Tag Archives: quotes

October 22, 2021 – Spencer Makes His Plea, Open Book, Mystery Man, Leading Ladies, Sonjarita, Engaged, Salt Lake Report, No Ring, Coming Soon, Read All About It, Quote x 10 & Ballad

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Ava says she and Sonny have settled everything with Avery for now, so what business do they have? He says, they’re on the same page when it comes to their daughter, and she says, what then? He says he has a proposition for her.

Sheridan says he appreciates the support of Michael’s family with the campaign, and Michael says he thinks Sheridan has done a terrific job as the DA of Lantano County. He’s proven to be relentless in his pursuit of justice, and Michael thinks the right case could catapult him to the state’s Attorney General’s office. Sheridan says, it’s an unusual case; the kind that generates headlines, and defines careers. He’ll let Michael know as soon as it’s in motion. They shake hands, and Willow walks in.

At the courthouse, Nikolas asks Doc if he happened to see Ava on his way in, but he says he didn’t. He did talk to Nikolas’s mother about Spencer’s hearing, and Nikolas asks if she’s on her way home. Doc says, unfortunately, she can’t get away just yet, but she was clear how she feels about what should happen today.

Diaz says they’re about to get started, and she needs to know Spencer’s plea. Josslyn and Cameron walk in, and Esme says, come on, Spence. They’ve been over this. Spencer says he wants to make sure he’s dealing with the right information here. If he pleads guilty, or no contest, the judge will ask if anyone is forcing him to make the plea, correct? Diaz says, strictly pro forma. They want to make sure he understands the situation. She’s sorry, but she has dozens of other cases to handle today, so what’s his plea? Josslyn tells Spencer to wait a minute before he answers that. Is he sure someone isn’t pressuring him to do the wrong thing?

Robert walks into an interrogation room where Victor is waiting, and says, so, we meet again. Victor tells Robert that he has nothing to say to him, and Robert says he’ll do him one better. He’s sick of being lied to, so everything that comes out of Victor’s mouth better be gospel. Victor says, or else? and Robert says, or else Victor Cassadine is going to be put to rest in an unmarked grave. And he’s going to do it personally.

Anna sits by Valentin’s bed, when a doctor comes in. Anna thinks he looks better than he did a few hours ago; he has more color in his face. Can the doctor give her any good news? The doctor wishes she could.

Sam tells Dante, the island’s not that big; Peter couldn’t have gone far. He says, especially with two hostages, and she says, no sign of Drew or Obrecht? What are they supposed to tell everyone back in Port Charles who’s waiting for news? Britt and Jason walk in, and Jason thanks Sam for telling him where to meet them. Britt says, Anna was right about this place; it’s really isolated. When they got on the plane last night, Anna still didn’t know where her mother was. Any word? Dante is afraid not. He says they were with the local police most of the night, trying to figure out a trail where Peter might have gone, but they have nothing. Sam says, they did see the cell where Britt’s mother was being held. Dante says, there was a syringe in the cell. It was empty, but it had traces of flunitrazepam. Britt says, that’s a sedative. It results in muscle weakness, lethargy, confusion. Basically, there’s a chance her mother was roofied. Jason says, that’s the best possible news she can get. Wow. This tavern has gotten more business in a week than they’ve probably had in the last five years altogether.

Victor tells Robert, he’ll cooperate, but first, he needs to know how Valentin is. Robert says, Valentin’s alive, last he heard, and Victor says, and Liesl? Robert says, come on. Victor doesn’t care about anyone but himself; they all know that. This love of the common man, where did it come from? When it was nipping at his butt as he was running away? He will say Victor’s been a busy boy. He got more done in death than the average person achieves in a lifetime. Sanctuary for Peter August, unlawful detainment of Drew Cain and Liesl Obrecht, and that poor little nurse who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And last, but not least, the abduction of Valentin Cassadine. And all of this, after he blew up Creighton-Clark. Viccy, come on. Explain yourself. Victor says, when Robert lays it all out like that, he has to say he’s very impressed. How on earth did he mange to do all that?

Anna says, what does the doctor mean, she can’t give her any good news? He has two young daughters waiting for him back in the states. The doctor says, the surgery didn’t go as well as they’d hoped. The bullet fragmented, and they weren’t able to remove all the debris. Anna says she’s heard of bullet fragments being left in the body before, and they’re fine as long as they don’t migrate or infringe on a nerve. She’s sorry; her daughter’s a doctor. She guesses the doctor is concerned about infection, and the doctor says she recommends Valentin undergo exploratory surgery in the US. Their facilities aren’t equipped to handle surgeries that delicate. Anna thanks her, and she leaves. Anna tells Valentin that he may have been born there in Greece, but she’ll be damned if she’ll let him die there.

Willow says she hopes she’s not interrupting, and Michael says he didn’t expect her back so soon. He must have lost track of time. He introduces Richard Sheridan, the DA of Lantano County, and tells Sheridan that Willow is his son’s mother. Willow shakes Sheridan’s hand, and says, Lantano County. In Pennsylvania? Sheridan says, that’s right, and she asks, what brings him all this way? He says he’s gearing up to run for state Attorney General. Michael has taken an interest in his platform. They share similar values. Willow asks what those values would be, and Michael says he’s sure Sheridan is anxious to get back to Llanview, and thanks Sheridan for coming all this way. Michael walks him to the door, and when he comes back, she asks, which of his values would make a politician drive to the next state?

Ava tells Sonny, that is quite an interesting proposition, and if the price is right… His phone rings, and he says he’ll be right back. Nina approaches Ava, who tells her, don’t worry. She didn’t tell Sonny about Nina’s romance with Mike. He was very receptive to her spending more time with Avery, and she didn’t need to use any more persuasive tactics. Nina appreciates that, and to return that favor, Ava has a problem, and Nina would love to offer her a solution.

Spencer says, his father decided to raise the stakes, and Cameron asks, what’s that mean? Spencer says, Ava is in control of his trust fund. If he accepts their marriage, and agrees to live by their rules, his father and Ava will make the charges go away, but Ava is still in charge of his money. Josslyn says, Ava’s not her favorite person either, and she’d hate living by Ava’s rules, and knowing that Ava had control over her money, but she didn’t stalk Ava and she’s not facing criminal charges. If giving in to his dad and Ava is what it takes for them to help him, that’s what he should do. Spencer tells her, that’s what Esme was saying, and Cameron says, for once, they all agree.

Nikolas says, if Doc is telling him that his mother is too busy to attend Spencer’s arraignment, he’s disappointed, but he understands, but she’s honestly too busy to even call him? Doc says he can’t speak to Laura’s exact schedule, but they did talk about Spencer’s behavior. And Nikolas’s. Nikolas says, his behavior? This is about Spencer stalking Ava. Doc says, Laura doesn’t condone what Spencer did, or what drove him to that point. The bailiff calls for everyone to take their seats, and Doc says, shall we?  

Esme tells Josslyn and Cameron that she’s sure they realize what a stubborn streak Spencer has. She hopes their opinions convinced him to make the right choice. Josslyn asks if Esme doesn’t think, as Spencer’s girlfriend, she carries more weight, but Esme says Josslyn is giving her too much credit. They’ve known Spencer since they were kids, much longer than she has, and Spence is very much his own person, and likes to go his own way. The bailiff says, all rise.  

Ava says, Nina wants to buy Charlie’s? and Nina asks if she hasn’t been trying to sell it. Ava says, when she was leaving town because of the stalker, yes, and Nina says she has a great use for it. It’s a win-win. Ava says her situation has changed, and Nina wonders if Ava wants to hang onto it for sentimental reasons because it belonged to her brother. Ava says, it’s not that, when Sonny comes back. He asks if he and Ava are finished; he doesn’t have all day. Ava says, what do they say about great minds thinking alike, and he asks what she means. She says, they have to pause their negotiations, and he says, now she’s going to keep Charlie’s? She says, it’s still for sale, but another buyer is showing interest. May the deepest pockets win.

Michael says, it’s always a good idea to have people in office who owe you favors, and Willow says, if it were the DA from New York state, she wouldn’t question anything. But Lantano County is in Pennsylvania, so what does that have to do with ELQ? He says, nothing; it’s purely personal, in a family member’s best interest. She tells him to stop being vague. Who is he talking about? He says, Sheridan is looking for a high profile case, and he just handed him one. He suggested Sheridan prosecute Nina for fraud and identity theft. I’m not sure if the latter would be an issue here though, since it’s not like she stole Sonny’s identity.

Robert says, Victor thinks this is some kind of a joke, doesn’t he? The charges he’s facing are false imprisonment, criminal conspiracy, bribery, not to mention the body count. Victor asks what he wants, and Robert says, Peter August. He wants to know where Peter is, and when Victor worked with him. Victor says he’s not working with Peter, and Robert says, he found Peter a place to hide, didn’t he? Victor says, yes, and he gave Peter money and transportation, but it wasn’t his choice; he was forced to do Peter’s bidding. Robert asks what kind of leverage Peter has, and Victor says he answered one of Robert’s questions out of good faith. It’s time to begin negotiations

Britt asks Jason, why is it good news that her mother was drugged? and he says, that probably means Peter’s keeping her alive. Britt says, why go to the trouble of drugging someone when you can just as easily kill them? It’s not exactly a beacon of hope, but it’s better than nothing. Sam asks if she can talk to Jason in private, and they go to a table. She says she has some news about Drew, and he says, Anna called already. She said Drew had been shot two or three times, fell off the bridge and into the ocean, and his body hasn’t been recovered. Sam says, the WSB is searching, but they’re pretty certain they won’t find him alive.

Nina asks if Ava is saying she and Sonny want the same thing, and Ava says, in a manner of speaking. Sonny made her an offer to buy Charlie’s minutes before Nina did. Like she said, she’ll accept the highest offer. Maybe the two of them should talk this over, one on one. Ava walks away, and Nina asks why Sonny wants to buy Charlie’s. He asks why she does, and she says, for Phyllis, to give her a fresh start. And him? He says, same thing. Phyllis took in a stranger and saved his life; pretty much the opposite of what Nina did. Nina tells him that she can never say she’s sorry enough, but as for Phyllis, if she moved there, and ran Charlie’s, Nina thinks it would be really good for her. Sonny agrees, and says, one of them is going to have to bow out. Nina says, allow her. If Phyllis accepts generosity, she’s more inclined to accept it from Sonny. When he offers Charlie’s to Phyllis, if she likes the idea, Nina will give him half of the money, provided he never tells her.  

Willow says, she and Michael talked about this yesterday. She thought they’d agreed to hit the pause button where Nina was concerned. He said he woudn’t make any decisions without her. He says he hasn’t filed any legal action against Nina, and hasn’t denied her visitation with Wiley. If he went to family court, of course (🍷) he’d consult her. He wouldn’t move forward with her agreeing to anything. She says, so he went to the DA from Pennsylvania instead, and he says, yes, because he wants Sheridan to go after Nina for what she actually did. He doesn’t want Wiley’s custody to be a battleground. He doesn’t want to deny Nina visitation to punish her; he wants her punished for the crimes she committed, fraud and identity theft. She lied to his dad for nine months about who he was. She kept him from his family and his life. It has to be illegal and he’s hoping Sheridan can prove it in court.

Robert asks what Victor means by negotiations, and Victor says, it’s a classic quid pro quo. The WSB can’t get Peter without his help, and he’s not about to give them his help without something in return; his freedom. Robert says, the WSB isn’t going to let Victor off the hook for the crimes he did in the last seven minutes, much less the last seven years, and Victor says, he’s the former director of the Bureau. The WSB has a reputation to maintain. Prosecuting one of their own wouldn’t look very good, would it? Robert wouldn’t bet the farm on it, and Victor suggests they do a cost benefit analysis. Prosecuting him versus getting Peter. He’d say it’s a bit of a no-brainer. Peter is their priority. He’s the one who’s unstable. He’s dangerous, and has access to Faison’s bag of dirty tricks. Robert still has some pull at the Bureau, and Victor suggests Robert convince them to make a deal. Robert says he doesn’t take orders from a Cassadine, and Victor says, his goal is to catch the big bad wolf, the man who kidnapped Drew Cain, and could still terrorize Maxie and her little girl. Robert can throw the book him or stop Peter, but he can’t do both.

Anna says Robert doesn’t think Valentin is much of a hero, but she disagrees. He doesn’t fit the conventional mold. He’s very flawed, self-serving, and definitely compromised, but he does have the courage to face up to what he’s done, and try to be better. He’s certainly tried to turn his life around for himself and his daughters. She thinks that’s very heroic in her book, that kind of courage. Her phone rings, and she says, it’s her darling ex-husband. She’ll be right back. She kisses Valentin’s hand, and says, he can count on that.

Britt asks if Dante thinks Victor created the fake medical conference, and arranged to have Scotty thrown from the plane. Dante says, he didn’t go into detail, but he’s definitely the reason for her mother being there. She says, for what? And don’t say Victor is infatuated with her mother. Maybe he is, but there has to be another agenda. Dante says, he doesn’t know, but when Victor thought her mother was in danger, he seemed genuinely concerned.

Sam tells Jason, someone called her claiming to be Drew. She went back and forth, thinking, maybe he’s alive, but then, it could be some sort of manipulation. He says, she was just  being cautious, and she says, being cautious meant she couldn’t involve him. Maybe if she had, he could have intervened, and Peter wouldn’t have shot Drew.

The judge asks if Spencer understands his rights under the New York state constitution and law, and he says he does. She asks how he pleads, when Ava walks in. The judge says she’s waiting for his answer, and Esme asks Cameron, what is he doing? Spencer says, not guilty.

Anna goes to the interrogation room, and says she got Robert’s text. What’s so important? She was with Valentin. Victor asks how Valentin is, and she says, he’s hanging in. Robert says, this clown needs to talk to someone above his pay scale, and she says, her? Victor says, always pleasure, mate, and Robert leaves. Anna asks what this is about, and Victor says, Peter August. The WSB wants him, and he can make that happen. She says, in exchange for what exactly? and he says, blanket immunity. She says, that’s a bit of a tall order, and he says, tall maybe, but not impossible. They’re already making better progress than he was with Robert. She says she’s far from the final say, and he says, that may be, but at least she’s willing to look at options. Robert said the WSB would refuse to overlook his transgressions. He thinks that was naïve, but Anna doesn’t agree. He has a rather extensive rap sheet. What makes him think she’s going to be more amenable to his offer?   

Britt asks Dante, if Victor is still infatuated, why put her mother in a prison cell? Does Dante think it was punishment for her trying to kill Peter, and if so, why would Victor care? Dante says, those are all questions the WSB doesn’t have answers to. They don’t even know why Victor and Peter were working together in the first place, or how Drew fits into this puzzle.  

Sam tells Jason, when she went into Drew’s cell, she saw he’d scratched Scout’s name in the wall. She hopes that means he had enough strength to resist the conditioning. He says, she thinks Drew’s being conditioned? and she tells him, that’s what Victor said. She doesn’t know whether he’s telling the truth or not, but she does know Drew was able to shoot a guard to save Victor and Valentin, although he wasn’t able to save himself. Jason says, unless or until they find Drew’s body, there’s still a chance Drew is alive.

Valentin wakes up with Robert sitting in his room. Robert asks if he’s awake, and Valentin says, this can’t be a dream, because Robert sure as hell wouldn’t be in it. Robert laughs and says he’ll round up a doctor, and Valentin asks, where’s Anna? Robert says, talking to Valentin’s poor excuse for an uncle, or should he say father? He’s trying to cut himself a deal, but Valentin isn’t going to let that happen, is he?

The judge says, although the defendant has no prior arrests, he has lived abroad extensively, and has access to significant financial resources. The state’s concern about him being a flight risk is valid. She orders the defendant to surrender his passport, and bail is set $20K, with a pretrial in six weeks from today. Spencer looks at Esme, who shakes her head, and he says, if he doesn’t post bail, will he have to go to jail? Doc says, it won’t come to that. He and Laura will post Spencer’s bail. Spencer thanks him, and hugs Esme. She says she doesn’t get it. Why didn’t he do what they all advised him to do? They step away, and Spencer says, he was about to. He’s made a lot of bad decisions by not following his gut. His gut told him that if he went along with Ava on this, it will never end. Ava and Spencer look at each other.

Willow says, so Michael’s campaign contribution is basically a bribe, to get the DA to go after Nina? He says, campaign contributions are completely legal, and Nina is the one who committed a crime. And it wasn’t victimless crime either. He didn’t tell Willow this, but his mom put her life on the line to step into his father’s business. And what about Sonny’s children? He, Dante, and Kristina are all adults, and Josslyn has Jax, but what about Donna and Avery? Avery’s old enough to understand loss, and Donna is so confused. They didn’t have their father for nine months. Willow says she knows that, and he says, and his father’s business got messed up, which in turn put more people’s lives at risk. She asks who he’s trying to convince that he’s doing the right thing; him or her?  He says she may not agree with his methods, but he has no regrets about making Nina pay for her actions. She says, what about his actions? He asks what she’s talking about, and she says, on the one hand, he won’t cut Nina off from seeing Wiley, but he has to know that if Nina is facing criminal charges, it will affect potential visitation going forward. He says, if Nina faces those consequences as a result of what she did to his father, so be it.

Sonny thinks keeping it a secret from Phyllis doesn’t seem like a good idea, and Nina says, she’s learned what secrets can do. She says, she genuinely wants to help Phyllis, but doesn’t want it to be misinterpreted as buying back her friendship. He says he doesn’t need her help financially to buy Charlies, and even if she’s giving it with good intentions, it’s like they’ll be too connected. She says, that’s the last thing he wants. She has to say, she’s been waiting with a fair amount of dread to have Carly to tear into her for their relationship in Nixon Falls, but she hasn’t  

Nina says she had a run in with Carly at the Quartermaines’, and Carly went for her jugular, but never said a word about her tricking Sonny into loving her. She sits, and says, Carly still hasn’t. She just assumes Carly doesn’t know? He sits, and says, let him tell her something. He and Carly are rebuilding their life together after nine months apart. Why make it worse after what she did? Nina says, let her tell him something. Carly will never find out about it from her.

Victor says, Anna finally has the opportunity to stop her wayward nephew, and bring closure to countless people. Be smart; that’s all that matters here. Don’t let the pettiness of the past get in her way. She says, she wouldn’t call what he did to Robin petty. He stole years of Robin’s life. He says he’s not trying to minimize what he’s done; he’s made mistakes, huge mistakes. But they both know life isn’t black and white; it’s all shades of grey. She has every right to be angry about what happened to her daughter at Creighton-Clark, but ultimately, Robin walked away unscathed. Can they really say the same for anyone who will get in Peter’s way? She says, she might have more leverage with the WSB than Robert… sometimes. But he needs to understand, his fate doesn’t lie in her hands. He says, it might as well. He knows her stock has fallen with the WSB in recent years, but she still has friends in high places. If she has any favors outstanding, he suggests she call them in. Make his case, or the blood that Peter continues to shed will be on her hands. She says she’s got to go, and he tells her to give his best to his son.

Esme says Doc is a genuine lifesaver. She was afraid Spencer would have to stay in jail. Doc says, if he’s not mistaken, Spencer will need a permanent home address to show stability? and Diaz says, that’s correct. He says, that settles it. Spencer will move back in with him. Esme says, that works for her, and Doc asks Spencer for a word in private. Josslyn says, they’ll be out in the hall, and they all leave. Spencer says, he’s a lot of things, but not naïve. He and Laura are going to post the money for his bail. What’s the catch?

Esme sees Ava in the hall, and says she wants Ava to know how much it means to her that Ava offered Spencer a way out. His pride temporarily got in the way of him accepting it, but she’ll talk to him. Ava tells her, please try to talk some sense into him. And whatever she does, don’t let Spencer drag her into any more bad behavior. Esme says never. She should have stood up to him. From now on, she will.

Anna says, thank God Valentin’s awake, and Robert says, surprise him. Do the right thing. Robert tells Anna, see ya, and leaves. Anna says Valentin gave her wuite… He gave all of them quite a scare. She offers to call Brook, but he says, not yet. She asks if he doesn’t want his daughter to know he’s awake (like a baby would comprehend this), but he says, not until he talks to her. Whatever Victor’s asking for, don’t give it to him.

Sam says she had to tell Jason what she knows about Drew, and Dante asks how he took it. She says, it was okay. She told him that she felt the need to investigate before she said anything to him. Dante says, until they find Drew’s body, there’s a chance he survived, and she says, Jason said the same thing. She just doesn’t know what there’s left here for her to do. She can stay and see if anything comes through, or she can go home to her kids because they come first. He says, maybe she should do that. She tried to bring Scout’s father back, but now it’s time to be with Scout and Danny.

Britt says, sorry about Jason’s brother, and he says, thanks. They weren’t close, but Drew was important to Monica, and he’s thinking about her. She says, he’s not thinking how her crazy brother shot his? but he says she’s not responsible for anything Peter does. She says, still, he’s there helping her find her mother, who’s committed her own fair share of crimes. She wouldn’t blame him if he changed his mind and wanted to go home. He says, they have a job to do. He’s not going anywhere.

Esme tells Josslyn and Cameron, at least they can all agree they want what’s best for Spence. Maybe now they can see she has his best interests at heart. Maybe they can all be friends after all.

Spencer says he’s sorry. He should be thanking Doc for posting his bail money. He wasn’t looking forward to spending another night in jail. Doc says, he and Spencer’s grandmother are happy to help, but it comes with limitations. If Spencer wants their support, he has to earn it. Spencer says, earn it how? and Doc says, they have a few ideas. Starting with Spencer getting a job.

Ava says, that was unexpected, and Nikolas says, leave it to his son to zig when they wanted him to zag. She says she can handle him not accepting the deal, but what bothered her most was the look on his face when he entered his plea… that this is far from over.

Robert tells Victor, he spoke to Anna, and she’s not going to help him. Victor says, if Robert says so, and Robert says, he doesn’t have any control over what the WSB decides to do, but Victor doesn’t have him fooled. The world was a much better place when Victor was dead. Victor says, he’s feeling a bit parched. Why doesn’t Robert make himself useful, and fetch him some water. He’d prefer sparkling.

Valentin says, whatever Victor is proposing, it’s a trap, and Anna says, she knows that, obviously. They have no way of knowing what he’s been up to in the past few years, but what choice do they have? Peter has to be stopped. For Drew, for Obrecht, most certainly for Maxie. Victor knows where he is; she senses it. This is their best chance. Valentin gets agitated, and Anna tries to calm him. He says, they can’t involve Victor. They’ve come close to getting Peter before. He’ll do it again.

Sam tells Dante, if there’s bad news about Drew, she’d rather be at home with her kids. He says, that make sense. He’ll go arrange their flights back. She says he doesn’t have to come with her, and he says he knows. He wants to.   

Jason tells Britt, to pick up Peter’s trail, they have to retrace his steps. She asks where they start, and he says, the last place her mother was seen; her prison cell.

Willow tells Michael, Wiley’s all set. Now they can finish their conversation. He says, it’s not over? and she says, not for her. What he’s doing seems cold and calculating. He says he gave Nina chance after chance. Even after that meltdown at his father’s funeral, he still gave her the opportunity to visit Wiley, and what does she do? She brings up Nelle, making Wiley doubt that Willow is his real mother. And even after that, he gave her another chance, and how does she thank them? By lying. By keeping the knowledge that his father was alive, and for what? To punish his mother? She says she can’t deny anything he’s saying. It’s just that, what does he thinks is going to happen to Nina? He says, that’s up to the DA Sheridan, but if she’s asking him, he thinks Nina needs to be held accountable.

Nina says, she guesses that concludes her and Sonny’s business. He’ll buy Charlie’s, and she won’t be involved, financially or otherwise. And Carly won’t have to know how much it… progressed in Nixon Falls. He says, correct, and she says she hopes Phyllis stays in Port Charles. She considers Phyllis her family, and she wants to earn back the trust of those people she loves. A couple of cops come in, and one says, Nina Reeves? She says she’s Nina Reeves. Is there a problem? He says she’s under arrest for identity fraud.

One: I’ll say it again, not sure about the identity fraud thing, and two: it doesn’t happen that fast, even for a DA. He didn’t even have time to get back to PA and fill out the paperwork.

On Monday, Valentin asks what Anna has to say to him, Sasha thinks it not a bad idea, Michael asks if Jax wants to make things right, and Carly says, if that’s not a crime, she doesn’t know what is.

🩺 Living Her Best Life…

GH’s Co-Chief of Staff opens up about coming out – twice.

👀 Watching Man…

I thought I’d recognized him. He’s one of those dudes who’s been in everything.

💏 He’s Had So Many…

I still like him the most with Obrecht.

👠 Sonja Trilogy…

Ugh. Heather. What’s up with her talking smack?

When they shade you, make some money off of it.

I actually believe Sonja on this one.

💍 Real Real Housewife To Be…

Face it. Anything has to be better than Juicy Joe.

https://people.com/tv/teresa-giudice-engaged-luis-ruelas-exclusive/

❄️ Salty Talk…

What happens in Salt Lake does not stay in Salt Lake.

🍸 Is She Or Isn’t She…?

She said she was no dummy, but said nothing about not being vague as hell.

https://people.com/tv/lala-kent-opens-up-about-randall-emmett-relationship-on-vanderpump-rules-amid-reported-split/

https://people.com/tv/lala-kent-spotted-without-her-engagement-ring-amid-reported-randall-emmett-breakup/

🐉 Flying In Soon…

The trailer and the latest on House of the Dragon.

https://ew.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-different-tone-game-of-thrones/

https://ew.com/tv/house-of-the-dragon-trailer-game-of-thrones-prequel/

📖 For Your Reading Pleasure…

I can’t wait to read this book.

https://ew.com/books/not-all-diamonds-and-rose-excerpt-real-housewives-book-dave-quinn-andy-cohen/

📌 Quotes of the Week

We can have peace if we let go of wanting to change the past and wanting to control the future. – Lester Levinson

The opportunity of a lifetime is to pick yourself. Quit waiting to get picked; quit waiting for someone to give you permission; quit waiting for someone to say you are officially qualified… and pick yourself. – Seth Godin, American Author, Speaker and Entrepreneur

I’ve learned that God won’t let you be tempted more than you can bear. I think God gives humanity too much credit. – Jung Jae-heo (Kim Nam-hee) Sweet Home

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another. – Charles Dickens

Many things—such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly—are done worst when we try hardest to do them. – C. S. Lewis, from Studies in Medieval Literature, compiled in Words to Live By

Happiness is for dogs and Americans. – Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), General Hospital

We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark. – Whoopi Goldberg (Don’t look to me – my torch blew out a long time ago.)

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else. – Charles Dickens

All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster’s autobiography. – Federico Fellini

With confidence, you have won before you have started. – Marcus Garvey

🧻 Rolling Along…

Time to wrap up another week, or another row on the calendar if you’re not into labels. See you at Dead o’clock, but until then, stay safe, stay being the bigger person, and stay having the courage to face up to what you’ve done, and try to be better.

October 15, 2021 – Jason Agrees To Help Britt, Amber Remembers, a Wedding, Busy, a Refusal, Poor Thing, Harry Rumors, an Attack, VanderTalk, Girls Trip, Magnificent Digs, Close To a Dozen Quotes & Mash

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny comes in, and Carly says, howdy, stranger. He says, howdy to her too. He’d think after twenty years they’re no strangers. She says, no, they’re not, but the man who wore this hat is a mystery to her.   

Britt says Jason got there fast, since she just sent the text. Was he already at the hospital, or did he fly here? Where are her manners? Let her take his cape. He asks if everything is okay, and she says, no. She’s at a standstill, and doesn’t know how to move forward. As much as she hates to ask, she could really use his help.

At Windymere, Doc tells Nikolas, he’s sorry it took a while. He had clients back to back. What does Nikolas need? Nikolas says he needs to discuss his mother; she’s not answering his texts. Is everything all right? Doc says, she’s tied up in a meetings all day, but they’re going to speak tonight. He can let her know Nikolas wants to reach her. Is this an emergency? Nikolas says he’s having a hard time processing something that happened last night. He and Ava found out who was stalking them. Doc says, don’t tell him that his brother found a way to do this, but Nikolas says, sadly, it was his son.

Spencer asks if Ava is there to gloat, and she says, he still doesn’t get it, does he? She derives no pleasure in his situation. He asks where his father is? Arranging bail? She says, no. If it were up to her husband, the PCPD could keep him locked up and throw away the key. She’s all he’s got.

Anna tells an officer, the gunman was a professional; he knew exactly what he was doing. The shots were targeted and precise. This wasn’t some local feud gone wrong. It was an ambush. Dante and Sam arrive, and Dante says, it looks like they showed up late to the party. Sam asks, what the hell happened here?

Drew looks at the bullet wound in his arm, and says, what the hell? What happened?

Peter drags Obrecht down the hall, and she throws his hand off her arm. She says she’d sooner die than help him, and he tells her not to tease him.

Sonny says, he’s still him; he’s still Carly’s husband. What about her? Is she still the same as she was nine months ago, or has something changed? She says, that’s an odd question, and he says he spoke to Jason about what he walked in on the night he came back. She said it was her wedding, but he didn’t know it was her actual wedding night… in every sense of the word. Did he interrupt something? She says, if he hadn’t come back, she and Jason would have slept together, as husband and wife. He says, give him one second. He doesn’t know how he can be okay with that.

Jason asks if Britt is in trouble, because she can tell him anything. She says, this isn’t not about her; it’s about her mother. Rescuing her doesn’t seem to be a top priority at the WSB. It is with her and Scotty, but they’ve hit a brick wall, and they’re out of options. Jason is their only hope of finding her mother alive.

Obrecht asks if Victor is aware Peter is giving her orders, and threatening her. He says, she rejected Victor, then she tried to kill him. So she’s been downgraded from her swanky accommodations to this dank cell. She’ll see how much Victor gives a damn about her. She says she doesn’t care. Nothing can get her to help him. He says, we shall see, won’t we?

Anna says she’s glad they’re here, and Sam asks, what happened? Anna says, she and Robert were ambushed. The gunman was a professional who knew what he was doing. They managed to return fire and drive him off. Robert joins them, and asks if Anna filled them in. Dante says, she was starting to. They don’t know who the shooter was? Robert says, nothing yet. There are no prints, no footprints. They’ve got some ballistics the police are checking on. Sam says, Peter is the obvious suspect, and Anna says, he is, but they have no proof. Robert says, Peter might not have pulled the trigger, but his stench is all over this, and Dante says, Peter is the reason for Drew’s disappearance. They’re getting too close for comfort. Anna says, he seems sure of that. What do they have? Sam says, Dallas Kirby confirmed that Drew’s plane crash was staged, and Dante says, the flight that Drew was on sent a fake distress signal, turned off its beacons, and flew away. Dallas Kirby was paid two million dollars to dump a bunch of plane parts into the Gulf of Adan, and the plane flew off radar. Anna says, that tracks with what Chloe Jennings told her, that Drew is alive and being held against his will. Sam says, then where is he? And where’s Valentin? Wasn’t he with Anna? Anna says, there’s been a complication. Robert says, of the Cassadine nature.

Doc tells Nikolas, Laura is going to be devastated. She believed Spencer when he insisted he wasn’t responsible. Nikolas says, they all did, and Doc says, he’s sorry. He saw glimpses that something was amiss, and he didn’t voice his concerns. It’s difficult to reconcile the prankster they know Spencer can be, with the calculated intimidation Nikolas and Ava have faced. Nikolas says, that’s why he wants to talk to his mother. He’s not sure he took the right actions when Spencer confessed. Doc asks what he did, and Nikolas says, he threw Spencer and his girlfriend out of Windymere. He cut Spencer off from his trust fund and credit cards, and Spencer had no access to any of Nikolas’s financial resources. Doc asks if Nikolas is comfortable with that, and Nikolas says, for now. Alexis doesn’t like it. She’s urging him not to abandon his son. Doc says, what about Ava? and Nikolas says, Ava is all for Spencer facing the consequences of his actions, but not at the expense of their relationship. Doc asks what Nikolas wants, and Nikolas says he appreciates where Ava is coming from, but he’s still confused. Doc says, punishment and enforced guidance don’t need be mutually exclusive, and Nikolas says, no offense, but that didn’t work with Ryan. Doc says, Spencer’s no Ryan, and Nikolas asks if he’s sure. Doc says, it’s true that the extremes Spencer took things to is disturbing, but Spencer knows right from wrong, and he feels remorse. So how did he think it was a good idea to convince Ava she was being stalked? And how did he find the time to even pull it off? Nikolas says, he had help. Spencer didn’t do it alone. The doorbell rings, and Esme is there. She tells Nikolas that he needs to get to the police station as soon as possible. He asks if something happened to Spencer, and she says Nikolas’s wife had Spencer arrested.

Spencer says he wants nothing to do with Ava. He didn’t ask her to come, and certainly doesn’t want to talk to her. She says she’s not keen on talking to the sullen young man who terrorized her for months, but here she is. He might want to shut up and listen for once. He asks what she could have to say that would be useful to him, or what he could say that would be useful to her. She says, for starters, he’s welcome. By all accounts, he had nowhere to sleep and now he does. He says, thank you, stepmother. He’ll never forget she made it possible for him to experience a night in jail, and she tells him not to act so put upon, or has he forgotten he’s guilty of the crimes for which he’s been arrested? He says she’s going to lecture him about his criminal acts? Let’s talk about hers. Let’s get Josslyn in here and ask her about how Morgan died. Ava says she’s not the one in custody, and he says, that’s kind of his point. All the misery she’s inflicted, people who’ve died, and she’s walking free. He allegedly played a few unkind pranks and she had him arrested. She says she knows deep down, Spencer’s father still wants him in his life; he just needs reminding. She can do that. She can remind him that he has the resources to hire Spencer the very best counsel. She can remind him of his connections in the justice community, and his considerable sway. She can remind him that Windymere is Spencer’s home. All of which he thank her for later. He says, should he remind her that his grandmother is mayor of Port Charles, and she can do all of that? Ava says she doesn’t see Laura anywhere around here. Does he? Laura’s not coming to Spencer’s rescue. Nobody but her – with conditions. He can take his chance in court, or she can offer him a way out.

Peter tosses Obrecht into Drew’s cell, and Drew says, Peter looks frazzled. Did his sinister plans go off the rails lately? Peter throws Obrecht’s bag in the cell, and tells her to take care of Drew’s wound. Make sure it’s clean. He leaves, and Obrecht digs furiously in her bag. Drew asks if she has anything they can use, but she says, no. Might as well get to work. She looks at his wound, and says, it’s from a bullet. Fortunately, he was only grazed. Who shot him? He says he has absolutely no idea.

Peter runs into Victor in the hallway, and Victor asks him, what’s wrong? Nervous? He should be. He has a lot to answer for.

Anna tells Sam and Dante that after she came back from seeing Chloe, Valentin was missing. They questioned a local musician she’d seen the night before. Robert says, who promptly lied to their face, and Anna says, he tried to convince them that Valentin faked being drunk, and took off with an accomplice in a car. Robert says, something he was all too willing to accept, and Anna says, well, she wasn’t. After that, things got heated, and they discovered the musician had a tattoo, the Cassadine crest. Sam asks if he was a Cassadine, and Anna says, affiliated with the family somehow, but before they were able to question him further, the gunman opened fire and all hell broke loose. By the time the shooting had ceased, they decided to take the musician in for questioning. Robert’s phone rings, and he says, now?… Okay, he’s on his way. He tells them, it’s his turn with the musician. Maybe now they’ll get some real answers.

Esme follows Nikolas into the living room, whining, didn’t he hear her? Spencer’s being interrogated at the police station. He says he heard her. He already knew. She asks why he hasn’t shown up to help Spencer, and he says he’s helping Spencer take responsibility for this actions. She says, by kicking him out of his home, and sitting back and watching while his wife uses the police as an instrument of revenge? That sounds like abuse, not help. Doc says he’s not sure Esme is seeing the entire picture here. What Spencer did to Ava is criminal behavior. Nikolas says, Esme knows better than anyone. She’s lucky she’s not getting booked at the PCPD right along with Spencer.

Spencer tells Ava, he won’t do it. If this is what she calls an olive branch… She says if anyone is owed an olive branch, it’s her, but she knows better that to expect that. He’s far too attached to his resentment, so she’ll settle for a transactional agreement. They don’t have to be friends; they just need to coexist. She needs to know he’s learned his lesson, and won’t mess with her marriage again. A show of good faith would be to agree to her terms. He says he trusted her once and she stabbed him in the back. Never again. She says, suit himself, and gets up. But a word to the wise. The lobby for the holding cell, the one with the torn mesh in the window; it has its share of bedbugs, but the tear lets in the tiniest bit of sunlight and provides ventilation when the drunk and disorderly show up and puke their guts up. Goodbye; good luck. She leaves, and the door closes. 

Sonny tells Carly, Jason said the same thing, but it’s different hearing it from his best friend, than hearing his wife say if he hadn’t interrupted, they would have slept together. She says, because they didn’t know. For nine months they didn’t know he was alive. Losing him was hell. They searched and searched for him, and waited and prayed; she couldn’t let go. Cyrus and Sonny’s enemies were circling like vultures. The nights were the worst; lying in bed or cradling Donna night after sleepless night. She held it together because she had to, and she and Jason got married for the same reason, because they had to. They had to show a united front. He says, so that’s all it was, a message? I just have to say, they searched and searched not all that hard. Sonny’s picture was apparently never on the news or passed to police departments in Pennsylvania.

Jason says, of course (🍷) he’ll help Britt. He said it that morning at the gym. She says, and she turned him down. She can be stubborn that way… He could pretend to disagree with her. He says, she is stubborn, and a very reckless driver. She says she’s an excellent driver. She supposes there’s some misplaced pride wrapped up in this. She wanted not to need him. He says, they all need someone, and she says, she feels guilty. Her mother was on her way to St. Lucia to attend a conference on hereditary diseases. He says, like Huntington’s? and she says, yes. It was a fake, a ruse to get to her mother. He says, she told him it was a set up at the gym, but didn’t give him any details, and she says, Scotty agreed to go with her mother. He got a deal on a private jet rental, also a ruse. Scotty took an impromptu parachute ride, and her mother just vanished. He asks her to go back to the conference. He thinks someone set it up to trick her mother, but she says, that means they know she has Huntington’s. That’s impossible.

Victor tells Peter, he heard there’s been a gunfight in a tavern in Panapolvia (sounds like; I have no idea if that’s the right name). Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane were inside. A masked gunman showed up, and started firing. Peter asks if anyone was injured, and Victor says, Robert and Anna walked away, but one of his men was taken into custody. Thanks to Peter, the WSB can compel that man to reveal their location. Peter asks, what was he to do? Robert and Anna were sniffing around, and he had to stop them. Victor says he’s lived there for years without giving anyone the slightest provocation to look his way. Now, suddenly, the place is crawling with WSB agents, combing the area and asking questions. Then he discovered that Drew’s ex-wife has shown up, with Detective Dante Falconari in tow. Peter says he’ll take care of it, but Victor says, Peter will stay out of it. He’ll handle it.   

Sam asks if Chloe told Anna anything about Drew’s physical being or state of mind, but Anna says, nothing she hasn’t already told Sam. Chloe said Drew sacrificed his opportunity for freedom to get her out. Sam says, what if Peter, or whoever’s holding Drew, wants to kill him because he helped Chloe escape? Anna says she doesn’t think so. Chloe said he’d already been roughed up a few times, and received medical aid, which is how Chloe got to meet him in the first place. That leads her to believe Drew’s tried to escape before. Otherwise, why keep someone patched up for two years if they’re not useful to you? Dante joins them, and says, as a bargaining chip, and Anna says, they know Peter is dangerous, but he’s also an opportunist. If Drew serves a purpose, Peter is going to keep him alive.

Nikolas asks if Esme wants to explain her involvement to Doc, or should he? She says, she didn’t mean any disrespect. Spencer didn’t mean for it to go that far, but Spencer loves Nikolas so much. Back at school, he talked about how saddened he was, despite the distance between them, and her heart went out to him. When he asked her for help, she couldn’t say no. Truly, she only wanted to help them reconnect. Nikolas says, help by setting his wife’s car ablaze, and taunting her with a memento from her dead daughter? Doc says, that was Esme? and she says, she shouldn’t have given in to Spence’s worst impulses. She rationalized it because she knew the ultimate goal was for him to make up with his father. Spence was so melancholy at school. He covered it, but the more she got to know him, the more she realized how much he missed Nikolas. She’d never seen him happier than when he moved back home. He told her that even if Nikolas never forgave him, at least he’d cherish the time they got to be a family. Nikolas says, that meant a lot to him too. That’s why this is so disturbing. She says, of course (🍷) it is, but there are good times still ahead. Just give Spencer the help he needs. Nikolas knows Spencer doesn’t belong in a cell. She asks if Doc doesn’t think someone as confused and vulnerable as Spencer needs protection, not punishment? Doc says, what he or anyone else thinks is immaterial. Nikolas is Spencer’s father, and this is a family matter. Nikolas says, Spencer’s lucky to have such a loyal girlfriend. He’s going to need all the support he can get. Esme stomps out, and Nikolas asks if Doc thinks Esme is right about Spencer needing his protection. Doc says, she’s selling a bill of goods.

Carly tells Sonny that she and Jason decided to get married as a last resort. It was the only way they could handle the pressure from the Five Families canned Italian wedding soup. He says, it makes sense, but there was a lot more going on. She says, not at first, but by that night, yes. She and Jason decided they could have a real marriage, and it would be safe to fall in love, and they were headed in that direction. He says, that’s a lot. I’m not a Carly supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but really, Sonny? Did he expect time stood still? I think if the moss bowl 🎍 were still there, it might absorb some of the tension.

Sonny says, so Carly is telling him that she was falling in love with Jason, not some stranger she met while she was grieving, or Jax. She was falling in love with his best friend. She says, yes, but then the door opened and he walked in. Since he’s been home, she and Jason just went back to the way it’s been, best friends. He says, now she has no leftover feelings? and she says, Jason’s her best friend. That’s all she wants from him; that’s all he wants from her. Sonny says, so they were falling in love, and she expects him to believe that now they’re not in love? She says she’s not in love with Jason; she loves Sonny. He’s her husband, and the father of her kids. He says, does she know Jason is like a brother to him? She says, they weren’t cheating on him or going behind his back, and he says he knows that. They thought he was dead. She says, they did, and have Nina to thank for that, and he says, but it doesn’t feel like that. He doesn’t know how to explain it, but it doesn’t feel great.

Jason asks how anyone would know to exploit Obrecht’s interest in Huntington’s, and Britt says she doesn’t know. She got her diagnosis in Canada using an alias, so it’s not on her medical records. Only a few people know; her, her mother, him, and Scotty. He says, they need to take a closer look at Scotty, but she says her mother swore him to secrecy. She knows he’s not the most reliable person, but Scotty and her mother… She hesitates to use the words in love, but they’re very much infatuated with one another. She doesn’t think he’d risk it giving away her mother’s most closely guarded secret. He says, okay, so what do they know? She says, fake conference, missing plane, Scott made it to safety in a parachute, and a possible Peter involvement. He says, she told him Peter wasn’t involved in this, but she says, that’s what she thought, until she found out her mother was going to kill Peter in St. Lucia.  

Obrecht tells Drew, congratulations. He’s obviously skilled at dodging bullets. He says, he got hit, didn’t he? and she says, he was grazed. He lost some blood, and he’s dehydrated. His greatest risk is infection. He guesses that means another shot, and she says, one can’t be too careful. She prepares the shot, and asks what he remembers. He says he remembers Peter finally showed his face, and held him at gunpoint. As she gives him the shot, she says, typical, threatening to shoot a man in handcuffs, and Drew says, Peter told him that he should be grateful he’d been kept alive, but he called Peter out on that. He told Peter that it was the same crap he did to Jason; make the world think he’s dead and keep him on ice. Peter said there were problems with Jason that there wouldn’t be with him. She asks if Peter said why, and he says he told Peter to screw himself. He was a Navy SEAL, and Peter couldn’t screw with him that way. She asks how Peter took it, and he says he doesn’t know. That’s all he remembers until he was getting a bandage put on him. What time is it? She looks through the small window, and says, it’s early; perhaps 2 am. He says, so he lost an entire day? and she says, it’s not unheard of. He says he left his cell, got shot, and retuned without a single recollection. She says, they’re talking about Peter and Victor. Has this ever happened to Drew before? He says, where he’s lost time, woke up with injuries he can’t explain, smelling like gunpowder? Yeah. That happened a lot to him in Port Charles when Helena Cassadine was controlling him, but that’s supposed to be over. Obrecht fears it is not.

Esme goes back to the interrogation room, and Spencer says she’s been gone a long time. She says, sorry, but he hasn’t been taken to his cell. That’s a good sign. He says, for now. Ava came by. Esme says, to drop the charges? but Spencer says, no. She offered him a lose-lose proposition.

Nikolas asks Doc if he’s being too hard on Spencer. Esme told him that Spencer just wanted his family back. Doc says he recalls warning Nikolas about Esme. Every time she tries to she express Spencer’s remorse, she’s just manipulating everyone. Nikolas should follow own conscience. Nikolas says he doesn’t know what to do. That’s why he wants to speak to his mother. She has a way of cutting  through the noise. Doc says he’s there, and he’d be happy to be Nikolas’s sounding board, but Nikolas says, no offense, but every time he asks Doc a question, Doc does the shrink thing and turns the question back around. Doc says, fair enough. He’ll give Nikolas this. He thinks Nikolas doesn’t want to turn his back on his son completely, so he has two options; to bail spencer out literally, or give him the support he needs to take responsibility and face the consequences of his actions. Ava walks in, and says, it’s his call. But his son hasn’t learned his lesson yet. Not even close.

Nikolas says, Ava saw Spencer? How did he seem? She says, unrepentant. Something is just not clicking with that kid. He says, meaning…? and she says, she offered Spencer the deal they discussed. She’d help dig him out of the hole he dug for himself, for the assurance that he not mess with them again. He made it clear that he’s disinclined to cooperate.  

Carly tells Sonny, she and Jason didn’t get married because they wanted to. They got married because Nina lied. For nine months. She lied to them, and lied to Sonny. He says, Nina’s not the real problem, and she asks what that means. He says he went to visit Nina at Crimson, and he told her if she wanted to stay in Port Charles, she’d better stay away from his family. Carly says, after what she did, leaving them alone doesn’t seem nearly enough.

Britt tells Jason, Nina said Peter had been warned about her mother’s plan, and he says, Peter had an accomplice. She says, but who? How did they know her mother was going to lure Peter to St. Lucia and kill him? He says, they have to assume someone working for Peter knew her mother’s agenda. Maybe they set up the fake conference to lure her mother to St. Lucia. She says, and when they knew her mother was headed there, they realized it was a trap and warned him. Maybe she should fly to St. Lucia and do a little research.

Robert returns, and says, send the right man, and you get the right answers. Sam asks if the musician said anything, and Dante asks, who’s he working for? Anna says, hold on, and asks if Robert got the musician to talk, and Robert says, he talked. He told the musician that he was potentially in a lot of trouble, but Robert saved his miserable neck, and he became quite chatty. Anna asks if he got a location, because wherever Drew is, Valentin is going to be. Sam asks if she thinks Valentin is alive, and Anna says, she does. If they were going to kill Valentin, he’d be dead. Why go to the bother of capturing him? Robert says he has a location, but more important, he got another interesting piece of information. The secret compound is owned by none other than Victor Cassadine.  

Esme says, Spencer’s pride isn’t worth going to prison. Just tell Ava what she wants to hear. Remember what they learned about Napoleon? Continuer avec deux options; proceed with two options. Let Ava think she’s won. She’ll relax her card, and they’ll swoop in and beat her at her own game. He says he won’t let Ava control him the way she’s controlling his father. An officer comes to take Spencer to a holding cell for the night, and says his arraignment is in the morning. Esme asks Spencer to let her call Ava, but he says, no chance in hell, and the officer cuffs him.

Nikolas tells Ava, there’s only one thing he can think of to do. He doesn’t want this for his son’s future, but he’s standing with Ava. If Spencer won’t own up to what he’s done, a night jail might scare him enough to do so tomorrow. She says, maybe this will be his turning point, and he says, he’d like to think so, but the Cassadine arrogance, and that trait of never backing down, is hard to overcome. But if he doesn’t reach his son now, his family’s worst pattens will live on in a new generation.

Anna says, Victor Cassadine, the former director of Creighton-Clark and the WSB? and Dante says, no way. He saw that place blow up. And that was after Obrecht shot him. There’s no way Victor made it out of there. Robert says, apparently he did. Victor is back in business. Anna says, of course (🍷) he is. What about Valentin? Sam says, and Drew, and Robert tells them, they’re both alive for the moment, but there’s more. Vic is not working alone. He’s thrown in with Peter; they’re allies. Anna says, that certainly explains why Peter keeps escaping, if he’s got Victor backing him up. Robert says, precisely. Faison meets Cassadine. Everybody strap in, because we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Victor tells Peter, the gunman retreated; maybe he was hit. Interestingly enough. Obrecht isn’t in her cell. So if he was to visit Drew’s cell, what are the odds she’d be tending a gunshot wound? Peter’s been lying to him. Two guards come out, and Victor says Peter has known all along how to activate Drew. He sent Drew on an op, twenty miles from Victor’s compound, without his knowledge or permission. Did Peter really think that would go unanswered? The two guards move in on Peter.

Drew tells Obrecht, the doctor said the procedure got rid of the conditioning, and she says, yes, but it was Cesar who did the original conditioning. He must have installed a second level that only he could access. He asks, how would that work? and she says, a shortcut, if you will. A simple code phrase or image that would reactivate the conditioning. He says, but Faison is dead, and she says, but his son is not. Drew says, Peter is controlling him.

Jason tells Britt, if they go to St. Lucia, it could be a dead end. There are definitely steps they can take first. She says, if the accomplice set up the fake conference, that means they wanted her mother on the island. Since the plane disappeared, they figure it’s the last place anyone would look. Like hiding in plain sight. Her mother could be there right now. He says, she’s getting ahead of herself. If we go to St. Lucia, we could be wasting valuable time your mother doesn’t have. She tells him, he said we. Is he coming with her? He says, wherever this leads

Carly tells Sonny, they’re standing in their kitchen, trying to piece their lives back together, because they’ve been apart for nine months. It doesn’t have to be this way. She didn’t choose to think she was a widow. He didn’t chose to stay in Nixon Falls. Nina did that to both of them. So why should she get to pick her life up where she left it, and move on, when they can’t? This hat isn’t some souvenir he picked up while he was away. It’s a symbol of everything they don’t know about each other; of time lost they’re not getting back. She’s not going to give Nina one more minute. She’s going to focus on their marriage, and their kids, and their life together. Please tell her that he wants the same thing. He says, yeah, but she’s right. They’ve had nine months of separation. They have to rebuild. She says, she wants to start. She loves him. She holds out her hand, and says she cherishes him, always. He takes her hand, and says he cherishes her too.

We see the hat, that’s now replaced the faux lily pond, that replaced the sacred moss bowl 🎍.   

On Monday, Portia says there’s something Curtis needs to know, Peter says killing him is the last thing Victor wants to do, and Anna asks someone not to put her in this position.

🏥 Sharing…

She was great on Watch What Happens Live. Keep scrolling for a tribute to Stuart Damon.

More tributing.  

👰🏻 They Do…

I’m glad to see she’s bouncing back from covid. She looks amazing.

https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/20211010123642/bbc-news-simon-mccoy-marries-emma-samms/

🏋️‍♂️ The Once & Former AJ…

Sean Kanan is a busy guy. And a film with Bruce Willis? I’m impressed.

👠 How Many Do I Give…?

I dunno about being friends in the future.

💸 Oh Boo Hoo…

If all else fails, she does know how to waitress, right?

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-reunion-erika-girardi-says-show-is-her-main-source-of-income/

💋 What Did Harry Do…?

I actually don’t quite get her comeback, but it doesn’t really matter anyway.

Back Off, Sistas…

Garcelle is only under attack because she’s part of the very small percentage called voice of reason.

https://people.com/tv/rhobh-reunion-garcelle-beauvais-claims-lisa-rinna-took-issue-with-her-bringing-race-into-the-show/

📴 Revealing…

Is there an off button? Some of this I did not need to know.

🛥 They’re Tripping…

I don’t know if I’d call it the ultimate girls trip, but it’s something.

🏰 Sending You Off In Style…

These homes have to be seen to be believed. I don’t know what I liked more the private island, the house with a moat, or Patrick Duffy’s Airstream.

https://www.lonny.com/25+Unconventional+Celebrity+Homes+You+Need+To+See+To+Believe

🖋 Quotes of the Week

Maybe this world is another planet’s hell. – Aldous Huxley

Progress is not possible without deviation. – Frank Zappa

Do you think she’s infected? ** Not infected. Just crazy. – Characters from the Korean Netflix series, Sweet Home

Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world. – Miyamoto Musashi

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. – Oscar Wilde

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie: A fault, which needs it most, grows two thereby. – George Herbert

To thrive in life you need three bones. A wishbone. A backbone. And a funny bone. – Reba McEntire

Study is the bane of childhood, the oil of youth, the indulgence of adulthood, and a restorative in old age. – Walter Savage Landor

To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time. – Leonard Bernstein

That food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. – Ann Wigmore

What did Columbus discover? People were already here. It’s like crashing your car into Starbucks & saying you discovered coffee. – Jimmy Kimmel

🃏 Folding My Cards…

Another seven day stretch has come to a close, or six, depending on when you start counting. If your bored with the status quo, do something different. Or at least change your screen saver. See you when the Dead are feared. Until then, stay safe, stay being the change you want to make, and stay not being too attached to your resentments.

October 8, 2021 – No Queen, Grilled, Nasty, Worse, Unsure, Dirty, Salt Lake Woes, a Tease, Going Down, New Bar, L.A. Return, Tiger’s Back, Mistress Of the Book, Best Costumes, As Many Quotes As Lords Leaping & Magic

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Carly takes a sip of her coffee, and says, this never gets old. Sonny says, the coffee, or this? He kisses her, and she says, don’t make her choose. She suggests they stay home and shut the world out all day. He says, what world? It’s just the two of them. They kiss again, and a guard interrupts, saying, someone is at the gate to see Sonny.

Britt sits down with Nina at the MetroCourt, and says, welcome back. Nina thanks her and says, it’s been quite the homecoming. Any word on Liesl? Britt says, no, not a whisper. It seems her mother disappeared into thin air. Nina says she’s sorry. She can’t help but feel responsible. Britt says, Nina called and got her mother involved in a scheme to kill Peter. She’s sure it wasn’t a hard sell. Nina says, at the moment, it was the only way to protect Maxie and James. Britt says, if that’s all Nina was doing, she’d be on board, but they both know that SOS call was to protect herself.

Portia tells Trina that she likes their new tradition of weekly breakfast check-ins, and Trina says she does too. She’s not thrilled with the dining hall, and she’s already tired of take-out. Portia is glad to contribute to Trina’s healthy eating habits, and asks Trina to tell her about classes. How it is working at Ava’s gallery without Ava? Trina says, it turns out, Ava’s not leaving, and Portia asks, since when? Trina says she’s pretty sure Ava is staying there, and staying married, and Portia says, Trina can’t drop that kind of bomb on her and play coy. What happened with the stalker? Trina says, thanks to her, the stalker’s been unmasked.

Nikolas comes up behind Ava and kisses her on the neck. She says he’d better be her husband; he’s a very jealous man. He says he’s her husband all right. For now and for always. She says, it’s going to be a beautiful day, and he says, a beautiful life. He’s never letting her go again. That’s a promise.

The guard says, Mr. Corinthos is in the living room, and he leads Phyllis in, carrying a box. Sonny says, what a pleasant surprise, and she says, my goodness, look at you. He introduces her to Carly, saying she’s a dear friend of Mike’s and his. He and Phyllis smile at each other.

Josslyn tries to study at the Kelly’s counter, when Cameron brings her a glass of ice water. She asks if it has magical properties that will help her focus, and he says he can’t stop thinking about yesterday too. He can’t get over the fact that Spencer was the stalker. Trina was so right; he shouldn’t have given them so much pushback. She says, Trina was the one who figured it out, and Cameron asks how Trina is doing. She seemed pretty beat up about it. Josslyn says they were up half the night talking about it. She feels awful about setting a trap for Spencer. She’s not happy about it either, but if they hadn’t, Ava and Nikolas still wouldn’t know the truth. He says he guesses it was worth it, but she says he doesn’t sound all that convinced. He says, Nikolas has Ava back, but Spencer’s life just imploded. Did they end up helping that family, or just hurt them? She says, both.

Spencer walks into his and Esme’s hotel room. Still in bed, Esme asks where he was. He says, working out, and she says, so early? Did he sleep at all? He says, no. Every time he closed his eyes, he kept replaying the whole train wreck. It never should have happened. She says she doesn’t know what possessed him to confess, and he says his father was in danger. She says he had nothing to do with his Uncle Sonny turning up, and he says, no, but she did. Why the hell would she tell his uncle, the alleged mob kingpin, that his father was taking his daughter away?

Nikolas’s phone beeps, and he looks at it. Ava asks if something is wrong, and he says, it’s an alert he placed on Spencer’s credit card. Apparently, he’s holed up at the MetroCourt. She asks how he feels about that, and he says he’s glad Spencer didn’t spend the night on the street. But given the fact Spencer robbed them of months together, he can think of better ways of spending their first reunited morning than discussing Spencer. He’ll make breakfast.

Carly says, so she’s Phyllis, and thanks Phyllis for taking care of her husband when he was injured. Phyllis says, it was their pleasure. Mike… Sonny was a godsend to them in more ways than one. Carly says, it goes both ways. Sonny has told her a lot about Phyllis. She’s so sorry about Phyllis’s husband. She thanks Carly, calling her Mrs. Corinthos, but she says, call her Carly. Had they known she was coming, they could have spared her the security check. Phyllis says, it’s a beautiful home. Much different from his room at the Tan-O. Carly asks if Phyllis drove in, and Phyllis says she did. She was on the road too early to call. She hopes she didn’t intrude. She found some of Sonny’s belongings, and thought he might want them. Wow. His flannel shirts survived the fire?

Nina tells Britt, she feels terrible. If there’s anything she can do to help find Aunt Liesl, please let her. Britt says she’ll take the help; Scotty’s beside himself. Nina says she also got a voicemail from Valentin. He and Anna have a lead on Peter, but he didn’t give her any details. How is Britt otherwise? Britt says she’s busy. She’s throwing herself into work; restructuring the hospital budget, working with her new Co-Chief of Staff, keeping her head above water. Nina says, and Britt and Jason? Britt asks what she’s talking about. There is no her and Jason. Nina says, and that’s because of her.

Portia asks Trina, so the young man she met at the park was Spencer, not Victor, and Spencer was Ava’s stalker? Trina says, Spencer and his girlfriend, and Portia asks, which one drenched Trina in the fake blood? Trina says, Spencer, and Portia says, hell no. Trina protests, but Portia asks when all this went down. Last night? Trina says, yes, Spencer got kicked out of Windymere, and his relationship with his father is worse than ever, and it’s her fault. Portia says, in what universe? and Trina says she convinced Cam and Joss to set him up. If she hadn’t… Portia tells her not to finish that sentence. Trina’s not responsible, and it’s not her fault. This is Spencer’s mess; it has nothing to do with Trina. Trina says she just feels bad for him, and also guilty that she wasn’t honest with Ava. Portia asks why Trina would feel guilty? Thanks to her, Ava knows the truth now, and Ava can stay here with her husband and little girl. Although she might want to let that marriage dissolve. Clearly the Cassadine men are not to be trusted.

Esme tells Spencer that she’s sorry for how things turned out. She was only doing it for him. He says he knows. That’s why he defended her, but some of the ideas she came up with… She says, getting his father back in his life was what he wanted, so she did what she could to make that happen. She guesses she’s still learning how to make him happy. He says she really is the best, and nothing that has happened is her fault. But he’d be happier if they cut out the scheming, and did better. She says, whatever he wants. Too bad he can’t count on his so-called friends. What were they thinking, especially Josslyn? Doesn’t that girl have enough to worry about without setting him up and calling him out? He says, Josslyn is a real friend; so’s Cameron. They’re probably the only real friends he’s ever had.

Josslyn tells Cameron, they totally ambushed Spencer, but if his behavior hadn’t been so messed up, there’d be nothing to confess. Cameron says, her stepdad is one menacing dude. Spencer was absolutely terrified for his father. She says, everyone knows not to mess with Sonny, especially when it comes to his family, but none of that would have happened except for Esme. He says he doesn’t see how she’s to blame for the lie about Bora Bora, and she asks if he’s giving Esme a pass. He says, not at all. They both bear responsibility. She says, Trina told her that Spencer and Esme work as a team. Every team she’s ever been on has a captain. It makes her wonder if Esme is the one calling the shots.

Cameron asks what makes Josslyn think Esme is more involved than Spencer is saying. She says, Spencer admitted Esme was the one who torched Ava’s car, and Cameron says, he did at first, but then he walked it back. She says, to protect her. Does that surprise him? She’s seen the way Esme hangs on Spencer. No wonder he can’t think straight. He says, this is Spencer they’re talking about; he’s no angel. She says, this is so messed up. She knows Spencer set it in motion – everything he did was bad, but she still wants what’s best for him. He says, what if Esme is what’s best for him? but she says, no. Esme brings out the worst in Spencer.

Esme asks why Spencer isn’t furious. First, they set him up, then stand by and watch him humiliate himself. He says, he humiliated himself? and she says, he confessed and he apologized. He says she’s forgetting the part where they’re actually guilty, and she says, fine. They’re no innocents, but his real friends aren’t either. They lied to his face, and set a trap that almost got his father killed. His father kicked him out of Windymere, while his wicked stepmother gloats. If they expect Spencer to beg forgiveness, they’d better think again. They’re the ones who should be coming to him. There’s a knock at the door, and a woman asks if he’s Spencer Cassadine. She’s sorry, but his credit card was declined for the second night. Esme says, there’s more than enough funds… but he says, there’s no need. This isn’t a fund problem; it’s a father problem. The woman says, they contacted the account holder, Nikolas Cassadine, and the card’s been canceled. He says, checkmate, and Esme asks what this means. He says, it means they pack.

Nikolas tells Ava, breakfast is in the dining room, unless she would rather have it served in the bedroom. She tells him to choose, and he says, the bedroom it is. She asks what the call was that he made earlier, and he says he cut Spencer’s access to his bank and credit card accounts. She says she’s all for tough love, but if Nikolas cuts Spencer off, what will he do? He says, Spencer’s about to figure it out. His son’s been given every possible advantage. He’s bright, he’s willful, let him put that cunning to good use, and figure out how to support himself. She says, that sounds fine in theory, but the timing is terrible. Won’t Spencer see this as punishment, and won’t it further stoke his dangerous resentment?

Trina tells Portia that Ava told her to be careful of bad boys. Spencer falls under that definition, except he’s not that bad. At heart, she thinks he’s just lost. Portia tells her, says every woman in defense of a dysfunctional relationship with a bad boy. She was at the hospital that night when Ava’s car was burned. She sat with Ava afterward, and Ava couldn’t stop shaking. And to leave Kiki’s ID badge near the car? That’s just cruel. Trina says, Spencer didn’t do it. She doesn’t even think it was his idea. Portia says Trina certainly seems determined to let him off the hook, and Trina says she’s not denying Spencer’s made some seriously mess up choices. Portia says, anyone who asks you to cover for them isn’t your friend. Remember what Maya Angelou said, when someone shows you who they are… Trina finishes, believe them. She’s sorry she didn’t tell Portia about this earlier; there’s just been a lot going on. Portia says, even though Trina will always be her baby, she’s a young woman now, and she’s entitled to privacy. But Portia can proudly say, Trina has always had a good head on her shoulders.

Carly says Obrecht was devastated when she heard Jason got engaged to Carly because she knew how important Jason was to Britt. Britt says, that’s old news now, and Nina says, if she hadn’t kept Sonny away from Port Charles… Britt says Nina might have hurt a lot of other people, but Nina did her a favor. Carly will always come first with Jason, and she’s nobody’s second. Nina says, good for her. She hopes Britt doesn’t mind, but she doesn’t think she can stay for breakfast. She can’t justify paying Carly’s inflated prices for eggs and toast. Britt says, it’s Nina’s call; she’s not offended. Nina takes Britt’s hand, and says, it’s good to see her. If Britt hears from her mom, if there’s anything Nina can do, call her and let her know. Britt says, will do, and tells Nina to watch her back. She has the feeling Carly isn’t done with her yet.   

Phyllis sits down, with Sonny and Carly, and Carly says, may I? pointing to the box. Sonny tells her, go ahead, and she starts taking things out. She takes out a flannel shirt, and says she saw Sonny in one of these. She still can’t believe it. She takes out a few more, and asks how many he has. She says, wow, and takes out the cowboy hat. She says, Mike definitely had a distinct fashion style, and Phyllis says, not to mention a mean two-step. Sonny says, that’s high praise coming from the lifelong dance partner of Lenny Caulfield, the greatest dancer in the world. Phyllis says, that man was so light on his feet, he defied gravity. Sonny takes her hand, and I’m not sure how to read Carly’s face. Uncomfortable maybe.

Carly says, Lenny sounds like the best of men. Sonny told her that Lenny gave him a hard time when he first showed up, and wound up standing up for him, and treating him like a brother. She wishes she could have met him. Phyllis says, Lenny was one of a kind, and Sonny says, amen. Carly says she’s going to give them a chance to catch up; they must have a lot to talk about. Forget about her suggestion about staying home. She has tons of paperwork at the MetroCourt. Enjoy their time together. She tells Phyllis that it was a pleasure meeting her, and hopes Phyllis comes back. She’s always welcome. Carly leaves, and Sonny thanks Phyllis for bringing the box. Phyllis says she has a confession. That’s not the only reason she’s here. She wanted to meet him properly. He holds out his hand, and says, Sonny Corinthos. She says, Phyllis Caulfield, and shakes his hand. They turn the handshake into a hug.

Trina tells Portia that she and Josslyn have this code – sisters before misters. She feels like she’s breaking that code with Ava. Ava is her friend too. She feels bad that she kept it secret that Spencer was in town for weeks, but after everything that happened, she feels like it’s too late to say anything. What does Portia think? Portia says, the fact that Trina feels bad tells her something, especially now that she knows the damage secrets can cause. So what is she going to do? Trina says she thinks she’ll skip breakfast. Raincheck? Portia says, of course (🍷). She wants Trina to do what she’s got to do. She’s proud of Trina. Trina thanks Portia and says she loves her. Portia says she loves Trina too. Same time, same place next week? Trina says she wouldn’t miss it.

Nikolas says he can’t stand back after how Spencer treated his wife, and Ava says she appreciates his outrage, but she’s a big girl and can take care of herself. As he well knows. He says he’s aware, but in no way does it excuse Spencer for what he did. She says, Spencer has witnessed Nikolas’s plots and schemes his entire life. If Nikolas wants to punish Spencer for learning the behavior he’s modeled, don’t do it on her account. Her phone dings, and she says, breakfast and anything else will have to wait. She has a visitor.

Walking into the MetroCourt, Spencer tells Esme, there’s enough cash for breakfast, but after that, they’re broke. I thought she had money? Esme says, this is a temporary set-back. His father just needs time to cool off. He says, maybe Joss and Came will cool off too. One of the most annoying things about his friends is that he actually cares what they think. He sees Britt, and says he has an idea, but he needs to have this conversation alone. Esme says, no worries. She trusts him. Text her if he needs back-up. He goes over to Britt’s table, where she’s just finished with a call. He says, wheeling and dealing? Good. Does he have a deal for her.

Cameron tells Josslyn that he doesn’t know what to make of Spencer and Esme’s relationship, but so what? Who says they have to understand it? Josslyn asks when he got so wise, and he says when he started dating her. She says he really is wise; that was such a good answer. They kiss, and Nina walks in. Nina says she imagines she’s the last person Josslyn wants to see, and Josslyn says, good call. She asks if Cameron doesn’t have to go back to work, and he asks if she’s sure. She says, it’s fine, and he says he’ll go back to work… outside. Nina says she just came to get a bite to eat, but can leave if Josslyn is uncomfortable, but Josslyn asks why she would be uncomfortable. She’s not the one who stole 9 months of Sonny’s life, and left his family to grieve. She’s not the one who’s a total hypocrite.

Britt asks what the deal is, and Spencer says, room and board with her in exchange for his witticisms. She says, pass, and he says, and Esme’s French cooking techniques. She says, absolutely not, and he says, why not? They’ll be fun roommates, and Esme can cook dinner. Britt says she lives in a hotel room, and he says, she’s Chief of Staff, and still lives in a hotel room? and she says, demanding job, no pets, no kids, room service. Works for her, but not for him. He says she won’t even notice them. She’s at work all day, and he promises they won’t touch the minibar. She asks, what is going on? Why would he leave cushy Windymere for a rollaway bed in her hotel room? He says he and his father had a falling out, and Britt says, he left? Spencer shakes his head, and she says, Nikolas kicked him out? Why is Nikolas acting so self-righteous after all the crap he’s pulled? Spencer says, it’s a little complicated, and she says, please don’t tell her that he hasn’t done anything that will make her have to defend his father.

Ava sees Trina, and says, what a nice surprise. Trina says she’s glad Ava is still there. Does this mean… Ava says, thanks to Trina, she and Nikolas are back together. They’ll have a lifetime of mornings ahead of them. What Trina did was risky, and she doesn’t condone the plotting, but Trina did uncover the truth, and Ava is grateful. Trina says, don’t thank her.

Phyllis says Sonny’s coffee is delicious. He says, of course (🍷) it is. He’ll send her home with a pound. She looks at a photo, and asks who it is with him, and Sonny says, Mike, his dad. He died of Alzheimer’s a year ago. He was one of a kind. He and Lenny would have hit it off. Phyllis says she’s so sorry. He has a beautiful family; they must have missed him. She bets they’re happy he’s back, and he says, so is he; so is Carly. She says, Carly seems wonderful. It must have been hard on her. He says, yes she is, and yeah it was. Phyllis says she found pictures of him and Nina, but didn’t want to include them in the box. She wasn’t sure he’d want them. He thanks her, and she says she has another confession. She didn’t drive there to return the box. She thought he might need someone to talk to who understands. He says she’s still looking out for him, and she says, Lenny would call it putting her nose where it doesn’t belong. He says, Lenny loved that she did that; so does he. She says she knows he left a complicated situation in Nixon Falls. Is the situation there complicated too?  

Esme sees Cameron outside Kelly’s, and says she’s so glad she found him. She needs him desperately.

Josslyn tells Nina to consider a delivery app, if she has to leave every establishment where there are people who love Sonny. Nina says she’ll take that into consideration. She’s truly sorry. She starts to leave, but Josslyn tells her to wait. She has something for Nina.

Britt asks what Spencer was thinking, and he says he was saving his father from Ava. She says, so he could have his father to himself? and he wonders if that’s too much to ask. He thought his father was dead for three years. She says, Spencer claims he wants to make up for lost time, but what he means is, he wants to control who his father is with. What bothers her the most is the lengths he went to, the lies he told, and the people he hurt, including her. Nikolas accused her of being the stalker, and Spencer said nothing. He says, because Nikolas didn’t think that anymore, but she’s right. He’s sorry. It’s one of the many mistakes he made. She says she gets making mistakes. He knows she’s fond of him, while she’s not fond of his father, but he needs to go make amends. He says he can’t; his father doesn’t want to see him. Maybe he and Esme could just stay one night, until they can figure it out. Carly comes over to the table, and says, not in her hotel. He terrorized Ava by implying a threat to Avery, and manipulated Sonny the second he got home. It’s totally unacceptable. Spencer says Carly is right. He screwed up, and he doesn’t blame anyone for not wanting him around. She tells him, don’t play the martyr. Stand on his own two feet instead of waiting for someone to bail him out. That’s the problem. Someone has been enabling him his entire life. He says, again his apologizes, to them both, and leaves.  

Cameron tells Esme, he’s working, so… She says he’s the only one who can help her… and Spence. He asks, what’s going on with Spencer? and she says, Spencer has been tossed out and cut off. They’re almost with no money. Cameron says, first of all, they’re hardly starving and destitute, and second, they kind of deserve what they get. What Spencer did was terrible. She says, maybe she should have done more to rein Spence in, but he was in so much pain. He wanted his father back, and now he’s lost his father all over again. Cameron says, things are bad right now, but Spencer will bounce back. He always does. She says, not this time. I don’t know if she’s faking it, but I think it’s the first time Esme hasn’t smiled through a conversation, whether it was appropriate or not.

Trina tells Ava, the day she realized Victor was really Spencer, was the day she realized he’d been lying about how long he’s been in Port Charles. Obviously, he needed to cover for his creeping around, leaving nasty little threats. Ava says, then he convinced Trina to keep his secret, and Trina says, he told her he had troubled relationship with his dad, and that’s why he didn’t approach Nikolas right away. And she bought it. Ava wonders if there’s anyone in this town Spencer hasn’t deceived, and Trina says she helped him by keeping quiet. Ava says, Spencer deceived Trina too. He lied to her, he manipulated her, and took advantage of her trust. Trina says, if she’d come to Ava sooner, maybe they could have figured out Spencer was the stalker. Before her car got torched. Can Ava ever forgive her? Ava says, there’s absolutely nothing to forgive her for. She wishes she’d had a friend as loyal and trustworthy as Trina years ago. Trina says Ava has her now, and Ava says she’s sorry for what Trina lost. She remembers how excited Trina  was when Victor swept into her life, and she hates how he robbed Trina of that feeling.

Nikolas comes out of the elevator as Portia is waiting for it, and she says, perfect timing. If him or his son ever hurt her daughter again, they’ll regret it. He looks at her blankly, and she says, he needs reminding. His deviant stunts at the party at Windymere, Spencer drenching Trina in fake blood, pretending to be Victor, and convincing Trina to lie about his presence in Port Charles, so that he could stalk Ava. Nikolas says he’s so sorry. Last night, Spencer admitted he’d come home from school early, but he had no idea Spencer had deceived Trina in that way. She says, his son is walking through the world like he can do whatever he wants. And Nikolas, as the adult, needs to shut that down. Nikolas says he’s truly sorry, and she says, next time he sees his son, let him know if he knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away from her daughter. I smell a romance in the works.

Sonny says, being home has been an adjustment, and asks Phyllis, what’s the deal with the Tan-O? She says she filed a claim with insurance, but the adjuster is still investigating, so the wait is on. He asks if she wants to rebuild, but she’s not sure. Without Lenny, she feels a bit at sea. He says, it didn’t help that he took off, but she says, he needed to get back to his family. He says he considers Phyllis family; whatever she needs, he’s there for her. She says he doesn’t owe her anything, but he says she saved his life. The least he can do is put her up, there or at the MetroCourt. And he’s not taking no for an answer. She says she appreciates that. She does have some unfinished business in town. He says she didn’t come just to see him? and she says, she came to see Nina.

Josslyn says she’s glad she ran into Nina. She holds up the journal, and asks if Nina recognizes it. Nina says, it’s the journal she gave Josslyn as a graduation present, and Josslyn says, she’d actually stopped writing, but didn’t tell Nina at the time because she was being polite. She tries not to cry, and says she started writing again after Nina gave it to her, and used it to process her feelings. She flips through it, and says, she wrote about Sonny’s funeral. She rips it out, and says, she wrote about the nights she heard her mom quietly sobbing. She tears that out too, and says, and she wrote about the good days where they still felt like a family. And the bad ones where all any of them could think about was missing Sonny. But Nina didn’t just lie to them, she lied to Josslyn’s father. He went to Nixon Falls to see her and try to win her back, but instead he got shot defending her and her friend. When Jax came to Nina, saying he thought he saw Sonny when he was on the gurney, and she lied and said he hadn’t. Nina deceived him too. She rips all the pages out, and says, it’s all there, updated as of last night. She’ll be keeping her thoughts, but this gift from Nina? She never wants to see it or Nina again. She hands the journal to Nina.  

Cameron says he has to get back inside, but Esme says, Spence needs him. He just lost his father, and now he’s lost Cameron too, and she can’t handle it. She doesn’t want to come between Spence and his real friends. That’s what he calls Cameron and Josslyn. They’re his real friends, and Spence is hers.

Trina tells Ava, she started off really liking Victor, but he was just a put-on, a façade. She can’t believe she let Spencer play her like that. She’ll never trust him again after what he did to Ava. Ava says, she’s not encouraging Trina to have a relationship with Spencer – far from it. She appreciates Trina’s loyalty, but what happened between her and Spencer is between them. Trina is free to do her. Spencer calls out for his father, and walks into the room. Trina gives him that look. You know the one.

Cameron tells Esme that Spencer hasn’t lost him; he’s still Spencer’s cousin. He really dislikes what Spencer did to his father, Ava, and Trina, but he doesn’t hate Spencer. She asks, what about Joss? and he says, she’s mad, but she’s also the kindest person he knows. He’s sure she’ll move past it. Esme says Cameron is such a good guy, when Josslyn comes out of Kelly’s. It looks like she’s not liking what she sees.

Carly tells Britt, breakfast is on the house. She apologizes for interrupting Britt’s conversation with Spencer. Britt says, it’s okay; she’d already turned him down. He made himself a hell of a mess and she can’t fix it for him. She hopes he figures it out. He’s a good kid in spite of everything. Carly says, technically, he’s an adult, but when she was his age, she didn’t behave like one either. Britt says, even as adults, we don’t always behave as adults, and starts to leave, but Carly says she knows Britt has a lot going on; so does she. She’d like to clear the air between them, and asks if Britt is ready for some radical honesty. Britt says she’s ready if Carly is.

Phyllis says she still has things she needs to say to Nina, and Sonny wonders why Phyllis would still want to talk to her after everything she did. She caused Phyllis to lose the Tan-O. She says, she thought about all the horrible things Nina did to Sonny and his family, and the lives she endangered, including her own. But she also knows Nina’s heart. All the things Nina did for her and Lenny, and their town, even for Sonny as Mike. A person has to be in a lot of pain and confusion to balance all that love and desperation. Lenny always said she had a bleeding heart, and maybe she does, but she can’t write Nina off just yet. Can he?   

On Monday, Alexis tells Nikolas that it’s no time for him to turn his back on Spencer, Jax asks Shawn how something circles back to him, and Britt tells Carly, it’s not going to happen.

👑 She’ll Never Be Queen…

Kyle stands by her good friend. Unless things start going bad.

She thinks they’re good.

She’ll walk away when they stop paying her.

🔥 On the Barbie…

I’m sure she had an answer for everything, but I’ll be on the lookout for squirming.

🍸 Belle Of the South…

Good. Erika has no business trying to intimidate the weak one because things didn’t go as planned. And I agree that no woman should ever say that to another woman. Actually, I don’t think anyone should use that word ever. And I have a potty mouth. What can I say? I was raised by a sailor.

😶 Can’t Read the Room…

I don’t even know what to say here.

💎 Don’t Fence Her In…

It would be a shame if Garcelle left. She’s the voice of reason, and of color.

🧹 On the Other Hand…

I’m all for LVP, Garcelle, and Sutton having a show.

⛪️ Meanwhile, In the Lake Of Salt…

Methinks they suddenly realized what a bad look it was.

Lisa tries to balance it with a good look.

🗽 Still Clueless…

I hardly think there was a stigma attached to single working moms in 2010.

⛺️ Downsizing…

I guess this is what happens when you do really, really stupid things.

💤 Uninspired…

Are they really going to name it Schwartz and Sandy’s? Will they be serving egg creams?

https://www.bravotv.com/vanderpump-rules/style-living/tom-sandoval-tom-schwartz-opening-a-new-restaurant-details

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/tom-schwartz-tom-sandoval-new-bar-lisa-vanderpump-reacts

🏠 Coming Back Home…

I loved the Homecoming show they did for Real World New York. I’m hoping this one is as good. I’d love to see San Francisco, but now that Pedro is gone, it would be sad. And I’m not sure if I could stomach Puck again.

https://ew.com/tv/real-world-homecoming-season-2-los-angeles-1993-cast/

🐅 Tiger Take Two…

I can’t imagine it topping, or even being equal to, the first one. I was mesmerized.

https://ew.com/tv/tiger-king-season-2-coming-to-netflix/

🧛🏻‍♀️ All In the Timing…

Why shouldn’t Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira have a memoir coming out when it’s almost Halloween? And who knew all this stuff? I can’t wait to read this.

https://nypost.com/2021/09/21/elvira-reveals-sexuality-wilt-chamberlain-encounter-more/

https://nypost.com/2021/09/23/elvira-reveals-photo-of-her-girlfriend-says-theyre-relieved/

🎃 23 Days To Halloween…

And so it begins.

https://www.glamour.com/gallery/best-celebrity-halloween-costumes

📣 Quotes of the Week

A good friend will always stab you in the front. – Oscar Wilde

The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears, or the sea.Isak Dinesen, author of Out of Africa

Expecting life to treat you well because you are a good person is like expecting an angry bull not to charge because you are a vegetarian. – Shari R. Barr

Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors. – Fred Rogers

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. – J.R.R. Tolkien

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

There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line. Oscar Levant

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

You’re only as sick as your secrets. – AA saying

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle. – Plato

👢 Walking Into the Weekend Like…

I have an early day tomorrow, but before we know it, it will be Dead time. Until then, stay safe, stay changing it up now and then, and stay believing them if someone shows you who they are.

October 1, 2021 – Spencer Tells the Truth (Almost), Suzanne Wants To Sell, Esme’s Secrets, Wiley In Paris, Another Goodbye, the Cassadines, Comedic Move, Two Exits, Explosive, Who’s There, Making Up, Quotes Of Ten & Serenade

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Nikolas asks Sonny, what the hell is this? Sonny barges into his house, and tries to intimidate him with his goons? Sonny says, Nikolas’s problem is his sense of entitlement. He thinks he can take anything any time he wants. Nikolas says he doesn’t have any idea what Sonny is talking about, and Sonny says Nikolas is lucky he didn’t come home a day later, because he wouldn’t have stopped until Nikolas was dead.

Outside Windymere, Spencer asks, what’s up? Was the text from Josslyn? Cameron says, yeah, and Spencer asks if there’s something going on. Trina shows him the phone, and says, you tell me. He sees a shot of Esme talking to Sonny.

Jax asks how much Nina told Carly about her life in Nixon falls, and Carly says, enough to confirm that Sonny was alive and well the whole time, and Nina didn’t tell her or Sonny’s family. Why, is there more? What else is Nina keeping from her? What could be worse than keeping her husband from her?

Maxie sits with Nina at Kelly’s, and thanks her for finally answering a text. She must have sent a gazillion of them. Nina says, twenty-two. She’s sorry. She silenced her phone because she didn’t want any interruptions. She was with Wiley, and her time with him is beyond precious right now. Maxie takes it Carly found her, and Nina says, that she did. And if Carly has her way – which she always does – Nina will never see her grandson again.

Scotty finds Austin sitting in front of Kelly’s, and says, he’s outside? Austin says the crisp night air makes him feel alive. Sonny sits, and says, city folk don’t understand you country folk because they have the sense God gave a goose. When it’s cold, they go inside. Austin tells him, says the man who fell to earth. How’s he feeling? Scotty says, he’s indestructible, and Austin says, glad to hear it. And he’s glad Scotty called. He has news about the lawsuit contesting Edward’s will? Scotty says he knew the Quartermaine lawyers were going to pull one pre-trial, so he swatted them like horseflies. Austin is on the docket. In two weeks, he’ll be in court. Austin says he’ll prove that it was Edward’s intent to include him in the will, and Scotty says, they tried to block the letter being put into evidence, but they failed. Edward died before Jimmy Lee Holt was put into the will, so they have to prove it was Edward’s intent. Austin says, his father will finally be recognized as a Quartermaine, and Scotty says, if they win, Austin will get his proper ELQ shares. But they are dealing with the Quartermaines, so before they start doing a jig, know with them, always expect the unexpected.

On the phone, Ned tells Candace, there’s always more they can do. So he suggests she, and their overpriced legal team, pull an all-nighter, and come up with at least five more strategies. He’ll look forward to hearing them all tomorrow morning. Goodnight. Brook comes out, and he says he’s happy to be home. She says he may not feel like that when she’s through with him.

Ava tells Ryan, no reply? His victory speaks for itself? Although she supposes it’s a rather hollow victory, isn’t it? He might have blown up her marriage, but she can go anywhere she wants to in the world. He can’t even get out of that chair.

Nikolas pushes one of Sonny’s thugs, and says they’re all trespassing on his property, and he wants them out now. Sonny says, with everything going on in his life, he doesn’t need this right now, but he’s not leaving until they have an understanding.

Jax says Carly is right. Nina keeping Sonny from her is inexcusable, and that’s all that needs to be said about it. She says he dodged a bullet. Be grateful, because Nina would destroy his life. Josslyn walks in, and asks if Jason found Carly. Carly hugs her, and says she’s so sorry she worried Josslyn. Josslyn says she wasn’t worried. She feels bad about meddling, but Carly always says Jason is the best at making her think things through. Carly says, he is, and she’s glad Josslyn felt she could reach out to him. Josslyn asks if Carly told Jax about Nina, and how she knew Sonny’s been alive for months. He says he was pretty surprised when he found out, and Josslyn says she knows he cared about Nina, but lying to everyone all those months, leaving them there thinking Sonny was dead when he wasn’t, she doesn’t even understand how Nina is capable of doing something like that. This woman gave her a graduation present. He says, sometimes unhappy people do desperate things, and she says, okay. She tells Carly that she hopes she didn’t make a mistake, bringing Maxie over and dumping it all on her after everything else. She’s sure Carly’s head is spinning. Carly says she’s grateful; Josslyn did the right thing. She prefers to know the truth. Josslyn says she just wishes Sonny had come back a day earlier, before the wedding, and Carly says, her too. Josslyn asks if Carly and Jax are fighting again.

Maxie tells Nina, she’s so sorry. She tried to avoid telling Carly, but Josslyn could tell she was holding something back. Nina says she understands. Maxie was under a lot of pressure, and Josslyn’s a lot like her mother in that respect. She won’t take no for an answer. Maxie says, she won’t, and once Josslyn set things in motion, she realized if she was Carly, she’d want to know, and she didn’t really have the right not to tell her. Nina says, it’s fine. She knew it was only a matter of time before Carly found out. Maxie says she didn’t tell Carly everything. She didn’t even mention a hint of romance between Nina and Sonny. Nina says she doesn’t think Carly knows. She was already breathing fire when she yelled at Nina, and Nina wasn’t going to fill her in on the details. She thinks it’s Sonny’s job to tell Carly what happened between them. Maxie asks why Nina thinks Sonny hasn’t mentioned it to Carly already?

Brook says, start talking, and Ned says he can’t think of anything he’s done to upset her. She says, not her; Olivia. She’s noticed an uptick in slamming doors lately. What did he do? He asks why she assumes he’s to blame. Isn’t she supposed to be on his side? She says she is. Consider this a little tough love. She doesn’t want him to be a jerk to Olivia and lose her again. She thought they were doing better, and on the road to reconciliation. He says, so did he, but after Leo ran off in the hospital and Austin found him, things have changed. She asks, how? and he says he only brings this up because a child’s life could be affected. Austin said… She says, who cares what Austin said? She knew this guy would cause trouble.

Ava tells Ryan, as stimulating as this conversation is, she really has to go. Good luck with that whole blinking in morse code thing. He blinks, and she says she’s so glad he’s alive. She used to wish he was dead, but this is so much better. She squeezes his ear, and says, goodbye, Ryan. As she’s leaving, Esme walks in, and Ava asks what she’s doing there.

Spencer tells Trina, so what? It’s a photo of Esme talking to his Uncle Sonny. Trina says, scroll down, and Cameron says, Josslyn said Esme spoke to Sonny for a bit, and when he left afterwards, he wasn’t happy. Trina says, now here he is… Cameron says, looking for Spencer’s dad with two scary dudes.

Nikolas asks why Sonny is in his house issuing threats, and Sonny says, it’s not a threat, it’s a promise. Nikolas and Ava aren’t taking Avery from him, and if they try, they’ll pay. Nikolas says, maybe whatever happened to Sonny while he was away, is having an effect, but he’s not making any sense. Sonny says it doesn’t matter where he was or what happened to him. He’s glad he got there in time to hear about Nikolas’s plans to run  off with Ava and Avery. Nikolas says, that was months ago. Ava refused to leave. Why is Sonny bringing it up now? Sonny says he heard about the plane tickets from Spencer’s girlfriend, and Nikolas says, Esme told Sonny about this? She must have gotten something wrong. Nikolas turns to leave, but the thugs block his path. Sonny says Nikolas has it all wrong. Running away is a pattern with him. Always has been. But let Sonny tell him something, he and Ava aren’t taking Avery from him. She stays there, and he’s going to make sure of it. He nods to his thugs, and they grab Nikolas.

Austin says he’s confused. Scotty just told him the letter was entered into evidence. The Quartermaines set up a bunch of roadblocks, but Scotty ploughed right through them. What’s the worst they can do? It’s up to the court at this point, no? Scotty says, the Quartermaines have a lot of influence in this town and they like to throw that weight around to get what they want. Austin says he doesn’t know about that. He’s spent time with both Michael and Ned, and found them to be reasonable men. Scotty says, reasonable? and Austin says, Michael handed over the letter; don’t forget about that. He has every confidence that both Michael and Ned are going to come around in the end. Scotty says he doesn’t mean to rain on Austin’s parade, but he’s dealt with the Quartermaines for a long, long time. They’re a tricky bunch. They’re very stubborn and very devious, and they learned that from old Edward himself. Austin says he can be stubborn too, and he can be very convincing when he’s right. In fact, the other day he had a conversation with Ned, and thinks he got through to him.

Ned tells Brook, this isn’t about Austin; it’s about Leo. She asks what Austin has to do with Leo, and Ned says, that’s what he’s trying to tell her. She says, fine, proceed, and he says, Austin noticed some of Leo’s behaviors and spoke to him about them. As a medical professional, he was concerned, and thought Leo could benefit from seeing a specialist. She says, for what? and he says, to see if Leo is on the autism spectrum.

Esme says she didn’t expect to see Ava there, and Ava says, likewise. Esme tells Ava that she was hoping to speak to someone about possibly interning there. Ava says, at Spring Ridge? and Esme says she’s very interested in psychology. She and Spence are auditing some classes at PCU, and she thought some real world experience would be good. Ava says Esme would certainly be diving into the deep end, and Esme says, it is a prison, but it’s minimum security, and there are some unusual cases here. Ava looks at Ryan, and says she hopes Esme doesn’t mean Ryan Chamberlain. Esme says, that’s right. Ryan was Ava’s fiancé, and Ava says, Esme needs to stay far away from him, but Esme says, her understanding is that he’s locked in. He can only blink. Ava says, so Esme knows about his condition, and Esme says, everyone does. It’s very fascinating, and he’s hardly a threat. Ava says, Ryan Chamberlain is always a threat. As long as he can communicate, even by blinking, he can mess with your head. Esme says she had no idea, and Ava says, she does now. Consider herself warned. Esme flashes back to Cameron telling her and Spencer that Nikolas booked two first-class tickets to Bora Bora, and Ava says she has to go. Esme tells Ava that she’s happy for her, and Ava asks, why? Esme says she hears Bora Bora is beautiful, and Ava says she guesses technically, she’s going to an island, but not Bora Bora. Why would Esme think she was going there?

Nina tells Maxie that Sonny made it very clear he didn’t owe her an explanation. That his loyalty and priority are with his family. Maxie says, Nina saw Sonny? She thought they’d agreed Nina was going to let Sonny settle back in with Carly and his family, and wait for the dust to clear. Nina says they did agree, and she’d intended to do that, but she went to the cemetery to see Jay (Nathan), and she ran into Sonny looking at his gravesite. Maxie asks, how’d that go? and Nina tells her, Sonny said Mike didn’t exist, so what they had wasn’t real. Maxie says, Sonny is going to go back to his old life, and Nina says her head understands that, but her heart is confused. It’s just painful. Maxie says, Nina is probably not the only one who’s confused. Sonny can’t pretend that his time with Nina wasn’t real. He has to care for her on some level. That’s probably why he didn’t tell Carly about the two of them. Sonny might not want to admit it, but he’s protecting Nina.

Nikolas says Sonny is making a mistake, and Spencer runs in, telling the thugs to let his father go. He tells Sonny, stop this, but Sonny says, it doesn’t concern Spencer. Spencer says, of course (🍷) it concerns him. Nikolas is his father. What’s going on here? Nikolas says, Sonny is not in his right mind. Sonny thinks he and Ava are running away with Avery. Spencer says, Sonny is mistaken. Father and Ava are leaving; they’re not taking Avery. Sonny says, that’s funny, because Nikolas claimed he wasn’t leaving. Nikolas says he’s not. He has no idea where any of this is coming from. Sonny says, stop lying; let’s go. Spencer tells him, wait, and Sonny says he and Nikolas are just going to have a little conversation. Spencer tells Nikolas, just show him the tickets, and Sonny will see Avery isn’t going with them. Nikolas says, there are no tickets, and Spencer says, Cam said… Cameron and Trina walk in, and Cameron says he lied. Trina says, they’re so sorry.  

Josslyn says she knows Jax and Sonny have never really gotten along, but they’re happy that Sonny is alive and well. Jax says, he’s happy Sonny is alive too. Carly tells Josslyn that she and Jax will always be there for her, no matter what’s going on. Josslyn says she’s been hearing that her whole life, but she’s old enough to realize when there’s tension between the two of them, and like it or not, it affects her. Jax says she’s right. He and her mother were discussing Sonny. Josslyn says, discussing Sonny how? and Jax says, when he suspected Sonny might be in Nixon Falls, he went himself to check it out. That’s when he confronted Nina, and she confessed everything. Then Sonny was in that fire, and got his memory back, and he offered Sonny his jet to take him home. Josslyn thanks him, but asks. why is there tension over that? Jax says, because her mother feels that if he’d told her about his hunch that Sonny was alive, she would have postponed the wedding to Jason, right? Carly says, and she’s trying to understand why Josslyn’s father kept his hunch to himself, right? Josslyn asks if it isn’t better that this is all out in the open. 

Nina tells Maxie, Sonny hasn’t told Carly because he hasn’t had a chance, since he’s busy reconnecting with her and his family. If he’s protecting anyone, he’s protecting Carly. He knows her anger, and probably doesn’t want it getting the best of her. Austin comes in, and tells Maxie, hello again, and Maxie introduces Nina. She tells Nina that Austin is the doctor who helped deliver Louise. Austin says, it’s an honor, and Nina says it’s an honor to meet him, and thanks him for helping her beautiful sister-in-law and her baby. He says, it was his pleasure. He just wishes he could have done more to keep them safe. Nina says he kept them alive, and she’ll forever be grateful he was there that night. He says, him too. Her sister-in-law is kind of a superhero. She gave birth, then minutes later was running through the woods, baby in arms. She’s feisty. Nina tells Maxie that she’s feisty, and Maxie says he’s only saying that because she yelled at him. She was in pain, and he called her ma’am. He says he’s truly sorry for that, but he’s learned his lesson, and it won’t happen again.

Brook says, Austin claims Leo is autistic? but Ned says, Austin was careful not to offer a diagnosis. That’s what the specialist would do. She says, that’s the specialist’s job, not Austin’s. He’s not even Leo’s doctor. Obviously, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Has Leo’s pediatrician said anything? Ned says, no, and she says, and Ned went to Olivia with this nonsense? That’s why they’re on the outs. He says, it’s not nonsense. He’s done a little research on his own, and he’s still learning the correct terminology, but he thinks Leo is exhibiting some signs. She says, like what? and he asks if she’s ever noticed how hard it is to get Leo’s attention, especially when he’s focused on a toy. She says, so the kid has a good attention span. That’s a reason to worry? He says, Leo rarely makes eye contact, and she says, he’s shy. He tells her, that’s what Olivia says, but what if they’re missing something? What if Leo sees the world differently than they do? Shouldn’t they know that, and give him what he needs? She says, what Leo needs is for him to stop falling for Austin’s mind games.

Sonny says, somebody has to start talking, and Cameron says, there were no tickets. Trina starts talking at the same time, and then Spencer. Trina says, it was for Spencer’s own good. Sonny tells them, take a breath, start again. Trina says, Cam, Joss, and her… Sonny says, Josslyn was in on this? and Trina says, they told Spencer and Esme that Ava asked her to get tickets to Bora Bora, so they’d think Nikolas and Ava ran away together. But they never said Avery was going with them; Esme made that up. Sonny asks, aren’t they too old for pranks? and Cameron says, this wasn’t a prank. They were trying to prove Spencer and Esme were behind Ava’s stalking. Nikolas says, they went down that road. Spencer couldn’t have been Ava’s stalker. They were at the party. Sonny says he’s disappointed in the both of them, and Josslyn as well. Uh-oh, it’s bad when your dad is disappointed. Nikolas says they both owe Spencer and all of them an apology. He’ll be speaking to their parents about this. D’oh! The one thing worse than dad being disappointed. Nikolas says he’ll also take an apology from Sonny. Or if Sonny’s not man enough, get the hell out of his house. Sonny tells him not to press his luck, but Nikolas says, it’s not luck. Sonny was wrong. Spencer says, that’s enough. He’s the one who owes everyone an apology. They were right. He did it.

Brook asks if it ever occurred to Ned that Austin might be trying to split his focus; cause a rift in the family. Think about it. If he’s busy worrying about Leo, he’ll drop the ball on Austin’s case. Ned says he’s not dropping anything. He’s navigated takeovers and tricky mergers under far worse conditions. She says, like Michael navigated a takeover while he was busy fighting for custody of Wiley. Oh wait. He didn’t. That was Ned who was in charge when Valentin became CEO. Ned says, Austin is no Valentin Cassadine. He may be trying to sneak in the back door, but he’s not using Leo to do it. Is he concerned about Leo? Yes. Is Leo a priority? Yes, but he’s handling this lawsuit. She asks how it’s going, and he says he just spoke to their head attorney Candace, and they have a court date. She says, wow. So Austin is actually making progress, and he says, nothing is a done deal, but this court battle is a totally separate thing from Leo’s health. She asks if he’s sure about that. Austin doesn’t seem to be. He tells her, be honest. They’ve all seen how Leo is completely antisocial. He doesn’t really have any friends. He prefers to be by himself. She says, so do a lot of kids, that doesn’t mean he has autism. Ned agrees, but says, it can’t hurt to have Leo checked out. He doesn’t think Austin is making things up. She says, no, he’s just distorting what he observed over a whopping twenty minutes with Leo, to frighten, scare, and distract Ned. Austin doesn’t care about Leo. He only cares about number one.

Nina tells Maxie that she needs to get going; it’s been a long day. She thanks Maxie for the conversation, and Maxie asks if Nina is sure she doesn’t want to talk more. Nina says she doesn’t, but how about if she calls Maxie in the morning? She really wants to see James. She tells Austin, nice meeting him, and he says, likewise. Scotty is outside, and when Nina comes out, he says, look who’s back in town. He asks why she got her aunt involved with Peter. Peter was blackmailing her? Now Liesl is God knows where, he was gassed and chucked out of a plane like a sack of potatoes. Nina says she just asked Obrecht for help. The plan was her idea. Scotty says, it may have been, but Peter found out, and now Obrecht is in danger. Nina says, she keeps telling herself that her aunt is more than capable of taking care of herself, but Scotty says, he’s in charge now. He’s going to find her.

Austin asks if Maxie minds if he joins her. Her ex might be lurking out there somewhere, and she might not want to be alone. She says she doesn’t want to take advantage of his chivalry under false pretenses, so he should know there are two plainclothes cops outside, keeping an eye out for Peter. But just because she doesn’t need him to guard her, doesn’t mean she wouldn’t enjoy his company. He sits.

Esme tells Ava that she’s sorry. Trina wasn’t supposed to say anything, was she? She gets it. Ava and Nikolas want to keep it secret. Ava doesn’t have to worry about her; she’s practically family. Ava says she doesn’t have the slightest idea what Esme is talking about. Esme says, Ava leaving town…? and Ava says, what about it? Esme says she probably got it wrong. She can be ditsy sometimes. Forget she said anything. Ava says, well, goodbye, and leaves. When she gets outside, she takes out her phone.

Josslyn walks Carly to the door, and says she’s glad she ran into Carly, even if it was only to pick up her laundry. Carly is sure her dad only installed the washer and dryer to lure her here, and Jax says, it’s possible. Josslyn says they could call her spoiled, or say she’s freeing the dorm machines for students who have no family nearby. He says, that’s his girl, and Carly asks if Josslyn is going back to the dorm tonight. Josslyn says she is. She, Cam, and Trina are working on a project.

Nikolas says, Spencer doesn’t have to say anything else, but Sonny says, let him talk. Spencer says, he was the stalker. The reason he knew about Ava getting the cockroach for Valentine’s Day wasn’t because he found it online; it was because he sent it to her. And the bear, and the creepy letters, and the vandalism at the art studio. He tells Trina that he’s sorry, and tells Nikolas, he wanted Ava out of their lives. She already betrayed him once when he needed her to testify against Valentin. How could he ever trust her after that? How could they ever trust her after that? Trina’s phone rings, and she slips out. Nikolas says, the night of Spencer’s party, Ava’s car was set on fire. It couldn’t have been Spencer. Spencer says, that was Esme.

Brook gets a text from Maxie, saying she’s at Kelly’s and ran into Austin. Yuri walks in, and tells her everything is secure. She says, great. They’re going out. He says, but Dr. Quartermaine said they’d get dessert, and Brook says she’ll buy him a cookie, and leads him out the door.

Leo comes into the living room, and starts playing with some kind of puzzle toy. Ned asks if it isn’t kind of late to be up playing. What’s the matter? Can’t he sleep?

Jax tells Josslyn, it was the pasta sauce Trina gave her, and her reaction, that tipped him off. Plus he thought he saw Sonny after he was shot, but Nina convinced him that he’d been dreaming. Josslyn says, Nina lied to him after he got shot trying to protect her? She can’t believe Nina; this is so twisted. He says he doesn’t believe she was acting out of malice, but Josslyn says, who cares why she did it? They spent nine months thinking Sonny was dead when he wasn’t. He says she’s right. What Nina did was unforgivable. She asks if this means Jax is over Nina – for good this time.

Nina says she’s glad Scotty and Obrecht found each other. She missed a lot while she was in Nixon Falls. He says, yeah… with Sonny. Maxie explained everything to him. How Peter was blackmailing her. She says, great. Now he thinks she’s horrible too, keeping Sonny away from his family all this time. He says, no. He doesn’t judge anyone just. He just felt it was much more enjoyable in Port Charles without Sonny. He wishes she would have kept him in that Podunk town. They were all better off. She says, obviously, not everyone feels that way. Sonny is a really good guy. He was missed, and his loved ones are thrilled to have him back. Scotty shakes his head, and says, don’t tell him that she’s fallen for him too.

Nikolas says, Esme torched Ava’s car? and Spencer says, only because he told her to. She went along with his plan out of a sense of loyalty to him. It was his idea. He was responsible. Just him. Sonny says he heard about that bear with Ryan’s voice. Spencer left it for Avery? Spencer says, it wasn’t his intention to scare Avery; he wanted to scare Ava. Sonny says, but Spencer used his daughter – Spencer’s cousin. He implied there was a threat. Spencer says, but there wasn’t, and Sonny says he’ll take it up with Spencer later. He tells Nikolas, they’re done – for now. Like Nikolas did something wrong here. Sonny and his thugs leave, and Cameron says he’ll give Nikolas and Spencer some privacy. He leaves, closing the door, and in the foyer, Trina says she just saw Sonny and his men leave. She thought he’d still be mad, but he just said, thanks Trina. Cameron asks why she looks so unhappy. Spencer confessed. Wasn’t that the plan? She says, yeah, but did Cameron see the look on his face? How can she be happy about that? Cameron says, it’s seriously messed up. They should tell Joss, and they should also leave. Trina says, not until she gets here.

Spencer asks Nikolas to say something. Please.

Maxie tells Austin, she was terrified when she found out Peter was spotted, and he says she has every right to be terrified. Yet here she is, living her life in spite of what happened. She tells him not to give her too much credit. She was terrified Peter would come back for her somehow, but now that she’s had time to think, and prepare her mind, she assures Austin, if Peter comes for her, he won’t get the best of her this time. Brook breezes in, parks Yuri at the counter, and tells him to order whatever dessert he thinks Monica would like. She goes over to Maxie’s table, and Maxie asks if it isn’t a little late for Deception business. Brook tells Austin, stay out of her family’s business. He says she is his family, but she says she knows what he’s up to and it’s not going to work. He says, at this point, it’s up to the court to decide that, and Brook says, it’s not about his lawsuit. It’s about trying to use Leo to distract her father. He says he’d never use a child. He just wants the best for Leo. Brook says, Leo is not his concern. He might have Quartermaine DNA, but he’s not family. Far from it.

Ned sits on the floor, and tells Leo, sometimes he has trouble sleeping, but he has to keep trying because he’s got to get up for work. Like Leo has to get up for school, right? Leo doesn’t look at Ned, but says, wanna play. Ned says he knows Leo does, but he needs to sleep. They all do. Leo shakes his head, and Ned asks why Leo got out of bed. Did he have a bad dream? He gets no response, and says Leo can tell him. What’s the matter? But Leo stays fascinated with his toy.   

Esme goes over to Ryan, and says, sorry about the delay. She thought Ava would never leave.

Nikolas says, Spencer wants him to say something? What would that be? Spencer hated him because he left, and now he’s forcing Ava to do the same thing to her little girl? And for what? There was no threat. They were happy. They were building a life, building a family together. He would have let Spencer into all of that. So why would he do this. Does Spencer hate him that much? Spencer says, no, and Nikolas says, then please, tell him this is a horrible mistake, and that none of this is true. Ava walks in, and says, what isn’t true?

Nina says, really? and Scotty says she’s not the first girl who’s fallen for Sonny’s dimples and slicked back hair. He’s bad news. Scotty is going to leave it at that. She says he’s wrong about Sonny, and he’s wrong about her. He hands her his card, and she asks why he’s giving it to her. He says, because Sonny is very, very dangerous, and you know who’s more dangerous? Carly. So she’s going to have two courses of action; on legal, and the other… He makes a slitting motion across his throat, and says, watch out.

Carly sits by the fire with a drink, and hears the door open. She closes her eyes for a moment, and Sonny says, she started without him. She says, yeah. She got his text about Dr. Sullivan. How did it go? He says the doctor put him back on his old prescription, and says he’s doing well. She says, good, and he asks if there’s something on her mind. She says, not something, someone – Nina.

On Monday, Willow asks if there hasn’t been some mistake, Spencer asks if Nikolas can forgive him, Esme says there’s so much to celebrate, and Carly says, as far as she’s concerned, Nina got off easy.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles

Fredrik wasn’t doing so great with Dolph Lundgren’s house. At $3.9 million, the price was right, but there was the issue of the telephone pole view (or spiew, as one potential buyer called it). There was also a lot of inventory in the area, making buyers picky. Dolph was hitting the heavy bag as he talked to Fredrik, who continued to act intimidated. Everything has been so exaggerated with the two of them, their scenes must have been staged. Tracy’s sister Kristen wanted to sell Maplewood, her estate in Holmby Hills. Built in 1937, the house was 11,500 square feet, with 9 bedrooms and 9 baths. It had been a bone of contention when Kristen bought the house and hadn’t used Tracy to broker the deal. In Tracy’s interview, she said It made her question her worth in her profession. Her sister was also hard to impress. Showings had begun when covid hit, and it was pulled from the market. While the asking price had been $34.9 million, Tracy thought Kristen should go under 30, and they settled at 29.9. Not that it made her potential commission of $747.5K anything to cry over.  

JoshF was leaving to take a look at Suzanne Somers’s home, and husband Bobby was helping him pack for Palm Springs. Bobby wanted to come along, since he’d had a dream of getting his parents a family estate to retire at there. Sadly, his parents had both died a few months apart, but Bobby still wanted to realize his dream. In Josh’s interview, he said Suzanne and husband Alan’s house had been on the market since the McCarthy era. Fredrik was still having no luck with Dolph’s house, and Dolph was pushing him for offers. Fredrik’s team tried to explain, although Dolph was a superstar in Sweden, he was not so much in the USA. No worries. Fredrik called his business partner Niklas, who managed Fredrik’s agency in Sweden. He told Niklas to send some Swedish buyers, and Fredrik would foot the bill for their flight. David brought a client to Tracy at Maplewood, and we found out the house also had 7 fireplaces, a hidden powder room, and a hidden wine room big enough for a table and chairs. I love a hidden room! The primary suite was 2000 square feet, a drop in the bucket to the 32,500 square foot lot. This time, there was a gourmet kitchen. What does that even mean? Who knows. I don’t anyway. It has extra spice racks?

At the Somers estate, JoshF took a funicular – a little car that rides on tracks – up the side of the hill to get to the houses. That’s not a typo; it had 5 villas on 28 acres. Built in 1928, there had only been three owners. There were 7 bedrooms, and I assume as many baths. It also had a farmhouse kitchen, just to be different. Maybe it has a bin for hay. Alan said they’d started with two bedrooms, and added on as the family expanded. They’d purchased it in 1977 for $400K, and were now looking for $10.5 million. Josh thought they were better off at 8.5, since the place was gorgeous, but also an hour and a half outside of the city, in the middle of the desert. Again, the reduction didn’t make his potential commission a measly one at $212.5K.

Fredrik gave a private showing of Dolph’s house to a Swedish couple sent via Niklas. He got choked up meeting other Swedes, and they all did The Little Frog Dance. Apparently, if you’re Swedish, you will know what this is. Dolph just happened to be in the gym, and added some flair to the showing. I wondered if he’d heard The Little Frog Dance, since they’d been pretty loud about it, and it involved a lot of stomping around in a circle. The couple loved the house, but the property was inappropriate for the two horses the wife had. Which she’d neglected to mention. In Fredrik’s interview, he said he’d just gotten over one obstacle – the pole, which the couple found romantic – and he was presented with another one.    

David – who was not joined by James or vice versa this week, eliminating confusion – brought Tracy an offer of $24 million. She told David that she wasn’t even calling her client with that offer, sister or not, and in her interview, she said it would fly with her sister, as much as monkeys would come flying out of her ass. I waited, but that didn’t happen, so I assume she meant not at all. David got his client up to 25.5, but that didn’t fly either. In Tracy’s interview, she said she understood the offer was too low, but it was an offer before the house even got to market. She would have liked some positive reinforcement. I wondered if she would have felt the same way had the client not been her sister.   

Bobby brought JoshF to see a house in Little Tuscany, Palm Springs. Bobby kept calling Josh Joshua, and I kept wondering who he was talking to. In Josh’s interview, he said Bobby had a great eye for real estate… and impeccable taste in men. The house had been built in 1957, was on a 23,522 square foot lot, and had 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Josh was all about how the value could be increased, and Bobby said he didn’t understand the gravity of the decision. He’d wanted to take care of his parents, and even though that wasn’t going to happen, he was continuing on with the plan. He wasn’t buying a money maker; he was buying a dream he still had. It wasn’t just a house. It was emotional for him, a dream to have a home for generations.  

Fredrik had just gotten a listing for a massive house in Hancock Park, when he got an email from Dolph, who’d decided to take the house off the market. In Fredrik’s interview, he said it wasn’t about the commission. He’d wanted his superhero, to say, you did it, son. Wow. I liked Masters of the Universe, and that Rocky movie, but not that much. Fredrik called his brother Sigge, and said Dolph had broken up with him over email, and wouldn’t return his calls. Sigge gave him a pep talk, asking where the Fredrik was who didn’t dwell on what he couldn’t control, and moved forward.

Next time, JoshA tries to show a house where the kids don’t want the house sold, more Suzanne, and Tracy says there’s a lot at stake.

🐡 The Human Barnacle…

I don’t think she’s Nelle. She would be going after a whole different set of people.

🗼 Au Revoir…

I knew something was different. These kids were good little actors. What’s sad is, they’re not even four and they’re living better lives than mine. A lot better.

🥀 Exiting the Stage…

One more soap talent takes a last bow.

https://people.com/tv/michael-tylo-guiding-light-young-and-the-restless-star-dead-at-72/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2021/09/30/michael-tylo-dead-young-and-restless-soap-opera-actor/5935134001/

🦉 Who’s Who…

In case you were wondering what the Cassadines are all about.

😆 Laughing It Up…

From soap to Housewife, and back to soap, Denise is changing genres.

👠 She’s Come a Long Way…

From thinking the Underground Railroad was an actual railroad, Porsha has grown as a person and an activist. Now she’s on to a new chapter.

https://people.com/tv/porsha-williams-exiting-real-housewives-atlanta/

👗 Another Parting…

I don’t know how they did it, but they managed to find a bad picture of Cynthia. Her boobs look so… odd.

💣 Boom…

Hey, at least there is a Reunion. I still can’t believe the canceled the one for RHONY.

🍸 Still Employed…

Lets hope it isn’t the same people waiting tables years later.

🍼 No Drama Mama…

Babies bring everyone together.

🏹 Quotes of the Week

Truth is proper and beautiful in all times and in all places. – Frederick Douglass

We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don’t have something better. – C. JoyBell C.

Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world…would do this, it would change the earth. – William Faulkner

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. – Rumi

Happiness is only real when shared. – Jon Krakauer

The greater the difficulty, the more the glory in surmounting it. – Epicurus

Whatever you are, be a good one. – Abraham Lincoln (Even if you’re a drunk?)

The time is always ripe to do right. – Martin Luther King Jr.

You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter. – Nicholas Sparks (Truer words were never spoken.)

The most effective way to do it, is to do it.Amelia Earhart

✈️ Jetting…

See you at Dead o’clock. Until then, stay safe, stay practicing random acts of kindness, and stay knowing that being right won’t always make you feel happy.

September 24, 2021 – Nina Encounters Sonny, Throwback For Sale, Seeing Double, Garcelle Talks Reunion, No NYC Reunion, Evasive, After the Party, Going On With the Show, Only Five Quotes & Moon

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Britt asks Maxie to just tell her. Is her mom okay? Did she contact Maxie? Maxie says, sorry. She didn’t mean to mislead Britt. She hasn’t actually heard from Obrecht. Britt tells her, but she just said… when there’s a knock at he door. Maxie lets Scotty in, and he sees Britt. He asks if this is about Obrecht, and Maxie says she spoke with Nina, and has some information on Obrecht’s disappearance.

Josslyn is at the gym when her phone rings. Cameron asks if she’s busy, and she says, kind of. She’s at the gym; volleyball practice got cancelled. He asks when she’s going to be done, and she says, about an hour. Why? He says he’s at Charlie’s with Trina right now, and she wants to run a theory by Josslyn. Josslyn says she wants to finish her workout. Can it wait an hour?

Spencer asks Nikolas if Doc left, and Nikolas says, just now. He asks where Esme is, and Spencer says, Esme left for kickboxing, and mentioned something about going to an interior design boutique afterward. She wants to redecorate her room. Nikolas says, Esme is full of ideas, and Spencer says, Esme is all about creativity, and thinking outside the box. Nikolas says Spencer chose to miss all that to hang out with his father? and Spencer says, the lesser of two evils.

Jason asks if Carly is okay, and she says, Sonny’s back, and she’s beyond grateful he’s alive. Jason says, him too, and she says, but beneath all that joy, she keeps wondering, what happens next?

Sonny visits his own grave, and turns around to find Nina standing behind him, holding a white rose. He asks if she’s stalking him, and she says, no. She was taking this to her brother’s gravesite. She saw someone there, and wasn’t sure if it was him. He says, she didn’t recognize the wardrobe? and she says, partly, but she didn’t know he’d be up and around so soon. He left the clinic against medical advice. How’s he doing? Is he feeling any aftereffects from that smoke? He says she doesn’t get to do that, and she says, do what? He says, act like she gives a damn. This is the gravesite where his family grieved because of her. Don’t think for a second that he’ll ever forget that.

Maxie tells Britt and Scotty, it turns out Peter was tracking her when she went to Texas, and followed her when she went to visit Nina in Nixon Falls. When Maxie left, he pressured Nina to help him find Louise. When she refused, he tried to kill her. Britt asks if Nina’s okay, and Maxie says, no thanks to Peter. He tied up Nina and her friend, and set the building on fire. Scotty says, for cryin’ out loud, what does this have to do with Liesl? and Maxie says, Peter told Nina, Liesl had been handled. He asks what they means; he killed her? Britt says, maybe that’s what he wants everybody to think. Handled could mean anything. Typical Peter doublespeak. Besides, he’s on the run, looking for Louise. Why take the time to get to her mother? Maxie says she was just about to get to that part.

Victor walks into Obrecht’s room, and she says, it’s been days. She’s going stir crazy in this room. His staff barely looks her in the eye, just nodding and smiling. He says he warned them not to fraternize. He can’t have her charming his people into doing her bidding, the way she did that poor fool Kirk in Geneva. She says she didn’t charm Dr. Kirk; she survived him. Where has he been? He says he wanted to give her time to adjust to her new reality, and she says, all he’s done is give Scotty and Britt time to find her. He says, why would they be looking for a dead woman?

Nikolas and Spencer play chess, and Nikolas says he’s glad Esme is making the room her own. He wants her to feel comfortable there. Spencer says, Esme is comfortable wherever she goes, and Nikolas says, that’s an admirable trait. He’s glad to get to know more about the girl who’s captured his son’s heart. Spencer says, Esme is the coolest. She’s beautiful and smart, she tells it like it is. He never connected with anyone the way he’s connected with Esme. Nikolas says, Esme sounds very special. It’s good to have someone like that in your corner. Spencer says, Esme’s the best.

Cameron tells Trina that Josslyn’s at the gym, and asks if she can hang out a while she finishes up. Trina says she can, and he gives her the phone. Trina tells Josslyn, bottom line, Esme’s up to something, and she’s dragging Spencer along with her. Esme walks into the gym and waves to Josslyn, and Josslyn says she’ll be right there. Esme tells Josslyn, hi, and asks if she’s there for kickboxing class. Josslyn says, actually, she was on her way out. Enjoy the class. Esme says, wait. Josslyn can’t leave.

Sonny asks if Nina likes his headstone. His family wanted to leave him a marker even though they didn’t find his body. They wanted a place where they could grieve. Of course (🍷) he’s one state away, thinking, where’s the family who cares so much about him? They’re not looking for him. She says he has every right to be angry with her, and he says, she’s damn right he does. She knew about this, and he was just going on with his life. She could have stopped it months ago, but she didn’t. She says she knows it’s not enough to say it, but she’s so sorry for the pain she’s caused him. He says, him? What about his family? His kids? Avery knew who he was, but Donna didn’t recognize him. He was like a stranger to her. Nina claims she feels bad about what she did to him, but not one word about his wife Carly.

Jason asks Carly how it went after he left, and she says, good. Sonny stayed up practically all night with the kids. She went up to bed to give them some time alone, and Sonny slept in the guest room. She had Sonny’s clothes brought down from the attic, and he put on one of his suits this morning. It was really great to see him looking like himself. Jason says he bets it was, and she says, what about him? Where did he go? He says, home, to his apartment, and she says, he hasn’t lived there in a while. He says, she and the kids needed him there. They don’t anymore.

Trina asks if Cameron didn’t say there were surveillance cameras in the parking garage. Maybe she can get her mom to get security to let her look at the footage, to see if Esme was anywhere near Ava’s car that night. Cameron says he’s going to be honest. He thinks involving her mom is a bad idea. Remember the trouble he nearly got his mom in when he accessed hospital records using her password? She says she gets where he’s coming from. They’re back to trapping Esme and Spencer into confessing they’re the stalkers. He says he doesn’t think that’s the right way either, and she says, he sure is coming up with a lot of obstacles. How about solutions? He says he’s sorry, but he personally thinks the best option is being straightforward. Maybe if the three of them talked to Spencer… She says, she already tried confronting Esme and Spencer, and it was a disaster. Think about it. If they were guilty, why admit to it? Cameron has a history with Spencer. Is he the confessing type? He says, no. Spencer’s fallback is always deny, deny, deny. She says, okay then. They have to be as devious as Esme and Spencer. They have to lay a trap for them.

Josslyn says, she can’t leave? Why not? Esme says she has the feeling Josslyn is avoiding her, but Josslyn says, no. She needs to be somewhere. Esme says she thought this would be a good opportunity for them to spend some time together… hang out. Spence told her what a good friend Josslyn has been to him. Anyone important to him is important to her. Josslyn says, it sounds like things are getting pretty serious, and Esme says, definitely. Did Josslyn know they just moved into Windymere? Josslyn says she thinks Spencer mentioned it, but things have been so crazy since Sonny came back. Esme says, wait, what? Sonny Corinthos, Spencer’s uncle? She thought he was dead. Josslyn says, it turns out he’s not. She’s sorry. She has to change. People are waiting for her. Esme says, no worries. They’ll be plenty of time to get together. She’ll be around.

Nikolas says he was surprised when Spencer introduced him to Esme, and Spencer says, it was a night of surprises. Nikolas says, starting with the party Spencer hadn’t cleared with him, and Spencer says, and ending with Nikolas terrorizing him and his guests. Nikolas says, he hopes Spencer found a way to forgive him for thinking he was Ava’s stalker, and Spencer says, they’ve already hit the reset button on that, haven’t they? Nikolas says he knows how difficult it can be to let go. Forgiveness doesn’t come easy to us Cassadines… Check.   

Sonny says, Nina stole months of his life to get back at Carly, but she says, that’s not what it was about. He says, then why? and she says, because Carly was trying to take Wiley away from her; Carly was trying to erase her from his life. He says, so Nina wanted to erase him from Carly’s life. She wanted to punish Carly, and make her pay. She was talking about her grandson’s other grandmother and how unfair it was… She says, everything she said was true. She just wants to be in Wiley’s life. He even told her to fight for Wiley. He says, he did not say that; that was Mike. Mike doesn’t exist; he’s a phantom. His name on the back of his father’s watch. He clung to that, to Phyllis, to Lenny, and… She says, and to her. She didn’t think she’d find him in Nixon Falls. She didn’t expect to keep him a secret, certainly not for all those months. She admits at first it was about Carly, but the second she knew what happened to him, she picked up the phone to tell her, and Carly threatened her with all kinds of legal action, and she froze. She couldn’t do anything. Yes, she held back. Sonny says, Nina wanted to hurt Carly, and Nina says, she wanted to hurt Carly as much as Carly had hurt her. But that all changed when she got to know him as Mike; sweet Mike. They got closer and closer. She didn’t plan any of this. She didn’t expect things to wind up the way they did. He says, that’s her excuse? but she says, there’s no excuse for any of it. She was just hoping maybe he’d understand. He says, he understands. She stole his life from him.

Carly tells Jason, she keeps thinking about how she thought they would get so much pushback when they told people they were getting married. In the end, all of their family and friends said, of course (🍷) it makes sense. He says, because it did. They got married because they thought Sonny was dead. Otherwise, they never would have done it. She says, right, and now Sonny’s back with his family where he belongs, but she can’t help but think, if things had been different, they would have had a wonderful life together. He says he thinks so too, but that’s not what happened.

Josslyn sits with Trina and Cameron, and asks, what’s going on? Trina says, Ava is leaving Port Charles, walking away from her entire life because of this stalker situation. Josslyn says, okay, but when Trina called, she said this was about Spencer and Esme. She just ran into Esme at the gym, and she’s positive she was right the first time. That girl is not to be trusted. There’s just something about her. Trina says, right? She’s sketchy… beyond. Josslyn asks what Trina thinks Esme has gotten Spencer into, and Trina says she thinks Esme and Spencer are Ava’s stalkers. They’re acting as a team. Sure, Spencer was at Windymere the night Ava’s car got torched, but that was also the night Esme showed up. She had a supposed alibi, but it was lame. Josslyn says she’s not defending Spencer, but she doesn’t see him torching a car. Trina says, because he didn’t. Esme did. Josslyn says, but if they’re in on it together… and Trina says, maybe Esme did it and Spencer didn’t know about it, or maybe he did, and he was okay with it. Either way, they’re working together. Josslyn says, Cameron is being silent. What does he think? Cameron says he knows he’s been pumping the brakes on this, but it is kind of weird, Spencer being in town on the downlow for so long. He was really upset when Ava refused to testify against Valentin. That’s why his grandmother sent Spencer away, for his own good. Spencer holds a grudge. Josslyn says, and Esme’s working him every chance she gets. Spencer likes to think he’s all sophisticated, but she thinks he’s in over his head with Esme. Trina says, Esme’s very persuasive with Spence.

Spencer says Nikolas said he was surprised when Esme showed up as his girlfriend. Why? Doesn’t Nikolas think he’s got game? Nikolas says he knew Spencer had game. He’d just seen Spencer with Trina, and it looked like they were connecting. The couple times Spencer mentioned her, it sounded like she was important to him. Spencer says, it’s not like that. Trina is great, and he likes her a lot, but as a friend. Nikolas says, all he can tell Spencer is, that night on the turret, he didn’t seem like a guy with a girlfriend.

Britt says, Nina had Peter in her sights, and didn’t call the cops, or Anna? Scotty says, so the trip to St. Lucia was a cover-up, so Obrecht could knock off Peter August. Maxie says, that was the general impression she got, and Scotty says, she should have called the cops. Maxie says, she couldn’t because Peter was blackmailing her. Scotty asks what Peter would be blackmailing Nina over, and Maxie says, Sonny. Scotty asks, what the hell does Sonny have to do with this? and Britt tells Maxie that she already knows. Jason told her. Scotty says, you two girls need to tell me what’s going on, and Britt says, Sonny Corinthos is alive. He asks her to say it again. He’s starting to think he’s in the middle of a nightmare, and Britt tells him, Sonny Corinthos is alive and well. He came home last night. Scotty says, of course (🍷) he did, because he’s impossible to kill, because he’s like a palmetto bug. Ha-ha-ha! I love Scotty. Maxie thinks they should refocus. Liesl told Nina to tell Peter that there was a lead on Louise in St. Lucia, and Anna and Valentin were hot on the trail. Nina thought that would convince Peter to go, but somehow, Peter found out what was going on, and turned the tables on them. Scotty says, so he and Obrecht were gassed up, they hijacked the plane… Wait a minute. That’s why Liesl said she couldn’t die; she needs to help Nina. Britt says, plane crashes are Peter’s M.O. He did it to silence Drew Cain. Who’s to say he woudn’t do it again? I think someone needs to tell he that an M.O. happens more than once. Scotty says, but why chuck him out like a sack of potatoes? He was a loose end. And where’s the evidence of a plane crash? Britt says, because there wasn’t one. Her mother’s not dead.

Obrecht suggests she and Victor stop this cat and mouse. He’s proven he can get to her whenever he wants. That being the case, let her go back to Port Charles. She has urgent business there. He says, family business. A grandson, a very troubled niece, and that bumbling idiot she calls a boyfriend. She says she also has a daughter who needs her mutter now more than ever. He says, yes, Britt’s diagnosis is troubling. Huntington’s; dreadful disease. Yet one more reason to hate her father. She says, Cesar is dead. Hating him is a waste of time and energy. She must focus on her daughter. She was supposed to attend a medical conference touching on cutting edge research for Britt’s condition. He says, remarkable how a symposium on inherited diseases just happened to pop up in her inbox at this exact moment in time. She says, there was no medical conference. It was a trap. Has he no shame? He says, why should he be ashamed? Everything’s worked out neatly. He’d always planned to bring her there anyway, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. She says, and now he detains her when Britta needs her, and he says, Britt needs her alive. He saved her from herself. He says they both know she had bigger plans than attending a medical conference.

Sonny says, Nina took advantage of the situation. She didn’t give a damn about him and his real life. And while he was cleaning beer off a bar, the entire empire he built, everything he cares about, was threatened. Nina says, but he was away from that. He was away from the mob for once. He was in danger. He was safer there in Nixon Falls than he would have been here. He asks if she’s saying she was protecting him for his own good. That’s not her job, and he doesn’t want it. He’s not some drifter living off the kindness of strangers. He could have taken all the worry form Phyllis and Lenny. He could have made a call, and erased all their debt. He would have given them security, and maybe, for just a little bit of time, Lenny could have had peace. Nina says what he gave Lenny and Phyllis was so much more important. He gave them friendship, love, and loyalty. He’s right. She lied to him. She kept him away from his family, friends, and business, but he’s wrong about Mike. He wasn’t just a hapless drifter. He was loyal and hard-working. He was fearless and a devoted friend. He was a good man. Maybe the kind of man Sonny always longed to be. So take it from someone had the privilege of knowing him up close and personal, Mike the bartender was just as real as Sonny Corinthos.  

Carly tells Jason, this morning, she walked in the kitchen, and Sonny was making coffee, like always. He asks if it finally tasted right, and she says, it did. She tells Jason that she missed him, and she’s worried about him, but he says she doesn’t have to; he’s fine. She tells him, he always says that, and he says, because it’s true. He sighs and shrugs, and says, maybe things will just go back to the way they were. It’s what they’ve got to do. She’s got a life and a family with Sonny. She says, and he’s a huge part of that life. Please tell her that’s not going to change.

Trina says, maybe they can record Spencer and Esme without them knowing. What if she accuses them and leaves? They might say something incriminating when they think they’re alone. Cameron says, so she’s talking surveillance equipment, and Josslyn says, don’t hate her, but she’s the one having second thoughts now. Esme is one thing, but do they really want to trap Spencer? Trina says, what if it exonerates him? That’s the outcome she’s hoping for. She thinks Josslyn is right. Spencer’s in over his head with Esme. Before Esme came, Trina was getting to know Spencer. Sure, he’s a lot, but underneath all that posturing and arrogance is some real vulnerability. Maybe even some kindness. Josslyn says she agrees. Spencer can be astonishingly sweet… when not being self-absorbed and oblivious. Trina says, despite everything, that’s why she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to Spencer. Despite herself, she’s kind of gotten to like him.

Spencer tells Nikolas that he and Trina are good friends, and Nikolas asks, is that all? Before he met Esme, he thought Spencer and Trina were headed toward something. Spencer admits, there was an attraction, a spark. Trina’s beautiful, smart, direct, and she’s a good person; one of those people who genuinely wants to do the right thing without being too preachy. Why wouldn’t he like her? But it can’t go anywhere. Esme’s his person. Esme comes in, and says, oh good, they’re together. Spencer asks, what happened to kickboxing and home décor? and she says she had to rush back to tell him. His uncle is alive. Spencer asks what she’s talking about, and she says, his uncle, Sonny Corinthos. He came home last night. Josslyn just told her. He says, Uncle Sonny’s alive? That’s fantastic! Wait until she meets him; he’s the best. Nikolas says, if Sonny’s back, Avery is protected. Ava won’t have to worry about her daughter so much. He thanks Esme, says he has to go, and jets. Esme asks why Spencer is standing there grinning like the Cheshire Cat? He says, because his uncle, who he loves, is alive, and she says, and his father just took off so fast, he left a vapor trail. Can’t he see this is a disaster?

Victor says, when he intercepted Obrecht, he also let Peter know that he almost walked into her trap. He was most appreciative. She says, he’ll regret his dealing with Peter. Everyone does eventually. To be clear, that degenerate has threatened to kidnap her beloved James, and use him as a substitute for his own lost child. If that happens, if Peter gets his hands on James, or harms Nina, or Maxie, or her Britta, she will hold him responsible. He says he’s well aware of the hazards of associating with Peter. Although he still thinks Henrik suits him better. She says if he’s trying to win her over by disparaging Peter, don’t waste his breath. She loathes Peter, but that doesn’t make her feel any warmer towards him. He says, it’s not good strategy to antagonize him, and she says, has she hurt his feelings? He says, she’s acting against her own interests. Britt may not have long before her symptoms manifest. Does Obrecht really want to spend what might be Britt’s last healthy months there, locked up in this room? She asks what he wants, and he tells her, forget her foolish, stubborn pride. Let him back in her heart.

Britt plops into a chair, and says, she’s okay; she’s just really relieved. Maxie says she prays Britt is right, but what makes her think Obrecht is still alive? Britt says, Scotty just said it; he’s a liability. Peter hates loose ends. If he wanted to get rid of her mother, he would have crashed the plane, whether Scotty was on it or not. Maybe he’s holding her mother hostage for leverage. It’s the first time she’s felt confident that they can find her mother, and rescue her. Assuming she doesn’t rescue herself first. Scotty says, he was given the bum’s rush, and thrown out of the plane, but he’s here. He tells Britt, he has a new mission, and that’s to save her mother’s life.

Sonny tells Nina, just because he remembers who he is, doesn’t mean he forgot what happened for the last nine months. He remembers when she came to him; they were talking, they were dancing. He remembers everything. How she led him on, and didn’t say anything is unforgivable. She says she knows, and he says, that’s all she’s got to say. She says she has plenty to say, but none of it will make a difference. All her reasons, all her justifications, her excuses she made to herself; it’s not going to make a difference. Yes, she was angry at Carly, but nothing she did in Nixon Falls was malicious. Just the opposite. She can see him, how he was there; laughing and at peace. She wanted to give that to him. He says he didn’t know what he’d lost. He didn’t know what her lies took from him. She says she hopes she didn’t cause any problems between him and Carly. She knows he’s not going to believe this, but all she wanted was for him to be happy.

Jason says he’s not going anywhere, and Carly says, no matter what it costs? He says, it cost him nothing. You can’t lose what you never had. What she had with Sonny, that’s real. Did Sonny say anything else about where he’s been? She says, just a small town in Pennsylvania, and the locals were good to him. She thinks he’s waiting to talk to Jason about it. Jason says, probably, and she says, Sonny’s never going to understand the big hole he left in their lives when he disappeared, or the void she would have fallen into if it wasn’t for Jason. She puts her hand on his, and he says, they were there for each other. He puts his other hand over hers, and she says, like always.

Spencer tells Esme, lighten up. She’s going to love his Uncle Sonny. He can be a little intense, but when he loves you, he’s got your back 100%. She says, that’s what she’s worried about. Did he hear his father? He said Sonny could protect Avery, which takes away Ava’s incentive to leave. Where does he think his father’s heading right now? Ava. Just when they were this close to breaking them up for good. They have to do something.

Nikolas goes into Charlie’s, and asks Trina if Ava is around. She wasn’t at the gallery. Trina says, that’s because Ava already said her goodbyes. He asks if he can talk to Trina for a second, and she steps away from the table with him. He says he knows how close she and Ava are… and Trina says, she’s sorry, but she has to stop him right there. She can’t tell him anything Ava told her in confidence. He says he gets that, but he needs to know where Ava went. If he can find her, he may be able to stop her from leaving Port Charles. She asks, how? and he says he hasn’t got time to explain. All he can say is, the situation has changed. Will Trina help him?   

Obrecht says, Victor told her that he’d let her see Britt. Why should she trust his word? He says, because as she can plainly see, he still has feelings for her. She says she can plainly see he’s trying to manipulate her; lure her into complacency. He says, just the opposite. She’s a brilliant woman. He wants them to help each other. She laughs, and says he has a strange way of asking for her help. A gilded cage is still a cage. He says, collaborate with him on a certain research project, and he guarantees she’ll have contact with her daughter. She says, and if she refuses? and he says, then she stays there, far away from her last surviving child. All those years she spent devoted to Faison, and how did he repay her? By murdering her beloved son. Britt’s all she has left. She’s a lovely woman. She reminds him a lot of Obrecht. No sign of Huntington’s yet, and he can give her a way to be with Britt. All she has to do is cooperate.

Carly says she’s glad she and Jason requested donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of presents. Now she doesn’t have to return anything for the shortest marriage in history. How long were they married? Three hours tops? She knows it wasn’t legal, but she meant the vows when she said them. He says, so did he, and she says, they’ll be okay, right? He says, they are okay, because she’s got him, and he’s got her. No matter what. She says, no matter what, and puts her head on his shoulder. He puts his arm around her.

Sonny tells Nina not to worry about him and Carly. He’s at home with his family where he belongs. She says, good. She’ll try to stay out of his way. She’s really sorry about the pain she caused him and his family, and the time she took from all of them. And she’s really sorry about letting him fall in love with her. She should have known better, and she should have known better than to fall in love with him too.

Trina says she wishes she could help Nikolas, but Ava might already be gone. He asks if Trina thinks she left, and Trina tells him, she did say something about making one last stop and unfinished business. Nikolas thanks her, and leaves. Trina sits back down, and Josslyn asks, what was that about? Trina says, inspiration. She knows how they can trap Esme and Spencer.

Spencer tells Esme, don’t overthink this. Ava is leaving today. She might already be gone. Father can try all he likes; he won’t change her mind. Esme asks if they should really take that chance, after all their hard work? He says, their hard work paid off. Ava’s made up her mind. Any last minute appeal made by his father won’t make a difference.

Britt tells Scotty, her mother’s been in tight situations before and survived. The just need a lead; some idea of where she might be. Maxie says, Obrecht has held her own with Peter before. Peter is so arrogant, and over-confident. Scotty says, that will be his downfall. Letting Scotty live, big mistake, because he’s going to find Obrecht, and take Peter August out.

Obrecht tells Victor that she can’t lose Britt, not after losing Nathan. She has no choice but to trust that he’ll keep his word. He puts his hands on her shoulders, and says, don’t worry, darling, the worst is over now. She whips around, and puts a knife to his throat, saying, wrong again, darling.

Sonny tells Nina, whatever happened in Nixon Falls is over. Nina says he’s back in his life; she accepts that. But she can’t pretend the last nine months didn’t happen. Mike will always be in her heart. Sonny remembers kissing Nina, and says she’s got to stop fooling herself. Mike’s gone. She has to forget he ever existed. She says she can’t do that. She can never forget what she and Mike shared.

Carly sits up, and asks if it’s weird for Jason. He says, it’s a little weird, but it will wear off. She says, getting there is going to be… He says, yeah, they’ll get there. He has to go. He needs to talk to Diane about this whole Buscema/Novak thing. He knows the cops are going to call. She says, there’s something they need to talk about. What are they going to tell Sonny? About what? It’s not like they slept together.

On Monday, Chase asks what’s up with Finn and Elizabeth, Obrecht tells Victor that he won’t be so lucky, and Sonny tells Nina they were great together. Although I have the feeling there’s a but coming after that.

Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles

JoshF was dealing with Jeannie, the owner of the Macapa house, a throwback to the Rat Pack days (the house, not Jeannie). She wanted to sell, but wanted a buyer who was not going to tear it down. I can’t imagine why more of these old homes aren’t kept as is, since they clearly have historic value, but, way it goes. She also wanted Josh to sell in two weeks. He called his friend Zach, who did a lot of deals in the area, and dealt with people who appreciated an historic home. Josh told Zach, the house was in Hollywood hills east, had fabulous views, and a lot of land. Zach asked if the house was something salvageable, since he had a writer couple who loved re-doing homes. He asked Josh to send a video, but still wanted to take a look in person. He wanted protocol taken though, since he was a germaphobe who wouldn’t touch elevator buttons before the pandemic.

James and David went to look at house in Windsor Square, Hancock Park. Apparently, it had been the place to be in the 40s and 50s for people with old money, and began appealing to the Hollywood crowd. Both Nat King Cole and Mohammad Ali had once had homes there. The seller’s rep Hilary met them at the house, which was pretty big; 8058 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 7 baths, the primary suite alone being 1500 square feet. It was built in 2016 and had an entertainer’s kitchen. As I’ve said before, they’ve never explained these terms, and I have no clue what they mean, but I have the feeling entertainer’s means bigger. There was a boutique-style closet, which I took to mean as big as a store. Hilary said it was the size of her first apartment, and I thought, I could fit my first apartment in one of the dresser drawers. In his interview, David or James said it was a unique house, which should appeal to every demographic, but the area usually attracted older clientele. It was a beautiful place, but didn’t have the same cache Beverly Hills. The house also had a movie theatre, which prompted (I’m pretty sure) David, to tell us in his interview, that he’d always wanted to be James Bond, because he was so suave, but it was never going to happen. Agreed. Hilary said her client’s bottom line was $10 million, and either David or James said he thought it was a good number, but the other one said he thought it was too much for the area. In their interviews, one said it was unusual for them to disagree about pricing, but the other said they always disagreed. Apparently, even they don’t know what’s going on with them. They did some showings, but didn’t have much luck. Everyone loved the house, but thought it was overpriced, but Hilary wouldn’t budge.

JoshF met Zach at the Macapa house, wearing a full-on orange Hazmat suit. Zach wore a bandana anyway. Although using a bandana instead of a mask when he was so paranoid, didn’t make sense. Zach said the house wasn’t ideal, but the bones were incredible. He took a ton of pictures, including the unobstructed view of the Hollywood sign. He FaceTimed with his client, and in Josh’s interview, he said a lot of people were buying houses without seeing them because of covid. Zach made a great pitch, getting pretty excited about the house, and what features should be kept.

On his way to Dolph Lundgren’s house, Fredrik called his brother to brag. In Fredrik’s interview, he said, growing up in Sweden, he wanted to be Dolph. Dolph explained that he was going to be doing Aquaman 2, would be away a lot, and wanted to sell. He’d acquired the 5230 square foot, 4 en suite bedroom house for $3.9 million. It was nice, and very big, but the word that sprang to my mind was suburban. There was a beautiful lap pool, a full gym, and a movie theater. The most impressive thing was a poster from Rocky IV that Sly Stallone had gifted him. It had been made in Africa, and painted on burlap. The house had panoramic city views, but even I noticed the ginormous telephone pole outside the primary suite, and the abundance of poles and wires outside. Dolph suggested planting palm trees. Fredrik felt it should be priced at $3.995, and while there were crickets for a moment, Dolph agreed. He just wanted to jet. He wanted Fredrik to get it sold in 60 days, but although it was priced well – because of the pole – Fredrik said houses in that area usually took 90 days, and he didn’t want to disappoint his childhood hero. Dolph told Fredrik, if he lies, he dies.

James and David continued to show the Windsor house, which somehow acquired GH’s moss bowl 🎍. It was a really gorgeous house. In (I think) David’s interview, he said, they could get clients in the door, but the house next door was half the price. If they wanted to do it, they had to be more realistic. James insisted they could do it, and in his interview, he said, being positive sometimes worked to his advantage, and sometimes didn’t, but if you went in not believing in the price, the energy would rub off on the client and agent.

JoshF met Zach privately at Dan Tana’s. Privately like they closed the restaurant for him. Zach said he had an offer of $2.8 million, and Josh said Jeannie had rejected $3.2 million. Zach said the main thing was, they wouldn’t tear it down. After some back and forth, Zach got his clients up to $3 million, and Josh tried to convince Jeannie that anyone who would pay top dollar would tear it down. There was value in them keeping it intact. Doing something he wouldn’t normally, Josh put Zach on the phone. In his interview, Josh said, sometimes a client was so emotionally invested, they needed to hear it from someone other than him. Jeannie liked that they weren’t developers, and was good at $3 million. Josh gifted Zach with the Hazmat suit. Meanwhile, David, or maybe it was James, tried to tell Hilary that the Windsor house was overpriced, but she wasn’t hearing it.

Fredrik did some private showings of Dolph’s house, and was pretty nervous because, Dolph. One potential buyer called Dolph’s pool a spool, since it was small, and when they got to the pole, he called the view a spiew. WTFueiw? In his interview, Fredrik said, a good broker had to take a negative and turn it into a positive, so he said the pool’s advantage was that it was private. Because of the pole, the house was priced lower than those with unobstructed views. Still, the spiew was a deal breaker.

David and/or James said they’d done countless showings, got two offers, and all they ended up with was pushback about the price. In maybe David’s interview, he said he trusted his gut, and took matters into his own hands, telling the buyer that the seller was flexible on the price. He said, sometimes you had to help the client by doing the opposite of what they wanted. They got two offers of $8.8 and $8.9 million, and went to visit Hilary and her two cute dogs. James admitted he’d f***ed up, and David admitted he’d gone outside the rules. He said he knew Hilary must know something they didn’t, and Hilary said, of course she did. The seller’s bottom line was $9.5 million, not 10. She told them, the best generals don’t ask for permission, but beg for forgiveness. They ended up having a deal at $9.450.

Next time, JoshF meets with Suzanne Sommers, Dolph pressures Fredrik, and Tracy’s sister puts her house on the market.

🔥 Into the Fire…

The doubles in the Tan-O.

🍵 Spilling the Tea…

Garcelle talks the reunion.

😥 Sniff…

Looks like no RHONY reunion. I’d say I’m so disappointed, but then my First World problems would be showing.

https://ew.com/tv/rhony-reunion-season-13-canceled-bravo/

https://people.com/tv/rhony-will-not-film-a-season-13-reunion-due-to-scheduling-challenges/

💸 Rut-Roh…

Looks like Jax has more than his racism and homophobia to worry about.

👠 Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough…

More Emmy fashion.

https://ew.com/emmys/see-all-the-celebs-at-the-emmys-afterparties/

🎭 Light the Lights…

Tony’s back.

https://www.tonyawards.com/

📡 Quotes of the Week

For it’s not light that is needed, but fire; it’s not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind and the earthquake in our hearts. – Frederick Douglass

Man may have discovered fire, but women discovered how to play with it. – Candace Bushnell

Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn. – John Maxwell

You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist. – Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

Being crazy isn’t enough. – Dr. Seuss

💃🏽 Doing the Hustle…

This hellacious week finally over, I’ll see you when Dead meets Walking. Until then, stay safe, stay holding on to your principles, and stay remembering a gilded cage is still a cage.

September 17, 2021 – Wedding Day Surprises, a Thought, In Memoriam, Keeping On, No Support, L.A. House, Patrick For the Win, Wives In Jep, Wrong Side, Sneaky Pup, New Digs, Tributes, Ten-Spot Of Quotes & Rod’s Maggie

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jason and Carly light the memorial candle, as the minister says, this candle burns in the memory of those we’ve loved and lost. Our loved ones may be gone, but they’re never far from our hearts.

Sonny lies unconscious, the Tan-O burning around him. He opens his eyes and says, Carly.

Nina tells the fire chief, he has to find a way inside. Mike/Sonny is trapped in there; they have to get him out. He says they’re doing the best they can. Phyllis says, she heard the fire captain; it’s too dangerous. Nina says, too dangerous to save a life? and Phyllis says, there’s no way he survived this much time in that fire. He’s gone, and they have to accept that.

Jax says, come on, Maxie. Pick up the damn phone.

At the wedding, Maxie looks at her phone. Austin says, catering crisis? and she says, Jax knows she’s at the wedding. Why is he calling? Across the aisle, Epiphany clears her throat, and gives Maxie a stern look. The minister reads from Genesis about man and wife becoming one flesh.

Nina asks Jax what he’s doing, and he says he’s trying to reach Maxie. He needs to tell her that Peter set a fire in Nixon Falls to kill her and Phyllis. Mostly, she has to know Peter is alive and on the run. Nina says, forget Peter. They have to get Sonny out of that building before it’s too late.

Sonny struggles to get up.

The minister says, blah-blah-blah about marriage, and all the couples glance at each other. He says, as Jason and Carly give themselves to each other today, let their love be an example – Gladys steals Novak’s pocket square to dab at her eyes – and inspiration to them all.  Austin asks if Maxie is okay, and she says she was just thinking about how happy she was when she was marrying Peter. That would have been an epic mistake. But watching Carly and Jason just feels right.

Nina makes a move to go back in the Tan-O, but Jax grabs her. He says she heard the fire captain. The building is on fire. Any attempt to rescue Sonny now will just result in more loss of life. There’s nothing they can do. She says, he’s still alive, and she has to get him out, but he asks how she’s going to do that? The front door’s blocked, the back hallway’s engulfed in flames. She says, he’s in there. They have to find him. They have to find Mike. Jax says, Nina, and she says, what does the name matter? There’s a man trapped in a burning building. They have to help him. She collapses, crying in Jax’s arms.

Sonny tries to push the beam off his back.

The minister says, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes it was instituted by God. Only for making babies. Just kidding; he didn’t say that last part. Into this union, Carly and Jason come to be joined. If any of them there today can show just cause why they may not be lawfully married, speak now or forever hold thier peace. I have to mention, I’ve been to a lot of weddings, and even had one myself, and have never, ever heard this at a real wedding. Monica tells Ned, she keeps thinking Tracy is going to barge in there, and do anything to keep Carly from marrying into this family again. No one says anything, but there’s a lot of looking around. The minister says, good. They can proceed. He asks them if they have any reason not to get married, and to say it now before God and all these witnesses. That’s a new one on me.

Sonny finally gets the beam off, and stands up, but he falls back down to his knees, and coughs.

Carly and Jason begin their vows. I study Carly’s floral hair ornament. Ned tells Olivia, it reminds him of their wedding, and she says, her too. Gladys noisily blows her nose into Novak’s pocket square. Trina says, Joss looks so beautiful, and Cameron says he knows. The minster asks if the audience witnesses will do everything in their power to uphold this union, and everyone says they will. Novak and Buscema exchange looks.

Nina says she has to find Mike, which is getting pretty old. Jax says, it’s no use. He’s not going to let her throw her life away. Phyllis says she loves Mike too, but it’s too late to save him. I might be able to take this more seriously if Nina didn’t keep looking around like Carrie did at the end of Carrie. Nina says, it’s not too late, and Jax says he’s going to get them checked out by doctors, but Nina says she won’t leave Mike. She sinks to her knees, crying, and saying, it’s not too late.

Carly and Jason say all the traditional stuff, and exchange rings.

Jax tells Nina that he’s taking her and Phyllis over to the clinic to get checked out. They help Nina up.

The minister pronounces Carly and Jason, husband and wife. Everyone applauds. He says, those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. Everyone chuckles, which is really weird.

Jax asks if Nina is all right, and she shrugs off his arm. She and Phyllis watch the Tan-O burn, and Phyllis says, it’s all gone. She collapses, and Jax calls for a medic. Nina says, oh my God, and runs for the back of the Tan-O. Jax says, Nina, no, like she might listen. Behind the Tan-O, Sonny is walking out as Nina runs up. He slumps down, and she holds him.

Jason kisses his bride. Everyone applauds again, and they get a standing ovation.

Nina rocks Sonny, and tells him that he’s going to be okay.

Josslyn gives Carly the bouquet, and says she’s happy for them. Carly says she’s happy too, and Jason says, him too. The Wedding March plays, and they walk out to more applause. Outside the chapel, Jason asks what they do now, and Carly says, they shake a lot of hands and kiss a lot of cheeks. He says, that’s one option, and she asks what he’s talking about. He says, let’s go, takes her hand, and they jet.

Jax runs over to where Nina is with Sonny, and she says, he made it. Jax calls for the paramedics, who bring a stretcher over. Jax pulls her away, and suggests he take her to the clinic, but she says she’s not leaving. He almost died because of her, and she’s not going to let him die. He has too much to live for.

Olivia tells Ned and Monica, when she first heard about Carly marrying Jason, she thought it was all kinds of wrong. Sonny’s not gone even a year. Ned asks if she told Carly this, and she says, she would have, if Carly had asked, but luckily she didn’t, so she kept her big mouth shut. She’s so happy she did. Did he see Carly? She was so happy. She was positively glowing. Monica says she certainly had her doubts. Why wouldn’t she? Carly single-handedly destroyed AJ’s life (she says this like AJ had nothing to do with it). But a lot of time has passed, and Jason seems genuinely happy. Ned asks if she’s saying she approves, and she says she doesn’t know. Maybe she’s just a sucker for weddings.

Diane asks Spinelli if he’s feeling a bit melancholy, and he says, he and Ellie agreed to part ways, but he does miss her. He knows in his heart, it’s for the best. She would not have approved of today’s events. Diane says, the ceremony or the guest list? and he says, he understands the necessity of having certain business associates in attendance, but doesn’t she think they put a kind of pal on the festivities? She says, considering Carly and Jason got married to send a message to said guests, it only makes sense they’d be there to receive it. He asks if she doesn’t think they detract from the ambiance, and she laughs, saying, oh please. She thinks Carly and Jason could have cared less. She thinks they were completely oblivious. He says, that’s true. The bride and the groom seemed to have eyes for no one but each other.

Willow says she’s so proud of Michael, and he says, for handing off the ring? She says, yes. For not doing that thing he does where he pretends he can’t find the ring. That is so lame. He says, with Jason as the groom and his mom as the bride? Is she kidding him?

Austin tells Maxie, if it’s going to make her unhappy to talk to Jax, don’t do it. She says she’s not even thinking about Jax, and he’s going to have to wait. She has a job to do. She goes over to Diane, who tells her the ceremony was gorgeous, and the flowers are beautiful. Congratulations on a job… Maxie says, don’t compliment her just yet. They haven’t even gotten to the reception venue. She turns to Spinelli, and says, and on that subject, the DJ has not checked in yet. Can he check on that for her? She’ll text him his contact information. Spinelli says, on it, and leaves.

Gladys says if Brando wants to check on his baby mama before the reception, don’t worry about her. Vincent will make sure she gets there safely. He says, except the Novaks do make him worry.

Woo approaches Novak and Buscema, and says, it was a lovely ceremony, don’t they think? Novak says, no doubt about it. They’re legally married now. Buscema says, which makes them twice as dangerous in his book. 

Bobbie wonders where the bride and groom are, and Epiphany says she thought the receiving line was going to be at the church. Josslyn says, her mom and Jason wouldn’t just take off, would they? but Michael says, they’re not here. Josslyn says, so the question is, where’d they go? 

Jason and Carly go to where she was getting dressed, and he says he can’t believe she came with him, no questions asked. She says, he knows she trusts him completely, and he says, it’s the no questions part that surprised him. She says she thought he could use a break from all the pomp and circumstance. She was impressed he made it through the entire ceremony without wanting to bolt. He says he’d never leave her, and kisses her hand. They sit, and she says, there was this moment when she looked up at Monica smiling at her. And her mom had tears in her eyes, and Josslyn and Michael were grinning from ear to ear. He says, it’s not just about them. It’s about their friends and family; their people. She says she loves the sound of that. Their friends, their family, their life together. He says, starting now, and they almost kiss, but Josslyn and Michael walk in. Josslyn says, don’t let them interrupt, and Carly says, it’s not fair; sneaking up on them. They’re newlyweds, remember? Josslyn says she knows. Everyone’s out there waiting for them. That’s why she and Michael came to find them. Carly says she promised the church secretary that she’d clear out of there, and she wanted to get started. Michael asks if she doesn’t have people for that, and Josslyn says she doesn’t know if Carly has people, but she has a maid of honor and a best man. That sounds like a job for them. Michael says, not to mention, there’s a wedding planner that’s going to have a major breakdown if Carly deviates from her schedule any longer. Carly says, it sounds like they’re being kicked out, and Jason says he thinks so. Carly says, all kidding aside, she thanks Josslyn and Michael for standing up for them and making the day special. She loves them so much. Josslyn tells Jason, she’d say welcome to the family, but he’s already a part of it. Jason says he’ll take it anyway, and they hug. Michael awkwardly hugs Jason, and tells them, get out here.   

Epiphany asks if Bobbie has any guess where her daughter and brand new son-in-law are, and Bobbie says, no. Her biggest worry was if anyone was going to object. Epiphany asks if Bobbie really thought someone was going to do that, and Bobbie says, she didn’t? Epiphany says, like who? Bobbie says she happens to know Jax is not happy with who Josslyn’s new stepdad is Jason, and Epiphany says she’s glad he realized the ceremony wasn’t the place to air his objections. Bobbie says, he’s not entirely wrong, but he’s not taking into account the bond between Jason and Carly, and how committed they are to each other and their family, which of course (🍷) includes Josslyn. Maxie comes out, and asks where the bride and groom are. See this schedule on her phone? Every minute of the day is planned, and there’s no room for Jason and Carly to go rogue. Olivia says, here are the newlyweds, and Maxie goes over to them, asking where they’ve been. Carly says, they just needed a minute alone, and Epiphany says, mm-hm. Well, they’re here now. Let them congratulate the couple. Everyone applauds.

Inside the chapel, Gladys tells Novak that they should join everyone. He tells her to go be with her son. He’ll be there in a moment. She says, he’d better, and leaves. Novak asks Buscema what he thinks. Should they join everyone? Buscema says, why not? Carpe diem. Novak says, seize the day, just in case someone didn’t know what that meant, and Woo says, most people forget the rest of that famous quote. Quam minimum credula postero. Buscema says, which means? and she says, don’t put your trust in tomorrow.

Outside, Epiphany is hugging Jason, and Bobbie says, that’s one long hug. Epiphany says, is she kidding? Jason is the groom. It’s the one time he has to let her hug him. She goes back for seconds, and everyone laughs. Monica says, congratulations, and Ned tells Carly, welcome to the family… again. Olivia says she’s glad to have another ally, and Carly says she can’t wait. Woo approaches, and tells Carly, it was a beautiful ceremony. Thanks again for inviting her. Carly says, of course (🍷), and Woo says, and the groom. She hugs Jason, whispers something in his ear, and tells Carly that she’ll see her at the reception. Woo leaves, and Carly looks at Jason.

At the clinic, Nina coughs, and Jax says, she needs to get herself checked, but she says she’s fine. She coughs some more, and he says, if a doctor says she’s fine, he’ll stop bugging her, but she may have an injury she’s not aware of. She says, she may see a doctor later, but right now, her focus is on Mike. He was in that fire a lot longer than she was. Jax gives her a look, and she says she knows who he is – Sonny. She’s not delusional. He tells her, he didn’t say she was, but she hasn’t been thinking clearly for months. He knows there’s no love lost between her and Carly, and she may not care how Carly is affected by this, but Sonny is a father. His kids have been missing him for almost a year, and that includes Josslyn. He asks if she remembers when they were dating, how close she and Josslyn were. Josslyn’s been missing her stepfather for months. That must mean something to her. This has to stop. She understands, right? He’s not keeping this secret. Keeping Sonny from his kids would just be cruel. A doctor comes out, and Nina asks how he is, but the doctor keeps moving. Phyllis follows, and Nina asks her how he is. She says, he’s conscious, but he’s inhaled a lot of smoke. Nina says, but he’s going to be okay, right? and Phyllis says, the doctor told her it was a miracle he survived. Nina asks if she can see him, and Phyllis looks at Jax. She says, he wants to see Nina, but Jax says, don’t do it. Let the doctors deal with it. Nina goes in anyway.

Nina goes into the examining room, and Sonny sits up. He’s wearing and oxygen mask, and Nina says he should lie back down after everything he’s been through. He asks if she’s okay, and she says she’s fine, thanks to him and Jax. She calls him Mike, and says if he hadn’t risked his life… He takes the mask off, and says, his name’s not Mike. It’s Sonny. She’s always known that. He remembers everything. And he means everything. Oh man, is he going to be all mean about this now?

Michael tells Josslyn, people are waiting, and she says she knows. She was just thinking, most of her friends don’t believe in marriage. That makes complete sense. Her mom’s been divorced, her dad’s been divorced, Trina’s parents are divorced, Cam’s mom is divorced… but she doesn’t know. Seeing her mom and Jason be so excited to commit to each other, she finds it refreshing and encouraging. Or is she just being hopelessly naïve? Michael says he’d use a lot of words to describe her, but naïve isn’t one of them. She says, the whole notion that everyone gets just one great love in their life, if that was the case, she’s already had Oscar. Does that mean she’s going to be alone for the next 60 years? Is that what the universe wants? He says he can’t imagine any universe wanting her to be alone for the rest of her life, and she says, what about him and Willow? She knows the first time they got married, it was to secure custody of Wiley, but are they getting married again, this time because they’re in love? He says he doesn’t want to get ahead of things, but it’s definitely a possibility. She hugs him, and says, it’s such a happy day, and he suggests they get out there. They don’t want to miss what happens next.   

Gladys comes back into the chapel, and tells Novak that she knows he said to go along without him, but patience isn’t her strong suit. She just doesn’t want him to miss anything. He says he’s sorry, but something’s come up. He has business to attend to. She says she was looking forward to dancing with him, and he says, if he wraps it up quickly, he’ll be happy to dance with her. Brando comes in, and asks if everything is okay. Novak tells him to make sure his mother has a good time. He has to sort out some business. He’ll join her if he can. Gladys says she’s going to hold him to that, and Brando suggests they go join everyone. Buscema says, from what I hear, the reception is going to be a real blow out. Brando takes note of this, and I say, oh come on.

Austin tells Maxie, the guests are happy, the bride and groom are smiling. Nice job, wedding planner Maxie. She can relax for a little while now. She says, a wedding planner’s job is not done until the last tuna tartare has been eaten, and the final dance is over. She wonders why Jax called. He never calls her. He knows she’s at a wedding. Granted, a wedding he’s not very happy about, but still, it’s Carly and Jason’s big day. Spinelli flings himself at Jason, hugging him.

Phyllis tells Jax, it was one thing to hear the truth about Mike being Sonny; it was another to see it for herself. That man with Mike’s face is someone different. Kind and appreciative, but a  whole different energy. He says, she just met Sonny Corinthos. She says, Nina knew who he was the entire time, and he says, unfortunately, yes, she did.

Nina says she can see it in Sonny’s eyes; he’s different now. He says it took a near-death experience to remind him of who he was before he washed up in Nixon Falls. She says, the good news is, she doesn’t have to lie anymore. They can start from scratch. Knowing who he was before, and knowing the kind of connection they made together… He says, she really believes that? and she says, the name Mike might be false, but the way they feel about each other is real. He asks why she did it, and she says, if he remembers everything, his memories as Sonny, but also as Mike, then he already knows the answer.

Maxie asks if everyone has their bubble makers ready, and Epiphany says, locked and loaded. Maxie says, okay, people. It’s time for bubbles. Inside, Michael tells Jason and Carly they’re going to be drowning bubbles. Carly takes Jason’s hand, and they walk out between the two lines of guests. Bubbles fill the air, and they kiss.

In a limo, Buscema says, now that he and Novak are alone, not to mention away from Gladys, they can speak freely. He knows Novak has questions. Novak asks if the plan was Cyrus’s idea, and Buscema says, Cyrus is in maximum security; that’s not changing. But Cyrus is right about one thing. The world is about to be a better place without Jason and Carly in it.

In their limo, Carly tells Jason, they did it. Even with a church full of Quartermaines, Corinthoses, and business associates, lightning didn’t strike the steeple. He says, let’s not get over-confident. They still have the whole reception to get through. She says she’s not worried. They deserve their happy ending, and they’re going to get it – or die trying. Why the hell would she put it that way?

On the phone, Epiphany says she understands… She’ll see them soon. Bobbie says, let her guess. GH needs her. Epiphany nods, and says, save me a piece of cake? and Bobbie says she will.

Diane says, Spinelli doesn’t approve of Maxie’s date? and Spinelli says, Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt. He barely knows the man. Diane laughs, and says, she highly doubts that. He says he barely knows Austin personally. He’s well acquainted with Austin’s history and online presence. She says, he did a deep dive, and he says, for good reason. He’s challenging Edward’s will; he wants a piece of ELQ. She asks, who’s representing him? and he says he believes it’s Scotty. She wonders why no one reached out to her. She did the probate for Edward’s will, and knows all of the provisions. What say the two of them get to know Dr. Gatlin-Holt a little better? He says, by all means. If she’ll excuse the observation, he does seem to be hovering a little close to Maxie. Perhaps they could give her a break. He’s sure she would be most grateful. As would he. Diane laughs, and they walk over. Diane says, Dr. Austin Gatlin-Holt, I presume, and introduces herself. She says, you’re a Quartermaine. They’re just coming out of the woodwork. Come. Tell me things about yourself. He excuses himself, and Maxie says, did Spinelli ask Diane to do that? He says he thought she might want Austin out of the room when he passed along the instructions from the DJ. She says, right. Did the DJ get back to him? She steers him out at a fast clip.

Gladys tells Brando, wasn’t that sweet of Vincent to promise to meet her at the reception? Brando says, that’s not exactly what he heard, but maybe if they’re lucky, Novak’s business will keep him busy all night. She says she hopes fatherhood teaches him to be more trusting of people. Not everyone is out for number one.

Sonny asks Nina how he’s supposed to know the reasons for her keeping his true identity a secret. She tells him, think back to when she and Phyllis were trapped in the fire. He told her that he loved her, and it gave her the strength to fight for her life, and survive. Doesn’t that prove to him that what they have is real? He says, he can’t do it. He’s got to see his wife. He gets off the examining table, and she says, if he leaves there, she wants him to know something. That she honestly loves him. He tells her, don’t say that.

Carly says, when they were in the receiving line, Mrs. Woo whispered something to Jason. What did she say? He says, she was confirming something he already knew.

Buscema looks at his watch, and tells Novak, the surprise should be happening at any moment. Novak says, Gladys took his pocket square. Like he’d want it back after she blew her nose in it. Buscema says, relax. The device has been planted. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan’s love story is about to come to a violent end. Something blinks from underneath the car.

Carly tells the driver, step on it. They can’t wait to celebrate with their family and friends.

A button is pressed, and there’s an explosion near the chapel.

The text says: In Loving Memory of Joseph Behar, Director

On Monday, Valentin tells Anna that he’ll shoot someone on sight (probably Peter), Maxie says she could use a bride and groom, Nina tells Sonny he can’t leave, and Sonny says, try and stop him.

💡 Even though they didn’t show it, I’m guessing it’s Novak and Buscema’s limo that’s blown to bits.

📺 Who He Was…

GH’s Joseph Behar.

👱🏾‍♀️ New Normal…

I’m all for getting your blonde wig on, but is it me, or is she looking more like Kim Zolciak these days?

👎 No Vote For You…

It’s not Vicki’s year.

🏰 It’s That House…

JoshF shows off his Million Dollar Listing. Amazing photos of the tiles. I forgot to mention, the people who bought it want to remove them. I think I immediately blocked it from my mind.

https://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-listing-los-angeles/style-living/josh-flaggs-copa-doro-listing-see-inside

🍾 Scene Stealer…

He was an angel at the dinner from hell.

https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/kathy-hilton-butler-patrick-rhobh-cast-reacts

⚖️ Which One…?

While they both have serious problems, still, First World. But who has it worse? Jen Shah

https://extratv.com/2021/09/10/rhoslc-star-whitney-rose-talks-jen-shah-s-legal-drama-and-how-she-s-doing-after-her-arrest/

https://okmagazine.com/p/real-housewives-of-salt-lake-city-lisa-barlow-says-co-star-jen-shah-fighting-for-her-freedom/

Or Erika Jayne. You decide.

https://www.etonline.com/bethenny-frankel-says-she-was-aware-of-erika-jayne-and-tom-girardis-money-issues-years-ago-172257

🥈 Runner Up…

Or Kelly, who is her own worst enemy.

🐶 Pay No Attention To That Dog In the Picture…

I don’t normally follow the royals, but I loved this.

https://people.com/royals/james-middleton-alizee-thevenet-married/

🏘 Real Estate Therapy…

I’m going to miss Metul. He turned me on to butter chicken.

🌠 Funny Guy Gone…

Tributes to Norm MacDonald.

https://people.com/tv/late-night-hosts-pay-tribute-to-norm-macdonald-after-his-death/

https://ew.com/tv/stars-pay-tribute-late-comedian-snl-alum-norm-macdonald/

🐬 Quotes of the Week

Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power. – Clint Eastwood (This was before he started talking to empty chairs.)

Diligence is the mother of good fortune. – Miguel de Cervantes

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle

A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read. – Mark Twain

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.Martin Luther King Jr.

Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. – Napoleon Hill

Here’s your reminder that you are not a robot. You’re a human being, and that means some days aren’t productive, some days are messy, and some days are just for living life – and that’s okay. – Georgie Collinson, naturopath

Happiness is not a goal, it’s a by-product. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself. – Harvey Fierstein

If you’d have a drink, I’d make a lot more sense. – Nucky (Steve Buscemi), Boardwalk Empire

⚔️ Ending the Week…

It’s that time again. The time those using the traditional calendar system call the weekend. And for those making lines on a cave wall, it’s two more of those. It’s when I switch gears, and write interviews, the latest of which is Thaao Penghlis – the original Victor Cassadine – streaming on YouTube at 2 pm, Sunday, on Mupo & Friends. Be there or be a rectangle. Until I see you on the Deadside, stay safe, stay practical when life calls for it, and stay seizing the day. Don’t put your trust in tomorrow.

September 10, 2021 – Nina Tells Jax That He Won, Comparison, Shah Much Trouble, the Ultimate, Kandi’s New Gig, Throwing Back, New Puppy, OctoQuotesy & Double W.K.

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What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Austin tells Maxie, it’s totally okay. She told him not to bother her, and he won’t anymore. She says, it’s no bother. She was wondering if he’d like to attend the wedding of the century. By that, of course (🍷) she means the wedding between Carly Corinthos and Jason Morgan. Actually, she’s planning most of it, and it is coming out really nice if she does say so herself. He says, weddings just aren’t his thing, and she asks if he’s sure. He could be her plus one. Curtis comes in carrying Jordan, and says they need some help. Austin springs into action and calls for a gurney. Curtis puts Jordan on it, and Austin asks, what happened? Curtis tells him that Jordan got locked in a basement with a gas leak. Austin asks if Jordan can hear him, but there’s no response. He tells the nurse to take her to the ER, and follows. Maxie asks if Portia is okay, and Portia sits down. She coughs a little, and asks Brook to go to the desk an tell the attendant she was exposed to a gas leak. Brook says she’s on it, and Maxie asks if there’s anyone she can call, but Portia says, no. She doesn’t want her daughter to worry. Maxie says, speaking as someone’s daughter, she’d want to know what’s going on.

Gladys joins Brando and Sasha at a table in the MetroCourt, and apologizes for being late. She walked straight into the paint cans he had in the hall. She has a bruise on her leg that’s going to be there for days,. That’s going to look great for Carly and Jason’s wedding. Brando says they were going to discuss that with her, but Gladys ignores him, asking him to put the box with the changing table in his room. Every time she walks in her room, it’s in the way. He says, the baby takes top priority. He’s trying to get the nursery ready. She asks if that’s why he invited her to lunch; to find out when she’s getting her own apartment, and he says, Sasha’s about to have the baby, and he needs her room. Gladys says she already told him, the baby can share his room. It’ll be too young to appreciate some fancy nursery. Besides, she doesn’t want Brando to be by his lonesome in the apartment. He says he’s not going to be lonely when Sasha decides to move in with him.

Nina says, Carly and Jason are getting married tonight? and Jax says, they want to present a united front to their business associates. She asks if he doesn’t see. If they get married, everything’s going to be okay. Because there’s not going to be a hole for Sonny to fill. There will be no life waiting for him. If Carly and Jason get married, then Sonny can stay dead. She and Mike can have a future. All he has to do is walk away. Please. She’s begging him.

Phyllis finds Sonny, and says it looks like they had the same idea. He needs peace and quiet as much as she does. He asks if she’s seen Nina, and she says, no, why? Is everything all right? What happened? He laughs, and says, for one thing, he told Nina that he loves her. Phyllis smiles and says, ooh, and they both laugh.

Ms. Woo and Mr. Novak meet Mr. Buscema at the docks. Novak asks what they’re doing there, and Buscema says, the plan is set, unless something’s changed. Woo says, they agreed. The best time to hit the warehouse is tonight, while Ms. Corinthos and Mr. Morgan are distracted by the wedding. Buscema says, the plans haven’t changed, but he has a message from Cyrus Renault.

Carly and Jason kiss, but it’s one of those soap kisses where he’s really kissing her upper lip. She says she wouldn’t mind doing that again. Maybe not, but I don’t want to see it again.

Portia lies on an examining table, wearing an oxygen mask. She takes it off, and asks, how’s Jordan? Deanna says, mask back on, please, and Portia says, in a minute. Deanna says, doctors always make the worst patients, and Portia says, while she was in that basement with Jordan, she performed chest compression, and monitored her breathing all the way to the hospital. It would really help her to know Jordan’s condition. Deanna tells her to put the mask back on, and she’ll check. Deal? Portia says, okay.

Maxie thanks Brook for the coffee, but doesn’t think it’s going to calm her down. Brook says, it’s not about calming her down. It’s about being alert while they wait. Maxie says, they’re not family. The hospital isn’t going to give them any information on Jordan’s or Portia’s conditions. Brook says, she’s concerned about them, but they’re waiting for Austin. Maxie was just about to invite him to Jason and Carly’s wedding.

Austin comes out from Jordan’s cubicle, and Curtis asks how she is. Austin says, they’re treating her with pure oxygen to get the levels in her blood back up. Curtis asks how long it will take, but Austin tells him, it’s hard to say. It varies from patient to patient. They’re waiting to get her bloodwork back to find out how much carbon dioxide is still in her system. Curtis says he’d like to see her, and Austin says he’s sure Curtis would, but he can’t allow that. He’s sorry. From his understanding, Curtis and Jordan are divorced, and it’s family only. Curtis says Austin understood wrong. They’re not divorced; he’s still her husband. Austin says, mazel tov. Go ahead.

Curtis goes in to see Jordan, and tells her, the doctor says she’s doing great. He sits down, and takes her hand. He says her heartbeat is steady. He just needs her to wake up. He kisses her hand, looks up, and says, please.

Phyllis hugs Sonny, and says, that’s wonderful news. How did Nina respond? Did she say she loves him back? Sonny says, she did, and Phyllis says, just as she predicted. He says, she predicted this? and she says, not to him and Nina. She wanted them to figure it out for themselves, but now that they have, why isn’t he with her? He says, because her friend Jax is back. He’s talking a lot, and it’s not good. She says, that man never takes no for an answer. She can’t tell him how many times she and Nina have told him to back off. He says, so has he, but now Nina wants him to back off to talk to Jax in private. She asks if they’re at the Tan-O, and he nods. She starts to walk away, and he says, no one wants to go back to the Tan-O more than he does, but Nina told him that she wants to talk to Jax alone, so he’s going to respect her wishes – for now.

Jax asks if Nina hears herself. Sonny can stay dead? He’s not dead. He was just here. Jax was talking to him. Please don’t tell him that Sonny is some made up person named Mike. Nina says, Mike’s not made up, and he’s nothing like Sonny. Jax says he was pretty quick to threaten him. He told Jax to leave before he got shot again. That sounds like the old Sonny he’s always known. She says, he didn’t mean anything. Mike is just protective of the people he loves. Jax says, stop calling him Mike, and she says, Mike is free from the mob. Mike is free from the violence that’s followed Sonny his whole life. And Mike isn’t grieving a son who was killed. He isn’t focused on revenge, power, and greed. Mike can be the good man inside that he always has been. Jax says Mike gave Nina what he could – honesty – and she’s paying back his honesty with lies.

Jason tells Carly, if they get married, it’s going to be real; she doesn’t have to worry. She says, and they can stay best friends, figure out how to be husband and wife, fall in love and all that stuff. That’s scary. He says he knows, and she says she’s looking forward to it. He says, him too, and she asks if this is happening. He says, does she need to hear it? and she says she does. He says, Carly, will you marry me? and she says, with all her heart, and they hug.

Maxie tells Brook, while they’re waiting, tell her about Louise… She means, Bailey. Starting from when she woke up this morning. Was she smiling, hungry, fussy? She wants to know everything.

TJ goes in to see Portia, and asks if she’s okay. What happened? She says she’ll be fine, but his mom was with her, and she’s been injured.

Curtis asks Jordan to open her eyes. She’s nothing if not a survivor. She’s beat the odds so many times, he needs her to beat them again. He needs her to wake up, smile at him, and tell him, she’s got this. Austin says Jordan’s blood results are back, and asks to talk to him outside. Curtis goes out with him, and says Austin’s doctor face tells him the news isn’t good. Austin says, the normal level of carbon dioxide in an adult who doesn’t smoke is less than 2%. Curtis says, and Jordan’s? and Austin says, her level is 58%. Curtis says, that doesn’t sound good, and Austin says, they’re going to do everything they can. They’re going to get her levels down quickly, and if that doesn’t work, they’ll put her in a hyperbaric chamber, because if they don’t do that, they could lose her. Curtis says, she can’t die.

Nina tells Jax, Mike is happy here. Mike has found peace with himself in a way Sonny never has. He asks if she remembers how happy she was when she found out Sasha was her daughter. She was so happy to have her child in her life; they were the perfect mother/daughter match. But did her happiness justify Valentin’s actions? She was torn apart when she found out the truth, but she wasn’t interested in Valentin’s good intentions. She only cared that he manipulated her and lied to her; told her what she could and couldn’t know about her own life. Is that what she wants for Sonny? She says, of course (🍷) not. She can’t bear to see the pain in his eyes. He says, but she will. That’s inevitable. She starts to cry, and he says, eventually, Sonny is going to find out the truth about who he really is. She says she can’t lose Mike; she won’t. He says she won’t lose Mike, because he doesn’t exist. He never has.

Gladys says, Brando and Sasha hardly know each other. Why would they want to move in together? Sasha says, what better way to get to know each other? and Brando says, they’re having a baby. It makes sense to keep the family together. Gladys says she’s family, and he’s not thinking twice about kicking her out, and Sasha says, maybe Gladys’s new friend Vincent Novak can help her find a place. Gladys says, maybe he will. Vincent at least knows how to treat a lady right. Brando asks if she didn’t learn anything with her involvement with Cyrus, and Gladys says, her involvement with Mr. Renault was a business transaction. Vincent doesn’t want anything from her except the pleasure of her company, and she’s not discussing this with him anymore. Know what else she’s not discussing? Moving out. It’s not like he’s even there most of the time. Sasha says, Brando’s been busy with his side gigs, and Gladys says, side gigs? Why does he need extra work? The garage is doing just fine, isn’t it? He says he needs to save up some money for the baby, so he needs extra cash, and Sasha says, Brando has some amazing hidden talents. Her son is quite the entertainer. Gladys asks what that’s supposed to mean, and Brando says he’s a stripper. Gladys chokes on her drink.

Novak says, Mr. Renault wants to remain in control, calling the shots, even from prison. Woo says, at least they know he’s contained. They don’t have to worry about the threat his operation once posed to their own. Novak says, once they get rid of Jason and Carly, Port Charles will finally be open to them. They can split it three ways, and operate as they see fit. Buscema says they only have one chance to bring down the Corinthos organization, and Novak says, tonight, when the heads of the Five Families rigatoni with vodka sauce are at the wedding, they’ll make their move.

Sonny looks at his phone, and Phyllis says, any word from Nina? He says he’s afraid not. If he doesn’t hear from her soon, he’s going over to the Tan-O, and make sure she’s okay. Phyllis says, good. That Mr. Jax is way too pushy for her taste. He says Nina said she could handle him, and she says she’s sure Nina can, but only to a point. He’ll try to wear Nina down, and draw on their history together. She knows Nina has conflicting feelings where he’s concerned, and she’s worried Mr. Jax could undermine her belief and the life she’s made for herself. She asks how long he’s going to wait, and he looks at his empty wrist. She asks where his watch is, and he flashes back to throwing it in the water. He says he decided to let it go, let the past go, and concentrate on the future with Nina.

Carly says she needs to text Josslyn, and tell her she’s sorry for taking off, but Jason says he already texted that he found Carly. Carly says Josslyn called him when she realized Carly wasn’t home? but Jason says, actually, he stopped by to pick up his suit. She says, his suit was at the house; their house. She knows he’s been staying there for months, but staying there is very different from living there. He says, there’s a big difference, and she says, this is creepy. It’s just hitting her. They’re getting married. She was so caught up in the politics, and the Five Families caprese salad mix, and wondering if she could go through with it, but this is happening. It’s real. Today’s their wedding day.

Austin tells Curtis, in this moment, it’s his duty as a physician to inform him of the worst case scenario. He has every right to know what kind of jeopardy Jordan is in, but he doesn’t believe there’s any medical value in guesswork or trying to predict an outcome. He does believe there’s incredible medical significance in someone who cares about the patient – like him – hoping for the best. So let’s just do that. TJ comes running up, and asks, how’s his mom? Austin says he and Curtis were just discussing her condition. His mom has severe carbon monoxide poisoning. TJ says, she’s only got one kidney. Is she in danger of renal failure? Austin says, it’s a possibility her renal function has been compromised, but they’re monitoring it. Curtis tells TJ to go see his mom, and TJ goes in to see Jordan. Austin says he’s going for a consult with a nephrologist. He’ll be paged if there are any changes.

Brook tells Maxie, Bailey/Louise goes right to sleep. Then wakes up about an hour later, fussing. She and Valentin find it hard not to go in. Maxie says, they just let her cry? but Brook says, absolutely not, but if she wakes up, and she’s not crying, just making noises for attention, they try to wait it out and see if she’ll fall asleep on her own. Maxie says, no. She’s too young for self-soothing. When James was that age, she let him fall asleep in her arms. Brook tells her, experts say, it’s really important to get a child into a routine, and Maxie says, she knows routines are important. She has two other children. Brook asks if Maxie is implying she’s a bad mom.

Gladys coughs for a while, and says, a stripper? Sasha says, he’s really good. Everyone at Carly’s bachelorette party was thrilled. He was very entertaining. Gladys says, he stripped for Carly? and Sasha says, she was very appreciative. Gladys says, of course (🍷). Of course (🍷) she’s the type to hire a stripper. She has no class at all. Brando says, actually, Olivia Quartermaine hired him, and Gladys says, that’s beside the point. He could do anything; why this? He says, he’s at the garage all day. He needs night and weekend gigs, and there aren’t many of those that pay well. Stripping does. Gladys says, what about Miss Face of Deception? Can’t she cough up the cash?

Sonny tells Phyllis that he’s tired of thinking about a past he can’t remember, and she says, that’s quite a gesture. He says, what is a watch compared to the woman he loves, and who loves him? She says, his watch was from his past, and he wants to show Nina that he’s ready to move forward with her. He says he’s got everything he needs right there with Nina, and Phyllis puts her arm around him, saying, she’s so glad her two favorite people found each other. Sonny says, come hell or high water, he’s not letting Nina go.

Nina says Jax doesn’t understand. Mike brought her back to life. When she lost her daughter and lost him, she was so upset and heartbroken, and Mike changed all that. The love they share is real. Jax says, then it should survive the truth. If Nina really thinks Sonny will chose her over his old life, at least give him the information he needs to make that choice. She says, but it won’t be a choice. The instant people know Sonny is alive, Mike will be trapped in that world again. Jax says, because that is his world. Sonny chose it over and over. He made himself kingpin. He was ruthless and ambitious, and he got exactly what he wanted. He’s not going to stand by and let Carly marry Jason, so she can manage his territory, when he’s alive and can manage it himself. She says, of course (🍷). This isn’t about Sonny, and this certainly isn’t about her. It’s about Carly.

Carly tells Jason, just to be clear, she’s still committed to the business aspect, and putting on a show for the Five Families panettone, but like he said, the wedding is about them. Jason says, it will be, and she says, they should celebrate. He says, trust him. Maxie will make sure they celebrate. She says, not Maxie’s celebration; their celebration. Right here at Jake’s, where it all began. He says, Jake’s is gone, and she says, it’s where they first met; where they had their first dance. She knows there’s no pool table or bar. He says, and there’s no music; he doesn’t hear any music either. She says she can hear music. He can just follow her lead. He says they’re going to dance at the reception, but she says, that’s a show for everybody else. This is just for them. She puts her arms around him, and sways back and forth. This is really stupid. She says she thinks he likes dancing, and he says he does not like to dance, but he can’t say no to her. She leans in for another kiss, but his phone rings. It’s Tony, and he asks, what is it?… What’s wrong with her?… Okay. Thanks. He tells Carly that one of their people saw Jordan being brought into General Hospital. It looks like she was attacked. She asks if he thinks Cyrus was involved, but he doesn’t know. He suggests they go find out.

Nina says she’s such an idiot. She should have known this is all about Carly for Jax. He says, that’s not true. He knows she’s scared because she knows her happiness with Sonny can’t last. Even if he kept Sonny’s identity a secret, eventually, he’s going to remember. She says he doesn’t know that; no one does. He says he understands if she wants to ignore Carly’s feelings, but she can’t ignore Sonny’s kids. His kids are in Port Charles grieving their father. Donna and Avery are small children, and deserve their dad in their lives. She says, doesn’t he think she knows that? and he says, remember what it felt like to have Wiley back in her life? That’s Sonny’s grandson. Doesn’t he have the right to know Sonny, and doesn’t Sonny – not Mike, Sonny – have the right to know Wiley?   

Brando says, Sasha’s finances are none of Gladys’s business, and Sasha says, they intend to co-parent, and split the cost down the middle. Gladys says, and Sasha thinks that’s fair? Her son is taking his pants off, when she makes more than enough dough to keep her grandson in designer onesies. Brando says, no one asked for her opinion. It’s their baby, and they’re going to make decisions on what’s important to them. Mr. Novak comes by the table, and says, Gladys. What a pleasant surprise. She’s looking lovely, as always. She says, that’s so sweet. Just wait until he sees what she’s wearing to Carly and Jason’s wedding. Novak says, just remember, it’s bad form to overshadow the bride.

TJ tells Jordan, here they are again. Like when she was waiting on a kidney transplant. She pulled through then, and she’ll pull through now, right? Who else is going to make sure he puts his head on right? And he’s not above playing the guilt card, because she knows how much he loves her, and how destroyed he’d be if she left. So she can’t stay there. Just… stay.

Maxie says, she could not stand by if her infant was upset, but Brook says, she’s not just sitting there, filing her nails. She just thinks it’s better to let the baby fall asleep on her own if she can. Maxie asks if it’s easier for Brook to ignore Bailey because she’s not Bailey’s own mother, but Brook says, she doesn’t ignore Bailey. And as long as Peter is still out there, and is a threat to Maxie and her baby, she is Bailey Lois’s mother. And she’ll parent Bailey the best way she can.

Carly and Jason walk into the hospital, and Carly sees Portia. She tells Portia, they heard Jordan was brought to the ER. What happened? Portia says she was with Jordan. They were trapped in a basement with a gas leak. If Curtis hadn’t found them, they would have died. Jason asks if they know who’s behind it.

Curtis asks Austin what the nephrologist thought, and Austin says, if Jordan’s kidney function doesn’t improve, they’ll put her on dialysis. Curtis goes in to see Jordan, and TJ gets up. Curtis says he doesn’t have to go, but TJ says, he’ll be right back. Curtis goes over to Jordan, and asks if she’s really going to keep all the people who love her worried.

TJ calls Shawn, and says he’s in the ER. His mom’s there. They brought her in because she had carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s bad for anyone, but having one kidney makes it worse… Thanks. He hangs up.

Curtis says, even though he and Jordan couldn’t be together anymore, he never stopped loving her. He couldn’t if tried.

Sonny laughs, and asks Phyllis, what? She says, nothing. She just loves seeing him so happy. He says he has to give Nina the credit, and Phyllis says she’ll be sure to thank Nina. Not to meddle, but doesn’t he think it’s time he made sure Nina is okay? He says, Jax should be getting home by now. He’ll see Phyllis later. He leaves, but his phone is still on the bench.  

Nina tells Jax, congratulations; you won. She can’t think of anything that would justify keeping Sonny away from his kids, and denying Avery and Donna and Wiley the chance to know him. So Mike is going to find out the truth, that he has a whole other world she was keeping from him. He has people who love him, who are waiting for him. Their life there in Nixon Falls, their time together, was just an illusion. Jax says he’s sorry; he really is. If she thinks he did this to hurt her, she couldn’t be more wrong. She says, do her a favor. Let her tell him in private. If he has any feelings left for her, give her this. He nods, and says, here’s her chance. We hear the door. 

Portia tells Carly and Jason, there was a body in the basement. They believe it to be a man named Roger Barstow. She and Curtis went there to speak with him, and Jordan was there on a different case. Carly asks if it has anything to do with Cyrus, and Portia says she thought Cyrus was in prison. Jason says, that doesn’t mean he’s powerless, and Portia says, this Barstow was an employee of a medical clinic by the name of Creighton-Clark. Carly and Jason look at each other.  

Brook says, it was Maxie’s decision to give Brook her daughter, and let Brook pretend she’s hers and Valentin’s. But she should know, Brook loves Bailey, and will always do what’s best for her. Maxie says she knows Brook is doing the best she can, but Brook’s not her mother; Maxie is. She should be making decisions about Bailey’s care. Brook asks if Maxie thinks it’s time she claimed Bailey as her own. 

Shawn arrives at the hospital, and TJ thanks him for coming. Shawn thanks TJ for calling him. Does he know what happened? TJ says, not really. Someone told him that his mother and Portia were being treated there because they were in some accident. Shawn says, Portia’s here? and TJ says, Portia told him that she and Curtis were going to question some guy. Then his mom showed up, and he doesn’t know how it happened, but his mom took a blow to the head; she’s got a concussion. Of course (🍷) they’re monitoring that, but the real problem is carbon monoxide poisoning. Does Shawn think it’s connected to the work he was doing with TJ’s mom? Shawn says, it has to be. TJ’s mom was going to question a man named Roger Barstow who had a possible connection to Naomie Dreyfuss. He has no idea how Curtis and Portia got involved. TJ says, it’s a good thing they did. He thinks they saved his mom’s life.  

Curtis tells Jordan not to break his heart again, or TJ’s. She still has so many great things to do in this world. He knows how she hates leaving Anything unfinished. So fight as hard as he knows she can.

Nina and Jax leave the Tan-O, and Nina says, please. Let her be the one to tell him. Jax says, okay. She gets to tell Sonny about his past on her own terms, but he’s not leaving Nixon Falls until he knows she told him. She says she’s not going back on her word, she just needs to do it in her own way. He says, yes, but she needs to do it right now. She says, give her some space, please, and she’ll do it, and he leaves.

Maxie tells Brook, she’s not sure it’s safe yet. Maybe they should… Austin approaches, and Brook says she just remembered, she needs to check in with Yuri. She doesn’t want him searching the hospital for her. Maxie asks how Jordan is, but Austin says, that’s confidential. She says, right; family only. Maybe they could go back to the question she was asking before they got interrupted. Will he go to Jason and Carly’s wedding with her? Brook listens from around the corner, and he says, is that an actual question? Maxie says, why wouldn’t it be? and he says she made it clear that seeing him was a painful reminder of her losing Louise. He doesn’t understand why she’d want to attend a wedding with him.

Gladys tells Mr. Novak, this is her son Brando, and his… Sasha Gilmore. He says it’s a pleasure to meet them, and Glady’s invites him to join them. Brando says, unfortunately, he and Sasha can’t stay, and Sasha says, they have an appointment. Novak says, of course (🍷). Another time. Brando quietly tells Gladys, be careful, and he and Sasha leave. Novak wonders if Gladys’s son has a problem with him, and she says, Brando has a short fuse these days. He’s been working hard to support his baby-to-be. He deserves better. Novak says, circumstances can always change, and she asks, how so? He says, stick with me, doll, and good things will come to you and your family.

Portia asks if Jason and Carly think she and Trina are still in danger from Cyrus. Jason says he doubts it, but if he hears something, he’ll let her know. Portia thanks him, says she’s going to check on Jordan, and leaves. Carly says, how random that they’re investigating a guy with ties to Creighton-Clark. Drew was there at one time. He says he heard, and she wonders what that investigation is about. He says they have their own things to focus on right now, when her phone dings. She says, it’s Josslyn, letting them know that they’re now officially late. He says, then they should get going, and she says, see him at the altar. She leaves, and Jason’s phone rings. He says, yeah… He’s listening.

TJ tells Shawn that he let his supervisor know there was a family emergency, so another doctor is taking over rounds for him. Shawn says his mom is tough; she can get through this. TJ says, that’s what he tells himself, but still… Shawn hugs him, and Portia watches. She goes in to Jordan’s cubicle, but stops when she sees Curtis is there.

Curtis cries, saying, Jordan’s family needs her. He needs her. The way he sees it, she has no choice; she’s got to come back to them. She moves a finger, then opens her eyes. He kisses her hand. Portia watches them.   

Nina comes back into the Tan-O, and looks at the picture of her and Mike/Sonny on her phone. She makes a call, and Phyllis says, Nina? Nina asks if Mike is there, and Phyllis says, no. He accidently left his phone, but he’s on his way to the Tan-O. Is everything all right? Nina says, everything is fine. She hears the door open, and says, never mind. He’s here now. They’ll talk soon. She turns around, but it’s Peter.

I’d actually forgotten all about him. I guess St. Lucia didn’t pan out too well…  

On Monday, Trina tells Josslyn that Spencer lied about something else, Maxie asks Brook if ELQ is worth all the devastation, and Peter wonders how best to handle Nina.

👠 Anything You Can Do…

I honestly don’t know whose troubles are worse, and I dislike both of them equally.

👮🏽‍♂️ Here’s Shah More…

One Wife’s opinion.

The arrest.

🍲 Recipe For Disaster…

Someone at Bravo said, I have an idea…

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-ultimate-girls-trip-cast-photo-peacock/

And the Biggest Drama Queen goes to…

https://www.eonline.com/news/1301748/melissa-gorga-reveals-which-real-housewife-caused-the-most-drama-on-ultimate-girls-trip

🎭 Broadway Kandi…

Kandi brings her talent as a producer to the stage.

💥 Blasts From the Past…

Some fun 90s throwback pics of reality stars.

🐕 No More Agonized Sighs…

Griff has a new best friend. Who doesn’t love a puppy?

🐙 Quotes of the Week

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. – Les Brown

When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. – John Muir

A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her. – Maya Angelou

If you fall, make it part of the dance. – LuAnn de Lesseps

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself. – Harvey Fierstein

Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use. – Ruth Gordon

Mind is a flexible mirror, adjust it, to see a better world. – Amit Ray

Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. – Albert Einstein

October 2021
Never Forgetting

🔌 Unplugging…

Whether a respite from work or just two more days coming up, do something that brings you, if not joy, at least a modicum of curiosity and novelty. See you when the Dead are walking. Until then, stay safe, stay appreciating the small things, and stay remembering that it’s bad form to overshadow the bride.

September 3, 2021 – Two Pre-Wedding Parties, Victor Who, Pioneer Return, Who’s On, Holiday Film, Debbi’s Drama, Livestream Soap, Just a Cold, Refresh, NYC News, More Erika, Sad Goodbye, Mauricio Talks, GoT Alums, Exactly Eleven Quotes & Real Job

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

At The Savoy, Curtis tells Nika that he just got confirmation the party is on their way. She says she can’t believe three guys booked the club for the whole night. He says, believe it, and tells her to make sure the drinks are filled and everyone is having a good time. Sam comes in, and tells Curtis that she has news about Drew’s plane crash. He suggests they go someplace else, and she says they don’t have to go anywhere; it won’t take long. He says he might not have to, but she might want to.

Dante sits at the MetroCourt bar, when Olivia comes in. He says he didn’t think she was working tonight, and she says she’s not. She’s on her way to Carly’s bachelorette party. She’s helping set it up, and has a surprise that’s going to blow Carly’s mind. So, is he seeing Sam tonight?

On the phone, Brando tells his boss that he’ll do what he’s paid for. Doesn’t he always?

Sasha sees Willow arriving at the party by the pool (🍷), and says she wasn’t sure Willow was going to be there between nursing school, Wiley, and everything else she’s got going on. Willow says, when Olivia invited her, she decided she was going to treat herself to a break. She doesn’t know if anyone told Sasha, but there’s definitely good news; Chase can walk again. Sasha says, fantastic, and Willow says she’s so happy for him. Sasha asks if something else is going on, and Willow says, Chase learned she and Michael were together before they could tell him themselves. Sasha says she’s so sorry, and Willow says she put off telling Chase, and only ended up hurting him worse. Sasha says, it was an impossible situation; she did the best she could. If Chase doesn’t realize that now, she’s sure he will eventually in time. Please tell her that she and Michael are happy. Willow says, very happy. What about Sasha and the baby? Sasha says, the baby is fine, and Willow says, and the mommy? Sasha says she’d feel better if she knew for certain Brando isn’t working for the mob again. Josslyn and Bobbie come by, and Josslyn says, Carly is on her way. Bobbie tells them to get ready, and Carly walks in. They yell, surprise!

Curtis tries to steer Sam away, and she asks, what is this? Why is she suddenly not welcome there? He says he’ll explain it later, but right now he has to get her out of there. Spinelli comes in with Michael, saying, a proper sendoff is in order, and a proper sendoff he shall have, and Michael says, it’s what his dad would have wanted. Spinelli sees Sam, and says, greetings and salutations, fair Samantha. Forgive him for asking, but what is she doing there? She asks if she’s not supposed to be there, when Jason walks in. Curtis says, this is why he wanted her out of there, and Michael tells Jason, one drink, a couple of toasts, and they’re gone. Spinelli says, maybe two drinks… Okay, one drink is acceptable. The point is to celebrate Jason’s nuptials. Jason looks trapped.

Phyllis sees the outside table, and tells Mike/Sonny, it looks lovely; like an outside café. They could be in Paris instead of Nixon Falls. He says it was his idea. His first official date with Nina. She asks how it went, and he says, it was great… until they ran into a roadblock. He doesn’t think there’s any way around it.

Ava asks what Jax could possibly have to say to her about Nina, and he says, it’s about his visit to her in Nixon Falls. She says she heard the highlights. He played the hero, and two robbers got shot in the process. He says he stopped one of the robbers, and Nina’s new boyfriend stopped the other. She says, the mysterious new boyfriend. The one who replaced him. Jax asks what Ava knows about him.

Spinelli says, libations are certainly in order. Can they head to the bar? Sam asks if she can speak to the man of the hour, and Jason tells Spinelli to order him a beer. Michael urges Spinelli toward the bar, and Sam tells Jason, tomorrow’s the big day. He says, it is, and she says she’s sure the wedding will be everything he and Carly want. He says, Maxie is working on it, and she says she’s sure Maxie is. She wishes them all the best. He thanks her, and says he wishes the same for her. He goes to the bar, and Curtis asks if Sam is okay. She says she will be. She’s had a lot of time to digest that Carly and Jason are getting married. Carly has always been really important to Jason, so was Sonny. Most of the time, Jason chose Carly first. Now he doesn’t have to choose anymore.

At the bar, Spinelli says, it never occurred to him that fair Samantha might be there, and Jason says, it’s fine. Michael says, it’s still pretty awkward. Jason didn’t want a bachelor party in the first place. Jason says, actually, he was wrong. He and Carly are getting married tomorrow; it deserves to be celebrated. They clink glasses.

Carly says, oh my God. How did she not know they were planning this? Josslyn says they fooled Carly Corinthos, and Carly says, Olivia told her that the pool (🍷) was reserved for a Sweet 16 birthday party. Bobbie says they didn’t want her to know what they were up to, and they wanted to tell her they love her. Josslyn adds, and how happy they are she’s marrying Jason, and Carly says, so there’s no imaginary Sweet 16 party she has to take care of? Josslyn says, all she needs to do is relax and enjoy herself, and Carly says, with her favorite people there, how could she not? Carly says, it’s so lovely, and Josslyn says, and exciting. It’s the day before her wedding day. Carly says she’s starting to feel like a real bride, and Bobbie asks why she’d say that. Of course (🍷) she’s a real bride.

Sonny tells Phyllis that Nina said she doesn’t want to get closer to him until he finds out who he is. She said when he finds out who he is, he’s not going to want to see her anymore. (That’s not exactly what she said, but okay.) What does he do with that? She says, his feelings for Nina are real. That has to count for something. Nina comes in, and asks Phyllis how she is. Then she says, that’s a really dumb question. Forget she said that. Phyllis says, she’ll always be grieving for Lenny, but she knows he wouldn’t want her life to stop. He’d want her to live it to the fullest; to find joy where she can. And since he’s not there to ask Nina, she’ll ask for him. Why can’t the two of them simply live in the moment?

Jax asks Ava to please tell him everything she knows about Nina’s new boyfriend in Nixon Falls, and she says, jealousy doesn’t become him. And she’s certainly not going to confide in the man who conspired to keep from Nina the death of her daughter; a daughter she didn’t even know she had, and is now dead. He says she can’t even imagine how sorry he is for his actions, but believe it or not, he’s trying to help Nina now. She tells him, just go. They’re done here. He flashes back to Josslyn telling him that the sauce is exactly like Sonny’s, and Trina picked it up in a bar in Nixon Falls. He says he’s not leaving until Ava gives him some answers.

Dante asks how many times he has to tell Olivia, his personal life is just that – personal. She says he is seeing Sam, and she thinks that’s great. He says he’s glad she thinks it’s great. They’re meeting there to investigate something. She says, right, and he says, stop. She says she’ll leave him to it. She has to make sure everything is right for Carly’s party, especially the entertainment. It’s going to be such a surprise. She leaves, and Brando comes out of the elevator, carrying a duffel bag. He asks Dante how it’s going, and Dante says, no complaints. He congratulates Brando on becoming a father, and Brando asks if he’s got any tips. Dante says, don’t mess it up. Brando laughs, and Dante says just do the best he can; trust his instincts. Brando says he met Rocco a few times while Sonny was still with them. He seems like a great kid. Dante says, he is a great kid. He’s excited to have a cousin on the way. Sonny would have loved to be there to see Brando become a father. Sasha approaches them, and asks what Brando is doing there. Dante says he’ll see them, and jets. Brando says he’s there on a job, and she says, one of those side gigs he mentioned? He says, one of them, and she asks if he’s going to tell her which one. He says he’s making sure the baby has whatever he or she needs, and then some once it’s born. She says just promise her whatever he’s doing is not mob related, and he says, trust him. He thought she was supposed to be at Carly’s bachelorette party, and she says she was taking a break to powder her nose, which is probably a poor choice of words for her. He says, Carly’s party is there? and she says, out by the pool (🍷). Call her later after his mysterious side gig. She leaves, and Dante comes back. Brando tells Dante that he has a problem.

Sam says she found out some information on Drew’s plane crash that she thinks Curtis will find interesting, and he says, information is only as good as the source. She says she and Dante were able to get ahold of the WSB files on Drew’s plane crash, and it was a charter flight, not a private rental. And there was another passenger on board, but the name wasn’t listed. It was paid for by a company called Leethy Unlimited. He wonders why the name sounds familiar, and she says, because it was the parent company for a clinic in Scarsdale called Creighton-Clark. He says he knows that name from somewhere, and she says, it burned down before he came to Port Charles, but Drew was held captive there, and Nina was a patient, along with a lot of other people. He says he knows where he heard the name from; when he was searching for Nina’s daughter. She asks if he knows anybody who worked there, and he says he just might.

Spinelli says he’s so glad to be out socializing. It’s a welcome break from heartache. Ellie is adamant that their parting be permanent. He asks Michael to please tell him that he’s luckier in the romance department, and Michael says he hates to break it to Spinelli, but he is luckier. He and Willow are together, and they couldn’t be happier. Spinelli says he’ll drink to that.

Olivia tells Willow, talk to her. There’s obviously a huge change in her relationship with Michael. Brook implied that there were some developments, but she wouldn’t go into any details, so she came to the source. What’s going on? Willow says it’s very complicated, and she definitely could have handled things better. She suggests they talk in the next day or two; after Carly’s party. Olivia says, just so she’s clear, Willow and Michael are a couple? Willow says they are, and Olivia says, Chase is a great guy, but between the two of them, she always thought Willow and Michael belonged together. Willow says, they agree. It just took them a while to figure it out. Olivia says Willow looks happy, and she’s happy for her, and they hug.

Carly tells Bobbie that she can’t wait to marry Jason. It’s just been a whirlwind trying to get everything ready. Bobbie asks if that’s all it is, and Josslyn says her mom’s been really busy. Yes, Maxie’s planning the wedding, but there’s still a million details to sort out and decisions to make. She’s helping Josslyn get set up at PCU, there’s dissention with her dad… Bobbie asks if Carly and Jax are at odds, and Carly says, really? They’re supposed to be having fun. Why did Josslyn bring that up? Josslyn says, sorry. She should have kept her mouth shut. Her mom and dad fight all the time, and they always work it out.

Jax tells Ava that he still cares about Nina. Knowing he hurt her is bad enough. He doesn’t want to see her get hurt again. Ava asks what he wants to know, and he asks, when was the last time she spoke to Nina? She says she doesn’t hear from Nina all that often. Just a text here and there, about how happy she is. He says, with her new boyfriend? and she says, Nina doesn’t really say very much. Last time she and Nina had a heart-to-heart, Nina was pretty evasive about him.

Phyllis says, right before Lenny’s diagnosis, he’d decided to live in the moment. He was going to take her dancing. She was on her way to buy a new dress when Dr. Ford showed up, and their lives changed. Sonny says he’s going to do everything he can to honor Lenny’s memory. Phyllis says she knows he will, and she hopes Nina tries to do that too. She leaves, and Sonny asks where Nina was. He was trying to reach her. She says she’s sorry she ran out on him, and he says they’re supposed to be living in the present. She says, he is, but she’s still struggling. When she saw his watch last night, a piece of his past, it made her stop and think for once. He asks if she came to any conclusions. Does he have to find out who he is in order for her to move forward with him?

Carly, who is now wearing a tiara, tells Olivia that she’s sneaky, and Olivia tells her, what can she say? She was motivated. What’s the point of renovating the pool (🍷) if they’re not going to use it? She wanted to wish Carly happiness; no one deserves it more than her. Carly says, that’s sweet, but Olivia says she’s not sweet. Neither is Carly. They tell it like it is. It was the first thing she liked about Carly. Carly says, since they’re telling it like it is, she thought Olivia would think it’s too soon after Sonny. Olivia says, if it were anybody else, she would think they were acting out of grief, or afraid to be alone. She would have been wrestling with herself; should she say something or keep her big mouth shut? But Carly has known Jason forever, and knows what she’s getting. She’s getting a Quartermaine for an in-law – Olivia hands her a drink – so good luck with that. Carly says they’re Olivia’s in-laws too. They’ll be allies. They clink glasses, and Olivia says, always.

Willow asks if Sasha is okay, and Sasha says she ran into Brando in the restaurant. He’s on the job, but woudn’t tell her what it is. Willow asks if she thinks he’s with the mob again, when Carly interrupts, saying, he’s not. Brando made it very clear that he is done. Sasha says, there was a part of Brando that liked the excitement working undercover for Sonny. What if he’s revisiting that part of his life? Getting in deep again, under the guise of wanting to support her and the baby.

Dante says, Brando is kidding, and Brando says he wishes he were. Dante laughs, and Brando asks if he has any advice. Dante says he’s got to bite the bullet. Do what he was hired to do. Make that money. Pay for that baby. Brando asks if Dante can just arrest him, and Dante says, not unless he breaks the law.

Curtis tells Nika that he has some business to take care of, and asks if she’ll be okay by herself. She says, it’s all good, and he leaves. At their table, Michael says he knows Jason and his mom never expected to get to this place, but now that they’re here, he knows they’ll be good for each other. Spinelli says, perhaps it’s fate, destiny, and if it is, how wonderful that it’s Carly. Michael says, incoming, and Joey Novak walks in with several other guys. He says, here it is. Here’s the groom, and a bachelor party that’s crying out for some action.

Sasha says she told Brando that if he wanted to be in her life, and the baby’s, he couldn’t work for Carly and Jason anymore, and Carly says, he’s not. Sasha says she heard Carly and Brando at his garage the other night. He was promising to let her business associates know that he was open for business, and Carly thanked him for helping her. Carly says, Brando offered to listen, that’s all. He’s not going to put himself in danger. Sasha says, what if the danger shows up anyway? What if Brando just can’t say no? Carly says Brando is crazy about Sasha and the baby. She has to trust him. How can they have a family if she doesn’t? Olivia announces, the entertainment is here, and says, Owen, cut the lights. The lights dim, music plays, and Brando comes out in a tux, and dances around. Everyone is shocked, and he makes lovey-dovey shark eyes at Sasha.

Sam tells Dante, she let Curtis in on the information they got about Drew’s plane crash. She figured he’d want to know since he and Drew were such good friends. She mentioned Creighton-Clark to him, and he said it seemed familiar. Then he remembered he knew someone who worked there who might be able to give them more information about the clinic. He says, that’s great, and she says he hasn’t been listening to a word she said. He says he heard everything, but she says, no, he hasn’t. He apologizes, and says he was distracted. She says, about what? and he says, about what’s going on at the MetroCourt pool (🍷) right now, at Carly’s bachelorette party.

What’s going on is, Brando is still dancing, with the girls all egging him on. He comes closer, takes off his tie, and pulls Olivia out on the dancefloor. She dances around for a hot minute, and he goes back to his solo act, taking off his jacket. He comes back to the group, and Carly tries to cover Josslyn’s eyes, but Josslyn is like, no way. Brando rips his shirt off, and Josslyn says, nice abs. He’s actually a pretty good dancer. He dances with Olivia for a second, and goes to Sasha, dancing with her, all romantic. Brando rips off his pants, and he’s in tighty blackies. Everyone comes out to dance, except Sasha, and Brando motions for her to come.

Nika tells Joey and his pals, it’s a private party. They’ll have to come back another night. Joey says, oh come on. There’s plenty of room for them. They promise not to disturb the private party. Jason gets up, and tells Nika, he’ll take care of this. Joey says, like Jason took care of him? Strongarming his uncle into getting him out of the country. He walks to the bar, and says, a round of top-shelf whiskey for the room. He wants to toast the groom, since he won’t be at his wedding tomorrow. He’ll be in Siberia. One of his cronies says, isn’t he going to Poland? Joey says, to the groom, and to his gorgeous bride Carly, who is as hot as they come. Michael gets up, and says, that’s enough, and Joey says, Spinelli agrees with him, right? Carly Corinthos is quite the babe. I’m literally lol’ing, because these guys always sound like they’re from the 1940s. Spinelli (who also sounds like that) says, stop this vulgarity at once, and Jason puts his hand on Spinelli’s shoulder. He says, they were just on their way out, and Spinelli says, they were? Jason puts some money on the bar, and says, Joey and his friends are going to drink on him. He tells Michael and Spinelli, let’s go, and they head for the door. Joey says, hey Morgan. How does it feel to be hitting your dead boss’s wife? Is it good? Like you won a stuffed toy at the fair? Spinelli comes flying at Joey, says, you creep, and punches him.

At the pool (🍷), Brando comes back out, fully dressed, and the women all applaud. Brando says, honestly, he had no idea he was reporting to Carly. His boss just told him it was a party at the MetroCourt pool (🍷). Olivia says she’s the one who called the agency to hire the stripper. She had no idea it was him. Willow asks how badly he wanted to die when he saw all of them, and he says he was hoping the ground would swallow him up. Bobbie says, they’re glad it didn’t because he was really good. Sasha says she’s sure he needs a drink, and Josslyn hands him one, saying he deserves it. Sasha takes his hand and leads him away. Carly remembers when she and Jason almost kissed. Bobbie says, hey, is she okay? and Carly says, why wouldn’t she be? Who knew Brando was so gifted, right? Bobbie says she’s not urging any scandalous behavior where Carly’s daughter is present, but she thought Carly might relax, cut loose a little, considering she is marrying her best friend. Carly says, that’s true; she is. Bobbie asks, so what’s the problem?

Nina says, Mike/Sonny will never know how much she wants him in her life, but it doesn’t seem right that he can’t remember who he was before. He has flashes of that other woman, and he knows she means something to him. He says he doesn’t even know if that woman is real, and she says, he won’t know until he finds out who he really is. He says, he’s Mike. He’s the guy who cares about her. He gets that she doesn’t want his past life to come crashing down on her. She doesn’t want to be hurt again. That’s why she came to Nixon Falls, to let go of her past. She says, so he understands, and he says, yeah, and he’s going to do everything he can to prove to her that he does. He doesn’t know how he’s going to do it, but he will. Because he’s in love with her.   

Ava tells Jax, Nina probably wants to keep the new part of her life separate from the old one. Does it really surprise him that Nina would want to make a fresh start with Mike? He says, Mike? Does he have a last name? She says she’s sure he does, but she doesn’t know what it is. He says, and she didn’t ask? Ava says, Nina has made an art of skillfully avoiding her questions about him. Now here’s Jax, interrogating her about a man neither of them has ever met. Does he want to tell her what this is really about?

Curtis calls Phyllis, saying, he’s not sure if she remembers him. She says, of course (🍷) she does. He’s the private investigator who tracked her down, and put her back in touch with Nina Reeves. How can she help him? He says, he’s not a private investigator anymore, but he’s looking into something for a friend. It involves the facility where she worked, when she was Nina’s nurse. She says, Creighton-Clark? and he says, that’s the one. Is she still in touch with anybody she worked with there? She says she wasn’t there long. Besides, she was a private nurse so she didn’t really know any of the staff. He says, maybe she can think on it and give him a call, and she says, wait. There is someone. He friended her on social media a while back.

Sam says, Olivia hired a stripper from an agency that happens to be Brando? That’s priceless. Dante says, he’s making some money for his baby, and she says she’s not laughing at him. She thinks he should be proud. She thinks there’s something really charming about a guy who will do whatever it takes to provide for his child. Dante would, woudn’t he? He says he’s thankful he has a job where he can keep his clothes on, she says, that is too bad. His phone dings, and he says, dammit. He has to go. Work. He hopes to see her again soon. She says he can count on it, and he leaves.

Jax tells Ava, he’s worried about Nina. That’s all. He knows Ava tried to steer her in the right direction when it came to Carly. Ava says she did try, but apparently Nina didn’t take her advice when it came to making nice with Carly. Apparently, she did the opposite. Jax asks what she means, and she says, something happened a long time ago. She was mad, and she told Carly that as a grandparent in the state of New York, Nina has the right to sue for visitation with Wiley. Shortly after that, Nina called Carly, and Carly was all fired up and went for the jugular. He says, that’s what Nina told her? and she says, words to that effect. Everyone knows that Nina was wrong to tell Wiley about Nelle. Nina knows it. She regrets what she did, but Carly is Carly. She rarely gives anybody a second chance. He says, believe him, he knows.

Sonny says he guesses he threw Nina a curveball. He’s sorry. It’s how he feels. He really couldn’t go another minute without telling her. She tells him, she doesn’t know what to say, and he tells her, she doesn’t have to say anything.

Brando asks if Sasha sees now why he was being mysterious about his new job. He didn’t think she’d be a fan of him dancing. It’s just one of his side gigs. She asks, what are the others? Centerfold modeling? Escort service? He says, ha-ha. Try cleaning the deep fryer at Kelly’s, and after-hours custodial work at a bunch of offices downtown. He’s sorry if he embarrassed her tonight. She says she bets the money is good, and he says, it’s real good, but if she doesn’t like it, he’ll quit right now. What they have is a helluva lot more important than this performance tonight.

Willow says she hates herself for enjoying Brando’s performance so much, and Josslyn says, you and me both. Olivia says, in her day, it was empowering for women to go to a strip joint. The women could enjoy strip teases as much as the men. Willow says she can only imagine the men back then. The hair… Olivia says, the fake tan, the screaming women… Josslyn says it sounds like Olivia did a lot of clubbing, but Olivia says, bite her tongue. She was a good, Catholic girl. The only thing she knew about strip joints, and what went on inside of them, was what she read. They all laugh.

Bobbie says, when she thinks back on Carly and Jason when Michael was a baby, it was just the two of them. She used to get so frustrated with Carly at times, she wanted to tear her hair out. Jason was always good for her; he always believed the best in her. And to be fair, no matter how much the rest of them doubted her, she justified that faith. Now after all these years, they’re getting married. Tomorrow they’re going to slip into their new life as husband and wife. That’s the sweetest kind of love there is. Carly thanks her, and they hug.

Brando says he’ll call his boss right now, and tell him it’s his last gig as a stripper, but Sasha says, don’t you dare. Compared to working for Cyrus Renault, this is the safest job in the world. He says so she’s okay with women stuffing bills in his costume? She says, they can stuff as many bills as they want, as long as he always comes home to her.

Curtis asks who Phyllis’s friend was, and what he did at the clinic. She says, he worked in the records department. Would he be able to help Curtis? Curtis says, he just might. Text him the contact information, and tell him to expect Curtis’s call. She says, of course (🍷), and he says, if her friend can help, this could be a very big deal.

Michael gives Spinelli some ice in a cloth, and says, he did most of the heavy lifting… or should he say, heavy punching? Jason says, party’s over, let’s go, and heads for the door a second time. Nika is coming in, and he says, if what he left on the bar isn’t enough to cover everything, let him know. He’s sorry this happened on her watch. She says, she’s sorry, but once the fight started, she had to follow the rules. Spinelli says, what rules? and Dante walks in with some officers. A disheveled Joey gets up, and says he was raising a toast to Jason, and this little dweeb went off on him. Michael says Joey deliberately baited Spinelli, and Spinelli says he denigrated the bride-to-be. Joey says he did nothing of the kind. He was complimenting… Dante tells them, shut up, or he’ll take them all down to the station. Spinelli says, actually, they have a wedding to attend, and Dante says, maybe they’ll think more clearly in the morning.

Carly tells Bobbie, there was a time when all she wanted to do was marry Jason. She lied, she schemed, she left a trail of wreckage. Now years after she let that fantasy go, it’s happening. Bobbie says she and Jason have something magical, and Jason would do anything for her. Carly says, and she doesn’t know why that is; she never has (that makes two of us). She just knows that Jason has always been there for her. Even when he thinks she’s wrong, he’s there. Bobbie says he loves her as she deserves to be loved, and Carly says she’s a lucky woman. She’s a lucky bride.

Sonny takes Nina’s hand and says she doesn’t have to pretend she has feelings for him if she doesn’t have them. Maybe she will one day, maybe she won’t, but it feels good for him to tell her how he feels. So he’s going to leave her with that, okay? She says, okay, and he goes in the back.

Ava tells Jax, Carly and Nina must have been able to smooth things over, since Nina is seeing Wiley again, but she gets the sense it’s a fragile peace. Which is another argument for Nina to stay in Nixon Falls. She’s much less likely to cross paths with Carly there. He says, it certainly seems that way, and thanks Ava for taking the time to talk to him. He appreciates it. He starts to leave, and she asks what he’s going to do. He says, what can he do? Except make sure Nina is happy and safe.

Outside on the phone, Jax tells someone, get the jet ready. He’s going to Nixon Falls, Pennsylvania. Where I’m sure they have an airport.

On Tuesday (there’s a rerun on Labor Day – see below), Shawn tells Jordan that there has to be something to lead them to Hayden’s shooter, Nina asks Sonny what happened, and Ava is surprised.   

💣 Baddie Backstory…

Who is Victor anyway?

🏕 PC Pioneer, Second Class…

Wyatt to the rescue… again.

🎢 Holiday Break…

Which soaps aren’t airing on Labor Day.

📽 Changing Lanes…

Curtis joins two GH alums for the holidays.

📺 A Long Way From Pine Valley…

An AMC alum joins a new series. It looks pretty good too.

💻 DOOL Stream…

Livestreaming September 8th, it will only be available to Xfinity Rewards members, but the series Beyond Salem will be on Peacock starting September 6th.

🤧 She Swears It’s Just a Cold…

I can’t say I’ve ever heard of an unknown cold though. What does that even mean?

🧪 New Faced…

Wow. It took like a whole eight hours off her age.

https://extratv.com/2021/08/31/rhoc-alum-jo-de-la-rosa-shares-face-refresh-after-plastic-surgery-journey/

🗽 New York Minute…

The rumors of her coming back are greatly exaggerated.

https://okmagazine.com/p/bethenny-frankel-reveals-hasnt-spoken-bravo-since-quitting-rhony-not-returning/

But there might be room.

https://okmagazine.com/p/real-housewives-of-new-york-luann-de-lesseps-ramona-singer-sonja-morgan-reportedly-demoted-friend-of/

💎 Continuing Saga…

Apparently, there’s no paperwork on Tom’s crash.

What a shock. LisaR couldn’t keep something to herself.

The tracks of Kathy’s tears.

https://www.inquisitr.com/6495331/kathy-hilton-reveals-she-was-crying-over-erika-jayne-at-rhobh-di

🎩 A Gentleman For Sure…

I haven’t been a NeNe fan in a while, but I’ve always liked Gregg.

https://people.com/tv/nene-leakes-husband-gregg-dead-from-colon-cancer-at-66/

🗣 Real Talk…

Mauricio gives the lowdown on all things real.

👑 Off the Throne…

A new gig for Grey Worm, and a reunion for the Khal and his Khaleesi.

https://ew.com/tv/game-of-thrones-star-jacob-anderson-to-play-louis-in-interview-with-the-vampire-amc-series/

https://ew.com/tv/game-of-thrones-reunion-jason-momoa-emilia-clarke-drunk-photo/

🏌🏽‍♀️ Quotes of the Week

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. – Socrates

Our urge to speak is often rooted in an inflated view of our own opinions. – Tripp Prince

You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try. – Beverly Sills

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein

There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate. – Linda Grayson

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. – Seneca

This is housekeeping, not Project Runway. – a hotel staff member on The Bachelorette, when asked to fix a bridal gown

Don’t worry about being worried. You’re heading out on an adventure and you can always change your mind along the way and try something else. – Tracy Kidder

Education must not simply teach work – it must teach Life. – W.E.B. Du Bois

It’s a general moral principle that the more power you have over someone, the greater your duty is to use that power benevolently. Well, who is the one person in the world you have the greatest power over? It’s your future self. You hold that life in your hands, and what it will be depends on how you care for it. – Rick Hanson

Can the world be your oyster if you’re allergic to shellfish?Hyundai commercial

🌞 And Have a Pleasant Tomorrow…

Hope you didn’t get drenched by Ida or her remnants. We remained unscathed this time, but it only takes once for the word hurricane to cause anxiety, and wondering where you’re going to put stuff. But it looks to be a beauty of a long weekend, or the next three days, if weekend is no longer in your vocabulary. See you at Dead time, but until then, stay safe, stay saucy, and stay never denigrating the bride-to-be. Especially if she’s marrying the mobster best friend of her late mobster husband. No good can come of it.

August 27, 2021 – A Plan To Lure Peter To St. Lucia, Million Dollar Finale, Team KJ, Guessing, a Surgery, Salem Preview, Tributes, More Troubles, Shade Feud, VanderShare, Doom’s Rouge, Dead Talk, a Half Dozen Quotes & Feeling

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Jax goes to the MetroCourt, and Carly says she’s not in the mood, but he says she came to apologize. She says, go on, and he says he’s sorry he made Josslyn’s special dinner awkward. She says she hopes he plans on apologizing to Josslyn, and he says, of course (🍷) he does. He asks if they can start over. Mr. Buscema comes in, and Carly welcomes him to the MetroCourt, saying, it’s an honor. He says it’s an honor to be her guest. He received her save-the-date, hand-delivered no less. She says she wanted to make sure he got it, and he says, consider this his RSVP. He wouldn’t miss it for the world. He’s sure all of her late husband’s business associates won’t either. Jason comes by, and says, excuse them, steering Buscema to the bar. Jax tells Carly, if that guy is any indication of the guest list, their daughter isn’t getting within a mile of the wedding.

Harmony tells Alexis that she has two visitors. Spencer and Esme are there, and Alexis says, no way, Spencer! He’s all grown up. He says, that depends on who you ask, and wonders if there are rules against hugging loved ones. She says, since when did he care about rules? and they hug. Alexis says, Nikolas said he was back, but didn’t say anything about him visiting. He says, his father hasn’t been keeping up with what he’s been doing, and he intends to keep it that way.

Ava puts sunflowers on Kiki’s grave, and says, her sweet girl. She misses Kiki so much. Ever since the stalker left Kiki’s ID, Kiki is all she can think about. A cruel reminder of how she couldn’t protect Kiki, and pointed her in Ryan’s direction. Then Ryan took Kiki’s life in a sick desire to please her. She’ll always regret… She doesn’t know where to begin. She has so many regrets. Nikolas appears, and says, so does he.

At the MetroCourt, Austin gives Scotty the paper from Edward’s office, and says, that ought to do the trick. Maxie runs in, looking around for something, and Austin asks if he can help. She says she thought she left something there, but it seems to be gone. He says they probably have a lost and found, and she says she’ll check there. He says, the last time he saw her, she was leaving town. Did it help? She says she’s afraid not. The thing with some problems is, no matter where you go, they follow you.

Obrecht asks Nina what the problem is, and Nina says, Peter is alive. Obrecht asks if she’s certain, and Nina says he’s there in Nixon Falls.  

Outside the Tan-O, Sonny says Peter isn’t just a business associate of Nina’s, and Peter says he’d like to think they’re friends. Sonny asks why he gets the feeling Nina doesn’t like Peter much. Peter says Sonny doesn’t mince words, and Sonny says he calls it the way he sees it. And the way he sees it, Peter makes Nina very uncomfortable. He thinks it’s time for Peter to get out of town.

Obrecht tells Nina, that schwein. She knew they hadn’t seen the last of him. She asks if he’s made contact, and Nina says, unfortunately, he’s as malignant as ever. Obrecht says, since Nina is freely speaking, he must not be with her, and Nina says, he’s outside, so she has to make it fast. Obrecht says, if Nina is jeopardy, call for help, but Nina says she’s not. He made threats, but she’s not in immediate danger. Not yet. Obrecht says it’s good Nina hasn’t called the authorities. The jailhouse is too good for Peter. She has much better plans for him.

Peter admits he and Nina aren’t exactly friends. They’re professional rivals, and what Sonny thinks is tension, is nothing more than healthy competition. Sonny asks if Peter thinks he’s a good liar. Peter’s got a better shot at playing the lottery than playing him. Phyllis returns, and asks if that’s how Sonny treats Nina’s guest.  

Austin says he’s happy to see Maxie back, and she thanks him, calling him Dr. Gatlin-Holt. He says he loves being a doctor, but after everything they’ve been through, she should call him Austin. She says, of course (🍷). She has a lot on her mind. He says, of course (🍷), and she says, goodbye, Dr… Austin. She leaves, and Scotty says, well, well. Austin is making himself at home. Austin says, it’s just a routine follow-up. Back to business. Scotty says. this document is gold. It’s Austin’s ticket to ride.

Carly tells Jax, that guy is a colleague, but Jax says, everything about that guy screams gangster. She says, go to hell, and he says, his name is Buscema? Doesn’t she think he knows who the Five Families Ragu alla Bolognese are? He learned everything about them when Sonny became Josslyn’s stepfather, and just gave himself a refresher course when that Joey Novak guy approached her. Carly says Josslyn is not just going to be at the wedding, she’s going to be the maid of honor. Josslyn is an adult, and makes her own decisions. He says, they should be informed decisions. Won’t Josslyn be heartbroken when she finds out she’ll be standing up for a sham marriage?

Buscema thanks Jason for meeting him, and says he’ll be brief. Like Jason, he’s concerned about the Novak organization’s lack of control over Joey. Joey approaching Carly’s daughter was unacceptable, and he intends to make his feelings known. Jason says, like Buscema, like any of them, he won’t tolerate his family being threatened. Especially now that his and Carly’s family are about to become one. Buscema says he respects that, and they shake hands.  

Ava asks how Nikolas found her… Wait, don’t tell her. He asked her bodyguard. He tells her not to blame the bodyguard; it’s his fault. She says she should have hired her own. She offered the job to Shawn, but he’s busy tracking down whoever framed him. Nikolas knows it’s dangerous for them to be seen together. He says he figured they wouldn’t have much of an audience there, and she says, they had an audience at the gallery, but he’s here now. Say what he came to say. He says he feels bad, intruding on her there, and asks what’s in her hand. She shows him Kiki’s ID, and says, a gift their stalker left after they torched her car. He says he’s so sorry. He convinced himself that Spencer was the stalker, and  he was wrong, very wrong. She says, which leaves them with one very alarming fact. The danger is real.

Spencer introduces Esme as his girlfriend, and Alexis says he brought his girlfriend to prison; how lovely. Esme says the pleasure is all hers. Spencer’s been positively enthused about Alexis. Alexis says he’s been tight-lipped about Esme, and Esme asks Spencer, why is that? but Spencer is busy staring at Ryan. He says, so it’s true. Ryan Chamberlain is here. Alexis says, every single day, and Spencer says, someone should make sure that freak of nature never draws another free breath.   

On his way out, Buscema says, it’s good to see you, Mrs. Corinthos, or shall I say, the future Mrs. Morgan? He’s looking forward to her nuptials. She says they’re happy to have him, and he tells her, until then, good health, and a long life. She says, same to him, and Buscema leaves. Jax asks what the deal is, and Carly says she doesn’t know how many times she has to tell him, she and Jason really do love each other. It’s sad that he can’t accept that. He says every move she’s made since Sonny died was to shore up Sonny’s illegal business. This sprint to the altar is nothing more than theater, with Josslyn as an unwitting player. She tells him not to expect an invitation, and don’t crash the wedding. He asks if she’s really comfortable putting their daughter on display in front of those dangerous people; her business associates. She tells him that he needs to leave, and he says she needs to care enough about her kids not to paint bullseyes on their backs. But hey, if Josslyn gets killed, she’ll still have Sonny’s blood money to keep her warm. He leaves, and Carly asks if Jason heard that. Jason says, he heard enough, and she says she has to get back to work. He says, not like this, and she says she needs a drink, but she’s on the job. Although, she’s the boss. She can do what she wants. She turns, but he grabs her hand, and asks her to come with him.

Scotty says, the correspondence shows Edward intended to include Austin’s father in inheriting ELQ voting shares. He’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow, and see if he can get the hearing moved up. Austin wonders how long it will take to hear back, and Scotty says, the wheels of justice turn very, very, very slowly, so don’t panic while he’s our of  town. Austin asks where Scotty is going, and Scotty says, to a tropical, romantic island where he’ll be doing all kinds of fun stuff you do on an island. When he gets back, they’ll get Austin his ELQ shares. Can Austin get this drink? He’s going to be rolling in dough soon. Scotty leaves, sticking Austin with the tab.

Ava tells Nikolas, Doc gave her the broad strokes. Has he spoken to Spencer? He says his son refuses to have anything to do with him. Spencer is ignoring his calls, texts, and emails. He even messaged Spencer on social media, but nothing. She wonders if Laura can’t run interference, but he says his mother made it clear she’s sick of his antics too. Ava says she’s so sorry, and he says she told him not to accuse Spencer unless he was absolutely sure. And he knows she sent his mother and Doc to stop him. She says she didn’t know what else to do, and he says she did what she could. He just wishes he’d listened. She says she wishes she’d been wrong. Things would be so much better for everybody if Spencer had been their stalker.

Harmony takes Ryan outside, and Spencer says, pretty sweet gig for a serial killer; minimum security, full-time attendants. How is that legal? Alexis says, it’s absurd. When she inquired about it, she was told to butt out, and if she didn’t like it, there was a cement wall and a shiv waiting for her at Pentenville. Esme says Spencer told her that he was Doc’s brother, but it didn’t quite prepare her, and Spencer says he’s glad Ryan is a vegetable now. Alexis says, his condition is called locked-in syndrome, and Esme says, he can’t move or speak, but his mind is as sharp as ever. She saw a movie based on a locked-in guy’s memoir, which he’d written by communicating letters one by one. Spencer says, it sounds like hell. Good. Alexis says, have a seat. She doesn’t want to spend their visit talking about Ryan. He asks how she is, and she says, pretty much as he sees her; this is as good as it gets. She asks, what’s going on with his father? She figured if Spencer could forgive Nikolas for faking his death, he could forgive anything. Spencer says, she’d be mistaken, and Alexis says, clearly, Nikolas didn’t heed her advice. He accused Spencer of staking Ava, didn’t he?

Maxie gets her notebook from behind the bar, and thanks the employee. Some papers fall out, and Jax helps her pick them up. He says he sees she’s back to planning weddings, and she say she’s planning Carly and Jason’s. Isn’t it great that they’re getting married?

Phyllis tells Peter to please forgive her friend Mike. He’s the most loyal and protective guy he’ll ever meet. Which means, sometimes, courtesy takes a backseat. Peter laughs, and says, no apology necessary. He’s just glad to know Nina has such good friends there in Nixon Falls. Knowing Nina, he’s sure she’d want to make sure all of them are protected in return.

Nina tells Obrecht that Peter wants her to use her connection to Valentin to help him find Louise. If she doesn’t, he said he’ll take James. Obrecht says Peter is targeting her grandson? and Nina says, his exact words were, if she doesn’t help him, James would be more than an adequate replacement. Obrecht says Nina knows there’s only one way to deal with him, and Nina says she does. If Obrecht can’t for any reason, she’ll do it herself. Obrecht says she can most definitely manage it. She has to go, but whatever happens, do not panic. Keep her head on straight. Nina hangs up, and Peter walks in. He asks, who was that?  

Spencer says he bets Alexis’s clients were never able to lie to her, and she says, rarely; stop deflecting. She and his father know about the letter Ryan wrote him. He says, which he returned, and she says, unopened. Esme says she saw a coffee machine in the lobby (prisons have a lobby?) and asks if they want anything. They say, no thanks, and Esme leaves. Alexis says, lovely girl; intuitive. Spencer says, lovely and intuitive, just like her. She says clearly, he’s picked up his father’s tactic for evading uncomfortable conversation, but Spencer says, he’s nothing like his father.

Nikolas says, if Spencer had been the stalker, they could have gotten him help, and Avery would be home. Instead, they’re more alienated than ever. Now, here they are. Ava says, together. It’s open provocation to the stalker. He says, the irony isn’t lost on him that they’re going against the express wishes of the stalker, but he already lost his son and his mother. He can’t lose her too

Outside, Harmony asks if Ryan would like to continue with Moby Dick, or read Frankenstein again. He blinks, and she says, it’s interesting that he’s so fascinated in a book about a monster. Esme comes out, and she says she was hoping Harmony could help. She’s there visiting her boyfriend’s aunt, and she was telling Esme that Ryan has locked-in syndrome. She’s never heard of it before. Harmony says, put simply, he’s lost voluntary control of all his muscles except the eyes, but his cognitive functions are unaffected. He’s fully alert and aware of his environment. Esme asks if she can speak to him, and Harmony asks Ryan if it’s okay. He blinks, and she tells Esme, he said go ahead. Esme says, hello, and Ryan blinks. She asks what he said, and Harmony tells her, hi there.   

Scotty tells Obrecht, good evening my waffle strudel. Is she excited to go to St. Lucia and soak up the sun? She says, perhaps now is not the right time for this venture, and he asks, why not? She was all about going to the medical conference to find out about Britt. What’s going on? What changed her mind?   

Phyllis says she wondered why Sonny was hustling her out. It’s a good thing she came back for her glasses. Sonny says, the guy is creepy; he doesn’t deserve courtesy, but she says, if he’s in her bar, he does. Sonny says that’s why he took Peter outside. She asks, what’s with him? He always takes an immediate dislike to anyone who gets close to Nina. He says, it’s been two people; Peter and Elijah. She says maybe he should question why he’s suspicious of anyone from Nina’s former life.

Peter asks if Nina was talking to Valentin, but she says, no; it was just Crimson business. If he’d just leave, she could calm down, call Valentin, and get what he needs. Peter says if she double-crosses him before he leaves to start a new life with James, he’ll not only wreck this little fantasy she’s got going in the middle of nowheresville, he’ll make sure she can never show her face in Port Charles again.

Jason brings Carly to the pool (🍷), and she asks, what the hell is going on? Where are her servers? He says he arranged for a private party, and she says, when? He says, when he saw Jax unloading on her. It was this, or punch him in the face. He stopped himself. Josslyn doesn’t deserve to be in the middle of this. Jax doesn’t get why they’re getting married, and the way he’s acting, Jason is starting to think Jax doesn’t know anything about Carly. She says, maybe not, but Jason does.

Maxie sits with Jax at the bar, and she asks if he’s feeling weird about Carly getting married, especially since he’s single. He says, Carly is important to him. They share a child together, and he doesn’t want to see anything bad happen to her, so… That’s not what she asked him. She asked if he felt weird about Carly getting married, and the answer is, no. She says, forgive the observation, but he seems less than thrilled. He asks how Nina is doing, and Maxie says, she seems happy. Jax says, she seems happy to have a relationship with Wiley again, and he hopes they can be friends when she comes back. Maxie says she didn’t get the impression that Nixon Falls was a detour for Nina. She got the feeling Nina was putting down roots.

Peter asks how Nina will feel, not holding her precious grandson ever again. When Michael and Carly find out what she’s been keeping from them. When Mike discovers this grandson she’s so afraid of losing, is also his. She says he’s made his point, and he says he hasn’t even gotten started with Jax yet. Her knight in shining armor. How’s he going to feel when he finds out she’s been playing footsy with Carly’s husband, a man he loathes?.

Obrecht tells Scotty, it’s imperative that she find out about the latest research on Huntington’s, but there’s no need for Scotty to sit through boring presentations. He says he’s been to his fair share of legal conferences, and one he’s learned is, once you’re signed in, your colleagues don’t know whether you’re sipping martinis, laying on the beach, or elsewhere. She says he’s a genius, and he says he’s heard rumors of that. She says, they shall discuss how much, or how little she should pack, but she has to make a quick phone call.

Ava says Nikolas hasn’t lost her; he has her heart. If anything their stalker’s attempt to come between them backfired magnificently, hasn’t it? It just made them love each other more. He says, so there is a silver lining; who knew? She says, but they are under siege. Until they find out who’s doing this… He says, they will find out, and she says she hopes so. The threats are escalating. Nobody has been hurt, but how long before that happens? She can’t live like that. Can he? He says, no, but he can’t live without her either. She says, then they’re at an impasse. Their stalker doesn’t want them together, but they can’t seem to stay apart. So it will be her job to keep them apart. He asks, how far apart? and she says, oceans apart.

Alexis says Nikolas was just trying to teach Spencer a lesson, and Spencer says, by pretending to stab him? Alexis says she told Nikolas it was a bad idea, but he did anyway. She’s sorry if it hurt Spencer, but she’s also sorry for his father. He asks how she can possibly be sorry for his father, and she says, because he was raised in the middle of a tug-of-war for power between Helena and Stephan. Can he imagine how hard it is to grow up in that environment and have a moral compass; to know right from wrong? Does Spencer have any idea how lucky he is?

Esme says it’s nice to speak to Ryan. It’s incredible. Does he communicate through Harmony? Harmony wonders why she’s asking, and Esme says she’s starting classes at PCU; she’s going to medical school. She imagines in working with patients who have that diagnosis, there’s never a dull moment. Harmony says, sure enough, and Esme says she has an idea. Maybe she could volunteer there. Ryan blinks like crazy, and she asks what he’s saying. Harmony tells her, he’s saying, go, go, go, over and over.

Jax says he thought all Nina needed was a reason to come home, and Maxie says, now she has a reason to stay. He says, Phyllis? and she says she should get back to wedding planning. He says, no, come on. What’s the real reason Nina is staying in Nixon Falls? She says, it’s not a what; it’s a who. Nina has found someone special, and Maxie is under the strong impression it’s getting serious.

Peter says, Nina has been keeping Sonny’s identity a secret to get back at Carly, and she asks if he doesn’t think she knows what she’s done, what she has to lose. He says, but it’s so much fun to remind her, and she says, why don’t you just get out, you psycho? So she can get him a lead on Louise. Sonny and Phyllis come back in, and Sonny asks if Nina is okay. She says she’s fine. She’s going to walk Peter out. Phyllis says it was nice meeting him, and she hopes Peter drops by again. He says she can count on it, and he and Nina leave. Sonny says, see what he means? and Phyllis says, there was definitely some tension. He says, some tension? and she says, Nina will either explain or she won’t. Until she does, they have to respect her privacy. If Nina doesn’t like Peter hanging around, she’ll tell him where to go.

Outside, Peter says Nina has twenty-four hours, before the people she loves suffer the consequences of her stalling.  Are they clear? She says, yes, and he says, good, and leaves. Nina calls Obrecht, who says she can tell by Nina’s voice things have gotten worse, and Nina tells her, she could say that. Obrecht says she knows under normal circumstances, Nina would rely on lawful means to end Peter’s reign of terror, but since Peter has threatened James, that’s not an option, right? Nina says Obrecht read her mind.

Esme says, Ryan can’t want her gone already. Is Harmony sure that’s what he’s saying? Harmony says, sometimes when they’re tired, people with locked-in syndrome can suffer eyelid spasms, and Esme says, that must be it; he’s just tired. Ryan glares at her, and she tells him, get some rest. She thanks Harmony for her time, and says she didn’t catch her name. Harmony introduces herself, and Esme says, she’s Esme. Harmony says she was going to guess that. She looks like an Esme. Esme says she knows, right? She hopes to come back and visit both of them. 

Ava says she needs to get as far away from Port Charles as possible, and Nikolas says maybe they can figure out an alternative. She says, there’s no alternative that includes the two of them together. She’s hoping to get far enough off the grid that the stalker loses interest. He suggests they grab Avery and go, but she says it would defeat the purpose. There is something he can do for her though. He says, anything, and she says, make peace with Spencer. He says he wants to, and he’s trying, but Spencer and his girlfriend have moved in with his mother. She says, girlfriend? and he says, Spencer had a secret, just not what he suspected. She says, poor Trina.   

Spencer asks Alexis, how is he lucky? Look at everything that’s been done to him. He has every right to be angry. Alexis says, furious, livid; yes, he does. But isn’t the real reason he’s angry, because Nikolas didn’t trust him and accused him of stalking Ava? She knows things will be difficult to fix between him and his father, but it’s worth it. Don’t be so focused on punishing his father that he ends up punishing himself. Esme comes back and stares at them.

Carly says, the pool (🍷) looks beautiful, and Jason says, they did a good job. She says, it’s a long way from Jake’s, and he says, Jake’s was okay too. She says, Jake’s was paradise, and he says he woudn’t go that far. She says, that’s because to him, it was a place to shoot pool and drink beer. For her, she spent all day, every day, running, lying, and manipulating; chasing she doesn’t know what. Some idea of what she thought would make her happy, but what really made her happy was when she was with him.

Obrecht tells Nina, it would be a blessing to wipe Peter off the map, and Nina asks what she needs to do. Obrecht says, tell him that Anna and Valentin got a lead in St. Lucia. Nina asks, what’s there? and Obrecht says, a medical conference… and her alibi. Nina says, Peter is as good as there, and Obrecht tells her, take a breath, drink some champagne, and give herself a hug. Soon, Peter will never bother anyone ever again.

Jax asks Maxie who Nina’s mystery man is, and Maxie says she doesn’t have a lot of details, but she’ll say this. Lately, Port Charles has given Nina nothing but pain. She thinks Nina wants to keep her life in Nixon Falls separate from her life there, including the people in it. She only told him because she thought he should know that Nina moved on. Maybe he should too.

Esme tells Spencer and Alexis that she’s sorry to interrupt, but from the looks of the guard, time’s up. Alexis says it was nice meeting Esme. She’s sorry they didn’t get more time to chat. Come and visit her in prison any time. Spencer too, and remember what she said. They hug, and Harmony wheels Ryan back in. Esme looks at him, and gives him a little wave. She and Spencer leave, and Harmony tells Alexis, her nephew’s girlfriend, Esme, she’s trouble. Alexis says, she thinks so? and Harmony says she’s had a lot of experience with wayward girls. Some are victims, some are not. If Alexis’s nephew knows what’s good for him, he’ll steer clear of that one.   

Nikolas asks if Ava knows where she’s going, and she says there are a couple of artists she’s been trying to woo in Europe. That will take a few weeks. After that, who knows? He says, maybe she’ll come back, but she says, only if the stalker is caught, but at this rate… She’ll miss him. He says all he wants to do is talk her into staying, and she says, all she wants to do is let him. He says, unfortunately, he had one more lesson to learn. He’s done trying to control people he loves. She says, it’s a lousy time for him to start building character, and he says he hopes she comes back. She promises to love him wherever she is.

Carly says, back then, when she walked into Jake’s and Jason was there, he always gave her a good night. He says, him too, and she says she always thought she annoyed him. He says, she did… sometimes… most of the time, but he always liked seeing her. She says, know what she liked? and he says, oh no. She says, dancing. He brought her here to make her feel better, and dancing would make her feel better. They put down their beer bottles, and he says, will she dance with him? They dance, and she smiles. They come close to kissing, and I cringe. She suddenly pulls away, and says she has to get back to work. Thanks for the beer. He says, anytime, and she leaves, while he ponders.

Phyllis tells Sonny, whatever is going on with Nina and Peter, it’s definitely not romantic. He says, that’s not what bothers him about the guy, and she asks, what is it? He says, when he and Peter first met yesterday, he got the feeling Peter knows who he is.

On Monday, Anna tells Obrecht that she’s not giving up until she finds Peter dead or alive, Carly says someone is going to find out why Jason has the reputation he does, and Sonny asks if Peter knows who he is.

Million Dollar Listing New York

KJ told husband Stefano that she was ready to sit at the table with the big boys – i.e. start her own team. Kemba called Tyler with an offer on Whitney’s 77th Street apartment. The buyers loved Whitney’s style, and wanted a lot of things included. She said, Whitney wasn’t married to the furniture, right? but Tyler said she was married to everything. If she could peel the paint off the walls and take it to Florida, she would. Fredrik was in L.A., but called team member Charlë in NYC, who said she’d done a deal with KJ at the Baccarat. Woman to woman, they did pretty good.

Ryan went to a listing appointment in downtown Brooklyn at the Brooklyn Point building, and met with developer Ari. In Ryan’s interview, he said, not in his wildest dreams did he think one of the biggest developers would call his new company. They’d completely changed the skyline in NYC, everywhere. If he got this, it would be a complete game changer; everyone would call. It was the tallest building in Brooklyn, with 483 apartments, and a 25 year tax abatement. That means no property taxes, folks. You know the drill; luxury appliances, custom cabinetry, amazing fixtures, some of them copper. Ryan didn’t know you could get views like that outside of Manhattan. The building had from studios to 3 bedrooms, and the top floor had extra high ceiling, giving the feeling of a penthouse. The three bedrooms ranged from $2.5 to $3.5 million, and the 2 bedrooms ranged from $1.8 to $2.5 million. The amenities included a state of the art fitness center, with a 35’ rock climbing wall, and a 65’ salt water pool. Ryan told Ari, if he lived there, he’d retire, since he’d have no reason to leave. Yep, me too. In his interview, Ryan said he was no longer working for a firm; he was the firm. Everything was on his shoulders, so he had to get this listing, which would be over $400 million in value. Ari wanted to know what Serhant was all about, and what Ryan’s competitive advantage was. Ryan told Ari that Serhant was a real estate firm that sold real estate, and I wondered where all his Rico Suave went. In Ryan’s interview, he said he was nervous, and his palms were sweating. Get it together. He admitted to Ari that his new company hadn’t signed any new buildings yet, and Ari said they were aware. Like this guy wouldn’t have checked Ryan out ahead of time. Ryan said they were in the middle of negotiations, but they’d just started. The building would get his personal attention, since it would be his baby. He’d decided he wasn’t going to change even though it was his company. He’d still show, because he loved it; he’d still sell, because it was what he was best at; and he’d still focus on brands, because that was how he’d built his career. Ari said they were eager to make a decision, and Ryan said, let’s go. Ari said they would take a leap of faith, and in his interview, Ryan said he was so effing freaked out. The potential sales were $460 million.

KJ met developer Alex at 175 w 95th Street. Alex’s family had bought the remaining rental units in a condo from the previous developer. As the rent stabilized tenants left, they renovated the apartments, getting them ready for buyers. At the beginning of the pandemic, she’d been tasked with selling nine of their units. In her interview, she explained that developers were sitting on finished units, and it was costing them a ton in carrying costs. They still had five units to sell, and we flashed back to KJ advising Alex to lower the price to $1.495 million. I know, I write this like it’s some every day cost, but when in NYC… She’d gotten an offer of $1.425 for a mid-floor apartment, all cash, and the buyer would pay the closing costs. Alex said, a year ago, the apartments were $1.6 million, and KJ told him for the billionth time that the market was competitive right now, and everyone was looking for an opportunity (aka, lowballing). Alex said he appreciated her honesty, and decided to roll with the deal. In KJ’s interview, she said, now she had to move on to the next one on a lower floor. She told him that she’d gotten an offer of $1.35 million for that one, and Alex was like, oh my God, but understood the market is what it is, and agreed on that one too. KJ said she had one more for the highest floor, starting at $1.35 (she should have gotten the defibrillator ready for Alex), but she had a good feeling. Alex pointed out the beautiful view, and she said the buyers were investors from Hong Kong, and had all cash; it was an attractive offer. They wanted to take it sight unseen, at least not in person, and she thought she could get them to come up to the 1.4’s. Alex said he needed $1.5 million to make the deal work, and KJ called Karishma. Karishma said she’d spoken to the clients, and they were willing to come up to $1.4 million, but KJ said she needed something closer to $1.5 million. The developer was getting more for apartments on the lower floors, and the clients would be getting a good deal. In her interview, KJ said that it was a smart move to sell the property at a lower price. Rip the bandaid off and move on. Karishma called back, and KJ told Alex, they countered at $1.435 million, but Alex was concerned if they accepted the lower pricing on the higher floors, they’d be setting a precedent. She told him that there was a lot of competition and a lot of inventory. Eventually, the market would change, but it was time to move on, and focus on the apartments coming up. She thought it was the best offer they could get, and a one-off because it was during covid. It was time to get it off the books, call it a day, and move on. Alex agreed, as long as KJ would get him better pricing next time. Sold at $1.435 million, KJ’s commission being $126K.   

Ryan did a video shoot at Brooklyn Point from the roof, telling his viewers that it was the highest infinity pool in the Western Hemisphere. Steve invited the brokers to an open house at Hudson Yards. 

Fredrik was in L.A., and spoke to developer Cliff, owner of the $15 million penthouse Fredrik was now living in. We flashed back to Cliff saying he’d extend the listing with Fredrik if he agreed to live there, and promote it on his social media. In Fredrik’s interview, he said, the strategy was a little awkward – we flashed back to a broker telling him that he needed to make his bed – but there had been interest. However, the feedback had also been unanimous – the price was too high. You couldn’t argue with the market, and the price reduction had worked. There was a huge amount of interest, and he’d done a lot of showings. He called Cliff, and said he’d gotten an offer of $9.995 million, full asking price. Fredrik thanked Cliff for the opportunity, and said social media was his best selling tool. Cliff thought social media was a colossal waste of time, but Fredrik asked if $10 million was a waste of time. As we know from General Hospital, two things can be true. After Fredrik hung up with Cliff, broker Glenn called. His clients had made an offer of $9.8 million, but Fredrik had told him to come up. So, sorry not sorry. Glenn whined that the apartment had been on the market for a long time, but Fredrik said he’d told Glenn to move fast. Glenn was pissed off, and Fredrik told him the only way was to come in over the asking price substantially. They had another deal. It would have to be cash and quick, with the buyer paying closing costs. No playing around. Glenn said his buyers told him to go to $10.7, all cash, and paying the closing costs, but he needed to know he had the deal. They wanted it done in three days. Fredrik told Glenn to promise he wouldn’t back out, and he’d call him right back. Fredrik left the car by the side of the road – a convertible, open to any and all thieves – jumped out, and ran across the street where he jumped around in a fountain. He called Cliff with the offer, and in his interview, Fredrik said it felt good to close a deal at a pre-covid price. New York is waking up and roaring. She is back. He was returning soon, and going to do a victory lap when he got there. He got back in the car, and as he continued to drive, yelled, I love New York… and L.A.! I love both coasts!

Steve went to the Sky Rink, meeting his hockey buddy Adam to play ice hockey. In his interview, Steve said it brought him back to childhood. It was fun and he played once or twice a week. It was good for him both physically, and psychologically, and was like real estate; super competitive, sometimes you got in fights, and there was a winner and a loser. He liked to win. They were also meeting Preston, the broker who had a possible renter for Steve’s client, and also an old hockey buddy. We flashed back to Steve showing the rental, and in Steve’s interview, he said he’d told Preston to bring him the offer on the ice. Steve had played competitively when he was younger, and knew his way around an ice rink, but it was only a hobby. Preston said the six month lease was a challenge. His clients didn’t want a one-year term. Steve said furnished properties of that caliber were few and far between. Right now, he had the only one. The owner had to turn the apartment over, painting and taking care of repairs, in between renters. A shorter term meant more wear and tear. In Steve’s interview, he said he thought this might actually be beneficial. In six months, the market would be different, and his client could raise the price. He’d bought it as an investment property. Steve called his client, telling him it wasn’t ideal, but the offer was 6 months at $60K a month. Right now, rentals were up because of the uncertainty of the market. People wanted to see what was going to happen. Steve saw an opportunity, and suggested they offer full ask for six months, then get a long term offer after the market was better. Steve came back to Preston with an offer of $60K a month if it was one-year, or the full price of $69.5K a month for six months. Steve continued to play hockey while Preston made the call, and came back with 6 months at the full ask, and in his interview, Steve said, six months from now, he’d get to rent it again. It was a win-win for him.

Tyler has a dog named Peggy, which I find worth mentioning, since I think it’s amusing when pets have human names. In his interview, Tyler said, before he could turn Whitney’s apartment back into a whitebox, buyers came along who said it was their exact taste, and loved everything. They made a $4.1 million offer, but wanted some of the furniture and curtains included. In Tyler’s interview, he said, it wasn’t uncommon, but it was far from his favorite thing to do. Buyers didn’t consider what the seller had paid for it, or the sentimental value. He just had to try and make it work. He told Whitney that she should be flattered, and she said she was, but it didn’t sway her. We flashed back to Whitney saying she was taking the curtains, and I flashed back to the previous owner of my house wanting to keep her curtains when we’d already agreed they came with the house. It has 21 windows. I held firm. And seriously, what was she going to do with them in senior living? Whitney told Tyler, it was like, my furniture is coming with me; thanks for coming. He asked if she didn’t want her legacy to live on. Plus, she didn’t need nursery furniture. She said she’d poured her heart and soul into her son’s room, and wasn’t giving his crib to a stranger. He managed to wheedle most of the furniture the buyers wanted, minus the crib, and made a deal at $4.1 million. He told Whitney, well done-ish. He would take an ish. His commission? $123K.    

In her interview, KJ said, after some hard conversations about the future – we flashed back to her talking to Ryan and Fredrik – she decided it was time for her to start her own team. Elliman had the best infrastructure, and the top producing agents in the city. She gathered her new team – Benjamin, Karishma, and Jill – and told them that it wasn’t just like she was moving to a different firm, she was creating a team. Jill was her COO, and would be keeping them on brand and helping grow the business, but they had room for another agent or two, so keep their eyes open. In her interview, she said she’d hand-selected people who were in line with her values and also had incredible experience.  Getting teary, she said she’d spent years thinking that others did it better. If you believed in yourself, you could do it, but it took time. It didn’t happen overnight, but one day you woke up and said, holy sh*t; it’s real. She felt a ton of pressure, an told her team they’d be working a lot.

Steve said, the $29.5 million penthouse at Hudson Yards was the accumulation of years of hard work. It was a game changer. Since he could only have a limited amount of people at an event, he’d invited the top brokers for an open house. In Ryan’s interview, he reminded us that he was the reason Steve got the listing; he’d brought Steve a buyer for the other apartment. We flashed back to that, and Ryan said, you’re welcome. To refresh your memory, the penthouse was 5211 square feet, 4 bedrooms, and 5.5 baths, two floors, 26’ ceilings, and 270* unobstructed views. In his interview, Ryan said he’d seen a lot of apartments, and this one screamed penthouse. It was a piece of art, and whoever bought it would crush it. $30 million today will be $60 million tomorrow. Watch. KJ and Tyler joined them, and in Tyler’s interview, he said he was excited to be invited, but even more excited to see the penthouse. It was everything. This was the dream. He thought Steve looked good in his tux. He’d brought prom to the penthouse.  Steve gave them the tour, and said they were the first to see it.   

Steve broke open the champagne, and in KJ’s interview, she said, in the future, she saw expansion of the business. She saw herself getting larger deals and building a well oiled machine that would run until she died. She’d be doing this to the grave. In Tyler’s interview, he said he’d busted his ass. He was proud of himself and his team. They’d sold more than they ever had before. He didn’t just want to build a team in the city. He was also starting one in the Hamptons. Even though there had been challenges, he was most excited about their growth. Fredrik arrived, wearing a bright yellow jacket, and in his interview, he said, since he moved to L.A., he’d been dressing brighter. He was the sunshine of New York, and when Freddy came back, it brightened everything. He’d moved past the Ryan thing. He didn’t need that kind of negativity in his life, and he was closing so many deals, chose to focus on that. In Ryan’s interview, he said Fredrik had been arguing with him for nine years. He was over it. They’d never be best friends, and never see eye to eye on everything, because they were naturally born competitors who played in the same market. We saw they both had property listings in buildings across from each other.

Steve showed Fredrik the 88th floor views from the primary bathroom, and Fredrik mentioned that the old Steve wore scarves and wrinkled T-shirts. Steve said, the old Steve wasn’t in a committed relationship with a child. People changed. In Steve’s interview, he said it had been a horrible market, but the downs only made them more successful. He and Luiza were stronger as a couple, and baby Rose was almost two. He wanted to continue to be competitive and be better, but at the end of the day, he had all he needed. Look where they were standing. The sky was literally the limit. In Fredrik’s interview, he said he wouldn’t change anything about the past year. His business was very different than it was 10 years ago. He moved to L.A. when the pandemic hit. He’d wanted to have a foot in each coast. He couldn’t travel, but he moved with it, just like Robot Freddy. Would it ever replace the real thing? Never. He expected to be number one in New York and L.A. in the coming year.

Steve thanked everyone for coming, and in his interview, Ryan said it had been a lot of work, but super exciting. If they handled this year, they could handle anything. He thought he said that about last year too, but scratch that. This year was f***ed. They were all new people. He’d spent more time at home in 2020 than he ever thought he would. He worked the entire time, and wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else other than Amelia and Zena. When people looked back in ten years, they would say, this was the start of the greatest real estate boom in the history of New York City. Steve said, to the next chapter and a brighter future. To New York. Ryan said, New York is back, baby!

This was the season finale, so no preview.

🎺 Getting On the Bandwagon…

KJ on starting a new chapter.

https://www.bravotv.com/million-dollar-listing-new-york/style-living/kirsten-jordan-talks-starting-her-own-team

🤔 Sonny’s Speculation…

But what about poor Nina?

👉 Blackie’s Trigger Finger…

Some people will do anything for an Instagram story.

https://popculture.com/celebrity/news/john-stamos-undergoes-surgery-reveals-hospital-photos/

🧼 Release the Trailer…

Behold Beyond Salem. It looks pretty good.

💖 Loved By All…

Tributes to Michael Nader from those who worked with him.

👠 Can’t Catch a Break…

Well, she wanted to be famous.

It’s even more XXPEN$IVE to be her now.

Get in line I’m sure.

https://people.com/tv/tom-girardi-law-firm-owes-101-million-in-debt-bankruptcy-case-filing/

🧮 But She Is Annoying…

And irrelevant, and boring, and hardly accountable, and yeah, what is she doing here?

https://screenrant.com/housewives-garcelle-teddi-feud-twitter-guest-shady-comment/

🍸 Sharing…

I’m kind of over Vanderpump Rules. I’ll always watch LVP, but I miss that show where she got the celebrities drunk. She was really in her element with that one. And Vanderpump Dogs. That was good too.

💣 Doom Addition…

Doom Patrol was one of my favorite comics as a kid. I haven’t seen the series yet, but this woman looks just like the one in the comic book.

https://ew.com/tv/michelle-gomez-madame-rouge-doom-patrol-season-3-photos/

https://screenrant.com/doom-patrol-season-3-images-madame-rouge-villain/

⚰️ Dead Start…

Everyone weighs in on The Walking Dead’s first episode of the last season. Daryl, Maggie, and even Negan.

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-norman-reedus-daryl-negan-maggie-archeron-premiere/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-maggie-negan-premiere-archeron-angela-kang-showrunner/

https://ew.com/tv/walking-dead-jeffrey-dean-morgan-negan-glenn-season-premiere-archeron/

🖋 Quotes of the Week

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. – Martin Luther King Jr.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. – e.e. Cummings

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. – John Lubbock

The only difference between success and failure is the ability to take action. – Alexander Graham Bell

If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. – Shirley Chisholm

I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer – its dust and lowering skies.Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

☮️ Peace Out…

Thus ends another week, or seven Xs, however you’re counting. Until we meet on the Deadside, stay safe, stay leaving them wanting more, and stay letting the downs only make you more successful.

August 20, 2021 – Chase Gets Proof, the Legacy Lives On, RHONY’s North Fork, Goodbye For Now, It’s Not Turtle Time, This Week’s Wives, Eboni’s Freshman Year, SyFy’s Dead, First Episode, Just Over Ten Quotes & No End In Sight

Standard

What I Watched Today

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

General Hospital

Sonny and Nina walk into the Tan-O, and Nina says, it feels empty. He was so great with helping Phyllis with the arrangements, and holding her hand. She doesn’t know how he did it. He says, she needed it, and that’s what people do. Like how Nina spent the night with her. In times of crisis, people step up. She says, it’s great to see all the friends and family who came out to support Phyllis and remember Lenny, a decorated war veteran and native son of Nixon Falls. The people of this town really loved him. Sonny says, he loved this town and the people in it. That’s all that really matters, right? Loving others, and being loved.

Josslyn tells Carly that she’s going to Kelly’s – moss bowl! 🎍 – and Carly asks, what’s the rush? Josslyn says she wants to hear about the rest of Spencer’s party from Trina. She asks if everything is okay with Carly, and Carly says, it is; why? Josslyn says it was pretty obvious she had somewhere to be last night, and Carly says maybe she just wanted to get Josslyn and Cameron away from that ridiculous island. There was already enough drama, doesn’t she think? Josslyn says, that’s the way Spencer does things, over-the-top, but once Carly realized Tony got them home, she couldn’t leave fast enough. Why was she in such a hurry, and who was she meeting?

Trina walks into Kelly’s, where Cameron is bussing tables. She says, Joss isn’t here yet? and he says, they left the party so late last night, he figured she was sleeping in. What did they miss? Did Spencer’s dad have any more crazy surprises after that knife trick he pulled? Hey, is she okay? Did something worse happen last night? Do they need to reach out to Spencer? She says she wouldn’t worry. Despite what his father did, Spencer is definitely not alone. He asks what she means, and she says, let’s just say Spencer has a bigger support system than any of them realized.

Laura tells Doc, she has a full slate of meetings today. For some reason, that budget is just never finished. She sees a breakfast spread on the table, and tells Doc that he shouldn’t have. He says he didn’t, and Spencer walks in, telling her and Doc, good morning. Esme follows him with French press coffee, and says, bon appétit.

Anna sits at the pool (🍷) sipping a drink, when Martin sits next to her. He asks if she thinks anyone would judge him if he ordered a bloody Mary, and she says she learned long ago that when a lawyer is all smiles, it’s best to be on your guard. He says, no fear; he’s off the clock. Or couldn’t she tell by what he’s wearing? She says he does look comfortable, and he says, as does she. One more thing they have in common. She says, they have something else in common? and he says their mutual friend and sometimes partner – Valentin Cassadine.

Valentin comes downstairs, and checks himself out in the mirror. Brook says he’s in a good mood for a guy who just dribbled toothpaste on himself, and he says, it’s Bailey’s baby formula. She loves it when daddy makes silly faces to get her to finish her bottle. Brook says he’s really in love with that little girl, isn’t he? and he says, who woudn’t be?

Chase looks at a text from Austin that says, counting on you. Remember, they have it coming. He flashes back to finding out Michael and Willow slept together, when the two of them walk in, Michael chattering away about how Wiley got his phone. Michael says, hey, Chase. He didn’t know Chase was there. Chase says, don’t stop what they’re doing on his account, and they look all kinds of guilty.

Sonny says, it’s quiet, and Nina says, Lenny would hate this. He says, Lenny loved his customers. He welcomed strangers, and loved his music. He played that jukebox every morning; his favorite song. She says, and when he thought no one was looking, he’d dance with the broom. Sonny laughs, and she says, but his favorite was dancing with his wife. She can see them over there, dancing their last dance. He says, he used to watch them, and think to himself, he’d love to have that one day. She says he’s right. They were lucky they had love for a very long time. He says, nothing can change that. Not even death.

Carly tells Josslyn, they got back late last night, and then she had a pressing engagement. Josslyn says, with Jason? and Carly says, yes; how did she know? Josslyn says, because they’re engaged, and it’s not unusual for engaged people to want to hang out. She’s going to Kelly’s now… Carly tells her to wait. There’s something she has to tell Josslyn, and it also involves her brother.

Willow – who is starting to totally annoy me – asks if Chase is ready for her to take him out to the yard so he can work on his physical therapy. He says he got up early, and already did his morning routine, and Michael says it sounds like he’s making progress. Chase says he’s getting stronger every day, but then again, he has great motivation. He looks at Willow, and Michael’s phone dings. Michael says his mother wants him to swing by the house. It’s something important. He leaves, and Chase asks if Willow wants to go with him. She asks why she would, and he tells her, Michael said it was important, and he knows how much Michael means to her.

Laura says, it’s very sweet of them to go through all this trouble, and Spencer says, it’s the least they could do after she and Doc took them in last night. Esme says she did her research and found an excellent patisserie with an excellent croissant. Spencer says, Esme is very resourceful. They have no idea. He flashes back to Esme telling him how she set fire to Ava’s car, and Laura says she hopes Esme found the guest room comfortable. Esme says she slept like a baby, but she knows the three of them have some catching up to do, so she’s going to explore the town. She kisses Spencer on the cheek and says, à bientôt, and Doc says, au revoir. Spencer thinks maybe he’ll go with her, but Laura says his friend seems capable of exploring on her own. She’s just curious why Spencer hasn’t mentioned her before.

Anna says she and Valentin have a very long, very complicated history, and Martin says, it’s not all in the past. They recently took a trip to New York together, didn’t they? On the trail of Peter August. One could only hope they were successful. She says they were following a lead, which ultimately didn’t pan out, and he asks if she puts her relationship with Valentin in that same category. She says, what’s that to you, Mr. Grey? and he says, please, call him Martin. Or better yet, call him Marty. All his friends do. Anna asks if he considers her a friend, and he says he hopes they’re moving in that direction. As a matter-of-fact, can he be honest? She says she’s not sure she can stop him, and he says he’s long been fascinated by the mystique of Anna Devane. He’d surely love to get to know her better, and vice versa. She says, Marty, are you hitting on me?

Willow tells Chase, of course (🍷) Michael’s important to her; he’s Wiley’s father. He says, great. That’s what she shares with Michael; Wiley. Valentin and Brook come in, and he tells Brook that he’s just saying his daughter lights up when he comes in the room, but Brook says she doesn’t recognize him; she just has gas. Willow asks if they’ll ever agree on anything, and Valentin says, just that they created a spectacular baby girl. Brook says, sadly, they don’t agree on much else, least of all Austin Gatlin-Holt’s bogus claim to ELQ shares. Valentin says, Austin’s lawsuit may be an inconvenience to the Quartermaine family, but that doesn’t mean it’s without merit. She says, spoken by the guy who’s keeping Austin in play, on the off-chance he wins his case and gets ELQ shares, just so he can potentially be a vote to keep Valentin as CEO. Chase says, not that anyone asked his opinion, but he has a point of view. Brook says, he’s a neutral observer. She, for one, welcomes his input. He says he hates to disappoint her, but he’s far from neutral. It’s true, he’s not a Quartermaine and doesn’t have a vested interest in the outcome, but he sides with the guy who’s being kept in the dark. Brook says they only have Austin’s word to go on that he’s being denied his birthright. The will made by her great-grandfather Edward was very clear. Jimmy Lee Holt was cut out and wouldn’t get a dime. Edward actually didn’t want him anywhere near ELQ. Chase says, what if there was proof Edward changed his mind and wanted the will to include Austin’s father? Valentin says he’s the detective; does he have proof? Brook says, no he doesn’t because there isn’t any. If there was, Austin would have produced it. Valentin says, as it happens, he’s having lunch with Austin. Maybe he’ll produce it then. He leaves, and Chase says he’s sorry if he spoke out of turn, but Brook says she’s not angry at him, especially since he’s speaking from the heart. She hears Bailey cry, and leaves. Chase says he knows Willow has class this morning, and doesn’t have to stick around on his account. She says she’s leaving soon, but hopes he knows Brook is right. He does have a big heart. He asks if that’s why she loves him.

Martin says Anna will have to forgive him. They’re not all as suave and debonair as Valentin. Come to think of it, even his name sounds romantic. Martin tells her that he’s never shied away from the challenges of the fairer sex, and from where he’s sitting, she’s the fairest of them all. Aww! He’s kind of cute. She tells him, says the man who’s had six wives, and he says, be fair. That was Henry XIII; he’s only had three. And they’re all on speaking terms. What does that tell her? She says, that he got a good deal on alimony, and he laughs, saying, she’s disconcertingly perceptive. She says he’s quite charming, and he asks if that means he’s making any headway. She says his interest is duly noted, and he says he’ll take that as a definite maybe.

Laura says, Esme seems like a nice girl. She assumes Spencer met her at school, and he says, yes. At first he thought she was too cool for him, but they hit it off. Doc says maybe she thought he was cool too, and Laura says, of course (🍷) she thought he was cool; he’s her grandson. Spencer says, bless her, but it’s not like she’s the most objective source, and she says he has his father’s charm. Spencer says he hopes that’s all he inherited, and she says his father does love him very much. She hopes he knows that. Spencer says, he has a warped way of showing it. Either he’s pretending he’s dead or pretending to stab Spencer, but either way, Spencer is done. She says, he’s hurt and angry, and with good reason. It was wrong of Nikolas to accuse him of being Ava’s stalker, and even more wrong to stage that attack. She doesn’t know what he was trying to do; make Spencer see the error of his ways… Doc says he admits, he was beginning to wonder if Nikolas was right. Spencer’s dislike for Ava is well known. Spencer says he doesn’t love that Doc thought he was guilty, but appreciates Doc can admit he was wrong. Doc says, it’s not even remotely the same thing, but if Spencer can see his way to forgive him, he wonders if there’s any chance Spencer can do the same for his father. Spencer says he doesn’t mean to be rude, but he has no energy nor the emotional bandwidth to think about his father right now. His top priority is figuring out where he and Esme are going to live. Laura tells him, as she said, Esme seems like a lovely girl, and shows good taste in dating him, but there’s no way he and Esme going to live together.

Trina tells Cameron, last night was weird. Beyond weird, and that was before Esme showed up. He asks, who’s Esme? when Esme walks in, saying, it’s good to see Trina again. She wonders if they can direct her to the Museum of Fine Art, and Trina says, around there, they call it The Chuck, and it’s good to see her too. She introduces Cameron, who says he doesn’t know if Spencer mentioned it, but they’re sort of cousins. They share the same grandmother, but aren’t actually related. Esme says Cameron is exactly the way Spence described him, and Cameron says, he is? She says she and Spence share everything.

Michael enters moss bowl town, and asks what he missed. Josslyn says she doesn’t know. Carly wouldn’t tell her until he got there. Carly says she wanted to tell them both at the same time. Last night she had a wake-up call. Josslyn says, Spencer’s party was a wake-up call? and Carly says, it had nothing to do with the party. She and Jason realized they don’t need or want a long engagement. She wanted them to be them first to know, they’re getting married on September 17th. Josslyn hugs Carly, and says, here’s to the future Mrs. Jason Morgan.

Sonny tells Nina, a memorial wall is a beautiful idea; everything from Lenny’s past life. They’ve brought out a trunk, and Nina says, let’s take a look. Sonny takes out a medal, and says, Lenny was so proud of being a Marine, and serving their country. Nina suggests they leave the medals out so they can put them on the wall. She takes out some postcards, and says, Lenny sent them to Phyllis when he was overseas. Sonny takes out a photo from their wedding, saying, Lenny is in his uniform, and Phyllis has a white dress on. Nina says, they look so young and happy. Sonny concentrates on the photo, and Nina asks him, what’s wrong? He remembers Carly in a white dress with a bouquet, but doesn’t see her face. Nina asks again, what’s wrong? Talk to her. He says, for a second, he thought he’d remembered something; the woman he told her about, with a wedding bouquet. Maybe it’s not a memory, just a vision of his future. Nina asks if the vision was good or bad, and he says, good.

Josslyn says, it’s so exciting, and asks why Michael isn’t jumping up and down like she is. He says, inside, he’s doing backflips, and congratulates Carly, hugging her. Josslyn says she has to tell Cameron and Trina, and jets. Michael says Carly and Jason aren’t giving themselves much time to plan a wedding. What is he saying? She’s not giving herself much time. Jason will just show up and do what she tells him. She says she can get it together by then, especially if she keeps it small. He asks if the point wasn’t to send a message, and if it shouldn’t be a big deal.   

Spencer says he never thought of Laura as a puritan before, and she says she’s not; far from it. But he can’t go from his high school dormitory to moving in with Esme. Doc says, last night, Spencer’s father shook the ground underneath him. It’s only natural that he’d want to spend time with someone he can count on. Spencer says he appreciates their concern and counsel, but he assures them that he and Esme won’t be moving in together. He’d planned on offering her a room at Windymere, but that’s out the window now. He needs to help her find a place in town. Laura asks, for how long? Do her parents know about these plans? And how does he plan to finance this independent lifestyle? Spencer says he has money, but Laura says, his father has money. He took control of Spencer’s trust. He may grant Spencer access, but would Spencer take money from his father with one hand, and push him back with the other?

Anna says she’s not in the market for a romantic entanglement, and Martin says, just for his own verification, if he may be so bold, is it because she’s not interested, or because she’s already romantically entangled? She asks if he approaches every situation in his life like an attorney. She feels like she’s being cross-examined. He says, forgive him, but he feels they all bring their professional life into the personal. For instance, with her training with the WSB, is she always more comfortable with her secrets and deflections, rather than answering a simple heartfelt question? She says, touché. There are people who consider her lack of transparency a deal breaker. He says he’s not one of them. He flatters himself that they were made to dance together. Hell, just for the chance, he’d even let her lead. She laughs, and Valentin watches.

Brook tells Bailey that Valentin loves her so much. He wants to be a good daddy to her. Let’s face it; he’s succeeded. She pushes the stroller through the foyer, and says, what is she going to do when Peter is finally caught and punished, and Maxie gets to bring her home forever. How is she going to explain to Valentin? What’s going to happen to her? Let’s face it, Bailey is all she’s got right now. She leaves with Bailey.   

Chase says his and Willow’s marriage began under dire circumstances. She thought he was going to die – everybody did – but he survived, and then he couldn’t walk… She says she married him because she wanted to, and he says, that’s generous, considering he made her believe he’d cheated on her with Sasha. She says, that’s only because he wanted her to be with Wiley. Once she found out the truth, she could only be grateful. He says he never stopped loving her. Even now, even when… She says, when what? and he says, even when he’s not the man he was. She says he’s still that man. He’s getting better, and he will walk again. She absolutely believes that. Nothing has changed. He says, really? Nothing?

Anna says, next time she’s in the market for an attorney, she’ll give Martin a call. He says, next time he’s in the market for a little cloak and dagger, he’ll return the favor. Who knows? Maybe one day he can bail her out of trouble, and she can turn around and help him get into some. She says, stranger things have happened, and Valentin asks what he’s interrupting. Martin says they’re not sure, but it was getting interesting. Anna says she has to make a call, and asks Martin to save her chair. He tells her that she can count on it. He says, that is one amazing woman; the kind you take home to mother. Valentin says, not his mother, and they sit down. Valentin asks what Martin is doing. He’s not getting ideas about Anna, is he? Martin says, if he was, what would it mean to Valentin?

Spencer says, from now on he’s going to take care of himself, and Laura wonders if he’s going to ask Cameron to put in a good word for him at Kelly’s, so he can join Cameron bussing tables. Spencer says he hopes she’s joking, but she says she’s not. Doc says, there’s nothing wrong with an honest day’s work, but he thinks the point Laura is trying to make is that it’s not healthy walking around with all this unresolved anger toward his father. Spencer asks, what’s been left unresolved? After last night, he wants nothing to do with his father, or his money. He storms out, and Laura says, Doc is the expert. How can she help him when it’s clear he doesn’t want her help? And like his father, Spencer has no idea how badly he needs it.

Esme sits down, and Josslyn runs in, saying, she has the most exciting news. Trina says they have news too, and Cameron says, not what, but who. Trina introduces Josslyn to Esme, who says she’s never met a Josslyn before. At least not how she spells it. Josslyn asks if she knows Esme, and Esme says, Spence has told her all about Josslyn. Everything from her scar from her kidney transplant, to her Australian roots, to her mad volleyball skills. She even knows all about Josslyn’s family’s – quote, unquote – coffee business. Josslyn takes it Esme went to school with Spencer, and Trina says, more than that. Esme is Spence’s girlfriend.

Nina and Sonny look at a picture of them with Lenny and Phyllis on their way to the firehouse dance. Sonny says, it’s sweet, all dressed up, ready to go to the dance; preserved forever. She says, nothing lasts forever, and he asks if she doesn’t believe in the afterlife. Does she think this is all there is? Doesn’t she think Lenny is somewhere looking down on them? She says she doesn’t know, and he says he believes their souls and spirits continue on after they’re gone. She says she’d like to believe that, and he says, he found her, and he’s not going lose her. What they have, what they will have, is going to live on. They start to kiss, and Nina says, sorry. This is wrong.

Carly tells Michael that she doesn’t know what to do. He’s absolutely right. This wedding was supposed to make a huge statement – along with the moss bowl🎍. They’re supposed to prove to the Five Families sliced pepperoni, and the rest of the world, that she and Jason committed, but she’d rather have a small gathering with the people they love the most. He says part of the reason they’re getting married is to keep Josslyn and her little sister safe. They get to dress up and go to a party for two of their favorite people. And it’s not like she and Jason don’t love each other in their own way. Who knows where it could lead? He and Willow got married for Wiley’s sake, and it turned into something real. She says, then Chase got sick and Willow married him. Is there something he wants to tell her?

Willow tells Chase, what’s never going to change is that she wants him to be happy. He says she makes him happy, and she says, does she? He says, she knows she does. Even stuck in this chair, no one makes him feel like he’s on top of the world like she does. She says, that’s a lot of responsibility to put on someone. One slip, and you can go from the top of the world… He says he’s been there; rock bottom. She asks if he means when he Sasha pretended to have an affair and they broke up, and he asks, what else would he be talking about? She says he survived that, and learned to live again, and he asks, what about her? She says she loves her life and has no regrets, but… He says, but what? She can tell him anything. She says she has to go to class. She suggests he do more PT work, kisses him on the cheek, and leaves. He looks at the text from Austin again, and deletes the message.   

Nina says, sorry, and Sonny says he shouldn’t have kissed her. He knows they have a responsibility to Phyllis; she’s counting on them. She thanks him for understanding, and takes his face in her hands. She says he’s found his true self there, hasn’t he? and he says she doesn’t sound surprised. She says she’s not. She’s grateful she’s able to share this time with him, for however long she can. He takes her hand, and says he’s not going anywhere.

Michael says he thought they were talking about Carly’s future marriage; not his past one. He sits near the moss bowl 🎍, soaking up its glory, and she says he’s the one who compared the two. She thinks it’s kind and generous he offered for Chase to stay at the Quartermaine’s while he gets his life back together, but with Willow and Wiley so close? He says, they’ll make it work, and she says, is he sure? At what cost? His phone rings, and it’s Willow. She says she needs to see him. Not at the house; someplace private. He says he’s at his mom’s along with the moss bowl 🎍. She can come there. She says she’s on her way, and dashes out the door. Chase peeks out of the living room.

Josslyn says she takes it Esme is in town for Spencer’s party. How long is she visiting? Esme says it’s funny to hear them refer to him Spencer; no one at school calls him that. Cameron says, and no one in Port Charles calls him Spence. Josslyn says, especially the people who have known him his entire life, and Esme says, cool, and that would include her? Josslyn says, it sure would, and Esme says Spencer has told her so much about all of them. She looks forward to getting to know them personally. Trina says Esme never said how long she was visiting, and Esme says, that depends on Spence. Spencer walks in, and Esme says, come join them. They were just getting acquainted.

Valentin suggests he and Martin agree that Anna is off limits, and Martin says he’s positively neanderthal, marking his territory. Valentin tells Martin, he’s just saying the woman is very complicated, and Martin says he enjoys complications. Valentin says, as much as Martin enjoys his retainer? and Martin says, point taken. Perhaps what Anna needs is someone as complicated as she is. Martin’s phone rings, and he answers. He says, of course (🍷)He’ll meet them downstairs. Anna comes back, and asks if everything is all right, and Martin says, to be continued. He looks at Valentin and says, perhaps not, and leaves. Anna asks, what happened? and Valentin says he doesn’t know, but it doesn’t look good.

Brook goes into the living room, telling Chase that she didn’t mean to… She sees an empty chair.

Carly looks over the moss bowl 🎍, and tells Michael that he can tell her anything; she won’t judge him. He says he knows that, but he has nothing to say. She tells him, whatever he says, and he says, he’s not suggesting his situations are the same, and he’s not going to lie and say he’s happy with how things are with Willow. He’s just saying Carly and Jason might find their marriage of convenience might bring them closer to a real happy ending. 

Sonny says he should probably go. He promised Phyllis he’d come by the house. Nina says he should go, and she’ll stay there and look for more souvenirs. But tell Phyllis that she’ll drop everything if Phyllis needs her. He says he’s sure she knows that, but he’ll remind her. And don’t forget, grief can be very tricky. He leaves, and she looks at the photo of the four of them. There’s a knock at the door, and she says, sorry; they’re closed. The knock is persistent, and she says, can’t they see the sign on the door? She opens it, saying, sorry, they’re closed, and finds Maxie.

Valentin says Anna and Martin seemed to get along like a house on fire, and she says, he’s very Southern gentleman. Very different than what she’s used to. He says, so are grits and ham, but he doesn’t believe she’s given up on the finer things in life, has she?

Laura says she should go to work, and Doc tells her that he’ll clean up there. There’s a knock at the door, and Laura says she’ll get it. It’s Martin, who says, sister, I fear we are in trouble.

Trina says she has to go to the gallery. She doesn’t want Ava to handle things alone today, especially after the stalker torched her car. Esme says, as an art fan, she looks forward to meeting Trina’s boss. Trina leaves, and Josslyn follows her out. She asks if Trina is okay, and Trina says, why wouldn’t she be? Josslyn says, maybe because Spencer never told them he had a girlfriend. Trina asks what it matters, and Josslyn says, is she kidding? Spencer’s been acting all kinds of interested in her, turning on the charm. And Trina went out of her way to be there for him last night. He should have been honest. Trina says, he’s just a guy. It’s not like she was his girlfriend. She needs to go. Ava is counting on her. Trina leaves, and Cameron comes out. He says, it’s not like they didn’t already know Spencer was a jerk, and Josslyn says, a jerk who might be in way over his head. He asks what she means, and she says, who mentions a kidney transplant five seconds after meeting her? He says, Esme’s a little extra, and she says she guesses that’s what Spence deserves.

Spencer says he thought Esme was sightseeing, and she says she came in for directions and ran into his friends. She wants to get to know the people who are important to him.

Willow throws her arms around Michael, and the moss bowl 🎍 approves. He asks, what’s going on? What happened? She says she can’t do this anymore.

Chase walks shakily back to the living room, holding on to a paper. He calls Austin, and leaves a voicemail saying he found proof that Edward wanted to add his father to the will. Call him back. He goes into the living room to find Brook sitting in his wheelchair. She says she’s glad to see he’s back on his feet. Why doesn’t he tell her what’s really going on?

On Monday, Michael says he’ll wait for Willow as long as it takes, Ned asks what he can give Austin to walk away, Sam says maybe Valentin can help her, Brook wants the truth from Chase, and Nina asks Maxie to leave.

Million Dollar Listing New York

Fredrik finally met KJ in person at the 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 2700 square foot penthouse on East 1st Street that was going for $8.7 million. KJ said he was taller in person. When they’d initially met, he was a robot – i.e. an iPad on a stick. She wanted to put down her bag, and Fredrik pointed out the Mathieu Lehanneur art piece furniture (I finally snagged the name), and told her, just to look was $1000. KJ thought she might have a client for the penthouse. They were Texans looking for something with outdoor space – the penthouse had 1200 square feet of it – in a cool, funky area of NYC, and were willing to go up to $10 million. KJ thought the apartment’s renovation was neutral, but still new and fresh. Fredrik pointed out the onyx walls and floors in the primary bath, and in his interview, he said when he was feeling NYC, he liked KJ more. They discussed the possibility of KJ striking out on her own, and Fredrik said there came a time when you wanted to start doing it your way. He had 50 people in NYC, and in KJ’s interview she said there were 12 people on her team at Hudson Advisory. If she went out on her own, she’d have to start from scratch, but she’d made a goal to stop limiting herself.  

Tyler had the listing for the townhouse at 159 West 87th Street from Evan, Kemba’s bae, and it had been five weeks, but still no offers. The townhouse was entirely restored, with original details, pocket doors, outdoor space, and 8 converted fireplaces. It was so beautiful, it made me want to cry. If I had a spare $6.995 million lying around, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Tyler had posted an old-fashioned musical promoting himself on Instagram that had gotten a lot of attention. Even though they couldn’t have a party, or serve food and drinks (this was earlier in the pandemic), he’d staged the house, and was showing it as much as he could. In his interview, he said he’d staged it simply, so that potential buyers could see the timeless beauty. His team members dressed like characters out of The Great Gatsby, and Tyler said, a bedazzled mask, top hat, and magic stick were how he sold houses. He also impressively produced that magic stick from a hanky.

Steve was at 157 West 57th Street, a luxury, fully furnished rental on Central Park, going for a $69,500 a month. Can you imagine? In Steve’s interview, he said, the apartment sold itself. It was hard to imagine any negative feedback from brokers. Fredrik walked in, and he said, well, almost any. He and Fredrik had FaceTimed during the pandemic, but didn’t see each other anymore, and he was looking forward to meeting. In Fredrik’s interview, he said Steve dressed casually, but he liked the style. Steve was like McQueen, he was Tom Ford, and Ryan was Men’s Warehouse. Steve and Fredrik admired the view of the Chrysler and Empire State Buildings, and Steve asked how L.A. was. Fredrik said he’d dedicated his life to NYC, and knew every stone. It was scary to basically start over at his age. Steve said it wasn’t like Fredrik had abandoned NYC, since he had a team there, and Fredrik said Ryan had been contacting developers directly, saying he’d left. He’d thought they were past that. Steve said he’d had issues with Ryan in the past, but liked him now. Fredrik said it wasn’t personal, but he wanted to call it out for what it was. In his interview, Steve said the apartment he was the broker for had come from Fredrik, who’d taken it over from another broker. It happened all the time. He said, Fredrik had five markets, and he was worried about a couple of developers? But Fredrik said he’d taken the high road for ten years, and it was a pattern. It was time for Ryan to stop. Steve said Ryan wasn’t there to defend himself, and in his opinion, it was petty. In his interview, Fredrik said, with all due respect, he thought Steve didn’t fully understand. He was talking about multiple buildings, and hundreds of millions of dollars. Steve said he wasn’t taking sides, but thought the conversation was for Fredrik and Ryan. He told Fredrik that he expected Ryan to be there at some point.

Steve told Fredrik that he thought the time and energy Fredrik was extending on Ryan wasn’t worth it. At this point, Ryan came in – like this wasn’t planned – and Fredrik said they were just talking about him. In Ryan’s interview, he said he didn’t know Fredrik was town. Fredrik asked if he could speak to Ryan before Steve showed him the apartment, and Ryan was like, what’s happening? He asked how Fredrik had been, and Fredrik said he was missing his kids, so if he seemed emotional… Ryan said he was always emotional. I concur. Fredrik said it had come to his attention that Ryan was going after his developers, in particular Yan from 32 East 1st Street. Ryan said he didn’t pitch the building, but when he’d started his business, they sent the same email to all of the developers, telling them about the new place, and saying he’d love to work with them in the future. He didn’t need to poach Fredrik’s listings. In his interview, Ryan said they’d sent the same email to every developer, saying it had been a pleasure to meet them, and he’d like to work together in the future. Fredrik was the only one who took issue with it. Fredrik asked if Ryan could deny saying he’d left NYC and his team. Ryan said, since Fredrik had moved, the primary reason anyone reached out to him was that they thought they were hiring Fredrik, but he’d moved to L.A. In his interview, Ryan said, if he moved, he wouldn’t be surprised if his projects went to other brokers. It would be the risk he was willing to take. If Fredrik didn’t like what was going on, don’t take it out on him; look in the mirror. Fredrik said he wished Ryan would just tell him the truth. Why was he doing this now? Ryan said if a developer came to him, saying they were interested in interviewing other brokers, he would say yes. Fredrik said he thought they were friends. He’d always said no when the shoe was on the other foot. In Ryan’s interview, he said his first interaction with Fredrik was when he was brand new, and Fredrik was a big broker. He was having lunch with his first sale, his client Bonnie. We flashed back to that in 2016. Ryan invited Fredrik to sit down, and Fredrik blew his own horn to Ryan’s client, and gave her his card, in case she wanted to sell the apartment and not just list it. Ryan said, talk about unethical. He would never do that. Fredrik asked Ryan not to put him down, and Ryan insisted he never had. In Fredrik’s interview, he said Ryan had been doing it for ten years. He asked Steve why he was smiling, and Steve said he was Switzerland. In his interview, Steve wondered when Fredrik ever said no to making money. On the other hand, developers didn’t just end up on an email list by accident. In Fredrik’s interview, he said there hasn’t been a ton of resolution, but he felt better. He’d defended his business and reputation, and maybe Ryan would think twice about going after his developers. In Ryan’s interview, he said, confident is silent, and insecurities are loud. Fredrik thanked Ryan and jetted. Ryan said Steve did it on purpose, but Steve maintained he didn’t realize they had any beef.

On the Upper East Side, Tyler met Kemba at the townhouse. He said, at the end, he’d be able to walk away from whatever decision was made, but she’d have to live with it for a while. In his interview, he told us, a flapper party and a musical brought the boys to the yard. He finally had good news. Evan joined them, and Tyler said he knew Evan’s mom Linda was emotional about the property, and Evan confirmed that she was both financially and emotionally invested. They called Linda, and Tyler reminded her that the NYC market was challenging, but they’d gotten what he considered a very good offer. It was all cash, and the buyer wanted to use the home like they did. They had children and grandchildren, and wanted to use it as the family gathering home. The legacy would live on. He told her it was non-contingent at $6.65 million. He asked if he heard a sigh of happiness, but Linda said, not quite, but let’s talk. She thought the offer was somewhat low, and Tyler said, as a broker, he thought a client should counter every offer, because you didn’t know where the negotiation might land. Linda didn’t want to take less than $6.85  million; they’d put a lot of money and effort into the house. Tyler said, and it showed. He called broker Michael, and said the seller wanted to pursue the deal, and was countering at $6.85 million. It was a turnkey property, and everything else in the neighborhood under $7 million required a lot of work. Michael said he wanted to be honest, and his clients were looking at other properties. There were larger houses in the area, and with the market being in the position it was, he thought there had to be something to push his clients over the edge. Tyler said he didn’t like to go back and forth too many times with an emotional seller, or the deal might be over. Michael hinted that his clients had loved the fixtures. Tyler went back to Evan, with Linda on the phone, and asked how much the fixtures had cost. Evan thought it had been upward of $30K all together, and Tyler said the offer was $6.7 including the fixtures. He thought it would be a huge win, and the people would take great care of the home. Linda asked Evan what he thought, and he said, considering the market, he thought it was a solid offer, and they should take it. Linda said he was the professional, so she’d take his advice. Tyler called Michael back, telling him, $6.7 million, all cash, and it included the handmade light fixtures. In Tyler’s interview, he said light fixtures in NYC were a hot topic. Anything fastened to the walls was excluded, and a broker needed to have a conversation about it in every sale. He had to hope it was enough. Michael’s clients accepted the deal, and Tyler would be getting a $201K commission. He said he was proud, and Linda said she was shedding a tear, but she was pleased. In his interview, Tyler said he really liked Evan, and was happy for Kemba. She deserved someone special, and it was a special family.

KJ met Jacopo, the representative for Giovanni who was selling his Tribeca loft, and had given KJ two weeks to do it. It was listed at $10 million, but if she could get $30K in rent, he’d take it. KJ went to Jacopo’s showroom. He represented several high-end Italian brands, so I couldn’t blame her for cruising the clothing racks before she talked business. She said the offer was from an Italian client for renting at $23k month. She knew it was a far cry from $30K, but rentals were dicey at that price point, considering the market. She thought they should counter at $27.5K, and Jacopo gave her the go ahead. She called broker Alexandra, who said in Italy, people read articles about the NYC real estate market, and the concessions offered. She thought her client wouldn’t be comfortable at any more than $25K a month. In KJ’s interview, she said Giovanni could be stubborn when it came to price, but no vacancy was important in the market. She told Alexandra that they’d need significant liability insurance, and a character reference from someone in Italy, and Alexandra said her client would do whatever was necessary. In her interview, KJ said, losing $5000 a month was better than losing $25K if the loft was empty. She hoped Giovanni saw it the same way. Jacopo said Giovanni had the last word, and she presented the offer on a video chat with him. He said she’d been given a difficult task, and they’d asked a lot from her, although the offer was low. She said it would be a low-use apartment; a pied-a-terre, since the client lived in Italy. And the rental market in Tribeca was soft. If he waited, there was a chance he’d see no activity for two or three months. Giovanni told her, vet the profile, but he was inclined to accept the proposal. They had a deal. KJ’s commission was $108k, and in her interview, she said she would take her commission in the form of beautiful Italian cashmere. She asked Jacopo if she got a present, and he gifted her with a pretty nice coat.

Next time, Manhattan high end design comes to Brooklyn, an ice hockey game, and Ryan says he and Fredrik will never be best friends; they’re competitors.

🗽 Travel RHONY Style…

Not quite the Hamptons, but close enough. I actually wouldn’t mind checking some of these places out. I like an oyster or twelve myself.

https://www.purewow.com/travel/real-housewives-of-new-york-travel-guide-north-fork?amphtml=true

🐎 Not Quite Canceled…

Bravo’s not exactly breaking up with RHOD, but they’re taking a break.

https://www.eonline.com/news/1299219/the-real-housewives-of-dallas-is-not-returning-to-bravo-in-2022

🍞 Shabbat Debacle…

The sh*t show that is Ramona.

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/18/ramona-singer-called-out-by-eboni-and-luann-after-dinner/

https://pagesix.com/2021/08/11/eboni-k-williams-horrified-by-ramona-singer-at-black-shabbat/

🎢 The Week In Wives…

A stroll down this week’s Wives Memory Lane.

https://ew.com/tv/real-housewives-the-week-in-wives-aug-20-2021/

🍲 Great Addition…

Eboni is the pepper that spices the stew that is RHONY. I love her willingness to teach others, as well as learn herself.

https://www.etonline.com/eboni-k-williams-on-the-toll-of-her-rhony-freshman-run-and-those-reunion-rumors-exclusive-170549

⚰️ New Dead…

This isn’t super new news, but I hadn’t heard about it before. Day of the Dead was the third in the Night of the Living Dead trilogy by George Romero, but it’s not shown very often. This looks really promising, very old school zombie stuff, but I’ve learned not to get too attached to anything on the SyFy channel. Being Human Channel ZeroZ Nation<sob!> I will never forgive them for that one.

https://comicbook.com/horror/news/day-of-the-dead-tv-show-syfy-poster-release-date/

https://comicbook.com/horror/news/syfy-day-of-the-dead-tv-show-trailer-watch-online/

⌛️ Coming This Sunday…

Episode 1 of Season 11 of The Walking Dead premieres Sunday, August 22nd at 9 pm on AMC. Followed by Talking Dead, which I nerdily like even better. In this trailer, everyone looks very glamorous and has fabulous cheekbones.

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/the-walking-dead-final-season-11-teaser-cure-zombie-apocalypse-virus-commonwealth-mercer/

📚 Quotes of the Week

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real… it is possible… it’s yours. – Ayn Rand

Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen. – Leonardo da Vinci

As usual with women who want to find out things, she told more than she found out. – Addison DeWitt (George Sanders), All About Eve

You don’t even have the balls to be your own psycho. – Holland Price (Brad Loree), Mr. Hush

Our lives are the only meaningful expression of what we believe and in Whom we believe. And the only real wealth, for any of us, lies in our faith. – Gordon B. Hinckley

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3 (NIV 1984)

If you are insecure, guess what? The rest of the world is too. Do not overestimate the competition and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think. – T. Harv Eker, American Author and Spiritual Teacher (And for those of you who are egoists, you’re worse than you think.)

We got a whole lot of money, but we still pay rent, cuz you can’t buy a house in heaven.Lady Gaga, You & I

You don’t know what can happen tomorrow. Life is like a novel, isn’t it? It’s filled with suspense. You never know what’s going to happen until you turn the page. – Sidney Sheldon (Unless it’s a Sydney Sheldon novel.)

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards. – Søren Kierkegaard

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

🤸 Freedom For Me…

I got my second round of vaccine, and it smells like freedom. The weekend, or the tag on the end of another five days, depending on where you’re at, is also here. So no matter where you are at, do something you enjoy. The world might look different these days, but it can still be entertaining. Until we meet for the beginning of the Dead end, stay safe, stay on the sunny side of the street, and stay not letting your lack of transparency be a deal breaker.

⚠️ Waring: Might be offensive words. If you’re a puritan.