Tag Archives: nighttime drama

June 29, 2021 – Jason Suggests Ava’s Solution, Sandy Wants Benny Dead, Cursed Out & Get Up

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Elizabeth knocks on Finn’s office door, and says she has the lab results he wanted. He thanks her, going back to his desk, and she says, don’t. He cured Chase, and Chase’s health is getting better by the day. With physical therapy, he should be able to walk again, especially with Willow by his side. Finn should be happy for that. Don’t dwell on Peter. The world is a better place without him. Finn says Peter’s body is still in the subbasement, and it’s only a matter of time before the police find it. She tells him that Anna already almost figured it out.   

Valentin and Anna run into Austin’s cabin, as rain pours down outside. She says she hopes there’s a hot shower. She thinks the rain will destroy any possibility, and Valentin says, of finding the baby? Maybe they should go home. She asks if he’s saying he’s giving up. Does he think Maxie’s baby is gone for good?

Maxie says, Sasha is pregnant. She didn’t realize. They haven’t talked, and their paths haven’t crossed. She congratulates Sasha, and they hug.  

Brook walks into the MetroCourt, and asks Michael if he has a second. He says, not really, but she says he’s been hard to catch at the mansion, and she’d like some one-on-one time to talk about him and Willow. When are they getting back together? He says, Chase has had another setback; he can’t walk. She says, oh my God. Hasn’t Chase suffered enough? She hopes it’s not permanent, and he says, Finn doesn’t know; no one does. Willow can’t tell Chase that they’re together while he’s going through this. Brook says, they can’t be together for a long time, when Josslyn joins them. She asks what’s going on between Michael and Willow?   

Scotty sees Obrecht, and pats the stool next to him, pulling it out for her. She sits, and he says, guess what? He landed a client with deep pockets. What say they fly first class from there to Honolulu? She says, it sounds lovely. Britt walks in, but waits by the entrance, and Obrecht says, perhaps a vacation with him will help her forget the sorrow in her head. He asks, what is it? Maxie’s baby? Franco? What’s making her so sad?

Carly gives Jason a beer, and says she just keeps thinking about what Ava said. How it’s theater; a performance demonstrating a binding contract. Jason says, Ava doesn’t know their situation, and Carly asks if he sees where she’s going. Is she wrong? He shakes his head, and says, no. She’s not wrong.

Josslyn asks if Michael and Willow are together together, and Brook says she has an important meeting, and she’s late per usual. Good luck. She leaves, and Michael says he got him and Josslyn a table. They walk over, and he tells her, have a seat. She sits, and says, not so fast. Mom told her that Michael and Sasha broke up. Is that the reason why? Michael says, no, and she says, from what Brooke said, it sounded like he and Willow wanted to be together, but can’t. Is she getting warm?

Sasha says she’s so sorry about Maxie’s baby, and Lucy says, that’s why she didn’t want Maxie to be part of the meeting. Maxie asks if Lucy thinks she can’t be happy for Sasha, and Nina says, congratulations. She didn’t realize. Is Sasha in a relationship? Sasha says, it’s complicated, and she’s sorry. This isn’t the way she wanted either of them to find out. Nina says, don’t be silly, and don’t feel bad at all. Celebrate the life she’s carrying. Nina and Sasha hug, and Sasha thanks her, especially after Sasha lied. Nina says she’s not thinking about the past; she’s tired of the past. Brook flies in, saying, sorry she’s late. Is it her imagination or… She sees Maxie and stops.

Anna suggests she and Valentin look at what they know. The nurse sent a PIN, and hands off the baby to someone before she falls. Peter vanishes without a trace, and the nurse conveniently falls to her death in an abandoned mine shaft. It’s vintage Peter. If Peter has the baby, he’s going to make certain he’s not found again. Valentin says, Peter’s not infallible, like Faison wasn’t infallible. They’re going to find Maxie’s daughter. Anna asks why he’s doing this. Why is he there when he could be warm and dry with Charlotte and her baby sister?  Valentin says he won’t rest until they find Maxie’s daughter.

Finn asks if Anna was checking the subbasement, but Elizabeth says, Anna was on the roof, and found the elevator. She thought that might be how Peter got away, but she convinced Anna that wasn’t possible. Anna figured out that Peter was going to take a helicopter, and now she’s determined to find out the identity of the pilot. Finn says, that’s not going to help, but Anna won’t stop digging until she finds out. Sorry. She says he has nothing to apologize for, and he says, he’d interrupted her before. How close was she to telling Jason about Peter? She says, Jason is an expert at this kind of thing, in making sure inconvenient people aren’t found. She was tempted to tell him. Finn says, and he stopped her. As much as she trusts Jason, he doesn’t know Jason, and doesn’t want him involved. She says she hears him, but it’s only a matter of time before the police investigation leads them back to the hospital, where Peter was last seen. They’re going to check the sealed off areas, and discover the body. What can they do to not make this worse?   

Scotty says he wants to take Obrecht’s problems away, and she says he’s so kind. Britt joins them, and Obrecht says Scotty was trying to cheer her up. Scotty suggests taking the girls out for a couple of T-bones, but Obrecht says, perhaps another time. Britt invited her for a drink. Scotty says he’d never try to shoehorn in on mother/daughter business; it’s important. He and Obrecht will talk later. He leaves, and Britt says, congratulations. Obrecht had nothing to worry about. She and Scotty are a couple. Obrecht says, they are, like Britt and Jason.

Carly tells Jason she needs a favor. Be honest, and tell her straight out, what do the Novaks and other families expect? How do they demonstrate Jason is in charge? He says he makes her disappear, and she asks if he means kill her? He nods, and says, or if she wants to move, that might be enough. What does she think? She says, Port Charles is her home. Her business is here, her home is here, the home she shared with Sonny. But she doesn’t want to risk her or her kids’ lives to save face.

Jason says Carly and her kids are well protected. The best way to keep them safe is to show they’re too strong to make a move on again. They have no weaknesses to expect. Carly says, no power struggle? No question about who’s in charge? and he says, that’s exactly what Ava’s solution would do.

Britt says, Jason told her that Obrecht spoke to him about her having the genetic marker for Huntington’s disease, and Obrecht asks if that’s why Britt invited her for a drink, to discuss that. Britt says, Jason said Obrecht needed someone to talk to, and Obrecht says she’s afraid she lost control of her emotions. Looking into those blue eyes, she couldn’t help herself. Britt says she doesn’t want the disease to define who she is, and Obrecht asks, who else does she have to talk to? Britt says, how about no one? and Obrecht says, Britt and her brother were the only good things to come out of her misguided obsession with Faison, and he killed Nathan. Now Huntington’s will… Britt says, kill her? and Obrecht asks how she’s supposed to stay strong for Britt, even as the disease takes hold of the daughter of her heart?

Josslyn says she heard Brook telling Michael that he and Willow had to take time apart for a while. To her, that sounds like some people who are together. He says just because she aced her psych class doesn’t mean there’s a deep, dark secret. He invited her there to talk about getting into PCU, not talk about him. Scotty comes by, and says, hello, Michael Corinthos III and Josslyn. He understands there’s an ELQ board meeting coming up, and Michael says, there is, but what does that have to do with Scotty?  

Maxie wonders what Brook is doing there, and Brook says she’s there for a collaboration between Crimson and Deception. Lucy says, Brook came up with the idea for a social media campaign, and Brook says she already has tens of thousands of followers on Insta. Lucy says she’s dying to know what the campaign is, and Maxie says, what about Bailey? Did Brook leave her with the nanny? Nina says, the nanny’s name is Valentin, but Brook says, Valentin is away on business, but Olivia is taking care of Bailey. Lucy says Brook enlisted Valentin to go to bat for her, and face it, the guy with the purse strings gets a say. Maxie says she needs to talk to Brook alone, grabs Brook, and jets out the door with her.  

Valentin pours some whiskey into Anna’s coffee cup, and toasts to finding Maxie’s baby. Anna adds, and bringing her home. He asks if she changed her mind about giving up, and she says, actually, he changed it for her. He says they could start a fire. He saw a shed, and he’s sure firewood must be in it. She says he’s changed so much. When he first came to Port Charles he had a chip on his shoulder, and hated her. He says, I barely tolerate you now, darling, and Anna and I laugh. He says she was kind to him in their WSB days, then she rejected him. She gave him the greatest night of his life, or so he thought. She says her sister never did things by halves. She derives great pleasure in hurting the people who care for Anna. He says he was a fool as a kid, but she says, he was kind; so kind and smart, and a great sparring partner. He says, so is she, and she says she hated that he got sent away to school so young. It was like he was abandoned. He says, is she kidding him? He’ll go check on the firewood. He leaves, and Anna leans back on the couch, and shakes her head.

Finn says if Elizabeth is suggesting they move Peter’s body, He thinks it’s a bad idea. She asks if he had a better one, and he says, something needs to be done, but she’s not the one to do it. She says he can’t do it alone, but he says he can and he will. He’s going to the PCPD and confessing to killing Peter.

Jason tells Carly that he wants to be clear. It’s not a magic bullet. Taking this step won’t guarantee peace but… She says, it won’t prevent it, and he says, it will send a message that she supports him as head of the Corinthos Organization, and it’s not possible to divide and conquer. She says, it makes sense from a business perspective, and he says, besides complete destruction, it’s the best option he’s heard so far. She says, but they’re not a business; they’re people. What would this mean for their lives?

Scotty says, the ELQ shareholder’s meeting is no secret. He’s done his research. Michael asks why Scotty is interested. He doesn’t have anything to do with ELQ. Scotty says, everyone needs a hobby, like birdwatching. Some are more interesting than others. He’ll see Michael later. He leaves, and Josslyn asks what that was about. Michael says her guess is as good as his, but he doesn’t want to think about Scotty tonight. When does volleyball practice start? She says, soon. There’s a team building trip coming up, and she’ll get to meet the players. Michael says that must be exciting for her… isn’t it?

Maxie asks what Brook is thinking. She doesn’t even like to work. Brook says, that’s not true. Valentin said she’d make a dynamic businesswoman, and she found a way to build her resumé, and for Maxie to see her daughter. Maxie asks how Brook is going to make that happen, and Brook says, both Crimson and Deception are socially conscious organizations. Maxie asks how that’s going to help her, and Brook says, there’s a childcare center next door. She’ll bring Bailey/Louise to work, and since she can’t have the baby in the office, Maxie will be able to see her daughter away from the busybody Q’s wondering why she’s there.

Elizabeth says she and Finn talked about going to the police, and decided it was a bad idea. Finn says, that was when Chase was sick. He found an antidote. He promises not to implicated her, and she says, if he confesses, his life is over. He says, so is hers if they find her DNA on the body. If he confesses, they’ll have no reason to check. She says he needs to think about this, but he says that’s all he’s done. If he’s going to do this right, he needs to have lawyer. He called Franco’s father.

Valentin gets a fire going, and says, a fire and a bottle of whiskey; what more could they want? She says she’d like his full attention. He couldn’t get out fast enough when she brought up his childhood. She didn’t pity him; she admired him. She admired his courage. He’s very strong, and still is. He pours some more whiskey into his cup, and says, the rain’s not stopping. She asks if he thinks they’re stuck, and he says, stuck in what way?  

Britt tells Obrecht that she’s not getting sick tomorrow. Or next week, or even, hopefully, next year. Huntington’s strikes most people older than she is. Obrecht says, she understands that Britt doesn’t want the disease dominating her life, and Britt says, especially since she has to fight to keep her Chief of Staff position. Obrecht says she heard Monica was back in charge, and Britt says, and another doctor wants her job. She suggests they make a deal. No more breakdowns in front of Jason, and instead, Obrecht can confide her worries to Scotty. Obrecht says Britt wants her to tell Scotty the truth about her? and Britt says, have at it, waterworks and all. Obrecht thanks her, and promises Scotty won’t tell a soul, or he’ll have her to answer to. Nor will he look at Britt any different. Britt says Obrecht doesn’t have to make that promise. Scotty won’t be able to help it; no one can. Obrecht ask if Jason sees Britt any differently.

Carly says, once upon a time, Michael was a toddler, and she didn’t want anything more. She sabotaged everything, and threw him away with both hands. Jason says, he came back, and he thinks it’s better. Before, Carly couldn’t have anything good, because if she got what she wanted, she would test it until it broke. That’s why he worked for Sonny. She and Sonny could test and break each other, and still come back together. She says, Sonny is gone, and no one else understands how empty she feels. No one else has the same hole in their heart except him. She sighs.

Josslyn says Michael doesn’t need to worry about her; she’s got this. He says, okay, but it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed going to college. She says, Trina is going to PCU, and they already have housing there. He says, Cameron is going there too, right? and she says, that’s what he posted. He asks if they haven’t gotten over their disagreement, but she says, it was more than a disagreement. He says, they’ve been friends since kindergarten, and she says, Cameron almost shot Jason; he’s family. Michael says, people make mistakes, and they forgive them, and she asks if that’s why he let Nina back in Wiley’s life. What changed his mind and made him decide to forgive Nina?

Lucy says, Maxie is devastated about her baby’s disappearance, as she should be, and Nina didn’t know her daughter until after she was dead. Nina says, Nelle was taken from her a long time ago, but she’s right to worry about Maxie. That’s fresh, and Peter put her through so much pain. Maxie’s daughter is out there. Sasha says her idea combines their campaign with a way to help find Maxie’s baby, and Lucy says she’s all ears. Spill.

Maxie asks if she’s hearing what she thinks she is. Brook deliberately took a job so she could see her baby? Brook asks why she looks so surprised. The whole point was to keep the baby safe from Peter, not keep Maxie and her baby apart. Maxie says she doesn’t know what to think, and Brook says when she saw Maxie holding her daughter, she saw the love Maxie has for her, and the pain in letting her go. She has complete faith that Maxie made the right decision. The best place for Louise is with her and Valentin, but she wants to do everything she can to make it easy for Maxie to see her baby as much as possible. Maxie hugs her.

Finn tells Elizabeth that Scotty is on his way, but she says there’s still time for him to change his mind. Don’t throw away his life for Peter. As far as she’s concerned, Peter got just what he deserved. He says, Maxie still thinks Peter is out there, and he’s going to find her baby and disappear. Or target her and her children. At the very least, he can put her fears to rest. Elizabeth says, it’s good to be noble, but don’t turn himself in to protect her. He says her sons need her. They just lost their stepfather, and she’ll do them no good in prison. If he’s going to do this, he needs to do it alone. There’s a knock at the door, and it’s the nanny with Violet. Finn asks if Violet is okay, and the nanny says, Violet couldn’t sleep; she missed him. Finn picks up Violet and holds her, and Elizabeth smiles. Guess he forgot about Violet.

Jason tells Carly, this is a big step. If they take it, there’s no going back, so they have to be sure. They have to weigh what they can gain against what they could lose. They could lose everything. She asks if he’s really thinking of doing this? and he says he thinks they have to. She says she needs time alone to think about this, and he says, him too. She says she knows he’s oblivious to things like this, but everyone will think she planned this. They think she ran off every woman he’s loved in case she needed him, and now she needs him… He says, it they do this, they know why, and that’s all that matters. He leaves, and Carly does some thinking.

Britt tells Obrecht that she doesn’t think Jason looks at her any differently. He accepts her as she is, before and after. Obrecht asks if they made love after she revealed her diagnosis. Isn’t that significant? Britt says she’s not discussing her sex life with Obrecht, and Obrecht apologizes for overstepping. Britt must stop avoiding her feelings, and tell Jason the truth, that she cares for him. Britt asks, who says she cares for him? and Obrecht says, Britt does. It’s in her eyes, and the tone of her voice when his name comes up. Whatever time she has left, live it passionately with the man she knows she’s growing to love. Something else tells her that he loves Britt too.

Michael tells Josslyn that he had time to think, and maybe giving Nina a second chance isn’t a bad idea. She asks if he discussed it with their mom. He knows how she feels about Nina. He says Carly isn’t afraid of sharing her opinion, but he can’t worry about that right now. She says, because of the Willow thing, and he says, there is no thing. Willow is married to Chase; there’s no story. She says she wants him to be happy, and he says, like her? She says she’s fine. She has college stuff to look forward to. He suggests they have dessert to celebrate, but she says she can’t. She should get home. He congratulates her again, and makes her promise to get together with him soon. She says she loves him, and thanks him for dinner. He says he loves her too, and she’s welcome.

Brook and Maxie come back in, and Lucy says, it looks like they worked things out. Maxie says they had a good talk, and she realized she can miss her daughter without drowning in it. Lucy says Maxie is amazing, and they need to support her. Maxie says she could bask in their compliments forever, but they need to move on. She asks Lucy to show her concept, and Lucy says, great. When Sasha came to her, and told her that she was pregnant, she wondered how they could include new moms – Sasha says, and mothers-to-be – in their product line, and in the pages of Crimson. This is what she came up with. She unveils a photo of a pregnant Sasha that says, The Face of Conception. Nina says, very cool, and Lucy says, there’s another part to the launch, but it was Sasha’s idea, so she’s going to let Sasha tell them. Sasha says she thought, to keep the search for Maxie’s baby in the forefront, everyone could hold a midnight candlelight vigil across the country, and alert the nation to the kidnapping of Maxie’s baby. Brook says, that’s a terrible idea.

Anna looks at Bailey/Louise’s picture, and says, she’s gorgeous. Valentin says she’s right. Objectively, she is a beautiful baby. She lights up the room. Anna asks, what’s going on with him and Brook? and he says, she’s candid and outrageous, and surprisingly kind. He likes her. She amuses him. Anna says, cozy? and he says he doesn’t know how cozy it is, but they’re getting along. She says, that’s a good thing, and he asks if there’s anyone in Anna’s life to ease the pain of her losing Finn.

Finn says he misses Violet too, but it’s past her bedtime. She says, his too; he works too hard. Elizabeth asks if Violet had fun being a flower girl, and Violet says her daddy made Uncle Chase better, like he said he would. Why can’t Finn be with her more? Finn says he wants that more than anything in the world, and Violet says, when Uncle Chase leaves the hospital, they can have a tea party, with him, Willow, and Roxie. Finn says, Uncle Chase will love that, and so will Willow. Violet asks, won’t Finn be there?

Lucy asks how holding a vigil for a missing child be a bad thing? and Brook says, it will remind Maxie of her own baby. Nina says, they’re trying to help Maxie, not hurt her, and Sasha says, she agrees. She thought as many people as possible should be made aware that Maxie’s baby was stolen, and Lucy says, if Peter has a light shone on him, the more people might look for him. Nina says, they might call the police, and Lucy says, it’s for Maxie. Sasha says, they’re right. It’s a great idea, and Maxie says, who knows? Maybe they’re right.

Anna tells Valentin that she has plenty of people in her life who make her feel better; Robin, her grandchildren, Violet, Maxie, her friends. Friends and family, but she doesn’t get to see them all that often. He says he can think of someone she sees quite often, and she says, Robert? He nods, and she says Robert just recently forgave her. When she went back for Sean’s memorial, they talked. He asks, how about him? Is he her friend? Is he on her list of friends? She says, see what he did? Of course (🍷) he is. He’s wonderful. She couldn’t have gotten through the past few months without him. He says, nor him without her.

Finn says he loves seeing Violet, but it’s late, and time for bed. He tells her, goodnight, and Violet says goodnight to him and her Aunt Elizabeth. At the door, Finn tells Violet he loves her, and blows her a kiss. Elizabeth says, now he knows why he can’t confess. She’s not the only one with children who need her. Scotty arrives, and says the nanny gets prettier every day. She’s like a gift of sunshine. Finn said he needed legal advice. What are they talking about? Malpractice?

Josslyn walks in, and says she can’t figure out what’s going on with Michael, but stops when she sees Carly. She asks if Carly is okay, and Carly says, sorry. What’s going on with Michael? Josslyn says, nothing. What about her? She has that look on her face. Carly says, what look? and Josslyn says, like she’s thinking about something important.

Britt goes to her office. She remembers what Obrecht said about living passionately with man she’s grown to love, and flashes back to her and Jason getting busy. Jason comes to the door, and says her name. She turns and smiles. He doesn’t smile, but it’s hard to tell if it’s not just his normal look, or if there’s a problem.

Tomorrow, Austin asks if there’s anything Sam isn’t suspicious of, Finn says he needs legal representation, Ava wonders if she can fix something, and Jason asks if there’s a problem.

The Haves and The Have Nots

When we last left, Jim accused Celine of killing his daughter Amanda.

Celine asks what Jim is talking about, and he says Celine was the last person to see his daughter alive. She asks again what he’s talking about, and he says he knows she did it. She asks why he’s saying these things, and he says Veronica knows what he’s talking about. Celine asks why he’s saying this; she never hurt Amanda. He says her lawyer should be the one to tell her what’s going on, and Celine says, one of them tell her. Veronica says, Jim is  going to try and frame her. Celine says, with what? and Jim says, the DA made it clear that he wasn’t certain it was a suicide. Celine says Jim would use his daughter’s death to destroy her? and he says he’d use the devil herself. Celine says, he is the devil, but he says, the devil is this beautiful bitch standing by Celine’s side. Celine says Jim has done a lot to her, but she can’t believe this, and he tells her to be a good little girl. Drop this, or he’ll make her life a living hell. She says, it’s already hell, and she’s not dropping it. He suggests she drop in the hole he’s already dug for Veronica, and Veronica asks if he’s threatening to hurt her, but he says, it’s not a threat. Consider it something he’d like to check off his bucket list. Just wait and see. Veronica says she’s waiting, and he tells her, get off his property. She says he’s been served. She wants the money in 24 hours, or he’ll go to jail. He says they’ll see about that. Since she served him, she might as well leave the papers. She hands him the envelope, and says, he’s been served. He thanks her, and says, he’s used to it. He goes inside.

Hanna goes into Wyatt’s dark apartment, and walks into the bedroom. She says she’s not trying to see this, and bangs on something, rousing Roderick and two women. He asks who the hell she is, and she says her name is Hanna Young. She works for Kathryn. He says he doesn’t need anything, thanks, and starts to lie back down. She says, no, and he says, what? She says, ladies, and slams a pillow repeatedly on the bed. They need to get up, get their clothes and their things, and get out. Roderick asks who the hell she is, and she says they need to go. She doesn’t think her boss would be too pleased to find out there were ladies in her house. Roderick says, fine, and tells the women, get up, hustling them out of the bed. Hanna says, let’s move, and seeing they’re not wearing much except thongs, she says, my God Jesus. She tells Roderick that Kathryn also wants him to answer his phone. He says, okay. Hanna isn’t going to tell her… Hanna says, oh yes she is, and he says, she’ll ask him to leave. Hanna asks what Kathryn is to him, and he asks if Kathryn didn’t tell her. Hanna says she wants him to tell her, and he says Kathryn is a really good friend; she takes care of him. They take care of each other. Hanna says, okay, and starts to leave, but Roderick grabs her arm. She says, hands off, please, and he says, don’t tell Kathryn. He knows a beautiful woman like Hanna knows what it’s like to do what you have to. She says she knows damn well he’s not trying to flirt with her. Does he know how much money he’d have to pay her? Boy, bye. She walks out.

Okay, here’s how I’m going to do this. The thug Jim hired to take care of Veronica will be Thug 1. The French thug Veronica hired to take care of Thug 1 will be Thug 2. Kind of like Thing 1 and Thing 2. Hey, I’m doing the best I can. A car pulls into a parking garage. Thug 2 holds a gun on Thug 1, and tells him, get out of the car. Thug 1’s phone rings, and Thug 2 tells him, answer it. He does, and Jim says, the bitch just left house. He wants it done now. Thug 1 hangs up, and puts the phone on the ground. He asks if Thug 2 is going to kill him, and Thug 2 says, sorry, man. He knows how it goes. Thug 1 says, you live by the sword, you die by the sword, and Thug 2 says, that’s right. Turn around. Thug 1 grabs the hand holding the gun, and knocks it away. They fight, using a lot of kicks, which I always like. They fight for a while, and Thug 1, who looks like he might have gotten the worst of it, asks Thug 2 if he gives up.   

Benny calls Rianna, who says he can move in tomorrow. She needs to drop off the keys, and he suggests they meet at the house. She agrees, and he says he’ll be there shortly, but she says, no, tomorrow. He thanks her, and she says she’ll see him then. He sits on the bed, and she calls back. She says she wanted to tell him how sorry she was about what happened. No one ever stood up for her before. He says he wasn’t letting that happen, and she says she’s had to move four times. He says he’s sorry to hear that. What about killing Sandy’s…. She says she had an abortion. He was so abusive, she didn’t want a baby to be part of it. She’s regretted it every day, and thinks it’s God punishing her. He tells her, don’t feel that way, and she says she doesn’t know why she put that on him. She poured a drink… He says she shouldn’t drink alone, and she says she has no one else to drink with. He says he’ll come over, but she says, she’s alone and vulnerable. No. He tells her to send the address. She shouldn’t be alone. She says, okay; she’ll text him. He says he’ll clean up, and be over. Rianna texts Benny the address, and Candace walks into the hotel room. She tells Benny that he’s not going anywhere. That kid is serious. He says Sandy doesn’t know where he is; he’ll be fine. She says he just doesn’t listen, and he says he’ll be back, and leaves.   

Mitch walks into the Iron Bone, and sees Vinnie sitting in a booth. He sits across from Vinnie, and asks where Mama Rose is. Vinnie says she put him in charge, and Mitch says, she did? Vinnie asks if Mitch doubts him; never doubt him. Mama Rose is getting older. Mitch says, so Vinnie is the new Mama Rose? and Vinnie says, that’s right. Mitch says Vinnie wanted to talk to him, and Vinnie says, yeah. Come on. Let’s go to the office.   

In the office, Vinnie hands Mitch the phone, and says, talk to her. Mama Rose tells Mitch that she’s in Florida, and Vinnie is in charge. She’s tired. She’s not happy about what he did. Mitch asks, what did he do? and she says, Vinnie knows how to handle it. Talk to him. Mitch says, Mama…? and Vinnie asks if she hung up. Mitch says, yeah, and gives the phone back to Vinnie. Mitch says, so Vinnie is the new Mama Rose. Congratulations. Vinnie thanks him, and asks how he’s doing. Good? Mitch says he’s okay, and Vinnie wonders when was the last time Mitch had some real food, Italian food. Mitch says he’s good, and Vinnie sees he’s got a new phone. What’s with him? How did he get it? Mitch says, it was a gift from a friend, and Vinnie asks if it was Candace. Mitch is friends with her and her brother? Mitch says he is, and Vinnie says it’s good Mitch went to bat for them. Mitch told Jim that the family was protecting them. Does Mitch know how much Candace took from Jim? Mitch says he knows, but they’re good people. Vinnie asks if Mitch knows how many times Jim and David saved the family; Mitch’s uncle, his grandfather, Sandy, Sammy, his mom. Mitch says he didn’t know, and Vinnie says, they made evidence disappear. He’s in deep with Jim, and Mitch says, he didn’t know. Vinnie asks why Mitch lied to the family, and Mitch says he was just trying to protect his friend. Vinnie says Mitch shouldn’t have done that, and Mitch says he’s sorry. Vinnie says, him too. Now he has to punish Mitch for lying to the family, and Mitch says, all right. Whatever punishment Vinnie has is fine; he’ll take it. Vinnie says, it’s a delicate balance, and Mitch says, Candace brought them War, but Vinnie says they would have gotten War anyway. He’s already done her a lot of favors; she’s out. Mitch says, okay. He’ll go take his punch. Vinnie calls in Sal, who is pretty big, and Sal says, come on. Mitch goes with him.    

Outside the Iron Bone (I just like putting in Iron Bone as much as possible) Sal says, sorry, and Mitch says he’s got to do what he has to. Sal says, it is what it is, and Mitch says, just not the face. Give him a break. Sal says, sorry, bitch, and, along with two other guys, punches the sh*t out of Mitch’s stomach. Sal says, sorry, kid, and gives Mitch a punch in the face. The other two guys continue pummeling him.

Hanna is lying on the couch, and gets a collect call from Kathryn. She asks if Kathryn is doing all right, and Kathryn says she’d like a steak and a drink. Hanna says she can’t have that in there, and Kathryn says, apparently not. Did Hanna see Roderick? He’s still not answering his phone. Hanna says, mmm, and Kathryn asks what mmm means. Hanna hesitates, and Kathryn says tell her. She really likes him. What did Hanna see? Hanna says, he wasn’t by himself; he had a couple of women in there. Kathryn says, what? Dammit! Hanna says, sorry, and Kathryn says, put him out. Go with the Sheriff, and have him put out right now. Hanna says she’ll try tonight, but if not, first thing in the morning. Kathryn says, that’s the reason he’s not answering his phone; that bastard. How many? Hanna says, two, and Kathryn says, what?

Kathryn says, two in the bed, and Hanna says, yeah. Kathryn says, son of a bitch, and Hanna says she’s sorry. Kathryn says, not as sorry as he’s going to be. Hanna says Kathryn is really still married, and Kathryn says, don’t judge. Hanna say she’s not judging, and Kathryn asks if it’s too much to want be loved and love. Hanna says, no; it’s a wonderful thing. It just depends on how you get it. Kathryn says she knows Hanna’s not interested in the details, but it felt good to be held and feel loved, even if she was lying to herself. Life hasn’t been easy for her. Hanna says he can understand why Kathryn is saying that, and believes her, but she started off with more than most. Kathryn says, money doesn’t stop the pain, and Hanna says, she knows. Kathryn laughs, and asks what the hell is she doing? Hanna says Kathryn has too much on her mind to be thinking about all this, and Kathryn says she still wants Roderick’s ass out. Hanna says, okay, and Kathryn suggests Hanna call him now, and let her speak to him. Hanna puts Kathryn on hold, and calls Roderick. When Roderick answers, Hanna patches Kathryn through, and Kathryn says, get the hell out, you son of a bitch. He says, let him explain, but she says, there’s nothing to explain. He had women in her house. He says he didn’t; Hanna is lying. Kathryn says, is she? and he says his sister was there. The look Hanna gives the phone is priceless, and Kathryn says, his sister was in the bed with him. He says, she was on the couch. He knew Hanna was going to lie. He loves Kathryn. Kathryn says, does he now? and he says he does. He knew Hanna would lie, and he hates a liar. Kathryn says, so does she, and he asks if she’s out. She says, no, and he says he’s worried about her, and wants to see her. He asks if they allow conjugal visits, and again, Hanna’s face. Kathryn says, what she hates are liars, and he says, so does he, but she says he lied to her. A recording comes on, saying, there’s one minute remaining. Roderick asks how Kathryn is calling him, and she says she has a friend on the line. He asks, who? and Hanna says, the liar who told Kathryn he was in her house with two other women. Roderick does a face palm, and Kathryn tells him, get your sh*t and get out of my house, or the Sheriff will be there to throw you out. Wyatt tells Roderick, get the hell off the phone, and Kathryn asks if that’s Wyatt. Is that her son? She asks Hanna if Roderick hung up, and Hanna says he did. Kathryn asks if that was Wyatt, and Hanna says, it sounded like him. Kathryn wonders what the hell Wyatt is doing there, and asks Hanna to find out for her. Hanna says, okay, and Kathryn says, he’s supposed to be in the hospital. What’s going on? Hanna says she doesn’t know, and Kathryn says she’ll call back in a few hours. She owes Hanna so much. They hang up, and Hanna drags her ass back up off the couch. I know how she feels.

Thug 1 asks if Thug 2 gives up, but Thug 2 shakes his head. Thug 1 says, go, man, and Thug 2 says he’s going to die, but Thug 1 says, it will be no easy win. Thug 2 says he sees that. Military? Thug 1 says, Marines. Him? Thug 2 says he was in the French Navy. Respect. He wishes he was on Thug 1’s team. (I am not making this up; this scene is too funny.) Thug 1 says, that can be arranged, and Thug 2 says, how so? Thug 1 asks how much Veronica is paying him, and Thug 2 says, fifteen. What did he get? Thug 1 says, he got thirty, and Thug 2 says, he’s got to do this. He needs the money. Thug 1 says, unless Thug 2 takes the money, and just says he took care of it. Then he’ll take care of Veronica. It’s a win-win. Thug 2 says he likes it. What say they shake on it? He holds out his hand, but Thug 1 says, no. He doesn’t trust Thug 2 as far as he can kick him. Thug 2 says, smart man. So deal? Thug 1 says, deal, and Thug 2 tells him to get his gun, which ended up on the parking lot floor, along with Thug 2’s gun. Thug 1 picks up both guns, hands Thug 2 his gun, and they both get in the car.

Veronica walks into a gay dance club, and approaches the drag queen hostess. The hostess touches her arm, and Veronica says, don’t touch me. The queen says, I love your shoes, honey, and Veronica says, you’d never fit in them, honey. The queen asks if she can help Veronica, and Veronica says she wants a drink. Does she think they’ll have anything she can drink in there? The queen says, they’re dripping in divas. What does Veronica want? Veronica says she wants to see someone, but the queen says, no one is looking for bitches here. Veronica asks if they’re looking for pink unicorns, and the queen says, it’s gay pride every day here. She asks what Veronica wants, and Veronica says she’s looking for the owner. The queen says, he’s not here, and Veronica asks when he’ll be back. The queen says she doesn’t know, and Veronica says she’s not coming back. The queen says, good, and they both laugh. Veronica says, tell him to call her, and the queen says she’ll think about it. Veronica says, think, darling, and she needs to do something about those toes. Her, of all people, should wear closed toe shoes. The queen says, bitch, get the hell out, and Veronica says the queen doesn’t scare her. She can drag as good as the queen can. Veronica decides to go in, and the queen says, it’s ten dollars. Veronica says, honey, please, and keeps walking. The queen yells, there’s a homophobe bitch in the club. That bitch with the short hair. She calls for security, and Veronica walks up to a guy at the bar. He asks what Veronica wants, and she says she’s there to see him. Relax. It’s time. He says, for what? and she says she has something to tell him. He says he’s sorry he didn’t tell her that he was gay, but she says she doesn’t care about that. It was a long time ago. He says she made sure to ruin his life, and she says he did okay. He owns this place of debauchery. He says, that’s not how they see it, and she says she doesn’t care how they see it. Tell Miss Thing to make her drink… in a plastic cup, please. Forget it. Just open a new bottle, and give her the bottle. He says, okay. What do they need to talk about? She says she’ll give it to the queens. They sure can dance. He asks if she came to see them dance, and she wonders why anyone would look at them otherwise. She came to tell him something, but now she wants to dance. Where’s her drink? Someone brings her a bottle of what looks like vodka, and she slugs some back. He says he thought she wanted to talk, and she tells him, hold her pocketbook. He says, no, and she asks if he knows how expensive it is. He knows he wants to own it. She puts it on his arm, and he says it looks better on him. She says he looks all right, and yells, work it, bitch! Work it! She tells him that she can’t stand their gay asses, but they sure can dance. She works around the dance floor, and grabs him, dancing around him, as he stands there. The hostess queen, says, come on, sugar, and she and Veronica dance in the middle of the floor like it’s a gay Footloose. I wonder how the hell we got here, and if Veronica is a closet reverse drag queen. Veronica sashays out, and the hostess queen asks, who was that ignorant bitch? He says, it’s a long story. I’ll bet, and I wonder if somehow he’s Jeffrey’s father…

There’s a knock at the hotel room door, and Candace asks who it is. A voice says, maintenance, but Candace says she didn’t call for maintenance. Surprisingly, she opens the door, and it’s Conley. She asks who he is, and he says, Senator Westley. She says she told him that she didn’t want talk, but he says he only needs a minute. Please. She lets him in, and he thanks her. She asks what he wants, and he says Charles loves her (using the usual he instead of Charles). She says she’s heard that. First he sent Landon, now Conley. Conley says Charles didn’t send him, and she repeats that she doesn’t want to talk. Conley says Charles loves her; he’s sick without her. She says she doesn’t care, but Conley says he knows Charles really loves her, and with the turning tide of the press, he thinks she should reach out. She asks if he’s done, and he says he’s just started. He’s begging her. He came there hoping to change her mind. She says he won’t. Charles humiliated her. He put her in the trunk of a car, and smuggled her out of town. Conley says Charles was advised to. He knows Charles, and he’s a scared kid, trying to figure it out. Conley did research on her, and likes what he found. She’s a shark, and Charles needs a shark. She says, Charles is a shark. She’s seen how dangerous and cold he is. Conley says, only to protect himself; he’s a fighter. She says, let him fight for someone else, and Conley says he needs to share something. Charles’s wife didn’t die of natural causes. She committed suicide when Charles was at work. The kids found her; they were really young. He can’t imagine how difficult it must have been, and then Charles found Candace. She’s a girl with issues, but she won his heart. It’s been a long time since Conley has seen him like this. She woke him up. He asks her to please not tell anyone what he told her about his wife’s death. No one knows. He knows she lost a son, and understands grief. He wanted to tell her that she’s woken Charles up inside, and he cares way too much about it to let it die on the vine. He thanks her for listening, and tells her, have a good night. She says, him too, and he leaves. She sits on the bed, and ponders all of this.

Wyatt has lines of God-knows-what lined up to snort, along with a bottle of (I think) whiskey. Roderick says, hey, and Wyatt says, don’t bug him. Roderick asks if Wyatt wants to die. Does he know what that stuff is? Wyatt says he doesn’t care. Don’t say anything to him. Roderick says, that stuff will kill him, and Wyatt says, he’ll die a happy man. Roderick says, fine, and Wyatt says, go clean his kitchen. He starts to snort a line, and Roderick says, Mr. Cryer… Wyatt says, get out of his face, and Roderick tells him, his mother said he was angry. Wyatt asks why his mother was talking about him to Roderick. Shut up, and clean the kitchen. He pours more liquor into his glass, and Roderick asks if he’s doing downers and uppers at the same time. Wyatt says, it looks like it, and snorts a line. Roderick’s phone rings, and Wyatt says, don’t answer it. Roderick says Wyatt’s mom heard him, and Wyatt asks if she knows he’s there. Roderick says he guesses so, and Wyatt says he doesn’t give a damn. Roderick says Wyatt has problems, and Wyatt tells him to get more blow. Roderick asks if Wyatt has any idea how much he’s had, and Wyatt says he doesn’t give a damn. Roderick says, he’s going to die, and Wyatt says, go. Roderick says he has no more money, and Wyatt asks if his mother isn’t taking care of Roderick. Roderick says she wants him out; he has to leave. Wyatt says he knows where he can get money – his parents’ place. His mom has jewelry, and his dad has watches. They can sell them. Roderick says he’s not doing that, and Wyatt asks if he’s an honest whore now. Roderick repeats he’s not doing that, and Wyatt says he’ll do it himself. Roderick says, whatever, dude. He’s got to get out of there. Wyatt asks for his car keys back, and Roderick hands them over, saying, he can’t get far without…  Wyatt says, get out, and Roderick says Wyatt is going to die. Wyatt says, a happy man is he, and Roderick leaves. Wyatt talks nonsense to himself.

Back at the Iron Bone, Sandy walks into Vinnie’s office, holding an ice pack or something against his head. Vinnie asks, what the hell happened? and Sandy says, Mitch didn’t tell him? Vinnie says, no, and Sandy says, that kid Mitch has been protecting. Vinnie says, Benny? What about him? Sandy says, they got into it. Mitch’s boy did this. Vinnie says, Benny did that? He should whip Sandy’s ass for that. Sandy asks what he did, and Vinnie says, for coming in there looking like that. He knows what happened. Word gets around. Sandy says he wants Benny dead, and Vinnie says, so why doesn’t he do it? Sandy says he came to ask permission, and Vinnie says he’s got it. The two of them. Sandy says, okay, and Vinnie says, or is Sandy scared he can’t do it alone? Sandy says he’s not scared, and Vinnie says, okay, then do it. Kill them. He gives Sandy a gun, and says, do it. Sandy picks up the gun, and says, he’s dead. Vinnie says, don’t come back until he is. He wants him dead. Sandy nods, and leaves.

Next time, David tells Jim that Vinnie is now running things, Kathryn calls Jim to tell him about Wyatt, and Wyatt shows up at David. And Oscar returns! Only two more episodes before the finale.

🤬 I have to mention, I think since it’s their last season, they’re trying to squeeze in as many curse words as possible. I counted like 5700 bitches in this episode. Slight exaggeration, but there were a lot.

🗽 Postponement…

Unfortunately, my weekly Zoom meeting is at the same time Real Housewives of New York City is on. I DVR’d it, but don’t really want to see the sun come up as I go to sleep, so it’s something to look forward to for tomorrow, along with Beverly Hills. So until then, be safe, be pragmatic when necessary, and stay not testing things so much that they break, especially relationships.

June 22, 2021 – Chase Finds Out the Truth, Benny Doesn’t Know the Family, Andy Tracks Down JL & Don’t Preach

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jordan sees Anna coming toward her, and asks if it’s Chase. Anna says, no, he made it. Finn figured out a way to treat him. Jordan says, thank God. They just got word at the station he’d taken a turn for the worse. Anna says, he pulled through, and they hug. Jordan says she was so frightened, and Anna says her too. If Chase hadn’t recovered, she would have felt responsible because of her blindness where Peter is concerned. Jordan says, no more recriminations. She’ll call Dante and tell him the good news. He’s been busy. He’s found Peter’s accomplice; the one who kidnapped Maxie’s baby.

Maxie picks up Louise/Bailey, and says she gets more beautiful every day. They don’t have much time. Olivia could be back any minute, and Maxie will have to pretend Louise isn’t hers, but she is. She tells Louise to remember that Maxie loves her very much, and she’ll do anything and everything to protect her.   

Curtis looks at the invite for Trina’s graduation party, and tells someone on the phone to email him a list of their non-alcoholic beverages and mocktails. He wants this celebration for Trina to rock. Taggert walks in, and says, don’t forget the chaperone, and Curtis asks, what’s up? Taggert says, the graduation party. Trina can’t stop talking about it. So this is the new place. Nice. Curtis says he’s glad Taggert likes it, but he’s sure Taggert didn’t come by to check it out. Maybe he came by to check out its new owner. Taggert says, that guy has a hero complex. He stops Taggert from rushing in to save his daughter and Portia, and ends up taking a bullet himself. Curtis asks what’s on Taggert’s mind? and Taggert says Curtis isn’t going to make this easy, is he? Curtis says, what? and Taggert says, thank you.

Ava loses the door, and tells Nikolas, she can’t do this. She can’t. Nikolas says, whatever this is, they can face it together, but she says she just watched Carly take her daughter and lead her away. A mob family is a safer option than they are. She’s sorry, but it’s not going to work.

Chase says he knew Finn would find the antidote; he never lost faith. Finn says he remembers a time or two, and Chase says, it’s already forgotten. How did Finn do it? How did Finn manage to save him? Finn says Chase just got stabilized. There’s plenty of time for explanations later. The important thing is for Chase to rest and get stronger. Chase says he’s not asking for a detailed medical explanations. He just wants a reason for his miracle cure. Finn says, it came down to DNA.

Jason asks what Elizabeth means by Peter won’t be a problem for anyone. She says she’s trying to tell him not to waste his time on Peter, and he asks, why not?

Maxie says she’s so proud of Louise; she’s being so brave. She knows Brook and Valentin will take good care of her, but she promises one day they’ll be together again, and nobody will ever be able to keep them apart. Brook and Valentin walk in.

Nikolas says he knows Ava is upset about Avery, and she says, of course (🍷) she’s upset. She has to do whatever she needs to do to keep Avery safe, no matter how difficult it is. He says he’s still not convinced it’s Ryan. He’s got an accomplice, or a wannabe, or a copycat, but what’s clear is, they want to split him and Ava apart. They won’t give them the satisfaction, and won’t give in to the fear. They’ll fight this together. Ava says, they were in Avery’s room. They want to show her that no one is untouchable, not even her little girl. He says, they overplayed their hand this time. Dante has that bear, and can trace it. She says, what if he can’t? What if next time, it’s not just a threat or a warning? What if Avery’s life is at risk? Maybe he can live with the possibility, but she can’t. She won’t.

Curtis says Taggert doesn’t have to thank him again, but Taggert says, if Curtis hadn’t acted when he did, Cyrus probably wouldn’t be rotting in a Federal facility. Curtis says, it couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy, and Taggert says he’ll drink to that. Curtis says, he will too. Scotch okay? Taggert says, excellent, and Curtis pours the drinks, saying, they can also add the government’s decision to drop the case against Taggert. Taggert says, amen, and they clink glasses. Taggert takes a drink. He says, smooth; the good stuff. Curtis asks how Portia and Trina are doing, and Taggert wonders why Curtis is asking him. Why not ask Portia?

Anna says, the nurse’s body was found in a mineshaft? and asks Jordan if there was there any sign of the baby. Jordan says, no. Her phone suggests she made contact with someone who took the baby before she fell or was pushed to her death. Anna asks if Jordan is thinking Peter. Does the nurse’s time of death correspond with when Peter was last seen at the hospital? Jordan says, they don’t know. The body is still in PA. Anna says, they’re wasting so much valuable time, and Jordan says she knows. The first 48 hours are crucial. Unfortunately, the authorities in Pawtuck don’t have the resources to launch a full investigation, so now the FBI is in catch-up mode. They see Portia, and Jordan asks if there’s an update on Chase. Portia says, he’s still responding to treatment, and Anna wonders if she can ask Portia about Finn. She saw him earlier, but is he okay? Jordan says, that’s a good question. He’s been working around the clock for days, weeks even, and he won the battle; he saved Chase’s life. But when she saw him earlier, he still looked like someone suffering a loss.

Chase says he knew the cure was based on DNA. What made it work this time? Finn says, the first antidote was right in theory, but wrong in practice. Chase asks if Gregory understands this, and Finn says, the first attempt not only failed, but it made things worse. Chase says, no one is happier about that than him, and Finn says, Chase’s job now is to rest. He needs to get back to the lab, and formalize some notes. Chase asks why Finn can’t tell him what the difference was, and Finn says, give him a break. He broke every rule in the book to find this cure. He was on the phone with the AMA and the FDA, and he’ll tell Chase later. Chase asks, what’s wrong with now? Finn still used Chase’s parents’ DNA to formulate the cure, right? Finn says, yes, and Chase asks, what changed?  

Elizabeth tells Jason, it doesn’t only involve her, so she can’t get into details, but trust her when she says Peter won’t be an issue. Jason asks, what did she do?

Brook asks what Maxie is doing there, and Maxie says she thought Brook said it was okay. Brook says, sure it is, and Valentin says it’s good to see her. He suggests he put Bailey/Louise in her bassinette (so that’s what they’re calling the fancy crib), but Maxie says, that’s okay, and walks to the bassinette with Bailey. She says she brought Louise a present.

Anna tells Portia, this whole thing has taken such a toll on Finn. He worked so hard to come up with an antidote. Chalk one up to medical science, right? Portia say she’s got that one right. They were due for a win. Anna says maybe she can get another one. Jordan asks what Anna is doing, and Anna says, Chase is going to be all right, but as long as Peter is out there and Maxie’s baby is still missing, this isn’t over.

Curtis says he hasn’t talked to or seen Portia since he left the hospital, although he’s sure she’ll be on him about hit stitches any day now. Taggert says Curtis is a friend of the family now, and Curtis says, that’s right; a friend. Maybe not so much with Trina; they got off to a rocky start, but they’re pulling things together. Taggert says he knows how Trina blamed Curtis for his supposed death, and he’s sorry about that. He’s sorry about a lot of things that concern Cyrus. Curtis says, it’s over. Cyrus is out of their lives. They lift their glasses, and Taggert says, it’s a regret he’s adding to a long list. Curtis says they can’t change what happened. They can just remember it and not repeat it. He knows it’s difficult to do, but Taggert needs to give himself a break. Taggert says he’ll keep that in mind, and Curtis tells him, do it for his own good, and Trina’s. She loves her father, and she’s a good kid. Taggert says Curtis won’t get an argument there, but he can’t take credit for that. It’s all Portia; she did the heavy lifting. But he doesn’t have to tell Curtis that she’s an incredible woman, does he?   

Nikolas says Ava had no one to help her with Ryan. He traumatized Ava, and targeted Kiki. He’s sure it was terrifying; it was devastating. But she’s not alone. She’s not without resources, and they can turn the tables on whoever it is who’s threatening them. He’ll hire a private army if he has to. Ava says, whoever is doing this, obviously has resources of their own. There’s no place they go, he can’t get to them. He says he’ll do whatever it takes to protect them, and she says she loves him, but she can’t be with him. Not if Avery is threatened because of it. She can’t lose anyone else she loves. He says he knows she’s terrified, but why does she think giving the stalker what they want will make Avery safer?    

Finn tells Chase, nothing has changed; they’re all still family. Chase says he’s just trying to figure out why the cure Finn came up with didn’t work, and now it does. Finn says he thinks it’s better if Chase heard it from… dad. He thinks Gregory can explain it better than he can. He nods to Gregory and leaves.

Elizabeth says Jason has to trust her on this, and that means no more questions. What matters is, Peter is gone for good. Jason says he won’t ask her for any details or explanations, but if she needs him to show up somewhere and take care of something, he’ll handle it; no questions asked. Whatever is going on, he’ll be there if she needs help. Finn says, help with what?

Max tells Brook, did she say Louise? She meant to say Bailey. Such a sweet name for a sweet little girl. Brook says, and this sweet girl has got to go down. It’s past her bedtime. Brook takes Bailey/Louise and puts her in the bassinette, saying, sweet dreams. She asks Maxie, how about if they get some fresh air on the terrace? but Maxie says she’s fine. Brook says, the air on the terrace is really nice at night; you can smell the honeysuckle. She practically pushes Maxie out the door, and Valentin looks at the baby. He asks why she’s so perfect. He’s not surprised Maxie wanted to hold her. He’s sure her arms are very empty without her daughter. He’s so unfairly blessed, because he can watch her sleeping, while Maxie doesn’t know where her baby is. He set that in motion. He put Peter in Faison’s arms. He put him on a path to pain and destruction. He wishes he could undo the past, but he can’t. But he can promise to be a good father to her and Charlotte, and promise to be a much better man. Anna walks in, and say she believes him.

Jordan tells Portia, she feels for Anna. Of course (🍷) Anna is thrilled Chase has recovered, but she’s also painfully aware she’s not a part of Finn’s life anymore. Portia says, her grandmother used to tell her, every blessing is a mixed blessing, and Jordan says Portia’s grandmother never saw Cyrus carted off in handcuffs to a Federal penitentiary. Portia tells her, as Trina would say, facts, and  Jordan says, speaking of, how is Trina doing? Portia says, eagerly anticipating graduation and getting ready for college. She has her dorm room all planned out and all her fall courses. She’s even grumbling about classes she can’t even take yet. Jordan says, in other words, Trina is carrying on as if nothing happened, and Portia says, don’t worry. She’s keeping an eye on Trina in case there’s a delayed reaction. Jordan says, who’s keeping an eye on her mom?

Nikolas says he and Ava have never played it safe. They risked it all by coming together. That’s what made it exciting and alive and transformational. Ava says she’s never been so loved and accepted, and Nikolas says he feels the same way, so why would they let anything come between them now? They have to fight this together. She says, it’s not just about them, and he says she’s let whoever is doing this get in her head. They know where to strike, where she’s the most vulnerable. Don’t let them win. She says, if it was just them, she would take her chances, but she lost Kiki to this kind of madness. He says, they’re exploiting that pain, and she says, it’s working. Kiki’s death was a nightmare; one she’ll never wake up from, that will last as long as she lives. She can’t do it. She can’t go through it again. Nothing is worth the risk of Avery’s life, not even loving him. He says she doesn’t mean that, but she says she does. He’s lovely, and has a lovely house, and a lovely island. He needs to go there tonight, and not come back.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she was offering Jason a long overdue apology. If she hadn’t accused him, then Peter wouldn’t have had a chance to hurt Chase, and Jason wouldn’t have had to risk his life to prove his innocence. Jason says she’s not responsible for what Peter did, and Finn agrees. He couldn’t have found a cure without Elizabeth’s help. Jason is glad to hear that, and Finn asks if Elizabeth minds if they talk about the results. Elizabeth says, sure, and tells Jason to take care of himself. Jason says, likewise, and remember, if she needs anything, he’ll be there. He leaves, and Finn asks, what was that all about?

Chase tells Gregory, Finn is the doctor. Why did Finn leave it up Gregory to explain the medical breakthrough? Gregory supposes Finn is exhausted, emotionally and physically. He wouldn’t rest until he found a cure. Chase says, something is going on. Whatever it is, dad, tell me. And don’t tell him not to call him that. Gregory will always be his father. Gregory says he’d never tell Chase not to call him dad, because that’s exactly what he is.

Portia tells Jordan, she doesn’t have time to worry about herself. Keeping up with a high school senior, her patients, running her department; that’s all she has the energy for. She’s still standing, so she guesses she’s okay. Jordan says, Trina is moving into a college dorm soon. Take it from an empty nester, work is not a cure-all. Portia needs something for her.

Elizabeth tells Finn, she had to own up to her mistake. For Jason, it’s over and done with, but she needed to say the words. How about him? How did Chase take it when Finn told him why the cure worked this time? Finn says he couldn’t tell Chase. He was about to, but couldn’t find the right words. So he left it to someone more wise, eloquent, and compassionate – their dad.

Gregory sits next to Chase’s bed, and says, Cyrus got into the GH lab to tamper with the DNA results. It was his way of getting revenge on Chase’s mother for embarrassing him in print. Chase says, so the original test was wrong, and Gregory says, it was a lie. Finn is Chase’s brother, and he’s Chase’s father. When Finn saw that possibility, he put everything aside, including his feelings, and got back to work using Gregory’s DNA. Chase says, Gregory saved him, and Gregory says, all of them saved him. Finn, Chase’s mom, Chase’s stubborn streak, refusing to give up. It took the whole family. Their family.

Nikolas tells Ava, if he walks out that door, they’re giving in to extortion and intimidation. The only way to fight this freak, is to give them the one thing they don’t want them to do; stay together. She says, not if means putting Avery’s life in danger; nothing is worth that. He says the bear wasn’t left to threaten Avery, but to threaten Ava, and she says, would he risk Spencer’s life? Does he think she doesn’t want to stay with him? Does he think this marriage doesn’t mean everything to her? She touches his face, and says she knows he loves her. He knows her better than anyone has ever known her. So he must know, if anything ever happened to Avery, it would kill her. It would absolutely kill her. She can’t let that happen. They’re done.

Portia and Jordan sit on a bench, and Portia says, maybe they’re just adrenaline junkies maybe masquerading as public servants. Jordan says, every now and then, the real gets a little too real, like when Portia and Trina were taken hostage. Portia says, they’re back to that again, and Jordan says, anytime Portia wants to talk, or grab a drink, or go to a movie, she’s available. Portia says she’d like that, but Jordan doesn’t think it might be a little complicated? Jordan says, why? Because Portia’s ex-husband is sleeping in her guest room? Or was she thinking about Curtis?

Curtis asks if everything is good between Taggert and Portia. Are they on good terms these days? Taggert says, they do their best, for Trina’s sake. Why does he ask? Curtis says he was just wondering if Portia had someone to talk to about when Cyrus was holding her and Trina hostage. Taggert asks, what’s stopping Curtis from being that person? Bartenders are good listeners, right? Curtis says he’s the owner, not the bartender, when Jason walks in, and says he saw the light on; he was hoping to find the boss there. Curtis asks how Jason is doing, and Taggert says he didn’t know Curtis and Jason knew each other. Curtis says, small world, and Jason asks if Curtis is busy. Taggert says he was just leaving, and thanks Curtis for the drink. Curtis asks Jason what brings him there? Is it a personal or professional visit? Jason says he stopped by to thank Curtis for helping put Cyrus away.

Brook tells Maxie, Valentin is smart, and the story of Bailey’s birth won’t hold up to scrutiny. Maxie almost tipped him off, or worse, he could have thought she was too unstable to be around the baby. Maxie says she knows. She thought Brook would be at the hospital, saying goodbye to Chase. Brook says, Maxie doesn’t know. Chase is going to be okay. Finn found a cure. Maxie says, that’s wonderful news; she’s really glad. Brook says she is too, but they have to focus on their current situation. If Maxie wants to protect Louise, she can’t just show up. Maxie says she knows it was wrong, but it hurts, physically hurts to be away from her baby. She hates lying to everyone she loves. She just wants this to be over. Brook says she knows, and hugs Maxie.

Anna asks Valentin why he made that vow to his daughter, and Valentin says, Maxie is on the terrace with Brook. She stopped by with a gift, and when Olivia stepped away… Anna says, she picked up the baby. Of course (🍷) she did; she’s missing her own. Anna feels terrible, and Valentin says he does too. She says that’s why she’s there. She’s going after Peter. She’s not going to stop until she finds him, especially if there’s a chance he has Maxie’s baby. He says she knows something. She found the helicopter pilot that helped Peter make his escape? She says, not yet, but there’s been a development in Pawtuck. They found the nurse who was working with Peter. He asks if she’s talking, and Anna says, not anymore.

Valentin asks if there’s been any trace of the baby, but Anna says, not yet. According to Dante, they were able to locate the nurse’s cell phone, and she made a call to someone earlier that night. He says, someone being Peter? and she says, perhaps. It’s impossible to know where Peter ended up after he left Maxie. It’s like he vanished into thin air. He could have gone there to meet the nurse, but Maxie is adamant that the nurse wanted to keep the baby for herself. She might have had an accomplice unknown to Peter, but either way, Jordan doesn’t think the local police have the expertise to follow up. He says, they do, and Anna says, she does. She has the WSB connections, she started the search, and she’s going on that trail, even if it takes her to Timbuktu. He has a new little baby that he has to think about. He says he is thinking about his new little baby. If Peter knows they’re after him, it makes them a target, and he won’t have Peter targeting Charlotte or the baby. Besides, he owes it to Maxie. He has to do everything he can to reunite Maxie with her daughter.

Brook says Maxie has to remember why they started this plan, and Maxie says so Brook could get her stocks back from Valentin. Brook says, yes, that was the original plan, but that first night Maxie told her it had to be about protecting the baby. And she was right. It’s not about the stocks. Brook will go in there and tell Valentin the truth, that Maxie is the baby’s mother, and he has to pretend to be the baby’s father to protect her from Peter. Maxie says Brook is bluffing. She wouldn’t tell Valentin. Brook says she absolutely would if it would get Maxie to stick with the plan. Valentin will tell Maxie the same thing. If Peter is having her followed, and she keeps coming there, he’ll figure it out. She knows how hard it is, but Maxie has to consider the alternative. Imagine Peter has her baby and is boarding a private jet to some country… Maxie says, stop. She knows Brook is right. They have to stick to the plan, the original one. The one where Valentin doesn’t know anything. If Peter is out there, then Louise is not safe. She just has to be stronger. A mother has to do whatever she can to protect her child, even if it means giving them up. Brook says, maybe, just maybe, there’s a way that Maxie won’t have to.

Finn tells Elizabeth, when the first DNA test came back, and it said Chase was his son, after the dust settled, he kind of liked it. He really likes being a dad. It took some getting used to with Chase, and now it’s just gone. She says, then he hasn’t lost anything. They’re still a family. He says he knows. He gets his annoying kid brother back. She says he’s a good dad. Every attribute he praises Gregory for, she sees in him. He’s just as compassionate and caring. He says, eloquent, not so much, and she says, in his own way. But wisdom comes with experience, right? Now that he knows what it’s like to lose a son, maybe he knows what Gregory felt like when Finn pushed him away. Now he can make things better. He says she’s trying to cheer him up, and she asks if it’s working. He says he thinks he’ll go check on his kid brother. He thanks her, and leaves.

Chase tells Gregory that he was finally getting used to the idea that Finn was… Gregory says he was coming around too. Finn has the makings of a great dad, just ask Violet. Chase says he’s glad to have the father he’s got. He sees that Finn has come in, and says, and the brother too.

Portia says she can tell Jordan that Curtis wouldn’t care if they went out for a drink, any more than Taggert would. Jordan is glad to hear that. She says she’d hate for the past to prevent them from being friends. Portia says she tries not to let the past define her future, and Jordan says she likes that (me too). She’ll have to keep that in mind. Portia says, please do, especially where Cyrus is involved. They’re finally free from him. They’re free; Jordan can let him go. Jordan asks if she wasn’t the one telling Portia to decompress. Now Portia is reminding her that she needs to do the same thing. That’s what she needs an insightful friend. Portia says she guesses that’s her. Maybe she could use one of those too. Taggert comes by, and says, what do we have here? Should his ears be burning? Portia says she doesn’t know. Is he on fire? He says, you know you all are talking about me, and they laugh, saying, you wish, at the same time.

Curtis says, this must be the night to be thanked; first Taggert, then Jason. He hands Jason a beer, and says, it’s really not necessary. Jason says Curtis did go into that house where Cyrus was holding Laura hostage. That took a lot of courage. Curtis says he wasn’t the only one willing to take a bullet that night, and Jason says, it was worth it to rid this town of Cyrus Renault. Curtis says, amen, and they clink beer bottles. After they each take a long sip, Jason says, owning a business comes with a lot of challenges. Let him know if there’s anything he can do to help. Curtis says he’s got this, and Jason says he has no doubt, but things change. Curtis asks if Jason knows something he doesn’t.

Nikolas tells Ava, he wants Avery to be safe just as much as she does, but if she thinks this is the end for them, she couldn’t be more wrong. She says, don’t do this. Don’t make himself somebody she has to fight. Did he hear a word she said? She said she couldn’t live if anything happened to Avery. So when he says they can face this together, that he’s not giving up on her, all she can hear is him saying he’s willing to bring danger to her child, and she will not have it. Nothing means more to her than Avery. Nothing. She will not risk Avery’s life. She will not risk provoking this madman. He wants them apart, he’s getting what he wants. Please leave while she still loves him, because if he tries to stay, she’ll do whatever it takes to be free of him. He picks up his bag, and walks to the door. He says, this is not forever, because he will never give up on her, on them, or on their family. She won’t look at him, and he leaves.

Portia tells Taggert to relax. She and Jordan have other things to talk about besides him. He says he finds it hard to believe, but if Portia is done, he’d like to take her out to dinner. She asks, who’s paying? and he says he is. He wants to talk to her about this. He shows her the invite to Trina’s graduation party, and she says, okay. Since he’s already invited – she takes the invitation out of his hand and gives it to Jordan – Jordan is more than welcome to come to Trina’s graduation party. Jordan thanks her, and Taggert says, be there or be square. Jordan says she thinks you have to be there to say that. Portia takes Taggert’s arm, and says, come on, dad. Walk her to her office, then take her to dinner because she’s starving. He asks if he said he was paying. Jordan’s phone dings, and it’s a text from Stella that says: So? You and Curtis?

Jason says he knows Curtis is going to make this place a success, but the more successful it is, it’s going to attract the best, and the worst of Port Charles. Curtis asks if Jason is offering protection, and Jason says he’s offering his friendship if Curtis ever needs it. Curtis thanks him, but says, as far as the business goes, he prefers to remain independent. Jason says, if his independence is ever threatened, Curtis knows where to find him. Curtis nods, Jason raises his empty bottle, puts it on the counter, and leaves.

Finn says, Chase’s vitals are strong, and he’s responding well. Thanks for making him look good. Chase says he made himself look good, show off. Finn says he’s just the guy who saved Chase’s butt so he could get back to his wife, but Chase says he’s more than that. Finn is his big brother, who he’s always going to love and respect. They shake hands bro style.

Gregory puts away his phone, and tells Elizabeth, Jackie says that Violet is thrilled and wants to see her uncle. Elizabeth bets she does. Her dad will have to bring her by. Finn comes out, and Gregory asks how it went. Finn says better than he could have hoped. Gregory says he knows how hard this was for Finn, because he knows what Chase has come to mean to him. Finn says, yeah, and starts to walk away, but Gregory pulls him back into a hug.

Maxie says she thought Brook told her the only way to protect her daughter was to stay away from her. Now Brook is saying she doesn’t have to. Brook says she’s still working out the details; just trust her. Maxie asks if she has a choice, and Brook says, no, and drags her back into the house. Maxie asks what Anna is doing there, and Brook says, Maxie brought Bailey a present. Anna says, she’s beautiful, and congratulates Brook. She apologizes for the late intrusion, but needed to speak to Valentin. She’s on her way out now. Valentin says Yuri will take good care of Brook, Bailey, and Charlotte while they’re gone. Brook asks where he’s going, and he says he and Anna are going to Pawtuck. Brook says, why go there? and Anna says, evidence. Maxie says, why? The police already searched the house and the woods. Valentin says, there may be something they missed, and Anna says, something that could lead them to Peter. And Maxie’s baby. Maxie and Brook look at each other.

Tomorrow, Brando and Sasha have their official first date, Brook tells Willow and Michael that they need to nip these lies in the bud, Elizabeth says there’s something she and Carly need to settle, and Britt tells Jason that she’s not putting it off one more day.   

The Haves and The Have Nots

At the restaurant, Benny breaks a beer bottle on the table, and whacks Sandy in the head. They fight, and Rianna keeps yelling for them to stop, but nobody moves. Everyone just watches as Benny beats the crap out of Sandy. Rianna grabs Benny, trying to pull him off, but Benny pushes her back, and she ends up on the floor. Benny goes to check on her, and Sandy breaks a chair over Benny’s back. He says Benny is a dead man, and tells Rianna, come on. She says she’s not going with him, but he keeps pulling at her. Benny tells Sandy to leave her alone, and Sandy asks if this is what she wants. Benny says she already told him, and Sandy says, then take her weasel ass out of there. Sandy walks off, and Rianna says Benny doesn’t know what he did. Benny says he knows he beat Sandy’s punk ass. Sandy takes his weasel ass out of there, and Benny asks if Rianna is okay. She says he shouldn’t have done that, but he says he wasn’t going to let Sandy hurt her. She says Benny doesn’t know her, and doesn’t know Sandy’s family. Benny says he knows Sandy’s family; he’s friends with Sandy’s brother Mitch. She insists Benny doesn’t know them. Mitch and Sandy almost killed the last guy she dated. He says he can take care of himself, and she says he’s a fool.  

Benny asks again if Rianna is okay, and she says, no. He says he’s sorry, and she says she wishes he hadn’t done that. He suggests they go, but she says she’s not going anywhere with him. He says, Sandy might be out there waiting for her, but she says, Sandy could be waiting for Benny. Benny asks if she just lets Sandy talk to her like that; it ain’t right. She asks why he’s doing this, and he says he has a sister and a mother, and he loves them both. He’s not going to sit there, and let that go down. She says, it’s going to be bad, but he says he can handle it. She says he can’t, and he says he’s sorry. She says she’s sorry for him. She has to go. She grabs her bag, and jets, Benny calling after her.

Conley phones Candance, telling her that he’s a senator. She says she doesn’t know who he is or why he’s calling. He says he’s calling on behalf of Charles, and she says he has the wrong number. He says he’s willing to sit down and meet with her, and he says, about what? He says, Charles and how much he loves her. She asks if Charles put him up to it, but he says, no. He’s an old time friend. She tells him not to call her. She doesn’t want to talk to Charles or his friends. Conley says, please, just 15 minutes, but Candance says she doesn’t want to talk. He says he’ll meet her anywhere, and she says she’s going to ask one more time; did Charles put him up to this? He insists Charles didn’t, and says he believes it will be worth her while. He’s on his way. She says, goodbye, and hangs up.

Candace says Mitch is like a girl getting ready, and Mitch says he has to make his hair look right. She says if he hadn’t taken off his clothes… and he says he knows. But she knows how she is. Back in the day, she wanted him in bed, naked, and ready. She says, it’s not back in the day, and he says he realizes that; he’s sorry. Candace says, for what? and he says, wanting her. She says every guy does, and he says he knows she’s got that President dude acting crazy. She says she doesn’t want to talk about him, and Mitch tells her, he’s just saying it’s his loss. She asks if they can go. She’s hungry. Mitch’s phone rings, and he says it’s his brother. It’s the fourth time he’s called. It ain’t gonna be good. Sandy tells Mitch that Vinnie wants to see him, now, but Sandy’s got to talk to him. He’s going to kill that Black kid Benny. He went out with Rianna. Mitch says Sandy isn’t with her anymore, and Sandy says they got into a fight at a restaurant, and Benny hit him with a bottle. Mitch asks where he is, and Sandy says, the hospital. Mitch asks if he’s called Vinnie, but he says, not yet. Mitch says, don’t, but Sandy says, hell no; he’s calling. Mitch says, do not, and Sandy says he wants that son of a bitch dead. Mitch asks if Sandy is at St. Claude’s, and tells him not to do anything stupid. He’s coming there. Don’t call. Sandy says Mitch has 20 minutes, and Mitch says he’s on his way. Candace asks what that was about, and Mitch says he’ll be back. She asks if it’s bad, and he says, yeah. She says she’ll order delivery, and he says, okay, suggesting that she just stay in. And call Benny. Have him come home right now; tell him Mitch said to. Benny walks in, and asks, what’s going on? Mitch asks what the hell Benny has gotten himself into. Benny says he can explain, but Mitch doesn’t think Benny can explain this, and leaves. Candace asks, what’s going on? and Benny says, the realtor. Apparently, she’s Sandy’s girlfriend. She asks, what happened? and Benny says Sandy came at him, and he beat his bitch ass. Candace says, this is bad, and Benny says he knows, but Candace says he doesn’t. Benny tells her, everyone keeps saying that, but he knows the family. She says he doesn’t know them, and Benny says, sh*t.  

The guard tells Kathryn that she has a visitor, and she goes with him. Don is in the visiting room, and she asks why he’s there. He says he wanted to speak to her, and she tells him, speak to Hanna. He says he hasn’t been able to reach Hanna, and he needs answers. Kathryn tells him to give her his phone, and calls Hanna. Hanna picks up, and Kathryn asks if Hanna has gotten any calls from her accountant Don. Hanna says, no, and she has no missed calls. Kathryn needs to talk to her husband. Kathryn asks what he did, and Hanna says, he’s not happy. Kathryn says she knows, and Hanna says she’s got go back to the house. She’s worried Jim is there. Kathryn tells her to work from her own house, and Hanna laughs, saying, Jim is mad as hell. Kathryn says she knew he would be. Hanna wonders if that’s why Kathryn put her in charge, but Kathryn says Hanna knows she doesn’t trust Jim, for good reason. Hanna says she’ll try to go over there, and do what she’s supposed to do, and Kathryn tells her, do what she doesn’t best. Hanna says, she’ll hurt that man, and Kathryn says, do it for her. Kathryn hands Don’s phone back to him, and says she reached Hanna… with his phone. He says he had to try, and she says he was lying his ass off. Why is he really there. He says, Jim wanted him to ask… and she says she’s not giving him power-of-attorney. He says, with all due respect, that woman knows nothing about banking, finance, and money, and her husband does. Kathryn says, then teach her. That’s what she’s paying him for. He says he can do that, but he can’t make the decisions. He wants her to reconsider giving him and Jim power-of-attorney. They could put in a third party. She says, so he wants her to give him, her accountant, and Jim, the bastard, power over her money. Does he think she’s stupid? He says, no, but giving power-of-attorney to… She says, a maid? He thinks that’s stupid? He says he doesn’t think it’s stupid, but he wants her to just reconsider. She says, why doesn’t he consider this? She had cancer, and her husband didn’t even know. Hanna nursed her back to health better than a mother. Hanna had the chance to take millions, but she didn’t. When she needed someone, Hann was there. When she lied to Hanna, Hanna forgave her. Now that she’s in this position, there’s no one else she trusts in her life other than Hanna. Not him, not her lawyer, and damn sure not her husband. Does he understand? He says he does, and she asks if they’re clear. He says, they are, and she says, so they’re not going to have this conversation again, are they? He says he’s got it, and Kathryn calls for the guard to take her back to her cell.

A dude who looks like he should be going to Princeton instead of guarding a house, tells Jeffrey that Tanner is there for him. Jeffrey says he’ll go out, and meets Tanner in the driveway. Tanner says Justin had something for Jeffrey and he should have brought it, but Jeffrey says, don’t. Tanner wonders if he can ask Jeffery something; what was Justin like? Jeffrey says Tanner was his brother, but Tanner says, what was he really like? There were things he knew, but nothing private. Jeffrey says Tanner told him Justin used to tell him a lot, but Tanner says he’s sure Justin told Jeffrey more. Jeffrey says he doesn’t know what Tanner wants to know, and Tanner says, the sex. What was it like? Did they like to dress up, or… Jeffrey says he thinks that’s something Justin should have told him, and Tanner says, sorry. Jeffrey knew Justin so well, and he didn’t know Justin at all. Jeffrey says, no, he didn’t. Justin didn’t have HIV. Tanner says, so he lied, and asks if Jeffrey has it. Jeffrey says he doesn’t, and Tanner says, sorry. He must have scared Jeffrey. Jeffrey says he didn’t, and Tanner asks if Jeffrey is coming to the service. Jeffrey says he doesn’t think so, and Tanner says he should. The family would love it. Jeffrey says Tanner’s mother wouldn’t, and I swear they had this same conversation before. Jeffrey says Tanner is a lot like his brother, and Tanner asks, how so? Jeffrey says Justin wouldn’t take no for answer either, and Tanner says, he’s sorry, but he’s not like his brother at all. He’s not into guys. Jeffrey says, Justin would have said the same thing, and Tanner asks if Jeffrey thinks he’s queer. Jeffrey says, interesting choice of words, and Tanner says he meant gay. Jeffrey says he thinks Tanner should make his brother the main priority, and be with his family. Tanner says he’ll bring the package by, but Jeffrey says there’s no need. David pulls up as Tanner drives away. He asks, who was that? and Jeffrey says, no one. They go inside.  

Madison stitches Sandy up, and Sandy says he’s going to kill that son of a bitch. Madison says if Sandy keeps talking like that, he’ll have to report it to the police. Sandy says he doesn’t give a damn. That Black son of a bitch… Madison says, sir, and Sandy says, just fix his face. Madison says Sandy is working on a hate crime, and Sandy says, ouch! accusing Madison of hurting him on purpose. Madison says he needs more sutures, and Sandy says, if it leaves a scar… Madison says, it will be minor, but Sandy says, minor is too much. Madison says he’ll be back, and leaves. Mitch comes in, and Sandy says, don’t hate him. Look at what Benny did. He’s going to kill that son of a bitch. Mitch says he can’t do that, and Sandy says, why not? Mitch says because of his sister; he’s under Uncle Vinnie and Grandma Rose’s protection. Sandy says, not after Vinnie sees this. Vinnie is going to be pissed. Does Mitch think Benny will be protected? Mitch lied, and they want to see him. Mitch asks what Sandy is talking about, and Sandy says he’s going to the bar and telling them. The hell with Mitch. He wants that kid dead, and so will they. Mitch goes out into the hallway, and calls Benny. He asks where Benny is, and Benny says, the hotel room. Mitch tells him not to leave the hotel; he means it. Benny says he’s sorry, and Mitch tells him, save it right now.

Wyatt calls for a nurse, and messes with the sides of the bed, trying to figure out how to escape. Madison comes in, and tells Wyatt to stop pressing the button. Wyatt says he’s sorry, and Madison says, save that. Wyatt tells Madison, look at how they have him, and Madison says, that’s what he gets when he throws piss at someone. Wyatt says, it was water. At least loosen his wrists up. Madison says he’s not doing that, and Wyatt says Madison won’t give him pills and won’t untie him. What does he do there? Anything? How is he supposed to go to the bathroom? Madison says he has a cup, and Madison says, give it to him. When Madison gets close enough, Wyatt gets Madison in a headlock using his legs, and says, untie him. Madison undoes one wrist, and says he can’t breathe. Wyatt says if Madison struggles, he’ll make it harder. Untie the other one. Madison unties Wyatt’s other wrist, and Wyatt does the Vulcan death leg grip, saying, it’s okay, don’t fight it. Madison slides to the floor, unconscious, and I wonder where Wyatt learned this. Prison? Wyatt gets out of bed, and removes Madison’s uniform, saying, he’s a big son of a bitch (WOTD). He puts on Madison’s clothes, which seem to fit perfectly, so I guess Wyatt is a big SOB too. When Wyatt gets to Madison’s pants, he says, whoa. No underwear. He walks down the hall, checking rooms until he finds where the drug stash is. He unlocks the door, and shoves a bunch of bottles in his pockets, like this would be unobtrusive. He goes back out, and no one notices. They must use the same security company as General Hospital.

Don goes to see Jim, and Jim asks how it went. Don says Kathryn’s not budging. What does Jim want him to do? Jim says, nothing; go. Don leaves, and Jim takes out his phone. He calls a guy sitting in a car outside Veronica’s house. He says, do him a favor. There’s a girl named Diamond or Dallas or something. He needs her to scare his wife. Could Jim possibly be more vague? Dude says Jim’s wife is in jail, and Jim says he knows. Dude needs to find this girl, and have her arrested. He’ll arrange for her to be put in the same cell as his wife. He wants her to scare Kathryn. Scare, not hurt. Dude says he’ll let Jim know when he finds her; he’ll get the guys on it. I wonder if the guys are psychic, since Jim didn’t even pinpoint a name. Jim asks, how much more time for that Veronica bitch, and dude says he’s waiting for the right time. Jim says, don’t wait too long. Let him know when it’s done. Dude calls someone, and says he needs to have a woman found and brought to him. The rest will be taken care of. Veronica’s French thug, whose name I don’t remember, gets in the passenger side of the car. Dude asks, who the hell is he? and French thug says, it doesn’t matter. This is a dangerous game; drive. Dude starts the car.

French thug calls Veronica, and says she’s clear. She sees the car go by, and says, okay. Thank you.  She calls to Laura, saying she’s going out for bit, and drives off.

There’s a knock at Veronica’s door, and Laura answers, letting Samuel in. He says she’s still wearing Veronica’s clothes, but she looks good. She says she’s got Veronica’s account numbers, but she’s looking for Veronica’s social security. Samuel asks if she’s forgetting the house on Astin, and she says, that old bitch was watching her every move. He says, she got busted, and she says, he got greedy. He asks if she thinks Veronica will check her background, and she says she checked Laura’s background, but not her real name. Three weeks ago, she tried to tell Veronica a story about her mom, and Veronica shut her down. He said he told Veronica their son was killed in a robbery. She asks if Veronica believed him, and he says, every moment. She says, maybe he should talk to Veronica, and he says Laura knows Veronica tried to get him into bed. Laura says, let her. Maybe she’ll feel better. He asks if he’s her prostitute now, and she says she’s his pimp. He says he’ll be in the bed waiting when Veronica gets home, and she says she’ll break his neck. He says, there she is, and she says he belongs to her. He says he’s got an idea. They’ll go upstairs, and do it in Veronica’s bed. She says she doesn’t think so. Veronica might come back, and she’s not going to risk losing the money. They exchange I love yous, and he leaves.

Wyatt goes to his old loft, and dumps all the drugs on the table. A girl walks in, and he asks if this is a free-for-all. She says she likes that. She obviously knows him, but I have no clue who she is. She says he has pills, but he says he’s not sharing. She says they always share, and holds out her hand. He gives her a pill, and she asks where he got them. He says, the hospital, and she says, it’s strong stuff. Can he get more? He asks if she’s got money, but she says she has something else. He says he doesn’t want anything else, and she says, just a few. He gives them to her, and she says, this is opium. He’s got to be careful. He asks what she knows, and she says she knows it’s deadly. He tells her to shut up. She asks if she can have some for Heather, and he asks if he looks like a dispensary. She says she heard he shot his father, and his father lived. He says, unfortunately, and she asks what it’s like. He says, what kind of a question is that? and she says she’s heard about it from people, but she never met anyone who shot someone. He tells her, shut the hell up. Does she have any drugs? She says she doesn’t, and he says, get the hell out. She’s useless to him. She calls him a d-bag, and leaves. Miraculously, a plate with lines of coke has appeared, and as Wyatt is about to do one, Roderick (I think that’s his name) walks in. He asks who the hell Wyatt is, and Wyatt asks who the hell Roderick is. Roderick says he’s the owner of this place, and he’s calling the police. Wyatt tells him, go ahead, and Roderick asks if she promised this place to him too. Wyatt asks who he’s talking about, and Roderick says, he knows she’s playing him. Wyatt asks again who he is, but Roderick says, it’s cool. He’ll just get his stuff and go. Hey. That’s his coke. Wyatt says, not anymore, and Roderick says Wyatt should go. Wyatt says he’s not playing, and Roderick asks who the hell he is. He say, Wyatt Cryer, and Roderick says, Cryer?   

Roderick says, Wyatt is her son? Kathryn is his mother? Damn. Wyatt asks who Roderick is, and Roderick says he works at the hotel. Wyatt asks what he’s doing there, and Roderick says Kathryn told him that he could stay there while he’s in between places. Wyatt says, hold up. Is he the Latin lover she was talking to? Roderick says, sorry, what? and Wyatt says, it’s disgusting, and Roderick says he’ll just get this things and go. Wyatt says, hold on. His mother isn’t taking care of Roderick, is she? Roderick says Wyatt should talk to her, but Wyatt says he’s talk to him, and he’s lying. He doesn’t care. His parents hate each other. He asks where Roderick got the coke, and Roderick says, a friend. Wyatt asks if he can get more, and Roderick asks if Wyatt has money. Wyatt says, of course; look at this place. Roderick looks at the pill bottles, and says, Xanax, oxycontin, morphine; it’s good sh*t. What did Wyatt do? Rob a nurse? Wyatt says, something like that, and Roderick says, be careful with that stuff. Wyatt says he’ll let Roderick stay if he gets some blow, and Roderick agrees. He starts to leave, and Wyatt says, whoa. Are those his car keys? Roderick says, Kathryn told him that he could drive Wyatt’s car while he’s there. Wyatt says Roderick is screwing his mother, and she’s old. He guesses Roderick is just doing what he’s got to do. He tells Roderick, hurry back. They’ll get along just fine. Roderick leaves, and Wyatt shoves a load of pills in his mouth. I’m pretty sure the amount would kill him in real life, especially since he hasn’t had anything for ages.   

Celine sits on the porch of Kathryn’s house, and hears Jim on the phone inside, saying, there’s got to be a way to get the damn thing done. He’ll call back. He comes out, and asks what the hell Celine is doing there. She says she’s waiting to talk to him, and he says, it’s private property; she’s trespassing. She says she knows, and he says he’ll call the police. She says, okay, do that, and he asks what the hell is the matter with her? She says she’s about to be put out of her apartment. She can’t pay their son’s tuition to private school. He says he doesn’t care, and she says he only cares about that junkie in the hospital. He says, that’s his junkie in the hospital, and she says these are his children too. He’s done nothing for them. Veronica pulls into the driveway, and he asks what the hell she wants. She walks to the porch, manila envelope in hand. She says, hello, Jimmy, and he asks what she wants. She says hello to Celine, and asks how she is. Are things any better? Celine says, no, they’re not, and Veronica says, they’re about to get better. Celine thanks her, and Jim asks what Veronica wants. Veronica takes a paper out of the envelope, and says, this is a court order. He has 24-hours to give Celine $50K in emergency funds. He snatches it from her, asking who the hell signed it. She says, Judge Nadine, and he says that judge hates him. She says that judge loves her, and Jim says that’s because she screwed him. Veronica says, a few times, and he says, whore. She thanks him, saying she appreciates that. He says now get off his property, and she says, this is Kathryn’s tacky-ass property, and he should be in there writing her a check. He says he’s not writing anything, and she says, then he’ll go to jail. He asks if she knows how close to death she is at this moment, and she says, as close as he is.

He asks Celine if she’s sure she wants to go through with this. She must realize it’s not in her best interest… Celine says she doesn’t care. She needs money. He says, people in hell need ice water. She should be in jail after what she did. Veronica asks what Celine did, and he says, she killed Amanda.

Celine calls Jim the devil, Kathryn accuses Roderick of having women over, Connolly says Candance is the shark Charles needs, and Sandy wants benny dead.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht – The Reunion – Part Two

We backtracked a little, with Andy saying a viewer wondered why Alli and Gary kept making out in front of Sydney. Gary said it was a weird situation since Sydney had feelings for him, he had feelings for Alli, and Alli didn’t return his feelings. Alli took issue with that, saying it hadn’t been easy for her, and it was awkward working with Gary every day. It wasn’t fair, and not true. Gary mumbled that he had more feelings for Alli than she did for him, and Alli said she was the only one doing the right thing. No one had respect for that. She’s a human being and has compassion. A viewer asked if Alli thought she broke girl code by getting together with Gary, and Alli said she had her reasons. Daisy laughed, and Alli suggested Andy ask Sydney. Sydney said she wasn’t sure what Alli was talking about, but a lot of things weren’t indicative of who she is. She was feeling rejected and jealous; everyone has insecurities. She felt bad, lashed out, and hates herself for it. Alli said that wasn’t it. Gary had a girlfriend when they came on board, and Sydney slept with him anyway. Alli was hurt by what she saw on the show, and had gotten no apology. Sydney hadn’t contacted her, and there was no one-on-one sorry, when Sydney had hurt her feelings. Sydney admitted she hadn’t reached out, and said she’d been dealing with personal trauma in her own way, realizing who she is and how to navigate herself. Alli thought Sydney had been insincere. She’d embarrassed Alli and herself. Alli said she wasn’t trying to rub it in, but if Sydney was sincere, she would have approached Alli one-on-one, not wait for the reunion. Andy asked Gary if he had a girlfriend, and Gary said he was in a complicated relationship (groan), and they hadn’t seen each other in 8 months. They’d grown apart, and it was his only regret. Daisy said they didn’t know his girlfriend’s perspective, and she might have seen their relationship differently. Gary said they hadn’t spoken in two weeks, and then he had to tell her about Sydney. He’d sent a message that he’d kissed his deckhand, hoping she thought it was a dude. Glenn said, nice try, and Andy said Gary could have saved a lot of drama if he’d hooked up with JL, but Gary said he had no stepladder on board. Andy asked if Sydney was seeing anyone, and she said she had a partner; they’d been together five months. Andy asked about his reaction to the show, and Sydney said he knew it was in the past, and that’s that. He’s the captain of the boat she’s on now. He’d been supportive, and cared about her. He had her back no matter what. Andy asked about Alli’s status, and she said she had a boyfriend. They were moving in together, and about to sign a lease on a house. She was going to be living the land life. He asked if she had any other updates, and she laughed, saying, they’re having a baby. Everyone applauded, but Gary looked sad, or mad, or both. Alli said it was scary, but exciting, and Andy said it was a fertile crew. He asked if Gary had known, and Gary said, no, but he was happy for her. She said her boyfriend treated her like a princess, and if she was happy, he was happy. Daisy looked kind of disgusted.

Andy asked if Alli and Gary rekindled things on the crossing, and Gary said they built their relationship, and became a couple until they got to Palma and Alli left for Australia. They’d known it was inevitable, and in the back of their minds, they knew never it could never seriously work, regardless of their great chemistry. Viewer Trisha P. asked if Colin’s opinion of Gary changed when he said he was going to have sex with Sydney to get Alli’s attention, but Colin said, no. They were good mates. Gary didn’t want to take his advice, but was still his boy. Viewer Lauran B. asked if Colin thought Gary would have been a better manager if he hadn’t been distracted by the love triangle, but Colin said he agreed with Glenn that Gary was exceptional. Andy asked if Alli and Sydney felt like they’d gotten closure, and Alli said, no. Sydney said she thought they’d never really have complete closure. A lot had happened to what could have been a beautiful friendship. She was sorry for what could have been. Gary started chewing on the cord to his earpiece, which was bizarre. Alli said she didn’t think Sydney was a bad person, and Andy said he was in agreement, so he was leaving it there. Gary said, everybody loves everybody, and Daisy said something unintelligible, prompting Andy to ask how many bottles of wine she’d had. She told him, stop being jealous.

Andy moved on to the MVPs of PDA, despite their differences in age and height, and an STD scare. We flashed back to JL and Dani’s boatmance. Dani looked sad and embarrassed. Andy told her congrats, and asked how she was feeling. She said, obviously, her pregnancy was unplanned, but she was happy. Andy asked what happened with her and JL after the season, and she said they hung out for a couple of days. She’d kept trying to tell him throughout the whole season that it wouldn’t work. She lived in Australia, and wasn’t moving, and she wasn’t going to ask him to move. She tried to convince him that it wouldn’t work, and he tried to convince her that it would. Andy asked her relationship status, and she said she was single. Viewer Ally W. asked if the crew was surprised at how things turned out for Dani, and Daisy said she was shocked; it took a few days to digest. Then Andy asked the question on everybody’s mind; was JL the father of Dani’s baby? She said, let her put it this way. She’d only slept with one guy during the season. Andy asked for JL’s reaction, and she said he thought it wasn’t his, and didn’t want to have anything to do with it. In the beginning, she found out when she was in quarantine. She’d just gotten back to Sydney (Australia, not the deckhand), and she was alone. When she told him, it was a big shock, but he seemed supportive, and said he’d support whatever she decided to do. Then things changed around December; he wasn’t interested anymore. On January 1st, she got a message not to go around telling people that he was the dad, and he wanted a DNA test. She has receipts. She told him that he’d have to pay for it, since it was expensive, then his mom made a horrible comment online. Someone said it was gross that JL would abandon the mother of his child, and his mother said what was gross was a woman who uses a man because she’s desperate to be a mom. She didn’t want his family involved in her child’s life. She was getting mean comments that she should have had an abortion. She said she’s very pro-choice, and felt every woman should do what’s best for her, but she wouldn’t be able to do that. She also wouldn’t move to have a child with a boy she barely knew. She was going with it now, and knew she was having a girl. (She’s since given birth. This was filmed a while ago.) She was sure her baby girl was going to be amazing, and she’d do her best to give her baby everything she needs. Andy said Dani was going to be an incredible mom. She was happy she was having a girl, since she wouldn’t know what to do with a boy. Andy asked Alli about her reaction, but she said she’d known for a while. Dani was working 12-hour days, and getting herself prepared. She thought it was disgusting and frustrating that JL wouldn’t acknowledge the baby. Her heart was breaking, but she thought Dani was strong and could do this without him. She’d actually be better off. Gary said JL had no spine. The little respect he’d had for JL was out the window. He knew Dani would be the best mom ever. His own dad chose not be there, and he learned not to be like that; JL was a prime example. Dani said she wished JL was there to defend himself or say what he thought. She didn’t think it was fair that he wasn’t able to give his side. Andy said, to be fair to Dani, she didn’t have an ax to grind or a bomb to drop; she was just answering questions.

Andy asked if Glenn had any final thoughts, and Glenn said he’d had a great time with them. There had been conflict and indecision going on, but their positive energy was amazing. He wasn’t disappointed. And with that, Andy said, goodbye to the crew.

Five days after the reunion recorded, JL found time out of his busy schedule to talk to Andy.

Andy said they’d tracked JL down, and he was there now. He asked why JL couldn’t join them for the reunion, and he said he’d wanted to be there, but he’d been on charter. It was the primary’s daughter’s birthday, and the biggest day, so he couldn’t take the time off. Andy asked what the biggest professional lesson was JL learned, and JL said, do not get intimate with any of the crew. Andy asked what the status of his and Dani’s relationship was today, and he said it was uncertain. They’d definitely talked a little, but not as much as they should have. There were things to be questioned, and they had questions for each other. (Huh?) He said they were trying to be adults, and Andy said, a lot of viewers were asking if JL was the father of Dani’s baby. What did he have to say to that? JL acted like he didn’t know this was coming, and said Andy was going to make him do this now? He’d asked for a paternity test, and had gotten backlash. He thought it was understandable, but he was 24, and didn’t have much relationship experience. Dani took it poorly, but he understood why. He said he apologized, but the paternity test was just for his peace of mind. If the child was his, he abso-effing-lutely wanted to be a part of its life. He didn’t know where him saying he didn’t want to came from, and people were telling him they’d heard he wanted nothing to do with the baby. It was tearing him up, since he wanted everything to do with it if it was his. Andy said he was happy to hear it, but why not take the DNA test. JL said money wasn’t the issue, and he’d even reached out to Dani’s doctor’s office. He didn’t want to go the lawyer route, and wanted them to work together. It all sounded a little vague. Andy told him the baby was a girl, and JL said he wanted to be there for the birth. He’d been told a date, but wasn’t sharing it because Dani hadn’t. Andy rolled the video, of the crew’s reactions, and JL acted all hurt and upset, but who knows? Andy asked for JL’s reaction, but he said he was lost for words. Andy asked if he felt misrepresented, but JL told him, most of what Dani said was correct. Andy asked about his family’s reaction, and JL said his mother was initially excited, but confused, since she’d always told him to wear protection. She wants him to be happy, but she’s trying to protect him. He told her that she needed to realize what she was saying, and that it might not be true. Andy asked if he thought Dani used him, and he told Andy that his mother said that out of anger. He didn’t agree, and told her to delete it. He said she can’t be doing that; it puts him in a bad light. Andy said it seemed like his mom should help out to facilitate test, and JL said they’d know as soon as the baby was born. Yeah. If the baby is like three feet tall at birth, it’s definitely his.

Andy asked if JL was still in touch with any of the crew. Their reaction to his behavior had been damning. JL said none of them liked him, but he was cool with that. Everyone has an opinion, and they’d only seen one side. Now everyone thought he was a POS; he saw their faces, and they were judging him. He wished them the best, but didn’t care what they thought. Andy asked if there was anything JL wanted to tell them, since he hadn’t been at the Reunion, and JL asked to see the clip again. Andy ran it, and asked if it was worse the second time. JL said he’d paid more attention, and yeah, the looks on people’s faces. Andy said he’d been doing this a long time, and talked to a lot of people about uncomfortable situations, and it’s notable that Dani said she’d wished he was there to give his side. She hadn’t come to attack him, and Andy thought JL should take that to heart, especially since he said pretty much everything Dani told them was true.

Andy told JL that now was the time for him and Dani to communicate and figure it out. He might regret if he didn’t. He asked if there was anything else JL wanted to say, and JL said, don’t judge a book by its cover. He understood how he was being perceived, and wanted them to know that if this is his child, he wants everything to do with it. He even thought about moving to Australia. A lot of scenarios were running through his mind; every possible avenue to Dani. What they’d had on the show was real. He was sorry they were where they are now, and most of it was his fault. Maybe because he’s the boy Dani said he was, but he wants to be there for her. He’ll understand if she doesn’t want to have anything to do with him because he wanted the tests. He’ll get over that, but he’d never get over not being there if this is his child. He needed her to know that he supported her decisions, and still does. He hoped they could co-parent, and have respect for one another. He was sorry things happened the way they did.

Andy told JL to remember what he’d said, write it down, and send it to Dani, so they could resolve this. She needed to hear it directly from him. Andy said he appreciated JL talk to him. He was happy to hear what JL had to say.

The end text said Dani’s daughter Lilly, was born on May 26th, 2021. Dani and JL had yet to speak with each other.

🧯 It Could Be Worse…

If I hurry, I can make it to bed before daylight. So until we meet for soap and diamonds, stay safe, stay assiduous, and stay keeping your mother from making comments about your possible baby mama on social media. At least until you know the test results.

June 15, 2021 – Maxie Wonders Who Mike Is, Sandy Interrupts Benny’s Date, Miss New York 1970 & Falling

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason puts a gun in the back of his waistband. He puts on his jacket, on goes out.

Sonny asks why Phyllis is working on the books at this time of night. Why doesn’t she do it in the morning? She says, it’s finally good news. Since Elijah was arrested, business has picked up. He asks where Lenny is, and she says she suggested Lenny turn in early, and for once, the stubborn old fool agreed to take care of himself. She thanks Mike/Sonny for talking some sense into her husband. If it wasn’t for Sonny, Lenny would still be hiding his condition from her. Sonny says Lenny didn’t want her to worry, and she says she’s glad Sonny is around. She hopes he doesn’t mind her thinking of him as family. He says he’s honored. He doesn’t have any family. They hug, and she says she doesn’t know what she’d do without him. She guesses she’ll have to figure it out.

Nina goes to Maxie’s place, and says, she’s so sorry. How awful. She hugs Maxie, and Maxie says, Nina being home is the first good news she’s had in a long time. Nina says she’ll do anything she can to help find the baby, but Maxie says, Anna and Mac are looking; so is Sam. Nina asks what she can do; name it. Maxie’s phone rings, and she says, it’s Sam; she should probably take it. Nina says, of course (🍷). She’ll check on James, and take some pictures. Maxie asks Sam, what’s up? and Sam says she’s at the country house the fake nurse brought Maxie to. Maxie says she didn’t have to go there. The Pawtuck police searched it. And isn’t it kind of late? Doesn’t Sam have kids to go home to? Sam says Kristina is watching the kids, and she’s prepared to spend the night. Sam isn’t going to rest until she finds out what happened.

Ned sits on the terrace, when Olivia comes out. She says, that’s where he wandered off to. She thought he left without saying goodbye. He asks if that would have bothered her, and she says, yeah. He says, good to know, and she sits with him. She wonders what the brand new grandpa is doing out there, and he says he was thinking about his own grandparents. They were always excited when a new baby was born into the family. He thinks they had something to do with Brook having a happy, healthy baby.

Valentin sees Brook with a drink, and says, bourbon? Is she all right? She says, no, and he asks, what happened? She says, Chase is terminal. He’s going to die.

Willow tells Michael that Chase asked her to marry him, and she said yes. He says, what? and she says, Chase is dying. He asks if she’s sure. He knows Chase had a bad reaction… She says he told her himself, and Finn confirmed it. They’re going to lose him. He hugs her.  

Sam looks around, and Dante comes in. He asks what the hell she’s doing there, and she says she has a better question. What took him so long? He says he knows it’s hard to believe, but he has other cases. Why is she there? She says she’s focusing on finding Louise for Maxie, and nothing else.

Ava sips a martini at the MetroCourt bar with Nikolas. She says, the bright side of their temporary stay at the MetroCourt is that they have access to the bar. No one makes a dirty martini like they do. Does he think it would be wise if they took Dante’s advice? He says, they agreed. There’s no way they’re breaking up.

Jason comes into the MetroCourt, and tells Carly, it’s good to be a free man. His phone rings, and she says, business? He says, yeah, and she asks if it’s anything she should know. Everything went through her when he was gone. He says he’s back, and she says she understands. Britt comes in smiles at Jason.

Carly tells Britt, welcome back, and Jason asks, how’s the hospital? Britt says, everyone is in a party mood. Cyrus was under guard, and going to Federal prison. Carly thanks her for saving Jason, and Britt says, it was only fair. He’d just saved her from Cyrus. Carly says, Cyrus won’t hurt anyone anymore, so Britt can sit back, relax, and focus on running the hospital without putting her life on the line. Jason asks if he can have a word with Britt, and they sit at a table together.

Ava says, Dante more than implied that Nikolas would be safer without her, but he says he doesn’t want a life without her. Being together is worth any risk. The bartender asks if they’d like another round, and Nikolas says, at the table. They leave the bar, and the bartender watches them. Ava has stupidly left her bag on the bar, and the bartender looks inside.

Dante says he doesn’t want to ask how Sam got in, and she says, that isn’t the point. The point is to find Louise. He says he went through the PCPD file, and it was thorough. She asks what he’s doing thee then, and he says he wanted to check it out, maybe meet the owner if they show up. She asks if he thinks the owner has something to do with Peter, but he doesn’t know. He’s going to ask that question. Austin walks in like he owns the place. Because he does.

Ned tells Olivia that he was planning on staying until Michael got there, but it’s getting late. He’ll come back in the morning, and catch Michael at breakfast. She says, don’t be silly. It’s going to rain. He can stay there.

Brook tells Valentin that Finn’s been working in the lab, but can’t find a cure. Finn doesn’t know how to react, so he’s just covering for the fact Chase is going to die. Valentin says, another life destroyed by Peter, and she says Peter knows better than to show his face there. He’d better stay far away from Maxie. But if he’s not found, Maxie will always be looking over her shoulder. It’s a horrible feeling, and Peter has cost Maxie so much already. She suddenly panics, and asks, where’s Bailey? He says she must be tired. He fed Bailey 40 minutes ago, and she’s sleeping. She says he’s good at the parenting thing, and he says it’s not his first child. She tells him, if she hasn’t said it before, she’s grateful for his help. He says she doesn’t have to keep thanking him. Bailey is his baby too.

Nina asks Maxie if there was any news, but Maxie says, no leads. Nina says, what about Peter? Are they safe? Maxie says she doesn’t know. Peter hasn’t been seen since she confronted him at the hospital. Nina says she’s hiring a security detail for Maxie, and Maxie says she loves Nina, and knows she’s trying to help, but she can’t talk about Peter or that psycho nurse anymore. She’s trying to be present for Georgie and James. If she thinks about it, it won’t help. Nina says she took some adorable pictures of James, and gives Maxie her phone. Maxie says she has to ask. What’s so attractive about Nixon Falls, Pennsylvania? When Nina left, saying she needed a break, Maxie thought she’d be gone for a few weeks. She’s been gone for months. What’s in Nixon Falls that caused her to stay away for so long?   

Sonny asks what Phyllis means by how will they get along without him when he’s gone? What makes her think he’s leaving? She says, one word; Nina. If Nina decides to stay in Port Charles, how long before he goes after her?  

Willow tells Michael, Jackie and Gregory are devastated, and Finn seems broken over the fact he hasn’t found a cure. Time is running out. All Chase wants is to be her husband for however long he has left. He deserves that, doesn’t he? Michael says, even if it’s a lie? Willow looks at him.

Britt thanks Jason for sending her mom to Canada, and says, it was very sweet. He says he didn’t want her to be alone, He hadn’t wanted to leave her with what she was going through. She says she keeps thinking about how Maxie is suffering, and it puts things in perspective. Right now, today, she’s fine; she’s great. She laughs, and says she just has to remind herself to stay in the moment. He asks how that’s working, and she says she knows she had a moment of weakness in the lighthouse, but it’s over now. What happened in Canada is in the past. Time to move on, right?

Ava tells Nikolas that she still thinks Ryan is behind everything, but supposes Dante could be right. Maybe it’s not Ryan. Maybe it’s one of Nikolas’s exes. The bartender comes over to the table with Ava’s bag, saying she left it at the bar, and she thanks him. Nikolas tells Ava that he doubts it. Elizabeth isn’t the stalking type. Ava says, interesting how his mind went straight to Elizabeth, and he says she’s his only ex in Port Charles. Ava says, no, she isn’t. There’s another one sitting over there. She looks at Britt.  

Olivia and Ned go inside, and Brook tells them that Valentin is checking on Bailey. Ned says Brook looks so sad. She’d mentioned she was going to the hospital to visit Chase. She says, it’s not going well, and he says he’s so sorry. He knows she and Chase are close. He hugs Brook, and Olivia says what Brook needs is a good night’s sleep. She just had a baby. Brook says, right, but Ned says, before she goes to bed, he has something to tell everyone. 

Phyllis tells Sonny that he and Nina had a connection, but he says he doesn’t think it was any more than that. She says, don’t let time and distance ruin it. She knows she misses Nina already, and can imagine how he feels. Did Nina get there okay? Has she seen her grandson? He doesn’t say anything, and Phyllis asks if he’s telling her that he hasn’t even called. Not even a text? He says he doesn’t want to be pushy, but she says she bets Nina would be thrilled to know he was thinking about her.

Nina tells Maxie, it’s not some big mystery. Nixon Falls is a cute little town, surrounded by countryside. It’s beautiful, and it felt comfortable, so she didn’t feel the need to travel further. Maxie says Nina grew up in Manhattan. She’s a city girl. What do they do that’s exciting there? Cow tipping? Nina says, it’s more than just farms, and she promises there are no cows on Phyllis’s street. Maxie says, that’s right. Phyllis is an old friend of Nina’s. It must be nice be somewhere new, and still know people. Nina’s phone rings, and Maxie asks, who’s Mike?

Austin tells Dante and Sam, he hopes it’s okay with them, but he owns this place. Dante introduces himself, and Austin asks if Sam is his partner, but Dante says, no. She’s a P.I. and a family friend. Sam asks his name, and he tells her. She asks if he’s the doctor who delivered Maxie’s baby, and he says that would be him. Sam says, and he happens to own the house where Maxie was held. Quite a coincidence. Austin says, not so much. He owns several properties in the area, and it’s been in the family forever. Do they think he had something to do with Maxie’s kidnapping? Sam says, no, but Dante says it’s an excellent point. Maxie was held there, and he delivered her baby; what are the odds? Austin says, big city slickers with big city suspicions. He hired management to take care of the property. He had no idea anyone was there. Dante says, they might have big city suspicions, but his name keeps popping up.

Jason says, he and Britt aren’t fugitives anymore. Things changed between them at the lighthouse. It wasn’t a one-off; at least not for him. She says, her neither. Thanks, Stone Cold. He says, Spinelli calls him that, but he’s trying to break Spinelli of the habit. Nikolas comes to their table and asks to talk to Britt, but Jason tells him that he’s interrupting.

Michael tells Willow, marriage is a big deal, and shouldn’t be based on a lie. He knows he sounds hypocritical (yes, he does), since they got married to improve their chances for custody of Wiley… Willow says, he told her it was wrong for the right reasons, and he says, now they’re stuck in this mess. It’s like they say; the road to hell is paved with good intentions. She asks if he’s saying he regrets falling in love with her.

Jason says, when Carly was trying to get Spinelli back, Nikolas almost blew the deal, but Nikolas says he’s not apologizing for protecting his wife. Besides, Cyrus was going to prison, and they all had a hand in it. Jason says, if Nikolas hadn’t been stupid and gotten caught, they might have gotten Cyrus sooner. The outcome had nothing to do with him. He tells Nikolas to stay out of his business, and Nikolas asks if he doesn’t mean Carly’s business.   

Nina says she’ll let it go to voicemail, and Maxie asks if she’s avoiding Mike no-last-name. Nina says, no, but she’s there to see Maxie, and doesn’t want to be rude. Maxie says she’s family; Nina can take the call in front of her. Unless she’s hiding something. Nina says she’s not. She and Mike talked before she left, and she’s sure it can wait. Maxie asks what Nina means by talk. Was it a special goodbye? Nina says, Mike is a bartender at the Tan-O, and a friend of Phyllis, who owns it. She met Mike when she first arrived. She thought she took the trip to do some healing, and never dreamed she’d connect with someone in this way. Maxie says, enough dodging. Tell her everything. James cries, and Maxie adds, after she checks on James. Call Mike back. Nina says Maxie is silly, and laughs. She checks to see that Maxie is gone, and grabs her phone. She calls Mike/Sonny back, and he says he’s glad she called back. Did he interrupt her visit? She says, no. She’s happy he called. He asks if she saw her grandson, and she says, earlier this evening. It was wonderful. He says he’s glad to hear that, but she sounds stressed. Is it tough to be back? She says, it’s harder than she thought it would be.

Dante tells Austin to remind him again how he happened on Maxie in the woods when she went into labor. Austin says he lives near there, and hikes in the woods every day. Sam says, at the exact same spot Maxie was at? and he asks if she doesn’t want to pretend to be the good cop. Dante says, Sam’s not a cop, but good question, and Austin didn’t answer. Austin says hiking centers him. He usually goes in the early afternoon, but he was helping a guy out. Dante says he had a busy day for a country doctor. He could have skipped the hike. Austin says he told them, he hikes every day. This is why he chose not to live in the city. With a high density population, he’s likely to run into a level of skepticism. If they’re Maxie’s friends, they should be celebrating that she ran into him, and happy that he’s a doctor. He doesn’t mean to boast, but he’s kind of the good guy in this story. Dante asks if that’s why there’s a hidden camera in the living room.   

Ned tells Brook that he’s called an emergency meeting of the ELQ Board. Now that she has her shares back, they can bounce Valentin as CEO. Valentin has come in, and asks if they’ve figured out who’s replacing him. Ned or Michael?

Michael says, falling in love with Willow is the best thing that could have happened to him. Never question that. She just surprised him, that’s all. She says she was surprised too. What does he think she should do? He says, what he wants her to do is the exact opposite of what she should do. He has to keep reminding himself that it’s not about them. It’s about what Chase needs. Willow says, Chase’s dying wish was to marry her. How can she possibly say no to that? He says, she can’t.

Valentin says he reckoned they would be holding a vote to replace him, and Ned says, the negotiation happened weeks ago. Valentin must have realized then that once they were in control, he’d be shown the door. Valentin says, it’s an emotional decision. A good CEO uses his head, not his feelings. ELQ thrived on his watch. Brook suggests they save it for the meeting, but Ned says ELQ was strong before Valentin’s coup. Valentin says, Michael was capable, but had to step down. Olivia says, enough.

Austin asks what camera Dante is talking about, and Dante points it out. Austin waves to the camera, and says he can only assume management put it there. He’s never seen it  before. Dust it for fingerprints; they won’t find his.  Dante’s phone rings, and Austin says he has nothing to do with Maxie’s kidnapping. The first time he saw her was when she was having a baby. Dante said he sent the footage to the station, and he’s waiting to hear back.

Jason asks if Nikolas is done. He still needs to talk to Britt alone. Nikolas says, her call, and she ask if she and Jason can’t finish their conversation later. Jason steps away, and Britt says she can’t imagine what she and Nikolas have to talk about. Is Spencer okay? He says, Spencer is fine. However, he heard her and Jason hid out on a Cassadine property; the game preserve. She asks if he’s hitting her up for rent, and he says he doesn’t care about the money. He’s surprised she still remembered the place. It’s been so long since they were a couple. Britt says, and…? and Nikolas asks what kind of game she’s playing. He and Ava have been receiving threatening packages.

Nina tells Sonny that she is stressed. She’s with her sister-in-law who just suffered a terrible tragedy. She’s giving her comfort, but it’s hard to see how devastated she is. He asks if there’s anything he can do, and she says, no, but thanks. He says, that’s a dumb question. How is he going to help someone he doesn’t know? She says, it’s not dumb; it’s who he is. He sees someone hurting, and tries to help. He helped her. He says she helped him too. He should be with her. She says, it’s nice to hear his voice. He tells her, call anytime, and she says, goodnight. Maxie says she knows that smile. Mike isn’t just some bartender. Nina likes him.  

Ava tells Jason, if he’s through with the tough guy routine, she’d like her husband back. Jason says Nikolas approached him, and Ava says she’s curious as to how this is going to work with Carly. Carly asks what she’s talking about, and Ava says she’s not in the business anymore, but she still hears things. Carly leaped into Sonny’s shoes when Jason was unavailable. Jason is back now. Is she planning on handing him the keys to the kingdom? Carly says that’s none of Ava’s business. Keep her posted on Avery. She walks away.

Britt says she had no idea Nikolas was being threatened, and he says they’ve been getting packages with creepy personal messages. The police suggested it might be the work of one of his exes. It’s not like Britt hasn’t played dirty in the past. She says, in the past. Period. How does he know Ava isn’t staging it herself? Britt doesn’t know his life, and doesn’t want to. Leave her alone.

Nina says, what smile? She can’t smile because she loves her sister-in-law?… Okay. She does feel something for Mike. She didn’t know leaving would be hard, and now she’s there to spend time with Wiley, and it’s great. Maxie says she was hoping Michael would change his mind. Wiley is Nina’s grandchild. Nina says, apparently, Jax had something to do with it, and Maxie wonders if Jax is trying to win Nina back. Nina says, according to Jax, he wanted to make up for the pain he caused. Maxie asks if Nina thinks she and Jax will get back together, but Nina says, no. Maxie says, because of Mike no-last-name? and Nina says, no. Because she was healing, she hadn’t realized how long she’d been away until she came back. So much has changed. Valentin is living at the Quartermaines, and had a baby with Brook. She was not expecting that. Maxie asks if she saw Brook’s baby, and Nina says she did. It’s probably the last thing Maxie wants to talk about. Maxie says she and Brook ended up taking Lamaze classes together, and bonded. If she can’t talk about her own baby. she wants to talk about Brook’s. How is the baby doing? Is she taking formula? She wants to know everything.

Ned says he knows what Valentin is doing. He wants to pit them against one another. Valentin says he predicts a split vote that will leave him in charge. He leaves to check on Bailey, and Olivia says, Valentin is so infuriating. He can be an amoral sharks one minute, and the next, he’s a dream dad. She can’t wait for him to change poopy diapers. Ned says Valentin has a point about splitting the vote, but they can discuss it in the morning. Olivia says she thinks they don’t want to discuss it in front of her; she’s had that issue before. She knows Ned wants to be CEO. Ned says, it’s important they present a united front, but he’s okay with Michael being CEO. He wants the best for ELQ, but he could be happy with a lesser position. He’s realized there are more important things than work.   

Michael asks if Willow thinks she’ll keep sleeping at the gatehouse, but she doesn’t know. She wants to spend as much time with Chase as she can. She’ll still make time for Wiley, but… He tells her to just say it, and she says when she spends time with Wiley, Michael can’t be around. It will just make it too hard. She asks him to please tell her that he understands, and he says, his head understands; his heart, not so much. If that makes it easy, he’ll do it. She says, nothing about it is easy. She cries, and they kiss. He heads for the door, and she says she loves him. He says he loves her too, and leaves. She sits down and cries.  

Phyllis asks if Nina is happy, and Sonny says she is, but Phyllis was right to think Nina needed to talk. She asks, why? Was there a problem with the visit to her grandson? He says, that went well, but Nina’s sister-in-law is going through some trouble, and Nina is worried about it. Phyllis says, Port Charles is not that far, so say the word, and he can take her car and surprise Nina. (Nina wouldn’t be the only one who’d be surprised.)

Dante says they didn’t see Austin on the video, and Austin says he told Dante he wasn’t there that night. Maxie sure is a strong woman. Sam agrees that she is, and Dante thanks Austin for his help. He’ll walk Austin to the door. Austin says, this is when they talk about him, and Dante says, pretty much. He’ll be in touch. Austin leaves, and Sam says she doesn’t know what to think. Dante says, Maxie lied to them.

Nina says she’s a little worried that Maxie is fixated on Valentin and Brook’s baby, but Maxie says she’s not fixated. She’s just interested. She and Brook aren’t friends, but they bonded. So is the baby doing okay? Nina says, the baby is perfect, and loved. Maxie says, good to know. Brook’s birth was an ordeal. Nina asks how she knows, and Maxie says she was thinking of Louise. Nina asks if Maxie is okay. Does she want Nina to call someone, like Mac or Felicia? Maxie says she’s just exhausted emotionally; she’s all over the place. Nina says she’ll leave and let Maxie take a nap, but remember, she’s only a phone call away if Maxie needs her. She tells Maxie that she loves her, and Maxie says she loves Nina too. Nina leaves, and Maxie says, she can’t do this. She needs to see her baby.

Austin sees an announcement about the ELQ emergency board meeting in his tablet newsfeed. Hmm…

Michael comes in, and Brook asks if he’s okay. He says, it’s been a long day, and Ned says he’s afraid it’s going to get longer. They need to discuss the CEO position at ELQ before the meeting. Valentin is planning to divide and conquer. He thinks the vote will be split, leaving him in charge, and he realizes it’s a possibility. Michael looks out the window.

Willow sits in the dark, looking out the window.  

As they get in the elevator, Nikolas tells Ava, they could get room service, but she says she lost her appetite. He says he’s sure he can find something to tempt her, and kisses her.

On the phone, the bartender says he got the key to Nikolas’s room. They’re all set.

Jason asks what Nikolas wanted, and Britt says, he had a bunch of ridiculous, unfounded accusations. She’s not letting it get to her. Jason holds her hand, and says, she is. She says that’s what she wants the world to think, but maybe it’s okay if he knows the truth.

Carly walks in and sees Jason and Britt together. She does not look happy.

Tomorrow, Laura asks how Portia and Curtis are doing, Britt wants to apologize to Elizabeth, and Cyrus says it’s about time someone showed up. Well, we know it’s not Peter. I think…

The Haves and The Have Nots

Jeffrey sees Madison at the hospital, and Madison asks how his visit was. Jeffrey stammers, and Madison asks, what’s wrong? Talk to him. Jeffrey doesn’t know how Madison is going to take it, and Madison says he doesn’t know either until Jeffrey tells him. Jeffrey says, Justin’s brother spoke to him when they were going to the morgue. Madison tells Jeffrey not to let it upset him, and Jeffrey says Tanner told him that Justin was HIV positive. Madison asks how Tanner would know, and Jeffrey says Tanner knew about him, and was kind to him; not like his mother. He wanted to give Jeffrey something Justin left. Madison asks if Jeffrey thinks it’s true, but Jeffrey doesn’t know. Madison asks if Justin ever told Jeffrey that he was HIV positive, and Jeffrey says, no. Madison asks if they talked about safe sex and STDs, and Jeffrey says they didn’t. Madison asks if they used condoms, and Jeffrey says, not 100% of the time. Madison asks what Jeffrey thought would happen. Justin was having sex with random guys in his cop car.

Madison tells Jeffrey that he has to protect himself, but Jeffrey says he doesn’t need a lecture. Madison asks if Jeffrey is worried he gave HIV to him; they used condoms. Jeffrey says, they’re not 100% effective, but Madison says, coupled with the meds he takes, he probably wouldn’t get it. Jeffrey asks, what meds? and Madison says, the drugs keep him from getting HIV. Jeffrey didn’t know about this? (TBH, me neither.) He’ll get Jeffrey some research. It won’t cure HIV, but will prevent someone from getting it if they don’t have it. Jeffrey says, what if he does have it? and Madison says he’ll get Jeffrey tested. Stop stressing. Jeffrey says he knew Justin, and Justin would give it to him on purpose. Madison says, even if Jeffrey has it, it’s not a death sentence like it was years ago. Tons of people who have it lead normal, happy, healthy lives. If Jeffrey has it, he’ll take meds, and live a normal life. He won’t die. He can get the test done in 20 minutes. Jeffrey says Madison doesn’t seem to be worked up, and Madison says he has the information and the power. They go into an exam room.   

Benny puts a key in a hotel room door, and Candace asks why they’re here. He says they need someplace to stay, and she says, it’s a dump. He says, just because you’ve got money, don’t mean you have to spend it all. She says, $400 a night is not a lot, and he says, $600 for a weekend’s not bad. They go into the room, and Candace says, what if someone steals Benny’s two trucks? He says he wishes they would. This place isn’t bad for the time being. She tells him, if he says so. She hated living in the ghetto then, and she hates it now. It brings back bad memories. He says, it wasn’t that bad… Sorry. She says her son was killed in a place like this, and he says, they can go. She says, no. At some point, she has to sit with it. One night; then she’ll be gone. She asks what he’s wearing on his date, and he says what he has on. She says, this is a classy woman. He needs to wear a suit. He says he doesn’t have one, and she tells him, get one. He says she likes spending money. What does she want? He’s a tow truck driver. She says he doesn’t have to look like one. She’ll hook him up. He says he just wants to smash Rianna, and Candace says, if all he wants to do is smash, he won’t find a good girl, but one day, one of them will take his heart. He says she sounds like mama, and Candace says, she’s right. He says he’ll cross that bridge when he comes to it, and she says she’d like to see him with someone special. He says he’s not ready, and she says, one day, it will happen. He tells her, if she says so, and there’s a knock at the door. Mitch comes in, and says, zup? He asks what the hell they’re doing here, and Candace says he sounds like her. Benny says he ain’t spending money, and Mitch says, obviously. Mitch thought Candace would be gone by now, and she says, long story. He asks if she’s good, and she says she is. He asks if they want to get dinner, and she says, Benny has a date. Mitch laughs, and Benny says he bought a house. Candace says, it came with a date, and Benny says he spun his game with the realtor. He put a few words together, and now he’s going out. Candace says, take her anywhere but here, and tells Benny to go buy something nice to wear. Mitch asks if Benny has looked at himself tonight, and Candace tells Benny to go now, since it will have to be tailored. Benny says if it’s over $100, he’s out. Candace says, it’s just one, and Benny tells them, make sure they come back. He leaves, and Candace asks Mitch to unzip her. He says it reminds him of old times, and she says, don’t. He tells her, he’s just saying.  

Benny tries on a suit, and the clerk asks what he thinks. Benny says, it’s nice; how much? She says, $1800, and he says, for what? She says, the stitching and fabric. It’s made with the finest material, and the designer is exquisite. She asks what the suit is for, and he says he’s going on a date. The clerk says, she must be someone special, and he says he just met her. She says he must want impress her, but he says, it’s not the suit that will impress her, and the clerk says he’ll be even more handsome in the suit. He asks what kind of suit it is, and she says, Italian. He says he’s sure she has something cheaper, and she says she does, but why settle for cheap? He says he’ll settle for nice, and she says, there’s nothing nicer than Italian. She can give him a discount. How’s 30% off? Benny tries to do the math, and she says, it will be $1200. He says, it should come with cufflinks, sex, and a turkey sandwich. Now he sounds like me. She says she’s sure if he’s wearing it, he’ll get that, and he says, if he doesn’t, can he bring it back? She says they can’t give a refund if it’s tailored, and he says if he doesn’t get it tailored, can he bring it back? She says, that’s not store policy. There’s no guarantee he’ll get lucky. He says she’ll owe him something if he doesn’t get lucky, and she says she’s not a hooker. He says he didn’t mean to insult her, but she says, it’s very insulting. Just because he’s buying a suit, doesn’t mean he gets to take her out. He says, how about dinner? and she asks if he isn’t going out already. He’s just… a flirt. She gives him her number.

Madison tells Jeffrey that he’s negative, and Jeffrey is obviously relieved. Madison says, good thing; the meds are expensive. Jeffrey wonders why Tanner would lie. Maybe Justin didn’t have it. He asks if Madison could find out, but Madison says he’s not taking that risk. He could lose his job. Jeffrey says he just wants to know if Tanner lied, and Madison looks up something on the computer. Jeffrey asks what he’s looking at, and Madison says, Justin’s medical records, and the list of meds he was on. He can’t give that information out; it’s confidential. Jeffrey says, then why is he looking? and Madison says, peace of mind. Ask him if Justin lied. Jeffrey says, did he lie? and Madison says, no. Jeffrey asks what he means, and Madison says, it means he didn’t lie. Think about it. If Justin never told Jeffrey that he had HIV, he didn’t lie. Jeffrey says, this is confusing. Did Justin have it or not? Madison shakes his head, and Jeffrey says, thanks. Madison asks if Jeffrey wants to talk about safe sex and the drugs that prevent HIV now, and Jeffrey says he knows what his dad taught him. Madison asks how long ago that was, but Jeffrey doesn’t know. He wonders how Justin’s brother could lie, and Madison says maybe he wanted to give Jeffrey anxiety. Jeffrey says Tanner wanted to give him something Justin left, but Madison says, don’t deal with him. He could be as crazy as his brother. Don’t think about it, and don’t see him. Jeffrey says he gave Tanner his address, and Madison asks if here’s still security at the house. The giant dude who walks around. Jeffrey says security is covered, and Madison says he took the night off – family emergency. He wants to be with Jeffrey. Jeffrey says he’s fine, and Madison says, then they can watch movies and be fine together.

Benny looks at himself in the mirror, and takes a selfie. He sends it, then calls Mitch, telling him to check his phone. Mitch says, damn, dude, and Benny says he got it. Mitch asks what it set Benny back, and Benny says, $1200. They’d better bury him in it. Mitch laughs, and says, it looks good on him. Benny says, he used to get 2 for 1 at $29.99. He asks what Mitch is doing, and Mitch says, waiting for Candace to get out of the bathroom. Benny says, he’ll be waiting a while, and Mitch says, have fun. Hit him up when he’s done. Benny looks at another suit, holding it up to himself. He tells the clerk, the brown one is $600. She says she wants him to look his best, and he says she’s juicing it up. How much is her commission? She says she’s not telling him, and stop flirting with his thirsty ass. He asks what she knows about thirsty, and she tells him to come to the register. He asks if they take cash.

Mitch waits, and Candace pokes her head out, asking if it was Benny. Mitch says, Benny got that suit. He’s crazy. He was bitching about dropping $1200. She says she’d like to see it, and he says she can as soon as she’s out of the  see as soon as out bathroom. She says she’ll be done soon, and he asks what’s taking so long. He’s getting hungry. She comes out, and Mitch is lying on the bed in his briefs. She tells him to put his clothes on. What got into him? He says, seeing her looking like that. What’s he supposed to do? She says she’s sure Benny will be back any minute, but Mitch says Benny isn’t coming back. She can’t blame him for trying. She says she’s flattered, but she’s hungry… for food. He says he thinks she’s beautiful, but she says, those days are gone. He says he knows, but he loves her. She says she loves him too, but they can’t be together. He says he wants to talk to her, and she sits on the other bed. He says he’s been worried about her. Everything with her son, the President; she was hurt by that. Jim knows his family won’t be happy if something happens to her, but the truth is, the Cryers are in deep with his family, and his grandma. If they happen to talk with her, he can’t promise it will hold up. Candace says, so Jim could come after Benny, and Mitch says, he could, but his grandma would have to okay it first. She says, let her know, and he says, she and Benny will be the first to know. He puts on his pants.

Tanner calls Jeffrey, and says he’s not doing well. He was going to try and bring some things by. Would Jeffrey mind meeting him? Madison is still sleeping, and Jeffrey asks what he has. Tanner says he doesn’t know. It says personal on it. Jeffrey doesn’t know, and Tanner says, it was Justin’s last dying wish. Jeffrey asks again what it is, but Tanner says, he feels like he’s invading Justin’s privacy. Jeffrey says Tanner has his permission, and Tanner says he’d rather bring them to Jeffrey. Jeffrey says, in all honesty, he probably won’t take it. Tanner says his brother died, and Jeffrey won’t take what Justin left him? Jeffrey says, unless Tanner tells him what it is, sorry. Tanner asks if Jeffrey is coming to the service, but Jeffrey says he doesn’t think Justin’s mother would want that. Tanner says, Justin would, and Jeffrey says, when is it? Tanner says, tomorrow, and Jeffrey says, so soon? Tanner asks if he can text the address, and Jeffrey says, sure. Tanner says he’ll bring the stuff with him, and thanks Jeffrey for being good to his brother. He hangs up, and Jeffrey puzzles over this. He puts his phone on the nightstand, and Madison wakes up. He says, can he ask? What the hell was that about? Jeffrey says, it was Justin’s brother. He said he wanted to give Jeffrey something Justin had left him. Madison says, tell him to drop it off, and Jeffrey says, Tanner wants to give it to him in person. Madison says he doesn’t like the sound of it, and Jeffrey says he told Tanner that he won’t take it. He said the memorial service is tomorrow night. Madison says, Justin just died yesterday. That’s not good. Jeffrey says he knows, and Madison says he doesn’t like the sound of it at all. Please don’t deal with these people. Jeffrey says he feels it, but he’s curious. Madison says, Tanner was lying about his brother’s status; he’s gaslighting Jeffrey. Jeffrey asks if Madison is lecturing him, and Madison says he is; sorry. Jeffrey’s dad said he talked too much. He says he’s going home, but Jeffrey says, no. He wants Madison to stay. Madison’s phone rings, and he says, dammit. Work. He answers, and says he took the night off… Okay. He’s on his way. He tells Jeffrey that he has to go in. Keisha is sick. She’s lying her ass off. The last time she posted pictures of herself drinking. Who tries to hide something and then posts about it? He says, Jeffrey wouldn’t be missing him so much if he had a job. Jeffrey asks who said he misses Madison? and Madison says, the hospital is hiring. He wishes his parents were rich and took care of him.

The nurse on duty thanks Madison for coming in. She knows it was his day off, but they’re so short staffed. He’s such a blessing. She gives him the charts, and says, watch out for that one. He says, Wyatt Cryer? and she says, yeah.

Madison goes into Wyatt’s room, and Wyatt says he needs pain pills. Madison says, sorry, he can’t, and Wyatt says, why the hell not? Madison says, looks like he had them an hour ago, and Wyatt asks, what the hell kind of hospital is this? Madison says, one that’s trying to make him better, and Wyatt says he’s in pain. Madison says, sorry. He had his daily dose. Wyatt says he has a high tolerance, and needs more. At least remove the restraints. Madison says he can’t, but Wyatt says he has to go to the bathroom. Madison says, there’s a bedpan there, and Wyatt asks how he’s supposed to reach it wearing the restraints. Madison says, Wyatt has a free hand, and Wyatt says he noticed how good looking Madison is when he came in. Does Madison think he’s good looking? Madison asks if that’s all, and Wyatt asks Madison to hand him a cup. Madison does, and Wyatt strokes his arm. He says, help him out. Doesn’t Madison think he’s good looking? Madison says, if Wyatt thinks he’s giving him extra drugs because Wyatt is flirting with him, he’s dead wrong. Wyatt says Madison is an a-hole, and Madison says Wyatt is locked up. He leaves, and Wyatt says, Madison can’t resist him. None of them can. He’s Wyatt Cryer, bitches. Bring him the damn drugs.  

Madison goes back to the desk, and the nurse says she told him. Did Wyatt flirt with him? Madison says, yeah. What about her? She says, yes. She almost took him up on it. A few pain pills for a roll in the hay. At her age, she’ll take what she can get. Madison says, he’s at the age where he can get what he can. She asks how much he’s getting, and he says he doesn’t want to make her upset, but she says she’s been hot bothered on the job. Madison says she’s in rare form, and she asks if he knows Dr. Washington. He asks, why? and she says she might be getting something there. He asks how she knows the doctor isn’t on his team, and she says she’s sure. He says, good to know.

Benny meets Rianna at a restaurant, and asks how she is. She say she’s impressed. He cleans up nice. She asks if he’s ready to sign the papers, and he asks if she wants a drink. She says she has water, and he says, come on; get a real drink. She says, it’s not a date, but he says he’s a nice guy. She says she’s not interested, and he says, why? He ain’t that ugly. She says, something about him says bad news, and he says he’s a hard worker, overly good looking… She says, with a lot of girls and kids, and he says he ain’t got no kids. She says, girls? and he says he ain’t seeing anybody. She asks if his girlfriend knows, and he tells her, stop. She gives him the papers, and shows him where to sign. She says he can move in right away, and he asks if she’s going to help him decorate. She suggests they get out of there, go back to her place, and have sex. He chokes on his water, and she says, that’s what he wants, right? He says, no. He’d never sleep with someone he just met. If she wants to get out and cuddle, he’ll do that, but he won’t let her take advantage of his body. She says he’s so lame. She thinks he’s handsome, but she just got out of a toxic relationship. They can talk from time to time, but she’s not sleeping with him, or dating him. He says he’s not sleeping with her, and doesn’t want to date her either, and she says, he’s so cocky. He says, sometimes. The waitress comes over to take their order, and Rianna orders a house salad. Benny orders the filet, and says, nice place. Rianna laughs.   

Later… Rianna thanks Benny for a great dinner, and he says, she’s serious. That’s it? Let him buy her a drink, or go dancing. She says she has to work in the morning, but he says, what is it? They’re having a good time, good conversation, and he knows she feels him a little. She says he knows nothing (Jon Snow). She told him that she just got out of a toxic re… Sandy is suddenly there, and sits on the chair between them. He asks if she’s talking about him, and she says she is. He says, go ahead. Tell the Black what she was saying. Benny says, hey, he’s on a date here. Rianna says, they’re not on a date, and Sandy says, no? He said it, right? They’re on a date. Benny says they were handling business, and Sandy says, what kind? Benny asks, what’s wrong with him? They just met, but he knows Sandy is a Malone. He knows Mitch. Sandy says he doesn’t give a damn. Why is she with him? Rianna says she sold him a house, and tries get up, but he pushes her back in the seat. He says she’s not going anywhere, and Benny says, let this go. Sandy asks, who the hell is Benny to tell him to let something go? She killed his child, his little boy, so shut his mouth, and walk away from the table. He wants to talk to this bitch. Benny says he doesn’t think… and Sandy says, is he crazy? He’s not moving. Benny says, it doesn’t look like Rianna wants to talk to him. Sandy asks who Benny is. A Black Panther? Does he think he’s going to save her. Get his ass out of there. Rianna says, just go; it’s okay. Sandy says, yeah, Benny. It’s okay. She says, it will only get worse, but Benny says, no, and gets up. Sandy says, okay, and gets up too, breaking a bottle against the table.  

Next time, Benny and Sandy fight, Mitch says he’s coming over there, Tanner asks Jeffrey what Justin liked, and Jim asks if Veronica knows how close to death she is. She tells him, just as close as he is.    

The Real Housewives of New York City

We backtracked a little, with Leah freaking out, throwing her flowers at Heather, and stomping out of the limo, saying she’s not going. Then calling Heather a loser and a psycho. Heather got out of the car, and Leah told LuAnn that she was overwhelmed. LuAnn said, but she looked great, which is exactly what I’d want to hear in that moment. Heather said Leah couldn’t scare her away, and Leah decided, like Bill Murray in Meatballs, it just didn’t matter. It just doesn’t matter is actually my motto. LuAnn said Leah couldn’t let her neck wound go to waste. (If you don’t remember, Leah had on a pink gown and tiara, accessorized with a faux sliced throat. LuAnn tidied up the limo, and in her interview, she said, Heather was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It wasn’t about Heather; it was about Leah. Her advice to Heather was STFU. They all managed to get into the limo in one piece, and Heather swore she didn’t use the word irresponsible in regard to Leah not voting. To her credit, Eboni owned her mistake, and in her interview, said, her bad. Sorry. Leah said the last thing she wanted to talk about was serious stuff like politics. Where she was at, that wasn’t a priority. Leah apologized for losing it. The arrived at Topping Rose, and LuAnn told everyone to put their beauty faces on. They were greeted by LuAnn’s friend Hank, who hoped they were ready to party. LuAnn’s daughter Victoria and niece Nicole were also in attendance. LuAnn said it wasn’t going to be like how they usually celebrated Halloween. It would just be their group, but they were going to make it fabulous.

The theme was Miss New York 1970, and the women each received sashes. Ramona was Miss South Hampton; Sonja, Miss Upper East Side; LuAnn, Miss Sag Harbor; Eboni, Miss City Hall; Heather, Miss Upper West Side; and Leah, Miss Downtown. They each did their special talent, LuAnn starting off with baton twirling. Oddly enough, I know how to do this, having taken lessons as a kid. However, I’m not saying I do it well. Ramona said she was going to show why her arms were good, lifted free weights, and did 40 push-ups. In Leah’s interview, she said she had no idea how Ramona did it. She could barely do 8 of them. Ramona consists of rosé and muscle. Leah did a routine with the hula hoops, and Heather did a cheer using pom-poms. Eboni did a beautiful spoken word piece, and in Ramona’s interview, she wondered why they couldn’t have fun for just one night. Sonja came out as a mime, and made them play charades. Eboni won second runner-up, and LuAnn won first runner-up. In LuAnn’s interview, she said, it’s so rigged. Leah was the big winner, and in her interview, she said she felt special. Hank didn’t know about her grandmother or her freak-out. She’d won fair and square. In her interview, LuAnn said she rigged it because she thought Leah needed it. Leah apologized for her reactions, and thanked her friends for helping her through it.

The next morning, Leah was already gone, having left for her grandmother’s bedside right after the pageant. In Ramona’s interview, she said she had a better understanding of Leah. Leah’s lashing out was always indicative of something bothering her inside. In the kitchen with LuAnn, Ramona started reading a group text from Leah, thanking them for being understanding, when she stopped and threw down the phone. She told LuAnn that Leah’s grandmother had died, and Leah never got to see her. LuAnn and Ramona cried, and Ramona tried to compose a reply, but gave up, saying she’d do it later. In LuAnn’s interview, she said this is why she didn’t have Ramona listed as an emergency contact. There was no emergency Ramona could make better. Eboni said she’d FaceTimed with Leah, and told her that God didn’t make mistakes. He wanted Leah’s last memory of her grandmother to be pleasant. Eboni told the women that there was someone named Ashley proclaiming to be her father’s daughter. In Eboni’s interview, she said here’s where it got sticky. Her mother had spoken about a man named Kenneth, who could potentially be her dad, but there was no concrete answer, and Eboni’s mother wasn’t comfortable exploring it. She’d asked Ashley why she thought they might be siblings, and Ashley said Eboni’s picture had always been on her grandmother’s mantel, and she’d been told she had an older sister. Eboni wanted to find out if it was true. Heather said they were all learning and recognizing that words could hurt, and she’d made a mistake. She’d wanted to say Eboni was eloquent, and said articulate. Eboni said it was a trigger word because the subtext was that Black people weren’t expected to speak the King’s English properly. LuAnn said, like Ramona does, and everyone laughed Eboni said she wasn’t fragile that way, and in her interview, she said she’d been pleasantly surprised at the opportunities she’d had to connect to the other women over the weekend.

Ramona met with real estate broker Michael, and in her interview, she said she needs to work in real estate, and make some money. Money is an aphrodisiac to her. She said it was good to have a sponsor, and Michael went through some basics with her, like how wording had changed. For example, a master was now a primary. There were no his and hers bathrooms, or bachelor pads. In Ramona’s interview, she said it was a different world. She was unfiltered, and had to be careful. Michael suggested Ramona go to some open houses.

Eboni met Leah at Martin’s boxing ring. In Leah’s interview, she said her grandmother’s memorial service was beautiful, but sad. The rain didn’t stop. She told Eboni that she was trying to have perspective, and think of her grandmother when she was making a decision. Sonja joined them and in her interview, Leah said she and Eboni were Virgos, and problem solvers. They wanted to make sure Sonja wasn’t stepped on anymore by LuAnn and Ramona. Sonja didn’t get the respect she deserved, and could be a punching bag. In Eboni’s interview, she said they were trying to convince Sonja that she’s the star. They didn’t want Sonja putting up with crap like them kicking her when she was down, and thinking she won’t fight back. Martin told Sonja, fight this sh*t.

Everyone voted, including Leah, who went with Martin, while LuAnn brought her dog. Eboni had an election party, inviting friend Natalie as well. In Eboni’s interview, she said it was the election of a lifetime, and there was a woman on the ticket as Vice President. Leah brought her sister Sarah, and LuAnn came in wearing a JFK mask. In LuAnn’s interview, she said now Leah could focus on the beautiful moments she had with her grandmother. Ramona never showed, and Leah said she claimed she wanted to go to Long Island because she was worried about safety in the city, since people might be protesting. In Leah’s interview, she said both she and Ramona lived in luxury high rises. They were good. In Sonja’s interview, she thought Ramona just didn’t want to come to a political party. Leah’s chihuahua Angel kept getting into the food on the table, and in LuAnn’s interview, she said Leah’s dog reflected Leah; she had no discipline. Thank God she didn’t have a torch.

Eboni said that Harlem was the heart and soul of NYC for her, and she was hosting a Night in Harlem party. In Eboni’s interview, she said Harlem was what spoke to her about NYC. Next, Eboni’s dog was caught noshing on the beautiful spread Eboni had put out, and in her interview, she said Leah’s dog was a bad influence. Ramona called and video chatted with everyone for a hot minute. Afterward, Sonja told everyone how Ramona was suddenly posting pictures of herself with her new Black friends, including Eboni, on social media. Sonja said she didn’t like when people wore a cause like a handbag. Eboni said if Ramona was posting pictures rapid-fire of the Black women in her life, it might be to counteract accusations of being racist. She felt gullible. Ramona was being a performative ally. Sonja jumped up, and said she didn’t like fakes. Unless you were living it, feeling it, breathing it, STFU. In Leah’s interview, she said she and Eboni had wanted Sonja to gain confidence, but they created a monster. In Eboni’s interview, she said Sonja had the tolerance of 7th grader, and she was a glass and a half beyond that. In LuAnn’s interview, she said she used to be a happy drunk with Sonja. Now Sonja had taken a turn for the worse. It was hard to watch. LuAnn got the hell out of there, and in Sonja’s interview, she said she thought the party was really fun. She’d thought it might be preachy, but she felt comfortable.

When everyone was finally gone, Eboni threw back the rest of her glass of wine.

Next time, Victoria tells LuAnn that she’s a lot better, Eboni’s Night in Harlem party, and Ramona doesn’t want to be educated. What a surprise.

👀 Eyeballs Officially Falling Out…

That was quite a night of TV. See you tomorrow, for soap, Wives, and some LVP dogs. Until then, stay safe, stay accountable, and stay living it, feeling it, and breathing it, whatever it is for you.

June 8, 2021 – A Hero Awakes, Colby Walks Into a Trap, Leah Has Enough Of Heather & Dirty

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Portia says she doesn’t know why Curtis was calling her, but in that moment, he had no idea it was the most important phone call of their lives. He saved her, and saved her Trina. He keeps showing up for them. She kisses her hand, and puts it on his face. He opens his eyes, and she says, there you are. He asks what he missed.

Ava and Laura come down the hospital stairs, and Ava says Laura finally brought Cyrus down. Laura says she hopes so. He still has to be prosecuted and convicted. There’s an emergency meeting of the hospital board, so he’ll be ousted, and at least they’ll be free of him there. Ava says, that’s great; that’s a win. Laura says she’ll feel better when Curtis is fully recovered. She asks where Nikolas is, and Ava says, he’s on his way. He had some business to take care of.

Nikolas walks into the prison library, and Alexis says they have to stop meeting like this. He says he called in one last favor to see her, and she asks what he means by one last favor. He says he’s no longer in negotiations to privatize the prison.

Nina thinks she and Sonny should talk about the kiss, and Sonny says he was thinking the same thing, but it’s kind of not in his nature to talk about his feelings. She asks how he’d know, and he laughs. He says, it’s a fair point. He just wants to say that kiss didn’t come out of nowhere, and she agrees it didn’t.

Michael asks Jax what the visit is about, and Jax says he knows what’s going on with Michael and Willow. Michael asks what he’s talking about; they had their marriage annulled. Jax tells him, save his breath. He was walking that way last night, and caught a glimpse of them during an intimate moment. He immediately left. Michael asks him, please, promise not to say a word to anyone. Chase can’t find out.

Willow runs into Chase’s room, and tells him, the nurse said… she stops. His room is loaded with beachy things, and he says, surprise! What does she think?

Sitting on the floor of his office, Finn dreams about Peter launching the antidote off the roof, and saying, he didn’t send Chase to his death; Anna did. He dreams about throwing Peter down the stairs, and wakes with a start. He gets up, and Elizabeth asks if he’s okay. He says, sorry. He must have dozed off. She asks if he was dreaming about what happened with Peter. He asks how she knows, and she says she had the same nightmare. She tells him that he’s been working around the clock. He needs some fresh coffee, or better yet, to go home and have a shower and nap. He says he can’t stop until he’s found a cure. If he doesn’t, he might as well kill Chase himself.

Chase says he’s sorry the nurse worried Willow, but she says, it’s okay. What is all this? He asks if she remembers when they first got together. They were going to spend a weekend at his parents’ place in Nantucket, but they never got there. Maybe they never will, so he decided to bring the getaway to them.

Michael tells Jax that he and Willow got their marriage annulled, but they couldn’t exactly annul their feelings. They wanted to move forward as a family. He and Sasha had split up, and Willow was on her way to tell Chase when Chase fell ill. They agreed to wait until Chase recovered. They tried to keep their distance, but last night, their feelings… Jax says, it sounds complicated; more complicated if someone saw. Michael says Jax isn’t saying anything, is he? but Jax says, now’s the time to get to their conversation about Nina.

Nina says she’s sure Sonny has noticed Phyllis pushing them together, and Sonny says Phyllis wants them to be as happy as she is. Nina asks if she makes him happy, and he says she’s been a good friend… That’s a coward’s way of telling her the truth. She says, what truth? and he says he cares a lot about her. More than just a friend.

Portia tells Curtis, easy; he just had surgery. He asks if everyone is okay; how’s Trina? She says, everybody is safe thanks to him, but he says he didn’t do it all.

Jordan is on the phone, but sees Curtis through the window. She says she has to go; he’s awake. She runs in, and Curtis says, hi. Portia says, how about that? and Stella joins them, saying, she’s not surprised one bit. Curtis asks what Stella is doing there, and she says he nearly got himself killed. Where else would she be? She hopped the first plane there. Don’t scare her again. He says he’s all right, and Stella asks how long he’s been awake. He says, a few minutes. He opened his eyes, and Portia was there. Portia asks Trina to get Dr. Singleton; Curtis is finally awake. Trina says she’s so glad to see him, and thanks him again. She leaves, and Stella says, Trina seems to have come to a new appreciation for Curtis, and Portia says, no surprise; he saved them, and Laura. Curtis says, don’t make him into some kind of hero, but Portia says, she is because he is. 

Trina runs to the reception desk, and asks for Dr. Singleton. Laura asks if there’s any news about Curtis, and Trina says, he’s awake. She was trying to find the doctor. Laura says she saw the doctor, and she’ll get her. She leaves, and Trina tells Ava that she promises she’s fine. Ava says, give her a hug, and Trina does.

Nikolas says the state turned down his proposal, and Alexis says, she’s no fan of privatizing prisons, but now she’ll be dependent on Cyrus’s good will. He says, not anymore. Cyrus was arrested last night. She says, for? and he says, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, to name a few. She says, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. He says it’s only a matter of time before Cyrus’s people flip on him, and she says, like rats deserting a sinking ship. He tells her that she’s safe, when Shawn comes in. She says fingers crossed that it’s more good news. She asks Shawn how his parole hearing went. Please tell her the board gave him an early release.

Shawn says he appreciates what Alexis tried do, but it’s a no-go. She says, he was denied parole? On what grounds? He says, they don’t need any. It’s up to their discretion, and they still consider him a danger to society, even though he’s done everything right since he’s been there. Alexis says, it’s wrong, and Nikolas says he’s sorry. Shawn must be disappointed. Shawn says Nikolas doesn’t know what he’s thinking, and Alexis thanks Nikolas for dropping by, but it’s not a good time. She appreciates the update. He says he’ll visit her through regular channels, and tells them to take care of themselves. He leaves, and in the hallway, he smiles.

Portia tells Curtis, Jordan and the PCPD were amazing. Thanks to both of them, Cyrus is out of their lives forever. Dr. Singleton comes in, and says the nurse told her that he was awake, but she didn’t expect a party. She asks for a moment alone with Curtis, and Portia says, of course (🍷). Stella says she’ll be back, and they leave. The doctor asks how Curtis is feeling.

Jordan says she needs to call TJ, and tell him the good news. She leaves, and Stella asks for a moment with Portia.

Elizabeth tells Finn, driving himself this hard won’t help cure Chase. Finn says he killed the man who was keeping his son alive. He lost it, and lost their best chance to save him. Elizabeth tells him, stop it if that’s what he thinks. She’s spent her life trying to help people, so she doesn’t take lightly what she’s about to say. Peter got what was coming to him. He’s gone, and that’s all anyone needs to know. Finn says, he’s gone and so is the antidote. She says Peter was going to hang that over them until he was done with Chase. He was never going to cure Chase. It’s always come down to Finn. There’s got to be something in Sean’s file. Anna thought there was, and she agrees. He says he was going over it all night. If there’s an answer there, he can’t find it. Elizabeth suggests fresh coffee and someone to bounce ideas off of. She can provide both. Now get back to work.

Willow says she can’t believe Chase went to all this trouble, and he says, in all fairness, Amy did most of the work. He’s not exactly mobile. She says, but why? It’s charming, and she loves it, but he needs to save his strength, and focus on getting better. He says he can’t keep doing that.

Jax says he stopped by the main house so they could continue the conversation, but Michael never got back to him. Michael says he’s been busy, and Jax says he realizes. It’s time to stop putting off the conversation. Nina wants to be part of her grandson’s life, and deep down, Michael knows it would be beneficial to Wiley. He understands Nina crossed the line and made a mistake. Michael says, she told Wiley that Willow wasn’t his mother, and Jax says, she regrets saying that. Nina has come to terms with Nelle’s death now. There must be some way to reach a reasonable compromise. Michael says, really? Since when has blackmail become a reasonable compromise?

Sonny says the more he gets to know Nina, the more he’s drawn to her. He was hoping she feels the same way… Unless he got the wrong idea. She says, he didn’t.

Laura goes in to see Curtis, and says there he goes again, saving her life. He says she’ll catch up. She had one helluva ordeal with Cyrus. How’s she holding up? She says he’s the one in a hospital bed, but he says he didn’t volunteer as a hostage, or have his brother threaten to kill him. He heard it in Cyrus’s voice; he was unspooling. Laura says she’s glad Cyrus has been brought to justice, but she can’t help wondering what might have been if Cyrus had been offered forgiveness; a chance to redeem himself when he was younger. She guesses, there but for the grace of God go I. Curtis says, Cyrus made his own choices. He’s sure Cyrus had the opportunity to make different ones, but he didn’t. Laura says she’s made bad choices too, but he says, there’s no comparison. She makes sacrifices for the people she cares about. She says, that makes two of them.

Portia says she can make time for Stella. Dr. Singleton is Curtis’s physician, but she’s sure she can answer any questions. Stella says, good, but her questions don’t involve Curtis’s injury; they involve his heart. She knows better than to interfere in Curtis’s personal life, but she knows what she saw. The way Curtis and Portia were looking at each other made her wonder. Portia says she’s known for her directness, and Stella seems like she’d appreciate that, so she’ll cut to the chase. There’s nothing going on between them. Stella appreciates her honesty, and is glad to hear that, but Portia isn’t telling her everything.

Elizabeth asks if the toxin is the same one Faison gave Tiffany, and Finn says, no, but the compound is similar. It’s clearly inspired by the original toxin. Elizabeth wonders if the antidote would also be similar, and Finn says he’d like to think so, but he ran the test a thousand times over, and got the same result. Chase’s system is working to wipe out the toxin. Elizabeth says, his system is doing it’s job, attacking anything foreign, and Finn says, Chase’s immune system would neutralize anything that could save him.

Chase says he didn’t mean to snap at Willow. He’s just frustrated having to be there, but he’s staying hopeful. She says he’s entitled to feel how he feels. Don’t pretend. He says she’s been his rock through this. Even with nursing school and Wiley, she’s been there for him; she’s incredible. He thought he’d do something for her after all the sacrifices she’s made.

Jax asks if Michael thinks he’s blackmailing him, and Jax says he’s thinking about what’s best for everyone, including Wiley. Why deprive Wiley of his grandmother? Michael says, who Wiley has met twice. He doesn’t miss her. Jax says, that’s not the point. Nina is Wiley’s grandmother. She’s not perfect, but her intentions are good, and she’s not part of a criminal enterprise. She loves Wiley, and she’s learned not to overstep with Michael and Willow. And you know what else? The more Michael’s mother is involved with the mob, the more Wiley needs a stable presence in his life. Michael says, enough. Jax made his case, and tied it with a bow of family togetherness. If it’s really about what’s best for Wiley, and not about blackmail, what will Jax do if says he doesn’t trust Nina to be in Wiley’s life right now? Go to Chase? Jax says he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

Nina says she doesn’t know how or when it began, but one day she woke up and realized he’s the first person who pops into her head in the morning, and the last person she thinks of before she goes to sleep. She finds herself smiling over something he said or did. She’s looking at the man in front of her, and not thinking about his past or hers. She’s looking at him. Good or bad, the happiness and peace she’s found there is something she’s never had in her life. She’s made a lot of choices, some selfishly, and she wants to make the choice of peace. Being there with him, Lenny, and Phyllis has meant the world to her, and the one thing she hopes and prays for is that he always remembers the peace he found there. Sonny says, him too, and Nina says she’s sorry. They can never be together. It would only mean heartache for him and everyone else. He asks, why is she saying that?

Jordan tells Curtis that TJ is happy to hear he’s awake. Expect a visit later. How’s he feeling? He says, honestly, he’s felt better, and she says she doesn’t know whether to arrest him for interfering with her case, or pin a medal on him. He says, the medal is the better option. He was just keeping Cyrus busy long enough for her to swoop in. She says he was a step ahead of her as usual, and he asks what she means. She says she needed an opening to move in and take Cyrus down for good. It’s her job, but he knew it was personal, especially after TJ was kidnapped, and Cyrus nearly killed Taggert. She compromised her career and her life, and it cost her everything. It cost her marriage. He says, she’s still standing, and she says he had a lot to do with that. She takes his hand, and thanks him, and says she just wishes he could have taken the bastard down, and found a way for them to stay together. He says, him too.

Portia asks if she should be offended, but Stella says she meant no offense. Portia is a very nice person, but she wasn’t born yesterday. She knows people get caught up in relationships they have no business being in. She was married when she met Curtis, but didn’t tell him. Here she is, back again, when his marriage falls apart. Portia says if Stella is insinuating she had anything to do with that, rest assured she didn’t. She and Curtis are friends; that’s all. Stella says, just so Portia knows, her nephew needs to recover. Not just from his injury, but the end of his marriage. The last thing he needs is a rebound relationship. If Portia truly wants what’s best for Curtis, back off, and let him get on with healing before getting closer. She thanks Portia for her time, and strides off.

Coming out of the elevator, Nikolas tells someone on the phone to be on the lookout for a token of gratitude from Cassadine Industries.

Alexis says, it makes no sense, and Shawn says what makes him even angrier, is that he believed things would change. She says, they should have, but he says, why would they? Does it even matter that he didn’t do the crime? There are kids there barely out of high school, who don’t have an attorney friend, and get a public defender who can’t even pronounce their last names, let alone defend them. They’re set up for this life, which is no life at all. That’s just the way it is. She says she’s sorry; so, so sorry. She’s aware of the injustices, and just forgets sometimes. He says she has that luxury, and thanks her for her trouble. She says, seriously, it’s not fair. They were sentenced for the same crime, and he’s already been in prison longer than she was sentenced for. He says Judge Carson threw the book at him, and she asks if he said Judge Carson.   

Finn tells Elizabeth, Peter got his money’s worth out of the toxin. It’s the most sophisticated he’s ever seen. She says she hates that she blamed Jason, and Peter was free to walk around and do this to Chase. He says if he doesn’t get to take it out on himself, she doesn’t either, and she says when Peter saved Franco’s life, it was a Trojan horse, so he could worm his way into Maxie’s life. Finn asks what she just said, and she says he saved Franco’s life to manipulate Maxie. He says, no; Trojan horse. He goes to his whiteboard that has all kinds of formulas written on it, and starts crossing things out, and writing new stuff.  

Willow says Chase did a great job, and he says, Amy looked up Nantucket beaches and went nuts. He asks if she sees a box, and tells her to grab it. She brings it over to him, and he opens it, handing her a captain’s hat. She says he doesn’t wear this, does he? and he says, no, she does. Put it on. If he’d taken her to the island, they would have gone on the family boat. Maybe they’ll still get there. She says, maybe, and he leans in for a kiss, but she tells him, stop.

Michael says Jax used to be his stepfather. Jax took him and Morgan to Disneyworld. He’s Josslyn’s father, and she loves him. Now he’s threatening to blackmail Michael. It will break Chase, who’s sick in the hospital. Jax suggests they not say anything they can’t take back; just concentrate on the matter at hand. He doesn’t want to play that card unless he’s forced. Michael says, any relationship will be based on a lie. Is that really how Jax wants to play this? Jax hands him the phone, and says, just make the call.

Nina says she’s not the person Mike/Sonny thinks she is. Trust her. She’ll only hurt him. He asks if this is about her ex. He’s not like those guys. What you see is what you get. She says, no; it’s about her, who she’s been, and who she is. He says she told him they all have baggage. He might have a truckload. He laughs, and says, the thing is, not having a past is free. She says she’s glad he’s free, and he says, she can be too. He takes her hands, and says, maybe they wound up in this town for a reason, a chance for happiness. Doesn’t she think they owe it to themselves to give it a shot?

Portia walks in on Jordan and Curtis, and says, sorry, but Jordan says she was just leaving. She’ll be back to get Curtis’s statement later. He says he’s not going anywhere, and Jordan leaves. Portia says, Curtis’s vitals are good. Is he comfortable? He says, as good as can be expected. Does she have a minute? She says, sure, and sits down. He says he wanted to say the reason he called her was because of the way he responded to the kiss. She says, now is not the time… but he says he wants to explain why he pushed her away. She says, there’s no need. She’s glad he did. She’s glad he shut that down.   

Finn and Elizabeth talk chemistry while Finn writes. He says Chase’s system is rejecting anything foreign, but not if they can convince it that it’s produced the antidote on it’s own. Behold, the Trojan horse.

Chase asks if he did something wrong, and Willow says, of course (🍷) not. She doesn’t want him to jeopardize his heath. His heart can’t be racing, so she suggests they just enjoy Nantucket. She’ll be there wearing this ridiculous hat. Chase asks if she’s sure that’s all it is.

Sonny tells Nina that he wants her to stay in Nixon Falls. Not because of some article, but because of them. She says, them? and he says he wants to see where it goes with her. What does she say? They almost kiss, and Nina’s phone rings. She answers, and it’s Michael. She looks at Sonny.

Stella says she hopes Jordan isn’t going back to the office. She suggests Jordan go home, light some candles, and settle in for a long soak. She’s earned it. Jordan says, it’s too early for a victory celebration. She won’t relax until Cyrus is convicted and sent away for a long, long time. Stella says she understands that Jordan doesn’t want to move on too fast, and hopes it applies to everything in her life. Jordan asks what she means, and Stella says she doesn’t think Curtis and Jordan are ready to give up their marriage. She’s sure it’s been signed and filed, but Jordan says, actually, it’s not. Curtis signed it and dropped off the papers at her office. She hadn’t gotten around to signing them, but she will as soon as she gets back. Stella asks, what’s the hurry? Jordan still loves her nephew. There’s still time to make things right. Jordan goes into the elevator.

Curtis says Portia doesn’t understand. He was calling her to explain… She says they weren’t thinking clearly. They’ve both been through hell in the past year, and she doesn’t want to risk their friendship over something neither one of them seems ready for. From what she’s seen, he feels the same way right? Curtis says, right.

Trina tells Laura that she’s so glad Curtis is feeling better, and Laura says Ava was there, but she had to get back for Avery. Trina says, Ava has been a good friend. Ava’s taught her so much. Not just about the art business. In the time she’s worked there, Trina thinks Ava has changed. She’s so happy. She’s glad things worked out with Ava and Nikolas. Laura says, her too. She’s never seen Nikolas so happy.

Back at Windymere, Nikolas tells Ava that he’s glad they have time alone before Avery gets there. She says, her too, but they don’t have enough time for that. He says, we’ll see, and opens the door. We see a wedding picture of them, held to the wall with a knife.

Alexis says, Naomi Carson? That was her judge. Considering the severity of the crime, she got a slap on the wrist. Shawn says she wasn’t Sonny’s right hand man, and she says that’s not what he told her a second ago. Maybe there is a way to get him out of there.

Nina tells Michael, it’s not a good time, and he says, sorry to call her out of the blue. He wanted her to know that they’re reconsidered letting her see Wiley. They’d like to give it another go. She says, really? and he says they’ll set up a visit as soon as she’s ready. All she has to do is come back to Port Charles. Nina looks at Sonny.

Chase says he can see it on Willow’s face; what’s wrong? She says he’s building her up to be more than she is. Of course (🍷) she wants to help him. She’s going to see him through this, but… He says, what is it? She can tell him anything. Finn runs in, and says he thinks he’s figured out how to cure Chase.

Britt asks Maxie if she went ahead with her plan, Ava says they got a note from Ryan, Finn says this is real, Michael says Nina has choice because Jax took his away, and Nina asks Sonny if this has to be goodbye.

The Haves and The Have Nots

Hanna and Veronica have a fist fight, and Veronica calls Hanna a punk ass. Hanna knocks Veronica to the ground and says she got Veronica’s punk ass. Now get her ass out of there. Veronica says Hanna hit the wrong woman, and Hanna says, nine times, because hit Veronica her. Veronica says she doesn’t believe it, and Hanan says, believe it. She’s been waiting a long time to beat Veronica’s ass. Veronica says Hanna is dead, and Hanna says, if Veronica comes back again, she’s dead. Girl, bye. Bitch be gone. Veronica puts her finger in Hanna’s face, and Hanna says Veronica lost her loan. That 54 million? She’s calling it. Veronica asks what Hanna is talking about. She can’t go around… Hanna says, watch her. She calls Don, and asks if he knows the Veronica Harrington load. Foreclose on all that sh*t now. Bring her the papers; she’ll sign them today. She looks at Veronica, and says, done. Now get your ass out. Veronica says, okay, Miss Hanna, and Hanna says she’s not telling Veronica again. Veronica says Hanna has no idea what she’s done. She thinks she has the power, and she does. Hanna says she’ll tell Veronica one more damn time, and Veronica says, okay. Hanna follows her out, and Veronica says, no one hits her, and gets away with it. Hanna says she was defending herself. Veronica might want to pull her sh*t together after the ass whoopin’ she just got on the plantation.

The police pull up to the Cryer house, and I get momentarily confused when I think I see Lushion (If Loving You is Wrong) getting out of the car. Two officers approach the porch, and one asks if everything is okay. Hanna says, Veronica was just leaving, and he asks what happened. Veronica says, they were talking, but Hanna says Veronica was trespassing, and now she’s leaving. Jim and David join the party, and David asks, what’s going on. Jim asks what Veronica is doing there, and Veronica says she came to see him. He asks why the police were there, and Hanna says she beat Veronica’s ass. David asks what she’s talking about, and Hanna say Veronica was going through Kathryn’s things. Jim asks what she was looking for, and David tells the police, things are fine; they can go. Hanna says they should be asking her. She’s the executor of the estate. One of the officers says, ma’am, and she says, now they can go. He says, if she needs them, call, and she says, don’t worry; she will. They leave, and Jim asks Veronica what she was looking for, and she says she needs to talk to him. He says he doesn’t want to talk to her until she tells him what she was looking for. Veronica says, he’ll have her killed, and he says she has no idea what she’s talking about. Veronica says she’s always two steps ahead of him. Remember that. Jim says, those two steps aren’t getting her very far, and she says she’ll be back tonight. He says he’ll be waiting with bated breath, and she says, good fight, Miss Hanna, and leaves. Jim asks Hanna if Veronica took anything, and Hanna just goes inside. Jim asks David, what the hell is wrong with these women? David asks what Jim thinks Veronica was looking for, and he says, whatever it is, it must be important. She’ll be back. David says, yes, she will, and they go inside.   

Rianna, Benny, and Candace come out of a house, and Rianna asks if there’s enough room for Benny and his wife. He says Candace is his sister, and Rianna asks if he’s married. He says, no, and she says, kids? He says, no, and she says it’s a big house for a single guy. Benny says he thought it was small, but Rianna says she thinks he’ll fit in fine. He says he was hoping his mother would move in with him, and she says, that’s really nice. Does he need a minute to think about it? He says, yeah, and she tells him, the other houses will be finished soon, but this one is available right away. She goes back into the house, and Candace tells Benny, stop flirting. He says he wasn’t… okay he was. She says Rianna was flirting with him hard. He says she’s looking at the future Mrs. Young, and Candace laughs. She asks what he thinks about the house, and he says, it feels small. She says, it isn’t for him. He likes it, so does he think he’ll buy it? He says, why not? He’ll do it up good. Candance tells him to get he paperwork done so he can take her to the airport. He goes inside, and Candace gets on the phone. She says she’s trying to check in online, but it’s not allowing her to… What do they mean?… No fly list?… It must be someone… She’s got it. She’ll call back. She calls Landon, who says he was just talking about her. She says she’s on the no fly list, and he says he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She says, tell that SOB to get her off. She’ll go to the press herself. Landon says, listen to him, and she says reporters have been blowing up her phone asking for interviews. She’s been ignoring them. He says, just listen, but she says she doesn’t want to. He’s (Charles) not controlling her. He says he’ll have her taken off, and she says, do it fast. He says, okay, but he needs one comment from her. She says, it’s not a negotiation. He says, just one interview, and she says she doesn’t want to. He says all it takes is one blog, talking about her life, how hard it was, and the tide will turn over. He’s already laid the groundwork. She asks why he’s doing this for her. She’s never going to talk to Charles again. He humiliated her. He put her in the trunk of a car. He asks if that’s the worst thing a man has ever done to her, and God help me, I laugh. She says, the hell with him, and he says, men have done bad things to her, and she says, get her off. She’s not playing. He says she was in love with Charles, and she asks if he thinks this is a game. Landon says, she was. So don’t do anything stupid, and the tide will turn in her favor. She says she wants to get out of town, and he says, four days; that’s all he needs. She hangs up, and he says, dammit. Why is everything so damn hard with her? He calls someone and asks how long they can hold Candace on the no fly list. Four days? Okay. Great. He’ll call them back.

Veronica goes to the prison to visit Kathryn. Kathryn asks what the hell Veronica is doing there again, and Veronica says she just left Kathryn’s house. Kathryn says, and? and Veronica says she was looking for the Jallie company file. The one Kathryn created for her personal use. Kathryn says she has no idea what Veronica is talking about, and Veronica says the record for the gun is in that file. Kathryn asks what Veronica wants, and Veronica says Hanna called her loan. Kathryn smiles, and says, did she now? Veronica asks if Kathryn authorized that, and Kathryn says, no. Veronica says, so Hanna can do what she wants? Kathryn says she can, and Veronica says Kathryn gave Hanna full power of attorney? Kathryn says she did, and Veronica asks if Kathryn thinks that’s smart. Kathryn says, yes, she does, and Veronica asks, what if something happens to Kathryn? If it does, everything goes to Hanna’s children. Kathryn says, that’s not how it works, and Veronica asks if she’s sure. Even I know that’s not how it works. Veronica says Hanna asked to do a new will, and Kathryn tells her, get the f*** out; it’s not working. Hanna hates Veronica as much as she does. Veronica says Kathryn can’t close the loan, but Kathryn says it’s up to Hanna. Tell her not to. Get on the floor, snake, and slither on over, and beg. Veronica says,. If Kathryn tells Hanna not to close the loan, she’ll get Kathryn out of there. Kathryn asks how she expects shut up. That’s not happening to do that, and Veronica says, she’s a witness – for the prosecution. She has immunity in exchange for her testimony. She’ll get on the stand, say she did it, and because of the immunity, they can’t touch her. And they’ll have to set Kathryn free. I don’t think that’s how that works either. Isn’t Veronica a high-profile lawyer? Kathryn asks if Veronica thinks it will work, and Veronica says she bets $54 million it does. Do not call her loan, and forgive it. Kathryn says she won’t call the loan, and she’ll reduce it to $44 million. Veronica asks if $10 million is all Kathryn is worth, and Kathryn says, it’s all Veronica is worth. Veronica says, the entire thing or no deal, and Kathryn says, then no deal. Veronica says, okay, then good luck with whatever sorry attorney she scares up. Kathryn says, good luck with finding out where things are buried, and suggests Veronica not wear that wig again. She looks like a man. Veronica says she knows they don’t have mirrors, but trust her, Kathryn can’t talk about the way people look. She leaves, and Kathryn says, you can’t bullsh*t a bullsh*tter.

Candace asks Benny if he likes it, and he asks if she thinks he should buy it. She says, 200 grand, he should buy it. He says, it’s a lot of money, and she says he has a tow truck, so buy it. He tells her, okay, and she says he can pay. He’s a hustler like her. Rianna comes back out, and Benny says he’ll take it. Candance says, at $175K. Rianna isn’t sure they can lower the price, but Candace says, it’s the first house in a new subdivision, and Rianna says she’ll call the developer. What about financing? Benny says, it will be cash, and Candace says, a 15 day close, as long as the inspection goes well. Rianna says, it’s a new house, and Candace says, so it should be easy. They want a quick close. Rianna says she’ll call now, and steps away. Benny says Candace doesn’t have to be mean, and Candace says Benny likes her that much. He says, enough to smash her, and Candace says, he’s the worst. She’s not being mean. She’s handling his business like he needs to. It would be great if they could close sooner, and he asks, what’s up? She tells him about being on the no fly list, and asks who he thinks he is. Benny says, who? and she says, who does he think could do that? She wants to lay low. Can she stay with him? He says she knows she can live with him forever, but she says, not forever. She’s going to look for a house or something. He asks if she wants him to see if Rianna has something else, but she says she’s not a Craftsmen girl. It’s not her taste, but it’s him. He’ll be a good family man. He says, it will be a long time from now, but she says, it’s closer than he thinks. When he stops trying to smash girls, and looks at their hearts. He says he always looks at their hearts, because that’s where their breasts are. She shakes her head, and he says he likes this soft side of her. She says, it’s easy to have a soft side when you’re sitting on money. She asks if he’s spoken to their mom, and he says he’s giving her space to calm down. She says, that’s not going to happen, and he says they’ll see.

Tanner asks if Veronica has the stomach for this, and she says she doesn’t care anything about it. She has other things on her mind. He says, Colby is getting out of the car, and she makes herself scarce. A dude whose name I don’t know (<sigh> they’re always bad with names on this show) answers the door. Colby says, nice house. He needs the payment up front. Dude says Colby is one sexy man. Does he need to freshen up? The bathroom is through there. He points toward the back of the house, and Colby says, don’t mind if I do. He sees Veronica sitting with Tanner and a couple of other guys in the enclosed porch by the pool. Dude pushes Colby into the room, and he sees Tanner, and says, damn. Veronica says he wanted to play with the queen. He says she knows he was just playing, and she says, is that right? He says, kinda, and she says he didn’t know where he was coming, did he? When he was in her pool, he came through the back. He didn’t know what the front of the house looked like. Stupid ass. Colby says she knew he was just playing, but she says, no, she didn’t. He says he was just joking, kinda, and she says, so he’s sorry. He says, yeah; no harm, no foul, and Veronica says, there was harm, and there was foul. She had to drain the pool, clean it, and fill it up. Does he know how much that cost? He says he’s so sorry, but Tanner says, no, he’s not. Veronica says she doesn’t think he is. Tanner should teach him a lesson. Tanner says, they should, and she gets up. Tanner says, let’s go, and Colby says, okay, getting into his fighting stance. They fight, and Colby knocks Tanner down, but another guy steps in. Colby kicks that guy’s ass, but a third guy grabs Colby, and knocks him down. The three men kick the sh*t out of Colby, until he’s bleeding and can barely move. Tanner says, see that? Stay away from his brother. He hates all of them. He tells the other guys to leave, and they go. Tanner says Colby got a man sized ass whoopin’. Tell Veronica he’s sorry. Colby says he’s sorry, but Veronica tells him, say it with feeling, son. Bring the drama. Let her hear him acting. He says he’s sorry, and Tanner says Colby is sorry he got his ass kicked. Colby says he’s sorry Tanner couldn’t do it by himself, and Tanner says Colby thinks he’s cute. Colby says he’s been in fights before, but this feels weird; something is wrong. Tanner asks if Colby didn’t feel the cleats and spikes in the guys’ shoes as they were kicking him in the face, stomach, and back. His military buddies got their sh*t tightened up. He messed with the wrong guys. Colby says, it hurts, and Veronica says, it’s supposed to. Colby says, you’re never going to change gay people, you homophobic ass bitch. She laughs, and says she doesn’t give a damn about gay people or changing them. She doesn’t care what they do, just not with her son, and not in her pool. Tanner says, and not with his brother. Colby says Tanner’s brother called him. His brother was gay, and Veronica’s son is gay. Tanner tells Colby to shut his mouth before he beats him some more, and Veronica says, do it for her. Colby says Tanner is probably gay too. He’s probably just like Justin. He hates it; revenge. It’s not about him, it’s about Tanner. Tanner says it is about him, and his disgusting ways. Colby says, this is nothing. He’s used to this. He’s been dealing with it his entire life. Ignorant ass people like Veronica, who hate for no reason. Veronica says, keep talking, and Colby says, you get used to it. They’re everywhere. Like Tanner. Tanner punches Colby, knocking him out. Dude comes out, and says an officer is phoned Tanner. It’s about his brother. Tanner asks, what happened, and Dude says, it’s not good. Tanner says he has to go, but Veronica says they still have other business. He says he’ll take care of it, and tells the guys to get Colby out of there. They drag Colby out, and Veronica says, someone needs to clean this sh*t up.

Jim tells David that he thinks he knows what Veronica was looking for. The gun was registered to the Jallie company. There’s only one way Veronica could have known about it. David says, Don, and Jim says, one of two ways; John. David says, they’re both weasels. The evidence could bury Kathryn. Jim says, it could, and them. All of the information that’s in there… Damn. He needs David to talk to Hanna. Ask her. David says she won’t tell him, but Jim thinks she’ll tell him everything. David says Jim thinks Hanna is a weak woman, but Jim says, no. He’s actually come to admire her. David says he doesn’t, but Jim insists he does. He tells David, please, just talk to her. If the file isn’t there, Veronica knows where it is or already has it. David asks when Jim started admiring Hanna, and Jim asks if he’s jealous. David says, no; what happened? Jim says he realized Hanna had no involvement with his money being gone. She’s also a formidable foe. David says, that doesn’t sound like admiration, and Jim says he’s having fun. It depends entirely on your perspective. David says, leave Hanna out of it, and Jim loves that David is so protective. David really likes her. He doesn’t know how long he’s known David – David says, too long – but he knows what floats David’s boat. Go on. Bang her, and get the information while he’s at it. David is in this too. Jim wants to look in one more place, but if it’s not there, Veronica has it. David says Jim is such an a-hole, and Jim tells him, go talk to Hanna. David says he’s got his bases covered.  

Rianna tells Benny that she spoke to the builder, and they’re willing to go down to $196K and 15 day closing. They’re motivated to sell, as long as the check is verified.  A four grand difference doesn’t sound very motivated. Benny says, okay, and Rianna says she’ll fill out the paperwork, and he can do a wire. He suggests they meet at his bank. It’s all good, on one condition. Candace tells Benny, don’t do this. He’s going to regret this. Benny says he wants to take Rianna to dinner tonight, but she says she’s sorry. She doesn’t mix business with pleasure. When they close their business, they can have dinner. Benny says he doesn’t think that will work for him. No deal. Candace says she’s sorry her brother is a neanderthal about things like this. How about if he brings the check to the restaurant and they sign the papers there? Rianna says that would do. Where are they eating? He tells her to let him know, and she says, it will be well-lit with lots of people. Benny says, it’s a deal.

Madison calls Colby, and gets voicemail. He says, bitch, where are you? You’ve never disappeared for this long. Call or text. Tanner and Dude come in, and Tanner asks if Madison works there. His brother is Justin Lewis. Madison says he’s not on duty, but he’ll get a doctor. Tanner tells Dude he doesn’t know how to tell his mother. Dude asks if Justin was smoking or something, but Tanner doesn’t know. The doctor comes out, and Tanner asks how Justin is. The doctor says he’s sorry, but Justin didn’t make it. Tanner asks what he means, and the doctor says, he died. Tanner asks, what happened, but the doctor says, they’re not sure. It was a terrible fire. Tanner asks if Justin was at home, but the doctor has no idea. Tanner asks if he can see Justin, but the doctor shakes his head. Dude says he’s sorry.

David asks Hanna if she’s all right, but she ignores him, continuing to go through the papers that are always attached to her now. He sits down, and says he just wanted to see if she’s okay. She says she’s fine, and he says, Veronica can be a bully. She says, that bully just got her hood ass beaten today, and David says he’d like to have seen it that. She says, that sh*t ain’t funny, and he says he’s sure she deserved it. Hanna says, now that he’s divorced her, she deserves it, and David says, it wasn’t always this bad. Veronica was always… Hanna says, a crazy ass hellcat? and he says, yes. She says, that he married, and he says he did. She asks what that makes him, and he says, a fool for love. She says, whatever. He says he is, and she says he’s doing this sh*t again. Why is he talking to her? He says he’s just trying to be nice, but she says she knows what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to run game on her. He and Jim need to go somewhere with that bullsh*t. He says what he told her isn’t bullsh*t. He reaches out, and she jumps up, saying, don’t touch her. He says she already hit him once, and she says she will again. He says he’s sorry, and she tells him, step back. He does, and she sits back down.

Tanner and Dude walk into the police station. Tanner introduces himself to the officer at the desk as Justin’s brother. The officer says he’s so sorry, and Tanner asks, what happened? The officer says Justin set himself on fire, but Tanner says his brother would never do that. The officer says, Justin came into a restaurant with a gun, sat down with two men. Tanner asks if they set him on fire; it makes no sense. The officer says footage from the gas station across the street showed Justin pouring gas on himself. He sat down at the restaurant, struck a match, and tried to take Jeffrey Harrington with him.

Pearl weeps over Justin’s body, when Jeffrey arrives. Pearl says, here he comes. Jeffrey says, hi, and she says, don’t hi her. She has nothing say to him. He did this to Tanner’s brother. She hates him, and she’ll always hate what he did to her boy. Unspeakable. Some cops lead her away, and Tanner introduces himself. Jeffrey says he’s sorry, and Tanner says he tried to talk to Justin. Justin told him what he was doing, and he tried to get Justin to get help. Part of it is his fault. Jeffrey asks what he’s talking about, and Tanner says he knew what Justin was doing in his car with guys. He like Jeffrey, so Tanner told him to pursue Jeffrey; go after him. Justin looked up to Jeffrey, and said he was a good guy. He was the only one Justin confided in. Jeffrey says Justin was stalking him, and Tanner says Justin went too far. Jeffrey says Tanner needs to tell his mother, but Tanner says, it would kill her. Jeffrey says he understands that, and Tanner asks what Jeffrey’s address is. Justin left something he wants Jeffrey to have; he’ll bring it by. Then, like an idiot, Jeffrey gives Tanner his address, but I’ve already decided he must be a pretend psychologist, since he gets absolutely nothing about psychotic people. Tanner says he’ll call when he’s coming. Justin already gave him the number. Jeffrey says he’s sorry again, and Tanner says, him too. Justin told him how pleasant Jeffrey is, and he just wants to thank him. If not for him, Justin would have died a long time ago. Jeffrey says, how’s that, and Tanner says, Justin was HIV positive. It had gotten worse. Jeffrey says, he was HIV positive? and Tanner says Justin told him Jeffrey knew, and didn’t care because he was too. Jeffrey says, he’s not, and Tanner says Jeffrey better get tested. Justin was hellbent on taking Jeffrey with him, one way or another.

Next time, Mitch tells Candace that he’s worried about her, Benny buys a fancy suit, Jeffrey tells Madison about giving Tanner his address, Benny and Rianna go to dinner, and Sandy shows up.

The Real Housewives of New York City

At LuAnn’s place in Sag Harbor, LuAnn had asked Eboni to leave, mostly because she was being Countess dramatic. Eboni said she didn’t want to be somewhere she wasn’t wanted, and went back to Ramona’s. LuAnn told the women that while she said Eboni was angry, she never referred to race. Ramona said Eboni had issues, and Sonja suddenly became the voice of reason, saying in her interview that women didn’t like to be called angry, especially Black women. Just don’t do it, and if you do, back down and say you didn’t realize. Heather said they all had to listen to each other, and in LuAnn’s interview, she said Eboni lost her after saying she was the smartest one in the room. For being so educated, it was a dumb thing to say. Um… it might have been if she’d said it. She said she was the most educated. Meaning she had achieved the highest level in education there.

Eboni joined Leah at Ramona’s, and told her that LuAnn had kicked her out of the house after calling her an angry Black woman. Leah jumped around, saying, she did not, about ten times. In Eboni’s interview, she said society didn’t allow Black women emotions. Back at LuAnn’s house, LuAnn wondered why Eboni lost her sh*t and was so angry. Heather said it was unfortunate that LuAnn used the word angry, and Victoria suggested LuAnn substitute upset. Heather said the onus was on them; they needed to back up and understand, then listen. To understand was the most important thing. I’d say Heather made good points too, but she’s such an asshat in so many other ways, it’s difficult. She said she knew it was LuAnn’s turf, but she needed to go in and apologize. In Heather’s interview, she said, instead of seeing pain and suffering, LuAnn’s righteousness came into play. She’d have to strip her ego, and see other people. She told LuAnn to push pause on her reaction, and think about what she did to make Eboni feel that way, when Eboni was just letting out how she felt. Leah told Eboni that LuAnn thought she was better than everyone. When Heather got back, she joined Eboni and Leah, and said with LuAnn, ego came first. Eboni said she couldn’t be in a friend group that couldn’t recognize her experience was different.

Ramona told Sonja that her original idea for the evening was to hang out and cook. She got aprons for everyone. She modeled one for Sonja that had a bikini body on the front, and in Ramona’s interview, she said she wanted a  fun, bonding moment of cooking. Now they’d have to talk through this. Heather told LuAnn that she thought it would be good if she and Eboni could sit down and see if they could come to an understanding. LuAnn had to come from a listening perspective, and not talk over Eboni. LuAnn said she was misunderstood, and Heather told her to understand, move on, and grow from it. LuAnn said if she made someone feel bad, she wanted to know about it and fix it. Sonja said Eboni and LuAnn had to get it behind them, but LuAnn would have to meet Eboni halfway.   

Everyone had a sit-down, and Sonja said they had to get his thing straight. Eboni said LuAnn had disappointed her, since she held LuAnn in high regard. She said the word angry was unacceptable when referencing Black women. It was a stereotype, and history never afforded them the option to have full emotions. LuAnn was painting her with a She’d worked her whole life not to show up that way, because she had a responsibility to Black women on the platforms she worked. LuAnn told Eboni that she didn’t say it to belittle Eboni or make her feel less than. For that, she was sorry, and hoped Eboni extended the same to her. Eboni asked if LuAnn wanted her to apologize, and in her interview, said they went 5 steps forward to go 10 backward. She was allowed to be upset. Sonja told LuAnn that it was frustrating, but who should be apologizing. Heather said LuAnn was missing the point. As white people, they needed to step back, apologize, and understand the reaction to a trigger. LuAnn said she was sorry for triggering Eboni. Eboni said she appreciated it, and it was accepted. The expectation that she should apologize for a natural reaction to a deep seated trigger was a concept she couldn’t accept. Leah called them all ho’s to their faces, and instead of calling her angry, they told her to calm down and come back to the table. They weren’t holding her to the same standard. Ramona said they gave Leah a pass because her grandmother is dying, and Eboni said, so is hers. In Sonja’s interview, she said the burden was on them, white privileged ladies, to read the page, feel the page, be awkward, and turn some more pages. Heather said they were responsible for change by their actions, and in Leah’s interview, she said Heather was responsible to listen. STFU. LuAnn said she still hoped Eboni had the best day, and Eboni said it was the most honest day, so it was the best, and they hugged. In her Eboni said she thought LuAnn was being authentic, and in LuAnn’s interview, she said Eboni was smart and understanding, and she valued Eboni as a friend. Eboni said Sonja was a queen, but didn’t think Sonja recognized that. In Eboni’s interview, she said Sonja allowed her friends to classify her as a less than valuable woman. We flashed back to LuAnn saying she’d married bald dude Tom, while Sonja was just a one-night stand, and Eboni said, Sonja was dope, powerful, and a bad ass. She and Sonja discussed LuAnn, and Eboni said the best apology was changed behavior. Sonja said the responsibility was on them, and in her interview, Eboni said she didn’t think Sonja was pandering. She thought Sonja got it more than the others. On her way out the door, Heather told Eboni that she was very articulate. Eboni told Leah that was a microaggression, but Heather meant well, so she’d give her a pass. In her interview, she said they still had work to do, but that was actually pretty funny.

Eboni called her friend Devon, who she considered the best matchmaker in the country. She wanted to find Sonja the love of her life. Sonja was beautiful and smart, and didn’t know her own worth. Sonja thought that ship had sailed, but Eboni didn’t believe that. Sonja told LuAnn that Ramona was happy she didn’t get caught in that whole snafu, and LuAnn said she should enjoy the moment while it lasted. In Ramona’s interview, she said Sonja loved fishing, so they were doing a beach picnic. They’d have a nice lunch and some fishing. In LuAnn’s interview, she said she planned their last night. They were going to get dressed up for Halloween, and go to a 1970s inspired beauty pageant at a local restaurant. After the drama, a party was just what they needed. 

The women went to Georgica Beach, where fishing instructor Mark gave them waders and pointers. Leah opted out, and in her interview, she said there was nothing she wanted to do less than wade into freezing water to catch a fish she didn’t care about catching. LuAnn asked Leah to help her with the props for the beauty pageant, and Leah did some tricks with the hula hoops, one flying off her arm, and almost clocking LuAnn. In Leah’s interview, she said, back in the day, she was actually quite the hoola hoper. It was like riding a bike. LuAnn said she thought highly of Eboni, and swore she’d be a better communicator. Eboni said they hadn’t tied their conversation up with a bow, but no one had all the answers, including her. They had lunch, and Eboni told Sonja about the matchmaker. She said she really saw Sonja. Sonja had a big heart, and Eboni wanted love for her. Devon was already lining up the most eligible bachelors in NYC, and they were going to find her a man.

Leah said LuAnn had helped her figure out her special talent, and she’d be showcasing it at the pageant tonight. Ramona fretted about what she could do, and LuAnn said doing pushups in a gown was everything. Eboni invited everyone to an election party, and Leah said she was disgusted by politics, and wasn’t sure if she even wanted to vote. Heather said the only way to make a difference was to vote, and in her interview, Leah thought Heather was once again being morally superior.  

The women got ready for the evening, but while Leah was in the middle of hair and make-up, Bunny called with word that her grandmother was slipping away. Leah couldn’t imagine not having her with them anymore, and couldn’t believe wouldn’t be able to talk to her again. Bunny said she wasn’t really there now, and Leah said she’d be coming directly to Jersey from there. Eboni hugged Leah, and Leah said when she thought about grandmother, she couldn’t stop crying. She was going there first thing tomorrow. In Eboni’s interview, she said there was a heartbreaking parallel between her and Leah. It broke her heart for her friend and herself, since she was going to go through the same scenario. Leah said she wished she was still drinking. Even though she wasn’t drinking, Leah whacked herself in the nose while practicing the hoola hoop.    

Heather whined to Sonja that Leah was rude to her. She tried to explain why Leah should vote if she’s disgusted. Eboni told Leah that Heather had told her that Leah was rude, and Leah said she didn’t like how Heather had to be part of every conversation, and the authority on everything. Eboni said she thought Heather was bothered by Leah shirking her responsibility to vote. Leah said now she was effing done. In Eboni’s interview, she said, oops. Leah stormed out, and told Heather not to discuss her with her friends. Heather was white feminism 101. Why did she have to get in everyone’s business like a Karen. Heather had no idea what Leah was talking about, and said Leah didn’t know her. Leah said what she did know, she didn’t like. Heather didn’t have to be part of every single conversation. Don’t speak to other people about her personal decision. It was Karens like her who were the problem. In Heather’s interview, she said Leah sounded like a dingbat with this outlandish display.

Oblivious, LuAnn came down, and told everyone they looked fabulous. Eboni tried to explain to Heather why Leah was pissed off, and Leah stomped back to Heather, saying Heather just wanted her to vote for who Heather wanted. Heather insisted she didn’t, and Leah said she was dealing with enough. All she cared about was her dying grandmother. In Ramona’s interview, she said Leah was unleashing on Heather the way she sometimes did on her. When Leah was like this, no one knew what to do. Leah said, so much for a fun night, and still clueless LuAnn said the pageant was going to start without them.

Leah and Heather were first on the party bus, and Leah didn’t want to be alone in the van with Heather. Heather then made the mistake of saying, relax, bitch, which really set Leah off. LuAnn told everyone to hurry up before they killed each other in the van, but Leah said she wasn’t going with Heather. LuAnn suggested they take her car, but Leah said she was going home. She wasn’t dealing with Heather. Heather was a psycho. Heather said, wow.

Next time, Leah leaves the Hamptons, someone claims to be Eboni’s sister, Sonja takes a boxing lesson, and Eboni’s election day party.

😴 Zzzzzzzzzzzz…

Due to circumstances beyond my control, the sun’s just about up. So until we meet for some soap and Housewives, stay safe, stay understanding each other, and stay not like me, and getting some damn sleep.

June 6, 2021 – Teddy Launches a Big Stick, My Opinion About an Opinion, Victor’s Motives, Fear Finale, Jumping Time & Get Enough

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

We see Morgan’s town in shambles; a burned out building, doors swinging in the wind, a playground merry-go-round turning. Teddy says Dakota saved Morgan’s life. She thought he was going to give her a fresh start in a place she felt safe, a place to call home, and a family. Did he? Dakota says, no, and we see Morgan walking through the desolation. She says he built a town, and filled it with people, but her sister… Her mom did the same thing, ten times over. She still never felt comfortable in her own skin in any of those places. Teddy says both of them wanted something from her she couldn’t give. They wanted her to be somebody she’s not. He heard her with Alicia. She wants what they all want; someone to love her the way she is. She asks if he thinks she’ll find that person in the new world, but he says she already has. She says, him? and he says, yes. She says he put Alicia in the bunker because he thought he saw something special in her. He says he did. He loves what Alicia will become. There’s something in Alicia that he and Dakota will never be. That’s nothing to feel sorry about. Dakota is so much like him. They’re two very logical conclusions in a world built on a foundation of violence, lies, and self-interest. That’s why they understand each other. He thinks she’ll agree. When he says they’re conclusions, he means they don’t belong in the world the way it is. Things are just about to get started. She asks, what will happen to them? and he says, they’re going to die with everyone else. He knows it’s a lot to take in. She needs to ask herself the question, when they figure it out, does she still want to be a part of it, or does she want to pretend to be someone else just to have the chance to keep on breathing? Does she want to stay as she is in the time they have left? She says she wants be who she is, and he says, good girl. She’s in the right place. The lights come on, and Riley says, it’s the emergency battery. They need diesel to be running before dark. She asks how Riley knows Teddy, and Riley says he was an officer on the boat. Teddy says Riley was a broken man when he found him. Riley found himself like Dakota; found himself without a family to call his own. Riley asks if Teddy has them, and Teddy shows him the keys around his neck. Dakota laughs, and Teddy asks, what’s funny? She says, Virginia had a thing about keys too. Virginia said they’d unlock the future, but she doesn’t think this is what Virginia had in mind. Riley leaves, and she asks, does he know? Does everyone know they’re going to die? Teddy says, everyone here is aware, and she asks how he got them to follow him, knowing they were going to die. He says, it’s easy to get people to follow you. Just offer them something they really want to believe in. It’s just that not a lot of people want to die. I suppose that would be a monkey wrench. We see Morgan put his hat on, and take out a gun. Teddy says, getting them to do that is something else. Morgan looks at his pokey weapon stuck in the ground. Teddy says, it’s something very few people have, and gives Dakota a gun. She asks what it takes, and he says, it’s not that complicated. You just have to be wiling die with them. Morgan looks at Dakota’s note saying he still has things to do. He rides up a hill where Victor and the others meet him. He asks if Victor is ready to do this, and Victor says he’s guessing that’s a rhetorical question. Morgan says, let’s go, and they ride toward the USS Pennsylvania.

Morgan cuts through the submarine hatch, sparks flying. He gets it open, and looks down the stairs. He throws a flare down, and says, it’s a lot further down than he thought. Grace holds a Geiger counter, and says, at 10,000 milligrams, they should start to worry. She should go down first. Morgan says he’s got this, and June says she’s got him covered. He starts to go down the stairs into the sub. Shari radios Luci, asking if they found the naval base. June is worried, but Dwight says, if they fire the missile, the sub is probably the safest place to be. The rest of them are sitting ducks. Morgan asks if they’re ready, and John tells them, fire at anything that moves, dead or alive. Morgan goes down further, and Grace asks what the reading is. He says, 10 milligrams, and goes to the next level. She asks what the reading is now, and he says, still holding at 10. She says, it hasn’t changed? and Morgan says, he thought she said 10… A zombie grabs him, knocking him down, and getting on top of him. He yells, shoot it! and John tells him to move its head. He does, and June gets it with one shot. Morgan says, thank you, and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Morgan says, the crew must have all died, and Grace asks what the reading is now. He says, still holding at 10, and she says she’s going in. Cover her. Shari talks to Luci about the naval base.

Morgan hears Grace coming behind him, and she asks if he’s okay. He says he’s fine, and she takes the Geiger counter from him. She says she wants to see if the device is still intact. It’s been reissued twice. He says he knows what she’s trying do, and she says, the same thing as him. He says she wants to make them pay, and she asks if there’s something wrong with that. He says, no, but they haven’t talked about… She says, now is not the time, and calls up to the others that it’s safe. Morgan says he hasn’t pushed it because he understands her pain, but if they don’t talk about it now, they might not get the chance. He has to do what needs to be done to stop this, and he might not make it. She says, we might not make it; she’s coming. He says she’s not coming. She’s got to stay. She’s alive, and got to be here for a reason. He thinks it might be so she can build the future Athena showed her. She says, what about him? He should build a future too, but he says, first, he has to make sure there’s a world left behind to rebuild. The others begin to join them, and June asks if they’re all right. Morgan says, yeah, and June asks him to let her take a look, but he says he’s fine. Grace wants to take more readings, and June tells Morgan to give Grace time. Victor says he’s not sure Teddy’s group are the a-holes they have to worry about right now, and Dwight says, there has to be a crew on that floor. John asks Shari if they know how many stand between them, and where they’re going. Shari radios Luci, asking if she has any idea how many crew members on the boat, but there’s too much interference and she can’t hear. She says, it’s getting worse as they go on, and Grace says she’ll get Lucy. Morgan says, let’s go, and they continue on without Grace, who moves closer to the steps, but still can’t hear Luci.  

Grace goes up the ladder, while the others walk through. Grace asks if Luci can hear her, and says they need to know the count of the crew. Luci says, 150, and Grace asks if they heard it. Victor says he wishes they hadn’t. They also hear zombies beyond the next hatch. Morgan bangs on the hatch with his pokey weapon, and John asks if they have any idea what’s beyond the hatch. Victor asks if it’s the only way, and Luci hears, and says, it looks like it. John wonders if they have enough ammo, and Dwight suggests they hold their fire while they’re down there. Victor agrees, and says, Alicia might be in there. If not, they need to find out where she is. Morgan says he’s going in, and tells them to kill anything that slips by him. June says he’s not going in alone, and he says, no one needs to get hurt. She says, neither does he. Victor hands him the note from Dakota, saying he dropped it. Morgan says it wasn’t for Victor to read, but Victor says, just because Dakota saved Morgan’s life doesn’t mean he needs to give it up there. Morgan says, it’s not about that. He was halfway to being one of those things. He knows how to get past them. Victor says, they’ll be behind him. He knows they’ve had their differences, but Alicia called him to take care of Morgan, and that’s what he’s going to do. John says he’s coming too. He gave up his family to put this guy away. He’s not about to let Teddy succeed now. They all want to go, and Dwight says, no use arguing. Realizing he’s outnumbered, Morgan says, let’s open it up.

Morgan opens the hatch, and going through a narrow hallway, dispatches several zombies in different ways with his pokey weapon. He checks the reading, and says, it’s clear. The others follow, and John closes the hatch. Dwight asks if he’s locking them in, and John says he doesn’t want any surprises. June asks if there’s any way to dismantle the missile from there, and Victor says, it’s not a good idea since they don’t understand it. Dwight says, do they think some psycho that’s been behind bars for 40 years knows how work this sh*t? and John tells them, don’t underestimate Teddy; he’s a resourceful fella. The hear zombies beyond the next hatch, and Morgan sees an intercom. He picks up the mic, and says, Grace? Grace says she thinks that’s the emergency com. They need power. Morgan says, they have to turn the silo off, and asks, which way to the weapons room? Grace calls Luci, and hears Teddy saying, they got there fast. Morgan asks, who’s this? and Teddy says Morgan knows damn well who it is. He says, Teddy? And Teddy says, bingo. That you, Morgan? John takes the radio and asks if Teddy recognizes his voice. Teddy says, he’s afraid he doesn’t, and John says he’ll give him a hint. The last time Teddy heard it, he was in a courthouse listening to his testimony against him. Teddy looks worried, and breathes heavily. He says, Officer Dorie; is it really him? John says he’s sorry he never paid Teddy a visit, but he has no stomach for death row. Teddy says John couldn’t kill him then, and he won’t now. John begs to differ. He has a bullet to put in Teddy’s head before the day ends. Teddy says he sees the day ending differently. No hard feelings. If John hadn’t put him away, he wouldn’t be sitting where he is now. June tells John not to let Teddy get to him, and John asks, where’s the girl? Teddy asks him to be more specific, and John says, where’s Alicia? Teddy says Alicia is safer than all of them, and John asks what he means. Teddy says what he means is, she’s tucked away someplace they’ll never find her. Morgan says, tell him where she is, and Teddy says, they didn’t think she’d be safe by the boat, did they? Morgan says, Teddy is going to kill his own people? but Teddy says he’s giving them a second chance. Morgan tells Grace to get on the walkie, and tell Luci to get everyone as far away from the sub as possible. She copies, and Teddy says, he and Morgan are like two peas in a pod. He’s leading everyone to their end, and Morgan is doing the same thing. Except Teddy isn’t fooling himself about what he’s doing. Excuse him; he’s got to run. He’s about to turn the power on. June radios Grace and tells her to reach her people; tell them to get somewhere safe. Grace says Charlie told her there’s a naval base nearby, but she’s not sure it will be far enough. Victor says, then they won’t fail. They hear zombies knocking on the other side of the hatch, and Victor asks, where’s Morgan?

Victor moves forward, the others behind him. He whispers for Morgan. A zombie pops out, and he sticks a knife in its head. Shari and Dwight see bunks full of dead undead, and Dwight wonders what happened. They keep moving, and Morgan walks further ahead, alone. A zombie come out behind him, and he stabs it in the eye. He starts to open the next hatch, when another zombie comes out, and he cracks its head open with the ax part of his pokey weapon. He goes in, and starts to close the opening, but Victor stops him, saying, let go. Morgan sees zombies coming behind Victor, and tells him, get in. He closes and locks the hatch, and Morgan says he doesn’t need Victor to be there, but Victor says Morgan’s not supposed to be there by himself. Morgan says he doesn’t want anyone else to die, and Victor says, no one has to die, but Morgan says, they might. Victor asks if this is what Morgan thinks he has to do. Dakota said he had things left to do in her note, but that’s not what she meant. Morgan says he’s been leading them from one dead end to another. He promised them something different, something better. He wants to be sure this time. Victor says Dakota wanted him to kill her mother; that’s what she meant, not this Morgan says he has to make sure. Victor says, people follow him because they want to, not because he owes them something. Morgan says he doesn’t know why Victor is even still there, and Victor says, Alicia asked him a difficult question when they were at the lodge. She asked if he was doing this for them or himself. Morgan says, and? and Victor says he’s doing it for everyone. Morgan’s Geiger counter goes wild, and they hear a zombie. A zombie woman stumbles out, covered with boils, we assume from radioactivity. She keels over, and Morgan says, don’t touch it. The zombie gets up all weird, like Exorcist weird, and reaches out toward them, then collapses.

They use Geiger counter, finding heavy radiation coming from the zombie, and Morgan and Victor carefully go around it to the next hatch. The Geiger counter goes crazy, and Victor says he thinks he knows where the zombie came from. Morgan says, the readings are high, when they hear something. He says, they’re about to get power, and radios Grace. He says they’re at the next door, and it’s off the charts at 40,000. Grace says, the only way they’d get that kind of a reading is if they exposed radioactive material. They have to find another way. If Morgan goes in, it will kill him. He asks how long he’d have, and she says she doesn’t know. Days? She yells for him, and Morgan and Victor look up, seeing zombies toddling along the grating above. One drops down, and Morgan says he’s going inside. Victor sees another ladder, and suggests he go up and kill them, Morgan following. Morgan says Victor isn’t thinking it through, but Victor says he wants to do what’s best for everyone. Morgan asks what that is, and Victor says, to live. Another zombie drops down, and Morgan asks if it’s clear. Victor says, let’s go, and they climb up.    

They see several zombies, but they’re behind a barrier, so not a threat. They see dead undead on the floor, and one leaning on the open hatch, all victims of radiation. Victor says he told Morgan there was another way. Lights begin to come on, and Morgan says, they must be getting closer to launch. Victor takes off the other way, and Morgan follows. Zombies come out of the hatch behind them, and they close the door. Morgan says, this is a dead end. It’s a bunkroom, and he sees pictures on the wall of Riley and his family. He tells Morgan, this sailor is one of Teddy’s people. He’s the one who attacked them when Grace was in labor. He says, there’s no way out, but Victor says they’ll find a way. Morgan says he had one. Whatever Victor had to prove, he proved it. Tons of zombies are suddenly coming their way, and Victor says, Alicia’s message was meant for Morgan, because he’ll do things Victor won’t. He struggles with Morgan over the pokey weapon, and Victor knocks Morgan down, ending up with only the pokey ax part. He says, Morgan didn’t want anyone to die. He’s going to get his wish. He kicks a zombie away, and jumps into the hatch.   

Victor approaches another hatch, the pokey ax in his hand. Dakota appears behind him with a gun, and tells him to drop it, and slide it to her. He does, and he says, she’s with them. Of course. She says, they gave her something no one else could. He tells her not to make the same mistake with him that she did with John, but she says she doesn’t think she is. Don’t think he can change her mind, especially after what he did. He says he doesn’t understand, but she says he doesn’t need to, or his people. She gets on the radio, and says, whoever is out there needs to listen. They need to know why they’re not going to stop this. They saved her to give her a fresh start. June did the first part; the second part is something else. If she lived with them, she’d have to be a different person, and fall into their ways. It would never work Morgan’s way.  She asks Victor if he really wants to be the person Morgan wants him to be? That’s why she killed Morgan. Listening on the radio, Grace gasps. Dakota says, Morgan’s way going forward is not how she wants to believe. Victor says, that’s not true, but Dakota says she wants to be the type of person she wants. That’s why killed John. Because of people like him, the world has to end. June told John that it wasn’t too late; the world still has meaning. She’s going to make it have meaning, just not the way he thought. Victor says, Teddy is going to kill everyone; Morgan isn’t. Dakota says, Alicia will still be there. She’s the beginning; they’re endings. When they start again, it won’t be with a-holes like him. She aims her gun at him, but seems uncertain. Victor closes his eyes, and she shoots, but she only gets him in the arm. Morgan comes out of nowhere, and slams her up against the wall, knocking her down with the stick part of the pokey weapon. She’s out, and he checks her pulse. He says Victor claimed it wasn’t on him, but he gave them the key. He did it to save Grace and the baby, and he can’t let it be for nothing. He radios Grace, saying he’s there and he’s all right. She says she’s there, and Morgan tells Victor, this ends now. Victor says, Morgan… but Morgan doesn’t want to hear it. He says they’ll deal with what Victor did later. He’s cost them enough time. Victor hands Morgan the stick part of the pokey weapon, which is now officially a pokey stick.   

Teddy asks how it’s looking, and Riley says, two minutes. He stopped something like this once, but they don’t have what it takes. Teddy says he’s glad Riley did that. His family returned to the earth, and now he can too. He’d be lost without Riley. Teddy radios Sue/Dakota, but gets no response, and an alarm sounds. Teddy gets a WTF? look on his face, and tells Riley, hurry.  

Morgan takes out a handful of key cards, and tries each one to get into the final hatch. Victor wonders where he got them, and Morgan says he took if off a dead soldier’s body after Victor left him. Victor tries to justify his actions, and Morgan tells him, stop.  

Behind the hatch, Riley says, on three, and Teddy says he copies. Morgan keeps trying the cards, but none of them are opening the hatch. Teddy puts in the key, and Riley says, one… Morgan prays the next card works, since it’s the last one. Riley says, two… three. Teddy turns the key. Morgan inserts the card, and the hatch opens. Victor and Morgan tell Teddy, stop, but Teddy says, they can’t. Riley says he told them it was inevitable. By the stairs going outside, John tells everyone, hold on. June tells Grace, they have to go, and Grace yells for Morgan. Everything begins to shake, and all is silent for a moment. They watch as a rocket shoots up out of the sub. Watching from the hill, Sarah says, damn, and Daniel says, that’s a big stick. They watch as it continues to go up into the sky.

Morgan grabs Teddy by his jacket, and puts his pokey stick in Teddy’s face, while Victor trains a gun on Riley. Riley moves, and Victor says, don’t. Riley tells Teddy, they only got one off, but Teddy says, it’s enough to get them started. They’ve begun. Victor says, how much, and Riley says, not enough. Victor asks where the missile is going, and Teddy asks if Riley would like to tell them what targets he programmed. Riley says, there are ten warheads on the missile. They’ll see where they land. It will be hard to miss. Victor says, where? and Teddy says, anywhere; everywhere. Maybe toward the water; maybe toward the town Morgan built. He’s been where Morgan is. A long time ago, he thought he was going to change everything, but a prison sentence put an end to it. What he didn’t realize was, it didn’t really end anything. He knows it’s not what Morgan wanted, but don’t look at it as an ending. The world is going to be a better place soon. Morgan just won’t get see it himself. Morgan threatens Teddy with the stick, looks him over, and lets go of Teddy’s jacket. He says, get out of here. Go. He tells Victor to let Riley go. Riley and Teddy can’t believe it, but get out while the getting’s good. Victor tells Morgan, it could been worse. They could have fired more. Morgan says, it could have been none if he’d gotten there sooner, and Victor says he did what he did to save lives, but Morgan says Victor did it for himself. He wanted to tell Alicia what a big hero he was. Leave. Victor sets down the pokey ax, walks to the hatch, and goes through. Morgan looks at the key in the control panel, and looks around. The camera pans out, and we watch through the hatch as he gets smaller.  

I don’t mean to be critical, but you’d think Morgan might start checking the controls to see if there’s an off button. On the other hand, Z Nation survived a nuclear bomb, so…

Next time season finale, Morgan and Grace reunite, some welding happens, Teddy says it’s almost time, Riley says, it’s just the beginning, and Victor screams.

👩🏽‍🏫 I was reading an article in Forbes, where reviewer Erik Kain not only said FWD’s scenario about a nuke being easily launched was unrealistic, but wondered how, after 40 years in the slammer, Teddy would know anything about how to launch it. First of all, I fail to see how a show about a zombie apocalypse should be expected to do anything realistically. And secondly, Dwight asked that question, and John answered it. Teddy is a resourceful guy. Kain also posed the question as to why Morgan would let Teddy and Riley go. I thought Morgan figured they were going to die in the radioactive fallout anyway, and it would be a more gruesome death than him killing them. Even with the pokey stick.

⌚️ About Strand…

What made Victor tick tonight.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-uss-pennsylvania-strand-morgan-showrunners-interview/

🎞 Coming Up…

A sneak peak at the finale, and yeah, what about Al?

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-season-finale-sneak-peek-familiar-voice-radio-daniel-salazar-616/

🪂 Possible Jump…

Speculation on what’s to come.

https://www.cbr.com/fear-the-walking-dead-s6-nuclear-explosion-time-jump/

🍃 Taking My Leave…

Time to call it a weekend. Or whatever you want to call the last two days. Until we meet for soap and Sailing, stay safe, stay unprejudiced, and stay resourceful, but not in the same way Teddy is.

June 1, 2021 – Gladys Gets Something Off Her Chest, Extra Crispy Justin, LuAnn Goes Countess On Eboni, Learn Something & Proud

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Peter lies at the bottom of the stairs, blood pooling around his head. A hospital employee runs down the stairs, and checks the pulse in his neck.

Two hours earlier. Maxie tells the baby, they did it. She’s so beautiful, even more than Maxie could have imagined. She’s sorry Louise’s entrance into the world was so bumpy. She checks Austin’s pulse, and says, come on. He has to be okay. Little Lu is okay because of him. She wishes she never had to let Louise go, but she has to do what she needs to do, to protect Louise. Her dad is not a good guy, and she can’t let him hurt Louise like he’s hurt so many others.

At the hospital, Finn tells Anna that Chase needs another dose of the antidote, and Anna moves quickly to the elevator. Michael and Willow have been watching, and Elizabeth comes out, saying she needs Finn. Finn starts to leave, and Willow says, stop. She’s been watching him and Anna exchange looks and coded phrases. Chase thinks Finn isn’t being honest about his condition. What is he keeping from Chase? Finn says he can’t get into it now, and she asks if it’s more serious than he’s been telling them.

Brando asks the doctor how his mom is, and she says, Gladys is out of surgery. She’s going to pull through. He asks how soon he can see her.

At The Savoy, Curtis flashes back to Portia kissing him, Laura walks in, and asks if it’s too late. He says, for her, never, and she says, flattery will get him everywhere, and everything. She shows him his liquor license in a frame, and says she thought it deserved a special delivery. He can officially open his doors now. He thanks her, but seems distant, and she says she was expecting more enthusiasm. He says, it’s a big deal, and she says, absolutely. Why isn’t he celebrating?

Portia gets home, and finds her door unlocked. She goes inside and looks around. She sees a trail of bloodspots on the floor, and turns around to see Cyrus, bloody and disheveled, with his ponytail undone. He says, welcome home, Dr. Robinson, and she tries to leave, but he blocks the door, showing her that he has a gun. She asks what he’s doing there, bleeding all over her home, and he says he wound up on the wrong end of a bullet. Naturally, he thought of the best doctor in his employ. I will say this again. If you ever come home to find your door unlocked, and you know you locked it, don’t go in.

Brook finds Maxie, and asks why Maxie didn’t tell her that she was giving birth in the woods. Good thing she wore flats. She sees Austin, and asks, who’s that? Maxie says his name is Austin, and he’s a doctor, and Brook asks why he’s out cold. Maxie tells her to brace herself. She has a lot to tell Brook.    

In his office on the phone, Peter says he’s tired of getting voicemail. They’re supposed to be at the cabin. Call him back. Anna comes in, and he asks her if he can help with something. She asks if he’s going somewhere.

Elizabeth tells Finn that she needs his help with a notation in Chase’s chart, and Michael asks if Finn knows something he’s not telling them. Willow says, this has been going on for weeks. If he knows something, tell them, so they can be prepared. Finn says, he knows it’s difficult to hear, but Chase’s condition is more serious than he thought, and he’s no closer to finding a cure. Chase is getting worse.   

The doctor tells Brando that his mother still has recovery to deal with, and he asks if he can see her now. The doctor advises against a lot of talking, but he can sit with her. Jordan walks away, and Brando thanks the doctor. Sasha tells Brando to go see his mom. She’ll be there.  

Jordan calls the station, and says she has an update she wants them to pass along to Dante. Gladys is out of surgery, and it looks good… Jason Morgan is in custody? She’s still finishing up there. Any eyes on Cyrus?… Dammit! Keep looking for him.

Curtis tells Laura that she has no idea how many phone calls it took him to get the license. Timing seems to be a thing with him. She asks if something is going on. He can talk to her. He knows they’re friends, right? He says, they sure are. That’s what happens when you save each other’s lives more than once. He’s wondering where to put the license, and places it behind the bar on a shelf. She says, it’s visible, but not obvious, unlike his attempt to change the subject. He says she doesn’t want to hear the sordid details of his love life, but she says she absolutely does; come on. He says he was wondering, how soon after a marriage ends, is too soon to move on?

Portia says Cyrus doesn’t need the gun. She’s a doctor, and took a vow to heal people, no matter who those people are. She can stop the bleeding and get him stable until the ambulance comes. He tells her to put the phone on the table. It has to be handled there. She says he’s mistaken her home for an OR. He needs to go to the hospital. He says, context, doctor. He can’t go to a hospital. Can she imagine why that might be? She says, they’re finally on to him. He wants her to patch him up while he plans his escape from Port Charles? He says he’s relying on her expertise, and she says, really? He terrorized her family for years, he trafficked in drugs, and caused the deaths of countless people. Maybe the world would be better off without him. He says, what about her oath? and she says, keeping him from doing more harm might be keeping her oath. He tells her that she’s being foolish. Trina walks in, and he says, that changes the calculous now, doesn’t it?

Curtis tells Laura, all the drama he and Jordan went through to get together, and by the time they signed the papers, the marriage was already over. Laura says he went through the five stages of grief before there was a death, and he says he didn’t take the end of his marriage lightly. She says she supposes he didn’t, and he asks if she had the same feeling when she got together with Doc. She tells him, her divorce was long over with, but she was still gun shy. She and Doc were friends first. He says, it was the same for him and Portia, and she says, Portia is a lovely person. He says they knew each other back in the day, and reconnected about a year ago. The whole time he was going through problems with Jordan, she was there for him… as a friend. She gave him space when he needed it, and showed up when he didn’t want to sit alone. It meant a lot. She says, if he wants her advice, go slow and see where it goes. He says, excellent advice, except he thinks he killed it tonight.

Portia tells Trina, just stay calm, and Cyrus asks if she heard her mother. Stay calm, and everything will be okay, as long as they listen to reason. Portia says he came to her for help. Let Trina go, and she’ll help. He tells her, don’t be naïve. She’s going to treat him, and Trina will help. The alternative would be unfortunate. Portia tells Trina to get her bag, and Cyrus says, do that, and come right back. Trina says, but… and Portia says, just do it. Cyrus says, before Trina goes, put her phone down. She does, and he says, good girl. Now get her mother’s medical bag. Play it smart, and they’ll all walk away alive.

Sasha thanks Jordan for letting Brando see his mother first. She knows Jordan must want to question Gladys, and Jordan says she has no idea. She’s going to respect the doctor’s advice, but it’s a difficult balance, since time is usually of the essence.

Brando sits next to an unconscious Gladys, and says he didn’t want her caught up in this. He’s so sorry. They’ve been at odds for so long, it took something like this for him to see how unimportant it all is. What a waste of time. He loves her. She squeezes his hand, and opens her eyes.

Elizabeth tells Finn, sorry; it can’t wait. Finn tells Willow, sorry, and leaves with Elizabeth. Michael asks if Willow is okay, and she says, not at all, and hugs him.

Elizabeth says she hopes Finn isn’t mad at her for running interference. He says she did him a favor. He was seconds away from telling Willow and Michael everything. She says, it’s okay; he had a moment. He’s tired. He’s barely been sleeping and eating, and he’s scared about someone he loves. He says he can’t find a damn cure, but Elizabeth says, he’ll beat this. There’s no way they’re going to let Peter win. Not again.

Peter tells Anna that he’s cleaning out his safe because this is no longer his office. He sold the magazine to a private investor. The transaction happened quickly, but he turned a profit. She says, congratulations. It will be a loss to journalism. He says, how much of a loss? The only point of having it was to present himself as an upstanding member of society. She says he was given chances, but what did that do for him? She has to be accountable for her choices, and he should be accountable for his. He says she keeps telling him that. If she can prove he’s guilty, she can arrest him. Oh, wait. She has no evidence. Even if she had, there’s nothing she could do. She still needs something from him. Is he right? Isn’t that why she’s really there?

Maxie says, the ambulance is on its way, and Brook tells Austin, hang in there; help is on the way. Now let her get this straight. Maxie lured her psycho nurse into the woods where she fell into a mine shaft? It’s absolutely genius. She looks at Louise, and says, she’s so beautiful. She’s gorgeous, and a little trooper. And Maxie, what she’s been through. Maxie says she doesn’t know what came over her to give her the strength she needed. She tells Brook to take Louise, but Brook says the nurse can’t hurt her now. Maxie says, but Peter can. Now is the perfect time to go through with their plan. Brook says, wait, but Maxie says, it was Brook’s idea. Brook convinced Maxie that she could keep the baby safe from Peter. Was it a scam? Brook says, no, and Maxie says, Peter hired Chloe to drug her, kidnap her, and force labor. That’s not a rational person. He’s not going to change or stop. Brook told Maxie that she’d keep the baby safe from Peter with her and Valentin. Please, Brook has to take her.

Brook says, give her minute, and Austin stirs. Maxie says they don’t have a minute; the ambulance is almost there. Take her. Brook asks if Maxie doesn’t want to say goodbye, but Maxie says, if she does, she won’t want to let go. Brook says, if she doesn’t, she won’t forgive herself. Maxie tells Louise, it’s okay, Lu. Go with Auntie Brook Lynn now. She’ll take good care of you until I come back to you. She has a family that loves her very much, and is waiting for her to come home. Until then, Maxie will stay close by, watching over her, and making sure she’s okay. She’ll be thinking about Louise all the time. Just remember, I love you very much. She hands Brook the baby, and Brook says she’ll make sure Louise is loved. Brook starts to walk away, and turns back. She says, for what it’s worth (🍷), Maxie is the bravest person she knows. She leaves, and Maxie sinks to the ground, crying.  

Anna tells Peter, Chase needs another dose, and he says, fine. It’s not a problem for him to hold up his end of the bargain, since she held up hers. She suggests they go grab it, and she’ll take him to the hospital, but he says, nice try. That’s not how it works. She can go back to the hospital alone, and he’ll meet her there with the vial. She says, fine, and he says he’ll be seeing her. She says she really did try to love him. She tried to believe there was good in him, but she doesn’t think he believes there’s good in himself. He was playing a part, and everyone saw it before she did. Eventually, she saw him too; the real him, not who she wanted to see. He asks if she’s done, and she says, actually, she’s not. He was given so many choices in his life. There were forks in the road where he could choose light or dark along the way, but he kept choosing the dark. Everyone is going to see who he is now. Everyone. She says, now she’s done, and leaves.  

Finn tells Elizabeth that he has no way to isolate the toxin, but she says, as long as Chase is breathing, Finn has a chance to find a cure; find a solution. It’s what he does. He’s a gifted researcher, and has saved lives. He’s going to save Chase. He says she has a lot of faith, and she says, Peter took Finn’s relationship with Anna from him, and took her husband. He doesn’t get to take anything else.

Brando tells Gladys that she’s in the hospital; she’s safe. Cyrus can’t hurt her. She says she got shot in the warehouse. She thought she was going to die. He says she thought wrong, and she says he saved her, but he says, only after she put her neck on the line for him in the first place. She says she didn’t have much choice. Whatever happened between them, she going to do everything she can to do right by him, and the baby on the way. She smiles.

Jordan gives Sasha a can of ginger ale, and says she imagines it’s more challenging with Cyrus. Sasha says she knows he’s still out there. It should be a happy time, but Cyrus corrupted it, like everything he touches. She hates the way he leers at her. Brando says she pokes the bear too much, but she wants to let Cyrus know he’s not in control of her, and she’s not afraid of him, even if she is. Jordan says she has experience in how Cyrus treats women; his misogyny. He wants to conquer strong, powerful women, and bribes or flatters them. Sasha says she just wants to survive him, and hopes he leaves her alone now.

Curtis says he doesn’t want to hold Laura up with his personal problems, but she says, not at all. She likes that he trusts her enough to confide in her. He says maybe he shouldn’t be. For the record, nothing happened while he was married to Jordan. he wouldn’t let his mind go there. She says she believes him, but now that he’s single, his mind can go wherever it wants. He thinks his mind didn’t get the message. He knows his marriage is over, but it still felt like betrayal.

Cyrus asks what the situation is, and Portia says she has to remove the bullet. It’s a difficult procedure, and very delicate. If she makes the wrong move, she could paralyze his arm. He says then he’d better not flinch, and she better not make the wrong move. She says he’ll need a sedative to relax him, but he says he doesn’t think so.

Gladys says, after what Brando did, she knows he loves her, and knows he’d do anything to protect his kid. He’s going to make a great dad. He kisses her hand, and says she should rest. Jordan knocks at the door, and Gladys tells her, come in. Jordan walks in with Sasha, and says she was told Gladys was conscious and talking. Brando says his mother needs to rest. She’s not up to questions now. Gladys says she wants to talk; she has to. Jordan says she does have some questions for Gladys, and Gladys says she’ll answer all of them, but she needs to get something off her chest first. Something that will put a stop to all this.

Portia says Cyrus came into her home for her to treat his wound, so let her treat it. He says the second he’s out, she’ll call the police, but she says if she doesn’t administer a sedative, he’s likely to pass out from the pain. He says trust him; he’s no stranger to pain. She tells him have it his way, and asks Trina to grab a wooden spoon from the kitchen. He asks if someone is baking, and she says she’s been doing triage her whole life. If he knows pain, that’s fine with her, but he’ll need something to bite on.

Curtis tells Laura, talk about an awkward way to handle it. Portia couldn’t get out fast enough. He’s attracted to her, but when she kissed him, he froze. She took it as disinterest, and now she’s upset, and he’s conflicted and confused, and talking like a teenage boy instead of handling it like a grown-ass man. She says she’s sure if he talks to Portia, she’ll understand, but he says, first he has to explain how he’s feeling to himself. She says, it’s not uncommon. In her own case, she doesn’t know how objective she can be about measuring when is too soon to move on. She thinks your heart tells you. If this year taught them anything, it’s that their lives count. Time with their loved ones can be unbearably short. Why delay happiness, especially when it’s right in front of you?   

Michael says Willow looks upset, and she says she shouldn’t have lashed out at Finn. He’s working as hard as he can. Michael says he wouldn’t call that lashing; he calls it being assertive. She says, who is she to demand answers from Finn? She feels that, not physically, but emotionally and spiritually, she’s not being honest. Michael says she’s just trying to help, but she says, is she helping?  

Anna gets back to the hospital, and Finn asks if she found Peter. She says Peter told her that he was bringing the dose to the hospital, but he says she doesn’t sound confident.

On the phone, Peter says, voicemail again? He really wants to know where the hell Chloe and Maxie are.

Austin asks, what happened? and Maxie says he was attacked, but he’ll be okay. She used his phone to call for help. An ambulance will be there. He says, got it. Um… So, Miss Maxie, where is the baby?

Willow asks if Michael remembers when they were talking in the foyer. She looked up, and saw Chase there before he passed out. In that moment, she was stricken with wondering how much Chase heard. She felt so guilty and ashamed. Michael tells her not to feel ashamed to help Chase by giving him hope, and she asks if giving him hope is what she’s doing. Lying, sneaking around, hiding their love; it’s tarnished them. It’s eating her up inside. What should be joyful, now feels wrong. Michael says it doesn’t to him, and Willow says, it’s not wrong… but it’s not right.

Jordan says Robert and Diane finalized the immunity deal, and Gladys asks if Jordan has it on her. Jordan says, no, but it’s on her desk, ready to be signed. Gladys says she’s not up to going to Jordan’s office, so there’s no time like the present. Brando says Gladys should talk to her lawyer, and Sasha says, Gladys might want to make sure it’s the deal she wants. Jordan says she can call Diane if it will give Gladys more confidence, but anything she says that will lead to Cyrus’s arrest is greatly appreciated. Gladys says, the most important thing is setting things right. She’s ready now. Jordan starts to record, saying it’s Gladys’s statement from her hospital bed, and the witnesses are Brando and Sasha. She asks what Gladys wishes to say, and Gladys says her name is Gladys Corbin. The reason Cyrus grabbed and kidnapped her, and tied her up in a warehouse, was to prevent her from telling the police the truth. Jordan says, that truth is? and Gladys says, Jason Morgan is not who she saw dispose of the gun that shot Franco. She never saw Jason dump the gun. She only said it because Cyrus made her lie, and that’s the God’s honest truth.

Portia marvels that Cyrus still doesn’t need to bite the spoon, and Trina says he’s taking a chance. Her mother could cut an artery on purpose. She could kill him, and make it look like an accident. Cyrus says he knows Portia is a dedicated doctor. She took her sacred oath seriously. That’s why he trusts her, but he can’t trust Trina. That’s why he’s holding the gun.  

Curtis tells Laura that he has a question. How would she feel if she kissed a man, and he backed away? She says she thinks she’d do what Portia did, and he says he can’t believe he messed things up. She says he just has to be honest with himself. Is he interested in perusing Portia more, or does he feel like he’s not ready? He says he thinks he’s ready, but he probably blew things. He has a history of pulling out of relationships with Portia. It’s complicated, and was a long time ago. He’s amazed they reconnected, but after today, he’ll be lucky if she puts him in the friendzone. She asks how long ago the kiss happened, and he asks if time is a factor when you crash and burn. She suggests he call Portia. She put herself on the line for him; he should do the same for her.

Cyrus says Trina is a lot like her father, and Portia tells him, stay still. He grits his teeth as she takes the bullet out. She asks Trina for more gauze. She has to clean the wound before she stitches him up. She asks him to wiggle his fingers, and he does. He says, the war between her family and his goes back a long time. There’s one silver lining; he’ll have the chance to kill Taggert again. He passes out, and Portia and Trina look each other.

Maxie is brought into the hospital in a wheelchair. Elizabeth asks, what happened? and the paramedics say, blah-blah-blah, a whole bunch of medical stuff. Maxie says she’s okay, and tells Elizabeth to help Austin; he saved her life. Elizabeth asks what’s going on with Austin, and a paramedic says, head trauma, possible concussion, and more medical stuff. Elizabeth asks if Austin can hear her. They’re going to take good care of him. She tells the paramedic to get him to radiology, and he’s wheeled out. A nurse tells Maxie that Dr. Navarro will be there soon; someone will take her to a cubicle. Peter comes in and sees Maxie. She glares at him.   

Anna tells Finn about Peter cleaning out his safe, and selling The Invader. If anything happens to chase, there will be no corner in hell where he can hide.  

Peter asks what Maxie is doing at the hospital. She’s supposed to be at the spa with Chloe. Is it the baby? Talk to him. What happened with the baby? Maxie says, she’s gone. The baby is gone.    

Brook drives with Louise, and tells the baby, the first thing she needs to know is life is complicated. She’s sorry about Louise’s uncomfortable start, but thinks it will make her an amazing, think outside the box person. She promises to take good care of Louise, and keep her safe and happy, and make sure her psycho father gets nowhere near her. Don’t worry. Everything is under control. Louise cries, and Brook says she doesn’t believe herself either.

Jordan says, if Gladys didn’t see Jason dispose of the gun, how did she know where to tell the police to look? Gladys says, because she did see someone throw the gun down the garbage shoot; the real killer. Jordan asks if she recognized them, and Gladys says, yes. It was Peter August.

Laura says she’s got to get going, and Curtis thanks her for stopping by and bringing the certificate – and advice. She says, any time. Has he decided what to do about it? He doesn’t say anything, and she says she’ll leave him to it.

Portia motions for Trina to get her phone, and Trina says Portia has a call coming in. Portia says, Curtis? as Cyrus opens his eyes. Curtis says he apologizes for what happened, but Portia says, just listen to her… The call is cut off, and Curtis wonders what happened.  

Tomorrow, Anna says if Peter vanishes, the antidote will go with him; Chase says he wants his badge; Curtis tells Laura that he thinks Portia is in trouble; and Cyrus tells Portia, it’s time to say farewell to Port Charles.

The Haves and The Have Nots

At the end of last season, Justin had shown up with a gun at the restaurant where Jeffrey and Madison were having dinner. He sat at the table, and asked if they smelled anything. Then suddenly burst into flames.

Everyone is screaming, and Madison pushes Jeffrey away. He yells for someone to put Justin out, and asks if Jeffrey is okay. He calls for an ambulance, telling them there’s someone who’s badly burned. Jeffrey moves toward Justin, but Madison says, don’t touch him. Jeffrey asks why the hell Justin would do that, and asks if Madison can help Justin. Madison turns Justin over, and Jeffrey asks if Justin is alive, but Madison doesn’t know. It’s too hot; he needs gloves. He asks if they have something in the kitchen, and one of the staff gives him rubber gloves. Seriously? They don’t have oven mitts? I don’t think rubber is a good choice to deal with something that’s been on fire. Just a thought. Madison checks for a pulse, and tells Jeffrey that he needs to get an ETA on the ambulance. Jeffrey asks if Justin is going to make it, and Madison says he doesn’t know. Jeffrey asks if Justin has a heartbeat, but Madison says he can’t get one. Jeffrey doesn’t understand why Justin would do that. Again, seriously? Isn’t he a psychologist? Madison tries to do chest compression, and says he needs Jeffrey to go, but Jeffrey says he’s staying there.

The EMTs arrive, and Madison continues to do compression, but a paramedic tells him to stop. Jeffrey asks if Justin is dead, and she says she’s sorry. Jeffrey says, dammit, and Madison says he’s sorry. Jeffrey says Madison tried. He can’t believe Justin did that, and Madison tells Jeffrey not to do this. Jeffrey says, what? and Madison says, Jeffrey is blaming himself. Jeffrey says Justin had so many issues. Maybe he could have… Madison says there was nothing Jeffrey could have done, and Jeffrey says he could have stayed away. Then his mother would have had no reason… Madison says Justin was already unstable. How would Jeffrey know his mother would do that? Jeffrey says, because she ruins everyone he gets involved with. Madison tells Jeffrey to look at him. There was nothing he could do, okay? Jeffrey says he knows, but he feels bad for Madison. Madison asks, why? and Jeffrey says he can’t see Madison anymore. His mother will destroy him. Madison says, stop this, and Jeffrey asks what choice he has. Madison says he can fight. He knows Jeffrey likes him. Jeffrey says he does, and she’ll come after him. Madison says he doesn’t care. Don’t worry. Jeffrey tells him, he says that now, but look at what she did to Justin. Madison says they need to find out what this is. Please don’t worry about him. Jeffrey says he needs to call Justin’s mother, and Madison says he can call from the house. The coroner hasn’t come, and there’s nothing they can do. They leave.

At Madison’s apartment, Jeffrey says Justin’s mother isn’t answering the phone. Madison asks if Jeffrey knows her, and Jeffrey says, no, but he has her number. He tries again, and says, damn. He should go home. Madison doesn’t think Jeffrey should be alone right now, but Jeffrey says his dad is there. He wonders why Justin’s mother isn’t answering, and Madison tells him, relax. He knows this is a lot. Jeffrey says Justin’s mother didn’t even visit when Justin was in the hospital. He wonders why people hate gay people so much; they’re just people. Madison says, the world is changing every day, but Jeffrey says, there are still too many hate crimes. He wants to go home, and Madison asks, why? Jeffrey says she’s going to come after Madison, and Madison says, stop it. Jeffrey says he needs to be alone, but Madison doesn’t like it. Colby walks in on the phone, saying, it will be so much fun. They know his rates. Text him the address, and he’ll be there. He sees Madison and Jeffrey, and wonders what he just walked in on. Madison says, nothing, and hugs Jeffrey, who cries silently. Colby asks, what is that smell? and Madison says, stop. Jeffrey walks into the other room, and Colby says, it smells like nasty barbecue. He wanted to tell Madison about his day. He was with a john who tried to stiff him, so he went all Marine on him. Madison says, he killed himself, and Colby asks, who? Madison says, Justin. He set himself on fire. Colby asks, what happened? and Madison says, they were at the table, and Justin came up with a gun, but not to shoot them. Then, he set himself on fire. He tried to grab Jeffrey, but Jeffrey is fine. Colby says, Justin done lost his mind, and asks if Madison is okay. He has a date, but he can cancel. Madison says he’s fine, and Colby says Jeffrey is lucky he has Madison. Madison says Jeffrey keeps pushing him away. Jeffrey is scared that his mother is going to come after him. Colby says, what for? and Madison says, for dating him. Colby says, oh. He does know the witch. Madison says, Jeffrey is so sweet, and Colby agrees. God bless his heart. Colby suggests Madison to try talking to Jeffrey, but Madison says Jeffrey won’t let him in. Colby says, that’s never stopped Madison before, and Madison tells him to go on his date. Colby says, too much? and Madison says Colby is always too much. Colby says, love you, bitch, and Madison says, love you too, bitch. Be careful. Colby says, when is he not? and Madison says, oh God, just go. On his way out the door, Colby says, bye, Jeffrey. Sorry the bitch burned herself… extra crispy. Madison says, Colby! and Colby jets.

Jeffrey is sitting on the couch, when Madison comes in with coffee and a takeout bag. He asks how Jeffrey slept, and Jeffrey asks if he needs to ask. Madison says, he gets it, and Jeffrey thanks him. Madison says, for…? and Jeffrey says, understanding. He needs to go home. Madison tells him to stop acting like he’s a burden. The more Jeffrey pushes him away… Jeffrey says he hears Madison, and Madison says, he’ll take Jeffrey home; no problem. Jeffrey says he needs to get to his dad, and Madison suggests he take the time to eat first.

David comes down the stairs, and Pearl and the guard stand in the foyer. Pearl says she’s meeting Jeffrey Harrington there. He called, and said he had something important to tell her that he couldn’t say on the phone. David asks who she is, and she says, Pearl Lewis, Justin’s mother. David says he sees. He’ll call and see where Jeffrey is. He calls Jeffrey, and tells him that Pearl is there. Where is he? Jeffrey says he’s a few minutes away, and David tells Pearl that Jeffrey is just around the corner. He asks if she’d like to sit, but she says she’d like to know what’s going on. Who is Jeffrey to him? David says Jeffrey is his son, and she asks if he knows what Jeffrey did to her son. He says he begs her pardon, and she says, he did something terrible. The only reason she’s there is to give him a piece of her mind. Jeffrey lured her son into unnatural ways. Her son was happily married to his wife when he met Jeffrey. Then Jeffrey did the devilish things they do to God fearing people. David says, so it’s this kind of conversation. Is she aware that her son was sexually harassing his son? When they met, Justin had arrested Jeffrey, and fondled him in the back of his police car. Pearl says, that’s not true, and he tells her, believe what she wants; it’s the truth. She says she won’t have her son spoken about like that, and he says she can leave. She says she will, and wonders, what kind of family is this? She’s going to leave before she’s involved in a drive-by. Jeffrey and Madison walk in, and Pearl tells Jeffrey, they’re both delusional. She can’t wait to talk to her son. Jeffrey thinks that because marriage between two men is legal, she’ll say yes when he asks for her son’s hand in marriage. Justin told her about how Jeffrey stalked him, and did what he did. Jeffrey says he was calling her… but she says she doesn’t want to hear it. Madison says, he’s dead, and Pearl asks what he’s talking about. Madison says he’s sorry. He’s dead. Pearl says, that’s not true, and calls Justin’s number. She gets voicemail, and says, call your mother. Madison says, they took him to the St. Claude morgue. She can find him there. She runs out, and Jeffrey tells David, it’s true. David asks, what happened? and Jeffrey says, Justin committed suicide. He came to the restaurant and set himself on fire. David says, he was crazy, and Jeffrey says, he was in pain; he was going through a struggle. And there was what mom did to him. David tells Jeffrey that he can’t say he feels sorry, and Jeffrey thanks Madison for letting him stay over. He’ll see Madison later. He goes upstairs, and David tells Madison to go up. Madison says he thinks Jeffrey wants time alone, but David says he knows his son. He needs to talk. Madison says, Jeffrey will just tell him to leave, but David says, he won’t, but don’t talk too much. Madison talks too much. Just listen. Madison says, okay, and David tells him, lock the door… just in case. Madison says, that won’t be happening, and David says, don’t let him hear anything if it does. I laugh, remembering when David walked in on them, and the look on his face.

Mitch pulls up to the Cryer’s house, when Hanna is coming out. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says he has business with Mr. Cryer. She says, about? and he says, it’s personal stuff. She says, about his family? but he says he doesn’t know what she means. If his family’s been there, he needs to know that. She says, what if something happens to her kids because he told them that his family would protect them, but they didn’t? He’d better not be there when she comes back. She doesn’t want to talk to him no more. She leaves, and he goes to the door, shaking his head and saying, son of a bitch. He knocks, and Jim comes out, his arm in a sling. Mitch asks how Jim is doing, and Jim says, not great today. And Mitch? Mitch says, he’s okay, and Jim says, good to hear. What does he want? Mitch says he wants to talk, and asks if they can go inside, but Jim says, no. Out there is fine. What’s on Mitch’s mind? Mitch asks if Jim talked to his family? Is Jim playing games with him? Jim says, no, and Mitch asks again if Jim’s been talking to his family. Jim asks if that’s a question or an accusation. Is Mitch telling or asking him something? He can’t tell. Mitch says, semantics, but Jim says, not really. There’s a difference, and he’d like to know which one it is. Mitch asks if Jim has been down to the bar, and did he talk to Vinnie? Jim says, maybe he has; maybe he hasn’t. Mitch says, it’s not a good idea. His family doesn’t like being questioned. Jim says, as far as he knows, they don’t like being lied to, and Mitch asks if this is how they’re going to do this; playing chicken with an 18 wheeler. Jim says, from where he’s standing, He’s not sure who’s who in this scenario. Mitch says Jim thinks this is a joke, but Jim says he’s not laughing. He’s serious. Eight million dollars serious. He doesn’t joke about eight million dollars. Mitch asks how Jim’s son is, and Jim says, alive. Mitch says, this time, and Jim asks if that was a threat. Mitch asks how Jim’s arm is, and tells him not to talk to his family again. Jim asks if that’s it. He thinks Mitch is sweating. Anything in his life making him nervous? Mitch says, not that he knows of. Jim? Jim says, not a damn thing, and Mitch repeats, don’t talk to his family again. Jim tells Mitch, he didn’t say he did or he didn’t. If he had, he has the feeling they would have told Mitch. They also don’t like people who steal money, especially family members. Mitch says Jim thinks he’s in the circle with that information. That’s cute. Jim asks if they’re done, and Mitch says, he’s got nothing else. He’d shake Jim’s hand, but it’s already broken. Jim says Mitch is funny. Take care, and say hi to his Uncle Vinnie. Mitch says, will do, and leaves. Jim says, pr*ck, and sits on the porch as Mitch drives away. He calls David.

David asks Jim, what’s going on? and Jim says, Mitch came to see him. David says, Malone? What did he want? Jim says he thinks Mitch is running scared. He thinks Mitch was bluffing him. David says, if Jim is telling him that Mitch lied, he might not want to press the issue. Jim says he knows that, and David says Jim knows how the Malones are about family. Jim asks how he finds out, and David says, give it time. Jim says he doesn’t have time. That bitch has his money, and the other bitch has control over the other money. He hates feeling helpless. David says, give it time; let it play out. Jim asks what David has in mind, and David says he’s a patient player. Jim says, he’s a player who needs results. He has to do something. David tells him, try and get some rest; he needs to heal. Jim says he can’t sleep there, and David says Jim can stay with him if he needs to. Jim says, thanks, but no, and David says, Jim’s house created bad memories. Hang in there. He’s confident things will end up in their favor. Jim says David is up to something, and David says, always.

Conley is waiting for Charles in the living room. Charles is surprised Conley is still there, and Conley says he hopes Charles doesn’t mind. He looks frazzled. Another top security briefing? Charles says, yeah, and Conley says, scary stuff, huh? but Charles says, it’s interesting. Conley says, that’s the most important answer to lead the American people. They need to talk. He noticed Charles met with the EPA director. Is Charles thinking of keeping him on? Charles says, no, and Conley says, good. Who is Charles thinking of replacing him with? Charles says he’s not sure, and Conley says, Devoir? Charles says, no, and Conley asks, why not? Charles says, it’s been a long day, and he didn’t expect to see Conley. Conley says he’s sorry. He’ll talk to Charles later. Get some rest. Conley leaves, and Landon comes in. He asks if Charles is okay, and Charles says he’s fine. Landon says Conley has been there a lot, and Charles says Conley knows him well. Landon asks if Charles knows Conley well, and Charles asks if Landon has something to say. Landon says, he’s just… and Charles tells him, say it. Landon says Conley has suggested a lot of cabinet members. He feels like Conley has an agenda. Charles says, Conley is a politician; remember that first. He thanks Landon for his concern, and Landon says Conley is always asking about Candace. Charles says, Conley wants what’s best for him, and Landon asks if Conley thinks she’s it. Charles says Conley knows how he feels. If Landon has something to say, just say it. Landon says he doesn’t trust Conley. He thinks Conley is trying to gain information to use as leverage. Charles says, based on what? and Landon says, his gut. Charles says, when his gut becomes intel, let him know. Landon says he’s going upstairs for another conference call. January will be there before they know it.  

A nurse comes in to see Wyatt, and he tells her that she’s a beautiful woman. She asks what he wants, and he says, her. She says, what does he really want? and he says he needs to go to the bathroom. She says he has a bottle and bedpan, but he says, the bathroom is right there. She says, he is a prisoner, and he says he’ll let her watch. She says, sorry. She hates to miss that one. He says she can leave him cuffed, but she says she doesn’t trust him. He tells her, look at his face; she can trust him. She says, if he doesn’t need anything… She gives him his weewee jar, and he grabs her arm. He says he’s got to go to the bathroom, and she tells him, let go. He asks when was the last time a man touched her this way, and she asks when the last time someone punched him in the nuts. He lets go, and says, she likes it rough, but she says she likes it away from him. He says he needs pain pills; his wrists hurt. She says he’s fine. He barely cut himself. He says he wanted to die, and she says, he should have cut deeper. He says, one pill, but she says, it’s not going to happen. He says, get out, bitch, and she says that’s the exact behavior she was waiting for. She starts to go, and he says, come back. She says, bye, and leaves. He looks in the bottle, and yells, come empty this. Hey, bitch!

Hanna gets a collect call from Kathryn, and asks how she is. Kathryn says she’s okay; how’s Hanna? Hanna says, she’s well. She met with Kathryn’s people. Kathryn asks, what happened? and Hanna says, they had a lot of questions about stocks and selling options. Kathryn says, don’t worry. They’re supposed to be helping Hanna. Hanna says she’s been doing research, and trying to understand it, but Kathryn says, all she has to do is bring the information to her. Don’t try to figure it out; it can be complicated. Hanna says she still wants to keep trying, and Kathryn says, okay. Hanna asks if she needs anything, and Kathryn says, to get the hell out of here. Hanna says she can understand that, and Kathryn asks if Hanna can see how Wyatt is doing for her. Hanna says, sure, and Kathryn says she knows he’ll paint her as a snake. Hanna says, what else is new? and Kathryn says she needs another favor. Jim asked about a loft she has, but someone is staying there. She’d like Hanna to stop at the loft, let him know that she’s fine, and she’ll be out soon. If he needs anything, he should ask Hanna. Hanna asks who it is, and Kathryn says, someone special. Ask him to come and see her. She can’t get through to his cell from there. Hanna says she’ll do that, then come back and finish up. Kathryn asks if Hanna has talked to Marty, but Hanna says, not since their meeting. Kathryn says, tell him to get his ass down there, so she knows what’s going on with her bail. She appreciates Hanna so much, and Hanna says, as much as she appreciates Kathryn. She wants to go see Jim before she sees Kathryn’s mystery man. Kathryn laughs and thanks her, saying, the key to the loft is on her keyring. Hanna tells her to keep her head up.

Hanna starts to go to the kitchen, when Veronica walks in. She says, Hanna still works there? and Hanna asks what Veronica is doing there. Veronica says she wants to see Jim, but Hanna says, he’s not there. Veronica asks where he is, and Hanna shrugs, saying, Veronica will have to ask him. Veronica suggests Hanna drop the attitude, and Hanna says she will when Veronica is gone. Veronica says she’ll wait, but Hanna says, no she won’t. She’s leaving, and needs to lock up the house. Veronica says she’ll wait, and tells Hanna to go find something to do. She’s never liked this house. It used to be a plantation house. Hanna says Veronica needs to go, and Veronica says, the things they did to people of Hanna’s kind. Hanna says, Veronica is just as Black as she is, but Veronica says she’s smarter. Hanna tells her to get her ass out of there, and Veronica says Hanna just proved her point. Hanna says, again, she’s leaving, and Veronica needs to do the same. Veronica heads for the stairs.

Hanna asks where Veronica is going, and Veronica says what she has to do is important. All Hanna has to do is get cleaning products. She sees Hanna is wearing her hair natural; it fits with the plantation. She starts to go up the stairs, and tells Hanna to go do some maiding. Hanna says Veronica is not going up there, and Veronica says, watch me. Hanna says Veronica’s not going, but Veronica says, it looks like she is. Hanna asks if Veronica thinks she won’t drag her ass down, and Veronica wishes she would. Then she could sue Hanna. All she’d get would be a mop and a bucket though. Hanna says, apparently, Veronica already has a broom. Bring her ass down there. Veronica says, she hears Miss Hanna and she’s so skerd (like Madea would say it – ha-ha!). She asks if that isn’t how Hanna says it. Hanna follows Veronica upstairs, and Veronica heads for Kathryn’s bedroom. She starts to go through the dresser  drawers, saying, tacky pink. Hanna asks what the hell Veronica thinks she’s doing, and Veronica says she’s looking for something. Hanna says, get her hands off that damn woman’s dresser, and Veronica says Hanna sure is protective. It ain’t her sh*t. Hanna says she’ll call the police, and Veronica tells her, go maid something. Hanna calls the police, saying, there’s a trespasser. Veronica says Hanna is so dramatic, and keeps looking through the drawers. She asks if Hanna just called the po-po on a Black woman. That’s just the way help should act. Hannah says she’ll drag Veronica’s ass out of there, and Veronica says she’d like to see that. Hanna calls again, and says, they have someone in the neighborhood? Great. She thanks them, and snatches some underwear out of Veronica’s hand. Veronica tells her to move, and Hanna says, move her. Veronica tries putting her hand into a drawer, and Hanna slams it shut on her. The hair/wig pulling starts.

I would swear I see goodbye in all their eyes, but I might just be projecting.

Next time, Veronica tells Jim that she’s always two steps ahead of him, Jim wonders what the hell is wrong with these women, David tells Jim that Veronica could get evidence that will bury them, and Candace says Charles isn’t going to control her.

The Real Housewives of New York City

When we left Leah was interrogating Heather about her podcast. In Ramona’s interview, she said, the best way to handle Leah is to change the subject. She’s the host, so she sets the tone. She and Leah then got lovey-dovey, and Eboni marveled at how the women can be going to the death, then five minutes later, kiss and make up. Ramona said talking about sex made her uncomfortable, and Leah said she was sex positive. LuAnn decided it was time for her to go to bed, and in her interview, told us that nothing good happens after a certain hour for her, especially with the drinking. Sometimes it was better to call it a night, and not hang around too long. Ramona said she was never taught to talk about sex, and listed all the subjects Leah liked to bring up. Leah said Ramona sounded pretty comfortable just then, and Ramona asked her to edit herself a little. In Leah’s interview, she said if Ramona was honest about being on the prowl all the time, they’d find out she was getting laid more than the rest of them combined. Eboni called Ramona out for saying she could take a big d*ck, but Ramona insisted she never said that, and left the room. Eboni followed her, and in Ramona’s interview, she said, now she was getting it from Eboni? She was dumbfounded. Ramona took a bottle of wine, and went upstairs, wondering, what happened to class and elegance?

In the morning, Ramona and Sonja dished about the night before. Ramona said she thought the party went well, and Sonja asked, what about the penises? Eboni and Leah walked around outside, and Leah said she wanted to respect Ramona’s comfort zone, but thought it was hypocritical. We saw photos of Ramona and Leah, scantily clad and posing in a sexual way. In Leah’s interview, she said she really wanted to tell Ramona that she was proud of her for taking a big d*ck. Leah told Eboni that Ramona said, just stop talking about sex, but twenty minutes in, Ramona was in a thong, and dancing around like a stripper. Ramona told Sonja that she couldn’t believe Leah started trouble with Heather about her podcast. She wonders if Heather will stop talking about them, but Sonja thinks Heather wants the scoop. In her interview, Leah said her mom told her that her grandmother was no longer communicating; she was slipping away. She was realizing in real time that she wasn’t getting another conversation with her grandmother.

Ramona asked Heather if she was having a nice time, and Heather said, it was really nice, aside from being attacked. She thought she’d proved her point; it’s just the way she looks at it. Ramona thought it would behoove Heather not to talk about them, but Heather said the way she talked about her experience was her business. Ramona said she didn’t want to be in the press, and didn’t want Heather talking about her, even if it was nice. In Heather’s interview, she said she thought that was more hot air and ridiculousness. She wanted to move on and have fun, which was what she was there for.

LuAnn went home to prepare for the women coming over to do nude sketching. Garth and LuAnn’s niece Nicole, who’d procured the model, were waiting for her; Garth busy slaving over a hot stove. In LuAnn’s interview, she said, lamb curry prepared by Garth, and a male nude model. What was better than food and nude? She thought it was going to be hysterical. At Ramona’s, Eboni and Leah were getting their hair and make-up done, and Ramona thought it was ridiculous that they couldn’t do it themselves. In Leah’s interview, she said she wanted to look cute, even if she wasn’t feeling cute. Ramona said their lateness was rude, and Eboni said, as a Black woman, she had a different hair situation than Ramona. Ramona suggested getting started earlier, and Eboni said they’d had technical issues. In Eboni’s interview, she said, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation. She’s free. Don’t tell her what to do with her time.

Nude model Kurt arrived, and LuAnn explained he was a friend of her niece’s, and a professional poser. In LuAnn’s interview, she said he had to be mentally prepared up here – as she pointed to her head – so they didn’t have to worry about what was going on down there. I couldn’t really imagine it as a sexy situation, but who knows? Different strokes and all that. LuAnn had the usual amazing spread of appetizers, and in her interview, she said that Sonja was jealous of the other people in her orbit, especially Garth. She hoped the curry would win Sonja over. LuAnn told Heather that Garth was a good soul. He didn’t play games, and she could count on him. In her interview, LuAnn said Garth was there when she needed him. He didn’t drink, and that was good for her to be around. Garth got out while the getting was good, and in Ramona’s interview, she said Eboni seemed to get her. She wondered why Leah couldn’t. LuAnn’s friend Alfredo also showed up with his guitar. Leah told Sonja that LuAnn had thought Sonja would like him, but Sonja said LuAnn didn’t know what she liked. She liked bankers. In her interview, LuAnn said that Sonja could flirt, and get off her ass about Garth. In Ramona’s interview, she said Sonja liked LuAnn’s type of guy.  

Nicole said Kurt would be doing one-minute poses. Kurt came out with a fringed towel around his waist, and said he was very talented, but couldn’t take it off by himself. Sonja volunteered, and at the count of 3-2-1, she ran away with the towel. Kurt said she must have done that before. In Eboni’s interview, she said she could see why this was his job. There was a lot of giggling, and Leah said he had a nice in betweenie weenie. Ramona left to sit on the porch, saying, she could only paint so many penises. Leah said she was running out of steam, and joined her. LuAnn gave the last pose call, and in Sonja’s interview, she said the other girls were nailing it, but she was trying to keep her eye off the pickle. LuAnn introduced Alfredo, saying, he played guitar. Alfredo walked around while playing, and Ramona said his music was touching her. In her interview, Leah said she didn’t think he was Sonja’s type, but he had a d*ck, so maybe Ramona could help herself. In Sonja’s interview, she said she’d never been so hands off with a naked man in front of her. She just gripped the pencil tighter. Kurt looked at their work, and he seemed like a lovely person, as well as a good sport. Leah told Ramona that she was stressing, and in her interview, she said, physically, she felt terrible. The mind, body, and spirit were all connected, and she was having a hard time. She told Eboni that she couldn’t enjoy herself, and Ramona said Leah’s grandmother was the only one who loved her unconditionally. Her grandmother gets her more than her mom and Rob. Leah started crying, and Ramona said she was just trying to relate, and she was making it worse. In Eboni’s interview, she said she knew Ramona meant well, but stop it. In Leah’s interview, she said she thought silence was the best thing. Eboni told Leah not to feel she had to carry this sh*t. She needed to take care of herself. Leah said she was going to miss her grandmother so much, and Eboni said Leah was scared that when her grandmother was gone, there would be nobody to tell her that she’s good enough. Eboni hugged her, and Leah cried some more. Eboni said when Leah’s grandmother passed, she wouldn’t be losing her. Her grandmother would also be there for her.  

Victoria takes pictures of Kurt for her classic realism class. Eboni told Leah that her friends would step in to tell her that she’s good enough. Everyone sat down to eat Garth’s lamb curry, and Sonja said she’d been giving Leah space. Leah said she appreciated it, and LuAnn thanked her daughter Victoria, who had shown up to help, and Garth for making the food. In Sonja’s interview, she said she didn’t know how long LuAnn and Garth’s relationship would last, but she could see what LuAnn was raving about. It’s the curry.

LuAnn said she’d seen Ramona run out last night, with Eboni chasing her, and Eboni said she was apologizing for using language Ramona doesn’t like. LuAnn said she was brought up conservatively, the same as Ramona, and in Leah’s interview, she said, Ramona and Christian values shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. Thou shalt not lie. LuAnn thought there had to be a cut-off point, or it got to be a bit much. Leah it was hard for her to know about the hypocrisy. Ramona was dancing around in a thong, and flashing her boobs. Make up her mind. We saw a clip of Ramona doing just that. Leah walked away from the table, and Sonja said Leah had just been crying; leave her alone. Ramona talked about Leah going to dinner with Ramona, her daughter, and her daughter’s friends, and they wondered, who speaks like that? We saw a clip of the dinner, and Leah talking about big d*cks and such. Eboni said that she wouldn’t use words Ramona didn’t like, but she shouldn’t subscribe to the fact that someone using those words wasn’t classy. Ramona claimed she’d never said that, and LuAnn said it had to do with education. Eboni said she was the most educated one in the group, and LuAnn asked if a degree made her educated. Leah came back, and told Ramona not to bring up her daughter again. In Sonja’s interview, she said, of course Leah was acting out to get a rise out of Ramona. Here came the high point where Leah pointed at each one, and said, you’re a ho, and you’re a ho. And I sang, everywhere a ho-ho. Leah ended with saying they were the biggest ho’s ever, and left. Like left in a car. Ramona said Leah was always defensive and aggressive, and Sonja said Leah should be herself. Ramona shouldn’t bring her around people she didn’t want her around. Heather said what should be a lesson in listening to each other wasn’t happening, and LuAnn mumbled about being an uneducated person. Eboni told her, no one said that LuAnn was uneducated. She said she was the most educated, which was a fact. In LuAnn’s interview, she said, to her, being educated was being well-traveled and speaking many languages. I think there might be more to it than that, but okay. She said Eboni was making them feel like idiots, and Eboni said LuAnn considered people who didn’t adhere to LuAnn’s social norms to be uneducated. LuAnn said she’d been originally talk about Catholicism, and Eboni jumped on her. Miss Educated was the smarted in the room. Eboni told her, no one said that, and in her interview, she said she’d been practicing law since she was 23. People could say a lot of sh*t about her, but she has an education. In Heather’s interview, she said this wasn’t about Leah; it was all about egos. LuAnn said Eboni wasn’t going to call her uneducated in her own house, and Eboni said she could leave LuAnn’s house. Ramona said Eboni was too loud, and Eboni said Ramona’s white fragility was killing her. Ramona said they’d been talking about words she didn’t like to hear, and LuAnn wondered why Eboni was so angry. Eboni said, so now she was an angry Black woman. She didn’t like LuAnn equating education to what people say. At this point, Ramona said she needed some tequila. LuAnn said Eboni was just an angry woman. In her interview, Eboni said, Leah stormed off, and they didn’t see her ass no more, but no one called her angry. She had a visceral response to something deeply personal and painful, and she was called angry. Don’t tell her it’s not about race. In Sonja’s interview, she said Eboni didn’t seem angry. She seemed to use her words.

Inside the house, Ramona asked if Victoria used words like that, and Victoria said she did not. Eboni said if LuAnn didn’t want her there, she would leave out of respect. The Countess said she thought Eboni should go. She should calm down and thinks about what she’d said. I can’t make the call as to it being a race issue, but I’d be pretty pissed at being talked to like I’m five. Eboni said LuAnn wasn’t policing her feelings. She shamed a woman for being sexually free, and her for using her education. Eboni walked out, and it said, to be continued…  

Next time, Eboni tells Leah that she was called an angry Black woman; LuAnn apologizes, but wants one in return; a fishing trip; and Leah calls Heather a Karen. The moment we’ve been waiting for

👩🏾‍🏫 For Your Viewing Education…

I saw the first part of this tonight, and it was excellent.

🎬 That’s a Wrap…

It’s late/early, and I’m spent. Until we meet at the corner of Port Charles and Beverly Hills, stay safe, stay as well-adjusted as possible, and stay not policing other people’s feelings.

May 23, 2021 – Teddy Reveals What the Key Unlocks, Jumping Dead, Traveling Beyond, the Skinny On the Dead & Telephone

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

We hear the news on the television saying that patients no longer have their faculties, and the hospitals will no longer offer medical care, because the patients aren’t in their right minds. We see Teddy in a Department of Corrections uniform, writing notes. On the walls on his cell are news articles about him, and John Dorie Sr. arresting him, along with a picture of his mother. He hears someone yelling, no! and the guards drag a guy down the hall. Teddy tells him, don’t be afraid. Remember, the end is the beginning. He’s about begin a new life. A guard asks if Teddy actually believes all that bullsh*t he spews. Get it all out. He’ll walk this walk soon enough. Teddy sets aside his dinner tray, and goes back to his notes. Alarms sound, and all the doors open. Zombies come through the hall, and Teddy looks out, then goes back in his call. Chaos begins, and as they go by, an inmate attacks a guard, then a guard attacks an inmate. A zombie walks into Teddy’s cell, and backs him against the wall. Teddy holds the zombie back, and stabs it in the head with his pen. It drops to the floor and he looks at his mother’s picture, saying, he was right. He just needed to be patient. He tells his mother’s photo, it’s not bullsh*t. It’s revelation. He scoots past the mayhem, and out.

A loudspeaker says, you have been here before. You have lived this moment before. We don’t want to believe it. We don’t want to accept it. We are in a loop. Alicia lies on a mat on the floor, while the recording repeats. The world wears it’s ugliness on its sleeve. It has told us who it is… Riley comes in and asks if she’s ready to accept his word. She just looks at him, and he tosses her a can of soda. We hear, we must break it, or we are doomed to repeat it

Teddy comes in, and Alicia is sitting at a table. She said he stopped sending his errand buy, and he says it wasn’t his preferred method of abduction for her. She says, locking her up like a prisoner? and he says he was locked up once. He thought it was the end of the road, but it was the opposite. He’d hoped it would hold the same revelation as it did for him. She says, sorry to disappoint him, and he says he brought good news. They’ve found a new home. They’re packing up as they speak. The Holding served its purpose, but they needed something safer and sturdier, where they can truly begin again. Before they take those first steps together, he needs assurances that she’s dedicated and committed to what they’re doing. She says he’s not going to get them, and he asks what he is going to get. She says she doesn’t know. Probably something he doesn’t like. Riley says he’s wasting his time, and aims his gun at Alicia. Teddy says, Riley… and Riley says, leave her behind. Teddy grabs Riley’s balls from behind instead, and says, no. She’s coming with him. He tells Alicia, it’s surprising what pick up on death row.

Teddy puts gas in the truck, and Riley asks where he’s taking Alicia. Teddy says, it’s a personal matter, and he wants her to accompany him. Riley says, why her? and Teddy says he’d like to get to know Alicia better. He has the feeling she’s going to be critical for their new beginning. Don’t question him about her again. A school bus arrives, and Teddy applauds. Alicia asks, who are they? and he says, new recruits, picked up while they were scouting. He says, welcome, and tells them to come and see their new home. Alicia says, Dakota? and Teddy asks if Dakota is a friend of Alicia’s. Alicia says, that’s not the word she’d use. Dakota killed someone she knew. Teddy asks, why? and Dakota says, it was something that had to be done. Teddy asks if Dakota came alone, with no family, and Alicia says Dakota actually tried to kill her own mother. Teddy asks if she succeeded, and Dakota says, someone else did. He tells her, hop in; she’s coming. Alicia says she’s not going anywhere with Dakota, but Teddy says she’s not at liberty to make that call. Alicia says, if he was smart, he wouldn’t bring her, and Riley says he shouldn’t bring any of them. Teddy puts his keys around Riley’s neck, and says if they don’t show by tomorrow, he knows what to do.    

Dakota tells Alicia, this isn’t what it looks like, and Alicia says, it wasn’t the last time either. Dakota says, this time it’s different. They went looking for Alicia, and she came there to help. Alicia says she doesn’t want or need Dakota’s help, and Dakota says Alicia left before she heard what happened. It was getting bad. Morgan tried to bring them together, but she thinks it’s worse. She wants to make up for what she did. She needs to, whether Alicia believes her or not. She’s heard what’s taking place. Teddy has a place stocked so they don’t have to step outside for years. They can kill him. He’s scary as hell, but he’s old. He’s stupid for not believing who we are. Alicia says, there is no we, and there never will be. Just stay out of her way. She wants to know what they’re up to and where they’re going. And why Teddy has those keys. Dakota asks what Alicia is going to do, when Teddy comes back, and they get in the truck.  

As they’re driving, Alicia says, it’s not going to work, and Teddy says, what? She says, bringing her out there. It’s not going to break her. Cut the sh*t. She knows Riley heard their recordings, and told him about the stadium where she used to live. He says, the place where her mother grew crops? It’s no coincidence she’s there. The universe sends signs, and it’s up to them to interpret them. Dakota says, like what? and he says, it’s no accident they’re there; the timing and reason for their arrival. Things can reveal themselves.

They go to a cemetery where there are several crypts, and Teddy opens one. He asks for a hand. They applaud. Just kidding. Alicia helps him pull out a casket, and he opens it. He says, hello, mother, and pets the corpse’s head. Alicia asks how she died, and he says, she was taken way before her time, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be a part of the new beginnings. When they’re finished, all this will be gone. I assume by that answer he means he killed her.

They drive with the corpse in the truck bed, and Alicia asks if that’s why Teddy brought them, to dig up his mother’s corpse. He says all three of them lost their mothers, and he wanted them to help him accompany his to their new home. Dakota asks, why? and he says he’s wanted to do this for a long time. He told his mother he was going to do it, and he ended up in a prison cell, condemned to death. He thought he’d failed. Every night, he looked at this. He shows them his mother’s picture, and says he was disgusted with himself. He thought was wrong, and what he’d done was all for nothing. Then he realized he wasn’t wrong. He just needed to be patient. And then it happened. Alicia says, what? and he says, the world changed, and with it his freedom. He had a chance to reshape the world, and everything in it. He could preserve what he loved, and destroy what he didn’t. Alicia asks if he thinks he can do all that with a pair of keys, and he laughs. She asks what it unlocks, and he says, their future. Dakota says he’s sounding like her mom, when the front tire hits something, and they careen all over the road. The corpse falls out, and Teddy stops the truck, yelling, mother! He gets out, and opens the blanket covering the body. He kisses her cheek and says, it will be all right. He asks Alicia and Dakota to please help him get her back on the truck. Please. They lift her, and Dakota sees that a bunch of zombies are about to approach them. Teddy is about to shoot, but Alicia says the sound will just draw more. Even without the sound, more are coming. Dakota picks up a chunk of hard wood, and she and Alicia smack TF out of the zombies’ heads, as Teddy stabs them. Suddenly, the zombies who are still on their feet are shot. Alicia says, Cole? Cole says, Alicia? She says, is that you? and he says he was about to ask her the same question. She goes over to Cole, and Teddy asks, who the hell is that? Alicia says, an old friend, and Teddy asks, what kind? Cole says, Alicia’s mom is the only reason he’s not a skinbag, and Teddy says, how’s that for a sign?

Teddy picks up the walkie talkie, and radios Riley, saying they’re in need of roadside assistance. Does he copy? He gets no response, and says he’ll see if he can fare any better up the road. Dakota goes with him, and Alicia says she can’t believe it’s Cole. Has he been on the road all this time? He nods, and says, a long time. They spent weeks looking for her, and finally figured she’d died in the fire at the stadium. There are some others still around, thanks to what her mom did. He asks how her brother is, and Alicia doesn’t say anything. He says he’s sorry, and she shakes her head. She tells him, Luciana is still alive; Victor too. Cole asks where they are, and she says Luci is living in the same place she is, and Victor went his own way. Cole says, he always does, and he asks what they’re doing out that way. They’ve come far, and have a lot of gas. You don’t see much of that these days. Alicia says, Teddy has been stocking up for a while, and Cole asks who Teddy is. What’s his deal? She says she’s still figuring it out, when Teddy comes back and says he can’t get a signal. He doesn’t suppose Cole knows where they can get a new car. Cole says there’s an old auto parts shop nearby, but they shouldn’t go there on their own; it’s not safe. He’s seen them set zombies on people as they’re passing through. Dakota asks who they are, and he says, unsavory types. A lot of the dead they see, they killed them. Some of them look like Swiss cheese after they take what they want. He can get them where they need to go. He knows the roads they need to take. Alicia says he doesn’t have to, but Cole says he believes he does. Lead the way. Teddy says he’ll need Cole’s gun, and Cole says he’s not handing Teddy anything. Teddy says, fine; hand it to Alicia. He’s beginning to trust her, and wants to make sure she trusts him. Cole gives Alicia his gun, and tells her, it’s all right. Teddy stabs one last zombie in the head, and they walk off.   

Dakota asks how long Teddy was locked up, and he says, almost 30 years. She asks what he did, and he says killed the people who got in his way; who didn’t see the world the way he did. His mom had him locked up. He did what he could to get away. She asks if he knew the people he killed, and he says, some of them. She asks if he feels bad, and he wonders if he detects some guilt. She says she only killed when she had to, and he asks if she knew them. She says, one more than the others. They were starting to become a family. He asks if she feels bad, but she says, no. She didn’t have much choice. People look at her like they’re scared of her, but it’s just the way things are. Teddy says, if they’re frightened by what she’s saying, it’s because it’s the truth. She’s right. That’s the way things are.

As they walk ahead, Cole says, Alicia has his gun. They could take Teddy out, but she says they can’t, He says, it doesn’t seem like much of a worry if he’s gone, and she says, he’s a guru. If he doesn’t do it, his people will. Cole asks if she has any idea what it is, and she says, no, but it’s something big. He has followers, and a bunker with enough food for years. Cole says Alicia could join them after she finds out what it is. They have it good. She says she can’t, and he says he’s been looking for a way to pay her mother back for the favor she did. Maybe this is it. Maybe he found it. They arrive at the auto parts place.

Teddy watches Alicia, and she asks if there’s a problem. He says she reminds him of her, and she says, who? He gets teary, and says, his mother. Has she decided yet if she’s going to join them underground? She says, no, because he’s wrong. Suddenly a bunch of people come in, wearing bandanas bandit style, and carrying guns. Cole cocks his gun, and says, those unsavory types he told them about, he’s one of them. They take their bandanas off, and Doug says, sorry, Alicia. Next to him, Viv takes off her bandana, and Alicia says, they’re kidding her. Cole says they’re not, and Teddy says, after her mother saved their lives? and Cole says, maybe she should have let them die.

Alicia asks, what happened? and Cole says they were looking for a place to hole up and regroup. They looked for her, Nick, Victor, and Luci. They went to a motel off 78, and people were waiting for them. Most of them were killed. Alicia asks, who’s left? and he says, she’s looking at them. She says, so they decided to do the same thing to whoever else they crossed paths with? Teddy says, that’s what he’s trying to get her to understand; the patterns of the universe. It’s the people like Cole in the world, who they need to destroy. Dakota says she’s not proud of what she did, but it was all she could do. Alicia says, they had another way, and Cole says, they know how that ended. They tried to find a way to do things that was more than looking out for themselves, but most of them are gone. So they found this way, and they’re still standing. Alicia says, they became the people they’d been fighting off, and Cole says, there are always bad people waiting to make things go south. For you, not them. Teddy says he knows how to fix that. Get rid of Cole. Cole says, that will be hard to do when Teddy is on that end of the shotgun. Teddy laughs, and Cole says, keep walking, gramps.

Doug fixes the tire on the truck, and Teddy approaches Alicia. He says he doesn’t want to rub salt in her wound, but he knows what she’s thinking. She says she highly doubts it, and he says, she’s thinking her mother died for something. She’d thought the people her mother saved went off to live meaningful lives, but most of them are dead. Those that aren’t, are living like bottom feeders. Alicia asks if this isn’t what he wants, and he says he doesn’t want to see her in pain. He wants her to understand they’re both after the same thing. She can fulfill her potential more than she knows. He’s confident that she’s the person he’s been looking for. She says he’s delusional, and he says she doesn’t know what he’s set out to do. She says she’s been trying to figure it out for weeks, but has no clue. Just tell her. Cole comes over to them, and asks, what about a gun pointed at them makes them think they should take a break? Alicia tells him, take the truck. Take what they want, and let them walk out. Cole says, and they’ll never bother them again? but Teddy says, he doesn’t make promises he can’t keep. Cole says he tried Alicia’s way, and nearly got killed. Teddy’s place sounds nice. Tell him where it is. There’s got to be a map in the truck. Teddy says they won’t find anything in there, and Cole aims his gun at Teddy, saying, he’ll be more than happy to open it. Alicia says, Cole… and Cole asks why she’s protecting this a-hole. Doug calls to Cole, and tells him, they’ve been way too long, and Viv says, forget it. They have the truck, gas, and food. It’s more than they had this morning. Cole says, Teddy has a place stocked with supplies. They have water and power. They’ll be safe there; they can live there. He asks where it is, and Teddy says, go ahead and kill him. He’ll return to the earth, and live on. Someone else will finish what he started. Cole says he knows how to get Teddy to talk. Move. He pushes Teddy along.

Cole pulls the corpse out of the truck bed, and on to the ground. He says he saw upset Teddy was when the body went flying out. He shoots it in the chest, and Dakota says, what the hell? Cole says he’ll blow her head off, and Teddy says, go on. Cole asks what kind of psycho Teddy is, and Teddy says, Cole is the one shooting a corpse. Dakota says she’s sorry, and Teddy says, don’t be; that’s not his mother. His mother is buried on the family farm. Alicia says he lied, but he says, no; he showed her the truth. She was right; he confesses. Her journey was not a coincidence. He was hoping to find proof that the people who her mother saved were dead, but he didn’t suspect to find a living one. It proves his point even more. Cole says they’ll take the truck and tells Alicia he’s sorry. He really is. He knows what her mother did for them, so he’s going to do something he normally wouldn’t. Come with them. Alicia says she can’t. She has to find out what they’re doing. He asks, why? and she says, people will die. He says, who? Victor? Why isn’t Victor out looking for her? They have a truck and gas. They can get the hell out, and drive smart, far away. Whatever they’re doing, Victor is doing the same thing. He’s got to warn her. If she doesn’t take him up on it, he’ll have no choice but to kill her too. Alicia nods, and says she guesses that makes her decision easier. Go to hell. He cocks his gun, and tells her to get on her knees. He’ll make it fast.

Dakota and Alicia kneel, while Teddy sits cross-legged in the road. Cole says, one more chance, old man. Where are you going? Teddy tells Alicia and Dakota, everything he’s planned will proceed without them. Alicia asks if Cole is really doing this, and Cole says he gave her an out. He’ll put her down, and bury her. She sarcastically says, thank you, and he says they can be a warning to others. They hear zombie noises, and Doug tells Cole to get it over with. They’re about to have visitors. Alicia says, it doesn’t have be like this, but Cole says he’s heard that too many times. Sorry. Teddy says, these people don’t know what they know. They’re killing people off, but don’t know the difference between a weak and good thing. They don’t know him. Cole aims his gun at Teddy, but Alicia jumps up, and pushes the barrel away. The zombies arrive, and chaos happens. They eat Doug and Viv, and I think, it couldn’t happen to nicer people. Teddy laughs, as he slices away, and Cole shoots some of them. Alicia comes toward Cole, using a zombie as a shield, and aiming a gun from under the zombie’s arm. Teddy says, shoot him; do it. Instead, she shoves the zombie on Cole, but he shoots it. He and Alicia stand face to face, aiming their guns at each other. Alicia says, her mother died so he’d have a chance, and Teddy says he knows she doesn’t want to get rid of her mother… She tells him, shut up. She’s not talking him. She tells Cole, he was supposed to make it mean something, and threw it all away. Cole says, maybe in time she’ll listen to her friend… Maybe in time she’ll let go… She shoots him in the head. She says Teddy knows he’s wrong. They don’t have to destroy everything to make it better. Just people like Cole. Teddy smiles.

Zombie Doug gets a knife in the head from Alicia; ditto with zombie Viv. Dakota says, it’s not as hard as Alicia thinks, and Alicia says, for Dakota. Dakota says, not just for her. It’s how the world is working. She tried to explain to John, so he’d see it the same way we do. Again, Alicia says, there is no we, and Dakota says she had to do it. Alicia says she believes in something better, and Dakota says, like Alicia’s mom did. She never had that. No one gave her anything to believe in. Alicia says, that’s not true. She tried, and Dakota threw it away, like Cole did. Teddy says he’s proud of Alicia; she let go of the past. He laughs, and says she isn’t afraid to change. Alicia says, that doesn’t mean she’s going to fall in line behind him, and he says she’s not afraid to question him. She reminds him of his mother. Alicia asks if his mother thought he was a nutjob too. He says when he was at mortician school, he was trying to figure out how he could change things. He read about it in journals, but they only saw part of it; why they need to end everything. His mother thought he was sick… no, disturbed was the word she used. She threated to call social services, and have him committed. She said she wanted to put an end to his sick thoughts about new beginnings. She never knew how right he was. Alicia says she takes it his mother didn’t listen, and he says he killed her. (Points for me.) He buried her body on the farm, and waited through fall and winter. He was worried someone would find the body, but when spring came, the strangest thing happened. The most beautiful morning glories bloomed over her body. He realized, it wasn’t enough to change things – that was the first part. They needed a new beginning where people like his mother could thrive, free of the patterns of a broken world. Alicia asks how he plans to destroy the world, and he says she earned the truth today. The key will launch a missile from a beached submarine ashore in Galveston. That should do job, doesn’t she think? Alicia says she thinks – she takes the walkie talkie out of his hand – that Cole is not the only person they need to get rid of to make the world better. She aims her gun at him, and behind her, Dakota aims hers at Alicia. She says, Alicia will have to get rid of her too.

Alicia asks, what happened to making things right, and Dakota wanting to make a fresh start? Teddy says they’re not going to stop what he’s doing. He wants Alicia alive. Alicia goes up the road with the walkie talkie, and Teddy says, it’s okay. Alicia radios Morgan, and asks if anyone is there. She sees Riley coming with the others, and backs away. She asks if anyone can hear her, and Victor asks if she’s okay. She asks if she can trust him, and he says, of course. What’s wrong? She says  she knows what they’re going to do. There’s a beached submarine in Galveston. Dakota is part of it, and they need to get themselves far away. Riley draws his gun, and Teddy says Alicia is what he’s been hoping for. Alicia asks what he means, and he says she’s the right person for what’s to come. One of Teddy’s followers grabs her, and Teddy follows them to the car, along with Dakota.

They go to a hotel, and get out of the car, Alicia with her wrists bound. Teddy says, in the 1950s, Uncle Sam built a bunker beneath the resort for government officials to wait out the country’s inevitable destruction. It was long forgotten, but Riley found a mention in the newspaper. Uncle Sam was smart about what was coming, just not when. He asks Riley what it’s like, and Riley says, better than The Holding. Teddy says he supposes he should thank Alicia for burning down the other place. Alicia asks if his followers know, and he says, they know they’ll live in a well-stocked new home. He wants to show Alicia around himself. He tells the others to wait there. He’ll be all right. There’s nothing to worry about.

Teddy and Alicia go inside, and he says he wanted to get to know her, and he’s glad he did. She’s the one who can finish what he started. She says she’s not finishing anything, and he says, it’s nearly the end. He’s the ending, and can’t be the beginning, but she can. She asks, what makes him think that? and he says, she’ll do what needs to be done without losing sight of the one thing that will be in short supply when this is over. She says, what’s that? and he says, hope. He opens the door to the bunker, and Alicia says, she told them what he’s doing. They’re going to stop him. He locks her inside, and says, he knows it’s hard for her, but it’s what’s happening. They’re going to rebuild the world from there. He and Alicia are alike. He was ahead of his time, and while he was inside, the world changed to be perfectly suited for him. And that’s exactly what’s going to happen. She shakes her head, and he tells her, good luck. Alicia yells that she will not make the world the way he wants it, but he says he knows. That’s what he’s counting on. She watches him leave.

Next time – two episodes left – Teddy says things are about to get started, Dakota asks if everyone knows they’re going to die, Morgan and Victor go to the beach in Galveston, and Morgan asks if Victor is ready to do this.

🕰 Jumping Time…

I don’t mind a time jump, as long as there aren’t several within an episode. That makes me dizzy.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/fear-the-walking-dead-season-6-finale-time-jump-season-7-nuclear-missile/

🗺 New Places…

Oh, so they mean it will be more like Z Nation? Yes, I’m still bitter about it being canceled.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-world-beyond-season-2-crazy-different-places-new-locations-rick-grimes-scott-gimple/

⚰️ Everything…

Absolutely all you need to know about Season 11 of The Walking Dead, coming to you on August 22nd. This year.

https://www.tomsguide.com/news/the-walking-dead-season-11-release-date-cast-episodes-rick-grimes-return-and-latest-news

🌃 Calling It a Night…

Whether the Sunday scaries are back for you, you have nothing to be frightened of, or everything freaks you out, stay safe, stay environmentally conscious, and stay preserving what you love, but not by destroying anything.

May 16, 2021 – June Meets a Surprising Stranger, Connections, New John In Town, Speculation, Something Silly & Zombie Music

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

A zombie steps on a birds nest, then gets impaled on a spike because zombies aren’t too bright, and that’s what you get for stepping on a bird’s nest. Outside the gates of Morgan’s town, June walks up to Morgan. She asks, how’s she doing? and he says, she’s holed up. She won’t see anybody, him included. The baby might be alive if they hadn’t had to come to her. She says, it wouldn’t have made a difference, but he says, don’t say it. Grace has already gone there, saying the only reason the she’s alive is because the baby absorbed the bad sh*t in her body. June says she has to make sure Grace is okay, but he says there’s nothing she can say or do to make any of it okay. She tells him that she’s the closest thing they have to a doctor, and has to examine Grace, but he says he’s not letting her come in. June says, Grace needs see her, and he says, Grace does, or she does? She couldn’t do the one thing John wanted. She couldn’t stay, so why is she there when she’s not needed? Tell him again how she’s there for Grace and not herself. She turns around, and marches out.

A zombie crawls through a field, and June stabs it in the head. We see The End is The Beginning painted in huge letters on the road. June puts an X on a map, and puts it back in her pouch. She takes out John’s letter, and almost opens it, then puts it back. She checks gas cans in truck beds, but they’re empty. She hears something, and turns, drawing her gun, but it’s Dwight, who says, easy there. He tried to radio, but there was no answer. She asks what he’s doing there, and he says he could ask her the same question. He thought she had a hospital to build. She says, they can manage. She’s doing her part to figure out what they’re up against. He asks if it has something to do with what Morgan said to her, and she says, he heard it? but Dwight says, the man is hurting; he didn’t mean it. June says Dwight didn’t have to follow her to babysit her, and Dwight says, she’s the only reason he and Shari are still breathing. He couldn’t stand the idea of her out there all alone. She says, Morgan was right. She did the one thing John didn’t want her to. He didn’t want her to cut her hair, and she did. Dwight says, John was worried, and she says, John asked her to leave with him before they even got there. Dwight tells her not to do this to herself, but she says she should have just listened to John. He’d still be here. Instead he went with Ginny, and it didn’t make much difference in the end. He says, they’ve got company. She sees Shari, and says, you two…? but he shakes his head, and says she asked to come when she saw him leaving. June asks, why? and he says he’s not sure. Shari hasn’t said much. Shari says, don’t let her interrupt, and checks the gas cans in a truck bed. Dwight says, horses don’t take unleaded, and June says, there’s nothing there. They probably took the gas when they painted the messages. Dwight asks where June is going, and she says, Jimmy is on the run, and if anyone knows what they’re up against, it’s him. She asks if Dwight brought more company, and someone shoots at them. They duck down, seeing a man up on the hell. Shari says she’s going to take him out, but June says, they need him alive. He might have information. She kicks the mirror off the car she and Dwight are behind. She looks into it, and the guy shoots the mirror. Shari shoots back, and June repeats that they need him alive. Zombies are coming down the road, and June tells Dwight to cover her. He tells her, be careful, and shoots the zombies. June goes up the hill.  

June sees a trailer, and slinks around it. She tries the door, but it’s locked. She covers her gun with a blanket, and smashes the window, pulling herself up and into the trailer. She pulls out a flashlight, and looks around. She sees a bulletin board with a map and Polaroids of places where The End Is The Beginning has been written. She hears a gun cock, and turns around, seeing Keith Carradine. He asks why she’s there. Is she one of them? She says, who? and he says, the folks painting the slogans. She says she might be on the same team as he is, and he says, if that’s true, her and her pals need to kick rocks. He knows what they’re capable of, and trust him, she wants no part of it. She asks what knows, and he says, the trail ran cold. If they think he’s going to catch them, and he’s getting too close, they’ll have to move up the plan. She asks, what plan? and he says he’s going to get to the bottom of it. She asks if they shouldn’t share information. She and her friends have been searching for days. He says he’s been searching a lot longer, and she says, let her help. He asks how she can help, and she says she didn’t realize the tags went that far south. He missed one; at the orchard. He says if she wants to help, and says they’re on the same side, prove it. Bring him to the orchard so he can see what he hasn’t. If she’s lying, and wasting his time, and it’s not them, he’ll put a bullet into her. She says she’s not leaving her friends, but he tells her, drive.

Keith Carradine keeps his gun on June, and she says, it’s not necessary. She wants them as bad as he does. He  tells her, keep your eyes on the road, sweetheart, but she tells him not to call her that. He asks what he should call her, and she says, anything else. He says he didn’t ask her to gum up his investigation. She’s burning his time and resources. So with all due respect, sweetheart, shut up and drive. She jerks the RV all over, and he falls. She takes out her gun, and he sees the handle. He asks where she got the gun, and she asks why she should tell him. He says, because they belong to him. The JD on the handle, that’s him. He’s John Dorie. (But he is really Keith Carradine.)

Shari and Dwight ride, and Shari stops to pick up an empty gas container. She throws it into the woods, and Dwight says he wants to find June as bad as she does, but if they keep running the horses like this, she’s going to kill them. Even if the container was full, they’d only get six miles out of it. She says she just wants to find June, and be done with. She asks why he’s really there. Is he playing detective, or did Morgan tell him to keep an eye on June? He says, neither. When he was out looking for Shari, things got desperate. The trail got cold, and he was tired hungry and thinking about ending it. Not just the search; everything. The only reason he’s there is because John and June changed everything. She asks, how? and he says he doesn’t know. Seeing two people together, two people separated like them, made it seem possible. He thought maybe he and Shari could find each other again. Does she want to tell him why she’s there? She says, there’s no time, and gets back on her horse. She rides off, and he follows.

June looks at the gun, and says, the way John talked, the times he did, she thought he was dead. John Sr. says, as far as his son was concerned, he was. She asks when he last saw his son, and he says, he doesn’t know. He couldn’t been more than twelve. She says, he should know, John was good at sharpshooting, and he says, if his son was a good shot, it had nothing to do with him. She asks if he doesn’t have any questions, and he says, about what? She says, where his son is, or what he’s been up to for the past 40 years? He says he already knows the answer. Why else would she be there with that look on her face, and a gun on her hip? And she’s wearing two wedding rings. He was cop; he notices things. She says, so was his son, and John Sr. says, he became a cop? He thought his son would learn better from his old man. She says, oh no, and looks outside. She tells him that she lost her jacket, and needs to go back. He says she can have one of his, but she says she has to go back. He says he’s not wasting time on a jacket, but she says, it’s not the jacket. There’s a letter in the pocket. He asks what’s in it that’s so important? but she says, she doesn’t know; she hasn’t read it. He says, it must not be that important then. She’s welcome to go back, but the RV is only going in one direction; that’s forward. She gets in the driver’s seat, and starts it up, but it makes a weird sound. He says, kill it, and they listen. He says, sh*t; they have a stowaway. He looks underneath, and there’s a zombie stuck in the undercarriage. He crawls underneath and says, goddammit. She probably ran it over during her little maneuver. She asks if he has something to pull it out,  and he says he does. He tells her to rev the engine a tiny bit; look for his signal. Nice and easy. She starts the van up, and he says, whoa! Cut the engine. The zombie is shredded, but still making zombie noises. She says, anything? and he says, that ain’t just blood, it’s transmission fluid. She probably nicked the line when she hit it. She asks if he can fix it, but he says, this thing is toast, thanks to her.

Dwight and Shari gallop along. Shari goes way ahead, but when Dwight catches up, he finds her on the ground, next to her horse, who’s also down. He says he told her to slow down. The horse’s heart is giving out. She shoots the horse, and says, let’s go. He asks, what’s going on? This isn’t about those cult a-holes. Why are they chasing gas cans? She says she’s going back home to Virginia. She needs to take out the person who’s really to blame for all of this. he says, Negan? and she says she’s going to find him, and put a bullet in his head. That’s why she asked him to come with her. She wanted to find the right way to say goodbye. He says he gets it. Lord knows, he’s done things he’s not proud of. He hopes they find June, and hopes they get out of there. She tells him that he said that before. Does he mean it this time? He says he does, but they’re going at his speed. He’s not running the horse into the ground. She says, all right, and they walk as he leads the horse.

Shari rides behind Dwight, and they see June’s jacket hanging from a tree branch. Dwight takes it off. 

June looks at a newspaper article on the bulletin board about Teddy getting life in prison, and John says, he has them all up there a certain way; don’t go messing them up. Ha-ha! He sounds like me if someone touches something on my desk. She asks if this is him? and he says it’s when he arrested Teddy Mannix, the psycho killing preacher mortician, and put him away for life. He was supposed to be anyway. She asks what he means, and he says, The End Is The Beginning. He spouted the same thing back in the 70s. She says, Teddy is the person responsible for all this? and he says he should have killed Teddy when he had the chance. He guesses it’s not too late. She asks if John is sure it’s him, and he says, when he was foraging, he spotted The End Is The Beginning, and it was like a punch in the gut, seeing it after all this time. He went to the prison hoping to find a rotting corpse, but Teddy’s cell door was open and he was nowhere to be found. His life’s work wasn’t good enough for that SOB. When he put Teddy away, he wasn’t exactly clean. He did the wrong thing for the right reasons. She says, he framed Teddy? Did anyone find out? He says, people looked at him like he was a hero. He couldn’t sleep, and started drinking. His life was a lie. He was angry all the time. It was hard for John Jr. too. He thought the best thing was for him to get as far away from his family as possible. They thought he abandoned them, but they didn’t understand. She asks him to explain how, after 40 years, he checked on the man who ruined his life, but not his son? He says it was best thing did for John Jr., not showing up at the cabin. She says he may not have wanted to go before, but they can go now. It’s a lead to Teddy. He says he’s not going, and she says, it’s the best lead they’ve got. He says he has better leads; the orchard, Teddy’s childhood home. She says, Hill will be at the cabin, and he might have information. He has no time to take a short detour? He says, it’s where he left his boy 40 years ago. He won’t go back. She says she met and lost her husband at that cabin. The table has medical supplies on it, but she didn’t get the chance to save him. She’s finding Hill. What he knows will save a lot of lives, and he has something of hers. John asks, what’s that? and she says, John’s other pistol. He says, the guns. They do belong together.

John stabs a zombie in the head, and tells June, that’s Teddy’s doing. She asks how he knows, and he says, embalming fluid. Same as the first time, back when they dead stayed dead. They keep walking, and she asks what Teddy wants. John says, the same thing he’s always wanted; destruction. Teddy is spouting the same circle of life mumbo jumbo as he did before she was born. She asks, why embalming fluid? and he says, it’s how he keeps out the young horde. Preservation prevents folks from moving on to the next world. Teddy is crazy as a pet snake, but he could sell ice to Eskimos. His followers are armed and highly motivated. She says, they’re not the only ones, and he says, he doesn’t doubt it. June sees his hand is bandaged, and tells him that she’s nurse. She could take a look. He says, there’s a bait shop nearby, and she says, Bill’s. He says, she knows it. Were she and John married before or after? She says, after. John used a candy wrapper. He laughs, and she says, it was the best he could do at the time. He says he proposed to John’s mom the same way, but it was a Juicy Fruit wrapper. He was still at the Academy, and didn’t have a dime to his name.

Shari and Dwight look at John’s bulletin board, and tells Dwight, it looks like he’d been hunting for a lifetime before world fell apart. She can’t believe he’s John’s father. What are the odds? Dwight says, he never thought shooting at  June and John would lead him to her, but here they are. She says, June left a note; Hill is at John’s cabin. He’s a Ranger, and she bets he has a truck. Dwight says, there’s a good chance there’s gas in it too, and she tells him to point her in the right direction.   

John Sr. and June walk into a general store, and John says, the place has changed since he was last there. They used to eat ice cream on a bench outside. John Jr. has a sweet tooth… had. She looks on the shelves for supplies, and he sees the movie rental list. He says, John always loved movies. He warned his son that he’d wind up with square eyes. He watched Bullitt over and over. He puts the list back, and unwraps his hand. June sterilizes his wound, and asks him to tell her about the guns. She knows they were in his family for generations. He says, six. The first John Dorie brought them on the trail out west. The second JD shot Dead Eye Driscoll from Blackwater. Got his picture in the paper. His son was a good shot too? June says he taught her, and worked at Humbug’s Gulch on the weekends as a trick shooter. That’s where they were married; all their friends were there. He says, it sounds a nice affair, and tells her that his son wrote his initials on a wall in the back room. He wonders if they’re still there, and they walk to the back. June goes in first, and he closes the door, putting a bar across the handles. I had the feeling he was going to lock her in there. She asks what he’s doing, and he says, she and Junior shared a life. She’s not blood, but she’s the closest thing he’s got to family. She says, so he’s doing to her like he did to John? and he says, that’s not what this is. She says he think he’s protecting her, but he’s just punishing himself. He doesn’t think he deserves this. He says she’s the one carrying a letter she hasn’t opened. She can come at him all she wants. We all got ways of protecting ourselves. She says, she knows he thinks he’s doing the wrong thing for the right reasons, but they need to work together. He doesn’t hear her because he’s already gone.

At Bill’s, Shari checks out an old truck, and gets it started on a second try, but it dies. Dwight says, she got the engine to turn over, and she says, barely. She wonders if it’s the same truck her grandpa had, but Dwight says, her grandpa had a ’69; this is older. She asks if he remembers when they got the truck stuck in the mud on their way to the bonfire; and he says, they gave up, and drank beer in the car until they passed out. Is she sure this is what she wants to do? She does it, then what? . She comes back? Shari says, that’s the plan. She doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Is she really ready to say goodbye? She listens, and asks, what’s that?

John Sr. enters the cabin, and looks around, no doubt flooded with memories. He sits down, but hears something, and he cocks his gun. He goes out back, and hears a zombie. He puts the gun in his waistband, and stabs it in the head. A man comes up behind him with a gun and says, you picked the wrong cabin to rob, old timer. He gets distracted by another zombie, and John Sr. knocks him back against a tree, takes his gun, and shoots the zombie. He keeps the guy pinned against the tree, and says, this is his son’s cabin; that makes him a trespasser. The guy says he’s John’s old man, and that’s John’s gun, and John Sr. says, tell him all he knows about Theodore Maddox, or he’ll blow the guy’s head off. The guy asks who the hell Theodore is, and John Sr. says, he’s the one behind the spray paint. The guy asks what the hell it matters to John Sr., but John Sr. says that’s his business. The guy says, all he knows is, whatever they have planned, it’s big. John Sr. asks, how big? but the guy doesn’t know. He could never get anyone to talk. All he knows is, they want to kill everybody. John Sr. says, he’ll give the guy five minutes. Get his sh*t, and get the hell out of there. The guy says he lives there now. The previous occupant moved out permanently, in case you didn’t hear. He tries to get John Sr.’s gun, and they struggle. They both fall to the ground, and John Sr. knocks the guy out with a punch. He sees his son’s grave marker, a cross that says John Dorie, and gets distracted. The guy shoots him in the back, but then someone shoots the guy from behind. John touches the marker, and June runs to him, telling Dwight and Shari to help get him inside.

John opens his eyes, gets out of bed, and walks outside. He sees June with Shari and Dwight, and hears June thanking them for her jacket. John sits in the old truck, and June says he shouldn’t be out of bed. She just took a bullet out of him, and he lost a lot of blood. He says, they meant to fix the old girl up together. It was going to be his son’s first car. He didn’t run because he didn’t care. He did it because he does care. Just like he did with June at Bill’s. She says she knows, and he says, she was right. He was punishing himself, and also punishing his wife and boy. He did come back that summer. He went to Bill’s to fill up the tank, and saw John Jr. there. He looked so content eating his ice cream. He looked so happy. John had this light about him… Of course she knows. He was afraid he’d snuff it out, like the Teddy case did him. He decided to leave John Jr. there. His son would be better off without him. He went back, put the pistols on the porch, and never looked back. He never even said goodbye. June says, it’s not too late, and takes out the letter.

They stand at John’s grave, and June says, it was right there when she first met him. She was broken, and he sewed her back up with fishing line, butterscotch brittle, light, and love. She opens the letter. June. This is the hardest decision of my life and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me for making it. For leaving you behind to save an innocent person’s life. Knowing I may not see you again, I believe you’ll forgive me one day, the same way I forgave… my dad for leaving. It took me a few years to see it from his shoes, but I forgave him. He was a good man, and in his own way, he did what he did because he loved me. Like I’m doing what I’m doing because I love you. No matter what happens, sure as the sun sets, I’ll never stop trying to get back to you. Back to those early days in the cabin – she starts to cry – and the pretty lady who washed up on my shore, and my life was forever changed. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. You rekindled the light in me, and brought me back to people. In believing in goodness, and doing good for what’s worth fighting for, like I fought for you. If I die, I will die knowing life was worth living because of a nurse by the name of June. You’re the light guiding my way. I love you, Junebug. She cries, I cry, and everyone looks sad. John Sr. puts his hand on June’s shoulder.

Dwight tells Shari, whoever did the work on the truck, did a good job. She should make it as far as Louisiana. She looks at the article about Teddy, and he asks, what is it? She says she’s not ready for this to be goodbye, and he asks what she means. She says, the man John Sr. has been chasing, he’s been chasing for how many years? He’s missed out on his entire life. She can’t let that happen to them. She’s been using Negan as an excuse for why they can’t be together. Dwight was able to change, and get back to who he once was. She thinks that’s what she’s afraid of; she won’t be able to do that. He says, he’s changed, but he’s not the same person he used to be, and she doesn’t have to be that either. She says she won’t be that for a while, and he says she’s probably right. They were young… Why don’t they just start over? He’s willing to give it a shot if she is. She says, yeah, and they hug.   

June and John Sr. load up the truck. June takes off the rings, and gives them to Dwight. She thanks him for letting her borrow them. He says she doesn’t have to, but she says she wants to, and John would too. She’s giving them back to their rightful owners. He takes them, and puts around his neck. June takes a last look at the cabin, and she and John Sr. get in the truck. Dwight and Shari get on Dwight’s horse, and ride off.

June brings John Sr. to Morgan, who apparently lives his life standing at the entrance of his town. She says, there’s someone she’d like him to meet. This is John Dorie, John’s father. Morgan shakes John Sr.’s hand, and says, pleased to meet him. Morgan asks June, how? and she says, long story. Morgan says John Sr.’s son saved his life in more ways than one, and John Sr. says, his wife just did the same for him. He thinks he’ll stay a while, and Morgan says he’ll be a welcome addition. June says, John Sr. is looking for the man who attacked Morgan and Grace. He knows everything about him. They can help each other. Morgan says, it looks like they already are. June takes Morgan aside, and says she knows she can’t change what she did… He says she doesn’t have to say it, but she says, it’s what John wanted. Now she has a chance to do the same there. Morgan says, he might have been wrong when he told her there was nothing she could do or say to make things better. June asks if she can please check on Grace, and John Sr. says they can put their heads together, and man up against Teddy. He knows Teddy, bow to stern. If he’s doing now what he wanted to do before, he’s not going to stop until they’re all dead. Morgan says, let’s get to work, and they go inside.

Next time, Alicia and Teddy go on a road trip, Teddy needs assurances before he takes the first steps, Alicia is surprised to see someone, and a zombie attacks Teddy.

🍳 Hunt For the Eggs…

On Talking Dead, Keith Carradine marveled at all the nerdy things hidden in tonight’s FTWD.

https://ew.com/tv/fear-the-walking-dead-jd-keith-carradine-aisha-tyler-john-dorie-deadwood/

🐎 Another Day, Another John…

Surprise! It’s John Dorie.

https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2567496/fear-the-walking-dead-keith-carradine-surprise-role-john-dorie-history-with-cult-leader-teddy-garret-dillahunt

⚰️ Quite a Stretch…

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, since we pretty much saw her get eaten, but who knows?

👠 A Real Doll…

Trixie is getting around. First Overserved, now this.

https://ew.com/tv/trixie-mattel-crank-yankers-clip/

🧍🏽‍♀️ Toddling Off…

The Shahs of Sunset are back, but choices had to be made. I’ll have to catch up On Demand or on rerun. Until we meet On Deck tomorrow, stay safe, stay respecting others’ personal space, and stay not being so fast to judge a guy in an RV who’s shooting at you. It could be Keith Carradine.

May 4, 2021 – Britt Operates On Jason, NYC Reconvenes, a Little Dallas, It’s New York, Season To Come, About Southfork, Last One & Covering C&C

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jordan tells Cameron, put the gun down. More cops run in behind her, and she tells them, stand down. She says she’s going to lower her gun, and her eyes never leave Cameron’s as she does. She says, now it’s his turn. Put the gun down.

Elizabeth leaves a message for Cameron, saying she needs to know where he is; it’s important. Finn says he’s sure Cameron is fine.

In an alleyway, the fake janitor backs up, and Cyrus comes toward him, saying, it was two trained men against one unarmed woman. How did she get away? Janitor that isn’t says, he told Cyrus. He and the other guy had Britt, dead to rights, in her office. All of a sudden, Jason shows up, gets the jump on them, and Jason and Britt take off. Other guy went after them. Cyrus says, and…? and pretend janitor says, Jason had a car and driver waiting. Other guy ran right into an ambush. Cyrus asks why Jason isn’t dead, but un-janitor says he doesn’t know. He’ll find out. Cyrus says, you know what’s unfortunate? He puts his hand on not a janitor’s shoulder and says, that they didn’t shoot him too. He takes out a switchblade, and phony janitor becomes dead phony janitor.

Brick and Britt help Jason to a bed in a safe house, and Jason says he’s good. Britt says, no, he’s not. She’s the doctor, he’s the patient; she gets to say when he’s good. Brick says, she told you, and Britt tells Brick that she needs medical supplies. He opens the door, nearly running into Carly on her way in. She says, thank God. She wasn’t sure if they got away or not. He says, it was close, and there’s a complication. He steps aside, and she goes over to Jason, who’s bleeding like a stuck pig.

Jordan tells Cameron to look at her. That’s right. It’s over now. Lower his arm, and let her take his gun. She knows he’s nervous, but she needs him to nod his head so she knows he heard what she just said. He nods, and she says, that’s great. He’s doing a great job. Now lower the gun. Cameron slowly lowers it as she walks toward him, and she quickly takes it, saying, all clear. The cops move in, and one puts handcuffs on Cameron. He asks, what’s going on? and she says he’s under arrest. He says he didn’t do anything, and she says he has the right to remain silent. He repeats, he didn’t do anything, and she says, listen to what she’s telling him; it’s for his own protection. He looks like he might cry, and says again that he didn’t do anything, and she says louder, listen. He says, okay, and calms down somewhat. She reads him his rights, but she sounds like she’s way in the background of his comprehension. She asks if he understands what she just told him, and he says, yes.

Carly says, there’s so much blood, but Jason says, it’s not that bad. Britt says, it’s very bad. She needs that bag. Brick leaves to get it, and Carly asks, what happened? Britt says, what does she think happened? Other guy pulled a gun, and shot Jason. Carly says, what went wrong? Brick was in the car waiting for him. He got there, but then went back in. Why? Britt says, he went back to save her.

At the MetroCourt bar, Mac tells Dante, the PCPD is really in need of manpower right now. Valerie is testifying in a case that just keeps dragging on (yeah, it’s called The Haves and The Have Nots), and she wants to transfer to forensics. Chase is dealing with this mystery illness, and is laid up at GH. They could use him under any circumstance, but right now, it’s crucial. Dante says he’s flattered Mac is pulling out all the stops for him, but he’s been gone a long time, and after what happened to him, he doesn’t think he can be the cop that Mac thinks he is. Mac says he understands what Dante has been through, but according to what he’s heard from Robert and Anna, his treatment was successful. He’s fit to return to duty. Dante says he’s glad they still believe in him, and Mac says, but Dante has his doubts. Dante says after the last couple of years, of course (🍷) he does. Mac says they all have doubts in their abilities at some point in life. They’re a half-step slower than when they were younger; that’s just life. Dante gets Mac’s point, but says his situation is a little more complicated than that. Mac says Dante has always had great instincts, and understands the job; and he’s always done it with integrity. He really needs Dante back on the force. They hear Obrecht toasting to savoring the pleasures of the unexpected. They look over to see her with Scotty, and Mac wonders if they’re dating.

Obrecht tells Scotty, it seems their presence is causing something of a commotion, and Scotty says, who cares about them? He’s free, and has nothing to hide. She flashes back to the first time they were together, and says, what a change. Neither does she.

On the phone in the kitchen, Brando says he’ll meet Cyrus downstairs. He gets in the elevator, and Sasha is there. He says it’s a nice surprise. Where’s she headed? She says she was just there for a doctor’s visit, and he asks if she’s okay. She says she is, but she doesn’t want to talk about it. He says, okay. He thought that after the other night… He’s sorry. He didn’t mean to pry.

Willow thanks someone, and hangs up the phone. She tells Chase that there’s no more active shooter. That was scary. You’re supposed to feel safe in a hospital, right? Apparently, she’s never checked into GH, whose safety rating is F minus-minus. Chase tries to get out of bed, and Willow asks where he thinks he’s going. He says, it’s an emergency. He’s a cop. He needs to get back to work. She says, he will – she pushes him back down on the bed – when he’s better. He says he’s feeling tons better. He hates this. When is he going to get his life back?

Jason asks if he made it in time for the meeting of the Five Families thin crust pizza, and Carly says, there’s a few hours before the meeting. How long does Britt need to patch him up? Britt says, he needs more than a patch, and Jason says they can do it tomorrow. She says, is he crazy? This is more than a temporary fix. If she doesn’t close his wound, he’s going to bleed to death.

Brick brings a medical bag, and she says, good. She thought she was going to have to rely on a first aid kit. He says, successful operations need to be prepared. Jason tells Brick that he’s okay, and Carly says, he’s not okay, but he’s going to be. Jason passes out, and Britt tells Carly that she needs to stay calm. She asks Brick to assist her, and tells Carly to keep pressure on Jason’s wound. If he regains consciousness, do not let him get up. Carly tells Jason, he’s better off. Britt is going to have to operate, and she doesn’t think there’s anything in the bag to kill the pain. Didn’t Brick just say they were prepared? Not so successful after all. Carly guesses she wants him to stay passed out. He needs to make it. She doesn’t think she can go on without him. Britt puts surgical gloves on, and Carly says this is on Britt. She has to save Jason.

Mac says, the way he sees it, he and Dante both benefit. Dante gets a job, and he gets a top-notch detective that he can trust. He understands having to walk away from police work. When he and Felicia bought The Floating Rib, he thought he was walking away from law enforcement. For guys like them, police work is in their blood; it’s who they are. Dante says Mac makes a compelling argument, but he just… Mac says he’s not asking Dante to make a decision right now. Just think about it. Dante agrees, and Mac’s phone rings.

Jordan tells Mac, she’s at GH in the parking garage; there’s been a shooting. He says, any fatalities? and she says, only one so far. He says he’s ten minutes out, and she says he needs to prepare himself; it’s a sensitive situation. He says, in what way? and she says, the shooter is Cameron Webber. He says, copy that. He’s on his way. He tells Dante, there’s been a shooting at GH, one fatality. He knows Dante hasn’t decided on rejoining the force, but it’s a delicate situation. He could use the back-up. Dante says, whatever he needs, and they leave.

Sasha asks how Brando has been, and he says, good. At least he thought he was. Is this about the other night? Is she having regrets? She says, not at all. It was… memorable. She’s just really distracted by her appointment. Can they talk another time? He says, sure, and the elevator stops. She gets out, and starts walking, but Cyrus says, Ms. Gilmore, lovely as always. She says, Mr. Renault. She’d say it was a pleasure to see him, but she’s had to give up lying as part of her recovery. Cyrus says that was a terrible moment when she hit rock bottom. He so admires her for climbing her way back. Don’t forget that he’s always there to offer a helping hand, or anything else she might need. She says, no thanks, and walks away. Cyrus tells Brando, call Brown, and tell him there’s a mess to clean up in the alley on four. Then get in touch with the warehouse, and make sure we’re on schedule for tonight. He has a tragedy to attend to. He and Brando leave, and Sasha doubles back, getting into the elevator.

Brick cuts Jason’s shirt, exposing the wound, and Britt prepares the wound for surgery.

Jordan tells Cameron that she’s sure his mother will be there soon. Elizabeth runs in with Finn, and sees dead other guy. She says, oh my God, what’s going on? And why is her son in handcuffs? Cameron swears it was a big mistake. He didn’t do it. Jason did.

Jordan tells Elizabeth that she’s advised Cameron of his Miranda rights. Anything he says can be used against him, so it’s better for him if she explains. Elizabeth asks what there is to explain, and Jordan says, Jason escaped tonight, and took Britt as a hostage. They think he was being pursued be this individual. She indicates other guy, and says, he was dressed as a hospital janitor. They’re pulling security footage and will piece together a timeline of events. What they do know is, shots were fired. Cameron flashes back to telling Jason that he wanted to see the man Jake believes in, but he can’t. All he sees is the person who killed Franco. Elizabeth asks what Jordan is doing with her son, and Jordan says when she arrived on the scene, Cameron had a gun, pointing straight at her. There was gunpowder in the air, and shots had been fired; one man is dead. She has to arrest Cameron. Cameron swears he didn’t do it. All he did was pick up the gun. Finn says, stop. Don’t say another word.

Britt asks for medical stuff, and does medical stuff to Jason. Brick assists, while Carly holds Jason’s head.

Chase says Willow has a pretty good bedside manner. He’s going to have to watch his back after she becomes a nurse. Her patients are going to fall in love with her like he did. She says his weakened state has made him sappy, and he says, chalk it up to one more unexplained symptom. He has no idea what’s making him sick. Why? Finn is supposed to be a research genius, and can’t figure it out. The only thing that makes sense is being with her. Loving her is the only thing he’s sure of.

Britt stitches up the wound. Carly frets. Brick takes notes (just kidding).

Finn tells Jordan that Cameron is traumatized by whatever happened, and asks if the handcuffs are necessary. She says she’s afraid so. Shots were fired, and Cameron was discovered holding the gun. Finn tells her, Cameron said didn’t fire it, and she says, the security footage will back him up. She understands he’s been placed in a chaotic situation, and might have acted without realizing it. She tells the officer to take Cameron to a quiet spot. Another cop calls to her to check out some blood on the garage floor, and Jordan says she needs a tech. She puts on gloves, and tells the tech to take a sample. See if it’s a match for Jason Morgan. Elizabeth makes a call.

Carly says Jason doesn’t look good, and he feels clammy. Britt asks if Jason’s hands are cold, and Brick says, very cold. Britt says Jason is going into hypovolemic shock, and they’re running out of time. She tells Brick to cut the thread, and digs through the medical bag. Carly asks what she’s looking for, and Britt says blah-blah-blah some piece of medical equipment. Jason needs a transfusion. They need to get as much O-negative blood in him as possible. Carly tells the guard to get some blood at the hospital, but Britt says, unless it’s next door, it’s not soon enough. They need it right now. Carly says, then use her. Give Jason her blood.

Elizabeth says she got ahold of Scotty, and he’s on his way. Cameron says he didn’t do anything; he didn’t even fire the gun. Why does he need a lawyer? Finn says, the security footage will prove that, but in the meantime he needs a layer to protect his rights. Elizabeth asks Cameron to explain what happened. Why is he there? He says he wanted Jason to admit he killed Franco. He wanted Jason to say the actual words, but Jason wasn’t in his room. The guard was on the floor, and he didn’t know if the guard was dead or what. Jason did it; he killed Franco. That’s why he ran. Elizabeth looks at Finn.

Cameron says, after Jason ran, he followed Jason to the stairwell. He came down to the garage; people were shooting, and Jason was dragging Britt to the car. When the gunman was shot, he dropped his gun, and Cameron picked it up. Finn says, stop. He knows Cameron wants to get it all out, but he can’t say anything. Elizabeth tells him to wait for Scotty.   

Britt tells Carly to keep clenching her fist, so the blood will flow faster. She might get dizzy. Carly says, thank God she and Jason are compatible, and Britt says, and that she knew. How many times have she and Jason bled for each other? Carly flashes back to Sonny’s funeral, and Jason telling her, she’s dressed, standing, and she’s ready. She’s going to get through this because there’s no other option. Carly looks at Britt.

Scotty arrives with Obrecht, and tells Cameron, listen. Zip it, and let him do the talking. Obrecht goes over to Jordan, and says, excuse the interruption, but Scotty said Britt was involved. What does that mean? Jordan says, Cameron saw Jason dragging her to the car, and thinks she was kidnapped. Obrecht flashes back to asking Britt why she’s in danger, and Britt saying, all she knows is that she’s doing a favor for Jason. Obrecht tells Britt that she needs to get as far away from Jason as possible. Trouble and violence follow him like he’s a magnet. Britt says, Jason isn’t the problem. It’s the people who are after him who are dangerous, but Obrecht says, he’s like an Olympic bobsled run; hazardous under any conditions. But Britt won’t get a medal for surviving Jason.   

Carly tells Britt, she and Jason have been through a lot. Does she think this is going to work? Britt says his pulse is stronger, but she can’t give him a full transfusion. Carly’s guard still has to come through. She says, he will. Sonny’s men are extremely loyal to Jason, because he’d do the same for them. Right, Brick? Brick says, ten times over. We watch as the blood flows through the tube into Jason.

Sasha asks if Chase would like company, and he says, sure. She tells him that she was at the hospital, and thought she’d check up on him while she was there. How’s he feeling? He says, not bad for a guy who can’t hold a glass of water. Sasha asks what he means, and Willow says, Chase has neuropathy which makes it hard for him to hold things. Sasha says she’s sorry; she didn’t realize. What caused it? Chase says, he wishes he knew, and Willow says, Finn and the doctors are working hard, but so far there’s been no diagnosis. Chase says, Finn found a partial treatment, and he’s better… kind of. Sasha says he must be frustrated, and Willow says, he’s been strong. Sasha says that doesn’t surprise her, and Chase says he had help. There’s no way he could have done it without Willow. She’s been an absolute rock. Her being there made all the difference.

Mac comes into the garage, and says he canvassed the 10th floor and the stairwells, but there’s no evidence of additional gunfire. Any word on the victim? Jordan says, he was working at the hospital with false credentials. Dante joins them and says Britt’s office is trashed. If she was taken against her will, she put up a hell of a fight. Cyrus arrives, and asks what they’re doing to find his Chief of Staff. Jason has escaped, a member of the staff is dead, and Britt is gone; it’s terrible PR for the hospital. Jordan says, he’s not upset; she’s not surprised. He tells her, he didn’t say that, and she didn’t answer his question. Britt’s safety is of paramount importance to him.

Jordan assures Cyrus that she’ll focus on Britt, and asks about the janitor with the false ID. He says he’s sure HR could give her a better explanation than he can. He sees Obrecht, and says he promises he’ll use his full resources to find her daughter. If she speaks to Britt before he does, please ease his mind and let him know. Obrecht says, he’ll be her first call. He leaves with Brando, and Obrecht says, but if Britt has been harmed, I’ll cut your heart out, schwein.

Finn apologizes for interrupting, but says he needs to check Chase’s vitals. Chase asks if Sasha and Willow would mind stepping out. He needs to talk to his bro… Finn. Willow says, of course (🍷), and Sasha tells Chase, hang in there. Finn says Willow has been spending a lot of time with Chase, and Chase says, she has. He’d like to spend the rest of his life with her, anywhere other than the hospital. Be honest. What is Finn doing to get him out?

Willow asks what Sasha is doing at the hospital, and Sasha says she had a doctor’s appointment, and wanted to pop in on Chase. When she walked in, she could see that he and Willow are really back together. It gave her hope that things can really work out. Willow asks if Sasha is doing okay, and Sasha says she’s fine, maybe a little introspective. She and Michael are over, and it’s for the best, but in spite of that, Willow and Chase are chase making it work. Seeing the spark in his eyes when he’s so sick is an inspiration. Willow says she’s helping any way she can, but it’s hard watching Chase struggle. Sasha says, Chase has always been physically active. She knows how scared he must be. Knowing Willow and Chase ended up together, where they belong, is a reminder that good things happen. They deserve to happy.

Scotty tells the officer guarding Cameron that the Commissioner gave him time to talk to his client in private. The officer leaves, and Scotty says, first, Cameron admitted to picking up the gun. Never admit to anything without his lawyer present. Don’t even comment on the weather. And don’t bring up Jason. Cameron says he made mess, huh?

Obrecht tells Jordan that yesterday, Britt pulled her aside, and said she was getting pressure from Cyrus that made her a target. She advised Britt to stay away, and stay safe. Jordan asks if Britt told her what it was about, and Obrecht says, no, but Britt and Jason are missing, and Cyrus is offering up his lousy fake tears. Whatever happened, he’s behind it. For once, she’s on Jordan’s side. Bring that schwein to justice. Jordan sees Dante, and asks if he rejoined the force, but he says, no ma’am. Mac says he asked Dante to ride along; a test run if he comes back. Jordan hopes he decides to stay. Obrecht just told her that Britt said she was being pressured by Cyrus. She’s convinced Cyrus is behind what happened. Mac says, maybe Britt isn’t a hostage. They’ll find out from GH security. One of the cops hands Jordan an envelope, and she tells him that she needs the footage. She takes a paper out of the envelope, and Mac asks what it is. She says, the blood on the garage floor matches what they have on file for Jason. Scotty tells Cameron, take a deep breath. He’ll be fine. Mac tells Jordan, Cameron denies firing the gun, but she says, he knows how it goes. Cameron was panicked and disoriented. He may have pulled the trigger without realizing it.

Scotty tells Cameron that he wasn’t much of a father to his kids, but Franco fixed that. It’s not Cameron’s fault. He was shortchanged in the father department until Franco came along. Cameron says he doesn’t understand, and Scotty says, Franco was a stand-up guy who helped Cameron, and that’s what he’s going to do; stand up and help Cameron. Cameron thanks him, and Scotty says, next time Cameron has the impulse to do something stupid that will ruin his life, call him first, not later. Got it? Elizabeth says, he’s got it, right? Cameron says, he’ll call Scotty first.  

Carly asks how Jason is, and Britt says she thinks it’s working; he’s warming back up. Carly says, thank God, and Britt says she’s welcome. Carly tells Brick that she has to go home and change for a meeting. He says if she needs back-up, he’s available, but she says Jordan saw him at the hospital. She knows he’s involved. He says, so what? He’s not scared of a bunch of jurors, but she says, it’s a meeting. Everyone will be on their best behavior. Brick needs to handle the thing they discussed earlier, and then get out of town. He asks if she’s sure she still wants him to do it, and she says, hell yeah. They’ve got it coming.

Sasha says when she and Chase decided to push Michael and Willow together so they could get custody of Wiley, they knew it would be painful. They thought they were prepared, but she’s never seen anyone more heartbroken than Chase when he lost Willow. He’s a good guy, and all he wants is the best for Willow. Willow says it’s what she wants for Chase too. Sasha says, it mostly worked out. Willow and Michael are Wiley’s parents, and Chase will get better. He and Willow can finally build a life together. Willow smiles.

Finn says he knows Chase is climbing the walls, and knows how frustrating it can be, but look on the bright side. Chase says, other than Willow, there is no bright side, but Finn says he found a treatment. Chase says he’s grateful for all he can get. He has less pain, but he’s not well. It’s a treatment, not a cure. Finn says, yet, and Chase asks what Finn means. Is he going to be living at GH indefinitely? Finn says he’s doing everything in his power to make Chase better, and won’t stop until he does.

Mac says, Jason was wounded, but they have no idea how badly he’s hurt. It’s not clear if Britt was a hostage or a wiling accomplice. He’s sure Cyrus and his men will be out there looking for Jason, trying to find him before they do. Dante says, if Cyrus finds Jason before they do, Cyrus will kill him, and Mac’s questions remain unanswered. No one knows more about Sonny’s organization, or where Jason may be hiding out, than Dante. Is he up for the job? Dante says he’s not willing to commit past this job, but yes, and Mac says, all he asks is that Dante bring Jason back alive.

Jordan says, they’ve confirmed the blood at the crime scene is Jason’s, and tells Elizabeth, Cameron was discovered with a gun in his hand. She has to take him in for processing. Elizabeth says, he never fired that gun, and Jordan says, they’ll see what the evidence shows, in the meantime, Elizabeth and Scotty can meet them at the station. Elizabeth tells Cameron, it will be okay, but he looks pretty scared.

Britt reaches for something, and her hand shakes. Jason stirs, and she says his name. She asks if he can hear her, and he removes the oxygen mask. He asks, where’s Carly?

At the meeting of the Five Families olive oil, one of the members says, time for the meeting to start, and Cyrus walks in. He says, here he is, on time, and assures them he always will be. He addresses Miss Wu, Mr. Novak, and Mr. Bashima. He appreciates them extending an invitation to his first meeting of the family heads. (Otherwise known as the Five Families ravioli with meat sauce.) He says, shall we begin? The door opens, and we see a pair of righteous high heels walk through. Carly says, not so fast, and removes her white coat, revealing a sophisticated white dress. She says, now we can begin.

Frankly, I always thought Carly would be better at running the organization. God knows, she’s more ruthless than Sonny.

Tomorrow, Britt asks if Jason thinks he said too much, Josslyn asks if there are any details, and Carly tells Cyrus she’s calling the shots now and he doesn’t want to make himself a target.

🗽 On the season premiere of The Real Housewives of New York City, we saw New York City as it was on March 1, 2020, compared to October 1. Protocols were in place by the time they’d started filming. Leah was in a new apartment. I thought of my first apartment, which was in Manhattan. It could probably fit in Leah’s kitchen. And don’t get me started on the smallest closet in the world, which was also triangular, or the antique refrigerator. Leah also got a new fur baby, and Chihuahua named Angel, who was extremely cute. Leah was in the process of converting to Judaism. During a video chat with her father, asking forgiveness as she went into the Jewish New Year. Her father asked if Angel wasn’t Mexican, and she said, yes, and he told her, then the dog is Catholic. I literally lol’d. Ramona and LuAnn were buddy-buddy, and bitched about Sonja being MIA. In Ramona’s interview, she said, when Sonja is feeling vulnerable, she hides, and claimed to know all about Sonja’s psychological makeup.

LuAnn also had a new apartment in the city, and acted all surprised that her view included Tom’s terrace. Leah summed it up best later on Watch What Happens Live, when she said, it’s your ex-husband you know where he lives. Leah met with new Wife Eboni for a walk in the park, and in Leah’s interview, she explained she met Eboni after she’d moved to her new neighborhood. She said Eboni was the epitome of Black Girl Magic; she’s a lawyer and a broadcaster, and has a podcast going on. Eboni asked if Leah had anything going on with her love life, and Leah said she and Pita Chip Guy didn’t work out, but they’d always be friends. In her interview, Leah said she’d sent a nakey photo to Pita Chip Guy, who in turn sent it to a friend, and (mistakenly, we assume) to her.

Sonja didn’t seem very vulnerable as she conferred with assistant #2003, and lounged around in a caftan from her clothing line, a prisoner of her townhouse until it got sold. She invited the girls over for lunch on her gorgeous patio, complete with a fountain and goldfish pond. In Sonja’s interview, she told us, Sonja is on Sonja time, and never ready for the guests, but everything else is always ready for the guests. She felt like she’d had the rug pulled out from under her, since she’d just gotten her big Century 21 deal just before covid hit. LuAnn asked Leah to be her wingman, since she didn’t want to drink, and Leah was in not-drinking mode. When everyone asked where Sonja had been for the last several months, she said she’d been in the desert, but it wasn’t clear if she meant the Sahara, the Mohave, or she was mispronouncing dessert and had been busy eating her feelings. LuAnn invited everyone to her house in the Hamptons, and we saw a flash forward. Looks like there will be a lot of arguing.

Unlike RHONJ and RHOBH, I still enjoy the RHONY. They have their share of brawls, but they seem more genuine, and don’t create drama for drama’s sake. I don’t even think LuAnn and Ramona play to the cameras. I think they’d be divas if the cameras were rolling or not.

This season, a beauty pageant, Leah gives a lap dance, ice skating, burlesque, and is that Tiffany Pollard? Heather Thomas, arguments, Garth, Sonja dressed like a pilgrim, a trip to Salem, and a séance. Leah calls Heather a Karen, sketching a nakey guy, Leah calls everyone a ho (which caused me to go, here a ho, there a ho, everywhere a ho, ho, in my head), and Ramona wonders what happened to class?

🐎 I did catch one cool thing on The Real Housewives of Dallas. They had a murder mystery party at Southfork Ranch. The rooms were designed after various characters from the original Dallas TV series, and the women were able to stay there. I love a themed hotel. To negate the fun, Kary and Brandi managed to get drunk and destroyed the plexiglass in front of a JR display. The owner was very cool about it though. Not so much D’Andra, who Kary decided to throw in the pool, destroying three grand of accessories.

🥂 Yep, It Was…

Interesting pairing.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/sonja-morgan-tiffany-new-york-pollard-brunch-with-tiffany-web-series-video

🏙 What’s To Come…

Leah and Eboni tell all about it.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-of-new-york-city-season-13-leah-eboni/

🐴 Landmark Destruction…

All about the Southfork debacle.

The actual ranch.

https://www.southforkranch.com/southfork-ranch-history

👮🏿‍♀️ Finding Valerie…

HAHN will begin their final season on June 1st. <sob!>

🦉 Flight Of the Night Owl…

You know it’s a rough week when it’s only Tuesday and you feel like you’ve put in a full one. Whether your week is going rough, smooth, or in-between, stay safe, stay unprejudiced, and stay not wrecking JR’s room when you’re drunk. He’s already had to deal with being shot.

May 2, 2021 – A Visit To The Holding, Lucky Twice & May In Austen

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

Fear the Walking Dead

We see people working in an underground greenhouse, and a voiceover says, death, destruction, decay. What’s happening to the world isn’t new. The world has been breaking down since its inception until now. Everything is winding down, including us. Death is inevitable, but from death comes new life. The decaying body feeds the soil, which in turn feeds the plants, which feed us and the creatures who sustain us. That’s the way it’s always been, and the way it will always be. People see death everywhere, but if they looked hard enough, and with open eyes, they’d see life. It’s not their fault; they don’t know how. They’re seeing the way they always have. We know the truth and they don’t; we can see, they can’t. It’s incumbent upon them to help others to be unafraid of what’s to come. Do you know truth? Can you see? Can you help them be unafraid?   

A woman stares at a part zombie, part tree. Riley tells her, hurry up. They have new arrivals coming. They’re going to be hungry. She says she was trying to see like Teddy, but it hasn’t happened yet. The zombie tree reaches out.   

Riley asks where the new recruits are. Teddy says they’re in bad shape. The elevator doors open, and Alicia, Al, Wes, and Luci are there. Riley tells them, it’s okay. He knows they’ve been through a lot not. No one’s going to hurt them. Welcome to The Holding. He thinks they’ll like it here. They come out of elevator into what looks like a community room. Wes asks if Al is sure this is the place Virginia was talking about, and she says, yeah. Wes sees a tree painted on the wall, with the end is the beginning written above it.

A mic and recorder are set up. Alicia asks why Riley is recording, and he says, for Teddy. She asks who Teddy, and Riley says he’s the reason they’re all there. She asks if he’s there now, and Riley says, his presence is always with them. She says, he’s dead? but Riley says, no. He’s very much alive. When you cannot see, he guides you, and when you can’t walk, he’ll carry you. They’re lucky to have found them when they did. She says she’d like her weapon back, but he says, no outsiders are allowed to carry. He learned that lesson the hard way. He asks what they were doing on the road, and she says, scavenging.

He asks where they came from. Wes has replaced Alicia, and says, a place where they’re never going back. Riley asks, why? Teddy is interested in the path that led them there. Over the loudspeaker – which is always going – we hear, we found you, and helped you to see the truth. People look around up there, and see death everywhere. They gaze not on what’s really there. If they truly looked with open eyes, they would see life.

Wes asks, how many people live there? Al asks, are they allowed to leave? Luci says, she’s lived in a place like this before, but Riley says he doubts it. She asks how he can be sure, but he says, there is no place like this. There has never been a place like this.

Zombies are being ground up in a machine, and Al asks how long it takes to break them down. Riley says, a couple of months. They take the bones out for chicken meal. She asks if it’s safe, and he says, this is how all living creatures have decomposed from the beginning of time. Al says, food, water, power, impressive. It also feels like they’re preparing for something. He says they found the group at the right time. He thought he’d let Teddy tell them when he returned, and they can figure out if they want to stay. She says, there’s no reason they shouldn’t know now, and he says Teddy will be closing the doors soon for good. Alicia asks, why? and he says, so they never need to go topside again. That’s the old way. This is a new day. This is where life is beginning again. Ali asks how many people have been allowed to leave, and he says he’s more interested in what she has to say. One question in particular he likes to ask. She says, what is it? Can you see?

They stand in front of the zombie tree, and Riley says, it’s the simplest one there is. What does she see when she looks at it? She says, he’s see joking right? He says, no. Take a good look. Exactly what does she see? She says, a walker who should be in the ground, and he says, anything else? It’s okay. Nobody gets hung on their first try. He asks, what’s troubling her? Be honest; Teddy will know if she’s not. She asks, why would he have something to say about how she feels? and he says, Teddy can look in your eyes and see the truth in a way no one else can, not even her. Her answer will go a long way gaining Teddy’s favor.

Luci asks, what kind of trick is this? and Riley says he’s trying to gage how much she has left to learn. She says, it feels like a trick, and he says, she’s a skeptic. She keeps answering his questions with questions. He likes skeptics. When they’re won over, they’re true believers. As everyone there is.

Al asks what she’s looking for, and Riley says, there is no right or wrong answer.

Wes says he sees an eater, and Riley says, look closer. Wes asks, who painted the trees? and Riley wonders why he’s asking. Wes says he used to be a painter, and Riley asks what he painted. Wes says, all kinds of things. He started copying his brother. Riley says Wes has a brother? and Wes says, had. Alicia says, his name was Nick. Luci says, Pablo. Al says, her brother was her best friend. Wes says, he wanted be just like his brother. Why does Riley ask? Riley says, it’s about family. Teddy says, their survival is dependent on it. Each generation gives way to the next. Riley says, it looks like Alicia is being reminded of something, and she says, her mom grew crops in the place where they used to be. He asks, what happened to her? and Alicia says, she gave her life so they could live. Riley says, her end was your beginning.

The group reconvenes, and Al asks if they found out anything. Alicia says they have to gain The Holding’s trust, and Luci says, and Teddy’s. Has anyone seen him? None of them have, and Alicia says, in the meantime, they’ll find out what they can, why Virginia was scared sh*tless, and get the hell out. Luci says, it could be a long time before the people there get out. Riley joins them, and says, the others have returned. It’s time for them to meet Teddy. They wait by the elevator, and when it opens, Wes’s brother Derek comes out, and asks if they missed lunch. He’s starving. Riley asks where Teddy is, and Derek says, he’ll be back later. Wes walks forward, and says, Derek? Derek says, he’s alive? and hugs Wes. Wes says, Derek is alive, and Derek says, so is he, and they hug again. Alicia says, they found their way out.

Derek and Wes sit at a table, and Wes says, he doesn’t know how long it’s been since he was thinking Derek had been torn to pieces. Couldn’t he drink black coffee? Derek says, is Wes seriously mad because he went looking for creamer? Wes says he doesn’t know, and Derek says he’s sorry; he really is. He found some condensed milk, a whole crate of it, but when he went outside, he got cornered. He ran into a shed, and the eaters were clawing at it. He passed out, and thought that was it, but when he woke up, he was there. They saved him, just like they saved Wes. Wes asks if Derek thought to look for him, and Derek says he did, but Wes was gone… and so was his bike. Wes says he couldn’t stick around, and Derek asks, what happened? but Wes says Derek doesn’t want know. Derek says, it seems like Wes is running with good people. Wes says, things were a little bumpy at first, but they’re headed in the right direction. He says it looks like Derek is still painting, and Derek says he’s just trying to help people see what he does. Wes asks, what’s that? and Derek says, he saw people painting things on trees like, if you’re reading this, you’re still here. That wasn’t going to change anything. They meant well, but it didn’t mean anything. Teddy helped him see that, and now what he’s doing there means something. Wes asks, what exactly is Derek doing, but Derek says he’s not sure Wes is ready for that. Wes asks when he’ll be ready, and Derek says, when Wes sees like he does. He has to do a shift in the garden; he’ll catch Wes at dinner. Derek leaves, and Wes looks at the tree painting. Luci joins him, and says, be careful. Wes says no one is going to hurt him, and she says, what about Tanktown? What they did to everyone. He says, Derek doesn’t know about that, and Alicia says, did Wes ask him? Wes says, there’s no way Derek would do something like that, but Luci says, when people are desperate, they start believing things, and doing things they never thought they would. She did. He shakes his head, and says, Derek is different.  

Gary walks to his shift, with the ever-present loudspeaker going. Al asks what Wes’s brother said, but Wes says, not much. He said he wouldn’t tell him anything until he can see, like Derek does. She says he’s probably waiting to see if they can be trusted, and Wes says, maybe they’re not the threat Virginia thought they were. Maybe it wasn’t about them. Maybe it’s about Virginia. Maybe they were trying to take her out, or maybe she was trying to make us paranoid. Al says, what happened at the tower; they set that up. Wes says, there’s only one way to find out. He’ll ask. Derek sits down, and asks how they’re settling in. It takes some getting used to, not knowing if it’s day or night, but the food makes up for it. He tells Alicia that Wes said she pulled him through a rough patch after he left, and she says Wes helped her out too. A guy comes by, and says something to Derek, and Wes asks, what is it? Derek says, nothing. He has to go topside for a bit. He suggests they try the rhubarb pie. He leaves, and Luci says, what the hell was that? Al asks if Wes knows where Derek’s bunk is, and he says he does. She says, let’s get to work then.  

Al asks if Wes found anything, but he hasn’t. They continue to look through Derek’s stuff, and she asks if Wes hears that. We hear a rushing, gurgling sounds, but Wes encourages Al to keep going. Al says, there’s got to be something, and Wes picks up a can of condensed milk. The lid comes off, and he sees papers inside. He pulls out some things with the three circles on them, and calls Al over. Al asks how the hell Derek got this, and Wes asks, what are they? she says, stuff he shouldn’t have. She opens a floorplan, and says, this about more than Ginny. His brother and everyone there are trying to do as much damage as they can. He says she doesn’t know that, and she says, what about Tanktown? He says, that doesn’t mean anything, but she says, this does, showing him a log. Logs of when Virginia was sending people to Tanktown, and they were keeping track. Of other places too. She’s not saying Derek knew Wes was there, but he knew what they were doing. She’s sorry. He says Derek thinks these people helped him to see more clearly, but they’re not. Maybe it’s time for him to see things another way. Al asks how they’re going to do that, and Wes says, they’ll have to get Derek out of there.

Wes watches as Derek paints. Wes says, Derek did it. Those places he set up for attacks. Derek puts his brush down, and asks how Wes knows that. Wes says, the maps. Why did he do it? Derek says, Wes won’t understand; he’s not ready, and Wes says, why not? Derek says he told Wes; he can’t see. It’s okay; Derek couldn’t either. Not until he met Teddy. Wes says Teddy convinced Derek that killing is the right thing? and Derek says, they have to start over. They can’t until everyone and everything is gone up there. Wes asks if that includes him, and Derek asks what Wes is talking about. Wes says he was at the oil fields. He shows Derek his scars, and says he ate shrapnel. He never felt so much pain. He almost died, and lost friends, people he cared about. Derek says he didn’t know. He would have gotten Wes out. Wes says, but Derek would have killed the rest of them. Derek says, it’s what Teddy wants, but Wes says he doesn’t give a damn. People died. Wes killed people. What does he think about that? Good, innocent people; he killed them. Wes knows this ain’t him. Come with them. Derek says, those places up there are about how they used to live. This is how he wants to live now. Wes says where he lives isn’t about the past. It’s about how and where things are going to be. They won’t make Derek do anything he doesn’t want to, like this Teddy. Derek says Wes is thinking like Morgan, and asks, what about Virginia? Wes says, she’s dead. Morgan helped bring her down. Derek asks where Morgan is, and Wes says, come with them. Derek asks, where? and Wes asks, what does it matter? These people aren’t helping Derek see; they’re blinding him. He’s so lost, Wes knows Derek probably won’t come. To do what he did. The things… Wes is his brother; Derek just has to trust him. Derek looks around, and says, if they catch him trying leave, they’ll kill him. They’ll kill all of them. Wes says, then let’s not get caught.

Derek joins the group, and they go down in the elevator. Al says, when they get out, they’ll travel off the main roads. Alicia says, they’ll need weapons and food, and Al says, there was an emergency drop outside the city. Alicia asks what’s in Derek’s bag? and he says, maps, coordinates, places they were planning to hit next. She says, he’s bringing them? and he says, so nobody else gets hurt. She pops him in the nose, and grabs his gun, aiming it at him. She says, after what happened, they’re not taking any chances. Wes says he’s not leaving his brother. Just because Virginia screwed them over, doesn’t mean Derek will do the same thing. Alicia says, they can come back for him, but right now they have everything they need to take them down. They know the places that are going to be hit. Let’s go. Riley steps out with a bunch of his men, and says, they’re not going anywhere.

The group is pulled into a room with a lot of equipment, and Wes asks where his brother is. What are they doing to him? Alicia asks where the hell this is, and Al says, it’s embalming equipment. It’s a funeral home. Riley says, they won’t decay, and they can’t return to the earth, but it doesn’t have to be like this. Where’s Morgan Jones? Alicia asks how Riley knows Morgan, and he asks, where’s the place Morgan set up? He knows it’s not out of Virginia’s settlements. Who’s first? He nods at Wes, and a guy turns on a machine. Wes struggles with one of the men, and Riley says, his brother thought he’d be more cooperative. Derek comes in and says, answer him or he’ll kill you, and Wes says, Derek planned this. Derek says, only when Wes said they were with Morgan. They’ve been playing them. Wes says, they’re trying to help get Derek out, but Derek says he doesn’t want to leave. What he’s doing there means something. Wes says he’s trying to understand, and Derek says, this is where he needs to be. He saw the truth, and believes Wes can too. Let’s go find out. Wes leaves with Derek.

Back at the zombie tree, Derek asks Wes to tell him what he sees. Wes says he needs to ask one question first. They had people in the oil fields reporting back; it’s the only way they could have pulled it off. Did Derek know he was there? Derek says, people are people. Now tell him what he sees. Wes says he sees someone just like him. Someone walking, even though he’s dead inside. Derek says that’s exactly how he felt, but Wes says, he wasn’t talking about himself. Wes tries to grab Derek’s gun, and they struggle. Wes is almost shot, but gets the better of Derek, shoving him into the zombie tree, who (which?) bits him. I say, well, this isn’t good, and Wes says, I love you, man. He lowers Derek to the floor, cocks the gun, and says again that he loves Derek. We hear a shot.

Riley hears the shot, and says, what the hell? Do it. His men grab everyone, but Wes comes in behind Riley and grabs him, holding the gun against him. Wes says, let them go, and Alicia realizes Derek isn’t there. She tells Wes that she’s sorry, and he says, him too. He tells the men, back away, and keeps Riley in front of him as a shield. He says, he’s the one who thought people were capable of more than saving their own skin. They go through a door, Wes last, leaving Riley behind, and they shut the door behind them. Al says, they have a couple of minutes, tops. They shine flashlights around, and see they’re in a room of zombies hanging from the ceiling. Al says, they’re all involved… Their jaws are wired shut. Riley and his men bang on the door, and the group walks through the zombies. Riley says, break it down, and Luci calls to Al. Al tells her, go ahead. One of the zombies is wearing a uniform like Isabelle’s, and is wearing a headcover. Al pulls it off, but it’s not Isabelle. It breaks the wires in its jaw, and Al slices open its throat. Instead of blood, green embalming fluid pours out.

The door opens a crack, and Luci says, now. Alicia says they’ve got to take this place down, and Al says, embalming fluid is flammable. She starts to slice the zombies’ throats open, but Alicia says, go; she’s got this, She takes over, and Wes says, let him, but she says he has to get the maps to Morgan. He told her people can do more, and they can. He says, they can’t leave her, but she says, they can; she’ll be right behind him. He runs, and she stabs the rest of the zombies as she moves through them. The door is almost off, and she lights a match. As the door opens completely, she drops it. Nice.

Morgan says he thought Alicia would be fine. Al says, she might have, and Morgan asks about the rest of them. Al says, some got away. He asks, how many? but she says, all they could see was fire. Morgan says, they were planning something, and Luci says, something big. Big enough keep them there for a long time. Al says they knew who Morgan was, and were trying to find him. Morgan asks if they have any idea why, but Al says, no. A woman says, whatever they were doing, it’s not going to happen. They’ve got to stop them. Morgan says, they’ll do what they can for Alicia, and Dwight asks if there’s any gas left. The woman says, no, but the horses are fed and watered. Dakota says she wants to help, but Morgan says, no. She says she wouldn’t be there but for Alicia. She’s the reason they went there, and she wants to do it for Alicia, for all of them. Morgan says he appreciates what she’s done, but they’re not there yet. They’ll start with the parking garage, and track what they left, He and Luci leave, but Al stays behind.

Dwight says he appreciates what Al has done, and asks if she’s all right. She says, the places that they’re targeting, the maps have drop safes all over them. If they had a chopper, they could take out a lot of people. He says, and her lady? Al says she has to find her and warn her. She’d thought she lost her. Dwight says he gets it, but if Al doesn’t check in, in a couple of days he’s going to come looking for her.

Alicia looks through stuff in the embalming room, when Riley comes in with another guy. She asks, what the hell was this? Why is keeping her there? Riley says, bodies feed the soil; the soil in turn, feeds the plants. Death brings new life. For most, but not for her. They’re going preserve her as she is. She tells the guy, don’t come any closer, and Riley says, get her ready. He has the feeling Teddy will want to do this himself. He leaves, and the guy turns on the machine. He says, it will go faster if she cooperates, and gestures to the table. He comes toward her, and she stabs him in the eye with a knife. She tries to get out, but he grabs her, and they roll over the table. He grabs a knife, and tries to stab her, but misses, stabbing the ground. He pins her down, but she sticks her thumb in the eye she stabbed, and grabs the embalming fluid needle, and stabs him in the neck. I laaagh. She scoots away.   

Someone walks in with Riley, but Alicia’s vision is blurry. We assume it’s Teddy. He stabs the newly dead guy in the head, and wipes the blade off on the guys shirt. Yep it’s John Glover Teddy. He tells Riley to give them a moment, and Riley leaves. Alicia says, so he’s the king of crazy, and he says, she’s Alicia. She asks how he knows her name, and he says he’s been listening to her voice. Riley made a recording of her when she first arrived. He moves closer, and she tells him, back off, but he says, if he meant her harm, they wouldn’t be having this conversation. She gave herself up so her friends could escape. They left her. She says she made them, and he says, they obliged. Some family. Family should be sacred. It is the beginning of every one of them. Did she sacrifice herself because she’s noble, or is she punishing herself, or following in her mother’s footsteps. Alicia shakes her head, and says she doesn’t care what he thinks or says. Whatever it is, get to it. He says, it’s okay; he’s a bit of mama’s boy himself. There’s a lot they can learn from each other. She says she’s not buying any of this sh*t he’s selling. What’s next? Does he want to kill her? That’s not going to happen. He says, she and the folks she came here with destroyed years of work, years of sacrifice, literally and figuratively. They destroyed it. Someone else in his position might find that unforgivable. He laughs, and says, if one lives by the sword… She knows how it goes. From every end springs a new beginning. She asks what he wants, and he says, to save her. Now it’s her turn to laugh, and she says she doesn’t need saving. He says he knows she doesn’t believe in this, or in them… yet, but she will. He’s been looking for someone like her for a long time. He holds out his hand and smiles.

Next time, Riley finds Morgan, Riley tells Morgan that he has something they want, lots of zombies, and a fire.  

⚰️ When Soaps and Dead Collide…

He’s doubly lucky, having played Lucky on General Hospital, and now he’s lucky to be in the final season of TWD.  

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-casts-soap-star-jacob-young-deaver/

🤸‍♀️ Gotta Split…

Moving on to another Monday. Whatever that means anymore. Hopefully, your vaccination is behind you, or will be soon. Either way, stay safe, stay moving forward, and stay not living by the sword. You know how it goes.