What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly thanks Sam for coming by so quickly, and Sam says, of course (🍷). It sounded urgent. Are they talking, Nina, the video, or as her mom would say, a fresh new hell? Carly says, it’s the video, and Sam asks if Josslyn is okay. She imagines between the harassment and online shut-shaming… Carly says, it’s endless, and Sam asks how she can help. Carly says, she heard Trina was arrested for streaming the video? and Sam says, yeah. Carly says, she didn’t do it, and Sam asks if she thinks Trina was set up. Carly says she knows she was, by Spencer’s girlfriend Esme Prince. The problem is… Sam says, she needs proof? and Carly says, she needs to know if the PCPD has any evidence against Esme. Sam says, and Carly is asking her because…? Carly says, because she’s sleeping with a cop.

Dante tells new Officer Rory that forensics is dragging their feet on some labs and whatnot. Can he do Dante a solid and light a fire under them? Rory says he’s on it, and leaves. Jordan says, Detective Falconari, and Dante says, present. She says, he’s a rookie. He got out of the Academy like, five minutes ago. Cut him some slack, as she’s sure someone once did for Dante. DA Arden comes in, and Jordan asks what they can do for her. Arden asks if there are any new developments in the Trina Robinson case, but Jordan says, not yet, but they’re working on it. Arden says, keep her posted. They have a good case, but it’s mostly circumstantial. She needs more. Dante says, it sounds like she’s really going after Trina, and Arden says, she secretly recorded people having sex and distributed the video without their consent. That’s revenge porn. She might have thought it was some kind of prank, but in reality, it’s a felony. One she intends to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. She leaves, and Dante asks, what’s up? Jordan says, conflict of interest, and they walk into the interrogation room. Dante says, they’ve been through this. Yes, the victim is his former stepsister, but he thought they were past this. She says, not with him. With her. Her job as Commissioner is to put Trina away. He asks, where’s the conflict? and Jordan says she doesn’t believe Trina is guilty.

On the phone at the gallery, Ava tells someone, she hopes they don’t think these pieces will sell for that. She’ll negotiate for a fair price, of course (🍷), but if they don’t like it, they’re free to find another gallery… Trina walks in, and Ava says, that’s what she thought. She’ll start on the paperwork first thing in the morning. Trina says, Mr. Weaver, right? He’s always ensuring his client’s work is way over market value. Ava hugs Trina, saying, she’s missed her so much. What brings her by? Trina says, her job? and Ava says, she doesn’t know why, but she just figured Trina would be… Trina says, hiding out? That’s not really her style. Ava says, good for her, giving her two thumbs up, and Trina says, actually, she’s been spending a lot of time with her mom, and Curtis, and his family. His dad’s been pretty nice to her, and she’s had some good conversations. Ava says she’s glad to hear it, and Trina says she’s glad to be here. Why doesn’t Ava head home, and she can stay and finish up? Ava says, that’s nice of her, but she’d rather be at the gallery, and Trina asks, why, when she has a handsome husband waiting for her at Windymere? Ava says, he’s handsome enough, but he’s also not alone.

Nikolas walks into the living room, finding a tray with snacks and a drink. He picks up the drink and sits down, saying, Ava, you really know what makes me happy. Spencer walks in and says, Ava’s at the gallery. She asked him to say she’s working late. Nikolas thanks him, and says, the set up is Spencer’s doing? He appreciates the gesture. Spencer says, no, although it is his style. Nikolas says, if Spencer didn’t go through all this trouble, then… Esme walks in, and says, she did. It’s the least she could do for ruining his life.

Alexis sees Harmony on a bench by the docks, and Harmony asks what she’s doing here. Alexis says she’s waiting for the launch to Spoon Island. What is Harmony doing here sitting all by herself alone at night? Harmony flashes back to Brendon wondering how much Nina would pay for the information he has, and Alexis says, Harmony. Hello? Obviously, something is bothering her. Whatever it is, Harmony can tell her about it.

Michael says he sees Nina made good on her threat, and Nina says she’s simply exercising her rights as a grandparent. Did they think she wouldn’t? Brendon stops one of the waitstaff, and asks for help. He says, you see that elegant woman talking to the unhappy couple? Is she who he thinks she is? The guy says, Nina Reeves, editor-in-chief of Crimson magazine. Nina says, Michael left her no choice; he drew a line in the sand. And Willow of course (🍷) is standing by his side. Willow says, of course (🍷) she is, because she loves Wiley, and Nina says, so does she, and she’s willing to prove it. Is Willow?

Sam says, that was direct, even coming from Carly, and Carly says, she’s sorry, but this whole situation has her… Sam says, cutting to the chase? She gets it, so she’s going to do the same thing for Carly, because she and Dante aren’t just sleeping together; they’re in a relationship. Carly says, and she’s all for it, and Sam says, because Carly thinks she can get Sam to spy on him? but Carly says, no. She’s happy for both of them. The spying is an added bonus. Sam says she knows Dante isn’t the lead detective on the case, and Carly says, maybe not, but Joss is involved, Dante’s got to take a personal interest in the case. Sam says, yeah, but he’s not going to discuss it with her, and Carly asks if she’s saying Dante always leaves his work at the precinct. Sam says she knows as much as Carly. The PCPD is following up on the evidence and it led them to Trina. What else does Carly want her to say? Carly says, the evidence is wrong.

Dante tells Jordan, anyone who knows Trina, knows she didn’t do this. Unfortunately, all the evidence they have points to her. Hopefully, the newbie comes back with something that can help us out. Jordan says, and by us, he means… He says, Trina, and she says, they can’t help Trina. They have to be objective. He says, officially, they are, and Jordan says, if the labs come back, and they’re not what they’re hoping, they’re supposed to hand them over to the ADA. He says, what is up with her? She got it in for Trina or something? Jordan says, honestly? It has nothing to do with Trina. Arden’s a crusader. She doesn’t care who the defendant is. If the evidence points to their guilt, they’re guilty. He says, and if it doesn’t? and she says, she’ll drop it. He says, so they need to find evidence that exonerates Trina, and she says, and they need to do it soon. Trina’s trial is coming up. Arden is a skilled prosecutor with a strong record on conviction. Trina could go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit.

Trina says, so Spencer moved back to Windymere. What about Esme? Ava says, she’s there too, and Trina says, she sees. So they kissed and made up because she’s having his baby. Ava says, Esme is not pregnant, and Trina says, like it matters. She knew they were going to get back together. After Spencer said he believed Trina was the one who made the video, it was only a matter of time. Ava says, Spencer and Esme are far from back together, and Trina says, whatever. She’s still living with him. Ava says, about that. If anyone’s to blame for bringing that alley cat back into the house, it’s not Spencer. Trina says, then who? and Ava says, you’re looking at her.

Nikolas says, Esme hasn’t ruined his life, but she says, hasn’t she? He and Ava were planning to renew their vows. He says, they still are, and she says, thank God. She knows how much the ceremony means to them both; to make a fresh start and celebrate having the kind of love anyone would envy. But now Nikolas and Ava are fighting because of her. Esme’s presence there is unacceptable to Ava. Nikolas says, that may be true, but it’s not going to ruin his marriage to Ava. Esme says, but they’re sleeping in separate rooms, and Nikolas says, so? Couples fight and sleep in separate rooms. Despite their present difficulties – she says, in other words, her – he and Ava are rock solid, and nothing and no one’s going to come between them. And Esme isn’t going anywhere. Spencer says, father’s right. They have to keep her safe. She says, even though she’s not carrying his baby, and Nikolas says, either way, she wound up in Sonny’s crosshairs. Spencer says, which means she needs to stay here… for now, and Esme says, for now. As a guest, and nothing more.

Harmony says she always comes here, and Alexis says, alone? At night? Harmony says she comes and looks at the boats, and breathes the night air, and reflects. Alexis says, her reflection doesn’t seem to make her very relaxed, and Harmony says, when you’ve lived her life, reflecting isn’t always a party. Alexis says, fair enough. She thinks she knows something about what Harmony’s thinking about, and Harmony says, she does? Alexis says, Carly mentioned that Harmony approached her about a job, and Harmony says, guilty as charged. Alexis says, it’s a good idea. Harmony told her what they’re paying her at Spring Ridge. Carly will probably pay her more and she can quit her job. Harmony says, maybe she can be out of Alexis’s house and hair sooner, and Alexis says she told Harmony that she could stay there until she makes enough to get her own place. Harmony says, even so, there are too many memories at her place, and Alexis says, Harmony recruiting her daughter in her house, trying to get her into Dawn of Day, isn’t a pleasant memory for either of them. Harmony flashes back to injecting Neil, and says, yeah. It’s just that the past is never really the past, right? It has a way of catching up with you.

Brendon asks the bartender to take his picture, and try to get Nina in the shot, and he does, without asking, what the blip is up with such a weird request?

Michael says, Willow doesn’t have to explain anything, especially to Nina, and Willow says, if anyone has something to prove, it’s Nina. Nina says, that’s exactly her point. How is she supposed to prove her love to her grandson if she doesn’t have the chance? Willow has the power to do that. Let’s stop fighting before we take anything in front of a judge; let’s reach a compromise. Willow says, and by compromise, Nina means she wins, but Nina says, Wiley wins; more family, more love. At the end of the day, isn’t that the only thing that matters?

Brendon asks if the bartender got Nina in the shot, and looks at his phone. Yes, you did, and the couple too. Who are they, by the way? The bartender says, Michael Corinthos and his girlfriend Willow. Brendon says, Willow Tate. He can’t wait to send this to his wife. She’ll be over the moon.

Alexis says, who does Harmony think she’s talking to? Her past hasn’t exactly been a picnic, but at some point you have to learn to put it behind you. She’s learning to do that, and maybe Harmony can let Alexis help her to do the same. Harmony’s phone dings, and she sees the picture Brendon had the bartender take.

Carly tells Sam, she’s known Trina since she and Josslyn were in junior high. Cameron and Trina helped Josslyn mourn Oscar. Trina was Josslyn’s rock. She is kind, loving, and smart. Sam says, and Esme? Clearly she’s smart enough to frame people. Carly says, she’s overconfident. She practically called Carly a slut to her face. Sam asks what she was thinking, and Carly says, she was thinking that Nikolas, who just walked through the door, was going to rescue her if Carly got mad, and that’s exactly what happened. Sam says, and Esme. She’s a manipulator who knows how to play people. Carly says, oh yeah. Josslyn said she was pulling strings the whole time the five of them were at the cabin. Esme made that video, loaded it onto the phone, then dropped that phone in Trina’s bag to frame her. And if Esme gets away with this, who’s she going to go after next?

Jordan tells Dante, arresting Trina was one of the hardest things she’s ever done. She was completely blindsided, came willingly to the police station, and genuinely wanted to cooperate. It’s clear to her that Trina’s innocent. There’s a knock at the door, and Dante says, come in. Rory says, here’s the forensics report he asked for, and Dante thanks him. Rory says, anything else? but Dante says, that’s enough for now; he’ll let Rory know. Rory leaves, and Jordan says, Rory’s a good kid, getting his name in there for those who don’t read Soaps in Depth. Dante asks if she wants to do the honors, and she opens the envelope. Dante asks, how bad is it? and Jordan says, bad.

Trina says, it was Ava’s idea for Esme to move into Windymere? but Ava says, it was definitely not her idea. She was so outraged by Trina’s arrest, she sought out Avery’s father. Trina says, she went to Sonny? and Ava says, she wanted to voice her concerns about what Esme was doing to Josslyn, and to Trina too; two young women she and Sonny respect and love like their own daughters. Sonny arranged to have a private chat with Esme. Trina says, she must have been petrified, and Ava says, one can only hope. Anyway, unfortunately, it backfired, and Nikolas came to Esme’s rescue. Then Spencer asked if the two of them could move in, and Nikolas agreed, without even mentioning it to her. There’s one small consolation, that she can keep an eye on Esme, and Trina might be interested to know, Esme has her room, and Spencer has his. Trina says, what about Ava and Nikolas? Are they okay? Ava says, that depends on what she means by okay, and Trina says, no. Don’t tell her they broke up because of her.

Harmony says she has to go, and Alexis says she needs to stop doing that. Obviously, something in the text upset her. She doesn’t have to tell Alexis what’s in it, but she does have to tell Alexis what she can do to help. Harmon thanks her, but says, there’s nothing anyone can do. The horn sounds from the launch, and Harmony says, the launch is about to leave. Go be with her nephew. Harmony leaves, and Alexis flashes back on Carly saying that Harmony told her something really strange. She said she owed Nina.

Nina says, they can do this without the lawyers and the judges. If Willow will just meet her halfway. Willow says she sees what Nina’s doing, trying to divide and conquer. Michael says, it’s not subtle, but Nina says she’s just trying to plead with Willow, because between the two of them, at least Willow might have a little bit more compassion. Willow says, whatever it is Nina thinks she’s doing, she and Michael are together on this, and Nina says, this is what they want? She didn’t ask for a fight, but she knows how to finish it. Michael says, she may have Scotty on her side. She may even have his father, but they have resources of their own. Nina may want to quit while she’s ahead, but he promises, this is not going to be pretty. Brendon says, excuse him. Nina Reeves? He can’t believe what a lucky break this is. Nina says, they’re in the middle of a conversation, but Brendon says, Nina doesn’t understand. The lucky one is her.

Sam says, if Carly is right about Esme, then she needs to be exposed. The sooner, the better, but Sam can’t ask her boyfriend for privileged information. Carly says she figured, but it was worth a shot, and Sam says she probably would have done the same thing. Carly asks if that means she doesn’t have to apologize, and Sam asks if she was actually going to. Carly laughs, and says she doesn’t know. She doesn’t claim to be objective. Her daughter was publicly humiliated and violated, and an innocent young woman is going to take the fall. And it’s only going to encourage Esme even more. Sam asks if Carly really thinks Esme is that dangerous, and Carly says she does now. Sonny had Esme brought to his office for a little chat, and Nikolas and Victor showed up to rescue her. Now she’s checked in at Windymere. Sam says, it’s one thing to have Spencer and Nikolas snowed, but Victor? Carly asks if Sam thinks Victor believes her, but Sam says she doesn’t know if Victor would believe anyone. But if he finds Esme useful, it could be a whole different kind of dangerous. Carly says, so will Sam ask if Dante knows anything? and Sam asks if Carly didn’t just not apologize for that. She doesn’t like the idea of spying on her boyfriend, and doesn’t want to risk her relationship, and end up… Carly says, like her? and Sam says, that’s not… but Carly says, it’s okay. Sam can say it. Sam has someone in her life, and Carly doesn’t.

The door to the interrogation room is slightly open, and Rory hears Jordan say, these results alone aren’t damning, but on top of everything else… Dante says, it’s not looking good for Trina. Jordan says, here’s what they’ve got. They’ll start with the video; the illegal recording of Joss and Cam. He says, which could have been achieved any number of ways. The person who shot the video didn’t have to be in the same room as the camera. Jordan says, then they find the phone inside of Trina’s bag, with her fingerprints all over it. Dante says, they made it look like Trina’s phone, so she would have touched it how many times before she realized it wasn’t hers? and Jordan says, the records show, someone used the phone to make an online purchase, using one of Trina’s credit cards. Dante says, it’s easy to steal credit card information, and she says, the purchase was a download from a fine arts website; some images by the artist Richard Molyneaux. Dante says he has to go with his gut and say, someone framed Trina, and she says, to us. For Arden, this is as close to a smoking gun as she’s going to get. This may be the thing that convicts Trina. Outside the door, Rory ponders.

Ava tells Trina, she and Nikolas are having an extreme difference of opinion, and Trina says, because Ava is siding with her against Esme? Ava says, Esme is a conniving little snake, and because she was furious Nikolas gave the okay for her and Spencer to move in without asking her. Trina says, how furious? and Ava says she briefly considered moving out. After she cooled down, she changed tactics, and now she’s back home. She’s keeping an eye on Esme, and she’s still able to keep Nikolas at arm’s length. Trina asks what that means, and Ava says, separate bedrooms. Trina says she’s sorry, but it sounds like Ava is giving Esme and Spencer exactly what they want.

Alexis arrives at Windymere, and Spencer says, her timing couldn’t be better. It’s been more than a little tense around here. Alexis takes it some crisis has forced Spencer to share digs with his father, and he says, actually, he decided to move back in. She says, so he and Nikolas are on the mend? but he says, not exactly.

Nikolas tends to the fireplace, and wonders what’s keeping Spencer. Esme says, maybe it’s Ava? but he says, she has a key. Esme says, of course (🍷). How stupid of her. She wants him to know she really feels for him, his situation. She knows if she remains in this house… but he says, stop right there. She’s staying on this island where it’s safe; that’s final. She says, if he insists, and he says he does. She says, in that case, there’s no reason for her to stay in the main house. She could fix up the gardener’s cottage and cook her own meals. Ava would never see her. He says he appreciates the offer, but it’s not necessary, and she says, better that than to watch him suffer. Maybe it’s because, even though her adoptive parents did their best, she never felt like she truly belonged. That’s why she hates to see his family in pain. Spencer comes in and says, look who’s here. Alexis says, as usual, Nikolas is full of surprises.

Nina says she’s sorry, but as Brendon can see, they’re in the middle of a very important conversation. He says, sorry to interrupt, but when he saw them all together… Michael Corinthos and Willow Tate, right? Michael says, right, and Brendon says, when he saw them together… They can’t imagine what this means to him, but it could mean even more to them. Michael says, it sounds like he’s selling something, and Willow says, like a bridge, or some really great swampland. Mr. …? He says, Byrne. Brendon Bern, of Greenlight Investments. Because of the success of Crimson, he came to town hoping to make Aurora Media one hell of an offer. Harmony gets off the elevator and stops, and Brendon says, trust him. It could be a real game changer for all of them.   

Sam says she wasn’t implying Carly didn’t have anyone in her life. She’s sorry if she made it sound that way. Carly says, she didn’t. Divorcing Sonny means letting go of a lot, but it also means being open to a new future with new possibilities, right? Right now, she’s focused on her daughter, and clearing Trina, and getting the goods on Esme, but not at the expense of Sam’s relationship with Dante. Please forget she asked. Sam asks if there’s anything else she can help with, and Carly says, she did help. Sam let her vent, and clearly she needed to. Now go. She knows Dante would love to see Sam. Sam says, tonight’s going to be a tossup between her and pizza, but she wants Carly to know that Josslyn is going to be okay, and so will Trina, but Esme? Carly says, she won’t. Damn straight. Sam leaves, and Carly heaves a Jasonlike sigh. Because somebody has to.

Dante says, so they get this file to Arden, then what? and Jordan says, up to now, they’ve followed the evidence. Dante says, look where it’s gotten them so far, and she says, now they do what he suggested. He says, one of his brilliant ideas? Which one? There’s so many to choose from, it’s tough to narrow it down. She says, they follow their instincts, their guts, specifically his. He asks where she wants him and his gut to start, and she says, Esme Prince. She’s a classic mean girl; petty, vengeful, but very thorough. She doesn’t think Esme is an evil genius, but she could be wrong. He asks what her gut says, and she tells him, it says, be careful. Don’t underestimate her. They might only get one shot to nail her, and they need to do it soon. Otherwise, Esme might just pull this off.

Trina asks Ava to think how this whole thing started. Esme wanted to separate her and Nikolas. Ava says, they’re not separated, and Trina says, they’re sleeping in separate bedrooms. She’s sorry; was that disrespectful? Ava says, not when it comes from a place of caring, and Trina says, Ava has something real with Nikolas. She can’t jeopardize that. Ava says, maybe Nikolas should have thought of that before he invited Esme into their house without her consent, and Trina says she’s sure Esme manipulated him into it. That’s what she does. Trina is sure Esme is loving every minute Ava and Nikolas are fighting over her. Ava can’t give her the satisfaction. If Ava wants to help her, show Esme that she’s not going to win. Show Esme that her marriage to Nikolas is stronger than Esme’s schemes.

Alexis says, Spencer tells her that Esme is crashing here now, and Nikolas says, not crashing;she’s their guest. Alexis asks, for how long? and Nikolas says, indefinitely. Esme says she’s so grateful for Mr. Cassadine’s hospitality. Alexis has been on quite a journey herself. Alexis says, has she? and Esme says, since Thanksgiving, and thanks Alexis again for including her and Spence. Alexis says, actually, Esme and Spence were the least of her problems that night, and Esme says, and now look at her. Between that amazing interview with Josslyn and Cameron, and those headlines with Trina, Alexis has made The Invader a must read. Alexis says she’s sure she and The Invader will have a lot more to say on both subjects as the story unfolds. Spencer says he needs some air, and excuses himself. Nikolas says, they have a guest, but Spencer says, Alexis knows how much he loves her, and cherishes their one-on-one time, which he’s sure they’ll have soon enough. Alexis says, absolutely. She loves him too, and can’t wait to catch up. He leaves, and Esme says she’s sure Nikolas and Alexis have plenty to catch up on. Please excuse her. She leaves, and Alexis looks at Nikolas.  

In the foyer, Esme asks Spencer to wait. Was it something she said?

Brendon suggests the four of them sit down and discuss his offer, but Michael says he doesn’t do business in restaurants, especially with a complete stranger with a deal that’s too good to pass up. Why doesn’t Brendon send his proposal to the CFO of Aurora, and it can be vetted and Michael will look it over. Now if he’ll excuse them. Harmony sends Brandon a text that says, you win, and he says he’ll do just that. He has the feeling they have much to discuss. He walks to the elevator, and tells Harmony that she knows where to reach him. Willow comes over and asks if Harmony knows that guy.

Sam asks Rory to let Dante know she’s here, but Dante comes out of the interrogation room. He says he was going to call Sam, and Sam says, long day? He says, yeah, but it’s better now that she’s here. Sam tells Jordan that she’s sorry to take her top cop away, but he’s in desperate need of some pizza, and Dante suggests they do something more fancy. Sam asks, what’s the occasion? and Dante says he’ll tell her later. He asks Rory to email the file to ADA Arden and CC him, marking it in the Trina Robinson case file as new evidence. Sam says, new evidence?

Ava says, as much as she’d like to pin everything on Esme, ultimately, it’s a matter of trust, or lack of it, between her and Nikolas. It says something about their marriage if he didn’t come to her about opening their home to Esme and Spencer. Trina asks if Ava went to Nikolas before she turned to Sonny, and Ava says, she wasn’t inviting Sonny to live with them. She’s also having second thoughts about Spencer working at the gallery.

Esme asks if Spencer remembers what she said to him the night they met, and he says, who could be sad on a night like this? She says, there he was, wandering; sad, alone, and handsome. She wonders if they can go back to the way they were, but he says he needs more time. He’s going to catch lunch in town. She says she’ll go with him, but he says, it’s not safe, and he’s going to the gallery afterward. She asks if he’s going to see Trina, but he says he’s going to see Ava. She asks why he doesn’t just wait for her to get home, but he says, they can cut the tension with a knife at Windymere. He needs to get out, and he’s going to make it clear to Ava that he needs to make restitution to her some other way that’s not working with Trina. 

Alexis says, now she knows why he’s been avoiding her, but Nikolas says he hasn’t. She says, of course (🍷) not, and while he hasn’t been avoiding her, Esme and Spencer have moved in and Ava’s moved out? He says, Ava has not moved out. What did Spencer tell her? She says, that they have a long distance marriage. She’s at her end of the hallway, and he stays at his end. He says, that’s hardly long distance, but she says, these hallways? That’s a big hike. Why is Esme here? He says, because Sonny threatened her, and Alexis asks if he actually heard the threat. He says he saw how terrified Esme was, and Alexis says, she was terrified? He asks what she’d have him do. Let Sonny lean on an innocent girl who has done nothing wrong? She says, her sweet Nikolas. Where does she begin? Clearly they’re talking about two different Esmes. He says, so it’s okay for Ava to believe in Trina, despite overwhelming evidence, but he’s wrong to suppose Esme might deserve a second chance? She says, they’ll get to that. Right now, she wants to talk about something else. He says he’s more than happy for a subject change, and she says, it doesn’t have to do with Esme, or Trina, or anybody. It has to do with him and his Cassadine DNA. In the brief time Nikolas knew his father, he was always trying to control Nikolas, and now he’s doing the exact same thing. Outside the door, Esme listens.

Willow asks again if Harmony knows that guy, and Harmony says, the man who just passed? No. She thinks she was in his way. He said, pardon, and kept going. Carly comes out of the elevator, and says she thought Harmony left, and Harmony says she did. She was supposed to meet Alexis here, but she thinks Alexis is late. She left her phone in her car, so she’s going to get it. She jets, and Carly goes over to Michael and asks, what’s going on? Michael says he’d rather tell her in private, but Nina says, let her tell Carly. Michael and Willow refuse to compromise, so they leave her no choice. She’s hired a lawyer – Scott Baldwin; she’s sure Carly knows him – and they’re going to court, so she can guarantee she gets to see Wiley as much as Carly does.

Trina says, Ava doesn’t have to decide if Spencer’s going to work at the gallery right this second, and Ava asks if she’s sure. Trina says she’s sure Ava should go home and work things out with her husband. She’ll finish up there. Ava hugs Trina, and asks what she’d do without her. Trina says, go, and show Esme that she can’t come between Ava and her man.

Nikolas says he appreciates Alexis’s concern, but he’s nothing like his father. If anything, he’s bent over backwards not to repeat the same mistakes with his own son. She asks how that’s working for him. Not that she’s judging. He asks if she’s sure about that, and she says, yeah, she’s judging, and given the mistakes she’s made, she’s really in no position to do that. He says, don’t let that stop her. We Cassadines are firm believers in double standards. She says, it’s what we do. He is right about one thing. He says, one whole thing; banner day. She says he doesn’t have his father’s cruel steak. What he has in an open wound where his childhood used to be. Forcing things on Spencer isn’t going to fix that. The more he digs in, the more he’s going to drive Spencer away, until Nikolas is lonely and unlovable like his father. Esme continues to listen. I can’t read her though.

Harmony finds Brendon on the dock bench, and he says, no wonder she likes it here in Port Charles. You meet all kinds of interesting people, like Nina Reeves and Willow Tate. She says, she’s begging him; please stay away from her daughter. He says, Willow isn’t really her daughter. Willow may think she is. Poor Nina has no idea. Harmony asks, why can’t he leave them alone? and he says he’s more than happy to. If she plays it smart, she’ll pay up. She tells him, don’t worry. He’ll get what’s coming to him.

Carly says, so much for Wiley’s best interests, and Nina says, having his grandmother – this grandmother – in his life is in Wiley’s best interest. Carly says, he barely knows Nina. He doesn’t miss her. This petition is all about her. She wants access to Wiley to fill some hole in her life, and Wiley’s interests be damned. But you know what? Have at it; do her best. Carly is confident that Michael and Willow will do their best as his parents to exclude Nina from Wiley’s life. Nina says, like she was excluded from her own daughter’s life? Carly remembers her daughter, doesn’t she? She’s sure there’s a judge out there who will sympathize with that. She starts to walk away, but Michael says, Nina. She turns back, and he says, one last – and he does mean last – thing. Whoever they get as a judge is going to get to know the real Nina Reeves.  

Jordan says, it’s good to see Sam, and tells her and Dante to have a great night. Dante says, they’ll continue this tomorrow, and Sam eyeballs the envelope in Rory’s hand. She and Dante leave.

Spencer walks into the gallery, calling for Ava. He stops when he sees Trina, and they give each other a soap look.

Tomorrow, Spencer asks if Trina told her lawyer that he was her alibi; Sasha asks if Brando only got married because she wanted to; Dante wants to make sure the right person is punished; and Sonny asks Phyllis for a favor.  

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Last day of charter. Gary tells Daisy that it’s unfair for Kelsie to be working the whole night on watch, and then have to wait on the guests in the morning. He says he’s not getting in an argument about it, and she says, she’s not arguing. On deck, the guests remark that it’s so peaceful, and Daisy tells Gary that she’ll make sure someone is up. She doesn’t want it to happen again. Gary walks away, and she says he’s being irrational. He says, it was just a simple question. She doesn’t have to get defensive. Gabriela says, Kelsie only had to get two coffees, and Daisy says, Gary made it sound like she had to wait on six guests and their friends. The interior has more to do than the deck. If someone needs coffee, they can find someone; the boat’s not that big. Gabriela tries talking to Marcos, but he acts like an ass. Colin tells Gary that Daisy is fuming, and Gary totally spins what Daisy said to make her sound unreasonable and him, a saint. Daisy serves breakfast, and the anchor is home.

Glenn thinks they’re going to have bad weather at the dock, and tells Gary to blow up the new fenders. In Glenn’s interview, he says, he learned the hard way about unpredictable weather and wind at the docks. We flash back to their dock crash, and Glenn says they have a delicate, expensive paint job and a storm coming. They need extra protection. The table is cleared, and the guests pack. Colin tells Gary that they’re running out of time, and Gary asks Gabriela and Ashley to help. Gabriela says, the new fenders are the size of a house, and she’s not wrong. Ashley tells Colin, Gary said to put the line through the something, but luckily he knows what something is. In Gabriela’s interview, she says, they’ve lost one on the deck team, but she’s been a deckhand and a deck stew. Help me help you. They set up the gigantic fenders, and realize they need longer lines for them to hit the water. They don’t have anything better, but Gary has the idea of tying them a different way, and it works. Glenn says he needs the distance, and Ashley tells him that he has 75 feet. He says he doesn’t think so, and Gary says, this is making them look like idiots, but I don’t think they need any help with that.

Gary thanks everyone for pitching in, and with all the fender action, the boat has like, ten feet of padding. Glenn calls the crew to the dock, and they say goodbye to the guests. Glenn says, they were so much fun, and primary Jim says, the amount of fun, effort, and friendship the crew delivered didn’t go unnoticed. They thank the crew from the bottom of their hearts, but he knows what they really want, and hands Glenn the tip envelope. Glenn blows the horn, and everyone waves. Glenn says, that was a good one, and Gary tells the deckhands to put the covers on everything and call it a day. Glenn calls everyone to the saloon for the tip meeting.

Glenn says, the charter started on a bad foot. They had to say goodbye to Tom, but he has lives to consider, and the incident put them at risk. He thanks Kelsie, and says he was confident when she was on anchor watch; he slept better. In Kelsie’s interview, she says she likes the positive reassurance. Give her all the complements. Gary thanks Colin and the stews, asking them to hang in until the new deckhand arrives. The new fenders are a bit of a sh*tshow. The tip is a whopping $21K, or $2530 each. Glenn says, there are only eight of them, so he’s sending Tom a third of what would have been his share, and they’ll split the rest. I get distracted, but it’s something like another $1200, which makes this nearly the best tip ever on Deck.

The stews have an informal meeting, and agree this has been the best charter. Gabriela thinks the team work has improved, although there was the hiccup with Marcos. Daisy tells her to just be clear, and if she sees he’s dawdling, ask if he heard her. Gabriela says she thinks it was a miscommunication. She’d been giving him a play-by-play, but didn’t say the magic word, fire. In Gabriela’s interview, she says, how is this her fault? It’s a mind f*** actually. Everything’s fine. Everyone changes for dinner, and Colin suggests Gabriela and Ashley do paper-scissors-rock for Gary. When Gary comes out in a low-key Hawaiian shirt and white pants, possibly Dockers, Colin says, he can’t believe they waited 45 minutes for him to look like that. 

They go to a restaurant perched on a cliff, and sit outdoors. I’m not even sure there was an indoor option at this point. Kelsie takes a video of the table, and Daisy asks for wine; buckets of it. Marcos brags that he’s set the bar high, and it will be hard to maintain, but he wants to work as team to make it the best season. They clink glasses, and Gary and Daisy go for a smoke. Daisy thinks Gary should apologize. She’s sorry she got defensive, but she felt attacked. In Gary’s interview, he says, any issues he’s had with Daisy are easy for him to snap out of, and he doesn’t want to create more problems. They hug it out. At the table, Kelsie asks how many times Marcos has been in love, and he says, many. She starts to say something else, but he continues on about himself. Gabriela suggests he let Kelsie talk, and he says, f*** you. Gabriela says, Marcos is an insightful person, but tends to make a lot of things about him. In Marcos’s interview, he says, Gabriela is pushing his buttons. Maybe she’s right, but that doesn’t mean she has to offend him. Disrespect is a no-no. Kelsie says she’s never been open enough to be in love, and Gabriela tells Marcos, she just wanted to hear what Kelsie had to say. He says Gabriela is drinking too much, and will end up apologizing tomorrow. She doesn’t think so, and leaves the table. He says he doesn’t have time for drama unless it’s his.

In her interview, Gabriela says, when she was in her early twenties, she would have told everyone to f*** off and/or quit the job, but she’s more mature now. Marcos will never admit he’s at fault. Daisy finds Gabriela sitting on a bench, and Gabriela tells her that Kelsie was trying to speak, and Marcos made it about him. The conversation turned, and they went back and forth. She’s not apologizing for asking him to pipe down. At the table, Gary wonders what Marcos did to make Gabriela run away. Daisy tells Gabriela, men, can’t live with them, can’t live without them, but I’m not so sure the latter is true anymore because, modern science.

Back on the boat, the crew changes for the hot tub, while Glenn is once again wisely in bed reading with his headphones on. In Gary’s interview, he says, he’s never the first to leave a party, but they’re a man down, and all he wants is to catch up on sleep. Kelsie turns in too, and Gabriela drinks directly from a champagne bottle. After frolicking in the hot tub, and arguing some more with Marcos, Gabriela gets into Gary’s bunk. Shortly afterward, Marcos walks into the cabin, and wonders what she’s doing in his room. She tells him to keep it down; she’s trying to sleep. He says, she’s in his f***ing room. In Ashley’s interview, she says, this is what she’s talking about. Gabriela is fake. If she and Gary want to hook up, fine. She tells Colin that she’s not letting it get to her, and he asks why they’re fighting over Gary. Ashley says, they’re not, but if this is how it’s going to go, Gary needs to make a decision. During the car ride back, she didn’t kiss him; he kissed her. Colin says, she’s jealous; that’s the problem. Daisy says, bed, and Ashley whines that she’s not jealous. She doesn’t want or need Gary. Daisy tells Gary that she won’t get into the sh*tshow he created, but what time is he getting up? He tells her, ten, and Ashley wails that she doesn’t want any part of this. Kelsie listens from her bunk, no doubt glad she’s not part of it. Daisy keeps repeating, bed, and Ashley says Gabriela is making a fool of herself. In Daisy’s interview, she says she’s over it. She’s surrounded by idiots. Ashley moans that she owns up to her own bullsh*t, but not Gabriela. Then she promptly falls out of the top bunk onto her head. Daisy runs in, and asks if she’s okay. Ashley says she doesn’t know what happened, and cries, but tells Daisy that she’s fine. Daisy says, she’s okay, and goes back to her own cabin. Daisy tells Kelsie what happened, and says, Ashley will be fine. Her head is made of rocks. I literally lol.

Everyone slides out of bed in the morning, and in Ashley’s interview, she says, she doesn’t remember how she fell. She remembers Gabriela was in Gary’s bed. This is why she has major trust issues. We flash back to her telling Colin that she hasn’t spoken to her sister in years. Her sister screwed every guy she liked. Back at her interview, she says, it’s rude, gross, and disrespectful. Kelsie says, good news, zero hangover, and Gary tells Colin that Gabriela was in his bed. He doesn’t know what’s going on. He doesn’t remember kissing Ashley, and doesn’t want to kiss her. Daisy asks how Ashley’s head is, and Gabriela oversleeps, making her late for her shift. She says, being early girl is not her thing. She sarcastically tells Ashely, thanks for waking her up, and in interview, Gabriela says, she hates that she’s making a bad impression on people she looks up to, who are more experienced, and are great at their jobs. She wants to cry.

Gary tells Ashley that he didn’t ask Gabriela to hop in his bed. He doesn’t think he’s flirting too much, and she says he came on to her in the taxi. He says, sorry, and in the meantime, Gabriela is apologizing to Daisy. Daisy says she’s just mad about the liquor. She thinks it’s going too far. Ashley fell out of bed. They need to take it back a notch before someone gets hurt or fired. Ashely swears she doesn’t drink like this when she’s not here, and Daisy suggests she not drink like this here either. Glenn calls Gary, Daisy, and Marcos to the crew mess for a preference sheet meeting.

The primary is Dawn, a Chicago area vegan foodie. She’s bringing husband Tim, and friends Brian Marni, Lauren, and Jamie. They want to use all the water toys, and have five-star dining. Marcos says, it’s easier if they’re all vegan; one vegan is a challenge. Glenn says he’s sure Marcos can handle it. Their new deckhand will be here soon, but he doesn’t think before this charter drops. If they need help, ask Colin. They need to find a second wind. Daisy yawns. Gabriela tells Ashley that she wants to leave. She doesn’t trust any of them, and it’s an uncomfortable way to live life. Why she’s chosen Ashley to confide in, I’ll never know, but in her interview, she says her self-esteem is in the gutter. She wants Daisy’s respect, and knows she’s f***ing up. She’s imploding and embarrassed. Ashley thinks it’s just stress, but Gabriela says she doesn’t want to be here.

Ashley says she’s not good at this, but wants to give Gabriela a hug, and awkwardly does. She tells Gabriela, she doesn’t know what to say, and Gabriela says, she can start by telling her how she feels about what Gabriela just said. Ashley tells her that she won’t say anything, and Gabriela says, thanks for listening. Seriously, is she nuts? Ashley is going to tell Daisy the first chance she gets. Gabriela tells Gary that she likes their friendship, and when she gets in his bed, it’s just because she wants to snuggle. She apologizes, and he tells her, don’t be sorry, but don’t do it again. Kelsie asks Daisy if people aren’t getting along on the boat, and Daisy says it’s the same old. Gabriela tells Gary that she doesn’t like this version of herself on the boat, and Gary says, no one is perfect. They’re going to have personality conflicts, working together 24/7 on a small boat. Don’t worry. In Gary’s interview, he says, from day one, it was clear Ashley thought she should be second stew. We flash back to that, and Gary wonders if Ashley is going out of her way to make Gabriela uncomfortable. Wow. What an Einstein this guy is. He says, it’s the worst thing to do if you want to move up the ladder.

Gabriela asks if she and Ashley are okay. She just wants to finish the season, keep her job, and be friends with the people she works with. She’s done with drinking on their night off. She can’t afford any more bruises. Ashley says, same. During the night, a storm happens. Kelsie asks if Gary is ready for the day, and he says, no, but at least it was clean rain. Provisions come in, and in Gary’s interview, he says, now that Tom is gone, he and Kelsie have been sleeping a fraction of the time they should. He thinks if they tie the fenders to the dock, it’s a win-win situation. Glenn likes it, and I assume they must have a designated parking spot if they can do that. Glenn tells Gary that the storm brought swell, and it’s going to be rough. He’s going to use the sail to stabilize the boat. The guests are almost there, and Glen tells the crew that they’ll be rolling for an hour, but it will get better throughout the day. Gabriella spills an entire tray of filled champagne glasses, champagne and glass going everywhere. Gary jumps in to help, and Glenn tells Kelsie to get the hose ready. In Gabriela’s interview, she says, nailing it.

Glenn welcomes primary Dawn and guests to Menorca, and everyone makes introductions. He says, they have a great trip planned, and hands them over to Daisy for the tour. Daisy thinks the charter has a good vibe. There are large swells that make everyone feel a little seasick, and Glenn tells them, get ready to sail. The sails go up, the boat leans, everything slides, and Kelsie gets wrapped up in a cushion, but the guests are loving it. Glenn says, a runner stopped working, and tells Gary, they have an issue with the starboard runner. Gary calls Kelsie, and Glenn tells the guests, it’s a bit lumpy, but they should be able to get out of the roly sea. Gary says he’ll have to take everything out of the lockers, and things start falling out of cabinets, and doors slam.  

An unlocked glass sliding door starts banging open and shut. Gary radios Colin, who runs to the door, saying, it’s going to break. He tries to hold it, and Gary runs to the door on the other side, getting his finger slammed in it for his trouble. He says the mother f-word several times, as well as, it hurts, and goes in his cabin,

Next time, Daisy and Gabriela talk; Gabriela doesn’t think she’ll last four more charters; Daisy says it’s frustrating when she and the captain aren’t on the same page; and lots of stuff slides around.

🦁 The Lion Sleeps Tonight…

Journey with me tomorrow to the lands of soap and New Jersey. Until then, stay safe, stay accepting the differences in others, and stay not letting double standards be what you do.