What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Cody says, Britt’s guess is as good as his, and she says, if that’s his story, stick to it. He says, she doesn’t believe him? and she asks why she should. She barely knows who he is.

Mac says he needs to learn more about this guy before potentially blowing his world apart, and letting him know he could be his dad. Felicia says, then do some research into his life, his background, and if Mac needs some help, he has her P.I. skills at his disposal. Mac says, it might be better if they forget the whole thing, and Felicia asks if he can do that. Maxie tells him, just do his research, and find out if Cody is his son. At least he’ll know. Mac says he doesn’t need to know. As far as he’s concerned, whoever Cody Bell is can remain a mystery forever.

Dante’s phone rings, and he says, Connor. Are they missing him already or what?… Say that again.

Jordan tells Rory, she needs him to process the prisoners awaiting transport to Pentenville, and he says, no problem. She says, there is one he’s familiar with. She needs his assurance that he can maintain a professional distance, and he says, yes, ma’am. She goes into the interrogation room, and tells Spencer, Officer Cabrera will take it from here.

At the hospital, Nikolas says, what does Frank mean, he’s not on the list? That’s his wife in there. Frank says, those are his orders, and Nikolas says, those might be Frank’s orders, but they’re not his. Sonny may be Frank’s boss, but he’s not Nikolas’s. Frank says, actually, Mr. Corinthos didn’t suggest Nikolas can’t go in. Miss Jerome did.

Victor says, nice of Sonny to join him, and Sonny says, join him? He’s the one who called the meeting. Victor says, he did, and Sonny is now six minutes late. Sonny says, let him cut to the chase. Victor has made a lot of messes, and he wants to know how Victor’s going to clean them up. Victor says, it would help if Sonny could be more specific. Everyone thinks he leaves a path of destruction wherever he goes, yet no one seems to come up with evidence to support that notion. Sonny says, that’s because Victor is good at covering up his tracks, and Victor says, that makes two of them. Sonny says, there’s a difference between them. He doesn’t let his family go down for crimes he’s committed. Victor says, just his employees and best friends, and Sonny asks what Victor is going to do for Spencer, now that he’s going to prison because he covered for Victor. Victor tells him, don’t you worry. He can protect his family. Sonny says, like he protected Ava?

Nikolas asks if Frank is saying Ava asked for him to be kept out, and Frank says, yes. Trina says, maybe Ava isn’t up for visitors. Maybe they can go get a coffee, and try later. Frank says, Trina can go right in. Ava is expecting her. Nikolas asks her to tell his wife that he’s going to see Spencer off to Pentenville, and Trina says, of course (🍷). He says, hopefully by then, she’ll have reconsidered.

Rory tells Spencer to put his personal effects in the envelope; anything of value he wants kept there. He can take his chances with intake at Pentenville, but items often go missing. Spencer says, thanks, but it’s not his first rodeo. He puts his watch and wallet in the envelope, and says he can take care of himself. Rory says he hopes that’s true; not just for Spencer’s sake, but the people who care about him.

Trina goes into Ava’s room, and Ava says she’s so happy to see her. Trina hugs Ava, and says, she thought she almost lost Ava, but Ava says, never. She’ll always be here for Trina.

Dante says he’ll be in touch, and Sam asks if everything’s okay. He says, that was his neighbor. His brother was visiting and saw the moving truck outside. He wants to put an offer on the house. Sam says, a good offer? and he says, like 20 grand over whatever the market value is. She says, he wouldn’t even have to list it. That’s great… isn’t it? He says, it is. He just hadn’t even thought about putting it on the market yet. Sam asks if he’s keeping his options open, but he says, hell no. He’s all in. But that is the house he shared with Lulu. She says, it must be weird to think of other people living there, and he says, it’s not that. It just feels like a decision he should be making with her. Sam says, it’s a big decision. Once he decides to sell, it’s final. It’s a good thing he doesn’t have to decide tonight. Think about it. Sleep on it. He says, that’s an excellent idea, and kisses her. She says she has another. Will he top off her glass of champagne?

Maxie asks why Mac doesn’t want to know if Cody is his son, and Mac says, after all these years, what difference does it make? Felicia says, it makes a huge difference to both of them. Just because Cody is an adult, doesn’t mean he’s not entitled to the truth. Maxie says, and this is Mac’s chance to have a child with his very own DNA. He says, Maxie is more than enough for him, and Maxie says, she’s sure a lot of the time, she was too much. He’s been such a great father to her, and Georgie. Felicia says, not a day goes by they’re not grateful for that, and Maxie says, if Cody is his son, she’s okay with it. She’s not going to feel threatened. He asks if they can just drop the subject, and Felicia says, they just want to make sure this is really how he feels. He says, it is, and Maxie says she still wants to know why. He says, if Cody is his son with Dominique, just knowing that might be too high of a price. Felicia asks what he’s talking about, and he says he’s talking about what it could do to their family.

Cody says, okay, so what is this Mac guy asking Britt about him? and she says, general stuff. How they met, his movements at the party… He wonders why Mac was asking that, and she says, probably to eliminate Cody as a suspect. He has to account for everybody’s whereabouts at the time Ava was attacked. Cody says, fine. Britt just told Mac that he was with her, right? She says she’s not sure it came up. She probably forgot. He says, she kissed him, and she laughs, and says, he kissed her. He says, fine, have it her way. It’s just his luck. A stranger comes to a new town, they get accused of murder. Britt says, has this happened to him before? Answer the question. How many murder investigations has he been questioned in? He says he’s been a lot of things in his life. Skydiver, stuntman, stable hand… She says, hustler, card shark… and he says, yeah, well, one thing he’s not is a cold-blooded killer. She knows that, right? She says she wouldn’t be standing here if he was, and he asks if she thinks he needs a lawyer. She says she doesn’t know, and he says, does she know how expensive lawyers are? She says she does, and he says, on a stable hand’s salary? Maybe it’s time to pull up stakes and get out of Dodge. She says, maybe it is, if he has something to hide.

Felicia tells Mac, she doesn’t understand. What risk could Cody possibly pose to their family? He doesn’t answer, and Maxie says she has an appointment she needs to get to. She thanks Felicia for babysitting, says, Mac, and leaves. Felicia asks Mac what he’s so afraid of, and he says he doesn’t know. Change? He loves the life they’ve built together, and it wasn’t easy. She says she knows, and he says, losing Georgie and Nathan, gaining three beautiful grandchildren. They’ve been doing so much; he finally feels like they’ve got a little bit of peace. He just doesn’t want anything to disrupt it. She says, life is change, and she wouldn’t begrudge him the opportunity to be there for Cody if Cody turns out to be his son. He says, at least they won’t be strapped with dirty diapers and those awkward conversations about adolescence, and she says, there’ll be plenty of awkward conversations. But just like he welcomed Maxie and Georgie as his own, she doesn’t need blood ties to welcome Cody into their family.

Rory says, Spencer can hand in his phone now, or before transport leaves, and Spencer says he’ll hang onto it, thanks. Rory says, no problem. Just make sure to memorize his contact’s number, and leave his lawyer’s information with that person. Spencer says, his grandmother is his contact, and out of town, and Rory says, get a new one. His grandmother’s husband maybe? Spencer says, maybe, and Rory picks up the envelope and starts to leave, but he stops. He says, when he saw Spencer and Trina at her party, he got the sense they weren’t finished; that there were still things they needed to say. Spencer says, Rory is mistaken. He and Trina are done, and they’re both moving on. So Rory has nothing to worry about. Rory says he’s not worried. He just doesn’t want Spencer haunting them from prison. He leaves.

Ava asks if Trina had any trouble getting in to see her, and Trina says, Frank let her come right in. She’s glad Ava has protection, but she hates that Ava is still in danger, and Ava says, that makes two of them. Trina asks what the police said. Do they have any idea who could have done this to her? Ava says, the police are following up on leads, and ruling people out. As for her, she has some thoughts of her own. Trina says, who? and Ava says, forget it. It turns out her personal prime suspect has an alibi, and couldn’t have done it. Trina says she saw Mr. Cassadine when she arrived, and Frank wouldn’t let him in.

At the station, Nikolas tells Jordan that he was with Elizabeth at the time, and she says she knows he couldn’t have physically carried out the crime. He asks what she’s implying, and she says she’s not implying anything. She just needs facts to get her closer to what happened and who’s responsible. He says, after he sees his son. Where’s Spencer? She says, most spouses in his position would be more cooperative, and he says he’s happy to cooperate, after he’s seen his son. She says, Spencer’s in interrogation. Feel free to go in. He thanks her, and she says, but before he goes, be sure to leave his information with the desk sergeant so they can arrange an interview.

Victor tells Sonny, Ava has a host of enemies, with threats coming at her from every corner. It’s almost impossible to keep her fully protected. Sonny says, not if she was targeted; that hits close to home. Victor asks what he’s insinuating, and Sonny asks if everything is copacetic between Nikolas and Ava. Victor says, it’s a little volatile at times, but Nikolas and Ava love each other fiercely. If Sonny thinks his nephew could ever… Sonny smiles, and Victor says, his nephew is completely devoted to his wife, and Sonny says, really? So devoted that Ava was staying at the MetroCourt? Because he dropped Avery off the other day, and he was surprised Ava was there. He thought maybe she was tired of staying with Esme, but that doesn’t make any sense, because Esme’s gone; she’s vanished. Does Victor know anything about that? Victor says he could ask Sonny the same. After all, Sonny snatched Esme off the street. Sonny says, let him tell Victor something right now. If he or Nikolas had anything to do with hurting Ava, they’re going to answer to him. Victor says, they don’t have to be adversaries surely. After all, they share family. Sonny says, don’t call me Shirley asks if anybody in Victor’s family actually talks to him, and Victor says, does anyone in Sonny’s? He answered Sonny’s summons, and tolerated his baseless insinuations. Cast aspersions on his family again, and Victor will cease being a gentleman. Sonny says, all right, and gets up. Stay away from Avery’s mother. And don’t make Sonny have to call him again. He claps Victor on the shoulder, says, old pal, and leaves.

Ava tells Trina, when she and Nikolas are getting along, it’s magic. But when they’re not, it’s curses. But enough about her. She wants to hear about Trina. How is she enjoying her vindication? Trina says, for starters, PCU reinstated her as a student, and Ava says, that’s great news. She’s so happy for Trina. Trina thanks her, and says, she felt guilty meeting with the PCU administration while Ava was there in the hospital. Ava says, that’s sweet of her, but there’s nothing Trina could have done for her. She’s happy Trina is taking care of herself. Trina says, she just thought Ava would be one of the first people to celebrate her returning from school, and Ava says, damn straight she would. Trina says, her parents did throw her a party, and Ava says she hates to miss a good party. How was it? Trina says, fun, and Ava says, that doesn’t sound very convincing. What happened? Trina says, an unexpected guest showed up.

Nikolas walks into the interrogation room, and Spencer yells, get out! Nikolas says he knows Spencer doesn’t want to see him, and Spencer asks when he figured that out. Was he not clear when they spoke? They’re done. Nikolas says, Spencer is going to prison, and he’s terrified. Spencer says he doesn’t care. If Nikolas doesn’t get out of here in ten seconds, Spencer will march out there and tell Commissioner Ashford exactly what Nikolas and Ava were arguing about at the picnic.

While unpacking boxes, Dante says, if Sam comes across Rocco’s gaming console, that would be the key to peace and happiness in this house. Sam asks if Cody didn’t borrow some horse race game, and Dante says, yeah, those are pretty expensive. Sam says, he seems like a pretty honest guy, and he says, seems like it. She wonders what Sonny was talking to Cody about, and Dante says, who knows? She says, Cody seems like a pretty harmless guy, but Dante says, looks can be deceiving. She asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Dante says, like he told her, when they were kids, Cody didn’t like to follow the rules. She says, that’s when they were kids. That was a long time ago. Dante says, that’s true. We do a lot of living between adolescence and growing up. Sam says, doesn’t she know it. She’s done a lot of things she regrets. She’s sure, back in the day, Cody played some tricks on some camp counselors, but that doesn’t mean he’s up to something now.

Cody tells Britt, he’s human. They all have something to hide. He’s sure she has plenty. She says she used to, but all the bad, wicked, criminal stuff all came out. She’s practically an open book. He says he bets there’s something, but she says, there isn’t. Anyway, this is about him. I can’t afford a lawyer; I’ve got to leave town. Overreaction much? He says he woudn’t have to consider leaving town if she’d given him an alibi, and she says she’s sorry. She only gives alibis after the third date, and since they’ve only been out once… He says, she’s right. She doesn’t owe him anything. See ya. He starts to leave, and she says, he’s really going to up and leave Port Charles? and he says, does she not want him to leave town? She says, his buddy Dante would be relieved that he escaped the Britch, but she’s good either way. He says he thinks she’d miss him, for several minutes, and she says, maybe a minute, but several is pushing it. He says, okay. Possibly he overreacted, but since he was a kid, he’s been operating on flight or fight mode. She says, why not stay and fight? and he asks if she wants him to fight. She says, as long as he doesn’t sucker punch Mac like he did Scotty, when Maxie comes to the door. He says he makes no promises. It sounds like the guy deserves it. Maxie walks in, and asks, what did he just say? Did he just threaten her stepdad? Britt says, Maxie… but Maxie says she’d like to hear this from Cody. Why does he want to hit Mac? Cody says, from what he’s been hearing, Mac thinks he gutted the woman at the picnic. Britt says, Ava Jerome, and he says, who he’s never even met. So why would he try to kill her? Maxie says, she can assure him, Mac doesn’t think he attacked Ava, and he says, then why is Mac asking all these questions about him? Maxie says, because he’s the Chief of Detectives. It’s his job to ask questions. Just answer directly and honestly, and he’ll be fine. Cody laughs, and says, she’s suggesting he talk to a cop voluntarily, and Maxie says, yes. Britt says, just call Mac. She’s sure he’ll put Cody’s mind at ease. He says, cops lie, and Maxie says, Mac is not a liar. Britt flashes back to the picnic, and Mac saying, he and Cody’s mother were friends. She tells Maxie, try to look at it from Cody’s perspective. They know Mac is a good guy and just doing his job, but Cody doesn’t.

Mac looks at a family photo, and says, Cody could be Leopold’s son. That would be best for everyone. Felicia says, not for Cody. Everyone deserves a loving, compassionate father. He says, like him, and she says, like him. She knows it’s not scientific, but when he met Cody, he saw himself in him, didn’t he? He asks if she sees a resemblance, and she says, his eyes, similar twinkle. Cody’s is mischievous, while Mac’s is kind. He says, even if Cody is his, he’s an adult. How much parenting could he need? She asks how much Maxie needs, and he says, good point. She says, he’s considering Cody a liability rather than an asset. Besides change, is there another reason he’s resistant to welcoming Cody into their family? He says, no matter whose son Cody is, he’s a stranger. How do they know what kind of person he is? Felicia says, here’s a thought; they get to know him. Not just what kind of person he is, not necessarily even as a son. Just get to know him as a friend. Mac says, maybe he’s setting himself up for disappointment. What if it all goes south? She says, what if it doesn’t?

Nikolas says, Spencer will be implicating him in Ava’s attack, and Spencer says, damn straight. Victor comes in, and says, Spencer will do no such thing. He’ll continue to remain silent. Is that understood? Unless of course (🍷) he’s already let something slip while he was three sheets to the wind at that unfortunate party. Spencer says he hasn’t sold out his faithless father yet. He hasn’t even given his father a second thought. Victor asks Nikolas how his wife is, and Nikolas says he hears she’s recovering. Victor says, he hears, and Nikolas says, Ava woudn’t let him in to see her. Spencer says, is that right? Maybe everyone’s finally on to Nikolas. Nikolas says, on to him? and Victor steers Nikolas to the door, saying, they’re not having this discussion, but Nikolas says, they are. Does Spencer think he’s behind Ava’s attack? Spencer says, because Nikolas is incapable of hurting the people he loves? Let’s ask Hayden. Victor says, that’s enough. Stop this right now. He knows they’re playing with a bit of a sticky wicket right now, but it’s nothing he can’t fix if the two of them get themselves together.

Jordan tells Rory, good job. He maintained his professional demeanor while he carried out his duties with Mr. Cassadine. Not an easy task. He thanks her, and says he thinks she should know, he did talk to Spencer about Trina. She asks if there was an altercation, but he says, it was all very calm. She says, that’s fine, and thanks him for telling her. He says, at the risk of overstepping, she knows Trina’s dad pretty well. Does she have any tips on how Rory could get on his good side?

Trina says, she almost forgot to tell Ava. She sold a sculpture to an overseas collector. Ava says, that’s impressive. Maybe they should close the gallery temporarily. Trina asks, why? and Ava says, because she doesn’t want Trina spending the rest of her summer behind a desk. Trina says, she can balance her social life and work at the gallery, and Ava says, okay, but let her know if it gets to be too much, or even if she needs a break, and Trina says she will. Ava says, promise her that she won’t be at the gallery alone, especially at night. Maybe Rory could keep her company. Trina asks if Ava thinks whoever did this, could come after her, and Ava says, she doesn’t know who and she doesn’t know why, so she doesn’t know what they’re capable of. She thinks it’s best to take precautions. Trina says she’ll figure something out, and Ava says, good, but she didn’t ask Trina about work; she asked Trina about her life. Let her guess. This unexpected party guest was Spencer, wasn’t it? Trina says she just doesn’t get him. He wrote her a letter, then he tried to leave before giving it to her. He dropped it, and after she picked it up, he wouldn’t even let her read it. Ava asks, why not? and Trina tells her, because he said they weren’t friends, but then he admitted he still had some kind of connection with her, but he’s been lying this entire time. What is she supposed to do with that, especially now that Rory is in the picture? Ava says she’s going to stop Trina there, and Trina says she’s sorry. She shouldn’t be talking about something so silly when Ava almost died, but Ava says, not because of that. She’s going to tell Trina something, because you only live once, and she deserves to know. Trina asks, what is it? and Ava says, according to Spencer, he knew all along she was innocent. Trina says, but that doesn’t make any sense. He told her to her face. Ava says, it was all a ruse. He only stayed with Esme to help prove Trina was innocent.

Dante tells Sam, he would never hold the past against Cody; that was just him back then. But now Dante has a family to protect, and that includes her and Danny and Scout. She says she appreciates that, but she considers herself a good judge of character. Cody may be the guy who thinks he can take a walk on the wild side, but she thinks he’s a decent guy. Dante asks if she’s saying she likes the guy, and she says, she does, so sue her. But…? He says, but Sonny’s not the only one keeping an eye on him.

Cody says he’s not trying to offend Maxie, but her stepdad is treating him like a suspect. He’s not going to just sit around and let the PCPD build a case against him. Maxie says, what part of that’s not what’s happening here does he not understand? and he says, he’s just supposed to take her word for it? She says, yes, and he says, he’s going to go. He’ll talk to Britt later. He leaves, and Maxie says she’s starting to believe she was wrong. She does not think Britt should give that guy a second chance.

Rory tells Jordan, Mr. Taggert has been pretty distant; any advice? She says, this is overstepping, and he says, sorry. He starts to leave, and she says, but since he asked, just be himself. Taggert values authenticity. And the Buffalo Bills. He thanks her, and says, that’s good for now.

Nikolas says, someone tried to kill his wife, and Victor is calling it a sticky wicket. Victor apologizes if he sounded glib. He simply meant, there is no hurdle that, as Cassadines, they can’t clear. Nikolas says, even if he’d hurt his wife – which he didn’t – it’s nothing compared to what Victor has done, and Victor says he knows it’s been a trying 48 hours, so he’s going to overlook that remark. But he still thinks Nikolas should respect Spencer’s wishes, and leave right now. Nikolas says, fine, but no matter how many times Spencer pushes him away, he won’t give up on Spencer. He leaves, and Rory says, transport’s almost ready. Time for Spencer to say his goodbyes. Victor walks Spencer into the squad room, and Spencer stops. Victor says, what is it? and Spencer says, he just thought more people would be here. He looks at no one to say his goodbyes to.

Ava says, Spencer carried a torch for Trina for a long time, and Trina asks why he didn’t tell her. Ava says, she thinks in his bone head, he thought he was protecting her. He figured if he was honest about his feelings, Esme would make her suffer even more, and knowing Esme, Ava shudders at what she might have done. Trina says, and Spencer told Ava all of this? Ava says, in a rare moment of openness, and Trina says, maybe she’s been wrong about him. Ava says, Spencer is a spoiled, entitled young man, but she thinks he cares for Trina, and Trina says, that could be what was in the letter. Ava says, probably, and Trina says, he’s reporting to Pentenville today. That’s where Nikolas is; at the PCPD, saying goodbye to Spencer. Nikolas wanted her to tell Ava that. Ava thanks her, and Trina asks if Ava thinks she should go see Spencer, but Ava says, she thinks Trina is the only one who can decide that. But if she does see Spencer, first she thinks Trina should think long and hard about what she wants, about what she needs. Trina says she can’t believe Spencer has feelings for her, and Ava says, of course (🍷) he does. Anybody with half a brain would.

Felicia says she’ll support any decision Mac makes, and he says, even if she doesn’t agree with it? She says, if she agrees or disagrees with, it’s his call. He says he appreciates that, and she says, of course (🍷) she can’t stop Maxie from collecting DNA samples from him and Cody, and running them off to the lab. Mac says, that would be just like her, and Felicia says, Maxie loves him. She’ll feel compelled to meddle. He says, this all could be a moot point. Cody may not be interested in getting to know him, even if he turns out to be Cody’s father. She says, that’s true; he may not, but how will Mac know unless he tries.

Sam says she likes Dante around Cody; he loosens up a bit. Dante asks if she’s saying he’s uptight, and she says, he’s the guy who billed her for slashing his tires. He says, that’s because he wanted to see her again, and she says, that’s cute. It’s okay to be cautious, but she kind of likes the vibe he has going on with Cody. She approves, and that’s very generous of her. He says, it is, but maybe it’s because they just moved in together, and she’s afraid she’ll get sick of him. She says, he’s right. She’s actually regretting that decision. He says, she just wants to palm him off on his friend when she needs space, and they kiss. She says she thinks it’s healthy for him to have outside friendships, and he says, she’s right. She says she knows. She just likes when he says it. He says, she’s right, and kisses her. She asks him to move that box off the table, and he does, as he lowers her to the couch, kissing her some more.

Britt asks, what’s up with Maxie? She liked Cody an hour ago. Maxie says, that was then, and Britt says, things got heated. Maxie says, Britt wanted her to look at things from Cody’s perspective, so she’s going to do that. If she was a wandering cowpoke, why would she want to punch the Chief of Detectives? Britt says, oh please. Like the authorities have never accused Maxie of something she didn’t do. Maxie… Maxie says she’s thinking. No, the authorities always knew what she was up to; they just didn’t have sufficient evidence. Britt says, that’s the story of her life. If Cody’s not a suspect in Ava’s stabbing, then what’s the big deal? Maxie says, Cody was so defensive just now. He might not have attacked Ava, but it’s perfectly clear he’s up to no good.

Cody makes a call, and says, they met recently, and he didn’t make a good impression. Can he have a second chance to change their mind about him?

At the Grill Bar, Nikolas tells Victor, given the nature of what they’re going to discuss, he thought they would go somewhere private. Victor says, privacy is overrated. In private, people tend to raise their voices, and the next thing you know, a priceless Ming vase is in pieces on the floor. Here at least, they’ll be forced to behave, and speak in civilized tones. And if they should break anything, it can be put back together again with a dollop of Daisy glue. So why doesn’t Nikolas go first? Nikolas says he can’t believe Victor and Spencer think he’s capable of doing that to Ava, and Victor says, of course (🍷) he’s capable; everyone’s capable of everything. But regardless of that, they have bigger problems. Nikolas says, like his son going to Pentenville, and Victor says, like Sonny Corinthos asking questions about Esme.

Sonny goes to visit Ava, and she says, hello. He says she looks better, and sounds good. She’s able to say I love you to their daughter; that’s a good thing. She thanks him for that, and the security. Knowing Frank out there, she can actually feel safe when she closes her eyes. He ask what her dreams are like, and she says, that’s a different story. In sleep, she doesn’t remember too much, and when she wakes up, the pain meds help with that. He asks if she has any idea who attacked her, but she says she doesn’t. He says he has the feeling there’s something she’s not telling him. Who is he protecting her from?

Trina runs into the station, and Jordan asks if they can help her, but she runs past the desk into the interrogation room. She asks Rory if she’s too late, and he says, sorry. She missed him.

Spencer’s cell door closes and locks. He looks out through the bars.

I didn’t see a preview for tomorrow. So we’ll be surprised. Or there will be Queen Elizabeth stuff.

Southern Charm

Naomie visits Whitney, and he tells her that his mom is still in bed; she gets up at the crack of noon. Naomie asks if Patricia knows what’s going on with them, and he says, she’s familiar, whatever that means. He tells Naomie that the theme of Patricia’s gentlemen’s dinner is en français. He thinks with Naomie’s French joie de vivre and knowhow, she should co-host, but Naomie doesn’t think it’s a good idea. She didn’t hear the conversation, but Leva said Craig hates her. Whitney says, she shouldn’t give a sh*t.

Austen gets his hair cut at home, and in his interview, he says, his hair is one of the things he fusses over. He has a peanut head, so he needs volume on the sides. We see clips of his daily grooming, and the hairdresser asks, what’s up with the Olivia situation? He says he’s happy, and she asks, what’s going on with Shep and Taylor? He says, same old sh*t. Shep knows he can get away with murder. The hairdresser thinks he’s still adjusting to a real relationship.

Shep and Taylor go to lunch, and Taylor’s mom Leslie meets them. In Olivia’s interview, she says, she was a mommy’s girl growing up. Her mom’s biggest lessons were Jesus, seatbelts, and sunscreen. Her mom tells it like it is. Leslie talks about the girls trip she was on, and says she hasn’t done one in 20 years. The wine sommelier got them in trouble though. They didn’t know the wine was $250 a bottle until the bill came. Wow. I always ask those questions. I once kicked my husband under the table when he ordered the daily special of Wagyu beef without knowing how pricey it is. He changed his order. In Shep’s interview, he says, Taylor’s parents are a lot of fun. We see a clip of Shep and Taylor at the beach with them, and he says, but they’re also faith based. He’s a skeptic and cynical, so that’s definitely a chasm between him and Taylor’s family. Leslie says, the best test of a healthy relationship is how a couple disagrees. Like when you throw an egg at someone and they break it, you have to figure out how to get over it. I watch Shep get smaller, and he says he’s sorry. She says, you have to be humble, and willing to apologize. That’s how you get to be married 40 years. Shep says, it takes a while for him to be contrite.

Chef Perig and sous chef Kyle do the cooking for the gentlemen’s dinner, and Perig tells Patricia that they’re starting with escargot. He says, after that, he’s doing duck, and she asks for hers to be well-done. He says, it will be a first, which surprises me because, eww, rare duck. In Patricia’s interview, she says she knows what she likes, and she doesn’t like rare duck. She gets what she wants, and that’s that. Leva goes to one of her restaurants, where she gets together with Kathryn (who is back to red hair), Venita, Olivia, Naomie, and Taylor. Venita says, girls night is going to be good, but Kathryn and Naomie don’t look thrilled. They order cocktails, and Leva says, they’re doing a tasting menu. She announces that Naomie hooked up with Whitney. Perhaps it will bond them in some sort of awkward, weird way. Taylor says, cheers to never having hooked up with Whitney, but Kathryn says she thinks he’s a great catch. It’s not weird; he’s a genuine person. Naomie says he cares about Kathryn. She’s sorry they didn’t talk at Friendsgiving, but she was in her head about Craig. She’s sorry if she hurt Kathryn by talking to Chleb at Olivia’s. He made it seem like he was the victim. Kathryn says, he adamantly denies talking negatively about her; he’s in denial. It is what it is. She’s still processing it. In Kathryn’s interview, she says, Naomie is like the Naomie she knew years ago; she’s being real. It confuses her because she likes Naomie, and wonders, why does she have to be a bitch?

Whitney goes over stuff with bartender Becky, and Patricia makes place cards. She asks who Whitney wants to sit next to, and he says, (Brazilian model) Adriana Lima. He looks at all the replicas of the Eiffel Tower and snow globes on the table, and says, it’s tchotchke heaven. They sit and have champagne, and Patricia says she prefers it in a coupe. In Whitney’s interview, he says, his mom can be exacting, but she’s 81, and can do whatever the f*** she wants. He changes her glass, but gives her a paper cocktail napkin, which we already know she hates, and we flash back to that. In Patricia’s interview, she says, many years ago, she hosted parties in her apartment in New York. We see photos, and I’m dying. It’s one of those humongous, pre-war building apartments that you have to be a skabillionaire to afford. Even though movies and TV would have you think otherwise. She says, she had a French chef, and waiters who were trained at Buckingham Palace. Now she has Whitney. There’s a knock at the door, and Shep has to cool his heels on the porch for a while, until Patricia finally gets up and answers the door. They must really miss Michael. Shep is wearing a white suit with a black tie, and Patricia says he should wear that every night. Whitney tells Shep that the menu is 1950s French. He found old place cards, and it was like the Ghost of Christmas Past. He found Cameran. We flash back to her at one of Patricia’s dinners, and Patricia asks if Shep remembers when Thomas almost beat Whitney up. We flash back to that, and Shep says, we’ve come a long way. Patricia says, have we? and Craig arrives, followed by Austen.

At the restaurant, Kathryn says she met with a dating coach who invited her to an event. One person has a key, and the other, a matching lock, and the object is to find the right person. Naomie says, that’s not speed dating, it’s a swingers party. Don’t go. Venita orders a bottle of champagne, and Leva says, the group of them hasn’t all been together since the garden party. She tells Venita that she wasn’t invited to Friendsgiving because Austen wondered if she was just a reporter for Madison. There was an issue with her and Venita that affected their trust; Venita knows what it is. I don’t. Why isn’t she telling me? She says, she and Madison had a conversation at the dog wedding, and in Leva’s interview, she says, she told Madison that it looked like she wasn’t over Austen. We see a clip of Leva telling Madison, it doesn’t look good; let it go. She says she was looking out for Madison. If she hadn’t known better, it would have seemed like Madison wasn’t over him. Madison thought Leva was saying she seemed like she wasn’t over him, but Leva said, no; she was saying, it read like that. Madison went from zero to 100, and Leva texted Venita about it. Madison saw it on Venita’s phone, and it got bigger. In Venita’s interview, she says, Madison was holding her phone for her, and saw the texts come in. Leva says, then she got a text from Madison, and it started a war. Venita says, if you can’t take it in the open, keep your mouth shut. Venita says, it feels like Leva wants her to choose sides, and Leva says, it ended up affecting everybody.

At the gentlemen’s dinner, Shep is on a that’s-what-she-said roll. Perig starts getting annoyed that no one is at the table yet, and keeps ringing the dinner bell, but they can’t hear it. The group is getting increasingly drunk, and Patricia says, they have to wait until chef announces dinner. Perig groans, it’s so ready, it’s ridiculous. Craig spills red wine on the white sofa, and Patricia says, that sofa cost $45,000. Shep says, that’s just a day at Sewing Down South, and Patricia runs to the kitchen club soda. Whitney points out that Craig hit the white rug too. He might want to learn how to coordinate the cup with his mouth. Patricia says, Kathryn got spray tan on the same sofa, and it took them an hour and a half, but they got it off. Craig tells Whitney that he swears he didn’t do it on purpose, and in Craig’s interview, he says, this is the worst thing he’s ever done drunk, which is saying a lot. He tells Patricia, it’s inexcusable, and he’ll take care of it tomorrow. In her interview, Patricia says, her mother told her, you’re known by the company you keep. It looks like she’s a B-list f***-boy. I die laughing. I love Patricia.

Perig tells the group, it’s ready, having given up on the bell idea. They sit at the table, and Patricia tells them, don’t lean back. These are 18^th century chairs she hasn’t had reglued yet. Perig attempts humor, saying, he doesn’t know who the guy is who had the idea to eat snails, but he must have been very hungry. Shep toasts to thanking Miss Pat, who’s kept her doors open to them in tough times, interesting times, and good times. He thanks her, and they clink glasses. Shep says, Craig dropped an F-bomb, and Craig says he accidently broke the chair. We see one of the chair’s legs on the floor, and Patricia says, she paid $25,000 for these chairs. In Shep’s interview, he says, sofa: $45,000. Chairs: $25,000. Craig being drunk and ruining everything: priceless. He tells Craig that his zipper down. Apparently, Craig is having a stellar night. Austen asks what Patricia thinks about Whitney and Naomie, and Patricia says, Naomie is lovely, but she’s not getting her hopes up. In her interview, she says, women come and go in Whitney’s life. She tries not to be nosy, but she pesters constantly. She asks if there are any serious relationships going on; any engagements? Craig says he’ll be disappointed if his didn’t end up that way, and Shep says, he thinks about it every day, sometimes with trepidation and fear. Patricia ask if there are obstacles in their relationship, and Shep says, the obstacle is him.

At girls night, Shep calling Taylor a f***ing idiot is brought up, and Taylor says she hears Shep’s voice in her dreams, but he didn’t mean it, so she’s good. Venita says, she can’t let him talk to her like that, but she insists he doesn’t put her down. Once in a blue moon, something comes out, and people focus on that. Leva says, there’s no excuse, and in her interview, Leva says, she’d be running for the hills. Speak to me like you love me. She teaches that to her toddler. Taylor says, God pulled on her heart, and said to stick with Shep. In Naomie’s interview, she says, Shep is a lucky man to have her. She’s an angel. God is looking out for Shep. Taylor insists Shep is really working on things, and Leva tells her to remember, in concessions, the energy Taylor spends on Shep is energy she loses for herself. In Taylor’s interview, she says, they see Shep as a hardheaded guy who’s set in his ways. She wants to prove them wrong. Leva tells her, don’t lose herself.

Craig says, Taylor really loves Shep, and Austen says he doesn’t know why. Craig asks if it’s harder to walk a straight line if there are no consequences, and Shep says he doesn’t have indiscretions. He has personality, but no morals. Patricia tells him to remember, if he’s married, he has ostensibly stay faithful to one woman for the rest of his life. Craig takes Austen to the side, and says, stuff is coming to light. Shep has a Raya profile that’s been posted to gossip websites that Taylor reads. She’s going to see it. Patricia tells Whitney to bring Austen and Craig back, and Whitney tells them to come and have dessert. The chef is making crêpes Suzette for dessert, and decides to flambé them at the table. Perig tells the group that he made a lemon sauce, using a lemon from the garden. It doesn’t work on his first try because the pan isn’t hot enough, but he reheats it, and is successful the second time around. Whitney tries to make a toast in French, and makes no sense whatsoever. Patricia says, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but they clink glasses anyway. Whitney thinks they should conclude the evening before another chair gets broken, and Craig asks Shep to talk to him and Austen on the piazza. They go outside, and Craig says, Shep’s Raya profile was posted on a gossip site, and it registered the last time the member logged on. It’s been posted everywhere, and Craig wanted to tell him before Taylor yells at him. Shep says, he and Taylor were in a bad place when he was in Bermuda. He wasn’t single, but in turmoil, so he went to Bermuda. Craig asks why they were in flux, and Shep says, it was after Taylor found the texts from another girl. We flash back to the Reunion, when Shep admitted to reuniting with an old flame by text. Craig says, Shep was in trouble for stepping out, so he stepped out more? and Shep says, he and Taylor had a serious talk, and he said he needed time. Craig tells him that he should hide his profile, or people are going to think they have a chance with him. In Craig’s interview, he says, Shep has a long history of this. He hopes Shep’s not cheating on Taylor, but it doesn’t sound like he cares. It’s on Shep now. He’s done his job. Craig tells Shep, if he’s cheating, it’s on him, and shows him the post on his phone. He says, unless Shep deactivates the profile, this is going to continue, and Shep says, nothing happened. It turns out there’s nobody in Bermuda. In Austen’s interview, he says, they can only have Shep’s back so much. He has to look out for Taylor. She’s like a little sister to him. Shep says, he appreciates their concern, and Austen says, they didn’t want him to be blindsided. Shep says his conscience is clear.

Next time, Shep invites the group on a trip to Georgia; Austen talks to Taylor; Shep wants Taylor to quit her job; and Craig becomes irate and unreasonable with Naomie.

💡 IMO, Naomie is just trying to be nice. I don’t think she has leftover feelings for Craig. Craig, on the other hand, is overreacting and being dramatic. Last I checked, Naomie and Paige were cool with each other. Like borrowing clothes cool. So I’m not sure what his problem is, or why he’s gossiping about her.

👑 🥀 Farewell To Her Majesty…

While I’m not exactly a follower of the royals, it saddened me to hear of Queen Elizabeth’s passing. She reigned my entire life, and while she didn’t reign over my country, she was still a fixture in my world. I did spend one day during the beginning of the pandemic watching a series of documentaries on her, and I couldn’t help but admire her dedication, especially when she received the crown at such a young age. She also had such a warm, beautiful, infectious smile, it was hard not to like her.

The queen is dead; long live the king.

https://people.com/tag/queen-elizabeth/

🧍‍♀️ Refusing To Be Put In a Corner…

So again, not sure how the soap will land tomorrow, but there will be tea for sure, as well as quotes and music. Until then, stay safe, stay being your own parade, and stay always trying. How will you know if your don’t?