? He says, yeah, and as she pours, she says, the last time they met, he didn’t tell her why he was in town. He says, work, and she asks what he does. He says he’s with the FBI. Agent John Cates.

Drew attacks the heavy bag with vigor, when Curtis rolls into the gym. Curtis says, wow, and Drew says he didn’t hear Curtis come in. How long has he been here? Curtis says, long enough to know he doesn’t want to be on Drew’s bad side.

Nina comes into the gallery and asks if Ava is in the middle of something important. Ava says, that was phrased like a question, but sounded more like a demand. What’s going on? Nina says she’s about to lose Sonny for good, and Ava says she does have an appointment in just a little bit, but she does have some time later this afternoon. Nina says, just let her know when Ava can fit her in, and Ava says, hold on. Last she heard, Nina and Sonny were in a holding pattern. Has something changed? Nina says, Sonny had her served. He wants a divorce. Ava tells Nina that she can’t say she’s surprised.

Maxie asks Spinelli why she would be avoiding him, and he flashes back to kissing her. He says, because of what happened last night? when there’s a knock at the door. Sonny says, hello? and Spinelli opens the door. Sonny says, Damien Spinelli, you are a hard man to find.

Blaze asks if Kristina is hungry, and Kristina says, for food? Blaze says, she has someone else to consider here, and Kristina says, Blaze heard her stomach growling. This baby is not subtle. She thanks Blaze for helping her process everything last night and sort through her feelings. She feels really seen. Blaze says she thought it was time she returns the favor, and Kristina says, still, thanks for being there for her and this little one. Blaze says, always, and what would the little one like for breakfast? and Kristina says, they would like eggs benedict and home fries. Blaze says, coming right up, and I swear I will marry this woman tomorrow.

Curtis says, either Drew has beef with that bag, or something else is bothering him, and Drew says, sometimes you’ve just got to show that you mean business, right? He’s honored that Curtis wanted him in the gym his first workout after his surgery. That means a lot. Let’s get to it. Where does he want to start? Curtis says he’d love to start with what’s bothering Drew, and Drew says, it’s just Carly. She’s worried about him. She’s worried he’s changed since he came back from his time in Pentenville, that’s all. Curtis says, prison can change a man, but the Drew he knows is fundamentally the same guy, so what’s got Carly concerned? Drew says, she thinks he’s holding on to everything that’s happened, and Curtis says, he means the whole Nina situation. Drew says he knows she’s a friend of Curtis’s, and Curtis says, but that doesn’t mean he’s okay with Nina turning Drew into the SEC. He’s not cool with that. Drew is his friend too, and it’s okay if he’s mad because Curtis would be mad too. Carly doesn’t understand that? Drew says, she’s not trying to tell him how to feel. It’s just that she’s more concerned with his behavior. She thinks he’s more focused on payback instead of getting through this and moving on. Curtis says, and he is, isn’t he?

Carly says, Cates. Any relation to Michael Stone Cates? John says, his little brother, and Carly says she never knew him, but her ex was close to him, but obviously he knows that because he and Sonny share a history, and they’re not great memories. Now he’s an FBI agent, and now she knows what he’s doing back in her restaurant. He asks if he can’t just like the coffee, but she says, no. He’s here because he wants information on Sonny. He says, that’s a cynical outlook, and she says, because it’s not her first rodeo. Feds making small talk with her is never a coincidence, so let her know when he wants to put in an order. She starts to leave, and he says, believe it or not, he didn’t know she was Sonny’s ex the first time he stopped by. She says she knows he’s here to make a case against Sonny, and she’s telling him now that he’s wasting his time. He says he’s not currently building a case against her ex-husband. However, if he had his way, her ex-husband would be behind bars.

Sonny hopes Maxie doesn’t mind he stopped by. He was surprised to see Spinelli moved in here, and she says, temporarily. He’s got a plumbing emergency at his place. Sonny says, is that so? and Spinelli says, it came on suddenly. Maxie finds a lunchbox and says, got it. She’s got to get the kids to school. Spinelli asks what she was looking for and she holds up the lunchbox as she dashes out the door. He says, Georgie’s. That’s the second time this week. He apologizes to Sonny for his attire, and Sonny says, it’s early. She’s something else, isn’t she? Spinelli says, a force of nature. Sonny didn’t say what brought him here. Sonny says he has a job for Spinelli.

Nina says, Ava expected Sonny to end their marriage without so much as a word? but Ava says, no. Of course (🍷) not. Nor does she approve of him doing so. It tracks though. She thinks Sonny’s been reexamining his whole life. Nina says, he’s taking some hits lately. She’s not giving up on him. She loves him and hates that he’s had to face these challenges alone. Ava says she’s not the one Nina needs to convince. She needs to convince Sonny. Nina says she wishes she could. He’s not taking any of her calls or texts. She thinks he’s blocked her. He barred her from the penthouse. Ava says she gets it. That must hurt. Nina says, it’s a nightmare. If she could only just have a conversation with him. If she could only just look him in the eyes and remind him of what they are together, what they’ve come to mean to each other. Ava says, maybe she’s right, and Nina says she is. That’s where Ava comes in.

Blaze says she’s going to grab a quick shower. Breakfast should be here shortly. Kristina says she should get up, but Blaze says, no she doesn’t. They’re having breakfast in bed.

Spinelli says, it’s been some time since Sonny availed himself of his skills. May he ask, why now? Sonny has qualified personnel in-house as it were. Sonny tells him, let’s just say, out of an abundance of caution, he’s outsourcing this one. Spinelli says he sees, and Sonny asks if he should find another guy. Spinelli says he has the utmost respect for Sonny, but since the passing of their dear friend Jason, he hasn’t worked for anyone in Sonny’s field. Arguments over his previous hazardous exploits led to the demise of his relationship with Ellie. Sonny says he’s not twisting Spinelli’s arm. The task is relatively low risk. Spinelli was his first choice. Spinelli says he’s gratified, but also somewhat baffled. Sonny found him pretty annoying. Sonny says he did. He used to complain to Jason all the time, but Jason always said Spinelli was the smartest person in the room and he could trust Spinelli with his life, so that’s good enough for him.

Nina says, if Ava could somehow get her and Sonny in the same place alone together… Ava asks if she means like, lock the two of them in the backroom or something, but Nina says, no. Maybe Ava could get him here and he’d have to hear her out. Ava says, no. She can’t do it. Nina asks, why? Ava is her closest friend. She has access to Sonny. Ava really isn’t going to help her? Ava says she wants to help Nina. She just doesn’t think Sonny would take very kindly to her interfering in his personal… He knows they’re good friends and she’s walking a delicate tightrope as it is. Nina says she understands that she’s putting Ava in a very awkward position, but she’s running out of options because Sonny’s family has closed ranks against her. She can barely get a civil word out of any of them. Ava goes to her desk, and Ava says she’s sorry she’s interrupting Ava’s very busy day, but Ava says she’s not trying to brush Nina off. It’s just no good can come of her involving herself in this. At least not while she’s still under Sonny’s roof. Meddling in their marriage like that could really harm her relationship with Sonny. Nina says, Ava and Sonny have a relationship now?

Kristina looks at her sonogram on her phone and sinks down under the covers, smiling. She hears someone coming into the hotel room, and a woman says, Allison, mami’s here. She looks at Kristina in the bed.

Ava tells Nina that by relationship, she means co-parenting. She has Avery to think about, and Sonny still has primary custody. That factors into every single thing she does. Avery is her first priority and she’s not going to apologize for that. Ava says she understands that. She just got thrown when Ava said she and Sonny had a relationship. Really, what else would she call it? Ava says, going along to get along. They’re co-existing very well at the moment and she doesn’t want to jeopardize that. Nina says she gets it, when a man comes in and says, Ava Jerome? Ava says, yes, and he says he has a registered delivery. He’ll need her to sign for it and he’ll need to scan her driver’s license. Ava says, sure.

Kristina quickly gets out of bed and puts on a robe and introduces herself to Mrs. Ramirez (Natalia). She says she’s so happy to meet her. She’s heard so much about her. She holds out her hand, and Natalia says, it’s not Mrs., it’s Ms. Ramirez, and she hasn’t heard anything about Kristina. Blaze comes out drying her hair with a towel and asks if the food is here already. The sooner they eat, the sooner they can… Kristina says, look who came early, and Blaze says, mami. What is she doing here? Natalia says she has the same question about the young lady she just found in Blaze’s bed.

Drew says he’s focused on sending the message that he’s nobody’s victim, and Curtis says, not a victim, definitely a survivor. He went through hell and back. Drew starts to life weights and says, held captive for years, got out only to be put in prison and attacked, sent to the hospital. He’d say that kind of qualifies, right? Curtis says he hears Drew. It’s a lot to process. Drew says, the goal is to get through this and move on to the good stuff, and Curtis says, but that anger won’t let go, huh? He knows what that feels like. When he was shot and lying there in that bed, knowing he might be paralyzed, he felt everything from rage to despair to self-pity, but mostly rage. Because he doesn’t like being vulnerable. He doesn’t like being a victim. So he was mad at the world. He was mad at God. Does any of that sound familiar? Drew says, very. It’s taken him a while to access these feelings. Feelings aren’t one of his strengths. He just wishes Carly would understand that what he’s going through is what he’s going through, his process at his speed, even though it may not be the way she wants him to. Curtis says, okay. So this thing with Carly, is it a minor disagreement or something more? Drew says, they’ll see, but Curtis didn’t come here for a therapy session. It’s really good to see him. He’s amazing. He looks incredible. Curtis thanks him and says, that procedure was a godsend, and because of it, he and Portia reconnected. Drew says he’s happy for both of them, and Curtis thanks him. He says, all the challenges they’ve been through, he never thought they’d be that close again. Drew says, he did it. He got through. Congratulations. Curtis thanks him and says he’s just glad they never gave up.

Ava tells Nina, escrow papers. As of today, Windymere and Spoon Island are now somebody else’s problem. Nina says, the sale went through, and Ava says, just this morning. The money was deposited into her account. Not nearly enough to make up for her pain and suffering, but a nice little nest egg. Nina says she can’t believe Ava found a buyer for that place (if not Nikolas, Jason?), and Ava says, credit to Lucy. It took a while, but she was finally able to find a developer who bought the house and land instead of separating them into separate lots. Nina wonders what they’re planning to build, but Ava doesn’t know. Maybe they’re going to turn the house into condominiums. Maybe they’ll tear it down. That would be her vote, but it doesn’t matter really. That awful place with all the awful things that happened are part of a past that will not be revisited. The only person who had an emotional connection to that place was Spencer. Now that he’s gone and little Ace is living with Laura and Doc, nobody needs that place, least of all, her. Her focus is on the future.

Spinelli says he’s honored by Jason’s faith and that he spoke so highly of him to Sonny. He was a kind and gracious friend. Sonny says, he had zero patience for fools, and the fact that Jason put up with Spinelli, and also found him as a collaborator and associate… If he recommended Spinelli, that works for him. He knows Jason trusted Spinelli and he trusts Jason’s judgement. He has to make a decision now. Spinelli says, this job can’t put anyone in this house in danger, and Sonny says he’d never ask Spinelli to put his children or Maxie in danger. He knows how much Maxie means to Spinelli. Spinelli says he’s sure Sonny does. Sonny knows from his own experience, while a romance may end, one who becomes family is family forever.

Carly says, if John wants to continue this conversation, he can call her lawyer. Her name is Diane Miller, and he can look up her number online. She goes out to the tables and John follows. He says he’s not here to question her and he’s not in Port Charles to investigate her ex-husband. She says, he just said that, but he also said Sonny belonged in prison, and he says, he does. She says, really? After everything he did for John’s brother? He says he doesn’t deny Sonny was good to Stone, and Carly says, good to Stone? He bought a penthouse so Stone would have a place to live. He paid for the best care that was available at the time and he nursed Stone until the day he died. There’s an entire wing at the hospital dedicated in his brother’s memory, endowed by a gift from Sonny worth millions. Does he know that? He asks if she thinks that buys Sonny redemption, and she says, like she told him, she didn’t know his brother, but she heard a lot about him. Her son, Morgan, his middle name was Stone. John says, his son’s name is also Stone, and she says, isn’t it ironic that he and Sonny, who hate each other, both loved Stone so much, they named their sons after him? He sits back down and she goes behind the counter. He asks if she’s saying he should back off Sonny for Stone’s sake, and she tells him, what she’s saying is, if she were in his position, she’d be grateful a person took care of someone she loved. He says, what about a person who hurt someone she loved? Exploited their vulnerabilities to turn a profit. He’s going to take a wild guess and say she’d come out swinging and not stop until they paid. She asks, what makes him say that? and he says, professional assessment. There are people who freeze when they or someone close to them are threatened. Others will negotiate or placate. And then there are those who fight. She’s a fighter. He’d stake his badge on it. She asks what he and his badge are doing in town, if it’s not to take Sonny down, and he says he’s here to help Sonny. The attempts on his life are part of a bigger conspiracy. So far, Sonny has been lucky, but he can’t end this without the help of law enforcement… Sonny never told her about this, did he?

Drew says, when Curtis found out Trina might be his, and even when he found out she was his, he gets it. He knows what it’s like to lose years and years of time with your daughter. Curtis says he knows, and he did his fair share of blaming Portia, but recently he’s had to admit he withheld the truth about something that could affect his family. He told himself that he was doing it for the right reasons, but that was just an excuse. And he has to be honest; it hurt both of them and justice is hard to swallow. Drew says he hears that, and Curtis made it through. Curtis says, thankfully, but he sure didn’t make it easy. When he first got shot, he acted up, he acted out, he pushed away everyone who loved him, especially Portia – again. Finally, he had to accept that if he didn’t want to live his life miserable, he needed to take a long look at himself in the mirror and be real. Get out of his own way. Because the ability to change his outlook and his life, starts and ends with him and him alone. So now he and Portia are back on track, happy, and they’re excited about moving forward together. Drew says, Curtis is a lot of things, but he’s not slick, and Curtis says, they’re just having a conversation. Drew says, Curtis is dropping these pearls of wisdom, trying to give him advice not very stealthily. But he hears Curtis, and it’s exactly what he needed to hear, and lesson learned. Because he hasn’t really been playing fair himself. Carly didn’t want him to go to prison to protect her, but he did it anyway. And in one heat of the moment slip of the tongue – he punches the teardrop bag – he made it seem like he resented her for that. Curtis asks if he does, but Drew says, no. He’s the one who made the deal with the DA, even though he knew she wouldn’t want him to. Now she feels responsible for what happened to him in Pentenville, and since he’s been released, all she’s been doing is being supportive and being there for him, even when it’s meant compromising what matters to her. He flashes back to Carly telling him that she really appreciates his sacrifice, but she can’t move forward until Nina is behind her. She doesn’t want to think about Nina anymore, she doesn’t want to argue with Nina anymore, and she doesn’t want to hurt Nina anymore, because it always comes back to bite her, and she doesn’t want to do that to herself anymore. Drew tells Curtis, you know what? Maybe it’s time for him to do the same thing for her.

John says he’s sorry. He thought Carly knew about the larger conspiracy. He just assumed Sonny would keep her in the loop. She says, now that he brought her in the loop, how much danger is her family in? and he says, her family hasn’t been the focus so far. She asks, then what’s the focus? and he says, three former and current heads of major crime families. Now there’s four. She says, Olivia Jerome being the fourth.

Natalia says she’s waiting for an explanation, and Kristina looks at Blaze, who seems frozen. Kristina says, they were having a girls’ night last night and it was super late, so Allison let her crash here. Natalia says, okay. Allison is so generous like that. Blaze asks how she even got in here, and Natalia says she booked the room on Your Escort and her name is on the paperwork, so she just asked for a key. She hugs Blaze and says, but she never would have come so early if she’d known Blaze had plans with a friend.

Nina says, now that Ava has sold Windymere, is she going to have Lucy help find her and Avery a place? and Ava says, eventually. Assuming Sonny is going to let them leave. Nina says, but it’s just temporary, right? He’s not thinking of having Ava and Avery stay there permanently, is he? Ava says she doesn’t know what he’s thinking. She doesn’t know what his next move is and she’s not going to pressure him. Like she told Nina, she and Sonny are in a good place right now. She knows from personal experience that he lashes out most when he’s hurt. Nina says, Ava doesn’t need to tell her that; she lived it. She can’t believe Sonny slammed to door in her face like she wasn’t even there. Ava says, but the fact that he’s hurt means that he still has a lot of feelings for Nina. So she thinks Nina just has to give him time. Nina says she has been giving him time. She’s given him space. Ava says, and she’s right to do so. He’s going through a tough time lately. Nina says, it was a blow when he lost Spencer, and Ava says, and now Dex is gone. Nina asks, what happened to Dex? and Ava says, it doesn’t matter, but Nina says, it matters to her. She’s not budging until Ava tells her everything that happened.

Sonny puts on his coat and says he needs a decision. What’s it going to be? Spinelli says he’ll do the job, and Sonny says he appreciates that. He wants to do something for Spinelli in return. What’s that problem he’s having in his apartment with the plumbing? Spinelli says, it’s been since Christmas Eve… and Sonny says, that’s unacceptable. He’ll have his contractor go over there and he’ll fix it by the end of the week. Spinelli says, that’s not necessary, but thanks just the same, and Sonny says, the way he feels, if there’s a leak, you have to deal with it. Spinelli says, that’s a wise course of action, but in this case, there is no leak. He staged the whole thing to give himself an excuse to move in here to help Maxie with her financial situation. Sonny says, that’s one way to show someone you care. The other way would be, why doesn’t he just tell her? Spinelli says he’ll take that under advisement, and Sonny goes to the door. Spinelli says, he misses Stone Cold too… He’s sorry. Has he spoken out of turn? Sonny says he’ll keep in touch, and leaves.

Kristina comes out fully dressed, and Blaze says, the food they ordered arrived. Kristina says, her mom is probably hungry after traveling, so she’ll let them enjoy, but Blaze says, there’s more than enough to share. Kristina should stay. Kristina says she has a full day. She should just get going. Blaze tells Natalia, Kristina is starting a youth center, and she also manages a restaurant, and Natalia tells Blaze, look what I brought back from Puerto Rico, showing her a pair of sandals. Aren’t these adorable? Blaze says, but are they vegan? and Natalia says, does that matter? Blaze says, it has for a while, and Kristina tells Natalia to enjoy her stay in Port Charles. Natalia thanks her and says, all of Allison’s friends call her Natalia. Natalia takes a covered dish out of her suitcase, and says, look what she managed to smuggle in, Blaze’s abuela’s tembleque. Blaze thanks her, but says she’s told Natalia before, she doesn’t really like coconut pudding. Natalia asks when Blaze told her that, and Blaze says she told Natalia multiple times. Natalia never listens to her. Natalia asks what she doesn’t like about it, and Kristina says, the texture. She’s the same way about avocado and flan. Natalia says she thinks she knows her daughter, and Kristina says, of course (🍷), but Blaze asks if Natalia really knows her. She didn’t know Blaze lied to her earlier and it isn’t the first time Blaze has kept something from her.

Drew finishes with some pull-ups, and Curtis says, that’s impressive. Good work. Drew says, so good to see him. He’s so happy everything is working out for Curtis. Curtis says he doesn’t know what’s going on, but it must be important since Drew looks like he’s in a hurry. Drew says he is, and jets.

John says he can neither confirm nor deny the death of Olivia Jerome is connected to the case he’s working, and Carly says, so now he’s clamming up? He was super talkative a minute ago. He tells her, this much he’ll say. He’s making headway on this case, and he promises her, he will nail whoever’s behind this. She says, before or after Sonny’s death? Play this right and it saves him the hassle of building a case against Sonny and putting him away, right? He says, Sonny is a potential victim and he’ll do everything in his power to make sure Sonny is safe. If, after this case is closed, it becomes his business to investigate Sonny on charges of racketeering, he’ll do everything in his power to secure a legal conviction against him. He doesn’t cut corners. It does no good to catch criminals by becoming one himself. She says, he sure does pride himself on his integrity, doesn’t he? You know what’s funny? The most honorable man she knew, he’d consider a criminal. He says, and she doesn’t? and she says, no. He was her friend. She adds, and by the way, he’s drinking Corinthos coffee, and walks away.

Ava says, Sonny doesn’t really share much with her, and Nina says, it doesn’t seem that way to her. She thinks Ava knows more about her husband than she does. Ava says, the assumption of proximity, nothing more, and Nina says she’s not asking for a lot. She’s just asking for the opportunity to have a conversation with her husband. He evicted her from their home, he’s kept her at bay, and he hid behind his lawyer when he served her with divorce papers. Sonny walks in, and Nina says, if he wants to end their marriage, the least he could do is have the decency to say it to her face. Sonny says, here he is.

Nina asks if she can have a word with Sonny, and he asks if Ava is ready to go. Ava says, just about, and Nina says, her appointment was with Sonny? Ava nods and goes in the back. Nina says, while Ava grabs her things, can they just talk? She’s been waiting, she’s been biding her time, hoping he’d realize what they mean to each other. He says, not now, and she says, then when? After she’s given him a divorce? They made vows. He swore he’d love her until death, and now he can’t even spare her an hour?

Natalia says, Blaze lied? About what? Blaze looks at Kristina, who starts to leave, but Blaze says, don’t go. Please. She needs Kristina here for this. Kristina puts down her bag, takes off her coat, and stands next to Blaze. Blaze says, Natalia doesn’t know her as well as she thinks, and it’s partially her fault. Natalia says, partially, and Blaze tells her, when Kristina said that she let her crash here, it wasn’t the truth. Kristina was covering for her. Natalia asks why she’d need to cover for Blaze. What has she done? Is she sick? Blaze looks at Kristina and says, she’s great actually. She lied to Natalia. She and Kristina are more than just friends.

Maxie comes back and tells Spinelli that she feels like she’s had a full day already, and she hasn’t even gone to the office yet. But the Craft Fair looks great. He says he’s sure it does with her help and creativity, and she says, Sonny’s gone? He says, Sonny left a while ago, and she says, the kids are having so much fun at the Craft Fair, she didn’t want to leave. Bailey’s really enjoying playing with the clay and James is making something special for Spinelli, but she’s not allowed to say what it is, so… He kissed her last night. He says he did, and she kissed him back. She says she did, and he says, so what happens next?

Carly comes out to find John gone, and a note with his check that says, sorry for upsetting you. She flashes back to asking him how much danger her family is in. She remembers telling Drew that he agreed to her condition of ending his war with Nina if she became Editor-in-Chief of Crimson. Then telling him that this was her first and last issue. She looks at the note and says, you’re not the only reason I’m upset. I’m just so sick of not being considered. She crumples the note, and Drew walks in.

Ava comes back, and Sonny tells her to go ahead and leave. Send the car back, and he’ll try to make it to the school. If he can’t make it, he’ll talk to her tonight at home. She says, okay. Sounds good. She quietly tells Nina, good luck, and leaves. Sonny says, the floor is Nina’s. What’s she got to say?

Tomorrow, Kristina asks if Blaze is sorry that she called Kristina her girlfriend; Spinelli tells Maxie that he thinks he’s falling back in love with her; and Carly tells Drew that she doesn’t see how this relationship works if he can’t let go.  

Below Deck

Second day of charter. Fraser tells Captain Kerry that Barbie thinks everyone is against her and they’re not, but she’s been vile to him. The captain asks how she gets along with the rest of the team. He can’t just say someone is gone, but if they’re not fitting in, they’re not fitting in. Fraser says, she’s not a team player, and Captain Kerry asks if he’s happy with her work. Fraser says, she could be an asset if her attitude changed, and the captain tells him to think about it open minded and professional. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, with Fraser, emotions are involved. He doesn’t have to like her. Fraser says he’ll talk to her and keep it short, sweet, and professional. Barbie tells Sunny that she feels underappreciated, and in her interview, she says she grew up with a dad who applauds her 24/7. All she knows how to do in this situation is shut down. She’s in a hard place and it sucks. Oh, does she mean actually being required to listen to her boss? Captain Kerry tells Jared that they need to be on the dock at 11, and in his interview, he says, there are going to be two vow renewals and one couple getting married. He became ordained, but he knows more about divorce than weddings. In Sunny’s interview, she says she’s mad at Ben for calling her out over the radio. It makes her look bad. She’s had past issues with men on yachts. She worked with two deckhands and a bosun, one of the deckhands being a greenie. He kept telling her what to do and she cried. Then she became emotional and sensitive in their eyes, so she’s learned to stand up for herself.

 St. George’s, Grenada. Some of the crew goes to set up by the waterfall, and Captain Kerry calls his girlfriend. She asks if he can marry them, and he says, they could get mirror and go for it. We find out Barbie is most interested in Jared, and in her interview, she says she’s attracted to people’s souls. Seeing her past boyfriends, you can tell she doesn’t go for looks. Not that Jared is ugly. In the taxi with Fraser, Jared says, everyone wants a piece of Barbie, and Fraser says, he might have to hurry. In Kyle’s interview, he says he has no competition. He’s already won. She just needs to see it. Fraser says, he’s not getting a positive attitude from her and getting backlash on everything. It just takes one bad apple to spread to other crew members. Jared says, it’s like bacteria. Barbie calls her mom and says, her boss told her that she lacks respect. He’s making her look like an a-hole. He pushes her every second and attacks her constantly. In Barbie’s interview, she says, at this point, she can’t win. She tells her mom that she’s not sure this is the best thing for her.

Barbie’s mom tells her that she’s capable of handling this, and in her interview, Barbie says, she’s going to push through. She thinks quitters are losers and she’s a winner. Sunny confronts Ben about him calling her out on the radio, but he says, it wasn’t on her; it was on Jared. He didn’t know it came across like that. In Sunny’s interview, she says, recognizing that he hurt her feelings would be something. He’s a d*ck and an a-hole. Good thing they’re close together. At the waterfall, the crew sets up a gazebo, and the guests leave for the shore. When they see the set-up, groom-to-be Robert says he thinks pretty damn romantic, and Fraser says he’s getting goosebumps. The couples get ready – primaries Steven and Tara and guests Ran and Rachel are doing a vow renewal, while guests Michelle and Robert are getting married. Captain Kerry gives an amusing take on performing the ceremony, adding things like, I will trust you sometimes; and I will give you my hands, my heart, and my love, but not my last beer. He has them exchange rings to remind them of their eternal love and the promises they made today, and then tells them to kiss the bride of their choosing. In Fraser’s interview, he says he loves seeing people in love after 7 years (Steven and Tara). If he gets married, he wants a small, intimate beach wedding, wearing linen. Afterwards, the guests have sushi and cocktails. I cry because I will never be able to afford a vacation like this. In Anthony’s interview, he says, the captain is serious about crew food. They’re going to have so much food, a f***ing buffet every day. In the crew mess, Xandi tells Ben that yachting means different things to different people, and Ben asks if she wants it forever. He calls it Neverland. She says, it’s not normal, but it becomes your normal. Jared texts Ben to bring the tender for the guests, and Barbie tells Jared that he’s her favorite. In her interview, she says, she’s being her regular, honest, tragic self, and in Jared’s interview, he says he was taken aback. Maybe there’s something there. He doesn’t know.

Anthony needs help, and Kyle offers. In Anthony’s interview, he says he’d love to find love. He was married at 26 to a chief stew, and one of his uncle’s, who was a captain, found her a job. He never heard from her and guesses she left him for his uncle. For the moment, he’s literally in love with his cat. We see a photo of him with a beautiful black kitty. Aww! The guests get ready for dinner, and Fraser tells Barbie that he’s putting Cat on service, at least at the beginning. In Barbie’s interview, she says, Fraser’s moving her off service. What? Why? If he wants to mix people around to get back at her for the attitude that she knows she has, fine. At the end of the day though, it’s affecting service. Fraser goes over instructions with Cat and calls the captain to dinner. In his interview, Anthony says, love is in the air. It’s going to be important to keep following the vibe. Last night’s steak was not that great. We flash back to Robert saying it was tough, and Anthony says, it’s more pressure because it’s the last dinner. He’s got to be in shape, be strong, and do his best. It’s a parade of food porn – salmon tartare, some kind of beet thing, a local crab cake, asparagus risotto with red snapper, and a lamb chop that Anthony personally accompanies. One of the guests asks if the captain has ever had crawfish, and he says, when he was growing up, they caught something similar called a yabby. You can catch them with a cake of soap and a string. I’d like to hear more about that. Do they try to eat the soap? Do they ride on it? What? Fraser goes over cutlery for the next course with Cat, who’s been committing minor, yet noticeable, infractions. In Fraser’s interview, he says, quite honestly, it’s a cat-tastrophe. The crew is called to the galley for the wedding cake, which is white and topped with raspberries. In Captain Kerry’s interview, he says, the mistakes Cat is making are showing him that she’s not trained well enough to do service. Barbie peels some aloe for Kyle’s sunburn, and in his interview, he says he knows she likes Jared, but he has nothing to lose. Don’t write him off just yet.

The captain and Fraser discuss Cat’s mistakes, and Captain Kerry says, her response is great to them being pointing out, but she didn’t have the eye to notice. There’s lobster eggs benedict for breakfast, and Xandi suggests they see if the guests consummated the marriage. Eww! In Jared’s interview, he says, the first docking didn’t have the best communication. Inside, he’s screaming, fack – with an a. In the captain’s interview, he says, the last docking was the worst experience. He’s feeling confident, but nervous. Jared tells the captain, 12 meters, no, 20, and says, he needs to work on his meters. Ya think? In his interview, he says, nailed it, then catches a fly with his fingers, surprising himself. That reminds me of the time my father did that – in church. Why is it always the places where you shouldn’t be laughing? It’s guest departure time, and Tara says, they couldn’t have asked for anything better. Steven wishes them the best of luck for the rest of the season and gives the captain the tip envelope. They leave, and Captain Kerry says, amazing charter, and the deck team has a wash party. Jared tells the deckhands that he hasn’t met his daughter yet, because his ex isn’t allowing it, and in his interview, he says, he wasn’t ready for it when his ex got pregnant and didn’t handle it properly. Now he’s trying like hell to correct it, but it’s hard to sew back together a wound without leaving a scar behind. The captain calls the tip meeting, and he says, the guests were happy. The docking was better, and the wedding was wild with the logistics involved. It was a magical experience, and the guests were impressed. The tip is $22,500 or $1730 each. In Xandi’s interview, a producer asks what she’s doing with the money, and she says, therapy and a chiropractor. Captain Kerry says, the first round is on him, and Jared unsuccessfully tries to call his daughter. In his interview, he says, he’s on a set schedule to talk to her, but the lack of cellular service puts him in a difficult way. His fear is, if he doesn’t maintain the schedule, his ex will cut him off.

Port Louis Marina. The crew heads to the restaurant, and the captain joins them. They all agree the guests were easy, and Captain Kerry says, high maintenance they can deal with. It’s a-holes they can’t. Jared knocks over a glass, then goes to the bar for a shot of tequila. Fraser thinks he seems pissed off, and the captain makes his exit, telling them, be good or be damn good at it. Jared picks the salt off his shot glass and clinks glasses with Barbie. He asks Cat if she likes ass (negatory), and in Barbie’s interview, she says, his sloppy behavior is turning her all the way off. It’s like when you’re on a first date and think, I’ve met my husband. But on the second, you think, no, I did not. She decides to hae a smoke with Kyle and sits with him on a beach couch. Ben asks Sunny to go for a beach walk, but not in a romantic way. I don’t think. Barbie complains to Kyle about Fraser and says, the guests love her and she works her ass off. Sunny tells Ben that he likes to stir the pot (agreed) and he’s being a d*ck (also agreed). He says, there’s a difference between being a d*ck and being cheeky, and he’s being cheeky. She says, it comes off as being a d*ck, and in her interview, she says, she’s been lied to, humiliated, and hurt by former boyfriends, and she doesn’t trust anybody. Ben tells her that he’s an Aussie and charismatic, and she says, he can gaslight her all he wants.

Cat asks if they can’t have a chill night at the boat and play card games, but that’s a no. Ben asks if Sunny was worried about the captain hearing the radio, and she says, yes. He tells her that it doesn’t matter. She needs to be thick skinned. He’s sorry he offended her, but she’s probably the captain’s favorite crew member. Music happens and they dance. There’s a bonfire and Cat tries talking on the phone with a friend, but the call keeps dropping. In Cat’s interview, she says she doesn’t feel a genuine connection with anyone. It’s a huge trigger. Growing up with her foster family, she suppressed who she was. Now she’s been thrown on a boat with people she doesn’t know, and it makes her feel insecure. She’s not fully able to feel like herself. Fraser puts his arm around her, and she cries. She says she’s sad and tired and hopes she’s not bland. He says, there’s nothing bland about her, and she says she’s used to having close friends. It doesn’t feel like her previous teams. In Fraser’s interview, he says, Cat at the moment is a Leaning Tower of Pisa. She’s been through so much, it’s no wonder it’s a shock to her system. He tells her that she’s beautiful, she’s fun, and she’s everything they need. She’s his most precious stew. He tells her that he’ll be her family for the next six weeks. He’ll be there for her. In his interview, he says he sympathizes. He’s been there before. All they need is to take a breath. He tells Barbie to be fragile with Cat. He can’t deal with her attitude. She says, he’s sassy too, but he says he doesn’t have sass. If something isn’t done correctly, he’s going to be annoyed. She says she’s not doing the yes, sir, no, sir thing, and in his interview, he wonders where she gets off thinking this attitude and approach to a superior is going to work. He doesn’t care how good she is. If she goes against him, it’s going to be an issue. He tells her, f***ing bring it or bring it home.

Next time, the captain has a talk with Jared; problematic and demeaning guests; and a guest’s comments affects Jared’s self-worth, making him cry.

⚰️ About Last Night…

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Hard to tell from just the first episode, but this one looks like a keeper. Rick is now a cosignee, working outside a secret CRM city in Philadelphia, PA. Their code is security and secrecy above all, and cosignees work outside the city, killing zombies, until they get promoted to be citizens. There are also not-so-secret cities in Omaha and Portland, which the CRM has their eye on. Remember how Jadis referred to Rick as an A at the end of Walking Dead? It turns out that’s not such a great thing to be as a general rule, since A’s are intelligent and strong and the CRM doesn’t want them around. It’s the B’s who get taken in, while the A’s are eliminated. Fortunately for Rick, someone has his back. If you want to know more, read on.

https://www.cbr.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-episode1-recap-spoilers

🥁 Banging the Drum At a Moderate Tempo…

Join me tomorrow for soap and VanderBS. Until then, stay safe, stay always following your words with actions, and stay accepting that if you don’t want to live your life miserable, you need to take a long look at yourself in the mirror, be real, and get out of your own way. The ability to change your outlook and your life begins with you and you alone.

Feb3

February 2, 2024 – Two Surprise Returns, Agent Jagger, Goodbye Hello, Side Gigs, Her BFF, Closed Door, VanderScraps, Two For Ones, Grammy Stuff, Bowl Parties, Opossum Pirate, Pups In the Bowl, Two Fivers Of Quotes & Living

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Doc says he’s glad Laura is home, and she says she’s glad to be home. It took forever to get here. He asks what he can do. She says, hold her, and he does. He says he kept picturing her on that boat in the dark. He should have been there. She says, he was in the hospital, recovering. Thank God for that. And there was nothing he could do anyway. He says, there are few feelings in life like feeling helpless, and she says, when they got there, the search and rescue thing was well underway. Then at some point, Dante came over, and he said they couldn’t find them anywhere. All she could think was, it’s a mistake. It just can’t be. Not her Spencer. He says, she was in shock. She probably still is. She says she guesses. She and Trina stood on the deck of the boat for a very long time. She held onto hope so tightly, but then as the search went on, they could both feel it slipping away. He says, it’s good they were there for each other, and she says, everyone was really supportive. She starts to cry, and says, then Dante and Curtis took care of everything, every detail. She’s so grateful for that. She doesn’t know if she thanked them. He says he’s sure she did, but they’ll do it again. She says she feels like she blinked, and Nikolas was gone. Then Ace, and then Spencer. It’s like her whole family is just fading away before her eyes. He holds her as she cries.

Ava lets Nina in the penthouse, and Nina asks if she’s sure Sonny isn’t going to be home any time soon. Ava says, they got back from Puerto Rico, he got a phone call, and turned around and left. She hopes the call is about whatever’s going on in Paris. Nina says she heard about that. Ava must be worried sick about Trina. Ava says she’s beyond worried. It seems the universe decided one crisis at a time isn’t enough. She and Sonny are lucky to be alive. Nina asks, what the hell is going on? Who’s after Ava and Sonny?

Anna and Jordan hide their guns in a hotel room, and Anna sets up a camera. Jordan says, good coverage, and Anna says, all they can do is be prepared. Jordan says she hopes all of these precautions turn out to be unnecessary, and Anna says, for their target’s sake, so does she.

Carly tells the server at Bobbie’s that it looks like she has things covered, and she says, for the moment anyway. Carly says, if anything changes, don’t hesitate to call her, handing the server the keys. Until Carly hires a manager, she’s the cavalry. The server says, Carly’s got it, and Carly leaves, colliding into a good-looking guy in the doorway.

Trina is about to let herself into the dorm room when Josslyn comes out. She asks what Trina is doing here. Why isn’t she in Paris? Trina says she would have let herself in, but… She walks inside and Josslyn asks, what’s wrong? Trina says, Spencer’s dead.

Sonny knocks at Laura’s door and asks Doc if she’s back. Doc says, she is, and invites him in. Sonny asks Laura if it’s true, and she says, Spencer’s gone. They hug.

Jordan asks if Anna thinks they can count on Brennan’s information, and Anna says she thinks they can count on his opportunism. He doesn’t do anything that doesn’t work to his advantage. They’re in a position to help him, only the gun dealer is not. Jordan says, Brennan gave them the right referrals or O’Neal would have never agreed to meet them. Anna says, keep it short and sweet. If Jordan can get him talking about his clients who have bought guns from him, great. If not, they make a buy and spring their trap. Jordan says, the threat of federal charges should be enough to make him give up whoever bought the rifle used to shoot Curtis. Anna says she hopes so, and there’s a knock at the door.

Carly says she’s so sorry and asks if she spilled coffee on him, but the guy says, no. How about her? Is she okay? Carly says she’s fine. This isn’t how she wants to welcome people to her place. He says, she owns this place? and she says, yeah. He asks when she changed the name, and she says, recently. He says he used to work here when it was Kelly’s. He’s John. She says she’s embarrassed, and introduces herself. They shake hands, and she asks if it’s too late to welcome him back. He says, not at all. Thanks. It’s good to be back. She tells him to enjoy his meal, and he goes inside. Leo calls to Carly, and runs up to her, hugging her. He says he hasn’t seen her in forever, and she says, that means she gets an extra hug. Olivia suggests he go inside and look at his book. She’s going to talk to Carly about getting him some breakfast. Leo asks if they’re going to talk about extra powdered sugar on his waffles, and Olivia asks if he thinks this is her first time or what. He says, no, it isn’t, and goes inside. Carly asks, what’s up? and Olivia says, just so she knows, they’re not here just for the sugar rush. She wanted to check on Carly. Carly asks, why? and Olivia asks if she read the fashion article in the City Gazette, written by Gemma someone or other. Carly says, she came by the office and asked for a comment. Is the article out already? Olivia shows Carly her phone, and says, this morning. Carly reads, Drew Cain is leading with his heart, not with his head. This has Nina’s fingerprints written all over it. (Because no one else could possibly think that.) Olivia says, she quotes an anonymous source, and Carly says, they both know who that anonymous source is. Olivia says she wishes she could say she doesn’t agree with Carly. She was really hoping that Nina was going to try and make peace. That’s what’s best for everyone. Carly asks if that’s why Olivia kept Nina’s secret. Because it was best for everyone?

Ava says, if Dex hadn’t told her and Sonny to run for cover, she wouldn’t be sitting here telling Nina this story right now. Nina asks if Avery was with her, and Ava says, Avery was in her room. She didn’t know they were in any danger. She thought the gunfire was fireworks, thank God. Nina asks if she’s okay, and Ava says, yeah, just a couple of scratches. Nina looks at Ava’s hand and says, that’s more than a scratch. Is she in pain? Ava says, it’s fine. Like she told the doctor, it’s nothing a good, stiff drink can’t fix. Nina asks if Sonny has any idea who did this, but Ava says, nothing he’s talked about in any detail. She knows Sonny. He doesn’t really discuss his concerns. He just gets very, very, very quiet. Nina says, he doesn’t eat, he doesn’t sleep, he just moves on with the next thing. She doesn’t know how he does it. Ava says she got the feeling he thinks it’s a second attempt by the people behind Curtis’s shooting, and Nina says, that means they’re not going to stop until they succeed. Ava tells her not to worry though. She knows Sonny works with only the very best and takes every precaution. Nina says she’s just got to remind herself that he wouldn’t be where he is if he took chances, and Ava says, and he wouldn’t have been there for so long, right? Relax. She’s not going to be a widow anytime soon. Nina says she doesn’t even know if she’s still a wife.

Trina tells Josslyn, before she could even move, Esme and Spencer were in the water. They had helicopters and divers, but nobody could find them. Josslyn asks if they’re still searching, but Trina says, they can’t be rescued. It’s been too long. It’s impossible. Josslyn says, but they can bring him home? and Trina says, no. The police don’t expect to find their bodies. They think Esme and Spencer were carried out to sea. Josslyn says she’s sorry and hugs Trina.

Laura says she’s sorry she told Sonny about Spencer on the phone. It’s a horrible way to find out. He says, any way would be horrible. It’s good to face the truth. Any update from the French police? She says, they searched for the mandatory 48 hours. After that point, Spencer and Esme were presumed dead. Their bodies were taken by the current out to the English Channel. They’re just gone. She starts to cry again, and Sonny says, she’s going to be fine. Is she doing all right? Laura says he has to remind herself to breathe, and he says, if there’s anything he can do, but she says, there isn’t. He says, if something comes up… She says, it’s not going to, and Doc says, it’s good of Sonny to come by. Laura says, this is very difficult for her, and Sonny says he gets it. She says, it’s not just about Spencer. This is also about her brother. The way Sonny laid hands on him was unconscionable. Sonny says he doesn’t think Laura knows who Cyrus is, but she says she does. She knows what he’s capable of. She thought she knew Sonny. She thought he was a different man. He says he is, and she says she’s sure Cyrus goaded him, and she hopes Sonny just lost control because he nearly killed Cyrus with his bare hands. Sonny says he made a mistake. Cyrus played him. He went after him. He shouldn’t have done that. Is Cyrus worth her trouble? She says she doesn’t know, but Sonny is. Their friendship is, or that’s what she thought. She thinks they owe each other the truth, so she’s going to give it to him now. She’s had a lot of violence and bloodshed in her life and she can’t take it anymore. She won’t take it anymore, friendship or no friendship. He says he gets that, and she says she hopes he does. They hear Cyrus in the hallway saying he has every right… Doc says, impeccable timing. That must be her brother. Dex says he can’t let Cyrus in, and Doc opens the door.

Cyrus tells Sonny to call of his dog. He’s here to see his family. Laura nods, and Doc invites Cyrus in. Laura says, it’s not a good time, and Cyrus says, that’s why he’s here, so he can help his sister walk through this. Doc says he can start by respecting his sister’s wishes, and Cyrus says he has nothing but respect for his sister and the profound loss she’s suffered. Sonny asks how he found out about Spencer, and Cyrus says he watched over Spencer while he was in Pentenville, and he continued to stay abreast of his family’s movements. Sonny says, whether they wanted him to or not? and Cyrus says he laments that he wasn’t able to protect Spencer in the end and he grieves with his dear sister and for her. Sonny says, nobody wants to hear that, and Cyrus says, blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Laura says, stop it. This is not comforting her. Just go. Cyrus says he just hopes she can find some comfort knowing that there is a coming glory… She yells, stop it!

Nina says, it’s good that Ava is staying here with Sonny, and Ava says she doesn’t know how good it is, but it’s safe. There are guards everywhere. Avery’s happy being with her father. Nina says, of course (🍷). Sonny is such a great dad. Ava says, he talks about his family all the time, that’s for sure, and Nina asks if he’s said anything else. Ava says, they don’t exactly sit down at the end of the day and chat about what happened at the office, and Nina asks if he ever talks about his marriage. Ava says, no, sorry. He wouldn’t talk to her about that, of all people. She noticed he’s still wearing his wedding ring though. Nina says, that’s something. It’s easy enough to take off, so if he’s still wearing it, there must be something inside of him that says he doesn’t want to give up on their marriage. Ava says she hopes so. She really hopes that things work out for Nina and Sonny. Nina says, but…? and Ava says she just thinks Nina ought to prepare herself for a life without him, but Nina says she can’t. She can’t lose Sonny. She can’t lose his family because they’re her family too. She can’t lose Willow, Wiley, and Amelia; they’re her world. Ava says she knows, and Nina says, Ava has that beautiful gallery. Ava has Avery. Nina doesn’t have Crimson anymore, and if she loses Sonny and her daughter and her grandchildren, she has nothing.

Leo looks at his book, then looks outside at Carly and Olivia. He takes out his fidget spinner as John watches him from another table.

Olivia says she wasn’t trying to protect Nina, and Carly says, then who was she trying to protect? Because Nina was the only one who benefitted from her silence.

John comes over to Leo’s table and asks if he likes animals. Leo says he’s not supposed to talk to strangers, and John says, that’s a good rule. He taught his son the same rule, but – he sits down – he also told him that it was okay to talk to law enforcement. He shows Leo his badge and says he’s Agent John. Leo asks if he’s really from the FBI, and John says, yes, sir. Leo says, then he’s Leo Falconari, and John says, it’s nice to meet him.

Jordan lets O’Neal in, and he puts his case on the bed. He starts to frisk her, and she asks if it’s necessary. He says, can’t be too careful, and she says she wants to make a buy, not commit a robbery. He says, it’s for someone’s capacity, not their intentions. He’s covering all his bases. She says, no kidding. Buy her dinner first? He says, no wire, no gun. Good start. So who referred her? She says, Maloy, but he already knows that, and he asks how she knows Maloy. She says, book club. Him?… Yeah. That’s what she thought. It’s probably neither of their business. He moves his case to the credenza and opens it. He says he’s got a <insert complicated gun description> gun with the longest fair fight sniper shot in history. (This sounds like an oxymoron, but I swear that’s what he said.) He hands it to her, and she looks it over. She says, let’s talk price, and he says, it’s not a negotiation. She says, since when? and he says, if she wants quality and confidentiality, this thing’s untraceable. She’ll never know where it came from, and he’ll never know how she chose to use it. So, is it an agreement or not?

Trina tells Josslyn that she heard the sirens from police boats and turned away from Spencer just for a second. He was saying something, then he gasped, and when she turned around, he had the strangest look on his face. He looked surprised and he had fear in his eyes. Then she saw Esme with the needle and then Esme tried to come for her. Somehow, Spencer found enough strength to grab her, and they both went in the water.

Jordan says, all right, let’s do this, and hands the gun back to O’Neal. She takes out her phone and asks, what’s the routing number for the wire transfer? He says, it has to be an encrypted transaction, and she says, fine. Give her whatever device he wants to use, and she’ll make the transfer. He says he prefers human touch, and she says she’s aware. He says, she can make the transfer directly to his accountant, and she says, how quaint. Is he outside? Is he on his way here? O’Neal says he’s afraid not. They’re going to him.

Leo says his mom is outside arguing with Aunt Carly, and John asks, what makes him think they’re arguing? Leo says, the way they’re standing and what they do with their arms, and John looks outside. He says, kind of like a threat display from an animal, and Leo says, humans are animals. John says, that is very true. What kind of animals are in Leo’s book? Leo says, all kinds, and John asks if there are bears in there. Leo asks if he likes bears, and John says he does. Bears are smart and they’re strong. He wouldn’t want to meet one in the wild, but he likes reading about them.

Olivia tells Carly that Drew had already gone to prison. Carly’s accounts had already been frozen. Nothing she knew could have changed any of that. All she could do was stop the damage Nina had already done from going even further. Carly says, and the fact Olivia and Ned were also victims of Nina’s lies didn’t matter, but Olivia says, of course (🍷) it mattered. Carly asks if Olivia’s forgotten how furious she was at her for accusing Ned, because she hasn’t. Olivia says she hasn’t forgotten. She thinks about it every day. Carly says, then why would she shield the woman who was actually responsible? Nina stood back and let Ned take the blame.

Ava says she never, not in a million years, would have predicted that Drew would remove Nina from Crimson and replace her with Carly. Nina says, he’s not the same person as he was before he went to prison. He’s harder. Ava says putting Carly in a position Nina has held successfully for years adds a lot of uncertainty and risk to Crimson for no good reason. Nina says, making her suffer is reason enough in Drew’s book, and Ava says, he’s making choices he’s going to regret, that’s for sure. Nina thanks her, and Ava says, she’s welcome. She’s just stating the obvious here. Nina says she appreciates that, but she’s thinking, Ava doesn’t always agree with her choices, but she understands Nina’s reasoning behind it and doesn’t make her suffer. Ava doesn’t punish her for them. Ava says, nobody in this room has a monopoly on bad choices, and Nina says she’s very grateful for Ava’s friendship and her loyalty. She loves Ava so much and thanks her. Ava says she loves Nina too, and she’s welcome. Nina says she shouldn’t be bothering Ava about this. She’s worried about Trina. Ava says she can listen to Nina and worry at the same time, and Nina says, and she’s still coming down from being shot at and attacked. Ava says, the first time somebody shoots at you, it does come as a bit of a surprise, but with time and experience, you kind of get used to people trying to kill you. Nina laughs and says she’s very impressed by Ava’s resilience, more than she’ll ever know, but she must have been afraid in Puerto Rico. Avery could have lost both of her parents. She can’t always look out for Sonny anymore, no matter how much she wants to. Ava has to promise her that she and Sonny will always look out for each other.

Trina tells Josslyn, when they were in Greenland, and Spencer went missing, everyone lost hope. Not her. She didn’t believe he was gone. Josslyn says, and now? and holding back tears, Trina says she wants to believe so badly, but something tells her that this time there won’t be a happy ending.

Doc holds open the door, and Cyrus says he meant no harm. He gives them his word. Sonny says, they all know what that means. Let him walk out with Cyrus. Sonny tells Laura that he’ll call her, and Cyrus says, Laura may not believe in his spiritual awakening, but he prays she believes this. He cared about Spencer as he cares about her. Sonny says, that’s nice. Let’s go. Sonny steers Cyrus out, and in the hallway, Cyrus shakes him off. He says he gave Sonny a pass on the assault charges, but just the one. He’s a believer, not a saint. Sonny says, that makes two of them.

Josslyn asks what Trina is going to do. Is she going to stay here? Is she going back to Paris? Maybe Josslyn could take some time off… Trina says she doesn’t think she could go back to Paris ever again, and Josslyn says she doesn’t want a new roommate. Trina should come live with her again. Trina says she appreciates it, but she’s going to live with her parents and she’s going to take a semester off. She can’t even think about school. All of this seems so trivial. Like, what’s even important anymore? Josslyn says she understands. It’s hard to act like there’s a tomorrow when you lose someone you love. Trina asks if that’s what it was like when Josslyn lost Oscar, and Josslyn says, kind of, but he was sick, so it was peaceful in the end. It’s different than what Trina just went through. But the way you feel like you can’t breathe and the way your heart actually hurts – she tears up – that’s the same. They both cry, and Trina says she feels like it took so long for her and Spencer to finally be together. Then they finally were, and they were in a happy place. Then, like in a heartbeat, all of that was over. She and Josslyn hug.

Olivia tells Carly that she and Ned looked at the situation and made a judgement call. Exposing Nina wasn’t going to help anybody fix anything. And a huge blow-up would have just made everything so much worse. Carly says, so that’s what she and Ned decided, and Olivia says, he took a little convincing, but… She looks inside, seeing Leo with John, and tells Carly, hold on a second. She goes inside, directly to Leo’s table, where he’s reading to John from his book. Olivia says, pretty friendly, huh? and Leo says, this is John. Olivia says hello to John and suggests Leo wash his hands before his waffle gets here. Leo leaves, and John stands up. He says, he’s a great kid, and Olivia says, yeah. He says, he’s on the spectrum? and she says, he has ASD, yeah. He says, so does his son. He’s sorry for approaching her boy, but he could tell Leo was getting agitated watching her and Carly. She says she should have realized he could see them out there and it would bother him, but John says, it’s fine. He thinks he distracted Leo. She says, looks like he did and thanks him. She asks, how old is his son? and he says, he’s grown now, and living independently. She says, so he’s doing well? and John says, he’s doing great. His phone rings, and he asks her to excuse him for a moment. She says, of course (🍷), and he steps away.

John asks, what’s the word?… Nobody moves until he gets there. He dashes out of the diner.

Jordan says, everyone and their cat knows you don’t go to a second location, and he says, suit yourself. He starts to pack up, and she says, there’s got to be a way they can make this happen, right here, right now. He says, it’s unusual for a customer to make this hard a sell. Why does this deal need to happen before he leaves this room? She says she thought she was paying for confidentiality, and he says, at the moment, he doesn’t know what she’s paying him for. She says, that’s too bad. Sorry they couldn’t get this done. She’s about to reach behind a chair pillow for a gun, but he grabs her and says, they’re not done until she tells him who she really is. Anna comes out of nowhere and says, remove your hand or I’ll remove it for you. O’Neal lets go of Jordan and puts his hands up.

As they approach the penthouse, Sonny asks Dex if he’s talked to Josslyn, but Dex says, not recently. Sonny says, Dex should go to her because she should hear about Spencer from him. Go ahead. He has a lot of protection. Dex leaves, and Sonny goes inside. Ava jumps up, and Sonny asks if she’s all right. She says, yeah. She just wasn’t expecting him back so soon. He asks if she has a problem with him being back, but she says, no. She’s just a little jumpy, for obvious reasons. When he left in such a hurry, was that about Trina and Spencer? He says, it turns out, Spencer’s dead, Ava says, oh no, and Nina walks out.

Nina says she’s so sorry, and Ava says, Trina. Sonny tells her, Trina’s safe, and Nina asks, what happened to Spencer? Sonny says, he went over the side of a boat in Paris, he and Esme, and Nina says she knows he loved his nephew. She can’t imagine what he’s going through right now. He says he can’t do this right now.

Doc gives Laura a mug of what I hope is whiskey, and says, this will help her keep up her strength. A little edge cutter was in order. She says she already regrets losing her cool with Cyrus, but the conversation with Sonny was long overdue. He tells her not to beat herself up over Cyrus. What happened was understandable, especially given the loss she’s feeling. She says, but she’s not the only one, is she? Esme was his niece. She knows he did everything he could for her. He says, they both did, and Laura says, the way she was with Ace, she’s never going to believe that was an act. He says, it wasn’t. Esme’s love for Ace was genuine and maybe the only pure emotion she felt in her life. When Nikolas took Ace away, she was isolated, afraid, angry, and she chose the worst possible course of action. Laura says she was the one who talked Esme into turning herself in for breaking into Windymere. If she hadn’t… He says, there is no way she could have predicted that would happen. She didn’t know that Esme had regained her memory, and there was no way to know Nikolas would come back and convince Spencer to let him run away with Ace. There was no way she could know that. He hopes she’s hearing him when he says that. She says, if she’s being honest, all she can hear is silence in a house that used to be filled with voices. He puts his arm around her and she puts her head on his shoulder.

Carly tells Olivia that Leo’s order is next up, and she did tell them extra powdered sugar. Olivia says, for what it’s worth (🍷), she’s going to crush at Crimson. She’s wicked smart, nobody can match her instincts, and she makes being a leader look easy. That’s why the employees at the MetroCourt are so loyal to her. And she’s going to make a whole new generation of customers fall in love with Bobbie’s. Carly thanks her for saying that, and Olivia says, it’s the truth. Which she’ll never hide from Carly in the future.

O’Neal says, his other clients don’t behave this way, and Anna says, they’re not his other clients. Sit. He sits on the edge of the bed and says, they’re not so different as they keep telling themselves. There must be something in the water here. Anna says she’s under no illusion as to who or what she is, and Jordan asks what he means, there must be something in the water here? He says he doesn’t mean anything, and she says, they’re not the only ones in Port Charles buying from him, are they? He says he can’t talk about his clients. It’ll end his business. Anna says, Einstein, your business is over. He’s been peddling guns stolen from the WSB. So he has a choice to make. He’s either going to tell them what they want to know, or he waits for the Bureau to get here and then they’ll pick him up. They’re not going to sweep this under the rug. He asks what they want to know, and Jordan says, they need to know the names of every person who purchased a weapon from that WSB shipment. The door busts in, and John comes in with some men, saying, freeze. Jordan says, guns down, and they all aim their guns at one another, except for O’Neal, still on the bed with his hands up. He says, don’t shoot, and John says, FBI. Drop your weapons now.

Nina says she didn’t want to make Sonny’s night worse by being here. That’s not what she wanted. She walks out of the apartment, and Ava says she’s sorry. She knows how he feels about Nina being here. He says, it doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters. She says, Spencer. She’s so sorry. That’s just terrible. Trina must be absolutely gutted. She’s going to call her. She puts her hand on Sonny’s shoulder, he thanks her, and she leaves.

Josslyn asks if Cam knows, and Trina says she doubts it. The word hasn’t gotten out yet. Josslyn says, they’ve got to tell him, and makes the call. She says she’s here with Trina and they have to tell him something. She starts to cry and says, they need him to hear it from them.

Olivia asks if Leo wants to say goodbye to his Aunt Carly. She’s got to get to work. He asks if they’re done arguing, and Carly says, sometimes friends disagree. Olivia says she and Carly haven’t been on the same wavelength for a while, but maybe pretty soon they can try to fix that. Carly says she thinks they’ve already started, and Leo says he can tell. Their body language is better. Carly says, you know what? He’s right. Olivia says, how’s this for body language? and hugs Leo. Carly pulls them in for a three-way hug.

Anna says she and her colleague are going to lower their weapons, and John says, do that, nice and slow. O’Neal gets up and says he’s just a bystander. Anna, Jordan, and John say, shut up, and O’Neal says, okay, sitting back down. Anna says she takes it John is the agent in charge, and he asks if she doesn’t recognize him. Anna says, wait… Jagger? and John smiles.

Laura looks at a photo of young Spencer on her phone, when there’s a knock at the door. Laura opens it, and Nikolas is standing there with Ace. He says, hello, mother, and Laura cries tears of joy.

On Monday, Laura asks if it’s occurred to Nikolas that he belongs in prison; Lucy asks Martin for another chance; Anna suggests they bring the case in together; and Dante asks Sonny if it was an inside job.

🪪 Something Old Is Something New…

So far, I’m thinking we should keep him.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/adam-harrington-is-the-new-jagger-on-general-hospital

🚑 Coming and Going…

The circle of soap life.

William Lipton Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL!
Joshua Benard Done at GENERAL HOSPITAL

🤹‍♂️ No Idle Hands Here…

Teaching, directing, kicking ass as a spy. Is there nothing she can’t do?

Ian Buchanan and Finola Hughes Together Again!

Boogieing down for mental health.

Maurice Benard Boogies With TikTok’s Dancing UPS Man!

🐶 Whiskey A Go-Go…

Including this because, dog.

GH Alum Kelly Thiebaud Shares the Cutest Photo of Her Injured Dog

🍑 They Hear Her Knocking…

IRL this makes sense, but in Bravoland, anything can happen.

Kenya Moore Says ‘Door Is Closed’ for NeNe Leakes and RHOA

🍸 Extra Rules…

Maybe she’s hoping for screen time since no one wants to film with him.

Ariana Madix Thinks Billie Lee Is Living in Her House

Totally understandable.

Pump Rules Banned From Filming at Schwartz & Sandy’s

⚰️ Premiere Of Ones…

So be sure to watch the premiere before the premiere.

https://undeadwalking.com/posts/amc-amc-presents-the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-premiere-event

🏆 One Grammy Coming Up…

If you just want the basics.

https://ew.com/2024-grammys-everything-we-know-8431969

Or the whole shebang.

https://live.grammy.com

🏈 Don’t Try This At Home…

 Super Bowl party fails.

Super Bowl Party Fails

Super Bowl party mistakes. These could go for any party.

https://www.foodnetwork.com/big-game/big-game-parties/game-day-party-mistakes

Real Bowl blunders.

5 Worst Super Bowl Blunders

🦡 He Was Hungry…

The opossum is always the last one they suspect.

https://people.com/opossum-caught-on-camera-stealing-birthday-cookie-delivery-8557650

🐕 Best Bowl Of All…

The Ravens and the pups.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/baltimore-ravens-hang-out-with-rescue-puppies-for-puppy-bowl-xx-

Up for adoption.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/adoptables

Guest appearances!

Puppy Bowl XX slated to be ‘puppiest’ ever

🐬 Quotes of the Week

Take your camera, and take your selfie stick, and take your dogs, and get the f*** out of here. – crazy Karen neighbor, Neighborhood Wars

You are your greatest asset. Put your time, effort and money into training. – Tom Hopkins

At first, dreams seem impossible, then improbable, and eventually inevitable. – Christopher Reeve

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man (and woman) which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. – Blaise Pascal

Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – John Wooden

You’re no scientist. You’re just crazy. – Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee), Gyeonsueong Creature

Judge a person by their questions rather than their answers. – Voltaire

Babies are supposed to cry and throw a fit. Not you. – Amanda Halterman, 1000-Lb. Sisters

One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself. – Lucille Ball

Geometry made me its bitch. – Vince (Louis Mustillo), Mike & Molly (I so relate.)

🎤 Accepting All the Grammys…

Go out and live real life, then join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and perhaps a little Deck talk. Until then, stay safe, stay away from doom scrolling, and stay never going to a second location. Everyone and their cat knows that.

Feb2

February 1, 2024 – Felicia Advocates For Adam, Coney, See Ya, Doubles, On His Way, About Emmy, Feelings, Dragon Girl, Saturday Night Cast, Be Your Dog’s Valentine & Groove

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura stands on the deck of the French Haunted Star when Dante comes out. She asks if he’s spoken to the French authorities, and he says he did. They’re very thorough and very professional. She tells him, just say it. Where is Spencer?

Trina sits in her stateroom, flashing back to the struggle with Esme, when Portia and Curtis come in. Trina hugs Portia and takes Curtis’s hand.

Felicia finds Josslyn at the hospital and says she heard Josslyn’s friend Adam needs a patient advocate.

Nurse Willow tells Adam that she has a friend of his outside, and he says, if she’s talking about Josslyn… She says she isn’t. She’s talking about this. She brings in his guitar and he smiles. He says he wasn’t sure what happened to it, and she says, they were keeping it for him. He thanks her, but she says, thank Josslyn. She was the one who brought it from the park the night he was admitted. She thought he might want it. Killjoy Mr. Wright aka Adam’s father comes to the door and says he was hoping Adam had outgrown this thing. It’s time he got his priorities straight.

Lois asks Chase and Brook if they can imagine anything more appropriate or beautiful than St. Anthony’s in Bensonhurst. The entire neighborhood will be there. All the Cerullos and the Falconaris and Father Tom. He does a great service. (Yeah, but isn’t Aunt Gloria not allowed near that church anymore?) Brook says, they already asked Gregory to officiate, and Lois says, not to worry. Father Tom is very liberal. She’s sure he would have no problem sharing the pulpit. So have they thought about the reception? Brook says, one idea is a yacht, and Lois says, that is romantic in theory. It’s risky in practice. The night of her second wedding to Ned – the one that was actually sanctioned by the church, as opposed to the quickie one where she thought she was marrying Eddie Maine – they had a yacht cruise. The ship ran aground and almost sank with the entire wedding party and family and friends on board. Chase says, so they should be looking at venues on dry land, and Lois says, but some risks are worth taking. Could they imagine a moonlight cruise off Coney Island? They can welcome all of the guests on board under the Brooklyn Bridge, and they can sail around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. And when everybody’s ready to disembark, they can send them off with popcorn. Doesn’t that sound spectacular? (It sounds like, one of these things is not like the others.) Gregory says, spectacular, and Chase tells her, he has to say, they’re… Brook says, speechless, but Tracy says she’s not.

At Crimson, Drew asks Carly how it’s going, and she says, ask her in a couple of days because they’re in the middle of putting out the first issue of the magazine with her name on it. Her head is spinning. He says, with her here and Nina gone, Crimson has already improved, but Carly says she doesn’t know about that. She despises Nina, but Nina knew a lot more than she does about putting a magazine out. He says, Nina learned on the job. She’s going to learn on the job too. She’s a natural leader, runs a big company, and she’s got great taste, if he does say so himself. It’s only a matter of time before she surpasses Nina. She says she loves his confidence, and he says, nobody is even going to remember Nina ran this place. She says, Nina who? and they kiss. He says, the best business decision he ever made was making her Editor-in-Chief of Crimson. (I just had a thought, have the angry shareholders started calling yet? They might still be smarting from the merger debacle.) Michael walks in and asks if Drew has a minute.

Felicia tells Josslyn, after Carly called, she took a look at Adam’s recent psyche evaluation, and it turns out it’s up to him if he wants to go home or go back to school or stay here at General Hospital for observation. Josslyn says she thinks Adam just wants to live his life and not feel like he’s one big disappointment. Can Felicia help him? Felicia says she’ll do her best. There’s no underestimating the hold a parent has on a child.

Lois says, before Tracy insists the wedding be at this house with a bunch of snooty waiters and unnecessary etiquette, she wants Tracy to think about what Brook and Chase want. Tracy flashes back to Gregory saying, no more petty fighting with Lois and Olivia about the reception and arguing with Ned about anything. All that matters is that those two beautiful souls belong together, and we do everything to make that happen. He asks if they understand each other, and she says, they do. Lois tells Tracy, because this is supposed to be a celebration, and celebrations are supposed to be fun. She knows it’s important to have gorgeous flowers and beautiful table settings, but that is not as important as the food and the music and the dancing, especially the dancing. Because what’s really important is for the bride and the groom to enjoy the occasion. And what is more enjoyable than for Brook to be married in her neighborhood, surrounded by the people who’ve known her and loved her for her entire life? Brook tells Tracy, say something, and Tracy says she couldn’t agree more.

Dante tells Laura, the police found the captain locked in a closet, unconscious. When he came to, he confirmed Spencer chartered the boat to cruise the river to the English Channel. When the boat left the pier, he found an American woman on deck. She said she was lost, but he didn’t believe her. When he tried to take her into custody, she fought back and smacked him in the head with a fire extinguisher. Laura asks if the captain was able to ID her, and Dante says, he picked out Esme’s picture right away. She asks, what about the search for Spencer? and he says, they have every boat at their disposal in the water, searching. So far there’s no sign of Esme or Spencer. She says, then they can still be alive, and Dante says, yeah. He’ll check in again and see if there’s any updates. She thanks him, he says, of course (🍷), and leaves.

Trina asks, when did they get here? and Portia says, they just arrived. Ned Quartermaine kindly let them borrow the ELQ jet and they came as soon as they heard Esme was on her way to Paris. Curtis says, Laura and Dante are coordinating with the French police. He promises they’re doing all they can to rescue Spencer. Trina says she knows Spencer is alive, and Portia asks, so what happened? The police told them that Esme tried to stab Spencer with a needle. Trina says, she ambushed him from behind. Whatever drug she was using was so powerful, he couldn’t even stand. Then Esme tried to come for her and tried to inject her with the needle. Then Spencer grabbed her and they both went over the side… He saved her life like he did in Greenland. Curtis says, thank God for that, and Trina says she thought she lost him then too. Then he came back to her, so – Laura comes in – she just knows in her heart that he’s alive still. Laura tells her to trust her heart.

Michael congratulates Carly on the new job, and she thanks him. He says, the MetroCourt’s loss is Crimson’s gain. She says, don’t worry. She’s definitely getting her half of the MetroCourt back one day, with her own money. She’s not going to take loans from anyone. So until then, she’s just going to enjoy her time at Crimson. Michael says, she’ll knock it out of the ballpark, and she thanks him for the vote of confidence. But that’s not why he’s here, is it? He says, no. He was looking for Drew. His office said he was here. Drew suggests they relocate, but Carly says she’s going to GH because she thinks Josslyn could use some back-up. She hugs Drew, saying, take it easy on him, in his ear. She leaves, and Drew says, it’s late. Anything Michael needs to say to him, he can say to him in the morning. Michale says he’s afraid not. He’s resigning.

Mr. Wright says, this has got to go, trying to take Adam’s guitar, but Adam says, no, it doesn’t. Willow says, he’s upsetting the patient. Please wait outside. Wright tells Adam that they have far more important things to discuss than his musical hobby, like the reason he’s here in this hospital. Josslyn walks in with Felicia, and Wright says, then moving on to the many lies Adam’s told. Adam owes him that. Josslyn says, Adam doesn’t owe him anything, and Wright tells Willow that he thought he made it clear that this young woman was not to be allowed near his son. Felicia tells him, please do what Nurse Corinthos says and wait outside, and Wright asks who she is. She says she’s Felicia Scorpio. She’s on staff here as a patient advocate and she needs to talk to Adam, just the two of them.

Lois says she’s sorry. She doesn’t think she heard correctly. Did Tracy just agree with her? Tracy says, as mother of the bride, Lois is traditionally hostess of the wedding and the reception. She knows their tastes differ and Quartermaine traditions are not necessarily right for everyone. Lois says she always thought Tracy was too snooty to see past her own stuck-up nose, but clearly, she was wrong. Tracy says, live and learn, and Brook asks if she and Chase can have a word with grandmother privately. Gregory says, of course (🍷). Shall we? Lois says, delighted, and they leave, Gregory closing the door. Tracy says, now that they’re all on the same page, the wedding can proceed. The ceremony at St. Anthony’s in Bensonhurst, the festival hall of their choosing for the reception, and the streamers, balloons, and bunting in whatever color palette Brook’s mother desires. No need for them to thank her. Brook says, thank her? They were counting on her to say no.

Portia asks if Laura has any news, and Laura says, Dante is with the police now, but no word yet. Trina says she knows they’ll find him, and Laura asks if Trina can just tell her what happened and what Esme thought she was going to accomplish. Trina says, Esme wanted to take Spencer hostage to force Nikolas out of hiding and trade him for Ace, but Laura says, Esme’s a tiny little girl. How could she possibly overpower Spencer? Did she have a gun? Curtis says, that’s why she planned to drug him, and Trina tells them, Esme said the drug would make Spencer docile, but it didn’t work. He found a way to fight it, and then Esme came for her with the needle, and he grabbed her. That’s how she knows he loves her, and she knows he’s alive. Dante comes in, and Laura asks if there’s an update, but Dante says he’s sorry. He doesn’t have good news.

Tracy says she doesn’t understand. She thought Brook was on board with her mother’s vision. Brook asks if Tracy knows how many weddings she’s been to at St. Anthony’s. Don’t misunderstand. They’ve all been beautiful and a lot of fun, but as much as she loves the old neighborhood, she doesn’t want to be married there. Chase says he and Brook met in Port Charles. They fell in love here and the people they love and are closest to live here. Brook says, they want a Port Charles wedding. Whether they have the reception here at the house or at The Savoy or at the MetroCourt ballroom, they just want it to be in a place that has meaning for them as a couple. Chase says, it’s not that he doesn’t want to get to know Brook’s family in Bensonhurst. He does. Brook says, just not on their wedding day. They want it to be a day to celebrate their love, not a meet and greet with the Falconari and Cerullo clans. Tracy says, if that’s the way she feels, why doesn’t she tell her mother? and Brook says, because she’s her ma’s only child and she’s a daughter. A big neighborhood wedding is like a rite of passage. Her ma has always been rebellious, but when it came to marrying her dad, they did the ceremony in Bensonhurst. Tracy says she remembers the stories, running around Brooklyn in their wedding attire, hoping to make it to the church on time, and Brook says, now it’s her mother’s turn to be mother of the bride. To have all the uncles and cousins and nonnas congratulate her. And since she divorced Brook’s dad and raised Brook as a single mom, it’s an even bigger deal for her. Tracy says, so maybe Brook should defer to her wishes? and Chase says, she’s got a point. Brook says she doesn’t want to hurt her mom’s feelings, but she just wants their wedding to be their wedding. Tracy says, it will be. She promises.

Michael hands Drew his resignation and says he’s happy for his mom. He knows she’ll make Crimson even better, but Drew fired Nina and hired his mom without even asking him. He knows it’s Drew’s call, but as somebody who’s been handling the day-to-day for years, he should have at least been consulted. Drew says, like Michael shared the inside information about Nina with him? and Michael says he found out Nina tipped off the SEC at their wedding reception. He was on the phone call with his source when he looked over and saw Nina dancing with Willow and his son. Drew says he understands it’s complicated, and Michael says, that’s why he needed proof. He recorded Martin Grey admitting to everything. He went to his father. He was going to play him the recording and expose Nina; get her out of his father’s life, Willow’s life, and his kids’ life, once and for all. Drew says, Michael doesn’t have to explain it. He didn’t want to break Sonny’s heart. Michael says he and his father had been estranged ever since he chose Nina over Michael’s mom and his family. They finally reconciled, so if Michael was to go over to him and basically say, see? I was right. Nina’s a liar and you were a fool to choose her over us, he felt it would break their relationship for good. Drew says, he could have found a gentler way to bring it to him, but Michael says, no matter how he would have said it, that’s what Sonny would have heard. That’s what he heard when Michael told him the truth finally. Drew says, Sonny blames Michael as much as he blames Nina, and Michael says, if not more. That’s for him and his father to work out, or not. The point is, he owed it to Drew to let him know everything and he didn’t. He’ll stick around and help with the transition as long as Drew needs him, until he can find someone he trusts with the position. Michael starts to leave, but Drew says, wait. The truth is, his anger was misdirected toward Michael. Nina is the one who caused all the harm. Now that Carly is here in her place, the books are balanced. Michael asks what he’s saying, and Drew tells him that he’s saying he wants Michael here. But with new ground rules in place.

Wright says his son doesn’t need an advocate. He has his father. Josslyn asks how that’s worked out, and Wright says, if she doesn’t leave now, he’ll call security. Carly arrives and says, no, he won’t. Wright asks who she is, and she says she’s Josslyn’s mother. And instead of insulting her daughter, why isn’t he thanking her for saving his son’s life? Felicia says, if they’d all just step outside and give her a moment alone with Adam, but Wright says he’s staying. Willow says, Adam? and Adam says he’d like to talk to the advocate. Willow says, he heard his son. He needs to leave. Or should she call security? Wright tells Adam that he’ll be right outside, and Josslyn says she’ll be right outside too, in case Adam needs her. Everyone leaves, and Adam asks Felicia, what happens now? She says, it’s his life. He’s been given a second chance to live it. How he does so is up to him.

Dante says, the authorities are dragging the river. They’ve got divers out there and helicopters along the shoreline, but the currents are stronger the closer the river gets to the Channel. Trina says, there must be something more they can do to rescue Spencer, but Dante says, the problem is this. They’ve been in the water for more than 24 hours now. Given the temperature and whatever Esme gave to Spencer, they’re no longer calling this a rescue mission; they’re calling it recovery. Trina says she doesn’t care what they call it, recovery or rescue. What matters is they get Spencer back. Dante tells Trina and Laura that he’s so sorry. Spencer is now presumed dead. Laura starts to cry, and Trina says, they’re wrong. He’s alive. She knows he is. She runs out, crying.

Portia asks if Curtis minds, and he says, of course (🍷) not. Go after their daughter. She runs after Trina, and Curtis tells Laura that Spencer was her grandson and he’s very sorry. She thanks him, and Curtis asks who Dante’s contact is at the local police. Dante says, Captain Auboire. She has a command station set up on the bridge. She can give him all the details. Curtis says he’s going to need to hear that so he can relay it to Trina when she’s ready. He leaves, and Dante asks Laura if there’s anything he can do. She says, find her grandson, and he says he wishes he could. She says she knows. She knows Dante would bring him back if he could. They all would. But nothing can be done. She sobs and Dante puts his hand on her shoulder.

Felicia says, Adam tried to end his life. She and his medical team are going to make sure he knows they’re going to continue to support him even after he walks out the door. He’s not alone. He has help. All he has to do is ask for it.

In the hallway, Josslyn says, there’s something Wright needs to know. When she found Adam in the park, he was clutching the thing he loves most, that guitar. Does he know what she likes to think? That even when he was out of it and about to drift off forever, he heard music, and it gave him a reason to live. He believes he’s doing what’s best for his son, but what’s best for Adam is for his father to see him and accept him for who he is.

Tracy asks Lois and Gregory to join them, and Lois makes a beeline for Brook, while Gregory asks if Tracy is okay. She says, no thanks to him. Agreeing with Lois took years off her life. Lois says she doesn’t want them to worry about a thing. The cost of the boat and the food… she’s going to foot the bill. Tracy says she’s footing the bill. And on further review, she’s decided the wedding is going to take place here in Port Charles. Formal attire, flowers by Genevieve, string quartet, and French champagne. Lois asks if that’s really what they want, and Chase says, as much as he wants to meet Lois’s extended family, he and Brook are based here, and this is where they would like to have the wedding. Brook says, a formal reception with flowers and champagne and a string quartet sounds beautiful, and Lois says, beautiful, yeah, but where’s the fun? Tracy says she’s so glad Lois brought that up, because it’s the night before the wedding when the fun really happens.

Portia finds Trina on deck, and Trina asks how she’s supposed to walk away from him. How can she let him go? Portia hugs her.

Brook and Chase both say, Coney Island? and Tracy says, it may not be the proper venue for the wedding, but it’s perfect for the rehearsal dinner. Lois says, of course (🍷). Why didn’t she think of that? Tracy says, nail polish remover. Silent killer. They can recreate all the outer borough charm right on the wharf. They can hire a carnival… and rockers. Whatever. Lois says, that’s true, but Tracy could do even better than that, right? Because why recreate Coney Island, when they could have the real thing? Chase says, the rehearsal dinner is the night before the ceremony, and Brook says, they can’t get everybody down there and back to Port Charles. Lois says, is she sure? What does Tracy think? Tracy says, they can charter buses, and Lois says, buses? What about jets? Tracy is a fancy shmancy cosmeticsy old lady. She can fly everybody down there and back in one night. She can rent out the whole park. Lois can just see it now. Waiters on roller skates handing out pigs in blankets, the Salt N Sizzle, the sideshow, and oh! The Cyclone. Gregory says he’d pay money to see Tracy on The Slingshot, and Lois says, and maybe they can get the groom to serenade the bride on the beach. Brook looks at Chase, and Lois says, what? No. They’re going to tell her that they hate it? Brook says, she couldn’t be more wrong, and Chase says, they love it. Lois says, they do? and Brook hugs her. Gregory and Tracy go into the foyer.

Felicia says, Adam would like to see Josslyn now, and Josslyn goes to his room. She says, looking for her? and Adam says, the nurse told him that it was her who brought his guitar from the park to the hospital. She says she knew he’d want it, and he says, but she didn’t know if he’d be around to use it. She says, no, but she hoped, and he thanks her. She says, it wasn’t a big deal, and he says, not just about the guitar. For him. He tried to kill himself. If it hadn’t been for her, he would have. She says she was just doing what a friend does, and he says, even after everything, the way he treated her, she can still say that. She says she just did, and she promises to keep on saying it as long as he promises to hear it.

Wright tells Felicia that he still needs to see his son, when Josslyn comes back with Adam and his guitar. Wright says, oh good, he’s dressed. Enough talk. They’re going home. Adam says, no, he’s not.

Drew says he needs to know that he can trust Michael. That was never an issue before. Michael always had his back and he always had Michael’s back. He’s not blaming Michael for making the choice to protect his family, but he’s saying Michael has to remember he’s family too. Michael asks how he rebuilds that trust. Where does he start? Drew says, him firing Nina and putting Carly in her place, that’s just the beginning, and Michael asks if he’s planning more changes at Aurora. Drew says he’s planning more changes for Nina. He’s going to make her pay for every single day she kept him away from his daughter, for every scar he carried with him when he walked away from Pentenville. That woman thinks she’s lost everything. She has no idea. She’s going to keep losing until she’s alone, as broke, and as empty as she deserves to be. So is Michael with him? Ugh. I’m not liking this new, dark Drew. I wasn’t exactly a Drew fan to begin with, but he’s kind of creepy now.

Laura tells Dante that she knows better than to play with what ifs. She knows it’s not going to change anything, but she can’t stop herself. What if Spencer had just refused to give Ace to his father? Or what if when Esme finished in court, she just took her son and went back home? Then they would all just be in Port Charles tonight, wouldn’t they? And Spencer and Trina would be together. They’d be young and in love and in Paris. She cries and says, instead, they have this. She can’t imagine a world without Spencer. She just can’t.

Portia tells Trina to take her jacket, but Trina says, no. Portia says she doesn’t want Trina to get cold, but Trina says she doesn’t care. Think about how cold the water is. Spencer loved to swim, but he hated the cold. She remembers when they were at the cabin, and he couldn’t wait to make a fire… At the cabin. That’s when Esme showed her true colors. Why didn’t they pay attention? Why didn’t they get away from her then? Even Spencer… especially Spencer. Portia says, Esme can’t hurt anyone anymore. Spencer saw to that. He really was a hero. She suggests getting Trina home, since there’s really nothing they can do here now, and Trina says she’ll meet Portia at the stateroom. Portia leaves, and Trina asks Spencer, how do I do it? How do I say goodbye?

Lois says she got carried away and suggested a wedding and reception that’s very similar to… Brook looks at her, and she says, okay, almost identical to her wedding to Brook’s father… and her cousin Teresa’s… and her cousin Angela’s… All right, and to Luciana Falconari’s, which all happened this past year. Brook says, and they were all beautiful, and Lois says, yes, and Brook’s wedding will be beautiful too. As long as it’s the wedding of Brook’s dreams, not hers. Brook says she loves Lois, and Lois says she loves Brook too. Brook says, as long as they have their families wishing them well… Chase says, their wedding will be perfect. Lois agrees.

Gregory says, Tracy never ceases to amaze him. She has all sorts of hidden talents when she lets herself show them. She says, sometimes all she needs is a little encouragement. However, there is no amount of encouragement that will ever get her on anything called The Slingshot. He says he begs to differ. If he can get Alexis into a parachute, he can get her onto The Slingshot. (See below.)

Wright says, don’t be foolish. Adam’s proven he can’t be trusted on his own. After some time home with family, he can enroll in another college. Get a fresh start. Adam says he’s going back to PCU. He’s got unfinished business there. Besides, there’s a really great music department there. Wright asks, who will pay the tuition? and Felicia says, with his musical talent, perhaps PCU will want to recruit Adam. Adam says, or he’ll get a job, put himself through school, and Wright says, this is a mistake, but Adam says, it’s his to make. He has his dad’s phone number, and his dad has his. Whenever he feels like talking, they’ll talk. Wright looks disgusted, and leaves. Josslyn hugs Adam, and he says he’s not complaining, but what was that for? She says, for being you, and Carly looks on proudly.

Michael says, if regaining Drew’s trust means pursuing a vendetta against Nina, he’s sorry, but the answer’s no. Drew asks if Michael thinks he’s being too hard on her, but Michael says, it’s not worth what he stands to lose. He already went behind Willow’s back in order to protect her from her mother, and it nearly cost him his family. He can’t do that again. He wants Nina to lose everything, but he can’t be involved in making that happen. Drew had better start screening for a CEO. Drew says he already has his CEO. Michael just proved it right now. Michael asks if this was a test, and Drew says he told Michael what he was planning. Michael declined to be involved and he respects Michael’s reasons and respects his honesty. That’s what they need. They need transparency. Collaboration can’t happen without it. He rips up Michael’s resignation and says he expects to see Michael at his desk first thing in the morning.

Portia asks what the police had to say, and Curtis says, they’re going to extend the search for the next 48 hours. If they don’t find anything, they’re going to assume Spencer and Esme’s bodies were swept out into the English Channel and lost. She says, any idea on the odds of recovering their bodies? and he says, less than 50%. He doesn’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, if they don’t find the body, Trina will never accept Spencer’s gone. If they do find the body, she’s going to insist on viewing it. He just doesn’t want her to see Spencer that way. He wants to spare her that. Portia says she wanted Spencer out of Trina’s life. He brought trouble and she wanted to protect Trina from all of that. But the thought of that young man losing his life saving Trina’s and how Trina’s feeling tonight… She didn’t want it to happen like this. She cries and says, not this way.

Laura and Dante go out on deck, and Laura goes over to Trina. Trina asks if Doc is okay, and Laura says, he still has a headache. Other than that, he’s fine. Trina says she knows Laura wants to get home soon, so she promises she won’t be long, but Laura tells her to take as much time as she needs. She kisses Trina on the forehead, and she and Dante go back inside. Trina flashes back over her and Spencer being in Paris before Esme came along, and there’s a song part. She says, this isn’t goodbye. Somehow, some way…

We see the turtle dove washed up on a rocky shore.

Tomorrow, Olivia says, it’s best for everyone; Laura says, we owe each other the truth; Trina says, this time it won’t be a happy ending; and Ava tells Nina to prepare herself for a life without him (presumably Sonny).

🛟 Sweeping Down the Seine…

Never fear, Spencer is making a series for Netflix. This doesn’t say much about his ex-partner in crime. Only that yesterday was her last day on screen. My hopes of Spencer and Esme both having lost their memories and being stuck in a Blue Lagoon scenario are officially dashed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/avery-pohl-leaves-general-hospital

🤸‍♀️ Stunts On the Water…

This sounds like fun, and kudos to Avery Pohl for being her own stunt double.

The Secrets Behind GH’s Paris Fight Scenes!

🛵 He’s Getting There…

No definitive date, but the speculation is late February/early March.

Steve Burton Teases His GENERAL HOSPITAL Return!

🏆 Variations In Category…

The Daytime Emmys make a few changes.

NATAS Announces Changes to Daytime Emmy Categories

🍹 Some Type Of Way…

Checking in on how everyone feels. Even though it’s probably the least important thing in the history of the world.

How Does Taylor Ann Green’s Boyfriend Feel About Her Friendship With Ex Shep Rose?

🐉 When Worlds Collide…

Seasons are so sparse now, she can probably take on a few more projects and have spare time.

https://ew.com/supergirl-casting-milly-alcock-house-of-the-dragon-8549512

🗽 Live From New York…

This sounds promising.

https://ew.com/snl-1975-movie-cast-and-real-people-8551014

❣️ Ahead Of the Pack…

No shame in having your dog as your date. As a matter of fact, it’s probably better than a lot of human dates.

https://www.dailypaws.com/gear-apparel/pet-gifts/dog-valentines-day-gifts

https://www.dogtopia.com/blog/how-to-celebrate-valentines-day-with-your-dog

🏃🏽‍♀️ One February A-Leaping…

Check in tomorrow for soap, amusement, knowledge, and as always, music. Until then, stay safe, stay refraining from posting every moment of your life on social media, and stay not playing with what ifs. They won’t change anything.

Jan27

January 26, 2024 – Sprina’s First Day In Paris, Side Gig, He’s Serious, Random Wives, VanderComeback, Too Soon For Awful, Trailer For Ones, Puppy (!) Party, Practically 10 Quotes & Key

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Paris, France. Trina and Spencer are shown to their hotel room, and Trina says she didn’t think anything could be nicer than their hotel room in New York, but this… They’re literally on the Sienne. It’s incredible. (A slight exaggeration. They dressed up a decent room with champagne bucket and a bunch of peonies.) He says, she’s incredible. He thought they deserved the very best to welcome them to the next chapter of their lives. They kiss.

At the hospital, Chase tells Jordan that they pulled Esme’s credit card records. There was a bus ticket bought yesterday, destination Toronto. She says, any stops along the way? but he says, straight shot. If Esme’s hiding out at her former nanny’s, they have the address of where to find her.

Anna runs over to Laura and says she just heard about Kevin. How’s he doing? Laura says, he’s stable. He’s in and out of consciousness right now, but they’re doing more tests. Anna tells her to hang in there, and she says she is. Anna says, he’s so strong; he’ll pull through this. Laura thanks her, and Anna says she wishes she could do more than give her just words. Laura says she thinks Anna can. She can come back to the PCPD.

Nina sits at Charlie’s looking at The Invader headline: A CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT CRIMSON; NINA REEVES OUT, CARLY SPENCER IN. Ava calls, but she doesn’t answer.

Ava leaves a message asking Nina what she’s seeing in The Invader. Call her. She’s worried about her. Sonny asks who she’s talking to, and Ava says, Nina’s voicemail. Has he seen this? She shows him her tablet, and he says he hasn’t read the article, but he knows there’s a transition. She says, a transition. Otherwise known as an ousting. He asks if that surprises her after what Nina did to Carly and Drew. She says, even so, someone has to check up on her. She’s not picking up. Is that a problem for him? He says, Brick is on his way up here with an update, and she asks if he’s learned anything about the threats against her. He says, the sooner they can stop this, the sooner they can end this living arrangement they have.

At the courthouse, Martin apologizes for his late arrival. Miss McCall was keeping him apprised of her investigation. Finn asks how that’s going, and Elizabeth asks if she found anything that could help the case. Sam says, it’s going, and yes, she did.

Brick knocks on the penthouse door, and Sonny says, it’s good to see him. Brick says, it’s always good to be seen. He asks Ava, how’s everything? and she says, fine. She asks if he’d care for an espresso, but he says, no thank you, and Sonny asks him to have a seat. Brick says, unfortunately, he has to keep this brief. He has a meeting this afternoon. Sonny says, as long as he’s caught up, Brick can make it as brief as he wants. He looks at Ava, and Ava says, if he’s waiting for her to make herself scarce, that’s not going to happen. This concerns her. He says he knows that, but as soon as it becomes business, leave, and she says, okay. They sit, and Sonny says, fill him in. Brick says he couldn’t pull any prints off the photograph or notes sent to Ava, but he was able to trace the weapon. It was part of a set of unmarked weapons from the Bureau… Yeah, he knows. Ava asks, what’s the significance of the gun being stolen from the WSB? and Sonny says, it means it’s connected to the rifle that shot at him a year ago at the MetroCourt pool.

Sam says she was able to access Muldoon’s EZ-Pass records and cross-reference them with the security cameras from the gas station across the street from the oncologist’s office. Elizabth says, tell them there was something on that footage, and Sam says, a big something. Muldoon entering the medical pavilion long before his meeting with Finn. Gregory says, there they have it. Proof that he was being treated for cancer. Martin says, maybe, but unfortunately, it’s circumstantial, and Finn says, it’s a medical pavilion. There must be dozens of specialists working out of that building. Martin says, exactly. A dentist, and ENT and an allergist, just to name a few. Finn says, Muldoon could have been going to see any one of them, but Gregory says, he wasn’t. He was there to see the oncologist. Finn asks how they prove that, and Martin says, that’s the number one question. The second being, if he was being treated by that oncologist, why wouldn’t he tell Finn that? Elizabeth says, it doesn’t make any sense, and Sam says she has one more lead to follow up on. If she gets results, she’ll be in touch ASAP. Finn says he really appreciates it, and Sam tells him, good luck, and leaves. Martin says, shall we? and Finn says, no time like the present. Let’s do this.

Spencer asks the bellhop for a converter because his phone died, and the bellhop leaves. Trina says, that accent is to die for, and Spencer says, mine or his? She says, his. Spencer’s is decent though. Spencer says, moi? Blah-blah-blah Française? (I took two years of French and still know nothing but how Jean Paul and Pierre pack a suitcase and how to curse someone out.) She says, mais oui, and that’s about as much as she knows. Thank God for the translator app though. He says she doesn’t have to rely on a translator app. He’s happy to give her French lessons. She says, he’s going to teach her, huh? and he clicks on the remote, turning on some music. He says, to start, and speaks French like Gomez Addams as he kisses her neck. They work their way over to the bed and get busy.

Jordan asks if the Toronto authorities have been notified, and Chase says, they have, but there’s another way. Dante has met Esme’s former nanny. They can reach out to her. Keep things nice and clean. That is, if the department can spare them. She says, absolutely. She’ll make arrangements with their superior. She does know it’s his brother’s trial today, so if he wants her to send someone else with Dante… He says he’ll go, and she asks if he’s sure. He says, Finn understands that this is important. She says, okay. Good luck and keep her posted. He says, copy that, and leaves.

Laura says, Anna looks shocked, and Anna says, because she is. Laura says, the PCPD has been without an active Commissioner for months now. It’s been chaotic and confusing. It may even be part of the reason Esme was able to slip between the cracks. (Huh?) Anna says she thought Mac was doing an excellent job, and Laura says, he is, but not only has he made it very clear he’s not interested in the position full-time. He’s been out of the country for she doesn’t even know how long now. The department needs stability and Anna could provide that. Anna says, Laura… but Laura says, just hear her out. Next to Jordan, who’s made it very clear to her that she’s happy in her new role as the Deputy Mayor, Anna is the next, most qualified candidate. Anna says, and the most controversial. Forget about her public humiliation. What about what happened with Laura’s granddaughter? Laura says she doesn’t blame Anna for that, and Anna says she shot a child. Laura says, but she was being manipulated by her former director, Brennan. And on top of that, Valentin chose to keep her completely in the dark about what was going on with Charlotte. This was a horrible accident, but it’s one that doesn’t change the fact that she believes Port Charles would be safer under Anna’s leadership. Jordan comes over and says, and for what it’s worth (🍷), she agrees 1000%. Anna says, they have no idea what this means to her, but she’s sorry. She can’t. What happened with Charlotte makes her feel like she’s not ready. She doesn’t deserve the badge. Laura says she understands what Anna is going through, but she’s asking Anna to take some time to consider this offer. Laura sees Portia coming their way, and asks if she’s heard anything about Doc. Is he going to be okay?

The bailiff says, all rise. The honorable Judge Arnold presiding. The judge tells them, be seated, and Elizabeth mouths I love you to Finn, who winks at her.

Portia says she just spoke with Doc’s doctors and they’re still running some tests, but they’re cautiously optimistic that his prognosis will be good. She’ll know more when he wakes up. Laura says, thank God, and Portia says, if Laura hadn’t found him when she did, this could be an entirely different conversation. Laura says she doesn’t want to think about that, and thanks Portia for keeping her in the loop. Portia says, of course (🍷), and Anna says, that’s great news, hugging Laura. She’s sorry. She’s late for a phlebotomy treatment, so she has to go. She’ll catch up with Laura later. She says goodbye to them and leaves. Jordan says she has to go as well, but asks Laura to let her know if she needs anything. They hug and Jordan says she’s really glad Doc is going to be okay. She leaves, and Portia asks if Laura has heard from Spencer at all. Laura says she hasn’t. She’s a little surprised since she thinks she may have sounded a little frantic in her message, but maybe his plane hasn’t landed yet. Portia says she tracked the flight; it landed. Maybe she should call Trina again. Laura says, don’t bother. Esme is in Canada and Doc is out of the woods. Spencer will call her when he calls her. Let them have a good time. Portia says, they’re in Paris. How could they not be?

Basking in the afterglow, Trina kisses Spencer, and he says, champagne toast? He gets out of bed and takes out the bottle of champagne. He says, it’s a good year, and starts to unwrap the foil, when the bellhop walks in. They don’t knock in Paris?

Diane says, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the name Hamilton Finn – Dr. Hamilton Finn – may be all over the docket in this case, but make no mistake, the story belongs to Dennis Muldoon, deceased husband of the plaintiff. You’re going to hear how Dennis Muldoon sought the help of a trusted doctor in his time of need, and how that doctor, through sheer negligence, failed to order a test which could have caught the cancer in time. This story is by no means uncommon. Medical practitioners make mistakes all the time. Which is why it is of the upmost importance that we hold them accountable. Not just for the error itself, but for the birthdays, weddings, graduations, everything that Dennis Muldoon will now sadly, tragically have to miss. She indicates the grieving widow.

Martin says, I can, and will, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Dr. Hamilton Finn did encourage Dennis Muldoon to follow up with further testing, and that far from being in error with medical negligence, this was an error of personal responsibility… as tragic as that may be.

Ava asks if they’re saying the same person that killed Austin shot Curtis, and Brick says, in a botched attempt to assassinate Sonny. Sonny asks if Brick thinks this theory has anything to do with the anonymous bid on Windymere. Can Ava do him a favor? Can she give Brick all the information she has? She says, on the shell corporation. She doesn’t have much, but she’ll get what she has. She leaves, and Sonny says he wants Brick to coordinate with Dex as far as stepping up surveillance. Brick says, all the usual suspects? and Sonny says, Carly, the kids, Olivia, and now Ava because she’s in the middle of all this. Brick says he’s on it, but he doesn’t have a question. Does Nina get added to that list?

Sitting with Nina, Valentin asks if she’s all right, and she says she’s pretty sure she lost her husband and her daughter. And the final kicker is, Drew and Carly want to take everything else from her too. He says, otherwise okay? and she laughs. She says she brought it on herself, right? At least that’s what everyone tells her. He says, she may be down, but at least she’s not down for the count. So what’s the plan? She says, for what? and he says, for taking back what’s yours.

Averting his eyes, the bellhop tells Spencer that he’s very sorry. He knocked on the door and there was no answer. He assumed they’d stepped out. He holds out a bag, and Spencer takes it, thanking him. The bellhop says, his converter, and leaves. Trina says, if he’d shown up a few minutes earlier, he would have gotten quite the show. She asks for his phone to charge it, and tells him to open up the champagne. He asks if she heard the bellhop knock, and she says, in all fairness, they could have put up the Do Not Disturb sign. He says, that would have kind of killed the romantic flow, and she says, option A, take a two-second break from making out, or option B, getting caught by the bellhop in your underwear. He says, fine. Next time, they’ll put up the Do Not Disturb sign. She says, there’s going to be a next time? and he says, oh yeah. And a next time, and a next time, and a next time… He kisses her with each next time. He sees the turtle dove sticking out of her purse, and he says, she brought it with her? She says, there might be weekends where he’s going to be back home, and she’ll be here. It’ll be like they’re still together. That’s what this thing is for, isn’t it? He says, it sure is. That’s pretty cute. He takes the other turtle dove out of his bag, and she says, he has his with him. He says he takes it with him everywhere he goes. Once he gets his apartment here, it will have a permanent place on his bedside table. He kisses her and his phone dings. He looks at it and says, his grandmother left him a voicemail.

Brick says he doesn’t mean to bring up a tough subject, but he doesn’t know where Sonny and Nina stand right now. Sonny says, she’s his wife legally, so she’s going to be a potential target, and Brick says he’ll make sure to keep eyes on her. Ava comes back and says she made copies for Brick. This is it. She gives him a folder, and Brick says he’ll look into it. He tells Sonny to let him know if he needs anything, they shake hands, and Brick leaves. Ava asks how seriously she needs to take this. Stay vigilant or complete lockdown? He says, they’re not there yet, and she says, thank God. Because nothing good can come of them stuck in this penthouse. On that note, what does he say they get out of here?

Nina asks if Valentin thinks she has a leg to stand on, and he says he thinks she has two gorgeous legs to stand on. (BA-DUM-CHH!) She’s Nina Reeves for God’s sake. She built Crimson into the empire it is today. He can’t imagine her advertisers and top designers are thrilled with what Drew has decided. She says, it doesn’t matter, but he says, of course (🍷) it matters. She says she doesn’t have any recourse, and he says, how about if she gives him a number. How much would it cost to create a rival publication and poach every top staffer at Crimson that would give Drew and Carly a fighting chance at success?

Diane asks Mrs. Muldoon if she ever got a sense that there were any health concerns prior to this diagnosis, but Mrs. Muldoon says, no. They were shocked when they learned he had Stage IV cancer. He seemed totally fine. It’s like they blinked, and he was gone. Diane says, the doctors who took care of her husband in hospice, were they able to provide any insight? and she says, they told her any physician who would have run even the most basic tests would have seen the cancer. If only someone had. She looks at Finn and says, a few months would have made the difference. Her children would still have a father. Martin says, objection, your honor. That calls for speculation. Diane says, Mrs. Muldoon’s testimony will be corroborated by Dennis Muldoon’s oncologist, but Judge Arnold says, then they’ll hear it when he or she takes the stand. Sustained. Diane says, no further questions, and the judge says, Martin’s witness. Martin says he’d just like to start by saying how sorry they all are for her loss. She thanks him, and he says he’d just like to know one thing. Was she there when her husband met with Dr. Hamilton Finn, when he was told he needed to go for further testing? She says, no, she was not, and he says, so her opinion on Dr. Finn’s urgency, or lack thereof, is based solely on how her husband described it to her. She says, yes, but… and he says, thank you. That’s all. No further questions. The judge says, she may step down, and Mrs. Muldoon leaves the stand. Gregory whispers, that’s it? to Martin, and Martin says, no one ever won a civil trial by ripping the grieving widow to shreds on the witness stand. The jury is right there. She has her story, we have ours. Diane says she’d like to call Dr. Hamilton Finn to the stand.

Laura puts Spencer on speaker and thanks him for calling her back. He says, of course (🍷). What’s going on? She says she has good news on both fronts. First of all, Doc is going to be okay. He says, thank God, and she says, and they’ve tracked Esme to Canada. The authorities there have the address where she’s staying, and Chase and Dante are on their way there right now. He asks what she needs from him, but she says, nothing. Just stay right where he is. She’s sort of comforted by the knowledge that there’s an entire ocean between him and Esme at the moment. Portia says, Laura is right. They’re far safer there than they would be here in Port Charles. Just let the police handle Esme. Spencer promises to look after Portia’s daughter, and she says she’s going to hold him to that. She asks for Trina, and Trina says, hey. Portia says she wants Trina to be safe. She loves her. Trina says she loves Portia too, and she will. Laura says she’ll keep them posted if she hears anything, and Spencer says, sounds good.

Nina says she didn’t agree to have lunch with Valentin to take his money, but he says she wouldn’t be taking it. He’d be investing it – in her. With her prowess, and the help of her editors and advertisers, he thinks any new publication she launched would bury anything Drew and Carly could cook up at Crimson. They don’t know publishing and she does. Sometimes the best revenge is good business. She says, if she does this… He says, she’s considering it, and she says, maybe. If she does this, this war with Carly will only escalate until one of them surrenders. He lifts his glass and says, to it not being you. They clink glasses, when Sonny walks in with Ava.

Brick says, he’s got to admit, he didn’t think the hospital is where his meeting with Jordan would take place, and she says, if he gives her something she can use, maybe she’ll give him an upgrade. He says he can dream, and she asks if he traced the number that called her. He says he went through some backchannels, which he’s guessing is why she reached out to him in the first place. The call came from a burner phone, one of those prepaid deals you can get it at any gas station. She says, so it wasn’t registered, and he says, hold on. The phone pinged a cell tower a stone’s throw away from Pentenville the night the call came in. No residents or roads nearby. She says, Pentenville, and he says, they know better than anyone how to smuggle phones in. She thanks him, and he says, no sweat. He starts to leave, but comes back and says he hasn’t lost her number. He hopes she’s not going to lose his. She rolls her eyes as he leaves.

Diane asks how long Finn has been a department head at General Hospital, and he says, seven years and eleven months. She says, that’s a long time. And in that time, he found a cure for Blackwood’s disease, which was ravaging certain oceanic regions. Is she correct? Finn says, that is correct, and she says, that’s quite a feat, to use deductive reasoning and applied science to find a cure. Finn says, it’s part of the job, and she says, it is. So what went wrong on the day Dennis Muldoon came to visit him? Martin says, objection, and Diane says she’ll rephrase. How did Finn not catch the Stage IV cancer that other doctors insist would have been blatantly obvious at that time? Finn says he’s an infectious disease specialist. Mr. Muldoon came to see him for treatment for a tapeworm, which he had. However, Finn knew something else was wrong, so he suggested Muldoon have some more tests run. Diane asks if there was any urgency to this suggestion, a bit of a warning that he might be dealing with something more serious, perhaps life threatening. Finn says he recommended Muldoon have further tests run. He doesn’t recall the level to which he stressed urgency. Diane says, so it’s his contention that another infectious disease specialist couldn’t have deduced that cancer was at play, but Finn says he can’t speculate on other doctors, and her statement does not equate to malpractice. Diane says, even if he wasn’t at the top of his game, shall they say? and he says he doesn’t know what that means. She asks if he was suspended from General Hospital six years ago, and Finn says he was. She says, care to tell the court why? and Martin says, objection. Medical privacy. Diane says, withdrawn. Would Finn agree that a doctor at the top of his game could have suspected cancer? Could have ordered the proper tests and could have conveyed to Mr. Muldoon the gravity of his situation? Finn tells her, like he said he can’t speculate… She says, yes or no will suffice, and he says, the expectation that a doctor in another field could immediately catch everything wrong with a patient is not only unreasonable, it’s completely absurd. He did what needed to be done on the day. (Apparently, Finn forgot the number one rule here.) Diane says, just what needed to be done, and Finn tells her, that’s not what he said. She says, no further questions. Martin asks if Finn ever told Dennis Muldoon that a tapeworm wasn’t the only cause of his symptoms, and Finn says, no. Martin says, and did he in fact advise Muldoon that further tests were necessary to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and Finn says, yes. Martin asks if he took that advice, and Finn says, no, he did not. Martin says, so conveyed urgency aside, does he as a physician have the authority to compel a patient to undergo a test they do not wish to have done? and Finn says, no, he doesn’t. Martin says, no further questions, and Judge Arnold says, Finn can step down. Finn goes back to his seat, and Elizabeth says she thought Martin told them that Diane would talk about Finn’s past drug use, but Martin says, she didn’t have to. She did more damage by hanging it in the window. Finn says, and she knows it, and Martin says, up to this point, he’s kept his questioning brief because he honestly believes the facts are on Finn’s side in this case. But he has to be honest. That little tit for tat with Miss Miller just now? He doesn’t think Finn did himself any favors.

Diane thanks a doctor on the stand for his input and expertise, and says, the prosecution rests. The judge calls for a brief recess and says, court will resume at 1:45. The bailiff says, all rise, the judge leaves, and the bailiff says, the jury is excused. Sam comes in and asks how it’s going. Martin says, all is not lost, but he’s not going to lie. He could use some more help. Sam says she did some more digging and found out that several debt collectors have placed liens on the Muldoons. Finn takes an envelope from her and looks at the paperwork. He says, it looks like their house is about to be foreclosed on. Elizabeth says she thought they were wealthy, but Sam says, they’ve been cash poor for a while now. Gregory says he’s sure cancer can get expensive, and Sam says, this has actually been going on for a while. The Muldoons were heavily invested in Aurora. When the stocks went down, they pretty much lost everything. Finn says, that was eighteen months ago. Soap looks all around.

Jordan sees Anna and asks if her phlebotomy went okay, and Anna says, everything’s fine. What’s going on? Jordan says she traced the number for the source who called about the unmarked gun, and Anna asks if she has a lead on who shot Curtis. Jordan says, Sonny may have been the intended target, but she thinks Anna is still connected to this as well.

Nina tells Sonny that she heard about Ace. Is Spencer okay? He says, that’s none of her business (harsh!), and keeps walking. Ava says she got Nina’s voicemail. She’s so sorry to hear about Crimson. Call her when she gets a chance, and they’ll talk. Nina starts to respond, but Ava joins Sonny, and Nina goes back to her table. Valentin asks if she wants to go somewhere else, but she says, Phyllis told her that she’s always welcome here. She won’t be run off with her tail between her legs. He says his offer still stands. What does she say? She tells him that she says the two of them have a bad habit of bringing out the worst in each other.

Portia says she’s got some good news, and Laura says, that’s her favorite kind. Portia says, the doctors think that Doc should be waking up very soon. They’re going to be moving him to his room and Laura should be able to see him shortly after that. Laura cries and thanks her, and Portia says, Doc’s going to be okay. The kids are safe. They’re lucky, all things considered. Laura says she agrees, but if she could only stop blaming herself. Portia says, blaming herself for what? and Laura says, Esme. She knew what Esme was capable of, but Esme is her husband’s niece, she’s the mother of her grandchild. She thinks she just wanted so badly to see the good in Esme, she let it blind her to all the horrible things Esme has done that she never paid for. She did awful things to Portia’s daughter. Portia must be so angry with her.

Spencer tells Trina that he wishes he could say he was wrong, that Esme hadn’t gotten her memory back and that Ace could still be safe with her. But he guesses he did the right thing giving Ace to his father. If anyone has a knack for disappearing, it’s him. There’s no way Esme’s going to… Trina is preoccupied with her phone, and he asks what she’s doing. She says, there’s a flight back to New York in two hours. He can make it before midnight. He says, she’s telling him this because… and she says, Doc just got attacked and his brother is in danger. She appreciates him coming with her, but his family needs him now.

Sam says, looks like Muldoon has been trying to stop the bleeding for months. He even cashed out a life insurance policy to pay his bills. Martin says, before or after he saw an oncologist? and Sam says, before. Martin says, thanks to Sam, they now have one hell of a theory to present to the court, and Elizabeth says, Muldoon came to Finn on purpose. The whole malpractice suit… Finn says, it was part of his plan. Muldoon set him up.

I called it at the beginning. And I have receipts! Proof! Timelines! Screenshots! Not really. Just one message to a fellow GH watcher, but I called it pretty early on.

Spencer says, Trina heard his grandmother. Doc is on the mend, and Esme’s in Canada, and the police are on her trail. Trina says, and if any of that changes? and Spencer says, then he’ll get on a plane and go home, but she heard him promise her mother that he’d look after her, and they both know he’s on her hit list. So he thinks it’s best he keeps his word. She asks if he’s sure. Don’t stay for her. He says, of course (🍷) he’s going to stay for her. And for him, for them. Now is she ready for the best weekend of her life? She says, so ready, and he says, very good answer. He kisses her and pops the champagne cork. They kiss some more.

Portia asks why she would be angry with Laura, and Laura says, at the very least, Portia must think she’s naïve. Portia says she thinks Esme is that good of a liar, and Laura says, except Portia never believed it. Portia says she never truly bought into the idea that Esme had changed (more history revision!), but she thinks it’s a little different with her. Laura asks, why is that? and Portia says, because Esme hurt Trina in a very specific, targeted, vindictive way. It’s hard to see your child suffer like that. It leaves a mark. Laura says she’s so sorry, but Portia says, she doesn’t have to be. There’s nothing wrong with hoping someone can change, if and when they take accountability for their actions, but Esme never took accountability for anything. So right now, there’s only one path forward for her. Laura says, absolutely. Agreed. Esme must be found. Esme must be brought to trial for the things she’s done.

Toronto, Canada. Dante and Chase arrive at an apartment, where a Canadian officer stands outside the door. Dante introduces himself and Chase, and the officer says, they were told the detectives were coming. Chase says, any updates? and the officer says, they’ve been monitoring the apartment for 24 hours. No one matching the nanny’s or Prince’s description has exited. Dante says, it’s still occupied? and the officer nods. Dante thanks him for holding off while they waited for him and Chase. There’s going to be trouble. The officer knocks at the door, and Chase and Dante put their hands on their guns.

Nina says she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t tempted by Valentin’s offer, and he says, but? She says, but she has to try and control these impulses she has if she’s going to have any hope of salvaging a relationship with Willow. He says, okay, but if she changes her mind… She says she knows where to find him, and he says, they have a long history of twisting themselves in knots, pretending they’re something they aren’t for other people. She doesn’t have to do that with him. He’s on her side, no matter what. She puts her hand on his and thanks him. Sonny watches.

Sonny tells Ava that he was thinking, and she says, uh-oh. He says, there’s still a threat out there against Ava. Esme’s on the run. Maybe she should spend some time on his island. She says, the gallery is being refreshed this week. She supposes there are worse places to stay vigilant. He says he and Dex will get her settled in and make sure she’s protected. She says, okay. Because going to Puerto Rico is all about her and her safety, right? He asks, what else would it be about? and she says, maybe getting as far away from Nina as possible.

Anna says, so the call that attempted to give Jordan information on the gun came from Pentenville? and Jordan says she’s been looking into this for months and gotten nowhere. Dead end after dead end. So what’s changed in the past few weeks? Who’s new to Pentenville and knew about a shipment of unmarked guns meant to be in the Bureau’s possession? She knew she recognized that voice from somewhere, but she couldn’t put her finger on it until she overheard Anna and Laura talking. Anna says, the person who called Jordan was John Brennan.

On Monday, Portia tells Curtis that she never wants to worry about Esme Prince again; Martin tells Diane that he’d like to add someone to the witness list; and Tracy comes to the courtroom, saying that they should make the fraud public record.

👬🏻 Whole Different Brother…

It’s great how the cast is given wiggle room to do other projects. A happy employee is more likely to stick around.

Nicholas Chavez’s Temporary Exit from GENERAL HOSPITAL Detailed

💻 Not Kidding…

It’s awful how scammers get away with this stuff, but it’s also shocking to see how many people fall for it. One rule of thumb is, if you’re a 2 and they’re a 10, and you don’t know each other personally IRL, it’s not happening.

Scott Clifton Shares a Serious Warning for Soap Fans

💎 Diamonds In the Rough…

Hey, she did finally get that second date.

Sutton Stracke’s Dating Dos and Don’ts

We’ve all been there. The one that just doesn’t go as planned.

Denise Richards Admits RHOBH Comeback Went ‘Sideways’

This one’s diamond should be repossessed.

Why Annemarie Will Probably Regret Becoming a Housewife

🍸 Back To the Rules…

Here’s a thought. If the rest of the cast doesn’t want to film with them, replace them. Or just work with two fewer cast members. People thought Charlie Sheen and Roseanne couldn’t be replaced either.

Season 11 Could Make or Break Vanderpump Rules

🏊‍♀️ Awful Summer People Return…

How is this back already? It might be worth watching for the big break-up though.

Everything We Know About Summer House Season 8

⚰️ Dead Coming Soon…

The final trailer for The Ones Who Live.

https://people.com/the-walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-trailer-rick-and-michonne-search-broken-world-8550132

🐕 Bowling At Home…

You, too, can be host of your own Puppy Bowl.

https://be.chewy.com/how-to-throw-a-puppy-bowl-party/

https://www.dogtv.com/blog/how-to-throw-a-puppy-bowl-party-dogtvs-guide-to-tail-gating

https://wearwagrepeat.com/puppy-bowl-party/

🎋 Quotes of the Week

I’m not Dr. Phil. – Judge Marilyn Milian, People’s Court

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Indian Proverb

What I’ve experienced is that I can’t know the future. I can’t know if anything that I do will change what happens tomorrow. I can’t know with certainty, but what I do know is if I do nothing, nothing will change. – James Orbinski (Now if I could just figure out what the something is…)

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia

The healthy being craves an occasional wildness, a jolt from normality, a sharpening of the edge of appetite, his own little festival of Saturnalia, a brief excursion from his way of life. – Robert MacIver

You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. – Mae West

Peace is not absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. – Ronald Reagan

If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. – Bruce Lee

The best way to learn how to enjoy life is from a dog. – Nils Sandmann

🪗 Making My Own Kind Of Music…

Come back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and whatever the future holds. Until then, stay safe, stay parking between the lines, and stay remembering that sometimes the best revenge is good business.

Jan20

January 19, 2024 – Drew Makes a Replacement, A Thought, Custom Made, Side Work, Joke’s On Her, Reaction, VanderSpin, Dragon 2, Late Return, Which Ones, He’s Back, Best Bowl, One Dozen Quotes & Winter

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Laura says, Cyrus’s health must be improving. He looks better. Cyrus thanks her and says, dropping the charges against Sonny Corinthos has revitalized his spirit. His soul is unburdened, so his body can heal. She asks, what led to this unburdening? and he says, accountability. He acknowledged his role in the attack. How he provoked Sonny at the wrong time instead of giving him grace. If he’d simply turned around and walked away, the beating would never have happened. Once he realized that, he was able to let his anger go, and he found peace. She asks if that’s why he called her last night and wanted her here first thing in the morning, to share this epiphany? He says he called her because there’s a lost soul in need of her help. Spencer walks in and Cyrus says, welcome, nephew. You’re right on time.

Ava hears someone come into the gallery, and says she told Trina to take the day off. She turns around and sees it’s Esme. She asks what the hell Esme wants. She’s not welcome here. Esme says, please don’t kick her out. She needs Ava’s help.

Willow says hi to Adam, and he asks where he is. She says, he’s at General Hospital, and he asks, why? She says, because his friend saved his life.

Carly finishes with an interview for a Kelly’s Bobbie’s manager, when Sam walks in. She says, Carly looks underwhelmed, and Carly says, she’s perceptive. She guesses that’s what makes Sam such a great P.I. If she’s looking for something new, perhaps Carly can interest her in the exciting world of shift management.

Nina goes to her office, where movers are removing everything. She asks what they’re doing here, and one of them says, moving. She says, they must be on the wrong floor, but he says, they’re on the right floor. She says, they can’t be because this is her office. They have to leave immediately and tell that guy to bring her stuff back or she’s calling security. He says, they’re just doing their job, and she says, what job? Who ordered this? Drew walks in and says he did. He tells the guys, good work, and suggests they take a break, giving them money for coffee (which I notice he says like caffee) and muffins. They leave, and Nina says, what the hell? He can’t just order her out of her own office. It’s trespassing. He says, no, it’s business. He owns Aurora; Aurora owns Crimson. He knows she’s the Editor-in-Chief of Crimson, but he’s still her boss. Until now. She’s fired. (Okay. I won’t get into how many shades of wrong this would be in the real world, and the lawsuit that would happen. I’ll just keep telling myself, it’s only a soap…)

In the chapel, Josslyn asks how Dex found her, and he says, when she didn’t answer his calls, he went by her dorm. He ran into her RA Kylie, and she told him what happened. He came here and looked around until he found her. She says, her phone died. She’s sorry she didn’t pick up his call. So much was going on. He says, obviously. Why didn’t she call him when she got here? She says she didn’t want to bother him. She knows how he feels about Adam and figured he had enough. He says, if she’s going through something, he wants to know and help if he can. That’s how this works. Got it? She says, got it. She suggests they check on Adam, see if he’s awake. She needs to apologize to him. He asks what she needs to apologize for, and she says, he freaked out because she told the RA that he was in trouble, but Dex says, she has nothing to apologize for. The people who need to be apologizing are Adam’s parents.

Willow asks if Adam remembers anything from last night, but he says, not really. He’d had too much to drink at a frat party. She says, Josslyn Jax found him alone in Rice Park, and he says, sometimes when he drinks, he wanders. It’s a bad habit. She says, he also ingested a lot of pills, and he says, for a cold. She says she’ll let the doctor fill him in, but he says he’d really like to get back to his dorm. She says, he’ll have to be cleared by the attending before he can be released, and he asks when that will be. She says, he had to have his stomach pumped last night. She doesn’t want to alarm him, but he’s lucky to be alive. He says, lucky me.

Carly tells Sam, business is going great, really great. That’s why she has to hire more staff. It’s a really good problem to have, but she just wants Bobbie’s to live up to its namesake. Sam asks what she’s talking about. Bobbie’s is thriving because of her. Onward and upward. Carly thanks her and says she needed to hear that. What can she get Sam? Sam says she’s going to wait to order until Drew gets here, and Carly says, she’s meeting him now? Sam says, actually, five minutes ago. He’s running late. Carly says she hates to break it to Sam, but she’s going to be waiting a long time for Drew.

Nina says, Drew is making a big mistake, and he says, maybe, but it’s his mistake to make. She asks if he honestly thought she’d just roll over and accept this. What about Michael? Drew might own Aurora, but Michael runs it. What does he think Michael will have to say about this? Drew says, hooray?

Cyrus says he’s grateful Spencer came, and Spencer says he didn’t know Laura would be here. She says, nor I, you, and asks Cyrus, what’s going on? He says he thought they should both know he had a visitor here late last night. Somebody who needed his help, who was desperate and alone, who felt everything had been taken from her. Spencer says, Esme, and Laura asks why Esme would come here. Cyrus asks if Spencer wants to explain the rest or should he do it for him? and Laura says, enough with the mystery. Somebody better tell her something. Spencer says he saw his father last night.

Ava says, one too many knocks to the head? and Esme says, does Ava think she wants to be here asking for her help? Ava says, at least she didn’t have to break in. Now leave or she’s going to call the cops. Esme asks if she hasn’t already done that. Ava tried to send her to prison. Ava says, funny. That’s where she thinks criminals belong. Esme says, Ava’s right. She shouldn’t have broken into Windymere, and what Ava did is entirely justified. Ava asks what she wants. Spit it out. Esme says, has she seen Nikolas? and Ava says, why? Has she? Esme says, no, and Ava wonders why she asks. Esme says, because he’s kidnapped her son.

Laura says, Nikolas came back to Port Charles? Where is he? Spencer says, he was here last night. He’s already gone. Laura says, her son came and went without her even knowing. At least Spencer got to see him. It must have been quite a shock though. Did he say why he risked coming back to Port Charles? Spencer says, he came here to take Ace with him… and I let him.

Dex says, Josslyn told him about the pressure Adam’s parents put him under. No wonder he cracked. She says she just can’t believe he’s this messed up about his grades. They’re better than hers, and hers are pretty good. Dex says, it’s not about his GPA. He feels shame for letting his parents down. He wants them to be proud of him. She says, but he acts like he can’t stand them, and Dex says, just the opposite. Adam loves his parents and feels like a failure because he can’t live up to their expectations. She asks if that’s how it was for him, and he says, not exactly. If there was any part of him that wanted to please his parents, it got burned out pretty quickly. He only found peace with his family when he walked away. He just hopes Adam doesn’t have to make the same choice. She says, he really needs help, doesn’t he? and Dex says, he’s going to need a good friend, and that’s what she’s been. She says, let’s go see how he’s doing.

Adam apologizes to Willow for being edgy. He just wants to get out of here. She says she bets, but they need to have the attending check him out first, okay? Portia comes in and says, he’s up. How is he feeling? He asks if she’s the attending, and she says she’s Dr. Robinson. She’s the Co-Chief of Staff here. He says, wow. Then she can definitely sign him out. When can he leave? Willow says she’ll check on the attending and see if Dr. Wallace is available. She leaves, and Adam says he’s really sorry, but last night was just a complete, huge misunderstanding. He’s sorry if he caused trouble, but his friend Josslyn just overreacted. So if she could sign him out, that would be great. She says she happens to know Josslyn Jax, and she doesn’t overreact much. Neither does the staff here at the hospital. She thinks it’s pretty clear what happened here, and anyway, he’s going to have to be cleared by a psychiatrist before he can be discharged. It’s hospital policy. He says, Dr. Robinson… Is she Trina’s mom? She says she is, and he says, Trina’s told him a lot about her. She says, he’s friends with Trina, so she has to take especially good care of him, right? He says, cool. So let him out. She says, if after his evaluation, they all agree that what happened last night is just an unfortunate accident, then he can be discharged. If not, then they’ll have to take the next steps. He asks what that even means. Are they going to keep him here or something? Doesn’t he have rights? What if he doesn’t consent to it? She says, of course (🍷) he has rights. Absolutely, but some of those rights are determined by his diagnosis. They want the absolute best outcome for him, and if they determine he’s a threat to himself or anyone else, they can’t let him leave. It’s hospital policy and standard practice. The on-call psychiatric attending should be here soon, and his parents… He says, they can’t know, and she tells him calm down. He says, please. They can’t know.

Ava asks when Nikolas took Ace, and Esme says, during the hearing. Spencer was supposed to bring Ace to the courthouse, but he never showed up. Nikolas came to the apartment and convinced Spencer to give him her baby. Ava says, that’s unbelievable. And she never saw Nicholas in Port Charles? Esme says, no. He hid from her like the coward that he is, but Spencer let Nikolas take Ace. She can’t believe Spencer would betray her like that. She thought they were getting along. She thought Spencer hated his father… Ava says, like father, like son, self-serving, duplicitous, and Esme says, Ace doesn’t even know Nikolas. He’s going to be so scared and so confused. Nikolas doesn’t know what Ace likes. He needs his mother. She can’t be without her son. She cries and says, he’s all that she’s got. Ava says, it’s a terrible thing to be separated from your child, and Esme says, so she understands. Ava says, unfortunately, she does, but why come to her? and Esme says she thought Nikolas might not be able to stay away from her. Ava says, unfortunately, and Esme says, so she’s right, isn’t she? Nikolas came to see her. Ava says, Nikolas was here, and Esme says, thank God, but Ava says, he’s gone now, and Esme’s never going to find him.

Laura says, Spencer let Nikolas take Ace? How could he do such a thing? He says he had no choice. His little brother wasn’t safe with Esme. She says, come on. She’s proven herself to be a good mother and he knows it. Does Esme know Nikolas took her baby? Cyrus says, that’s why she came to see him last night. She wanted his help tracking Nikolas down. Laura asks why Esme thought he could help her, and Cyrus says, she thinks he has powerful contacts and thought he’d be amenable because Nikolas and Ace are his relatives. Of course (🍷) he’s related to them through Laura, so he knew he had to do the right thing and inform her. He asked Spencer here so he could be the one to explain. Spencer says, Cyrus is all about his soul, right? And confession being good for it? Cyrus says he’d hope so. Spencer is the one who took a child from his mother. Spencer says he did not take Ace, and Laura says, no. He just handed Ace over like he was returning a package. How could he do such a thing? She can only imagine how Esme is feeling right now. How could Spencer take a baby from the only family he ever knew? Spencer says, because he loves his brother, and he’s not going to allow him to be raised by some psychopath, but Laura says, he goes back to that whenever it’s convenient for him. Esme’s worked hard to overcome her past. Spencer says, Laura doesn’t understand. He knows the truth now. Esme’s been lying. She remembers everything.

Portia says, they had to call Adam’s parents because according to his PCU medical records, they’re his emergency contact. Adam asks what she told his parents, and she says she told them he was here and that he’d had a medical emergency. He asks if she told them about the pills, that he tried to hurt himself, and she asks if that’s what happened. He says, no. It was just an accident. She says, okay. Here’s the deal. He’s over 18, so he’s considered to be an adult. As far as they’re concerned, they can’t share any of his information without his permission. He thanks her, and she says, but his parents are still going to have questions. And whether or not last night was an accident, he’s still going to need a support system in place. So she’s imploring him to please be honest with the doctor who’s going to evaluate him. Be honest with his parents, and most importantly, be honest with himself.

Portia leaves and asks if there’s any word on the psyche attending. Is it Dr. Wallace? Willow says, he’s still doing rounds in the west wing. He’ll be down in a second. How’s Adam? She feels so bad for him. Josslyn said he’s under a lot of pressure at school. She just hopes if Wiley or Amelia ever feel pressured at school, they come to her. Portia says she doesn’t get it. Kids these days have so much pressure on them. The bullying, the isolation, school shootings, everything that’s going on in the world. Depression and anxiety are an epidemic for this generation, and it breaks her heart. Josslyn and Dex come by, and Josslyn asks Portia if Adam is awake yet. Portia says she didn’t know Josslyn was here. Did she sleep here last night? Josslyn says she just wants to make sure Adam is okay, and Portia says, he’s awake. He cannot have any visitors right now. That’s really all she can tell Josslyn. A man goes to the reception desk and says he’s here to see Adam Wright. He was brought in last night. He wants to see his son.

Carly says, Drew mentioned he had a meeting at Aurora this morning, and Sam says, they’ve had this on the books for a week. Carly says she’s sure it was last minute. He must have forgotten. Drew would never leave her hanging. Sam says, so she thought. Never say never, she guesses. Carly asks what that means, and Sam says she and Drew have been out of step lately. That’s why she scheduled this meeting, to see if they could iron some things out. Carly asks if this is about the situation with Scout’s school. She doesn’t believe Drew meant to undercut Sam. Sam says, actually, they’ve resolved that issue, but things are still really tense, and they have been since he got home from Pentenville. Maybe it’s just her… Never mind. Carly says, don’t do that. Talk to her. What’s going on? Sam says, Carly probably spends the most time with Drew. Since he’s been back, hasn’t she noticed that he’s changed?

Drew says, as Nina pointed out, Michael just runs Aurora. He happens to own it, so he gets the final say. Nina says she gets it. Either Micahel disagrees with him about firing her and running Crimson into the ground or he doesn’t know. Michael may have Sonny’s last name and he may hate her, but he’s a Quartermaine through and through. He doesn’t let his personal feelings interfere with the balance sheet. Drew says, don’t forget he’s a Quartermaine too, and she says, maybe he should take a page out of his nephew’s book. She has run a tight, profitable ship for years. She saved Crimson from bankruptcy when Julian Jerome tried to run it in the ground and use it as a tax write-off. Now Crimson is one of the top fashion magazines in the country. It is Aurora’s flagship title and it’s her baby. Speaking of, what kind of father tanks his company and destroys his child’s legacy? Isn’t Scout a major shareholder? He gets in Nina’s face and tells her, don’t you dare bring my daughter into this. (I say, or what? You gonna hit me? which is what Nina should say.)

Carly tells Sam, Drew had a horrific experience in Pentenville, and he’s struggling. She thinks that’s to be expected after 3 years in a dungeon in Crete first that affected him not at all. Just when he was getting his bearings, they found out Nina was the one who called the SEC on them. And that very same night, they found out her mother died. She thinks Drew’s angry. She’s angry. Sam says she understands that, but Drew is angry at the world. Carly is directing her anger toward Nina, and rightly so. Carly says, her instincts are telling her to strike back, but she wants to be more like her mom. She wants to focus on what’s important, and right now, keeping her legacy alive and honoring her is so important. She hopes she’s succeeding, but she doesn’t know. Sam says, Bobbie would be really proud of her right now. Carly thanks her and says, but Bobbie also gave people second chances. Maybe that’s what they need to do for Drew. Give him some grace and double down on their support. Sam says she hears Carly, and don’t get her wrong, she’d do anything to support Drew, aside from the issue with Scout and the school. If there’s any way she can help him… Does Carly have any idea how she can do that? She’s listening.

Drew asks what he ever did to Nina. Did he harm her in some way? She says, it wasn’t about him. It was always about Carly. He says, two people were reported to the SEC. Did she just forget about him? She didn’t care that he was collateral damage? She didn’t care that he just got back into his daughter’s life, and he was ripped away again? Right after he helped save Nina’s daughter’s life, so she just cares about her daughter, not his? She says she’s sorry, and she was very grateful. She didn’t know he’d be the one to go to prison. He says, she didn’t want to know. She didn’t care. She was just so hellbent on destroying Carly. He thinks it’s insecurity. She asks what he’s talking about, and he says, Wiley and Amelia love Carly. They’re so much closer to Carly than they are to her. Willow too, for that matter. And Sonny and Carly. Their bond is dysfunctional, but it’s also unbreakable, and he doesn’t think she can stand that, so she wanted to get Carly out of the picture. Nina wanted her out by any means possible. Nina asks if he can just stop talking. Yes. She did what she did, and she won’t deny it, but she thinks this is a perfect opportunity for him to acknowledge his part. He is responsible for putting himself at risk. He says, Carly’s investment was a well-intentioned act of support, with no nefarious motive whatsoever. Nina, on the other hand, just wanted to take Carly out. And now he wants to take Nina out. Nina says she wants to give him fair warning. Don’t use all these feelings to influence his business decisions. Talk to legal. He can’t just fire her. She may not own the company, but without her, there is no magazine. He says, she’s not telling him anything he doesn’t know, and she asks if he’s telling her that he would shutter Crimson just to get rid of her. He says he’s telling her that he would do anything to make her pay for what she’s done.

Portia introduces herself to Adam’s father, and he asks, where’s Adam? Is he okay? She says, he’s resting and he still needs to be seen by an attending. He says, Adam drank too much and made a fool of himself. Does that really require further consultation? She says, it requires them to be as thorough as possible, and he says he doesn’t want her running up their bill with all kinds of extra charges. Adam’s already squandered the money they’ve invested in his education with this foolishness, which is exactly what they were afraid of. Now when can he take his son home? Portia says she’ll go check his status, and walks away. Josslyn follows her and says, Adam can’t go. He needs to stay here and get help. He absolutely cannot go home. Wright says, and why is that? What does she know about his son that he doesn’t? (Hint: Probably everything.)

Esme asks if Ava helped Nikolas kidnap her son, but Ava says she would never do anything like that. Esme says, then why was he here? Why did he come looking for Ava? Did he want Ava to help him get her out of the way? Is that why Ava pressed charges against her? Ava says, that’s ridiculous. She didn’t know Esme had broken into Windymere. She didn’t know Laura was going to convince her to confess to it. Esme says, just tell her how to find Nikolas, please, but Ava says she can’t. He’s a Cassadine. He’s got money, he’s got resources, he’s got the private islands. If Laura couldn’t find him, does Esme really think she’ll be able to? Esme says she’s not giving up on her son. She has resources too. Ava says, Esme has no idea what she’s getting herself into, and her resources can’t possibly compete or compare. Esme asks if she looks helpless. She’ll do whatever it takes to find her son. Maybe she has a dangerous ally of her own. Ava says, oh really? Like who? Esme says, Cyrus Renault.

Cyrus says, Esme told him that Spencer threatened to have the old charges reinstated against her. When he questioned her, she wouldn’t say how this might be possible. Spencer says, because she doesn’t want anyone to know that she’s regained her memory, and Cyrus asks how he knows that. Spencer says, because of the little things she was saying. He was with her before her arraignment at the PCPD. She kept going back to how everyone hated her and how she was the one being persecuted. Then he pointed out to her that these are things that sound like the old Esme. As soon as he said that, she backed off. Laura says, how would he expect her to react? She confessed and she expressed true remorse over what was really a Class-A misdemeanor, and still Ava had to press charges. Spencer says, she told him that Ava wanted her to pay for what she supposedly did to Trina, as though Ava and Trina are the ones overreacting, and she’s the one being persecuted in this situation. Laura says she’s sorry. She doesn’t see this as proof that Esme regained her memory. Spencer says, she called him Spence. That’s what she used to call him, back when they were together. She hasn’t used that name for him since she lost her memory. Laura says, so she called him by his nickname, and he says, when he told her that his father had taken Ace, she told him that she was going to the police and was going to report the kidnapping. He threatened her and said, if she does that, he’s going to tell the police that she has her memory back and they’re going to reopen the investigation. As soon as she heard that, she seemed like she couldn’t risk it. Laura says, maybe she couldn’t risk being thought of as a suspect when she’s so desperate to get her son back. He gave Ace away based on a suspicion, not based on something he knew, and certainly nothing he could prove. Spencer says he does know that Esme has regained her memory, and Cyrus says he’s sorry to interrupt, but memory or not, Esme is still going after her son. She came to him asking for his help. Who else is she going to go to? And if Esme is successful, what will she do when she finds Nikolas?

Carly tells Sam that she thinks the best thing they can do for Drew is, just be honest with each other and keep talking, and to give him some time. She’s going to do everything she can on her end. Sam says, just so she knows, she’s not alone in this. There are plenty of people who care about Drew. Carly says, but what happened to Drew is on her. She’s the one who bought the Aurora stock because she had to inflate the price, even after Drew told her not to, over and over again. And he took the fall just to protect her. Sam says, he insisted on doing that, but Carly says, he wouldn’t have been faced with that choice if it weren’t for her to begin with. So she’s going to do everything in her power to make up for it. Sam says, as long as helping him doesn’t come at her own expense, because that’s the last thing he would want.

Nina asks Drew, what about the staff? They’re hard-working, they’re loyal, some of the best in the business. He’s willing to lay off all of those people just to get back at her. He says, that’s on her. He takes out an envelope and says, she signs this termination agreement or Crimson, with all its staff, is going out of business. One of the movers asks if they should start loading the boxes on the freight elevator, and Drew says he’ll have a look. He tells Nina that he’ll give her a moment to think about it. He leaves, and Nina tosses the papers in a box. She pauses and takes out a photo of Willow with Wiley and Amelia. Drew comes back and says, time’s up. Is she going to sign, or is she taking Crimson down with her? (I’m starting to think this is a dream or he’s really gone bonkers. A lot of it doesn’t make sense, even for a soap.)

Portia says, Josslyn found Adam in the park yesterday, and called emergency services. Wright says, she found him, or she was out drinking with him? and Dex says, Josslyn wasn’t drinking. She went to look for Adam because she was concerned for him. Josslyn says, Adam was alone and nearly passed out, and Wright says, they’ve been concerned about his behavior for quite a while. Josslyn says, really? and Wright says, this incident proves Adam is just not mature enough to live on his own. Josslyn says, it’s not a question about maturity. Adam needs help. He says he appreciates her concern and he’s grateful she called for help when she did, but he’ll take it from here. Josslyn says, he doesn’t understand. Adam has been hiding everything from him because Adam is afraid of what he’ll do. Wright asks why he would be afraid. He and his mother only want the best for Adam. Josslyn says, he just feels so much pressure, and Wright says, Adam has a very promising career ahead of him. He had the test scores to get into PCU. He’s maintained a 4.0 up until now. If he stays on track, he’ll be admitted to a top tier medical school. But now Adam is drinking and partying and squandering everything that he and his mother have worked hard to give him. She says, Adam isn’t partying. He’s self-medicating, having panic attacks. Portia thanks Josslyn and says she thinks she can take it from here. Why doesn’t Josslyn go home and get some rest? Wright asks who he has to speak to, to remove his son, and Dex tells Josslyn, let’s just let the hospital handle this, okay? Wright says, yeah. She’s done her part. Now please leave. This doesn’t concern her. Josslyn says, it should concern him that his son tried to kill himself last night.

Laura says she’s got to alert the police, but Spencer says, if she does that, the FBI could get involved, and who knows who else. Plus, if his father is captured, then Ace is going to get returned to Esme. (He really doesn’t get it, does he?) Laura says, they don’t even know if she’s regained her memory, and if she has, she still might do the right thing by her son. Cyrus says he agrees with Laura. He believes in the power of redemption. Spencer says, well, he doesn’t. Esme’s redemption is fake, and why is Laura still believing her? Is she really choosing Esme’s well-being over Ace’s? Laura says she’s being realistic, and the reality is that Ace would be safer if he was with them. He should have stopped his father. She just doesn’t understand why he didn’t come to her with his suspicions. She would have listened to him. They could have gone to the police together and made Esme face the things she’s done. Spencer says, what about his father, who up until ten minutes ago was the biggest asshat in the world? Should he have reported him as well? Laura says she would have never asked him to turn his own father in, but she knows Ace should be with them while all of the other stuff is getting sorted out. Spencer says, and what if it got sorted out in Esme’s favor? As far as he’s concerned, his father just saved Ace’s life. Laura says, don’t get her wrong. She’s glad that he’s starting to realize his father isn’t the heartless man Spencer’s made him out to be, but he has demonstrated some spectacularly bad judgement here and so has Spencer. His father is on the run. He’s being pursued by the authorities. This little baby has never been in more danger.

Portia tells Josslyn, that’s enough, and Dex says, let’s just go, but Josslyn says, Adam took a pack of antihistamines and washed it down with vodka. He knew what he was doing. Adam is so afraid of his father, he’d rather not live than face him. Wright says, she’s lying, and Josslyn says, doesn’t he even care? He pushed and he pushed until Adam reached his breaking point. Wright says he wants her gone – now! And if this girl comes within 50 feet of Adam, he’ll sue. (Um… we’ve already established Adam is over 18. I don’t think he can. Why is everyone being weird today?) Portia says, that’s unnecessary. She’s tired, she hasn’t slept all night, and she’s leaving right now. Why don’t they go to her office, and she can explain everything that’s going on with Adam, and they can wait for the attending there. Wright leaves with Portia, and Willow goes over to Josslyn and Dex. She says, Dr. Robinson won’t let anything happen to Adam, and Dex tells Josslyn, anything she says will just antagonize Adam’s father. She says, because he refuses to see the truth, and Dex says, Wright isn’t going to listen to her, but if she’s not here, he might listen to Dr. Robinson. Josslyn asks Willow to promise to keep an eye on Adam, and Willow promises. Josslyn says, okay then, and walks to the elevator with Dex, but then she quickly walks off.

Ava says, Esme is joking, but Esme says, Cyrus is going to help her find her son. Ava says, why? and Esme says, because he cares about his family. Ava says, Esme’s not his family. Ace may be a part of his family, but she is not. Esme says, but he promised, and Ava says, promised what exactly? Esme says, nothing. He promised her nothing. She starts to cry again, and says, her son is kidnapped. No one will help her and she’s all alone. She heads for the door, and Ava says, wait, but Esme says, stay away from me, and leaves.

Laura thanks Cyrus for coming to her, to them, about Esme, and he says, they’re family. Where else would he go? She leaves, and in the hallway, Spencer asks if she sees now. Esme went to Cyrus for help. Isn’t that proof she can’t be trusted? Laura says, it’s proof she’s desperate and will do anything to get her baby back, and he says, fine. Both can be true. She takes out her phone and calls the PCPD, asking for Dante. Spencer tries to take the phone, but she says, stop it. She has to do it. She tells them, it’s urgent… Dante answers, and she says, it’s Laura. My grandson Ace has been taken.

Josslyn looks in on Adam through the door window. Dex comes up behind her and gently guides her back to the elevator.

Nina signs the papers, and hands them to Drew. He says he’s surprised she gave in so quickly. She tells him, like she said, Crimson is her baby, and she’ll do anything to save her. (Besides this whole scene being in a parallel universe, is there some weird parallel with Ace here?) She’ll do anything for the employees, even if it means giving up everything she cares about. He asks if she thinks he’d really sabotage Aurora’s flagship title for her. Crimson was always going to be just fine. She says, so this was his plan all along, manipulate her sense of duty to her employees. He says, or maybe she just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to play martyr. She says, her employees are going to lose their jobs eventually anyway, and he says, former employees. She says, this magazine is nothing without her. Does he really think he’s going to get the photographers, the designers, the advertisers? The editorial staff will quit immediately. She made this magazine. This is her magazine. She’s irreplaceable. He says, and yet, he’s already replaced her. Carly walks in, and he says, meet Crimson’s new Editor-in-Chief.

On Monday, Nina says, they’re finally even; Martin asks where Lucy thinks she’s running off to in such a hurry; Esme says, you’re the only person I can turn to (Heather maybe?); and Dante says, maybe he should be arresting Spencer instead.

💭 I dunno about this. I’m guessing the closest Carly has come to editing a magazine is reading one, and wasn’t she just talking to Sam? Hard to believe Nina would say she’s irreplaceable along with all the other big talk, and this would also hardly be moving on for Carly after her speech on letting go. The whole thing was just weird.

🪆 Her Toy Story…

I keep forgetting she was in Five Nights at Freddy’s. I still haven’t seen it.

Jophielle Love Gets Turned Into a Toy!

🪂 On Their Off Time…

Writing mission completed.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/general-hospital/jon-lindstrom-shows-off-his-first-novel

This sounds like a real headache. She took an amazing passport photo though.

GH’s Cassandra James Achieves a Major Milestone!


🤡 Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha and Then Some…

Apparently, the board-certified medical professional was called out by bigger board-certified medical professionals.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists Calls Out Annemarie Wiley

😘 She Doesn’t Care…

Sleeping with him was punishment enough.

Kathryn Dennis Reacts to Olivia Flowers, Thomas Ravenel Hookup Reveal

🍸 After the Rules…

It was bound to happen.

https://people.com/vanderpump-rules-spinoff-the-valley-starring-jax-taylor-brittany-cartwright-kristen-doute-premiere-spring-2024-8431186

The Vanderpump Rules Spin-Off The Valley Looks Terrible

🐉 Dragon Is Coming…

What’s up with Season 2.

https://winteriscoming.net/posts/hbo-responds-to-house-of-the-dragon-season-2-release-date-rumors

🐝 Fly Back To Us Soon…

Hopefully, we’re all still alive in 2025.

https://screenrant.com/yellowjackets-season-3-cast-story-everything-we-know/

https://www.etonline.com/yellowjackets-cast-teases-season-3-without-juliette-lewis-exclusive-217957

🏈 In Between Bowl…

The trailers anticipated during the upcoming Super Bowl.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/super-bowl-2024-what-trailers-commercials-deadpool-3-movies-tv/

🦸🏽 You’re Welcome, Canada…

Deadpool is the best.

https://comicbookmovie.com/deadpool/deadpool-3/deadpool-3-set-photos-reveal-multiple-variants-of-spoiler-in-upcoming-mcu-threequel-a208960

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12984525/deadpool-3-ryan-reynolds-sports-long-hair-marvel-hugh-jackman.html

🐾 Fluffy For the Win…

More on Puppy Bowl XX.

https://wagwalking.com/daily/puppy-bowl-2024

https://ew.com/meet-the-starting-lineup-of-the-2024-puppy-bowl-8425601

👸🏽 Quotes of the Week

Things just tend to accumulate after Labor Day. What can I tell you? – Little Edie Beale, Grey Gardens

Your journey has molded you for your greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. Don’t think that you’ve lost time. There is no short cutting to life. It took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. And now is right on time. – Asha Tyson

Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. – James Langston Hughes

Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. – Henry Ward Beecher

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent. – Barbara Bush (Or your pets.)

Comparison is the death of true self-contentment – John Powell

You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter. – Nicholas Sparks

It’s almost nostalgic for a time that never existed. – Ruth Washington (Myha’la Herrold) referring to the TV series Friends, Leave the World Behind

Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity. – Henry van Dyke Jr.

Don’t stop until you see the whites of his pockets. – Don Draper (Jon Hamm), Mad Men

Your greatness is measured by your kindness; your education and intellect by your modesty; your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions and prejudices, and your real caliber is measured by the consideration and tolerance you have for others. – William J.H. Boetcker

It’s going to be a long learning curb. – Amy Slaton, 1000-Lb. Sisters

⛸ Skating On Thin Ice…

Bounce back on Monday really Tuesday for soap and turbulent seas on the Med. Until then, stay safe, stay using your turn signals (you learned that in driver’s ed, right?), and stay focusing on what’s important, even when your instincts are telling you to strike back.

Jan13

January 12, 2024 – Sonny Tests Dex’s Loyalty, Return Reveal, Supporters, A Legend Remembered, Absurd, Competent, No Drama, Next Us, The Ones, After, Bowling Pups, X Quotes & Dry

Posted on by
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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava walks into the gallery and Nikolas says, good morning. She says, not anymore, it isn’t, and he asks if she’s sent out the invites to her little party yet. She says, nope, and he says, they agreed she’d throw a party and invite Esme. Ava says, Esme’s partying days are over. At least for now. She’s in jail. You’re welcome.

Spencer meets Esme in the interrogation room, and she asks if Ace is okay. Did he miss her? Did he sleep? Spencer says, Ace is okay. Of course (🍷) he missed her, but they were able to keep him preoccupied until he fell asleep. He’s comfortable at Laura’s place. After all, it was his first home. She says she doesn’t want him upset, but he says, it seems like she’s the one who’s upset right now. Did she sleep? She says, of course (🍷) not. She was too keyed up about the hearing today. He says he gets it. Facing prison time is frightening. She says, of course (🍷) he gets it; he’s done this himself. She’s not worried so much about her. She’s just worried about what will happen to her son.

Portia is snoozing with her head on Curtis’s hospital bed, when Curtis wakes up. He asks how he did, and she says, flying colors. One for the record books. Stella comes in with coffee and says, look who’s up… again. Curtis says he was up before? and Stella says, yes, and he promised to buy her a new car. He says he has no recollection of that, and Portia says, nice try. He’s been in and out, but that’s to be expected, and he seems fully conscious now. He says he’s slept enough and he’s ready to take on the day. Stella says, time to spread the good news.

Josslyn asks where Trina is off to, and Trina says, GH to see about Curtis. Is she okay? What’s going on? Josslyn says she’s just second-guessing herself. She told the RA about Adam. He was just so drunk on New Year’s Eve and so upset about his parents possibly pulling him out of PCU. She just wants to help. Trina says, Josslyn doesn’t have to justify it to her. Josslyn says, Dex thinks Adam’s emotional problems are too big for her to handle by herself. She agrees, but she still feels like she ratted him out. Trina’s phone rings, and she asks Stella if everything is okay… Really?… Okay. She’s on her way. Josslyn asks, is everything okay? and Trina says, everything’s great. Curtis is awake.

Diane meets Robert at the PC Grill, and he says he’s so sorry about last night, but she says she completely understands. She’s just curious as to who or what was enticing enough to lure him away from what would have been a wonderful evening. He says, Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny and Dex walk into Sonny’s office at Pozzulo’s, and Sonny says, anything? Frank says, crib’s clean, and runs a device over Dex. Dex asks, what’s wrong? Did they find a bug? Sonny says he’s just being careful, and Frank says, he’s clean. Frank leaves, and Sonny says, he and Dex need to have a conversation. Once they do, it does not leave this office. They sit down, and Dex says, understood. Sonny says he needs Dex to do something important for him. It’s sort of a crucial test, and once Dex does this for him, there’s no looking back.

Josslyn hugs Trina and says she’s so glad Curtis is awake. Trina must be so relieved. Trina says, Josslyn has no idea. Is she going to be okay, or does she need to talk some more? Josslyn says she’s good. Go see Curtis… Trina’s dad she means. Trina laughs and says, that’s okay. She trips up all the time. (Hey, what happened to Taggert anyway?) Trina tells Josslyn not to beat herself up for talking to Kylie. Adam is really lucky to have a friend who cares so much. Josslyn says, thanks, and Trina opens the door. Adam is there, and she says she was just on her way out. She leaves, and Josslyn invites Adam in. He says he was surprised to get her text. He figured after New Year’s, she wouldn’t want to talk to him again. He was wrecked. It turns out frat parties aren’t his vibe. She says she was really worried about him. Has he heard from his parents, or have they said anything more about him leaving school? He says, they really want him back home, but he’d rather be anywhere but there. She says she knows problems with parents can be tough, but they’re not insurmountable. He says he gets that she’s being kind and tactful. He knows he should stand up for himself, but he’s just not strong enough.

Deanna tells Curtis that everything looks good. Just buzz if he needs anything. They all thank her, she says, of course (🍷), and leaves. Portia says, Dr. Martel came by earlier and should be back a little bit later, but he said the surgery went very well. No surprises, no complications, and he says it’s looking very positive. Curtis says, that’s good to hear. Now they just wait for the swelling to go down and maybe he can dunk a ball again. Stella says, big talk. She’s glad she’s here and not TJ. She knows he’d have something to say about that. Does Curtis want them to call his dad and tell him that he’s awake? Portia says, they probably should, right? but Curtis says, not if it means waking him up. Let him rest. Portia should get some rest too. Portia says she’s fine. She’s fresh as a daisy. He says, and twice as beautiful.

Esme asks if Spencer saw Ace this morning. She normally feeds him and gets him ready for daycare. Spencer says he fed Ace, and she says, he’s going to be so confused. His whole schedule is off. Spencer says, he’s fine, but she says, he won’t be if she disappears from his life. Growing up without a mother is awful. Isn’t that what Spencer told her? He says, Ace isn’t growing up without her. He’s not. She’s a good mother. She says, does he really mean that? and he says, yes, but he’s got to ask. Why would she sacrifice his safety and security so she could break into Windymere of all places? Why did she go there on Christmas?

Nikolas says, why insist on pressing charges against Esme? and Ava says, because the opportunity to right a wrong presented itself. Esme should already be serving a very long sentence for what she did to Trina and to Josslyn and to Cameron. In an hour, she’s going down to the courthouse and watch their judicial system in action. He says, so Esme’s hearing is today, and she say she wishes she could bring popcorn. Nikolas suddenly jets, and Nina calls Ava’s name. She comes in the back way and asks if Ava is with a customer. She thought she heard her talking to someone. Ava says she was on the phone. She’s been trying to reach Nina. What happened after New Year’s Eve? How did Sonny find out it was her who went to the SEC? Nina says, Sonny told Ava, but Ava says, he hasn’t said a word, and she thought it best to just stay out of his way. When Sonny feels betrayed, he’s downright dangerous.

Sonny says, Dex is aware of his legal troubles. Cyrus brought cops into a situation that should just have been between them. He seriously miscalculated. Dex says, in what way? and Sonny says, the only thing Dex needs to know is, things are going to change around here. He needs to go back to focusing on the business. He hasn’t been doing that lately. Cyrus was released from prison, and now he’s causing trouble – again. Dex asks if Sonny wants to suspend business until after his trial, but Sonny says, there’s not going to be a trial. That’s where Dex comes in. Dex has to take care of Cyrus for him. Dex says, to keep him from testifying? Does Sonny want him to scare Cyrus? Sonny says, to death.

Josslyn hands Adam something to drink, and he says, thanks, but she didn’t ask him over here to check his hydration, did she? She says, he’s right. She didn’t. And what he said about not being strong enough to talk to his parents? She thinks he can. He needs to tell them what’s going on with him. But when she said that he should talk to someone, she didn’t mean just her. There’s a knock at the door, and she says she went to someone for help. She opens the door to RA Kylie, and Adam says, she’s a snitch.

Nina says she’s guessing Sonny doesn’t know that Ava’s the one who encouraged her to turn in Carly and Drew, and Ava says, what? They’ve been over this. She did not encourage Nina and Nina knows it. She was just calling Nina’s bluff to make her see reason. She wasn’t supposed to actually go through with it, which Nina did without her knowledge and involvement. But Sonny doesn’t know she knew it was Nina. She doesn’t think she’d be staying at his penthouse if he did. She and Sonny have reached a place where they can almost trust each other for Avery’s sake. Nina says, don’t worry. She’s not going to put Ava in the middle of this. She’s afraid Sonny hates her now and she’s just going to have to deal with it on her own. Ava says she doesn’t think Sonny hates Nina. He just goes to a dark place when he’s hurt. And you know what they say; hurt people hurt people. Nina says her earth shattered when Sonny slammed the door in her face, and Ava says she’s sure it was painful, but she’s talking about Cyrus Renault. Nina says, what about him? and Ava says, she doesn’t know? Cyrus is in the hospital. Sonny beat him almost to death.

Trina says she’s so happy to see Curtis and runs to the bed to hug him. He says he’s happy for the same, and she says, how is he? How is he feeling? He’s not in any pain, right? He says, no. Her beautiful mom and his doctor have his pain management under control. Enough about him. How about her? She’s back in school. Did she get the classes she wanted? Portia says, that and then some, and Trina gives her a look. Curtis says, okay, what did he miss? and Trina says she was accepted to study at the Sorbonne for a semester abroad. He says, that’s great. Paris, that’s wonderful, the Louvre, all the artwork. She’s going to be in heaven. Plus, Paris is beautiful in the fall. She says, the thing is, she was accepted to study for the spring semester, and he says, as in this spring? Why hasn’t she said anything? She says she found out over the holidays and thought she wasn’t going to go. Portia says, it’s just such a wonderful opportunity, and Stella says, the chance of a lifetime. Curtis says, it absolutely is. Why wouldn’t she? Trina says she just thought that right now wouldn’t be the right moment to be so far away, and he says, for him? She says, if he’d rather she stay, she totally understands. She wants to. He asks if Portia and Stella mind if he talks to his child, Stella says, absolutely, and she and Portia leave.

Spencer tells Esme, look at that. Coffee, something to eat. He puts it in front of her and says, the coffee’s terrible though. She says she’ll take the terrible coffee. She’s not hungry. She pushes the plate aside, and he says, she should eat something. She has a big day ahead of her. He sits down and asks if she’s going to tell him what she was thinking; why she broke into Windymere. She says she was lonely. They had Ace and she was confused about her life. Windymere was the last place she was before she lost her memory. He says, it sounds to him like she went looking for her old memories, and she says, so she can be the most hated person in Port Charles again? Sure. Why doesn’t she go back to a time when everyone was against her? He says, that’s really interesting because the old Esme had a persecution complex as well. Maybe she’s closer to her than she thinks. She says she doesn’t have to imagine much. Everyone has already told her how terrible the old Esme was. You know what they say about first impressions. Her first impression of her former self has been a lasting one. She really wants to be a good person, but he has no idea how hard it is. He says he gets it. He knows what it’s like to have people judge you for your past actions, but the bottom line is, he doesn’t want her to go to prison. He thinks that Ace is going to be a lot happier if she doesn’t go away. She asks if he’ll bring Ace to the courthouse. She already misses him so much. She needs to see her baby. Please. Will he do that for her?

In the hallway, Portia asks Stella if she just blew it, bringing up that news about Trina. He just woke up from his surgery… Stella says, take a breath. She wanted to give him some good news and this is good news. Portia says, it is good news, but she’s tired. She’s really not thinking straight. She just should have waited, that’s all. Stella says, it’s no wonder. They’ve all gone home to sleep, and she’s been by Curtis’s side since he went into surgery. She has to take care of herself. Curtis still has a long road ahead of him, and he’s going to need her to support him.

Curtis asks if Trina has accepted yet, and she says, not yet, but the deadline is approaching. She knows he’s going to tell her to go, but when she thinks about not being here when he gets back on his feet… He says, there’s no guarantee he will walk again, but she says she has faith. He’s one of the strongest people she knows, and she knows he’s going to do anything to get back on his feet. He says, whether he does or doesn’t, it’s not helping if she passes on this amazing opportunity. She should go. He’ll be here when she gets back. Not right here, but he’ll be here. Who knows? Maybe he’ll be on his feet in time to see her there in Paris. Unless he’d be cramping her style. Because he doesn’t want to interfere with her solo adventure. She says, actually, she won’t be solo. Spencer’s coming with her.

Nina asks if Cyrus went to Sonny, but Ava says she thinks it was a case of wrong place, wrong time. Sonny found out about Nina, he went to the church, and Cyrus showed up and said something that triggered him, and Sonny lost it. Nina says, at the church? It was Cyrus who told Sonny that she was the one who tipped off the SEC. Ava asks, how the hell did Cyrus know? and Nina says, because she was in church. She was confessing her sins to a priest, but it wasn’t a priest. It was Cyrus Renault. He knows everything. Ava says, he knew before Sonny knew. She can see why that might push Sonny over the edge. Nina says, bragging to Sonny when Sonny was at his lowest, he deserved whatever happened to him. At least now Cyrus doesn’t have anything that he’s holding over either one of them. Ava says, Cyrus went to the cops. Sonny is facing assault charges. Nina says, he was arrested? and Ava says, he’s out now, but he’s going to have to go to trial. Nina says, Diane will get him off, right? and Ava says, Diane is a very good lawyer, but Cyrus hates Sonny. He’s not going to let this go. And the PCPD has been trying to put Sonny behind bars for decades. They’re not going to miss this chance.

Diane says, Robert doesn’t want to appear overconfident. That’s going to make it all the more disappointing when her client walks, yet again. Robert says, these charges aren’t business as usual. Whatever it was that set Sonny off, he almost killed a man with his bare hands. He’s simply here to see that Sonny pays for it. She says, he’s unusually and unprofessionally gleeful about this, but she is a professional, so she’ll remind him that her client is innocent until proven guilty. This community loves Sonny Corinthos, an exceptional businessman, a wonderful father. Cyrus Renault on the other hand, is a career criminal with a rap sheet that stretches across Texas. She doesn’t know why he’s bothering to bring this to trial. Who’s the more credible witness here? He says, Cyrus Renault, he’s a criminal. Then again, so is Sonny. Diane says, well… and Robert says, the thing is, they now have DNA that puts Sonny at the scene of the crime, which is actually going to put him away, and there’s not a thing she can do about that.

Sonny says, Dex has always come through for him when he’s asked. Dex has proven his loyalty. Sonny thinks there’s just one final step. Dex does this for him, they’ll always have his back. He won’t have to ask for anything. He’ll always be there for Dex. Cyrus is an old man. Nobody’s going to be surprised when his heart gives out on him. Dex says he guesses that makes sense, and Sonny asks what he means. Does he have something on his mind? Dex says, it’s not his place, and Sonny says, it’s not, but it’s a big ask. So if Dex has something on his mind, go ahead and spit it out. Dex says, killing Cyrus Renault gets rid of the man, but it doesn’t necessarily get rid of the charges against Sonny. The DA might even up the charges from assault to manslaughter, saying that Renault died as a result of his injuries. Sonny says, Robert Scorpio can do whatever he wants, but his case is going to fall apart if Cyrus isn’t there. Nobody saw him at All Saints. There are no witnesses to testify against him. There are no cameras in the church. He wants to send a message – nobody crosses Sonny Corinthos. He wants people to remember that. Dex says he’s sure they will, but he’s concerned about Sonny. There’s DNA. He wasn’t wearing gloves; his knuckles are proof. Sonny says, that’s what he pays Diane for, because she can discredit any DNA evidence if she has to. Dex gets up, and Sonny asks if he’s satisfied, or does he have something else? Dex looks at Sonny and Sonny says, disappointing. He gets up and says, if he can’t ask Dex to do something for him, that means Dex doesn’t trust him, which means he can’t rely on Dex. He told Dex from the beginning that he needs loyal men by his side. Is he loyal or not?

Curtis says, Spencer cares a great deal about Trina. He’s going to give her his two cents. Spend it how she likes. He thinks Paris should be about her. It should be about figuring out who she is, and the woman she wants to become. It’s only a semester, right? And Spencer will be here when she gets back. Won’t he?

Spencer tells Esme, don’t worry. He’ll bring Ace to the courthouse. She thanks him and says she still doesn’t know what she’s going to do. Ava’s intent on throwing the book at her for what she supposedly did to Trina. He says, supposedly? and she says she doesn’t remember any of it. She’s not denying the things people have said the old Esme has done, but to go to jail for something she doesn’t remember doing, when she’s no longer that person? Even Trina didn’t want that. He says, that’s correct. Trina convinced them all that it wasn’t fair and that’s why Esme wasn’t charged. Esme says, and Trina said she did it for Ace, and she appreciates that, but Ava doesn’t see it that way. Why can’t she just let it go? Spencer says, Esme broke into Ava’s home and actions have consequences, and she tells him, says the person who’s skirted consequences his entire life. He says, she remembers, doesn’t she?

Adam says he can’t believe Josslyn would do this to him. How can she get him in trouble like this? She says she was just trying to get him some help, and Kylie says, he’s not in trouble. Josslyn did the right thing coming to her. It’s okay. They want to help him. Adam tells Josslyn that she had no right to say anything, but she says she knows he’s unhappy. All he does is study and push himself. He barely even goes out. He says, that’s because it’s all he’s got, okay? Or that he had. Kylie says, school can be a lot of pressure, and Josslyn’s just being a friend. She’s already spoken to Health Services, and someone can speak to him today. The counselor sent a form to his student portal. He asks why she’d do that. His parents are going to see it.

Nina tells Ava that Sonny could go to prison because of her. It’s all her fault. Does she know where he is? Ava says, in his office maybe? and Nina says she has to help him. She has to do something. Ava says, no. She doesn’t think Sonny wants Nina’s help right now. Nina says, he’s still her husband and she loves him. She has to try. Ava says, okay. Good luck. Call me. Nina leaves, and Nikolas comes back in. He says, so Sonny’s not so untouchable after all. It’s about time that sanctimonious hypocrite was taken down a peg or two. Ava says, he’s still here, huh? and he says, so Esme’s hearing is definitely today? She says, uh-huh, and he says he supposes his mother and Spencer will be there. She says, that’s very likely. Like she said, you’re welcome. He says, what for? and she says, once Esme is behind bars, he won’t have to worry about sweet little Ace. He’ll be safe and sound with Laura. He says, then he guesses this is goodbye.

Diane says, Robert wouldn’t be the first public servant to get giddy at the thought of taking down Sonny Corinthos. So allow her to point out a few things that others have learned at great cost. He says, that sounds like a threat, but she says, don’t be silly. She’s simply observing that if he were to bring this to trial, the defendant is going to be far more appealing than the alleged victim. Does he even think he can impanel twelve jurors who will find Cyrus Renault more credible than Sonny Corinthos? Even if he was able to prove that Sonny attacked Cyrus, no one’s going to shed any tears at the fact that Cyrus finally got a taste of his own medicine. Robert asks if there’s nothing to be said for redemption here, and she laughs. He says, Cyrus Renault is now a man of God, beaten within an inch of his life in a church. What does she think the jury’s going to make of that?

Dex says he is loyal to Sonny. It’s his job to protect Sonny and protect his interests. And that includes speaking up when he sees potential problems. Sonny says he knows. He hears what Dex is saying, but this is something Dex needs to know. He’s going to make this happen and he thought Dex was up to the job. It’s just a shame Dex is going to fall short of his expectations, but it’s better he’s hearing about this now than hearing about it later. So let’s just erase any doubts we have here. Is Dex with him?

Adam says, his parents will go crazy if they think he’s out partying. They’ll think he has a drinking problem. Kylie says, no. His student portal is confidential. He says, she doesn’t get it. His parents forced him to give them his password when they found out he lied about having an internship. Kylie says she’s sure the counselor will be willing to talk to his parents. Don’t worry. Everything will be confidential. There are so many students going through tough times these days. It’s not that uncommon. Josslyn says, please, just listen to Kylie. She thinks talking to the counselor is a good idea, and it could really help him. She’ll even go with him if he wants. Kylie says, they can go over to Health Services right now, and Josslyn says, come on, Adam, please.

Ava says, goodbye? and Nikolas says, it’s time for him to leave Port Charles. He’s a wanted man. He held Esme captive and it’s too soon to make almonds amends with Spencer and his mother. He doesn’t have a place in Port Charles right now. She asks if he’ll be back, and he says he’s not sure as to when. She guesses this is goodbye then, and he turns to leave, but she calls him back. She says she’s really glad she didn’t kill him, and he tells her that she says the sweetest things. He touches her face and tells her to take care of herself. She says, him too, and he leaves.

Sonny says, Dex told him that he wanted to advance. He said he wanted to do something for the organization. The way he sees it, this is how Dex does it. Dex says he agrees that Cyrus is dangerous, and Sonny says he has no doubt that Cyrus is going to come after the people closest to him. His kids, his grandkids, Sasha, Carly – he puts his hand on Dex’s shoulder – Josslyn. They’re all in danger and he doesn’t want them to live like this forever. Dex says, what about Mrs. Corinthos? Is she being protected? Sonny says he will deal with Nina. Dex deals with Cyrus. Dex asks when Sonny wants him to do it, and Sonny says, immediately. Cyrus is weak. He’s exposed. Anything can happen in a hospital. Dex says, okay. How do they make that happen?

Portia and Stella go back into Curtis’s room, and Curtis asks if Trina is going to the hearing. Portia says, Trina told him about Esme breaking into Windymere, and he says, he’s guessing she’s sitting with Ava. Trina says she thought about it, but she wanted to be here with him. He says, don’t worry about him. He’s not going anywhere. Besides, she needs to see this through. This could mean Esme’s finally out of her life. He’s glad Ava pressed charges. Trina says, her too, and he asks what Esme was doing at Windymere anyway. It just seems strange. Trina says, no clue, and Stella says she still doesn’t trust her. Trina says, neither does she, but she does feel bad for Ace. If Esme goes to prison, he’ll have no parents.

Spencer asks if Esme is starting to remember, but she says, no. She’s just going off everything she’s learned of his past from Laura and Doc. An officer tells Esme that her lawyer’s here. He’ll take her back to get dressed for court. She thanks him and says, Spencer is still bringing Ace to court, right? He says he is, and she thanks him for coming. She says, I really need you on my side, Spence, and leaves, and he flashes back to her calling him Spence, and saying, he’s even more pathetic than when she first met him. He says, Spence.

Trina leaves, and Portia asks if she told Curtis everything about Paris. He says, she did, and Portia says, he knows she doesn’t like the idea of Spencer going to Paris with Trina. He says, neither does he, but hopefully, they won’t have to worry about that. Stella says, why is that? and Curtis says, if Esme goes to prison, Spencer’s not going to want his brother to be alone. He’s going to stay right here in Port Charles and raise Ace. Portia says, fingers crossed.

Robert says, Diane hasn’t touched her food. She doesn’t like it? She says, no. She just seems to have lost her appetite. Clearly, Robert doesn’t want to litigate this case on its merits. He’s just someone else who wants to take down Sonny. He says, anything at all to rid this town of Corinthos. Although he will miss Sonny’s coffee. She folds her arms, and he says, come on. Think of all the extra time she’ll have on her hands now that her biggest client is going away for the rest of his life. Whatever will she do? She says, oh golly. She’s sure she can find someone or something to keep her busy. She gets up and says, she’ll tell him this though, she won’t be busy with him. She walks out and he looks perplexed.

In his office, Sonny looks at his bruised knuckles, then puts the picture of Nina on his desk face down. There’s a knock at the door, and he says, come in. Frank brings him the mail and asks if there’s anything else he can get Sonny. Sonny says, no. He thinks he’s got everything under control.

At the hospital, Dex makes a call and says, come on, Joss, pick up.

Josslyn ignores Dex’s call, and Adam says he’s not going to Health Services, and they can’t make him. This is none of their business. Josslyn asks him to just please calm down, but he says she doesn’t want to hear this. Both of them, just leave him alone. And take the damn counselor off his portal. He storms out, and Josslyn asks Kylie, now what?

Leaving a message, Dex says, Josslyn doesn’t have to call him back. he just wanted to hear her voice and tell her how important she is to him. And let her know that no matter what happens with them, he loves her, and he always will. He sees a text from Unknown that says: Room 1002. He says, gotta go, and walks down the hall, noticing Nina at the reception desk.

Nina asks what room Cyrus Renault is in, as Dex listens from around the corner.

Spencer tells the sitter to enjoy the rest of her day. He’ll be taking Ace to see his mother in court. She thanks him and says she hopes everything works out for him. He says he’s sure it will, and she leaves. He says, one way or another, and flashes back to Esme saying, no deal, Spence. He says, she was lying. She remembers everything. There’s a knock at the door and he opens it. Nikolas is there.

On Monday, Ava asks Laura why she would do that; Kristina says, this is exactly where she needs to be right now; Nina says, if Cyrus is truly sorry, prove it; and the judge asks how Esme pleads.

💝 Bringing the Surprise Twist…

I hadn’t realized the woman playing BJ was the child who played BJ. Very clever!

That Was Brighton Hertford (B.J.) Playing the Reporter on GENERAL HOSPITAL!
Brighton Hertford Says Her GH Return Was “Serendipitous”

🌷 Bobbie’s Last Save…

I swear they didn’t address Famke by name, but I might have blinked and missed it.

Who Are Cornelia and Famke on GENERAL HOSPITAL?

👩‍⚕️ Memorializing a GH Icon…

Taking everything into consideration, it was worth the wait. It must have been tough on the actors though, pretending she was still alive. Obviously, there was going to be no recast.

The Why.

Why Bobbie’s Memorial Was Delayed on GENERAL HOSPITAL

The How.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers: Remembering Bobbie

Memories.

Kin Shriner Shares Special Memories of Jacklyn Zeman

🪙 In Random Stupid News…

This is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard.

https://people.com/eminem-opposes-deposition-seeks-protective-order-against-gizelle-bryant-robyn-dixon-shady-trademark-dispute-case-8420744

⚖️ You’re All Out Of Order…

Who knows? It probably wouldn’t change the outcome anyway.

https://people.com/tom-girardi-deemed-competent-to-stand-trial-by-judge-reports-8421562

💤 For Those Who Still Care…

Teresa and Jennifer are so volatile, the rest of them can finally relax.

RHONJ Cast’s ‘Family Dinner’ Didn’t Include Teresa Giudice and Jennifer Aydin
Melissa Gorga Reveals Details Behind ‘Awkward and Weird’ RHONJ Cast Group Chat

🌁 News Of the Last…

What’s happened up until now. (First the earth cooled, then the dinosaurs came…)

https://www.gamesradar.com/the-last-of-us-season-2-release-date-cast/

I don’t think it’s necessary either. It was a great episode, but a spinoff would just be depressing knowing the ending.

https://www.themarysue.com/will-there-be-a-bill-and-frank-the-last-of-us-spinoff-explained/

⚰️ Next Dead Up…

This looks like another winner. In all these spinoffs, it’s like they finally got the idea that Walking Dead was too stagnant.

https://ew.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-trailer-rick-grimes-action-8424639

https://ew.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-terry-o-quinn-character-8421730

https://ew.com/walking-dead-the-ones-who-live-exclusive-first-look-pollyanna-mcintosh-jadis-8413410

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-rick-and-michonne-jadis-pollyanna-mcintosh-the-ones-who-live/

🎉 Not Letting Go Yet…

The overtime is probably pretty good.

https://www.justjared.com/2024/01/01/how-long-does-it-take-up-to-clean-times-square-after-new-years-eve-clean-up-details-revealed/

🐕‍🦺 Love the Players and the Game…

Who’s competing in this year’s Puppy Bowl.

https://www.discovery.com/shows/puppy-bowl/see/meet-the-players-of-puppy-bowl-xx

Mr. Bean!

https://people.com/puppy-bowl-2024-puppy-players-with-special-needs-8424973

🫦 Quotes of the Week

If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. – Michael Jordan (Or kick it down.)

Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people. – Spencer Johnson

It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. – Andre Gide

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Your dream is a reality that is waiting for you to materialize. Today is a new day! Don’t let your history interfere with your destiny! Learn from your past so that it can empower your present and propel you to greatness. – Steve Maraboli

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy. – Albert Clarke

I challenge you to let every day be a Friday. Permit yourself to be happy every day. – Joel Osteen

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

You don’t have to be great at something to start but you have to start to be great at something. – Zig Ziglar

I’d say he was lying through his teeth, but he ain’t got none. – Amy Slaton referring to Glenn, 1000-Lb. Sisters

😐 Feeling Mediocre…

Return to this spot on Monday really Tuesday for soap and the final Med charter. Until then, stay safe, stay making time every day to do a small thing that brings you joy, and stay having faith even when there are no guarantees.

Jan6

January 5, 2024 – Sonny Packs Nina’s Bags, He’s Back, Two More, AMC Gallery, Salty Talk, Even Saltier, Scammed, She Does, Last One, Globing It, Midnight, Puppy Bowl (!), Quotes For a New Year & Future

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

By the memorial wall at GH, Felicia talks to Maxie on the phone. Felicia thanks Maxie for the offer, but declines, and Maxie says, if she changes her mind, let her know. She knows how much Bobbie meant to her. Felicia says she knows how much Bobbie meant to Maxie. Is she sure she doesn’t want to take the day off? Maxie says she needs to keep busy. She can’t believe Bobbie is gone. Felicia says, neither can she. She’ll call Maxie when they’re finished. Anna comes along, and she and Felicia hug and cry.

Cody comes to Maxie’s office and says, greetings, I was… What’s wrong? Maxie says, everything.

Sam hugs Drew and says, it’s good to see him. She invites him in and asks, how’s Carly? He says, she’s staying strong and missing her mom, and Sam says she didn’t know Bobbie that well, but she did always admire her. He suggests she give Carly a call, and she says, of course () she will. He says, not just about that. About some other news that came out that he doesn’t really want to get into right now. She says she’s sure Carly will catch her up to speed, and he says he came by to pick up Scout to get her new uniform. He’s sorry; he should have called first. She says she wishes he had called. She could have saved him a trip. He asks if Scout is okay, and she says, Scout’s fine. He says, if this morning doesn’t work, it will have to be this afternoon. He doesn’t mean to rush her, but Scout is starting at Westwood Academy on Monday… Sam says, about that. Scout won’t be going to Westwood Academy.

On the phone at Sasha’s, Nina leaves a message for Willow, saying, it’s her again. She knows she’s probably the last person Willow wants to talk to right now, but she’s begging Willow to please let her explain. She knows Willow is probably sick of hearing her say that, but call her please. She sees Sasha and says, she’s not going to call, is she? Sasha says, give her time, and Nina says, why should Willow call her? There’s no explanation, there’s no excuse for her doing what she did. Sasha says, that’s probably how Willow feels, and Nina thanks her for her honesty. She also thanks Sasha for putting her up last night. She really didn’t want to be alone. Sasha says, anytime. And when she does finally speak to Willow, she’ll find the words.

Dante rouses Laura, who’s snoozing in a chair in Cyrus’s hospital room. He asks if she spent the night here, but she says she didn’t. Doc insisted she go home, but then she couldn’t sleep, so she came back first thing. She must have dozed off. He says he takes it Cyrus hasn’t regained consciousness, and she says she doesn’t think so. Not yet anyway. But since her brother isn’t talking, perhaps Dante can fill her in. Does the PCPD know who attacked her brother?

Sonny opens the penthouse door, and Frank says he’s sorry. He told her that Sonny said no visitors. Lois says she told him that Sonny would make an exception, and Sonny nods. Frank tells her to go in, and Sonny says, make it fast. Ava’s at the gallery and the kids are at Carly’s and he just wants to be alone. She says, he will be once she leaves. Has the cleaning crew been here already? He asks, why? and she says, because she knows him, of all people, wouldn’t take his new wife’s betrayal lying down, yet she sees no sign of a rampage and not a shattered glass in sight. He says, people change, but she says, not that much. Ah! She sees luggage. Is he taking this act on the road? He says he’s not going anywhere. Nina is.

Felicia says she’s really glad Anna is here, and Anna says, there’s nowhere else she’d rather be. Bobbie wouldn’t want Felicia to do this alone. Felicia thanks her and cries a little, and Anna asks if she’s ready. Felicia says she doesn’t know if she’ll ever be ready.

Maxie says, Bobbie Spencer died, and Cody says he’s so sorry. He only met her briefly at the Nurses Ball, but he’s really sorry she lost her friend. She says, it was more than that. When she was a kid, Bobbie was married to her Uncle Tony. Her cousin BJ was Bobbie’s stepdaughter first, then she sealed the deal and adopted BJ. Long story short, BJ died when a drunk driver plowed into their school bus, and she was gone. She was seven years old. He says, that’s awful, and Maxie says she was six at the time and she’d been waiting on a heart for her heart transplant that she thought would never come, and the heart that’s in her body right now is from Bobbie’s daughter, because Bobbie and her Uncle Tony gave it to her. He says, Bobbie sounds like an incredibly strong and generous woman, and Maxie says she could go to Bobbie for anything, especially all those years her mom wasn’t around. Now she couldn’t get rid of her mom if she tried, but back then, Bobbie was her go-to. She was everyone’s go-to. She lived to help people. She wasn’t sentimental about it. She did not mince her words. If you did something wrong or made a mistake, she told you, but she did it because she cared about people. And now she can’t imagine Port Charles without Bobbie Spencer.

Sam tells Drew, Scout has been tied up in knots about this. She has nightmares. She’s a nervous wreck. He says, then he’ll go talk to her, but she says, Scout isn’t here. Rocco took her out to breakfast. (How old is Rocco now? He drives? He pays for breakfast?) Drew says he sees, and she says, he sees what? He says, she’s got her appetite back, so he’s assuming Sam told her it’s okay she’s not going to Westwood. She says, he doesn’t understand. She was so anxious. He says, so Sam just made this decision unilaterally. There was no phone call, no texting him, no discussion… She says, actually, she had to make a choice. She could reassure their daughter right away or wait until she spoke to him, and she chose peace. She figured they’d talk about it when he got here. He says, after Sam told her it was okay. Isn’t that a little backwards? She agrees she should have spoken to him, and he thanks her. He says he’s glad they agree on that much, and she says, just like he should have come to her before he pitched the idea to Scout in the first place. (Booya!)

In the hallway, Dante tells Laura that they have their people canvassing the area outside the church and checking all the traffic cameras, but so far, there is no suspect in Cyrus’s attack. Laura says, it’s not like he has any shortage of enemies either. He’s done a lot of damage in this community. He says, and yet, here she is sitting vigil, and she says she guesses whether she likes it or not, he’s still a member of her family. And what she’s learned from her son Nikolas is, although she may not like the way he behaves sometimes, she still has the need to let them try to do better. Dante says he appreciates her sticking to her principles, even though Cyrus has never given her a reason to, and she looks in the room window. She says she thinks he’s waking up, and they go back in.

Laura asks if Cyrus can hear her (FYI, his bruised face makeup is amazing), and he says, an angel with the face of his sister. She says, no angels here. He’s still very much among the living. He says, so he sees, and she says she’s going to try and get his doctor. She leaves, and Dante asks if Cyrus can tell him what happened. Cyrus says, someone seems to have brought him to General Hospital. This is the second time the good people here have snatched his life back from the jaws of death. Dante says, he’s a very lucky man, and Cyrus says, not lucky, blessed. Dante says, right. He’s the victim of a brutal assault. Why doesn’t Cyrus help him lock up whoever did this to him? Cyrus says, like the local constabulary cares, and Dante says, try him. Give him a name and he’ll haul them down to the precinct by the end of the day.

Lois says she’s not surprised Sonny is evicting Nina. The last thing she expected was two neatly packed suitcases. She figured he’d just throw her stuff over the balcony. He asks what she’s doing here, and she says, checking up on a friend. He says, she checked up on him. She can go ahead and go. She tells him that she needed to say she didn’t mean to blow up his life. She just thought he deserved to know the truth. He says he appreciates it. He wishes the other people in his life were as honest as her. She asks where he’s banishing Nina to. Outer Mongolia? An ice floe? Buffalo? He says, she owns the hotel. She can stay there for now. Lois says, for now? Does that mean he’s not done with her for good?

Felicia asks if Anna is ready, and Anna says, whenever Felicia is. Felicia unlocks Bobbie’s office, and they go inside. Felicia picks up Bobbie’s stethoscope and looks at it, and we see all the photos on the credenza. Felicia says, look at all these, and picks one up. This was from Anna’s wedding to Robert. Anna says, she was loved by so many people, and Felicia says, because she loved them. She was always the first to show up for people, the first to extend a hand. She was the anchor for her family, and for this hospital. Felicia cries and Anna puts her arm around Felicia’s shoulders and says, these photos tell the story of a life well-lived.

Drew says, so this isn’t about Scout not going to Westwood Academy. It’s about Sam getting back at him because he didn’t consult her about Scout? Sam says, no, of course (🍷) not. She’s just pointing out the fact that he put her on the spot when he announced Scout was going to Westwood in front of their daughter. He says, she’s right. He did blindside her. She says, exactly. All she’s saying is they can both do better. Of course (🍷) if she could do it over, she would come to him first. He says, then why didn’t she? Scout has been feeling this way for a while. She says she thought Scout might change her mind. At least she hoped Scout would. But the closer it got, the more she seemed to dread it, and her immediate concern was for Scout’s well-being. He says, and his isn’t? but she says, that’s not what she’s saying. He says, really? Because it sure sound like what he says and what he wants doesn’t matter at all. She thinks she gets the final word when it comes to what’s best for their daughter? (Will someone please smack this guy?)

Dante says, the doctor is in with Cyrus now, and Laura says, great. Was he able to identify his attacker? Dante says, probably, but he’s not, and she says, why not? He was the victim. Dante tells her that Cyrus said – and he quotes – as I await my eternal reward, so to shall law enforcement await my cooperation. She says she thinks she liked him better before his conversion, and they laugh. Did he say anything else? Dante says, Cyrus told him that his attacker was not to be blamed, that his so-called frailty was the reason his injuries were so bad. She asks what he can do with that, and he says, nothing really. Without a name and without any evidence, they can investigate, but it’s not going to go anywhere. She says, without an account from the victim or an eyewitness, he can’t bring a case, can he? Dante says, if only there was someone he trusted that he could tell the truth to, like say… his sister?

Nina says she shouldn’t be here. She’s putting Sasha in a really odd, awkward position. She’s friends with Michael and Willow, and on good terms with Carly. And Sonny still thinks of her as family. Sasha says, every one of those people knows she considers Nina family too, and Nina thanks her. Sasha says, Nina’s not a fugitive. It’s not a crime for her to be here, so stop acting like it is. Nina says, okay. Once again, she’s managed to make herself Public Enemy #1. Sasha says, who cares what people think? Nina still has friends.

Sonny asks what Lois wants from him, and she sees his hand and says, whoa. It looks like he did break something after all. What was it this time, a wall? Somebody’s face? He says, a lot of things were broken yesterday, and she says, as she recalls, one of those things was his marriage, but he is still wearing his wedding ring. He says, so what? and she says, when Brenda betrayed him, he thought she was dead to him dead. Yet still wearing that ring indicates he’s not done with Nina yet, suitcases or not. He says he gave up a lot to be with Nina. It felt like the whole world was against them. Lois says she sees. So if he takes off that ring and throws it in the river, he’s proving all the naysayers, right? He says he doesn’t care what people think, and she says, true that. Who cares what they think? What does he think? He says he thought he fell in love with someone who made mistakes, owned up to them, and learned from them. But now, he finds out Nina is a traitor. She went against his family for months and lied to him. He won’t forget that.

Laura goes back in Cyrus’s room, and he tells her, the doctor says he’ll live, thanks to the grace of God. She says, it wasn’t God who put him in this hospital bed though. Why doesn’t he just tell her what happened? He wonders if she’s asking as the mayor or as his family, and she says, both. What kind of relationship are they going to have if he can’t tell her who beat him within an inch of his life? He says, once she knows the answer, she may well be sorry she asked.

Laura says, Sonny Corinthos did this to him? and Cyrus says, why the shock? She says, because she doesn’t think Sonny’s that easily provoked, and he asks if they know the same Sonny Corinthos. She says she knows he has a temper. He yells. He throws things. He breaks things. Cyrus laughs and says, he’s been known to break more than things, and she says, still, it would be highly unusual for Sonny to beat someone up himself, and randomly, to the point of putting them in the hospital. He says, wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous… Proverbs. Sonny is a deeply unhappy man. He took his feelings of hurt and betrayal out on a convenient target – me. She says, why though? What did Cyrus do to betray him? He says, not him. Sonny was sinned against by his spouse. She asks if he’s talking about Nina, and he says he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time, so Sonny unleashed his frustrations on him.

Sasha says, Nina must have assumed Carly and Drew would end up in prison. Carly’s daughter Donna is what? Five? Six? Drew’s daughter Scout is a few years older. However angry Nina was at the parents, it’s unlike her to do something cruel to those girls. Nina says, it is. She wasn’t thinking. She had tunnel vision and could only think about her pain, nobody else’s, so why would anyone forgive her? Sasha says, after what she did to Nina, Nina should have never spoken to her again, and look at them. Here they are. And if Nina could forgive her, give others a chance to do the same for her. Nina says, that’s what she wants, and Sasha says, then let it happen. Don’t force it like every instinct in her body is screaming to do. Let it be and she might get what she wants. Nina says, what she wants may be very different than what she deserves.

Sonny tells Lois, Nina tried to get Carly locked up, separated from her children. Donna is just a little girl. Lois says, not only that, but Nina profited from Carly’s misfortune, right? Nina ended up with Carly’s half of the MetroCourt. That snake is lining her pockets with his ex’s misery. She’s never had much to say about Carly, but she didn’t deserve this. He says, Nina crossed the line, too many lines, and she says, if Nina could do something so reprehensible to the mother of his children, what else is she capable of? Does he believe he can ever trust her again? Then again, love doesn’t just disappear overnight.

Maxie asks if there are any issues with Cody’s pay, but he says, no. If he knew he could make this much money without rigging poker games, he would have become a spokesmodel a long time ago. She says, what about a poker game? but he says, that’s all part of his checkered past. Doesn’t she want to know how he’s going to spend his honest living? She says, okay, how? and he says, real estate. She says, oh, and he asks if she doesn’t think it’s a good idea. She says she was just surprised. She sees why he’d want to move out of the Quartermaine stable… He says, hell no. Those stables are better than some people’s homes, and he’s a long way from giving up on Mama Q’s cooking. She says she hears that, and he says he’s thinking about an investment property. She asks if he has a place in mind, because Lucy, with all of her many professions, is also a real estate agent. He says, maybe on the next one, but for now he’s going to start with Serenity. She says, that sounds like a commune, but he says, it’s the estate he grew up on. She says she thought he told them that he had a tough childhood, and he says, it was the worst. They treated him like the hired help. She asks why he’d want to buy the property then, and he says, it would bring everything full circle. His mother was the original owner. She says, right, and because Dominique was his mother, he’s the rightful heir to Leopold Taub’s fortune.

Anna and Felicia pack up Bobbie’s things, and Felicia says, a mug? Anna looks at it and says, a vase maybe, or a pen holder? Felicia takes out Bobbie’s first hospital ID and cries. She says, look. She kept it all this time. Anna says, so young, and Felicia picks up a nurse’s cap. She asks if Anna ever saw pictures of Bobbie in her first uniform, and Anna says she did. Those hats, the things the nurses wore back then. Felicia says, she pulled it off, and Anna says she doesn’t know how that hat stayed on with all that mane of red hair. Felicia says, they all had the hair, and they laugh. Felicia says, she just realized, she’ll never get to laugh with Bobbie again. She cries and Anna hugs her.

Anna says, it’s a lot. Looking back over someone else’s life, you realize what people saw in them, what you saw in them. She thinks there’s beauty in that though, and Felicia agrees. She says, doing this with Anna made all the difference, and Anna says, it was an honor to help. Felicia tells her, Bobbie once said, grief is more bearable when you can help someone else. And the way we honor the ones that we’ve lost – she cries – is to embrace the living. Her phone rings, and she says, yes, this is Felicia Scorpio… The results are ready? She’ll be right there. Anna asks what that’s about, and Felicia says, the living.

Laura says, so according to Cyrus, the confrontation was completely personal, not business related at all, and Dante says, it’s not like Sonny to settle old scores like that. She says she knows. Cyrus was apparently privy to some information about Sonny’s marriage, something Sonny didn’t know. Did his father say anything to him? He says, not a word.

Sam tells Drew that she’s not trying to impose anything on Scout, and she’s not trying to get back at him. She’s just saying, they need to be on the same page when they make such a huge change in their daughter’s life. He says, she’s right and he’s sorry. He doesn’t know why he picked a fight with her. She says, then why did he? They don’t fight, especially over how they raise their daughter. Does he want to tell her what’s really going on? He says he guesses he felt hurt that Scout didn’t let on how she felt about Westwood Academy. He thought they formed a really good bond since he’s been back. She says, of course (🍷) they have, and he says, then why did Scout tell her and not him. She doesn’t feel she can come to him? She says she thinks Scout saw how excited he was and didn’t want to disappoint him. Scout loves him. She loves being close to him. She doesn’t want that to change. He asks what kept Sam from coming to him, and she says she knows how much he hated missing out on being Scout’s dad, not being able to be her father all those years Victor had him locked up in Greece. He says, and now, he lost even more time, because of Nina.

Nina tells Sasha, everyone told Sonny, Nina, she’s a liar. Nina, she can’t be trusted. It’s like she went out of her way to prove them right. She’s not equipped or qualified to be someone’s mother, or a grandmother, or a wife. Sasha says, that couldn’t be further from the truth, and Nina says, truth or not, it’s what everyone believes. Sasha says, not everyone. Kristina and Dante supported their relationship. Nina says, Kristina and Dante supported it as long as she was making their father happy, which is definitely not the case anymore. Dante will probably stay out of the fray, but Kristina? Kristina will gladly rain hellfire down on her every chance she gets. Sasha says, what about the kids? They all love her. Nina says, they do love her, and she loves them. But that doesn’t matter anymore; that’s all over. Carly will make sure of that. Sasha says, that’s not entirely Carly’s decision, and Nina says, Michael hates her. Willow and Sonny… Sasha says she wouldn’t completely count out Willow, but Nina says, Sasha didn’t see her face when Willow found out what she did. She recoiled, literally. Who blames her? Her own daughter did that. Sasha say she’s so sorry, but Nina says she has no one to blame but herself. Sasha says, what’s done is done. Nina has accepted it; that’s great. She’s owned up to it; that’s even better. Now she just has to ask herself, what can she do to fix it?

Sam tells Drew that she’s had Nina’s number since she came to Port Charles ten years ago, and she knows firsthand what that woman is capable of when she gets scorned. Wow. No wonder he came in hot today. He thanks her for giving him and out, but to be honest, their issues have nothing to do with Nina. He made decisions about Scout’s life without including Sam, and that’s not fair. She thanks him for saying that, and he says, she’s gone so far out of her way to include him in every aspect of Scout’s life. She says, that’s why she didn’t want to undercut the whole Westwood thing, and he says, even if she didn’t think it was a good idea? She tells him, that’s not what she said. Actually, she thinks Westwood is a fantastic school. Molly and Kristina loved it, and she thinks Scout might love it one day too. Give her some time and maybe just a little space. He says, and not uproot her in the middle of a school year. He sees her point. Finally. She says she thinks this is their first difference of opinion in raising their daughter. She doesn’t know what to do. Where do they go from here?

Lois says, Sonny is right and she’s sorry. He tells her that he didn’t say anything, and she says, he didn’t have to. his face said it all, then his shoulders seconded it. She gets it. It’s none of her business. She doesn’t have a right to say how he should live his life. He says, she doesn’t judge him, does she? and she says, of course (🍷) she doesn’t. That is not what friends do. Now go get her some rubbing alcohol so she can tend to his knuckles. Go. He leaves, and there’s a knock at the door. She says, what? The bodyguard’s on a coffee break? She opens the door, and Dante is there. She tells him, come in, and he asks if his father is here. She says, he is, and she’s so glad Dante is here because Sonny’s had a really rough morning. He’s going to be so happy to see his son is here. Dante says, not today he won’t.

Maxie says, Cody buying the estate to get his childhood revenge seems hollow, and he says, in what way? She says, like Bobbie and her brother Luke. They had a very tough upbringing too, and she asked Bobbie one time how she was able to move past it. She said, nursing gave her a sense of purpose. So what she wants to ask is, what is Cody’s purpose? He says he’s not sure. He doesn’t even know if he has a purpose. Felicia walks in and says, nonsense. They all do.

Cody tells Felicia, hello, and she says, sorry for eavesdropping. Occupational hazard. Maxie says, that’s not still her occupation, and Cody says, actually, he’s glad she overheard them, because she’s done a whole bunch of things, right? She says, and then some, and he says, so maybe she could give him some insight on finding his. She says she sure can. First, you start by being honest with yourself, and then you extend that honesty to others. He says, all right, that sounds easy enough, and she says, for instance, he could start with being honest about having his DNA tested to determine if he’s Mac’s son. Maxie tells her, stop. She asked Felicia to drop this. Felicia says she knows, but she didn’t, and Cody tells her, it’s like he said; the test came up negative. She says, not that test. That was last year’s test. He says, then what is she talking about? and she says she’s talking about the new test she ran on him behind his back.

Drew says he guesses he and Sam are just going to have to figure out a way to navigate this, and she say she’s sure they will. He says, then maybe they can revisit the whole Westwood Academy thing next year… if Scout wants it. She says, a lot can happen in a year, and he says, doesn’t he know it. He hates the fact that Scout was worried about disappointing him. She says, that’s just kids. Most of them anyway. He says, when he sees her, he’s going to make sure she knows that no matter what she does or says, he’ll always be her biggest fan. Sam says, well, she’s his, and he says, still? She says, always, and he says, that’s something. Sam says she knows he’s a had a really, really tough year. Scout’s not the only one who cares about him. So if he ever needs to talk, she’s here. He thanks her and leaves.

Laura says she told Dante, and Cyrus says, that couldn’t have been easy, especially given the high esteem in which she holds Sonny. She says, this is not about her and Sonny. It’s about him, first and last. He says, she flatters him. Fortunately, the sins of pride have long since lost their allure. She says, what about sins of omission, because it’s clear to her that he’s holding back a lot here, and he says, what’s clear is that she’ll always be inclined to defend her friend Corinthos, even after he’s attacked her own brother. She says she’s known Sonny for decades – decades. She’s known him a lot less. He says, as he’s told her on several occasions, Sonny Corinthos is no better than the man he used to be, and she says, he knows what her terms are with him if he wants to be a member of her family. He says, more than anything, and she says, so he needs to prove to her that he’s worthy of her trust. And that doesn’t mean running around quoting the Bible all the time. It means proving it to her through his actions. He says, whatever she requires of him, he shall do.

Sasha says she told Willow that she noticed Willow and Nina had one common virtue, and Nina says, it’s nice to know she has a virtue right now. What is it? Sasha says, they both have a great capacity for forgiving, and Nina says she hopes Sasha is right. She prays her daughter will forgive her, especially since her husband never will.

Lois tells Dante that she’s sorry, but whatever this is, is going to have to wait. He says, she needs her to back off and let him do his job, when Sonny comes out. Lois says, looks who’s here, and Sonny hands her the alcohol and a towel. He says he guesses bad news travels fast, and Dante says he just heard about Nina. He’s sorry. Sonny says he appreciates it, and Dante says he also apologizes in advance for this. He goes to the door, and says, Officer Carter…  Carter comes in, and Lois says, he’s Dante’s own father, but Sonny says, that’s all right. It wouldn’t be the first time for either of them. Lois says, not another word until Sonny’s lawyer is present. What is going on? Dante says he just came from seeing Cyrus Renault at GH. He really wishes he didn’t have to do this, but he does. Carter says, Michael Sonny Corinthos, I’m placing you under arrest for the second-degree assault of Cyrus Renault. He puts the cuffs on Sonny and gives Sonny his rights.

On Monday, Cody tells Felicia, it looks like deception runs in the family; Lucy asks Scotty to swear it will never leave this table; Carly says, this is exactly what she needed; and Sonny asks if this can be off the record.

🧊 Stone Cold Coming In…

If you don’t know, now you know.

Steve Burton Returns to GENERAL HOSPITAL!

I can’t believe I missed the special, although I’m sure it’s not disappearing from HULU any time soon.

How GENERAL HOSPITAL Kept Steve Burton’s Return a Secret!

This includes Jason’s history. Read it if you want your head to explode. It’s one thing watching on the daily, but seeing it all at once is a lot.

What Happened to Jason on GENERAL HOSPITAL

🏥 Many Happy Returns…

A blast from the past.

Amber Tamblyn Opens up About Returning to the GH Studio

And the not-so-distant past. IMO, the most Nikolas of the Nikolases.

Adam Huss on His Return to GENERAL HOSPITAL

🌲 Pine Valley Lookbook…

All My Children through the decades.

On ALL MY CHILDREN’S Anniversary, See the Changing Cast Through the Years!

🧂 Salt Encrusted Ricochet…

Jen claims Heather is a liar in Gucci and she’s going to sue everyone.

https://people.com/jen-shah-responds-heather-gay-claim-gave-her-black-eye-rhoslc-8421629

In probably the most truthful moment, Andy says, if they’d gotten that money shot, they would have used it.

Andy Cohen Slams Jen Shah’s Statement About Heather Gay’s Black Eye

👠 Needs More Salt…

I think all scenes from the Housewives franchise should be reenacted by drag queens.

Drag Queen Reenacts Reality Von Tease RHOSLC Finale Reveal

In the final twist, production pleads ignorance. They also admit they would have told the others. Isn’t that cheating?

RHOSLC Producers Had ‘No Idea’ About Monica Garcia’s Involvement With Reality Von Tease

💸 Don’t Let This Be You…

Seriously though? There are a few red flags here, but a good rule of thumb is, if you didn’t initiate the call, don’t give out the information. If you think it might be legit, call the bank or credit card company yourself and verify.

https://people.com/andy-cohen-says-he-was-scammed-out-of-a-lot-of-money-8421079

⚓️ Here Comes the Captain…

Captain Sandy is tying the nautical knot.

Captain Sandy Yawn Shares Details on Upcoming Wedding

🧛🏻‍♂️ Fading Shadows…

I think this show is too funny.

https://ew.com/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-to-end-season-six-8418335

🏆 Going For the Globes…

Sunday, January 7th, 8 pm EST, on CBS or Paramount+.

https://goldenglobes.com/nominations/2024

🎊 After the Ball Is Over…

Relive the moment. Or live it if you missed it.

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/live-new-years-eve-times-square-ball-drop-2024/

🐶 It’s Never Too Early…

Get ready for those Bowling puppies.

https://www.chiff.com/articles/puppy-bowl.htm

Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl To Be Simulcast On Discovery Channel & TBS, Made Available On HBO Max & Discovery+ In WBD Synergy Move

📌 Quotes of the Week

Whoever you are, whatever your dream, you have to be strong in your head and strong in your heart. Be strong. There’s no quitting in the person who wants it bad enough. – Carly Patterson

The setback will be the set up. – Carrie Bernans

If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. – Lao Tzu

Google me, bitch. – Angie Katsanevas, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you. – BB King

The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. – Dr. Phil

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. – Benjamin Franklin

Everyone’s talking about it, especially those who weren’t invited. – Mamie Fish (Ashlie Atkinson), The Gilded Age

Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to. – Bill Vaughan

Celebrate endings, for they precede new beginnings. – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. – Neil Gaiman

🛹 Sliding Into the New Year Like…

Join me on Monday really Tuesday for soap and getting back on Deck. Until then, stay safe, stay being more focused on what’s on the inside than what the outside looks like, and stay honoring the ones you’ve lost by embracing the living.

Jan3

January 2, 2024 – It Can’t Get Worse, TempSam, His Fave, Soapy New Year, Salty Talk, Worst In Real, Upcoming Vampire, Roll Calls, Star Celebrations, Furry Resolutions & 2525

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

In bed with Drew, Carly says, she thought this was going to be a horrible New Year’s Eve, that she was going to be spending it all by herself, but here he is. She must be dreaming. He says, it’s no dream; it’s real. She says, no way. She must still be asleep. This is too good to be true. He says, let him convince her that he’s really here, and they kiss.

TempSam (see below) and Dante stand on the terrace watching the fireworks. Dante says, and just like that, it is 2024, and Sam says, time goes so fast. She’s sorry their plans got stalled tonight. He says, is she kidding? It wouldn’t be any fun at The Savoy knowing Scout’s at home sick with a sitter. Besides, does she really want to get dressed up and celebrate with a bunch of people? Because he doesn’t. He’d rather celebrate it right here. She says, he really doesn’t mind? and he says he really doesn’t. He’s right where he wants to be. She says she is too, and they kiss. He picks her up and carries her inside.

Brook and Chase go into the Quartermaine mansion, and Brook says, let’s make it quick. Get in and get out. They make a beeline for the living room.

At Pier 54, Michael’s phone rings. He asks Willow if everything’s okay. She’s supposed to be here for the fireworks. She says, everything’s fine, but she got held up, and asks where he is now. He says he’s at the pier. The fireworks are almost over. Does she want to meet at The Savoy? She says, sounds good. She’ll see him there. Ned and Olivia arrive at the pier, and Olivia asks Michael if Sonny’s here, but Michael says he hasn’t seen Sonny. Olivia says, Lois didn’t make it back here either, and Ned says, maybe they’re still at the club. Olivia says, they have to get back there – now.

In her office, Nina fingers her engagement ring, and flashes back to marrying Sonny. She remembers him telling her that he loves her and always will. She says she has to tell Sonny, and gathers up her stuff. She opens the door and Willow is there.

Sonny asks, who’s lying to him? and Lois says she’s sorry she has to be the one to tell him, because they’ve been friends for a really long… He says, she hasn’t told him anything yet, and she says she knows who really ratted out Carly and Drew to the SEC. And his family knows too.

Carrying in a bottle of champagne, Brook tells Chase that they’re going to ring in the new year with the good stuff. He says, all right. Come on. Let’s go. He heads for the door, but she sits down, and he asks what she’s doing. He thought their plan was to get it and get out before anybody else shows up. She pops the cork and says, too late. The cork’s out of the bottle. He knows her motto: It’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. He says, or they could not get on Ned’s bad side, and she says, look at him, trying to score points with his future father-in-law. Trust her. Dad will get over it. He says, there was champagne at the club, and she says, it was great to see Blaze perform, but that place was a dive bar. It is a well-respected dive bar where many a future rock star has appeared. It was a solid booking. He says, and Blaze did amazing, and Brook says, she did, but that champagne was swill. He says he wouldn’t know; he stuck to the ginger ale. She says, good for him. She has to cleanse her palate. And tonight is their first New Year’s Eve as an engaged couple. What’s a more special occasion than that? His phone dings, he looks at it, and says, whoa.

Dante and Sam kiss, when Scout walks in. She says she had a bad dream.

Drew and Carly clink champagne glasses and kiss. She says, if this is any indication of what’s going to happen in 2024, this is going to be a damn good year, and he tells her that he couldn’t have said it better himself. She says, he just got off a plan from Australia. Isn’t he jet lagged? He asks if he seems jet lagged. He is a little hungry though. She says she has tons of food in the kitchen. She can make him something. He says, if she doesn’t mind, he’ll take the lead on that. He knows how she is in the kitchen. She tells him that her kids say she makes the best brownies on the planet, and he says, those brownies from the box are really good, and they get out of bed.

Nina invites Willow in, and Willow says she took a chance that Nina would still be here. She remembers Nina mentioning she had to work New Year’s Eve. She’s sorry. Did she catch Nina on her way out? Nina says, she’s just in time, but she thought Willow would be at the New Year’s Eve party at The Savoy with Michael. Willow says, that was the plan, but then it hit a snag… Really. She shows Nina a rip in her dress, and says she got dressed at the hospital. She decided to check on a patient before she left, and her dress got caught on the door. She thought Nina could maybe help her out. Nina says, of course (🍷) she can.

Sonny says he doesn’t know why Lois is making a big deal about this. He knows Ned turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC. So what? She says, it wasn’t Ned. He’s been letting everyone believe it was him because it works to his advantage. He says, why would it work to Ned’s advantage? Why would he take the fall? Maybe she misunderstood what she heard. She says, no. Trust her. She’s the only one with her head on straight. If he doesn’t believe her, ask his son. Michael comes in with Ned and Olivia.

Chase says, it’s his dad, and Brook says, oh no. Did he get hurt? Is he at the hospital? He says, just the opposite. His dad sent photos of him skydiving. She says, what? and he says, how crazy is this? showing her the photos. She says, look at Gregory smiling; he’s so happy. Chase says, he really is. The way he looks in this photo is how his dad is to him. That’s who he was when Chase was growing up. He thought when his dad started using a cane, he’d never see him like this again. He’s really happy that his dad can jump out of an airplane. She asks, what’s wrong? and he says, it’s just that, before the ALS, it would never have occurred to his dad to go skydiving. He’s really making the most of the time he has left.

Dante hands Scout a glass, and says, when he was little and not feeling well, his mom always gave him ginger ale and that did the trick. Sam asks if Scout wants to tell her about the dream, and Scout says she had a dream about going to her new school. The teacher was a monster. She tried to get away, but she couldn’t. It was too fast. Sam holds her and says, it’s okay. She doesn’t have to go to that school if she doesn’t want to. Scout says, daddy will get mad at her, but Sam promises he won’t. Because she and Scout’s father just want what’s best for her. Scout says she thought they told her that school was the best, and Sam says, it’s a good school, but the best school is the one where Scout feels comfortable, and she enjoys learning. Scout says, so she doesn’t have to go? and Sam asks if that’s what she wants. Scout nods and says she wants to stay with her friends. Sam says, then no, she doesn’t have to go, and Scout thanks her.

Drew says, that hit the spot. Carly has to thank Josslyn for the leftovers. Carly asks what he’s talking about. Her name wasn’t on that box. He asks if they were hers, and she says, no. He says, Donna’s? The moss bowl’s🎍? and she says, no. He says he rests his case. If she complains about it, tell her that he owes her a yummy meal. She says, okay, and hands him a glass of champagne. He asks if they’re toasting the New Year, but she says, no. They already did that. They’re toasting his return. They clink glasses and kiss, and Carly asks, what happened? She thought he was extending his stay so he could negotiate more joint ventures. He says he got a little impatient with some of the board members in the company he was dealing with. He wasn’t quite as skillful as he thought he’d be. He figured it would be best to let a colleague finish the deal. She says, Drew Cain lost his patience, and he says, it was more like he kind of got out of there before he lost his patience and blew up the deal altogether. She says, wow. That’s not like him at all.

Michael asks, what’s going on? and Sonny says, that’s what he’d like to know. Lois says she told Sonny that it wasn’t Ned who pointed the SEC at Drew and Carly, and Olivia says, stop it. Lois says, he deserved to know. Michael, Olivia, and Ned (who Lois seems to think is Sonny’s whole family) know who’s really responsible. Olivia looks like she has a migraine, and Ned says, Lois is right. He didn’t go to the SEC. He wouldn’t hurt Carly that way. Sonny says, what about Drew? and Ned says, he and Drew have had their issues, but he’d never expose Drew to Federal scrutiny. Olivia says, Ned is telling the truth. He’s not the one who tipped off the SEC. Sonny says, Michael is very quiet over there. Is what Lois is saying true? Did Michael keep this from him? Michael flashes back to almost telling Sonny, but deciding not to, and Sonny saying, Michael can come to him with anything. Michael says, yeah. He did.

Chase tells Brook that he’s not going to keep bringing their whole night down. He’s not a doctor. His dad could be around for a long time. Brook says, okay, and hands him a glass of champagne. To her incredible fiancé, the best man she knows. They clink glasses and drink, then kiss. She says, okay, it’s his turn to toast something amazing about her. He says he doesn’t know what he’d toast about her, and she says, thank you. He says, there’s just so much. He wouldn’t know where to start. But he’ll start with her beauty, her kind heart, and her generous spirit. She’s wildly talented, and the way she makes him feel like he can do anything. So he’s toasting to all of the above. He loves her. She says she loves him too, and they’re about to kiss when his phone rings. She says, he really has to turn that off, but he answers, Detective Chase… No, they were right to call him. He’ll be right there. He says he’s sorry; he has to go. She asks if everything is all right, and he says, police business. He kisses her and leaves. She drinks down her champagne and picks up his glass, saying, no sense in wasting good champagne.

Sam says she just checked on Scout, and she’s out like a light. Dante says, poor kid. She’s really stressed out about this school. She says, it’s heartbreaking to be so afraid of changing schools and feel like she couldn’t say anything about it. He agrees and asks what she’s going to do, but she says she doesn’t know. She didn’t press the issue with Drew because she thought Scout was warming up to the idea of going to Westwood. Really, she was just saying what she thought he wanted to hear. Dante says, it’s tough. You want to get them out of their comfort zone so they can grow, but at the same time, you’ve got to respect their feelings. She says, yes, and that’s what she’s doing now. When Drew first brought the idea of Scout going to Westwood to her, she was totally worried about Scout going there; transferring her away from her friends at her current school, and right in the middle of the school year. Now that she sees how upset Scout is, she’s not going to make her go. He says he respects her position and her decision, but how does she think Drew’s going to react?

Drew asks if Carly thinks there’s something about the New Year that makes you want to make changes in your life, but she says she’s not good at New Year’s resolutions. If she makes a big, sweeping change, it usually blows up in her face and she backslides by February. The moss bowl🎍considers all the resolutions Carly has broken, and Drew says he just had a lot of time to think about things when he was in Australia. Some things he’s happy with, and some things he’s not. She says, like what? and he says he just kind of fell into a role he’s not comfortable with. He was just so grateful to be home after being held overseas that he fell into this role of peacekeeper with the Quartermaines. He felt it was his duty to get along with everybody, to calm the waters at ELQ, and that’s just not working for him anymore. Where was Ned’s loyalty to him? Ned’s the reason he got sent back to prison. She says she understands what he’s saying about Ned, and she agrees with him, but the rest… She loves how kind and generous and forgiving he is. He tells her that he’s just saying he’s not a choirboy. He’s a grown man and he’s got his limits. And he’s got an extended family that knows how to play dirty. Where has that forgiving nature got him other than months in Pentenville?

Sonny says, Michael knew? and Olivia says she thinks they’ve done enough damage for one night, looking at Lois. Lois says she hopes Sonny knows she only wanted to help, and Ned suggests they give Sonny and Michael some privacy. He leaves with Olivia and Lois, and Michael says he’s sorry, but Sonny says he doesn’t want to hear Michael’s apologies. Why didn’t Michael come to him as soon as he found out who turned Carly and Drew in? Michael says, there’s no clear-cut answer… and Sonny says, it’s very simple. Just tell him the truth. Michael says, it was best for everyone involved if Ned took the fall, and in the end, Ned agreed. Sonny asks why he would do that, and Michael says, because they made a business arrangement that worked out in Ned’s favor. Sonny says, it works out for Ned, yeah. He wheeled and dealed, and Michael kept his mom in the dark? Michael says he thought it best for everyone, including Sonny, and Sonny asks how lying is best for him. Michael says, because sometimes the truth can do more damage than a lie, and Sonny asks how long he’s known. Michael says, since October. He found out right after Sonny and Nina got married.

Willow comes out in a new dress – black, sparkly, sleeveless, and low cut – and Nina says, she looks lovely. Willow says, Nina’s Crimson closet of dresses sure came in handy. What does Nina think? Is this a good look for New Year’s Eve? Nina says, it’s almost perfect. She needs a necklace. Nina takes off the one she’s wearing and says, take hers, putting it on Willow. Yes. Much better. Willow says, this is so generous. Thank you. Nina says, anything for her, and Willow takes Nina’s hand, saying, she knew she could count on Nina. Nina’s eyes fill up with tears, and Willow asks, what’s wrong?

Sam tells Dante that Drew is just going to have to accept the fact Scout isn’t going to Westwood Academy, because this is about what’s best for their daughter, not what he wants. Dante says, he’s a reasonable guy. He’s going to understand Sam’s decision, and if he doesn’t, he’ll come around to it when he hears her side. She says she knows. He’s a terrific dad. She just thinks she’s going about this all wrong. He says, how so? and she says, isn’t she doing what Drew did? Making a unilateral decision without consulting the other parent? He saw how upset Scout was. She doesn’t know what else she’s supposed to do.

Carly says, they haven’t talked much about Drew’s time in Pentenville, and he asks, what is there to talk about? She says, for one thing, he’s different. She noticed a change when he got out. He’s coming down much harder on Ned, whereas before, he would have tried to keep peace in the family. He asks if that’s unreasonable, but she tells him that she didn’t say unreasonable; she said different. There’s the whole situation with Scout’s school. He asks if Sam told her that he got Scout into Westwood Academy, and she says, Sam told her that he announced it to her and Scout, without any discussion. He says, she’s going to have a lot more opportunities at that school than the one she’s at now, and Carly tells him that she’s not saying if it’s good or bad if Scout goes to that school. He asks what she is saying, and she tells him that she’s saying she loves him, and she’s concerned about him. He says, because he wants his daughter to go to an excellent school? and she says, because he went through hell, and it’s changed him. She just wants him to know that whatever he’s going through, he doesn’t have to carry it alone. She’s here.

Nina says, it’s nothing, and Willow says she knows they’re still figuring out their relationship, but she hopes one day they get to the point where they’re able to tell each other anything. Nina says she does too. She needs to tell Willow something… Looking at Willow, she’s reminded how they were robbed of the moments they didn’t get. Brushing Willow’s hair before school, looking at a million pictures from Willow’s prom, and helping her pick out her wedding dress. The list goes on. She was so happy when she found out she was pregnant, and she dreamed about all the things she would do if she had a daughter, and she had a daughter. But they never got to do those things. Willow says, the important thing is that they have each other now – she takes Nina’s hands – and there will be many more moments for them in the future.

I don’t know about you, but I feel sick.

Brook is about to leave, when Ned, Olivia, and Lois come in. Olivia asks what she’s doing here, and Brook says she was picking something up. Ned asks, how was Blaze’s show? and Brook says, it was great. She was phenomenal. Everybody loved her. She’s going to be a star. Lois says she thought Brook was spending tonight with her fiancé, and Brook says, they were. Chase got called into work. How was their night? Olivia says, Brook can direct that question to her mother, and Brook asks Lois if something happened. Lois says she’s sorry, but she and Olivia need to talk, privately. She steers Olivia into the living room and closes the door. Brook says, obviously, something happened, and asks Ned to tell her everything.

Lois says she knows Olivia is upset, and Olivia says, damn right she’s upset. What the hell was Lois thinking? Lois says she was thinking that Sonny is her good friend, and Olivia says, well, congratulations. She just ruined her good friend Sonny’s life.

Sonny says, Michael has known for over two months who tipped off the SEC about Carly and Drew? and Michael says, yeah. Sonny says, so Michael is telling him that he found out after his wedding. Michael knew how important it was for Sonny to have him at the wedding. So the whole reconciliation is a lie? Michael says, he loves Sonny. That’s not it… Sonny says, Michael loves him. So why didn’t Michael tell him the truth? Michael says he tried. He went to Sonny to tell him, and Sonny was just so happy, the happiest he’s seen Sonny in a long time, and Michael didn’t want to take that away from him. He also thought if he told Sonny the truth, something might be broken, maybe between them. Sonny says, Michael knows he loves him. He would never let anything be broken between them. Michael says that he knew if the truth came out, it would hurt Sonny more than anyone else.

Carly takes Drew’s hand and says, if he wants to leave what happened at Pentenville in the past, that’s fine. She just wants him to know that she loves him. She’s here for him, and if he ever needs her, all he has to do is ask. He says he just wants her to know that he hears her and appreciates her. He hugs her and tells her that he appreciates everything she’s saying so much. Just knowing she loves him and is here for him is all he needs. She says, if he changes his mind, ever, that’s okay, and he promises if he ever needs any support, he’ll come to her. Now what does she say he gets in the living room and makes a nice fire? They can finish that bottle of champagne and make some New Year’s resolutions they can actually keep. She says, like what? and he says, like taking long walks together. Like leaving their phones at home. She says she could do that, and he says, like Saturday morning donuts, and she says she could really do that. He says, like spending way less time with business when they could be in bed, and she says, these are some resolutions she can definitely get behind. They kiss, and he says he’s going to get started on that fire. He leaves, and she says, he’s definitely going to be okay. Her phone rings, and since the moss bowl🎍doesn’t answer phones, she picks it up.

Sam tells Dante that this is all relatively new to her. She’s basically been a single parent to both Scout and Danny, and she’s used to making all the big decisions on her own. He tells her that he’d say she’s done an awesome job because she has two awesome kids, and she thanks him. She says, when Drew first came back to Port Charles, they were basically in lockstep on how to parent Scout, until he came back from Pentenville. Dante says, maybe he’s just trying to put it behind him too fast. He knows he did the same thing. Drew probably wants to prove to himself and to Scout that he’s a good dad. What better way to prove that than to get your kid into some elite school? She says, but why not come to her first, so they could talk it over and see if it was appropriate for her? She knows Westwood is just one decision, but it’s a big one, and there are going to be so many more, bigger decisions the older she gets. He says, right. That’s why they have to get on the same page now, so down the line, they can make these decisions together. She says, right, but she just told Scout that she didn’t have to go to the school, without including Drew in the conversation. Did she just make a big mistake?

Lois says, Olivia can’t guilt her. Sonny had a right to know. Olivia says, but she told Lois in confidence, but Lois says, Olivia didn’t tell her anything. She figured it out on her own. Olivia says, whatever. She begged Lois not to say anything because this affects so many more people than just Sonny. Lois says, it affects Ned’s deal with Michael to get control of ELQ, and Olivia says, but it affects more people than just Ned. Since they’re on the subject of Ned, why don’t they talk about Ned? ELQ is his family company. He loves it. It means something to him. Just because Lois can’t stand it, she had no right to mess this up for him. Lois tells Olivia, what can she say? If she sees something, she says something. You know something funny? Olivia used to be the exact same way. Olivia says she thought Lois was her friend, and Lois says, she is Olivia’s friend, but she’s also Sonny’s friend. Olivia says she can’t even trust Lois now. She begged Lois not to say anything, but she had to go run her mouth and ruin everybody’s life. Lois says, the way she sees it, Olivia knows better than anyone what it means to keep secrets from Sonny. Olivia says, wow, and Lois says, Livvy… Olivia says, Lois said what she said because Olivia kept it a secret from Sonny that her child was his son? So that when Dante grows up and becomes a cop and goes undercover, he doesn’t realize he’s going after his father? That when Sonny finds out and doesn’t realize the cop that he’s shooting is his own son? Is that what Lois is talking about? No. Is that what Lois is throwing in her face right now? Her good friend?

Michael says he didn’t want to hurt Sonny, especially after getting him back, but Sonny says, the only way this would hurt him is if the person who turned Carly and Drew in to the SEC is someone he cares about. He knows Michael didn’t do it because Michael wouldn’t do that to his mother. Michael says, it wasn’t him, and Sonny says, so he must have good reason to withhold this information from Carly and Drew. What is it? Michael says, the informant wasn’t close to his mom or Drew, but exposing them would hurt someone else he loves very much. Sonny says, Willow, and Michael nods.

Willow tells Nina, it’s New Year’s Eve. How did they get talking on such a heavy topic? Tonight is all about new beginnings, right? Nina tells her, that’s what people say, and Willow suggests they head over to The Savoy. She thinks they’ve kept their husbands waiting long enough. Nina says, okay, and they get their bags. Willow says she’s not sure what to do with her dress, and Nina says, Crimson has a person that does alterations on the model’s dresses. She can make sure that is as good as new. Willow thanks her and says, that would be amazing. It’s a brand-new dress. She was going to wear it for the first time tonight. It would be great if it didn’t go to waste. Nina says, it just occurred to her that Willow could have gone to the Quartermaines to change, but she came here. Willow says, the Quartermaine house is so far away. Why go all the way home when she has a mother who works in fashion? She thanks Nina again for loaning her the new dress and fixing the old one. It really means a lot to her. Willow hugs Nina, and says, shall we? Nina says, after you, and follows Willow out. She closes the office door and leans against it for a moment, wishing she could cry, then leaves.

Dante says, it seems to him, the only mistake Sam would be making is forcing Scout to go to a school she strongly doesn’t want to go to. Sam says she knows Drew didn’t mean to put her in a rough spot, but Scout did feel like she has to change schools because it’s what he wants. Dante says he thinks Drew is a great dad, but he did put Scout in a rough spot and also put Sam in a tough spot. He thinks Sam should trust her instincts and try to make it right. She thanks him for having her back, and he says, she always has his. That’s what makes them so good together. They kiss, wish each other a Happy New Year, and get busy.

Brook says, let her see if she has this straight. Ned let everyone think it was him who tipped off the SEC about Carly and Drew’s insider trading? He says, actually, he was on his way to tell Drew who was really to blame when he slipped and fell and lost his memory. She says, them when he got his memory back, he made an agreement with Michael to keep quiet in exchange for Michael’s stock proxy? He says, that’s right, and she says, and people wonder why this family scares her sometimes. Olivia bursts out of the living room, and Lois begs her to wait. Olivia asks if Lois has some more helpful advice. Someone else’s secrets that she feels entitled to announce to the entire world? Lois says she went too far, and she knows it, and Olivia cries and says, the night Sonny shot Dante was her worst nightmare coming true. That moment haunts every quiet corner in her mind. Just tell her. How long has Lois had that locked and loaded and ready to throw in her face? Olivia runs outside, and Lois calls after her. Ned follows Olivia out, and Brook asks Lois, what did she do? Lois says she opened her big mouth, and she may have started the new year by losing her oldest friend.

Sonny says, what about Willow? and Michael says, Drew’s out of Pentenville. Mom’s happy running Kelly’s. She and Drew are happy together. Please, let this go. Sonny says he doesn’t want to hear that. Who is it? Nina and Willow come down the stairs, and Sonny asks again, who is it? Who turned his mom and Drew in to the SEC? Michael says, it was Nina, and Sonny turns around to see her.

Carly looks stunned, when Drew comes back and says, the fire’s lit… She stares at her phone, and he goes over to her, asking, what is it? She says, it was the embassy in Amsterdam. My mom’s dead.

Geez, can this day in Port Charles get any worse?

There was no preview. Just the full credits with Deck the Halls sung in the background. Which seems weird since we’re past New Year’s Day.

🚑 Sliding Into GH Like…

The latest in quick change artists.

GH’s Sam Temporarily Recast With Lindsay Hartley Again

🧮 Except For the Wig…

This was a favorite of mine too. And I’m with him on the wig. They’re annoying.

Easton Rocket Sweda Reveals His Favorite GH Episode of 2023

🥂 Soap Celebrations…

Like Christmas, it’s probably not much different from what we all do.

https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/cbs/see-how-the-stars-rang-in-the-new-year

🧂 Salt This…

Biggest revelation – if we want to call it that – Jen gave Heather the black eye. But there weren’t any details. I want details. I kind of liked Monica after half-watching this season, and don’t think she’s necessarily the bad guy. She just suffers from the same boredom and lust for screen time that all the other Housewives do. And here’s a thought. If things are dark, dirty, and scandalous, don’t do them. Because Monica was right about one thing, nothing stays in the dark forever. Not in today’s society.

While I don’t do resolutions, I’m honestly rethinking watching any of the Housewives more than peripherally. They seem to start off with promise, but slide downhill faster than my local K-Mart did when it was new. I had the Salt Lakers on while I was doing something else, and there were so many bleeps I couldn’t even hear the conversation. While I was raised by a sailor and enjoy a colorful adjective, come on. These are adults with children and jobs… sort of. It just boggles my mind that they act like age five to middle school on any given day. Dropping huge bombs and grilling people on personal issues at parties or group dinners, who does that? And the mean girl ganging up that happens, like on RHOBH. While that behavior should never be acceptable, if you’re doing it after college, what are you doing? Go sit in the corner. I’ll get off the soapbox now, but they all might be reduced to a link next season. Here’s the salt.

https://people.com/rhoslc-recap-monica-garcia-trolling-account-exposed-season-4-finale-8421154

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4 Finale Recap: Some Shocking Truths Exposed

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhoslc-season-4-finale-recap-cast-updates-reunion-details

📺 Worst Of the Worst…

I can’t understand how they missed The Littlest Groom. I watched about half of one episode and couldn’t stomach the voyeuristic nature of the show. Since it was yanked off the air pretty quickly, I’m guessing other viewers felt the same.

https://ew.com/gallery/worst-reality-tv-shows-ever/

⚰️ Interview Times Two…

Season One was pretty impressive, so I’m sure it’s worth a watch.

https://ew.com/interview-with-the-vampire-season-2-jacob-anderson-interview-8417770

🌠 Stars That Dimmed…

Andrea Evans, Jackie Zeman and Treat Williams were big shockers for me. Norman Lear, not so much. I couldn’t believe when I saw the headline Cause of Death Revealed. At 101, what do you think it would be?

Honoring Stars Who Died in 2023: Lisa Marie Presley, Anna Cardwell and More Celebs We Lost This Year

https://www.avclub.com/remembering-the-stars-we-lost-in-2023-1849997910

🎊 Ringing It In…

What the stars did for New Year’s Eve. Some of these celebrities are just like us; others, not even close.

https://extratv.com/photos/image_jpg_20240102_9942c23e11d14fc5be4388de302d5d12/

https://www.eonline.com/photos/36751/stars-celebrating-new-years-eve-2023

And some stars didn’t have such a great New Year’s Eve. I have no doubt he got slammed for this, and maybe even had his reasons, but why did he leave the car when his daughter was in it?

https://people.com/ian-ziering-thankful-to-be-unscathed-attack-bikers-8421158

🐕 Resolutions Aren’t Fur Everybody…

I didn’t see any resolutions mentioning cats. I assume cats just refuse to make them.

https://www.thewildest.com/dog-lifestyle/dog-new-years-resolutions

A Dog’s Guide to New Year’s Resolutions

🍾 Not Forgetting Auld Acquaintances…

Come on by tomorrow for soap and cringing through Beverly Hills. Until then, stay safe, stay looking forward to the days ahead, and stay never feeling entitled to announce anyone’s secrets to the entire world.