What I Watched Today

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

 

General Hospital

In Puerto Rico, Sasha and Michael go to the bar. Michael orders two mojitos. Sasha says she could get used to this, and they kiss.

Nina lights candles. She’s wearing a skintight velvet jumpsuit, and Valentin asks how he’s supposed to focus on their mission when she’s dressed like that. She tells him that they have to keep Jax’s cup full, and get him to talk about Cassandra, or the whole night will be wasted. Valentin doesn’t think the champagne will cut it, but this might. He shows her a vial.

Hayden tells Jax he looks good. He says their relationship is strictly business. When they get what they want, they’re parting ways.

Alexis talks to Diane at the MetroCourt. She says Shiloh’s chances of acquittal are non-existent, and him seeking custody of Wiley is doomed to fail. Diane is totally not paying attention, and Alexis says her name is Deborah, and she’s an alien from Saturn. Diane says, that’s just one person’s opinion. She tells Alexis that she was just thinking how attractive Alexis’s shrink is. At another table, Sonny sits with Neil. Neil tells Sonny that he can’t stay long; he has a long-standing engagement. Sonny never said why he wanted to meet. Sonny says he’s there to pay a debt.

Curtis calls Drew to come to his office as soon as possible, or call him back. They have a situation. Sam and Jason are looking for Drew, and Curtis says he just left Drew a message. Jason asks, what’s going on? and Curtis says, Drew got robbed.

On the phone, Shiloh says he just got to the MetroCourt, but there are too many eyes. He’ll meet them in their room. Drew approaches him, and asks if he’s got a second. Shiloh asks what it’s about, and Drew says, saving his sorry ass back in Afghanistan. Shiloh says they can’t change the past. Drew agrees they can’t, but he can change the present.

At the hospital, Peter tells Maxie that he appreciates her coming. Maxie says, but she doesn’t have to stay. It’s just a check-up, and she must have more important things to do. Peter says they’ve had this conversation before, and Maxie says, every check-up. She says it’s true he doesn’t need her. She can’t control anything in a meaningful way. It’s not like she’s helping his arm get better. He says it’s been proven that attitude has a lot to do with healing, and she’s had a profound impact on his attitude. Before they met, he was a pessimist by nature – he would have said a realist – but now he knows he was making a choice to go dark and be bitter. She’s shown him there’s a better way to look at life.

Shiloh hates how he and Drew strayed from who they used to be. How can he fix the friendship? He’d like to be close again. Drew asks if he isn’t busy saving his life in court. Shiloh says, groundless accusations. The media’s attempts to sully his reputation have nothing to do with how Drew changed his life for the better. Drew asks what direction Shiloh was headed in before? He can’t help but wonder what would have happened had he let Shiloh die. Shiloh says, that’s a terrible thought, and Drew says, not to the people Shiloh hurt. He doesn’t have to blindly accept what Shiloh says anymore. He has another source; someone else who was there.

Hayden tells Jax, don’t worry. She knows what do. He suggests they not get ahead of themselves. He’s hoping to hoping to expedite the project. She says just because they’re only partners, he doesn’t have to be cold. He says he’s willing to play along, but if she wants Finn to get jealous, she’ll have to get someone else to help her.

Nina asks if Valentin is insane, suggesting they poison Jax. Valentin tells her that they have to keep their voices down. She says she won’t be complicit in murder, but he says, it’s truth serum. No one is murdering anyone, but Jax will tell them what they want to know. There are no lasting effects. It’s on a par with strong wine. Jax will eventually fall asleep, and never remember what he said. Nina says she will. She’ll see him in the office, and think there’s her boss that she drugged that one time. Sorry, she can’t carry the guilt. He says if Jax is conducting business with Cassandra, they need to know. The doorbell rings. It’s Finn.

Diane can’t see how Alexis can lie on Neil’s couch and not drag him on top of her. Alexis says after an hour of talking about her father, Helena, and how her daughter hates her, it’s not exactly the atmosphere. Diane says she gets an hour? A full hour is unheard of; it’s fifty minutes tops. He’s clearly soft on her. Alexis says about the research Diane did when she’d asked her not to, she shared the information, and shouldn’t have, but it came up in a session. Diane says his deceased daughter didn’t come up by chance, and Alexis says she mentioned it. It inadvertently slipped out. Diane says Alexis needs… Alexis says, a new shrink? Diane says, a mute button.

Sonny tells Neil, it’s a debt that can’t be cleared by money. Neil did a lot for Kristina. He brought her back from the brink, and helped her get her head on straight. Neil says considering who her parents are, resilience is in her blood, but Sonny says there was only so much he and Alexis could do. Neil did a lot, and Sonny owes him. Neil says, owes him what exactly? Sonny tells him, a day will come when he needs a favor; something that can’t be bought. When that day comes, come to him.

Curtis tells Sam and Jason the safe was opened when he got there. Ironically, he’s there to oversee a security. Sam wonders if they should call the police, and Curtis says he was holding off until he spoke to Drew. Jason says they’ll get the surveillance film pulled. Curtis says, Aurora isn’t a conventional target for corporate espionage, but Jason says, maybe it’s personal. Curtis asks why he thinks that, and why he was coming to see Drew in the first place.

Peter tells Maxie the doctor is running late. Normally, he’d be annoyed having to wait, but her influence is making him take it in stride. Maxie says they’ll wait together. If he feels the need to bury himself in his phone, she has plenty of work. She reads that the Ava issue of Crimson is a certified hit. Not to brag, but it was totally her idea. Peter hopes Nina gives her credit, and Maxie says Nina gives her all kinds of credit. Jax too. He’s like a master class in management. He knows how to get the best from everyone, even Nina.

Drew asks Shiloh if the name Tex rings a bell. He wonders what Tex could tell him about Shiloh’s antics in Afghanistan. Shiloh says he could probably tell Drew a lot if he wasn’t dead. Drew was too late, and didn’t make it back. It wasn’t just him in the wreck. Drew was inconsolable, and blamed himself for Tex’s death. A lot of them thought that’s why he went AWOL; the guilt. Drew says he’s not taking Shiloh’s word for anything anymore. He’s putting the pieces ether himself. He’s made a formal request for Tex’s service records. He’s got all the time in the world to find out what happened in Afghanistan.

Neil tells Sonny that he appreciates the offer, but doubts he’ll ever need it. Sonny says, nobody does, until they do. The offer doesn’t expire. It’s important to him to show gratitude. He knows Neil’s work with Kristina hit home. Neil doesn’t know why Sonny would think that, and Sonny says he’s referring to what happened to Neil’s daughter Joanna.

Diane asks if Neil gave Alexis a stern talking to, but Alexis says he fired her as a patient. Diane says, one strike, and she’s out? Alexis says, there may have been a few preceding strikes. She thought if they connected on a more personal level… She says, it’s Diane’s fault, but Diane tells her not to turn it around on her. Alexis says it’s both their faults. Neil was right. She crossed the line. Diane says, but not the right line. Alexis says she managed to persuade him to keep her as a patient. She thinks they can get along if she keeps it professional, but Diane thinks she should get a different doctor. Alexis says she’d have to start all over again; no way. But Diane says, that way, she can date Neil.

Hayden tells Jax, if he wants to keep it strictly business, stop talking about Finn. He suggests they go over their plan. Hayden says she’s going to excuse herself to use the restroom, and while Jax distracts Nina and Valentin, she’ll poke around. If she’s discovered, she’ll just say a ghost from the past lured her down whatever hallway it is. He finds it odd that Valentin doesn’t know what they’re looking for exists. Hayden asks, what if it’s not there? It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. Jax says the sooner they get it done, the bigger the reward.

Valentin tells Finn that they have dinner guests coming, but Finn says he thought they should hear it in person. Are they alone? Valentin, who’s talking pretty loudly for someone who wanted to keep it quiet, says Charlotte is upstairs, and Obrecht won’t be able to hear them. Finn wanted to give them a heads up. Cassandra Pierce has resurfaced.

Michael is on his phone, and Sasha says she thought he was unplugging. He says he is now. He’s officially off the grid. She tells him that he needs a break. Michael says he was just checking a confirmation email. It’s almost time. She says, for what? He says the surprise he has planned. They’re going on a moonlight sail through the bay. He needs to make sure it’s ready. He leaves, and she orders another drink. A woman comes to the bar, and says, make that three. It looks delicious. Sasha says they make a mean mojito. The woman sees a copy of Crimson and says she sees Sasha is a woman of taste. Sasha asks if she reads the magazine, and she says she’s a fan of the editor-in-chief. She’s a remarkable woman; inspiring, good looking, brains, and of course (🍷),, killer instincts. The woman takes off her hat, and we see it’s Cassandra.

Peter says he didn’t realize Nina was difficult to work for, but Maxie says, compared to Connie, Nina is a walk on the beach. Jax is trickier. She likes him a lot, but Nina is convinced he’s too good to be true, and has a hidden agenda. She questions his motives, they argue, and Jax charms her and keeps her on track. It’s part of why he’s an effective manager. He knows what’s good for the magazine, and wants it to succeed. Peter says, or does he really have a hidden agenda?

Neil says Sonny doesn’t know the first thing about his daughter. Sonny knows she was in a cult, and Neil tried to get her out, but he couldn’t save her. Sonny isn’t trying to be disrespectful. He knows how difficult it must have been, working for Kristina. Neil asks how he found out, and Sonny says he did his homework. That’s why he hired Neil. He needed someone with personal experience. Neil can’t blame Sonny for doing his due diligence, but if he wants to show his appreciation, keep what he knows to himself.

Alexis tells Diane that she’s happy with the dynamic with Neil. It’s been tested over the past few months, and they’ve gotten to a good place. Diane says, really? Does she want to go discuss her issues with Neil or does she want a more significant connection? Alexis says she needs a shrink more than she needs a man. She doesn’t know if she’ll want or need a man ever again. Diane laughs hysterically.

Sasha tells Cassandra that Nina is her mother. Cassandra say she didn’t realize Nina had a daughter. Sasha says, a daughter and a stepdaughter. It’s complicated. She married Valentin Cassadine, and they divorced. The good news is, they’re remarrying. She tells Cassandra that she wants her mother happy. Cassandra says, Nina is lucky, and introduces herself as Sandy Lance. She says she should have pegged Sasha as Nina’s daughter. The resemblance is uncanny.

Finn tells Nina and Valentin that Cassandra surfaced in Italy, but went back underground just as quickly. She was with an assistant, who could be the same person who broke her out in the first place. Nina says they had no idea, and Finn says he thought they’d like to know. Nina thanks him, and Valentin tells him, stay vigilant. He asks Finn to let them know if he hears anything else. Finn tells them to take care of themselves, and opens the door to Jax and Hayden.

Drew asks Curtis, what’s up? Curtis says there was a break-in about twenty minutes ago. Drew asks if they saw anyone, but Sam says no. Nothing else was touched either. Curtis says that leads him to believe the thief was in search of something specific. Drew tells them the thief got the flashdrive.

Shiloh knocks on a hotel room door. A man says he must be Shiloh, and Shiloh says that would make the man Arthur Cabot. Cabot invites Shiloh in. Shiloh says Cabot’s reputation precedes him. It’s not every day you meet the original architect of memory transfer. He wishes the venue was different; Drew’s offices aren’t that far away. Cabot says Shiloh is lucky he made the trip. It’s not the first place he wanted to visit after he was released by the WSB. The opportunity to finish his life’s work was too intriguing not to explore, but why did Shiloh reach out to him? Why not enlist Andre Maddox to aid him? Shiloh says Andre has certain scruples that would undermine the progress. Cabot, not so much. Cabot says he’d never let bourgeois morality interfere with progress. He asks if Shiloh has a subject in mind, and Shiloh says, one or two.

Drew says it was the flashdrive with his memories on it. The only record of the man he used to be. Shiloh has been looking for him. Jason says he ran into Shiloh in the park, and saw how cocky he as now that he made bail. Curtis says, delusions of grandeur, but Jason thinks there’s more to it. Sam says, they think he has one last card to play. Drew asks, what now? and Jason says, Drew.

Sonny swears not to tell another soul, and Neil thanks him. He tries to keep his private life private. Sonny says, if word gets out, it becomes gossip. He learned hard way with Morgan. He doesn’t want the details of what Kristina went through to become public. He has a lot of enemies. They’d love to hear about his daughter’s trauma, and make her life difficult. Neil asks if Sonny is suggesting he’d share a client’s private information. He’s a doctor. Sonny says he’s also a writer, and works from his professional experience. Neil asks if Sonny thinks he would profit off of Kristina’s trauma. Sonny says he expects the worst, and avoids it. That’s how he got where he is. If Neil was in his shoes, he’d do the same thing. Sonny is asking right now. Do they understand each other?

Diane is still laughing, and Alexis asks if she’s finished. Diane says, sorry, and composes herself. She says it’s the most absurd thing she’s heard in a month. Alexis says, to be in a place where she’s happy and content with herself? Diane doesn’t understand; why throw out men? If she doesn’t want something long term, more power to her, but where does that leave her sex-wise? Joining the ranks who hook up? A friend with benefits? Hire someone? Alexis says, keep it down. Diane asks if it’s been so long since she’s gotten some, that she’s willing to throw in the towel.

Finn says he’d better head to the launch, and tells them to enjoy their evening. Hayden tells him to enjoy his boat ride. He leaves, and Jax and Hayden go inside. Valentin asks how the ride was, and Hayden says, choppy as ever. Jax pretends he forgot she used to live there with Valentin’s nephew. Valentin says he’s sorry he didn’t know Nikolas better, and Jax says, it’s difficult to break the ice at gunpoint. Valentin says he was too busy defending himself for niceties, and Nina says, how about a drink? Hayden says she’ll take two. Valentin says he’ll make them, and bring them over. They sit, and Valentin smiles at Nina.

Cassandra asks what it’s like having Nina as a mother, and Sasha says, she’s terrific. She’s smart, insightful, and passionate about her work and family. She’s been nothing less than kind and generous. Cassandra says Sasha is a lovely young woman, and surely the light of Nina’s life. Sasha doesn’t know about that. Michael comes back, and says, it’s twenty minutes to moonrise. Sasha introduces Sandy, and Cassandra asks if Sonny is Michael’s father. Michael asks if they’ve met.

On the phone, Maxie says, not orange; tangerine. They’re two totally different colors. She tells them, fix it, and get back to her. Peter comes out, and she asks if the doctor said how much longer. He says, a week, and only as a precaution. He should be good to go for the second half of the softball season. Maxie says her team will beat his anyway, and he says, in her dreams. She asks if he really thinks Jax might have a hidden agenda, and he says, anything is possible.

Hayden asks if it’s still windy in the summers, and Nina says it’s not as bad as last winter. They needed new doors on the parapet room. Valentin brings a tray of martinis over. He suggests they toast to a challenge met. There’s a clap of thunder, and the doorbell rings. Valentin leaves to answer it, and says not to start without him. There’s more thunder, and Nina jumps. She takes a glass, and tells them to help themselves. Valentin comes back, saying they have one more guest for dinner. Finn.

Cabot says what Shiloh is proposing is ambitious and difficult, but not impossible. Shiloh says, fantastic, but Cabot tells him not to be hasty. There are logistical complications. He doesn’t have access to the proper equipment. Shiloh says he can get anything Cabot needs. Cabot asks if he can get the memories in question, and Shiloh shows him the flashdrive.

Drew asks if Jason thinks Shiloh broke in. Jason doesn’t know, but Sam says she doesn’t think he’d risk it himself. Curtis says he could hire someone, and Jason says, that makes sense. Drew says Shiloh has been pumping him for information. He seems relieved Drew forgot something about his military life. Sam wonders if he wants to destroy the flashdrive, or is there something on it he’s afraid could hurt him? Curtis says, he’s worse than being guilty. Jason says, he’s had months to take it. Why would he risk it now?

Neil tells Sonny, as a doctor, he took an oath; do no harm. Sonny can rest assured that Kristina’s confidences are safe, and will never be shared. Sonny is glad to hear it. Neil says a personality like Sonny’s is ripe for dissection. He’ll see Sonny around. Sonny says, he will.

Alexis asks Diane how her sex life became a hot topic. Diane says, it’s a legitimate question. When was the last time? Maybe it’s been so long, it’s possible Alexis has forgotten the mental and physical benefits. Alexis she says, Finn, and Diane says, months? Years? Alexis says she had a vivid exotic dream. it was so real, it was like she did it. Diane asks who was the co-star who sent her screaming back to therapy? Julian? Alexis says she already went over this with her therapist. She’s exhausted. She starts to leave and Diane says, see her in dreamland, and laughs.

Alexis sees Neil at the elevator. The doors open, and they get in. Neil says he’s in a hurry. There’s somewhere he needs to be. She says, anywhere but here? He asks if it’s been that kind of day, and she says she’ll be relieved when it’s over. The elevator comes to a sudden stop.

Cassandra tells Michael that she doesn’t think they’ve met. Michael says she recognized his last name, but she says most people would. His family is quite well known. Sasha says she’s a fan of Crimson. Michael says he does know her. Cassandra keeps her hand near the gun in her bag.

Finn is sorry for interrupting, but the launch pilot sent him back. The swells are too high, and there are no more crossings until the storm passes. Nina says, the more, the merrier. Hayden says she needs to use the restroom. She knows where it is. Valentin asks if he can get Finn something. Finn doesn’t want to impose. On the side, Valentin tells Nina to pace herself. One of the glasses has the truth serum in it. She asks, which one? and he says, it’s difficult to tell when everyone has their glasses. Finn asks Jax how it’s going. Jax says, good, but they can cut the chit-chat and talk about Hayden.

Hayden looks around. She says, following in Nikolas’s footsteps, this should be the office. She’s about to open a door, when she’s started by someone.

Curtis asks Drew where Shiloh got the idea that he was going to use the flashdrive. Drew says he made it clear he’s not using it. Jason says, there would be no reason to use it for ransom. Sam says, maybe he wants something off of it. Drew says, something Shiloh wants him to remember.

Shiloh asks if Cabot can imprint the baseline memories into someone, and Cabot says the best bet would be to restore them in the original subject. Give back what’s been taken. Shiloh says his original work involved moving the memories from one twin to the other. The original memories are what’s on the drive. Could they be imprinted on Drew’s brother, Jason Morgan?

Tomorrow, Neil says there’s someplace he needs to be, Nina says something doesn’t add up, and Carly says they have a big problem.

👯 Just saying – instead of finishing his life’s work, isn’t Cabot just performing a redundant experiment? Haven’t we been here before? Is there a writer’s strike or something?

Southern Charm

Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The place is a wreck; bottles and glasses everywhere. Don looks for Eliza, but finds Austen and Madison. Don says it’s a pleasant surprise. What do they want for breakfast?

Eliza comes into the kitchen, and tells Don their hot water wasn’t working. All Chelsea wants is coffee, and Eliza says she’s working on it. Madison joins them, and Don says it’s nice to see her and Austen back together. He’s glad someone did some cuddling. Craig asks if Shep is still on the floor, but Chelsea doesn’t know where he is. Austen says they don’t want to poke the bear. In Craig’s interview, he says a stoned Shep is a less angry Shep. We see clip of Shep in the Russian hat, stuffing Cheetos in his mouth.

Shep stumbles in, and Cameran pops in. In her interview, she says she envisioned drinking champagne at 10 am, and maybe smoking a doobie or two. In reality, all she could think about was her baby, so she’s hightailing it out of there. Craig asks if Austen and Madison want to do kissy kissy stuff. Shep asks if they hooked up, but Austen says, no. They just went to bed, but did wake up naked. Shep says Austen is a strong man, and he’s sorry he doubted him. In Shep’s interview, he says it makes him sick watching them talk. There’s something awful about the two of them. Is it called they like each other, and are willing to compromise? Whitney is also leaving. In his interview, Craig thinks Whitney is embarrassed about being called out for having sex with Kathryn. She doesn’t fit into his mold. It makes Craig not want to invite him places.

Craig goes next door without putting on shoes. Kathryn says they’re going to the hot springs in ten minutes, and everyone gets ready. Danni suggests bringing extra underwear, so they’re not wet all day. At the springs, Shep gets a loaner bathing suit. They all go in the water, Chelsea and Eliza wearing hats. Shep wants to jump in the cold pool, and yells, woo-hoo-hoo! when he hits the water. Austen asks Madison if she’s having fun. She says, it’s been great, and Austen says, but it’s not real life. Chelsea says Austen and Madison are definitely getting back together. Austen tells Madison, he wishes it was like this all the time, and Madison says, it can be. He says he has so many feelings for her. He doesn’t want her to be with anyone else but him, but she says she doesn’t want to be making dinner, and he doesn’t show up until eleven. it’s about compromise, and he’s not willing to do that. He asks if she wants to date other people. She asks if he wants to sleep with Charleston. In Austen’s interview, he says he knows what she wants, but he can’t do it. She’s a single mother, and he can’t take care of himself, much less another human. Chelsea tells Ship to stop being a child. Madison says she doesn’t expect change overnight, but Shep and Craig are Austen’s role models, but he says they’re his running mates. She asks why he lets them influence him. He says he cares about her so much, but she says, it’s not enough, and swims off.

Madison tells Kathryn that Austen pisses her off. It changes every day. Kathryn say she doesn’t understand. Austen says it’s all put on him. Craig tells Austen that Madison eats guys alive. She’s good at it. Austen asks for space. The ride is awkwardly quiet on the way back. Craig wants to see a moose or an elk. Austen says there are pumas too, and Craig says, you should stay away from pumas, bears, or any ferocious cat.

Back at the lodge, they pack. Don is tired of waiting, and Chelsea explains, that’s how this group is. Something that should take ten minutes, takes hours. Austen asks if everyone is packed, and Craig thinks everyone is pretty much done. Austen tells Kathryn that her wardrobe was spectacular this weekend. He says he didn’t get to talk to her, and she asks if he means about the weed thing? We flash back to the dinner. He says he understands, and he’s sorry he didn’t bring it up. She says she didn’t want their night ruined, or have them thinking she was upset being around weed. It wasn’t that. She started to remember how people talked about her and treated her for smoking weed, but now it’s just cool. In Kathryn’s interview, she says it’s hard to believe that two years ago, she was sanctioned by the court and lost her children for a while for smoking weed.

Madison asks Shep to make her laugh; she’s depressed. Shep asks, what for? and wonders if she thought she and Austen were going to ride into the sunset. She says, it would have been nice, and he says, it would have been foolish. He thinks she and Austen both are. Madison tells him that she’s sad his opinion weighs so heavily on their relationship. Shep doesn’t give a flying what Austen feels, and doesn’t care. If Austen said he wanted to make it work, Shep would say he needs to come out with them. Shep says he doesn’t need Austen to go out. She doesn’t want Austen to have fun without her. She says, bullsh*t. Austen can’t make up his mind. Shep says that’s not his fault, and as much as Madison and Austen argue, she’s not good at it. She says he’s met his match, and he says he could argue her into the ground. She says he doesn’t scare her; he’s a bully. He’s made every girl there cry. We see a clip of the girls talking about that at a dinner. Shep asks, how? and she says she doesn’t know, but they’ve spoken about it. Shep says he deals in facts, and she asks if he wants facts. He says he has nothing to hide, but his foot is bouncing wildly, making me wonder. She asks if he’s sure, and he says, what does she think she knows about him? She says she heard he gave Danni chlamydia. Danni, who is sitting right there, says, it’s a lie. Madison says, ask Austen, since he’s the one who told her. Danni says she’s throwing random sh*it around, and it’s not cool. Shep asks where is her anger coming from, and she says, him. He suggests they stay out of each other’s way. Now she’s thrown Austen under the bus. She’s a tornado. She just tried hurt three people. Was it worth it? She doesn’t say anything, and he says he told her that he could argue her into the ground. He says he’s leaving for the store.

Shep tells Don that Madison screwed herself, making accusations. She’s definitely angry and him and Craig. Chelsea asks, why? and Shep says she thinks they’re a bad influence on Austen. She’s Jekyll and Hyde. Austen tells Madison that he knows that face. What the hell is going on? Is she okay? Madison just stares at him. She tells him that Danni’s mad, and that she said more than she wanted to say. Craig tells Austen that she said Shep gave Danni chlamydia. Austen says she’ll say anything to get herself off of the fire. Why would she say that? He walks off, cursing. Madison says he’s mad because he’s the one who told her. Chelsea wonders why Madison thinks that way, and Shep says she threw Austen under the bus hard. Austen says he just yelled at her. Shep says she just tried to embarrass three people. Austen wonders where it’s coming from. Shep says, she uses everything against anybody. In Austen’s interview, he says he never should have gossiped.

Kathryn asks Madison, what’s going on? Danni seems upset. Madison says it’s all her fault. She was talking to Shep… Danni storms in, and interrupts. She says Madison doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She’s hurting people. Madison tells her to go chain smoke her menthols, since I guess she ran out of insults. Danni says she’s going to smoke a whole pack. Kathryn follows her outside. Danni tells Kathryn that Madison truly doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She’s been on Madison’s team. Why is she treating her like this? Kathryn wonders what smoking has anything to with it. Danni says Madison was attacking Shep earlier, and drug her into it. Kathryn says it’s not worth getting upset, but Danni says she doesn’t understand. What’s wrong with the two of them? Danni walks away.

Shep asks if everybody is ready. Chelsea says Danni is really upset. Shep tells her, Madison said uncool, untrue sh*t, saying he gave Danni chlamydia. Chelsea says she’d be mortified either way. Shep says he took back his remark about Madison too hastily. Austen says he feels bad. Madison is taking it on the chin, and he knows she’s probably on the verge of crying. He hates to see it. In Chelsea’s interview, she says she’s a fan of going straight to the source when you have an issue with someone, but there’s a way to do it that’s classier. She tells Austen, it comes out of nowhere, and Austen says it’s the one side of Madison he that doesn’t sit well with him. She’ll pull out anything, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Chelsea asks if Austen told her that about Shep. Austen says no, and Don laughs. Chelsea says he’s lying. Austen wonders when he’s going to learn.

Madison says she’s not apologizing, and Austen says he knows that’s how she feels. She says she has to defend herself, because he can’t. Screw Danni. She’s the one who started the sh*t between them. We flash back to Danni saying she knew better than to tell Craig anything. Austen says he can’t tell Madison anything. Nothing is sacred. Like with Chelsea. Where’s the trust in that? Madison walks to the kitchen, and he follows. He hugs her, and tells her, take a breath. Shep pokes his head in, and says they’re getting on the bus. Unless they’re staying. Maybe they should stay. He disappears again, and Madison says, go to hell. Everyone drags their bags back down the icy hill to the bus. Shep guesses they won’t be singing happy tunes on the ride home.

We see what everyone is doing back in Charleston. Patricia tells Michael she’s bracing herself for manual labor. She’ll need a restorative beverage. He says, very good, and she dusts a picture frame with a brush.

Craig helps his parents log on to FaceTime so they can talk. He tells them about Shep naming his dog Craig, and says, the pillows are going well. He had a great meeting with Jerry. In Craig’s interview, he says that it’s awesome what started as a therapeutic activity, is turning into a real business. We see a clip of Jerry saying he’s surprised Craig did it, and he’ll reach out to some manufacturers.

It’s Palmers first trip to the aquarium. Cameran and mom Bonnie bring her, and she’s less than impressed. She starts crying. In Cameran’s interview, she says last year was the hardest time in her life. She thought on the trip to Colorado, she’d relax and break free. She thought it was something she needed. When she got a break, she realized the expression the days are long, and the years are short is so freaking true. In the past year, she was clinging to her former identity. She was going to hire a nanny, and push herself back into her career, but she feels she’ll regret it later. Palmer finally gets with the program, and is all fascinated with one of the tanks, pressing herself against it. Cameran says time with her child is precious. It makes her emotional talking about it. It’s not time she can get back, and she wants to savor the moments. She doesn’t want to give them away to drink champagne in Colorado. She’s come to realize what’s important.

Austen meets Naomie at a coffee place. She says he looks like he’s about to cry. She heard about the trip from Chelsea. He’s sure Danni is angry at him. Austen says he thought the trip went extremely well – at first Madison and Shep were fine, but they’re always at odds. Shep called her white trash, and said he’d apologize, but Madison thought it was disingenuous. He says they were packing to leave, and Shep does what he always does; pokes until he hits a breaking point. He gets in an aggressive mode. Naomie wonders why Shep goes after Madison. Does Austen think Shep wanted her, but didn’t get her. Austen says Shep tried – repeatedly. Everyone tries repeatedly. Naomie isn’t surprised; Madison is so hot. Austen says it’s the second time she betrayed him about information he’s given her. Naomie says she tells Metul everything, and he would never say anything to anyone. Austen says she’s not a bad person, but she takes things too far. In the aftermath, Shep is willing to throw the friendship out. He sent Austen a clip from Braveheart called Utter Betrayal. Naomie says Madison messed up, but if she says she’s sorry, Shep will still be there for her eventually. I dunno about that. Austen says, hopefully.

Madison calls Kathryn, and asks if she can swing by. Kathryn says sure. When Madison gets there, Kathryn says she hasn’t seen Madison since the trip, and Madison says that’s why she came by. She felt they hit it off well, and wanted to get their kids together. She thinks they have a lot in common. She says Kathryn probably thinks she’s ruthless, but she feels bad about what she said. Kathryn asks if she talked to Danni, and Madison says she reached out, but got no response. She thought Kathryn might help her with that. She’ll do whatever it takes to try and make it okay. When she’s mad, she doesn’t know how to control her emotions. It was all she had, and unfortunately, Danni was involved. She didn’t deserve that. She says, Shep is a bully, and Kathryn says she gets it. She’s been there. We flash back to her having to be held back from killing Whitney. Kathryn says, what she said isn’t okay, but she thinks it’s cool that Madison stood up to Shep. She doesn’t know anyone who has. In Kathryn’s interview, she says Shep will try to turn everyone against you, and use words to shut your argument, and be confuse you. Shep expects people to back down, but Madison isn’t scared of him. She doesn’t care if he likes her, and that’s what he doesn’t like. She’s like a dude. Kathryn bets Madison would punch him in the face. Kathryn says they’re always quick to jump on the girl. It’s always the girl who’s crazy. They have to stick together. They only thing that will make them change, is if the girls don’t accept the behavior.

Austen calls Shep, who’s chilling with his. Austen wants to come by. He thinks they should talk. He drives over, bearing a beer peace offering. Austen says it was a stressful week, and Shep says for him too. Doing what? Going to the bar? Playing with the dog? Austen says he has a lot to say, and Shep asks if Austen wants him to go first. Austen acquiesces, and Shep says he generally likes to be a happy person, surrounded by people who make him happy, and hopefully, he does the same for them. Madison was the elephant in the room. He’d said something bad about her when he was defending Austen. Now he and Craig are the bad guys. Austen says the conversation is going in a different direction than he expected. Shep says he wants to talk about the root of the problem. They ended up having fun, and even though Madison was reluctant, they got along. Austen says he thought them being fake friends was fine, as long as they weren’t at each other’s throat. Shep says he told her that he regretted what he’d said. Austen say she thought Shep was disingenuous. Shep says Austen should have told her STFU. Has he ever told her that? Austen says he tries not to, and maybe Shep should learn not to. Maybe that’s why he never has a girlfriend. Shep says Madison walks all over Austen. She has her hooks in him, and Shep wants to know why. Austen says Shep doesn’t understand, and Shep says, no one does. In Austen’s interview, he says Shep couldn’t be more wrong. He chooses be with Madison. Shep wonders where the virtue is that Madison possesses. He called her white trash, and if she hasn’t proved it by now, he doesn’t know what has. That’s what happens when you bring in someone who doesn’t fit in, and belongs in a honkytonk bar, talking sh*t to Tanya. Austen says he gets that Shep is pissed, but he pushes. When he’s confronted with something he doesn’t want to hear, he goes off the deep end.  Shep says things happened that were brought to his attention, but he wasn’t building a wall, just relaying information. Madison thinks she’s a badass arguer, but he’s smarter than she is. Austen says, good for him. He says that about everybody. He’s so willing to throw their friendship away. Shep says, and austen isn’t? It makes him sad. Austen says there was a line crossed, and he was betrayed. Shep says he was too, but Austen is copping out. He should cut the bait, and say see ya. If he doesn’t, that’s okay, but don’t expect much from him after that. Austen says, that’s not true friendship.

Next time, Ashley hopes she gets another chance, Kathryn is in love, Austen tells Madison that he loves her, and Ashley shows up at a fox hunt.

🌇 Or Early In the Morning…

Like most things, it’s a matter of perspective.